UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended:

March 31, 2018

Commission File Number: 001-35302

Entegra Financial Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

North Carolina	45-2460660
(State of Incorporation)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
14 One Center Court,
Franklin, North Carolina	28734
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(828) 524-7000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer x

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company o

Emerging growth company x

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: On May 7, 2018, 6,888,415 shares of the issuer’s common stock (no par value), were issued and outstanding.

ENTEGRA FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

		Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)	3
	Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017	3
	Consolidated Statements of Income – Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	4
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	5
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity – Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	6
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017	7
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	9
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	43
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	65
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	67
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	68
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	68
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	68
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	68
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	68
Item 5.	Other Information	68
Item 6.	Exhibits	69
	Signatures	70

Item 1. Financial Statements

ENTEGRA FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

		March 31,				December 31,
		2018				2017
Assets
Cash and due from banks		$	7,602			$	15,534
Interest-earning deposits			115,995				93,933
Cash and cash equivalents			123,597				109,467
Investments - equity securities			6,609				6,095
Investments - available for sale			339,816				342,863
Other investments, at cost			12,464				12,386
Loans held for sale			4,024				3,845
Loans receivable, net			1,035,649				1,005,139
Allowance for loan losses			(11,167	)			(10,887	)
Fixed assets, net			24,101				24,113
Real estate owned			2,874				2,568
Accrued interest receivable			5,539				5,405
Bank owned life insurance			32,349				32,150
Small Business Investment Company holdings			3,559				3,491
Net deferred tax asset			8,903				8,831
Loan servicing rights			2,726				2,756
Goodwill			23,903				23,903
Core deposit intangible			4,096				4,269
Other assets			6,402				5,055
Total assets		$	1,625,444			$	1,581,449
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Deposits		$	1,205,908			$	1,162,177
Federal Home Loan Bank advances			223,500				223,500
Junior subordinated notes			14,433				14,433
Other borrowings			9,085				8,623
Post employment benefits			10,011				10,174
Accrued interest payable			765				935
Other liabilities			9,866				10,294
Total liabilities			1,473,568				1,430,136
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Shareholders’ Equity:
Preferred stock - no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding			—				—
Common stock -  no par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 6,888,415 and 6,879,191 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively			—				—
Common stock held by Rabbi Trust, at cost; 17,672 shares at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017			(379	)			(379	)
Additional paid in capital			73,360				72,997
Retained earnings			82,291				78,718
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(3,396	)			(23	)
Total shareholders’ equity			151,876				151,313
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	1,625,444			$	1,581,449

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

ENTEGRA FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018				2017
		(Unaudited)				(Unaudited)
Interest income:
Interest and fees on loans		$	11,892			$	8,476
Interest on tax exempt loans			92				89
Taxable securities			1,789				1,759
Tax-exempt securities			550				731
Interest-earning deposits			349				116
Other			170				172
Total interest income			14,842				11,343
Interest expense:
Deposits			1,382				1,028
Federal Home Loan Bank advances			820				530
Junior subordinated notes			138				137
Other borrowings			109				30
Total interest expense			2,449				1,725
Net interest income			12,393				9,618
Provision for loan losses			361				315
Net interest income after provision for loan losses			12,032				9,303
Noninterest income:
Servicing income, net			94				95
Mortgage banking			239				220
Gain on sale of SBA loans			61				142
Gain (loss) on sale of investments, net			(12	)			7
Equity securities gains (losses)			(53	)			207
Other than temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities			—				(700	)
Service charges on deposit accounts			431				391
Interchange fees			248				166
Bank owned life insurance			200				181
Other			208				130
Total noninterest income			1,416				839
Noninterest expenses:
Compensation and employee benefits			5,617				4,836
Net occupancy			1,092				951
Federal deposit insurance			279				104
Professional and advisory			277				274
Data processing			509				401
Marketing and advertising			209				248
Merger-related expenses			196				448
Net cost of operation of real estate owned			50				134
Other			894				967
Total noninterest expenses			9,123				8,363
Income before taxes			4,325				1,779
Income tax expense			743				479
Net income		$	3,582			$	1,300
Earnings per common share:
Basic		$	0.52			$	0.20
Diluted		$	0.51			$	0.20
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic			6,885,911				6,464,861
Diluted			7,027,884				6,521,298

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

ENTEGRA FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018				2017
Net income		$	3,582			$	1,300
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in unrealized holding gains and losses on securities available for sale			(4,505	)			921
Reclassification adjustment for securities (gains) losses realized in net income			12				(7	)
Reclassification adjustment for other than temporary impairment of securities available for sale			—				79
Change in deferred tax valuation allowance attributable to unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for sale			—				54
Change in unrealized holding gains and losses on cash flow hedge			202				39
Reclassification adjustment for cash flow hedge effectiveness			(56	)			18
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax			(4,347	)			1,104
Income tax effect related to items of other comprehensive income (loss)			965				(388	)
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax			(3,382	)			716
Comprehensive income		$	200			$	2,016

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

ENTEGRA FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

		Common Stock
		Shares				Amount				Additional Paid in Capital				Retained Earnings				Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)				Common Stock held by Rabbi Trust				Total
Balance, December 31, 2016		6,467,550				$	—			$	62,664			$	76,139			$	(5,456	)		$	(279	)		$	133,068
Net income			—				—				—				1,300				—				—				1,300
Other comprehensive income, net of tax			—				—				—				—				716				—				716
Stock compensation expense			—				—				229				—				—				—				229
Vesting of restricted stock units, net of 368 shares surrendered			595				—				(8	)			—				—				—				(8	)
Repurchase of common stock			(13,000	)							(301	)			—				—				—				(301	)
Balance, March 31, 2017			6,455,145			$	—			$	62,584			$	77,439			$	(4,740	)		$	(279	)		$	135,004
Balance, December 31, 2017			6,879,191			$	—			$	72,997			$	78,718			$	(23	)		$	(379	)		$	151,313
Net income			—				—				—				3,582				—				—				3,582
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax			—				—				—				—				(3,382	)			—				(3,382	)
Stock compensation expense			—				—				257				—				—				—				257
Stock options exercised			8,081				—				117				—				—				—				117
Vesting of restricted stock units, net of 397 shares surrendered			1,143				—				(11	)			—				—				—				(11	)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle			—				—				—				(9	)			9				—				—
Balance, March 31, 2018			6,888,415			$	—			$	73,360			$	82,291			$	(3,396	)		$	(379	)		$	151,876

 

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

ENTEGRA FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

 

		For the Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018				2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	3,582			$	1,300
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion			173				66
Investment amortization, net			813				1,117
Equity securities loss (income)			53				(207	)
Provision for loan losses			361				315
Provision for real estate owned			18				78
Share-based compensation expense			257				229
Deferred tax expense			895				393
Loss (gain) on sales of securities available for sale			12				(7	)
Other than temporary impairment on investments			—				700
Income on bank owned life insurance, net			(200	)			(181	)
Mortgage banking income, net			(239	)			(220	)
Gain on sales of SBA loans			(61	)			(142	)
Net realized gain on sale of real estate owned			16				—
Loans originated for sale			(9,745	)			(10,848	)
Proceeds from sale of loans originated for sale			9,866				12,342
Net change in operating assets and liabilities:
Accrued interest receivable			(134	)			(275	)
Loan servicing rights			30				(35	)
Other assets			(1,135	)			908
Postemployment benefits			(163	)			(2	)
Accrued interest payable			(170	)			(5	)
Other liabilities			(428	)			3
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	3,801			$	5,529
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

ENTEGRA FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited), continued

(Dollars in thousands)

 

		For the Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018				2017
Cash flows from investing activities:
Activity for investment securities:
Purchases		$	(21,758	)		$	(53,493	)
Maturities/calls and principal repayments			8,858				8,523
Sales			10,009				17,324
Net increase in loans			(31,241	)			(14,426	)
Net cash received in branch acquisition			—				146,750
Proceeds from sale of real estate owned			355				215
Purchase of fixed assets			(345	)			(253	)
Purchase of Small Business Investment Company Holdings, at cost			(68	)			(1,018	)
Purchase of other investments, at cost			(78	)			—
Redemption of other investments, at cost			—				3,053
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		$	(34,268	)		$	106,675
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits		$	43,375			$	3,359
Net increase in escrow deposits			653				561
Net increase in other borrowings			463				108
Proceeds from FHLB advances			40,000				340,000
Repayment of FHLB advances			(40,000	)			(415,000	)
Cash received upon exercise of stock options			117				—
Cash paid for shares surrendered upon vesting of restricted stock			(11	)			—
Purchase of common stock			—				(309	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		$	44,597			$	(71,281	)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents			14,130				40,923
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		$	109,467			$	43,294
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	123,597			$	84,217
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest on deposits and other borrowings		$	2,619			$	1,730
Income taxes		$	—			$	150
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Real estate acquired in satisfaction of mortgage loans		$	749			$	220
Investments to be settled			—				6,617
Loans originated for the disposition of real estate owned			54				—
Acquisitions
Assets acquired		$	—			$	3,997
Liabilities assumed			—				(154,505	)
Net assets/(liabilities)		$	—			$	(150,508	)

 

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

ENTEGRA FINANCIAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Organization

Entegra Financial Corp. (“we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) was incorporated on May 31, 2011 and became the holding company for Entegra Bank (the “Bank”) on September 30, 2014 upon the completion of Macon Bancorp’s merger with and into the Company, pursuant to which Macon Bancorp converted from a mutual to stock form of organization. The Company’s primary operation is its investment in the Bank. The Company also owns 100% of the common stock of Macon Capital Trust I (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust formed in 2003 to facilitate the issuance of trust preferred securities. The Bank is a North Carolina state-chartered commercial bank and has a wholly owned subsidiary, Entegra Services, Inc. (“Entegra Services”), which holds investment securities. The consolidated financials are presented in these financial statements.

The Bank operates as a community-focused retail bank, originating primarily real estate-based mortgage, consumer and commercial loans and accepting deposits from consumers and small businesses.

Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change, in the near term, relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of acquired loans, separately identifiable intangible assets associated with mergers and acquisitions, the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans, and the valuation of deferred tax assets.

 

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, the Bank, and Entegra Services. The accounts of the Trust are not consolidated with the Company. In consolidation all significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Reclassification

Certain amounts in the prior year’s financial statements may have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. Certain investment securities were reclassified to either collateralized mortgage obligations with guarantees, or collateralized mortgage obligations with no guarantee to better align the investment securities by cash flow attributes. The reclassifications had no effect on our results of operations or financial condition as previously reported.

 

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, for interim financial information and with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) instructions for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018 (the “2017 Form 10-K”). In the opinion of management, these interim financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations for each of the interim periods presented. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for a full year or any future period.

 

Business Combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured and recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition, including identifiable intangible assets. If the fair value of net assets purchased exceeds the fair value of consideration paid, a bargain purchase gain is recognized at the date of acquisition. Conversely, if the consideration paid exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired, goodwill is recognized at the acquisition date. Fair values are subject to refinement for a period not to exceed one year after the closing date of an acquisition as information relative to closing date fair values becomes available.

The determination of the fair value of loans acquired takes into account credit quality deterioration and probability of loss; therefore, the related allowance for loan losses is not carried forward.

 

All identifiable intangible assets that are acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately if they arise from contractual or other legal rights or if they are separable (i.e., capable of being sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged separately from the entity). Deposit liabilities and the related depositor relationship intangible assets may be exchanged in observable exchange transactions. As a result, the depositor relationship intangible asset is considered identifiable, because the separability criterion has been met.

 

In addition, acquisition-related costs and restructuring costs are recognized as period expenses as incurred.

 

Recent Accounting Standards Updates

 

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-02 Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”) to allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Reform”). This ASU eliminates the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Reform and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statement users. The amendment becomes effective for public entities beginning after December 15, 2018.   Early adoption of ASU 2018-02 was permitted with amendments applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the Federal corporate income tax rate is recognized. As election to adopt ASU 2018-02 early was permitted, the Company adopted the standard in December 2017 resulting in an adjustment to 2017 net income of approximately $16,000 through a reduction in income tax expense.

 

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This update expands and refines hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. This update also makes certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance and ease the administrative burden of hedge documentation requirements and assessing hedge effectiveness. For public entities, this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. For cash flow and net investment hedges existing at the date of adoption, an entity should apply a cumulative-effect adjustment related to eliminating the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required prospectively. The Company elected to adopt this update as of December 31, 2017, with no effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In March 2017, the FASB issued amendments to ASU 2017-07 Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This update was issued primarily to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement. The standard became effective for the Company January 1, 2018, and did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued amendments to ASU 2017-04 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This update was issued to simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill impairment. Under amendments to this update, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The standard becomes effective for Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filers beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company does not expect this update to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued amendments to ASU 2017-01 Business Combinations (Topic 80): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. This update was issued to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions of assets or businesses. The standard became effective for the Company January 1, 2018, and did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This ASU addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments by making targeted improvements to GAAP as follows: (1) require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer; (2) simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value; (3) eliminate the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for entities that are not public business entities; (4) eliminate the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) 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; (5) require public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (6) require 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; (7) require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; and (8) clarify that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The adoption of ASU No. 2016-01 on January 1, 2018 resulted in a cumulative-effect adjustment of $9,000 to retained earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income with a zero net effect on total shareholders’ equity as a result of the Company’s investment in equity securities. In accordance with (5) above, the Company measured the fair value of its loan portfolio as of March 31, 2018 using an exit price notion (see Note 14 Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities).

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies generally will be required to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. These may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. Subsequent to the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB issued targeted updates to clarify specific implementation issues including ASU No. 2016-08, “Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net),” ASU No. 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” ASU No. 2016-12, “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” and ASU No. 2016-20 “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” For financial reporting purposes, the standard allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or modified retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial application. Since the guidance does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including loans and securities that are accounted for under other GAAP, the new guidance did not have a material impact on revenue most closely associated with financial instruments, including interest income and expense. The Company completed its overall assessment of revenue streams and review of related contracts potentially affected by the ASU, deposit related fees, interchange fees, merchant income, and annuity and insurance commissions. Based on this assessment, the Company concluded that ASU 2014-09 did not materially change the method in which the Company currently recognizes revenue for these revenue streams. The Company also completed its evaluation of certain costs related to these revenue streams to determine whether such costs should be presented as expenses or contra-revenue (i.e., gross vs. net). Based on its evaluation, the Company determined that the classification of certain debit and credit card related costs should change. These classification changes resulted in a reclass of $0.2 million from other noninterest expense to interchange income for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and its related amendments on its required effective date of January 1, 2018 utilizing the retrospective approach. See Note 15 Revenue Recognition for more information.

In June 2016, the FASB issued amendments to Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in the update require a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected thereby providing financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by the reporting entity. The amendments will be effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company has formed a cross-functional committee to provide corporate governance over the implementation of this update, has evaluated data sources and made process updates to capture additional relevant data, has identified a service provider to perform the calculation, and continues to attend seminars and forums specific to this update. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on its financial statements.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” GAAP is unclear or does not include specific guidance on how to classify certain transactions in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how eight particular transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 became effective for the Company January 1, 2018, and did not have a material impact on the financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This update requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. For public entities, this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with modified retrospective application to prior periods presented. The Company does not expect this update to have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

NOTE 2. ACQUISITIONS

 

The Company has determined that the acquisitions described below constitute a business combination as defined in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, Business Combinations. Accordingly, as of the date of the acquisitions, the Company recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. The Company determined fair values in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements. Fair value is established by discounting the expected future cash flows with a market discount rate for like maturity and risk instruments. The estimation of expected future cash flows requires significant assumptions about appropriate discount rates, expected future cash flows, market conditions and other future events. Actual results could differ materially. The Company made the determinations of fair value using the best information available at the time; however, the assumptions used are subject to change and, if changed, could have a material effect on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

 

Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia

 

On October 1, 2017, the Bank acquired Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia (“Chattahoochee”) in Gainesville, Georgia. In connection with the acquisition, the Bank acquired $189.2 million of assets and assumed $170.6 million of liabilities. Total consideration transferred was $25.4 million of cash and 395,666 shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $9.9 million. The fair value of consideration paid exceeded the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and resulted in the establishment of goodwill in the amount of $16.8 million which is deductible over 15 years for tax purposes. There were no loans purchased with evidence of credit impairment.

