UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

☐  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 0-12126

FRANKLIN FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(717) 264-6116

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act

NONE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock,  par value $1.00 per share

(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐  No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (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  ☒   No  ☐ 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.

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

The aggregate market value of the 3,880,155 shares of the Registrant's common stock held by nonaffiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2014 based on the price of such shares was $77,215,085.

There were 4,226,816 outstanding shares of the Registrant's common stock as of February 28, 2015.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive annual proxy statement to be filed, pursuant to Reg. 14A within 120 days after December 31, 2014, are incorporated into Part III.

 

 

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FRANKLIN FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION

FORM 10-K

INDEX

 

 

 

 

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Part I

Item 1. Business

General

Franklin Financial Services Corporation (the “Corporation”) was organized as a Pennsylvania business corporation on June 1, 1983 and is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”).  On January 16, 1984, pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by the shareholders of Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Chambersburg (“F&M Trust” or “the Bank”) and the appropriate regulatory agencies, the Corporation acquired all the shares of F&M Trust and issued its own shares to former F&M Trust shareholders on a share-for-share basis.

The Corporation’s common stock is thinly traded in the over-the-counter market.  The Corporation’s stock is listed under the symbol “FRAF” www.otcmarkets.com/stock/FRAF/quote)  on the OTCQX Market Tier of the OTC Markets. The Corporation’s Internet address is www.franklinfin.com.  Electronic copies of the Corporation’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available free of charge by visiting the “Investor Information” section of www.franklinfin.com.  Electronic copies of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K are also available at this Internet address.  These reports are posted as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The Corporation conducts substantially all of its business through its direct banking subsidiary, F&M Trust, which is wholly owned. F&M Trust, established in 1906, is a full-service, Pennsylvania-chartered commercial bank and trust company, which is not a member of the Federal Reserve System. F&M Trust operates twenty-two community banking offices in Franklin, Cumberland, Fulton and Huntingdon Counties, Pennsylvania. The Bank engages in general commercial, retail banking and trust services normally associated with community banks and its deposits are insured (up to applicable limits) by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). F&M Trust offers a wide variety of banking services to businesses, individuals, and governmental entities.  These services include, but are not necessarily limited to, accepting and maintaining checking, savings, and time deposit accounts, providing investment and trust services, making loans and providing safe deposit facilities. Franklin Future Fund Inc., a direct subsidiary of the Corporation, is a non-bank investment company that makes venture capital investments within the Corporation’s primary market area. Franklin Financial Properties Corp. is a “qualified real estate subsidiary”, a wholly owned subsidiary of F&M Trust and was established to hold real estate assets used by F&M Trust in its banking operations.

F&M Trust is not dependent upon a single customer or a few customers for a material part of its business.  Thus, the loss of any customer or identifiable group of customers would not materially affect the business of the Corporation or the Bank in an adverse manner.  Also, none of the Bank’s business is seasonal.  The Bank’s lending activities consist primarily of commercial real estate, construction and land development, agricultural, commercial and industrial loans, installment and revolving loans to consumers and residential mortgage loans.  Secured and unsecured commercial and industrial loans, including accounts receivable and inventory financing, and commercial equipment financing, are made to small and medium-sized businesses, individuals, governmental entities, and non-profit organizations.  F&M Trust also participates in Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency programs and is a Small Business Administration approved lender.

The Bank classifies loans in this report by the type of collateral, primarily residential or commercial and agricultural real estate. Loans secured by residential real estate loans may be further broken down into consumer or commercial purpose. Consumer purpose residential real estate loans represent traditional residential mortgages and home equity products. Both of these products are underwritten in generally the same manner; however, home equity products may present greater risk since many of these loans are secured by a second lien position where the Bank may or may not hold the first lien position. Commercial purpose residential real estate loans represent loans made to businesses, but are secured by residential real estate.  These loans are underwritten as commercial loans and the repayment ability may be dependent on the business operation, despite the residential collateral. In addition to the real estate collateral, it is possible that personal guarantees or UCC filings on business assets provide additional security.  In certain situations, the Bank acquires properties through foreclosure on delinquent loans.  The Bank initially records these properties at the estimated fair value less cost to sell with subsequent adjustments to fair value recorded as needed.

Commercial and agricultural real estate loans are secured by properties such as hotels, warehouses, apartment buildings, retail sites, and farmland or agricultural related properties. These loans are highly dependent on the business operations for repayment. Compared to residential real estate, this collateral may be more difficult to sell in the event of a delinquency.

Construction loans are made to finance the purchase of land and the construction of residential and commercial buildings, and are secured by mortgages on real estate.  These loans are primarily comprised of loans to consumers to build a home, and loans to contractors and developers to construct residential properties for resale or rental. Construction loans present various risks that include, but are not limited to:  schedule delays, cost overruns, changes in economic conditions during the construction period, and the inability to sell or rent the property upon completion.

Commercial loans are made to businesses and government municipalities of various sizes for a variety of purposes including operations, property, plant and equipment, and working capital. These loans are highly dependent on the business operations for repayment and are generally secured by business assets and personal guarantees. As such, this collateral may be more difficult to sell

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in the event of a delinquency.  Commercial lending, including commercial real estate, is concentrated in the Bank’s primary market, but also includes purchased loan participations originated primarily in south-central Pennsylvania. 

Consumer loans are comprised of installment, indirect (primarily automobile) and unsecured personal lines of credit.  While some of these loans are secured, the collateral behind the loans is often comprised of assets that lose value quickly (e.g. automobiles) and if repossessed, may not fully satisfy the loan in the event of default. Repayment of these loans is highly dependent on the borrowers’ financial condition that can be affected by economic factors beyond their control and personal circumstances.

F&M Trust’s Investment and Trust Services Department offers all of the personal and corporate trust services normally associated with trust departments including: estate planning and administration, corporate and personal trust fund management, pension, profit sharing and other employee benefit funds management, and custodial services.  F&M Trust through licensed members of its Investment and Trust Services Department sells mutual funds, annuities and selected insurance products.

The banking industry continued to watch the actions of the Federal Reserve in 2014, looking for any indication that it would announce an increase in short-term rates. The expectation of a rate increase faded as the year progressed, and any chance for a 2015 increase appears to be unlikely until the later part of 2015, if it happens at all. While the Federal Reserve did not change short-term rates in 2014, longer term Treasury yields fell over the course of the year and the 10-year Treasury fell below 2%.  As a result, mortgage rates fell toward the end of 2014.  The decline in mortgage rates, coupled with changes to regulatory agency policies on low down payment mortgages and mortgage insurance pricing, may help spur mortgage activity in 2015. Bond prices improved in 2014 due to the lower long-term rates and the stock market hit record highs. Oil prices have fallen well below $100 a barrel and the resulting lower gas prices will put more money in consumer’s pockets. The unemployment rate dropped from nearly 7% at the start of the year, to below 6% at year end.  

In 2014, Janet Yellen was confirmed as the first female chair of the Federal Reserve and her initial actions seem to indicate that she won’t deviate much from plans put in place by her predecessor. The Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing program of purchasing bonds ended in 2014; however, it will continue to actively reinvest cash flow into bonds.

From a regulatory perspective, Basel III (discussed further below) will be the big news for 2015 as its new capital requirements take effect in 2015.  Also, regulatory attention on cyber security is likely to continue to increase as 2014 saw a number of large data breeches.

As mentioned, it appears as if the short-term rates will remain low until well into 2015. A prolonged period of low rates is not beneficial to improving the Bank’s net interest margin. Commercial lending activity remained slow in 2014 with fewer credit worthy customers and many banks chasing a small group of good credit customers. Loan pricing was quite competitive and at times, well below rates the Bank believed to be profitable.  Residential mortgage lending declined slightly as a mid-year uptick in rates slowed refinance activity. For more economic information about the Corporation’s market area, see the Economy discussion in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Competition

The Corporation and its banking subsidiary operate in a highly competitive environment. The principal market of F&M Trust is in south central Pennsylvania, primarily the counties of Franklin, Cumberland, Fulton and Huntingdon. There are 24 competing commercial banks that have offices within the Corporation’s primary market area. These banks range from large regional banks to independent community banks.  In addition, credit unions, savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, brokerage firms and other competitors with only an Internet site are present in the market. The Bank has 22 community offices and approximately 11% of the total deposits. The majority of the Bank’s loan and deposit customers are in Franklin County.  There are 6 commercial bank competitors in Franklin County and the Bank has approximately 30% of the deposit market share. The Bank’s approximate deposit market share in other counties is: Fulton (37%), Cumberland (3%) and Huntingdon (2%).

Because of increasing competition, profit margins in the traditional banking business of lending and gathering deposits have declined and many nonbanking institutions offer services similar to those offered by the Bank. Some competitors have access to resources (e.g., financial and technological) that are unavailable to the Bank, thereby creating a competitive disadvantage for the Bank in terms of product, service pricing and delivery.  The Bank utilizes various strategies including its long history of local customer service and convenience as part of a relationship management culture, a wide variety of products and services and, to a lesser extent, the pricing of loans and deposits, to compete.  F&M Trust is the largest financial institution headquartered in Franklin County and had total assets of approximately $1.001 billion on December 31, 2014.

Staff

As of December 31, 2014, the Corporation and its banking subsidiary had 266 full-time equivalent employees.  The officers of the Corporation are employees of the Bank.  Most employees participate in pension, incentive compensation plans, 401(k) plan and employee stock purchase plans and are provided with group life and health insurance.  Management considers employee relations to be excellent.

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Supervision and Regulation

Various requirements and restrictions under the laws of the United States and under Pennsylvania law affect the Corporation and its subsidiaries.

General

The Corporation is registered as a bank holding company and is subject to supervision and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System under the Bank Holding Act of 1956, as amended.  The Corporation has also made an effective election to be treated as a "financial holding company."  Financial holding companies are bank holding companies that meet certain minimum capital and other standards and are therefore entitled to engage in financially related activities on an expedited basis; see further discussion below.  Bank holding companies are required to file periodic reports with and are subject to examination by the Federal Reserve.  The Federal Reserve has issued regulations under the Bank Holding Company Act that require a bank holding company to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary banks.  As a result, the Federal Reserve, pursuant to such regulations, may require the Corporation to stand ready to use its resources to provide adequate capital funds to its Bank subsidiary during periods of financial stress or adversity.

The Bank Holding Company Act prohibits the Corporation from acquiring direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of voting stock, or substantially all of the assets of any bank, or from merging or consolidating with another bank holding company, without prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board.  Additionally, the Bank Holding Company Act prohibits the Corporation from engaging in or from acquiring ownership or control of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of voting stock of any company engaged in a non‑banking business, unless such business is determined by the Federal Reserve Board to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto.  Federal law and Pennsylvania law also require persons or entities desiring to acquire certain levels of share ownership (generally, 10% or more, or 5% or more for another bank holding company) of the Corporation to first obtain prior approval from the Federal Reserve and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking. 

As a Pennsylvania bank holding company for purposes of the Pennsylvania Banking Code, the Corporation is also subject to regulation and examination by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking.

The Bank is a state chartered bank that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System, and its deposits are insured (up to applicable limits) by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  Accordingly, the Bank's primary federal regulator is the FDIC, and the Bank is subject to extensive regulation and examination by the FDIC and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking.  The Bank is also subject to requirements and restrictions under federal and state law, including requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types and amounts of loans that may be granted and the interest that may be charged thereon, and limitations on the types of investments that may be made and the types of services that may be offered.  The Bank is subject to extensive regulation and reporting requirements in a variety of areas, including helping to prevent money laundering, to preserve financial privacy, and to properly report late payments, defaults, and denials of loan applications.  The Community Reinvestment Act requires the Bank to help meet the credit needs of the entire community where the Bank operates, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods.  The Bank's rating under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), assigned by the FDIC pursuant to an examination of the Bank, is important in determining whether the bank may receive approval for, or utilize certain streamlined procedures in, applications to engage in new activities.  The Bank’s present CRA rating is “satisfactory.”  Various consumer laws and regulations also affect the operations of the Bank.  In addition to the impact of regulation, commercial banks are affected significantly by the actions of the Federal Reserve Board as it attempts to control the money supply and credit availability in order to influence the economy.

Capital Adequacy Guidelines

Bank holding companies are required to comply with the Federal Reserve Board's risk‑based capital guidelines.  The required minimum ratio of total capital to risk‑weighted assets (including certain off‑balance sheet activities, such as standby letters of credit) is 8%.  At least half of the total capital is required to be "Tier 1 capital," consisting principally of common shareholders' equity less certain intangible assets.  The remainder ("Tier 2 capital") may consist of certain preferred stock, a limited amount of subordinated debt, certain hybrid capital instruments and other debt securities, and a limited amount of the general loan loss allowance and deferred tax accounts.  The risk-based capital guidelines are required to take adequate account of interest rate risk, concentration of credit risk, and risks of nontraditional activities.

In addition to the risk‑based capital guidelines, the Federal Reserve Board requires a bank holding company to maintain a leverage ratio of a minimum level of Tier 1 capital (as determined under the risk‑based capital guidelines) equal to 3% of average total consolidated assets for those bank holding companies which have the highest regulatory examination ratings and are not contemplating or experiencing significant growth or expansion.  All other bank holding companies are required to maintain a ratio of at least 1% to 2% above the stated minimum.  The Bank is subject to almost identical capital requirements adopted by the FDIC.  In addition to FDIC capital requirements, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking also requires state chartered banks to maintain a 6% leverage capital level and 10% risk based capital, defined substantially the same as the federal regulations.

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Basel III

In July 2013, Federal banking regulators approved the final rules from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision for the regulation of capital requirements for U.S banks, generally referred to as “Basel III.”  Basel III imposes significantly higher capital requirements and more restrictive leverage and liquidity ratios than those currently in place.  The capital ratios to be considered “well capitalized” under Basel III are: common equity of 6.5%, Tier 1 leverage of 5%, Tier 1 risk-based capital of 8%, and Total Risk-Based capital of 10%.  The common equity ratio is a new capital ratio under Basel III and the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8% has been increased from 6%. The rules also include changes in the risk weights of certain assets to better reflect credit and other risk exposures. In addition, a capital conservation buffer will be phased-in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.125%, increasing each year until fully implemented at 2.5% above the minimum capital ratios required to avoid any capital distribution restrictions.  Certain components of the new capital requirements are effective January, 2015 with others being phased in through January 1, 2019.  As of December 31, 2014, Management believes that the Bank would remain “well capitalized’ under the new rules on a fully phased-in basis if such requirements were currently effective.

Prompt Corrective Action Rules

The federal banking agencies have regulations defining the levels at which an insured institution would be considered "well capitalized," "adequately capitalized," "undercapitalized," "significantly undercapitalized" and "critically undercapitalized."  The applicable federal bank regulator for a depository institution could, under certain circumstances, reclassify a "well‑capitalized" institution as "adequately capitalized" or require an "adequately capitalized" or "undercapitalized" institution to comply with supervisory actions as if it were in the next lower category.  Such a reclassification could be made if the regulatory agency determines that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition (which could include unsatisfactory examination ratings).  At December 31, 2014, the Corporation and the Bank each satisfied the criteria to be classified as "well capitalized" within the meaning of applicable regulations.

Regulatory Restrictions on Dividends

Dividend payments by the Bank to the Corporation are subject to the Pennsylvania Banking Code, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and the regulations of the FDIC.  Under the Banking Code, no dividends may be paid except from "accumulated net earnings" (generally, retained earnings).  The Federal Reserve and the FDIC have formal and informal policies which provide that insured banks and bank holding companies should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings, with some exceptions.  The Prompt Corrective Action Rules, described above, further limit the ability of banks to pay dividends, because banks that are not classified as well capitalized or adequately capitalized may not pay dividends.

Volker Rule

In December 2013, Federal banking regulators issued rules for complying with the Volker Rule provision of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Bank does not engage in, or expect to engage in, any transactions that are considered “covered activities” as defined by the Volker Rule. Therefore, the Bank does not have any compliance obligations under the Volker Rule.

Ability to Repay / Qualified Mortgages

In July 2013, the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau adopted the final rules that implement the Ability to Repay (ATR) / Qualified Mortgages (QM) provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Regulators believe that the ATR/QM rules will prevent many of the loose underwriting practices that contributed to the mortgage crisis in 2008.  The ATR/QM rule applies to almost all closed-end consumer credit transactions secured by a dwelling. The ATR rule provides eight specific factors that must be considered during the underwriting process. QMs generally have three types of requirements: restrictions on loan features, points and fees, and underwriting criteria.  A QM is presumed to comply with the ATR requirements. The ATR/QM rule was effective January 10, 2014. The Bank believes compliance with the new rules will increase our compliance costs, may affect the volume of residential mortgage loans that we originate, and may subject us to increased potential liability related to our residential mortgage loan activities.

Stress Testing

The Dodd-Frank Act requires stress testing by bank holding companies and banks having more than $10 billion but less than $50 billion of consolidated assets.  Stress tests assess the potential impact of scenarios on the consolidated earnings, balance sheet and capital of a bank holding company or bank over a designated planning horizon of nine quarters, taking into account the organization’s current condition, risks, exposures, strategies and activities.  Although this provision of the Dodd-Frank Act and related regulations do not apply to the Corporation and the Bank because of their smaller sizes, federal banking regulators have indicated that stress testing is a “best practice” that is expected of all banks.

Pennsylvania Regulation and Supervision

In December 2012, the “Banking Law Modernization Package” became effective.  The law permits banks to disclose formal enforcement actions initiated by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, clarifies that the Department has

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examination and enforcement authority over subsidiaries as well as affiliates of regulated banks, and bolsters the Department’s enforcement authority over its regulated institutions by clarifying its ability to remove directors, officers and employees from institutions for violations of laws or orders or for any unsafe or unsound practice or breach of fiduciary duty.  The Department also may assess civil money penalties of up to $25,000 per violation.

FDIC Insurance

The Bank is a member of the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF), which is administered by the FDIC. The FDIC insures deposit accounts at the Bank, generally up to a maximum of $250,000 for each separately insured depositor. The FDIC charges a premium to depository institutions for deposit insurance. This rate is based on the risk category of the institution and the total premium is based on average total assets less average tangible equity.  As of December 31, 2014, the Bank was in risk category 1 and its assessment rate was approximately 9 basis points of the assessment base. Dodd-Frank established a new minimum DIF ratio set at 1.35% of estimated insured deposits. The FDIC is required to attain this ratio by September 30, 2020 and its efforts to achieve this ratio could greatly influence future premium rates.

Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. We do not currently know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of our deposit insurance.

In addition to the FDIC assessments, the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) is authorized to impose and collect, with the approval of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, assessments for anticipated payments, issuance costs and custodial fees on bonds issued by the FICO in the 1980s to recapitalize the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. The bonds issued by the FICO are due to mature from 2017 to 2019. The Bank’s FICO assessment was approximately $56 thousand in 2014 and was included in FDIC insurance expense.

New Legislation

Congress is often considering new financial industry legislation, and the federal banking agencies routinely propose new regulations.  The Corporation cannot predict how any new legislation, or new rules adopted by the federal banking agencies, may affect its business in the future. 

Selected Statistical Information

Certain statistical information is included in this report as part of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The following is a summary of the primary risks associated with the Corporation’s business, financial condition and results of operations, and common stock.

Risk Factors Relating to the Corporation

A focus on real estate related loans may increase the risk of substantial credit losses.

The Bank offers a variety of loan products, including residential mortgage, consumer, construction and commercial loans.  The Bank requires real estate as collateral for many of its loans. At December 31, 2014,  approximately 74% of its loans were secured by real estate.  Loans to fund residential real estate construction are 1% of total loans; loans secured by residential real estate are 28% of the total, and commercial, industrial and agricultural real estate loans total 45% of the total loan portfolio.  These real estate loans are located primarily in the Bank’s market area of south central Pennsylvania.  Real estate values tend to follow changes in general economic cycles. If a loan becomes delinquent as the result of an economic downturn and the Bank becomes dependent on the real estate collateral as a source of repayment, it is likely that the value of the real estate collateral has also declined.  A decline in real estate values means it is possible that the real estate collateral may be insufficient to cover the outstanding balance of a delinquent or foreclosed loan, resulting in a loss to the Bank. In addition, the real estate collateral is concentrated in a small market area of south central Pennsylvania. Localized events that affect real estate prices and collateral values could have a more negative affect on the Bank as compared to other competitors with a more geographically diverse portfolio.   As the Bank grows, it is expected that the percentage of real estate loans, specifically commercial real estate, will grow. Risk of loan default is unavoidable in the banking industry, and Management tries to limit exposure to this risk by carefully monitoring the amount of loans in specific industries and by exercising prudent lending practices and securing appropriate collateral.  However, this risk cannot be eliminated and substantial credit losses could result in reduced earnings or losses.

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The allowance for loan losses may prove to be insufficient to absorb inherent losses in our loan portfolio.

The Bank maintains an allowance for loan losses that Management believes is appropriate to provide for any inherent losses in the loan portfolio.  The amount of the allowance is determined through a periodic review and consideration of several factors, including an ongoing review of the quality, size and diversity of our loan portfolio; evaluation of nonperforming loans; historical loan loss experience; and the amount and quality of collateral, including guarantees, securing the loan.

