UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016

 

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 0-33203

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   43-1930755
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

701 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

(785) 565-2000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company x
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date: as of November 9, 2016, the issuer had outstanding 3,674,261 shares of its common stock, $.01 par value per share.

 

  

 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC.

Form 10-Q Quarterly Report

 

Table of Contents

 

    Page Number
  PART I  
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 2 - 25
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 26 – 35
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 36 – 37
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 38 
     
  PART II  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 39
Item 1A. Risk Factors 39
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 39
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 39
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 39
Item 5. Other Information 39
Item 6. Exhibits 39
     
  Signature Page 40

 

  1 

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  September 30,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
   (Unaudited)     
Assets          
Cash and cash equivalents  $17,650   $13,569 
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value   374,426    353,438 
Bank stocks, at cost   4,869    4,497 
Loans, net of allowance for loans losses of $5,507 and $5,922   430,054    419,923 
Loans held for sale, net   9,098    14,465 
Premises and equipment, net   20,607    20,958 
Bank owned life insurance   18,196    18,164 
Goodwill   17,532    17,532 
Other intangible assets, net   4,042    4,304 
Real estate owned, net   1,178    1,000 
Accrued interest and other assets   10,032    10,526 
Total assets  $907,684   $878,376 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
Liabilities:          
Deposits:          
Non-interest-bearing demand  $159,398   $143,616 
Money market and checking   322,344    346,106 
Savings   87,686    81,062 
Time   146,283    143,943 
Total deposits   715,711    714,727 
           
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   52,700    37,600 
Subordinated debentures   21,234    21,084 
Other borrowings   12,525    11,974 
Accrued interest, taxes, and other liabilities   15,728    12,421 
Total liabilities   817,898    797,806 
           
Commitments and contingencies          
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 200,000 shares authorized; none issued   -    - 
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 7,500,000 shares authorized; 3,661,355 and 3,531,036 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2016 and  December 31, 2015 respectively   36    35 
Additional paid-in capital   47,295    45,372 
Retained earnings   37,437    32,988 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   5,018    2,175 
Total stockholders’ equity   89,786    80,570 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $907,684   $878,376 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  2 

 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended   Nine months ended 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  September 30,   September 30, 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
Interest income:                    
Loans:                    
Taxable  $5,330   $5,189   $15,750   $15,745 
Tax-exempt   62    68    189    211 
Investment securities:                    
Taxable   1,089    1,115    3,424    3,458 
Tax-exempt   869    828    2,533    2,242 
Total interest income   7,350    7,200    21,896    21,656 
Interest expense:                    
Deposits   285    265    849    815 
Borrowings   513    508    1,529    1,496 
Total interest expense   798    773    2,378    2,311 
Net interest income   6,552    6,427    19,518    19,345 
Provision for loan losses   150    100    500    (700)
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   6,402    6,327    19,018    20,045 
Non-interest income:                    
Fees and service charges   1,873    1,922    5,449    5,417 
Gains on sales of loans, net   1,219    2,013    4,418    6,207 
Bank owned life insurance   125    131    390    376 
Gains (losses) on sales of investment securities, net   261    135    558    (119)
Other   264    275    769    1,040 
Total non-interest income   3,742    4,476    11,584    12,921 
                     
Non-interest expense:                    
Compensation and benefits   3,903    3,885    11,481    11,451 
Occupancy and equipment   1,131    1,073    3,242    3,203 
Amortization of intangibles   373    340    1,041    1,021 
Data processing   369    352    1,026    1,041 
Professional fees   258    233    759    726 
Advertising   166    184    498    433 
Federal deposit insurance premiums   75    97    295    321 
Foreclosure and real estate owned expense   60    10    176    55 
Other   1,059    1,134    3,249    3,611 
Total non-interest expense   7,394    7,308    21,767    21,862 
Earnings before income taxes   2,750    3,495    8,835    11,104 
Income tax expense   656    966    2,219    3,182 
Net earnings  $2,094   $2,529   $6,616   $7,922 
Earnings per share:                    
Basic (1)  $0.57   $0.72   $1.83   $2.26 
Diluted (1)  $0.56   $0.70   $1.80   $2.19 
Dividends per share (1)  $0.20   $0.18   $0.60   $0.54 

 

(1) Per share amounts for the periods ended September 30, 2015 have been adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividend paid during December 2015.

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  3 

 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended   Nine months ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  September 30,   September 30, 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
                 
Net earnings  $2,094   $2,529   $6,616   $7,922 
                     
Net unrealized holding (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities   (2,073)   3,216    5,088    1,894 
Reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in earnings   (261)   (135)   (558)   119 
Net unrealized (losses) gains   (2,334)   3,081    4,530    2,013 
Income tax effect on net gains (losses) included in earnings   97    50    206    (44)
Income tax effect on net unrealized holding losses (gains)   760    (1,190)   (1,893)   (697)
Other comprehensive (loss) income   (1,477)   1,941    2,843    1,272 
                     
Total comprehensive income  $617   $4,470   $9,459   $9,194 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  4 

 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  Common
stock
   Additional
paid-in
capital
   Retained
earnings
   Accumulated other
comprehensive
income
   Total 
                     
Balance at January 1, 2015  $33   $40,473   $29,321   $1,818   $71,645 
Net earnings   -    -    7,922    -    7,922 
Other comprehensive income   -    -    -    1,272    1,272 
Dividends paid ($0.54 per share)   -    -    (1,903)   -    (1,903)
Stock-based compensation   -    16    -    -    16 
Exercise of stock options, 7,941 shares, including excess tax benefit of $5   -    129    -    -    129 
Balance at September 30, 2015  $33   $40,618   $35,340   $3,090   $79,081 
                          
Balance at January 1, 2016  $35   $45,372   $32,988   $2,175   $80,570 
Net earnings   -    -    6,616    -    6,616 
Other comprehensive income   -    -    -    2,843    2,843 
Dividends paid ($0.60 per share)   -    -    (2,167)   -    (2,167)
Stock-based compensation   -    23    -    -    23 
Exercise of stock options, 117,919 shares, including excess tax benefit of $266   1    1,900    -    -    1,901 
Balance at September 30, 2016  $36   $47,295   $37,437   $5,018   $89,786 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  5 

 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

   Nine months ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  September 30, 
   2016   2015 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net earnings  $6,616   $7,922 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Provision for loan losses   500    (700)
Amortization of investment security premiums, net   1,238    1,154 
Amortization of purchase accounting adjustment on loans   (75)   (459)
Amortization of purchase accounting adjustment on subordinated debentures   150    150 
Amortization of intangibles   1,041    1,021 
Depreciation   866    869 
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance   (390)   (376)
Stock-based compensation   23    16 
Deferred income taxes   594    215 
Net (gains) losses on sales of investment securities   (558)   119 
Impairment of affordable housing investment   -    163 
Net loss (gain) on sales of premises, equipment and real estate owned   89    (240)
Net gains on sales of loans   (4,418)   (6,207)
Proceeds from sales of loans   173,967    229,162 
Origination of loans held for sale   (164,182)   (221,309)
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
Accrued interest and other assets   (2,305)   (2,448)
Accrued expenses, taxes, and other liabilities   1,764    1,232 
Net cash provided by operating activities   14,920    10,284 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Net (increase) decrease in loans   (11,650)   523 
Maturities and prepayments of investment securities   32,061    45,957 
Purchases of investment securities   (62,230)   (75,238)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities   14,326    30,610 
Redemption of bank stocks   4,686    8,774 
Purchase of bank stocks   (5,058)   (9,243)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment and foreclosed assets   813    537 
Proceeds from bank owned life insurance   358    - 
Purchases of premises and equipment, net   (518)   (1,049)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   (27,212)   871 
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Net increase (decrease) in deposits   988    (17,012)
Federal Home Loan Bank advance borrowings   276,833    220,326 
Federal Home Loan Bank advance repayments   (261,733)   (215,279)
Proceeds from other borrowings   551    3,158 
Repayments on other borrowings   -    (660)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options, including excess tax benefit   1,901    129 
Payment of dividends   (2,167)   (1,903)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   16,373    (11,241)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   4,081    (86)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   13,569    12,760 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $17,650   $12,674 

 

(Continued)

 

  6 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED

(Unaudited)

 

   Nine months ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  September 30, 
   2016   2015 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:          
Cash payments for income taxes  $510   $2,190 
Cash paid for interest   2,254    2,173 
           
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:          
Transfer of loans to real estate owned   1,077    94 
Investment securities purchases not yet settled   (1,295)   (4,094)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  7 

 

 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.Interim Financial Statements

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Landmark Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) and its subsidiary, Landmark National Bank (the “Bank”), have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, containing the latest audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The consolidated financial statements in this report have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial statements have been reflected herein. The results of the nine months ended September 30, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending December 31, 2016 or for any other period. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure up to the date the financial statements were issued.

 

2.Investments

 

A summary of investment securities available-for-sale is as follows:

 

   As of September 30, 2016 
       Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   unrealized   unrealized   Estimated 
(Dollars in thousands)  cost   gains   losses   fair value 
                 
U. S. treasury securities  $6,008   $22   $-   $6,030 
U. S. federal agency obligations   27,188    167    (6)   27,349 
Municipal obligations, tax-exempt   160,122    3,907    (181)   163,848 
Municipal obligations, taxable   71,680    1,949    (1)   73,628 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   91,331    1,580    (42)   92,869 
Common stocks   458    544    -    1,002 
Certificates of deposit   9,700    -    -    9,700 
Total  $366,487   $8,169   $(230)  $374,426 

 

   As of December 31, 2015 
       Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   unrealized   unrealized   Estimated 
(Dollars in thousands)  cost   gains   losses   fair value 
                 
U. S. treasury securities  $6,517   $1   $(1)  $6,517 
U. S. federal agency obligations   30,064    43    (187)   29,920 
Municipal obligations, tax-exempt   135,341    2,671    (71)   137,941 
Municipal obligations, taxable   81,999    472    (581)   81,890 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   85,829    391    (235)   85,985 
Common stocks   580    906    -    1,486 
Certificates of deposit   9,699    -    -    9,699 
Total  $350,029   $4,484   $(1,075)  $353,438 

 

  8 

 

 

The tables above show that some of the securities in the available-for-sale investment portfolio had unrealized losses, or were temporarily impaired, as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. This temporary impairment represents the estimated amount of loss that would be realized if the securities were sold on the valuation date. Securities which were temporarily impaired are shown below, along with the length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

