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EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - National Commerce Corpex_127816.htm
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EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - National Commerce Corpex_127814.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - National Commerce Corpex_127813.htm
EX-10.11 - EXHIBIT 10.11 - National Commerce Corpex_128843.htm
EX-10.10 - EXHIBIT 10.10 - National Commerce Corpex_128842.htm
EX-10.9 - EXHIBIT 10.9 - National Commerce Corpex_128841.htm
EX-10.8 - EXHIBIT 10.8 - National Commerce Corpex_128840.htm
EX-10.7 - EXHIBIT 10.7 - National Commerce Corpex_128839.htm
EX-10.6 - EXHIBIT 10.6 - National Commerce Corpex_128620.htm
EX-10.5 - EXHIBIT 10.5 - National Commerce Corpex_128619.htm
EX-4.2 - EXHIBIT 4.2 - National Commerce Corpex_128838.htm
EX-4.1 - EXHIBIT 4.1 - National Commerce Corpex_128618.htm
 

 

Table of Contents



 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 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 September 30, 2018

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from                      to                     .

 

Commission file number: 001-36878


NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


 

Delaware

20-8627710

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

   

600 Luckie Drive, Suite 350

Birmingham, Alabama

35223

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(205) 313-8100

(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  ☒    No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

       

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

       

Emerging growth company

   

 

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

 

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   

                     Yes  ☐                        No   ☒

 

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

 

 

Class of Common Stock

 

Outstanding at November 9, 2018

 
 

Common stock, $0.01 par value

 

20,676,731 shares

 

  

 

 

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

     

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited):

1

     

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

1

     

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

2

     

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

3

     

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

4

     

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

5

     

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7

     

Item 2.

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

26

     

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

47

     

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

47

     
     

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

     

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

47

     

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

47

     

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

47

     

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

47

     

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosure

47

     

Item 5.

Other Information

47

     

Item 6.

Exhibits

48

     
 

Signatures

49

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL

 

Unless the context otherwise indicates or requires, references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to “National Commerce Corporation,” “NCC,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to National Commerce Corporation and its consolidated affiliates as of September 30, 2018.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance, which involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Certain statements made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements include any statement that, without limitation, may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements instead of historical or current facts and may contain words like “anticipates,” “approximately,” “believes,” “budget,” “can,” “could,” “continues,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecast,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “outlook,” “predicts,” “probably,” “plans,” “potential,” “project,” “seeks,” “shall,” “should,” “target,” “will,” or the negative of these terms and other words, phrases, or expressions with similar meaning.

 

Any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on our historical performance and on our current plans, estimates and expectations in light of information currently available to us. The inclusion of forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by us that the future plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, financial results, financial condition, business, prospects, growth strategy and liquidity. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, and the Company cannot give assurances that such statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information or otherwise. Given these uncertainties, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or estimated by us include those that are discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 under Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

 

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 
   

September 30, 2018

   

December 31, 2017

 
Assets  

Cash and due from banks

  $ 62,364       36,246  

Interest-bearing deposits with banks

    137,927       199,042  

Cash and cash equivalents

    200,291       235,288  

Investment securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $24,447 and $25,932 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)

    25,203       25,562  

Investment securities available-for-sale

    185,979       85,834  

Other investments

    13,743       11,350  

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

    15,533       29,191  

Loans, net of unearned income

    3,230,378       2,138,058  

Less: allowance for loan losses

    16,759       14,985  

Loans, net

    3,213,619       2,123,073  

Premises and equipment, net

    86,811       52,455  

Accrued interest receivable

    10,494       6,157  

Bank-owned life insurance

    51,573       31,584  

Other real estate

    1,339       1,094  

Deferred tax assets, net

    18,041       12,041  

Goodwill

    249,459       113,394  

Core deposit intangible, net

    19,838       4,455  

Other assets

    11,422       6,198  

Total assets

  $ 4,103,345       2,737,676  
                 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

Deposits:

               

Noninterest-bearing demand

  $ 932,089       697,144  

Interest-bearing demand

    663,155       362,266  

Savings and money market

    1,218,215       951,846  

Time

    518,223       274,575  

Total deposits

    3,331,682       2,285,831  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    2,000       7,000  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    18,340       -  

Subordinated debt

    37,211       24,553  

Accrued interest payable

    1,790       900  

Other liabilities

    27,511       19,434  

Total liabilities

    3,418,534       2,337,718  
                 

Commitments and contingencies

               
                 

Shareholders’ equity:

               

Preferred stock, 250,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding

    -       -  

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, 20,649,948 and 14,788,436 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively

    206       148  

Additional paid-in capital

    604,129       347,999  

Retained earnings

    75,732       43,989  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

    (2,867 )     474  

Total shareholders' equity attributable to National Commerce Corporation

    677,200       392,610  

Noncontrolling interest

    7,611       7,348  

Total shareholders' equity

    684,811       399,958  

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

  $ 4,103,345       2,737,676  

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

   

For the Three Months Ended

   

For the Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

   

September 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Interest and dividend income:

                               

Interest and fees on loans

  $ 43,691       26,780     $ 113,827       75,360  

Interest and dividends on taxable investment securities

    1,496       694       3,878       1,871  

Interest on non-taxable investment securities

    190       195       570       592  

Interest on interest-bearing deposits and federal funds sold

    818       533       1,953       1,744  

Total interest income

    46,195       28,202       120,228       79,567  

Interest expense:

                               

Interest on deposits

    5,561       2,101       12,374       6,165  

Interest on Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    27       72       170       212  

Interest on securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    49       -       49       1  

Interest on subordinated debt

    537       388       1,311       1,165  

Total interest expense

    6,174       2,561       13,904       7,543  

Net interest income

    40,021       25,641       106,324       72,024  

Provision for loan losses

    1,001       1,105       3,175       2,416  

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

    39,020       24,536       103,149       69,608  

Noninterest income:

                               

Service charges and fees on deposit accounts

    1,166       671       3,207       1,978  

Mortgage origination and fee income

    1,825       2,780       5,982       9,079  

Merchant sponsorship revenue

    749       622       2,144       1,968  

Income from bank-owned life insurance

    323       210       885       645  

Wealth management fees

    16       12       46       36  

Gain on other real estate, net

    -       6       139       110  

Gain on sale of investment securities available-for-sale

    -       -       193       28  

Other

    689       245       1,555       1,242  

Total noninterest income

    4,768       4,546       14,151       15,086  

Other expense:

                               

Salaries and employee benefits

    14,336       9,804       39,294       29,540  

Commission-based compensation

    1,876       1,748       5,202       5,155  

Occupancy and equipment, net

    2,439       1,608       6,458       4,560  

Core deposit intangible amortization

    1,306       366       2,783       1,062  

Other operating expense

    7,139       4,461       19,953       13,868  

Total other expense

    27,096       17,987       73,690       54,185  

Earnings before income taxes

    16,692       11,095       43,610       30,509  

Income tax expense

    4,040       3,828       10,119       9,950  

Net earnings

    12,652       7,267       33,491       20,559  

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

    676       570       1,748       1,494  

Net earnings attributable to National Commerce Corporation

  $ 11,976       6,697     $ 31,743       19,065  
                                 

Basic earnings per common share

  $ 0.60       0.47     $ 1.75       1.42  

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 0.59       0.46     $ 1.71       1.38  

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

 

   

For the Three Months Ended

   

For the Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

   

September 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Net earnings

  $ 11,976     $ 6,697     $ 31,743     $ 19,065  

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:

                               

Unrealized (losses) gains on investment securities available-for-sale:

                               

Unrealized (losses) gains arising during the period, net of tax of $(301), $28, $(848) and $145, respectively

    (1,130 )     52       (3,189 )     268  

Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings, net of tax of $41 and $11, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively

    -       -       (152 )     (17 )

Other comprehensive (loss) income

    (1,130 )     52       (3,341 )     251  

Comprehensive income

  $ 10,846     $ 6,749     $ 28,402     $ 19,316  

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(In thousands)

 

                           

Accumulated

                 
           

Additional

           

Other

                 
   

Common

   

Paid-in

   

Retained

   

Comprehensive

   

Noncontrolling

         
   

Stock

   

Capital

   

Earnings

   

Income

   

Interest

   

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

  $ 148       347,999       43,989       474       7,348       399,958  
                                                 

Share-based compensation expense

    -       1,636       -       -       -       1,636  

Net earnings attributable to National Commerce Corporation

    -       -       31,743       -       -       31,743  

Exercise of stock options, warrants and issuance of performance shares

    1       1,771       -       -       -       1,772  

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

    -       -       -       -       1,748       1,748  

Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest

    -       -       -       -       (1,485 )     (1,485 )

Acquisition of FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings, Inc., net of offering expenses of $94

    24       97,035       -       -       -       97,059  

Acquisition of Premier Community Bank of Florida, net of offering expenses of $53

    10       49,080       -       -       -       49,090  

Acquisition of Landmark Bancshares, Inc., net of offering expenses of $83

    23       106,608       -       -       -       106,631  

Change in unrealized gain/loss on securities available-for-sale, net of tax

    -       -       -       (3,341 )     -       (3,341 )
                                                 

Balance, September 30, 2018

  $ 206       604,129       75,732       (2,867 )     7,611       684,811  

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

   

For the Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net earnings

  $ 31,743       19,065  

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

               

Provision for loan losses

    3,175       2,416  

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

    1,748       1,494  

Depreciation, amortization and accretion, net

    (274 )     (313 )

Gain on sale of premises and equipment

    (4 )     (21 )

Gain on ineffective portion of fair value hedge derivative

    (20 )     (41 )

Change in mortgage loan derivative

    (117 )     (201 )

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

    (182 )     (527 )

Gain on sale of investment securities available-for-sale

    (193 )     (28 )

Share-based compensation expense

    1,636       1,268  

Income from bank-owned life insurance

    (885 )     (645 )

Net gain on sale of other real estate

    (139 )     (110 )

Other real estate write-downs

    -       219  

Change in (net of effect of business combinations):

               

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

    13,659       24,723  

Other assets and accrued interest receivable

    698       538  

Other liabilities and accrued interest payable

    (1,591 )     2,860  

Net cash provided by operating activities

    49,254       50,697  

Cash flows from investing activities (net of effect of business combinations):

               

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

    77,767       22,535  

Proceeds from calls, maturities, and paydowns of securities held-to-maturity

    552       670  

Proceeds from sale of securities available-for-sale

    134,090       15,055  

Purchases of securities available-for-sale

    (150,709 )     (34,857 )

Purchases of securities held-to-maturity

    (500 )     (250 )

Proceeds from sale of other investments

    488       -  

Purchases of other investments

    (1,133 )     (2,468 )

Net cash received in acquisitions

    47,859       12,710  

Net change in loans

    (154,998 )     (186,571 )

Proceeds from sale of other real estate

    748       2,103  

Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment

    553       2,184  

Purchases of premises and equipment

    (7,365 )     (18,058 )

Net cash used by investing activities

    (52,648 )     (186,947 )

Cash flows from financing activities (net of effect of business combinations):

               

Net change in deposits

    (13,244 )     13,614  

Repayment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    (18,000 )     -  

Net change in other borrowings

    (416 )     81  

Cash distribution paid to noncontrolling interests

    (1,485 )     (1,299 )

Proceeds from stock offering

    -       38,806  

Stock offering expenses

    -       (75 )

Stock offering expenses related to acquisition

    (230 )     (222 )

Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants

    1,772       2,601  

Net cash (used) provided by financing activities

    (31,603 )     53,506  

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    (34,997 )     (82,744 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

    235,288       217,293  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

  $ 200,291       134,549  

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, continued

(In thousands)

 

   

For the Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

2018

   

2017

 

Cash paid during the period for:

               

Interest

  $ 12,768       7,291  

Income taxes

  $ 9,877       9,257  

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

               

Change in unrealized (losses) gains on securities available-for-sale, net of tax

  $ (3,341 )     251  

Transfer of loans to other real estate

  $ 616       293  

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions:

               

Assets acquired in acquisitions

  $ 1,318,959       507,635  

Liabilities assumed in acquisitions

  $ 1,113,817       420,685  

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(dollar amounts in tables in thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

 

General

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Commerce Corporation (“NCC,” and, including its subsidiaries, the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, National Bank of Commerce (“NBC” or the “Bank”) and National Commerce Risk Management, Inc. (“NCRM”). The unaudited consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of NBC’s majority-owned subsidiary, CBI Holding Company, LLC (“CBI”), which owns Corporate Billing, LLC (“Corporate Billing”), a transaction-based finance company headquartered in Decatur, Alabama that provides factoring, invoicing, collection, and accounts receivable management services to transportation companies and automotive parts and service providers nationwide.

 

NBC provides a full range of commercial and consumer banking services. The Bank currently operates seven full-service banking offices in Alabama, twenty-five full-service banking offices in Florida and five full-service banking offices in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area. NBC conducts business under a number of trade names unique to its local markets, including United Legacy Bank, Reunion Bank of Florida, Private Bank of Buckhead, Private Bank of Decatur, PrivatePlus Mortgage, Patriot Bank, FirstAtlantic Bank, Premier Community Bank of Florida and First Landmark Bank. NBC is primarily regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency (“OCC”) and is subject to periodic examinations by the OCC. NCC is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) and is subject to periodic examinations by the Federal Reserve.

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods presented, and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

 

These interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared according to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and, therefore, certain information and footnote disclosures normally presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been omitted or abbreviated. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, which are contained in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

Preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. These estimates are based on management’s knowledge and best estimates of the impact of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other items, the allowance for loan losses, useful lives for depreciation and amortization, fair value of financial instruments, deferred taxes and contingencies. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change and therefore are critical accounting estimates for the Company include the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the assessment of deferred tax assets and liabilities. Management does not anticipate any material changes to its estimates in the near term. Factors that may affect such estimates include, but are not limited to, external market factors, such as market interest rates and employment rates; changes to operating policies and procedures; economic conditions in the Company’s markets; and changes in applicable banking regulations. Actual results may ultimately differ from estimates, although management does not generally believe that such differences would materially affect the consolidated financial statements in any individual reporting period presented.

 

 

Note 2 Reclassifications

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the presentation used in 2018. These reclassifications had no material effect on the operations, financial condition or cash flows of the Company.

 

 

Note 3 – Net Earnings per Common Share

 

Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the sum of potential common shares that are dilutive plus the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Anti-dilutive potential common shares (options) are excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation. There were no anti-dilutive potential common shares during any of the periods presented below.

 

The reconciliation of the components of the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation is as follows.

 

   

For the Three Months Ended

   

For the Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

   

September 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 
                                 

Net earnings available to common shareholders

  $ 11,976       6,697     $ 31,743       19,065  
                                 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    19,838,772       14,300,974       18,104,834       13,469,327  

Dilutive effect of stock options and warrants

    291,475       193,344       226,483       202,021  

Dilutive effect of directors' deferred shares

    50,185       33,418       50,185       33,418  

Dilutive effect of performance share awards

    180,338       151,810       180,020       149,308  

Diluted common shares

    20,360,770       14,679,546       18,561,522       13,854,074  
                                 

Basic earnings per common share

  $ 0.60       0.47     $ 1.75       1.42  

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 0.59       0.46     $ 1.71       1.38  

 

 

Note 4 Securities

 

The amortized cost and fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale debt securities at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows.

 

   

Held-to-Maturity Securities

 
                                 
           

Gross

   

Gross

   

Estimated

 
   

Amortized

   

Unrealized

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

 

September 30, 2018

 

Cost

   

Gains

   

Losses

   

Value

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

  $ 3,488       -       101       3,387  

Municipal securities

    21,215       -       655       20,560  

Other debt securities

    500       -       -       500  

Total held-to-maturity securities

  $ 25,203       -       756       24,447  

 

           

Gross

   

Gross

   

Estimated

 
   

Amortized

   

Unrealized

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

 

December 31, 2017

 

Cost

   

Gains

   

Losses

   

Value

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

  $ 4,058       -       21       4,037  

Municipal securities

    21,254       392       1       21,645  

Other debt securities

    250       -       -       250  

Total held-to-maturity securities

  $ 25,562       392       22       25,932  

 

 

   

Available-for-Sale Securities

 
                                 
           

Gross

   

Gross

   

Estimated

 
   

Amortized

   

Unrealized

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

 

September 30, 2018

 

Cost

   

Gains

   

Losses

   

Value

 

U.S. government agency obligations

  $ 2,809       -       6       2,803  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    146,997       -       3,548       143,449  

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities

    3,990       -       223       3,767  

Other asset-backed securities

    33,499       92       23       33,568  

Municipal securities

    2,313       99       20       2,392  

Total available-for-sale securities

  $ 189,608       191       3,820       185,979  

 

           

Gross

   

Gross

   

Estimated

 
   

Amortized

   

Unrealized

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

 

December 31, 2017

 

Cost

   

Gains

   

Losses

   

Value

 

U.S. government agency obligations

  $ 3,261       3       -       3,264  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    39,143       298       197       39,244  

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities

    4,012       -       88       3,924  

Other asset-backed securities

    35,745       392       -       36,137  

Municipal securities

    3,074       191       -       3,265  

Total available-for-sale securities

  $ 85,235       884       285       85,834  

 

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

 

Details concerning the Company’s debt securities with unrealized losses as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follows.