Although Management believes the loan loss allowance is adequate to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio, such losses cannot be predicted and the allowance may not be adequate.  Excessive loan losses could have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Bank’s lending limit is smaller than many of our competitors, which affects the size of the loans it can offer customers.

The Bank’s lending limit is approximately $15.7 million.  Accordingly, the size of the loans that can be offered to customers is less than the size of loans that many of our competitors, with larger lending limits, can offer.  This limit affects the Bank’s ability to seek relationships with larger businesses in its market area.  Loan amounts in excess of the lending limits can be accommodated through the sale of participations in such loans to other banks.  However, there can be no assurance that the Bank will be successful in attracting or maintaining customers seeking larger loans or that it will be able to engage in participation of such loans or on terms favorable to the Bank.

There is strong competition in the Bank’s primary market areas.

The Bank encounters strong competition from other financial institutions in its primary market area, which consists of Franklin, Cumberland, Fulton and Huntingdon Counties, Pennsylvania.  In addition, established financial institutions not already operating in the Bank’s primary market area may open branches there at future dates or can compete in the market via the Internet.  In the conduct of certain aspects of banking business, the Bank also competes with savings institutions, credit unions, mortgage banking companies, consumer finance companies, insurance companies and other institutions, some of which are not subject to the same degree of regulation or restrictions as are imposed upon the Bank.  Many of these competitors have substantially greater resources and lending limits and can offer services that the Bank does not provide.  In addition, many of these competitors have numerous branch offices located throughout their extended market areas that provide them with a competitive advantage.  No assurance can be given that such competition will not have an adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in interest rates could have an adverse impact upon our results of operations.

The Bank’s profitability is in part a function of the spread between interest rates earned on investments, loans and other interest-earning assets and the interest rates paid on deposits and other interest-bearing liabilities. Recently, interest rate spreads have generally narrowed due to changing market conditions and competitive pricing pressure.  Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond the Bank’s control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, will influence not only the interest received on loans and investment securities and the amount of interest we pay on deposits and borrowings, but will also affect the Bank’s ability to originate loans and obtain deposits and the value of our investment portfolio.  If the rate of interest paid on deposits and other borrowings increases more than the rate of interest earned on loans and other investments, the Bank’s net interest income, and therefore earnings, could be adversely affected.  Earnings could also be adversely affected if the rates on loans and other investments fall more quickly than those on deposits and other borrowings.  While Management takes measures to guard against interest rate risk, there can be no assurance that such measures will be effective in minimizing the exposure to interest rate risk.

Our operational or security systems may experience interruption or breach in security, including cyber-attacks.

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business.  These systems include both our internal network and data systems, as well as those of third party vendors.  Any failure, interruption or breach in security or these systems, including a cyber-attack, could result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information.  While we have systems, policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures, interruptions or security breaches will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed.  The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of client business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

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Risk Factors Relating to the Common Stock

There is a limited trading market for the Corporation’s common stock.

There is currently only a limited public market for the Corporation’s common stock.  It is quoted on the OTCQX Market Tier of the OTC Markets under the symbol “FRAF”  (www.otcmarkets.com/stock/FRAF/quote). Because it is thinly traded, you may not be able to resell your shares of common stock for a price that is equal to the price that you paid for your shares.  The Corporation currently has no plans to apply to have its common stock listed for trading on any stock exchange or the NASDAQ market.

The Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Corporation is subject to regulatory limitations that may affect the Corporation’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders.

As a holding company, the Corporation is a separate legal entity from the Bank and does not have significant operations of its own. It currently depends upon the Bank's cash and liquidity to pay dividends to its shareholders.  The Corporation cannot assure you that in the future the Bank will have the capacity to pay dividends to the Corporation. Various statutes and regulations limit the availability of dividends from the Bank. It is possible; depending upon the Bank's financial condition and other factors, that the Bank’s regulators could assert that payment of dividends by the Bank to the Corporation would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.  In the event that the Bank is unable to pay dividends to the Corporation, the Corporation may not be able to pay dividends to its shareholders.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None

 

Item 2.  Properties

The Corporation’s headquarters is located in the main office of F&M Trust at 20 South Main Street, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.  This location also houses a community banking office as well as operational support services for the Bank. The Corporation owns or leases thirty-eight properties in Franklin, Cumberland, Fulton and Huntingdon Counties, Pennsylvania, for banking operations, as described below:

 

 

 Included in Other Properties are two properties used for operational support service for the Bank, three offices that were closed as part of a branch consolidation in January 2015 and one other property leased for future use.

 

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

The nature of our business generates a certain amount of litigation involving matters arising in the ordinary course of business.  However, in management’s opinion, there are no proceedings pending to which the Corporation is a party or to which our property is subject, which, if determined adversely to the Corporation, would be material in relation to our shareholders’ equity or financial condition.  In addition, no material proceedings are pending nor are known to be threatened or contemplated against us by governmental authorities or other parties.

 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable 

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Part II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market and Dividend Information

The Corporation’s common stock is traded in the over-the-counter market.  It is quoted on the OTCQX Market Tier of the OTC Markets under the symbol “FRAF”  (www.otcmarkets.com/stock/FRAF/quote). The range of high and low prices is shown in the following table for the years 2014 and 2013, as well as cash dividends declared for those periods.  The closing price of Franklin Financial Services Corporation common stock recorded from an actual transaction on December 31, 2014 was $22.00.  The Corporation had 1,943 shareholders of record as of December 31, 2014.

 

 

Restrictions on the Payment of Dividends

For limitations on the Corporation’s ability to pay dividends, see “Supervision and Regulation – Regulatory Restrictions on Dividends” in Item 1 above.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The information related to equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference to the materials set forth under the heading “ Executive Compensation – Compensation Tables” in the Corporation’s Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Common Stock Repurchases

The Corporation frequently authorizes the repurchase of its common stock through a stock repurchase plan.  There was no stock repurchase plan in place during 2014. The common shares of the Corporation are purchased in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  The Corporation uses the repurchased common stock (Treasury stock) for general corporate purposes including stock dividends and splits, employee benefit and executive compensation plans, and the dividend reinvestment plan. The Corporation did not repurchase any shares in 2014 or 2013.

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Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total return to shareholders of Franklin Financial with the NASDAQ – Total U.S. Index (a broad market index prepared by the Center for Research in Security Prices at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business) and with the Northeast OTC-BB and Pink Banks Index (an industry-specific index prepared by SNL Financial LC) for the five year period ended December 31, 2014, in each case assuming an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2009 and the reinvestment of all dividends.

 

 

 

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Shareholders’ Information

Dividend Reinvestment Plan:

Franklin Financial Services Corporation offers a dividend reinvestment program whereby shareholders of the Corporation’s common stock may reinvest their dividends in additional shares of the Corporation.  Beneficial owners of shares of the Corporation’s common stock may participate in the program by making appropriate arrangements through their bank, broker or other nominee. Information concerning this optional program is available by contacting the Corporate Secretary at 20 South Main Street, P.O. Box 6010, Chambersburg, PA 17201-6010, telephone 717-264-6116.

Dividend Direct Deposit Program:

Franklin Financial Services Corporation offers a dividend direct deposit program whereby shareholders of the Corporation’s common stock may choose to have their dividends deposited directly into the bank account of their choice on the dividend payment date.  Information concerning this optional program is available by contacting the Corporate Secretary at 20 South Main Street, P.O. Box 6010, Chambersburg, PA  17201-6010, telephone 717-264-6116.

Annual Meeting:

The Annual Shareholders’ Meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at the Orchard Restaurant & Banquet Facility, 1580 Orchard Drive, Chambersburg, PA.  The Business Meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. with breakfast provided.

Websites:

Franklin Financial Services Corporation:        www.franklinfin.com

Farmers & Merchants Trust Company:           www.fmtrustonline.com

Stock Information:

The Corporation’s common stock is traded in the over-the-counter market.  It is quoted on the OTCQX Market Tier of the OTC Markets under the symbol “FRAF”  (www.otcmarkets.com/stock/FRAF/quote).

Registrar and Transfer Agent:

 

 

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Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

 

 

(1) See the section titled “GAAP versus Non-GAAP Presentation” of the Application of Critical Accounting Policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

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Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Application of Critical Accounting Policies:

Disclosure of the Corporation’s significant accounting policies is included in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.  These policies are particularly sensitive requiring significant judgments, estimates and assumptions to be made by Management.  Senior management has discussed the development of such estimates, and related Management Discussion and Analysis disclosure, with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. The following accounting policies are the ones identified by management to be critical to the results of operations:

Allowance for Loan Losses – The allowance for loan losses is the estimated amount considered adequate to cover credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date.  The allowance is established through the provision for loan losses, charged against income.  In determining the allowance for loan losses, Management makes significant estimates and, accordingly, has identified this policy as probably the most critical for the Corporation.

Management performs a monthly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses by asset class.  Consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing this estimate including, but not limited to: current economic conditions, diversification of the loan portfolio, delinquency statistics, results of internal loan reviews, borrowers’ actual or perceived financial and managerial strengths, the adequacy of the underlying collateral (if collateral dependent) and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change, including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans.

The analysis has two components, specific and general allocations.  Expected cash flow or collateral values discounted for market conditions and selling costs are used to establish specific allocations.  The Bank’s historical loan loss experience and other qualitative factors derived from economic and market conditions are used to establish general allocations for the remainder of the portfolio.   The allowance for loan losses was $9.1 million at December 31, 2014. 

Management monitors the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on an ongoing basis and reports its adequacy assessment quarterly to the Credit Risk Oversight Committee of the Board of Directors.

Financial Derivative – As part of its interest rate risk management strategy, the Bank has entered into an interest rate swap agreement.  A swap agreement is a contract between two parties to exchange cash flows based upon an underlying notional amount.  Under the swap agreement, the Bank pays a fixed rate and receives a variable rate from an unrelated financial institution serving as counter-party to the agreement.  The swap is designated as a cash flow hedge and is designed to minimize the variability in cash flows of the Bank’s variable rate liabilities attributable to changes in interest rates.  The swap in effect converts a portion of a variable rate liability to a fixed rate liability.

The interest rate swap is recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as an asset or liability.  To the extent the swap is effective in accomplishing its objective, changes in the fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income.  To the extent the swap is not effective, changes in fair value are recorded in interest expense.  Cash flow hedges are determined to be highly effective when the Bank achieves offsetting changes in the cash flows of the risk being hedged.  The Bank measures the effectiveness of the hedges on a quarterly basis and it has determined the hedges are highly effective.  Fair value is heavily dependent upon the market’s expectations for interest rates over the remaining term of the swaps. 

Restricted Stock - Restricted stock, which is carried at cost, consists of stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB) and Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (ACBB).  Management evaluates the restricted stock for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 320.  Management’s determination of whether these investments are impaired is based on their assessment of the ultimate recoverability of their cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value.  The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of their cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of the decline in net assets of the banks as compared to the capital stock amount for the banks and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the banks to make payments required by law or regulation and (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the banks.

Stock-based Compensation – The Corporation has two stock compensation plans in place consisting of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and an Incentive Stock Option Plan (ISOP).

The Corporation accounts for stock compensation plans in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, “Stock Compensation.”  ASC Topic 718 requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements (with limited exceptions).  The amount of compensation cost is measured on the grant-date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.  Compensation cost is recognized over the period that an employee provides services in exchange for the award.

The Corporation calculates the compensation cost of the options by using the Black-Scholes method to determine the fair value of the options granted.  In calculating the fair value of the options, the Corporation makes assumptions regarding the risk-free rate of

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return, the expected volatility of the Corporation’s common stock, dividend yield and the expected life of the option.  These assumptions are made independently for the ESPP and the ISOP and if changed, would change the compensation cost of the options and net income. Note 1 of the accompanying financial statements provides additional information about stock option expense.

Federal Income Taxes – Deferred income taxes are provided on the liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences.  Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases.  Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, when in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. ASC Topic 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” also provides guidance on the accounting for and disclosure of unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties.

Temporary Investment Impairment – Investment securities are written down to their net realizable value when there is impairment in value that is considered to be “other-than-temporary.”  The determination of whether or not “other-than-temporary” impairment exists is a matter of judgment.  Management reviews investment securities regularly for possible impairment that is “other-than-temporary” by analyzing the facts and circumstances of each investment and the expectations for that investment’s performance.  “Other-than-temporary” impairment in the value of an investment may be indicated by the length of time and the extent to which market value has been less than cost; the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer; and whether the Corporation has the intent to sell or is likely to be forced to sell the investment prior to any anticipated recovery in market value. 

GAAP versus Non-GAAP Presentations – The Corporation supplements its traditional GAAP measurements with Non-GAAP measurements. The Non-GAAP measurements include Return on Average Tangible Assets, Return on Average Tangible Equity, Tangible Book Value and Tangible Common Equity ratio. As a result of merger transactions, intangible assets (primarily goodwill, core deposit intangibles and customer list) were created. The Non-GAAP disclosures are intended to eliminate the effects of the intangible assets and allow for better comparisons to periods when such assets did not exist.  However, not all companies use the same calculation methods for the same non-GAAP measurements and therefore may not be comparable. The following table shows the adjustments made between the GAAP and NON-GAAP measurements:

 

 

 

 

Results of Operations:

Management’s Overview

The following discussion and analysis is intended to assist the reader in reviewing the financial information presented and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and other financial data presented elsewhere herein.

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Franklin Financial Services Corporation reported a 34.8% increase in net income for 2014. Net interest income remained flat year over year at approximately $31.6 million; however, net income increased by $2.2 million due to a similar reduction in the provision for loan losses. The Corporation continued to see a reduction in loan charge-offs and an improvement in the quality of its loan portfolio that allowed for a lower provision expense. Noninterest income increased by 10% in 2014 compared to 2013, with nearly every category of noninterest income showing an increase. Noninterest expense held steady during the year with only a minimal increase of $209 thousand over 2013. Diluted earnings per share increased from $1.51 in 2013 to $2.00 in 2014. The Corporation declared and paid a dividend of $0.68 per share.  After closing 2013 at just under $1.0 billion in assets, the balance sheet grew slightly and closed 2014 at $1.001 billion.  Net loans increased $3.7 million as residential real estate, and commercial loans increased while consumer and commercial real estate loans declined year over year. Deposits increased $35.5 million due to increases in interest-bearing checking accounts, due in part to a shift from Repo accounts to deposit accounts. Shareholders’ equity continued to increase during the year from retained earnings and investments from the dividend reinvestment plan. Other key performance measurements are presented in Item 6, Selected Financial Data.

A more detailed discussion of the areas that had the greatest effect on the reported results follows.

Net Interest Income

The most important source of the Corporation’s earnings is net interest income, which is defined as the difference between income on interest-earning assets and the expense of interest-bearing liabilities supporting those assets.  Principal categories of interest-earning assets are loans and securities, while deposits, securities sold under agreements to repurchase (Repos), short-term borrowings and long-term debt are the principal categories of interest-bearing liabilities.  For the purpose of this discussion, balance sheet items refer to the average balance for the year and net interest income is adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent basis.  This tax-equivalent adjustment facilitates performance comparisons between taxable and tax-free assets by increasing the tax-free income by an amount equivalent to the Federal income taxes that would have been paid if this income were taxable at the Corporation’s 34% Federal statutory rate.  The components of net interest income are detailed in Tables 1, 2 and 3.

2014 versus 2013

Summary: Tax equivalent net interest income increased by only 1% (Table 1) in 2014 compared to 2013.  A reduction in interest expense and a larger benefit from tax-free income was sufficient to offset the reduction in interest income. Average interest earning assets (Table 3) declined during 2014 compared to the 2013 average, and the yield on these assets declined slightly by 4 basis points year over year. Likewise, average interest bearing liabilities and the cost of these liabilities declined as compared to 2013.  These changes resulted in a $332 thousand increase in tax equivalent net interest income and an improvement in the net interest margin from 3.47% in 2013 to 3.56% in 2014.  

 

Assets:    Table 3 shows the average balance and yield on the major asset classes on the Corporation’s balance sheet. Total average interest-earning assets decreased by $13.0 million and the yield fell from 3.93% in 2013 to 3.89% in 2014.  The low interest rate environment that continues to be supported by Federal Reserve actions continues to push asset yields down on both new assets and the repricing of existing assets.

 

Interest bearing balances held by the Corporation declined as money was put into the investment portfolio; however, the yield on these balances increased during 2014 as Bank owned short-term certificates of deposit (with higher rates) made up a greater percentage of the total balance in 2014 than in 2013.

 

The average balance of the investment portfolio increased by approximately 12% during 2014 as short-term cash was moved to higher yielding assets.  The Bank purchased $41.2 million of securities during 2014, primarily in mortgage-backed and municipal securities. The yield on the portfolio improved by 23 basis points as prepayment on mortgage backed securities slowed. 

 

The average balance of the loan portfolio declined by approximately $5 million for 2014 as compared to the average balance for 2013.  Residential mortgage and home equity balances increased during the year, but these increases were not sufficient enough to offset the decline in commercial and consumer loans. Commercial lending continued to be very competitive in 2014, with a lot of low rate competition seeking out the best customers. The decline in the 2014 average commercial loan portfolio was driven by some accelerated payoffs at the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014. However, from year-end 2013 to year-end 2014, the commercial loan portfolio increased. The average balance of the mortgage portfolio increased due to more refinancing activity during the year. Home equity production in 2014 was good, but was boosted by a low rate promotion. The average yield on the loan portfolio declined to 4.28% in 2014 from 4.54% in 2013. All categories, except consumer loans, experienced a lower yield in 2014. Approximately 82% of the commercial loan portfolio is variable rate with rates tied to short-term market rates like Prime or Libor. Until there is an increase in short-term rates, the yield on the commercial loan portfolio is likely to decline. 

 

Liabilities: Table 3 shows the average balance and cost of the major interest-bearing liabilities classes on the Corporation’s balance sheet.  Average interest-bearing liabilities declined by $33.9 million in 2014.  This decline was driven primarily by a $41.5 million decrease in time deposits (CDs). The majority of the decline in CDs was a $23.2 million decrease in brokered CDs from maturities in 2013 that the Bank did not replace. Interest-bearing checking increased by approximately $31 million, fueled in part, by the Bank’s action to close its sweep repurchase product and move these accounts to a fully-insured interest-bearing checking product. As CDs

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mature, the cost of this product continues to decline and this contributed to a 14 basis point reduction in the cost of interest-bearing liabilities in 2014. Securities sold under a repurchase agreement declined for the reason discussed above.  Average long-term debt declined slightly, but by the end of 2014, the Bank had paid off all of its long-term debt.

 

Table 2 shows the affect volume and rate had on the change in tax equivalent net interest income in 2014.

 

2013 versus 2012

Summary: Tax equivalent net interest income (Table 1) declined by 2% during 2013.  The average balance of interest-earning assets declined during the year and the yield on these assets fell by 29 basis points; therefore, tax-equivalent interest income declined (see Table 3). Likewise, Table 3 also shows that the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities declined during the year and the cost of these deposits also fell by 29 basis points.  As a result, tax-equivalent net interest income declined by $675 thousand and the net interest margin as a percentage of earning assets fell from 3.50% in 2012 to 3.47% in 2013.  Table 2 shows that changes in interest rates had a larger negative effect on net interest income than did the changes in the balance sheet. 

 

Assets: Table 3 shows the average balance and yield on the major asset classes on the Corporation’s balance sheet. Average interest earning assets and the yield on these assets declined during 2013. The low interest rate environment that continues to be supported by Federal Reserve actions continues to push asset yields down on both new assets and the repricing of existing assets.

The investment portfolio averaged $152.6 million in 2013 compared to $134.7 million in 2012. Despite the increase in the average balance, the yield on the portfolio declined from 2.96% in 2012 to 2.68% in 2013. The Bank purchased $69.1 million of new securities in 2013, primarily in the U.S. Government Agency mortgaged backed securities sector.

 

Average loan balances fell during the year, with every category showing a reduction from the 2012 averages except for residential mortgages. The commercial loan portfolio declined $34.3 million and the yield fell by 20 basis points during the year.  The low interest rate environment continues to be an incentive for pre-payments and refinancing, and good quality credits are in demand by many lenders eager to increase volume. As a result, the Bank has lost some balances to prices that it felt was unable to match. The bank retained more of its mortgage production in 2013; therefore, the average balance increased during the year. However, the yield on the mortgage portfolio declined year over year. The Bank retained primarily shorter-term mortgages and sold longer-term mortgages in the secondary market.

 

Consumer lending, including home equity products, continued to decline. Home equity products declined, on average by approximately $7 million compared to 2012 and the yield fell by 32 basis points. Both products have seen new production rates decline, but the lower volume was the largest factor contributing to the decline in interest income on these products.  

 

Liabilities: The average balance of interest-bearing liabilities declined by $15.9 million in 2013 and the cost fell by 29 basis points.    Every category of interest-bearing deposits, except time deposits (CDs) increased during the year. The interest-bearing checking and money management accounts showed the largest balance increases.  The increase in interest checking and money management came primarily in the municipal account categories in the Bank’s fully insured deposit products. The average balance of CDs declined primarily due to a reduction in brokered CDs. The reduction in brokered CDs was due to action taken by the Bank to “call” and payoff higher rate brokered CDs, and by scheduled maturities. The cost of interest-bearing deposits fell from .70% in 2012 to .50% in 2013 driven down by an 18 basis point reduction on the rate of the money management product.

