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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission File Number 0-29030

SUSSEX BANCORP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey
 
22-3475473
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 700
Rockaway, New Jersey 07866
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(844) 256-7328
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, no par value
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ☐    No ☒
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ☐    No ☒
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes ☒      No ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes ☒    No ☐
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐
 
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.
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ☒

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

Based upon the closing price of $13.36 on June 30, 2016, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was $63,348,003.  The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, outstanding as of March 9, 2017 was 4,787,144.



 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.





INDEX
 
 
 
 
FORM 10-K SUMMARY





FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
We may, from time to time, make written or oral “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), our reports to stockholders and in other communications by us. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements,” which may be identified by the use of such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential.”  Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates with respect to our financial condition, results of operation and business that are subject to various factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these estimates.  These factors include, but are not limited to:
changes to interest rates, the ability to control costs and expenses;
our ability to integrate new technology into our operations;
general economic conditions;
the success of our efforts to diversify our revenue base by developing additional sources of non-interest income while continuing to manage our existing fee based business;
the impact on us of the changing statutory and regulatory requirements; and
the risks inherent in commencing operations in new markets. 
Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in any other public statements we make may turn out to be wrong.  They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions we might make or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties.  Consequently, no forward-looking statements can be guaranteed.  We disclaim any obligation to subsequently revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements, or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, all references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “Sussex Bancorp,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” refer to Sussex Bancorp and its subsidiaries. References to the “Bank” are to Sussex Bank, our wholly owned bank subsidiary.


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PART I

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS

General
 
Sussex Bancorp is a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”) and was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey in January 1996.  The Company is the parent company of Sussex Bank (the “Bank”).  The only significant asset of Sussex Bancorp is its investment in the Bank.  At December 31, 2016, the Company had consolidated total assets of $848.7 million, gross loans of $696.1 million, deposits of $660.9 million and stockholders’ equity of $60.1 million.
 
The Bank is a commercial bank formed under the laws of the State of New Jersey in 1975 and is regulated by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (the “Department”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).  The Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries are SCB Investment Company, Inc., SCBNY Company, Inc., ClassicLake Enterprises, LLC, PPD Holding Company, LLC and Tri-State Insurance Agency, Inc. (“Tri-State”).  SCB Investment Company, Inc. and SCBNY Company, Inc. hold portions of the Bank’s investment portfolio.  ClassicLake Enterprises, LLC and PPD Holding Company, LLC hold certain foreclosed properties. Tri-State provides insurance agency services mostly through the sale of property and casualty insurance policies. 
 
The corporate office of the Company is located at 100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 700, Rockaway, New Jersey, 07866,  and the telephone number is (844) 256-7328.
 
Our Business
 
Our primary business is ownership and supervision of the Bank.  Through the Bank, we conduct a traditional commercial banking business, and offer services including personal and business checking accounts and time deposits, money market accounts and savings accounts.  We structure our specific services and charges in a manner designed to attract the business of the small and medium sized business and professional community as well as that of individuals residing, working and shopping in the northern New Jersey and New York markets.  We engage in a wide range of lending activities and offer commercial, consumer, mortgage, home equity and personal loans.
 
Through the Bank’s subsidiary, Tri-State, we operate a full service general insurance agency, offering both commercial and personal lines of insurance. 
 
We have two business segments, banking and financial services and insurance services. For financial data on the segments see Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements located elsewhere in this report.
 
Market Area
 
Our service area primarily consists of Sussex, Morris and Bergen Counties in New Jersey and Queens Counties, New York; although we make loans throughout New Jersey and the New York metropolitan markets.    We operate from our corporate office in Rockaway, New Jersey, our eleven branch offices located in Andover, Augusta, Franklin, Hackettstown, Montague, Newton, Oradell, Sparta, Vernon, and Wantage, New Jersey, and in Astoria, New York,  our regional office and corporate center in Wantage, New Jersey and our insurance agency offices in Augusta and Oradell, New Jersey.    On December 18, 2013 we permanently closed our Warwick, New York branch location and during the first and third quarters of 2014 we opened a corporate office and a regional office and corporate center in Rockaway and Wantage, New Jersey, respectively.  We opened a new branch location in Astoria, New York during the first quarter of 2015.  On March 5, 2016 we opened a new branch location which includes a regional lending office in Oradell, NJ in Bergen County.  On April 1, 2016 we permanently closed our regional lending and insurance agency offices in Rochelle Park, New Jersey, and transferred such lending and insurance activities to our Oradell branch. On April 29, 2016 we permanently closed our Port Jervis, New York branch location.  Our market area is among the most affluent in the nation.
 
Competition
 
We operate in a highly competitive environment competing for deposits and loans with commercial banks, thrifts and other financial institutions, many of which have greater financial resources than us.  Many large financial institutions in New York

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City and other parts of New Jersey compete for the business of customers located in our service area.  Many of these institutions have significantly higher lending limits than us and provide services to their customers which we do not offer.
 
Management believes we are able to compete on a substantially equal basis with our competitors because we provide responsive personalized services through management’s knowledge and awareness of our service area, customers and business.
 
Personnel
 
At December 31, 2016, we employed 131 full-time employees and 17 part-time employees.  None of these employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and we believe that our employee relations are good.
 
Supervision and Regulation
 
The Company, the Bank and certain of its non-banking subsidiaries are subject to extensive regulation under federal and state laws.  The regulatory framework applicable to bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks is intended to protect depositors, federal deposit insurance fund (the “DIF”) of the FDIC, and the U.S. banking system as a whole. This system is not designed to protect investors in bank holding companies such as the Company. 

Set forth below is a summary of the significant laws and regulations applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries. The summary that follows is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the statutes, regulations, and policies that are described. Statutes, regulations and policies are subject to ongoing review by Congress, state legislatures and federal and state agencies.  A change in any statute, regulation or policy applicable to the Company may have a material effect on the Company’s operations and financial performance. Financial reform legislation and regulations, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”), may have adverse implications on the financial industry, the competitive environment and our ability to conduct business.  As a result, we may incur additional expenses to comply with applicable laws and regulations, which may increase our costs of operations and adversely impact our earnings.
 
Overview
 
The Company is a separate and distinct legal entity from the Bank.  As a registered bank holding company, the Company is regulated under the BHC Act, and is subject to inspection, examination and supervision by the FRB.  The Company is also subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the regulatory requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as administered by the SEC.  The Company’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ under the trading symbol, “SBBX,” and the Company is subject to the NASDAQ rules for listed companies.  
 
The Bank is organized as a state-chartered commercial bank pursuant to the banking laws and regulations of the Department.  The Bank is subject to the supervision of, and to regular examination by, the Department as its primary chartering authority, as well as by the FDIC as its primary federal regulator and deposit insurer.  Financial products and services offered by the Company and the Bank are subject to federal consumer protection laws and regulations promulgated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”).  The Company, the Bank and certain of its nonbank subsidiaries must also comply with state consumer protection laws which are enforced by state attorneys generals.  The Bank's deposits are insured by the FDIC up to the applicable deposit insurance limits in accordance with FDIC laws and regulations.  The non-bank subsidiaries of the Company and the Bank are subject to federal and state laws and regulations, including regulations of the FRB, the FDIC and the Department, respectively.  Insurance agencies are licensed by the State of New Jersey and are regulated by the Department under state law.    
 
The Dodd-Frank Act has significantly changed the U.S. financial regulatory landscape.  Several provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to further rulemaking, guidance and interpretation by the federal banking agencies.  As a result, management cannot predict the ultimate impact of the Dodd-Frank Act or the extent to which it could affect operations of the Company and the Bank.
 
Federal Bank Holding Company Regulation
 
The Company is a bank holding company under the BHC Act.  The BHC Act generally limits the business of the Company to banking, managing or controlling banks, and other activities that the FRB has determined to be so closely related to banking “as to be a proper incident thereto.”  The Company is required to file periodic reports with the FRB and other information regarding its business operations and those of its subsidiaries.
 

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The BHC Act requires, among other things, prior FRB approval where a bank holding company proposes to (i) acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any other bank, (ii) acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of any class of voting stock of any bank or its parent company (unless it owns a majority of such bank’s voting shares) or (iii) merge or consolidate with any other bank holding company.  The FRB will not approve any acquisition, merger, or consolidation that would have a substantially anti-competitive effect, unless the anti-competitive impact of the proposed transaction is clearly outweighed by a greater public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served. When reviewing acquisitions or mergers, the FRB also considers, among other factors: (i) capital adequacy; (ii) the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the companies and the banks concerned; (iii) the convenience and needs of the community to be served; (iv) banks' record under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”); and (v) the effectiveness of the companies and the banks in combatting money laundering.
 
The BHC Act also generally prohibits a bank holding company, with certain limited exceptions, from (i) acquiring or retaining direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the outstanding voting stock of any company which is not a bank or bank holding company; or (ii) engaging directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks, or performing services for its subsidiaries, unless such non‑banking business is determined by the FRB to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks “as to be properly incident thereto”.  In making such determinations, the FRB is required to weigh the expected benefits to the public, such as, greater convenience, increased competition or gains in efficiency, against the possible adverse effects, such as, undue concentration of resources, decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of interest or unsound banking practices.
 
Bank holding companies whose subsidiary banks meet certain capital, management and standards under the CRA, which elect to become “financial holding companies,” are permitted to engage in a substantially broader range of non-banking financial activities than is otherwise permissible for bank holding companies under the BHC Act.  These activities include, among others, certain insurance, securities and merchant banking activities.  As our business is currently limited to activities permissible for a bank holding company, we have not elected to become a financial holding company.
 
Source of Strength Doctrine
 
FRB policy requires that bank holding companies act as a source of financial and managerial strength to their subsidiary banks.  Section 616 of the Dodd-Frank Act codifies the requirement that bank holding companies serve as a source of financial strength to their subsidiary depository institutions.  As a result, the Company is expected to commit resources to support the Bank, including at times when the Company may not be in a financial position to provide such resources.  Any capital loan by the Company to the Bank is subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary banks.  The U.S. bankruptcy code provides that, in the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to priority of payment.
Volcker Rule
Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act, commonly known as the Volcker Rule, restricts the ability of banking entities, such as the Company, from: (i) engaging in “proprietary trading” and (ii) investing in or sponsoring certain types of funds (“Covered Funds”), subject to certain limited exceptions. The implementing regulation defines a Covered Fund to include certain investments such as collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) and collateralized debt obligation securities. The regulation also provides, among other exemptions, an exemption for CLOs meeting certain requirements.  The Company expects to be fully compliant with the Volcker Rule by July 21, 2017.  Given the Company’s size and the scope of its activities, the Company does not believe the implementation of the Volcker Rule will have a significant effect on its financial statements.

Dividend Rights
 
The principal source of the Company’s liquidity is dividends from the Bank.  As a New Jersey-chartered bank, the Bank may declare and pay dividends only if, after payment of the dividend, the capital stock of the Bank will be unimpaired and either the Bank will have a surplus of not less than 50% of its capital stock or the payment of the dividend will not reduce the Bank’s surplus.

The Company`s ability to pay dividends is subject to the regulatory authority of the FRB. The supervisory concern of the FRB focuses on a bank holding company`s capital position, its ability to meet its financial obligations as they come due, and its capacity to act as a source of financial strength to its insured depository institution subsidiaries. In addition, FRB policy discourages the payment of dividends by a bank holding company that is not supported by current operating earnings.


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Capital Adequacy and Prompt Corrective Action
 
In July 2013, the FRB, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and the FDIC approved final rules (the “Capital Rules”) that established a new capital framework for U.S. banking organizations. The Capital Rules generally implement the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s (the “Basel Committee”) December 2010 final capital framework referred to as “Basel III” for strengthening international capital standards. In addition, the Capital Rules implement certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, including the requirements of Section 939A to remove references to credit ratings from the federal banking agencies’ rules.
 
The Capital Rules substantially revised the risk-based capital requirements applicable to bank holding companies and their depository institution subsidiaries. The risk-based capital guidelines are designed to make regulatory capital requirements sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banks and bank holding companies, to account for off-balance sheet exposures and to minimize disincentives for holding liquid, low-risk assets. The Capital Rules apply on a consolidated basis to bank holding companies with consolidated assets of $1 billion or more, and to certain bank holding companies with less than $1 billion in assets if they are engaged in substantial non-banking activity or meet certain other criteria.  Under FRB reporting requirements, a bank holding company that reaches $1 billion or more in total consolidated assets as of June 30 of the preceding year must begin reporting its consolidated capital beginning in March of the following year.  The threshold for capital consolidation was raised from $500 million to $1 billion effective May 15, 2015, As a result, the Company is no longer required to report its consolidated capital.  The Bank, however, must continue to meet minimum capital requirements and otherwise comply with the Capital Rules.
 
The Capital Rules: (i) require a capital measure called “Common Equity Tier 1” (“CET1”) and related regulatory capital ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets; (ii) specify that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting certain revised requirements; (iii) mandate that most deductions/adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital; and (iv) expand the scope of the deductions from and adjustments to capital as compared to existing regulations. The Capital Rules revised the definitions and the components of regulatory capital and impacted the calculation of the numerator in banking institutions’ regulatory capital ratios.  The Capital Rules became effective for the Bank on January 1, 2015, subject to phase-in periods for certain components and other provisions.  Under the Capital Rules, for most banking organizations, the most common form of Additional Tier 1 capital is non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and the most common forms of Tier 2 capital are subordinated notes and a portion of the allocation for loan losses, in each case, subject to the Capital Rules’ specific requirements.

Pursuant to the Capital Rules, the minimum capital ratios are as follows:
 
4.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets;

6.0% Tier 1 capital (CET1 plus Additional Tier 1 capital) to risk-weighted assets;

8.0% Total capital (Tier 1 capital plus Tier 2 capital) to risk-weighted assets; and

4.0% Tier 1 capital to average consolidated assets as reported on consolidated financial statements (known as the “leverage ratio”).

The Capital Rules also requires a “capital conservation buffer,” composed entirely of CET1, on top of these minimum risk-weighted asset ratios. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the capital conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity and other capital instrument repurchases and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall. When fully phased-in on January 1, 2019, the capital standards applicable to the Bank will include an additional capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of CET1, effectively resulting in minimum ratios inclusive of the capital conservation buffer of (i) CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7%, (ii) Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.5%, and (iii) Total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 10.5%.

The Capital Rules provide for a number of deductions from and adjustments to CET1. These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences that could not be realized through net operating loss carrybacks and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such items, in the aggregate, exceed 15% of CET1.

In addition, under the prior general risk-based capital rules, the effects of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss (“AOCI”) items included in shareholders’ equity (for example, marks-to-market of securities held in the available-for-sale portfolio) under U.S. GAAP are reversed for the purposes of determining regulatory capital ratios. Under the Capital Rules, the

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effects of certain AOCI items are not excluded; however, banking organizations not using the advanced approaches, including the Bank were permitted to make a one-time permanent election to continue to exclude these items in January 2015.   The Bank elected to make the one-time permanent election to exclude certain AOCI items for regulatory capital ratios. The Capital Rules also preclude certain hybrid securities, such as trust preferred securities issued after May 19, 2010, from inclusion in bank holding companies’ Tier 1 capital.

Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to CET1 began on January 1, 2015 and will be phased-in over a 4-year period (beginning at 40% on January 1, 2015 and an additional 20% per year thereafter). The implementation of the capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and will increase by 0.625% on each subsequent January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019.

The Capital Rules prescribe a standardized approach for risk weightings, generally ranging from 0% for U.S. governmental and agency securities, to 600% for certain equity exposures, and resulting in higher risk weights for a variety of asset classes.

With respect to the Bank, the Capital Rules revised the “prompt corrective action” (“PCA”) regulations adopted pursuant to Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the “FDIA”), by: (i) introducing a CET1 ratio requirement at each PCA category (other than critically undercapitalized), with the required CET1 ratio being 6.5% for well-capitalized status; (ii) increasing the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement for each category, with the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio for well-capitalized status being 8% (as compared to 6%); and (iii) eliminating the provision that permitted a bank with a composite supervisory rating of 1 and a 3% leverage ratio to be considered adequately capitalized. The Capital Rules did not change the total risk-based capital requirement for any PCA category.

Bank holding companies and insured banks also may be subject to potential enforcement actions of varying levels of severity by the federal regulators for unsafe or unsound practices in conducting their business, or for violation of any law, rule, regulation, condition imposed in writing by the agency or term of a written agreement with the agency. In more serious cases, enforcement actions may include the issuance of directives to increase capital; the issuance of formal and informal agreements; the imposition of civil monetary penalties; the issuance of a cease and desist order that can be judicially enforced; the issuance of removal and prohibition orders against officers, directors, and other institution-affiliated parties; the termination of the bank's deposit insurance; the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the bank; and the enforcement of such actions through injunctions or restraining orders based upon a judicial determination that the agency would be harmed if such equitable relief was not granted.

Management believes that the Bank is in compliance, and will remain in compliance, with the targeted capital ratios as such capital requirements are phased in.

Depositor Preference

The FDIA provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution, including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors, and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver, will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, non-deposit creditors, including the parent bank holding company, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution

Federal Deposit Insurance
 
The Bank`s deposit accounts are fully insured by the DIF of the FDIC up to the deposit insurance limits of $250,000 per depositor, per insured institution, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. 

The FDIC uses a risk-based assessment system that imposes insurance premiums based upon a risk matrix that accounts for a bank's capital level and supervisory rating (“CAMELS rating”).  The risk matrix uses different risk categories distinguished by capital levels and supervisory ratings.  The base for deposit insurance assessments is consolidated average assets less average tangible equity.  Assessment rates are calculated using formulas that take into account the risk of the institution being assessed.  In addition to deposit insurance assessments, the FDIA provides for additional assessments to be imposed on insured depository institutions to pay for the cost of Financing Corporation (“FICO”) funding.  The FICO is a mixed-ownership government corporation established by the Competitive Equality Banking Act of 1987, whose sole purpose was to function as a financing vehicle for the now defunct Federal Savings & Loan Insurance Corporation.  The FICO assessments are adjusted quarterly to reflect changes in the assessment base of the DIF and do not vary depending upon a depository institution’s capitalization or supervisory evaluation.


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Under the FDIA, the FDIC may terminate deposit insurance upon a finding that an insured depository institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. The Company’s management is not aware of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to the termination of deposit insurance.

Reserve Requirements

FRB regulations require insured depository institutions to maintain non-interest earning reserves against their transaction accounts (primary interest-bearing and regular checking accounts).  The Bank’s required reserves can be in the form of vault cash.  If vault cash does not fully satisfy the required reserves, in the form of a balance maintained with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.  FRB regulations required for 2016 that reserves be maintained against aggregate transaction accounts, except for transaction accounts which are exempt up to $15.2 million. Transaction accounts greater than $15.2 million up to and including $110.2 million have a reserve requirement of 3%.  A 10% reserve ratio will be assessed on transaction accounts in excess of $110.2 million. The FRB makes annual adjustments to the tiered reserves.  The Bank is in compliance with these reserve requirements.
 
Transactions with Affiliates and Insiders

Under federal law, transactions between depository institutions and their affiliates are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act (“FRA”) and its implementing Regulation W. In a bank holding company context, at a minimum, the parent holding company of a bank, and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company, are affiliates of the bank. Generally, sections 23A and 23B of the FRA are intended to protect insured depository institutions from losses arising from transactions with non-insured affiliates by limiting the extent to which a bank or its subsidiaries may engage in covered transactions with any one affiliate and with all affiliates of the bank in the aggregate, and requiring that such transactions be on terms consistent with safe and sound banking practices.

Further, Section 22(h) of the FRA and its implementing Regulation O restricts loans to directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders (“insiders”). Under Section 22(h), loans to insiders and their related interests may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such persons and affiliated entities, the institution’s total capital and surplus. Loans to insiders above specified amounts must receive the prior approval of the board of directors. Further, under Section 22(h) of the FRA, loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders must be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons, except that such insiders may receive preferential loans made under a benefit or compensation program that is widely available to the bank’s employees and does not give preference to the insider over the employees. Section 22(g) of the FRA places additional limitations on loans to executive officers.
 
Anti-Money-Laundering
 
The Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”), as amended by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”), imposes obligations on U.S. financial institutions, including banks and broker-dealer subsidiaries, to implement policies, procedures and controls which are reasonably designed to detect and report instances of money laundering and the financing of terrorism.  The USA PATRIOT Act requires all financial institutions, including the Company and the Bank, to identify their customers, adopt formal and comprehensive anti-money laundering programs, scrutinize or prohibit altogether certain transactions of special concern, and be prepared to respond to inquiries from U.S. law enforcement agencies concerning their customers and their transactions. The USA PATRIOT Act also encourages information-sharing among financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement authorities by providing an exemption from the privacy provisions of the GLB Act for financial institutions that comply with this provision. The effectiveness of a financial institution in combating money laundering activities is a factor to be considered in any application submitted by the financial institution under the Bank Merger Act, which applies to the Bank, or the BHC Act, which applies to the Company. Failure of a financial institution to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, or to comply with all of the relevant laws or regulations, could have serious legal, financial and reputational consequences.  As of December 31, 2016, the Company and the Bank believe that they are in compliance with the BSA and the USA PATRIOT Act, and implementing regulations thereof.
 
Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation

The United States has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. These are typically known as the “OFAC” rules based on their administration by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). The OFAC-administered sanctions targeting countries take many different forms. Generally, they contain one or more of the following elements: i) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions against direct or indirect imports from and exports to a sanctioned country and prohibitions on “U.S. persons” engaging

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in financial transactions relating to making investments in, or providing investment-related advice or assistance to, a sanctioned country; and ii) a blocking of assets in which the government or specially designated nationals of the sanctioned country have an interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including property in the possession or control of U.S. persons). Blocked assets (property and bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Failure to comply with these sanctions could have serious legal and reputational consequences.

Consumer Protection and CFPB Supervision

The Dodd-Frank Act centralized responsibility for federal consumer financial protection in the CFPB, which is an independent agency charged with responsibility for implementing, enforcing, and examining compliance with federal consumer laws and regulations.  The Company and the Bank are subject to a number of federal and state laws designed to protect borrowers and promote lending to various sectors of the economy. Among others, these laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, various state law counterparts, and the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, which is part of the Dodd-Frank Act and established the CFPB. Neither the Dodd-Frank Act nor the individual consumer financial protection laws prevent states from adopting stricter consumer protection standards. State regulation of financial products and potential enforcement actions could also adversely affect the Company`s business, financial condition or operations.

Community Reinvestment Act of 1977
 
The Bank has a responsibility under the CRA and its implementing regulations to help meet the credit needs of its communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.  The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community.  Regulators periodically assess the Bank’s record of compliance with the CRA.  In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act prohibit discrimination in lending practices on the basis of characteristics specified in those statutes. The Bank’s failure to comply with the CRA could, at a minimum, result in regulatory restrictions on its activities and the activities of the Company.  The Bank received a “Satisfactory” CRA rating in its most recent examination.

Financial Privacy Laws 
 
Section V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and its implementing regulations require all financial institutions, including the Company and the Bank, to adopt privacy policies, restrict the sharing of nonpublic customer data with nonaffiliated parties at the customer’s request, limit the reuse of certain consumer information received from nonaffiliated financial institutions, and establish procedures and practices to protect customer data from unauthorized access.  In addition, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”), as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (“FACT Act”), includes many provisions affecting the Company, Bank, and/or their affiliates, including provisions concerning obtaining consumer reports, furnishing information to consumer reporting agencies, maintaining a program to prevent identity theft, sharing of certain information among affiliated companies, and other provisions. The FACT Act requires persons subject to FCRA to notify their customers if they report negative information about them to a credit bureau or if they are granted credit on terms less favorable than those generally available. The CFPB and the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) have extensive rulemaking authority under the FACT Act, and the Company and the Bank are subject to the rules that have been promulgated under the FACT Act, including rules requiring financial institutions with covered accounts (e.g. consumer bank accounts and loans) to develop, implement, and administer an identity theft protection program, as well as rules regarding limitations on affiliate marketing and implementation of programs to identify, detect and mitigate certain identity theft red flags.  The Company has developed policies and procedures for itself and its subsidiaries, including the Bank, and believes it is in compliance with all privacy, information sharing, and notification provisions of the GLB Act and the FACT Act.  The Bank is also subject to data security standards, privacy and data breach notice requirements, primarily those issued by the FDIC.
 