 

   

Held-to-Maturity Securities

 
   

Less than 12 Months

   

12 Months or More

   

Total

 
   

Fair

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

   

Unrealized

 

September 30, 2018

 

Value

   

Losses

   

Value

   

Losses

   

Value

   

Losses

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

  $ 2,264       60       1,123       41       3,387       101  

Municipal securities

    20,318       654       241       1       20,559       655  

Other debt securities

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Total held-to-maturity securities

  $ 22,582       714       1,364       42       23,946     $ 756  

 

   

Less than 12 Months

   

12 Months or More

   

Total

 
   

Fair

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

   

Unrealized

 

December 31, 2017

 

Value

   

Losses

   

Value

   

Losses

   

Value

   

Losses

 

Residential mortgage-backed securities

  $ 4,037       21       -       -       4,037       21  

Municipal securities

    -       -       246       1       246       1  

Other debt securities

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Total held-to-maturity securities

  $ 4,037       21       246       1       4,283       22  

 

 

   

Available-for-Sale Securities

 
   

Less than 12 Months

   

12 Months or More

   

Total

 
   

Fair

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

   

Unrealized

 

September 30, 2018

 

Value

   

Losses

   

Value

   

Losses

   

Value

   

Losses

 

U.S. government agency obligations

  $ 2,803       6       -       -       2,803       6  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    132,703       3,044       10,746       504       143,449       3,548  

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities

    -       -       3,767       223       3,767       223  

Other asset-backed securities

    9,977       23       -       -       9,977       23  

Municipal securities

    463       20       -       -       463       20  

Total available-for-sale securities

  $ 145,946       3,093       14,513       727       160,459       3,820  

 

   

Less than 12 Months

   

12 Months or More

   

Total

 
   

Fair

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

   

Unrealized

   

Fair

   

Unrealized

 

December 31, 2017

 

Value

   

Losses

   

Value

   

Losses

   

Value

   

Losses

 

U.S. government agency obligations

  $ -       -       -       -       -       -  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    18,132       119       3,389       78       21,521       197  

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities

    3,924       88       -       -       3,924       88  

Other asset-backed securities

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Municipal securities

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Total available-for-sale securities

  $ 22,056       207       3,389       78       25,445       285  

 

As of September 30, 2018, the Company did not consider any securities with unrealized losses to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The unrealized losses in each category occurred as a result of changes in interest rates, market spreads and market conditions subsequent to purchase. The Company has the ability and intent to hold its securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value. There were no other-than-temporary impairments charged to earnings during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company acquired three companies, FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings, Inc. (“FirstAtlantic”), Premier Community Bank of Florida (“Premier”) and Landmark Bancshares, Inc. (“Landmark”). The Company elected to sell all of the securities of these acquired companies resulting in net proceeds of approximately $124,931,000, and did not realize a gain or loss on the sale. In addition to these sales, during January 2018, the Company sold nine debt securities from its legacy portfolio for total proceeds of approximately $8,907,000 and realized a gross gain of $191,000. During May 2018, the Company sold one debt security for total proceeds of $252,000 and realized a gain of $2,000. The Company was required to liquidate this security as a condition of the merger agreement with Landmark.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company sold all of the debt securities that it acquired in connection with the purchases of Private Bancshares, Inc. (“Private Bancshares”) and Patriot Bank, resulting in proceeds of $14,489,000, and did not realize a gain or loss on the sale. In addition to these sales during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company also sold one debt security from its legacy portfolio for proceeds of $562,000 and realized a gross gain of $28,000.

 

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at September 30, 2018, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Expected maturities differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

   

Available-for-Sale Securities

   

Held-to-Maturity Securities

 
   

Amortized

   

Fair

   

Amortized

   

Fair

 
   

Cost

   

Value

   

Cost

   

Value

 

Municipal securities and U.S. government agencies:

                               

0 to 5 years

  $ -       -       -       -  

5 to 10 years

    -       -       750       734  

Over 10 years

    5,122       5,195       20,465       19,826  

Residential and other mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities

    184,486       180,784       3,988       3,887  

Total

  $ 189,608       185,979       25,203       24,447  

 

 

 

Note 5 – Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality

 

Major classifications of loans at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized as follows.

 

   

September 30, 2018

   

December 31, 2017

 

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ 418,947       287,659  

Factored commercial receivables

    151,985       118,710  

Real estate - mortgage

    2,267,552       1,475,004  

Real estate - construction

    363,561       231,030  

Consumer

    29,261       26,314  
      3,231,306       2,138,717  

Less: Unearned fees

    (928 )     (659 )

Total loans

    3,230,378       2,138,058  

Allowance for loan losses

    (16,759 )     (14,985 )

Total net loans

  $ 3,213,619       2,123,073  

 

At September 30, 2018, the outstanding principal balance and carrying value of purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 310-30, Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, were $60.9 million and $40.9 million, respectively. At December 31, 2017, the outstanding principal balance and carrying value of PCI loans were $34.7 million and $25.7 million, respectively. The following table presents changes in the value of the accretable yield for PCI loans for the periods indicated.

 

   

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

 

Balance at beginning of period

  $ 703       375  

Acquisition of Landmark

    3       -  

Acquisition of Premier

    97       -  

Acquisition of FirstAtlantic

    236       -  

Acquisition of Private Bancshares, Inc.

    -       462  

Accretion

    (2,454 )     (1,180 )

Reclassification from nonaccretable difference

    5,756       893  

Balance at period end

  $ 4,341       550  

 

The Company makes loans and extensions of credit to individuals and a variety of businesses located in its market areas. Through Corporate Billing, the Company also purchases receivables predominantly from transportation companies and automotive parts and service providers nationwide and occasionally purchases receivables from manufacturing and other types of companies. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, a substantial portion of the loan portfolio is collateralized by improved and unimproved real estate and is dependent upon prevailing conditions in the real estate market. Portfolio segments utilized by the Company are identified below. Relevant risk characteristics for these portfolio segments generally include (1) debt service coverage, loan-to-value ratios and financial performance, for non-consumer loans, and (2) credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, collateral type and loan-to-value ratios, for consumer loans.

 

The following table presents the balance in the allowance for loan losses and the recorded investment in loans by portfolio segment and based on impairment method for the periods indicated. Loans acquired through bank acquisitions are not included in the allowance for loan losses calculation, as these loans are recorded at fair value at acquisition, and there has been no further indication of credit deterioration that would require an additional provision.

 

   

Commercial,

   

Factored

                                 
   

financial and

   

commercial

   

Real estate -

   

Real estate -

                 

Nine Months ended September 30, 2018

 

agricultural

   

receivables

   

mortgage

   

construction

   

Consumer

   

Total

 

Allowance for loan losses:

                                               

Balance, beginning of year

  $ 2,511       600       9,845       1,884       145       14,985  

Provisions charged to operating expense

    1,265       666       1,074       147       23       3,175  

Loans charged off

    (762 )     (2,405 )     (411 )     -       (50 )     (3,628 )

Recoveries

    42       1,739       270       157       19       2,227  

Balance, September 30, 2018

  $ 3,056       600       10,778       2,188       137       16,759  
                                                 

Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment

  $ -       -       75       -       15       90  

Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment

    3,056       600       10,703       2,188       122       16,669  

Total allowance for loan losses

  $ 3,056       600       10,778       2,188       137       16,759  

Loans:

                                               

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ -       -       208       -       24       232  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    416,156       151,985       2,231,607       361,706       28,697       3,190,151  

Acquired loans with deteriorated credit quality

    2,791       -       35,737       1,855       540       40,923  

Total loans

  $ 418,947       151,985       2,267,552       363,561       29,261       3,231,306  

 

 

   

Commercial,

   

Factored

                                 
   

financial and

   

commercial

   

Real estate -

   

Real estate -

                 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

 

agricultural

   

receivables

   

mortgage

   

construction

   

Consumer

   

Total

 

Allowance for loan losses:

                                               

Balance, beginning of year

  $ 1,588       500       8,465       1,369       191       12,113  

Provisions charged to operating expense

    59       512       1,346       544       (45 )     2,416  

Loans charged off

    (28 )     (1,936 )     (148 )     -       (30 )     (2,142 )

Recoveries

    427       1,424       19       -       7       1,877  

Balance, September 30, 2017

  $ 2,046       500       9,682       1,913       123       14,264  
                                                 

Ending balance, individually evaluated for impairment

  $ -       -       -       -       -       -  

Ending balance, collectively evaluated for impairment

    2,046       500       9,682       1,913       123       14,264  

Total allowance for loan losses

  $ 2,046       500       9,682       1,913       123       14,264  

Loans:

                                               

Individually evaluated for impairment

  $ -       -       35       -       35       70  

Collectively evaluated for impairment

    263,260       119,110       1,404,063       217,978       25,630       2,030,041  

Acquired loans with deteriorated credit quality

    876       -       24,737       677       634       26,924  

Total loans

  $ 264,136       119,110       1,428,835       218,655       26,299       2,057,035  

 

The Company individually evaluates for impairment all loans that are on non-accrual status. Additionally, any troubled debt restructurings are individually evaluated for impairment. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current events and circumstances, it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan will not be collected. Impaired loans are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, at the loan’s observable market price or at the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent. Management may also elect to apply an additional collective reserve to groups of impaired loans based on current economic or market factors. Interest payments received on impaired loans generally are applied as a reduction of the outstanding principal balance. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not modify any loans in a manner that would be considered a troubled debt restructuring.

 

The following tables present impaired loans by class of loans as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The purchased credit-impaired loans are not included in these tables because they are recorded at fair value at acquisition and there has been no further indication of credit deterioration that would require an additional provision.

 

           

Unpaid

           

Average

 
   

Recorded

   

Principal

   

Related

   

Recorded

 

September 30, 2018

 

Investment

   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Investment

 

Impaired loans without related allowance:

                               

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ -       -       -       8  

Factored commercial receivables

    -       -       -       -  

Real estate - mortgage

    133       137       -       190  

Real estate - construction

    -       -       -       -  

Consumer

    -       -       -       19  

Total

  $ 133       137       -       217  
                                 

Impaired loans with related allowance:

                               

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ -       -       -       -  

Factored commercial receivables

    -       -       -       -  

Real estate - mortgage

    75       75       75       37  

Real estate - construction

    -       -       -       -  

Consumer

    24       27       15       16  

Total

    99       102       90       53  
                                 

Total impaired loans:

                               

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ -       -       -       8  

Factored commercial receivables

    -       -       -       -  

Real estate - mortgage

    208       212       75       227  

Real estate - construction

    -       -       -       -  

Consumer

    24       27       15       35  

Total

  $ 232       239       90       270  

 

 

           

Unpaid

           

Average

 
   

Recorded

   

Principal

   

Related

   

Recorded

 

December 31, 2017

 

Investment

   

Balance

   

Allowance

   

Investment

 

Impaired loans without related allowance:

                               

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ -       -       -       -  

Factored commercial receivables

    -       -       -       -  

Real estate - mortgage

    142       143       -       131  

Real estate - construction

    -       -       -       -  

Consumer

    -       -       -       14  

Total

  $ 142       143       -       145  
                                 

Impaired loans with related allowance:

                               

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ -       -       -       -  

Factored commercial receivables

    -       -       -       -  

Real estate - mortgage

    -       -       -       9  

Real estate - construction

    -       -       -       -  

Consumer

    41       41       24       8  

Total

  $ 41       41       24       17  
                                 

Total impaired loans:

                               

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ -       -       -       -  

Factored commercial receivables

    -       -       -       -  

Real estate - mortgage

    142       143       -       140  

Real estate - construction

    -       -       -       -  

Consumer

    41       41       24       22  

Total

  $ 183       184       24       162  

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not recognize a material amount of interest income on impaired loans.

 

The following tables present the aging of the recorded investment in past due loans and non-accrual loan balances as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, by class of loans. All loans greater than 90 days past due are placed on non-accrual status, excluding factored receivables. For Corporate Billing’s factored receivables, which are commercial trade credits rather than promissory notes, our practice, in most cases, is to charge off unpaid recourse receivables when they become 90 days past due from the invoice due date and the non-recourse receivables when they become 120 days past due from the statement billing date. For the recourse receivables, the invoice is charged against the client reserve account established for such purposes, unless the client reserve is insufficient, in which case the invoice is charged against the allowance for loan losses. PCI loans are excluded from the past due balances in the table below and are presented in the table below in total by class of loan. All non-accrual loans, whether acquired or non-acquired, are included in the non-accrual balances.

 

   

30-59 Days

   

60-89 Days

   

> 90 Days

   

Total

                            Non-  

September 30, 2018

 

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Current

   

PCI Loans

   

Total

   

accrual

 

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ 1,843       -       1,484       3,327       412,829       2,791       418,947       1,464  

Factored commercial receivables

    14,826       3,716       484       19,026       132,959       -       151,985       -  

Real estate - mortgage

    4,655       1,588       215       6,458       2,225,357       35,737       2,267,552       2,495  

Real estate - construction

    90       -       13       103       361,603       1,855       363,561       284  

Consumer

    5       5       9       19       28,702       540       29,261       38  

Total

  $ 21,419       5,309       2,205       28,933       3,161,450       40,923       3,231,306       4,281  

 

   

30-59 Days

   

60-89 Days

   

> 90 Days

   

Total

                            Non-  

December 31, 2017

 

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Past Due

   

Current

   

PCI Loans

   

Total

   

accrual

 

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ 137       29       -       166       286,693       800       287,659       -  

Factored commercial receivables

    10,035       1,779       677       12,491       106,219       -       118,710       -  

Real estate - mortgage

    1,342       546       103       1,991       1,449,328       23,685       1,475,004       2,594  

Real estate - construction

    -       -       -       -       230,385       645       231,030       76  

Consumer

    13       40       9       62       25,686       566       26,314       52  

Total

  $ 11,527       2,394       789       14,710       2,098,311       25,696       2,138,717       2,722  

 

 

The Company groups loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt, such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic trends, among other factors. Loans are analyzed individually and classified according to credit risk. This analysis is performed on a continuous basis. The Bank uses the following definitions for its risk ratings:

 

Other Assets Especially Mentioned (“OAEM”): Weakness exists that could cause future impairment, including the deterioration of financial ratios, past due status and questionable management capabilities. Collateral values generally afford adequate coverage but may not be immediately marketable.

 

Substandard: Specific and well-defined weaknesses exist that may include poor liquidity and deterioration of financial ratios. The loan may be past due and related deposit accounts experiencing overdrafts. Immediate corrective action is necessary.

 

Doubtful: Specific weaknesses characterized as Substandard that are severe enough to make collection in full unlikely. There is no reliable secondary source of full repayment. Loans classified as Doubtful will be placed on non-accrual status, analyzed and fully or partially charged off based on a review of the related collateral and other relevant factors.

 

Loss: Specific weaknesses characterized as Doubtful that are severe enough to be considered uncollectible and of such minimal value that the continued characterization of the loan as an asset is not warranted.

 

Loans not meeting the criteria above that are analyzed individually as part of the above-described process are assigned a “Pass” rating. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, based on the most recent analysis performed, the risk category of loans by class of loans was as presented in the following table. This table includes all loans, whether acquired or non-acquired.