The average balance of securities sold under agreements to repurchase declined by $19.2 million as the Bank has been transitioning these accounts to a fully insured checking account product. Average long-term debt declined significantly year over year due to the Bank prepaying $33.1 million of FHLB advances in 2012.  The Bank did not prepay any FHLB advances in 2013 or take any new advances.

Table 1. Net Interest Income

 

Table 2 identifies increases and decreases in tax equivalent net interest income to either changes in average volume or to changes in average rates for interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  Numerous and simultaneous balance and rate changes occur during the year.  The amount of change that is not due solely to volume or rate is allocated proportionally to both.  All nontaxable interest income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis, using a tax rate of 34%.

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Table 2. Rate-Volume Analysis of Tax Equivalent Net Interest Income

 

 

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The following table presents average balances, tax-equivalent (T/E) interest income and expense, and yields earned or rates paid on the assets or liabilities.  All nontaxable interest income has been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis, using a tax rate of 34%.

Table 3. Analysis of Net Interest Income

 

 

 

Provision for Loan Losses

For 2014, the Bank recorded net charge-offs of $1.4 million compared to $3.6 million in 2013. The charge-offs were more than the 2014 provision expense of $764 thousand and as a result, the allowance for loan losses (ALL) decreased $591 thousand over year-end 2013. The Corporation experienced a significant fluctuation in its provision expense over the last four years.  As credit quality improved in 2014, the provision expense primarily for the specific reserve, declined.  The Corporation expects the 2015 provision expense to return to a more normalized level as compared to the most recent experience.  At December 31, 2014, the ALL was $9.1 million or 1.25% of total loans compared to a ratio 1.34% at the end of 2013.  Nonperforming assets declined during the year and Management closely monitors the credit quality of the portfolio in order to ensure that an appropriate ALL is maintained. As part of

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this process, Management performs a comprehensive analysis of the loan portfolio considering delinquencies trends and events, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses and the provision for loan losses.  For more information, refer to the Loan Quality discussion and Tables 12 -17.

Noninterest Income

The following table presents a comparison of noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

Table 4. Noninterest Income

 

2014 versus 2013

Investment and Trust Service fees: These fees are comprised of asset management fees, estate administration and settlement fees, employee benefit plans and commissions from the sale of insurance and investment products.  Asset management fees are recurring in nature and are affected by the market value of the assets. Asset management fees increased $372 thousand, while estate fees decreased $196 thousand over 2013. Commissions from the sale of insurance and investment products decreased by $30 thousand compared to the 2014 commissions. Trust assets under management increased to $605.8 million at year-end, compared to $574.7 million at the end of 2013.

Loan service charges:  This category includes loan origination fees, offset by those fees that are deferred, as well as production fees for originating mortgages for sale in the secondary market, and any fees for loan services that are charged after origination, e.g.: late fees or debt protection. The primary cause of the increase in 2014 was higher deferred loan fees on commercial loans, offset by lower mortgage and consumer origination fees.

Mortgage banking fees:  Mortgage banking fees consist primarily of fees for servicing mortgage loans originated and sold by the Bank. The fees for servicing mortgages declined in 2014 as the portfolio of mortgages serviced for others ($29.5 million) continues to pay down. Loans originated for the secondary market are done on a fee basis and these fees are recorded in loan service charges.  For loans that were previously sold with servicing retained, mortgage servicing rights (MSR) are recorded and represent the Bank’s rights to receive future fee income from servicing these loans. MSR are measured and carried at the lower of cost or market value and are amortized over the expected life of the asset. In 2014, the MSR amortization, net of impairment charges, was $41 thousand compared to $51 thousand in 2013.  While the Bank does not expect to originate and sell mortgages with servicing retained in the future, it will retain the existing servicing portfolio until those loans are paid-off.

Deposit fees:  This category is comprised primarily of fees from overdrafts, an overdraft protection program, service charges, and account analysis fees. During 2014, the fees increased $263 thousand compared to 2013.  The increases in this category are the result of changes made to the Bank’s fee schedule following a comprehensive review.

Debit card and other service charges and fees: Debit card income continues to be one the of best fee generators for the Bank.  The Bank expects the upward trend in these fees to continue as more consumers and businesses have and use debit cards.  Debit card fees are comprised of both a retail and business card program. The business debit card offers a cash back rewards program based on usage and it continues to grow in popularity.  The increase in this category was driven by volume.

Other fees and service charges: This category includes fees for wire transfers, ATM activity fees and safe deposit box rentals.  The increases in this category are the result of changes made to the Bank’s fee schedule following a comprehensive review. 

Other real estate owned gains (losses), net: This category shows the net gains or losses on the sale of, or write-downs on, other real estate owned.

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Securities gains and losses, and OTTI charges:  In 2014, other-than-temporary-impairment charges were recorded on one private label mortgage backed securities that was considered other than temporarily impaired compared to two in 2013, as well as three equity securities. Security gains in 2014 were generated primarily by the sale of equity securities. 

The following table presents a comparison of noninterest income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

Table 4.1 Noninterest Income

 

2013 versus 2012

Investment and Trust Services: Asset management fees increased $285 thousand and estate fees increased $123 thousand over 2012. Commissions from the sale of insurance and investment products declined slightly compared to the 2012 commissions. Trust assets under management increased to $574.7 million at year-end, compared to $520.4 million at the end of 2012.  During 2013, the Bank converted to a new trust operation system that it believes will better serve both the Bank and its customer’s needs for trust services.

Loan service charges:  The Bank recorded its fifth consecutive year of flat or declining loan fees. The primary causes of the reduction in 2013 were lower mortgage production fees as refinance activity slowed in 2013 and an increase in deferred loan fees on consumer loans.

Mortgage banking fees: The fees for servicing mortgages declined in 2013 as the portfolio of mortgages serviced for others ($34.6 million) continues to pay down. Loans originated for the secondary market are done on a fee basis and these fees are recorded in loan service charges.  For loans that were previously sold with servicing retained, mortgage servicing rights (MSR) are recorded and represent the Bank’s rights to receive future fee income from servicing these loans. MSR are measured and carried at the lower of cost or market value and are amortized over the expected life of the asset. In 2013, the MSR amortization, net of impairment charges, was $51 thousand compared to $133 thousand in 2012. 

Deposit fees: During 2013, deposit fees declined slightly compared to 2012.  The primary factor contributing to this decrease was a reduction of $77 thousand in fees from the Bank’s overdraft protection program. Commercial account analysis and deposit fees, as well as all other retail deposit fees remained relatively flat when compared to 2012. 

Debit card and other service charges and fees: Debit card fees are comprised of both a retail and business card program. The business debit card offers a cash back rewards program based on usage and it continues to grow in popularity.

Other fees and service charges: This category includes fees for wire transfers, ATM activity fees and safe deposit box rentals, and no single category showed a significant increase in 2013.

Other real estate owned gains (losses), net: This category shows the net gains or losses on the sale of, or write-downs on, other real estate owned.

Securities gains and losses, and OTTI charges:  In 2013, other-than-temporary-impairment charges were recorded on two private label mortgage backed securities and three equity securities that were considered other than temporarily impaired. Security gains were generated primarily by the sale of equity securities.

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Noninterest Expense

The following table presents a comparison of noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

Table 5. Noninterest Expense

 

 

 

2014 versus 2013

Salaries and benefits: This category is the largest noninterest expense category and these expenses increased $589 thousand as compared to the prior year. Salary expense increased by $578 thousand and employee incentive programs increased $360 thousand during 2014.  The increase in salary expense is due primarily to salary adjustments and a severance accrual for employees affected by the consolidation of three community offices in January 2015, while incentive expense increased due to the improvement in financial performance during the year.  Offsetting these increases was a reduction in  health insurance due to lower claim expense in the Bank’s self-funded plan and a reduction in pension expense of $284 thousand. See Note 14 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information on benefit plans. All other employee benefit expenses remained consistent with 2013 levels. 

Net Occupancy:  This category includes all of the expense associated with the properties and facilities used for bank operations such as depreciation, leases, maintenance, utilities and real estate taxes. The increase during 2014 was due to a colder winter with higher expenses for snow removal than experienced in 2013.  

Legal and professional fees:  This category consists of fees paid to outside legal counsel, consultants, and audit fees.  In total, these fees remained flat year over year; however, the Bank recorded higher consulting fees that were partially offset by a reduction in legal fees. Internal and external audit fees increased slightly during the year.

Data processing:  The largest cost in this category is the expense associated with the Bank’s core processing system and related services, and accounted for $1.1 million of the total data processing costs compared to $1.3 million in 2013.  The reduction in core processing costs were related to one time charges for new technology initiatives.  

Other:  Other noninterest expense decreased 10% in 2014 due primarily to a one time nonrecurring expense in 2013 of $667 thousand for a deferred compensation plan assumed by the Bank from its 2006 acquisition of Fulton Bancshares Corporation. In 2014, the Bank incurred $182 thousand in penalties for prepaying FHLB debt compared to $0 thousand in 2013. The Bank also wrote off $128 thousand in development costs for a potential community office site and $83 thousand of furniture and equipment expense from the consolidation of three community offices in January 2015.  These increases were offset by decreases in other expenses (down $283 thousand), loan collection expense  (down  $103 thousand), and other real estate expense (down $91 thousand).    

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The following table presents a comparison of noninterest expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012:

Table 5.1 Noninterest Expense

 

 

2013 versus 2012

Salaries and benefits: This category remained essentially unchanged as compared to the prior year. Salary expense increased by $299 thousand and health insurance expense increased $253 thousand during 2013.  The increase in salary expense is due primarily to normal changes in staffing levels and salary adjustments. Health insurance increased due to higher claim expense in the Bank’s self-funded plan. Offsetting these increases was a reduction in pension expense of $513 thousand as the result of a $6.0 million contribution to the plan at the end of 2012. All other employee benefit expenses remained consistent with 2012 levels.

Net Occupancy: The increase during 2013 is due to a full year of lease and operating costs for two community offices that were not in-service for a full year in 2012.

Legal and professional fees: These fees remained flat year over year; however, the Bank recorded higher consulting fees that were partially offset by a reduction in appraisal fees. Internal audit fees increased slightly during the year, while external audit fees remained flat.

Data processing:  The largest cost in this category is the expense associated with the Bank’s core processing system and related services, and accounted for $1.3 million of the total data processing costs.

Other:  Other noninterest expense increased less than 3% in 2013.  The lines items in this category showing the largest increases were director’s fees (up $41 thousand), telephone expense (up $25 thousand) and postage expense (up $17 thousand). These increases were partially offset by numerous other line items that had decreases year-over-year. Loan collection and foreclosure expense was $239 thousand in 2013 versus $255 thousand in 2012.  The cost to carry OREO increased from $49 thousand in 2012 to $137 thousand in 2013.  In 2012, the Bank incurred $439 thousand in penalties for prepaying FHLB debt that was not recorded in 2013. However, in the fourth quarter of 2013, the Bank recorded a nonrecurring expense of $667 thousand for a deferred compensation plan assumed by the Bank from its 2006 acquisition of Fulton Bancshares Corporation. At the time of the acquisition, information provided by the FDIC to the Bank indicated that this payout was a non-permissible payment and therefore not accrued in prior years. The FDIC decision was challenged by the beneficiary of the payment, and more than 7 years later, the FDIC reversed its decision thereby permitting the payment and resulting in an expense to the Bank.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Corporation recorded a Federal income tax expense of $2.0 million in 2014 compared to $1.3 million in 2013 and $512 thousand in 2012. The effective tax rate for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was 19.3%, 17.2% and 8.7%, respectively. Pretax income was $2.9 million more than in 2013; therefore, the tax benefit of tax-free income to pre-tax income was less and the effective tax rate increased. The 2014 tax-free benefit from tax-free assets was approximately 19% of pre-tax income in 2014 compared to 21% of pre-tax income in 2013 and 29% in 2012. For a more comprehensive analysis of Federal income tax expense refer to Note 11 of the accompanying financial statements.

Financial Condition

One method of evaluating the Corporation’s condition is in terms of its sources and uses of funds.  Assets represent uses of funds while liabilities represent sources of funds.  At December 31, 2014, total assets increased only 1.7% over the prior year to $1.001 billion from  $984.6 million at the end of 2013.

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Interest Bearing Deposits in Other Banks:

This asset increased $7.1 million year-over-year, but showed a decline in the average balance. During 2014, these balances were used in part to purchase investment securities and pay-off long term debt. Therefore, the average balance for 2014 deceased compared to 2013. At year-end, approximately $17 million was held by other banks in the form of short-term certificates of deposit. Approximately $16 million was held in an interest-bearing account at the Federal Reserve.

Investment Securities:

The investment portfolio serves as a mechanism to invest funds if funding sources out pace lending activity, to provide liquidity for lending and operations, and provide collateral for deposits and borrowings. The Corporation invests in taxable and tax-free debt securities, and equity securities as part of its investment strategy.  The mix of taxable and tax-free debt securities are determined by the Bank’s Investment Committee and investing decisions are made as a component of balance sheet management. Debt securities include U.S. Government Agencies, U.S. Government Agency mortgage-backed securities, non-agency mortgage-backed securities, state and municipal government bonds, corporate debt and trust preferred securities.  The equity portfolio consists of bank stocks only and is considered to be longer-term with a focus on capital appreciation.  Tables 6 - 9 provide additional detail about the investment portfolio.  All securities are classified as available for sale and all investment balances refer to fair value.

The following table presents amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities by type at December 31 for the past three years:

Table 6. Investment Securities at Amortized Cost and Estimated Fair Value

 

 

The following table presents analysis of investment securities at December 31, 2014 by maturity, and the weighted average yield for each maturity presented.  The yields presented in this table are calculated using tax-equivalent interest and the amortized cost.

Table 7. Maturity Distribution of Investment Portfolio

 

As shown in Table 3 and Table 6, the average balance and the ending balance of the investment portfolio increased during the year with growth occurring in the municipal bond and U.S. Government sectors. Interest rates continue to remain low and cash flows were reinvested in the portfolio at lower rates. However, the yield on the portfolio increased slightly from 2.68% in 2013 to 2.91% in 2014 due to a slow-down in prepayments on mortgage bonds.  U.S. Agency mortgage backed securities and municipal bonds continue to comprise the largest sectors by fair value of the portfolio, approximately 86% in total. The Bank expects that the portfolio will continue to remain concentrated in these investment sectors. The portfolio produced $30.6 million in cash flows in 2014 while $41.2 million was invested into the portfolio during the year.   For the year, the Corporation recorded net securities gains of $280 thousand and other-than-temporary impairment charges of $20 thousand. The majority of the gains were recognized from the equities portfolio.

Equities:  The equity portfolio was reduced significantly during 2014 as both the Bank and Corporation sold the majority of its holdings. At year-end 2014, only the Bank has any remaining equities – 2 issues from community banks in Pennsylvania. On October 30, 2014, S&T Bancorp Inc. agreed to acquire Integrity Bancshares Inc. (Integrity).  The Bank owns shares of Integrity and expects to recognize a pre-tax gain of approximately $628,000, based on the terms of the agreement, upon completion of this transaction in the first quarter of 2015.

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Municipal Bonds:  The Bank’s municipal bond portfolio is well diversified geographically and is comprised of both tax-exempt (77% of the portfolio) and taxable (23% if the portfolio) municipal bonds.  General obligation bonds (69%) and revenue bonds (20%) comprise the largest portions of the portfolio. The portfolio holds 119 issues within 28 states. The largest dollar exposure is to issuers in the state of Texas (fair value of $10.0 million / 20 issues) and Pennsylvania (fair value of $7.1 million / 11 issues).  Fifty percent of the portfolio has either private bond insurance or some other type of credit enhancement. When purchasing municipal bonds, the Bank looks primarily to the underlying credit of the issuer as a sign of credit quality and then to any credit enhancement. Approximately $67 million of the portfolio is rated “A” or higher by Moody and the weighted average rating of the portfolio is “Aa2”.   The Bank owns four issues for $1.6 million that are not rated by a nationally recognized rating agency.

Trust Preferred Bonds:  The following table provides additional detail about the Bank’s trust preferred securities at December 31, 2014. The holdings remain the same as at the prior year end, but the unrealized loss has declined from $871 thousand to $803 thousand year-over-year. The credit ratings for each bond are similar to the ratings one year prior. Trust preferred securities are typically issued by a subsidiary grantor trust of a bank holding company, which uses the proceeds of the equity issuance to purchase deeply subordinated debt issued by the bank holding company.  Trust-preferred securities can reflect single entity issues or a group of entities (pooled trust preferred). Pooled trust preferred securities have been the subject of significant write-downs due in some cases from the default of one issuer in the pool that then impairs the entire pool. All of the Bank’s issues are single issuer, variable rate notes with long final maturities (2027-2028) that continue to pay dividends as scheduled.

 

Table 8. Trust Preferred Securities

 

 

Mortgage-backed Securities (MBS):  This sector holds $81.2 million or 47% of the total portfolio. The majority of this sector ($79.5 million) is comprised of U.S. Government Agency MBS. The Government MBS sector is comprised of mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, both fixed and variable rate. In addition, the Bank holds six private label mortgage-backed securities (PLMBS) with a fair value of $1.7 million and an amortized cost of $1.7 million.  The PLMBS bonds paid down by more than $300 thousand in 2014.

The Bank’s PLMBS portfolio is comprised primarily of Alt-A loans. Alt-A loans are first-lien residential mortgages that generally conform to traditional “prime” credit guidelines; however, loan factors such as the loan-to-value ratio, loan documentation, occupancy status or property type cause these loans not to qualify for standard underwriting programs.  The Alt-A product in the Bank’s portfolio is comprised of fixed-rate mortgages that were originated between 2004 and 2006 and all were originally rated AAA. The bonds issued in 2006 are experiencing the highest delinquency and loss rates. All of these bonds originally had some type of credit support tranche to absorb any loss prior to losses at the senior tranche held by the Bank, but this has eroded completely on some bonds as they have started to experience losses. The Bank recorded other-than-temporary impairment charges of $20 thousand on one PLMBS in 2014.  Based on the performance of some of the PLMBS, it appears as if the underwriting standards that were represented in the offering, and resulted in the AAA rating, were not followed. As a result, the Bank purchased some securities based on these misrepresentations, and it is most likely that these securities would not have been purchased had all the information been reported correctly. The Bank is participating in a lawsuit against certain issuers related to these misrepresentations. The following table provides additional detail about the Bank’s PLMBS at December 31, 2014.

Table 8.1 Private Label Mortgage Backed Securities

 

 Impairment:

Table 9 reflects the temporary impairment in the investment portfolio (excluding restricted stock), aggregated by investment category, length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position and the number of securities in each category as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

The condition of the portfolio at year-end 2014, as measured by the dollar amount of temporarily impaired securities, has improved significantly. The trust-preferred sector recorded the largest unrealized loss, while the Agency MBS and municipal portfolios contain the greatest number of securities with an unrealized loss.

For securities with an unrealized loss, Management applies a systematic methodology in order to perform an assessment of the potential for other-than-temporary impairment.  In the case of debt securities, investments considered for other-than-temporary impairment: (1) had a specified maturity or repricing date; (2) were generally expected to be redeemed at par, and (3) were expected to achieve a recovery in market value within a reasonable period of time. In addition, the Bank considers whether it intends to sell these securities or whether it will be forced to sell these securities before the earlier of amortized cost recovery or maturity. Equity securities are assessed for other-than-temporary impairment based on the length of time of impairment, dollar amount of the impairment and general market and financial conditions relating to specific issues.  The impairment identified on debt and equity securities and subject to assessment at December 31, 2014, was deemed to be temporary and required no further adjustments to the financial statements, unless otherwise noted.

Table 9. Temporary Impairment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The unrealized losses in the municipal bond sector decreased significantly from year-end 2013, as did the number of municipal bonds with an unrealized loss. In 2014, intermediate and long-term interest rates increased and this resulted in a  decline in value of these fixed rate securities. During 2014, these rates fell and consequently, the value of the portfolio improved.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank believes it will be able to collect all interest and principal due on these bonds and that it will not be forced to sell these bonds prior to maturity. Therefore, no other-than-temporary-impairment charges were recorded.

The unrealized loss in the trust preferred sector declined by $68 thousand compared to the prior year-end and market prices continued to show some improvement during the year. All of the Bank’s trust preferred securities are variable rate notes with long maturities (2027-2028) from companies that received money (and in some cases paid back) from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), continue to pay dividends and have raised capital.  The credit ratings on this portfolio are similar to the prior year and no bonds have missed or suspended any payments. At December 31, 2014, the Bank believes it will be able to collect all interest and principal due on these bonds and that it will not be forced to sell these bonds prior to maturity. Therefore, no other-than-temporary-impairment charges were recorded.

The Agency mortgage-backed securities portfolio had an $834 thousand decrease in unrealized losses since the end of 2013.  The change in value in this sector is driven by market interest rates since these bonds have essentially no credit risk.