The purchased assets and assumed liabilities were recorded at their acquisition date fair values and are summarized in the table below:

 

		As Recorded by				Fair Value				As Recorded by
(Dollars in thousands)		Chattahoochee				Adjustments				the Company
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	22,625			$	—			$	22,625
Loans			159,540				(570	)			158,970
Fixed assets			3,945				(408	)			3,537
Accrued interest receivable			421				—				421
Core deposit intangible			—				2,070				2,070
Deferred tax asset			751				(751	)			—
Other assets			1,579				(8	)			1,571
Total assets acquired		$	188,861			$	333			$	189,194
Liabilities
Deposits		$	165,624			$	472			$	166,096
Accrued Interest payable			102				(14	)			88
Other liabilities			7,790				(3,341	)			4,449
Total liabilities assumed			173,516				(2,883	)			170,633
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed		$	15,345			$	3,216			$	18,561
Consideration transferred
Cash										$	25,448
Common stock issued (395,666 shares)											9,872
Total fair value of consideration transferred											35,320
Goodwill										$	16,759

Stearns Bank, N.A.

 

On February 24, 2017, the Bank completed its acquisition of two branches from Stearns Bank, N.A. (“Stearns”). In connection with the acquisition, the Bank acquired the bank facilities and certain other assets and assumed $154.2 million of deposits. In consideration of the purchased assets and assumed liabilities, the Bank paid (1) the book value, or approximately $1.0 million, for the branch facilities and certain assets, and (2) a deposit premium of $5.7 million, equal to 3.65% of the average daily deposits for the 30- day period ending the tenth (10^th) business day prior to the acquisition. The excess of net liabilities assumed over the cash received to settle the acquisition resulted in the establishment of $5.0 million of goodwill.

 

The purchased assets and assumed liabilities were recorded at their acquisition date fair values and are summarized in the table below:

 

(Dollars in thousands)		As Recorded by Stearns				Fair Value Adjustments				As Recorded by the Company
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	1,258			$	—			$	1,258
Loans			7				—				7
Premises and equipment			950				132				1,082
Core deposit intangible			—				1,650				1,650
Total assets acquired			2,215				1,782				3,997
Liabilities
Deposits		$	153,122			$	1,062			$	154,184
Other liabilities			321				—				321
Total liabilities assumed			153,443				1,062				154,505
Excess of liabilities assumed over assets acquired		$	151,228			$	720			$	150,508
Cash received to settle the acquisition											145,492
Goodwill										$	5,016

NOTE 3. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

The following table presents the holdings of our equity securities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

		March 31,				December 31,
		2018				2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
Mutual funds		$	6,609			$	6,095

Equity securities with a fair value of $6.0 million as of March 31, 2018 are held in a Rabbi Trust and seek to generate returns that will fund the cost of certain deferred compensation agreements. There were $46,000 of realized losses and $0.2 million of realized gains for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

Equity securities with a fair value of $0.6 million as of March 31, 2018 are in a mutual fund that qualifies under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) as CRA activity. The CRA mutual fund, which was reclassified as an equity security in 2018, had realized losses of $9,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and unrealized losses of $12,000 at March 31, 2017 as an investment available for sale.

 

The Company’s held-to-maturity (“HTM”) investment portfolio was transferred to available-for-sale (“AFS”) during the third quarter of 2016 in order to provide the Company more flexibility managing its investment portfolio. As a result of the transfer, the Company is prohibited from classifying any investment securities as HTM for two years from the date of the transfer.

 

On April 28, 2017, the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions closed First NBC Bank and appointed the FDIC as receiver. The Bank owned $0.7 million par value of subordinated debt issued by the holding company of First NBC Bank with an unrealized loss of $79,000 prior to the impairment. The Company concluded the investment to be other than temporarily impaired. As such, the financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2017 includes other than temporary impairment of $0.7 million before tax.

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of AFS securities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows: 

 

		March 31, 2018
						Gross				Gross				Estimated
		Amortized				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
		Cost				Gains				Losses				Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. Treasury & Government Agencies		$	23,914			$	25			$	(130	)		$	23,809
Municipal Securities			97,981				107				(1,796	)			96,292
Mortgage-backed Securities - Guaranteed			113,531				20				(1,958	)			111,593
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Guaranteed			23,800				—				(894	)			22,906
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Non Guaranteed			59,010				99				(759	)			58,350
Collateralized Loan Obligations			7,059				5				(12	)			7,052
Corporate bonds			19,609				310				(105	)			19,814
		$	344,904			$	566			$	(5,654	)		$	339,816

		December 31, 2017
						Gross				Gross				Estimated
		Amortized				Unrealized				Unrealized				Fair
		Cost				Gains				Losses				Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. Treasury & Government Agencies		$	20,529			$	7			$	(13	)		$	20,523
Municipal Securities			93,250				975				(366	)			93,859
Mortgage-backed Securities - Guaranteed			129,314				112				(1,387	)			128,039
Collateralized Mortgage Obligation - Guaranteed			10,559				—				(257	)			10,302
Collateralized Mortgage Obligation - Non Guaranteed			64,706				323				(336	)			64,693
Collateralized Loan Obligations			5,555				6				(22	)			5,539
Corporate bonds			18,925				409				(43	)			19,291
Mutual funds			629				—				(12	)			617
		$	343,467			$	1,832			$	(2,436	)		$	342,863

Information pertaining to securities with gross unrealized losses at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position follows:

 

		March 31, 2018
		Less Than 12 Months								More Than 12 Months								Total
						Unrealized								Unrealized								Unrealized
		Fair Value				Losses				Fair Value				Losses				Fair Value				Losses
		(Dollars in thousands)
Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Treasury & Government Agencies		$	14,828			$	129			$	999			$	1			$	15,827			$	130
Municipal Securities			57,847				975				22,315				821				80,162				1,796
Mortgage-backed Securities - Guaranteed			53,555				727				48,602				1,231				102,157				1,958
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Guaranteed			13,469				334				9,437				560				22,906				894
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Non Guaranteed			35,901				642				7,479				117				43,380				759
Collateralized Loan Obligations			3,014				12				—				—				3,014				12
Corporate Bonds			2,928				67				1,038				38				3,966				105
		$	181,542			$	2,886			$	89,870			$	2,768			$	271,412			$	5,654

 

		December 31, 2017
		Less Than 12 Months								More Than 12 Months								Total
						Unrealized								Unrealized								Unrealized
		Fair Value				Losses				Fair Value				Losses				Fair Value				Losses
		(Dollars in thousands)
Available-for-Sale:
U.S. Treasury & Government Agencies		$	9,943			$	11			$	998			$	2			$	10,941			$	13
Municipal Securities			11,043				61				22,982				305				34,025				366
Mortgage-backed Securities - Guaranteed			51,185				447				47,637				940				98,822				1,387
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Guaranteed			4,139				57				6,163				200				10,302				257
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Non Guaranteed			25,862				225				10,654				111				36,516				336
Collateralized loan obligations			3,520				22				—				—				3,520				22
Corporate bonds			1,304				9				1,044				34				2,348				43
Mutual funds			—				—				617				12				617				12
		$	106,996			$	832			$	90,095			$	1,604			$	197,091			$	2,436

Information pertaining to the number of securities with unrealized losses is detailed in the table below. The Company believes all unrealized losses as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 represent temporary impairment. The unrealized losses have resulted from temporary changes in the interest rate market and not as a result of credit deterioration. We do not intend to sell, and it is not likely that we will be required to sell, any of the securities referenced in the table below before recovery of their amortized cost.

 

		March 31, 2018
		Less Than 12 Months				More Than 12 Months				Total
U.S. Treasury & Government Agencies			10				1				11
Municipal Securities			51				22				73
Mortgage-backed Securities - Guaranteed			44				36				80
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Guaranteed			8				7				15
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Non Guaranteed			23				6				29
Collateralized loan obligation			2				—				2
Corporate bonds			4				1				5
			142				73				215
		December 31, 2017
		Less Than 12 Months				More Than 12 Months				Total
U.S. Treasury & Government Agencies			6				1				7
Municipal Securities			11				22				33
Mortgage-backed Securities - Guaranteed			42				34				76
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Guaranteed			2				3				5
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Non Guaranteed			16				8				24
Collateralized loan obligation			2				—				2
Corporate bonds			2				1				3
Mutual funds			—				1				1
			81				70				151

 

At March 31, 2018, the Company held 215 investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position, of which 73 had been in unrealized loss positions for over twelve months. Market changes in interest rates and credit spreads may result in temporary unrealized losses as market prices of securities fluctuate. The Company reviews its investment portfolio on a quarterly basis for indications of other than temporary impairment. The severity and duration of impairment and the likelihood of potential recovery of impairment is considered along with the intent and ability to hold any impaired security to maturity or recovery of carrying value. When reviewing the securities in loss positions, pricing is reviewed for deterioration, bond ratings are reviewed for downgrades, and credit enhancement levels are reviewed for erosion.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company received proceeds from sales of securities classified as AFS and corresponding gross realized gains and losses as follows:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018				2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
Gross proceeds		$	10,009			$	17,324
Gross realized gains			21				37
Gross realized losses			33				30

 

The Company had securities pledged against deposits and borrowings of approximately $140.2 million at March 31, 2018 and $143.3 million at December 31, 2017.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments in debt securities at March 31, 2018, by contractual maturity, is shown below. Mortgage-backed securities have not been scheduled because expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities when borrowers have the right to prepay the obligations.

 

		Available-for-Sale
		Amortized Cost				Fair Value
		(Dollars in thousands)
Less than 1 year		$	1,000			$	999
Over 1 year through 5 years			4,733				4,720
After 5 years through 10 years			26,288				26,374
Over 10 years			116,541				114,873
			148,562				146,966
Mortgage-backed securities			196,342				192,850
Total		$	344,904			$	339,816

NOTE 4. LOANS RECEIVABLE

 

Loans receivable as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows:

 

		March 31,				December 31,
		2018				2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate mortgage loans:
One-to-four family residential		$	313,478			$	304,107
Commercial real estate			480,143				453,725
Home equity loans and lines of credit			49,128				49,877
Residential construction			40,027				37,108
Other construction and land			96,455				101,447
Total real estate loans			979,231				946,264
Commercial and industrial			53,862				56,939
Consumer			5,862				5,700
Total commercial and consumer			59,724				62,639
Loans receivable, gross			1,038,955				1,008,903
Less:  Net deferred loan fees			(1,325	)			(1,431	)
Fair value discount			(1,746	)			(2,012	)
Unamortized premium			446				389
Unamortized discount			(681	)			(710	)
Loans receivable, net of deferred fees		$	1,035,649			$	1,005,139

  

The Bank had $232.2 million and $231.8 million of loans pledged as collateral to secure funding with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Bank also had $106.8 million and $108.3 million of loans pledged as collateral to secure funding availability with the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) Discount Window at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

Included in loans receivable and other borrowings at March 31, 2018 are $4.1 million in participated loans that did not qualify for sale accounting. Interest expense on the other borrowings accrues at the same rate as the interest income recognized on the loans receivable, resulting in no effect to net income.

The following tables present the activity related to the discount on individually purchased loans for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)		2018				2017
Discount on purchased loans, beginning of period		$	710			$	1,150
Accretion			(29	)			(67	)
Discount on purchased loans, end of period		$	681			$	1,083

The following table presents the activity related to the fair value discount on loans from business combinations for the three month ended March 31 2018, and 2017:

		For the Three Months Ended
		March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)		2018				2017
Fair value discount, beginning of period		$	2,012			$	857
Accretion			(266	)			(71	)
Fair value discount, end of period		$	1,746			$	786

 

NOTE 5. ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

The following tables present, by portfolio segment, the changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
		One-to four Family Residential				Commercial Real Estate				Home Equity and Lines of Credit				Residential Construction				Other Construction and Land				Commercial				Consumer				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Beginning balance		$	4,018			$	4,364			$	616			$	303			$	1,025			$	503			$	58			$	10,887
Provision			(151	)			229				(21	)			150				63				128				(37	)			361
Charge-offs			(110	)			(35	)			(41	)			—				—				—				(29	)			(215	)
Recoveries			13				3				21				—				20				5				72				134
Ending balance		$	3,770			$	4,561			$	575			$	453			$	1,108			$	636			$	64			$	11,167
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
		One-to four Family Residential				Commercial Real Estate				Home Equity and Lines of Credit				Residential Construction				Other Construction and Land				Commercial				Consumer				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Beginning balance		$	2,812			$	3,979			$	677			$	185			$	848			$	599			$	205			$	9,305
Provision			308				112				(12	)			31				197				(118	)			(203	)			315
Charge-offs			(4	)			(88	)			—				—				(228	)			—				(15	)			(335	)
Recoveries			5				77				—				—				55				8				68				213
Ending balance		$	3,121			$	4,080			$	665			$	216			$	872			$	489			$	55			$	9,498

The following tables present, by portfolio segment and reserving methodology, the allocation of the allowance for loan losses and the net investment in loans for the periods indicated:

 

		March 31, 2018
		One-to four Family Residential				Commercial Real Estate				Home Equity and Lines of Credit				Residential Construction				Other Construction and Land				Commercial				Consumer				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	148			$	49			$	—			$	—			$	51			$	10			$	—			$	258
Collectively evaluated for impairment			3,622				4,512				575				453				1,057				626				64				10,909
		$	3,770			$	4,561			$	575			$	453			$	1,108			$	636			$	64			$	11,167
Loans Receivable
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	3,359			$	5,187			$	313			$	—			$	2,169			$	285			$	—			$	11,313
Collectively evaluated for impairment			309,132				472,559				48,918				40,066				94,036				53,678				5,947				1,024,336
		$	312,491			$	477,746			$	49,231			$	40,066			$	96,205			$	53,963			$	5,947			$	1,035,649

		December 31, 2017
		One-to four Family Residential				Commercial Real Estate				Home Equity and Lines of Credit				Residential Construction				Other Construction and Land				Commercial				Consumer				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	185			$	56			$	—			$	—			$	66			$	15			$	—			$	322
Collectively evaluated for impairment			3,833				4,308				616				303				959				488				58				10,565
		$	4,018			$	4,364			$	616			$	303			$	1,025			$	503			$	58			$	10,887
Loans Receivable
Individually evaluated for impairment		$	3,873			$	5,714			$	313			$	—			$	1,443			$	291			$	—			$	11,634
Collectively evaluated for impairment			299,111				445,315				49,648				37,144				99,725				56,785				5,777				993,505
		$	302,984			$	451,029			$	49,961			$	37,144			$	101,168			$	57,076			$	5,777			$	1,005,139

Portfolio Quality Indicators

 

The Company’s loan portfolio grading analysis estimates the capability of the borrower to repay the contractual obligations of the loan agreements as scheduled. The Company’s internal credit risk grading system is based on experiences with similarly graded loans, industry best practices, and regulatory guidance. Credit risk grades are refreshed each quarter, at which time management analyzes the resulting information, as well as other external statistics and factors, to track loan performance.

 

The Company’s internally assigned grades pursuant to the Board-approved lending policy are as follows:

 

·

Pass (1-5) – Acceptable loans with any identifiable weaknesses appropriately mitigated.

·

Special Mention (6) – Potential weakness or identifiable weakness present without appropriate mitigating factors; however, loan continues to perform satisfactorily with no material delinquency noted.  This may include some deterioration in repayment capacity and/or loan-to-value of securing collateral.