 

September 30, 2018

 

Pass

   

OAEM

   

Substandard

   

Doubtful

   

Total

 

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ 404,905       5,669       8,373       -       418,947  

Factored commercial receivables

    151,985       -       -       -       151,985  

Real estate - mortgage

    2,229,520       16,145       21,725       162       2,267,552  

Real estate - construction

    358,195       2,678       2,688       -       363,561  

Consumer

    29,035       82       139       5       29,261  

Total

  $ 3,173,640       24,574       32,925       167       3,231,306  

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

Pass

   

OAEM

   

Substandard

   

Doubtful

   

Total

 

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ 279,592       1,278       6,789       -       287,659  

Factored commercial receivables

    118,710       -       -       -       118,710  

Real estate - mortgage

    1,460,112       5,465       8,580       847       1,475,004  

Real estate - construction

    229,711       102       710       507       231,030  

Consumer

    26,213       2       99       -       26,314  

Total

  $ 2,114,338       6,847       16,178       1,354       2,138,717  

 

The following tables present a rollforward of the acquired loans and a summary of the changes in the accretable discount and non-accretable difference, by acquisition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

 

September 30, 2018

 

United

   

Reunion

   

Private Bancshares

   

Patriot Bank

   

FirstAtlantic

   

Premier

   

Landmark

         

Acquired Loan Balance

 

(2014 Acquisition)

   

(2015 Acquisition)

   

(2017 Acquisition)

   

(2017 Acquisition)

   

(2018 Acquisition)

   

(2018 Acquisition)

   

(2018 Acquisition)

   

Total

 

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 73,254       189,811       181,780       119,127       -       -       -     $ 563,972  

Additions due to acquisitions

    -       -       -       -       303,831       168,810       460,823       933,464  

Charge-offs

    (357 )     -       -       -       (30 )     -       -       (387 )

Accretion

    579       1,178       1,524       441       1,734       294       368       6,118  

Other net change in balances

    (14,743 )     (32,708 )     (66,593 )     (17,851 )     (57,576 )     (1,305 )     (8,833 )     (199,609 )

Balance, end of period

  $ 58,733       158,281       116,711       101,717       247,959       167,799       452,358     $ 1,303,558  
                                                                 

Accretable Discount

                                                               

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 703       961       1,921       1,519       -       -       -     $ 5,104  

Additions due to acquisitions

    -       -       -       -       5,734       2,170       5,202       13,106  

Charge-offs and other net changes in balance

    -       -       -       -       1       -       -       1  

Accretion

    (579 )     (1,178 )     (1,524 )     (441 )     (1,734 )     (294 )     (368 )     (6,118 )

Reclassifications from non-accretable

    596       2,332       1,631       291       827       79       -       5,756  

Balance, end of period

  $ 720       2,115       2,028       1,369       4,828       1,955       4,834     $ 17,849  
                                                                 

Non-accretable difference

                                                               

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 1,153       3,394       2,289       1,512       -       -       -     $ 8,348  

Additions due to acquisitions

    -       -       -       -       2,953       3,191       7,138       13,282  

Charge-offs and other net changes in balance

    (155 )     -       -       -       (81 )     -       -       (236 )

Reclassifications to accretable

    (596 )     (2,332 )     (1,631 )     (291 )     (827 )     (79 )     -       (5,756 )

Balance, end of period

  $ 402       1,062       658       1,221       2,045       3,112       7,138     $ 15,638  
                                                                 

Total discount on acquired loans at end of period

  $ 1,122     $ 3,177     $ 2,686     $ 2,590     $ 6,873     $ 5,067     $ 11,972     $ 33,487  

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

United

   

Reunion

   

Private Bancshares

   

Patriot Bank

         

Acquired Loan Balance

 

(2014 Acquisition)

   

(2015 Acquisition)

   

(2017 Acquisition)

   

(2017 Acquisition)

   

Total

 

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 97,945       227,429       -       -     $ 325,374  

Additions due to acquisitions

    -       -       260,034       121,715       381,749  

Charge-offs

    (49 )     -       -       -       (49 )

Accretion

    492       676       2,125       17       3,310  

Other net change in balances

    (21,099 )     (32,582 )     (70,240 )     1,579       (122,342 )

Balance, end of period

  $ 77,289       195,523       191,919       123,311     $ 588,042  
                                         

Accretable Discount

                                       

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 1,237       1,699       -       -     $ 2,936  

Additions due to acquisitions

    -       -       3,588       1,721       5,309  

Charge-offs and other net changes in balance

    -       -       -       (90 )     (90 )

Accretion

    (492 )     (676 )     (2,125 )     (17 )     (3,310 )

Reclassifications from non-accretable

    64       106       723       -       893  

Balance, end of period

  $ 809       1,129       2,186       1,614     $ 5,738  
                                         

Non-accretable difference

                                       

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 1,452       3,516       -       -     $ 4,968  

Additions due to acquisitions

    -       -       3,637       1,328       4,965  

Charge-offs and other net changes in balance

    -       -       -       228       228  

Reclassifications to accretable

    (64 )     (106 )     (723 )     -       (893 )

Balance, end of period

  $ 1,388       3,410       2,914       1,556     $ 9,268  
                                         
Total discount on acquired loans at end of period   $ 2,197     $ 4,539     $ 5,100     $ 3,170     $ 15,006  

 

 

Note 6 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

 

The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures.  Securities available-for-sale, derivative financial instruments and mortgage loans held-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, such as impaired loans and other real estate and repossessed assets. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of the lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

 

Level 1 – Valuation is based on quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

 

Level 2 – Valuation is based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

 

Level 3 – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  Valuation techniques include the use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

 

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For disclosure purposes, the carrying amount for cash, due from banks, interest-bearing deposits and federal funds sold is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Investment Securities

Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurements are based on quoted prices, if available.  If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques, such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors, such as credit assumptions.  Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq, and U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter market funds.  Level 2 securities include mortgage-backed securities issued by government-sponsored enterprises, municipal bonds and other asset-backed securities.  Securities classified as Level 3 include asset-backed securities in less liquid markets.

 

The fair value of securities held-to-maturity is estimated using the same measurement techniques as securities available-for-sale.

 

Other Investments

For disclosure purposes, the carrying amount of other investments approximates their fair value.

 

 

Loans

The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis.  However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired, and a specific reserve in the allowance for loan losses is established.  Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired.  Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment using one of three methods, including collateral value, market value of similar debt and discounted cash flows.  Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans.  At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, impaired loans were evaluated based on the fair value of the collateral.  Impaired loans for which an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral, or loans that are charged down according to the fair value of collateral, require classification in the fair value hierarchy.  When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price, the Company records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 2.  When the fair value is based on an appraised value, the Company records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3.

 

For disclosure purposes, the fair value of fixed-rate loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. For variable-rate loans, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale

Mortgage loans held-for-sale are carried at fair value. The fair value of committed mortgage loans held-for-sale is determined by outstanding commitments from investors, and the fair value of uncommitted loans is based on the current delivery prices in the secondary mortgage market.

 

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

For disclosure purposes, the fair value of the cash surrender value of life insurance policies is equivalent to the carrying value.

 

Other Real Estate

Other real estate properties are adjusted to fair value upon the transfer of the loans to other real estate.  Subsequently, other real estate assets are carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value.  Fair value is based on independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral, or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral.  When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price, the Company records the other real estate as nonrecurring Level 2.  When fair value is based on an appraised value or management’s estimate of value, the Company records the other real estate or repossessed asset as nonrecurring Level 3.

 

Deposits

For disclosure purposes, the fair value of demand deposits, NOW and money market accounts and savings accounts is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of fixed-rate maturity certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

 

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

For disclosure purposes, the fair value of Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances is based on the quoted value for similar remaining maturities provided by the FHLB.

 

Subordinated Debt

For disclosure purposes, the fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate subordinated debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow model that utilizes current market interest rates on borrowings with a similar maturity.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  The value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis, on the expected cash flows of the derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair values of the interest rate swaps are determined by using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves derived from observable market interest rate curves).

 

The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company considers the impact of netting any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees.

 

Although the Company has determined that a majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives falls within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by the Company or the counterparty. However, as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and determined that the credit valuation adjustment was not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

Commitments to Extend Credit and Standby Letters of Credit

Because commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit are generally short-term and made using variable rates, the carrying value and estimated fair value associated with these instruments are immaterial.

 

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The table below presents the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

September 30, 2018

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

U.S. government agency obligations

  $ -       2,803       -       2,803  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    -       143,449       -       143,449  

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities

    -       3,767       -       3,767  

Municipal securities

    -       2,392       -       2,392  

Other asset-backed securities

    -       33,568       -       33,568  

Total investment securities available-for-sale

  $ -       185,979       -       185,979  

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

  $ -       15,533       -       15,533  

Derivative assets

  $ -       2,100       -       2,100  

Derivative liabilities

  $ -       1,352       -       1,352  

 

December 31, 2017

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

U.S. government agency obligations

  $ -       3,264       -       3,264  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    -       39,244       -       39,244  

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities

    -       3,924       -       3,924  

Municipal securities

    -       3,265       -       3,265  

Other asset-backed securities

    -       36,137       -       36,137  

Total investment securities available-for-sale

    -       85,834       -       85,834  

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

  $ -       29,191       -       29,191  

Derivative assets

  $ -       720       -       720  

Derivative liabilities

  $ -       352       -       352  

 

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The Company may be required, from time to time, to measure certain assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These include assets that are measured at the lower of cost or market value that were recognized at fair value below cost at the end of the period. Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are included in the table below as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

September 30, 2018

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Other real estate

  $ -       -       1,339       1,339  

Non-accrual loans

    -       -       4,281       4,281  

 

December 31, 2017

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Other real estate

  $ -       -       1,094       1,094  

Non-accrual loans

    -       -       2,698       2,698  

 

 

The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were as follows:

 

   

Carrying

   

Estimated Fair Value

 

September 30, 2018

 

Amount

   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

 

Assets:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 200,291       200,291       -       -  

Investment securities held-to-maturity

    25,203       -       24,447       -  

Investment securities available-for-sale

    185,979       -       185,979       -  

Other investments

    13,743       -       13,743       -  

Loans, net

    3,213,619       -       3,182,731       4,281  

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

    15,533       -       15,533       -  

Bank-owned life insurance

    51,573       -       51,573       -  

Derivative assets

    2,100       -       2,100       -  
                                 

Liabilities:

                               

Deposits

    3,331,682       -       3,078,008       -  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings

    20,340       -       19,562       -  

Subordinated debt

    37,211       -       36,681       -  

Derivative liabilities

    1,352       -       1,352       -  

 

   

Carrying

   

Estimated Fair Value

 

December 31, 2017

 

Amount

   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

 

Assets:

                               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 235,288       235,288       -       -  

Investment securities held-to-maturity

    25,562       -       25,932       -  

Investment securities available-for-sale

    85,834       -       85,834       -  

Other investments

    11,350       -       11,350       -  

Loans, net

    2,123,073       -       2,117,065       2,698  

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

    29,191       -       29,191       -  

Bank-owned life insurance

    31,584       -       31,584       -  

Derivative assets

    720       -       720       -  
                                 

Liabilities:

                               

Deposits

    2,285,831       -       2,156,600       -  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    7,000       -       7,089       -  

Subordinated debt

    24,553       -       23,709       -  

Derivative liabilities

    352       -       352       -  

 

The inputs used to determine the fair value of other real estate include market conditions, estimated holding period, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates. The inputs used to determine the fair value of impaired loans include market conditions, loan term, estimated holding period, underlying collateral characteristics and discount rates.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, there were no changes in the methods and significant inputs used to estimate fair value.

 

The following table shows the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets.

 

September 30, 2018

 

Fair Value

 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Inputs

 

Range of Discounts

   

Weighted Average Discounts

 

Other real estate

  $ 1,339  

Third party appraisals, sales contracts, broker price opinions

 

Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell

  26% - 57%       48 %

Non-accrual loans

    4,281  

Third party appraisals and discounted cash flows

 

Collateral discounts and discount rates

  0% - 100%       34 %
                                 

December 31, 2017

                               

Other real estate

  $ 1,094  

Third party appraisals, sales contracts, broker price opinions

 

Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell

  9% - 57%       48 %

Non-accrual loans

    2,698  

Third party appraisals and discounted cash flows

 

Collateral discounts and discount rates

  0% - 100%       33 %

 

Limitations

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 at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

Fair value estimates are based on existing on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments include mortgage banking operations, deferred income taxes, and premises and equipment. 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 the estimates.

 

 

 

Note 7 – Segment Reporting

 

The Company’s three reportable segments represent distinct product lines and are viewed separately for strategic planning purposes and internal reporting. The following table is a reconciliation of the reportable segment revenues, expenses and earnings to the Company’s consolidated totals.

 

   

Retail and

                                 
   

Commercial

   

Mortgage

   

Receivables

   

Elimination

         
   

Banking

   

Division (1)

   

Factoring

   

Entries (2)

   

Total

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

                                       

Interest income

  $ 42,423       236       4,975       (1,439 )     46,195  

Interest expense

    6,046       128       1,439       (1,439 )     6,174  

Net interest income

    36,377       108       3,536       -       40,021  

Provision for loan and lease losses

    920       -       81       -       1,001  

Noninterest income

    1,759       2,950       59       -       4,768  

Noninterest expense

    22,297       2,826       1,973       -       27,096  

Net earnings before tax and noncontrolling interest

    14,919       232       1,541       -       16,692  

Income tax expense

    3,755       60       225       -       4,040  

Noncontrolling interest

    -       -       (676 )     -       (676 )

Net earnings attributable to National Commerce Corporation

  $ 11,164       172       640       -       11,976  
                                         

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

                                       

Interest income

  $ 109,179       658       14,226       (3,835 )     120,228  

Interest expense

    13,535       369       3,835       (3,835 )     13,904  

Net interest income

    95,644       289       10,391       -       106,324  

Provision for loan and lease losses

    2,509       -       666       -       3,175  

Noninterest income

    5,111       8,962       78       -       14,151  

Noninterest expense

    58,853       8,873       5,964       -       73,690  

Net earnings before tax and noncontrolling interest

    39,393       378       3,839       -       43,610  

Income tax expense

    9,477       98       544       -       10,119  

Noncontrolling interest

    -       -       (1,748 )     -       (1,748 )

Net earnings attributable to National Commerce Corporation

  $ 29,916       280       1,547       -       31,743  
                                         

Total assets as of September 30, 2018

  $ 4,048,430       15,533       172,322       (132,940 )     4,103,345  
                                         

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

                                       

Interest income

  $ 25,021       151       3,969       (939 )     28,202  

Interest expense

    2,487       74       939       (939 )     2,561  

Net interest income

    22,534       77       3,030       -       25,641  

Provision for loan and lease losses

    980       -       125       -       1,105  

Noninterest income

    1,201       3,296       49       -       4,546  

Noninterest expense

    13,020       3,352       1,615       -       17,987  

Net earnings before tax and noncontrolling interest

    9,735       21       1,339       -       11,095  

Income tax expense

    3,528       8       292       -       3,828  

Noncontrolling interest

    -       -       (570 )     -       (570 )

Net earnings attributable to National Commerce Corporation

  $ 6,207       13       477       -       6,697  
                                         

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

                                       

Interest income

  $ 70,528       543       10,945       (2,449 )     79,567  

Interest expense

    7,283       260       2,449       (2,449 )     7,543  

Net interest income

    63,245       283       8,496       -       72,024  

Provision for loan and lease losses

    1,904       -       512       -       2,416  

Noninterest income

    4,599       10,379       108       -       15,086  

Noninterest expense

    39,030       10,515       4,640       -       54,185  

Net earnings before tax and noncontrolling interest

    26,910       147       3,452       -       30,509  

Income tax expense

    9,150       56       744       -       9,950  

Noncontrolling interest

    -       -       (1,494 )     -       (1,494 )

Net earnings attributable to National Commerce Corporation

  $ 17,760       91       1,214       -       19,065  
                                         

Total assets as of September 30, 2017

  $ 2,498,085       15,278       140,285       (104,514 )     2,549,134  

 

(1)

Noninterest income for the mortgage division segment includes intercompany income allocation.

(2)

Entry to remove intercompany interest allocated to the receivables factoring segment. For segment reporting purposes, the Company allocates funding costs to the receivables factoring segment at the federal funds rate plus 2.50%.

 

 

 

Note 8Goodwill and Intangibles

 

Changes to the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are provided in the following table.

 

Balance, December 31, 2017

  $ 113,394  

Adjustments to goodwill

    37  

Acquisition of FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings, Inc.

    50,842  

Acquisition of Premier Community Bank of Florida

    28,549  

Acquisition of Landmark Bancshares, Inc.

    56,637  

Balance, September 30, 2018

  $ 249,459  

 

The adjustments to goodwill made during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 resulted from the acquisitions of FirstAtlantic, Premier and Landmark and a $37,000 adjustment related to the Patriot Bank acquisition that occurred in 2017. For additional information on the FirstAtlantic, Premier and Landmark acquisitions, see Note 10 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In addition to the goodwill recorded for FirstAtlantic, Premier and Landmark, the Company recorded a core deposit intangible asset of $6,251,000, $3,500,000 and $8,414,000, respectively. The core deposit intangible asset will be amortized using an accelerated method over seven years. The aggregate amount of amortization expense for intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $2,783,000 and $1,062,000, respectively.

 

A summary of core deposit intangible assets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is as follows.

 

   

September 30, 2018

   

December 31, 2017

 

Gross carrying amount

  $ 25,358       7,193  

Less: accumulated amortization

    (5,520 )     (2,738 )

Net carrying amount

  $ 19,838       4,455  

 

 

Note 9Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash equivalents include amounts due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (“FRB”), the FHLB and correspondent banks, and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are sold for one-day periods. The Company is required to maintain average reserve balances with the FRB or in cash. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company’s reserve requirements (net of vault cash) were approximately $20,691,000 and $16,452,000, respectively.

 

 

Note 10 – Acquisitions

 

FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings, Inc.

Effective January 1, 2018, the Company completed its merger with FirstAtlantic Holdings, Inc. (“FirstAtlantic”). FirstAtlantic was the parent company of FirstAtlantic Bank, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and was merged with and into NCC. Immediately following the holding company merger, FirstAtlantic Bank merged with and into NBC, but NBC continues to operate the former offices of FirstAtlantic Bank under the trade name “FirstAtlantic Bank, a division of National Bank of Commerce.”

 

At the effective time of the merger, each share of common stock of FirstAtlantic issued and outstanding was converted into the right to receive 0.44 shares of NCC common stock and cash in the amount of $17.25. The Company paid approximately $12,802,000 in cash and issued 2,393,382 shares of NCC common stock for the issued and outstanding shares of FirstAtlantic common stock.