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The PLMBS sector continues to show a gross unrealized loss of $15 thousand on one security.  The majority of this sector is comprised of “Alt-A” PLMBS. These bonds were all rated AAA at time of purchase but have since experienced rating declines. Some have experienced increased delinquencies and defaults, while others have seen the credit support increase as the bonds paid-down. The Bank monitors the performance of the Alt-A investments on a regular basis and reviews delinquencies, default rates, credit support levels and various cash flow stress test scenarios. In determining the credit related loss, Management considers all principal past due 60 days or more as a loss. If additional principal moves beyond 60 days past due, it will also be considered a loss. As a result of the analysis on PLMBS it was determined that one bond contained losses that were considered other-than-temporary. Management determined $20 thousand was credit related and therefore, recorded an impairment charge of $20 thousand against earnings in 2014.  The market for PLMBS continues to be weak and Management believes that this factor accounts for a portion of the unrealized losses that is not attributable to credit issues. Management continues to monitor these securities and it is possible that additional write-downs may occur if current loss trends continue. The Bank is participating in a class-action lawsuit against one PLMBS servicer that centers on defective warranties and representations made as part of the underwriting process. The resolution of this action is unknown at this time. For additional detail on the Bank’s PLMBS, see Table 8.1.

The Bank held $438 thousand of restricted stock at the end of 2014. The restricted stock is comprised primarily of an investment in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB). FHLB stock is carried at a cost of $100 per share. During 2014, FHLB repurchased $1.5 million in stock and began paying a dividend. FHLB stock is evaluated for impairment primarily based on an assessment of the ultimate recoverability of its cost. As a government sponsored entity, FHLB has the ability to raise funding through the U.S. Treasury that can be used to support it operations. There is not a public market for FHLB stock and the benefits of FHLB membership (e.g., liquidity and low cost funding) add value to the stock beyond purely financial measures. If FHLB stock were deemed to be impaired, the write-down for the Bank could be significant. Management intends to remain a member of the FHLB and believes that it will be able to fully recover the cost basis of this investment.

Loans:

Average gross loans for 2014 decreased by $5.4 million to $729.8 million compared to $735.2 million in 2013.  Residential mortgage loans and home equity loans and lines of credit showed an increase in average balances during the year, but the increase was more than offset by a decline in average commercial and consumer loans during the year.  The yield on the portfolio declined again in 2014 after another year of low interest rates, dropping to 4.33% in 2014 from 4.54% in 2013. Table 3 presents detail on the 2014 average balances and yields earned on loans for the past three years. The following table shows loans outstanding, by primary collateral, as of December 31 for the past 5 years.

Table 10. Loan Portfolio

 

 

Residential real estate:  This category is comprised of consumer purpose loans secured by residential real estate and to a lesser extent, commercial purpose loans secured by residential real estate.  The consumer purpose category represents traditional residential mortgage loans and home equity products (primarily junior liens and lines of credit). Total residential real estate loans increased over 2013 as the result of an increase in residential first lien mortgages.  The Bank retained more consumer mortgages in its portfolio in 2014 than in 2013. The loans that were retained were identified as part of a selective retention program designed to hold mortgages the Bank believes will have a shorter than average life. The Bank expects to continue the selective retention program in 2015 and for this balance to increase in 2015. In 2014, the Bank originated $21.4 million in mortgages, including approximately $8.9 million for a fee through a third party brokerage agreement. The Bank does not originate or hold any loans that would be considered sub-prime or Alt-A, and does not generally originate mortgages outside of its primary market area. The Bank expects 2015 activity to be primarily purchase money mortgages.

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Home equity lending picked up in 2014 and as a result both the ending and average balance of this product increased in 2014.  The majority of the home equity production in 2014 was in the line-of-credit product that offers a variable rate and was offered with promotional pricing during the year. However, line-of-credit originations do not always result in a dollar for dollar increase in new balances. Despite low rates, the Bank expects that home equity lending will not pick up significantly in 2015.

 

Commercial purpose loans in this category represent loans made for various business needs, but are secured with residential real estate. In addition to the real estate collateral, it is possible that additional security is provided by personal guarantees or UCC filings. These loans are underwritten as commercial loans and are not originated to be sold.

 

Residential real estate construction:  The largest component of this category represents loans to residential real estate developers of $8.1 million, while loans for individuals to construct personal residences totaled $1.6 million at December 31, 2014.  This category continued to decline again in 2014 as the residential real estate market for new construction is still slow. The Bank’s exposure to residential construction loans is concentrated primarily in south central Pennsylvania. Real estate construction loans, especially land development loans, frequently provide an interest reserve in order to assist the developer during the development stage when minimal cash flow is generated. All real estate construction loans are underwritten in the same manner, regardless of the use of an interest reserve. At December 31, 2014, the Bank had $9.4 million in residential real estate construction loans funded with an interest reserve and capitalized $25 thousand of interest from these reserves on active projects in 2014. Real estate construction loans are monitored on a regular basis by either an independent third party inspector or the assigned loan officer depending on loan amount or complexity of the project. This monitoring process includes at a minimum, the submission of invoices and AIA documents of costs incurred by the borrower, on-site inspections, and a signature by the assigned loan officer for disbursement of funds.

   

Commercial loans: Commercial loans continue to be the largest loan category on the balance sheet; however, these loans increased 1.2% compared to the end of 2013. In 2014, the Bank approved approximately $124 million in commercial loans and commitments with approximately $109 million in new money advances. Low rates continue to make variable rate loans attractive to borrowers. However, in today’s low rate environment, the extremely low rates squeeze loan profitability. The competition for good quality loans continues to be strong with the best customers able to attract multiple offers. In addition, where the Bank was able to book new loans with rate floors in prior years, the competitive environment has seen the use of rate floors more difficult to obtain.  The Bank offers competitive products, but believes it is not always in the best long-term interest of the Bank to match every competitive offer; therefore, it is likely that the Bank will lose some balances due solely to pricing.  

 

Commercial real estate (CRE): This category includes commercial, industrial, farm and agricultural loans, where real estate serves as the primary collateral for the loan. This loan category decreased by $2.9 million over the prior year. The decreases in 2014 were not centered on any one type of commercial real estate and both the originated and purchased loan portfolios declined. The largest sectors (by collateral) in CRE are: land development ($40.5 million), office buildings ($38.8 million), hotel and motel ($34.8 million), and farm land ($34.7 million).

 

Commercial (C&I): This category includes commercial, industrial, farm, agricultural, and municipal loans. Collateral for these loans may include business assets or equipment, personal guarantees, or other non-real estate collateral. C&I loans increased $8.7 million over the 2013 ending balance, primarily tax free municipal loans.  The largest sectors (by industry) are: retail trade ($54.4 million), construction ($53.2 million), accommodation and food services ($42.0 million), agriculture ($39.6 million) and health care ($35.8 million).

The Bank is active in its market in pursuing commercial lending opportunities, but supplements in-market growth with purchased loan participations. The Bank purchases commercial loan participations in an effort to increase its commercial lending and diversify its loan mix, both geographically and by industry sector.  Purchased loans are originated primarily within the south central Pennsylvania market and are purchased from only a few select counter parties. These loans usually represent an opportunity to participate in larger credits that are not available in market, with the benefit of lower origination and servicing costs.  In 2014, the Bank purchased $14.4 million of loan participations and commitments. The amount purchased in 2014 is less than the amount of participations purchased in 2013.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank held $127.1 million in purchased loan participations in its portfolio compared to $109.7 million at the prior year-end. When the Bank is not the lead bank in the loan participation, it often sees these loans payoff unexpectedly and with no input from the Bank about refinancing options. The Bank expects that commercial lending will continue to be the primary area of loan growth in the future via in-market and loan participation activity: however, it does not expect loan production to be substantially higher in 2015. To enhance these growth opportunities, the Bank continues to partner with two Small Business Development Centers at local universities and is a designated Small Business Administration lender. 

 

Consumer loans: This category is comprised of direct, indirect (automobile), unsecured personal lines of credit, and continues to show a downward trend in outstanding balances. This category declined by $2.4 million from 2013. Most of the decrease occurred in the indirect lending portfolio. The Bank’s indirect lending portfolio was almost completely paid off at year-end 2014, down from $1.4 million at year-end 2013. The Bank exited this line of business in the first quarter of 2010 and no new originations have been booked since then.  This portfolio also contains $3.8 million of unsecured personal lines of credit and this balance is virtually unchanged from the prior year-end. With exiting the indirect lending business, the unwillingness of consumers to increase their debt, and the highly price competitive nature of consumer lending, the consumer portfolio is expected to continue to run-down throughout 2015. 

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Table 11. Maturities and Interest Rate Terms of Selected Loans

The following table presents the stated maturities (or earlier call dates) of selected loans as of December 31, 2014.  Residential mortgage and consumer loans are excluded from the presentation.

 

 

 

Loans with fixed and variable interest rates at December 31, 2014 are shown below:

 

 

 

Loan Quality:  

Management utilizes a risk rating scale ranging from 1 (Prime) to 9 (Loss) to evaluate loan quality. This risk rating scale is used primarily for commercial purpose loans. Consumer purpose loans are identified as either a pass or substandard rating. Substandard consumer loans are loans that are 90 days or more past due and still accruing.  Loans rated 1 – 4 are considered pass credits. Loans that are rated 5 are pass credits, but have been identified as credits that are likely to warrant additional attention and monitoring. Loans rated 6 (Special Mention) or worse begin to receive enhanced monitoring and reporting by the Bank. Loans rated 7 (Substandard) or 8 (Doubtful) exhibit the greatest financial weakness and present the greatest possible risk of loss to the Bank. Nonaccrual loans are rated no better than 7. The following represents some of the factors used in determining the risk rating of a borrower: cash flow, debt coverage, liquidity, management, and collateral. Risk ratings, for pass credits, are generally reviewed annually for term debt and at renewal for revolving or renewing debt. The Bank monitors loan quality by reviewing four measurements: (1) loans rated 6 or worse (collectively “watch list”), (2) delinquent loans, (3) other real estate owned (OREO), and (4) net-charge-offs. Management compares trends in these measurements with the Bank’s internally established targets, as well as its national peer group.

Watch list loans exhibit financial weaknesses that increase the potential risk of default or loss to the Bank. However, inclusion on the watch list, does not by itself, mean a loss is certain. The watch list includes both performing and nonperforming loans. Watch list loans totaled $40.5 million at year-end, approximately half of the $76.3 million watch list at the prior year-end. The watch list is comprised of $17.9 million rated 6, and $22.5 million rated 7. Loans rated 7 have declined by $34.8 million since year-end 2013.   The Bank has no loans rated 8 (Doubtful) or 9 (Loss). The composition of the watch list loans, by primary collateral, is shown in Note 6 of the accompanying financial statements and includes all those loans rated lower than “pass”. Included in the 2014 substandard loan total is $12.3 million of nonaccrual loans compared to $24.6 million one year earlier. Of the nonaccrual loans, the most significant nonaccrual loans are reported on Table 13.  The Bank’s Loan Management Committee reviews these loans and risk ratings on a quarterly basis in order to proactively identify and manage problem loans. In addition, a committee meets monthly to discuss possible workout strategies for OREO and all credits rated 7 or worse. Management also tracks other commercial loan risk measurements including high loan to value loans, concentrations, participations and policy exceptions and reports these to the Credit Risk Oversight Committee of the Board of Directors. The Bank also uses a third-party consultant to assist with internal loan review with a goal of reviewing 60% of commercial loans each year. The FDIC defines certain supervisory loan-to-value lending limits.  The Bank’s internal loan–to-value limits are all equal to, or have a lower loan-to-value limit, than the supervisory limits.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank had loans of $14.5 million that exceeded the supervisory limit. 

Delinquent loans are a result of borrowers’ cash flow and/or alternative sources of cash being insufficient to repay loans.  The Bank’s likelihood of collateral liquidation to repay the loans becomes more probable the further behind a borrower falls, particularly when loans reach 90 days or more past due. Management monitors the performance status of loans by the use of an aging report. The aging report can provide an early indicator of loans that may become severely delinquent and possibly result in a loss to the Bank.  See Note 6 in the accompanying financial statements for a note that presents the aging of payments in the loan portfolio.

Nonaccruing loans generally represent Management’s determination that the borrower will be unable to repay the loan in accordance with its contractual terms and that collateral liquidation may or may not fully repay both interest and principal. It is the Bank’s policy to evaluate the probable collectability of principal and interest due under terms of loan contracts for all loans 90-days or more, nonaccrual loans, or impaired loans. Further, it is the Bank’s policy to discontinue accruing interest on loans that are not adequately secured and in the process of collection.  Upon determination of nonaccrual status, the Bank subtracts any current year accrued and unpaid interest from its income, and any prior year accrued and unpaid interest from the allowance for loan losses. 

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Management continually monitors the status of nonperforming loans, the value of any collateral and potential of risk of loss.  Nonaccrual loans are rated no better than 7 (Substandard).

Loan quality has improved during 2014, as measured by the balance of nonperforming loans reported in Table 12. Nonperforming loans have decreased by $12.6 million with the majority of the decrease coming in nonaccrual commercial real estate loans. Table 13 identifies the most significant loans in nonaccrual status. These six nonaccrual loans account for 83% of the total nonaccrual balance. During 2014, the primary changes to the significant nonaccrual list were payoffs of approximately $2.9 million and a return to accrual status of approximately $7.4 million. Credit 4 on Table 13 was the most significant credit added to nonaccrual status in 2014. Also included in the nonaccrual total are $2.0 million of loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (TDR), including credit 3 on Table 13.  A TDR loan is maintained on nonaccrual status until a satisfactory repayment history is established. In 2014, the Bank returned a $7.4 million nonaccrual TDR loan to accrual status; however, this loan remains classified as a TDR. All of the Bank’s TDR loans are in compliance with the modified terms except one, credit 3 on Table 13. All loans on the watch list that are not on nonaccrual or past due 90 days more are considered potential problem loans. Potential problem loans at December 31, 2014 totaled $27.8 million compared to $51.0 million at December 31, 2013.

The following table presents a five year summary of nonperforming assets as of December 31 of each year:

Table 12. Nonperforming Assets

 

 

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The following table provides information on the most significant nonaccrual loans as of December 31, 2014.

Table 13. Significant Nonaccrual Loans

 

(1) Appraisal value, as reported, does not reflect the pay-off of any senior liens or the cost to liquidate the collateral, but does reflect only the Bank’s share of the collateral if it is a participated loan.

Credit 1 has been charged down by $3.5 million since being placed on nonaccrual due to declining appraisal values. However, a December 2014 appraisal showed a significant increase in value.  This credit is part of a participated loan and the lead bank has begun foreclosure action. One piece of residential real estate collateral for Credit 2 has been sold and is expected to settle in the first quarter of 2015.  All other real estate is listed for sale except the commercial real estate that is used for business operations.  The Bank is reviewing this credit as a possible TDR. The Bank is reviewing a possible troubled debt restructuring for this credit.  Credit 3 is a TDR that is not performing in accordance with the modified terms. Credit 4 is a new nonaccrual in 2014. The property is being operated as part of an estate liquidation.  Credit 5 reflects a $549 thousand charge-off in the third quarter of 2014 and the borrower and guarantor have filed bankruptcy. Credit 6 is performing under a forbearance agreement with the Bank and a foreclosure complaint has been filed.

In addition to monitoring nonaccrual loans, the Bank also closely monitors impaired loans and troubled debt restructurings (TDR).  A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all interest and principal payments due according to the originally contracted terms of the loan agreement.  Nonaccrual loans (excluding consumer purpose loans) and TDR loans are considered impaired. For impaired loans with balances less than $250 thousand and consumer purpose loans, a specific reserve analysis is not performed and these loans are added to the general allocation pool.  In accordance with financial accounting standards, TDR loans are always considered impaired until they are paid-off.  However, an impaired TDR loan can be a performing loan.  Impaired loans totaled $26.6 million at year-end compared to $30.9 million at December 31, 2013. Included in the impaired loan total are $17.0 million of TDR loans. Note 6 of the accompanying financial statements provides additional information on the composition of the impaired loans, including the allowance for loan loss that has been established for impaired loans.

A loan is considered a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) if the creditor (the Bank), for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. These concessions may include lowering the interest rate, extending the maturity, reamortization of payment, or a combination of multiple concessions.  The Bank reviews all loans rated 6 or worse when it is providing a loan restructure, modification or new credit facility to determine if the action is a TDR.  If a TDR loan is placed on nonaccrual status, it remains on nonaccrual status for at least six months to ensure performance. See Note 6 in the accompanying financial statements for a note that identifies TDR loans in the portfolio.

The Bank holds $3.7 million of other real estate owned (OREO), comprised of five properties compared to $4.7 million and eight properties one year earlier.  During 2014, the Bank recorded net losses on the sales of, or write-downs on OREO of $220 thousand that

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is recorded in other income. The Bank also incurred $45 thousand in expense to hold and maintain OREO.   The following table provides additional information on significant other real estate owned properties.

Table 14. Other Real Estate Owned

 

 

At December 31, 2014, the Bank had $763 thousand of residential properties in the process of foreclosure compared to $1.1 million at the end of 2013.

Allowance for Loan Losses:

Management performs a monthly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses (ALL). The ALL is determined by segmenting the loan portfolio based on the loan’s collateral. The Bank further classifies the portfolio based on the primary purpose of the loan, either consumer or commercial.  When calculating the ALL, consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing this estimate including, but not limited to, current economic conditions, diversification of the loan portfolio, delinquency statistics, results of internal loan reviews, historical charge-offs, the adequacy of the underlying collateral (if collateral dependent) and other relevant factors. The Bank begins enhanced monitoring of all loans rated 6 (OAEM) or worse, and obtains a new appraisal or asset valuation for any placed on nonaccrual and rated 7 (substandard) or worse. Management, at its discretion, may determine that additional adjustments to the appraisal or valuation are required.  Valuation adjustments will be made as necessary based on factors, including, but not limited to: the economy, deferred maintenance, industry, type of property/equipment, age of the appraisal, etc. and the knowledge Management has about a particular situation. In addition, the cost to sell or liquidate the collateral is also estimated and deducted from the valuation in order to determine the net realizable value to the Bank. When determining the allowance for loan losses, certain factors involved in the evaluation are inherently subjective and require material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change, including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans. Management monitors the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on an ongoing basis and reports its adequacy quarterly to the Credit Risk Oversight Committee of the Board of Directors. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2014 is adequate.

The analysis for determining the ALL is consistent with guidance set forth in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. The analysis has two components, specific and general allocations. The specific component addresses specific reserves established for impaired loans. A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all interest and principal payments due according to the originally contracted terms of the loan agreement.  Collateral values discounted for market conditions and selling costs are used to establish specific allocations for impaired loans. However, it is possible that as a result of the credit analysis, a specific reserve is not required for an impaired loan. The balance of impaired loans and the ALL for these loans declined in 2014. At December 31, 2013, $993 thousand of the ALL for impaired loans was on credit 5 in Table 13.  Due to a $549 thousand charge-off in 2014 on this credit, the specific ALL decreased significantly and the change in this credit accounts for the majority of the decrease in total ALL for impaired loans. Note 6 of the accompanying financial statements provides additional information about the ALL established for impaired loans.

The general allocation component addresses the reserves established for pools of homogenous loans. The general component includes a quantitative and qualitative analysis. When calculating the general allocation, the Bank segregates its loan portfolio into the following sectors based primarily on the type of supporting collateral:  residential real estate, commercial, industrial or agricultural real estate; commercial and industrial (C&I non-real estate), and consumer.  The residential real estate sector is further segregated by first lien loans, junior liens and home equity products, and residential real estate construction.  The historical loss experience factor for the general allocation was 1.00% of gross loans at December 31, 2014, compared to 0.99% at the prior year-end.  The quantitative analysis uses the Bank’s eight quarter rolling historical loan loss experience adjusted for factors derived from current economic and market conditions that have been determined to have an effect on the probability and magnitude of a loss. The qualitative analysis utilizes a risk matrix that incorporates qualitative and environmental factors such as: loan volume, management, loan review process,

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credit concentrations, competition, and legal and regulatory issues. These factors are each risk rated from minimal to high risk and in total can add up to a qualitative factor of 37.5 basis points. At December 31, 2014, the qualitative factor was 21.5 basis points, a slight increase from the prior year-end. These factors are determined on the basis of Management’s observation, judgment and experience.

Real estate appraisals and collateral valuations are an important part of the Bank’s process for determining potential loss on collateral dependent loans and thereby have a direct effect on the determination of loan reserves, charge-offs and the calculation of the allowance for loan losses.  As long as the loan remains a performing loan, no further updates to appraisals are required. If a loan or relationship migrates to nonaccrual and a risk rating of 7 or worse, an evaluation for impairment status is made based on the current information available at the time of downgrade and a new appraisal or collateral valuation is obtained. We believe this practice complies with the regulatory guidance dated December 12, 2010.

In determining the allowance for loan losses, Management, at its discretion, may determine that additional adjustments to the fair value obtained from an appraisal or collateral valuation are required. Adjustments will be made as necessary based on factors, including, but not limited to the economy, deferred maintenance, industry, type of property or equipment etc., and the knowledge Management has about a particular situation. In addition, the cost to sell or liquidate the collateral is also estimated and deducted from the valuation in order to determine the net realizable value to the Bank. If an appraisal is not available, Management may make its best estimate of the real value of the collateral or use last known market value and apply appropriate discounts.  If an adjustment is made to the collateral valuation, this will be documented with appropriate support and reported to the Loan Management Committee.

The following table shows, by loan segment, the activity in the ALL, the amount of the allowance established in each category and the loans that were evaluated for the ALL under a specific reserve (individually) and those that were evaluated under a general reserve (collectively) as of December 31, 2014.