       As of September 30, 2016 
(Dollars in thousands)      Less than 12 months   12 months or longer   Total 
   No. of   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
   securities   value   losses   value   losses   value   losses 
U.S. federal agency obligations   3   $6,198   $(6)  $-   $-   $6,198   $(6)
Municipal obligations, tax-exempt   78    27,441    (181)   -    -    27,441    (181)
Municipal obligations, taxable   2    567    (1)   -    -    567    (1)
Agency mortgage-backed securities   19    10,936    (42)   -    -    10,936    (42)
Total   102   $45,142   $(230)  $-   $-   $45,142   $(230)

 

       As of December 31, 2015 
(Dollars in thousands)      Less than 12 months   12 months or longer   Total 
   No. of   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
   securities   value   losses   value   losses   value   losses 
U.S. treasury securities   2   $3,542   $(1)  $-   $-   $3,542   $(1)
U. S. federal agency obligations   18    23,015    (163)   1,976    (24)   24,991    (187)
Municipal obligations, tax-exempt   47    11,328    (53)   2,132    (18)   13,460    (71)
Municipal obligations, taxable   105    38,605    (494)   5,068    (87)   43,673    (581)
Agency mortgage-backed securities   40    29,814    (166)   2,925    (69)   32,739    (235)
Total   212   $106,304   $(877)  $12,101   $(198)  $118,405   $(1,075)

 

The Company’s U.S. federal agency portfolio consists of securities issued by the government-sponsored agencies of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”). The receipt of principal and interest on U.S. federal agency obligations is guaranteed by the respective government-sponsored agency guarantor, such that the Company believes that its U.S. federal agency obligations do not expose the Company to credit-related losses. Based on these factors, along with the Company’s intent to not sell the securities and its belief that it was more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of their cost basis, the Company believed that the U.S. federal agency obligations identified in the tables above were temporarily impaired as of the date of the respective table.

 

The Company’s portfolio of municipal obligations consists of both tax-exempt and taxable general obligations securities issued by various municipalities. As of September 30, 2016, the Company did not intend to sell and it was more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell its municipal obligations in an unrealized loss position until the recovery of their costs. Due to the issuers’ continued satisfaction of the securities’ obligations in accordance with their contractual terms and the expectation that they will continue to do so, the evaluation of the fundamentals of the issuers’ financial condition and other objective evidence, the Company believed that the municipal obligations identified in the tables above were temporarily impaired as of the date of the respective table.

 

The Company’s agency mortgage-backed securities portfolio consists of securities underwritten to the standards of and guaranteed by the government-sponsored agencies of FHLMC, FNMA and the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”). The receipt of principal, at par, and interest on agency mortgage-backed securities is guaranteed by the respective government-sponsored agency guarantor, such that the Company believed that its agency mortgage-backed securities did not expose the Company to credit-related losses. Based on these factors, along with the Company’s intent to not sell the securities and the Company’s belief that it was more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of their cost basis, the Company believed that the agency mortgage-backed securities identified in the tables above were temporarily impaired as of the date of the respective table.

 

  9 

 

 

The table below of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities includes scheduled principal payments and estimated prepayments, based on observable market inputs, for agency mortgage-backed securities. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties. The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at September 30, 2016 are as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Amortized   Estimated 
   cost   fair value 
Due in less than one year  $25,963   $26,067 
Due after one year but within five years   182,604    184,791 
Due after five years but within ten years   89,280    92,434 
Due after ten years   68,182    70,132 
Common stocks   458    1,002 
Total  $366,487   $374,426 

 

Sales proceeds and gross realized gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale securities are as follows for the periods indicated:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
                 
Sales proceeds  $708   $11,541   $14,326   $30,610 
                     
Realized gains  $261   $206   $573   $230 
Realized losses   -    (71)   (15)   (349)
Net realized gains (losses)  $261   $135   $558   $(119)

  

Securities with carrying values of $204.5 million and $171.6 million were pledged to secure public funds on deposit, repurchase agreements and as collateral for borrowings at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Except for U.S. federal agency obligations, no investment in a single issuer exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders’ equity.

 

3.Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

 

Loans consisted of the following as of the dates indicated below:

 

   September 30,   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2016   2015 
         
One-to-four family residential real estate  $133,714   $131,930 
Construction and land   16,084    15,043 
Commercial real estate   116,395    118,983 
Commercial loans   61,580    61,300 
Agriculture loans   80,632    71,030 
Municipal loans   7,132    7,635 
Consumer loans   20,038    19,895 
Total gross loans   435,575    425,816 
Net deferred loan (fees) costs and loans in process   (14)   29 
Allowance for loan losses   (5,507)   (5,922)
Loans, net  $430,054   $419,923 

 

  10 

 

 

The following tables provide information on the Company’s activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class:

 

   Three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 
(Dollars in thousands)  One-to-four
family
residential
real estate
   Construction
and land
   Commercial
real estate
   Commercial
loans
   Agriculture
loans
   Municipal
loans
   Consumer
loans
   Total 
                                 
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Balance at July 1, 2016  $584   $89   $1,776   $1,393   $1,600   $23   $187   $5,652 
Charge-offs   (14)   -    -    -    (215)   -    (89)   (318)
Recoveries   3    -    -    9    -    -    11    23 
Provision for loan losses   36    (7)   (40)   (28)   88    -    101    150 
Balance at September 30, 2016   609    82    1,736    1,374    1,473    23    210    5,507 
                                         
Balance at January 1, 2016  $925   $77   $1,740   $1,530   $1,428   $23   $199   $5,922 
Charge-offs   (14)   -    -    (306)   (298)   -    (374)   (992)
Recoveries   8    -    -    29    -    6    34    77 
Provision for loan losses   (310)   5    (4)   121    343    (6)   351    500 
Balance at September 30, 2016   609    82    1,736    1,374    1,473    23    210    5,507 

 

   Three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 
(Dollars in thousands)  One-to-four
family
residential
real estate
   Construction
and land
   Commercial
real estate
   Commercial
loans
   Agriculture
loans
   Municipal
loans
   Consumer
loans
   Total 
                                 
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Balance at July 1, 2015  $1,325   $99   $1,539   $1,756   $1,102   $21   $176   $6,018 
Charge-offs   (48)   -    -    (68)   -    -    (88)   (204)
Recoveries   3    2    -    10    -    -    7    22 
Provision for loan losses   (172)   (3)   129    (113)   144    1    114    100 
Balance at September 30, 2015   1,108    98    1,668    1,585    1,246    22    209    5,936 
                                         
Balance at January 1, 2015  $755   $762   $1,832   $836   $915   $51   $169   $5,320 
Charge-offs   (57)   -    -    (78)   -    (88)   (230)   (453)
Recoveries   8    1,721    2    13    -    -    25    1,769 
Provision for loan losses   402    (2,385)   (166)   814    331    59    245    (700)
Balance at September 30, 2015   1,108    98    1,668    1,585    1,246    22    209    5,936 

 

  11 

 

 

The following tables provide information on the Company’s activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class and allowance methodology:

 

   As of September 30, 2016 
(Dollars in thousands)  One-to-four
family
residential
real estate
   Construction
 and land
   Commercial
 real estate
   Commercial
 loans
   Agriculture
loans
   Municipal
loans
   Consumer
loans
   Total 
                                 
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Individually evaluated for loss   -    -    -    13    2    -    22    37 
Collectively evaluated for loss   609    82    1,736    1,361    1,471    23    188    5,470 
Total   609    82    1,736    1,374    1,473    23    210    5,507 
                                         
Loan balances:                                        
Individually evaluated for loss   309    2,006    2,517    114    675    345    110    6,076 
Collectively evaluated for loss   133,405    14,078    113,878    61,466    79,957    6,787    19,928    429,499 
Total  $133,714   $16,084   $116,395   $61,580   $80,632   $7,132   $20,038   $435,575 

 

   As of December 31, 2015 
(Dollars in thousands)  One-to-four
family
residential
real estate
   Construction
and land
   Commercial
real estate
   Commercial
loans
   Agriculture
loans
   Municipal
loans
   Consumer
loans
   Total 
                                 
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Individually evaluated for loss   78    -    -    -    -    -    10    88 
Collectively evaluated for loss   847    77    1,740    1,530    1,428    23    189    5,834 
Total   925    77    1,740    1,530    1,428    23    199    5,922 
                                         
Loan balances:                                        
Individually evaluated for loss   752    2,220    2,429    620    189    591    36    6,837 
Collectively evaluated for loss   131,178    12,823    116,554    60,680    70,841    7,044    19,859    418,979 
Total  $131,930   $15,043   $118,983   $61,300   $71,030   $7,635   $19,895   $425,816 

 

The Company recorded net loan charge-offs of $915,000 during the first nine months of 2016 compared to net loan recoveries of $1.3 million during the first nine months of 2015. The net loan charge-offs during the first nine months of 2016 were primarily related to an agriculture loan relationship which was subject to a trouble debt restructuring (“TDR”) and the liquidation of the assets securing a previously identified and impaired commercial loan. The charge-off associated with this commercial loan exceeded the related allowance recorded at March 31, 2016, which contributed to the provision for loan losses during the second quarter of 2016. The net loan recoveries during the first nine months of 2015 were primarily associated with the recovery of $1.7 million on a $4.3 million construction loan which was fully charged-off during 2010 and 2011. As of September 30, 2016, the Company has recovered approximately $2.4 million of the loan and continues to pursue collection of the remaining amount.