Employee Compensation
 
The Dodd-Frank Act requires publicly traded companies to give stockholders a non-binding vote on executive compensation at their first annual meeting taking place six months after the date of enactment and at least every three years thereafter and on so-called “golden parachute” payments in connection with approvals of mergers and acquisitions.

The Dodd-Frank Act also requires the federal banking agencies and the SEC to establish joint regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements at specified regulated entities with at least $1 billion in total consolidated assets that encourage inappropriate risks by providing an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder with excessive compensation, fees, or benefits that could lead to material financial loss to the entity. The federal banking agencies and the SEC

7



most recently proposed such regulations in 2016, but the regulations have not yet been finalized. If the regulations are adopted in the form initially proposed, they will restrict the manner in which executive compensation is structured.

Future Legislative Initiatives

From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced by Congress, state legislatures, and financial regulatory agencies.  Such initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and/or depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system.  Such legislation could change banking statutes and the operating environment of the Company in substantial and unpredictable ways.  If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. The Company cannot predict whether any such legislation will be enacted, and, if enacted, the effect that it or any implementing regulations would have on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.  A change in statutes, regulations, or regulatory policies applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries could have a material effect on the business of the Company. 
 
Available Information
 
We file annual reports, quarterly reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  Also, the SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.  The public can obtain any documents that we file with the SEC at www.sec.gov.
 
We maintain a website at www.sussexbank.com. Through a link to our Investor Relations section of our website, we make available, free of charge, copies of each of our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K, and, if applicable, any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

If the bank regulators impose limitations on our commercial real estate lending activities, our earnings could be adversely affected.

In 2006, the FDIC, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (collectively, the “Agencies”) issued joint guidance entitled “Concentrations in Commercial Real Estate Lending, Sound Risk Management Practices” (the “CRE Guidance”). Although the CRE Guidance did not establish specific lending limits, it provides that a bank’s commercial real estate lending exposure may receive increased supervisory scrutiny where total non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, including loans secured by apartment buildings, investor commercial real estate and construction and land loans, represent 300% or more of an institution’s total risk-based capital and the outstanding balance of the commercial real estate loan portfolio has increased by 50% or more during the preceding 36 months. Our level of non-owner occupied commercial real estate equaled 379% of Bank total risk-based capital at December 31, 2016.

In December 2015, the Agencies released a new statement on prudent risk management for commercial real estate lending (the “2015 Statement”). In the 2015 Statement, the Agencies express concerns about easing commercial real estate underwriting standards, direct financial institutions to maintain underwriting discipline and exercise risk management practices to identify, measure and monitor lending risks, and indicate that the Agencies will continue “to pay special attention” to commercial real estate lending activities and concentrations going forward. If the FDIC, the Bank's primary federal regulator were to impose restrictions on the amount of commercial real estate loans we can hold in our portfolio, or require higher capital ratios as a result of the level of commercial real estate loans we hold, our earnings would be adversely affected.


Our allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses.    

Like all financial institutions, we maintain an allowance for loan losses to provide for loan defaults and nonperformance.  Our allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses, and future provisions for loan losses could materially and adversely affect the results of our operations.  In addition to periodic reviews by an independent loan review

8



function, risks within the loan portfolio are analyzed on a continuous basis by management and by the Board of Directors.  A risk system, consisting of multiple-grading categories, is utilized as an analytical tool to assess risk and the appropriate level of loss reserves.  Along with the risk system, management further evaluates risk characteristics of the loan portfolio under current economic conditions and considers such factors as the financial condition of the borrowers, past and expected loan loss experience and other factors management feels deserve recognition in establishing an adequate reserve.  This risk assessment process is performed at least quarterly and any necessary adjustments are realized in the periods in which they become known.  The amount of future losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates that may be beyond our control, and these losses may exceed current estimates.  State and federal regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, review our loans and allowance for loan losses and have in the past required an increase in our allowance for loan losses.  Although we believe that our allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover probable and reasonably estimated losses, we cannot assure you that we will not further increase the allowance for loan losses or that our regulators will not require us to increase this allowance.  Either of these occurrences could adversely affect our earnings.

If our non-performing assets increase, our earnings will be negatively impacted.

At December 31, 2016, our non-performing assets (“NPAs”) (which consist of non-accrual loans, loans 90 days or more delinquent, performing troubled debt restructurings and foreclosed real estate assets) totaled $9.3 million, which was a decrease of $872 thousand or 8.5% from December 31, 2015.  However, we can give no assurance that our NPAs will continue to decrease and we may experience increases in NPAs in the future.  Our NPAs adversely affect our net income in various ways.  We do not record interest income on non-accrual loans or real estate owned.  We must reserve for estimated credit losses, which are established through a current period charge to the provision for loan losses, and from time to time, if appropriate, we must write down the value of properties in the other real estate owned portfolio to reflect changing market values.  Additionally, there are legal fees associated with the resolution of problem assets as well as carrying costs, including taxes, insurance and maintenance related to our other real estate owned.  Further, the resolution of NPAs requires the active involvement of management, potentially distracting them from the overall supervision of our operations and other income-producing activities.

Our earnings may not grow if we are unable to successfully attract core deposits and lending opportunities and exploit opportunities to generate fee-based income. 

We have experienced growth, and our future business strategy is to continue to expand.  Historically, the growth of our loans and deposits has been the principal factor in our increase in net-interest income.  In the event that we are unable to execute our business strategy of continued growth in loans and deposits, our earnings could be adversely impacted.  Our ability to continue to grow depends, in part, upon our ability to expand our market share, to successfully attract core deposits and identify loan and investment opportunities, as well as opportunities to generate fee-based income.  Our ability to manage growth successfully will also depend on whether we can continue to efficiently fund asset growth and maintain asset quality and cost controls, as well as on factors beyond our control, such as economic conditions and interest-rate trends. 

We do not have any control over the commissions our insurance business expects to earn on the sale of insurance products, which are based on premiums and commission rates set by insurers and the conditions prevalent in the insurance market.

The revenues of our fee-based insurance business are derived primarily from commissions from the sale of insurance policies, which commissions are generally calculated as a percentage of the policy premium.  Commission rates and premiums can change based on the prevailing economic and competitive factors that affect insurance underwriters.  In addition, the insurance industry has been characterized by periods of intense price competition due to excessive underwriting capacity and periods of favorable premium levels due to shortages of capacity. We cannot predict the timing or extent of future changes in commission rates or premiums or the effect any of these changes will have on the operations of our insurance business.

Changes in interest rates could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.    

Our profitability, like that of most financial institutions, depends substantially on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on our interest-earning assets and the interest expense paid on our interest-bearing liabilities.  Increases in interest rates may decrease loan demand and make it more difficult for borrowers to repay adjustable rate loans.  In addition, as market interest rates rise, we will have competitive pressures to increase the rates we pay on deposits, which will result in a decrease of our net interest income.
 
We also are subject to reinvestment risk associated with changes in interest rates.  Changes in interest rates may affect the average life of loans and mortgage-related securities.  Decreases in interest rates can result in increased prepayments of loans and mortgage-related securities as borrowers refinance to reduce borrowing costs.  Under these circumstances, we are subject to

9



reinvestment risk to the extent that we are unable to reinvest the cash received from such prepayments at rates that are comparable to the rates on existing loans and securities.
 
Certain of our intangible assets may become impaired in the future.
 
Intangible assets are tested for impairment on a periodic basis. Impairment testing incorporates the current market price of our common stock, the estimated fair value of our assets and liabilities, and certain information of similar companies. It is possible that future impairment testing could result in a decline in value of our intangibles, which may be less than the carrying value, which may adversely affect our financial condition.  If we determine that impairment exists at a given point in time, our earnings and the book value of the related intangibles will be reduced by the amount of the impairment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the results of impairment testing on our intangible assets have no impact on our tangible book value or regulatory capital levels.

We operate in a highly-regulated environment and are subject to extensive government supervision and regulation that affects our operations and may adversely impact our business.

We are subject to extensive federal and state supervision and regulation that govern nearly all aspects of our operations and can have a material impact on our business.  Financial regulatory authorities have significant discretion regarding the supervision, regulation and enforcement of banking laws and regulations.  
 
Banking and insurance laws, regulations and policies are subject to amendment by Congress, the State of New Jersey and federal and state financial regulatory agencies.  Changes to statutes, regulations or policies, including changes in the administrative interpretation of regulations or policies, could materially impact our business.  These changes could impose additional costs on us and limit the types of financial products and services that we may offer our customers.  Compliance with laws and regulations can be difficult and costly, and changes to laws and regulations often impose significant compliance costs.  Failure to comply with any laws, regulations or policies could result in sanctions by financial regulatory agencies, including civil money penalties, private lawsuits or reputational damage, any of which could adversely affect our business or results of operations. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent such violations, there can be no assurance that violations will not occur.  See the section titled “Supervision and Regulation” in ITEM 1. Business.
 
Since the 2008 global financial crisis, financial institutions have been subject to increased scrutiny from Congress, state legislatures and federal and state financial regulatory agencies.  Recent changes to the legal and regulatory framework have significantly altered the laws and regulations under which we operate.  These changes may reduce our ability to effectively compete in attracting and retaining customers.  The passage and continued implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act, among other laws and regulations, has increased our costs of doing business and resulted in decreased revenues and net income.  The Dodd-Frank Act and implementing regulations could also have adverse implications on the financial industry, the competitive environment and our ability to conduct business.  Several provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to further rulemaking, guidance and interpretation by the federal financial regulatory agencies.  As a result, we cannot provide assurance that future changes in laws, regulations and policies will not adversely affect our business.


State and federal financial regulatory agencies periodically conduct examinations of our business, including for compliance with laws and regulations, and our failure to comply with any supervisory actions to which we are or become subject as a result of such examinations may adversely affect our business.
 
Federal and state financial regulatory agencies periodically conduct examinations of our business, including our compliance with laws and regulations.  If, as a result of an examination, an agency were to determine that the financial, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity, or other aspects of any of our operations had become unsatisfactory, or violates any law or regulation, federal financial agencies may take several different remedial or enforcement actions it deems appropriate to correct any deficiency.  Such actions include the power to enjoin “unsafe or unsound” practices, to require affirmative actions to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in the bank’s capital, to restrict the bank’s growth, to assess civil monetary penalties against the bank’s officers or directors, to remove officers and directors and, if the FDIC concludes that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance. The Department, as the supervisory and regulatory authority for state-chartered banks, has similar enforcement powers with respect to our banking business and insurance agency.  The CFPB has the authority to take enforcement actions, including cease-and-desist orders or civil monetary penalties against us if it finds that we offer consumer financial products and services in violation of federal consumer financial protection laws.
 

10



If we were unable to comply with future regulatory directives, or if we were unable to comply with the terms of any future supervisory requirements to which we may become subject, then we could become subject to a variety of supervisory actions and orders, including cease and desist orders, prompt corrective actions, MOUs, and/or other regulatory enforcement actions.  If our financial regulators were to take such supervisory actions, then we could, among other things, become subject to greater restrictions on our ability to develop any new business, as well as restrictions on our existing business, and we could be required to raise additional capital, dispose of certain assets and liabilities within a prescribed period of time, or both.  Failure to implement remedial measures as required by financial regulatory agencies could result in additional orders or penalties from federal and state regulators, which could result in one or more of the remedial actions described above.  The terms of any supervisory action and associated consequences with any failure to comply with any supervisory action could have a material negative effect on our business, operating flexibility and overall financial condition.

There is a risk that we may not be repaid in a timely manner, or at all, for loans we make.    

The risk of non-payment (or deferred or delayed payment) of loans is inherent in commercial banking.  Such non-payment, or delayed or deferred payment of loans to us, if they occur, may have a material adverse effect on our earnings and overall financial condition.  Additionally, in compliance with applicable banking laws and regulations, we maintain an allowance for loan losses created through charges against earnings.  As of December 31, 2016, our allowance for loan losses was $6.7 million.  Our marketing focus on small to medium-size businesses may result in the assumption by us of certain lending risks that are different from or greater than those which would apply to loans made to larger companies.  We seek to minimize our credit risk exposure through credit controls, which include evaluation of potential borrowers’ available collateral, liquidity and cash flow.  However, there can be no assurance that such procedures will actually reduce loan losses.

We are in competition with many other financial service providers, including larger commercial banks which have greater resources than us.    

The banking industry within our trade area is highly competitive.  Our principal market area is also served by branch offices of large commercial banks and thrift institutions.  In addition, in 1999, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999 was passed into law.  The Modernization Act permits other financial entities, such as insurance companies and securities firms, to acquire or form financial institutions, thereby further increasing competition.  A number of our competitors have substantially greater resources than we do to expend upon advertising and marketing, and their substantially greater capitalization enables them to make much larger loans.  Our success depends upon our ability to serve small business clients in a more responsive manner than the large and mid-size financial institutions against whom we compete in our principal market area. In addition to competition from larger institutions, we also face competition for individuals and small businesses from recently formed banks seeking to compete as “home town” institutions.  Most of these new institutions have focused their marketing efforts on the smaller end of the small business market we serve.

We depend on our executive officers and key personnel to continue the implementation of our long-term business strategy and could be harmed by the loss of their services.    
 
We believe that our continued growth and future success will depend in large part upon the skills of our management team.  The competition for qualified personnel in the financial services industry is intense, and the loss of our key personnel or an inability to continue to attract, retain and motivate key personnel could adversely affect our business.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our existing key personnel or attract additional qualified personnel.  We have employment agreements and/or change in control agreements with our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Lending Officer, Chief Retail Officer, Bergen Team Leader and Chief Executive Officer of Tri-State, and the loss of the services of one or more of our executive officers and key personnel could impair our ability to continue to develop our business strategy. 

Changes in local economic conditions could adversely affect our loan portfolio.    

Our success depends to a great extent upon the general economic conditions of the local markets that we serve.  Unlike larger banks that are more geographically diversified, we provide banking and financial services primarily to customers in the New Jersey and New York markets in which we have branches, so any decline in the economy of this specific region could have an adverse impact on us.

The ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, our financial results, the credit quality of our existing loan portfolio, and the ability to generate new loans with acceptable yield and credit characteristics may be adversely affected by changes in prevailing economic conditions, including declines in real estate values, changes in interest rates, adverse employment conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the federal government.  We cannot assure you that negative trends or developments would not have a significant adverse effect on us.

11




We cannot predict how changes in technology will impact our business.    

The financial services market, including banking services, is increasingly affected by advances in technology, including developments in telecommunications, data processing, automation, internet-based banking, telephone banking, and debit cards and so-called “smart cards.”
 
Our ability to compete successfully in the future will depend on whether we can anticipate and respond to technological changes.  To develop these and other new technologies, we will likely have to make additional capital investments.  Although we continually invest in new technology, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient resources or access to the necessary proprietary technology to remain competitive in the future.

Our information systems may experience an interruption or breach in security. 

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business.  Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in our customer-relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan and other systems.  While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur, or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed.  The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.


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ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
We conduct our business through our corporate office in Rockaway, New Jersey, our regional office and corporate center in Wantage, New Jersey, our insurance agency offices in Augusta, New Jersey, and our eleven branch offices.  The following table sets forth certain information regarding our properties as of December 31, 2016.  We believe that our existing facilities are sufficient for our current needs. All properties are adequately covered by insurance.
LOCATION
 
LEASED OR OWNED
 
DATE OF LEASE EXPIRATION
28-21 Astoria Blvd
 
 
 
 
Astoria, New York
 
Leased
 
November, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
399 Route 23
 
 
 
 
Franklin, New Jersey
 
Owned
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
7 Church Street
 
 
 
 
Vernon, New Jersey
 
Owned
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
266 Clove Road
 
 
 
 
Montague, New Jersey
 
Leased
 
March, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
96 Route 206
 
 
 
 
Augusta, New Jersey
 
Leased
 
July, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
378 Route 23
 
 
 
 
Wantage, New Jersey
 
Owned
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
455 Route 23
 
 
 
 
Wantage, New Jersey
 
Owned (1)
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
15 Boulder Hills Blvd.
 
 
 
 
Wantage, New Jersey
 
Leased
 
June, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
15 Trinity Street
 
 
 
 
Newton, New Jersey
 
Owned
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
165 Route 206
 
 
 
 
Andover, New Jersey
 
Owned
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
100 Route 206
 
 
 
 
Augusta, New Jersey
 
Owned
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
33 Main Street
 
 
 
 
Sparta, New Jersey
 
Owned
 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 700
 
 
 
 
Rockaway, New Jersey
 
Leased
 
January, 2020
 
 
 
 
 
430 Schooley's Mtn. Road
 
 
 
 
Hackettstown, New Jersey
 
Leased
 
June, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
296 Kinderkamack Road
 
 
 
 
Oradell, New Jersey
 
Leased
 
September, 2027
 
 
 
 
 
(1).
We own the building housing our former Wantage branch.  The land on which the building is located is leased pursuant to a ground lease which runs until December 31, 2020, and contains the sole option of the bank to extend the lease for an additional 25 year term.
 
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are periodically involved in various legal proceedings as a normal incident to our business.  In the opinion of management no material loss is expected from any such pending lawsuit. 
 


13



ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable. 


14



PART II
 
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market, under the symbol “SBBX.”  As of December 31, 2016, we had approximately 544 holders of record. 

The following table shows the high and low sales price during the periods indicated, as well as dividends declared:
2016
 
High
 
Low
 
Cash Dividends
Declared
Fourth Quarter ended December 31
 
$21.95
 
$16.33
 
$0.04
Third Quarter ended September 30
 
$16.95
 
$13.33
 
$0.04
Second Quarter ended June 30
 
$14.00
 
$12.20
 
$0.04
First Quarter ended March 31
 
$13.45
 
$11.43
 
$0.04
2015
 
High
 
Low
 
Cash Dividends
Declared
Fourth Quarter ended December 31
 
$13.79
 
$12.30
 
$0.04
Third Quarter ended September 30
 
$12.87
 
$11.90
 
$0.04
Second Quarter ended June 30
 
$12.80
 
$11.11
 
$0.04
First Quarter ended March 31
 
$11.30
 
$9.81
 
$0.04

Dividend Policy

The payment of dividends depends upon our debt and equity structure, earnings, financial condition, need for capital in connection with possible future acquisitions and other factors, including economic conditions, regulatory restrictions and tax considerations. We cannot guarantee the payment of dividends.

The only funds available for the payment of dividends on our capital stock will be cash and cash equivalents held by us, dividends paid to us by the Bank, and borrowings.  The Bank is prohibited from paying cash dividends to us to the extent that any such payment would reduce the Bank’s capital below required capital levels.  See “Bank Holding Company Regulation – Capital Adequacy Guidelines for Bank Holding Companies” and “Bank Regulation” for a discussion of these restrictions. For additional information see Note 19 in our consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this report.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

There were no sales by us of unregistered securities during the year ended December 31, 2016. 

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

There were no purchases made by or on behalf of us of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2016.


15



ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data as of December 31 for each of the five years presented should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes.
(Dollars in thousands,  except per share data))
As of and for the Year Ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
SUMMARY OF INCOME:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
29,160

 
$
23,644

 
$
21,300

 
$
19,642

 
$
19,967

Interest expense
4,762

 
3,568

 
3,294

 
3,201

 
3,800

Net interest income
24,398

 
20,076

 
18,006

 
16,441

 
16,167

Provision for loan losses
1,291

 
636

 
1,537

 
2,745

 
4,330

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
23,107

 
19,440

 
16,469

 
13,696

 
11,837

Other income
7,829

 
6,453

 
5,961

 
6,093

 
7,001

Other expenses
22,585

 
20,553

 
18,829

 
18,228

 
18,432

Income before income tax expense (benefit)
8,351

 
5,340

 
3,601

 
1,561

 
406

Income tax expense (benefit)
2,828

 
1,640

 
1,001

 
133

 
(329
)
Net income
$
5,523

 
$
3,700

 
$
2,600

 
$
1,428

 
$
735

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES: (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
4,619,124

 
4,559,316

 
4,541,305

 
3,781,562

 
3,261,809

Diluted
4,651,108

 
4,591,822

 
4,580,350

 
3,816,904

 
3,287,017

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PER SHARE DATA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
1.20

 
$
0.81

 
$
0.57

 
$
0.38

 
$
0.23

Diluted earnings per share
1.19

 
0.81

 
0.57

 
0.37

 
0.22

Cash dividends (2)
0.16

 
0.16

 
0.09

 

 

BALANCE SHEET:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans, net
$
688,561

 
$
537,833

 
$
466,332

 
$
386,981

 
$
342,760

Total assets
848,728

 
684,503

 
595,915

 
533,911

 
514,734

Total deposits
660,921

 
517,856

 
458,270

 
430,297

 
432,436

Total stockholders’ equity
60,072

 
53,941

 
51,229

 
46,425

 
40,372

Average assets
770,470

 
627,298

 
559,885

 
529,152

 
510,565

Average stockholders’ equity
57,518

 
52,715

 
49,494

 
42,382

 
40,720

PERFORMANCE RATIOS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Return on average assets
0.72
%
 
0.59
%
 
0.46
%
 
0.27
%
 
0.14
%
Return on average stockholders’ equity
9.60
%
 
7.02
%
 
5.25
%
 
3.37
%
 
1.81
%
Average equity/average assets
7.47
%
 
8.40
%
 
8.84
%
 
8.01
%
 
7.98
%
Net interest margin
3.37
%
 
3.45
%
 
3.49
%
 
3.41
%
 
3.52
%
Efficiency ratio (3)
70.08
%
 
77.47
%
 
78.56
%
 
80.89
%
 
79.56
%
Other income to net interest income plus other income
24.29
%
 
24.32
%
 
24.87
%
 
27.04
%
 
30.22
%
Dividend payout ratio
13.45
%
 
19.75
%
 
15.79
%
 

 

CAPITAL RATIOS: (4)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tier I capital to average assets
10.41
%
 
9.45
%
 
10.19
%
 
10.38
%
 
9.27
%
Tier I capital to total risk-weighted assets
12.87
%
 
11.74
%
 
12.79
%
 
14.21
%
 
12.88
%
Total capital to total risk-weighted assets
13.86
%
 
12.79
%
 
14.02
%
 
15.47
%
 
14.13
%
Common equity Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets
12.87
%
 
11.74
%
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

ASSET QUALITY RATIOS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accrual loans to total loans
0.84
%
 
0.98
%
 
1.26
%
 
3.03
%
 
5.14
%
Non-performing assets to total assets (5)
1.10
%
 
1.49
%
 
2.02
%
 
3.10
%
 
4.61
%
Net loan charge-offs to average total loans
0.03
%
 
0.14
%
 
0.33
%
 
0.65
%
 
3.70
%
Allowance for loan losses to total loans at period end
0.96
%
 
1.03
%
 
1.20
%
 
1.38
%
 
1.43
%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans (6)
95.93
%
 
81.43
%
 
74.23
%
 
39.73
%
 
26.93
%
(1)
The weighted average number of shares outstanding was computed based on the average number of shares outstanding during each period as adjusted for subsequent stock dividends.
(2)
Cash dividends per common share are based on the actual number of common shares outstanding on the dates of record as adjusted for subsequent stock dividends, if any.

16



(3)
Efficiency ratio is total other expenses divided by net interest income and total other income.
(4)
Bank capital ratios.
(5)
NPAs include non-accrual loans, loans past due 90 days and still accruing, troubled debt restructured loans still accruing and foreclosed real estate.
(6)
Non-performing loans include non-accrual loans, loans past due 90 days and still accruing and troubled debt restructured loans still accruing.

ITEM 7
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 Overview
 
We are a bank holding company of a community bank primarily operating in northern New Jersey and New York that provides diversified financial services to both consumer and business customers.  Our primary source of revenues, approximately 75%, is derived from net interest income which represents the difference between the interest we earn on our assets, principally loans and investment securities, and interest we pay on our deposits and borrowings.  Net interest income expressed as a percentage of average interest-earning assets is referred to as net interest margin.  Our net interest margin was negatively impacted during the year ended December 31, 2016 due to the continued low interest rate environment.  The impact resulted in interest earning asset yields decreasing and rates on interest bearing deposits increasing, which decreased our net interest margin by 8 basis points to 3.37% for the year ended 2016 compared to 3.45% for the year ended 2015.
   
