FNRN 10-Q Quarterly Report June 30, 2015 | Alphaminr
FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP

FNRN 10-Q Quarter ended June 30, 2015

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
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10-Q 1 form10_q.htm FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP 10-Q 6-30-2015 form10_q.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
———————————
FORM 10-Q
(Mark one)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2015

OR

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

Commission File Number 000-30707

First Northern Community Bancorp
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California
68-0450397
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

195 N. First Street, Dixon, California
95620
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)


707-678-3041
(Registrant’s telephone number including area code)

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

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

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

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

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

Yes ¨
No x

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 30, 2015 was 10,256,219.

1


FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
INDEX


Page
PART I Financial Information
3
ITEM I. – Financial Statements (Unaudited) 3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) 3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) 4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) 5
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) 6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) 7
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 8
ITEM 2. – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 36
ITEM 3. – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 54
ITEM 4. – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 54
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION 54
ITEM 1. – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 54
ITEM 1A. – RISK FACTORS 54
ITEM 2. – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS 57
ITEM 3. – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 57
ITEM 4. – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 57
ITEM 5. – OTHER INFORMATION 57
ITEM 6. – EXHIBITS 57
SIGNATURES 58


2



PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
ITEM I.    – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

June 30,
December 31,
( in thousands, except shares and per share amounts)
2015
2014
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 225,749 $ 216,192
Certificate of deposits
11,937 12,860
Investment securities – available-for-sale
156,213 151,226
Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $9,106 at June 30, 2015
and $8,583 at December 31, 2014
570,540 537,979
Loans held-for-sale
486 491
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank and other equity securities, at cost
3,934 3,934
Premises and equipment, net
7,096 7,278
Other real estate owned
407 736
Interest receivable and other assets
25,752 27,188
Total Assets
$ 1,002,114 $ 957,884
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Demand deposits
$ 299,435 $ 287,717
Interest-bearing transaction deposits
242,181 219,396
Savings and MMDA's
273,569 263,766
Time, under $250,000
63,300 65,570
Time, $250,000 and over
19,882 20,603
Total deposits
898,367 857,052
Interest payable and other liabilities
8,555 8,781
Total Liabilities
906,922 865,833
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; $1,000 per share liquidation preference,
22,847 shares authorized; 12,847 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
12,847 12,847
Common stock, no par value; 16,000,000 shares authorized;
10,256,219 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2015 and 10,207,043 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014
70,221 70,015
Additional paid-in capital
977 977
Retained earnings
11,357 8,146
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net
(210 ) 66
Total Stockholders’ Equity
95,192 92,051
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
$ 1,002,114 $ 957,884

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

Three months
Three months
Six months
Six months
ended
ended
ended
ended
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2014
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2014
Interest and dividend income:
Loans
$ 7,078 $ 6,664 $ 13,800 $ 13,078
Due from banks interest bearing accounts
164 154 320 279
Investment securities
Taxable
694 717 1,435 1,491
Non-taxable
66 98 130 197
Other earning assets
222 61 298 128
Total interest and dividend income
8,224 7,694 15,983 15,173
Interest expense:
Deposits
293 336 586 661
Total interest expense
293 336 586 661
Net interest income
7,931 7,358 15,397 14,512
Provision for  loan losses
600 350 1,200
Net interest income after provision
for loan losses
7,931 6,758 15,047 13,312
Non-Interest income:
Service charges on deposit accounts
494 537 1,013 1,090
Gains on sales of loans held-for-sale
292 143 425 277
Investment and brokerage services income
151 164 295 321
Mortgage brokerage income
18 6 23 6
Loan servicing income
198 104 311 221
Fiduciary activities income
129 137 257 336
Debit card income
528 493 1,004 886
Other income
212 244 425 439
Total non-interest income
2,022 1,828 3,753 3,576
Non-Interest expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits
4,415 3,765 8,504 7,525
Occupancy and equipment
699 730 1,406 1,458
Data processing
436 464 847 831
Stationery and supplies
111 92 200 174
Advertising
92 67 172 173
Directors’ fees
75 69 137 122
Other real estate owned expense
22 38 24 41
Gains on sales of other real estate owned
(161 )
Impairment on other interest earning asset
50 50
Other expense
1,373 1,365 2,656 2,579
Total non-interest expenses
7,223 6,640 13,785 12,953
Income before provision for income taxes
2,730 1,946 5,015 3,935
Provision for income taxes
960 607 1,728 1,232
Net  income
$ 1,770 $ 1,339 $ 3,287 $ 2,703
Preferred stock dividends
$ (32 ) $ (32 ) $ (64 ) $ (64 )
Net  income available to common shareholders
$ 1,738 $ 1,307 $ 3,223 $ 2,639
Basic earnings per common share
$ 0.17 $ 0.13 $ 0.32 $ 0.26
Diluted earnings per common share
$ 0.17 $ 0.13 $ 0.32 $ 0.26