 

The Company’s impaired loans decreased from $6.8 million at December 31, 2015 to $6.1 million at September 30, 2016. The difference between the unpaid contractual principal and the impaired loan balance is a result of charge-offs recorded against impaired loans. The difference in the Company’s non-accrual loan balances and impaired loan balances at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, was related to TDRs that are current and accruing interest, but still classified as impaired. Interest income recognized on a cash basis was immaterial during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

 

  12 

 

 

The following tables present information on impaired loans:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of September 30, 2016 
   Unpaid
contractual
principal
   Impaired
loan balance
   Impaired
loans
without an
allowance
   Impaired
loans with
an allowance
   Related
allowance
recorded
   Year-to-
date average
loan balance
   Year-to-
date interest
income
recognized
 
                             
One-to-four family residential real estate  $309   $309   $309   $-   $-   $323   $6 
Construction and land   3,741    2,006    2,006    -    -    2,101    56 
Commercial real estate   2,517    2,517    2,517    -    -    2,618    383 
Commercial loans   114    114    62    52    13    138    2 
Agriculture loans   891    676    224    452    2    686    4 
Municipal loans   345    345    345    -    -    456    10 
Consumer loans   110    110    62    48    22    116    - 
Total impaired loans  $8,027   $6,077   $5,525   $552   $37   $6,438   $461 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of December 31, 2015 
   Unpaid
contractual
principal
   Impaired
loan balance
   Impaired
loans
without an
allowance
   Impaired
loans with
an
allowance
   Related
allowance
recorded
   Year-to-
date average
loan balance
   Year-to-
date interest
income
recognized
 
                             
One-to-four family residential real estate  $752   $752   $408   $344   $78   $1,041   $- 
Construction and land   3,955    2,220    2,220    -    -    2,389    88 
Commercial real estate   2,429    2,429    2,429    -    -    2,484    175 
Commercial loans   637    620    620    -    -    634    3 
Agriculture loans   189    189    189    -    -    188    3 
Municipal loans   591    591    591    -    -    631    19 
Consumer loans   36    36    10    26    10    41    - 
Total impaired loans  $8,589   $6,837   $6,467   $370   $88   $7,408   $288 

 

The Company’s key credit quality indicator is a loan’s performance status, defined as accruing or non-accruing. Performing loans are considered to have a lower risk of loss. Non-accrual loans are those which the Company believes have a higher risk of loss. The accrual of interest on non-performing loans is discontinued at the time the loan is ninety days delinquent, unless the credit is well secured and in process of collection. Loans are placed on non-accrual or are charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. There were no loans ninety days delinquent and accruing interest at September 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

 

  13 

 

 

The following tables present information on the Company’s past due and non-accrual loans by loan class:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of September 30, 2016 
   30-59 days
delinquent
and
accruing
   60-89 days
delinquent
and
accruing
   90 days or
more
delinquent
and accruing
   Total past
due loans
accruing
   Non-accrual
loans
   Total past
due and non-
accrual loans
   Total loans
 not past due
 
                             
One-to-four family residential real estate  $263   $120   $-   $383   $122   $505   $133,209 
Construction and land   4    -    -    4    602    606    15,478 
Commercial real estate   332    90    -    422    237    659    115,736 
Commercial loans   256    -    -    256    90    346    61,234 
Agriculture loans   83    -    -    83    631    714    79,918 
Municipal loans   -    -    -    -    -    -    7,132 
Consumer loans   88    10    -    98    110    208    19,830 
 Total  $1,026   $220   $-   $1,246   $1,792   $3,038   $432,537 
                                    
Percent of gross loans   0.24%   0.05%   0.00%   0.29%   0.41%   0.70%   99.30%

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of December 31, 2015 
   30-59 days
delinquent
and
accruing
   60-89 days
delinquent
and
accruing
   90 days or
more
delinquent
and accruing
   Total past
due loans
accruing
   Non-accrual
loans
   Total past
due and non-
accrual loans
   Total loans
not past due
 
                             
One-to-four family residential real estate  $70   $712   $-   $782   $749   $1,531   $130,399 
Construction and land   4    -    -    4    614    618    14,425 
Commercial real estate   240    -    -    240    47    287    118,696 
Commercial loans   90    40    -    130    583    713    60,587 
Agriculture loans   174    5    -    179    139    318    70,712 
Municipal loans   -    -    -    -    -    -    7,635 
Consumer loans   65    2    -    67    36    103    19,792 
 Total  $643   $759   $-   $1,402   $2,168   $3,570   $422,246 
                                    
Percent of gross loans   0.15%   0.18%   0.00%   0.33%   0.51%   0.84%   99.16%

 

Under the original terms of the Company’s non-accrual loans, interest earned on such loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 would have increased interest income by $43,000 and $121,000, respectively. No interest income related to non-accrual loans was included in interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

 

The Company also categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of the borrowers to service their debt such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. This analysis is performed on a quarterly basis. Non-classified loans generally include those loans that are expected to be repaid in accordance with contractual loan terms. Classified loans are those that are assigned a special mention, substandard or doubtful risk rating using the following definitions:

 

Special Mention: Loans are currently protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged but such protection is potentially weak. These loans constitute an undue and unwarranted credit risk, but not to the point of justifying a classification of substandard. The credit risk may be relatively minor, yet constitutes an unwarranted risk in light of the circumstances surrounding a specific asset.

 

Substandard: Loans are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged. Loans have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. Loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

 

Doubtful: Loans classified doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

 

  14 

 

 

 

The following table provides information on the Company’s risk categories by loan class:

 

   As of September 30, 2016   As of December 31, 2015 
(Dollars in thousands)  Nonclassified   Classified   Nonclassified   Classified 
                 
One-to-four family residential real estate  $133,069   $645   $130,575   $1,355 
Construction and land   15,267    817    14,429    614 
Commercial real estate   107,317    9,078    111,016    7,967 
Commercial loans   58,379    3,201    58,862    2,438 
Agriculture loans   74,039    6,593    68,186    2,844 
Municipal loans   7,132    -    7,635    - 
Consumer loans   19,913    125    19,839    56 
Total   415,116    20,459    410,542    15,274 

 

At September 30, 2016, the Company had eleven loan relationships consisting of seventeen outstanding loans that were classified as TDRs. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company classified a $302,000 agriculture loan relationship consisting of three loans as a TDR after extending the maturities of the loans. The collateral securing the loans was deemed to be insufficient, resulting in a charge-off of $215,000. During the second quarter of 2016, the Company classified an $8,000 commercial loan as a TDR after modifying the payments to interest only. Also during the second quarter of 2016, the Company classified an $188,000 one-to-four family residential real estate loan as a TDR after agreeing to a loan modification which adjusted the payment schedule. No loan modifications were classified as TDRs during the first quarter of 2016. The Company recorded charge-offs of $215,000 and a provision for loan loss of $2,000 against TDRs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. No loan modifications were classified as TDRs during the third quarter of 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company classified a commercial loan relationship consisting of $2.7 million in real estate and land loans as a TDR after agreeing to a bankruptcy plan with the borrower. The bankruptcy plan restarted the amortization period of the loans which extended the maturities of the loans. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company classified a $44,000 agriculture loan relationship consisting of two loans as a TDR after extending the maturity of the loans. During the first nine months of 2016, a $56,000 one-to-four family residential real estate loan and a $25,000 agriculture loan, which were both classified as TDRs during 2015, were paid off. During the first nine months of 2015, a land loan relationship consisting of three loans totaling $1.6 million, which was previously classified as a TDR during 2012, was paid off with proceeds from the sale of assets and a new loan on the remaining assets was originated at market terms. The Company did not record any charge-offs or provision for loan losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

The Company evaluates each TDR individually and returns the loan to accrual status when a payment history is established after the restructuring and future payments are reasonably assured. There were no loans modified as TDRs for which there was a payment default within 12 months of modification as of September 30, 2016 and 2015. At September 30, 2016, there was a commitment of $84,000 to lend additional funds on one construction and land loan classified as a TDR. The Company had no allowance recorded against loans classified as TDRs at September 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015. There were no loans modified as TDRs in the process of foreclosure at September 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015.

 

The following table presents information on loans that are classified as TDRs:

 

   As of September 30, 2016   As of December 31, 2015 
   Number of
loans
   Non-accrual
balance
   Accruing
balance
   Number of
loans
   Non-accrual
balance
   Accruing
balance
 
                         
One-to-four family residential real estate   2   $-   $187    2   $55   $3 
Construction and land   4    590    1,404    4    600    1,606 
Commercial real estate   3    -    2,280    3    -    2,382 
Commercial loans   2    -    24    1    -    37 
Agriculture   4    302    45    2    -    50 
Municipal loans   2    -    345    2    -    591 
Total troubled debt restructurings   17   $892   $4,285    14   $655   $4,669 

 

  15 

 

 

4.Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances warrant. The Company’s annual step one impairment test as of December 31, 2015 concluded that its goodwill was not impaired. The Company concluded there were no triggering events during the first nine months of 2016 that required an interim goodwill impairment test.

 

Lease intangible assets are amortized over the life of the lease. Core deposit intangible assets are amortized over the estimated useful life of ten years on an accelerated basis. A summary of the other intangible assets that continue to be subject to amortization is as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of September 30, 2016 
   Gross carrying
amount
   Accumulated
amortization
   Valuation
allowance
   Net carrying
amount
 
Core deposit intangible assets  $2,067   $(1,071)  $-   $996 
Lease intangible asset   350    (132)   -    218 
Mortgage servicing rights   5,655    (2,827)   -    2,828 
Total other intangible assets  $8,072   $(4,030)  $-   $4,042 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of December 31, 2015 
   Gross carrying
amount
   Accumulated
amortization
   Valuation
allowance
   Net carrying
amount
 
Core deposit intangible assets  $2,067   $(855)  $-   $1,212 
Lease intangible asset   350    (98)   -    252 
Mortgage servicing rights   5,322    (2,482)   -    2,840 
Total other intangible assets  $7,739   $(3,435)  $-   $4,304 

 

The following sets forth estimated amortization expense for core deposit and lease intangible assets for the remainder of 2016 and in successive years ending December 31:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Amortization 
   expense 
Remainder of 2016  $77 
2017   289 
2018   252 
2019   214 
2020   177 
Thereafter   205 
Total  $1,214 

 

Mortgage loans serviced for others are not reported as assets. The following table provides information on the principal balances of mortgage loans serviced for others:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  September 30,   December 31, 
   2016   2015 
FHLMC  $473,896   $444,714 
FHLB   12,055    14,039 

 

Custodial escrow balances maintained in connection with serviced loans were $7.2 million and $3.5 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Gross service fee income related to such loans was $308,000 and $285,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and is included in fees and service charges in the consolidated statements of earnings. Gross service fee income related to such loans was $912,000 and $808,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

  16 

 

 

Activity for mortgage servicing rights and the related valuation allowance follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
Mortgage servicing rights:                    
Balance at beginning of period  $2,851   $2,729   $2,840   $2,477 
Additions   268    328    780    1,038 
Amortization   (291)   (233)   (792)   (691)
Balance at end of period  $2,828   $2,824   $2,828   $2,824 

 

The fair value of mortgage servicing rights was $4.1 million and $4.6 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Fair value at September 30, 2016 was determined using discount rates ranging from 9.50% to 9.51%; prepayment speeds ranging from 5.50% to 15.09%, depending on the stratification of the specific mortgage servicing right; and a weighted average default rate of 2.20%. Fair value at December 31, 2015 was determined using discount rates ranging from 9.50% to 10.00%; prepayment speeds ranging from 5.15% to 33.78%, depending on the stratification of the specific mortgage servicing right; and a weighted average default rate of 2.25%.

 

The Company had a mortgage repurchase reserve of $361,000 and $351,000 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which represents the Company’s best estimate of probable losses that the Company will incur related to the repurchase of one-to-four family residential real estate loans previously sold or to reimburse investors for credit losses incurred on loans previously sold where a breach of the contractual representations and warranties occurred. The Company did not incur any losses charged against the reserve or make any provisions to the reserve during the first nine months of 2016 and 2015. The Company had no losses or recoveries during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and recovered $10,000 of losses against the mortgage repurchase reserve during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. As of September 30, 2016, the Company did not have any outstanding mortgage repurchase requests.