For 2016, our net income increased to $5.5 million, or $1.20 per basic and $1.19 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $3.7 million, or $0.81 per basic and diluted share, for the same period last year.  The increase in net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was largely due to an increase in net interest income of $4.3 million and higher non-interest income of $1.4 million, which were partially offset by increases in non-interest expenses of $2.0 million, income tax expense of $1.2 million and provision for loan loss of $655 thousand. 
 
We augment our primary revenue source through non-interest income sources that include insurance commissions from our wholly owned subsidiary, Tri-State, service charges on deposits, bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) income and commissions on mutual funds and annuities.  In addition, we from time to time may recognize income on gains on sales of securities; however, we do not consider this a primary source of income.

Total loans receivable, net of unearned income, increased $151.8 million, or 27.9%, to $695.3 million at December 31, 2014, from $543.4 million at year-end 2015.  This increase was primarily attributed to growth  in the commercial loan portfolio. Our total deposits increased $143.1 million, or 27.6%, to $660.9 million at December 31, 2016, from $517.9 million at December 31, 2015.  The increase in deposits was due to increases in both interest bearing deposits of $97.8 million, or 22.7%, and non-interest bearing deposits of $45.2 million, or 51.9%, for December 31, 2016, as compared to December 31, 2015.    
 
We continued to make progress in 2016 towards reducing our problem assets, which was one of our primary goals.  For 2016, we had a 8.5% improvement in NPAs and our total problem assets, which consists of foreclosed real estate and criticized and classified loans, declined by 1.6% as compared to 2015.  In addition, the ratio of NPAs to total assets improved to 1.1% at December 31, 2016 from 1.5% at December 31, 2015. 

At December 31, 2016, our total stockholders’ equity was $60.1 million, an increase of $6.1 million when compared to December 31, 2015.  The increase was largely due to net income for the year ended December 31, 2016.  At December 31, 2016, the leverage, Tier I risk-based capital, total risk-based capital and common equity Tier I capital ratios for the Bank were 10.41%, 12.87%, 13.86% and 12.87%, respectively, all in excess of the ratios required to be deemed “well-capitalized.”
 
Management Strategy
 
Our goal is to serve as a community-oriented financial institution serving northern New Jersey and the New York marketplace.  While offering traditional community bank loan and deposit products and services, we obtain significant non-interest income through Tri-State’s insurance brokerage operations.  We report the operations of Tri-State as a separate segment from our commercial banking operations. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this report for additional information regarding our two segments.

Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our accounting policies are fundamental to understanding Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.  Our accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements

17



included elsewhere in this report.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Since future events and their effect cannot be determined with absolute certainty, actual results may differ from those estimates.  Management makes adjustments to its assumptions and judgments when facts and circumstances dictate.  The amounts currently estimated by us are subject to change if different assumptions as to the outcome of future events are subsequently made.  We evaluate our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Management believes the following critical accounting policies encompass the more significant judgments and estimates used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses.  The allowance for loan losses reflects the amount deemed appropriate by management to provide for known and inherent losses in the existing loan portfolio.  Management’s judgment is based on the evaluation of the past loss experience of individual loans, the assessment of current economic conditions, and other relevant factors.  Loan losses are charged directly against the allowance for loan losses and recoveries on previously charged-off loans are added to the allowance.  Management uses significant estimates to determine the allowance for loan losses.  Consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing these estimates, including current economic conditions, diversification of the loan portfolio, delinquency statistics, borrowers’ perceived financial and managerial strengths, the adequacy of underlying collateral, if collateral dependent, or present value of future cash flows, and other relevant factors.  Since the sufficiency of the allowance for loan losses is dependent to a great extent on conditions that may be beyond our control, it is possible that management’s estimates of the allowance for loan losses and actual results could differ in the near term.  Although we believe that we use the best information available to establish the allowance for loan losses, future additions to the allowance may be necessary if certain future events occur that cause actual results to differ from the assumptions used in making the evaluation.  For example, a downturn in the local economy could cause increases in non-performing loans.  Additionally, a decline in real estate values could cause some of our loans to become inadequately collateralized.  In either case, this may require us to increase our provisions for loan losses, which would negatively impact earnings.  Additionally, a large loss could deplete the allowance and require increased provisions to replenish the allowance, which would negatively impact earnings.  Finally, regulatory authorities, as an integral part of their examination, periodically review the allowance for loan losses.  They may require additions to the allowance for loan losses based upon their judgments about information available to them at the time of examination.  Future increases to our allowance for loan losses, whether due to unexpected changes in economic conditions or otherwise, could adversely affect our future results of operations.
 
Appraisal Policy.    We have a detailed policy covering the real estate appraisal process, including the selection of qualified appraisers, review of appraisal reports upon receipt, and complying with the federal regulatory standards that govern the minimum requirements for obtaining appraisals or evaluations to support the determination of the allowance for loan losses. Appraisals and evaluations are considered to be current when the valuation date is within 12 months of a new loan or 24 months of any renewal of an existing loan, provided that certain conditions are met.  The appraisal is not considered to be current if there has been a substantial change in value, demand, supply or competitive factors.
 
The following types of transactions require a real estate appraisal:

Non-residential transactions when the transaction value exceeds $250,000.

Loan transactions in which real estate is used as the primary security for the loan, regardless of the type of loan (commercial, installment or mortgage), including:

New loans, loan modifications, loan extensions and renewals, provided that certain conditions are met.

The purchase, sale, exchange or investment in real property or an interest in real property where the “transaction value” of the real property interest exceeds $250,000.

The long-term lease of real estate, which is the economic equivalent of a purchase or sale where the “transaction value” of the real property interest exceeds $250,000.

Purchase of a loan or pool of loans, or participation therein, or of an interest in real property, providing that any individual loan or property interest exceeds $250,000, and further provided that a satisfactory appraisal of the property relating to that loan or interest has not been made available to the Bank by another party to the transaction.

The need for real estate appraisals applies to initial loan underwriting and subsequently when the value of the real estate collateral might be materially affected by changing market conditions, changes in the occupancy of the property, changes in cash flow generated by the property, changes in the physical conditions of the property, or other factors.  These factors include changes in the sales prices of comparable properties, absorption rates, capitalization rates, effective rental rates and current construction costs.

18



 
Real estate appraisals are not required for the following transactions: 

New loans, loan modifications, loan extensions and renewals with real property interest value of $250,000 or less.

Purchase, sale, exchange, long-term lease or investment in real property where the “transaction value” of the real property interest does not exceed $250,000.

Renewal or extension of an existing loan in excess of $250,000 provided that certain conditions are met.

Purchase of a loan or pool of loans, or participation therein, or of an interest in real property where a satisfactory appraisal of the property relating to that loan or interest has been made available to the Bank by another federally insured depository institution that is subject to Title XI of Financial Institutions Reform Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989.

While real estate appraisals are not required for transactions of $250,000 or less, we will consider obtaining one if the orderly liquidation of the collateral is the primary source of repayment.  To the extent that an appraisal is not required for a real estate collateralized transaction, we will obtain for its credit files another acceptable form of valuation (i.e. equalized value with a reasonable market relevance or evaluation).  
 
Additionally, real estate appraisals are not required on transactions over $250,000 when taking a lien on real property as collateral solely through an “abundance of caution,” and where the terms of the transaction have not been made more favorable than would have been in the absence of the mortgage lien.  In determining whether an appraisal can be waived due to this reason, approval must be obtained from our Chief Credit Officer.
 
Generally, we obtain updated appraisals for real estate loan renewals and modifications or certain classified loans depending on the age of the last appraisal, volatility of the local market, and other factors. In certain circumstances, if we can support an appraisal that is greater than one year old with an evaluation, utilizing current information, including, but not limited to, current comparable sales, independent appraisal, consultant data or tax assessment values, then we may continue to use the existing appraisal. For classified/criticized loans, when it is determined that a deficiency exists utilizing the above evaluation methods, a new appraisal will be ordered. 
 
Foreclosed real estate is primarily comprised of property acquired through a foreclosure proceeding or acceptance of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. Foreclosed real estate is initially recorded at fair value, less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis.  Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Revenues and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in expenses related to foreclosed real estate.
 
Derivatives. The Company utilizes derivative instruments in the form of interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in its cash flows due to interest rate risk. The variability in cash flows is managed as part of the Company’s asset/liability management process.  In accordance with accounting requirements, the Company formally designates all of its hedging relationships as cash flow hedges, intended to offset changes in the cash flows of certain financial instruments due to movement in interest rates, and documents the strategy for undertaking the hedge transactions and its method of assessing ongoing effectiveness.

All derivatives are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Financial Statements at their fair values.  Should the cash flow hedge become ineffective, the ineffective portion of changes in fair value (i.e. gain or loss) is reported in current period earnings.  The effective portion of the change in fair value is initially recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction effects earnings. 

Derivative effectiveness and ineffectiveness will be assessed and measured at the date of designation (inception), each reporting date, and whenever a designated hedge period is terminated to ensure that ongoing high effectiveness is expected by regression analysis of the periodic change in fair value of the hedging instrument and the periodic change in fair value of the hypothetical derivative.

The Company’s interest rate derivatives are comprised entirely of interest rate swaps hedging floating-rate and forecasted issuances of fixed-rate liabilities and accounted for as cash flow hedges.  The carrying value of interest rate derivatives is included in the balance of other assets or other liabilities. Changes in fair value are offset against accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax.


19




Income Taxes.  Management considers accounting for income taxes as a critical accounting policy due to the subjective nature of certain estimates that are involved in the calculation and evaluation of the timing and recognition of resulting tax assets and liabilities.  Management uses the asset liability method of accounting for income taxes in which deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities.  Deferred tax expense is the result of changes between deferred tax assets and liabilities.  The principal types of differences between assets and liabilities for financial statement and tax return purposes are allowance for loan losses, deferred compensation, securities available for sale and interest rate swaps. Significant estimation is required to determine if a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is required.  A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when, in the judgment of management, it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not become available.  Because the judgment about the level of future taxable income is dependent to a great extent on matters that may, at least in part, be beyond the Company’s control, it is at least reasonably possible that management’s judgment about the need for a valuation allowance for deferred taxes could change in the near term.
 
Goodwill.    We have recorded goodwill of $2.8 million at December 31, 2016, primarily related to the acquisition of Tri-State in October of 2001. Our recorded goodwill total also includes $486 thousand related to the 2006 acquisition of $6.3 million in deposits in our Port Jervis branch.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2016 we announced the closing of the Port Jervis branch and the deposits from that branch were transferred to our Montague, New Jersey branch. As of December 31, 2016 deposits originated in that branch were $10.1 million.  FASB ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Others, requires that goodwill is not amortized to expense, but rather be tested for impairment at least annually.  We periodically assess whether events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of goodwill require additional impairment testing.  We perform our annual impairment test on the goodwill of Tri-State in the fourth quarter of each calendar year.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the book value, no write-downs of goodwill are necessary.  If the fair value is less than the book value, an additional test is necessary to assess the proper carrying value of goodwill.  We determined that no impairment write-offs were necessary during 2016 and 2015.
 
Reporting unit valuation is inherently subjective, with a number of factors based on assumptions and management judgments.  Among these are future growth rates, discount rates and earnings capitalization rates.  Changes in assumptions and results due to economic conditions, industry factors and reporting unit performance could result in different assessments of the fair value and could result in impairment charges in the future.
 
Investment Securities Impairment Evaluation.    The Company periodically evaluates the security portfolio to determine if a decline in the fair value of any security below its cost basis is other-than-temporary.  The Company’s evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment considers the duration and severity of the impairment, the company’s intent and ability to hold the securities and our assessments of the reason for the decline in value and the likelihood of a near-term recovery.  If a determination is made that a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company will estimate the amount of the unrealized loss that is attributable to credit and all other non-credit related factors.  The credit related component will be recognized as an other-than-temporary impairment charge in non-interest income.  The non-credit related component will be recorded as an adjustment to AOCI, net of tax. For held to maturity securities, the amount of an other-than-temporary impairment recorded in other comprehensive income for the noncredit portion of a previous other-than-temporary impairment should be amortized prospectively over the remaining life of the security on the basis of the timing of future estimated cash flows of the security.  No available for sale and held to maturity securities at December 31, 2016 or December 31, 2015 were deemed to be impaired. 

20



 
Fair Value Measurements. We use fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets to determine fair value disclosures. Investment, mortgage-backed securities available for sale, and interest rate swaps are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, we may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans, real estate owned and certain other assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets. FASB ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC Topic 820”), establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC Topic 820 are as follows:
Level 1:
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
 
 
Level 2:
Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. Level 2 includes debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently then exchange-traded instruments. Valuation techniques include matrix pricing which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted market prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices.
 
 
Level 3:
Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported with little or no market activity).

Under ASC Topic 820, we base our fair values on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It is our policy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when developing fair value measurements, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy in FASB ASC Topic 820.  Fair value measurements for assets where there exists limited or no observable market data and, therefore, are based primarily upon our or other third-party’s estimates, are often calculated based on the characteristics of the asset, the economic and competitive environment and other such factors. Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of our financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique.  Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts we could have realized in sales transaction on the dates indicated.  The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective period end and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates.  As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each period-end. Additionally, changes in the underlying assumptions used, including discount rates and estimates of future cash flows, could significantly affect the results of current or future valuations.
 
COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT YEAR-END DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
 
General.  At December 31, 2016, we had total assets of $848.7 million compared to total assets of $684.5 million at December 31, 2015, an increase of $164.3 million, or 24.0%. Gross loans increased $151.8 million, or 27.9%, to $695.3 million at December 31, 2016, from $543.4 million at December 31, 2015.  Total deposits increased 27.6% to $660.9 million at December 31, 2016, from $517.9 million at December 31, 2015.
.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents.    Our cash and cash equivalents increased $8.5 million, or 139.2%, at December 31, 2016 to $14.6 million from $6.1 million at December 31, 2015. 
 
Securities Portfolio Our securities portfolio is designed to provide interest income, including tax-exempt income, provide a source of liquidity, diversify the earning assets portfolio, allow for management of interest rate risk, and provide collateral for public fund deposits and borrowings.  Securities are classified as either, available for sale or held to maturity.  The portfolio is composed primarily of obligations of U.S. government agencies and government sponsored entities, including collateralized mortgage obligations issued by such agencies and entities, and tax-exempt municipal bonds.
 
We periodically conduct reviews to evaluate whether unrealized losses on our investment securities portfolio are deemed temporary or whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred.  Various inputs to economic models are used to determine if an unrealized loss is other-than-temporary.  All of our debt securities in an unrealized loss position have been evaluated as of December 31, 2016, and we do not consider any security to be other-than-temporarily impaired.  We evaluated the prospects of the issuers in relation to the severity and the duration of the unrealized losses.  Our securities in unrealized loss positions are mostly driven by wider credit spreads and changes in interest rates.  Based on that evaluation we do not intend to sell any security in an

21



unrealized loss position, and it is more likely than not that we will not have to sell any of our securities before recovery of its cost basis. 
 
Our available for sale securities are carried at fair value while securities held to maturity are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts.  Unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale are excluded from results of operations, and are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity net of taxes.  Securities classified as available for sale include securities that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, the need to increase regulatory capital or other similar requirements. Management determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase. 
 
The following table shows the carrying value of our available for sale security portfolio as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. 
 
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
U.S. government agencies
$
13,087

 
$
12,788

 
$
7,858

State and political subdivisions
40,688

 
38,149

 
26,384

Mortgage-backed securities
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored enterprises
32,854

 
42,839

 
43,724

Corporate debt
1,982

 

 

Equity securities-financial services industries and other

 

 
10

Total available for sale
$
88,611

 
$
93,776

 
$
77,976


Our securities available for sale, decreased by $5.2 million, or 5.5%, to $88.6 million at December 31, 2016 from $93.8 million at December 31, 2015.  During 2016, we  purchased $42.9 million in new securities, $36.0 million in securities were sold and $9.2 million in securities matured, were called or were repaid.  At December 31, 2016, there was an unrealized loss of $1.2 million in securities available for sale as compared to an unrealized gain of $144 thousand at December 31, 2015. The decline in market value is mainly attributable to an increase in market rates. During 2016 there was a net realized gain of $436 thousand on the sale of available for sale securities as compared to $271 thousand in 2015.    
 
We had $11.6 million of our security portfolio classified as held to maturity at December 31, 2016, an increase of $4.8 million from December 31, 2015.  Held to maturity securities, carried at amortized cost, consist of the following at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. 
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
State and political subdivisions
$
11,618

 
$
6,834

 
$
6,006

Total held to maturity securities
$
11,618

 
$
6,834

 
$
6,006

 
The securities portfolio contained no high-risk securities or derivatives as of December 31, 2016.
 
The contractual maturity distribution and weighted average yield of our available for sale securities at December 31, 2016, are summarized in the following table.  Securities available for sale are carried at amortized cost in the table for purposes of calculating the weighted average yield received on such securities.  Weighted average yield is calculated by dividing income within each maturity range by the outstanding amount of the related investment and has not been tax-effected on the tax-exempt obligations.
 
Due under 1 Year
 
Due 1-5 Years
 
Due 5-10 Years
 
Due over 10 Years
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
Available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies
$

 
%
 
$

 
%
 
$

 
%
 
$
13,115

 
1.71
%
State and political subdivisions

 
%
 
199

 
4.70
%
 
3,567

 
3.06
%
 
37,489

 
2.83
%
Mortgage-backed securities -
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored enterprises

 
%
 

 
%
 
4,689

 
1.90
%
 
28,794

 
1.56
%
Corporate debt

 
%
 

 
%
 
2,000

 
5.13
%
 

 
%
Total Available for Sale 
$

 
%
 
$
199

 
4.70
%
 
$
10,256

 
2.93
%
 
$
79,398

 
2.18
%

22



 
The contractual maturity distribution and weighted average yield of our securities held to maturity, at cost, at December 31, 2016, are summarized in the following table.  Weighted average yield is calculated by dividing income within each maturity range by the outstanding amount of the related investment and has not been tax-effected on the tax-exempt obligations.
 
Due under 1 Year
 
Due 1-5 Years
 
Due 5-10 Years
 
Due over 10 Years
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
Held to maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
8,764

 
1.19
%
 
$

 
%
 
$
1,813

 
3.06
%
 
$
1,041

 
4.53
%
Total held to maturity
$
8,764

 
1.19
%
 
$

 
%
 
$
1,813

 
3.06
%
 
$
1,041

 
4.53
%
 
We held $5.1 million in Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”)  stock at December 31, 2016 that we do not consider an investment security.  Ownership of this restricted stock is required for membership in the FHLBNY. 
 
Loans.    The loan portfolio comprises the largest component of our earning assets.  Total loans receivable, net of unearned income, at December 31, 2016, increased $151.8 million, or 27.9%, to $695.3 million from $543.4 million at December 31, 2015.  Loan growth for 2016 occurred primarily in commercial real estate loans (an increase of $97.0 million, or 25.4%) and residential real estate loans (an increase of $23.0 million, or 18.1%).     

The following table summarizes the composition of our loan portfolio by type as of December 31, 2012 through 2016:
 
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Commercial and industrial
$
40,280

 
$
20,023

 
$
20,549

 
$
15,205

 
$
16,158

Construction
25,360

 
13,348

 
12,379

 
7,307

 
7,004

Commercial real estate
479,227

 
382,262

 
326,370

 
260,664

 
225,345

Residential real estate
150,237

 
127,204

 
111,498

 
107,992

 
98,301

Consumer and other loans
1,038

 
1,253

 
1,665

 
1,617

 
1,255

Total gross loans
$
696,142

 
$
544,090

 
$
472,461

 
$
392,785

 
$
348,063

 
The increase in loans was primarily funded during 2016 by an increase in our deposits.
 
The maturity ranges of the loan portfolio and the amounts of loans with predetermined interest rates and floating rates in each maturity range, as of December 31, 2016, are presented in the following table.
 
December 31, 2016
(Dollars in thousands)
Due Under
1 Year
 
Due 1-5
Years
 
Due Over
5 Years
Commercial and industrial
$
14,693

 
$
13,343

 
$
12,244

Construction
20,374

 
3,486

 
1,500

Commercial real estate
34,098

 
21,742

 
423,387

Residential real estate
2,655

 
4,614

 
142,968

Consumer and other
282

 
234

 
522

Total loans
$
72,102

 
$
43,419

 
$
580,621

Interest rates:
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed or predetermined
$
55,832

 
$
32,898

 
$
145,234

Floating or adjustable
16,270

 
10,521

 
435,387

Total loans
$
72,102

 
$
43,419

 
$
580,621


Loan and Asset Quality.    NPAs consist of non-accrual loans, loans over 90 days delinquent and still accruing interest, troubled debt restructured loans still accruing and foreclosed real estate.  Total NPAs decreased by $872 thousand, or 8.5%, to $9.3 million at year-end 2016 from $10.2 million at year-end 2015. The ratio of NPAs to total assets for December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were 1.1% and 1.5%, respectively.


23



Our non-accrual loan balance increased $521 thousand, or 9.8%, to $5.8 million at December 31, 2016, from $5.3 million at December 31, 2015.  Troubled debt restructured loans still accruing decreased $874 thousand, or 56.3%, to $679 thousand at December 31, 2016, from $1.6 million at December 31, 2015.  Foreclosed assets decreased $987 thousand to $2.4 million at December 31, 2016, from $3.4 million at December 31, 2015. 

Management continues to monitor our asset quality and believes that the non-accrual loans are adequately collateralized and anticipated material losses have been adequately reserved for in the allowance for loan losses.
The following table provides information regarding risk elements in the loan and securities portfolio as of December 31, 2012 through 2016.
 
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Non-accrual loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
33

 
$
20

 
$
94

 
$

 
$
27

Construction

 

 

 

 
2,462

Commercial real estate
4,048

 
4,016

 
3,936

 
9,700

 
12,062

Residential real estate
1,752

 
1,138

 
1,893

 
2,192

 
3,315

Consumer and other

 
138

 
1

 

 
1

Total nonaccrual loans
5,833

 
5,312

 
5,924

 
11,892

 
17,867

Loans past due 90 days and still accruing
468

 

 
85

 
123

 
208

Troubled debt restructured loans still accruing
679

 
1,553

 
1,590

 
1,628

 
608

Total non-performing loans
6,980

 
6,865

 
7,599

 
13,643

 
18,683

Foreclosed real estate
2,367

 
3,354

 
4,449

 
2,926

 
5,066

Total non-performing assets
$
9,347

 
$
10,219

 
$
12,048

 
$
16,569

 
$
23,749

Non-accrual loans to total loans
0.84
%
 
0.98
%
 
1.26
%
 
3.03
%
 
5.14
%
Non-performing assets to total assets
1.10
%
 
1.49
%
 
2.02
%
 
3.10
%
 
4.61
%
Interest income received on nonaccrual loans
$
165

 
$
138

 
$
138

 
$
122

 
$
301

Interest income that would have been recorded under the original terms of the loans
$
213

 
$
264

 
$
301

 
$
774

 
$
996

 
In addition to monitoring non-performing loans we continue to monitor our portfolio for potential problem loans. Potential problem loans are defined as loans which cause management to have serious concerns as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan repayment terms and which may cause the loan to be placed on non-accrual status. As of December 31, 2016,  we had  three loans totaling $1.3 million that we deemed potential problem loans. Management is actively monitoring these loans.
 
Future increases in the allowance for loan losses may be necessary based on the growth of the loan portfolio, the change in composition of the loan portfolio, possible future increases in non-performing loans and charge-offs, and the impact of deterioration of the real estate and economic environments in our lending region. Although we use the best information available, the level of allowance for loan losses remains an estimate that is subject to significant judgment and short-term change. For additional information, see Critical Accounting Policies above and as more fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses.    The allowance for loan losses consists of general, specific and unallocated components.  The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired.  For those loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value or observable market price of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers all other loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors.  Other adjustments may be made to the allowance for pools of loans after an assessment of internal or external influences on credit quality that are not fully reflected in the historical loss or risk rating data. 
 