 

At the effective time of the merger, each outstanding and unexercised option to purchase shares of FirstAtlantic common stock converted into the right receive a cash payment equal to the excess, if any, of $17.25 over the exercise price per share of FirstAtlantic common stock subject to such option, less any required withholding tax.  The Company paid approximately $425,000 in cash to cancel the outstanding and unexercised stock options.

 

The acquisition of FirstAtlantic was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805, Business Combinations. Assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and consideration exchanged were recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding the methods and assumptions to be used. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available.

 

 

The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of FirstAtlantic as of January 1, 2018 at their initial fair value estimates:

 

   

As Recorded By

   

Fair Value

     

As Recorded

 
   

FirstAtlantic

   

Adjustments

     

By the Company

 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 16,264       -         16,264  

Investment securities

    83,761       (2,491 ) a     81,270  

Other investments

    393       -         393  

Loans

    310,636       (8,687 ) b     303,831  
              1,882   c        

Allowance for loan losses

    2,614       (2,614 ) d     -  

Net loans

    308,022       (4,191 )       303,831  

Premises and equipment, net

    13,688       (46 ) e     13,642  

Core deposit intangible

    -       6,251   f     6,251  

Existing intangible assets

    2,188       (2,188 ) g     -  

Bank-owned life insurance

    10,273       -         10,273  

Other real estate and repossessions

    365       (127 ) h     238  

Other assets

    5,738       842   i     6,580  

Total assets

  $ 440,692       (1,950 )       438,742  
                           

Noninterest-bearing deposits

  $ 113,964       -         113,964  

Interest-bearing deposits

    259,864       457   j     260,321  

Total deposits

    373,828       457         374,285  
                           

Other liabilities

    4,557       788   k     5,345  

Total liabilities

    378,385       1,245         379,630  
                           

Net identifiable assets acquired over liabilities assumed

    62,307       (3,195 )       59,112  
                           

Goodwill

    -       50,842         50,842  
                           

Net assets acquired over liabilities assumed

  $ 62,307       47,647         109,954  
                           
                           

Consideration:

                         
                           

Shares of common stock issued

            2,393,382            

Estimated value per share of the Company's stock

          $ 40.25            
                           

Fair value of Company stock issued

            96,334            

Cash paid for shares and in lieu of fractional shares

      12,802            

Cash paid for stock options

            425            

Value of assumed stock warrants

            393            
                           

Fair value of total consideration transferred

          $ 109,954            

 

Explanation of fair value adjustments

 

 

a.

Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments of the available-for-sale portfolio at acquisition date.

 

b.

Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.

 

c.

Adjustment to remove loan marks from prior acquisition and existing deferred fees and costs.

 

d.

Adjustment reflects the elimination of FirstAtlantic’s allowance for loan losses.

 

e.

Adjustment reflects the write-off of certain fixed assets and fair value adjustments of real property.

 

f.

Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible asset.

 

g.

Adjustment to remove intangible assets from FirstAtlantic’s balance sheet from prior acquisition.

 

h.

Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments of other real estate.

 

i.

Adjustment to record the deferred tax asset created by purchase adjustments.

 

j.

Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to time deposit accounts.

 

k.

Adjustment to reflect unrecorded liabilities.

 

The discounts on loans will be accreted to interest income over the estimated average life of the loans using a level yield method. The core deposit intangible asset is being amortized over a seven-year life on an accelerated basis.

 

 

Premier Community Bank of Florida

Effective July 1, 2018, the Company completed its merger with Premier Community Bank of Florida (“Premier”), headquartered in Bradenton, Florida. Premier was merged with and into NBC, but NBC continues to operate the former offices of Premier under the trade name “Premier Bank, a division of National Bank of Commerce.”

 

At the effective time of the merger, each share of common stock of Premier issued and outstanding was converted into the right to receive 0.4218 shares of NCC common stock and cash in the amount of $0.93. The Company paid approximately $2,275,000 in cash and issued 1,028,092 shares of NCC common stock for the issued and outstanding shares of Premier common stock.

 

The acquisition of Premier was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805, Business Combinations. Assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and consideration exchanged were recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding the methods and assumptions to be used. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available.

 

The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Premier as of July 1, 2018 at their initial fair value estimates:

 

   

As Recorded By

   

Fair Value

     

As Recorded

 
   

Premier

   

Adjustments

     

By the Company

 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 41,317       -         41,317  

Investment securities

    20,175       (9 ) a     20,166  

Other investments

    181       -         181  

Loans

    174,102       (5,361 ) b     168,810  
              69   c        

Allowance for loan losses

    1,219       (1,219 ) d     -  

Net loans

    172,883       (4,073 )       168,810  

Premises and equipment, net

    7,170       (16 ) e     7,154  

Core deposit intangible

    -       3,500   f     3,500  

Bank-owned life insurance

    3,050       -         3,050  

Other assets

    2,114       482   g     2,596  

Total assets

  $ 246,890       (116 )       246,774  
                           

Noninterest-bearing deposits

  $ 24,470       -         24,470  

Interest-bearing deposits

    179,949       661   h     180,610  

Total deposits

    204,419       661         205,080  
                           

Repurchase liability

    18,108       -         18,108  

Other liabilities

    717       -         717  

Total liabilities

    223,244       661         223,905  
                           

Net identifiable assets acquired over liabilities assumed

    23,646       (777 )       22,869  
                           

Goodwill

    -       28,549         28,549  
                           

Net assets acquired over liabilities assumed

  $ 23,646       27,772         51,418  
                           
                           

Consideration:

                         
                           

Shares of common stock issued

            1,028,092            

Estimated value per share of the Company's stock

          $ 46.30            
                           

Fair value of Company stock issued

            47,601            

Cash paid for shares and in lieu of fractional shares

      2,275            

Value of assumed stock options

            1,542            
                           

Fair value of total consideration transferred

          $ 51,418            

 

Explanation of fair value adjustments

 

 

a.

Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments of the available-for-sale portfolio at acquisition date.

 

b.

Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.

 

c.

Adjustment to remove deferred fees and costs.

 

d.

Adjustment reflects the elimination of Premier’s allowance for loan losses.

 

e.

Adjustment reflects the write-off of certain fixed assets and fair value adjustments of real property.

 

f.

Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible asset.

 

g.

Adjustment to record the deferred tax asset created by purchase adjustments.

 

h.

Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to time deposit accounts.

 

The discounts on loans will be accreted to interest income over the estimated average life of the loans using a level yield method. The core deposit intangible asset is being amortized over a seven-year life on an accelerated basis.

 

 

Landmark Bancshares, Inc.

Effective August 1, 2018, the Company completed its merger with Landmark Bancshares, Inc. (“Landmark”). Landmark was the parent company of First Landmark Bank, headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, and was merged with and into NCC. Immediately following the holding company merger, First Landmark Bank merged with and into NBC, but NBC continues to operate the former offices of First Landmark Bank under the trade name “First Landmark Bank, a division of National Bank of Commerce.”

 

At the effective time of the merger, each share of common stock of Landmark issued and outstanding was converted into the right to receive 0.5961 shares of NCC common stock and cash in the amount of $1.33. The Company paid approximately $5,218,000 in cash and issued 2,334,385 shares of NCC common stock for the issued and outstanding shares of Landmark common stock.

 

The acquisition of Landmark was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 805, Business Combinations. Assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and consideration exchanged were recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding the methods and assumptions to be used. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition as additional information regarding the closing date fair values becomes available.

 

The following table presents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Landmark as of August 1, 2018 at their initial fair value estimates:

 

   

As Recorded By

   

Fair Value

     

As Recorded

 
   

Landmark

   

Adjustments

     

By the Company

 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 10,572       -         10,572  

Investment securities

    66,561       (2,282 ) a     64,279  

Other investments

    1,172       -         1,172  

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

    1       -         1  

Loans

    469,931       (12,340 ) b     460,823  
              3,232   c        

Allowance for loan losses

    5,155       (5,155 ) d     -  

Net loans

    464,776       (3,953 )       460,823  

Premises and equipment, net

    7,626       1,940   e     9,566  

Core deposit intangible

    -       8,414   f     8,414  

Existing intangible assets

    6,433       (6,433 ) g     -  

Bank-owned life insurance

    5,782       -         5,782  

Other assets

    5,371       (412 ) h     4,959  

Total assets

  $ 568,294       (2,726 )       565,568  
                           

Noninterest-bearing deposits

  $ 137,875       -         137,875  

Interest-bearing deposits

    341,187       1,099   i     342,286  

Total deposits

    479,062       1,099         480,161  
                           

Other borrowings

    26,258       -         26,258  

Other liabilities

    3,924       (61 ) j     3,863  

Total liabilities

    509,244       1,038         510,282  
                           

Net identifiable assets acquired over liabilities assumed

    59,050       (3,764 )       55,286  
                           

Goodwill

    -       56,637         56,637  
                           

Net assets acquired over liabilities assumed

  $ 59,050       52,873         111,923  
                           
                           

Consideration:

                         
                           

Shares of common stock issued

            2,334,385            

Estimated value per share of the Company's stock

          $ 43.60            
                           

Fair value of Company stock issued

            101,779            

Cash paid for shares and in lieu of fractional shares

      5,218            

Value of assumed stock options

            4,926            
                           

Fair value of total consideration transferred

          $ 111,923            

 

Explanation of fair value adjustments

 

 

a.

Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments of the available-for-sale portfolio at acquisition date.

 

b.

Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustments based on the Company’s evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.

 

c.

Adjustment to remove loan marks from prior acquisition and existing deferred fees and costs.

 

d.

Adjustment reflects the elimination of Landmark’s allowance for loan losses.

 

e.

Adjustment reflects the write-off of certain fixed assets and fair value adjustments of real property.

 

f.

Adjustment reflects the recording of core deposit intangible asset.

 

g.

Adjustment to remove intangible assets from Landmark’s balance sheet from prior acquisition.

 

h.

Adjustment to record the deferred tax asset created by purchase adjustments.

 

i.

Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to time deposit accounts.

 

j.

Adjustment to adjust liabilities.

 

 

The discounts on loans will be accreted to interest income over the estimated average life of the loans using a level yield method. The core deposit intangible asset is being amortized over a seven-year life on an accelerated basis.

 

The following unaudited supplemental pro forma information is presented to show estimated results assuming FirstAtlantic, Patriot Bank, Premier and Landmark were acquired as of January 1, 2017. These unaudited pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that the Company would have achieved had it completed the acquisitions as of January 1, 2017 and should not be considered as representative of future operating results. The pro forma information for 2018 is presented to show estimated results assuming Premier and Landmark were included for the entire periods presented for 2018. Pro forma information for FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank are not needed for 2018, as each are included in the Company’s results for the entire three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018.

 

   

For the Three Months Ended

   

For the Nine Months Ended

 

Performance Measures (pro forma, unaudited)

 

September 30, 2018

   

September 30, 2017

   

September 30, 2018

   

September 30, 2017

 

Net interest income

  $ 42,277     $ 39,820     $ 126,435     $ 114,285  

Net earnings

  $ 12,970     $ 10,058     $ 34,962     $ 28,371  

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 0.61     $ 0.48     $ 1.66     $ 1.40  

 

 

Note 11 – Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Transactions

 

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risk managed by derivative instruments is interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are used to manage interest rate risk associated with certain of the Company’s fixed-rate loans. The Company has also entered into interest rate swap contracts with certain of its customers. To hedge the associated risk, the Company entered into reciprocal interest rate swap agreements with a third party. To mitigate the interest rate risk associated with the Company’s mortgage loans that are mandatory delivery, the Company enters into forward commitments to sell mortgage-backed securities.

 

ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, requires companies to recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the balance sheet. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the approximate fair values and notional amounts of the Company’s derivative instruments, as well as their location on the consolidated balance sheet, were as follows.

 

 

Balance Sheet

         

Notional

 

September 30, 2018

Location

 

Fair Value

   

Amount

 

Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges

Other Assets

  $ 155       8,050  

Interest rate swaps with customers

Other Assets

  $ 1,352       45,578  

Reciprocal interest rate swaps

Other Liabilities

  $ (1,352 )     45,578  

Forward commitment to sell mortgage-backed securities

Other Assets

  $ 105       24,000  

Interest rate lock commitments on residential mortgages

Other Assets

  $ 488       31,801  

 

 

Balance Sheet

         

Notional

 

December 31, 2017

Location

 

Fair Value

   

Amount

 

Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges

Other Liabilities

  $ (108 )     15,121  

Interest rate swaps with customers

Other Assets

  $ 192       42,832  

Reciprocal interest rate swaps

Other Liabilities

  $ (192 )     42,832  

Forward commitment to sell mortgage-backed securities

Other Liabilities

  $ (52 )     24,500  

Interest rate lock commitments on residential mortgages

Other Assets

  $ 528       30,146  

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recognized a gain of approximately $20,000 related to the ineffective portion of derivatives designated as fair value hedges. The gains and losses are included in other income in the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

 

 

 

Note 12 – Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. Among the changes, entities will no longer be required to disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, however, entities will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU No. 2018-13 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019; early adoption is permitted. Entities are also allowed to elect early adoption of the eliminated or modified disclosure requirements and delay adoption of the new disclosure requirements until their effective date. As ASU No. 2018-13 only revises disclosure requirements, it will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.  This ASU simplifies and expands the eligible hedging strategies for financial and nonfinancial risks by more closely aligning hedge accounting with a company’s risk management activities, and also simplifies the application of Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, through targeted improvements in key practice areas.  This includes expanding the list of items eligible to be hedged and amending the methods used to measure the effectiveness of hedging relationships.  In addition, the ASU prescribes how hedging results should be presented and requires incremental disclosures.  These changes are intended to allow preparers more flexibility and to enhance the transparency of how hedging results are presented and disclosed.  Further, the ASU provides partial relief on the timing of certain aspects of hedge documentation and eliminates the requirement to recognize hedge ineffectiveness separately in earnings in the current period.  The ASU is effective for years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years.  The Company does not expect the impact of adoption of this ASU to be material.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606). The amendments in this ASU affect any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets, unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance, and creates a Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The ASU allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. The new guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company’s revenue has been more significantly weighted towards net interest income on financial assets and liabilities, which is explicitly excluded from the scope of the new standard, and noninterest income has not been as significant. The Company is continuing to assess its revenue streams and reviewing its contracts with customers that are potentially affected by the new guidance, including fees on deposits, gains and losses on the sale of other real estate owned, credit and debit card interchange fees, and credit card revenue, to determine the potential impact the new guidance is expected to have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. However, the Company’s revenue recognition pattern for these revenue streams is not expected to change materially from prior practice. In addition, the Company continues to follow implementation issues specific to financial institutions, which are still under discussion by the FASB’s Transition Resource Group. The Company adopted the ASU on January 1, 2018 utilizing the modified retrospective approach, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The FASB issued this ASU to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under current U.S. GAAP and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early application of this ASU is permitted for all entities. The Company leases some of its banking offices under lease agreements that it classifies as operating leases. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, and, based on preliminary estimates, expects to record a right-of-use lease asset and a lease liability of approximately $9.3 million. Additionally, the inclusion of these right-of-use lease assets in the Company’s balance sheet is expected to impact total risk-weighted assets.

 

 

 

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

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2017, which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results could differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those discussed in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K under Part I, Item 1A. – Risk Factors, as well as other unknown risks and uncertainties.

 

All amounts in the tables in this section are in thousands of dollars, except per share data, yields, percentages and rates, or when specifically identified. The words we, us, our, the Company, NCC and similar terms used in this section refer to National Commerce Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

Our Business

 

NCC is a financial holding company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. We engage in the business of banking through our wholly owned banking subsidiary, National Bank of Commerce, which we may refer to as the “Bank” or “NBC.”

 

Through the Bank, we provide a broad array of financial services to businesses, business owners and professionals through seven full-service banking offices in Alabama, twenty-five full-service banking offices in Florida, and five full-service banking offices in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area. We also own a 70% equity interest in CBI Holding Company, LLC (“CBI”), which owns Corporate Billing, LLC (“Corporate Billing”), a transaction-based finance company headquartered in Decatur, Alabama that provides factoring, invoicing, collection and accounts receivable management services primarily to transportation companies and automotive parts and service providers throughout the United States and parts of Canada.

 

Overview of Third Quarter 2018 Results

 

Several important measures from the 2018 third quarter include:

 

 

Net income of $12.0 million, compared to $6.7 million during the third quarter of 2017.

 

Net interest margin (taxable equivalent) of 4.69%, compared to 4.58% for the third quarter of 2017.

 

Return on average assets of 1.23%, compared to 1.08% for the third quarter of 2017.

 

Loan growth (excluding the acquired loans of Landmark and Premier) of $103.0 million, representing a 16.4% annualized growth rate.

 

Deposits growth (excluding the acquired deposits of Landmark and Premier) of $2.7 million, representing a 0.4% annualized growth rate.

 

$116.5 million in mortgage production, compared to $122.7 million for the third quarter of 2017.

 

$315.3 million in purchased volume in the factoring division, compared to $259.5 million for the third quarter of 2017.