Table 15. Allowance by Loan Segment

 

 

The following table shows the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan category as of December 31 for each of the past five years.

Table 16. Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The allocation of the allowance for loan losses is based on estimates and is not intended to imply limitations on the usage of the allowance. The entire allowance is available to absorb any losses without regard to the category in which the loan is classified.

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The percentage of the loans in each category to total gross loans as of December 31 for each of the past five years:

 

 

The Bank added $764 thousand to the ALL through the provision for loan loss expense in 2014 compared to $2.9 million in the prior year. Net charge-offs totaled $1.4 million for the year, exceeding the provision expense, and as a result the ALL decreased $591 thousand. The net loan charge-off ratio decreased to 0.19% for the year compared to 0.49% for the prior year and the ALL coverage ratio decreased slightly to 1.25% from 1.34% at the prior year-end.

Charged-off loans usually result from: (1) a borrower being legally relieved of loan repayment responsibility through bankruptcy, (2) insufficient proceeds from the sale of collateral to repay a loan; or (3) the borrower and/or guarantor does not own other marketable assets that, if sold, would generate sufficient sale proceeds to repay a loan.

The Bank recorded net loan charge-offs of $1.4 million in 2014, $2.2 million less than in 2013, and was the third straight year of a decline in net charge-offs. Nearly every loan category showed a decline in gross charge-offs for 2014. The two commercial loan categories accounted for 67% of the gross charge-offs in 2014.   The most significant charge-off totaled $549 thousand and was on credit 5 in Table 13.

Table 17. Historical Allowance for Loan Losses

 

 

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Goodwill:  

The Bank has $9.0 million of goodwill recorded on its balance sheet as the result of corporate acquisitions.  Goodwill is not amortized, nor deductible for tax purposes.   However, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with ASC Topic 350.   Goodwill was tested for impairment as of August 31, 2014. The impairment test was conducted following the step-one test under ASC Topic 350 rather than the qualitative assessment permitted under ASU 2011-08. The Corporation chose not to use the qualitative assessment method for the August 31, 2014 test primarily due to the fact that the Corporation’s stock price is trading below its book value. The Corporation uses several different weighted methods to determine the fair value of the reporting unit under the step-one test, including a dividend analysis, comparable sale transactions, and change of control premium estimates. If the step-one test fails, a more comprehensive step-two test is performed before a final determination of impairment is made. If goodwill is determined to be impaired, an impairment write-down is charged to results of operations in the period in which the impairment is determined.  As a result of the step-one test, the estimated fair value of the Corporation exceeded its carrying value by approximately 37% (compared to 12% in 2013) and Management determined goodwill was not impaired.  The increase in the valuation excess compared to 2013 is primarily the result of an increase in the Corporation’s stock price during 2014 and improved financial performance. At December 31, 2014, Management subsequently considered certain qualitative factors affecting the Corporation and determined that it was not likely that the results of the prior test had changed and it determined that goodwill was not impaired at year-end. For more information on Goodwill refer to Note 8 of the accompanying financial statements.

Deposits:

The Bank depends on deposits generated by its community banking offices as its primary source of funds.  The Bank offers numerous deposit products including demand deposits (noninterest and interest-bearing accounts), savings, money management accounts, and time deposits (certificates of deposits/CDs). Table 18 shows a comparison of the major deposit categories over a five-year period, including balances and the percentage change in balances year-over-year. Table 3 presented previously, shows the average balance of the major deposit categories and the average cost of these deposits over a three year period. In January 2013, the Bank introduced a fully FDIC insured product that is available as either a demand deposit account or as an interest-bearing checking account.

Table 18. Deposits

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing checking:  Noninterest-bearing demand deposit accounts represent a very valuable funding source to the Bank. The category increased by 12.6 % in 2014 with the increase occurring primarily in the small business checking product and municipal checking accounts.

 

Interest-bearing checking: This category saw an increase in both the ending and average balance for the year compared to prior year end. The growth in this category occurred primarily in the new fully-insured interest-bearing checking account that was introduced in 2013.  This account attracted commercial and large dollar accounts that lost the full FDIC insurance at the end of 2013. In addition, the Bank actively moved the majority of its Repo accounts into this fully-insured product.

 

Money management:  This category showed an increase from the prior year.  The increase was in the fully-insured money market account introduced in 2013, which was partially offset by decreases in commercial and municipal accounts.

 

Savings:  Savings accounts increased 5.5% during the year and represents the sixth consecutive year of growth. Retail savings accounts, IRA savings and health savings accounts accounted for the largest growth categories within this product.

 

Time deposits:  Retail time deposits have declined for the fifth consecutive year. Retail time deposits greater than $100 thousand totaled $24.0 million compared to $25.9 million at year-end 2013.  Consumers do not seem to be inclined to invest in longer maturity deposits as they want more liquid accounts and are afraid of missing out on the opportunity to take advantage of rising rates, whenever that may occur. As a result of this sentiment, the Bank has seen some maturing CDs migrate to the Money Management product and new CDs being written for short-terms. In 2015, 61% of the Bank’s retail CDs will mature.   

At year-end 2014 the Bank had $5.6 million placed into the CDARS program that allows the Bank to offer full FDIC coverage to large depositors, but with the convenience to the customer of only having to deal with one bank.  The Bank solicits these deposits

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from within its market and it believes they present no greater risk than any other local deposit. However, regulatory guidance requires that these deposits be classified as brokered deposits. The Bank had no wholesale brokered CDs at year-end.

The Bank continues to review different methods of funding growth that include traditional deposits and other wholesale sources. Competition from other local financial institutions, internet banks and brokerages will continue to be a challenge for the Bank in its efforts to attract new and retain existing deposit accounts.  This competition is not expected to lessen in the future.

The following table shows the maturity of outstanding time deposits of $100,000 or more at December 31, 2014:

Table 19. Time Deposits of $100,000 or More

 

 

Borrowings:

Short-term Borrowings:  In addition to deposits, the Bank uses securities sold under repurchase agreements (Repo), which are accounted for as collateralized financings, and borrowings from FHLB as additional funding sources. The Bank enters into Repo agreements as part of a cash management product offered to commercial and municipal customers. These are overnight borrowings by the Bank that are collateralized with U.S. Government and U.S. Agency securities. During 2014, the Bank continued to close existing Repo accounts and move these accounts into a fully-insured sweep deposit product. At the end of 2014, the Bank had one remaining Repo account and it was closed on January 2, 2015. By moving accounts out of the Repo, the Bank can free up its investment collateral and improve its liquidity position by having less pledged collateral.

Short-term borrowings from the FHLB are in the form of a revolving term commitment. The short-term FHLB borrowings are used as overnight borrowings to fund the short-term liquidity needs of the Bank.  These borrowings reprice on a daily basis and the interest rate fluctuates with short-term market interest rates. At December 31, 2014, the available amount on this line of credit was $35.0 million.   The following table resents information about the Bank’s  Repo product and short-term borrowings.

Table 20. Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase

 

 

Long-term Debt:    During 2014, the Bank prepaid its remaining advances with FHLB.  The advances had above market interest rates and the Bank achieved a better return by incurring the prepayment penalties of $182 thousand, using low-rate cash to pay-off the advances. See Note 10 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information.

Shareholders’ Equity:

Shareholders’ equity increased $8.1 million to $103.5 million at December 31, 2014. The Corporation added $5.6 million to retained earnings after declaring $2.8 million in dividends.  The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP) added $923 thousand in new capital during 2014.   The Corporation declared regular cash dividends per share of $0.68 in both 2014 and 2013. The increase in net income reduced the dividend payout ratio to 33.9% in 2014 compared to 45.1% in 2013. An improvement in the fair value of securities helped to increase accumulated other comprehensive income, and capital, by $1.6 million during the year. The Corporation made no repurchases of its stock in 2014 or 2013.

The Board of Directors has in the past authorized the repurchase of the Corporation’s $1.00 par value common stock. The repurchased shares can be held as treasury shares available for issuance in connection with future stock dividends and stock splits, employee benefit plans, executive compensation plans, the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and other appropriate corporate purposes. The term of the repurchase plans is normally one year. For additional information on Shareholders’ Equity refer to Note 17 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.  There was no stock repurchase plan in place during 2014.

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The Corporation’s dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) allows for shareholders to purchase additional shares of the Corporation’s common stock by reinvesting cash dividends paid on their shares or through optional cash payments.  The Corporation has authorized common stock to be issued under the amended plan.  During 2014, 45,864 shares of common stock were purchased through the dividend reinvestment plan at a value of $923 thousand and 692,340 shares remain to be issued.

A strong capital position is important to the Corporation as it provides a solid foundation for the future growth of the Corporation, as well as instills confidence in the Bank by depositors, regulators and investors, and is considered essential by Management. The Corporation is continually exploring other sources of capital as part of its capital management plan for the Corporation and the Bank.

Common measures of adequate capitalization for banking institutions are capital ratios.  These ratios indicate the proportion of permanently committed funds to the total asset base.  Guidelines issued by federal and state regulatory authorities require both banks and bank holding companies to meet minimum leverage capital ratios and risk-based capital ratios.

The leverage ratio compares Tier 1 capital to average assets while the risk-based ratio compares Tier 1 and total capital to risk-weighted assets and off-balance-sheet activity in order to make capital levels more sensitive to the risk profiles of individual banks. Tier 1 capital is comprised of common stock, additional paid-in capital, retained earnings and components of other comprehensive income, reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets.  Total capital is comprised of Tier 1 capital plus the allowable portion of the allowance for loan losses.

Current regulatory capital guidelines call for a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0% and minimum Tier 1 and total capital ratios of 4.0% and 8.0%, respectively.  Well-capitalized banks are determined to have leverage capital ratios greater than or equal to 5.0% and Tier 1 and total capital ratios greater than or equal to 6.0% and 10.0%, respectively.  Table 21 presents the capital ratios for the consolidated Corporation at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.  At year-end 2014, the Corporation and its banking subsidiary exceeded all regulatory capital requirements. The Corporation is not aware of any future events or transactions, outside its control, that are expected to significantly affect its capital position.  The Bank did not participate in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) established by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) that was designed to provide capital injections to banks through the purchase of preferred stock, and it did not participate in the Small Business Lending Fund created in 2011.

In July 2013, Federal banking regulators approved the final rules from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision for the regulation of capital requirements for U.S banks, generally referred to as “Basel III.”  Basel III imposes significantly higher capital requirements and more restrictive leverage and liquidity ratios than those currently in place.  The capital ratios to be considered “well capitalized” under Basel III are: common equity of 6.5%, Tier 1 leverage of 5%, Tier 1 risk-based capital of 8%, and Total Risk-Based capital of 10%.  The common equity ratio is a new capital ratio under Basel III and the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8% has been increased from 6%. In addition, a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% above the minimum capital ratios is required to avoid any capital distribution restrictions.  Certain components of the new capital requirements are effective January, 2015 with others being phased in through January 1, 2019.  As of December 31, 2014, the Management believes that the Bank would remain “well capitalized’ under the new rules.

For additional information on capital adequacy refer to Note 2 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The following table provides information on the Corporation’s capital ratio.

Table 21. Capital Ratios

 

 

Local Economy

The Corporation’s primary market area includes Franklin, Fulton, Cumberland and Huntingdon County, PA.  This area is diverse in demographic and economic makeup.  County populations range from a low of approximately 15,000 in Fulton County to over 241,000 in Cumberland County. Unemployment in the Bank’s market area has improved during 2014 and ranges from a low of 3.6% in Cumberland County to high of 5.8% in Fulton County.  The market area has a diverse economic base and local industries include, warehousing, truck & rail shipping centers, light and heavy manufacturers, health-care, higher education institutions, farming and agriculture, and a varied service sector.  The Corporation’s primary market area is located in south central Pennsylvania and provides easy access to the major metropolitan markets on the east coast via trucking and rail transportation. Because of this, warehousing and distribution companies continue to find the area attractive. The local economy is not overly dependent on any one industry or business and Management believes that the Bank’s primary market area continues to be well suited for growth as the recession eases.  The following provides selected economic data for the Bank’s primary market:

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Economic Data

 

  

Unlike many companies, the assets and liabilities of the Corporation are financial in nature. As such, interest rates and changes in interest rates may have a more significant effect on the Corporation’s financial results than on other types of industries. Because of this, the Corporation watches the actions of the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) as it makes decisions about interest rate changes and monetary policy.  The FOMC continues to hold short-term rates at historic lows.  Initially, the Federal Reserve said it wouldn’t raise interest rates until the U.S. economy was on sustainable economic footing.  Many take this to mean a jobless rate of 6.5% and inflation of 2.5%.  The unemployment rate is already below the 6.5% target and U.S. inflation is near 1.5%.  At the same time, there is more to the U.S. economy than those two indicators.  It’s quite possible the U.S. economy will hit those targets in early 2015 and the Fed chooses not to raise interest rates because it believes there is too much uncertainty.  The Federal Reserve will announce on March 18, 2015 whether or not it will raise interest rates from zero.  If the Federal Reserve decides the economy is on the right path and raises interest rates sooner than expected, it’s quite possible the stock market will go through a short-term correction.  An increase of 50 basis points could shock the system and negatively impact the broader economy—making it more difficult for people and businesses to borrow and lend.  Maintaining the current ultra-low levels would signal there is still work to be done and that rates will probably not rise until later in 2015.

Liquidity

The Corporation must meet the financial needs of the customers that it serves, while providing a satisfactory return on the shareholders’ investment.  In order to accomplish this, the Corporation must maintain sufficient liquidity in order to respond quickly to the changing level of funds required for both loan and deposit activity.  The goal of liquidity management is to meet the ongoing cash flow requirements of depositors who want to withdraw funds and of borrowers who request loan disbursements. The Bank regularly reviews it liquidity position by measuring its projected net cash flows (in and out) at a 30 and 90-day interval.  The Bank stresses this measurement by assuming a level of deposit out-flows that have not historically been realized. In addition to this forecast, other funding sources are reviewed as a method to provide emergency funding if necessary.  The objective of this measurement is to identify the amount of cash that could be raised quickly without the need to liquidate assets.  The Bank also stresses its liquidity position utilizing different longer-term scenarios.  The varying degrees of stress create pressure on deposit flows in its local market, reduce access to wholesale funding and limit access of funds available through brokered deposit channels. In addition to stressing cash flow, specific liquidity risk indicators are monitored to help identify risk areas.  This analysis will help identify and quantify the potential cash surplus/deficit over a variety of time horizons to ensure the Bank has adequate funding resources.  Assumptions used for liquidity stress testing are subjective.  Should an evolving liquidity situation or business cycle present new data, potential assumption changes will be considered.  The Bank believes it can meet all anticipated liquidity demands.

 

Historically, the Corporation has satisfied its liquidity needs from earnings, repayment of loans and amortizing investment securities, maturing investment securities, loan sales, deposit growth and its ability to access existing lines of credit.  All investment securities are classified as available for sale; therefore, securities that are not pledged as collateral for borrowings are an additional source of readily available liquidity, either by selling the security or, more preferably, to provide collateral for additional borrowing. At December 31, 2014, the Bank had approximately $92 million (fair value) in its investment portfolio pledged as collateral for deposits and Repos.  Another source of available liquidity for the Bank is a line of credit with the FHLB.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank had approximately $35 million available on this line of credit and $16 million of unsecured lines of credit at correspondent banks. 

The FHLB system has always been a major source of funding for community banks. There are no indicators that lead the Bank to believe the FHLB will discontinue its lending function or restrict the Bank’s ability to borrow.  If either of these events were to occur, it would have a negative effect on the Bank and it is unlikely that the Bank could replace the level of FHLB funding in a short time.

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The Bank has established credit at the Federal Reserve Discount Window and as of year-end had the ability to borrow approximately $29 million.

Off Balance Sheet Commitments

 

The Corporation’s financial statements do not reflect various commitments that are made in the normal course of business, which may involve some liquidity risk.  These commitments consist mainly of unfunded loans and letters of credit made under the same standards as on-balance sheet loans and lines of credit.  Because these unfunded instruments have fixed maturity dates and many of them will expire without being drawn upon, they do not generally present any significant liquidity risk to the Corporation.  Unused commitments and standby letters of credit totaled $248.3 million and $22.7 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014, compared to $219.4 million and $20.2 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013. See Note 18 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information on commitments and contingencies.

 

Management believes that any amounts actually drawn upon can be funded in the normal course of operations.  The Corporation has no investment in or financial relationship with any unconsolidated entities that are reasonably likely to have a material effect on liquidity.

The following table represents the Corporation’s aggregate on and off balance sheet contractual obligations to make future payments as of December 31, 2014.

Table 22. Contractual Obligations

 

 

 

 

 

The Corporation is not aware of any known trends, demands, commitments, events or uncertainties which would result in any material increase or decrease in liquidity. The Corporation has also entered into an interest rate swap agreement as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. See Note 14 of the accompanying financial statements for more information on financial derivatives.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market Risk

In the course of its normal business operations, the Corporation is exposed to certain market risks.  The Corporation has no foreign currency exchange rate risk, no commodity price risk or material equity price risk.  However, it is exposed to interest rate risk.  All interest rate risk arises in connection with financial instruments entered into for purposes other than trading.  Financial instruments, which are sensitive to changes in market interest rates, include fixed and variable-rate loans, fixed-income securities, derivatives, interest-bearing deposits and other borrowings. 

Changes in interest rates can have an impact on the Corporation’s net interest income and the economic value of equity.  The objective of interest rate risk management is to identify and manage the sensitivity of net interest income and economic value of equity to changing interest rates in order to achieve consistent earnings that are not contingent upon favorable trends in interest rates.

The Corporation uses several tools to measure and evaluate interest rate risk.  One tool is interest rate sensitivity or gap analysis.  Gap analysis classifies assets and liabilities by repricing and maturity characteristics and provides management with an indication of how different interest rate scenarios will impact net interest income.  Table 23 presents a gap analysis of the Corporation’s balance sheet at December 31, 2014. A positive gap in the under one-year time interval suggests that, all else being equal, the Corporation’s near-term earnings would rise in a higher interest rate environment and decline in a lower rate environment. A negative gap suggests the opposite result.  At December 31, 2014, the Corporation’s cumulative gap position at one year was negative.  However, the incremental benefit of future rate decreases has been reduced as the rates paid on the Bank’s liabilities have been reduced greatly, leaving little room for future rate decreases.  In addition, many of the liabilities are reported in Table 23 at the earliest period at which the rate could change. Since these rates change at the discretion of the Bank, certain liabilities may or may not be repriced with the same magnitude or at the same time as market rates. These circumstances are not captured by a gap analysis.  Consequently, gap analysis is not a good indicator of future earnings.

Another tool for analyzing interest rate risk is financial simulation modeling which captures the effect of not only changing interest rates but also other sources of cash flow variability including loan and securities prepayments and customer preferences. 

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Financial simulation modeling forecasts both net interest income and the economic value of equity under a variety of different interest rate environments that cannot be captured with a gap analysis. The Corporation regularly measures the effects of multiple yield curve rate changes.  The magnitude of each change scenario may vary depending on the current interest rate environment In addition, the balance sheet is held static in each scenario so that the effect of an interest rate change can be isolated and not distorted by changes in the balance sheet.

Table 24 presents the results of three different rate change scenarios and measures the change in net interest income against a base scenario.  As shown, the Bank’s net interest income compared to the base scenario decreases in the down 100 basis point scenario, but increases in each of the up scenarios. For each scenario, interest rate changes are ramped up or down over a period of 1 year, except for the plus 400 basis point scenario which is ramped over 2 years. The Bank believes a ramp scenario is more realistic than an interest rate shock scenario; however, the Bank also runs scenarios using shocks and yield curve twists.  Economic value of equity (EVE) is defined as the estimated discounted present value of assets minus the discounted present value of liabilities and is a surrogate for long-term earnings. EVE measures the degree to which the economic value of a bank changes under different rate scenarios. EVE focuses on a longer-term time horizon and captures all balance sheet cash flows and is more effective in considering embedded options. The discount rates used in the EVE calculation are based on market rates for like assets and liabilities and the balance sheet position is held constant in order to isolate the risk of interest rate changes. For EVE simulation, all rates change by the defined amount immediately and simultaneously in a shock fashion.

Computations of prospective effects of hypothetical interest rate changes are based on many assumptions, including relative levels of market interest rates, loan prepayments and deposit repricing.  Certain shortcomings are inherent in the computation of discounted present value and, if key relationships do not unfold as assumed, actual values may differ from those presented.  Further, the computations do not contemplate any actions Management could undertake in response to changes in market interest rates.

The following table shows interest rate sensitivity for the Corporation as of December 31, 2014.

Table 23. Interest Rate Sensitivity Analysis

 

 

Table 24. Sensitivity to Changes in Market Interest Rates

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements appearing herein which are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements refer to a future period or periods, reflecting management’s current views as to likely future developments, and use words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” or similar terms.  Because forward-looking statements involve certain risks, uncertainties and other factors over which the Corporation has no direct control, actual results could differ materially from those contemplated in such statements.  These factors

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include (but are not limited to) the following: general economic conditions, changes in interest rates, change in the Corporation’s cost of funds, changes in government monetary policy, changes in government regulation and taxation of financial institutions, changes in the rate of inflation, changes in technology, the intensification of competition within the Corporation’s market area, and other similar factors.