The allowance contains reserves identified as unallocated. These reserves reflect management's attempt to ensure that the overall allowance reflects a margin for imprecision and the uncertainty that is inherent in estimates of probable credit losses.
Management regularly assesses the appropriateness and adequacy of the loan loss reserve in relation to credit exposure associated with individual borrowers, overall trends in the loan portfolio and other relevant factors, and believes the reserve is reasonable and adequate for each of the periods presented.

24



At December 31, 2016, the allowance for loan losses was $6.7 million,  an increase of $1.1 million, or 19.8%, from $5.6 million at December 31, 2015.  The provision for loan losses was  $1.3 million and there were $518 thousand in charge-offs and $333 thousand in recoveries during 2016.  The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total loans was 0.96% at December 31, 2016 compared to 1.03% at December 31, 2015.    The decrease in allowance for loan losses as percentage of total loans is mostly due to an increase in total loans of $151.8 million at December 31, 2016 as compared to December 31, 2015.
The table below presents information regarding our provision and allowance for loan losses for each of the periods presented.
 
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Balance at beginning of year
$
5,590

 
$
5,641

 
$
5,421

 
$
4,976

 
$
7,210

Provision charged to operating expenses
1,291

 
636

 
1,537

 
2,745

 
4,330

Recoveries of loans previously charged-off:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
268

 
17

 
17

 
122

 
2

Commercial real estate
37

 
41

 
39

 
450

 
78

Residential real estate
21

 
17

 
4

 
112

 

Consumer and other
7

 
7

 
10

 
12

 
27

Total recoveries
333

 
82

 
70

 
696

 
107

Loans charged-off:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
227

 
19

 
1

 
55

 
169

Construction

 

 

 
350

 
1,538

Commercial real estate
187

 
560

 
1,168

 
2,317

 
3,904

Residential real estate
67

 
165

 
181

 
246

 
998

Consumer and other
37

 
25

 
37

 
28

 
62

Total charge-offs
518

 
769

 
1,387

 
2,996

 
6,671

Net charge-offs
185

 
687

 
1,317

 
2,300

 
6,564

Balance at end of year
$
6,696

 
$
5,590

 
$
5,641

 
$
5,421

 
$
4,976

Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
0.03
%
 
0.14
%
 
0.33
%
 
0.62
%
 
3.70
%
Allowance for loan losses total loans at year-end
0.96
%
 
1.03
%
 
1.20
%
 
1.38
%
 
1.43
%

The table below presents details concerning the allocation of the allowance for loan losses to the various categories for each of the periods presented.  The allocation is made for analytical purposes and it is not necessarily indicative of the categories in which future credit losses may occur.  The total allowance is available to absorb losses from any category of loans.
 
Allowance for Loans Losses at December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
Percent
of Loans
in Each
Category
to Total
 
Amount
 
Percent
of Loans
in Each
Category
to Total
 
Amount
 
Percent
of Loans
in Each
Category
to Total
Commercial and industrial
$
110

 
5.8
%
 
$
85

 
3.7
%
 
$
231

 
4.3
%
Construction
359

 
3.6
%
 
220

 
2.5
%
 
383

 
2.6
%
Commercial real estate
3,932

 
68.9
%
 
3,646

 
70.2
%
 
3,491

 
69.1
%
Residential real estate
899

 
21.6
%
 
784

 
23.4
%
 
903

 
23.6
%
Consumer and other loans
19

 
0.1
%
 
87

 
0.2
%
 
19

 
0.4
%
Unallocated
1,377

 

 
768

 

 
614

 

Total
$
6,696

 
100.0
%
 
$
5,590

 
100.0
%
 
$
5,641

 
100.0
%
 

25



 
Allowance for Loans Losses at December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
Percent
of Loans
in Each
Category
to Total
 
Amount
 
Percent
of Loans
in Each
Category
to Total
Commercial and industrial
$
222

 
3.9
%
 
$
271

 
4.6
%
Construction
308

 
1.8
%
 
223

 
2.0
%
Commercial real estate
3,399

 
66.4
%
 
3,395

 
64.7
%
Residential real estate
941

 
27.5
%
 
869

 
28.3
%
Consumer and other loans
16

 
0.4
%
 
38

 
0.4
%
Unallocated
535

 

 
180

 

Total
$
5,421

 
100.0
%
 
$
4,976

 
100.0
%
 
Premises and Equipment.    Net premises and equipment decreased by $151 thousand, or 1.7%, from $8.9 million at December 31, 2015 to $8.7 million at December 31, 2016.
 
Bank-owned Life Insurance.    Our BOLI carrying value increased  to $16.5 million at December 31, 2016 from $12.5 million at December 31, 2015.  The increase was principally the result of the addition of a $3.7 million policy during the fourth quarter of 2016. Additionally there was $308 thousand in net earnings on BOLI policies in 2016.  
 
Deposits.    Total deposits increased $143.1 million, or 27.6%, to $660.9 million at December 31, 2016, from $517.9 million at December 31, 2015.  The increase in deposits was due to increases in interest bearing demand deposits of $52.8 million, or 18.0%, non-interest bearing transaction deposits of $45.2 million, or 51.9%, and time deposits of $45.0 million, or 32.9%, for December 31, 2016, as compared to December 31, 2015.  Our funding mix continued to improve as non-interest deposits increased.
 
Total average deposits increased $108.9 million from $492.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 to $601.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2016,  a 22.1% increase.  Average NOW accounts increased $15.1 million, or 11.6%, from $130.6 million for 2015 to $145.7 million for 2016.  Average demand accounts increased $31.9 million, or 37.1% from $86.0 million for 2015 to $117.9 million for 2016.  Average time deposits increased $43.6 million, or 36.6%, from $119.3 million for 2015 to $162.9 million for 2016.  Average money market balances increased $19.8 million, or 114.3%, from $17.3 million for 2015 to $37.0 million for 2016.  Average savings accounts decreased $1.4 million or 1.0%, from $139.1 million for 2015 to $137.7 million for 2016.  Increases to average NOW accounts, demand, time deposits and money market balances were partly offset by the aforementioned decreases in other savings accounts.
 


The average balances and weighted average rates paid on deposits for 2016,  2015 and 2014 are presented below.
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2016 Average
 
2015 Average
 
2014 Average
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance
 
Rate
 
Balance
 
Rate
 
Balance
 
Rate
Demand, non-interest bearing
$
117,927

 
%
 
$
86,016

 
%
 
$
65,720

 
%
NOW
145,659

 
0.21
%
 
130,569

 
0.17
%
 
118,913

 
0.15
%
Money market
37,046

 
0.40
%
 
17,287

 
0.20
%
 
11,901

 
0.14
%
Savings
137,696

 
0.21
%
 
139,120

 
0.20
%
 
143,965

 
0.21
%
Time
162,864

 
1.05
%
 
119,256

 
1.03
%
 
105,748

 
1.09
%
Total deposits
$
601,192

 
0.41
%
 
$
492,248

 
0.36
%
 
$
446,247

 
0.37
%
 

26



The remaining maturity for certificates of deposit accounts of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2016 is presented in the following table.
(Dollars in thousands)
 
3 months or less
$
60,155

3 to 6 months
12,614

6 to 12 months
21,235

Over 12 months
13,742

Total
$
107,746

 
Borrowings.    Borrowings may consist of short and long-term advances from the FHLBNY and a line of credit at Atlantic Central Bankers Bank.  The FHLBNY advances are secured under terms of a blanket collateral agreement by a pledge of qualifying residential and commercial mortgage loans.  At December 31, 2016, we had $61.0 million in long-term FHLB advances outstanding at a weighted average interest rate of 2.45%. Additionally, we had a $5.0 million line of credit at Atlantic Community Bankers' Bank at a rate of floating prime plus 50 basis points. At December 31, 2016, the line of credit was fully drawn upon. The increase in borrowings for 2016, as compared to 2015, was necessary to fund loan growth.
 
The following table summarizes short-term borrowings and weighted average interest rates paid during the past three years.
 
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Average daily amount of short-term borrowings outstanding during the period
$
27,304

 
$
8,778

 
$
2,657

Weighted average interest rate on average daily short-term borrowings
0.63
%
 
0.43
%
 
0.34
%
Maximum short-term borrowings outstanding at any month-end
$
62,535

 
$
34,650

 
$
23,500

Short-term borrowings outstanding at period end
$
29,805

 
$
34,650

 
$
23,500

Weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowings at period end
0.79
%
 
0.52
%
 
0.39
%
 
Subordinated Debentures.    On June 28, 2007, we raised $12.9 million in capital through the issuance of subordinated debentures to a non-consolidated statutory trust subsidiary.  The subsidiary in turn issued $12.5 million in variable rate capital trust pass through securities to investors in a private placement.  The interest rate is based on the three-month LIBOR plus 144 basis points and adjusts quarterly.  The rate at December 31, 2016 was 2.40%.  The capital securities are currently redeemable by us at par in whole or in part.  These trust preferred securities must be redeemed upon final maturity on September 15, 2037.  The proceeds of these trust preferred securities, which have been contributed to the Bank, are included in the Bank’s capital ratio calculations and treated as Tier I capital.

In accordance with FASB ASC 810, Consolidation, our wholly owned subsidiary, Sussex Capital Trust II, is not included in our consolidated financial statements.  For regulatory reporting purposes, the Federal Reserve Board allows trust preferred securities to continue to qualify as Tier I capital subject to specified limitations.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2016, the Company completed a private placement of $15 million in fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes to an institutional investor. The subordinated notes have a maturity date of December 22, 2026 and bear interest at the rate of 5.75% per annum, payable quarterly, for the first five years of the term, and then at a variable rate that will reset quarterly to a level equal to the then current 3-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points over the remainder of the term.
 
During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement related to the subordinated notes where the Company pays a fixed rate of 3.10% and receives the three-month LIBOR plus 144 basis points. The Company utilizes the interest rate swap to hedge the risk of variability in its future cash flows attributable to changes in the three-month LIBOR rate.

Equity.  Stockholders’ equity inclusive of AOCI, net of income taxes, was $60.1 million at December 31, 2016, an increase of $6.1 million, from the $53.9 million at year-end 2015. The increase in stockholders’ equity was mostly due to $5.5 million in net income in 2016, which was offset by $752 thousand in dividends declared during 2016 as compared to 2015. 
 


27




COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR YEAR-END DECEMBER 31, 2016 AND 2015
 
Results of Operations. Our net income is impacted by five major components and each of them is reviewed in more detail in the following discussion:
 
net interest income, or the difference between interest income earned on loans and investments and interest expense paid on deposits and borrowed funds;

provision for loan losses, or the amount added to the allowance for loan losses to provide reserves for inherent losses on loans;

non-interest income, which is made up primarily of certain loan and deposit fees, insurance commissions and gains and losses from sales of securities or other transactions;

non-interest expense, which consists primarily of salaries, employee benefits, credit collection and write-off costs and other operating expenses; and

income taxes.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company reported net income of $5.5 million, or $1.20 per basic and $1.19 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $3.7 million, or $0.81 per basic and diluted share, for the same period last year.  The increase in net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily attributed to an increase in net interest income of $4.3 million, mostly driven by a 27.9% increase in loans, which was partially offset by increases in certain non-interest expenses.    
 
Net Interest Income.  Net interest income is the most significant component of our income from operations. Net interest income is the difference between interest earned on total interest-earning assets (primarily loans and investment securities), on a fully taxable equivalent basis, where appropriate, and interest paid on total interest-bearing liabilities (primarily deposits and borrowed funds). Fully taxable equivalent basis represents income on total interest-earning assets that is either tax-exempt or taxed at a reduced rate, adjusted to give effect to the prevailing incremental federal tax rate, and adjusted for nondeductible carrying costs and state income taxes, where applicable. Yield calculations, where appropriate, include these adjustments. Net interest income depends on the volume and interest rate earned on interest-earning assets and the volume and interest rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

28




Comparative Average Balance and Average Interest Rates.    The following table presents, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, a summary of our interest-earning assets and their average yields, and interest-bearing liabilities and their average costs for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.  The average balances of loans include non-accrual loans, and associated yields include loan fees, which are considered adjustment to yields.
 
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
Average
 
 
 
Average
 
Average
 
 
 
Average
 
Average
 
 
 
Average
Earning Assets:
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate (2)
 
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate (2)
 
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate (2)
Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax exempt (3)
$
32,359

 
$
1,247

 
3.85
%
 
$
33,688

 
$
1,348

 
4.00
%
 
$
31,079

 
$
1,362

 
4.38
%
Taxable
69,225

 
1,443

 
2.08
%
 
65,402

 
1,239

 
1.89
%
 
59,774

 
854

 
1.43
%
Total securities
101,584

 
2,690

 
2.65
%
 
99,090

 
2,587

 
2.61
%
 
90,853

 
2,216

 
2.44
%
Total loans receivable (1) (4)
625,399

 
26,862

 
4.30
%
 
488,963

 
21,497

 
4.40
%
 
429,320

 
19,512

 
4.54
%
Other interest-earning assets
9,440

 
23

 
0.24
%
 
7,109

 
9

 
0.13
%
 
8,519

 
11

 
0.13
%
Total earning assets
736,423

 
29,575

 
4.02
%
 
595,162

 
24,093

 
4.05
%
 
528,692

 
21,739

 
4.11
%
Non-interest earning assets
40,106

 
 
 
 
 
37,834

 
 
 
 
 
36,881

 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
(6,059
)
 
 
 
 
 
(5,698
)
 
 
 
 
 
(5,688
)
 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
770,470

 
 
 
 
 
$
627,298

 
 
 
 
 
$
559,885

 
 
 
 
Sources of Funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOW
$
145,659

 
$
313

 
0.21
%
 
$
130,569

 
$
227

 
0.17
%
 
$
118,913

 
$
184

 
0.15
%
Money market
37,046

 
148

 
0.40
%
 
17,287

 
35

 
0.20
%
 
11,901

 
17

 
0.14
%
Savings
137,696

 
286

 
0.21
%
 
139,120

 
282

 
0.20
%
 
143,965

 
296

 
0.21
%
Time
162,864

 
1,702

 
1.05
%
 
119,256

 
1,228

 
1.03
%
 
105,748

 
1,151

 
1.09
%
Total interest bearing deposits
483,265

 
2,449

 
0.51
%
 
406,232

 
1,772

 
0.44
%
 
380,527

 
1,648

 
0.43
%
Borrowed funds
93,974

 
1,922

 
2.05
%
 
65,600

 
1,576

 
2.40
%
 
48,246

 
1,434

 
2.97
%
Subordinated debentures
13,256

 
391

 
2.95
%
 
12,887

 
220

 
1.71
%
 
12,887

 
212

 
1.65
%
Total interest bearing liabilities
590,495

 
4,762

 
0.81
%
 
484,719

 
3,568

 
0.74
%
 
441,660

 
3,294

 
0.75
%
Non-interest bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Demand deposits
117,927

 
 
 
 
 
86,016

 
 
 
 
 
65,720

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
4,530

 
 
 
 
 
3,848

 
 
 
 
 
3,011

 
 
 
 
Total non-interest bearing liabilities
122,457

 
 
 
 
 
89,864

 
 
 
 
 
68,731

 
 
 
 
Stockholders' equity
57,518

 
 
 
 
 
52,715

 
 
 
 
 
49,494

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
$
770,470

 
 
 
 
 
$
627,298

 
 
 
 
 
$
559,885

 
 
 
 
Net Interest Income and Margin (5)
 
 
24,813

 
3.37
%
 
 
 
20,525

 
3.45
%
 
 
 
18,445

 
3.49
%
Tax-equivalent basis adjustment
 
 
(415
)
 
 
 
 
 
(449
)
 
 
 
 
 
(439
)
 
 
Net Interest Income
 
 
$
24,398

 
 
 
 
 
$
20,076

 
 
 
 
 
$
18,006

 
 
(1)
Includes loan fee income
(2)
Average rates on securities are calculated on amortized costs
(3)
Full taxable equivalent basis, using a 39% effective tax rate and adjusted for TEFRA (Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act) interest expense disallowance
(4)
Loans outstanding include non-accrual loans
(5)
Represents the difference between interest earned and interest paid, divided by average total interest-earning assets
 
Net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis increased $4.3 million, or 20.9%, to $24.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016  as compared to $20.5 million for same period in 2015.  The increase in net interest income was largely due to an increase in average interest earning assets of $141.3 million or 23.7%, partly offset by the net interest margin decreasing 8 basis points to 3.37% for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period last year.  The increase in average interest earning assets was driven by growth in average total loans receivable of $136.4 million.  The decrease in the net interest margin was mostly attributed to a 10 basis point decrease in the average rate earned on loans, and a 7 basis point increase in the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities compared to 2015.
 

29



Interest Income.    Total interest income, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, increased $5.5 million, or 22.8%, to $29.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $24.1 million for the same period in 2015.  The increase in interest income was largely due to a $141.3 million, or 23.7%, increase in average interest earning assets, principally loans receivable, which increased $136.4 million, or 27.9%. The increase in interest income was partly offset by a decline in average rate of 3 basis points to 4.02% for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015. The decline in average rate was mostly attributed to a 10 basis point decrease in the average rate earned on loans
Interest income from securities, on a fully taxable equivalent basis, increased $103 thousand, or 4.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.    The increase was due to an increase in the average balance of the securities portfolio of $2.5 million, or 2.5%, to $101.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015.  The increase in the average balance of the securities portfolio was complimented by an increase in the average rate of 4 basis points to 2.65% for 2016 from 2.61% for 2015.
Interest income from the loan portfolio increased by $5.4 million,  or 25.0%, to $26.9 million for 2015 from $21.5 million for 2015.  The improvement was due to an increase in the average balance on loans, which increased $136.4 million, or 27.9%, for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015.  The increase in the average balance on loans was partially offset by a decrease of 10 basis points in the average rate on the loan portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015.
Interest Expense.    Total interest expense increased $1.2 million, or 33.5%, to $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 from $3.6 million for the same period in 2015.  The increase was principally due to growth in the average balance of interest-bearing deposits of $77.0 million and average balance of borrowings of $28.4 million in 2016 compared to 2015.  The increase in the average balance of borrowings was partially offset by a decrease in rates paid on borrowings of 35 basis points for 2016 compared to 2015.   
The following table reflects the impact on net interest income from changes in the volume of earning assets and interest bearing liabilities and changes in rates earned and paid by us on such assets and liabilities.  For purposes of this table, nonaccrual loans have been included in the average loan balance.  Changes due to both volume and rate have been allocated in proportion to the relationship of the dollar amount change in each. 
 
December 31, 2016 v. 2015
 
December 31, 2015 v. 2014
 
Increase (decrease)
Due to changes in:
 
Increase (decrease)
Due to changes in:
(Dollars in thousands)
Volume
 
Rate
 
Total
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Total
Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax exempt (1)
$
(52
)
 
$
(49
)
 
$
(101
)
 
$
109

 
$
(123
)
 
$
(14
)
Taxable
75

 
129

 
204

 
86

 
299

 
385

Total securities
23

 
80

 
103

 
195

 
176

 
371

Total loans receivable (2)
5,871

 
(506
)
 
5,365

 
2,639

 
(654
)
 
1,985

Other interest-earning assets
4

 
10

 
14

 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
Total net change in income on interest-earning assets
5,898

 
(416
)
 
5,482

 
2,832

 
(478
)
 
2,354

Interest bearing deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOW
28

 
58

 
86

 
19

 
24

 
43

Money market
61

 
52

 
113

 
10

 
8

 
18

Savings
(3
)
 
7

 
4

 
(10
)
 
(4
)
 
(14
)
Time
456

 
18

 
474

 
141

 
(64
)
 
77

Total interest bearing deposits
542

 
135

 
677

 
160

 
(36
)
 
124

Borrowed funds
606

 
(260
)
 
346

 
451

 
(309
)
 
142

Subordinated debentures
6

 
165

 
171

 

 
8

 
8

Total net change in expense on interest-bearing liabilities
1,154

 
40

 
1,194

 
611

 
(337
)
 
274

Change in net interest income
$
4,744

 
$
(456
)
 
$
4,288

 
$
2,221

 
$
(141
)
 
$
2,080

(1)
Fully taxable equivalent basis, using 39% effective tax rate and adjusted for TEFRA  (Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act) interest expense disallowance
(2)
Includes loan fee income

Provision for Loan Losses.    Provision for loan losses increased $655 thousand to $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to $636 thousand for the same period in 2015.  The increase in the provision for loan losses for the year-ended December 31, 2016 was largely attributed to an increase in loan growth.  The provision for loan losses reflects management review,

30



analysis and judgment of the credit quality of the loan portfolio for 2016 and the effects of current economic environment and changes in real estate collateral values from the time the loans were originated.  Our non-accrual loans increased $521 thousand, or 9.8%, to $5.8 million at December 31, 2016 from $5.3 million at December 31, 2015.  We believe these loans are adequately provided for in our loan loss allowance or are sufficiently collateralized at December 31, 2016.  The provision for loan losses reflects management’s judgment concerning the risks inherent in our existing loan portfolio and the size of the allowance necessary to absorb the risks, as well as the activity in the allowance during the periods.  Management reviews the adequacy of its allowance on an ongoing basis and will provide additional provisions, as deemed necessary. Also see Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements herein for further discussion.
 
Non-Interest Income.    Non-interest income consists of all income other than interest and dividend income and is principally derived from: service charges on deposits; insurance commission income; commissions on sales of annuities and mutual funds; ATM and debit card income; BOLI income; and net gains on sale of securities and loans.  We recognize the importance of supplementing net interest income with other sources of income as we continue to explore new opportunities to generate non-interest income.
 
Non-interest income increased $1.4 million, or 21.3%, to $7.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the same period last year.  The increase in non-interest income was largely due to increases in insurance commissions and fees, mostly due to the underwriting of new insurance policies, contingent fee income and the retention of existing policies, and gain on sale of securities of $1.1 million, or 30.1%, and $173 thousand, or 63.8%, respectively, along with a decrease of $111 thousand in losses from disposals of premises and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015.  
 
Non-Interest Expense.  Total non-interest expense increased $2.0 million, or 9.9%, to $22.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the same period last year.  The increase for the year ended December 31, 2016, as compared to the same period in 2015, was largely due to increases in salaries and employee benefits of $1.6 million, data processing of $455 thousand, professional fees of $134 thousand, furniture and equipment of $128 thousand, and occupancy,net of $108 thousand, which were partially offset by decreases in other expenses of $177 thousand, director fees of $94 thousand, and expenses and write-downs related to foreclosed real estate of $77 thousand. The increases for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 2015 in salaries and employee benefits expense were due in part to an increase in personnel to support our growth initiative in new markets, including the opening of our Oradell branch in the first quarter of 2016 and additional staffing for business development.  The increases for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to 2015 in various categories, including occupancy, furniture and equipment, and data processing were mostly related to the opening of our Oradell branch and costs associated with outsourcing our core application system. The decrease in other expenses is due to a 2015 legal settlement of approximately $150 thousand.
 
Income Taxes.  The provision for income taxes was $2.8 million and $1.6 million for 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 33.9% and 30.7% for 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The increase in income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily attributable to growth in pre-tax income from taxable sources.    See Notes 1 and 16 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion on income taxes.
 
Operational Risk
 
We are exposed to a variety of operational risks that can affect each of our business activities, particularly those involving processing and servicing of loans.  Operational risk is defined as the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people or systems from external events.  The risk of loss also includes losses that may arise from potential legal actions that could result from operational deficiencies or noncompliance with contracts, laws or regulations.  We monitor and evaluate operational risk on an ongoing basis through systems of internal control, formal corporate-wide policies and procedures, and an internal audit function.

Liquidity, Capital Resources and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
Liquidity.  A fundamental component of our business strategy is to manage liquidity to ensure the availability of sufficient resources to meet all financial obligations and to finance prospective business opportunities. Liquidity management is critical to our stability. Our liquidity position over any given period of time is a product of our operating, financing and investing activities. The extent of such activities is often shaped by such external factors as competition for deposits and loan demand.
 