 

Annualized net charge-offs of 0.03%, compared to 0.05% in net charge-offs for the third quarter of 2017.

 

A provision for loan losses of $1.0 million, compared to $1.1 million for the third quarter of 2017.

 

Ending book value per share of $33.16.

 

 

2018 Acquisition Activity

 

FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings, Inc.

 

On January 1, 2018, the Company closed the previously announced merger of FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings, Inc. (“FirstAtlantic”), the parent company of FirstAtlantic Bank, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, with and into NCC. Immediately following the holding company merger, FirstAtlantic Bank merged with and into NBC. NBC continues to operate the former offices of FirstAtlantic Bank as branch offices of NBC under the trade name “FirstAtlantic Bank, a division of National Bank of Commerce.”

 

In connection with the merger, each share of common stock of FirstAtlantic issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger was converted into the right to receive 0.44 shares of NCC common stock and cash in the amount of $17.25. NCC paid approximately $12,802,000 in cash and issued 2,393,382 shares of common stock in exchange for all of the issued and outstanding shares of FirstAtlantic common stock at the effective time of the merger. Because the FirstAtlantic merger became effective on January 1, 2018, the results of operations attributable to FirstAtlantic are included in the Company’s consolidated 2018 results but not in the corresponding periods of 2017. See Note 10 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the acquisition.

 

Premier Community Bank of Florida

 

On July 1, 2018, the Company closed the previously announced merger of Premier Community Bank of Florida (“Premier”) with and into NBC. NBC continues to operate the former offices of Premier under the trade name “Premier Community Bank of Florida, a division of National Bank of Commerce.”

 

In connection with the merger, each share of common stock of Premier issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger was converted into the right to receive 0.4218 shares of NCC common stock and $0.93 in cash. NCC paid approximately $2,275,000 in cash and issued 1,028,092 shares of NCC common stock for all of the issued and outstanding shares of Premier common stock. The Premier merger became effective on July 1, 2018, and, accordingly, the results of operations attributable to Premier are included in the Company’s 2018 results since July 1, 2018 but not in the corresponding periods of 2017. See Note 10 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the acquisition.

 

Landmark Bancshares, Inc.

 

On August 1, 2018, the Company closed the previously announced merger with Landmark Bancshares, Inc. (“Landmark”). Landmark, the parent company of First Landmark Bank, headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, merged with and into NCC. Immediately following the holding company merger, First Landmark Bank merged with and into NBC. NBC continues to operate the former offices of First Landmark Bank as branch offices of NBC under the trade name “First Landmark Bank, a division of National Bank of Commerce.”

 

In connection with the merger, each share of Landmark common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger was converted into the right to receive 0.5961 shares of NCC common stock and $1.33 in cash. NCC paid approximately $5,218,000 in cash and issued 2,334,385 shares of NCC common stock for all the issued and outstanding shares of Landmark common stock. The Landmark merger became effective on August 1, 2018, and, accordingly, the results of operations attributable to Landmark are included in the Company’s results since August 1, 2018 but not the results for the corresponding periods of 2017. See Note 10 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the acquisition.

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared based on the application of certain accounting policies, the most significant of which are described in the notes to NCC’s audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, which are contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain of these policies require numerous estimates and strategic or economic assumptions that may prove inaccurate or subject to variation and may significantly affect our reported results and financial position for the current period or future periods. The use of estimates, assumptions and judgments is necessary when financial assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at, or adjusted to reflect, fair value. Assets carried at fair value inherently result in more financial statement volatility. Fair values and information used to record valuation adjustments for certain assets and liabilities are either based on quoted market prices or provided by other independent third-party sources, when available. When such information is not available, management estimates valuation adjustments. Changes in underlying factors, assumptions or estimates in any of these areas could have a material impact on our future financial condition and results of operations.

 

The following briefly describes the more complex policies involving a significant degree of judgment about valuation and the application of complex accounting standards and interpretations.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

We record estimated probable inherent credit losses in the loan portfolio as an allowance for loan losses. The methodologies and assumptions for determining the adequacy of the overall allowance for loan losses involve significant judgments to be made by management. Some of the more critical judgments supporting our allowance for loan losses include judgments about the creditworthiness of borrowers and the estimated value of underlying collateral, assumptions about cash flow, determinations of loss factors for estimating credit losses and judgments regarding the impact of current events, conditions and other factors affecting the level of inherent losses. Under different conditions or using different assumptions, the actual or estimated credit losses that we ultimately realize may be different from our estimates. In determining the allowance, we estimate losses on individual impaired loans, or groups of loans that are not impaired, where the probable loss can be identified and reasonably estimated. On a quarterly basis, we assess the risk inherent in our loan portfolio based on qualitative and quantitative trends in the portfolio, including the internal risk classification of loans, historical loss rates, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, industry or borrower concentrations, delinquency trends, detailed reviews of significant loans with identified weaknesses and the impacts of local, regional, national and global economic factors on the quality of the loan portfolio. Based on this analysis, we may record a provision for loan losses in order to maintain the allowance at appropriate levels. For a more complete discussion of the methodology employed to calculate the allowance for loan losses, see Note 1 to NCC’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017, which is contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and see elsewhere in this report under the section “Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses.”

 

Investment Securities Impairment

 

We assess on a quarterly basis whether there have been any events or economic circumstances to indicate that a security with respect to which there is an unrealized loss is impaired on an other-than-temporary basis. We consider many factors in this assessment, including the severity and duration of the impairment, our intent and ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient for a recovery in value, recent events specific to the issuer or industry, and, for debt securities, external credit ratings and recent downgrades. Securities with respect to which there is an unrealized loss that is deemed to be other-than-temporary are written down to fair value. The credit portion of the impairment, if any, is recognized as a realized loss in current earnings.

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed using the asset and liability method, which recognizes an asset or liability representing the tax effects, based on current tax law, of future deductible or taxable amounts attributable to events recognized in the financial statements. A valuation allowance may be established to the extent necessary to reduce the deferred tax asset to a level at which it is “more likely than not” that the tax asset or benefit will be realized. The ultimate realization of tax benefits depends on many factors, including the sufficiency of taxable income, the availability of tax loss carrybacks or credits, the reversal of taxable temporary differences and tax planning strategies within the reversal period and the state of applicable tax laws with respect to the realization of recorded tax benefits.

 

Business Combinations

 

Assets purchased and liabilities assumed in a business combination are recorded at their respective fair values. The fair value of a loan portfolio acquired in a business combination requires greater levels of management estimates and judgment than the remainder of the purchased assets or assumed liabilities. On the date of acquisition, when the loans exhibit evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable that we will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments, the difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected is referred to as non-accretable difference. We must estimate expected cash flows at each reporting date. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows generally will result in a provision for loan losses. Subsequent increases in cash flows generally will result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior charges and adjusted accretable yield, which will have a positive impact on interest income. Purchased loans without evidence of credit deterioration are recorded in the same manner.

 

 

Mortgage Loans Held-for-Sale

 

The Company records its mortgage loans held-for-sale at fair value. The fair value of committed residential loans held-for-sale is determined by outstanding commitments from investors, and the fair value of uncommitted loans is based on the current delivery prices in the secondary mortgage market. To mitigate the interest rate risk associated with mandatory delivery, the Company enters into forward commitments to sell mortgage-backed securities and records the change in fair value of these derivatives through income.

 

Comparison of Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017

 

The following is a narrative discussion and analysis of significant changes in our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

 

Net Income

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2018, our net income was $12.0 million, compared to $6.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 78.8%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, our net income was $31.7 million, compared to $19.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of 66.5%. Our results of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018, included the results of Landmark (acquired August 1, 2018), Premier (acquired July 1, 2018), FirstAtlantic (acquired January 1, 2018) and Patriot Bank (acquired August 31, 2017). Given the effective dates of these acquisitions, these results are not included in our results of operations for the three-month or nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017, except the 2017 periods include one month of Patriot Bank results.

 

The primary reason for the increase in net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same period of 2017 was an increase in net interest income. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, net interest income was $40.0 million, an increase of $14.4 million, or 56.1%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, net interest income was $106.3 million, an increase of $34.3 million, or 47.6%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017. This increase was a result of higher levels of loan volume and other earning assets from organic growth and the acquisitions of Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank.

 

The increase in net interest income was partially offset by an increase in noninterest expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same periods of 2017. Total noninterest income during the three months ended September 30, 2018, was $4.8 million, an increase of $222 thousand, or 4.9%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017. Total noninterest income during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $14.2 million, a decrease of $935 thousand, or 6.2%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The primary reason for the overall decrease in noninterest income was a reduction in revenue from the mortgage division. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, mortgage origination and fee income was $1.8 million, a decrease of $955 thousand compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, mortgage origination and fee income was $6.0 million, a decrease of $3.1 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

 

Total noninterest expense during the three months ended September 30, 2018, was $27.1 million, an increase of $9.1 million, or 50.6%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017. Total noninterest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, was $73.7 million, an increase of $19.5 million, or 36.0%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017. This increase was primarily a result of the addition of the operating expenses of Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank and costs associated with the growth of the Company. Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic were not included in our results of operations for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2017. The 2017 periods include one month of Patriot Bank operating expenses.

 

 

The largest contributors to the changes in our net interest income, noninterest income and noninterest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods of 2017 were the additional revenues and expenses of Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank. The following table details the contributions of each acquired bank to selected consolidated totals for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

   

For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

 
   

FirstAtlantic

   

Patriot Bank

   

Premier

   

Landmark

   

Total

 

Net interest income

  $ 4,137       1,673       2,390       4,734       12,934  

Noninterest income

  $ 425       33       86       329       873  

Noninterest expense

  $ 2,653       892       1,835       2,700       8,080  

 

   

For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

 
   

FirstAtlantic

   

Patriot Bank

   

Premier

   

Landmark

   

Total

 

Net interest income

  $ 12,386       5,240       2,390       4,734       24,750  

Noninterest income

  $ 1,300       124       86       329       1,839  

Noninterest expense (1)

  $ 8,363       2,406       1,835       2,700       15,304  

 

(1) Excludes merger-related expense of $2.4 million attributable to FirstAtlantic during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin Analysis

 

Comparison of Net Interest Income for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

 

The largest component of our net income is net interest income – the difference between the income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest paid on deposits and borrowed funds used to support our assets. Net interest income divided by average earning assets represents our net interest margin. The major factors that affect net interest income and net interest margin are changes in volume, the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest margin can also be affected by economic conditions, the competitive environment, loan demand and deposit flow. Our ability to respond to changes in these factors by using effective asset-liability management techniques is critical to maintaining the stability of the net interest margin as our primary source of earnings.

 

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the average balances of each principal category of our assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity and the average yields on assets and average costs of liabilities. Such yields and costs are calculated by dividing annualized income or expense by the average daily balances of the associated assets or liabilities.

 

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND NET INTEREST ANALYSIS

 
                                                 
   

For the Three Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 30, 2018

   

September 30, 2017

 

Assets

 

Average Balance

   

Interest Income/ Expense

   

Average Yield/ Rate

   

Average Balance

   

Interest Income/ Expense

   

Average Yield/ Rate

 

Loans (1)

  $ 3,002,640     $ 43,459       5.74 %   $ 1,937,115     $ 26,634       5.45 %

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

    18,935       235       4.92       16,811       151       3.56  

Securities:

                                               

Taxable securities

    191,157       1,496       3.10       90,969       694       3.03  

Tax-exempt securities (1)

    25,102       254       4.01       25,286       310       4.86  

Cash balances in other banks

    152,715       818       2.13       159,973       533       1.32  

Total interest-earning assets

    3,390,549     $ 46,262       5.41       2,230,154     $ 28,322       5.04  

Noninterest-earning assets

    475,094                       228,231                  

Total assets

  $ 3,865,643                     $ 2,458,385                  
                                                 

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

                                               

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

  $ 644,863     $ 877       0.54 %   $ 314,925     $ 207       0.26 %

Savings and money market deposits

    1,162,707       3,114       1.06       827,526       1,233       0.59  

Time deposits

    470,211       1,570       1.32       273,630       661       0.96  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    3,467       27       3.09       7,000       72       4.08  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    18,457       49       1.05       228       -       0.00  

Subordinated debt

    32,950       537       6.47       24,533       388       6.27  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    2,332,655     $ 6,174       1.05       1,447,842     $ 2,561       0.70  

Noninterest-bearing deposits

    866,974                       615,130                  

Total funding sources

    3,199,629                       2,062,972                  

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

    23,647                       19,284                  

Shareholders' equity

    642,367                       376,129                  

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

  $ 3,865,643                     $ 2,458,385                  

Net interest rate spread

                    4.36 %                     4.34 %

Net interest income/margin (taxable equivalent)

            40,088       4.69 %             25,761       4.58 %

Tax equivalent adjustment

            67                       120          

Net interest income/margin

          $ 40,021       4.68 %           $ 25,641       4.56 %

 

(1) Yields on tax-exempt loans and securities have been computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an income tax rate of 25.25% and 37.00% for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

 

Net interest income increased $14.4 million, or 56.1%, to $40.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $25.6 million for the same period of 2017. The increase was due to an increase in interest income of $18.0 million, resulting from higher levels of loan volume and securities from organic growth and the acquisitions of Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank. This increase in interest income was partially offset by a $3.6 million increase in interest expense. The increase in interest income was primarily due to a 55.0% increase in average loans outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017. Our average investment in taxable securities increased $100.2 million, or 110.1%, to $191.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $91.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The resulting net interest margin for the three months ended September 30, 2018, rose to 4.68%, from 4.56% during the three months September 30, 2017.

 

Interest-earning assets averaged $3.4 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $2.2 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $1.2 billion, or 52.0%. Additional information on growth in our loan portfolio for these periods is presented below. The yield on average interest-earning assets increased 0.37%, to 5.41% for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to 5.04% for the three months ended September 30, 2017. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, the loan yield was 5.74%, compared to 5.45% during the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in loan yield was attributable to recent increases in short-term interest rate indices, such as the prime rate and 30-day LIBOR and increased accretion on our acquired loan portfolios due to early pay-offs and higher balances of acquired loans with associated accretable discounts due to the Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank acquisitions. These acquisitions contributed average loan balances of $768.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Interest-bearing liabilities averaged $2.3 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $1.4 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $884.8 million, or 61.1%. The rate on total interest-bearing liabilities was 1.05% for the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to 0.70% for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in average deposits was due primarily to the inclusion of Landmark’s, Premier’s, FirstAtlantic’s and Patriot Bank’s deposits in our results for the three months ended September 30, 2018. Interest-bearing liability costs increased due to increased rates on deposit accounts, primarily as a result of the effect of increases in short-term rate indices, such as the prime rate, and some resultant competitive pricing pressure in certain account types. Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank contributed average interest-bearing deposit balances of $840.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Average noninterest-bearing deposits increased to $867.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018, representing an increase of $251.8 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017.

 

The following table reflects, for the periods indicated, the changes in our net interest income due to changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the associated rates paid or earned on these assets and liabilities.

 

ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME

 
                         
   

For the Three Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018 vs. 2017

 
   

Variance due to

 

Interest-earning assets

 

Volume

   

Yield/Rate

   

Total

 

Loans

  $ 15,355     $ 1,470     $ 16,825  

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

    21       63       84  

Securities:

                       

Taxable securities

    784       18       802  

Tax-exempt securities

    (2 )     (54 )     (56 )

Cash balances in other banks

    (25 )     310       285  

Funds sold

    -       -       -  

Total interest-earning assets

  $ 16,133     $ 1,807     $ 17,940  
                         

Interest-bearing liabilities

                       

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

  $ 332     $ 338     $ 670  

Savings and money market deposits

    634       1,247       1,881  

Time deposits

    593       316       909  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowed money

    (31 )     (14 )     (45 )

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    -       49       49  

Subordinated debt

    137       12       149  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

  $ 1,665     $ 1,948     $ 3,613  
                         

Net interest income

                       

Net interest income (taxable equivalent)

    14,468       (141 )     14,327  

Taxable equivalent adjustment

    (52 )     (1 )     (53 )

Net interest income

  $ 14,520     $ (140 )   $ 14,380  

 

 

Comparison of Net Interest Income for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

 

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, the average balances of each principal category of our assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity and the average yields on assets and average costs of liabilities. Such yields and costs are calculated by dividing annualized income or expense by the average daily balances of the associated assets or liabilities.