·

Substandard (7) – Significant weakness that remains unmitigated, most likely due to diminished repayment capacity, serious delinquency, and/or marginal performance based upon restructured loan terms.

·

Doubtful (8) – Significant weakness that remains unmitigated and collection in full is highly questionable or improbable.

·

Loss (9) – Collectability is unlikely resulting in immediate charge-off.

 

Description of Segment and Class Risks

 

Each of our portfolio segments and the classes within those segments are subject to risks that could have an adverse impact on the credit quality of our loan portfolio. Management has identified the most significant risks as described below which are generally similar among our segments and classes. While the list in not exhaustive, it provides a description of the risks that management has determined are the most significant.

 

One-to-four family residential

 

We centrally underwrite each of our one-to-four family residential loans using credit scoring and analytical tools consistent with the Board-approved lending policy and internal procedures based upon industry best practices and regulatory directives. Loans to be sold to secondary market investors must also adhere to investor guidelines. We also evaluate the value and marketability of that collateral. Common risks to each class of non-commercial loans, including one-to-four family residential, include risks that are not specific to individual transactions such as general economic conditions within our markets, particularly unemployment and potential declines in real estate values. Personal events such as death, disability or change in marital status also add risk to non-commercial loans.

Commercial real estate

 

Commercial mortgage loans are primarily dependent on the ability of our customers to achieve business results consistent with those projected at loan origination resulting in cash flow sufficient to service the debt. To the extent that a customer’s business results are significantly unfavorable versus the original projections, the ability for our loan to be serviced on a basis consistent with the contractual terms may be at risk. While these loans are secured by real property and possibly other business assets such as inventory or accounts receivable, it is possible that the liquidation of the collateral will not fully satisfy the obligation. Other commercial real estate loans consist primarily of loans secured by multifamily housing and agricultural loans. The primary risk associated with multifamily loans is the ability of the income-producing property that collateralizes the loan to produce adequate cash flow to service the debt. High unemployment or generally weak economic conditions may result in our customer having to provide rental rate concessions to achieve adequate occupancy rates. The performance of agricultural loans are highly dependent on favorable weather, reasonable costs for seed and fertilizer, and the ability to successfully market the product at a profitable margin. The demand for these products is also dependent on macroeconomic conditions that are beyond the control of the borrower.

 

Home equity and lines of credit

 

Home equity loans are often secured by first or second liens on residential real estate, thereby making such loans particularly susceptible to declining collateral values. A substantial decline in collateral value could render our second lien position to be effectively unsecured. Additional risks include lien perfection inaccuracies and disputes with first lienholders that may further weaken our collateral position. Further, the open-end structure of these loans creates the risk that customers may draw on the lines of credit in excess of the collateral value if there have been significant declines since origination.

 

Residential construction and other construction and land

 

Residential mortgage construction loans are typically secured by undeveloped or partially developed land with funds to be disbursed as home construction is completed contingent upon receipt and satisfactory review of invoices and inspections. Declines in real estate values can result in residential mortgage loan borrowers having debt levels in excess of the collateral’s current market value. Non-commercial construction and land development loans can experience delays in completion and/or cost overruns that exceed the borrower’s financial ability to complete the project. Cost overruns can result in foreclosure of partially completed collateral with unrealized value and diminished marketability. Commercial construction and land development loans are dependent on the supply and demand for commercial real estate in the markets we serve as well as the demand for newly constructed residential homes and building lots. Deterioration in demand could result in significant decreases in the underlying collateral values and make repayment of the outstanding loans more difficult for our customers.

 

Commercial

 

We centrally underwrite each of our commercial loans based primarily upon the customer’s ability to generate the required cash flow to service the debt in accordance with the contractual terms and conditions of the loan agreement. We strive to gain a complete understanding of our borrower’s businesses, including the experience and background of the principals of such businesses. To the extent that the loan is secured by collateral, which is a predominant feature of the majority of our commercial loans, or other assets including accounts receivable and inventory, we gain an understanding of the likely value of the collateral and what level of strength it brings to the loan transaction. To the extent that the principals or other parties are obligated under the note or guaranty agreements, we analyze the relative financial strength and liquidity of each guarantor. Common risks to each class of commercial loans include risks that are not specific to individual transactions such as general economic conditions within our markets, as well as risks that are specific to each transaction including volatility or seasonality of cash flows, changing demand for products and services, personal events such as death, disability or change in marital status, and reductions in the value of our collateral.

 

Consumer

 

The consumer loan portfolio includes loans secured by personal property such as automobiles, marketable securities, other titled recreational vehicles including boats and motorcycles, as well as unsecured consumer debt. The value of underlying collateral within this class is especially volatile due to potential rapid depreciation in values since the date of loan origination in excess of principal repayment.

The following tables present the recorded investment in gross loans by loan grade as of the dates indicated:

 

March 31, 2018
Loan Grade		One-to Four- Family Residential				Commercial Real Estate				Home Equity and Lines of Credit				Residential Construction				Other Construction and Land				Commercial				Consumer				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
1		$	—			$	8,991			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1,278			$	11			$	10,280
2			1,154				12,164				—				—				1,092				1,257				—				15,667
3			32,529				88,216				4,608				8,614				8,361				14,466				321				157,115
4			107,266				258,321				3,941				17,844				50,405				21,939				329				460,045
5			21,115				86,472				862				4,233				18,859				13,486				7				145,034
6			1,460				8,884				—				—				2,027				358				—				12,729
7			1,526				4,663				—				—				1,134				465				—				7,788
		$	165,050			$	467,711			$	9,411			$	30,691			$	81,878			$	53,249			$	668			$	808,658
Ungraded Loan Exposure:
Performing		$	146,994			$	10,035			$	39,651			$	9,375			$	14,181			$	714			$	5,258			$	226,208
Nonperforming			447				—				169				—				146				—				21				783
Subtotal		$	147,441			$	10,035			$	39,820			$	9,375			$	14,327			$	714			$	5,279			$	226,991
Total		$	312,491			$	477,746			$	49,231			$	40,066			$	96,205			$	53,963			$	5,947			$	1,035,649

December 31, 2017
Loan Grade		One-to Four- Family Residential				Commercial Real Estate				Home Equity and Lines of Credit				Residential Construction				Other Construction and Land				Commercial				Consumer				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
1		$	—			$	9,086			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1,665			$	11			$	10,762
2			1,164				12,360				—				—				904				1,272				—				15,700
3			34,593				78,485				5,312				7,262				9,207				15,117				377				150,353
4			99,816				249,103				3,901				16,294				57,065				25,137				523				451,839
5			22,639				87,745				943				3,111				18,806				13,064				8				146,316
6			1,741				8,623				—				—				2,055				306				—				12,725
7			2,112				5,371				—				—				425				474				—				8,382
		$	162,065			$	450,773			$	10,156			$	26,667			$	88,462			$	57,035			$	919			$	796,077
Ungraded Loan Exposure:
Performing		$	140,013			$	256			$	39,685			$	10,477			$	12,623			$	41			$	4,846			$	207,941
Nonperforming			906				—				120				—				83				—				12				1,121
Subtotal		$	140,919			$	256			$	39,805			$	10,477			$	12,706			$	41			$	4,858			$	209,062
Total		$	302,984			$	451,029			$	49,961			$	37,144			$	101,168			$	57,076			$	5,777			$	1,005,139

 

Delinquency Analysis of Loans by Class

 

The following tables include an aging analysis of the recorded investment of past-due financing receivables by class. The Company does not accrue interest on loans greater than 90 days past due.

 

		March 31, 2018
		30-59 Days Past Due				60-89 Days Past Due				90 Days and Over Past Due				Total Past Due				Current				Total Loans Receivable
		(Dollars in thousands)
One-to four-family residential		$	3,679			$	—			$	266			$	3,945			$	308,546			$	312,491
Commercial real estate			4,015				—				526				4,541				473,205				477,746
Home equity and lines of credit			317				48				169				534				48,697				49,231
Residential construction			—				—				—				—				40,066				40,066
Other construction and land			474				—				876				1,350				94,855				96,205
Commercial			85				—				95				180				53,783				53,963
Consumer			14				2				20				36				5,911				5,947
Total		$	8,584			$	50			$	1,952			$	10,586			$	1,025,063			$	1,035,649

 

		December 31, 2017
		30-59 Days Past Due				60-89 Days Past Due				90 Days and Over Past Due				Total Past Due				Current				Total Loans Receivable
		(Dollars in thousands)
One-to four-family residential		$	3,941			$	591			$	562			$	5,094			$	297,890			$	302,984
Commercial real estate			2,093				308				683				3,084				447,945				451,029
Home equity and lines of credit			308				27				120				455				49,506				49,961
Residential construction			501				—				—				501				36,643				37,144
Other construction and land			1,711				21				93				1,825				99,343				101,168
Commercial			488				1				95				584				56,492				57,076
Consumer			27				25				10				62				5,715				5,777
Total		$	9,069			$	973			$	1,563			$	11,605			$	993,534			$	1,005,139

Impaired Loans

 

The following table presents investments in loans considered to be impaired and related information on those impaired loans as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

		March 31, 2018												December 31, 2017
		Recorded Balance				Unpaid Principal Balance				Specific Allowance				Recorded Balance				Unpaid Principal Balance				Specific Allowance
		(Dollars in thousands)
Loans without a valuation allowance
One-to four-family residential		$	1,784			$	1,871			$	—			$	2,266			$	2,376			$	—
Commercial real estate			3,500				5,606				—				4,050				6,119				—
Home equity and lines of credit			313				428				—				313				428				—
Other construction and land			582				697				—				571				678				—
		$	6,179			$	8,602			$	—			$	7,200			$	9,601			$	—
Loans with a valuation allowance
One-to four-family residential		$	1,575			$	1,575			$	148			$	1,607			$	1,607			$	185
Commercial real estate			1,687				1,687				49				1,664				1,664				56
Other construction and land			1,587				1,587				51				872				872				66
Commercial			285				285				10				291				291				15
		$	5,134			$	5,134			$	258			$	4,434			$	4,434			$	322
Total
One-to four-family residential		$	3,359			$	3,446			$	148			$	3,873			$	3,983			$	185
Commercial real estate			5,187				7,293				49				5,714				7,783				56
Home equity and lines of credit			313				428				—				313				428				—
Other construction and land			2,169				2,284				51				1,443				1,550				66
Commercial			285				285				10				291				291				15
		$	11,313			$	13,736			$	258			$	11,634			$	14,035			$	322

 

The following table presents average impaired loans and interest income recognized on those impaired loans, by class segment, for the periods indicated:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018								2017
		Average Investment in Impaired Loans				Interest Income Recognized				Average Investment in Impaired Loans				Interest Income Recognized
		(Dollars in thousands)
Loans without a valuation allowance
One-to four-family residential		$	1,877			$	29			$	3,178			$	32
Commercial real estate			5,613				31				7,317				31
Home equity and lines of credit			427				14				328				11
Other construction and land			699				5				691				5
		$	8,616			$	79			$	11,514			$	79
Loans with a valuation allowance
One-to four-family residential		$	1,621			$	16			$	1,139			$	13
Commercial real estate			1,693				23				2,220				21
Home equity and lines of credit			—				—				100				1
Other construction and land			1,724				9				788				9
Commercial			290				5				304				5
		$	5,328			$	53			$	4,551			$	49
Total
One-to four-family residential		$	3,498			$	45			$	4,317			$	45
Commercial real estate			7,306				54				9,537				52
Home equity and lines of credit			427				14				428				12
Other construction and land			2,423				14				1,479				14
Commercial			290				5				304				5
		$	13,944			$	132			$	16,065			$	128

Nonperforming Loans

 

The following table summarizes the balances of nonperforming loans as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Certain loans classified as Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”) and impaired loans may be on non-accrual status even though they are not contractually delinquent.

 

		March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
One-to four-family residential		$	867			$	1,421
Commercial real estate			1,946				2,666
Home equity loans and lines of credit			169				120
Other construction and land			1,239				464
Commercial			95				95
Consumer			20				12
Non-performing loans		$	4,336			$	4,778

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDR)

 

The following tables summarize TDR loans as of the dates indicated:

 

		March 31, 2018
		Performing				Nonperforming				Total
		TDRs				TDRs				TDRs
		(Dollars in thousands)
One-to-four family residential		$	2,949			$	—			$	2,949
Commercial real estate			3,781				1,395				5,176
Home equity and lines of credit			313				—				313
Other construction and land			1,075				363				1,438
Commercial			285				—				285
		$	8,403			$	1,758			$	10,161

		December 31, 2017
		Performing				Nonperforming				Total
		TDRs				TDRs				TDRs
		(Dollars in thousands)
One-to-four family residential		$	3,452			$	—			$	3,452
Commercial real estate			3,805				1,438				5,243
Home equity and lines of credit			313				—				313
Other construction and land			1,091				370				1,461
Commercial			291				—				291
		$	8,952			$	1,808			$	10,760

There were no loan modifications that were deemed TDRs at the time of the modification during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017.

 

There were no TDRs that defaulted during the three months ending March 31, 2018 or 2017 and which were modified as TDRs within the previous 12 months.

 

NOTE 6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

 

The Company had $23.9 million of goodwill as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

The Company’s other intangible assets consist of core deposit intangibles related to acquired core deposits. The following is a summary of gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of core deposit intangibles:

 

		As of and for the Three Months Ending				As of and for the Year Ending
		March 31,				December 31,
		2018				2017
		Dollars in thousands
Gross balance at beginning of period		$	4,840			$	1,120
Additions from acquisitions			—				3,720
Gross balance at end of period			4,840				4,840
Less accumulated amortization			(744	)			(571	)
Core deposit intangible, net		$	4,096			$	4,269

 

Core deposit intangibles are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of seven years. Estimated amortization expense for core deposit intangibles for each of the next five years is approximately $0.7 million per year.

 

NOTE 7. DEPOSITS

 

The following table summarizes deposit balances and interest expense by type of deposit as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

		As of and for the																As of and for the Year Ended
		Three Months Ended March 31,																December 31,
		2018								2017								2017
(Dollars in thousands)		Balance				Interest Expense				Balance				Interest Expense				Balance				Interest Expense
Noninterest-bearing demand		$	192,916			$	—			$	153,740			$	—			$	179,457			$	—
Interest-bearing demand			206,530				87				173,433				40				226,718				228
Money Market			336,625				366				257,466				219				308,767				1,022
Savings			52,162				15				48,218				12				50,500				53
Time Deposits			417,675				914				355,134				757				396,735				3,171
		$	1,205,908			$	1,382			$	987,991			$	1,028			$	1,162,177			$	4,474

  

The following table indicates wholesale deposits included in the money market and time deposits amounts above:

 

		As of March 31,								As of December 31,
		2018				2017				2017
(Dollars in thousands)		Balance				Balance				Balance
Wholesale money market		$	25,026			$	3,025			$	2,020
Wholesale time deposits			56,232				11,817				28,824
		$	81,258			$	14,842			$	30,844

NOTE 8. BORROWINGS

 

The scheduled maturities and respective weighted average rates of outstanding FHLB advances are as follows for the dates indicated:

 

			March 31, 2018								December 31, 2017
Year of Maturity			Balance				Weighted Average Rate				Balance				Weighted Average Rate
			(Dollars in thousands)
2018				205,500				1.56	%			205,500				1.43	%
2019				18,000				2.02	%			18,000				2.02	%
			$	223,500				1.59	%		$	223,500				1.48	%

  

The Company has a $15.0 million revolving credit loan facility with NexBank SSB. The loan facility, which is secured by Entegra Bank stock, bears interest at LIBOR plus 350 basis points and is intended to be used for general corporate purposes. The Company had drawn $5.0 million on the revolving credit loan facility as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

The Company also had other borrowings of $4.1 million and $3.6 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, which is comprised of participated loans that did not qualify for sale accounting. Interest expense on these other borrowings accrues at the same rate as the interest income recognized on the loans receivable, resulting in no effect to net income.