Impact of Inflation

The impact of inflation upon financial institutions such as the Corporation differs from its effect upon other commercial enterprises.  Unlike most other commercial enterprises, virtually all of the assets of the Corporation are monetary in nature.  As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on the Corporation’s performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation.  Although inflation (and inflation expectations) may affect the interest rate environment, it is not possible to measure with any precision the impact of future inflation upon the Corporation.

 

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Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Franklin Financial Services Corporation

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Franklin Financial Services Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Franklin Financial Services Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 16, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion.

 

 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

 

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

March 16, 2015

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Franklin Financial Services Corporation

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of Franklin Financial Services Corporation and its subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2012.  Franklin Financial Services Corporation’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated results of Franklin Financial Services Corporation and its subsidiaries’ operations and their cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

/s/ Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP

 

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

March 11, 2013

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Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Consolidated Statements of Income

 

 

 

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

For years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

 

 

 

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accounting policies of Franklin Financial Services Corporation and its subsidiaries conform to generally accepted accounting principles and to general industry practices.  A summary of the more significant accounting policies, which have been consistently applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements, follows:

Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Franklin Financial Services Corporation (the Corporation) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries; Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Chambersburg and Franklin Future Fund Inc. Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Chambersburg is a commercial bank (the Bank) that has one wholly-owned subsidiary, Franklin Financial Properties Corp., which holds real estate assets that are leased by the Bank.  Franklin Future Fund Inc. is a non-bank investment company that makes venture capital investments within the Corporation’s primary market area.  The activities of non-bank entities are not significant to the consolidated totals.  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  Management has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure through the date these consolidated financial statements were issued.

Nature of Operations – The Corporation conducts substantially all of its business through its subsidiary bank, Farmers and Merchants Trust Company of Chambersburg, which serves its customer base through twenty-two community-banking offices located in Franklin, Cumberland, Fulton and Huntingdon Counties, Pennsylvania. These counties are considered to be the Corporation’s primary market area.  The Bank is a community-oriented commercial bank that emphasizes customer service and convenience.  As part of its strategy, the Bank has sought to develop a variety of products and services that meet the needs of both its retail and commercial customers.  The Corporation and the Bank are subject to the regulations of various federal and state agencies and undergo periodic examinations by these regulatory authorities.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions.  These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, and the assessment of other than temporary impairment of investment securities and impairment of restricted stock, the value of mortgage servicing rights and derivatives, and the valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset.

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk – Most of the Corporation’s activities are with customers located within its primary market area.  Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements shows the types of securities in which the Corporation invests.  Note 5 of the consolidated financial statements shows the types of lending in which the Corporation engages.  The Corporation does not have any significant concentrations of any one industry or customer.

Statement of Cash Flows – For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include Cash and due from banks, Interest-bearing deposits in other banks and Federal funds sold.  Generally, Federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods.

Investment Securities – Management classifies its securities at the time of purchase as available for sale or held to maturity. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, all securities were classified as available for sale, meaning that the Corporation intends to hold them for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity. Available for sale securities are stated at estimated fair value, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts which are recognized as adjustments of interest income through call date or maturity.  The related unrealized holding gains and losses are reported as other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax, until realized.  Declines in the fair value of held-to-maturity and available-for-sale securities to amounts below cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses.  In estimating the other-than-temporary impairment losses, management considers (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) determines if the Corporation does not intend to sell the security or it if is not more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost. When a determination is made that an other-than-temporary impairment exists but the Corporation does not intend to sell the debt security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the debt security prior to its anticipated recovery, the other-than-temporary impairment is separated into (a) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to a decrease in cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security (the credit loss) and (b) the amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total other-than-temporary impairment related to all other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income. Realized securities gains and losses are computed using the specific identification method. Gains or losses on the disposition of investment securities are based on the net proceeds and the adjusted carrying amount of the specific security sold. Any decision to sell a security classified as available for sale would be based on various factors, including significant movement in interest rates, changes in maturity or mix of the Bank’s assets and liabilities, liquidity needs, regulatory capital considerations and other similar factors.

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Restricted Stock– Restricted stock, which is carried at cost, consists of stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB) and Atlantic Central Bankers Bank (ACBB).  The Bank held $438 thousasnd of restricted stock at the end of 2014. With the exception of $30 thousand, this investment represents stock in the FHLB that the Bank is required to hold in order to be a member of FHLB and is carried at a cost of $100 per share.  Federal law requires a member institution of the FHLB to hold FHLB stock according to a predetermined formula. Management evaluates the restricted stock for impairment in accordance with ASC Topic 320.  Management’s determination of whether these investments are impaired is based on their assessment of the ultimate recoverability of their cost rather than by recognizing temporary declines in value.  The determination of whether a decline affects the ultimate recoverability of their cost is influenced by criteria such as (1) the significance of the decline in net assets of the banks as compared to the capital stock amount for the banks and the length of time this situation has persisted, (2) commitments by the banks to make payments required by law or regulation and (3) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on institutions and, accordingly, on the customer base of the banks.  As a government sponsored entity, FHLB has the ability to raise funding through the U.S. Treasury that can be used to support its operations.  There is not a public market for FHLB or ACBB stock and the benefits of membership (e.g., liquidity and low cost funding) add value to the stock beyond purely financial measures. Management intends to remain a member of the FHLB and believes that it will be able to fully recover the cost basis of this investment. Management believes no impairment charge is necessary related to the FHLB or ACBB restricted stock as of December 31, 2014.

Financial Derivatives – The Corporation uses interest rate swaps, which it has designated as cash-flow hedges, to manage interest rate risk associated with variable-rate funding sources.  All such derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at estimated fair value in other assets or liabilities as appropriate.  To the extent the derivatives are effective and meet the requirements for hedge accounting, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income with income statement reclassification occurring as the hedged item affects earnings.  Conversely, changes in fair value attributable to ineffectiveness or to derivatives that do not qualify as hedges are recognized as they occur in the income statement’s interest expense account associated with the hedged item.

Interest rate derivative financial instruments receive hedge accounting treatment only if they are designated as a hedge and are expected to be, and are, effective in substantially reducing interest rate risk arising from the assets and liabilities identified as exposing the Corporation to risk.  Those derivative financial instruments that do not meet the hedging criteria discussed below would be classified as trading activities and would be recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in income.  Derivative hedge contracts must meet specific effectiveness tests (i.e., over time the change in their fair values due to the designated hedge risk must be within 80 to 125 percent of the opposite change in the fair values of the hedged assets or liabilities).  Changes in fair value of the derivative financial instruments must be effective at offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged items due to the designated hedge risk during the term of the hedge.  Further, if the underlying financial instrument differs from the hedged asset or liability, there must be a clear economic relationship between the prices of the two financial instruments.  If periodic assessments indicate derivatives no longer provide an effective hedge, the derivatives contracts would be closed out and settled or classified as a trading activity.

Cash flows resulting from the derivative financial instruments that are accounted for as hedges of assets and liabilities are classified in the cash flow statement in the same category as the cash flows of the items being hedged.

Loans – Loans, that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff, are stated at the outstanding unpaid principal balances, net of any deferred fees.  Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.  Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the yield (interest income) of the related loans using the interest method.  The Corporation is amortizing these amounts over the contractual life of the loan.

The accrual of interest is generally discontinued when the contractual payment of principal or interest has become 90 days past due or management has serious doubts about further collectibility of principal or interest, even though the loan is currently performing.  A loan may remain on accrual status if it is in the process of collection and is either guaranteed or well secured.  When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, unpaid interest credited to income in the current year is reversed and unpaid interest accrued in a prior year is charged against the allowance for loan losses.  Payments received on nonaccrual loans are applied initially against principal, then interest income, late charges and any other expenses.  Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time and the ultimate collectibility of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt.  Consumer loans are typically charged off no later than 180 days past due.  Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loans.

Loans Held for Sale – Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market at the time of origination are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value (determined on an aggregate basis).  All sales are made without recourse.  Loans held for sale at December 31, 2014 represent loans originated through a third-party brokerage agreement for a fee and present no price risk to the Bank.

Loan Servicing – Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through sale of financial assets.  A portion of the cost of originating the loan is allocated to the servicing right based on relative fair value.  Fair value is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income.  The valuation model incorporates assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income, such as the cost to service, the discount rate, prepayment speeds, default rates and losses.  Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into

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noninterest income in proportion to, and over the periods of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets.  Servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost.  For the purpose of computing impairment, mortgage servicing rights are stratified based on risk characteristics of the underlying loans that are expected to have the most impact on projected prepayments including loan type, interest rate and term.  Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount.  If the Corporation later determines that all or a portion of the impairment no longer exists, a reduction of the allowance may be recorded as an increase to income.  Servicing fee income is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans.  The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned.  The amortization of mortgage servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income.  Loans serviced by the Bank for the benefit of others totaled $29.5 million, $34.6 million and $46.2 million at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Allowance for Loan Losses – The allowance for loan losses is established through provisions for loan losses charged against income.  Loans deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses, and subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated.  Management’s periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance is based on the Bank’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors.  This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change, including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.  Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired.  Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.  Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial and commercial real estate loans either by the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

The Corporation’s allowance for possible loan losses consists of two elements: (1) specific valuation allowances established for probable losses on specific loans and (2) historical valuation allowances calculated based on historical loan loss experience for similar loans with similar characteristics and trends, adjusted, as necessary to reflect the impact general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Corporation.

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment using historical charge-offs as the starting point in estimating loss.  Accordingly, the Corporation may not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment disclosures.

Premises and Equipment – Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets or the lease term for lease hold improvements, whichever is shorter.  When assets are retired or sold, the asset cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the respective accounts, and any resultant gain or loss is included in net income.

The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to operating expense as incurred, and the cost of major additions and improvements is capitalized.

Intangible Assets – The Bank has $9.0 million of goodwill recorded on its balance sheet as the result of corporate acquisitions.  Goodwill is not amortized, nor deductible for tax purposes.   However, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with ASC Topic 350.   Goodwill was tested for impairment as of August 31, 2014. The impairment test was conducted following the step-one test under ASC Topic 350 rather than the qualitative assessment permitted under ASU 2011-08. The Corporation chose not to use the qualitative assessment method for the August 31, 2014 test primarily due to the fact that the Corporation’s stock price is trading below its book value. The Corporation uses several different weighted methods to determine the fair value of the reporting unit under the step-one test, including a dividend analysis, comparable sale transactions, and change of control premium estimates. If the step-one test fails, a more comprehensive step-two test is performed before a final determination of impairment is made. If goodwill is determined to be impaired, an impairment write-down is charged to results of operations in the period in which the impairment is determined.  As a result of the step-one test, the estimated fair value of the Corporation exceeded its carrying value by approximately 37% (compared to 12% in 2013) and Management determined goodwill was not impaired.  The increase in the valuation excess compared to 2013 is primarily the result of an increase in the Corporation’s stock price during 2014 and improved financial performance. At December 31, 2014, Management subsequently considered certain qualitative factors

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affecting the Corporation and determined that it was not likely that the results of the prior test had changed and it determined that goodwill was not impaired at year-end. For more information on Goodwill refer to Note 8 of the accompanying financial statements. At December 31, 2013, the Bank had a customer list intangible of $156 thousand. The customer list was being amortized over 10 years using the sum-of-the-years digits method.  At December 31, 2014 the Bank determined the customer list was impaired and recorded an expense to write-off the remaining balance. 

Bank Owned Life Insurance – The Bank invests in bank owned life insurance (BOLI) as a source of funding for employee benefit expenses.  The Bank purchases life insurance coverage on the lives of a select group of employees.  The Bank is the owner and beneficiary of the policies and records the investment at the cash surrender value of the underlying policies.  Income from the increase in cash surrender value of the policies is included in noninterest income.

Other Real Estate Owned (OREO) – Foreclosed real estate (OREO) is comprised of property acquired through a foreclosure proceeding or an acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure.  Balances are initially reflected at the estimated fair value less any estimated disposition costs, with subsequent adjustments made to reflect further declines in value.  Any losses realized upon disposition of the property, and holding costs prior thereto, are charged against income. All properties are actively marketed to potential buyers.

Transfers of Financial Assets – Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered.  Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Corporation, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Federal Income Taxes – Deferred income taxes are provided on the liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences.  Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases.  Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, when in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all deferred tax assets will not be realized.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment. ASC Topic 740   prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more-likely-than-not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” also provides guidance on the accounting for and disclosure of unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties.

Advertising Expenses – Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

Treasury Stock – The acquisition of treasury stock is recorded under the cost method.  The subsequent disposition or sale of the treasury stock is recorded using the average cost method.

Investment and Trust Services – Assets held in a fiduciary capacity are not assets of the Corporation and therefore are not included in the consolidated financial statements.  Trust assets under management at December 31, 2014 were $605.8 million and $574.7 million at the prior year-end.  Revenue from investment and trust services is recognized on the accrual basis.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments – In the ordinary course of business, the Bank has entered into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded on the balance sheet when they are funded.  The amount of any liability for the credit risk associated with off-balance sheet financial instruments is recorded in other liabilities and was not material to the financial position of the Corporation at December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Stock-Based Compensation – The Corporation accounts for stock based compensation in accordance with the ASC Topic 718, “ Stock Compensation.”  ASC Topic 718 requires compensation costs related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized in the financial statements (with limited exceptions).  The amount of compensation cost is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued.  Compensation cost is recognized over the period that an employee provides services in exchange for the award.  Compensation expense was $0 in 2014, 2013 and 2012.  

Pension – The provision for pension expense was actuarially determined using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method.  The funding policy is to contribute an amount sufficient to meet the requirements of ERISA, subject to Internal Revenue Code contribution limitations.

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In accordance with ASC Topic 715, ”Compensation – Retirement Benefits”, the Corporation recognizes the plan’s over-funded or under-funded status as an asset or liability with an offsetting adjustment to Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI).  ASC Topic 715 requires the determination of the fair value of a plan’s assets at the company’s year-end and the recognition of actuarial gains and losses, prior service costs or credits, transition assets or obligations as a component of AOCI.  These amounts were previously netted against the plan’s funded status in the Corporation’s consolidated Balance Sheet. These amounts will be subsequently recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs.  Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods that are not initially recognized as a component of net periodic benefit costs will be recognized as a component of AOCI.  Those amounts will subsequently be recorded as component of net periodic benefit costs as they are amortized during future periods. 

Earnings per share – Earnings per share are computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year.  The Corporation’s basic earnings per share are calculated as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding.  For diluted earnings per share, net income is divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus the incremental number of shares added as a result of converting common stock equivalents, calculated using the treasury stock method.  The Corporation’s common stock equivalents consist of stock options.

A reconciliation of the weighted average shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share follows:

 

 

Reclassifications – Certain prior period amounts may have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.  Such reclassifications did not affect reported net income.

Segment Reporting – The Bank acts as an independent community financial services provider and offers traditional banking and related financial services to individual, business and government customers.  Through its community office and automated teller machine network, the Bank offers a full array of commercial and retail financial services, including the taking of time, savings and demand deposits; the making of commercial, consumer and mortgage loans; and the providing of safe deposit services.  The Bank also performs personal, corporate, pension and fiduciary services through its Investment and Trust Services Department and Personal Investment Center.

Management does not separately allocate expenses, including the cost of funding loan demand, between the commercial, retail, mortgage banking and trust operations of the Bank.  As such, discrete information is not available and segment reporting would not be meaningful.

Comprehensive Income – Comprehensive income is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and includes net income and unrealized gains or losses, net of tax, on investment securities and derivatives and the change in plan assets and benefit obligations on the Bank’s pension plan, net of tax.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

Receivables (Topic 310): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure. ASU 2014-04 “Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure” clarifies that a creditor is considered to have physical possession of residential real estate that is collateral for a residential mortgage loan when it obtains legal title to the collateral or a deed in lieu of foreclosure or similar legal agreement is completed.  Consequently, it should reclassify the loan to other real estate owned at that time.  ASU 2014-04 applies to all creditors who obtain physical possession resulting from an in substance repossession or foreclosure of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan in satisfaction of a receivable.  The ASU does not apply to commercial real estate loans, as the foreclosure process and applicable laws for those assets are significantly different from residential real estate.  The ASU is effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014.  The Corporation does not believe ASU 2014-04 will have a material effect on its financial statements.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The amendments in this Update (ASU 2014-09) establish a comprehensive revenue recognition standard for virtually all industries under U.S. GAAP, including those that previously followed industry-specific guidance such as the real estate, construction and software industries. The revenue standard’s core principle is built on the contract between a vendor and a customer for the provision of goods and services. It attempts to depict the exchange of rights and obligations between the parties in the pattern of revenue recognition based on the consideration to which the vendor is entitled. To accomplish this

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objective, the standard requires five basic steps: i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The ASU is effective for public entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein. Three basic transition methods are available – full retrospective, retrospective with certain practical expedients, and a cumulative effect approach. Under the third alternative, an entity would apply the new revenue standard only to contracts that are incomplete under legacy U.S. GAAP at the date of initial application (e.g. January 1, 2017) and recognize the cumulative effect of the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. That is, prior years would not be restated and additional disclosures would be required to enable users of the financial statements to understand the impact of adopting the new standard in the current year compared to prior years that are presented under legacy U.S. GAAP. Early adoption is prohibited under U.S. GAAP. The Corporation does not believe ASU 2014-09 will have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

Note 2.  Regulatory Matters

The Bank is limited as to the amount it may lend to the Corporation, unless such loans are collateralized by specific obligations. State regulations also limit the amount of dividends the Bank can pay to the Corporation and are generally limited to the Bank’s accumulated net earnings, which were $76.4 million at December 31, 2014.  In addition, dividends paid by the Bank to the Corporation would be prohibited if the effect thereof would cause the Bank’s capital to be reduced below applicable minimum capital requirements.  The Corporation and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Corporation’s financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgements by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Corporation and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier 1 capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined).  Although not adopted in regulation form, the Pennsylvania Department of Banking utilizes capital standards requiring a minimum leverage capital ratio of 6% and a risk-based capital ratio of 10%, defined substantially the same as those by the FDIC.  Management believes, as of December 31, 2014, that the Corporation and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject. 

As of December 31, 2014, the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as well capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table.  There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category.

In July 2013, Federal banking regulators approved the final rules from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision for the regulation of capital requirements for U.S, generally referred to as “Basel III.”  Basel III imposes significantly higher capital requirements and more restrictive leverage and liquidity ratios than those currently in place.  The capital ratios to be considered “well capitalized” under Basel III are: common equity of 6.5%, Tier 1 leverage of 5%, Tier 1 risk-based capital of 8%, and Total Risk-Based capital of 10%.  The common equity ratio is a new capital ratio under Basel III and the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8% has been increased from 6%. In addition, a capital conservation buffer of 2.5% above the minimum capital ratios is required to avoid any capital distribution restrictions.  Certain components of the new capital requirements are effective January, 2015 with others being phased in through January 1, 2019.  As of December 31, 2014, the Management believes that the Bank would remain “well capitalized’ under the new rules.

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The table that follows presents the total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based and Tier 1 leverage requirements for the Corporation and the Bank as defined by the FDIC.  Actual capital amounts and ratios are also presented.

 

 

 

 

Note 3. Restricted Cash Balances

The Bank is required to maintain reserves against its deposit liabilities in the form of vault cash and/or balances with the Federal Reserve Bank.  Deposit reserves that the Bank was required to hold were approximately $4.3 million and $2.0 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively and were satisfied by the Bank’s vault cash.

 

Note 4. Investments

The investment portfolio serves as a mechanism to invest funds if funding sources out pace lending activity, to provide liquidity for lending and operations, and provide collateral for deposits and borrowings. The Corporation invests in taxable and tax-free debt securities, and equity securities as part of its investment strategy.  The mix of taxable and tax-free debt securities are determined by the Bank’s Investment Committee and investing decisions are made as a component of balance sheet management. Debt securities include U.S. Government Agencies, U.S. Government Agency mortgage-backed securities, non-agency mortgage-backed securities, state and municipal government bonds, corporate debt and trust preferred securities.  The equity portfolio consists of bank stocks only and is considered to be longer-term with a focus on capital appreciation.  All securities are classified as available for sale and all investment balances refer to fair value.

Equities:  The equity portfolio was reduced significantly during 2014 as both the Bank and Corporation sold the majority of its holdings. At year-end 2014, only the Bank has any remaining equities – 2 issues from community banks in Pennsylvania. On October 30, 2014, S&T Bancorp Inc. agreed to acquire Integrity Bancshares Inc. (Integrity).  The Bank owns shares of Integrity and expects to recognize a pre-tax gain of approximately $628,000, based on the terms of the agreement, upon completion of this transaction in the first quarter of 2015.

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Municipal Bonds:  The Bank’s municipal bond portfolio is well diversified geographically and is comprised of both tax-exempt (77% of the portfolio) and taxable (23% if the portfolio) municipal bonds.  General obligation bonds (69%) and revenue bonds (20%) comprise the largest portions of the portfolio. The portfolio holds 119 issues within 28 states. The largest dollar exposure is to issuers in the state of Texas (fair value of $10.0 million / 20 issues) and Pennsylvania (fair value of $7.1 million / 11 issues).  Fifty percent of the portfolio has either private bond insurance or some other type of credit enhancement. When purchasing municipal bonds, the Bank looks primarily to the underlying credit of the issuer as a sign of credit quality and then to any credit enhancement. Approximately $67 million of the portfolio is rated “A” or higher by Moody and the weighted average rating of the portfolio is “Aa2”.   The Bank owns four issues for $1.6 million that are not rated by a nationally recognized rating agency.