 

5.Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share have been computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share include the effect of all potential common shares outstanding during each period. The shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share are shown below:

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  September 30   September 30 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
Net earnings  $2,094   $2,529   $6,616   $7,922 
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (1)   3,645,618    3,506,440    3,605,509    3,504,487 
Assumed exercise of stock options (1)   69,165    115,397    67,129    101,674 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (1)   3,714,783    3,621,837    3,672,638    3,611,251 
Net earnings per share (1):                    
Basic  $0.57   $0.72   $1.83   $2.26 
Diluted  $0.56   $0.70   $1.80   $2.19 

 

(1) Share and per share values for the periods ended September 30, 2015 have been adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividend paid during December 2015.

 

The diluted earnings per share computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 include all unexercised stock options because no stock options were anti-dilutive during such periods.

 

  17 

 

 

6.Repurchase Agreements

 

The Company has overnight repurchase agreements with certain deposit customers whereby the Company uses investment securities as collateral for non-insured funds. These balances are accounted for as collateralized financing and included in other borrowings on the balance sheet. The following is a summary of the balances of and collateral for the Company’s repurchase agreements:

 

   As of September 30, 2016 
   Overnight and           Greater     
   Continuous   Up to 30 days   30-90 days   than 90 days   Total 
Repurchase agreements:                         
U.S. federal agency obligations  $5,046   $-   $-   $-   $5,046 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   7,479    -    -    -    7,479 
Total  $12,525   $-   $-   $-   $12,525 

 

   As of December 31, 2015 
   Overnight and   Up to       Greater     
   Continuous   30 days   30-90 days   than 90 days   Total 
Repurchase agreements:                         
U.S. federal agency obligations  $5,810   $-   $-   $-   $5,810 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   6,164    -    -    -    6,164 
Total  $11,974   $-   $-   $-   $11,974 

 

Repurchase agreements are comprised of non-insured customer funds, totaling $12.5 million at September 30, 2016, and $12.0 million at December 31, 2015, which were secured by $16.7 million and $15.7 million of the Company’s investment portfolio at the same dates, respectively.

 

The investment securities are held by a third-party financial institution in the customer’s custodial account. The Company is required to maintain adequate collateral for each repurchase agreement. Changes in the fair value of the investment securities impact the amount of collateral required. If the Company were to default, the investment securities would be used to settle the repurchase agreement with the deposit customer.

 

7.Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

 

Level 2 – Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

 

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Fair value estimates of the Company’s financial instruments as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, including methods and assumptions utilized, are set forth below:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of September 30, 2016 
   Carrying                 
   amount   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Financial assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $17,650   $17,650   $-   $-   $17,650 
Investment securities available-for-sale   374,426    7,032    367,394    -    374,426 
Bank stocks, at cost   4,869    n/a    n/a    n/a    n/a 
Loans, net   430,054    -    -    431,408    431,408 
Loans held for sale, net   9,098    -    9,098    -    9,098 
Derivative financial instruments   553    -    553    -    553 
Accrued interest receivable   4,160    11    1,901    2,248    4,160 
                          
Financial liabilities:                         
Non-maturity deposits  $(569,428)  $(569,428)  $-   $-    (569,428)
Time deposits   (146,283)   -    (145,631)   -    (145,631)
FHLB borrowings   (52,700)   -    (53,708)   -    (53,708)
Subordinated debentures   (21,234)   -    (18,906)   -    (18,906)
Other borrowings   (12,525)   -    (12,525)   -    (12,525)
Accrued interest payable   (265)   -    (265)   -    (265)

 

   As of December 31, 2015 
   Carrying                 
   amount   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Financial assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $13,569   $13,569   $-   $-   $13,569 
Investment securities available-for-sale   353,438    8,003    345,435    -    353,438 
Bank stocks, at cost   4,497    n/a    n/a    n/a    n/a 
Loans, net   419,923    -    -    420,061    420,061 
Derivative financial instruments   797    -    797    -    797 
Accrued interest receivable   4,002    22    2,117    1,863    4,002 
                          
Financial liabilities:                         
Non-maturity deposits  $(570,784)  $(570,784)  $-   $-   $(570,784)
Time deposits   (143,943)   -    (142,924)   -    (142,924)
FHLB borrowings   (37,600)   -    (38,215)   -    (38,215)
Subordinated debentures   (21,084)   -    (19,051)   -    (19,051)
Other borrowings   (11,974)   -    (11,974)   -    (11,974)
Accrued interest payable   (287)   -    (287)   -    (287)

 

Methods and Assumptions Utilized

 

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents is considered to approximate fair value.

 

The Company’s investment securities classified as available-for-sale include U.S. treasury securities, U.S. federal agency securities, municipal obligations, agency mortgage-backed securities, certificates of deposits and common stocks. Quoted exchange prices are available for the Company’s U.S treasury securities and common stock investments, which are classified as Level 1. U.S. federal agency securities and agency mortgage-backed obligations are priced utilizing industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including time value, yield curves, volatility factors, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severity, current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data, or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. These measurements are classified as Level 2. Municipal securities are valued using a type of matrix, or grid, pricing in which securities are benchmarked against U.S. treasury rates based on credit rating. These model and matrix measurements are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

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It is not practical to determine the fair value of bank stocks due to restrictions placed on the transferability of FHLB and FRB stock.

 

The estimated fair value of the Company’s loan portfolio is based on the segregation of loans by collateral type, interest terms, and maturities. The fair value is estimated based on discounting scheduled and estimated cash flows through maturity using an appropriate risk-adjusted yield curve to approximate current interest rates for each category. No adjustment was made to the interest rates for changes in credit risk of performing loans where there are no known credit concerns. Management segregates loans in appropriate risk categories. Management believes that the risk factor embedded in the interest rates along with the allowance for loan losses applicable to the performing loan portfolio results in a fair valuation of such loans. The fair values of impaired loans are generally based on market prices for similar assets determined through independent appraisals or discounted values of independent appraisals and brokers’ opinions of value. This method of estimating fair value does not incorporate the exit-price concept of fair value prescribed by ASC Topic 820 and is classified as Level 3.

 

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, determined on an aggregate basis. The mortgage loan valuations are based on quoted secondary market prices for similar loans and are classified as Level 2.

 

The carrying amounts of accrued interest receivable and payable are considered to approximate fair value.

 

The estimated fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as non-interest-bearing demand deposits, savings, money market accounts, and checking accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand. The fair value of interest-bearing time deposits is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows of such deposits. The discount rate is tied to the FHLB yield curve plus an appropriate servicing spread. Fair value measurements based on discounted cash flows are classified as Level 2. These fair values do not incorporate the value of core deposit intangibles which may be associated with the deposit base.

 

The fair value of advances from the FHLB, subordinated debentures, and other borrowings is estimated using current yield curves for similar borrowings adjusted for the Company’s current credit spread and classified as Level 2.

 

The Company’s derivative financial instruments consist of interest rate lock commitments and corresponding forward sales contracts on mortgage loans held for sale. The fair values of these derivatives are based on quoted prices for similar loans in the secondary market. The market prices are adjusted by a factor, based on the Company’s historical data and management’s judgment about future economic trends, which considers the likelihood that a commitment will ultimately result in a closed loan. These instruments are classified as Level 2. The amounts are included in other assets or other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and gains on sale of loans, net in the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments

 

The fair value of letters of credit and commitments to extend credit is based on the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements. The aggregate of these fees is not material.

 

Transfers

 

The Company did not transfer any assets or liabilities among levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 or during the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

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Valuation Methods for Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

The following table represents the Company’s financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, allocated to the appropriate fair value hierarchy:

 

(Dollars in thousands)      As of September 30, 2016 
       Fair value hierarchy 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Assets:                    
Available-for-sale investment securities                    
U. S. treasury securities  $6,030   $6,030   $-   $- 
U. S. federal agency obligations   27,349    -    27,349    - 
Municipal obligations, tax exempt   163,848    -    163,848    - 
Municipal obligations, taxable   73,628    -    73,628    - 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   92,869    -    92,869    - 
Common stocks   1,002    1,002    -    - 
Certificates of deposit   9,700    -    9,700    - 
Derivative financial instruments  $553   $-   $553   $- 

 

(Dollars in thousands)      As of December 31, 2015 
       Fair value hierarchy 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Assets:                    
Available-for-sale investment securities                    
U. S. treasury securities  $6,517   $6,517   $-   $- 
U. S. federal agency obligations   29,920    -    29,920    - 
Municipal obligations, tax exempt   137,941    -    137,941    - 
Municipal obligations, taxable   81,890    -    81,890    - 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   85,985    -    85,985    - 
Common stocks   1,486    1,486    -    - 
Certificates of deposit   9,699    -    9,699    - 
Derivative financial instruments   797    -    797    - 

 

Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive income to the extent the changes are not considered other-than-temporary impairments. Other-than-temporary impairment tests are performed on a quarterly basis and any decline in the fair value of an individual security below its cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary results in a write-down of that security’s cost basis.

 

Valuation Methods for Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

 

The Company does not value its loan portfolio at fair value. Collateral-dependent impaired loans are generally carried at the lower of cost or fair value of the collateral, less estimated selling costs. Collateral values are determined based on appraisals performed by qualified licensed appraisers hired by the Company and then further adjusted if warranted based on relevant facts and circumstances. The appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including the comparable sales and income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Impaired loans are reviewed and evaluated at least quarterly for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly, based on the same factors identified above. The carrying value of the Company’s impaired loans was $6.1 million and $6.8 million, with an allocated allowance of $37,000 and $88,000, at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

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The following table represents the Company’s financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 allocated to the appropriate fair value hierarchy:

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

       As of September 30, 2016   Total 
       Fair value hierarchy   gains/ 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   (losses) 
Assets:                         
Impaired loans:                         
Commercial loans  $39   $-   $-   $39   $(13)
Agriculture loans   449    -    -    449    (2)
Consumer loans   26    -    -    26    (12)
Real estate owned:                         
One-to-four family residential real estate   540    -    -    540    - 

 

       As of December 31, 2015   Total 
       Fair value hierarchy   (losses)/ 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   gains 
Assets:                         
Impaired loans:                         
One-to-four family residential real estate  $266   $-   $-   $266   $(137)
Consumer loans   16    -    -    16    6 
Loans held for sale   14,465    -    14,465    -    (10)

 

The following table presents quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements for impaired loans measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

(Dollars in thousands)

 

   Fair value   Valuation technique  Unobservable inputs  Range 
As of September 30, 2016                
Impaired loans:                
Commercial loans  $39   Sales comparison  Adjustment to appraised value   7%
Agriculture loans   449   Sales comparison  Adjustment to appraised value   15%-50%
Consumer loans   26   Sales comparison  Adjustment to appraised value   6%-20%
Real estate owned:                
One-to-four family residential real estate   540   Sales comparison  Adjustment to appraised value   10%
                 
As of December 31, 2015                
Impaired loans:                
One-to-four family residential real estate  $266   Sales comparison  Adjustment to appraised value   0%-40%
Consumer loans   16   Sales comparison  Adjustment to comparable sales   0%

 

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8.Regulatory Capital Requirements

 

Banks and bank holding companies are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. Management believed that as of September 30, 2016, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject at that time.