 

NOTE 9. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposure to business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages interest rate risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its investment securities portfolio and borrowings and through the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. Derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of known or expected cash receipts or payments principally related to loans and borrowings.

 

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as of the dates indicated as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheet (in thousands).

				Fair Value
		Balance Sheet Location		March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
Designated as hedges:
Cash flow hedge of borrowings - interest rate swap		Other assets		$	707			$	561
Total				$	707			$	561
Not designated as hedges:
Mortgage banking - loan commitment		Other assets		$	64			$	45
Mortgage banking - forward sales commitment		Other assets			38				28
Total				$	102			$	73
Mortgage banking - loan commitment		Other liabilities		$	1			$	—
Mortgage banking - forward sales commitment		Other liabilities			1				—
Total				$	2			$	—

Derivative contracts that are not accounted for as hedging instruments under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, are related to the Company’s mortgage loan origination activities. Between the time that the Company enters into an interest-rate lock commitment to originate a mortgage loan that is to be held for sale and the time the loan is funded and eventually sold, the Company is subject to the risk of variability in market prices. The Company also enters into forward sale agreements to mitigate risk and to protect the expected gain on the eventual loan sale. This activity is on a matched basis, with a loan sale commitment hedging a specific loan. The commitments to originate mortgage loans and forward loan sales commitments are freestanding derivative instruments. The underlying loans are accounted for under the lower of cost or fair value method and are not reflected in the table above. Fair value adjustment on these derivative instruments are recorded within mortgage banking income in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

 

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to net interest revenue and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. The structure of the swap agreements is described in the table below (dollars in thousands):

Underlyings

Designation

Notional

Payment Provision

Life of Swap Contract

Junior Subordinated Debt

Cash Flow Hedge

$

14,000

Pay 0.958%/Receive 3 month LIBOR

4 yrs

FHLB Variable Rate Advance

Cash Flow Hedge

$

15,000

Pay 1.054%/Receive 3 month LIBOR

2 yrs

FHLB Variable Rate Advance

Cash Flow Hedge

$

20,500

Pay 1.354%/Receive 3 month LIBOR

2 yrs

 

The swap contracts involve the payment of fixed-rate amounts to a counterparty in exchange for the Company receiving variable-rate payments without exchange of the underlying notional amounts.

 

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffectiveness of the cash flow hedge is recognized through earnings. There was no ineffectiveness during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017.

 

The table below presents the effect of the Company’s cash flow hedge on the Consolidated Statement of Income (in thousands).

 

		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative (Effective Portion), net of tax								Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Income (Effective Portion)
												For the three months ended March 31,
		March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017				Location		2018				2017
Interest rate swap		$	547			$	432			Interest Expense		$	56			$	(16	)

  

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparties to its interest rate derivative agreements. The Company assesses the credit risk of its financial institution counterparties by monitoring publicly available credit rating and financial information. The Company manages dealer credit risk by entering into interest rate derivatives only with primary and highly rated counterparties, the use of International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) master agreements and counterparty limits. The agreements contain collateral arrangements with the amount of collateral to be posted generally governed by the settlement value of outstanding swaps. The Company does not currently anticipate any losses from failure of interest rate derivative counterparties to honor their obligations.

 

The Company has agreements with its derivative counterparties that contain a provision in which if the Company defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. Furthermore, certain agreements covering the Company’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require the Company to maintain its status as a well capitalized or adequately capitalized institution. These provisions enable the counterparties to the derivative instruments to request immediate payment or require the Company to post additional collateral.

NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES

The components of net deferred taxes as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows:

 

		March 31,				December 31,
		2018				2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses		$	2,428			$	2,356
Deferred compensation and post employment benefits			1,952				1,993
Non-accrual interest			209				204
Valuation reserve for other real estate			299				346
North Carolina NOL carryover			472				475
Federal NOL carryover			2,921				3,507
AMT credit carryforward			322				645
Unrealized losses on securities			1,271				149
Loan basis differences			70				77
Deposit premium			86				104
Fixed assets			84				63
Core deposit intangible			71				52
Other			1,060				1,009
Total deferred tax assets			11,245				10,980
Deferred tax liabilities:
Loan servicing rights			613				620
Goodwill			231				126
Core deposit intangible			85				89
Deferred loan costs			848				757
Prepaid expenses			7				31
Unrealized gains on securities			127				377
Derivative instruments			151				128
Other			280				21
Total deferred tax liabilities			2,342				2,149
Net deferred tax asset		$	8,903			$	8,831

  

The following table summarizes the amount and expiration dates of the Company’s unused net operating losses as of March 31, 2018:

 

		As of March, 2018
(Dollars in thousands)		Amount				Expiration Dates
Federal		$	13,975			2031-2036
North Carolina		$	21,706			2026-2029

NOTE 11. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of basic and diluted net income per share of common stock as of the dates indicated:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)		2018				2017
Numerator:
Net income		$	3,582			$	1,300
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic			6,885,911				6,464,861
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options			96,871				24,671
Restricted stock units			45,102				31,766
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted			7,027,884				6,521,298
Earnings per share - basic		$	0.52			$	0.20
Earnings per share - diluted		$	0.51			$	0.20

  

The average market price used in calculating the assumed number of dilutive shares issued related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $28.56 and $22.42, respectively. The average stock price was less than the exercise price for 19,592 options in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 5,000 options in the three months ended March 31, 2017. As a result, these stock options are not deemed dilutive in calculating diluted earnings per share for the respective periods in the table above.

NOTE 12. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table summarizes the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and changes in those components as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
		(Dollars in thousands)
		Available for Sale Securities				Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance on AFS				Cash Flow Hedge				Total
Balance, beginning of period		$	(455	)		$	—			$	432			$	(23	)
Change in deferred tax valuation allowance attributable to net unrealized losses on investment securities available for sale			—				—				—				—
Change in net unrealized holding losses on securities available for sale			(4,505	)			—				—				(4,505	)
Reclassification adjustment for net securities losses realized in net income			12				—				—				12
Change in unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedge			—				—				202				202
Reclassification adjustment for cash flow hedge effectiveness			—				—				(56	)			(56	)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle			9				—				—				9
Income tax effect			996				—				(31	)			965
Balance, end of period		$	(3,943	)		$	—			$	547			$	(3,396	)

 

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period		$	(5,554	)		$	(202	)		$	300			$	(5,456	)
Change in deferred tax valuation allowance attributable to net unrealized losses on investment securities available for sale			—				54				—				54
Change in net unrealized holding losses on securities available for sale			921				—				—				921
Reclassification adjustment for net securities gains realized in net income			(7	)			—				—				(7	)
Reclassification adjustment for other than temporary impairment of securities available for sale			79				—				—				79
Change in unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedge			—				—				39				39
Reclassification adjustment for cash flow hedge effectiveness			—				—				18				18
Income tax effect			(367	)			—				(21	)			(388	)
Balance, end of period		$	(4,928	)		$	(148	)		$	336			$	(4,740	)

 

The following table shows the line items in the Consolidated Statements of Income affected by amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income as of the dates indicated:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands)		2018				2017				Income Statement Line Item Affected
Available-for-sale securities
Gains(losses) recognized		$	(12	)		$	7			Gain(loss) on sale of investments, net
Other than temporary impairment			—				(79	)		Other than temporary impairment of AFS securities
Income tax effect			3				27			Income tax expense
Reclassified out of AOCI, net of tax			(9	)			(45	)		Net income
Cash flow hedge
Interest expense - effective portion			(30	)			(17	)		Interest expense - FHLB advances
Interest expense - effective portion			(26	)			(1	)		Interest expense - Junior subordinated notes
Income tax effect			13				7			Income tax expense
Reclassified out of AOCI, net of tax			(43	)			(11	)		Net income
Deferred tax valuation allowance
Recognition of reversal of valuation allowance			—				(54	)		Income tax expense
Total reclassified out of AOCI, net of tax		$	(52	)		$	(110	)		Net income

NOTE 13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

To accommodate the financial needs of its customers, the Company makes commitments under various terms to lend funds. These commitments include revolving credit agreements, term loan commitments and short-term borrowing agreements. 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. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness. The amount of collateral obtained, if it is deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Collateral held includes first and second mortgages on one-to-four family dwellings, accounts receivable, inventory, and commercial real estate. Certain lines of credit are unsecured.

 

The following summarizes the Company’s approximate commitments to extend credit as of March 31, 2018:

 

		March 31, 2018
		(Dollars in thousands)
Lines of credit		$	166,956
Standby letters of credit			1,633
		$	168,589

 

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had outstanding commitments to originate loans as follows:

 

		March 31, 2018
		Amount				Range of Rates
		(Dollar in thousands)
Fixed		$	32,217				3.25% to 7.49%
Variable			18,613				3.99% to 7.25%
		$	50,830

 

The allowance for unfunded commitments was $0.1 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

The Company is exposed to loss as a result of its obligation for representations and warranties on loans sold to Fannie Mae and maintained a reserve of $0.3 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is periodically involved in litigation. In the opinion of the Company’s management, none of this litigation is expected to have a material adverse effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

 

NOTE 14. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES

 

We use fair value measurements when recording and disclosing certain financial assets and liabilities. AFS securities, loan servicing rights and mortgage derivatives are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, we may be required to record other assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for sale, impaired loans and real estate owned.

 

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. An orderly transaction is a transaction that assumes exposure to the market for a period prior to the measurement date to allow for marketing activities that are usual and customary for transactions involving such assets or liabilities; it is not a forced transaction. In determining fair value, we use various valuation approaches, including market, income and cost approaches. The fair value standard establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, which are developed based on market data we have obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs reflect our estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, which are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The fair value hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

 

·

Level 1: valuation is based upon unadjusted quoted market prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

·

Level 2: valuation is based upon quoted market prices for similar instruments traded in active markets, quoted market prices for identical or similar instruments traded in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by market data.

·

Level 3: valuation is derived from other valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow models and similar techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in determining fair value.

 

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no active market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, current interest rates and prepayment trends, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in any of these assumptions used in calculating fair value may also significantly affect the estimates. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of these estimates.

 

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis:

Investment Securities

 

We obtain fair values for debt securities from a third-party pricing service, which utilizes several sources for valuing fixed-income securities. The market evaluation sources for debt securities include observable inputs rather than significant unobservable inputs and are classified as Level 2. The service provider utilizes pricing models that vary by asset class and include available trade, bid and other market information. Generally, the methodologies include broker quotes, proprietary models, vast descriptive terms and conditions databases, as well as extensive quality control programs.

 

Included in securities are investments in an exchange traded bond fund and U.S. Treasury bonds which are valued by reference to quoted market prices and considered a Level 1 security.

 

Also included in securities are corporate bonds which are valued using significant unobservable inputs and are classified as Level 2 or Level 3 based on market information available during the period.

 

Equity securities represent investments in exchange traded mutual funds which are valued by reference to quoted market prices and considered a Level 1 security.

Loan Servicing Rights

 

Loan servicing rights are carried at fair value as determined by a third party valuation firm. The valuation model utilizes a discounted cash flow analysis using discount rates and prepayment speed assumptions used by market participants. The Company classifies loan servicing rights fair value measurements as Level 3.

 

Derivative Instruments

 

Derivative instruments include interest rate lock commitments, forward sale commitments, and interest rate swaps. Interest rate lock commitments and forward sale commitments are valued based on the change in the value of the underlying loan between the commitment date and the end of the period. The Company classifies these instruments as Level 3.

 

Interest rate swaps are valued by a third party using significant assumptions that are observable in the market and can be corroborated by market data. The Company classifies interest rate swaps as Level 2.

 

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:

 

Loans Held for Sale

 

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. The fair value of loans held for sale is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics. Loans held for sale carried at fair value are classified as Level 2.

 

Impaired Loans

 

Impaired loans are carried at the lower of recorded investment or fair value. The fair value of collateral dependent impaired loans is estimated using the value of the collateral less selling costs if repayment is expected from liquidation of the collateral. Appraisals may be discounted based on our historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of appraisal or our knowledge of the borrower and the borrower’s business. Impaired loans carried at fair value are classified as Level 3. Impaired loans measured using the present value of expected future cash flows are not deemed to be measured at fair value.

 

Real Estate Owned

 

Real estate owned, obtained in partial or total satisfaction of a loan is recorded at the lower of recorded investment in the loan or fair value less cost to sell. Subsequent to foreclosure, these assets are carried at the lower of the amount recorded at acquisition date or fair value less cost to sell. Accordingly, it may be necessary to record nonrecurring fair value adjustments. Fair value, when recorded, is generally based upon appraisals by approved, independent, state certified appraisers. Like impaired loans, appraisals may be discounted based on our historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of appraisal or other information available to us. Real estate owned carried at fair value is classified as Level 3.

 

Small Business Investment Company Holdings

 

Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) holdings are carried at the lower of cost or cost less a valuation allowance. From time to time impairment of SBIC is evident as a result of underlying financial review and a valuation allowance for other-than-temporary impairment is established. SBIC carried at cost less valuation allowance is classified as Level 3.

 

In addition to financial instruments recorded at fair value in our financial statements, fair value accounting guidance requires disclosure of the fair value of all of an entity’s assets and liabilities that are considered financial instruments. The majority of our assets and liabilities are considered financial instruments. Many of these instruments lack an available trading market as characterized by a willing buyer and willing seller engaged in an exchange transaction. Also, it is our general practice and intent to hold our financial instruments to maturity and to not engage in trading or sales activities. For fair value disclosure purposes, we substantially utilize the fair value measurement criteria as required and explained above. In cases where quoted fair values are not available, we use present value methods to determine the fair value of our financial instruments.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for the disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments not carried at fair value:

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The carrying amount of such instruments is deemed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Loans

 

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

 

Bank Owned Life Insurance

 

Fair values approximate net cash surrender values.

 

Other Investments, at cost

 

No ready market exists for this stock and it has no quoted market value. However, redemption of this stock has historically been at par value. Accordingly, the carrying amount is deemed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Deposits

 

The fair values disclosed for demand deposits are equal to the amounts payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of certificates of deposit are estimated by discounting the amounts payable at the certificate rates using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

 

Advances from the FHLB

 

The fair values disclosed for fixed rate long-term borrowings are determined by discounting their contractual cash flows using current interest rates for long-term borrowings of similar remaining maturities. The carrying amounts of variable rate long-term borrowings approximate their fair values.

 

Junior Subordinated Notes

 

The fair value of the junior subordinated note is determined by discounting the cash flows using current interest rates for long-term borrowings of similar remaining maturities.

 

Other Borrowings

The fair values disclosed for fixed rate long-term borrowings are determined by discounting their contractual cash flows using current interest rates for long-term borrowings of similar remaining maturities.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable

 

Since these financial instruments will typically be received or paid within three months, the carrying amounts of such instruments are deemed to be a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Loan Commitments

 

Estimates of the fair value of these off-balance sheet items are not made because of the short-term nature of these arrangements and the credit standing of the counterparties.