Traditionally, financing for our loans and investments is derived primarily from deposits, along with interest and principal payments on loans and investments.  At December 31, 2016, total deposits amounted to $660.9 million, an increase of $143.1 million, or 27.6%, over the prior comparable year.  At December 31, 2016, borrowings from the FHLBNY and ACBB and subordinated

31



debentures totaled $123.6 million and represented 14.6% of total assets as compared to $108.5 million and 15.9% of total assets, at December 31, 2015. 
 
Loan production continued to be our principal investing activity. Net loans at December 31, 2016 amounted to $688.6 million, an increase of $150.7 million, or 28.0%, compared to the same period in 2015.
 
Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents.  At December 31, 2016, the total of such assets amounted to $14.6 million, or 1.7%, of total assets, compared to $6.1 million, or 0.9%, of total assets at year-end 2015.  Another significant liquidity source is our available for sale securities.  At December 31, 2016, available for sale securities amounted to $88.6 million compared to $93.8 million at year-end 2015.
 
In addition to the aforementioned sources, we have available various other sources of liquidity, including federal funds purchased from other banks and the Federal Reserve Board discount window.  The Bank also has the capacity to borrow an additional $63.3 million through its membership in the FHLBNY and $10.0 million line of credit at Atlantic Central Bankers Bank at December 31, 2016.  Management believes that our sources of funds are sufficient to meet our present funding requirements.
 
Capital Resources.  The Bank’s regulators have classified and defined bank capital as consisting of Tier I capital, which includes tangible stockholders’ equity for common stock and certain preferred stock and other hybrid instruments, and Total risk based capital.  Total risk based capital includes Tier I capital and Tier II capital, which includes a portion of the allowance for loan losses, certain qualifying long-term debt and preferred stock which does not qualify for Tier I capital.
 
The Bank’s regulators have implemented risk-based guidelines which require banks to maintain certain minimum capital as a percent of such assets and certain off-balance sheet items adjusted for predefined credit risk factors (risk-adjusted assets).  Banks are required to maintain Tier I capital as a percent of risk-adjusted assets of 6.63% and Total risk based capital as of risk-adjusted assets of 8.63% at a minimum, both including the capital conservation buffer.  At December 31, 2016, the Bank’s Tier I and Total risk based capital ratios were 12.87% and 13.86%, respectively.
 
In addition to the risk-based guidelines discussed above, the Bank’s regulators require that banks, which meet the regulators’ highest performance and operational standards, maintain a minimum leverage ratio (Tier I capital as a percent of tangible assets) of 4.0%.  For those banks with higher levels of risk or that are experiencing or anticipating growth, the minimum will be proportionately increased.  Minimum leverage ratios for each bank and bank holding company are established and updated through the ongoing regulatory examination process.  As of December 31, 2016, the Bank had a leverage ratio of 10.41%.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements.    Our consolidated financial statements do not reflect off-balance sheet arrangements that are made in the normal course of business.  These off-balance sheet arrangements consist of unfunded loans and letters of credit made under the same standards as on-balance sheet instruments.  These unused commitments at December 31, 2016 totaled $141.3 million, which consisted of $70.5 million in commitments to grant commercial and residential loans, $69.8 million in unfunded commitments under lines of credit and $998 thousand in outstanding letters of credit.  These instruments have fixed maturity dates, and because many of them will expire without being drawn upon, they do not generally present any significant liquidity risk to us.  Management believes that any amounts actually drawn upon can be funded in the normal course of operations.

Market Risk
 
Market risk is generally described as the sensitivity of income to adverse changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and other relevant market rates or prices.  Market rate sensitive instruments include: financial instruments such as investments, loans, mortgage-backed securities, deposits, borrowings and other debt obligations; derivative financial instruments, such as futures, forwards, swaps and options; and derivative commodity instruments, such as commodity futures, forwards, swaps and options that are permitted to be settled in cash or another financial instrument.
 
We do not have any material exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk or commodity price risk.  We did not enter into any market rate sensitive instruments for trading purposes nor did we engage in any trading or hedging transactions utilizing derivative financial instruments during 2016. Our real estate loan portfolio, concentrated largely in northern New Jersey, is subject to risks associated with the local and regional economies.  Our primary source of market risk exposure arises from changes in market interest rates (“interest rate risk”).
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Interest rate risk is generally described as the exposure to potentially adverse changes in current and future net interest income resulting from: fluctuations in interest rates, product spreads, and imbalances in the repricing opportunities of interest-rate-sensitive

32



assets and liabilities.  Therefore, managing our interest rate sensitivity is a primary objective of our senior management. Our Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”) is responsible for managing the exposure to changes in market interest rates.  We review a variety of strategies that project changes in asset or liability mix and the impact of those changes on projected net interest income and net income.
 
Current and future sensitivity to changes in interest rates are measured through the use of balance sheet and income simulation models. The analyses capture changes in net interest income using flat rates as a base, a most likely rate forecast and rising and declining interest rate forecasts. Changes in net interest income and net income for the forecast period, generally twelve to twenty-four months, are measured and compared to policy limits for acceptable change. There are a variety of reasons that may cause actual results to vary considerably from the predictions presented below which include, but are not limited to, the timing, magnitude, and frequency of changes in interest rates, interest rate spreads, prepayments, and actions taken in response to such changes. Specific assumptions used in the simulation model include instantaneous and permanent yield curve shifts for market rates and current asset and liability spreads to market interest rates are fixed.
 
The following table sets forth our interest rate risk profile at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities and the impact on net interest income illustrated in the following table would vary substantially if different assumptions were used or if actual experience differs from that indicated by the assumptions.
 
 
Net Portfolio Value(2)
 
Net interest Income
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Estimated
NPV(1)
 
Estimated Increase
(Decrease)
 
Estimated
Net Interest
Income (3)
 
Estimated Increase
(Decrease)
Change in Interest Rates
(basis points)
 
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
 
Amount
 
Percent
December 31, 2016
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 +200bp
 
$
84,321

 
$
(20,019
)
 
(19.2
)%
 
$
24,274

 
$
(1,827
)
 
(7.0
)%
0bp
 
$
104,340

 

 

 
$
26,101

 

 

 -100bp
 
$
83,419

 
$
(20,921
)
 
(20.1
)%
 
$
24,880

 
$
(1,221
)
 
(4.7
)%
December 31, 2015
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 +200bp
 
$
58,290

 
$
(22,582
)
 
(27.9
)%
 
$
19,932

 
$
(1,534
)
 
(7.1
)%
0bp
 
$
80,872

 

 

 
$
21,466

 

 

 -100bp
 
$
72,312

 
$
(8,560
)
 
(10.6
)%
 
$
20,805

 
$
(661
)
 
(3.1
)%
(1)
Assumes an instantaneous and parallel shift in interest rates at all maturities.
(2)
NPV, also referred to as economic value of equity, is the discounted present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet contracts.
(3)
Assumes a gradual change in interest rates over a one year period at all maturities.

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in the above interest rate risk measurements. Modeling changes in net interest income requires the making of certain assumptions regarding prepayment and deposit decay rates, which may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates. While management believes such assumptions are reasonable, there can be no assurance that assumed prepayment rates and decay rates will approximate actual future loan prepayment and deposit withdrawal activity. Moreover, the net interest income table presented assumes that the composition of interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and also assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the net interest income table provides an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurement is not intended to and does not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on net interest income and will differ from actual results.  Furthermore, the simulation does not reflect actions that ALCO might take in response to anticipated changes in interest rates or competitive conditions in the market place.
 
Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices
 
Unlike most industrial companies, virtually all of the assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature.  As a result, the level of interest rates has a more significant impact on a financial institution’s performance than general levels of inflation.  Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or change with the same magnitude as the price of goods and services, which are affected by inflation.  Accordingly, the liquidity, interest rate sensitivity and maturity characteristics of our assets and liabilities are more indicative of our ability to maintain acceptable performance levels.  Management monitors and seeks to mitigate the impact of interest rate changes by attempting to match the maturities of assets and liabilities, thus seeking to minimize the potential effect of inflation.

33



 
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not Applicable.
 
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto may be found beginning on page F-1 of this report.
 
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.
 
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management including our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely discussion regarding required disclosure.
 
We regularly assess the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting and enhance our controls in response to internal control assessments and internal and external audit and regulatory requirements.  There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or that is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13A-15 (f) and 15d-15 (f) of the Exchange Act. Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors as to the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements, errors or fraud. Also, projections of any evaluations of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
Management, including our President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. In making this assessment, management used criteria set forth in 1992 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on this assessment, management concluded that as of December 31, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting is operating as designed and is effective based on the COSO criteria.  Currently, our independent public accounting firm is not required to audit our internal control over financial reporting and therefore do not offer an opinion on its effectiveness.

ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION

None.

34



PART III
 
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information included in our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Proxy Statement”) under the following captions is incorporated herein by reference: “Proposal 1- Election of Directors,” “Information About Our Board of Directors,”  “Information About Our Executive Officers Who Are Not Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” “Corporate Governance – Code of Ethics and Corporate Governance Guidelines,” “Corporate Governance – Committees of the Board of Directors – Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee” and “Corporate Governance - Committees of the Board of Directors – Audit Committee.”
 
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information included in the Proxy Statement under the following captions is incorporated herein by reference: “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation.”

ITEM 12
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information included in the Proxy Statement under the following captions is incorporated herein by reference: “Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information included in the Proxy Statement under the following captions is incorporated herein by reference: “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Corporate Governance – Board of Directors Independence.”
 
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information included in the Proxy Statement under the following caption is incorporated herein by reference: “Proposal 2 – Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Services.”


35



PART IV
 
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)(1) Financial Statements
 
Reference is made to the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Item 8 of Part II hereof.
 
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
 
Consolidated financial statement schedules have been omitted because the required information is not present, or not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedules, or because the required information is provided in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
 
(a)(3) Exhibits
 
The exhibits required to be filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed in the Exhibit Index attached hereto and are incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 16.
FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
SUSSEX BANCORP
 
 
 
/s/ Anthony Labozzetta
 
Anthony Labozzetta
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Dated: March 17, 2017
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Each person whose individual signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Anthony Labozzetta and Steven M. Fusco, and each of them, with full power of substitution and resubstitution and full power to act without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act in his or her name, place and stead and to execute in the name and on behalf of each person, individually and in each capacity stated below, and to file any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing, ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 17, 2017.

36


Name
 
Title
/s/ Anthony Labozzetta
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Anthony Labozzetta
 
 
 
 
/s/ Steven M. Fusco
 
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Executive Vice President
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Steven M. Fusco
 
 
 
 
/s/ Patrick Brady
 
Director
Patrick Brady
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Richard Branca
 
Director
Richard Branca
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Katherine H. Caristia
 
Director
Katherine H. Caristia
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Mark J. Hontz
 
Director
Mark J. Hontz
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Edward J. Leppert
 
Director
Edward J. Leppert
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Timothy Marvil
 
Director
Timothy Marvil
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Michael McBride
 
Director
Michael McBride
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Robert McNerney
 
Director
Robert McNerney
 
 



reportofindependentregis001.jpg
ll me

F-1




SUSSEX BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
2,847

 
$
2,914

Interest-bearing deposits with other banks
11,791

 
3,206

Cash and cash equivalents
14,638

 
6,120

Interest bearing time deposits with other banks
100

 
100

Securities available for sale, at fair value
88,611

 
93,776

Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $11,739 and $7,008 at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)
11,618

 
6,834

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock, at cost
5,106

 
5,165

Loans receivable, net of unearned income
695,257

 
543,423

Less:  allowance for loan losses
6,696

 
5,590

Net loans receivable
688,561

 
537,833

Foreclosed real estate
2,367

 
3,354

Premises and equipment, net
8,728

 
8,879

Accrued interest receivable
2,058

 
1,764

Goodwill
2,820

 
2,820

Bank-owned life insurance
16,532

 
12,524

Other assets
7,589

 
5,334

Total Assets
$
848,728

 
$
684,503

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
Non-interest bearing
$
132,434

 
$
87,209

Interest bearing
528,487

 
430,647

Total deposits
660,921

 
517,856

Short-term borrowings
29,805

 
34,650

Long-term borrowings
66,000

 
61,000

Accrued interest payable and other liabilities
4,090

 
4,169

Subordinated debentures
27,840

 
12,887

Total Liabilities
788,656

 
630,562

Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued

 

Common stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 4,741,068 and 4,705,480 shares issued and 4,741,068 and 4,646,238 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively
36,538

 
35,927

Treasury stock, at cost; 59,242 shares at December 31, 2015

 
(592
)
Deferred Compensation obligation under Rabbi Trust
(1,383
)
 

Retained earnings 
23,291

 
18,520

Accumulated other comprehensive income
243

 
86

Stock held by Rabbi Trust
1,383

 

Total Stockholders' Equity
60,072

 
53,941

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
$
848,728

 
$
684,503

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-2




SUSSEX BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
 
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
2016
 
2015
INTEREST INCOME
 
 
 
Loans receivable, including fees
$
26,862

 
$
21,497

Securities:
 
 
 
Taxable
1,443

 
1,239

Tax-exempt
832

 
899

Interest bearing deposits
23

 
9

Total Interest Income
29,160

 
23,644

INTEREST EXPENSE
 
 
 
Deposits
2,449

 
1,772

Borrowings
1,922

 
1,576

Subordinated debentures
391

 
220

Total Interest Expense
4,762

 
3,568

Net Interest Income
24,398

 
20,076

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
1,291

 
636

Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses
23,107

 
19,440

OTHER INCOME
 
 
 
Service fees on deposit accounts
975

 
906

ATM and debit card fees
767

 
776

Bank-owned life insurance
308

 
313

Insurance commissions and fees
4,796

 
3,686

Investment brokerage fees
75

 
130

Net gain on sales of securities
444

 
271

Net loss on sale and disposal of premises and equipment
(19
)
 
(130
)
Other
483

 
501

Total Other Income
7,829

 
6,453

OTHER EXPENSES
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
13,078

 
11,506

Occupancy, net
1,859

 
1,751

Data processing
2,108

 
1,653

Furniture and equipment
993

 
865

Advertising and promotion
311

 
326

Professional fees
788

 
654

Director fees
450

 
544

FDIC assessment
508

 
446

Insurance
280

 
271

Stationary and supplies
191

 
197

Loan collection costs
140

 
207

Net expenses and write-downs related to foreclosed real estate
458

 
535

Other
1,421

 
1,598

Total Other Expenses
22,585

 
20,553

Income before Income Taxes
8,351

 
5,340

EXPENSE FOR INCOME TAXES
2,828

 
1,640

Net Income
5,523

 
3,700

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):
 
 
 
Unrealized losses (gains) on available for sale securities arising during the period
(950
)
 
134

Fair value adjustments on derivatives
1,647

 

Reclassification adjustment for net gain on securities transactions included in net income
(436
)
 
(271
)
Income tax related to items of other comprehensive income 
(104
)
 
54

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes
157

 
(83
)
Comprehensive income
$
5,680

 
$
3,617

EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
 
 
Basic
$
1.20

 
$
0.81

Diluted
$
1.19

 
$
0.81

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-3




SUSSEX BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
(Dollars in Thousands)
Number of
Shares
Outstanding
 
Common
Stock
 
Deferred Compensation Obligation Under Rabbi Trust
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Stock Held by Rabbi Trust
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
Balance December 31, 2014
4,662,606

 
$
35,553

 
$

 
$
15,566

 
$
169

 
$

 
$
(59
)
 
$
51,229

Net income

 

 

 
3,700

 

 

 

 
3,700

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 
(83
)
 

 

 
(83
)
Treasury shares purchased
(48,059
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(533
)
 
(533
)
Restricted stock granted
32,692

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock forfeited
(1,001
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation expense related to stock option and restricted stock grants

 
374

 

 

 

 

 

 
374

Dividends declared on common stock ($0.16 per share)

 

 

 
(746
)
 

 

 

 
(746
)
Balance December 31, 2015
4,646,238

 
35,927

 

 
18,520

 
86

 

 
(592
)
 
53,941

Net income

 

 

 
5,523

 

 

 

 
5,523

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
157

 

 

 
157

Treasury shares purchased
(2,127
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(26
)
 
(26
)
Funding of Supplemental Director Retirement Plan

 

 
1,383

 

 

 
(1,383
)
 

 

Stock issued to fund Rabbi Trust
60,920

 
198

 

 

 

 

 
616

 
814

Options exercised
449

 
2

 

 

 

 

 
2

 
4

Common stock issued

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock granted
42,167

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock forfeited
(6,579
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation expense related to stock option and restricted stock grants

 
411

 
 
 

 

 

 

 
411

Dividends declared on common stock ($0.16 per share)

 

 

 
(752
)
 

 

 

 
(752
)
Balance December 31, 2016
4,741,068

 
$
36,538

 
$
1,383

 
$
23,291

 
$
243

 
$
(1,383
)
 
$

 
$
60,072

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-4




SUSSEX BANCORP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
5,523

 
$
3,700

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Provision for loan losses
1,291

 
636

Depreciation and amortization
1,115

 
998

Net amortization of securities premiums and discounts
1,546

 
1,787

Net realized gain on sale of securities
(444
)
 
(271
)
Net realized loss on sale and disposal of premises and equipment
19

 
130

Net realized loss (gain) on sale of foreclosed real estate
7

 
(38
)
Write-downs of and provisions for foreclosed real estate
251

 
314

Deferred income tax expense
9

 
187

Earnings on bank-owned life insurance
(308
)
 
(313
)
Compensation expense for stock options and stock awards
411

 
374

(Increase) decrease in assets:
 

 
 

Accrued interest receivable
(294
)
 
32

Other assets
(721
)
 
341

Increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities
735

 
140

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
9,140

 
8,017

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
 
 
 
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
Purchases
(42,943
)
 
(46,704
)
Sales
36,483

 
20,718

Maturities, calls and principal repayments
9,156

 
8,559

Securities held to maturity:
 
 
 
Purchases
(8,763
)
 
(2,953
)
Sales
1,008

 

Maturities, calls and principal repayments
2,952

 
2,099

Net increase in loans
(152,748
)
 
(73,585
)
Proceeds from the sale of foreclosed real estate
1,458

 
2,267

Purchases of bank premises and equipment
(988
)
 
(1,392
)
Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment
5

 
35

Purchases of bank owned life insurance
(3,700
)
 

Net decrease (increase) in Federal Home Loan Bank stock
59

 
(1,257
)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
(158,021
)
 
(92,213
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
 
 
Net increase in deposits
143,065

 
59,586

Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowed funds
(4,845
)
 
11,150

Proceeds from long-term borrowings
10,000

 
20,000

Repayment of long-term borrowings
(5,000
)
 
(5,000
)
Proceeds from subordinated debt, net of issuance cost of $47
14,953

 

Purchase of treasury stock
(26
)
 
(533
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
4

 

Dividends paid
(752
)
 
(746
)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
157,399

 
84,457

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
8,518

 
261

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning
6,120

 
5,859

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Ending
$
14,638

 
$
6,120

Supplementary Cash Flows Information
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
4,679

 
$
3,530

Income taxes paid
$
2,755

 
$
1,074

Supplementary Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
 
 
 
Foreclosed real estate acquired in settlement of loans
$
729

 
$
1,448

Treasury stock used to fund deferred compensation liability
$
814

 
$

\
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

F-5



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sussex Bancorp (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Sussex Bank (the “Bank”).  The Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries are SCB Investment Company, Inc., SCBNY Company, Inc., ClassicLake Enterprises, LLC, PPD Holding Company, LLC and Tri-State Insurance Agency, Inc. (“Tri-State”).  All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Organization and Nature of Operations
The Company’s business is conducted principally through the Bank.  The Bank is a New Jersey state chartered bank and provides full banking services.  The Bank generates commercial, mortgage and consumer loans and receives deposits from customers at its eight branches located in Sussex County, New Jersey, one branch in Warren County, New Jersey, one branch in Bergen County, New Jersey and  one in Queens County, New York.  As a state bank, the Bank is subject to regulation by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.  The Company is subject to regulation by the Federal Reserve Board.  SCB Investment Company, Inc. and SCBNY Company, Inc. hold portions of the Bank’s investment portfolio.  Tri-State provides insurance agency services mostly through the sale of property and casualty insurance policies.  ClassicLake Enterprises, LLC, and PPD Holding Company, LLC hold certain foreclosed properties. The Company opened a corporate office in Rockaway, New Jersey during the first quarter of 2014, a regional office and corporate center in Wantage, New Jersey during the third quarter of 2014, a branch in Astoria, Queens, New York during the first quarter of 2015 and a branch in Oradell, New Jersey during the first quarter of 2016.
 
Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated 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 other-than-temporary impairment, allowance for loan losses, valuation of foreclosed real estate, valuation of goodwill, the valuation of deferred tax assets and the fair value of financial instruments.
 
Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk
Most of the Company’s activities are with customers located within Sussex County, New Jersey and adjacent counties in the states of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.  Notes 3 and 4 discuss the types of securities that the Company invests in.  The types of lending that the Company engages are included in Note 5.  Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is influenced by the region’s economy.  The Company does not have any significant concentrations in any one industry or customer.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid instruments with original maturities of less than 90 days, primarily, balances due from banks, interest bearing deposits with banks and federal funds sold.  Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods.
 
Securities
Securities are designated at the time of acquisition as available for sale or held to maturity. Securities that the Company will hold for indefinite periods of time and that might be sold in the future as part of efforts to manage interest rate risk or in response to changes in interest rates, changes in prepayment risk, changes in market conditions or changes in economic factors are classified as available for sale. Securities available for sale are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive (loss) income, net of related deferred tax effect.  Securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are designated as held to maturity regardless of changes in market conditions, liquidity needs or changes in general economic conditions and carried at amortized cost. 

Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the level yield method over the contractual terms of the securities.  Gains and losses realized on sales of securities are determined on the specific identification method and are reported in non-interest income.
 

F-6



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company periodically evaluates the security portfolio to determine if a decline in the fair value of any security below its cost basis is other-than-temporary. The Company’s evaluation of other-than-temporary impairment considers the duration and severity of the impairment, the company’s intent and ability to hold the securities and our assessments of the reason for the decline in value and the likelihood of a near-term recovery. If a determination is made that a debt security is other-than-temporarily impaired, the Company will estimate the amount of the unrealized loss that is attributable to credit and all other non-credit related factors. The credit related component will be recognized as an other-than-temporary impairment charge in non-interest income. The non-credit related component will be recorded as an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), net of tax.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock
Federal law requires a member institution of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) system to hold stock of its district FHLB according to a predetermined formula.  Based on redemption provisions of the FHLB, the stock has no quoted market value and is carried at cost.  The FHLB stock was carried at $5.1 million and  $5.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
Loans Receivable
Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are stated at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of an allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees or costs.  Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.  Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the yield (interest income) of the related loans.  The Bank is generally amortizing these amounts over the contractual life of the loan.
 
The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into commercial and residential and consumer loans. Commercial loans consist of the following classes: commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, and construction loans.  Residential and consumer loans consist of the following classes: residential real estate and consumer and other loans.
 
For all classes of loans, the accrual of interest is discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectability of principal or interest, even though the loan is currently performing.  A loan may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income in the current year is reversed and unpaid interest accrued in prior years is charged against the allowance for loan losses.  Interest received on nonaccrual loans including impaired loans generally are either applied against principal or reported as interest income, according to management’s judgment as to the collectability of principal.  Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time (generally six months) and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt.  The past due status of all classes of loans receivable is determined based on contractual due dates for loan payments.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses represents the amount, which, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The adequacy of the allowance is determined by management’s evaluation of the loan portfolio based on such factors as the differing economic risks associated with each loan category, the current financial condition of specific borrowers, the economic environment in which borrowers operate, the level of delinquent loans, the value of any collateral and, where applicable, the existence of any guarantees or indemnifications.
 
The allowance for loan losses is established through provisions for loan losses charged against income.  Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance for loan losses.  The allowance for loan losses consists of specific, general and unallocated components.  The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired.  For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value or observable market price is lower than the carrying value for that loan.  The general component covers all other loans and is based on historical loss factors adjusted for general economic factors and other qualitative risk factors such as changes in delinquency trends, industry concentrations and local/national economic trends.    The allowance contains reserves identified as unallocated. These reserves reflect management's attempt to ensure that the overall allowance reflects a margin for imprecision and the uncertainty that is inherent in estimates of probable credit losses.
 