 

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. On January 1, 2015, the Company and the Bank became subject to new capital rules (the “Basel III Rules”) that implemented the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain changes required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The Basel III Rules are applicable to all U.S. banks that are subject to minimum capital requirements, as well as to bank and savings and loan holding companies other than “small bank holding companies” (generally, non-public bank holding companies with consolidated assets of less than $1.0 billion).

 

The Basel III Rules have maintained the general structure of the prompt corrective action framework, while incorporating increased requirements. The Basel III Rules include a common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0%, require a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, and require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A capital conservation buffer, comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital, is also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. This capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets, and will increase each subsequent year by an additional 0.625% until reaching its final level of 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The capital conservation buffer increases the common equity Tier 1 capital ratio, Tier 1 capital and total risk based capital ratios as of March 31 of each year until the final level of 2.5% is reached. The Bank made the one-time accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) opt-out election on its first Call Report filed after January 1, 2015, which allowed banks under $250 billion a one-time opt-out election to remove the impact of certain unrealized capital gains and losses from the calculation of capital.

 

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action then in effect. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category.

 

The following is a comparison of the Company’s regulatory capital to minimum capital requirements at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

(Dollars in thousands)      For capital 
   Actual   adequacy purposes* 
   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
As of September 30, 2016                    
Leverage  $87,248    9.95%  $35,087    4.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital   66,705    12.40%   27,577    5.1%
Tier 1 Capital   87,248    16.21%   35,648    6.6%
Total Risk Based Capital   93,150    17.31%   46,410    8.6%
                     
As of December 31, 2015                    
Leverage  $80,401    9.43%  $34,092    4.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital   60,375    11.05%   24,584    4.5%
Tier 1 Capital   80,401    14.72%   32,779    6.0%
Total Risk Based Capital   87,214    15.96%   43,706    8.0%

 

*The ratios for September 30, 2016 include a capital conservation buffer of 0.625%.

 

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The following is a comparison of the Bank’s regulatory capital to minimum capital requirements at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

                   To be well-capitalized 
                   under prompt 
(Dollars in thousands)      For capital   corrective 
   Actual   adequacy purposes*   action provisions 
   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
As of September 30, 2016                              
Leverage  $85,833    9.81%  $34,983    4.0%  $43,729    5.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital   85,833    16.01%   27,475    5.1%   34,847    6.5%
Tier 1 Capital   85,833    16.01%   35,517    6.6%   42,888    8.0%
Total Risk Based Capital   91,490    17.07%   46,239    8.6%   53,610    10.0%
                               
As of December 31, 2015                              
Leverage  $79,857    9.40%  $33,993    4.0%  $42,491    5.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital   79,857    14.66%   24,519    4.5%   35,416    6.5%
Tier 1 Capital   79,857    14.66%   32,692    6.0%   43,589    8.0%
Total Risk Based Capital   85,929    15.77%   43,589    8.0%   54,486    10.0%

 

*The ratios for September 30, 2016 include a capital conservation buffer of 0.625%.

 

 

9.Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The main provisions of the update require the identification of performance obligations within a contract and require the recognition of revenue based on a stand-alone allocation of contract revenue to each performance obligation. Performance obligations may be satisfied and revenue recognized over a period of time if: 1) the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the entity’s performance as the entity performs, or 2) the entity’s performance creates or enhances an asset that the customer controls as the asset is created or enhanced, or 3) the entity’s performance does not create an asset with an alternative use to the entity, and the entity has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date. For public entities the amendments of the update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 including interim periods within that reporting period. Management is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2014-09 on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments (Topic 825): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities. The main provisions of the update are to eliminate the available for sale classification of accounting for equity securities and to adjust the fair value disclosures for financial instruments carried at amortized costs such that the disclosed fair values represent an exit price as opposed to an entry price. The provisions of this update will require that equity securities be carried at fair market value on the balance sheet and any periodic changes in value will be adjustments to the income statement. A practical expedient is provided for equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, such that these securities can be carried at cost less any impairment. The provisions of this update become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Upon the effective date of the update, changes in the value of the Company's common stock investments will be adjustments to the income statement. Management does not expect the remaining requirements of this update to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued an update ASU No. 2016-02, Leases creating FASB Topic 842, Leases. The guidance is intended to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requiring more disclosures related to leasing transactions. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

  24 

 

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued an update ASU No. 2016-09, Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The guidance in this update affects any entity that issues share-based payment awards including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flow. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), commonly referred to as “CECL.” The provisions of the update eliminate the probable initial recognition threshold under current GAAP which requires reserves to be based on an incurred loss methodology. Under CECL reserves required for financial assets measured at amortized cost will reflect an organization’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected term of the financial asset and thereby require the use of reasonable and supportable forecasts to estimate future credit losses. Because CECL encompasses all financial assets carried at amortized cost, the requirement that reserves be established based on an organization’s reasonable and supportable estimate of expected credit losses extends to held to maturity debt securities. Under the provisions of the update, credit losses recognized on available for sale debt securities will be presented as an allowance as opposed to a write-down. In addition, CECL will modify the accounting for purchased loans, with credit deterioration since origination, so that reserves are established at the date of acquisition for purchased loans. Under current GAAP a purchased loan’s contractual balance is adjusted to fair value through a credit discount and no reserve is recorded on the purchased loan upon acquisition. Since under CECL reserves will be established for purchased loans at the time of acquisition the accounting for purchased loans is made more comparable to the accounting for originated loans. Finally, increased disclosure requirements under CECL oblige organizations to present the currently required credit quality disclosures disaggregated by the year of origination or vintage. FASB expects that the evaluation of underwriting standards and credit quality trends by financial statement users will be enhanced with the additional vintage disclosures. For public entities the amendments of the update are effective beginning January 1, 2020. Management is in the process of evaluating the impact of CECL on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows as well as its required disclosures.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Payments (a consensus of Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU attempts to clarify how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The purpose of this update is to reduce existing diversity in practice in eight areas addressed by the update. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. Management has concluded that the adoption of ASU 2016-15 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

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

 

Overview. Landmark Bancorp, Inc. is a one-bank holding company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is engaged in the banking business through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Landmark National Bank. Except as otherwise required by the context, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer collectively to Landmark Bancorp, Inc. and Landmark National Bank The Company is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “LARK.” The Bank is dedicated to providing quality financial and banking services to its local communities. Our strategy includes continuing a tradition of holding quality assets while growing our commercial, commercial real estate and agriculture loan portfolios. We are committed to developing relationships with our borrowers and providing a total banking service.

 

The Bank is principally engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and using such deposits, together with borrowings and other funds, to originate one-to-four family residential real estate, construction and land, commercial real estate, commercial, agriculture, municipal and consumer loans. Although not our primary business function, we do invest in certain investment and mortgage-related securities using deposits and other borrowings as funding sources.

 

Our results of operations depend generally on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is affected by regulatory, economic and competitive factors that influence interest rates, loan demand and deposit flows. In addition, we are subject to interest rate risk to the degree that our interest-earning assets mature or reprice at different times, or at different speeds, than our interest-bearing liabilities. Our results of operations are also affected by non-interest income, such as service charges, loan fees and gains from the sale of newly originated loans, gains or losses on investments and certain other non-interest related items. Our principal operating expenses, aside from interest expense, consist of compensation and employee benefits, occupancy costs, professional fees, federal deposit insurance costs, data processing expenses, provision for loan losses and certain other non-interest related expenses.

 

We are significantly impacted by prevailing economic conditions including federal monetary and fiscal policies and federal regulations of financial institutions. Deposit balances are influenced by numerous factors such as competing investments, the level of income and the personal rate of savings within our market areas. Factors influencing lending activities include the demand for housing and the interest rate pricing competition from other lending institutions.

 

Currently, our business consists of ownership of the Bank, with its main office in Manhattan, Kansas and twenty-eight additional branch offices in central, eastern, southeast and southwest Kansas.

 

Critical Accounting Policies. Critical accounting policies are those which are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require our management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting policies relate to the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of investment securities, accounting for income taxes and the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets, all of which involve significant judgment by our management. Information about our critical accounting policies is included under Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

  26 

 

 

Summary of Results. During the third quarter of 2016, we recorded net earnings of $2.1 million, which was a decrease of $435,000 from the $2.5 million of net earnings in the third quarter of 2015. The decrease in net earnings during the third quarter was primarily the result of an $794,000 decline in gains on sales of loans. Our gains on sales of loans declined during the third quarter of 2016 as a result of the loss of several mortgage lenders during the second quarter of 2016.

 

During the first nine months of 2016, we recorded net earnings of $6.6 million, which was a decrease of $1.3 million from the $7.9 million of net earnings in the first nine months of 2015. The decrease in net earnings was partially the result of a $1.7 million recovery on a previously charged-off construction loan, which contributed to a $700,000 credit to the provision for loan losses during the first nine months of 2015 compared to a $500,000 provision for loan losses during the same period of 2016. In addition, gains on sales of loans declined $1.8 million during the first nine months of 2016 as compared to the same period of 2015 due to the loss of several mortgage lenders.

 

The following table summarizes earnings and key performance measures for the periods presented.

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2016   2015   2016   2015 
Net earnings:                    
Net earnings  $2,094   $2,529   $6,616   $7,922 
Basic earnings per share (1)  $0.57   $0.72   $1.83   $2.26 
Diluted earnings per share (1)  $0.56   $0.70   $1.80   $2.19 
Earnings ratios:                    
Return on average assets (2)   0.93%   1.15%   0.99%   1.22%
Return on average equity (2)   9.29%   13.12%   10.24%   14.14%
Equity to total assets   9.89%   9.12%   9.89%   9.12%
Net interest margin (2) (3)   3.45%   3.48%   3.46%   3.50%
Dividend payout ratio   35.71%   26.03%   33.33%   24.78%

 

(1)Per share values for the periods ended September 30, 2015 have been adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividend paid during December 2015.
(2)Ratios have been annualized and are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.
(3)Net interest margin is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate.