 

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND NET INTEREST ANALYSIS

 
                                                 
   

For the Nine Months Ended

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

September 30, 2018

   

September 30, 2017

 

Assets

 

Average Balance

   

Interest Income/ Expense

   

Average Yield/ Rate

   

Average Balance

   

Interest Income/ Expense

   

Average Yield/ Rate

 

Loans (1)

  $ 2,646,876     $ 113,180       5.72 %   $ 1,860,398     $ 74,835       5.38 %

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

    19,867       658       4.43       18,962       543       3.83  

Securities:

                                               

Taxable securities

    166,463       3,878       3.11       86,903       1,871       2.88  

Tax-exempt securities (1)

    24,888       763       4.10       25,559       940       4.92  

Cash balances in other banks

    141,366       1,943       1.84       222,307       1,744       1.05  

Funds sold

    971       10       1.38       -       -       0.00  

Total interest-earning assets

    3,000,431     $ 120,432       5.37       2,214,129     $ 79,933       4.83  

Noninterest-earning assets

    379,536                       222,139                  

Total assets

  $ 3,379,967                     $ 2,436,268                  
                                                 

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

                                               

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

    529,534       1,831       0.46 %     329,444       667       0.27 %

Savings and money market deposits

    1,059,602       7,112       0.90       817,815       3,467       0.57  

Time deposits

    380,562       3,431       1.21       289,924       2,031       0.94  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    5,809       170       3.91       7,000       212       4.05  

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    6,220       49       1.05       741       1       0.18  

Subordinated debt

    27,392       1,311       6.40       24,520       1,165       6.35  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

    2,009,119     $ 13,904       0.93       1,469,444     $ 7,543       0.69  

Noninterest-bearing deposits

    795,771                       609,698                  

Total funding sources

    2,804,890                       2,079,142                  

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

    23,150                       17,566                  

Shareholders' equity

    551,927                       339,560                  

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

  $ 3,379,967                     $ 2,436,268                  

Net interest rate spread

                    4.44 %                     4.14 %

Net interest income/margin (taxable equivalent)

            106,528       4.75 %             72,390       4.37 %

Tax equivalent adjustment

            204                       366          

Net interest income/margin

          $ 106,324       4.74 %           $ 72,024       4.35 %

 

(1) Yields on tax-exempt loans and securities have been computed on a tax-equivalent basis using an income tax rate of 25.25% and 37.00% for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

 

Net interest income increased $34.3 million, or 47.6%, to $106.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $72.0 million for the same period of 2017. The increase was due to an increase in interest income of $40.7 million, resulting from higher levels of loan volume and securities from organic growth and the acquisitions of Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank. This increase in interest income was partially offset by a $6.4 million increase in interest expense. The increase in interest income was primarily due to a 42.3% increase in average loans outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Our average investment in taxable securities increased $79.6 million, or 91.6%, to $166.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $86.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The resulting net interest margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, rose to 4.74%, from 4.35% during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

 

Interest-earning assets averaged $3.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $2.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $786.3 million, or 35.5%. Additional information on growth in our loan portfolio for these periods is presented below. The yield on average interest-earning assets increased 0.54%, to 5.37% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to 4.83% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the loan yield was 5.72%, compared to 5.38% during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in loan yield was attributable to recent increases in short-term interest rate indices, such as the prime rate and 30-day LIBOR and increased accretion on our acquired loan portfolios due to early pay-offs and higher balances of acquired loans with associated accretable discounts due to the Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank acquisitions. Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank contributed average loan balances of $555.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Interest-bearing liabilities averaged $2.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $1.5 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, an increase of $539.7 million, or 36.7%. The rate on total interest-bearing liabilities was 0.93% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to 0.69% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in average deposits was due primarily to the inclusion of Landmark’s, Premier’s, FirstAtlantic’s and Patriot Bank’s deposits in our results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Interest-bearing liability costs increased due to increased rates on deposit accounts, primarily as a result of the effect of increases in short-term rate indices, such as the prime rate, and some resultant competitive pricing pressure in certain account types. Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank contributed average interest-bearing deposit balances of $610.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Average noninterest-bearing deposits increased to $795.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, representing an increase of $186.1 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

 

The following table reflects, for the periods indicated, the changes in our net interest income due to changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the associated rates paid or earned on these assets and liabilities.

 

ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET INTEREST INCOME

 
                         
   

For the Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018 vs. 2017

 
   

Variance due to

 

Interest-earning assets

 

Volume

   

Yield/Rate

   

Total

 

Loans

  $ 33,371       4,974       38,345  

Mortgage loans held-for-sale

    27       88       115  

Securities:

                       

Taxable securities

    1,841       166       2,007  

Tax-exempt securities

    (25 )     (152 )     (177 )

Cash balances in other banks

    (790 )     989       199  

Funds sold

    10       -       10  

Total interest-earning assets

  $ 34,434       6,065       40,499  
                         

Interest-bearing liabilities

                       

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

  $ 538       626       1,164  

Savings and money market deposits

    1,226       2,419       3,645  

Time deposits

    730       670       1,400  

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

    (35 )     (7 )     (42 )

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

    29       19       48  

Subordinated debt

    137       9       146  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

  $ 2,625       3,736       6,361  
                         

Net interest income

                       

Net interest income (taxable equivalent)

    31,809       2,329       34,138  

Taxable equivalent adjustment

    (149 )     (13 )     (162 )

Net interest income

  $ 31,958       2,342       34,300  

 

 

Provision for Loan Losses

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively. The provision expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is higher due to the additional expense resulting from loan growth during the first nine months of 2018 and higher net charge-offs (primarily commercial and industrial loans and factored receivables) during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Our policy is to maintain an allowance for loan losses at a level sufficient to absorb probable incurred losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The allowance is increased by a provision for loan losses (which is a charge to earnings) and loan recoveries, and is decreased by charge-offs. In determining the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, we consider our historical loan loss experience, the general economic environment, the overall portfolio composition and other information. As these factors change, the level of loan loss provision changes. When individual loans are evaluated and an impairment is deemed necessary, the impaired portion of the loan amount generally is charged off. As of September 30, 2018, $90 thousand of our recorded allowance was related to impaired loans.

 

Noninterest Income

 

In addition to net interest margin, we generate other types of recurring noninterest income from our operations. Our banking operations generate revenue from service charges and fees on deposit accounts. Our mortgage division generates revenue from originating and selling mortgages, and we have a revenue-sharing relationship with a registered broker-dealer. In addition to these types of recurring noninterest income, NBC owns life insurance on several key employees and records income on the increase in the cash surrender value of these policies. NBC also earns revenue as a sponsor bank for a provider of electronic transaction processing services for retail merchants and the consumer finance industry. This sponsorship into the VISA and MasterCard networks allows the processor to accept debit and credit card transactions, and we earn a fee on each such transaction.

 

The following table sets forth the principal components of noninterest income for the periods indicated.

 

NONINTEREST INCOME

 
                                 
   

For the Three Months Ended

   

For the Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

   

September 30,

   

September 30,

   

September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Service charges and fees on deposit accounts

  $ 1,166     $ 671     $ 3,207     $ 1,978  

Mortgage origination and fee income

    1,825       2,780       5,982       9,079  

Merchant sponsorship revenue

    749       622       2,144       1,968  

Income from bank-owned life insurance

    323       210       885       645  

Wealth management fees

    16       12       46       36  

Gain on sale of other real estate, net

    -       6       139       110  

Gain on sale of investments available-for-sale

    -       -       193       28  

Other noninterest income

    689       245       1,555       1,242  

Total noninterest income

  $ 4,768     $ 4,546     $ 14,151     $ 15,086  

 

Noninterest income for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $4.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively. Noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $14.2 million and $15.1 million, respectively. The inclusion of Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank in our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, contributed approximately $873 thousand and $1.8 million, respectively, in noninterest income for each period.

 

 

All categories of recurring noninterest income, except for mortgage origination and fee income, experienced an increase during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods of 2017. Mortgage division income decreased $955 thousand during the three months ended September 30, 2018, and totaled $1.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, compared to $2.8 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017. Mortgage division income decreased $3.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, and totaled $6.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $9.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Recent interest rate increases have negatively impacted our mortgage loan pricing and led to lower mortgage division income. The rate increases have also led to slightly lower origination volume during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same period of 2017. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, total production was $116.5 million, compared to $122.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, total production was $381.0 million, compared to $386.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

 

Our mortgage production totals include mortgage loans purchased by the Bank for its loan portfolio.  When such loans are originated, they become Bank portfolio loans and no gain on sale is recognized.  The Company will record interest income over the life of the loan.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Bank acquired approximately 39.9% and 38.0%, respectively, of the mortgage origination volume compared to 19.0% and 19.1% for the same periods of 2017.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2018, refinance activity accounted for 23.4% of production volume, compared to 23.6% during the same period in 2017 and 17.0% during the second quarter of 2018.

 

Service charges and fees on deposit accounts increased by $495 thousand to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, and increased $1.2 million to $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same periods in 2017. The inclusion of Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank in our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, contributed approximately $225 thousand and $657 thousand, respectively, to this increase for each period of 2018, and the remaining portion of this increase was the result of an increase in the number of deposit accounts.

 

Income from bank-owned life insurance increased $113 thousand to $323 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2018, and increased $240 thousand to $885 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same periods in 2017. The increase for each period was due to the addition of bank-owned life insurance acquired in the Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic transactions.

 

Merchant sponsorship revenue increased by $127 thousand to $749 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2018, and increased $176 thousand to $2.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same periods in 2017. The increase was due to growth in the volume of transactions we processed.

 

Noninterest Expense

 

The increase in our total noninterest expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, reflects the continued growth of the Company (organic growth and growth through acquisitions), as well as the expansion of our operational framework, employee base and facilities infrastructure as we build the foundation to support our growth strategies.

 

The following table presents the primary components of noninterest expense for the periods indicated.

 

NONINTEREST EXPENSE

 
                                 
   

For the Three Months Ended

   

For the Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

   

September 30,

   

September 30,

   

September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Salaries and employee benefits

  $ 14,336     $ 9,804     $ 39,294     $ 29,540  

Commission-based compensation

    1,876       1,748       5,202       5,155  

Occupancy and equipment expense

    2,439       1,608       6,458       4,560  

Data processing expenses

    1,820       976       6,545       2,931  

Advertising and marketing expenses

    296       309       925       1,104  

Legal fees

    384       204       1,040       630  

FDIC insurance assessments

    267       351       771       1,017  

Property and casualty insurance premiums

    232       229       707       581  

Accounting and audit expenses

    388       288       1,055       900  

Consulting and other professional expenses

    1,347       510       2,453       1,524  

Telecommunications expenses

    295       203       751       558  

Other real estate owned, repossessed asset and other collection expenses

    63       26       203       347  

Core deposit intangible amortization

    1,306       366       2,783       1,062  

Other noninterest expense

    2,047       1,365       5,503       4,276  

Total noninterest expense

  $ 27,096     $ 17,987     $ 73,690     $ 54,185  

 

 

Noninterest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $27.1 million and $18.0 million, respectively. Noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $73.7 million and $54.2 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred $3.8 million in merger-related expenses, of which approximately $2.1 million was associated with the termination of a data processing contract for FirstAtlantic. Combined noninterest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 at Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank were approximately $8.1 million and $15.3 million, respectively (excluding merger-related expenses of $3.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018). The inclusion of Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank accounts for most of the increase in noninterest expense recorded during each period of 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017.

 

Two of the largest components of noninterest expense are related to employee costs shown in the table above as salaries and employee benefits and commission-based compensation. Salaries continue to increase as our company grows and we expand our presence in the markets we serve. Higher incentive compensation accruals during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, and a larger workforce have contributed to the increase in salaries and employee benefits. Commission-based compensation expense is directly related to mortgage loan origination activity and certain production activity at Corporate Billing. Total commission-based compensation increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods of 2017. Although mortgage origination volume was down in each period of 2018, activity at Corporate Billing increased and led to higher total commission-based compensation expense. Additionally, salaries and benefits for Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank employees contributed approximately $4.7 million of the $4.5 million increase in salaries and employee benefits expense recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2018, and approximately $9.2 million of the $9.8 million increase in salaries and employee benefits expense recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Many categories of noninterest expense increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to same periods of 2017. This was largely a result of the additional expenses associated with the operations of Landmark, Premier, FirstAtlantic and Patriot Bank, including $2.1 million to terminate FirstAtlantic’s contract with its previous core operating system provider.

 

Income Tax Provision

 

Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $4.0 million and $3.8 million, respectively. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $10.1 million and $10.0 million, respectively. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was 24.2% (25.2% including the minority interest in CBI), compared to 34.5% (36.4% including the minority interest in CBI) during the three months ended September 30, 2017. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, was 23.2% (24.2% including the minority interest in CBI), compared to 32.6% (34.3% including the minority interest in CBI) during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The lower effective tax rate and the overall tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 reflects the lower federal income tax rates implemented by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The effective tax rates are also affected by items of income and expense that are not subject to federal and state taxation.

 

Comparison of Balance Sheets at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

 

Overview

 

Our total assets increased $1.4 billion, or 49.9%, from $2.7 billion at December 31, 2017 to $4.1 billion at September 30, 2018. Loans increased by $1.1 billion, or 51.1%, during the first nine months of 2018. Total investment securities increased by $99.8 million, or 89.6%, during the first nine months of 2018. Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $35.0 million during the first nine months of 2018. The Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic acquisitions added total assets and loans of $1.4 billion and $933.5 million, respectively.

 

During the first nine months of 2018, deposits increased $1.0 billion and totaled $3.3 billion at September 30, 2018. The Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic acquisitions added $1.1 billion in deposits. As interest rates rise, competition for deposits increases. In some cases, we have had large deposit customers move deposits to other investment types as rates became more attractive. Excluding the acquired deposits from Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic, our total deposits decreased by $13.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

Loans

 

Loans are our largest category of earning assets and typically provide higher yields than other types of earning assets. Associated with the higher loan yields are the inherent credit and liquidity risks that management attempts to control and counterbalance. Total loans averaged $2.7 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, or 88.2% of average earning assets, compared to $1.9 billion, or 84.0% of average earning assets, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. At September 30, 2018, total loans, net of unearned income, were $3.2 billion, compared to $2.1 billion at December 31, 2017, an increase of $1.1 billion, or 51.1%. Excluding the loans acquired in the Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic acquisitions, loans increased by $158.9 million, or 7.4%.

 

 

The organic, or non-acquired, growth in the Bank’s loan portfolio is attributable to the Bank’s ability to attract new customers and grow existing banking relationships. We have been successful in building banking relationships with new customers in all of the markets that we serve. We have hired several new bankers in our markets who have transitioned a number of their former clients and new clients to the Bank. Our bankers are expected to be involved in their communities and to maintain business development efforts to develop relationships with clients, and our philosophy is to be responsive to customer needs by providing decisions in a timely manner. In addition to our business development efforts, many of the markets in which we operate have shown signs of economic recovery over the past few years, which has increased demand for the services that we provide. The organic loan growth during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, was lower than our historical growth; however, we believe some of our growth during the fourth quarter of 2017 may have been activity that normally would have occurred during the first three months of 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we experienced unusually high loan pay-offs and principal reductions. Origination activity has remained strong, but overall loan growth has been muted during 2018 due to the 2018 payoff activity.

 

The table below provides a summary of the loan portfolio composition as of the periods indicated.

 

COMPOSITION OF LOAN PORTFOLIO

 
                                 
   

As of

 
   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

 
   

Amount

   

Percent of Total

   

Amount

   

Percent of Total

 

Construction, land development and other land loans

  $ 363,561       11.25

%

  $ 231,030       10.80

%

Secured by farmland

    21,685       0.67       17,726       0.83  

Secured by 1-4 family residential properties

    698,528       21.62       508,935       23.80  

Secured by multifamily (5 or more) residential properties

    78,048       2.42       60,054       2.81  

Secured by nonfarm nonresidential properties

    1,469,291       45.47       888,289       41.53  

Loans secured by real estate

    2,631,113       81.43       1,706,034       79.77  

Commercial and industrial loans

    389,985       12.07       258,577       12.09  

Factored commercial receivables

    151,985       4.70       118,710       5.55  

Consumer loans

    29,261       0.91       26,314       1.23  

Other loans

    28,962       0.89       29,082       1.36  

Total gross loans

    3,231,306       100.00

%

    2,138,717       100.00

%

Unearned income

    (928 )             (659 )        

Total loans, net of unearned income

    3,230,378               2,138,058          

Allowance for loan losses

    (16,759 )             (14,985 )        

Total net loans

  $ 3,213,619             $ 2,123,073          

 

In the context of this discussion, a “real estate mortgage loan” is defined as any loan secured by real estate, regardless of the purpose of the loan, other than a loan for construction purposes. It is common practice for financial institutions in our market areas, and for us in particular, to obtain a security interest in or lien on real estate whenever possible, in addition to any other available collateral. This collateral is taken to increase the likelihood of the ultimate repayment of the loan. This practice tends to increase the magnitude of the real estate loan portfolio. In many cases, we prefer real estate collateral to many other potential collateral sources, such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment.

 

The principal component of our loan portfolio is loans secured by real estate. At September 30, 2018, this category totaled $2.6 billion and represented 81.4% of our total loan portfolio, compared to $1.7 billion, or 79.8% of the total loan portfolio, at December 31, 2017. Each category of real estate mortgage loans increased during the first nine months of 2018.

 

 

Loans secured by nonfarm nonresidential properties (“commercial mortgage loans”) increased by $581.0 million, or 65.4%, to $1.5 billion at September 30, 2018, compared to $888.3 million at December 31, 2017. Excluding the acquired loans from Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic, commercial mortgage loans increased by $118.8 million, or 13.4%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Commercial mortgage loans represent the single largest category of our loans, and at September 30, 2018, accounted for 45.5% of our entire loan portfolio. Our management team has a great deal of experience and expertise in commercial mortgage loans, and this loan type has traditionally represented a large portion of our loan portfolio. Of the $1.5 billion in total commercial mortgage loans at September 30, 2018, approximately $645.5 million were loans secured by owner-occupied properties. The following table provides a summary of our non-owner-occupied commercial mortgage loans as of the dates indicated.