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.  Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. 

F-7



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.  Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial and industrial, commercial real estate and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”)
A modification to the terms of a loan is generally considered a TDR if the Company grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties.  A TDR may include, but is not necessarily limited to, the modification of loan terms such as a temporary or permanent reduction of the loan’s stated interest rate, extension of the maturity date and/or reduction or deferral of amounts owed under the terms of the loan agreement.
 
All restructured loans that qualify as TDRs are placed on nonaccrual status for a period of no less than six months after restructuring, irrespective of the borrower’s adherence to a TDR’s modified repayment terms during which time TDRs continue to be adversely classified and reported as impaired. TDRs may be returned to accrual status if (1) the borrower has performed in accordance with the terms of the restructured loan agreement for no less than six consecutive months after restructuring, and (2) the Company expects to receive all principal and interest owed in accordance with the terms of the restructured loan agreement.  If these conditions are met the loan may also be returned to a non-adverse classification while retaining its impaired status.
 
Transfers of Financial Assets
Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered.  Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
 
Foreclosed Real Estate
Foreclosed real estate is primarily comprised of property acquired through a foreclosure proceeding or acceptance of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure. Foreclosed real estate is initially recorded at fair value, less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis.  Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Revenues and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in expenses related to foreclosed real estate. 
We may obtain physical possession of residential real estate collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan via foreclosure on an in-substance repossession. As of December 31, 2016, we did not hold foreclosed residential real estate properties as a result of obtaining physical possession. As of December 31, 2015, we held $130 thousand in foreclosed residential real estate properties as a result of obtaining physical possession. In addition, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had consumer loans with a carrying value of $666 thousand and $945 thousand, respectively, collateralized by residential real estate property for which formal foreclosure proceedings were in process.

Premises and Equipment
Land is carried at cost.  Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the related assets:
 
Years
Buildings and building improvements
20 – 40
Leasehold improvements
5 – 10
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
5 – 10
Computer equipment and software
3 – 5
 
The Company periodically evaluates impairment of long-lived assets to be held and used or to be disposed of by sale. There was no impairment of long-lived assets at any of the reported periods.



F-8



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Bank-owned Life Insurance (“BOLI”)
BOLI is carried at the amount that could be realized under the Company’s life insurance contracts as of the date of the consolidated balance sheets and is classified as a non-interest earning asset.  BOLI involves purchasing life insurance by the Company on a chosen group of employees in order to fund certain employee and director benefits.  The Company is the owner and beneficiary of the policies. Increases in the carrying value are recorded as non-interest income in the consolidated statements of income and insurance proceeds received are generally recorded as a reduction of the carrying value. The carrying value consists of cash surrender value of $16.5 million at December 31, 2016 and $12.5 million at December 31, 2015.  
 
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair market value of net assets acquired.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company has recorded goodwill totaling $2.8 million, consisting of $2.3 million from the acquisition of an insurance agency in 2001 and $486 thousand from the acquisition of a bank branch in 2006.  In accordance with current accounting standards, goodwill is not amortized, but evaluated at least annually for impairment.  Any impairment of goodwill results in a charge to income.  The Company periodically assesses whether events and changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of goodwill and intangible assets may be impaired.  The estimated fair value of each reporting segment exceeded its book value; therefore, no write-down of goodwill was required.  The goodwill related to the insurance agency is not deductible for tax purposes.
 
Advertising Costs
The Company follows the policy of charging the costs of advertising to expense as incurred.
 
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset/liability method in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification 740, Income Taxes.  The income tax guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred.  Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as operating loss and tax credit carry forwards.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period in which they occur.  A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when, in the judgment of management, it is more likely than not that such deferred tax assets will not become available.  Because the judgment about the level of future taxable income is dependent to a great extent on matters that may, at least in part, be beyond the Company’s control, it is at least reasonably possible that management’s judgment about the need for a valuation allowance for deferred taxes could change in the near term.
 
In connection with the accounting guidance related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, which sets out a consistent framework to determine the appropriate level of tax reserves to maintain for uncertain tax positions, the Company has evaluated its tax positions as of December 31, 2016.  A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur.  The amount recognized is the largest amount of the tax benefit that has more than a 50 percent likelihood of being realized on examination.  For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.  Under the “more likely than not” threshold guidelines, the Company believes no significant uncertain tax positions exist, either individually or in the aggregate, that would give rise to the non-recognition of an existing tax benefit.  As of December 31, 2016 the Company had no material unrecognized tax benefits or accrued interest or penalties.   The Company’s policy is to account for interest as a component of interest expense and penalties as a component of other expense.  The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return as well as income tax returns in the States of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The Company’s federal and state income tax returns subsequent to 2013 remain subject to examination by respective tax authorities.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit.  Such financial instruments are recorded in the balance sheet when they are funded.
 
Derivatives
The Company utilizes derivative instruments in the form of interest rate swaps to hedge the variability in its cash flows due to interest rate risk. The variability in cash flows is managed as part of the Company’s asset/liability management process.  In accordance with accounting requirements, the Company formally designates all of its hedging relationships as cash flow hedges, intended to offset changes in the cash flows of certain financial instruments due to movement in interest rates, and documents the strategy for undertaking the hedge transactions and its method of assessing ongoing effectiveness.

F-9



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


All derivatives are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Financial Statements at their fair values.  Should the cash flow hedge become ineffective, the ineffective portion of changes in fair value (i.e. gain or loss) is reported in current period earnings.  The effective portion of the change in fair value is initially recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction effects earnings. 

Derivative effectiveness and ineffectiveness will be assessed and measured at the date of designation (inception), each reporting date, and whenever a designated hedge period is terminated to ensure that ongoing high effectiveness is expected by regression analysis of the periodic change in fair value of the hedging instrument and the periodic change in fair value of the hypothetical derivative.

The Company’s interest rate derivatives are comprised entirely of interest rate swaps hedging floating-rate and forecasted issuances of fixed-rate liabilities and accounted for as cash flow hedges.  The carrying value of interest rate derivatives is included in the balance of other assets or other liabilities. Changes in fair value are offset against accumulated other comprehensive income, net of deferred income tax.

Stock Compensation Plans
The Company currently has multiple stock plans in place for employees and directors of the Company. U.S. GAAP requires that the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in financial statements.  The share-based compensation accounting guidance requires that compensation cost for all stock awards be calculated and recognized over a defined vesting period.  For awards with graded-vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite vesting period for the entire award.  A Black-Scholes model is used to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant is used for restricted stock awards. 

Effective in 2016, the Company and Bank amended the Directors’ Deferred Compensation Agreement (“DCA”) to permit directors of the Company and Bank to defer their board fees in the form of shares of to be held in Rabbi Trust. Fees deferred in the form of shares placed in the Rabbi Trust are accounted for and disclosed in accordance with the applicable guidance specific to deferred compensation plans involving Rabbi Trusts contained within Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) section 710.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share represents net income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  The weighted-average common shares outstanding include the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding less the weighted average number of unvested shares of restricted stock.  Diluted earnings per share reflect additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance.  Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock options and non-vested restricted stock grants.  Potential common shares related to stock options are determined using the treasury stock method. Shares held by the Rabbi Trust are treated as treasury stock for purposes of basic and diluted earnings per share calculations while the related share obligations are reflection in the denominator of the earnings per share calculations in accordance with the provisions of ASC 260-10-45.

Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income includes net income and all other changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Other comprehensive income includes revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under U.S. GAAP are included in comprehensive income but excluded from net income. Comprehensive income and accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) are reported net of related income taxes. AOCI for the Company consists of unrealized holding gains or losses on securities available for sale and fair value adjustments on derivatives.

Treasury Stock
Repurchases of shares of Company common stock are recorded at cost as a reduction of stockholders’ equity.  Reissuances of shares of treasury stock are recorded at average cost.
 
Segment Reporting
The Company acts as an independent community financial services provider and offers traditional banking and related financial services to individual, business and government customers.  Through its branch and automated teller machine networks, the Bank offers a full array of commercial and retail financial services, including taking of time, savings and demand deposits; the making of commercial, consumer and mortgage loans; and the providing of other financial services.  Management does not separately allocate expenses, including the cost of funding loan demand, between the commercial, retail, trust and mortgage banking operations of the Bank.  As such, discrete financial information is not available and segment reporting would not be meaningful.  The

F-10



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Company’s insurance agency is managed separately from the traditional banking and related financial services that the Company offers.  The insurance operations provides primarily property and casualty coverage.  See Note 2 for segment reporting of insurance operations.
 
Insurance Agency Operations
Tri-State is a retail insurance broker operating in the State of New Jersey.  The insurance agency’s primary source of revenue is commission income, which is earned by placing insurance coverage for its customers with various insurance underwriters.  The insurance agency places basic property and casualty, life and health coverage with about twenty different insurance carriers.  There are two main billing processes, direct billing (currently accounts for approximately 80% of revenues) and agency billing.

Under the direct billing arrangement, the insurance carrier bills and collects from the customer directly and remits the brokers’ commission to Tri-State on a monthly basis.  For direct bill policies, Tri-State records commissions as revenue when the customer is billed.  On a monthly basis, Tri-State receives notification from each insurance carrier of total premiums written and collected during the month, and the broker’s net commission due for their share of business produced by them.
 
Under the agency billing arrangement, the broker bills and collects from the customer directly, retains their commission, and remits the net premium amount to the insurance carrier.  Virtually all agency-billed policies are billed and collected on an installment basis (the number of payments varies by policy).  Tri-State records revenues for the first installment as of the policy effective date.  Revenues from subsequent installments are recorded at the installment due date.  Tri-State records its commission as a percentage of each installment due.
 
Subsequent Events
The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of December 31, 2016 for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these financial statements.  The evaluation was conducted through the date these financial statements were issued.
 
New Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the FASB issued an Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 to amend its guidance on “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The objective of the ASU is to align the recognition of revenue with the transfer of promised goods or services provided to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP when it becomes effective. In August 2015, the FASB issued an amendment (ASU 2015-14) which defers the effective date of this new guidance by one year. More detailed implementation guidance on Topic 606 was issued in March 2016 (ASU 2016-08), April 2016 (ASU 2016-10) May 2016 (ASU 2016-12) and December 2016 (ASU 2016-20), and the effective date and transition requirements for these ASUs are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company currently believes the impact of adopting the standard, as modified and augmented by subsequently issued pronouncements, will not be material to either past or future periods as it relates to the Company's core banking revenue streams, but is still evaluating the potential impact the new standard will have on noninterest income components.
 
In June 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), to clarify that a performance target in a share-based compensation award that could be achieved after an employee completes the requisite service period should be treated as a performance condition that affects the vesting of the award.  As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. For all entities, the amendments are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In April 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-05, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement, to clarify whether a hosting arrangement (e.g., cloud computing, software as a service, infrastructure as a service, etc.) contains a software license, and thus, whether it is to be accounted for by the customer similarly to other internal-use software.  Specifically, the amendments revise the scope of Subtopic 350-40 to include internal-use software accessed through a hosting arrangement only if both of the following criteria are met: (1) the customer has the contractual right to take possession of the software at any time during the hosting period without significant penalty.  There is no significant penalty if the customer has the ability to take delivery of the software without incurring significant cost and the ability to use the software separately without significant loss of utility or value and (2) it is feasible for the customer to either run the software on its own hardware or contract with another party unrelated to the vendor to host the software.  If both of the above criteria are present in a hosting arrangement, then the arrangement contains a software license and the customer should account

F-11



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

for that element in accordance with Subtopic 350-40 (i.e., generally capitalize and subsequently amortize the cost of the license).  If both of the above criteria are not present, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract (i.e., expense fees as incurred).  The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  An entity can elect to adopt the amendments either (1) prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or (2) retrospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In January 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-01, among other things; (i) requires equity investments, with certain exceptions, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (ii) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; (iii) eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (iv) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (v) requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; (vi) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; and (vii) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale. For public entities, the guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (i) a lease liability, which is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (ii) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Public business entities should apply the amendments in ASU 2016-02 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted for all public business entities upon issuance. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company currently expects that upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities will be recognized in the consolidated balance sheet in amounts that will be material; however, there will be no material impact on operations.

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation  – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. FASB is issuing ASU 2016-09 as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards. The areas for simplification in this ASU 2016-09 involve several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Some of the areas for simplification apply only to nonpublic entities. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. The Company`s adoption of the ASU will not have a significant impact on the Company`s consolidated financial statements.

In June, 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) (the “ASU”), which introduces new guidance for the accounting for credit losses on instruments within its scope. The new guidance introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale (AFS) debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. The ASU will be effective for Public business entities that are SEC filers in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. All other entities will have one additional year. Early application of the guidance will be permitted for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), which addresses eight classification issues related to the statement of cash flows; (i) debt

F-12



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (ii) settlement of zero-coupon bonds, (iii) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (iv) proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims, (v) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies, (vi) distributions received from equity method investees, (vii) beneficial interests in securitization transactions, and (viii) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. ASU 2016-15 is effective for public business entities for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period, adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. Entities should apply this ASU using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. If it is impracticable for an entity to apply the ASU retrospectively for some of the issues, it may apply the amendments for those issues prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company's adoption of the ASU will not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (Topic 350). The main objective of this ASU is to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment by requiring impairment charges be based upon the first step in the current two-step impairment test under Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 350. Currently, if the fair value of a reporting unit is lower than its carrying amount (Step 1), an entity calculates any impairment charge by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount (Step 2). This ASU’s objective is to simplify how all entities assess goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. As amended, the goodwill impairment test will consist of one step comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize a goodwill impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The standard will be applied prospectively and is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed in periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption on its consolidated financial statements.


NOTE 2 – SEGMENT REPORTING

Segment information for 2016 and 2015 is as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Banking and
Financial Services
 
Insurance
Services
 
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income from external sources
$
24,398

 
$

 
$
24,398

Other income from external sources
3,033

 
4,796

 
$
7,829

Depreciation and amortization
1,089

 
26

 
$
1,115

Income before income taxes
7,152

 
1,199

 
$
8,351

Income tax expense (1)
2,348

 
480

 
$
2,828

Total assets
843,703

 
5,025

 
$
848,728

Year Ended December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income from external sources
$
20,076

 
$

 
$
20,076

Other income from external sources
2,741

 
3,712

 
$
6,453

Depreciation and amortization
978

 
20

 
$
998

Income before income taxes
4,670

 
670

 
$
5,340

Income tax expense (1)
1,372

 
268

 
$
1,640

Total assets
679,598

 
4,905

 
$
684,503


(1)
Calculated at statutory tax rate of 40%.
 
NOTE 3 – FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique.  Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are

F-13



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sale transaction on the dates indicated.  The fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends, and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates.  As such, the fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end.
 
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company uses a hierarchical disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observability utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value.  The three broad levels defined by the hierarchy are as follows:
 
Level I - Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.
 
Level II - Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. The nature of these asset and liabilities include items for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently, and items that are fair valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed.
 
Level III - Assets and liabilities that have little to no pricing observability as of reported date.  These items do not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of market participants’ estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.
 
The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s financial assets measured on a recurring basis by the above pricing observability levels as of December 31, 2016 and 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
Measurements
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level I)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level II)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level III)
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies
$
13,087

 
$

 
$
13,087

 
$

State and political subdivisions
40,688

 

 
40,688

 

Mortgage-backed securities -
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government-sponsored enterprises
32,854

 

 
32,854

 

Corporate debt
1,982

 

 
1,982

 

Derivative instruments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
1,647

 

 
1,647

 

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies
$
12,788

 
$

 
$
12,788

 
$

State and political subdivisions
38,149

 

 
38,149

 

Mortgage-backed securities -
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. government-sponsored enterprises
42,839

 

 
42,839

 


The Company’s available for sale securities portfolio contains investments which are all rated within the Company’s investment policy guidelines; and upon review of the entire portfolio, all securities are marketable and have observable pricing inputs.

For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows: 

F-14



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
Measurements
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level I)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level II)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level III)
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
$
1,001

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,001

Foreclosed real estate
1,716

 

 

 
$
1,716

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
$
801

 
$

 
$

 
$
801

Foreclosed real estate
756

 

 

 
$
756

 
The following table presents additional qualitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and for which Level III inputs were used to determine fair value:
 
Qualitative Information about Level III Fair Value Measurements
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
Estimate
 
Valuation
Techniques
 
Unobservable
Input
 
Range
(Weighted
Average)
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
$
1,001

 
Appraisal of
 
Appraisal
 
0% to -27.3%
 
 

 
collateral 
 
adjustments (1)
 
(-2.5%)
Foreclosed real estate
1,716

 
Appraisal of
 
Selling
 
 
 
 
 
collateral 
 
expenses (1)
 
 -7.0%(-7.0%)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
$
801

 
Appraisal of
 
Appraisal
 
0% to -61.8%
 
 

 
collateral 
 
adjustments (1)
 
(-5.8%)
Foreclosed real estate
756

 
Appraisal of
 
Selling
 
 
 
 
 
collateral 
 
expenses (1)
 
 -7.0%(-7.0%)
(1)
Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated selling expenses.  The range and weighted average of selling expenses and other appraisal adjustments are presented as a percentage of the appraisal.

The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities.  Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company’s disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful.  The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments presented below at December 31, 2016 and 2015:  
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents (Carried at Cost): The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximate those assets’ fair value.
 
Deposits (Carried at Cost): Fair value for fixed-rate time certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered in the market on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.  The Company generally purchases amounts below the insured limit, limiting the amount of credit risk on these time deposits.  
 
Securities: The fair value of securities, available for sale (carried at fair value) and securities held to maturity (carried at amortized cost) are determined by obtaining quoted market prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level I), or matrix pricing (Level II), which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted market prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted

F-15



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

prices.  For certain securities which are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, and such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence (Level III).  In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate of market participants’ estimate is used.  Management’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support on certain Level III measurements.  Internal cash flow models using a present value formula that includes assumptions market participants would use along with indicative exit pricing obtained from broker/dealers (where available) were used to support fair values of certain Level III investments.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock (Carried at Cost):  The carrying amount of restricted investment in bank stock approximates fair value and considers the limited marketability of such securities.
 
Loans Receivable (Carried at Cost): The fair values of loans, other than collateral dependent impaired loans, are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using the market rates at the balance sheet date that reflect the credit and interest rate-risk inherent in the loans.  Projected future cash flows are calculated based upon contractual maturity or call dates, projected repayments and prepayments of principal.  Generally, for variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values.
 
Impaired Loans (Carried at Lower of Cost or Fair Value): Fair value of impaired loans is generally determined based upon independent third-party appraisals of the properties, or discounted cash flows based upon the expected proceeds.  These assets are included in Level III fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements.     
 
Deposit Liabilities (Carried at Cost): The fair values disclosed for demand, savings and money market accounts are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts).  Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered in the market on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits. 
 
Borrowings (Carried at Cost): Fair values of FHLB advances are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on quoted prices for new FHLB advances with similar credit risk characteristics, terms and remaining maturity.  These prices obtained from this active market represent a market value that is deemed to represent the transfer price if the liability were assumed by a third party. 

Derivatives (Carried at Fair Value): The fair value of the Company's derivatives are determined using discounted cash flow analysis using observable market-based inputs, which are considered Level 2 inputs.
 
Subordinated Debentures (Carried at Cost): Fair values of subordinated debt are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on market rates currently offered on such debt with similar credit risk characteristics, terms and remaining maturity. 
 
Accrued Interest Receivable and Accrued Interest Payable (Carried at Cost): The carrying amounts of accrued interest receivable and payable approximate its fair value.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Instruments (Disclosed at Cost): Fair values for the Company’s off-balance sheet financial instruments (lending commitments and letters of credit) are based on fees currently charged in the market to enter into similar agreements, taking into account, the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing. 


F-16



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
 
December 31, 2016
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level I)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level II)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level III)
(Dollars in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
14,638

 
$
14,638

 
$
14,638

 
$

 
$

Time deposits with other banks
100

 
100

 

 
100

 

Securities available for sale
88,611

 
88,611

 

 
88,611

 

Securities held to maturity
11,618

 
11,739

 

 
11,739

 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
5,106

 
5,106

 

 
5,106

 

Loans receivable, net of allowance
688,561

 
672,912

 

 

 
672,912

Accrued interest receivable
2,058

 
2,058

 

 
2,058

 

Interest rate swaps
1,647

 
1,647

 

 
1,647

 

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-maturity deposits
479,025

 
479,025

 

 
479,025

 

Time deposits
181,896

 
181,346

 

 
181,346

 

Short-term borrowings
29,805

 
29,805

 
29,805

 

 

Long-term borrowings
66,000

 
66,388

 

 
66,388

 

Subordinated debentures
27,840

 
24,519

 

 
24,519

 

Accrued interest payable
364

 
364

 

 
364

 

 
December 31, 2015
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level I)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level II)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level III)
(Dollars in thousands)
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
 
 
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
6,120

 
$
6,120

 
$
6,120

 
$

 
$

Time deposits with other banks
100

 
100

 

 
100

 

Securities available for sale
93,776

 
93,776

 

 
93,776

 

Securities held to maturity
6,834

 
7,008

 

 
7,008

 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock
5,165

 
5,165

 

 
5,165

 

Loans receivable, net of allowance
537,833

 
528,065

 

 

 
528,065

Accrued interest receivable
1,764

 
1,764

 

 
1,764

 

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-maturity deposits
380,983

 
380,983

 

 
380,983

 

Time deposits
136,873

 
136,619

 

 
136,619

 

Short-term borrowings
34,650

 
34,650

 
34,650

 

 

Long-term borrowings
61,000

 
58,685

 

 
58,685

 

Subordinated debentures
12,887

 
9,344

 

 
9,344

 

Accrued interest payable
281

 
281

 

 
281

 




F-17



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 4 – SECURITIES

Available for Sale
 
The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are summarized as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies
$
13,115

 
$
29

 
$
(57
)
 
$
13,087

State and political subdivisions
41,255

 
203

 
(770
)
 
40,688

Mortgage-backed securities -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored enterprises
33,483

 
126

 
(755
)
 
32,854

Corporate Debt
2,000

 

 
(18
)
 
1,982

 
$
89,853

 
$
358

 
$
(1,600
)
 
$
88,611

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies
$
12,792

 
$
51

 
$
(55
)
 
$
12,788

State and political subdivisions
37,771

 
507

 
(129
)
 
38,149

Mortgage-backed securities -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored enterprises
43,069

 
206

 
(436
)
 
42,839

 
$
93,632

 
$
764

 
$
(620
)
 
$
93,776

 
Securities with a carrying value of approximately $34.3 million and $33.4 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits and for borrowings at the Federal Reserve Bank as required or permitted by applicable laws and regulations.
The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale at December 31, 2016 are shown below by contractual maturity.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities as issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Investments which pay principal on a periodic basis are not included in the maturity categories.
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Due in one year or less
$

 
$

Due after one year through five years
199

 
200

Due after five years through ten years
5,567

 
5,527

Due after ten years
37,489

 
36,943

Total bonds and obligations
43,255

 
42,670

U.S. government agencies
13,115

 
13,087

Mortgage-backed securities:
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored enterprises
33,483

 
32,854

Total available for sale securities
$
89,853

 
$
88,611

Gross gains on sales of securities available for sale were $476 thousand and $372 thousand and gross losses were $40 thousand and $101 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  
Temporarily Impaired Securities
The following table shows our investments’ gross unrealized losses and fair values with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other than temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual available for sale securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2016 and 2015.