 

Interest Income. Interest income of $7.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 increased $150,000, or 2.1%, as compared to the same period of 2015. Interest income on loans increased $135,000, or 2.6%, to $5.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2015, due to an increase in our average loan balances from $427.0 million during the third quarter of 2015 to $437.1 million during the third quarter of 2016 and to higher tax equivalent yields earned on loans, which increased from 4.92% to 4.94% between the same periods. Interest income on investment securities increased $15,000, or 0.80%, to $2.0 million for the third quarter of 2016, as compared to $1.9 million in the same period of 2015. The increase in interest income on investment securities was primarily the result of an increase in our average balance of investment securities from $357.2 million during the third quarter of 2015 to $370.7 million during the third quarter of 2016. Partially offsetting the higher average balances of investment securities was a decrease in our tax equivalent yield, which decreased from 2.62% in the third quarter of 2015 to 2.56% during the third quarter of 2016.

 

Interest income of $21.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 increased $240,000, or 1.1%, as compared to the same period of 2015. Interest income on loans decreased $17,000, or 0.1%, to $15.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to same period of 2015, due to lower tax equivalent yields earned on loans, which decreased to 4.94% from 5.01% over the same periods. Partially offsetting the lower yields was an increase in our average loan balances from $428.6 million during the first nine months of 2015 to $433.8 million during the first nine months of 2016. Interest income on investment securities increased $257,000, or 4.5%, to $6.0 million for the first nine months of 2016, as compared to $5.7 million in the same period of 2015. The increase in interest income on investment securities was primarily the result of an increase in our average balance of investment securities from $353.5 million during the nine months of 2015 to $368.6 million during the first nine months of 2016. Also contributing to the higher interest income on investment securities was an increase in our tax equivalent yield, which increased from 2.58% in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, to 2.61% during the same period of 2016.

 

  27 

 

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense during the quarter ended September 30, 2016 increased $25,000, or 3.2%, to $798,000 as compared to the same period of 2015. Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased $20,000, or 7.5%, to $285,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2015. Our total cost of interest-bearing deposits increased from 0.19% during the third quarter of 2015 to 0.20% during the third quarter of 2016 as a result of higher rates on our money market and checking accounts as short-term interest rates were higher during the third quarter of 2016 as compared to the same period of 2015. Our average interest-bearing deposit balances increased from $550.9 million to $560.0 million from the third quarter of 2015 to the third quarter of 2016. For the third quarter of 2016, interest expense on borrowings increased $5,000, or 1.0%, to $513,000 as compared to the same period of 2015, due to higher average rates on our borrowings, which increased from 2.49% to 2.72% between the same periods as our variable rate borrowings repriced higher due to an increase in short-term interest rates. Partially offsetting the higher rates on borrowings was a decrease in our average outstanding borrowings, which decreased from $80.8 million in the third quarter of 2015 to $75.3 million during the same period of 2016.

 

Interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 increased $67,000, or 2.9%, to $2.4 million as compared to the same period of 2015. Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased $34,000, or 4.2%, to $849,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 as compared to the same period of 2015. Our total cost of interest-bearing deposits increased from 0.19% during the first nine months of 2015 to 0.20% during the same period of 2016 as a result of higher rates on our money market and checking accounts. Partially offsetting the higher costs was a decrease in average interest-bearing deposit balances, which decreased slightly from $561.4 million during the first nine months of 2015 to $561.3 million during the first nine months of 2016. For the first nine months of 2016, interest expense on borrowings increased $33,000, or 2.2%, to $1.5 million as compared to the same period of 2015, due to an increase in our average outstanding borrowings. Our average outstanding borrowings increased from $76.6 million in the first nine months of 2015 to $78.8 million during the same period of 2016. Partially offsetting the increase in average outstanding borrowings was a lower average rate on our borrowings, which decreased from 2.61% in the first nine month of 2015 to 2.60% in same period of 2016 as we maintained higher average balances on our lower cost lines of credit.

 

Net Interest Income. Net interest income was $6.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, an increase of $125,000, or 1.9%, from the third quarter of 2015. Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, decreased from 3.48% in the third quarter of 2015 to 3.45% in the same period of 2016. The increase in net interest income resulted from a 3.1% increase in average interest-earning assets, from $784.6 million in the third quarter of 2015 to $809.9 million in the third quarter of 2016. The lower net interest margin was a result of a combination of lower yields on interest-earning assets and higher rates on interest-bearing deposits and borrowings.

 

Net interest income was $19.5 million for the first nine months of 2016, an increase of $173,000, or 0.9%, from the same period of 2015. Net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, decreased from 3.50% in the first nine months of 2015 to 3.46% in the first nine months of 2016. The increase in net interest income was primarily the result of a 2.5% increase in average interest-earning assets from $785.7 million in the first nine months of 2015 to $805.7 million in the first nine months of 2016, while the lower net interest margin was a result of lower yields on interest-earning assets and higher rates on interest-bearing deposits.

 

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Average Assets/Liabilities. The following tables reflect the tax-equivalent yields earned on average interest-earning assets and costs of average interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated (derived by dividing income or expense by the monthly average balance of assets or liabilities, respectively) as well as “net interest margin” (which reflects the effect of the net earnings balance) for the periods shown:

 

   Three months ended   Three months ended 
   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015 
   Average
balance
   Interest   Average
yield/rate
   Average
balance
   Interest   Average
yield/rate
 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Assets                              
Interest-earning assets:                              
Interest-bearing deposits at banks  $2,064   $5    0.96%  $425   $-    0.00%
Investment securities (1)   370,745    2,386    2.56%   357,202    2,357    2.62%
Loans receivable, net (2)   437,052    5,423    4.94%   426,976    5,292    4.92%
Total interest-earning assets   809,861    7,814    3.84%   784,603    7,649    3.87%
Non-interest-earning assets   85,411              84,800           
Total  $895,272             $869,403           
                               
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                              
Interest-bearing liabilities:                              
Money market and checking  $324,320   $115    0.14%  $315,956   $78    0.10%
Savings accounts   87,601    6    0.03%   78,723    6    0.03%
Time deposit   148,038    164    0.44%   156,261    181    0.46%
Total deposits   559,959    285    0.20%   550,940    265    0.19%
FHLB advances and other borrowings   75,293    513    2.72%   80,834    508    2.49%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   635,252    798    0.50%   631,774    773    0.49%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities   170,325              161,146           
Stockholders' equity   89,695              76,483           
Total  $895,272             $869,403           
                               
Interest rate spread (3)             3.34%             3.38%
Net interest margin (4)       $7,016    3.45%       $6,876    3.48%
Tax-equivalent interest - imputed        464              449      
Net interest income       $6,552             $6,427      
                               
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities             127.5%             124.2%

 

(1)Income on tax exempt securities is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate.
(2)Includes loans classified as non-accrual. Income on tax-exempt loans is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate.
(3)Interest rate spread represents the difference between the average yield earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Net interest margin represents annualized, tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 

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   Nine months ended   Nine months ended 
   September 30, 2016   September 30, 2015 
   Average
balance
   Interest   Average
yield/rate
   Average
balance
   Interest   Average
yield/rate
 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Assets                              
Interest-earning assets:                              
Interest-bearing deposits at banks  $3,267   $15    0.61%  $3,623   $7    0.26%
Investment securities (1)   368,613    7,205    2.61%   353,495    6,814    2.58%
Loans receivable, net (2)   433,788    16,034    4.94%   428,596    16,062    5.01%
Total interest-earning assets   805,668    23,254    3.86%   785,714    22,883    3.89%
Non-interest-earning assets   85,249              84,833           
Total  $890,917             $870,547           
                               
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                              
Interest-bearing liabilities:                              
Money market and checking  $330,400   $336    0.14%  $321,951   $232    0.10%
Savings accounts   85,968    19    0.03%   78,419    18    0.03%
Time deposit   144,893    494    0.46%   161,064    565    0.47%
Total deposits   561,261    849    0.20%   561,434    815    0.19%
FHLB advances and other borrowings   78,751    1,529    2.60%   76,582    1,496    2.61%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   640,012    2,378    0.50%   638,016    2,311    0.48%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities   164,623              157,602           
Stockholders' equity   86,282              74,929           
Total  $890,917             $870,547           
                               
Interest rate spread (3)             3.36%             3.41%
Net interest margin (4)       $20,876    3.46%       $20,572    3.50%
Tax-equivalent interest - imputed        1,358              1,227      
Net interest income       $19,518             $19,345      
                               
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities             125.9%             123.1%

 

(1)Income on tax exempt securities is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate.
(2)Includes loans classified as non-accrual. Income on tax-exempt loans is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis, using a 34% federal tax rate.
(3)Interest rate spread represents the difference between the average yield earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Net interest margin represents annualized, tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 

  30 

 

 

Rate/Volume Table. The following table describes the extent to which changes in volumes and rates of tax-equivalent interest income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities affected the Company’s interest income and expense for the periods indicated. The table distinguishes between (i) changes attributable to rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume), (ii) changes attributable to volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate), and (iii) net change (the sum of the previous columns). The net changes attributable to the combined effect of volume and rate that cannot be segregated have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.

 

   Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30, 
   2016 vs 2015   2016 vs 2015 
   Increase/(decrease) attributable to   Increase/(decrease) attributable to 
   Volume   Rate   Net   Volume   Rate   Net 
   (Dollars in thousands)   (Dollars in thousands) 
Interest income:                              
Interest-bearing deposits at banks  $-   $5    5   $(1)  $9   $8 
Investment securities   73    (44)   29    307    84    391 
Loans   112    19    131    183    (211)   (28)
Total   185    (20)   165    489    (118)   371 
Interest expense:                              
Deposits   5    15    20    -    34    34 
Other borrowings   (18)   23    5    45    (12)   33 
Total   (13)   38    25    45    22    67 
Net interest income  $198   $(58)  $140   $444   $(140)  $304 

 

Provision for Loan Losses. We maintain, and our Board of Directors monitors, an allowance for losses on loans. The allowance is established based upon management's periodic evaluation of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio, review of significant individual loans and collateral, review of delinquent loans, past loss experience, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay, current and expected market conditions, and other factors management deems important. Determining the appropriate level of reserves involves a high degree of management judgment and is based upon historical and projected losses in the loan portfolio and the collateral value or discounted cash flows of specifically identified impaired loans. Additionally, allowance policies are subject to periodic review and revision in response to a number of factors, including current market conditions, actual loss experience and management’s expectations.