 

   

As of

 
   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

 

Office

  $ 179,973     $ 122,554  

Retail

    309,220       203,647  

Industrial/Warehouse

    76,618       51,852  

Other

    258,161       131,711  

Total

  $ 823,972     $ 509,764  

 

Residential mortgage loans increased by $189.6 million, or 37.3%, to $698.5 million at September 30, 2018, compared to $508.9 million at December 31, 2017. Excluding the acquired loans from Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic, residential mortgage loans decreased by $24.0 million, or 4.7%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. At September 30, 2018, residential mortgage loans accounted for 21.6% of our entire loan portfolio.

 

Real estate construction, land development and other land loans totaled $363.6 million at September 30, 2018, an increase of 57.4% from $231.0 million at December 31, 2017. Excluding the acquired loans from Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic, real estate construction, land development and other land loans increased by $28.4 million, or 12.3%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. At September 30, 2018, this loan type accounted for 11.3% of our total loan portfolio.

 

Commercial and industrial loans totaled $390.0 million at September 30, 2018, an increase of 50.8% from $258.6 million at December 31, 2017. Excluding the acquired loans from Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic, commercial and industrial loans increased by $17.1 million, or 6.6%, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. At September 30, 2018, this loan type accounted for 12.1% of our total loan portfolio.

 

Factored commercial receivables totaled $152.0 million at September 30, 2018, compared to $118.7 million at December 31, 2017. This balance fluctuates based on several variables, such as when receivables are purchased and when and how quickly payments are received.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses, Provision for Loan Losses and Asset Quality

 

Allowance for Loan Losses and Provision for Loan Losses

 

The allowance for loan losses represents our estimate of probable inherent credit losses in our loan portfolio. We determine the allowance based on an ongoing evaluation of risk as it correlates to potential losses within the portfolio. Increases to the allowance are made by charges to the provision for loan losses. Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance. Recoveries of previously charged-off amounts are credited to the allowance for loan losses.

 

In determining the amount of the allowance, we utilize our risk department’s independent analysis of the minimum required loan loss reserve for the Bank. In this analysis, problem loans are reviewed for impairment or for loss exposure based on their payment performance and probability of default and the value of any collateral securing the loan. These totals are specifically allocated to the reserve. The loan portfolio is then divided into various homogeneous risk pools utilizing a combination of collateral codes and/or loan purpose codes and internal risk ratings. Historical losses are used to estimate the probable loss in the current portfolio based on both an average loss methodology and a migration loss methodology. The methodologies and the time periods considered are subjective and vary for each risk pool based on systematic risk relative to our ability to estimate losses for that risk pool. Because every loan has a risk of loss, the calculation begins with a minimum loss allocation for each loan pool. The minimum loss is estimated based on long-term trends for the Bank, the banking industry and the economy. Loss allocations are adjusted for changes in the economy, problem loans, payment performance, loan policy, management, credit administration systems, credit concentrations, loan growth and other elements over the time periods utilized in the methodology. The adjusted loss allocations are then applied to the current balances in their respective loan pools. Loss allocations are totaled, yielding the required allowance for loan losses.

 

We incorporate the data from the allowance calculation with interim changes to that data in our ongoing determination of the allowance for loan losses. We then take into consideration other factors that may support an allowance in excess of required minimums. These factors include systems changes, historically high loan growth, changes in the economy and Company management and lending practices at the time at which the loans were made. We believe that the data that we use in determining the allowance for loan losses is sufficient to estimate the potential losses in the loan portfolio; however, actual results could differ from management’s estimates.

 

 

The following table presents a summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses for the periods indicated.

 

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 
                                 
   

As of and for the Three Months Ended

   

As of and for the Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

   

September 30,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Total loans outstanding, net of unearned income

  $ 3,230,378     $ 2,056,406     $ 3,230,378       2,056,406  

Average loans outstanding, net of unearned income

  $ 3,002,640     $ 1,937,115     $ 2,646,876       1,860,398  

Allowance for loan losses at beginning of period

  $ 15,997     $ 13,407     $ 14,985       12,113  

Charge-offs:

                               

Loans secured by real estate

    -       104       411       148  

Commercial and industrial loans

    476       -       736       -  

Factored receivables

    500       583       2,405       1,936  

Consumer loans

    4       -       50       30  

All other loans

    10       26       26       28  

Total charge-offs

    990       713       3,628       2,142  

Recoveries:

                               

Loans secured by real estate

    301       -       427       19  

Commercial and industrial loans

    14       2       39       6  

Factored receivables

    418       459       1,739       1,424  

Consumer loans

    17       1       19       7  

All other loans

    1       3       3       421  

Total recoveries

    751       465       2,227       1,877  

Net charge-offs

    239       248       1,401       265  

Provision for loan losses

    1,001       1,105       3,175       2,416  

Allowance for loan losses at period end

  $ 16,759     $ 14,264     $ 16,759       14,264  

Allowance for loan losses to period end loans

    0.52 %     0.69 %     0.52 %     0.69 %

Net charge-offs to average loans

    0.03 %     0.05 %     0.07 %     0.02 %

 

The table above does not include the allowances of banks that we have acquired that were established prior to each bank’s respective date of acquisition. In accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, these acquired entities’ respective allowances for loan losses were not brought forward at acquisition; instead, the acquired loans were recorded at fair value and any discount to fair value was recorded against the loans rather than as an allowance for loan losses. The portion of the discount deemed related to credit quality was recorded as a non-accretable difference, and the remaining discount was recorded as an accretable discount and accreted into interest income over the estimated average life of the loans using the level yield method. At September 30, 2018, our acquired loan portfolios totaled $1.3 billion and had an aggregate related non-accretable difference of $15.6 million and accretable discount of $17.9 million.

 

For the acquired loan portfolio, the allowance is determined for each loan pool and compared to the remaining discount for that pool. If the allowance amount calculated under the Company’s methodology is greater than the Company’s remaining discount on the acquired loan portfolio, this amount is added to the reported allowance through a provision for loan losses. If the allowance amount calculated under the Company’s methodology is less than the Company’s recorded discount, no additional allowance or provision is recognized. Our analysis indicates that no additional allowance is necessary on our acquired loan portfolio as of September 30, 2018.

 

Overall, asset quality indicators have remained steady or improved, and, as a result, provision expense related directly to asset quality has been minimal. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded a provision expense of $3.2 million due to organic loan growth and the maturity and renewal of approximately $43.1 million in previously acquired loans. These loans are no longer classified as acquired and have no remaining discount based on the fact that they have now been underwritten by the Company. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Corporate Billing experienced net charge-offs of $666 thousand and required loan loss provision expense of the same amount.

 

 

Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses

 

While no portion of the allowance is in any way restricted to any individual loan or group of loans and the entire allowance is available to absorb losses from any and all loans, the following table represents management’s allocation of the allowance for loan losses to specific loan categories as of the dates indicated.

 

ALLOCATION OF ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

    As of  
   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2018

   

2017

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

   

Percent of Loans in each Category to Total Loans

   

Amount

   

Percent of Loans in each Category to Total Loans

 

Commercial, financial and agricultural

  $ 3,056       12.97

%

  $ 2,511       13.45

%

Factored receivables

    600       4.70       600       5.55  

Real estate - mortgage

    10,778       70.17       9,845       68.97  

Real estate - construction

    2,188       11.25       1,884       10.80  

Consumer

    137       0.91       145       1.23  
    $ 16,759       100.00

%

  $ 14,985       100.00

%

 

 

Our allowance for loan losses is composed of general reserves and specific reserves. General reserves are determined by applying loss percentages to each segment of our portfolio based on that segment’s historical loss experience and adjustment factors derived from internal and external environmental conditions. All loans considered to be impaired are evaluated on an individual basis to determine specific reserve allocations in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Loans for which specific reserves are evaluated are excluded from the calculation of general reserves.

 

Nonperforming Assets

 

The following table presents our nonperforming assets as of the dates indicated.

 

NONPERFORMING ASSETS

 
                         
   

For the Nine Months Ended

       
   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

   

2017

 
                         

Non-accrual loans

  $ 4,281       2,695       2,722  

Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing

    484       1,690       677  

Total nonperforming loans

    4,765       4,385       3,399  

Other real estate and repossessed assets

    1,339       1,171       1,094  

Total nonperforming assets

  $ 6,104       5,556       4,493  

Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans

    0.52

%

    0.69

%

    0.70

%

Allowance for loan losses to period-end nonperforming loans

    351.71       325.29       440.86  

Net charge-offs to average loans

    0.07       0.02       0.05  

Nonperforming assets to period-end loans and foreclosed property and repossessed assets

    0.19       0.27       0.21  

Nonperforming loans to period-end loans

    0.15       0.21       0.16  

 

 

Accrual of interest is discontinued on a loan when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions and collection efforts, that the borrower’s financial condition is such that the collection of interest is doubtful. In addition to a consideration of these factors, we have a consistent and continuing policy of placing all loans on nonaccrual status if they become 90 days or more past due, excluding factored receivables. For Corporate Billing’s factored receivables, which are trade credits rather than promissory notes, our practice in most cases is to charge off unpaid recourse receivables when they become 90 days past due from the invoice due date and to charge off unpaid non-recourse receivables when they become 120 days past due from the statement billing date. For the recourse receivables, the amount of the invoice is charged against the client reserve account established for such purposes, unless the client reserve and the client’s financial resources are insufficient, in which case either the amount of the invoice is charged against loans or the balance is considered impaired and the client is responsible for repaying the unpaid obligation of the account debtor. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, all accrued interest on the loan is reversed and deducted from earnings as a reduction of reported interest income. No additional interest is accrued on the loan balance until collection of both principal and interest becomes reasonably certain. Payments received while a loan is on nonaccrual status will be applied to the loan’s outstanding principal balance. When a problem loan is resolved, there may ultimately be an actual write-down or charge-off of the principal balance of the loan that would necessitate additional charges to the allowance for loan losses.

 

Total nonperforming assets totaled $6.1 million at September 30, 2018, an increase from $4.5 million at December 31, 2017. Many of the nonperforming assets as of September 30, 2018, were acquired as a result of our recent bank acquisitions. As of September 30, 2018, acquired nonaccrual loans and other real estate totaled $4.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Acquired nonaccrual loans and other real estate totaled $2.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, at December 30, 2017. Asset quality has been and will continue to be a primary focus of management.

 

Investment Securities

 

We use our securities portfolio primarily to enhance our overall yield on interest-earning assets and as a source of liquidity, as a tool to manage our balance sheet sensitivity and regulatory capital ratios, and as a base from which to pledge assets for public deposits. When our liquidity position exceeds current needs and our expected loan demand, other investments are considered as a secondary earnings alternative. As investments mature, they are used to meet current cash needs or they are reinvested to maintain our desired liquidity position. We have designated the majority of our securities as available-for-sale to provide flexibility in case an immediate need for liquidity arises, and we believe that the composition of the portfolio offers needed flexibility in managing our liquidity position and interest rate sensitivity without adversely impacting our regulatory capital levels. Securities available-for-sale are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses reported as a separate component of other comprehensive income, net of related deferred taxes. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Securities classified as held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost on our balance sheet.

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we sold all of the securities we acquired in connection with the acquisitions of Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic for total proceeds of $124.9 million and did not realize a gain or loss on the sale. The acquired securities were recorded at fair value in purchase accounting and then immediately sold. We liquidated the acquired portfolio at the time of acquisition and reinvested the proceeds as needed in securities that met our interest rate risk parameters and credit quality metrics. In addition to these sales, during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we sold ten debt securities from our legacy portfolio totaling $9.5 million and realized a gain of $193 thousand. The securities sold were low-factor residential mortgage-backed securities and one subordinated note issued by Landmark that we were required to liquidate under the terms of the merger agreement pursuant to which we acquired Landmark.

 

The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair value of securities available-for-sale and securities held-to-maturity at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

INVESTMENT SECURITIES AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE

 
                                 
   

As of

 
   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

 
   

Cost

   

Market

   

Cost

   

Market

 

U.S. government agency obligations

  $ 2,809       2,803       3,261       3,264  

Municipal securities

    2,313       2,392       3,074       3,265  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    146,997       143,449       39,143       39,244  

Other commercial mortgage-backed securities

    3,990       3,767       4,012       3,924  

Other asset-backed securities

    33,499       33,568       35,745       36,137  

Total investment securities available-for-sale

  $ 189,608       185,979       85,235       85,834  

 

INVESTMENT SECURITIES HELD-TO-MATURITY

 
                                 
   

As of

 
   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

 
   

Cost

   

Market

   

Cost

   

Market

 

Municipal securities

  $ 21,215       20,560       21,254       21,645  

Residential mortgage-backed securities

    3,488       3,387       4,058       4,037  

Other debt securities

    500       500       250       250  

Total investment securities held-to-maturity

  $ 25,203       24,447       25,562       25,932  

 

 

We invest primarily in mortgage-backed securities, municipal securities and obligations of government-sponsored entities and agencies of the United States, though we may in some situations also invest in direct obligations of the United States or obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States. All of our mortgage-backed securities are residential securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC). We also invest in other asset-backed securities. These securities are collateralized by commercial loans, and we have invested in tranches rated AAA, AA and A by Standard & Poor’s and/or Moody’s.

 

Deposits

 

Deposits, which include non-interest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing demand deposits, money market accounts and savings and time deposits, are the primary funding source for the Bank. We offer a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers, with a primary focus on building and expanding client relationships. We continually focus on establishing a comprehensive relationship with consumer and business borrowers, seeking deposits as well as lending relationships.

 

The following table details the composition of our deposit portfolio as of the dates indicated.

 

COMPOSITION OF DEPOSITS

 
                                 
   

As of

 
   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2018

   

2017

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

   

Percent of Total

   

Amount

   

Percent of Total

 

Noninterest-bearing demand

  $ 932,089       27.98

%

  $ 697,144       30.49

%

Interest-bearing demand

    663,155       19.90       362,266       15.85  

Savings and money market

    1,218,215       36.57       951,846       41.64  

Time less than $100k

    121,875       3.66       63,044       2.76  

Time equal to or greater than $100k and less than $250k

    156,983       4.71       88,207       3.86  

Time equal to or greater than $250k

    239,365       7.18       123,324       5.40  

Total deposits

  $ 3,331,682       100.00

%

  $ 2,285,831       100.00

%

 

Total deposits were $3.3 billion at September 30, 2018, an increase of $1.0 billion from December 31, 2017. Excluding the acquired Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic deposits, deposits decreased by $13.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. As expected, much of our year-end seasonal deposits left the Bank, and we also had some large depositors move their cash on deposit into other investment types as rates on other investment classes became more attractive. We have experienced increased competition for deposits as deposit rates have increased.

 

Other Funding Sources

 

We supplement our deposit funding with wholesale funding when needed for balance sheet planning or when the terms are attractive and will not disrupt our offering rates in our markets. One of our sources of wholesale funding is the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”). We had FHLB borrowings of $2.0 million and $7.0 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. We have not initiated any additional borrowings from the FHLB since 2012. We also have access to brokered deposits. During the first nine months of 2018, we issued $50.0 million of short-term brokered deposits to compensate for some of our deposit run-off, and $25.0 million matured and was not replaced. At September 30, 2018, we had $24.9 million of brokered deposits outstanding. We expect to have access to additional brokered deposits to fund deposit run-off if it occurs during the remainder of 2018. Another funding source that we have used to supplement our local funding is internet certificates of deposit. We have used this source to book certificates of deposit that mature in three to five years at rates that are lower than we would offer in our local markets, typically below the rates indicated on the LIBOR swap curve for similar maturities. We had internet certificate of deposit balances of $17.0 million and $8.6 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. We have not issued any new internet certificates of deposit during 2018, although we did assume $13.5 million in such certificates of deposit with our acquisition of Landmark.

 

 

Liquidity

 

Market and public confidence in our financial strength and in financial institutions generally affects our access to appropriate levels of liquidity. Confidence in the Company is significantly dependent on our ability to maintain sound asset quality and appropriate levels of capital reserves.

 

Liquidity is defined as the ability to meet anticipated customer demands for funds under credit commitments and deposit withdrawals at a reasonable cost and on a timely basis. We measure our liquidity position by giving consideration to both on- and off-balance sheet sources of and demands for funds on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

 

Liquidity risk involves the risk of being unable to fund assets with the appropriate duration and rate-based liabilities, as well as the risk of not being able to meet our cash needs as they arise. Liquidity planning and management are necessary to ensure the ability to fund operations in a cost-effective manner and to meet current and future potential obligations, such as loan commitments, lease obligations and deposit outflows. In this process, we focus on both assets and liabilities and on the manner in which they collectively contribute to provide adequate liquidity to meet our needs.