Trust Preferred Bonds:  This sector remains the same as at the prior year end, but the unrealized loss has declined from $871 thousand to $803 thousand year-over-year. The credit ratings for each bond are similar to the ratings one year prior. Trust preferred securities are typically issued by a subsidiary grantor trust of a bank holding company, which uses the proceeds of the equity issuance to purchase deeply subordinated debt issued by the bank holding company.  Trust-preferred securities can reflect single entity issues or a group of entities (pooled trust preferred). Pooled trust preferred securities have been the subject of significant write-downs due in some cases from the default of one issuer in the pool that then impairs the entire pool. All of the Bank’s issues are single issuer, variable rate notes with long final maturities (2027-2028) that continue to pay dividends as scheduled. 

Mortgage-backed Securities (MBS):  This sector holds $81.2 million or 47% of the total portfolio. The majority of this sector ($79.5 million) is comprised of U.S. Government Agency MBS. The Government MBS sector is comprised of mortgage backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, both fixed and variable rate. In addition, the Bank holds six private label mortgage-backed securities (PLMBS) with a fair value of $1.7 million and an amortized cost of $1.7 million.  The PLMBS bonds paid down by more than $300 thousand in 2014.

The Bank’s PLMBS portfolio is comprised primarily of Alt-A loans. Alt-A loans are first-lien residential mortgages that generally conform to traditional “prime” credit guidelines; however, loan factors such as the loan-to-value ratio, loan documentation, occupancy status or property type cause these loans not to qualify for standard underwriting programs.  The Alt-A product in the Bank’s portfolio is comprised of fixed-rate mortgages that were originated between 2004 and 2006 and all were originally rated AAA. The bonds issued in 2006 are experiencing the highest delinquency and loss rates. All of these bonds originally had some type of credit support tranche to absorb any loss prior to losses at the senior tranche held by the Bank, but this has eroded completely on some bonds as they have started to experience losses. The Bank recorded other-than-temporary impairment charges of $20 thousand on one PLMBS in 2014.  Based on the performance of some of the PLMBS, it appears as if the underwriting standards that were represented in the offering, and resulted in the AAA rating, were not followed. As a result, the Bank purchased some securities based on these misrepresentations, and it is most likely that these securities would not have been purchased had all the information been reported correctly. The Bank is participating in a lawsuit against certain issuers related to these misrepresentations.  

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

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At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of investment securities pledged to secure public funds, trust balances, repurchase agreements, deposit and other obligations totaled $91.6 million and $107.6 million, respectively.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because of prepayment or call options embedded in the securities.

 

The composition of the net realized securities gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:

 

 

Impairment:

The condition of the portfolio at year-end 2014, as measured by the dollar amount of temporarily impaired securities, has weakened. The municipal bond portfolio recorded the largest unrealized loss, but the agency mortgage backed portfolio shows the greatest number of securities with an unrealized loss.

The condition of the portfolio at year-end 2014, as measured by the dollar amount of temporarily impaired securities, has improved significantly. The trust-preferred sector recorded the largest unrealized loss, while the Agency MBS and municipal portfolios contain the greatest number of securities with an unrealized loss.

For securities with an unrealized loss, Management applies a systematic methodology in order to perform an assessment of the potential for other-than-temporary impairment.  In the case of debt securities, investments considered for other-than-temporary impairment: (1) had a specified maturity or repricing date; (2) were generally expected to be redeemed at par, and (3) were expected to achieve a recovery in market value within a reasonable period of time. In addition, the Bank considers whether it intends to sell these securities or whether it will be forced to sell these securities before the earlier of amortized cost recovery or maturity. Equity securities are assessed for other-than-temporary impairment based on the length of time of impairment, dollar amount of the impairment and general market and financial conditions relating to specific issues.  The impairment identified on debt and equity securities and subject to assessment at December 31, 2014, was deemed to be temporary and required no further adjustments to the financial statements, unless otherwise noted.

The unrealized losses in the municipal bond sector decreased significantly from year-end 2014, as did the number of municipal bonds with an unrealized loss. In 2014, intermediate and long-term interest rates increased and this resulted in a  decline in value of these fixed rate securities. During 2014, these rates fell and consequently, the value of the portfolio improved.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank believes it will be able to collect all interest and principal due on these bonds and that it will not be forced to sell these bonds prior to maturity. Therefore, no other-than-temporary-impairment charges were recorded.

The Agency mortgage-backed securities portfolio has had an $834 thousand decrease in unrealized losses since the end of 2013.  The change in value in this sector is driven by market interest rates since these bonds have essentially no credit risk.

 

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The unrealized loss in the trust preferred sector declined by $68 thousand compared to the prior year-end and market prices continued to show some improvement during the year. All of the Bank’s trust preferred securities are variable rate notes with long maturities (2027 – 2028) from companies that received money (and in some cases paid back) from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), continue to pay dividends and have raised capital.  The credit ratings on this portfolio are similar to the prior year and no bonds have missed or suspended any payments. At December 31, 2014, the Bank believes it will be able to collect all interest and principal due on these bonds and that it will not be forced to sell these bonds prior to maturity. Therefore, no other-than-temporary-impairment charges were recorded.

Trust  Preferred Securities

 

 

The PLMBS sector continues to show a gross unrealized loss of $15 thousand on one security.  The majority of this sector is comprised of “Alt-A” PLMBS. These bonds were all rated AAA at time of purchase but have since experienced rating declines. Some have experienced increased delinquencies and defaults, while others have seen the credit support increase as the bonds paid-down. The Bank monitors the performance of the Alt-A investments on a regular basis and reviews delinquencies, default rates, credit support levels and various cash flow stress test scenarios. In determining the credit related loss, Management considers all principal past due 60 days or more as a loss. If additional principal moves beyond 60 days past due, it will also be considered a loss. As a result of the analysis on PLMBS it was determined that one bond contained losses that were considered other-than-temporary. Management determined $20 thousand was credit related and therefore, recorded an impairment charge of $20 thousand against earnings in 2014.  The market for PLMBS continues to be weak and Management believes that this factor accounts for a portion of the unrealized losses that is not attributable to credit issues. Management continues to monitor these securities and it is possible that additional write-downs may occur if current loss trends continue. The Bank is participating in a class-action lawsuit against one PLMBS servicer that centers on defective warranties and representations made as part of the underwriting process. The resolution of this action is unknown at this time.

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Private Label Mortgage Backed Securities

 

 

The following table represents the cumulative credit losses on debt securities recognized in earnings as of December 31, 2014. 

 

The Bank held $438 thousand of restricted stock at the end of 2014. The restricted stock is comprised primarily of an investment in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB). FHLB stock is carried at a cost of $100 per share. During 2014, FHLB repurchased $1.5 million in stock and began paying a dividend. FHLB stock is evaluated for impairment primarily based on an assessment of the ultimate recoverability of its cost. As a government sponsored entity, FHLB has the ability to raise funding through the U.S. Treasury that can be used to support it operations. There is not a public market for FHLB stock and the benefits of FHLB membership (e.g., liquidity and low cost funding) add value to the stock beyond purely financial measures. If FHLB stock were deemed to be impaired, the write-down for the Bank could be significant. Management intends to remain a member of the FHLB and believes that it will be able to fully recover the cost basis of this investment.

 

Note 5. Loans

The Bank reports its loan portfolio based on the primary collateral of the loan. It further classifies these loans by the primary purpose, either consumer or commercial. The Bank’s mortgage loans include long-term loans to individuals and businesses secured by mortgages on the borrower’s real property.  Construction loans are made to finance the purchase of land and the construction of residential and commercial buildings thereon, and are secured by mortgages on real estate.  Commercial loans are made to businesses of various sizes for a variety of purposes including construction, property, plant and equipment, and working capital.  Commercial loans also include loans to government municipalities.  Commercial lending is concentrated in the Bank’s primary market, but also includes purchased loan participations. Consumer loans are comprised of installment, home equity and unsecured personal lines of credit. 

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A summary of loans outstanding, by primary collateral, at the end of the reporting periods is as follows:

 

 

Loans to directors and executive officers and related interests and affiliated enterprises were as follows:

 

 

 

Note 6. Loan Quality

Management utilizes a risk rating scale ranging from 1 (Prime) to 9 (Loss) to evaluate loan quality. This risk rating scale is used primarily for commercial purpose loans. Consumer purpose loans are identified as either a pass or substandard rating. Substandard consumer loans are loans that are 90 days or more past due and still accruing.  Loans rated 1 – 4 are considered pass credits. Loans that are rated 5 are pass credits, but have been identified as credits that are likely to warrant additional attention and monitoring. Loans rated 6 (Special Mention) or worse begin to receive enhanced monitoring and reporting by the Bank. Loans rated 7 (Substandard) or 8 (Doubtful) exhibit the greatest financial weakness and present the greatest possible risk of loss to the Bank. Nonaccrual loans are rated no better than 7.   The following represents some of the factors used in determining the risk rating of a borrower: cash flow, debt coverage, liquidity, management, and collateral. Risk ratings, for pass credits, are generally reviewed annually for term debt and at renewal for revolving or renewing debt. The Bank monitors loan quality by reviewing four measurements: (1) loans rated 6 or worse (collectively “watch list”), (2) delinquent loans, (3) other real estate owned (OREO), and (4) net-charge-offs. Management compares trends in these measurements with the Bank’s internally established targets, as well as its national peer group.

Watch list loans exhibit financial weaknesses that increase the potential risk of default or loss to the Bank. However, inclusion on the watch list, does not by itself, mean a loss is certain. The watch list includes both performing and nonperforming loans. Watch list loans totaled $40.5 million at year-end, approximately half of the $76.3 million watch list at the prior year-end. The watch list is comprised of $17.9 million rated 6, and $22.5 million rated 7. Loans rated 7 have declined by $34.8 million since year-end 2013.   The

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Bank has no loans rated 8 (Doubtful) or 9 (Loss). Included in the 2014 substandard loan total is $12.3 million of nonaccrual loans compared to $24.6 million one year earlier.

The following table reports on the credit rating for those loans in the portfolio that are assigned an individual credit rating as of December 31, 2014 and 2013  

 

 

 

 

Delinquent loans are a result of borrowers’ cash flow and/or alternative sources of cash being insufficient to repay loans.  The Bank’s likelihood of collateral liquidation to repay the loans becomes more probable the further behind a borrower falls, particularly when loans reach 90 days or more past due. Management monitors the performance status of loans by the use of an aging report. The aging report can provide an early indicator of loans that may become severely delinquent and possibly result in a loss to the Bank.  The following table presents the aging of payments in the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

 

 

 

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Nonaccruing loans generally represent Management’s determination that the borrower will be unable to repay the loan in accordance with its contractual terms and that collateral liquidation may or may not fully repay both interest and principal. It is the Bank’s policy to evaluate the probable collectability of principal and interest due under terms of loan contracts for all loans 90-days or more past due, nonaccrual loans or impaired loans. Further, it is the Bank’s policy to discontinue accruing interest on loans that are not adequately secured and in the process of collection.  Upon determination of nonaccrual status, the Bank subtracts any current year accrued and unpaid interest from its income, and any prior year accrued and unpaid interest from the allowance for loan losses.  Management continually monitors the status of nonperforming loans, the value of any collateral and potential of risk of loss.  Nonaccrual loans are rated no better than 7 (Substandard).

The following table provides additional information on significant nonaccrual loans. 

 

(1) Appraisal value, as reported, does not reflect the pay-off of any senior liens or the cost to liquidate the collateral, but does reflect only the Bank’s share of the collateral if it is a participated loan.

Interest not recognized on nonaccrual loans was $752 thousand, $96 thousand and $800 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In addition to monitoring nonaccrual loans, the Bank also closely monitors impaired loans and troubled debt restructurings.  A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all interest and principal payments due according to the originally contracted terms of the loan agreement.  Nonaccrual loans, excluding consumer purpose loans, and TDR loans are considered impaired. For impaired loans with balances less than $250 thousand and consumer purpose loans, a specific reserve analysis is not performed and these loans are added to the general allocation pool. Impaired loans totaled $26.6 million at year-end 2014 compared to $30.9 million at December 31, 2013.    

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The following table for additional information on impaired loans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A loan is considered a troubled debt restructuring (TDR) if the creditor (the Bank), for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. These concessions may include lowering the interest rate, extending the maturity, reamortization of payment, or a combination of multiple concessions.  The Bank reviews all loans rated 6 or worse when it is providing a loan restructure, modification or new credit facility to determine if the action is a TDR.  If a TDR loan is placed on nonaccrual status, it remains on nonaccrual status for at least six months to ensure performance. However, TDR loans are always considered impaired until paid-off. All TDR loans are in compliance with their modified terms except one, credit 3 on the significant nonaccrual table contained in this note.  The following table identifies TDR loans as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

 

 

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*The performing status is determined by the loans compliance with the modified terms.

The following table reports new TDR loans made during 2014, concession granted and the recorded investment at December 31, 2014.

 

 

 

 

The following table reports new TDR loans made during 2013, concession granted and the recorded investment as of December 31, 2013.

 

 

 

The Bank holds $3.7 million of other real estate owned (OREO), comprised of five properties compared to $4.7 million and eight properties one year earlier.  During 2014, the Bank recorded net losses on the sales of, or write-downs on OREO of $220 thousand that is recorded in other income. The Bank also incurred $45 thousand in expense to hold and maintain OREO.   The following table provides additional information on significant other real estate owned properties.

The following table provides additional information on significant other real estate owned properties. 

 

 

At December 31, 2014, the Bank had $763 thousand of residential properties in the process of foreclosure compared to $1.0 million at the end of 2013.

Allowance for Loan Losses:

Management performs a monthly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses (ALL). The ALL is determined by segmenting the loan portfolio based on the loan’s collateral. The Bank further classifies the portfolio based on the primary purpose of the loan, either consumer or commercial.  When calculating the ALL, consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing this estimate including, but not limited to, current economic conditions, diversification of the loan portfolio, delinquency statistics, results of internal loan reviews, historical charge-offs, the adequacy of the underlying collateral (if collateral dependent) and other relevant factors. The Bank begins enhanced monitoring of all loans rated 6 (OAEM) or worse, and obtains a new appraisal or asset valuation for any placed on nonaccrual and rated 7 (substandard) or worse. Management, at its discretion, may determine that additional adjustments to the appraisal or valuation are required.  Valuation adjustments will be made as necessary based on factors, including, but not limited to: the economy, deferred maintenance, industry, type of property/equipment, age of the appraisal, etc. and the knowledge Management has about a particular situation. In addition, the cost to sell or liquidate the collateral is also estimated and

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deducted from the valuation in order to determine the net realizable value to the Bank. When determining the allowance for loan losses, certain factors involved in the evaluation are inherently subjective and require material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change, including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans. Management monitors the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses on an ongoing basis and reports its adequacy quarterly to the Credit Risk Oversight Committee of the Board of Directors. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2014 is adequate.

The analysis for determining the ALL is consistent with guidance set forth in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. The analysis has two components, specific and general allocations. The specific component addresses specific reserves established for impaired loans. A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all interest and principal payments due according to the originally contracted terms of the loan agreement.  Collateral values discounted for market conditions and selling costs are used to establish specific allocations for impaired loans. However, it is possible that as a result of the credit analysis, a specific reserve is not required for an impaired loan. The balance of impaired loans and the ALL for these loans declined in 2014. At December 31, 2013, $993 thousand of the ALL for impaired loans was for credit 5 on the table of significant nonaccrual loans contained in this note.  Due to a $549 thousand charge-off in 2014 on this credit, the specific ALL decreased significantly and the change in this credit accounts for the majority of the decrease in total ALL for impaired loans.

The general allocation component addresses the reserves established for pools of homogenous loans. The general component includes a quantitative and qualitative analysis. When calculating the general allocation, the Bank segregates its loan portfolio into the following sectors based primarily on the type of supporting collateral:  residential real estate, commercial, industrial or agricultural real estate; commercial and industrial (C&I non-real estate), and consumer.  The residential real estate sector is further segregated by first lien loans, junior liens and home equity products, and residential real estate construction.  The historical loss experience factor for the general allocation was 1.00% of gross loans at December 31, 2014, compared to 0.99% at the prior year-end.  The quantitative analysis uses the Bank’s eight quarter rolling historical loan loss experience adjusted for factors derived from current economic and market conditions that have been determined to have an effect on the probability and magnitude of a loss. The qualitative analysis utilizes a risk matrix that incorporates qualitative and environmental factors such as: loan volume, management, loan review process, credit concentrations, competition, and legal and regulatory issues. These factors are each risk rated from minimal to high risk and in total can add up to a qualitative factor of 37.5 basis points. At December 31, 2014, the qualitative factor was 21.5 basis points, a slight increase from the prior year-end. These factors are determined on the basis of Management’s observation, judgment and experience. 

Real estate appraisals and collateral valuations are an important part of the Bank’s process for determining potential loss on collateral dependent loans and thereby have a direct effect on the determination of loan reserves, charge-offs and the calculation of the allowance for loan losses.  As long as the loan remains a performing loan, no further updates to appraisals are required. If a loan or relationship migrates to nonaccrual and a risk rating of 7 or worse, an evaluation for impairment status is made based on the current information available at the time of downgrade and a new appraisal or collateral valuation is obtained. We believe this practice complies with the regulatory guidance dated December 12, 2010.

In determining the allowance for loan losses, Management, at its discretion, may determine that additional adjustments to the fair value obtained from an appraisal or collateral valuation are required. Adjustments will be made as necessary based on factors, including, but not limited to the economy, deferred maintenance, industry, type of property or equipment etc., and the knowledge Management has about a particular situation. In addition, the cost to sell or liquidate the collateral is also estimated and deducted from the valuation in order to determine the net realizable value to the Bank. If an appraisal is not available, Management may make its best estimate of the real value of the collateral or use last known market value and apply appropriate discounts.  If an adjustment is made to the collateral valuation, this will be documented with appropriate support and reported to the Loan Management Committee.

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The following table shows, by loan class, the activity in the ALL, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. 

 

 

 

The following table shows, by loan class, the loans that were evaluated for the ALL under a specific reserve (individually) and those that were evaluated under a general reserve (collectively), and the amount of the allowance established in each category as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

 

Note 7. Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment consist of:

 

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The following table shows the amount of depreciation and rental expense for the years ended December 31:

 

The Corporation leases various premises and equipment for use in banking operations.  Some of these leases provide renewal options of varying terms.  The rental cost of these optional renewals is not included below.  At December 31, 2014, future minimum payments on these leases are as follows:

 

 

 

Note 8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill:

 

 

The following table summarizes the other intangible assets at December 31:

 

The following table shows the amortization expense for the years ended December 31:

 

Core deposit intangibles are amortized over the estimated life of the acquired core deposits.  At December 31, 2014 the remaining life was 6 months.  The customer list intangible is amortized over the estimated life of the acquired customer list.  At December 31, 2014,  the Bank determined the customer list was impaired and recorded an expense to write-off the remaining balance. The following table shows the expected amortization expense for the core deposit intangible:

 

 

 

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Note 9. Deposits

Deposits are summarized as follows:

 

 

The following table shows the maturity of outstanding time deposits of $100,000 or more at December 31, 2014:

 

At December 31, 2014 the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows:

 

 

Note 10. Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase and Long-Term Debt

The Bank's short-term borrowings are comprised of securities sold under agreements to repurchase (Repo) and a line-of-credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (Open Repo Plus).  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are overnight borrowings between the Bank and its commercial and municipal depositors. These accounts reprice weekly.  Open Repo Plus is a revolving term commitment used on an overnight basis.  The term of this commitment may not exceed 364 days and it reprices daily at market rates.    These borrowings are described below:

 

The collateral for securities sold under agreements to repurchase consists of U.S. Government and U.S. Government agency securities with a fair value of $14 million and $32 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

A summary of long-term debt at the end of the reporting period follows:

 

The Corporation’s maximum borrowing capacity with the FHLB at December 31, 2014 was $231 million.  The total amount available to borrow at year-end was approximately $231 million.

The Bank closed its Repo product on January 2, 2015 and the remaining balances were transferred to interest-bearing checking accounts.

 

Note 11. Federal Income Taxes 

The temporary differences which give rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.  Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.  Based on the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Bank will realize the benefits of these deferred tax assets.

The components of the provision for Federal income taxes attributable to income from operations were as follows:

 

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For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the income tax provisions are different from the tax expense which would be computed by applying the Federal statutory rate to pretax operating earnings.  A reconciliation between the tax provision at the statutory rate and the tax provision at the effective tax rate is as follows:

 

At December 31, 2014, the Corporation had a capital loss carryover of $3.6  million.  This loss carryover can only be offset with capital gains for federal income tax purposes.  The tax benefit of this carryover is $1.0 million and the Corporation has recorded a valuation allowance of $1.0 million against the capital loss carryover.

The Corporation recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties in income tax expense for all periods presented.  The Corporation is no longer subject to U.S. Federal examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2011.