F-18



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies
$
4,952

 
$
(15
)
 
$
2,126

 
$
(42
)
 
$
7,078

 
$
(57
)
State and political subdivisions
23,989

 
(770
)
 

 

 
23,989

 
(770
)
Mortgage-backed securities -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored enterprises
23,299

 
(752
)
 
639

 
(3
)
 
23,938

 
(755
)
Corporate debt
1,982

 
(18
)
 

 

 
1,982

 
(18
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
54,222

 
$
(1,555
)
 
$
2,765

 
$
(45
)
 
$
56,987

 
$
(1,600
)
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government agencies
$
5,888

 
$
(23
)
 
$
2,473

 
$
(32
)
 
$
8,361

 
$
(55
)
State and political subdivisions
5,780

 
(107
)
 
2,998

 
(22
)
 
8,778

 
(129
)
Mortgage-backed securities -
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. government-sponsored enterprises
31,885

 
(436
)
 

 

 
31,885

 
(436
)
Total temporarily impaired securities
$
43,553

 
$
(566
)
 
$
5,471

 
$
(54
)
 
$
49,024

 
$
(620
)

As of December 31, 2016, we reviewed our investment portfolio for indications of impairment. This review includes analyzing the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been lower than the cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, including any specific events which may influence the operations of the issuer and the intent and likelihood of selling the security.  The intent and likelihood of sale of debt securities is evaluated based upon our investment strategy for the particular type of security and our cash flow needs, liquidity position, capital adequacy and interest rate risk position. For each security (including but not limited to those whose fair value is less than their amortized cost basis), a review is conducted to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. 
 
U.S. Government Agencies
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the decline in fair value and the unrealized losses for our U.S. government agencies securities were primarily due to changes in spreads and market conditions and not credit quality.  At December 31, 2016, there were five securities with a fair value of $7.1 million that had an unrealized loss that amounted to $57 thousand.  As of December 31, 2016, we did not intend to sell and it was not more-likely-than-not that we would be required to sell any of these securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis.  Therefore, none of the U.S. government agency securities at December 31, 2016, were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
At December 31, 2015, there were six securities with a fair value of $8.4 million that had an unrealized loss that amounted to $55 thousand.

State and Political Subdivisions
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the decline in fair value and the unrealized losses for our state and political subdivisions securities were caused by changes in interest rates and spreads and were not the result of credit quality.  At December 31, 2016, there were 31 securities with a fair value of $24.0 million that had an unrealized loss that amounted to $770 thousand.  These securities typically have maturity dates greater than 10 years and the fair values are more sensitive to changes in market interest rates.  As of December 31, 2016, we did not intend to sell and it was not more-likely-than-not that we would be required to sell any of these securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis.  Therefore, none of our state and political subdivision securities at December 31, 2016, were deemed to be other-than-temporarily-impaired.
 
At December 31, 2015, there were 15 securities with a fair value of $8.8 million that had an unrealized loss of $129 thousand
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the decline in fair value and the unrealized losses for our mortgaged-backed securities guaranteed by U.S. government-sponsored enterprises were primarily due to changes in spreads and market conditions and not credit quality.  At December 31, 2016, there were 16 securities with a fair value of $23.9 million that had an unrealized loss of $755 thousand.  As

F-19



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

of December 31, 2016, we did not intend to sell and it was not more-likely-than-not that we would be required to sell any of these securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis.  Therefore, none of our mortgage-backed securities at December 31, 2016, were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
At December 31, 2015, there were 18 securities with a fair value of $31.9 million that had an unrealized loss of $436 thousand

Corporate Debt
At December 31, 2016, the decline in fair value and the unrealized losses for our corporate debt was caused by changes in interest rates and spreads and were not the result of credit quality. At December 31, 2016, there was one security with a fair value of $2.0 million that had an unrealized loss of $18 thousand. These securities typically have maturity dates greater than five years and the fair values are more sensitive to changes in market interest rates. As of December 31, 2016, we did not intend to sell and it was more-likely-than-not that we would be required to sell any of these securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis. Therefore, none of our corporate debt at December 31, 2016, were deemed to be other-than-temporarily-impaired.
 
Held to Maturity Securities
 
The amortized cost and fair value of securities held to maturity as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are summarized as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
11,618

 
$
123

 
$
(2
)
 
$
11,739

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
6,834

 
$
174

 
$

 
$
7,008

 
During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the Company sold a security out of its held to maturity portfolio due to continued credit deterioration. The gross realized gain on the sale of the security was $8 thousand for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.

The amortized cost and fair value of securities held to maturity at December 31, 2016 are shown below by contractual maturity.  Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities as issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. The gross realized gain on the sale of the security was $8 thousand for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair
Value
Due in one year or less
$
8,764

 
$
8,763

Due after one year through five years

 

Due after five years through ten years
1,813

 
1,854

Due after ten years
1,041

 
1,122

Total held to maturity securities
$
11,618

 
$
11,739


Temporarily Impaired Securities
The following table shows our held to maturity investments’ gross unrealized losses and fair value with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other than temporarily impaired, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual held to maturity securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2016.  At December 31, 2015 we did not have any held to maturity investments with unrealized losses.
 
Less Than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and political subdivisions
$
789

 
$
(2
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
789

 
$
(2
)

F-20



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
As of December 31, 2016, we reviewed our held to maturity investment portfolio for indications of impairment. This review includes analyzing the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been lower than the cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, including any specific events which may influence the operations of the issuer and the intent and likelihood of selling the security.  The intent and likelihood of sale of debt securities is evaluated based upon our investment strategy for the particular type of security and our cash flow needs, liquidity position, capital adequacy and interest rate risk position. For each security whose fair value is less than their amortized cost basis, a review is conducted to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred. 
 
State and Political Subdivisions
At December 31, 2016, there were two securities with a fair value of $789 thousand that had an unrealized loss of $2 thousand.  At December 31, 2015, there were no securities in an unrealized loss position.  At December 31, 2016, the decline in fair value and the unrealized losses for our state and political subdivisions securities were caused by changes in interest rates and spreads and were not the result of credit quality.  These securities typically have maturity dates greater than 10 years and the fair values are more sensitive to changes in market interest rates. 
 
NOTE 5 – LOANS

The composition of net loans receivable at December 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Commercial and industrial loans
$
40,280

 
$
20,023

Construction
25,360

 
13,348

Commercial real estate
479,227

 
382,262

Residential real estate
150,237

 
127,204

Consumer and other
1,038

 
1,253

 
696,142

 
544,090

Unearned net loan origination fees
(885
)
 
(667
)
Allowance for loan losses
(6,696
)
 
(5,590
)
Net loans receivable
$
688,561

 
$
537,833


Mortgage loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying balance sheets.  The total amount of loans serviced for the benefit of others was approximately $249 thousand and $454 thousand at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Mortgage servicing rights were immaterial at December 31, 2016 and 2015



F-21



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 6 – ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES AND CREDIT QUALITY OF FINANCING RECEIVABLES
The following table presents changes in the allowance for loan losses disaggregated by the class of loans receivable for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015:  
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial
and
Industrial
 
Construction
 
Commercial
Real
Estate
 
Residential
Real
Estate
 
Consumer
and
Other
 
Unallocated
 
Total
Year Ended:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
85

 
$
220

 
$
3,646

 
$
784

 
$
87

 
$
768

 
$
5,590

Charge-offs
(227
)
 

 
(187
)
 
(67
)
 
(37
)
 

 
(518
)
Recoveries
268

 

 
37

 
21

 
7

 

 
333

Provision
(16
)
 
139

 
436

 
161

 
(38
)
 
609

 
1,291

Ending balance
$
110

 
$
359

 
$
3,932

 
$
899

 
$
19

 
$
1,377

 
$
6,696

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
231

 
383

 
$
3,491

 
$
903

 
$
19

 
$
614

 
$
5,641

Charge-offs
(19
)
 

 
(560
)
 
(165
)
 
(25
)
 

 
(769
)
Recoveries
17

 

 
41

 
17

 
7

 

 
82

Provision
(144
)
 
(163
)
 
674

 
29

 
86

 
154

 
636

Ending balance
$
85

 
$
220

 
$
3,646

 
$
784

 
$
87

 
$
768

 
$
5,590

The following table presents the balance in the allowance of loan losses at December 31, 2016 and 2015 disaggregated on the basis of our impairment method by class of loans receivable along with the balance of loans receivable by class disaggregated on the basis of our impairment methodology:
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
 
Loans Receivable
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance
 
Balance
Related to
Loans
Individually
Evaluated for
Impairment
 
Balance
Related to
Loans
Collectively
Evaluated for
Impairment
 
Balance
 
Individually
Evaluated for
Impairment
 
Collectively
Evaluated for
Impairment
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
110

 
$
14

 
$
96

 
$
40,280

 
$
33

 
$
40,247

Construction
359

 

 
$
359

 
25,360

 

 
$
25,360

Commercial real estate
3,932

 
135

 
$
3,797

 
479,227

 
4,597

 
$
474,630

Residential real estate
899

 
6

 
$
893

 
150,237

 
1,967

 
$
148,270

Consumer and other loans
19

 

 
$
19

 
1,038

 

 
1,038

Unallocated
1,377

 

 

 

 

 

Total
$
6,696

 
$
155

 
$
5,164

 
$
696,142

 
$
6,597

 
$
689,545

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
85

 
$

 
$
85

 
$
20,023

 
$
20

 
$
20,003

Construction
220

 

 
$
220

 
13,348

 

 
$
13,348

Commercial real estate
3,646

 
112

 
$
3,534

 
382,262

 
5,160

 
$
377,102

Residential real estate
784

 
79

 
$
705

 
127,204

 
1,546

 
$
125,658

Consumer and other loans
87

 
73

 
$
14

 
1,253

 
138

 
$
1,115

Unallocated
768

 

 

 

 

 

Total
$
5,590

 
$
264

 
$
4,558

 
$
544,090

 
$
6,864

 
$
537,226



F-22



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

An age analysis of loans receivable which were past due as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 days
Past Due
 
Greater
Than
90 Days (a)
 
Total Past
Due
 
Current
 
Total
Financing
Receivables
 
Recorded
Investment
> 90 Days
and
Accruing
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$

 
$

 
$
137

 
$
137

 
$
40,143

 
$
40,280

 
$
104

Construction

 

 
309

 
309

 
25,051

 
$
25,360

 
309

Commercial real estate
84

 
719

 
4,103

 
4,906

 
474,321

 
$
479,227

 
55

Residential real estate
786

 
247

 
1,752

 
2,785

 
147,452

 
$
150,237

 

Consumer and other
4

 

 

 
4

 
1,034

 
$
1,038

 

Total
$
874

 
$
966

 
$
6,301

 
$
8,141

 
$
688,001

 
$
696,142

 
$
468

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
5

 
$

 
$
20

 
$
25

 
$
19,998

 
$
20,023

 
$

Construction

 

 

 

 
13,348

 
$
13,348

 

Commercial real estate
758

 
1,461

 
4,016

 
6,235

 
376,027

 
$
382,262

 

Residential real estate
335

 
247

 
1,138

 
1,720

 
125,484

 
$
127,204

 

Consumer and other
16

 
1

 
138

 
155

 
1,098

 
$
1,253

 

Total
$
1,114

 
$
1,709

 
$
5,312

 
$
8,135

 
$
535,955

 
$
544,090

 
$

(a) includes loans greater than 90 days past due and still accruing and non-accrual loans.
 
Loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued at December 31, 2016 and 2015 were:
(Dollars in thousands)
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Commercial and industrial
$
33

 
$
20

Commercial real estate
4,048

 
4,016

Residential real estate
1,752

 
1,138

Consumer and other

 
138

Total
$
5,833

 
$
5,312

 
Loans are made to individuals as well as commercial entities. Specific loan terms vary as to interest rate, repayment, and collateral requirements based on the type of loan requested and the credit worthiness of the prospective borrower. Credit risk tends to be geographically concentrated in that a majority of the loan customers are located in the markets serviced by the Company. Loan performance may be adversely affected by factors impacting the general economy or conditions specific to the real estate market such as geographic location and/or property type. A description of the Company's different loan segments follows:
 
Commercial Loans: Commercial credit is extended primarily to middle market and small business customers. Commercial loans are generally made in the Company's market place for the purpose of providing working capital, financing the purchase of equipment, inventory or commercial real estate and for other business purposes. Loans will generally be guaranteed in full or for a meaningful amount by the businesses' major owners. Underwriting of commercial loans is based primarily on the historical and projected cash flow of the business and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided.

Residential Mortgage and Consumer Loans: The Company originates mortgage and consumer loans including principally residential real estate and home equity lines and loans. Each loan type is evaluated on debt to income, type of collateral and loan to collateral value, credit history and Company relationship with the borrower.
 
In determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, the Company estimates losses based on the identification of specific problem loans through its credit review process and also estimates losses inherent in other loans on an aggregate basis by loan type.  The credit review process includes the independent evaluation of the loan officer assigned risk ratings by the Chief Credit Officer and a third party loan review company.  Such risk ratings are assigned loss component factors that reflect the Company’s loss estimate for each group of loans.  It is management’s and the board of directors’ responsibility to oversee the lending process to ensure that all credit risks are properly identified, monitored, and controlled, and that loan pricing, terms, and other safeguards against non-performance and default are commensurate with the level of risk undertaken and is rated as such based on a risk-rating system.  Factors considered in assigning risk ratings and loss component factors include: borrower specific information related to

F-23



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

expected future cash flows and operating results, collateral values, financial condition, payment status and other information; levels of and trends in portfolio charge-offs and recoveries; levels in portfolio delinquencies; effects of changes in loan concentrations and observed trends in the economy and other qualitative measurements.
 
The Company’s risk-rating system as defined below is consistent with the system used by regulatory agencies and consistent with industry practices. Loan classifications of Substandard, Doubtful or Loss are consistent with the regulatory definitions of classified assets. 

Pass: This category represents loans performing to contractual terms and conditions and the primary source of repayment is adequate to meet the obligation.  The Company has five categories within the Pass classification depending on strength of repayment sources, collateral values and financial condition of the borrower. 
 
Special Mention:  This category represents loans performing to contractual terms and conditions; however the primary source of repayment or the borrower is exhibiting some deterioration or weaknesses in financial condition that could potentially threaten the borrowers’ future ability to repay our loan principal and interest or fees due.
 
Substandard: This category represents loans that the primary source of repayment has significantly deteriorated or weakened which has or could threaten the borrowers’ ability to make scheduled payments.  The weaknesses require close supervision by the Company’s management and there is a distinct possibility that the Company could sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Such weaknesses could jeopardize the timely and ultimate collection of our loan principal and interest or fees due.  Loss may not be expected or evident, however, loan repayment is inadequately supported by current financial information or pledged collateral.
 
Doubtful: Loans so classified have all the inherent weaknesses of a substandard loan with the added provision that collection or liquidation in full is highly questionable and not reasonably assured.  The probability of at least partial loss is high, but extraneous factors might strengthen the asset to prevent loss. The validity of the extraneous factors must be continuously monitored. Once these factors are questionable the loan should be considered for full or partial charge-off.
 
Loss: Loans so classified are considered uncollectible, and of such little value that their continuance as active assets of the Company is not warranted.  Such loans are fully charged off.

The following tables illustrate the Company’s corporate credit risk profile by creditworthiness category as of December 31, 2016 and 2015
(Dollars in thousands)
Pass
 
Special
Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Total
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
40,247

 
$

 
$
33

 
$

 
$
40,280

Construction
25,360

 

 

 

 
$
25,360

Commercial real estate
463,889

 
7,461

 
7,877

 

 
$
479,227

Residential real estate
147,526

 
584

 
2,127

 

 
$
150,237

Consumer and other
1,038

 

 

 

 
$
1,038

 
$
678,060

 
$
8,045

 
$
10,037

 
$

 
$
696,142

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
19,983

 
$
5

 
$
35

 
$

 
$
20,023

Construction
13,348

 

 

 

 
$
13,348

Commercial real estate
367,305

 
8,957

 
6,000

 

 
$
382,262

Residential real estate
124,915

 
743

 
1,546

 

 
$
127,204

Consumer and other
1,115

 

 
138

 

 
$
1,253

 
$
526,666

 
$
9,705

 
$
7,719

 
$

 
$
544,090


F-24



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The following table reflects information regarding the Company’s impaired loans as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for the years then ended:
(Dollars in thousands)
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
19

 
$
19

 
$

 
$
19

 
$

Commercial real estate
2,324

 
2,324

 

 
2,244

 
16

Residential real estate
1,604

 
1,629

 

 
1,271

 
9

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
14

 
14

 
14

 
3

 

Commercial real estate
2,273

 
2,364

 
135

 
2,492

 
32

Residential real estate
363

 
363

 
6

 
298

 

Consumer and other

 

 

 
55

 

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
33

 
33

 
14

 
22

 

Commercial real estate
4,597

 
4,688

 
135

 
4,736

 
48

Residential real estate
1,967

 
1,992

 
6

 
1,569

 
9

Consumer and other

 

 

 
55

 

 
$
6,597

 
$
6,713

 
$
155

 
$
6,382

 
$
57

(Dollars in thousands)
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
$
20

 
$
20

 
$

 
$
16

 
$

Commercial real estate
2,684

 
2,684

 

 
2,488

 
32

Residential real estate
1,123

 
1,152

 

 
1,239

 
6

With an allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial

 

 

 
19

 

Commercial real estate
2,476

 
2,476

 
112

 
2,706

 
33

Residential real estate
423

 
423

 
79

 
687

 
11

Consumer and other
138

 
138

 
73

 

 

Total:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and industrial
20

 
20

 

 
35

 

Commercial real estate
5,160

 
5,160

 
112

 
5,194

 
65

Residential real estate
1,546

 
1,575

 
79

 
1,926

 
17

Consumer and other
138

 
138

 
73

 

 

 
$
6,864

 
$
6,893

 
$
264

 
$
7,155

 
$
82


The average recorded investment in impaired loans is calculated using the average of impaired loans over the past five quarter-end periods. The Company recognizes income on impaired loans by recording all payments as a reduction of principal on such loans. 

Impaired loans include loans modified in TDRs where concessions have been granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties.  These concessions could include a reduction in the interest rate on the loan, payment extensions, postponement or forgiveness of principal, forbearance or other actions intended to maximize collection.
 

F-25



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents the recorded investment in troubled debt restructured loans as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 based on payment performance status:
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial Real Estate
 
Residential Real Estate
 
Total
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
Performing
$
550

 
$
129

 
$
679

Non-performing
2,258

 

 
2,258

Total
$
2,808

 
$
129

 
$
2,937

December 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Performing
$
1,144

 
$
409

 
$
1,553

Non-performing
1,831

 
194

 
2,025

Total
$
2,975

 
$
603

 
$
3,578

 
Troubled debt restructured loans are considered impaired and are included in the previous impaired loans disclosures in this footnote.  As of December 31, 2016, we have not committed to lend additional amounts to customers with outstanding loans that are classified as TDRs.
 
There were no TDRs that occurred during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015
 
The TDRs described above did not require an allocation of the allowance for credit losses, nor were any charge-offs recorded subsequent to modification during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

There were two TDRs with an outstanding balance of $568 thousand for which there were payment defaults within twelve months following the date of the restructuring for the year ended December 31, 2016.
 
There were no TDRs for which there was a payment default within twelve months following the date of the restructuring for the year ended December 31, 2015
 
Loans are considered to be in payment default once they are greater than 30 days contractually past due under the modified terms.  There were no charge-offs on defaulted TDRs during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.
 
NOTE 7 – PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

The components of premises and equipment at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Land and land improvements
$
2,054

 
$
2,049

Building and building improvements
5,953

 
5,953

Leasehold improvements
2,182

 
1,430

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
5,887

 
5,458

Assets in progress
125

 
420

 
16,201

 
15,310

Accumulated depreciation
(7,473
)
 
(6,431
)
Premises and equipment, net
$
8,728

 
$
8,879


 During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, depreciation expense totaled $1.1 million and $998 thousand, respectively. 


F-26



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8 – DEPOSITS

The components of deposits at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Demand, non-interest bearing
$
132,434

 
$
87,209

Savings, money market and interest-bearing demand
346,591

 
293,774

Time deposits less than $100 thousand
74,150

 
86,343

Time deposits $100 thousand and over
107,746

 
50,530

Total deposits
$
660,921

 
$
517,856

 
Included in time deposits at December 31, 2016 and 2015, were brokered deposits of $84.6 million and $33.8 million, respectively.
 
At December 31, 2016, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Within one year
$
127,999

One to two years
28,038

Two to three years
6,521

Three to four years
4,394

After four years
14,944

 
$
181,896

 
Certificates of deposits with balances of $250 thousand or more at December 31, 2016 and 2015, totaled approximately $48.6 million and $21.7 million, respectively.
 
NOTE 9 – BORROWINGS

At December 31, 2016, the Bank had secured borrowing potential with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLBNY”) for borrowings of up to $149.3 million and a $10.0 million line of credit at Atlantic Central Bankers Bank (“ACBB”).  The borrowings at the FHLBNY are secured by a pledge of qualifying residential and commercial mortgage loans, having an aggregate unpaid principal balance of approximately $149.3 million.  At December 31, 2016, the Bank had the ability to borrow up to $63.3 million at FHLBNY and $10.0 million at ACBB.
 
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had $29.8 million and $34.7 million, respectively, in short term advances at the FHLBNY, having weighted average interest rates of 0.79% and 0.52%, respectively.  These advances are priced at the federal funds rate plus a spread (generally between 20 and 30 basis points), re-price daily and mature within three months.

At December 31, 2016, the Company had $5.0 million line of credit at Atlantic Community Bankers Bank that bears interest at the rate of floating prime plus 50 basis points with a maturity date of September 28, 2017. This line of credit is included in long term borrowings.

F-27



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

At December 31, 2016 and 2015 the Bank had the following long-term borrowings:
(Dollars in thousands)
Borrowing
Institution
 
Interest
Rate
 
Balance at December 31,
Maturity Date
 
 
2016
 
2015
December 7, 2016
FHLBNY
 
4.00%
 
$

 
$
5,000

June 21, 2017
FHLBNY
 
4.60%
 
6,000

 
6,000

October 1, 2017
ACBB
 
Prime + 50bps (4.25%)
 
5,000

 

November 3, 2017
FHLBNY
 
1.31%
 
5,000

 
5,000

December 7, 2017
FHLBNY
 
3.97%
 
5,000

 
5,000

December 26, 2017
FHLBNY
 
3.66%
 
5,000

 
5,000

December 26, 2017
FHLBNY
 
3.79%
 
5,000

 
5,000

January 16, 2018
FHLBNY
 
1.18%
 
5,000

 
5,000

July 17, 2018
FHLBNY
 
1.65%
 
5,000

 
5,000

September 19, 2018
FHLBNY
 
1.83%
 
5,000

 
5,000

January 20, 2021
FHLBNY
 
2.07%
 
5,000

 

February 4, 2019
FHLBNY
 
1.53%
 
5,000

 
5,000

January 15, 2020
FHLBNY
 
1.66%
 
5,000

 
5,000

October 5, 2020
FHLBNY
 
1.78%
 
5,000

 
5,000

 
 
 
 
 
$
66,000

 
$
61,000

 
Maturities of long-term debt in years subsequent to December 31, 2016 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Within one year
$
31,000

One to two years
15,000

Two to three years
5,000

Three to four years
10,000

Four to five years
5,000

After five years

 
$
66,000

 
At December 31, 2016 the Company had $61.0 million in long-term fixed rate advances, of which, $6.0 million were convertible notes that contain an option which allows the FHLBNY, at quarterly intervals, to convert the fixed convertible advance into replacement funding for the same or lesser principal amount based on any advance then offered by the FHLBNY at their current market rates. 
 
NOTE 10 – DERIVATIVES

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During the year ended December 31, 2016 such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash outflows associated with four FHLB borrowings totaling $26.0 million.  The Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge its $12.5 million variable rate (3 Mo Libor +1.44%) subordinated debt issued by Sussex Capital Trust II, a non-consolidated wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, for 10 years at a fixed rate of 3.10%.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives are recognized directly in earnings. The Company implemented this program during the quarter ended March 31, 2016.


F-28




During the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 the Company did not record any hedge ineffectiveness.