 

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

Below are tables that present information about certain assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the dates indicated:

 

		March 31, 2018
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Equity securities		$	6,609			$	—			$	—			$	6,609
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury & Government Agencies			3,488				20,321				—				23,809
Municipal Securities			—				96,292				—				96,292
Mortgage-backed Securities - Guaranteed			—				111,593				—				111,593
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Guaranteed			—				22,906				—				22,906
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Non Guaranteed			—				57,019				1,331				58,350
Collateralized Loan Obligations			—				7,052				—				7,052
Corporate bonds			—				19,322				492				19,814
Total securities available for sale			3,488				334,505				1,823				339,816
Loan servicing rights			—				—				2,726				2,726
Derivative assets			—				707				—				707
Forward sales commitments			—				—				38				38
Interest rate lock commitments			—				—				64				64
Total assets		$	10,097			$	335,212			$	4,651			$	349,960
Forward sales commitments		$	—			$	—			$	1			$	1
Interest rate lock commitments			—				—				1				1
Total liabilities		$	—			$	—			$	2			$	2

		December 31, 2017
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Equity securities		$	6,095			$	—			$	—			$	6,095
Securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury & Government Agencies			2,496				18,027				—				20,523
Municipal Securities			—				93,859				—				93,859
Mortgage-backed Securities - Guaranteed			—				128,039				—				128,039
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Guaranteed			—				10,302				—				10,302
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - NonGuaranteed			—				64,693				—				64,693
Collateralized Loan Obligations							5,539								5,539
Corporate bonds			—				18,799				492				19,291
Mutual funds			617				—				—				617
Total securities available for sale			3,113				339,258				492				342,863
Loan servicing rights			—				—				2,756				2,756
Derivative assets			—				561				—				561
Forward sales commitments			—				—				28				28
Interest rate lock commitments			—				—				45				45
Total assets		$	9,208			$	339,819			$	3,321			$	352,348

 

There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017.

 

The following table presents the changes in assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for which we have utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018				2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period		$	3,321			$	4,807
Available for sale securities
Fair value adjustment			—				(2	)
Transfer to Level 2			1,331				(1,086	)
Loan servicing right activity, included in servicing income, net
Capitalization from loans sold			100				151
Fair value adjustment			(130	)			(116	)
Mortgage derivative gains(losses) included in other income			27				(14	)
Balance at end of period		$	4,649			$	3,740

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

 

The table below presents information about certain assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. There were no loans held for sale carried at fair value at either March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

 

		March 31, 2018
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Collateral dependent impaired loans:
One-to four family residential		$	—			$	—			$	1,784			$	1,784
Commercial real estate			—				—				3,500				3,500
Home equity loans and lines of credit			—				—				313				313
Other construction and land			—				—				582				582
Real estate owned:
One-to-four family residential			—				—				265				265
Commercial real estate			—				—				950				950
Other construction and land			—				—				1,659				1,659
Total assets		$	—			$	—			$	9,053			$	9,053

 

		December 31, 2017
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Collateral dependent impaired loans:
One-to-four family residential		$	—			$	—			$	2,266			$	2,266
Commercial real estate			—				—				4,050				4,050
Home equity loans and lines of credit			—				—				313				313
Other construction and land			—				—				571				571
Real estate owned:
One-to-four family residential			—				—				288				288
Commercial real estate			—				—				544				544
Other construction and land			—				—				1,736				1,736
Total assets		$	—			$	—			$	9,768			$	9,768

 

There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

 

Impaired loans totaling $5.1 million at March 31, 2018 and $4.4 million at December 31, 2017 were measured using the present value of expected future cash flows. These impaired loans were not deemed to be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. 

The following table provides information describing the unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements at March 31, 2018.

 

		Valuation Technique		Unobservable Input		General Range
Impaired loans		Discounted Appraisals		Collateral discounts and estimated selling cost		0% -  30%
Real estate owned		Discounted Appraisals		Collateral discounts and estimated selling cost		0% -  30%
Corporate bonds		Discounted Cash Flows		Recent trade pricing		0% - 8%
Loan servicing rights		Discounted Cash Flows		Prepayment speed		5% - 35%
				Discount rate		12% - 14%
SBIC		Indicative value provided by fund		Current operations and financial condition		N/A

 

The approximate carrying and estimated fair value of financial instruments are summarized below:

 

						Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2018
		Carrying
(Dollars in thousands)		Amount				Total				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
Assets:
Cash and equivalents		$	123,597			$	123,597			$	123,597			$	—			$	—
Equity securities			6,609				6,609				6,609				—				—
Securities available for sale			339,816				339,816				3,488				334,505				1,823
Loans held for sale			4,024				4,399				—				4,399				—
Loans receivable, net			1,035,649				1,010,217				—				—				1,010,217
Other investments, at cost			12,464				12,464				—				12,464				—
Accrued interest receivable			5,539				5,539				—				5,539				—
Bank owned life  insurance			32,349				32,349				—				32,349				—
Loan servicing rights			2,726				2,726				—				—				2,726
Forward sales commitments			38				38				—				—				38
Interest rate lock commitments			64				64				—				—				64
Derivative asset			707				707				—				707				—
SBIC investments			3,559				3,559				—				—				3,559
Liabilities:
Demand deposits		$	788,233			$	788,233			$	—			$	788,233			$	—
Time deposits			417,675				419,534				—				—				419,534
Federal Home Loan Bank advances			223,500				223,740				—				223,740				—
Junior subordinated debentures			14,433				12,150				—				12,150				—
Other borrowings			9,085				9,045				—				9,045				—
Accrued interest payable			765				765				—				765				—
Forward sales commitments			1				1				—				—				1
Interest rate lock commitments			1				1				—				—				1

						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017
		Carrying
(Dollars in thousands)		Amount				Total				Level 1				Level 2				Level 3
Assets:
Cash and equivalents		$	109,467			$	109,467			$	109,467			$	—			$	—
Equity securities			6,095				6,095				6,095				—				—
Securities available for sale			342,863				342,863				3,113				339,258				492
Loans held for sale			3,845				4,211				—				4,211				—
Loans receivable, net			1,005,139				992,993				—				—				992,993
Other investments, at cost			12,386				12,386				—				12,386				—
Accrued interest receivable			5,405				5,405				—				5,405				—
BOLI			32,150				32,150				—				32,150				—
Loan servicing rights			2,756				2,756				—				—				2,756
Forward sales commitments			28				28				—				—				28
Interest rate lock commitments			45				45				—				—				45
Derivative asset			561				561				—				561				—
SBIC investments			3,491				3,491				—				—				3,491
Liabilities:
Demand deposits		$	765,442			$	765,442			$	—			$	765,442			$	—
Time deposits			396,735				390,806				—				—				390,806
FHLB advances			223,500				223,627				—				223,627				—
Junior subordinated debentures			14,433				14,433				—				14,433				—
Other borrowings			8,623				8,620				—				8,620				—
Accrued interest payable			935				935				—				935				—

 

NOTE 15. Revenue Recognition

 

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) and all subsequent ASUs that modified ASC Topic 606. As stated in Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the implementation of the new standard did not have a material impact on the measurement or recognition of revenue. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC Topic 606, while prior period amounts reflect an offset of $0.2 million of interchange costs against interchange income,.

 

ASC Topic 606 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and securities. In addition, certain noninterest income streams such as fees associated with mortgage servicing rights, financial guarantees, derivatives, and certain credit card fees are also not in scope of the new guidance. ASC Topic 606 is applicable to noninterest revenue streams such as deposit related fees, interchange fees, merchant income, and annuity and insurance commissions. However, the recognition of these revenue streams did not change significantly upon adoption of ASC Topic 606. Noninterest revenue streams in-scope of ASC Topic 606 are discussed below.

 

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

 

Service charges on deposit accounts consist of account analysis fees (i.e., net fees earned on analyzed business and public checking accounts), monthly service fees, check orders, and other deposit account related fees. The Company’s performance obligation for account analysis fees and monthly service fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, over the period in which the service is provided. Check orders and other deposit account related fees are largely transactional based, and therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied and related revenue recognized, at a point in time. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.

Interchange fees

 

Interchange fees are primarily comprised of debit and credit card income, ATM fees, merchant services income, and other service charges. Debit and credit card income is primarily comprised of interchange fees earned whenever the Company’s debit and credit cards are processed through card payment networks such as Visa. ATM fees are primarily generated when a Company cardholder uses a non-Company ATM or a non-Company cardholder uses a Company ATM. Merchant services income mainly represents fees charged to merchants to process their debit and credit card transactions, in addition to account management fees. The Company’s performance obligation for fees, exchange, and other service charges are largely satisfied, and related revenue recognized, when the services are rendered or upon completion. Payment is typically received immediately or within days of the transaction.

 

Other

 

Other noninterest income consists of other recurring revenue streams such as safety deposit box rental fees, revenue from processing wire transfers, bill pay service, cashier’s checks, and other services. Safe deposit box rental fees are charged to the customer on an annual basis and recognized upon receipt of payment. The Company determined that since rentals and renewals occur fairly consistently over time, revenue is recognized on a basis consistent with the duration of the performance obligation.

 

The following presents noninterest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of ASC Topic 606, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
(dollars in thousands)		2018				2017
Noninterest Income
In-scope of Topic 606:
Service Charges on Deposit Accounts		$	431			$	391
Interchange fees			248				166
Other			208				130
Noninterest Income (in-scope of Topic 606)			887				687
Noninterest Income (out-of-scope of Topic 606)			529				152
Total Noninterest Income		$	1,416			$	839

 

Contract Balances

 

A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration (resulting in a contract receivable) or before payment is due (resulting in a contract asset). A contract liability balance is an entity’s obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the entity has already received payment (or payment is due) from the customer. The Company’s noninterest revenue streams are largely based on transactional activity. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly after the Company satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. The Company does not typically enter into long-term revenue contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company did not have any significant contract balances.

 

Contract Acquisition Costs

 

In connection with the adoption of ASC Topic 606, an entity is required to capitalize, and subsequently amortize into expense, certain incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if these costs are expected to be recovered. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those costs that an entity incurs to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained (for example, sales commission). The Company utilizes the practical expedient which allows entities to immediately expense contract acquisition costs when the asset that would have resulted from capitalizing these costs would have been amortized in one year or less. Upon adoption of ASC Topic 606, the Company did not capitalize any contract acquisition cost.

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “will,” “may” and words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

·

statements of our goals, intentions and expectations;

·

statements regarding our business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies;

·

statements regarding the asset quality of our loan and investment portfolios; and

·

estimates of our risks and future costs and benefits.

These forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. The Company is under no duty to and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this Form 10-Q except as required by law.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statements:

·

our ability to utilize all of our deferred tax asset and deduct certain future losses, which could be limited if we experience an ownership change as defined in the Internal Revenue Code;

·

failure to implement aspects of our growth strategy;

·

challenges arising from attempts to expand into new geographic markets, products or services;

·

New bank office facilities and other facilities may not be profitable;

·

acquisition of assets and assumption of liabilities may expose us to intangible asset risk, which could impact our results of operations and financial condition;

·

The success of our growth strategy depends on our ability to identify and retain individuals with experience and relationships in the markets in which we intend to expand;

·

access to additional capital, which we may be unable to obtain on attractive terms or at all;

·

inadequacies in our estimated allowance for loan losses, which would cause our results of operations and financial condition to be adversely affected;

·

Greater credit risk associated with our commercial real estate loans and home equity loans and lines of credit than our one-to-four family residential mortgage loans;

·

our concentration of construction financing may expose us to a greater risk of loss and hurt our earnings and profitability;

·

the cash flows of our borrowers, which may be unpredictable, and the collateral securing our loans may fluctuate in value;

·

we continue to hold and acquire other real estate, which has led to operating expenses and vulnerability to additional declines in real property values;

·

The occurrence of various events that negatively impact the real estate market, since a significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate;

·

concentration of collateral in our primary market area may increase the risk of increased non-performing assets;

·

income from secondary mortgage market operations is volatile, and we may incur losses with respect to our secondary mortgage market operations that could negatively affect our earnings;

·

reliance on the mortgage secondary market for some of our liquidity;

·

future changes in interest rates, which could reduce our profits;

·

continued or increasing competition within our market areas may limit our growth and profitability;

·

Increased costs associated with our stock-based benefit plan, which will reduce our income;

·

extensive regulation and oversight, and, depending upon the findings and determinations of our regulatory authorities, requirements to make adjustments to our business, operations or financial position and potentially result in formal or informal regulatory action;

·

financial reform legislation enacted by Congress and resulting regulations have increased and are expected to continue to increase our costs of operations;

·

risk of noncompliance and enforcement action with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations;

·

more stringent capital requirements, which may adversely impact our return on equity, require us to raise additional capital, or constrain us from paying dividends or repurchasing shares;

·

loss of members of our management team or our inability to hire qualified management personnel;

·

the decline in the fair value of our investments;

·

liquidity risk could impair our ability to fund operations and jeopardize our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows;

·

changes in accounting standards could affect reported earnings;

·

costs arising from the environmental risks associated with making loans secured by real estate;

·

a failure in or breach of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of our third party vendors and other service providers or other third parties, including as a result of cyber-attacks, could disrupt our businesses, result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, damage our reputation, increase our costs, and cause losses;

·

outcomes of various lawsuits incidental to our business;

·

volatility in our stock price, which could result in losses to our shareholders and litigation against us;

·

negative public opinion surrounding our company and the financial institutions industry generally could damage our reputation and adversely impact our earnings; and

·

severe weather, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, and other external events could significantly impact our business.

 

For additional information with respect to factors that could cause actual results to differ from the expectations stated in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 16, 2018 (the “2017 Form 10-K”).

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our critical accounting policies involving significant judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 31, 2018 have remained unchanged from the disclosures presented in our 2017 Form 10-K.

The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (“JOBS Act”) contains provisions that, among other things, reduce certain reporting requirements for qualifying public companies. As an “emerging growth company” we have elected to use the extended transition period to delay adoption of certain new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements are made applicable to private companies. Accordingly, our financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of public companies that comply with such new or revised accounting standards. As of March 31, 2018, there was not a significant difference in the presentation of our financial statements as compared to other public companies as a result of this transition guidance.

Overview

Entegra Financial Corp. was incorporated on May 31, 2011 to be the holding company for Entegra Bank (the “Bank”) upon the completion of Macon Bancorp’s merger with and into Entegra Financial Corp., pursuant to which Macon Bancorp converted from a mutual to stock form of organization. Prior to the completion of the conversion, Entegra Financial Corp. did not engage in any significant activities other than organizational activities. On September 30, 2014, the mutual to stock conversion was completed and the Bank became the wholly owned subsidiary of Entegra Financial Corp. Also on September 30, 2014, Entegra Financial Corp. completed the initial public offering of its common stock. In this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section, terms such as “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to Entegra Financial Corp.

We provide a full range of financial services through offices located throughout the western North Carolina counties of Buncombe, Cherokee, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Polk, and Transylvania, the Upstate South Carolina counties of Anderson, Greenville, Pickens, and Spartanburg and the northern Georgia counties of Gwinnett, Hall and Pickens. We provide full service retail and commercial banking products, as well as wealth management services through a third party.

We earn revenue primarily from interest on loans and securities and fees charged for financial services provided to our customers. Offsetting these revenues are the cost of deposits and other funding sources, provisions for loan losses and other operating costs such as salaries and employee benefits, data processing, occupancy and tax expense.

Our results of operations are significantly affected by general economic and competitive conditions in our market areas and nationally, as well as changes in interest rates, sources of funding, government policies and actions of regulatory authorities. Future changes in applicable laws, regulations or government policies may materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Strategic Plan

 

We continue to execute on our strategic plan which involves the following key components:

 

·

Building a franchise that will provide above-average shareholder returns;

·

Seeking acquisition opportunities that have reasonable earn-back periods and are accretive to return on equity while minimizing book value dilution;

·

Building long-term franchise value by diversifying into high growth markets geographically contiguous to our current markets;

·

Building deposits in rural markets; and

·

Maximizing our capital leverage through organic and acquired asset growth.

The following discussion and analysis is presented on a consolidated basis and focuses on the major components of the Company’s operations and significant changes in its results of operations for the periods presented. We encourage you to read this discussion and analysis in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes and the other statistical information included in this Form 10-Q and in our 2017 Form 10-K.

Earnings Summary

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $3.6 million compared to $1.3 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was primarily the result of increases in net interest income of $2.8 million and noninterest income of $0.3 million, partially offset by an increase in noninterest expense and tax expense of $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Net interest income increased $2.8 million, or 28.9%, to $12.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $9.6 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to higher volumes in the loan portfolio as well as an increase in the yields earned on cash, investments and loans partially offset by increased costs of borrowings. Net interest margin for the three months ended March 31, 2018 improved to 3.49% compared to 3.30% for the same period in 2017.