 

During the third quarter of 2016, we recorded a provision for loan losses of $150,000 compared to $100,000 in the third quarter of 2015. We recorded net loan charge-offs of $295,000 during the third quarter of 2016 compared to net loan charge-offs of $182,000 during the third quarter of 2015. The net loan charge-offs during the third quarter of 2016 were primarily related to the restructuring of a previously identified and impaired agriculture loan relationship.

 

During the first nine months of 2016, we recorded a provision for loan losses of $500,000 compared to a credit provision for loan losses of $700,000 during the same period of 2015. We recorded net loan charge-offs of $915,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to net loan recoveries of $1.3 million during the same period of 2015. The net loan charge-offs during the first nine months of 2016 were primarily related to restructuring an agriculture loan relationship and the liquidation of the assets securing a previously identified and impaired commercial loan. The net loan recoveries during the first nine months of 2015 were primarily associated with the recovery of $1.7 million on a $4.3 million construction loan which was fully charged-off during 2010 and 2011. As of September 30, 2016, the Company has recovered approximately $2.4 million of the loan and continues to pursue collection of the remaining amount. The net loan recoveries in the first nine months of 2015 were the primary reason for the negative provision for loan losses during the period.

 

For further discussion of the allowance for loan losses, refer to the “Asset Quality and Distribution” section below.

 

Non-interest Income. Total non-interest income was $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2016, a decrease of $734,000, or 16.4%, compared to $4.5 million in the same period of 2015. This change was primarily the result of a $794,000 decline in gains on sales of loans, as the departure of several mortgage lenders affected originations in the third quarter of 2016. Partially offsetting the lower gains on sales of loans were $261,000 of gains on sales of investment securities, relating primarily to the sale of common stock investments securities. A net gain of $135,000 was recorded on sales of investment securities during the third quarter of 2015 as we sold a portion of our agency mortgage-backed investment securities portfolio to reduce exposure to rising interest rates.

 

  31 

 

 

Total non-interest income was $11.6 million in the first nine months of 2016, a decrease of $1.3 million, or 10.4%, compared to $12.9 million during the same period of 2015. The decrease in non-interest income was primarily due to a $1.8 million decline in gains on sales of loans, which resulted from fewer mortgage lenders on staff, and a $271,000 decline in other non-interest income. Included in other non-interest income during the first nine months of 2015 was a gain of $236,000 on the sale of a closed branch facility. Partially offsetting those reductions were $558,000 of gains on sales of $14.3 million of municipal bonds and common stock investment securities that were identified for sale as part of the ongoing review of the portfolio, during the first nine months of 2016. During the first nine months of 2015, a loss of $119,000 on sales of investment securities was incurred due primarily to the sale of a portion of our agency mortgage-backed investment securities portfolio to reduce exposure to rising interest rates.

 

Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $86,000, or 1.2%, to $7.4 million for the third quarter of 2016 compared to $7.3 million for the third quarter of 2015, primarily as a result of increases of $58,000 in occupancy and equipment and $50,000 in foreclosure and real estate owned expense. The increase in occupancy and equipment reflects higher levels of building repairs while new real estate owned properties increased foreclosure and real estate owned expenses. Partially offsetting those increases were declines of $74,000 in other non-interest expense and $22,000 in federal deposit insurance premiums. The decrease in non-interest expense reflected the reduced mortgage banking activity while the decline in federal deposit insurance premiums was the result of new assessment rates that took effect in the third quarter 2016.

 

Non-interest expense decreased $95,000, or 0.4%, to $21.8 million for the first nine months of 2016 compared to $21.9 million for the first nine months of 2015. The decrease was primarily the result of a $361,000 decrease in other non-interest expense, reflecting a $163,000 impairment of the residual real estate collateral associated with an affordable housing investment that was recorded in 2015, as well as reduced mortgage banking activity during in the first nine months of 2016. Those decreases were partially offset by increases of $121,000 in foreclosure and other real estate expense and $65,000 in advertising expenses. The increase in foreclosure and real estate owned expense was primarily related to real estate owned properties added during the first nine months of 2016 while the increase in advertising expenses reflected costs associated with growth in our deposit rewards program.

 

Income Tax Expense. During the third quarter of 2016, we recorded income tax expense of $656,000, compared to $966,000 during the same period of 2015. The effective tax rate decreased from 27.6% in the third quarter of 2015 to 23.9% in the third quarter of 2016 as a result of a decline in earnings before income taxes and higher tax exempt income.

 

During the first nine months of 2016, we recorded income tax expense of $2.2 million, compared to $3.2 million during the same period of 2015. The effective tax rate decreased from 28.7% in the first nine months of 2015 to 25.1% in the same period of 2016 as a result of a decline in earnings before income taxes and higher tax exempt income.

 

Financial Condition. Despite measured improvement in certain metrics, general uncertainty with respect to economic conditions in the United States continues to affect our asset quality and performance. These economic conditions, as well as a downturn in the agriculture sector, have impacted the geographic markets in which the Company operates. Our loan portfolio is diversified across various types of loans and collateral throughout the markets in which we operate. Despite a few problem loans that management continues to work to resolve, our asset quality has generally improved over the past few years. Outside of identified problem assets, management believes that the Company continues to have a high quality asset base and solid core earnings, and anticipates that its efforts to run a high quality financial institution with a sound asset base will continue to create a strong foundation for continued growth and profitability in the future.

 

Asset Quality and Distribution. Our primary investing activities are the origination of one-to-four family residential real estate, construction and land, commercial real estate, commercial, agriculture, municipal and consumer loans and the purchase of investment securities. Total assets increased to $907.7 million at September 30, 2016, compared to $878.4 million at December 31, 2015. The increase in our total assets was primarily the result of increases in our investment securities and loans. Investment securities increased from $353.4 million at December 31, 2015 to $374.4 million at September 30, 2016 as a result of the purchase of additional investment securities during the first nine months of 2016. Loans increased from $419.9 million at December 31, 2015 to $430.0 million at September 30, 2016 primarily as a result of increases in our agriculture loans.

 

  32 

 

 

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on our evaluation of the risk inherent in the loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of our loan activity. This evaluation, which includes a review of all loans with respect to which full collectability may not be reasonably assured, considers the fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, level of classified loans and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an appropriate allowance for loan losses. At September 30, 2016, our allowance for loan losses totaled $5.5 million, or 1.26% of gross loans outstanding, as compared to $5.9 million, or 1.39% of gross loans outstanding, at December 31, 2015.

 

The decline in our allowance for loan losses during the first nine months of 2016 was primarily related to the allowance for loan losses required on our one-to-four family residential real estate loans. The decline in our allowance for one-to-four family residential real estate loans resulted from lower historical loss rates and a decrease in the adjustments for qualitative and environmental factors.

 

As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, approximately $20.5 million and $15.3 million, respectively, of loans were assigned a risk rating of special mention, substandard or doubtful. The increase in these loans was primarily the result of downgrades of a few agriculture, commercial and commercial real estate loan relationships. These ratings indicate that the loans identified as potential problem loans have more than normal risk which raised doubts as to the ability of the borrower to comply with present loan repayment terms. Even though the borrowers of such loans were experiencing moderate cash flow problems as well as some deterioration in collateral value, management believed the general allowance was sufficient to cover the risks and probable incurred losses related to such loans at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

Loans past due 30-89 days and still accruing interest totaled $1.2 million, or 0.29% of gross loans, at September 30, 2016 compared to $1.4 million, or 0.33% of gross loans, at December 31, 2015. At September 30, 2016, $1.8 million in loans were on non-accrual status, or 0.41% of gross loans, compared to $2.2 million, or 0.51% of gross loans, at December 31, 2015. Non-accrual loans consist of loans 90 or more days past due and certain impaired loans. No loans were 90 or more days delinquent and accruing interest at September 30, 2016 or at December 31, 2015. Our impaired loans totaled $6.1 million at September 30, 2016 compared to $6.8 million at December 31, 2015. The difference in the Company’s non-accrual loan balances and impaired loan balances at September 30, 2016 was related to TDRs that were accruing interest but still classified as impaired.

 

At September 30, 2016, the Company had eleven loan relationships consisting of seventeen outstanding loans that were classified as TDRs. During the third quarter of 2016, the Company classified a $302,000 agriculture loan relationship consisting of three loans as a TDR after extending the maturities of the loans. The collateral securing the loans was deemed to be insufficient, resulting in a charge-off of $215,000. During the second quarter of 2016, the Company classified an $8,000 commercial loan as a TDR after modifying the payments to interest only. Also during the second quarter of 2016, the Company classified an $188,000 one-to-four family residential real estate loan as a TDR after agreeing to a loan modification which adjusted the payment schedule. No loan modifications were classified as TDRs during the first quarter of2016. The Company recorded charge-offs of $215,000 and a provision for loan loss of $2,000 against TDRs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. No loan modifications were classified as TDRs during the third quarter of 2015. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company classified a commercial loan relationship consisting of $2.7 million in real estate and land loans as a TDR after agreeing to a bankruptcy plan with the borrower. The bankruptcy plan restarted the amortization period of the loans which extended the maturities of the loans. During the first quarter of 2015, the Company classified a $44,000 agriculture loan relationship consisting of two loans as a TDR after extending the maturity of the loans. During the first nine months of 2016, a $56,000 one-to-four family residential real estate loan and a $25,000 agriculture loan, which were both classified as TDRs during 2015, were paid off. During the first nine months of 2015, a land loan relationship consisting of three loans totaling $1.6 million, which was previously classified as a TDR during 2012, was paid off with proceeds from the sale of assets and a new loan on the remaining assets originated at market terms. The Company did not record any charge-offs or provision for loan losses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

 

As part of our credit risk management, we continue to manage the loan portfolio to identify problem loans and have placed additional emphasis on commercial real estate and construction and land relationships. We are working to resolve the remaining problem credits or move the non-performing credits out of the loan portfolio.

 

  33 

 

 

Liability Distribution. Our primary ongoing sources of funds are deposits, FHLB borrowings, proceeds from principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities and proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans and investment securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans are a predictable source of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates and economic conditions. We experienced an increase of $984,000 in total deposits during the first nine months of 2016, to $715.7 million at September 30, 2016, from $714.7 million at December 31, 2015. The increase in deposits was primarily due to higher balances in non-interest bearing demand deposits, savings accounts and certificates of deposits. Money market and checking account balances decreased by $23.8 million between December 31, 2015 and September 30, 2016, due primarily to a seasonal decline in public fund balances. Total borrowings increased $15.8 million to $86.5 million at September 30, 2016, from $70.7 million at December 31, 2015. The increase in borrowings was used to fund the purchase of investment securities and to fund loan growth.