The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2016:

December 31, 2016

Notional/
Contract
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Balance
Sheet
Location
 
Expiration
Date
(Dollars in thousands)
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate swaps by effective date:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
March 15, 2016
$
12,500

 
$
629

 
Other Assets
 
2026-03-15
December 15, 2016
5,000

 
163

 
Other Assets
 
2026-12-15
June 15, 2017
6,000

 
201

 
Other Assets
 
2027-06-15
December 15, 2017
10,000

 
448

 
Other Assets
 
2027-12-15
December 15, 2017
5,000

 
206

 
Other Assets
 
2027-12-15

 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Total
$
38,500

 
$
1,647

 
 
 
 


The table below presents the Company’s derivative financial instruments that are designated as cash flow hedgers of interest rate risk and their effect on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Conditions during the year ended December 31, 2016:
໿

Year Ended December 31, 2016

Amount of Gain
Recognized in OCI
on
Derivatives, net of
Tax
(Effective Portion)
 
Location of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
Income of
Derivatives
(Ineffective Portion)
 
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income of
Derivatives
(Ineffective Portion)
(Dollars in thousands)
 

 
 
 
 

Derivatives in cash flow hedges
Interest rate swaps by effective
date:
 

 
 
 
 

March 15, 2016
$
377

 
Not applicable
 
$

December 15, 2016
98

 
Not applicable
 

June 15, 2017
120

 
Not applicable
 

December 15, 2017
269

 
Not applicable
 

December 15, 2017
124

 
Not applicable
 


 

 
 
 
 

Total
$
988

 
 
 
$



NOTE 11 – SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES AND MANDATORY REDEEMABLE CAPITAL DEBENTURES

On June 28, 2007, Sussex Capital Trust II, a Delaware statutory business trust and a non-consolidated wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued $12.5 million of variable rate capital trust pass-through securities to investors.  Sussex Capital Trust II purchased $12.9 million of variable rate subordinated deferrable interest debentures from the Company.  The debentures are the sole asset of the Trust.  The terms of the subordinated debentures are the same as the terms of the capital securities.  The Company has also fully and unconditionally guaranteed the obligations of the Trust under the capital securities.  The variable interest rate reprices quarterly at the three month LIBOR plus 1.44% and was 2.4% and 1.95% at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  The capital securities are currently redeemable by the Company at par in whole or in part.  The capital securities must be redeemed upon final maturity of the subordinated debentures on September 15, 2037

F-29



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


During the quarter ended December 31, 2016, the company completed a private placement to an institutional investor of $15 million in fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes. The subordinated notes have a maturity date of December 22, 2026 and bear interest at the rate of 5.75% per annum, payable quarterly, for the first five years of the term, and then at a variable rate that will reset quarterly to a level equal to the then current 3-month LIBOR plus 350 basis points over the remainder of the term. The notes are redeemable after five years subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated notes, including principal and interest, is unsecured and subordinate and junior to general and secured creditors and depositors.


NOTE 12 – LEASE COMMITMENTS AND TOTAL RENTAL EXPENSE

The Company has operating lease agreements expiring in various years through 2028.  The Company has the option to extend the lease agreements for additional lease terms.  The Company is responsible to pay all real estate taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance and repairs on its leased facilities.
 
Future minimum payments under non-cancellable leases by year are as follows as of December 31, 2016:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2017
$
735

2018
728

2019
577

2020
171

2021
76

Thereafter
531

 
$
2,818

 
Rent expense was $663 thousand and $649 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 

NOTE 13 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has a 401(k) Plan and Trust (the “401(k) Plan”) for its employees.  Non-highly compensated employees may contribute up to the statutory limit of 75% of their salary to the 401(k) Plan.  Highly compensated employees are restricted to a contribution up to 7% of their salary.  The Company provides a 50% match of the employee's contribution up to 6% of the employee's annual salary.  The amount charged to expense related to the 401(k) Plan for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $141 thousand and $135 thousand, respectively.
 
The Company also maintains nonqualified Supplemental Salary Continuation Plans (the “Supplemental Plans”) covering the Company’s former Chairman and a former executive officer of the Company.  Under the provisions of the Supplemental Plans, the Company has executed agreements providing the officers a retirement benefit.  Payments from the Supplemental Plans for the Chairman began in May of 2008 and the other executive started in April of 2010.  For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015,  $52 thousand and $57 thousand, respectively, was charged to expense in connection with the Plans.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying value of the Supplemental Plans was $716 thousand and $795 thousand,  respectively.
 
In March of 2005, the Board of Directors approved an Executive Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Incentive Plan”).  The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to motivate and reward participants for achieving bank financial and strategic goals as well as to provide specified benefits to a select group of management or highly compensated employees who contribute materially to the continued growth, development and future business success of the Company Participants may elect to receive their award or defer compensation in a deferral account which will earn interest at the average interest rate earned by the Company in its investment portfolio, compounded monthly.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying value of deferred compensation was $199 thousand and $173 thousand, respectively. 
 
In July 2006, the Board of Directors adopted a Director Deferred Compensation Agreement for both the Bank and the Company (the “DCA”).  Under the terms of the DCA, a director may elect to defer all or a portion of his retainer and fees for the coming

F-30



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

year.  Under the DCA, only the payment of the compensation earned is deferred, and there is no deferral of the expense in the Company’s financial statements related to the participant’s deferred compensation, which will be charged to the Company’s income statement as an expense in the period in which the participant earned the compensation.  The deferred amounts are credited with earnings at a rate equal to the average interest rate earned by the Company on its investment portfolio or at a rate that tracks the performance of the Company’s common stock.   In September 2015, the Board of Directors adopted an amendment under the DCA. The amendment, which is effective October 1, 2015, specifies that participants are no longer eligible to be credited earnings based on a rate that tracks the performance of the Company’s common stock on new amounts deferred after such date.  Additionally, effective January 1, 2016, the maximum earnings on deferred compensation amounts that are eligible to be credited with an earnings rate that tracks the performance of the Company’s common stock is limited to 10% of the stock price at end of the previous plan year.  In June 2016, the Board of Directors adopted an amendment to the DCA which supersedes the prior amendment from September 2015. The amendment, effective July 1, 2016, allows the Company’s Directors to elect to defer part or all of their fees into a stock account, consisting of the Company’s common stock, which is administered through a rabbi trust. The Company is responsible for submitting each Director’s deferral to the trustee of the rabbi trust to be used for the purchase of the Company’s common stock. Distribution’s from the Director's stock account shall be made in the same medium, the Company's common stock.
The participant’s benefit will be distributed to the participant or his beneficiary upon a change in control of the Company, the termination of the DCA, the occurrence of an unforeseeable emergency, the termination of service or the participant’s death or disability.  Upon distribution, a participant’s benefit will be paid in monthly installments over a period of ten years.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the liability for the DCA was $36 thousand and $1.2 million, respectively. The DCA liability of $36 thousand at December 31, 2016, consisted entirely of amounts deferred under the interest rate earnings election; the liability of $1.2 million at December 31, 2015, consisted of $22 thousand of amounts deferred under the interest rate earnings election and $1.16 million amounts deferred under the common stock performance election. During 2016, the amounts deferred under the common stock performance election were transferred into the stock account administered through the Rabbi Trust. In conjunction with the DCA, at December 31, 2016, 96,736 shares of Company common stock were held in the Rabbi Trust.

In July 2011, the Company entered into a Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement (“SERP”), a non-qualified defined contribution pension plan that provides supplemental retirement income for the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The SERP was effective as of January 1, 2011. Based on the attainment of certain annual performance targets, the Company will make annual contributions to the SERP.  Any amounts credited to the SERP will accrue interest equal to that paid by U.S. 10-year Treasury Notes for each applicable year. The SERP provides for the benefits to be paid monthly over a 5-year period commencing the first day of the month following the later of the participant’s 65th birthday, or normal retirement age, or termination of employment.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying value of the SERP was $329 thousand and $239 thousand, respectively.

NOTE 14 – COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income.  Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.
 
The components of other comprehensive income (loss), both before tax and net of tax, are as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
Before Tax
 
Tax Effect
 
Net of Tax
 
Before Tax
 
Tax Effect
 
Net of Tax
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value adjustments on derivatives
$
1,647

 
$
659

 
$
988

 
$

 
$

 
$

Unrealized gains on available for sale securities
(950
)
 
(380
)
 
(570
)
 
134

 
54

 
80

Reclassification adjustment for net gains on securities transactions included in net income
(436
)
 
(175
)
 
(261
)
 
(271
)
 
(108
)
 
(163
)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income
$
261

 
$
104

 
$
157

 
$
(137
)
 
$
(54
)
 
$
(83
)
 

F-31



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Reclassification adjustments for gains on securities transactions of $436 thousand and $271 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, are presented in the income statement within the line item for net gain on securities transactions.  

The other components of accumulated other comprehensive income included in stockholders` equity at December 31 ,2016 and 2015 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale investments
$
(745
)
 
$
86

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
988

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income
$
243

 
$
86



NOTE 15 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share:
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Income
(Numerator)
 
Shares
(Denominator)
 
Per Share
Amount
Year Ended December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
Shares Outstanding (weighted average)
 
 
4,619,124

 
 
Shares held by Rabbi Trust
 
 
96,736

 
 
Share liability under deferred compensation agreement
 
 
(96,736
)
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings applicable to common stockholders
$
5,523

 
4,619,124

 
$
1.20

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Unvested stock awards

 
31,984

 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions
$
5,523

 
4,651,108

 
$
1.19

Year Ended December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings applicable to common stockholders
$
3,700

 
4,559,316

 
$
0.81

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Unvested stock awards

 
32,506

 
 
Diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income applicable to common stockholders and assumed conversions
$
3,700

 
4,591,822

 
$
0.81


There were 36,761 and 58,274 shares of unvested restricted stock awards and options outstanding during December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.
 

NOTE 16 – STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS

During 2005, the stockholders approved the 2004 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”) to provide equity incentives to selected persons.  Awards may be granted to employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company or subsidiary.  Awards granted under the 2004 Plan may be either stock options or restricted stock awards and are designated at the time of grant.  Options

F-32



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

granted under the 2004 Plan to directors, consultants and advisors are non-qualified stock options.  Options granted to officers and other employees may be incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options. Restricted stock awards may be made to any plan participant.  As of December 31, 2016, there were no authorized shares available for future grants under the 2004 Plan. 
 
During 2013, the stockholders approved the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”) to provide equity incentives to selected persons.  Awards may be granted to employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company or subsidiary.  Awards granted under the 2013 Plan may be either stock options or restricted stock awards and are designated at the time of grant.  Restricted stock awards may be made to any plan participant.  As of December 31, 2016, there were 131,726 shares available for future grants under the 2013 Plan.

Information regarding the Company's restricted stock grants activity for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
 
2016
 
2015
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Unvested restricted stock, beginning of year
93,570

 
$
7.67

 
112,545

 
$
6.06

Granted
42,167

 
12.92

 
32,692

 
10.54

Forfeited
(6,579
)
 
10.99

 
(1,001
)
 
9.19

Vested
(48,415
)
 
7.05

 
(50,666
)
 
5.93

Unvested restricted stock, end of period
80,743

 
$
10.51

 
93,570

 
$
7.67

 
Total stock-based compensation related to restricted stock awards was $365 thousand and $337 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, there were $571 thousand and $433 thousand, respectively, of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock awards which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years and 1.4 years.
 
Options granted to officers and other employees and which are incentive stock options, are subject to limitations under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The option price under each such grant shall not be less than the fair market value on the date of the grant.  No option will be granted for a term in excess of ten years.  The Company established a vesting schedule that must be satisfied before the options may be exercised. 
 
Stock option transactions under all plans are summarized as follows:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price per
Share
 
Weighted
Average
Contractual
Term
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding, December 31, 2014
46,525

 
$
10.63

 
 
 
 
Options granted
15,985

 
10.25

 
 
 
 
Options expired
(10,525
)
 
12.91

 
 
 
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2015
51,985

 
10.06

 
 
 
 
Options granted
26,216

 
12.83

 
 
 
 
Options expired
(8,629
)
 
10.12

 
 
 
 
Options exercised
(449
)
 
10.25

 
 
 
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2016
69,123

 
$
11.10

 
8.4
 
$
677,483

Exercisable, December 31, 2016
14,981

 
$
10.01

 
7.9
 
$
163,132



F-33



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016:
Exercise
Price
 
Number
Outstanding
 
Weighted
Average Remaining
Life (Years)
 
Number
Exercisable
9.97

 
32,000

 
7.9
 
12,800

12.83

 
26,216

 
9.2
 

 
 
58,216

 
8.4
 
12,800

 
The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised in 2016 was $1 thousand.

The following table summarizes information about stock option assumptions:
 
2016
 
2015
Expected dividend yield
1.25
%
 
1.56
%
Expected volatility
22.72
%
 
34.32
%
Risk-free interest rate
1.71
%
 
1.37
%
Expected option life
7.50

 
7.50

 
The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s current common stock dividend rate divided by the closing price of the Company shares at the grant date. The expected volatility is based on the closing common stock price of the Company shares over a 5 year period. The assumed risk-free interest rate is based on the US Treasury note rate for a term equivalent to the expected option life at the time of the option grant. The expected life of options amount is estimated as the mid-point between the vesting period and the expiration date of the options granted.
 
Total stock-based compensation related to stock options was $46 thousand and $37 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $3.35 and $3.56, respectively, per share. Expected future expense relating to the non-vested options outstanding as of December 31, 2016 is $166 thousand over a weighted average period of 3.4 years. Upon exercise of vested options, management expects to draw on treasury stock as the source of the shares.
 
NOTE 17 – INCOME TAXES

The Company and its subsidiary are subject to U.S. federal and state income tax.  The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Current:
 
 
 
Federal
$
2,175

 
$
1,014

State
644

 
439

 
2,819

 
1,453

Deferred:
 
 
 
Federal
(40
)
 
117

State
49

 
70

 
9

 
187

 
$
2,828

 
$
1,640



F-34



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax at a rate of 34% to the income tax expense included in the statements of income and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Federal income tax at statutory rate
$
2,840

 
34
 %
 
$
1,816

 
34
 %
Tax exempt interest
(288
)
 
(3
)
 
(312
)
 
(6
)
State income tax, net of federal income tax effect
457

 
5

 
336

 
6

Bank owned life insurance
(105
)
 
(1
)
 
(106
)
 
(2
)
Other
(76
)
 
(1
)
 
(94
)
 
(1
)
 
$
2,828

 
34
 %
 
$
1,640

 
31
 %
 
The components of the net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
$
2,646

 
$
2,233

Deferred compensation
506

 
953

Deferred Fees
402

 
347

Foreclosed real estate
223

 
219

Restricted stock
122

 
115

Unrealized loss on securities available for sale
497

 

Other
223

 
214

Total deferred tax assets
4,619

 
4,081

Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
(537
)
 
(441
)
Prepaid expenses
(210
)
 
(254
)
Unrealized gain on securities, available for sale

 
(58
)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps
(659
)
 

Total deferred tax liabilities
(1,406
)
 
(753
)
Net deferred tax asset, included in other assets
$
3,213

 
$
3,328

 
NOTE 18 – TRANSACTIONS WITH EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The Company has had, and may be expected to have in the future, banking transactions in the ordinary course of business with its executive officers, directors, principal stockholders, their immediate families and affiliated companies (commonly referred to as related parties), on the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with others. 
 
The related party loan activity for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 is summarized as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Balance, beginning
$
6,647

 
$
6,136

Disbursements
5,068

 
2,664

Repayments and other
(1,383
)
 
(2,153
)
Balance, ending
$
10,332

 
$
6,647

 
Deposits from certain executive officers, directors and their affiliates at December 31, 2016 and 2015 totaled $9.3 million and $7.0 million, respectively.

Certain related parties of the Company provided legal services and appraisal services to the Company.  Legal services provided by related parties totaled $10 thousand and $14 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Appraisal services provided by related parties totaled $2 thousand and $12 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015,

F-35



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

respectively. There were no engineering services provided by related parties for the year ended December 31, 2016. Engineering services provided by related parties totaled $6 thousand for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company also paid rent to related parties for an office location in the amount of $148 thousand and $147 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
NOTE 19 – FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and letters of credit.  Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.
 
The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.  The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
 
A summary of the Company's financial instrument commitments at December 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Commitments to grant loans
$
70,463

 
$
30,561

Unfunded commitments under lines of credit
69,811

 
53,087

Outstanding standby letters of credit
998

 
990

 
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  The Company evaluates each customer's credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management's credit evaluation.  Collateral held varies but may include personal or commercial real estate, accounts receivable, inventory and equipment.
 
Outstanding letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.  These standby letters of credit expire within twelve months, although many have automatic renewal provisions.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending other loan commitments.  The Company requires collateral and personal guarantees supporting these letters of credit as deemed necessary.  Management believes that the proceeds obtained through a liquidation of such collateral and enforcement of personal guarantees would be sufficient to cover the maximum potential amount of future payments required under the corresponding guarantees.  The current amount of the liability as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 for guarantees under standby letters of credit issued is not material.
 

NOTE 20 – CAPITAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS

The Company is required to maintain cash reserve balances either in vault cash or with the Federal Reserve Bank.  The total of those reserve balances was approximately $7.6 million at December 31, 2016.  
 
The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet the minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk-weightings and other factors.
The federal banking agencies have substantially amended the regulatory risk-based capital rules applicable to the Bank. The amendments implemented the “Basel III” regulatory capital reforms and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The new rules

F-36



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

apply regulatory capital requirements to the Bank.  The amended rules included new minimum risk-based capital and leverage ratios, which became effective in January 2016, with certain requirements to be phased in beginning in 2017, and refined the definition of what constitutes “capital” for purposes of calculating those ratios.
 
The new minimum capital level requirements applicable to the Bank include: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 5.13% (increased from 4.5% ; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.63% (increased from 6%); (iii) a total capital ratio of 8.63% (increased from 8%); and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4% for all institutions. The amended rules establish a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5% (phased in over four years at 0.625% per year) above the new regulatory minimum capital ratios, and would result in the following phased-in minimum ratios when fully implemented: (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 7.0%; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%; and (iii) a total capital ratio of 10.5%. The new capital conservation buffer requirement will be phased in beginning in January 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and will increase each year until fully implemented in January 2020. An institution will be subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses if its capital level falls below the buffer amount. These limitations will establish a maximum percentage of eligible retained income that could be utilized for such actions.
 
As of December 31, 2016, the most recent notification from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.
 
The Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios at December 31, 2016 and 2015 are presented below:
 
Actual
 
For Capital Adequacy
Purposes plus Capital Conservation Buffer
 
To be Well Capitalized
under Prompt
Corrective Action
Provisions
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
As of December 31, 2016
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets):
$
93,579

 
13.86
%
 
>$58,279
 
>8.63%
 
>$67,531
 
>10.00%
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets):
86,883

 
12.87
%
 
>44,773
 
>6.63
 
>54,025
 
>8.00
Common equity tier I capital (to average assets):
86,883

 
12.87
%
 
>34,643
 
>5.13
 
>43,895
 
>6.50
Tier I capital (to average assets):
86,883

 
10.41
%
 
>33,380
 
>4.00
 
>41,725
 
>5.00
As of December 31, 2015
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets):
$
68,283

 
12.79
%
 
>$42,722
 
>8.00%
 
>$53,402
 
>10.00%
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets):
62,693

 
11.74
%
 
>32,041
 
>6.00  
 
>42,722
 
>8.00  
Common equity tier I capital (to average assets):
62,693

 
11.74
%
 
>24,031
 
>4.50  
 
>34,711
 
>6.50  
Tier I capital (to average assets):
62,693

 
9.45
%
 
>26,548
 
>4.00  
 
>33,184
 
>5.00  

The Bank is subject to certain restrictions on the amount of dividends that it may declare due to regulatory considerations.  The State of New Jersey banking laws specify that no dividend shall be paid by the Bank on its capital stock unless, following the payment of such dividend, the capital stock of the Bank will be unimpaired and the Bank will have a surplus of not less than 50% of its capital stock or, if not, the payment of such dividend will not reduce the surplus of the Bank.
 
At December 31, 2016, the Bank’s funds available for payment of dividends were $81.9 million.  Accordingly, $7.5 million of the Company’s equity in the net assets of the Bank was restricted as of December 31, 2016.

In addition, dividends paid by the Bank to the Company would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements.
 


F-37



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 21 – PARENT COMPANY ONLY FINANCIAL

Condensed financial information pertaining only to the parent company, Sussex Bancorp, is as follows:
BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 
 
December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Assets
 
 
 
Cash
$
129

 
$
69

Investment in subsidiary
89,956

 
65,986

Accrued interest and other assets
2,919

 
1,466

Total Assets
$
93,004

 
$
67,521

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
Other liabilities
$
92

 
$
693

Long-term borrowings
5,000

 

Subordinated debentures
27,840

 
12,887

Stockholders' equity
60,072

 
53,941

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
$
93,004

 
$
67,521

STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Interest expense on borrowings
$
(52
)
 
$

Interest expense on debentures
(391
)
 
(220
)
Other expenses
(203
)
 
(311
)
Loss before income tax benefit and equity in
 
 
 
undistributed net income of subsidiaries
(646
)
 
(531
)
Income tax benefit
243

 
179

Loss before equity in undistributed net
 
 
 
income of subsidiaries
(403
)
 
(352
)
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
5,926

 
4,052

Net Income
5,523

 
3,700

Comprehensive income
$
5,680

 
$
3,617


F-38



SUSSEX BANCORP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
(Dollars in thousands)
2016
 
2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income
$
5,523

 
$
3,700

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Net change in other assets and liabilities
852

 
1,699

Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiaries
(5,926
)
 
(4,052
)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
449

 
1,347

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Capital contribution to subsidiaries
(19,568
)
 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
(19,568
)
 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Cash dividends paid
(752
)
 
(746
)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
5,000

 

Proceeds from subordinated debenture, net of issuance costs of $47
14,953

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options
4

 

Purchase of treasury stock
(26
)
 
(533
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
19,179

 
(1,279
)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
60

 
68

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Year
69

 
1

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Year
$
129

 
$
69

 
NOTE 22 – CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various lawsuits involving matters generally incidental to its business.  Management is of the opinion that the ultimate liability, if any, resulting from any pending actions or proceedings will not have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.


F-39




EXHIBIT LIST
Exhibit Number
 
Description
3.1
 
Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 15, 2011).
3.2
 
Amended and Restated By-laws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.II to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 3, 2014).
4.1
 
Specimen common stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the SEC on June 3, 2013).
4.2
 
Form of Subordinated Note Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 22,2016).
10.1*
 
1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.6 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed with the SEC on December 13, 1996).
10.2*
 
2001 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14-A filed with the SEC on March 19, 2001.)
10.3*
 
2004 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2005).
10.4*
 
2013 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on May 28, 2014).
10.5*
 
Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement under 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on May 28, 2014).
10.6*
 
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on May 28, 2014).
10.7*
 
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed with the SEC on May 28, 2014).
10.8*
 
Amended and Restated Director Deferred Compensation Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 19, 2008).
10.9*
 
Amended and Restated Executive Incentive and Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 26, 2010).
10.10*
 
Employment Agreement by and between the Company, the Bank and Donald L. Kovach, dated July 15, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 20, 2009).
10.11*
 
Salary Continuation Agreement by and between the Company and Donald L. Kovach, dated March 15, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2011).
10.12*
 
Amendment #1 to the Salary Continuation Agreement with Donald L. Kovach, dated June 11, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16, 2011).
10.13*
 
Amendment #2 to the Salary Continuation Agreement with Donald L. Kovach, dated January 7, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 23, 2004).
10.14*
 
Amendment #3 to the Salary Continuation Agreement with Donald L. Kovach, dated October 17, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 14, 2007).
10.15*
 
Employment Agreement by and between Tri-State Insurance Agency, Inc. and George Lista, dated September 1, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.A to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 7, 2006).
10.16*
 
Employment Agreement by and between the Company, the Bank and Anthony Labozzetta, dated January 20, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 26, 2010).
10.17*
 
Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement by and between the Company and Anthony J. Labozzetta, dated July 20, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 26, 2011).
10.18*
 
Employment Agreement by and between the Company, the Bank and Steven M. Fusco, dated June 23, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 29, 2010).
21.1
 
List of Subsidiaries.
23.1
 
Consent of BDO USA, LLP.
31.1
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.



31.2
 
Certification of Principal Financial and Accounting Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32.1**
 
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101**
 
Financial statements from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Sussex Bancorp for the year ended December 31, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
_______________
*
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
**
Furnished herewith and not deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.