 

Noninterest income increased $0.3 million, or 30.7%, to $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $1.1 million for the same period in 2017, primarily as the result of the other than temporary impairment of one investment security during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Increases in mortgage banking, service charges on deposit accounts and bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) were partially offset by declines in gains on sale of Small Business Association (“SBA”) loans and equity securities losses. The Company recently hired a Director of SBA Lending and expects higher levels of gains on the sale of SBA loans in future quarters.

 

Noninterest expense increased $0.5 million, or 6.0%, to $9.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $8.6 million for the same period in 2017. The increase was primarily related to increased compensation and employee benefits, net occupancy expenses, and data processing expenses as the 2018 period included the full impact of the Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia acquisition and the branches acquired from Stearns Bank, N.A. Federal deposit insurance premiums increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 due to a reduction in premium credits based on certain regulatory ratios.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

Statements included in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section include financial measures that do not conform to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP and should be read along with the accompanying tables, which provide a reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP financial measures. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section and the accompanying tables discuss non-GAAP financial measures, such as core net interest income, core noninterest expense, core net income, core return on average assets, core return on average equity, and core efficiency ratio. We believe that such non-GAAP measures are useful because they enhance the ability of investors and management to evaluate and compare the Company’s operating results from period to period in a meaningful manner. Non-GAAP measures should not be considered as an alternative to any measure of performance as promulgated under GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Investors should consider the Company’s performance and financial condition as reported under GAAP and all other relevant information when assessing the performance or financial condition of the Company. Non-GAAP measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results or financial condition as reported under GAAP.

We analyze our noninterest expense and net income on a non-GAAP basis as detailed and as of the periods indicated in the table below:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018				2017
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Core Noninterest Expense
Noninterest expense (GAAP)		$	9,123			$	8,363
Merger-related expenses			(196	)			(448	)
Core noninterest expense (Non-GAAP)		$	8,927			$	7,915
Core Net Income
Net income (GAAP)		$	3,582			$	1,300
Loss (gain) on sale of investments			9				(5	)
Other than temporary impairment of investment securities available for sale			—				441
Merger-related expenses			155				291
Core net income (Non-GAAP)		$	3,746			$	2,027
Core Diluted Earnings Per Share
Diluted earnings per share (GAAP)		$	0.51			$	0.20
Loss (gain) on sale of investments			—				—
Other than temporary impairment of investment securities available for sale			—				0.07
Merger-related expenses			0.02				0.04
Core diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)		$	0.53			$	0.31
Core Return on Average Assets
Return on Average Assets (GAAP)			0.90	%			0.39	%
Gain on sale of investments			0.00	%			0.00	%
Other than temporary impairment of investment securities available for sale			0.00	%			0.13	%
Merger-related expenses			0.04	%			0.09	%
Core Return on Average Assets (Non-GAAP)			0.94	%			0.61	%
Core Return on Tangible Average Equity
Return on Average Equity (GAAP)			9.48	%			3.87	%
Loss (gain) on sale of investments			0.03	%			-0.01	%
Other than temporary impairment of investment securities available for sale			0.00	%			1.31	%
Merger-related expenses			0.41	%			0.87	%
Effect of goodwill and intangibles			2.26	%			0.24	%
Core Return on Average Tangible Equity (Non-GAAP)			12.18	%			6.28	%
Core Efficiency Ratio
Efficiency ratio (GAAP)			66.07	%			80.00	%
Gain (loss) on sale of investments			-0.06	%			0.07	%
Other than temporary impairment of investment securities available for sale			0.00	%			-4.89	%
Merger-related expenses			-1.40	%			-4.19	%
Core Efficiency Ratio (Non-GAAP)			64.61	%			70.99	%
		As Of
		March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
		(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
Tangible Assets
Total Assets		$	1,625,444			$	1,581,449
Goodwill and Intangibles			(27,999	)			(28,172	)
Tangible Assets		$	1,597,445			$	1,553,277
Book Value Per Share
Book Value (GAAP)		$	151,876			$	151,313
Goodwill and Intangibles			(27,999	)			(28,172	)
Book Value  (Tangible)		$	123,877			$	123,141
Outstanding shares			6,888,415				6,879,191
Tangible Book Value Per Share		$	17.98			$	17.90

Financial Condition at March 31, 2108 and December 31, 2017

 

Total assets increased $44.0 million, or an annualized rate of 11.1%, to $1.63 billion at March 31, 2018 from $1.58 billion at December 31, 2017. This increase in assets was primarily due to increases in cash and cash equivalents of $14.1 million, from $109.5 million at December 31, 2017 to $123.6 million at March 31, 2018 , and loans, which increased $30.5 million, or 3.0%. The increase in loans was funded primarily by wholesale deposits. Core deposits, which include wholesale deposits of $81.3 million, decreased slightly from 66% of the Company’s deposit portfolio at December 31, 2017 to 65% at March 31, 2018.

Total liabilities increased $43.4 million, or 3.0%, to $1.48 billion at March 31, 2018 from $1.43 billion at December 31, 2017, due primarily to the $43.7 million increase in deposits, partially offset by the $0.2 million decrease in accrued interest payable.

Total shareholders’ equity increased $0.6 million to $151.9 million at March 31, 2018 compared to $151.3 million at December 31, 2017. This increase was primarily attributable to $3.6 million of net income, offset by a $3.4 million after-tax decline in the market value of investment securities available for sale. Tangible book value per share, a non-GAAP measure, increased $0.08 to $17.98 at March 31, 2018 from $17.90 at December 31, 2017.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Total cash and cash equivalents increased $14.1 million to $123.6 million at March 31, 2018 from $109.5 million at December 31, 2017, primarily as a result of the issuance of $23.0 million of wholesale deposits to fund loan growth.

Investment Securities

The following table presents the holdings of our equity securities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

		March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
Mutual funds		$	6,609			$	6,095

 

Equity securities with a fair value of $6.0 million as of March 31, 2018 and $6.1 million as of December 31, 2017 are held in a Rabbi Trust and seek to generate returns that will fund the cost of certain deferred compensation agreements.

 

Equity securities with a fair value of $0.6 million as of March 31, 2018 are in a mutual fund that qualifies under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) as CRA activity. The CRA mutual fund was reclassified as an equity security in 2018.

 

The remainder of our investment securities portfolio is classified as available-for-sale (“AFS”) and is carried at fair value. The Company’s held-to-maturity (“HTM”) investment portfolio was transferred to AFS during the third quarter of 2016 in order to provide the Company more flexibility managing its investment portfolio. As a result of the transfer, the Company is prohibited from classifying any investment securities as HTM for two years from the date of the transfer.

On April 28, 2017, the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions closed First NBC Bank and appointed the FDIC as receiver. The Bank owned $0.7 million par value of subordinated debt issued by the holding company of First NBC Bank with an unrealized loss of $79,000 prior to the impairment. The Company concluded the investment to be other than temporarily impaired. As such, the financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2017 includes other than temporary impairment of $0.7 million before tax.

The following table shows the amortized cost and fair value for our AFS investment portfolio as of the dates indicated.

		March 31, 2018								December 31, 2017
						Estimated								Estimated
		Amortized				Fair				Amortized				Fair
(Dollars in thousands)		Cost				Value				Cost				Value
U.S. Treasury & Government Agencies		$	23,914			$	23,809			$	20,529			$	20,523
Municipal Securities			97,981				96,292				93,250				93,859
Mortgage-backed Securities - Guaranteed			113,531				111,593				129,314				128,039
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Guaranteed			23,800				22,906				10,559				10,302
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Non Guaranteed			59,010				58,350				64,706				64,693
Collateralized Loan Obligations			7,059				7,052				5,555				5,539
Corporate bonds			19,609				19,814				18,925				19,291
Mutual funds			—				—				629				617
		$	344,904			$	339,816			$	343,467			$	342,863

 

AFS investment securities decreased $3.0 million to $339.8 million at March 31, 2018 from $342.9 million at December 31, 2017. We continue to monitor and decrease our investment portfolio as we continue to build our loan portfolio.

Loans

The following table presents our loan portfolio composition and the corresponding percentage of total loans as of the dates indicated. Other construction and land loans include residential acquisition and development loans, commercial undeveloped land and one-to-four family improved and unimproved lots. Commercial real estate includes non-residential owner occupied and non-owner occupied real estate, multi-family, and owner-occupied investment property. Commercial business loans include unsecured commercial loans and commercial loans secured by business assets.

		March 31,								December 31,
		2018								2017
		Amount				Percent				Amount				Percent
		(Dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans:
One-to-four family residential		$	313,478				30.2	%		$	304,107				30.1	%
Commercial			480,143				46.2				453,725				45.0
Home equity loans and lines of credit			49,128				4.7				49,877				4.9
Residential construction			40,027				3.9				37,108				3.7
Other construction and land			96,455				9.3				101,447				10.1
Commercial			53,862				5.2				56,939				5.6
Consumer			5,862				0.6				5,700				0.6
Total loans, gross		$	1,038,955				100.0	%		$	1,008,903				100.0	%
Less:
Deferred loan fees, net			(1,325	)							(1,431	)
Fair value discount			(1,746	)							(2,012	)
Unamortized premium			446								389
Unamortized discount			(681	)							(710	)
Total loans, net		$	1,035,649							$	1,005,139
Percentage of total assets			63.7	%							63.6	%

 

Net loans increased $30.5 million, or 3.0%, to $1.04 billion at March 31, 2018 from $1.00 billion at December 31, 2017. Most of our loan growth is concentrated in one-to-four family residential and commercial real estate with increases of $9.4 million, or 3.1%, and $26.4 million, or 5.8%, respectively, as compared to relative balances at December 31, 2017. We believe that economic conditions in our primary market areas are favorable and present opportunities for continued growth.

Delinquent Loans

 

When a loan becomes 15 days past due, we contact the borrower to inquire as to the status of the loan payment. When a loan becomes 30 days or more past due, we increase collection efforts to include all available forms of communication. Once a loan becomes 45 days past due, we generally issue a demand letter and further explore the reasons for non-repayment, discuss repayment options, and inspect the collateral. In the event the loan officer or collections staff has reason to believe restructuring will be mutually beneficial to the borrower and the Bank, the borrower will be referred to the Bank’s Credit Administration staff to explore restructuring alternatives to foreclosure. Once the demand period has expired and it has been determined that restructuring is not a viable option, the Bank’s counsel is instructed to pursue foreclosure.

 

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued at the time a loan becomes 90 days delinquent or when it becomes impaired, whichever occurs first, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual is reversed. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans are generally applied as a direct reduction to the principal outstanding until the loan is returned to accrual status. Interest payments received on nonaccrual loans may be recognized as income on a cash basis if recovery of the remaining principal is reasonably assured. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Interest payments applied to principal while the loan was on nonaccrual may be recognized in income over the remaining life of the loan after the loan is returned to accrual status.

If a loan is modified in a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), the loan is generally placed on non-accrual until there is a period of satisfactory payment performance by the borrower (either immediately before or after the restructuring), generally six consecutive months, and the ultimate collectability of all amounts contractually due is not in doubt.

 

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to our loan portfolio delinquencies at the dates indicated. We have no loans past due 90 days and over that are still accruing interest as of March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

 

		Delinquent loans
		30-59 Days				60-89 Days				90 Days and over				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2018
Real estate loans:
One-to-four family residential		$	3,679			$	—			$	266			$	3,945
Commercial			4,015				—				526				4,541
Home equity loans and lines of credit			317				48				169				534
Residential construction			—				—				—				—
Other construction and land			474				—				876				1,350
Commercial			85				—				95				180
Consumer			14				2				20				36
Total delinquent loans		$	8,584			$	50			$	1,952			$	10,586
% of total loans, net			0.83	%			0.00	%			0.19	%			1.02	%
December 31, 2017
Real estate loans:
One-to-four family residential		$	3,941			$	591			$	562			$	5,094
Commercial			2,093				308				683				3,084
Home equity loans and lines of credit			308				27				120				455
One- to four-family residential construction			501				—				—				501
Other construction and land			1,711				21				93				1,825
Commercial			488				1				95				584
Consumer			27				25				10				62
Total delinquent loans		$	9,069			$	973			$	1,563			$	11,605
% of total loans, net			0.90	%			0.10	%			0.16	%			1.15	%

 

Delinquent loans decreased $1.0 million to $10.6 million at March 31, 2018 from $11.6 million at December 31, 2017. The decrease in delinquencies was due primarily to collection efforts and the favorable resolution of several large relationships.

Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing loans include all loans past due 90 days and over, certain impaired loans (some of which may be contractually current), and TDR loans that have not yet established a satisfactory period of payment performance (some of which may be contractually current). Non-performing assets include non-performing loans and real estate owned (“REO”). The table below sets forth the amounts and categories of our non-performing assets at the dates indicated.

 

		March 31				December 31,
		2018				2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual loans:
Real estate loans:
One-to-four family residential		$	867			$	1,421
Commercial			1,946				2,666
Home equity loans and lines of credit			169				120
Other construction and land			1,239				464
Commercial			95				95
Consumer			20				12
Total non-performing loans			4,336				4,778
REO:
One-to-four family residential			265				288
Commercial real estate			950				544
Other construction and land			1,659				1,736
Total foreclosed real estate			2,874				2,568
Total non-performing assets		$	7,210			$	7,346
Troubled debt restructurings still accruing		$	8,403			$	8,952
Ratios:
Non-performing loans to total loans			0.42	%			0.48	%
Non-performing assets to total assets			0.44	%			0.46	%

 

Non-performing loans decreased $0.5 million, or 9.3%, to $4.3 million at March 31, 2018 from $4.8 million at December 31, 2017. The decrease in non-performing loans was primarily attributable to payoffs.

REO increased $0.3 million, or 11.9%, to $2.9 million at March 31, 2018 from $2.6 million at December 31, 2017, primarily as a result of the foreclosure on three loans under one lending relationship.

Classification of Loans

The following table sets forth amounts of classified and criticized loans at the dates indicated. As indicated in the table, loans classified as “doubtful” or “loss” are charged off immediately.

		March 31				December 31,
		2018				2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
Classified loans:
Substandard		$	8,571			$	9,503
Doubtful			—				—
Loss			—				—
Total classified loans:			8,571				9,503
As a % of total loans, net			0.83	%			0.95	%
Special mention			12,729				12,725
Total criticized loans		$	21,300			$	22,228
As a % of total loans, net			2.06	%			2.21	%

 

Total classified loans decreased $0.9 million, or 9.8%, to $8.6 million at March 31, 2018 from $9.5 million at December 31, 2017. Total criticized loans decreased $0.9 million, or 4.2%, to $21.3 million at March 31, 2018 from $22.2 million at December 31, 2017. Management continues to dedicate resources to monitoring and resolving classified and criticized loans.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The allowance for loan losses reflects our estimates of probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of our loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of our loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect our borrowers’ abilities to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses has two main components: the evaluation of individual loans for impairment and the evaluation of certain groups of homogeneous loans with similar risk characteristics.

 

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that we will be unable to collect all principal and interest payments due according to the original contractual terms of the loan. We individually evaluate loans classified as “substandard” or nonaccrual and greater than $350,000 for impairment. If the impaired loan is considered collateral dependent, a charge-off is taken based upon the appraised value of the property less an estimate of selling costs if foreclosure or sale of the property is anticipated. If the impaired loan is not collateral dependent, a specific reserve is established based upon an estimate of the future discounted cash flows after consideration of modifications and the likelihood of future default and prepayment.

The allowance for homogenous loans consists of a base loss reserve and a qualitative reserve. The base loss reserve utilizes an average loss rate for the last 16 quarters. The loss rates for the base loss reserve are segmented into 13 loan categories and contain loss rates ranging from approximately 0.50% to 1.36%.