 

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits at September 30, 2016, were $159.4 million, or 22.3% of total deposits, compared to $143.6 million, or 20.1% of total deposits, at December 31, 2015. Money market and checking deposit accounts were 45.0% of our deposit portfolio and totaled $322.3 million at September 30, 2016, compared to $346.1 million, or 48.4% of total deposits, at December 31, 2015. Savings accounts increased to $87.7 million, or 12.3% of total deposits, at September 30, 2016, from $81.1 million, or 11.3% of total deposits, at December 31, 2015. Certificates of deposit totaled $146.3 million, or 20.4% of total deposits, at September 30, 2016, compared to $143.9 million, or 20.1% of total deposits, at December 31, 2015.

 

Certificates of deposit at September 30, 2016, scheduled to mature in one year or less, totaled $106.1 million. Historically, maturing deposits have generally remained with the Bank, and we believe that a significant portion of the deposits maturing in one year or less will remain with us upon maturity in some type of deposit account.

 

Cash Flows. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, our cash and cash equivalents increased by $4.1 million. Our operating activities provided cash of $14.9 million during the first nine months of 2016, primarily due to a decrease in loans held for sale as more one-to-four family residential mortgage loans were sold than originated for sale during the first nine months of 2016. Our investing activities used net cash of $27.2 million during the first nine months of 2016, primarily as a result of funding loans and purchasing more investment securities than were sold or matured over the same time period. Financing activities provided net cash of $16.4 million during the first nine months of 2016, primarily as a result of increased borrowings which were used to fund the investment purchases and loan growth.

 

Liquidity. Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents and investment securities available for sale. The levels of these assets are dependent on the operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given year. These liquid assets totaled $392.1 million at September 30, 2016 and $367.0 million at December 31, 2015. During periods in which we are not able to originate a sufficient amount of loans and/or periods of high principal prepayments, we generally invest in short-term, high-grade investments.

 

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of our strategy. Excess funds are generally invested in short-term investments. Excess funds are typically generated as a result of increased deposit balances, while uses of excess funds are generally deposit withdrawals and loan advances. In the event we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, additional funds are generally available through the use of FHLB advances, a line of credit with the FHLB, other borrowings or through sales of investment securities. At September 30, 2016, we had outstanding FHLB advances of $35.0 million and $17.7 million borrowed against our line of credit with the FHLB. At September 30, 2016, we had collateral pledged to the FHLB that would allow us to borrow an additional $36.6 million, subject to FHLB credit requirements and policies. At September 30, 2016, we had no borrowings through the Federal Reserve discount window, while our borrowing capacity with the Federal Reserve was $17.0 million. We also have various other federal funds agreements, both secured and unsecured, with correspondent banks totaling approximately $30.0 million in available credit under which we had no outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2016. At September 30, 2016, we had subordinated debentures totaling $21.2 million and other borrowings of $12.5 million, which consisted of repurchase agreements. At September 30, 2016, the Company had no borrowings against a $7.5 million line of credit from an unrelated financial institution maturing on November 1, 2017, with an interest rate that adjusts daily based on the prime rate less 0.25% This line of credit has covenants specific to capital and other financial ratios, with which the Company was in compliance at September 30, 2016.

 

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements. As a provider of financial services, we routinely issue financial guarantees in the form of financial and performance standby letters of credit. Standby letters of credit are contingent commitments issued by us generally to guarantee the payment or performance obligation of a customer to a third party. While these standby letters of credit represent a potential outlay by us, a significant amount of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon. We have recourse against the customer for any amount the customer is required to pay to a third party under a standby letter of credit. The letters of credit are subject to the same credit policies, underwriting standards and approval process as loans made by us. Most of the standby letters of credit are secured, and in the event of nonperformance by the customers, we have the right to the underlying collateral, which could include commercial real estate, physical plant and property, inventory, receivables, cash and marketable securities. The contract amount of these standby letters of credit, which represents the maximum potential future payments guaranteed by us, was $1.9 million at September 30, 2016.

 

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At September 30, 2016, we had outstanding loan commitments, excluding standby letters of credit, of $72.7 million. We anticipate that sufficient funds will be available to meet current loan commitments. These commitments consist of unfunded lines of credit and commitments to finance real estate loans.

 

Capital. Current regulatory capital regulations require financial institutions (including banks and bank holding companies) to meet certain regulatory capital requirements. On January 1, 2015, the Company and the Bank became subject to the Basel III Rules that implemented the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain changes required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The Basel III Rules are applicable to all U.S. banks that are subject to minimum capital requirements, as well as to bank and savings and loan holding companies other than “small bank holding companies” (generally, non-public bank holding companies with consolidated assets of less than $1.0 billion).

 

The Basel III Rules have maintained the general structure of the prompt corrective action framework, while incorporating increased requirements. The Basel III Rules include a common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0%, require a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, and require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A capital conservation buffer, comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital, is also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. This capital conservation buffer began on January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and will increase each subsequent year by an additional 0.625% until reaching its final level of 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The Bank made the one-time AOCI opt-out election on its first Call Report filed after January 1, 2015, which allowed banks under $250 billion a one-time opt-out election to remove the impact of certain unrealized capital gains and losses from the calculation of capital. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Bank was rated “well capitalized,” which is the highest rating available under the regulatory capital regulations framework for prompt corrective action. Management believed that as of September 30, 2016, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which we are subject.

 

Dividends. During the quarter ended September 30, 2016, we paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share to our stockholders.

 

The payment of dividends by any financial institution or its holding company is affected by the requirement to maintain adequate capital pursuant to applicable capital adequacy guidelines and regulations. In addition, under the Basel III Rules, by January 1, 2019, financial institutions will have to maintain 2.5% in common equity Tier 1 capital attributable to the capital conservation buffer in order to pay dividends and make other capital distributions. This buffer is being phased in by 0.625% per year over three years beginning in 2016 before reaching its final level of 2.5% on January 1, 2019. As described above, the Bank exceeded its minimum capital requirements under applicable guidelines as of September 30, 2016. The National Bank Act imposes limitations on the amount of dividends that a national bank may pay without prior regulatory approval. Generally, the amount is limited to the bank's current year's net earnings plus the adjusted retained earnings for the two preceding years. As of September 30, 2016, approximately $21.2 million was available to be paid as dividends to the Company by the Bank without prior regulatory approval.

 

Additionally, our ability to pay dividends is limited by the subordinated debentures that are held by three business trusts that we control. Interest payments on the debentures must be paid before we pay dividends on our capital stock, including our common stock. We have the right to defer interest payments on the debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarters. However, if we elect to defer interest payments, all deferred interest must be paid before we may pay dividends on our capital stock.

 

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Our assets and liabilities are principally financial in nature, and the resulting net interest income thereon is subject to changes in market interest rates and the mix of various assets and liabilities. Interest rates in the financial markets affect our decisions relating to pricing our assets and liabilities, which impact net interest income, a significant cash flow source for us. As a result, a substantial portion of our risk management activities relates to managing interest rate risk.

 

Our Asset/Liability Management Committee monitors the interest rate sensitivity of our balance sheet using earnings simulation models. We have set policy limits of interest rate risk to be assumed in the normal course of business and monitor such limits through our simulation process.

 

We have been successful in meeting the interest rate sensitivity objectives set forth in our policy. Simulation models are prepared to determine the impact on net interest income for the coming twelve months, including one using rates at September 30, 2016, and forecasting volumes for the twelve-month projection. This position is then subjected to a shift in interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points with an impact to our net interest income on a one-year horizon as follows:

 

   Dollar change in net   Percent change in 
Scenario  interest income ($000’s)   net interest income 
200 basis point rising  $(618)   (2.4)%
100 basis point rising  $(337)   (1.3)%
 100 basis point falling  $(236)   (0.9)%
 200 basis point falling   NM    NM 

 

The 200 basis point falling scenario is considered to be not meaningful (“NM”) in the current low interest rate environment.

 

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Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

 

Forward-Looking Statements

This document (including information incorporated by reference) contains, and future oral and written statements by us and our management may contain, forward-looking statements, within the meaning of such term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of our management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

 

Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on operations and future prospects of us and our subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

·The strength of the United States economy and international economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct our operations, which may be less favorable than expected and may result in, among other things, a deterioration in the credit quality and value of our assets.
·The effects of, and changes in, federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies affecting banking, securities, insurance and monetary and financial matters (including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as well as rules adopted by the federal bank regulatory agencies to implement Basel III) and the effects of increases in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation premiums.
·The effects of changes in interest rates (including the effects of changes in the rate of prepayments of our assets) and the policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
·Our ability to compete with other financial institutions as effectively as we currently do due to increases in competitive pressures in the financial services sector.
·Our inability to obtain new customers and to retain existing customers.
·The timely development and acceptance of products and services, including products and services offered through alternative delivery channels such as the Internet.
·Technological changes implemented by us and by other parties, including third-party vendors, which may be more difficult or more expensive than anticipated or which may have unforeseen consequences to us and our customers.
·Our ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems.
·Our ability to retain key executives and employees and the difficulty that we may experience in replacing key executives and employees in an effective manner.
·Consumer spending and saving habits which may change in a manner that affects our business adversely.
·Our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and future growth.
·The costs, effects and outcomes of existing or future litigation.
·Changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory agencies and the Financial Accounting Standards Board.
·The economic impact of past and any future terrorist attacks, acts of war or threats thereof, and the response of the United States to any such threats and attacks.
·Our ability to effectively manage our credit risk.
·Our ability to forecast probable loan losses and maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses.
·The effects of declines in the value of our investment portfolio.
·Our ability to raise additional capital if needed.
·The effects of cyber-attacks.
·The effects of declines in real estate markets.

 

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Additional information concerning us and our business, including other factors that could materially affect our financial results, is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

An evaluation was performed, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of September 30, 2016. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2016.

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2016 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party or which any of their property is subject, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to their respective businesses.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

There have been no material changes in the risk factors applicable to the Company from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” in the Company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit 10.1 Business Loan Agreement, Promissory Note and Commercial Pledge Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, between Landmark Bancorp, Inc. and First National Bank of Omaha
Exhibit 31.1 Certificate of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
Exhibit 31.2 Certificate of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
Exhibit 32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 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
Exhibit 101 Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015; (v) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  LANDMARK BANCORP, INC.
   
Date: November 10, 2016 /s/ Michael E. Scheopner
  Michael E. Scheopner
  President and Chief Executive Officer
   
Date: November 10, 2016 /s/ Mark A. Herpich
  Mark A. Herpich
  Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
  and Chief Financial Officer

 

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