 

Funds are available from a number of basic banking activity sources, including our core deposit base, the repayment and maturity of loans and investment security cash flows. Other funding sources include federal funds purchased, brokered certificates of deposit and borrowings from the FHLB.

 

Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were $200.2 million and $235.3 million, respectively. Based on the balance of cash and cash equivalents, we believe that our liquidity resources were sufficient at September 30, 2018 to fund loans, pay the cash portion of pending acquisitions, and meet our other cash needs as necessary.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

While our liquidity monitoring and management considers both present and future demands for sources of liquidity, the following table of contractual commitments focuses only on future obligations.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

 

As of September 30, 2018

 
                                         

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Due in 1

year or less

   

Due after 1

through 3 years

   

Due after 3

through 5 years

   

Due after 5

years

   

Total

 

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

  $ 2,000       -       -       -       2,000  

Subordinated debt

    -       -       -       37,211       37,211  

Certificates of deposit of less than $100k

    83,727       30,201       7,805       142       121,875  

Certificates of deposit of $100k or more

    198,621       164,097       33,630       -       396,348  

Operating leases

    2,128       3,820       2,870       4,064       12,882  

Total contractual obligations

  $ 286,476       198,118       44,305       41,417       570,316  

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We are a party to credit-related financial instruments with off-balance sheet risks in the normal course of business in order to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of amounts recorded on our balance sheet. Our exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amounts of these commitments. We follow the same credit policies in making these types of commitments as we do for on-balance sheet instruments.

 

Our off-balance sheet arrangements are summarized in the following table as of the dates indicated.

 

CREDIT EXTENSION COMMITMENTS

 
                 
   

As of

 
   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

2018

   

2017

 
                 

Unfunded lines

  $ 732,456       483,952  

Letters of credit

    16,641       10,255  

Total credit extension commitments

  $ 749,097       494,207  

 

 

Interest Sensitivity and Market Risk

 

Interest Sensitivity

 

We monitor and manage the pricing and maturity of our assets and liabilities in order to diminish the potential adverse impact that changes in interest rates could have on our net interest income. The principal monitoring technique that we employ is simulation analysis, as augmented by a “gap” analysis.

 

In simulation analysis, we review each individual asset and liability category and its projected behavior in various interest rate environments. These projected behaviors are based on our past experiences and on current competitive environments in the markets in which we compete. Using this projected behavior and differing rate scenarios as inputs, the simulation analysis generates projections of net interest income. We also periodically verify the validity of this approach by comparing actual results with those that were projected in previous models.

 

Another technique used in interest rate management, but to a lesser degree than simulation analysis, is the measurement of the interest sensitivity “gap,” which is the positive or negative dollar difference between assets and liabilities that are subject to interest rate repricing within a given period of time. Interest rate sensitivity can be managed by repricing assets and liabilities, selling securities available for sale or trading securities, replacing an asset or liability at maturity or adjusting the interest rate during the life of an asset or liability.

 

We evaluate interest rate sensitivity risk and then formulate guidelines regarding asset generation and repricing and sources and prices of off-balance sheet commitments in order to decrease interest sensitivity risk. We use computer simulations to measure the net income effect of various interest rate scenarios. The modeling reflects interest rate changes and the related impact on net income over specified periods of time.

 

The following table illustrates our interest rate sensitivity at September 30, 2018, assuming that the relevant assets and liabilities are collected and paid, respectively, based on historical experience rather than their stated maturities.

 

INTEREST SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS

As of September 30, 2018

 

(Dollars in thousands)

                                                       

Interest-earning assets

 

0-1 Mos

   

1-3 Mos

   

3-12 Mos

   

1-3 Yrs

   

3-5 Yrs

   

> 5 Yrs

   

Total

 

Loans (1)

  $ 1,175,918       86,853       315,283       751,164       613,690       303,003       3,245,911  

Securities

    45,005       7,934       12,089       30,824       27,559       87,771       211,182  

Cash balances in other banks

    137,927       -       -       -       -       -       137,927  

Total interest-earning assets

  $ 1,358,850       94,787       327,372       781,988       641,249       390,774       3,595,020  
                                                         

Interest-bearing liabilities

                                                       

Interest-bearing transaction accounts

  $ 249,829       8,580       38,610       102,964       83,679       179,493       663,155  

Savings and money market deposits

    744,811       10,702       48,162       118,281       108,124       188,135       1,218,215  

Time deposits

    14,818       61,691       203,870       194,432       41,302       2,110       518,223  

Federal Home Loan Bank and other borrowed money

    -       -       2,000       -       -       -       2,000  

Subordinated debt

    -       -       -       -       37,211       -       37,211  

Total interest-bearing liabilities

  $ 1,009,458       80,973       292,642       415,677       270,316       369,738       2,438,804  
                                                         

Interest sensitivity gap

                                                       

Period gap

  $ 349,392       13,814       34,730       366,311       370,933       21,036       1,156,216  

Cumulative gap

    349,392       363,206       397,936       764,247       1,135,180       1,156,216          

Cumulative gap - Rate-Sensitive Assets/Rate-Sensitive Liabilities

    9.72 %     10.10       11.07       21.26       31.58       32.16          

 

(1) Includes mortgage loans held-for-sale.

 

We generally benefit from an increase in market rates of interest when we have an asset-sensitive gap (a positive number) and from a decrease in market interest rates when we have a liability-sensitive gap (a negative number). As shown in the table above, we are asset-sensitive on a cumulative basis throughout all timeframes presented. The interest sensitivity “gap” analysis presents only a static view of the timing and repricing opportunities, without taking into consideration the fact that changes in interest rates do not affect all assets and liabilities equally. For example, rates paid on a substantial portion of core deposits may change contractually within a relatively short timeframe, but those are viewed by management as significantly less interest-sensitive than market-based rates, such as those paid on non-core deposits. For this and other reasons, we rely more on the simulation analysis (as described above) in managing interest rate risk. Net interest income may be impacted by other significant factors in a given interest rate environment, including changes in the volume and mix of earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

 

 

Market Risk

 

Our earnings are dependent, to a large degree, on our net interest income, which is the difference between interest income earned on all earning assets, primarily consisting of loans and securities, and interest paid on all interest-bearing liabilities, primarily consisting of deposits. Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates. Our market risk arises primarily from inherent interest rate risk in our lending, investing and deposit-gathering activities. We seek to reduce our exposure to market risk through actively monitoring and managing interest rate risk. Management relies on static “gap” analysis to determine the degree of mismatch in the maturity and repricing distribution of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, which quantifies, to a large extent, the degree of market risk inherent in our balance sheet. Gap analysis is further augmented by simulation analysis to evaluate the impact of varying levels of prevailing interest rates and the sensitivity of specific earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities to changes in those prevailing rates. Simulation analysis consists of evaluating the impact on net interest income given changes from 400 basis points below the current prevailing rates to 400 basis points above the current prevailing rates. We make certain assumptions regarding the effect that varying levels of interest rates have on certain earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, based on both historical experience and consensus estimates of outside sources. We also manage interest rate risk by entering into derivative contracts to modify the characteristics of the related balance sheet instruments in order to reduce the adverse effect of changes in interest rates. To mitigate the interest rate risk associated with mandatory delivery of mortgage loans, we enter into forward commitments to sell mortgage-backed securities. See Note 11 to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on derivative instruments.

 

The following table illustrates the results of our simulation analysis to determine the extent to which market risk would affect net interest margin for the next twelve months if prevailing interest rates increased or decreased by the specified amounts from current rates. As described above, this model uses estimates and assumptions regarding the manner in which asset and liability accounts will react to changes in prevailing interest rates. However, to isolate the market risk inherent in the balance sheet, the model assumes that no growth in the balance sheet occurs during the projection period. The model also assumes an immediate and parallel shift in interest rates, which would result in no change in the shape or slope of the interest rate yield curve. Because of the inherent use of these estimates and assumptions in the simulation model to derive this market risk information, the actual results of the future impact of market risk on our net interest margin may (and likely will) differ from those set forth in the table. The scenarios are inclusive of all interest rate hedging activities.

 

MARKET RISK

 
   

Impact on Net Interest Income

 
   

As of

 
   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 

Change in prevailing interest rates

 

2018

   

2017

 

+400 basis points

    9.28

%

    17.52

%

+300 basis points

    6.98       13.17  

+200 basis points

    4.66       8.83  

+100 basis points

    2.34       4.41  

0 basis points

    -       -  

-100 basis points

    (2.77 )     (5.60 )

-200 basis points

    (7.67 )     (13.64 )

-300 basis points

    (13.44 )     (18.01 )

-400 basis points

    (17.13 )     (21.34 )

 

Capital Resources

 

Total shareholders’ equity attributable to NCC at September 30, 2018 was $677.2 million, or 16.5% of total assets. At December 31, 2017, total shareholders’ equity attributable to NCC was $392.6 million, or 14.3% of total assets. The increase in shareholders’ equity during the first nine months of 2018 was primarily attributable to our acquisitions of Landmark, Premier and FirstAtlantic, the exercise of options to purchase our common stock and other share-based compensation and net income.

 

In July 2013, the Federal Reserve and the OCC issued final rules implementing the Basel III regulatory capital framework, as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The final rules took effect for the Company and the Bank on January 1, 2015, subject to a transition period for certain parts of the rules. Among other things, the rules (i) revised the minimum capital requirements and adjusted the prompt corrective action thresholds applicable to financial institutions under the agencies’ jurisdiction, (ii) revised the regulatory capital elements, (iii) added a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio, (iv) increased the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirements and (v) implemented a new capital conservation buffer. The rules permit certain banking organizations to retain, through a one-time election, the existing treatment for accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company and Bank have made the election to retain the existing treatment for accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

The rules are intended to provide an additional measure of a bank’s capital adequacy by assigning weighted levels of risk to asset categories. Banks are also required to systematically maintain capital against such “off-balance sheet” activities as loans sold with recourse, loan commitments, guarantees and standby letters of credit. These guidelines are intended to strengthen the quality of capital by increasing the emphasis on common equity and restricting the amount of loan loss reserves and other forms of equity, such as preferred stock, that may be included in capital. Certain items, such as goodwill and other intangible assets, are deducted from total capital in arriving at the various regulatory capital measures, such as common equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and total risk-based capital. Our objective is to maintain our current status as a “well-capitalized” institution under applicable federal regulations. As of September 30, 2018, the Bank was “well-capitalized.”

 

Under the current regulatory guidelines, banks must meet minimum capital adequacy levels based on both total assets and risk-adjusted assets. All banks are required to maintain a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8%, a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6%, a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.5% and a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets (leverage ratio) of 4%. Adherence to these guidelines has not had an adverse impact on us.

 

The table below calculates and presents regulatory capital based on the regulatory capital ratio requirements under Basel III. As of January 1, 2016, an additional capital conservation buffer has been added to the minimum requirements for capital adequacy purposes and is subject to a three-year phase-in period. The capital conservation buffer will be fully phased-in on January 1, 2019, at 2.5%. A banking organization with a conservation buffer of less than 2.5% (or the required phase-in amount in years prior to 2019) will be subject to limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers. The ratios for the Company and Bank are currently sufficient to satisfy the fully phased-in conservation buffer.

 

 

The following table sets forth selected consolidated capital ratios at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 for both NBC and NCC.

 

CAPITAL ADEQUACY ANALYSIS

 
                                                 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

Actual

   

For Capital Adequacy

Purposes

   

To Be Well-Capitalized

Under Prompt Corrective

Action Provisions

 

As of September 30, 2018

 

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 

Total Capital

                                               

(to Risk-Weighted Assets)

                                               

NCC

  $ 464,903       14.74 %   $ 252,306       8.00 %     N/A       N/A  

NBC

  $ 442,282       14.03 %   $ 252,180       8.00 %   $ 315,224       10.00 %

Tier 1 Capital

                                               

(to Risk-Weighted Assets)

                                               

NCC

  $ 410,933       13.03 %   $ 189,230       6.00 %     N/A       N/A  

NBC

  $ 425,523       13.50 %   $ 189,135       6.00 %   $ 252,180       8.00 %

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital

                                               

(to Risk-Weighted Assets)

                                               

NCC

  $ 410,933       13.03 %   $ 141,922       4.50 %     N/A       N/A  

NBC

  $ 425,523       13.50 %   $ 141,852       4.50 %   $ 204,897       6.50 %

Tier 1 Capital

                                               

(to Average Assets)

                                               

NCC

  $ 410,933       11.40 %   $ 144,154       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  

NBC

  $ 425,523       11.82 %   $ 143,972       4.00 %   $ 179,965       5.00 %

As of December 31, 2017

 

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

   

Amount

   

Ratio

 

Total Capital

                                               

(to Risk-Weighted Assets)

                                               

NCC

  $ 311,225       14.37 %   $ 173,301       8.00 %     N/A       N/A  

NBC

  $ 273,012       12.61 %   $ 173,243       8.00 %   $ 220,680       10.00 %

Tier 1 Capital

                                               

(to Risk-Weighted Assets)

                                               

NCC

  $ 271,687       12.54 %   $ 129,975       6.00 %     N/A       N/A  

NBC

  $ 258,027       11.92 %   $ 129,932       6.00 %   $ 176,543       8.00 %

Common Equity Tier 1 Capital

                                               

(to Risk-Weighted Assets)

                                               

NCC

  $ 271,687       12.54 %   $ 97,482       4.50 %     N/A       N/A  

NBC

  $ 258,027       11.92 %   $ 97,449       4.50 %   $ 143,442       6.50 %

Tier 1 Capital

                                               

(to Average Assets)

                                               

NCC

  $ 271,687       10.89 %   $ 99,786       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  

NBC

  $ 258,027       10.36 %   $ 99,630       4.00 %   $ 124,538       5.00 %

 

Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that a bank can pay without the prior approval of its regulatory authorities. These restrictions are based on levels of regulatory classified assets, prior years’ net earnings and the ratio of equity capital to assets. The Bank is currently permitted to pay dividends to NCC, subject to safety and soundness requirements and other limitations imposed by law and federal regulatory authorities. However, NCC’s board of directors has not declared a dividend since its inception and has no current plans to do so. Future determinations regarding our dividend policy will be made at the discretion of NCC’s board of directors based on factors that it deems relevant at that time.

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The information required by this item is contained in Part I, Item 2 herein under the heading “Interest Sensitivity and Market Risk.”

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company has carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based on this evaluation, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and President and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of September 30, 2018, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information relating to the Company required to be disclosed in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and our President and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s quarter ended September 30, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

The Company and its subsidiaries may be involved from time to time in various routine legal proceedings incidental to our respective businesses. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is currently engaged in any legal proceedings that are expected to have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 that could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

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

 

None.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Exhibit Description

     

3.1

 

Certificate of Incorporation of National Commerce Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-198219), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 18, 2014)

     

3.1A

 

Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of National Commerce Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1A to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 000-55336), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 20, 2016)

     

3.2

 

By-Laws of National Commerce Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-198219), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 18, 2014)

     

4.1*

 

Form of Landmark Bancshares, Inc. 6.50% Fixed to Floating Subordinated Note due June 30, 2027

     
4.2*   Form of Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (FirstAtlantic Financial Holdings, Inc.)
     
10.1   2018 Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefits Agreement, entered into and effective as of September 12, 2018, by and between National Bank of Commerce and Richard Murray, IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1A to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36878), filed on September 17, 2018)
     
10.2   2018 Split-Dollar Agreement, entered into and effective as of September 12, 2018, by and between National Bank of Commerce and Richard Murray, IV (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2A to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36878), filed on September 17, 2018)
     
10.3   2018 Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefits Agreement, entered into and effective as of September 12, 2018, by and between National Bank of Commerce and William E. Matthews, V (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1B to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36878), filed on September 17, 2018)
     
10.4   2018 Split-Dollar Agreement, entered into and effective as of September 12, 2018, by and between National Bank of Commerce and William E. Matthews, V (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2B to the Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-36878), filed on September 17, 2018)
     

10.5*

 

Executive Employment Agreement, dated December 21, 2017, by and between National Bank of Commerce and Robert B. Aland

     

10.6*

 

Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefits Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2016, by and between National Bank of Commerce and Robert B. Aland

     
10.7*   Split-Dollar Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2016, by and between National Bank of Commerce and Robert B. Aland
     
10.8*   Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefits Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2016, by and between National Bank of Commerce and John R. Bragg
     
10.9*   Split-Dollar Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2016, by and between National Bank of Commerce and John R. Bragg
     
10.10*   Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefits Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2016, by and between National Bank of Commerce and Michael D. Goodson, Jr.
     
10.11*   Split-Dollar Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2016, by and between National Bank of Commerce and Michael D. Goodson, Jr.
     

31.1*

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     

31.2*

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     

32.1*

 

Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 USC. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     

32.2*

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     

101*

 

Interactive Data Files for the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2018

_________

   

*

 

Filed herewith.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

NATIONAL COMMERCE CORPORATION

(Registrant)

   

Date: November 9, 2018

/s/ Richard Murray, IV

 

Richard Murray, IV

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

   

Date: November 9, 2018

/s/ William E. Matthews, V

 

William E. Matthews, V

President and Chief Financial Officer

 

49