 

The qualitative reserve adjusts the weighted average loss rates utilized in the base loss reserve for trends in the following internal and external factors:

 

·

Non-accrual and classified loans;

·

Collateral values;

·

Loan concentrations;

	·		Economic conditions – including unemployment rates, home sales and prices, and a regional economic index; and
	·		Lender risk – personnel changes

 

Qualitative reserve adjustment factors are decreased for favorable trends and increased for unfavorable trends. These factors are subject to further adjustment as economic and other conditions change.

The following table sets forth activity in our allowance for loan losses at the dates and for the periods indicated.

		As of or for the Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018				2017
		( Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period		$	10,887			$	9,305
Charge-offs:
Real Estate:
One- to four-family residential			(110	)			(4	)
Commercial			(35	)			(88	)
Home equity loans and lines of credit			(41	)			—
Residential construction			—				—
Other construction and land			—				(228	)
Commercial			—				—
Consumer			(29	)			(15	)
Total charge-offs			(215	)			(335	)
Recoveries:
Real Estate:
One- to four-family residential			13				5
Commercial			3				77
Home equity loans and lines of credit			21				—
Residential construction			—				—
Other construction and land			20				55
Commercial			5				8
Consumer			72				68
Total recoveries			134				213
Net chargeoffs			(81	)			(122	)
Provision for loan losses			361				315
Balance at end of period		$	11,167			$	9,498
Ratios:
Net charge-offs to average loans outstanding			(0.03	)%			0.07	%
Allowance to non-performing loans at period end			257.54	%			131.01	%
Allowance to total loans at period end			1.08	%			1.25	%

 

Our allowance as a percentage of total loans decreased to 1.08% at March 31, 2018 from 1.25% at March 31, 2017 primarily as a result of the increase in loans related to the Chattahoochee acquisition. The remaining fair value discount on acquired loans was $1.7 million as of March 31, 2018.

 

We have continued to experience limited charge-off amounts and stable collections of amounts previously charged-off. The overall historical loss rate used in our allowance for loan losses calculation continues to decline as previous quarters with larger loss rates are eliminated from the calculation as time passes. Our coverage ratio of non-performing loans increased to 257.54% at March 31, 2018 compared to 227.86% at December 31, 2017 and 131.01% at March 31, 2017.

REO

The table below summarizes the balances and activity in REO at the dates and for the periods indicated.

		March 31,				December 31,
		2018				2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
One- to four-family residential		$	265			$	288
Commercial real estate			950				544
Other construction and land			1,659				1,736
Total		$	2,874			$	2,568
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018				2017
		(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, beginning of period		$	2,568			$	5,413
Additions			749				25
Disposals			(425	)			(747	)
Writedowns			(18	)			(67	)
Balance, end of period		$	2,874			$	4,624

 

Real estate owned increased $0.3 million, or 11.9%, to $2.9 million at March 31, 2018 from $2.6 million at December 31, 2017. We have experienced a significant decrease in the number and dollar amount of additions to REO, and have had success in liquidating REO. Our policy continues to be to aggressively market REO for sale, including recording write-downs when necessary.

Net Deferred Tax Assets

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability method and are reported net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of this Form 10-Q. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities and recognizes enacted changes in tax rate and laws. When deferred tax assets are recognized, they are subject to a valuation allowance based on management’s judgment as to whether realization is more likely than not. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, we considered the following sources of taxable income:

 

·

Future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences;

·

Future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carry forwards;

·

Taxable income in prior carryback years; and

·

Tax planning strategies that would, if necessary, be implemented.

 

Net deferred tax assets increased $0.1 million to $8.9 million at March 31, 2018 compared to $8.8 million at December 31, 2017. The increase in net deferred tax assets is mainly attributable to increases in the net unrealized holding losses on our investment securities offset by reductions in our federal and state net operating losses and acquisitions related deferred tax items.

Deposits

The following table presents deposits by category and percentage of total deposits as of the dates indicated.

		March 31, 2018								December 31, 2017
		Balance				Percent				Balance				Percent
		(Dollars in thousands)
Deposit type:
Noninterest-bearing demand accounts		$	192,916				16.0	%		$	179,457				15.4	%
Interest-bearing demand accounts			206,530				17.1				226,718				19.5
Money market accounts			336,625				27.9				308,767				26.6
Savings accounts			52,162				4.3				50,500				4.3
Time deposits			417,675				34.6				396,735				34.1
Total deposits		$	1,205,908				100.0	%		$	1,162,177				100.0	%

 

Core deposits, which include wholesale deposits of $81.3 million, increased $22.8 million, or 3.0%, to $788.2 million at March 31, 2018 from $765.4 million at December 31, 2017. Certificates of deposit increased $20.9 million, or 5.3%, to $417.7 million at March 31, 2018 from $396.7 million at December 31, 2017. Core deposits decreased slightly from 66% of the Company’s deposit portfolio at December 31, 2017 to 65% at March 31, 2018.

 

FHLB Advances

FHLB advances were $223.5 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. To manage our exposure to interest rate movement, we entered into two interest rate swaps on FHLB advances during 2016. The swap contracts involve the payment of fixed-rate amounts to a counterparty in exchange for our receipt of variable-rate payments over the two year lives of the contracts. The effective interest rates of the swapped advances were 0.82% and 1.39% at March 31, 2018 and 0.96% and 1.36% at December 31, 2017.

Other Borrowings

On September 15, 2017, the Company established a $15.0 million revolving credit loan facility with NexBank SSB. The loan facility, which is secured by Entegra Bank stock, bears interest at LIBOR plus 350 basis points and is intended to be used for general corporate purposes. Unless extended, the loan will mature on September 15, 2020. The Company had drawn $5.0 million on the revolving credit loan facility as of March 31, 2018.

The Company also had other borrowings at March 31, 2018 of $4.1 million which is comprised of participated loans that did not qualify for sale accounting. Interest expense on the other borrowings accrues at the same rate as the interest income recognized on the loans receivable, resulting in no effect to net income.

Junior Subordinated Notes

We had $14.4 million in junior subordinated notes outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 payable to an unconsolidated subsidiary. These notes accrue interest at 2.80% above the 90-day LIBOR, adjusted quarterly. To add stability to net interest income and manage our exposure to interest rate movement, we entered into an interest rate swap in September 2016 on the junior subordinated notes. The swap contract involves the payment of fixed-rate amounts to a counterparty in exchange for our receipt of variable-rate payments over the four year life of the contract. The effective interest rate on the swapped notes was 3.76% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Equity

Total shareholders’ equity increased $0.6 million to $151.9 million at March 31, 2018 compared to $151.3 million at December 31, 2017. This increase was primarily attributable to $3.6 million of net income, offset by a $3.4 million after-tax decline in the market value of investment securities available for sale.

Comparison of Operating Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.

General. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $3.6 million compared to $1.3 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in net income for the recent quarter was primarily the result of increases in net interest income and noninterest income of $2.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively, partially offset by increases in noninterest expense of $0.5 million.

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $2.8 million, or 28.9%, to $12.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $9.6 million for the same period in 2017. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to higher volumes in the loan portfolio, as well as an increase in the yields earned on cash, investments and loans partially offset by increased costs of borrowings.

The tax-equivalent net interest margin increased to 3.49% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 3.30% for the same period in 2017. The increase in margin was primarily the result of increased yields on investments and loans, partially offset by increases in rates on FHLB advance.

The following table sets forth the average balances of assets and liabilities, the total dollar amounts of interest income and dividends from average interest-earning assets on a tax-equivalent basis, the total dollar amounts of interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, and the resulting annualized average tax-equivalent yields and cost for the periods indicated. All average balances are daily average balances. Non-accrual loans were included in the computation of average balances, but have been reflected in the table as loans carrying a zero yield. The yields set forth below include the effect of deferred fees, discounts and premiums that are amortized or accreted to interest income or expense.

		For the Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018												2017
		Average Outstanding Balance				Interest				Yield/ Rate				Average Outstanding Balance				Interest				Yield/ Rate
		(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans, including loans held for sale		$	1,008,074			$	11,892				4.78	%		$	743,154			$	8,476				4.63	%
Loans, tax exempt(1)			15,792				116				2.99	%			14,908				137				3.72	%
Investments - taxable			261,970				1,789				2.73	%			296,317				1,759				2.37	%
Investment tax exempt(1)			76,129				696				3.66	%			111,432				1,125				4.04	%
Interest earning deposits			86,644				349				1.63	%			57,888				116				0.81	%
Other investments, at cost			12,391				171				5.60	%			13,865				172				5.03	%
Total interest-earning assets			1,461,000				15,014				4.17	%			1,237,564				11,785				3.86	%
Noninterest-earning assets			124,753												97,048
Total assets		$	1,585,753											$	1,334,612
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Savings accounts		$	51,123			$	15				0.12	%		$	43,012			$	12				0.11	%
Time deposits			403,284				914				0.92	%			328,605				757				0.93	%
Money market accounts			319,351				366				0.46	%			246,621				219				0.36	%
Interest bearing transaction accounts			212,366				87				0.17	%			135,263				40				0.12	%
Total interest bearing deposits			986,124				1,382				0.57	%			753,501				1,028				0.55	%
FHLB advances			223,500				820				1.47	%			274,889				530				0.78	%
Junior subordinated debentures			14,433				138				3.82	%			14,433				137				3.85	%
Other borrowings			8,763				109				5.04	%			2,788				30				4.36	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities			1,232,820				2,449				0.81	%			1,045,611				1,725				0.67	%
Noninterest-bearing deposits			183,071												140,563
Other non interest bearing liabilities			18,773												13,935
Total liabilities			1,434,664												1,200,109
Total equity			151,089												134,503
Total liabilities and equity		$	1,585,753											$	1,334,612
Tax-equivalent net interest income						$	12,565											$	10,060
Net interest-earning assets(2)		$	228,180											$	191,953
Average interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities			118.51	%											118.36	%
Tax-equivalent net interest rate spread(3)											3.36	%											3.19	%
Tax-equivalent net interest margin(4)											3.49	%											3.30	%

 

(1) Tax exempt loans and investments are calculated giving effect to a 21% federal tax rate in 2018 and 35% federal tax rate in 2017.

(2) Net interest-earning assets represents total interest-earning assets less total interest-bearing liabilities.

(3) Tax-equivalent net interest rate spread represents the difference between the tax equivalent yield on average interest-earning assets and the cost of average interest-bearing liabilities.

(4) Tax-equivalent net interest margin represents tax equivalent net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

 

The following table presents the effects of changing rates and volumes on our net interest income for the periods indicated. The rate column shows the effects attributable to changes in rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume). The volume column shows the effects attributable to change in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate). The total column represents the sum of the prior columns. For purposes of this table, changes attributable to both rate and volume, which cannot be segregated, have been allocated proportionately, based on changes due to rate and the changes due to volume.

		For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
		Increase (decrease) due to:
		Volume				Rate				Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans, including loans held for sale(1)		$	3,116			$	300			$	3,416
Loans, tax exempt(2)			8				(28	)			(20	)
Investment - taxable			(216	)			247				31
Investments - tax exempt(2)			(329	)			(100	)			(429	)
Interest-earning deposits			77				155				232
Other investments, at cost			(19	)			18				(1	)
Total interest-earning assets			2,637				592				3,229
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Savings accounts		$	2			$	1			$	3
Time deposits			169				(12	)			157
Money market accounts			74				73				147
Interest bearing transaction accounts			28				19				47
FHLB advances			(112	)			402				290
Junior subordinated debentures			—				1				1
Other borrowings			74				5				79
Total interest-bearing liabilities			235				489				724
Change in tax-equivalent net interest income		$	2,402			$	103			$	2,505

 

(1) Non-accrual loans are included in the above analysis.

(2) Interest income on tax exempt loans and investments are adjusted for based on a 21% federal tax rate in 2018 and a 35% federal tax rate in 2017.

 

Net interest income before provision for loan losses increased to $12.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to $9.6 million for the same period in 2017. As indicated in the table above, an increase in net interest income of $2.4 million attributable to an improvement in volume was supplemented by a $0.1 million improvement in net interest income earned attributable to an improvement in rates.

The increase in tax-equivalent net interest income of $2.4 million related to volume was primarily the result of higher average loan balances which increased $265.8 million and lower average FHLB advances which decreased $51.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2108 as compared to the same period in 2017. The increase in average loan balances and decrease in FHLB advances was partially offset by decreased average investment balances of $69.7 million and higher average deposit balances which increased $232.6 million over the same periods. The average deposit growth was primarily attributable to the Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia (“Chattahoochee”) acquisition in October 2017.

The increase in tax-equivalent net interest income of $0.1 million related to rate was primarily the result of increased yields on taxable loans and taxable investments partially offset by decreased yields on tax exempt investments and increased FHLB advance rates.

Our tax-equivalent net interest rate spread increased to 3.36% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 3.19% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and our tax-equivalent net interest margin increased to 3.49% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to 3.30% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increases in our interest rate spread and margin were primarily a result of increased yields on our taxable loans and taxable investments.

Provision for Loan Losses. We recorded a provision for loan losses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 of $0.4 million due to organic loan growth compared to a $0.3 million provision for loan losses for the same period in 2017. We are experiencing continued stabilization in asset quality, low charge-off amounts, and a continued decline in the historical loss rates used in our allowance for loan losses model.

Noninterest Income. The following table summarizes the components of noninterest income and the corresponding change between the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018				2017				Change
		(Dollars in thousands)
Servicing income, net		$	94			$	95			$	(1	)
Mortgage banking			239				220				19
Gain on sale of SBA loans			61				142				(81	)
Gain (loss) on sale of investments, net			(12	)			7				(19	)
Equity securities gains (losses)			(53	)			207				(260	)
Other than temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities			—				(700	)			700
Service charges on deposit accounts			431				391				40
Interchange fees			248				166				82
Bank owned life insurance			200				181				19
Other			208				130				78
Total		$	1,416			$	839			$	577

 

Gains on sales of SBA loans decreased $0.1 million as a result of reduced volume. We continue to focus on our SBA lending and hired a Director of SBA Lending in January 2018 to lead and enhance our efforts.

Losses on equity securities in the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to gains in the same period in 2017 relate to declines in market value of the equity securities.

Other than temporary impairment on available-for-sale securities in the three months ended March 2017 relates to the full impairment of our investment in subordinated debt issued by the holding company of a bank that subsequently failed. See our discussion in Note 3 of the accompanying unaudited financial statements.

Interchange fees increased $0.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, primarily as a result of increased transactions due to the Stearns branch and Chattahoochee acquisitions. Other noninterest income increased $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 due primarily to income from SBIC investments.

Noninterest Expense. The following table summarizes the components of noninterest expense and the corresponding change between the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2018				2017				Change
		(Dollars in thousands)
Compensation and employee benefits		$	5,617			$	4,836			$	781
Net occupancy			1,092				951				141
Federal deposit insurance			279				104				175
Professional and advisory			277				274				3
Data processing			509				401				108
Marketing and advertising			209				248				(39	)
Merger-related expenses			196				448				(252	)
Net cost of operation of REO			50				134				(84	)
Other			894				967				(73	)
Total noninterest expenses		$	9,123			$	8,363			$	760

 

Compensation and employee benefits increased $0.8 million, or 16.1%, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017. This additional expense is related to increases in our number of employees primarily as a result our Chattahoochee acquisition in October 2017, annual raises, employee benefits, incentives and commissions.

Federal deposit insurance premiums increased $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 due to a reduction in premium credits based on a decline in certain regulatory ratios as a result of acquisition activity.

Data processing increased $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, primarily as the result of increased accounts related to the Chattahoochee acquisition.

Net cost of operation of REO decreased $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, primarily as the result of stabilized property values.

Other noninterest expense decreased $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017, primarily as the result of reduced franchise tax expense.