 

Note 12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss included in shareholders' equity are as follows:

 

Note 13.  Financial Derivatives

As part of managing interest rate risk, the Bank has entered into interest rate swap agreements as vehicles to partially hedge cash flows associated with interest expense on variable rate deposit accounts.  Under the swap agreements, the Bank receives a variable rate and pays a fixed rate. Such agreements are generally entered into with counterparties that meet established credit standards and most contain collateral provisions protecting the at-risk party.  The Bank considers the credit risk inherent in these contracts to be negligible.  Interest rate swap agreements derive their value from underlying interest rates.  These transactions involve both credit and market risk.  The notional amounts are amounts on which calculations, payments, and the value of the derivative are based.  The notional amounts do not represent direct credit exposures.  Direct credit exposure is limited to the net difference between the calculated amounts to be received and paid, if any.  Such difference, which represents the fair value of the swap, is reflected on the Corporation’s balance sheet.

The Corporation is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty to these agreements.  The Corporation controls the credit risk of its financial contracts through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures, and does not expect the counterparty to fail its obligations.

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The primary focus of the Corporation’s asset/liability management program is to monitor the sensitivity of the Corporation’s net portfolio value and net income under varying interest rate scenarios to take steps to control its risks.  On a quarterly basis, the Corporation simulates the net portfolio value and net interest income expected to be earned over a twelve-month period following the date of simulation.  The simulation is based upon projection of market interest rates at varying levels and estimates the impact of such market rates on the levels of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities during the measurement period.  Based upon the outcome of the simulation analysis, the Corporation considers the use of derivatives as a means of reducing the volatility of net portfolio value and projected net income within certain ranges of projected changes in interest rates.  The Corporation evaluates the effectiveness of entering into any derivative instrument agreement by measuring the cost of such an agreement in relation to the reduction in net portfolio value and net income volatility within an assumed range of interest rates.

During 2008, the Bank entered into two swap transactions with each swap having a notional amount of $10 million. One swap matured in 2013 and the second swap matures in 2015. According to the terms of each transaction, the Bank pays fixed-rate interest payments and receives floating-rate payments.  The variable rate is indexed to the 91-day Treasury Bill auction (discount) rate and resets weekly. The swaps were entered into in order   to hedge the Corporation’s exposure to changes in cash flows attributable to the effect of interest rate changes on variable-rate liabilities.  At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the swaps was negative $191 thousand and was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax.  The fair value of assets pledged as collateral for the swaps was $2.1 million at December 31, 2014 and $2.2 million at December 31, 2013.

Information regarding the interest rate swaps as of December 31, 2014 follows:

 

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows as of December 31, 2014:

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 follows:

 

Interest Rate Swap Agreements (“Swap Agreements”)

The Bank has entered into interest rate swap agreements as part of its asset/liability management program.  The swap agreements are free-standing derivatives and are recorded at fair value in the Corporation’s consolidated statements of condition.  The Bank is party to master netting arrangements with its financial institution counterparties; however, the Bank does not offset assets and liabilities under these arrangements for financial statement presentation purposes.  The master netting arrangements provide for a single net settlement of all swap agreements, as well as collateral, in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract.  Collateral, in the form of marketable securities, is posted by the counterparty with net liability positions in accordance with contract thresholds.

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Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase (“Repurchase Agreements”)

The Bank enters into agreements under which it sells securities subject to an obligation to repurchase the same or similar securities.  Under these arrangements, the Bank may transfer legal control over the assets but still retain effective control through an agreement that both entitles and obligates the Bank to repurchase the agreements.  As a result, these repurchase agreements are accounted for as collateralized financing arrangements (i.e., secured borrowings) and not as a sale and subsequent repurchase of securities.  The obligation to repurchase the securities is reflected as a liability in the Corporation’s consolidated statements of condition, while the securities underlying the repurchase agreements remain in the respective investment securities asset accounts.  In other words, there is no offsetting or netting of the investment securities assets with the repurchase agreement liabilities.  In addition, as the Bank does not enter into reverse repurchase agreements, there is no such offsetting to be done with repurchase agreements.

The following table presents the liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  As of these dates, all of the Bank’s swap agreement with an institutional counterparty was in a liability position.  Therefore, there were no assets to be recognized in the consolidated statements of condition.  The Bank has no swap agreements with our commercial banking customers.

 

 

 

Note 14.  Benefit Plans

The Bank has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees of F&M Trust who have completed one year and 1,000 hours of service.  In 2014, employee contributions to the plan were matched at 100% up to 4% of each participant’s deferrals plus 50% of the next 2% of deferrals from participants’ eligible compensation. Under this plan, the maximum amount of employee contributions in any given year is defined by Internal Revenue Service regulations. In addition, a 100% discretionary profit sharing contribution of up to 2% of each employee’s eligible compensation is possible provided net income targets are achieved.  The Personnel Committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors approves the established net income targets annually. The related expense for the 401(k) plan, and the profit sharing plan as approved by the Board of Directors, was approximately $556 thousand in 2014,  $442 thousand in 2013 and $425 thousand in 2012. 

The Bank has a noncontributory pension plan covering substantially all employees of F&M Trust who meet certain age and service requirements.  Benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s compensation using a career average formula for all employees. The pension plan was closed to new participants on April 1, 2007 The Bank’s funding policy is to contribute the annual  amount required to meet the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.  Contributions are intended to provide not only for the benefits attributed to service to date but also for those expected to be earned in the future. In December 2012, the Bank made an additional contribution of $6.0 million, above the required minimum contribution.. This action brought the plan to a fully funded status and will help reduce future pension expense. Also in 2012, the Bank changed the source of the discount rate used to calculate the benefit obligation, to the Citigroup Above Median Pension Discount Curve from the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve and Liability Index.  The new curve represents bonds that are more like the pension plan assets in terms of duration and quality, and generally results in a higher discount rate.

In 2014, the Bank added a plan option that allows for terminating employees to receive a lump-sum payout of their pension benefits. This option was added in another attempt to control the Bank’s pension liability and expense.

The return on pension assets and the discount rate are the two largest variables in determining pension expense. A low rate environment generally results in higher pension expense. The Bank’s pension expense for each of the last three years is shown in the section of the following table titled “Components of Net Periodic Pension Cost.  The Bank expects the 2015 pension expense to be higher than in 2014 due to a lower discount rate at the end of 2014 as compared to 2013.

In October, 2014, the Society of Actuaries released new mortality tables for pension plans. The new tables are expected to raise the assumed life of plan participants due to refinements in age and gender distribution of participants. This change is expected to result

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in higher pension contribution requirements, lower balance sheet funded status, pricier lump-sum payouts, and higher PBGC variable rate premiums. The Bank has not adopted the new mortality tables for 2014 reporting. If adopted at year-end 2014, it is estimated that the new tables would reduce the funded status by $1.6 million and increase the 2015 pension expense by $272 thousand over the current 2015 estimate.  The Bank is still in the process of reviewing the effect of the new tables and is also watching the IRS for its decision on adoption of the new table. Therefore an adoption date for the new tables has not been determined.   

Pension plan asset classes include cash, fixed income securities and equities.  The fixed income portion is comprised of Government Bonds, Corporate Bonds and Taxable Municipal Bonds; the equity portion is comprised of financial institution equities and individual corporate equities across a broad range of sectors.  Investments are made on the basis of sound economic principles and in accordance with established guidelines.  Target allocations of fund assets measured at fair value are as follows: fixed income, a range of 60%-90%, equities, a range of 10% to 30% and cash as needed. The allocation as of December 31, 2014 is shown in a table within this note.  The Bank manages its pension portfolio in order to closely align the duration of the assets with the duration of the pension liability.

On a regular basis, the Pension and Benefits Committee (the “Committee”) monitors the allocation to each asset class.  Due to changes in market conditions, the asset allocation may vary from time to time.  The Committee is responsible to direct the rebalancing of Plan assets when allocations are not within the established guidelines and to ensure that such action is implemented. The Bank attempts to allocate the pension assets in a manner that the cash flow from the assets is similar to the cash flow of the liabilities. This has and will continue to result in a smaller allocation of equity investments and a higher allocation of longer duration bonds. By closely matching the asset and liability cash flow, large fluctuations in projected benefit obligations should be reduced. 

Specific guidelines for fixed income investments are that no individual bond shall have a rating of less than an A as rated by Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s at the time of purchase.  If the rating subsequently falls below an A rating, the Committee, at its next quarterly meeting, will discuss the merits of retaining that particular security.  Allowable securities include obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies, CDs, commercial paper, corporate obligations and insured municipal bonds.

General guidelines for equities are that a diversified common stock program is used and that diversification patterns can be changed with the ongoing analysis of the outlook for economic and financial conditions.  Specific guidelines for equities include a sector cap and an individual stock cap. The guidelines for the sector cap direct that because the Plan sponsor is a bank, a significantly large exposure to the financial sector is permissible; therefore, there is no sector cap for financial equities.  All other sectors are limited to 25% of the equity component.  The individual stock cap guidelines direct that no one stock may represent more than 5% of the total equity portfolio.

The Committee revisits and determines the expected long-term rate of return on Plan assets annually.  The policy of the Committee has been to take a conservative approach to all Plan assumptions.  The expected long-term rate of return was reduced to 6.5% and it is possible that this rate will continue to decline in future years. This rate is reviewed annually and historical investment returns play a significant role in determining what this rate should be.

The following table sets forth the plan’s funded status, based on the December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 actuarial valuations.

 

 

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The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Plan's investments at fair value as of December 31, 2014 and 2013. For more information on the levels within the fair value hierarchy, please refer to Note 19.

 

 

 

 

The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the fair value of the Plan's level 3 investments for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

Contributions

The Bank does not expect to make a pension contribution in 2015.  

Estimated future benefit payments at December 31, 2014 (in thousands)

 

 

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Note 15. Stock Purchase Plans

In 2004, the Corporation adopted the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of 2004 (ESPP), replacing the ESPP of 1994 that expired in 2004. Under the ESPP of 2004, options for 250,000 shares of stock can be issued to eligible employees. The number of shares that can be purchased by each participant is defined by the plan and the Board of Directors sets the option price. However, the option price cannot be less than 90% of the fair market value of a share of the Corporation’s common stock on the date the option is granted.  The Board of Directors also determines the expiration date of the options; however, no option may have a term that exceeds one year from the grant date. ESPP options are exercisable immediately upon grant.  Any shares related to unexercised options are available for future grant.  As of December 31, 2014, there are 204,742 shares available for future grants. The Board of Directors may amend, suspend or terminate the ESPP at any time.  The grant price of the 2014 ESPP options was set at 95% of the stock’s fair value at the time of the award.  There was no compensation expense recognized in 2014, 2013 or 2012 for the ESPP.

In 2002, the Corporation adopted the Incentive Stock Option Plan of 2002 (ISOP). The plan had a 10 year life with regard to awarding options and expired in 2012.  However, awards granted prior to expiration of the plan will continue to be exercisable in accordance with the plan. In 2013, the Corporation approved the Incentive Stock Option Plan of 2013. Under the 2013 ISOP, options for 354,877 shares of stock where authorized to be issued to selected Officers, as defined in the plan.  The number of options available to be awarded to each eligible Officer is determined by the Board of Directors, but is limited with respect to the aggregate fair value of the options as defined in the plan.  The exercise price of the option may be no less than 100% of the fair value of a share of the Corporation’s common stock on the date the option is granted.  The options have a life of 10 years and may be exercised only after the optionee has completed 6 months of continuous employment with the Corporation or its Subsidiary immediately following the grant date, or upon a change of control as defined in the plan.  If awards are granted, the Corporation uses the “simplified” method for estimating the expected term of the ISO award.  The risk-free interest rate is the U.S. Treasury rate commensurate with the expected average life of the option at the date of grant. There were no shares issued in 2014 and 2013 under the 2013 ISOP. At December 31, 2014 there were 354,877 shares available for issue under the 2013 ISOP.

The ESPP and ISOP options outstanding at December 31, 2014 are all exercisable.  The ESPP options expire on July 2, 2015 and the ISOP options expire 10 years from the grant date.  The following table summarizes the stock option activity:

 

 

 

 

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The following table provides information about the options outstanding at December 31, 2014:

 

 

Note 16. Deferred Compensation Agreement

The Corporation has entered into deferred compensation agreements with four directors that provides for the payment of benefits over a ten-year period, beginning at age 65.  At inception, the present value of the obligations under these deferred compensation agreements amounted to approximately $600 thousand, which is being accrued over the estimated remaining service period of these  directors.  Expense associated with the agreements was $18 thousand for 2014 and 2013, and $20 thousand for 2012.  Payments for the directors deferred compensation plan are scheduled through 2022.

The Bank also has a Director’s Deferred Compensation Plan, whereby each director may voluntarily participate and elect each year to defer all or a portion of their Bank director’s fees. Each participant directs the investment of their own account among various publicly available mutual funds designated by the Bank’s Investment and Trust Services department. Changes in the account balance beyond the amount deferred to the account are solely the result of the performance of the selected mutual fund. The Bank maintains an offsetting asset and liability for the deferred account balances and the annual expense is recorded as a component of director’s fees as if it were a direct payment to the director. The Bank will not incur any expense when the account goes into payout. 

The Corporation has two deferred compensation agreements it recorded as part of its acquisition of Fulton Bancshares Corporation in 2006.  In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Bank recorded a nonrecurring expense of $667 thousand for one of the deferred compensation plans assumed by the Bank. At the time of the acquisition, information provided by the FDIC to the Bank indicated that this payout was a non-permissible payment and therefore not accrued in prior years. The FDIC decision was challenged by the beneficiary of the payment, and more than 7 years later, the FDIC reversed its decision thereby permitting the payment and resulted in an expense to the Bank. No future expense will be recognized for these plans. Payments for the deferred compensation agreements are scheduled through 2021.

 

Note 17.  Shareholders’ Equity 

The Board of Directors, from time to time, authorizes the repurchase of the Corporation’s $1.00 par value common stock. The repurchased shares will be held as Treasury shares available for issuance in connection with future stock dividends and stock splits, employee benefit plans, executive compensation plans, the Dividend Reinvestment Plan and other appropriate corporate purposes. The term of the repurchase plans is normally one year.  The Corporation held 388,234 and 392,027 shares at cost at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Corporation’s dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) allows for shareholders to purchase additional shares of the Corporation’s common stock by reinvesting cash dividends paid on their shares or through optional cash payments. The Corporation has authorized one million (1,000,000) shares of its currently authorized common stock to be issued under the amended plan.  During 2014, 45,864 shares of common stock were purchased through the dividend reinvestment plan at a value of $923 thousand and 692,340 shares remain to be issued.

 

Note 18. Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Bank is a party to financial instruments that are not reflected in the accompanying financial statements and are commonly referred to as off-balance-sheet instruments.  These financial instruments are entered into primarily to meet the financing needs of the Bank’s customers and include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit.  Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk not recognized in the consolidated balance sheet.

The Corporation’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by other parties to the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contract or notional amount of those instruments.  The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as they do for on-balance-sheet instruments.

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Unless noted otherwise, the Bank does not require collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.  The Bank had the following outstanding commitments as of December 31:

 

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses with the exception of home equity lines and personal lines of credit and may require payment of a fee.  Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The Bank evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty.  Collateral for most commercial commitments varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant, and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.  Collateral for secured consumer commitments consists of liens on residential real estate.

Standby letters of credit are instruments issued by the Bank, which guarantee the beneficiary payment by the Bank in the event of default by the Bank’s customer in the nonperformance of an obligation or service.  Most standby letters of credit are extended for one-year periods.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  The Bank holds collateral supporting those commitments for which collateral is deemed necessary primarily in the form of certificates of deposit and liens on real estate. Management believes that the proceeds obtained through a liquidation of such collateral would be sufficient to cover the maximum potential amount of future payments required under the corresponding guarantees.  The current amount of the liability as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 for guarantees under standby letters of credit issued is not material.

Most of the Bank’s business activity is with customers located within its primary market and does not involve any significant concentrations of credit to any one entity or industry.

In the normal course of business, the Corporation has commitments, lawsuits, contingent liabilities and claims.  However, the Corporation does not expect that the outcome of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Note 19.  Fair Value Measurements and Fair Values of Financial Instruments 

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Corporation’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique.  Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Corporation could have realized in a sales transaction on the dates indicated.  The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates.  As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates maybe different than the amounts reported at each year-end.

FASB ASC Topic 820, “Financial Instruments”, requires disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, including those financial assets and liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis. The Corporation does not report any nonfinancial assets at fair value. FASB ASC Topic 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FASB ASC Topic 820 are as follows:

Level 1: Valuation is based on unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2:  Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.  There may be substantial differences in the assumptions used for securities within the same level.  For example, prices for U.S. Agency securities have fewer assumptions and are closer to level 1 valuations than the private label mortgage backed securities that require more assumptions and are closer to level 3 valuations.

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Level 3: Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect the Corporation’s assumptions regarding what market participants would assume when pricing a financial instrument. 

An asset’s or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the Corporation’s financial instruments at December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:  For these short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Investment securities:  The fair value of investment securities is determined in accordance with the methods described under FASB ASC Topic 820. 

Restricted stock:    The carrying value of restricted stock approximates its fair value based on redemption provisions for the restricted stock.

Loans held for sale: The fair value of loans held for sale is determined by the price set between the Bank and the purchaser prior to origination. These loans are usually sold at par.

Net loans:    The fair value of fixed-rate loans is estimated for each major type of loan (e.g. real estate, commercial, industrial and agricultural and consumer) by discounting the future cash flows associated with such loans using rates currently offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of comparable credit quality.  The model considers scheduled principal maturities, repricing characteristics, prepayment assumptions and interest cash flows.  The discount rates used are estimated based upon consideration of a number of factors including the treasury yield curve, expense and service charge factors. For variable rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit quality, carrying values approximate the fair value.

Accrued Interest Receivable:  The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Mortgage servicing rights:    The fair value of mortgage servicing rights is based on observable market prices when available or the present value of expected future cash flows when not available.  Assumptions such as loan default rates, costs to service, and prepayment speeds significantly affect the estimate of future cash flows. Mortgage servicing rights are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.

Deposits, Securities sold under agreements to repurchase and Long-term debt:  The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.  The fair value of fixed-rate certificates of deposit and long-term debt is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using rates approximating those currently offered for certificates of deposit and borrowings with similar remaining maturities.  Other borrowings consist of a line of credit with the FHLB at a variable interest rate and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, for which the carrying value approximates a reasonable estimate of the fair value.

Accrued interest payable:    The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Derivatives:    The fair value of the interest rate swaps is based on other similar financial instruments and is classified as Level 2.

The following information regarding the fair value of the Corporation’s financial instruments should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Corporation since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Corporation’s assets and liabilities.  Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Corporation’s disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful. 

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The fair value of the Corporation's financial instruments are as follows:

 

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Recurring Fair Value Measurements

For financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

 

 

 

Investment securities:  Level 1 securities represent equity securities that are valued using quoted market prices from nationally recognized markets. Level 2 securities represent debt securities that are valued using a mathematical model based upon the specific characteristics of a security in relationship to quoted prices for similar securities.

Interest rate swaps: The interest rate swaps are valued using a discounted cash flow model that uses verifiable market environment inputs to calculate the fair value. This method is not dependent on the input of any significant judgments or assumptions by Management.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

For financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

 

 

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(1) Includes assets directly charged-down to fair value during the year-to-date period.

The Corporation used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate the fair values for financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Impaired loans: Impaired loans are reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.  Collateral values are estimated using Level 3 inputs based on customized discounting criteria.

Other real estate: The fair value of other real estate, upon initial recognition, is estimated using Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy based on observable market data and Level 3 inputs based on customized discounting criteria.  In connection with the measurement and initial recognition of the foregoing assets, the Corporation recognizes charge-offs through the allowance for loan losses.

Mortgage servicing rights: The fair value of mortgage servicing rights, upon initial recognition, is estimated using a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income.  The model incorporates Level 3 assumptions such as cost to service, discount rate, prepayment speeds, default rates and losses.

The Corporation did not record any liabilities at fair value for which measurement of the fair value was made on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2014. For financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, there were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 during the period ending December 31, 2014.

The following table presents additional quantitative information about Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:

 

 

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Note 20. Parent Company (Franklin Financial Services Corporation) Financial Information

 

 

 

 

Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

 

 

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Note 21. Quarterly Results of Operations  (unaudited)

The following is a summary of the quarterly results of consolidated operations of Franklin Financial for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

 

 

 

Due to rounding, the sum of the quarters may not equal the amount reported for the year.

 

 

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Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Controls and Procedures

The Corporation carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Corporation’s management, including the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). Based upon the evaluation, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of December 31, 2014, the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Corporation’s reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

The management of the Corporation is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Corporation’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (1992).  Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

There were no changes during the fourth quarter of 2014 in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting which materially affected, or which are reasonably likely to affect, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting.

The Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm has audited the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014.  Their report is included herein.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Franklin Financial Services Corporation

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

We have audited Franklin Financial Services Corporation and its subsidiaries’ (the “Corporation”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Corporation’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. A corporation’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the corporation; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the corporation; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the corporation’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on the COSO criteria.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Franklin Financial Services Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended, and our report dated March 16, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion.

 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

March 16, 2015