Income Taxes. We recorded $0.7 million of income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $0.5 million for the same period in 2017. Income tax expense for the 2018 period benefitted from the newly enacted Federal tax rate of 21% compared to a Federal tax rate of 35% in 2017. Income tax expense for the three months ending March 31, 2018 and 2017 benefitted from tax-exempt income related to municipal bond investment and BOLI income resulting in effective tax rates of 17.2% and 26.9%, respectively.

We continue to have unutilized net operating losses for federal and state income tax purposes and have a net tax liability of $4.5 million as of March 31, 2018 primarily resulting from the Chattahoochee acquisition.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity is the ability to meet current and future financial obligations. Our primary sources of funds consist of deposit inflows, loan repayments, advances from the FHLB, proceeds from the sale of loans originated for sale, and principal repayments and the sale of available-for-sale securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans and securities are predictable sources of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition. Our Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”), under the direction of our Chief Financial Officer, is responsible for establishing and monitoring our liquidity targets and strategies in order to ensure that sufficient liquidity exists for meeting the borrowing needs and deposit withdrawals of our customers as well as unanticipated contingencies. We believe that we have enough sources of liquidity to satisfy our short- and long-term liquidity needs as of March 31, 2018.

We regularly monitor and adjust our investments in liquid assets based upon our assessment of expected loan demand, expected deposit flows and borrowing maturities, yields available on interest-earning deposits and securities, and the objectives of our asset/liability management program. Excess liquid assets are invested generally in FHLB and FRB interest-earning deposits and investment securities and are also used to pay off short-term borrowings. At March 31, 2018, cash and cash equivalents totaled $123.6 million. Included in this total was $100.8 million held at the FRB and $4.3 million held at the FHLB in interest-earning accounts.

 

Our cash flows are derived from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in our Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q. The following summarizes the most significant sources and uses of liquidity during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2,018				2,017
		(Dollars in thousands)
Operating activities:
Loans originated for sale		$	(9,745	)		$	(10,848	)
Proceeds from loans originated for sale			9,866				12,342
Investing activities:
Purchases of investments		$	(21,758	)		$	(53,493	)
Maturities and principal repayments of investments			8,858				8,523
Sales of investments			10,009				17,324
Net increase in loans			(31,241	)			(14,426	)
Net cash received in branch acquisition			—				146,750
Purchase of SBIC Holdings, at cost			(68	)			(1,018	)
Redemption of other investments, at cost			—				3,053
Financing activities:
Net increase in deposits		$	43,375			$	3,359
Proceeds from FHLB advances			40,000				340,000
Repayment of FHLB advances			(40,000	)			(415,000	)

 

At March 31, 2018, we had $49.7 million in outstanding commitments to originate loans. In addition to commitments to originate loans, we had $167.0 million in unused lines of credit.

 

Depending on market conditions, we may be required to pay higher rates on our deposits or other borrowings than we currently pay on certificates of deposit. Based on historical experience and current market interest rates, we anticipate that following their maturity we will retain a large portion of our retail certificates of deposit with maturities of one year or less as of March 31, 2018.

 

In addition to loans, we invest in securities that provide a source of liquidity, both through repayments and as collateral for borrowings. Our securities portfolio includes both callable securities (which allow the issuer to exercise call options) and mortgage-backed securities (which allow borrowers to prepay loans). Accordingly, a decline in interest rates would likely prompt issuers to exercise call options and borrowers to prepay higher-rate loans, producing higher than otherwise scheduled cash flows.

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of management. If we require more funds than we are able to generate locally, we have borrowing agreements with the FHLB and the FRB discount window, and a revolving credit loan facility with NexBank SSB. The following summarizes our borrowing capacity as of March 31, 2018:

 

		Total				Used				Unused
(Dollars in thousands)		Capacity				Capacity				Capacity
FHLB		$	237,273			$	223,500			$	13,773
Unpledged Marketable Securities			339,816				140,215				199,601
Fed funds lines			15,000				—				15,000
FRB			49,046				—				49,046
NexBank			15,000				5,000				10,000
		$	656,135			$	368,715			$	287,420

 

In July 2013, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the FDIC issued final rules to revise their risk-based capital requirements and the method for calculating risk-weighted assets to make them consistent with agreements that were reached by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act (“Basel III”). On January 1, 2015, the Basel III rules became effective and include transition provisions which implement certain portions of the rules through January 1, 2019.

 

The final rule also includes changes in what constitutes regulatory capital, some of which are subject to a transition period. These changes include the phasing-out of certain instruments as qualifying capital. In addition, Tier 2 capital is no longer limited to the amount of Tier 1 capital included in total capital. Mortgage servicing rights, certain deferred tax assets and investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries over designated percentages of common stock are required to be deducted from capital, subject to a transition period. Finally, common equity Tier 1 capital includes accumulated other comprehensive income (which includes all unrealized gains and losses on AFS debt and equity securities), subject to a transition period and a one-time opt-out election. The Bank elected to opt-out of this provision. As such, accumulated comprehensive income is not included in the Bank’s Tier 1 capital.

 

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements, including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based guidelines and framework under prompt corrective action provisions include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning balance sheet assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories.

 

When Basel III is fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the Company and the Bank will be required to maintain a 2.5% capital conservation buffer that is in addition to the minimum risk-weighted asset ratios and is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic distress. This capital conservation buffer is comprised entirely of common equity Tier 1 capital.

 

The tables below summarize capital ratios and related information in accordance with Basel III as measured at March 31, 2108 and December 31, 2017.

 

The following table summarizes the required and actual capital ratios of the Bank as of the dates indicated:

 

		Actual								For Capital Adequacy Purposes (1)								To Be Well- Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
(Dollars in thousands)		Amount				Ratio				Amount				Ratio				Amount				Ratio
As of March 31, 2018:
Tier 1 Leverage Capital		$	139,913				8.99	%		$	62,262				≥4	%		$	77,827				≥5	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital		$	139,913				12.49	%		$	71,438				≥6.375	%		$	72,838				≥6.5	%
Tier 1 Risk-based Capital		$	139,913				12.49	%		$	88,246				≥7.875	%		$	89,647				≥8	%
Total Risk-based Capital		$	151,181				13.49	%		$	110,658				≥9.875	%		$	112,059				≥10	%
As of December 31, 2017:
Tier 1 Leverage Capital		$	136,280				8.79	%		$	61,994				≥4	%		$	77,492				≥5	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital		$	136,280				11.92	%		$	65,729				≥5.75	%		$	74,303				≥6.5	%
Tier 1 Risk-based Capital		$	136,280				11.92	%		$	82,876				≥7.25	%		$	91,450				≥8	%
Total Risk-based Capital		$	147,266				12.88	%		$	105,739				≥9.25	%		$	114,312				≥10	%

 

(1)

As of March 31, 2018, includes capital conservation buffer of 1.875%. On a fully phased in basis, effective January 1, 2019, under Basel III, minimum capital ratios to be considered “adequately capitalized” including the capital conservation buffer of 2.5% will be as follows: Tier 1 Leverage Capital – 4.0%; Common Equity Tier 1 Capital – 7.0%; Tier 1 Risk-based Capital – 8.5%; and Total Risk-based Capital – 10.5%.

The following table summarizes the required and actual consolidated capital ratios of the Company as of the dates indicated:

		Actual								For Capital Adequacy Purposes (1)
(Dollars in thousands)		Amount				Ratio				Amount				Ratio
As of March 31, 2018:
Tier I Leverage Capital		$	138,539				8.90	%		$	62,293				≥4	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital		$	124,106				11.07	%		$	71,503				≥6.375	%
Tier I Risk-based Capital		$	138,539				12.35	%		$	88,327				≥7.875	%
Total Risk Based Capital		$	149,807				13.36	%		$	110,759				≥9.875	%
As of December 31, 2017:
Tier I Leverage Capital		$	134,470				8.68	%		$	61,967				≥4	%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital		$	120,861				10.57	%		$	65,775				≥5.75	%
Tier I Risk-based Capital		$	134,470				11.76	%		$	82,934				≥7.25	%
Total Risk Based Capital		$	145,457				12.72	%		$	105,812				≥9.25	%

 

(1)

As of March 31, 2018, includes capital conservation buffer of 1.875%. On a fully phased in basis, effective January 1, 2019, under Basel III, minimum capital ratios to be considered “adequately capitalized” including the capital conservation buffer of 2.5% will be as follows: Tier 1 Leverage Capital – 4.0%; Common Equity Tier 1 Capital – 7.0%; Tier 1 Risk-based Capital – 8.5%; and Total Risk-based Capital – 10.5%.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

One of the most significant forms of market risk is interest rate risk because, as a financial institution, the majority of our assets and liabilities are sensitive to changes in interest rates. Interest rate fluctuations affect earnings by changing net interest income and other interest-sensitive income and expense levels. Interest rate changes affect economic value of equity (“EVE”) by changing the net present value of a bank’s future cash flows, and the cash flows themselves as rates change. Accepting this risk is a normal part of banking and can be an important source of profitability and shareholder value. However, excessive risk can threaten a bank’s earnings, capital, liquidity and solvency. Therefore, a principal part of our operations is to manage interest rate risk and limit the exposure of our net interest income to changes in market interest rates. The Board of Directors of the Bank has established an ALCO, which is responsible for evaluating the interest rate risk inherent in our assets and liabilities, for determining the level of risk that is appropriate, given our business strategy, operating environment, capital, liquidity and performance objectives, and for managing this risk consistent with the guidelines approved by the Board. Our ALCO monitors and manages market risk through rate shock analyses, economic value of equity, or EVE, analyses and simulations in order to avoid unacceptable earnings and market value fluctuations due to changes in interest rates.

 

One of the primary ways we manage interest rate risk is by selling the majority of our long-term fixed rate mortgages into the secondary markets, and obtaining commitments to sell at locked-in interest rates prior to issuing a loan commitment. From a funding perspective, we expect to satisfy the majority of our future requirements with retail deposit growth, including checking and savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit generated within our primary markets. If our funding needs exceed our deposits, we will utilize our excess funding capacity with the FHLB and the FRB.

 

We have taken the following steps to reduce our interest rate risk:

 

•

increased our personal and business checking accounts and our money market accounts, which are less rate-sensitive than certificates of deposit and which provide us with a stable, low-cost source of funds;

 

•

limited the fixed rate period on loans within our portfolio;

 

•

utilized our securities portfolio for positioning based on projected interest rate environments;

 

•

priced certificates of deposit to encourage customers to extend to longer terms;

 

•

engaged in interest rate swap agreements; and

 

•

utilized FHLB advances for positioning.

 

We have not conducted speculative hedging activities, such as engaging in futures or options.

 

Economic Value of Equity (EVE)

 

EVE is the difference between the present value of an institution’s assets and liabilities that would change in the event of a range of assumed changes in market interest rates. EVE is used to monitor interest rate risk beyond the 12 month time horizon of income simulations. The simulation model uses a discounted cash flow analysis and an option-based pricing approach to measure the interest rate sensitivity of EVE. The model estimates the economic value of each type of asset, liability and off-balance sheet contract using the current interest rate yield curve with instantaneous increases or decreases of 100 to 400 basis points in 100 basis point increments. A basis point equals one-hundredth of one percent, and 100 basis points equals one percent. An increase in interest rates from 3% to 4% would mean, for example, a 100 basis point increase in the “Change in Interest Rates” column below. Given the current relatively low level of market interest rates, an EVE calculation for an interest rate decrease of greater than 100 basis points has not been prepared.

Certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodologies used in determining interest rate risk through changes in EVE. Modeling changes in EVE require making certain assumptions that may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs, or loan repayments and deposit decay, respond to changes in market interest rates. In this regard, the EVE information presented assumes that the composition of our interest-sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected across the yield curve regardless of the duration or repricing of specific assets and liabilities. Accordingly, although the EVE information provides an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to and do not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on our net interest income and will differ from actual results.

 

Net Interest Income

 

In addition to an EVE analysis, we analyze the impact of changing rates on our net interest income. Using our balance sheet as of a given date, we analyze the repricing components of individual assets, and adjusting for changes in interest rates at 100 basis point increments, we analyze the impact on our net interest income. Changes to our net interest income are shown in the following table based on immediate changes to interest rates in 100 basis point increments.

 

The table below reflects the impact of an immediate increase in interest rates in 100 basis point increments on Pretax Net Interest Income (“NII”) and EVE.

 

				March 31, 2018								December 31, 2017
Change in Interest Rates (basis points)				% Change in Pretax Net Interest Income				% Change in Economic Value of Equity				% Change in Pretax Net Interest Income				% Change in Economic Value of Equity
+400					(0.1	)			(3.4	)			(3.5	)			(1.7	)
+300					0.2				(2.3	)			(2.3	)			(1.5	)
+200					0.2				(1.9	)			(1.2	)			(1.5	)
+100					0.2				(1.7	)			(0.4	)			(1.4	)
—					—				—				—				—
-100					(2.7	)			4.7				(3.2	)			3.6

 

The results from the rate shock analysis on NII are consistent with having a slightly asset sensitive balance sheet. Having an asset sensitive balance sheet means assets will reprice at a faster pace than liabilities during the short-term horizon. The implications of an asset sensitive balance sheet will differ depending upon the change in market rates. For example, with an asset sensitive balance sheet in a declining interest rate environment, the interest rate on assets will decrease at a faster pace than liabilities. This situation generally results in an decrease in NII and operating income. Conversely, with an asset sensitive balance sheet in a rising interest rate environment, the interest rate on assets will increase at a faster pace than liabilities. This situation generally results in an increase in NII and operating income. As indicated in the table above, a 200 basis point increase in rates would result in a 0.2% increase in NII as of March 31, 2018 as compared to a 0.4% decrease in NII as of December 31, 2017, suggesting that there is a slight benefit for the Company to net interest income in rising interest rates The Company generally seeks to remain neutral to the impact of changes in interest rates by maximizing current earnings while balancing the risk of changes in interest rates.

The results from the rate shock analysis on EVE are consistent with a balance sheet whose assets have a longer maturity than its liabilities. Like most financial institutions, we generally invest in longer maturity assets as compared to our liabilities in order to earn a higher return on our assets than we pay on our liabilities. This is because interest rates generally increase as the time to maturity increases, assuming a normal, upward sloping yield curve. In a rising interest rate environment, this results in a negative EVE because higher interest rates will reduce the present value of longer term assets more than it will reduce the present value of shorter term liabilities, resulting in a negative impact on equity. As noted in the table above, our exposure to higher interest rates from an EVE or present value perspective has increased from December 31, 2017 to March 31, 2018. For example, as indicated in the table above, a 200 basis point increase in rates would result in a 1.9% decrease in EVE as of March 31, 2018 as compared to a 1.5% decrease in EVE as of December 31, 2017.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of March 31, 2018. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer each concluded that as of March 31, 2018, the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q, the Company maintained effective disclosure controls and procedures.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

In the ordinary course of operations, we are often involved in legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, neither the Company nor the Bank is a party to, nor is their property the subject of, any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to their business, nor has any such proceeding been terminated during the quarter ended March 31, 2018.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors that we have previously disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section in our 2017 Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018.

 

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

 

None

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit No.	Description
10.16	Fourth Amendment to the Macon Bank, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Capital Appreciation Plan, dated February 22, 2018, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018. (SEC File No. 001-35302).
31.1	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32	Certifications Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101	Financial Statements filed in XBRL format.

 

  

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Date:  May 9, 2018	Entegra Financial Corp.
		(Registrant)
	By:	/s/ David A. Bright
	Name:	David A. Bright
	Title:	Chief Financial Officer
		(Authorized Officer)

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.		Description
10.16		Fourth Amendment to the Macon Bank, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Capital Appreciation Plan, dated February 22, 2018, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2018. (SEC File No. 001-35302).
31.01		Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.02		Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.01		Certification Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101		Financial Statements filed in XBRL format.