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)


Three months
Three months
Six months
Six months
ended
ended
ended
ended
(in thousands)
June 30,
2015
June 30,
2014
June 30,
2015
June 30,
2014
Net income
$ 1,770 $ 1,339 $ 3,287 $ 2,703
Other comprehensive (loss)  income, net of tax:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax effect of $(411) and $508 for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively, and $(161) and $852 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively
(618 ) 761 (243 ) 1,277
Directors’ and officer’s retirements plan equity adjustments, net of tax effect of $0 for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, and $(22) and $0 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively
(33 )
Other comprehensive (loss) income
$ (618 ) $ 761 $ (276 ) $ 1,277
Comprehensive income
$ 1,152 $ 2,100 $ 3,011 $ 3,980

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except share data)
Accumulated
Additional
Other
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
Paid-in
Retained
Comprehensive
Shares
Amounts
Shares
Amounts
Capital
Earnings
Income (loss)
Total
Balance at December 31, 2014
12,847 $ 12,847 10,207,043 $ 70,015 $ 977 $ 8,146 $ 66 $ 92,051
Net income
3,287 3,287
Other comprehensive loss
(276 ) (276 )
Stock dividend adjustment
682 6 (6 )
Dividend on preferred stock
(64 ) (64 )
Cash in lieu of fractional shares
(128 ) (6 ) (6 )
Stock-based compensation and related tax benefit
116 116
Common shares issued related to restricted stock grants
28,901
Stock options exercised
19,721 84 84
Balance at June 30, 2015
12,847 $ 12,847 10,256,219 $ 70,221 $ 977 $ 11,357 $ (210 ) $ 95,192

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands)
Six months ended June 30, 2015
Six months ended June 30, 2014
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income
$ 3,287 $ 2,703
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation
333 334
Accretion and amortization of investment securities premiums and
discounts, net
1,002 1,080
Decrease (increase) in deferred loan origination costs, net
122 (24 )
Provision for loan losses
350 1,200
Stock based compensation
116 93
Impairment on other interest earning assets
50
Gains on sales of other real estate owned
(161 )
Gains on sales of loans held-for-sale
(425 ) (277 )
Proceeds from sales of loans held-for-sale
23,509 12,564
Originations of loans held-for-sale
(23,079 ) (12,208 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Decrease in interest receivable and other assets
1,619 590
Net decrease in interest payable and other liabilities
(281 ) (1,550 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
6,392 4,555
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Proceeds from call or maturities of available-for-sale securities
4,540 8,000
Principal repayments on available-for-sale securities
12,682 10,636
Purchase of available-for-sale securities
(23,615 ) (6,298 )
Net decrease in certificate of deposits
923 435
Net increase in loans
(33,440 ) (16,911 )
Net increase in stock in Federal Home Loan Bank and other equity
securities, at cost
(267 )
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned
897
Purchases of premises and equipment, net
(151 ) (272 )
Net cash (used in) investing activities
(38,164 ) (4,677 )
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Net increase in deposits
41,315 30,711
Cash dividends paid in lieu of fractional shares
(6 ) (5 )
Stock options exercised
84
Cash dividends paid on preferred stock
(64 ) (64 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
41,329 30,642
Net increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents
9,557 30,520
Cash and Cash Equivalents , beginning of period
216,192 165,447
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
$ 225,749 $ 195,967
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest
$ 578 $ 657
Income taxes
$ 1,310 $ 752
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Stock dividend distributed
$ 3,103 $ 2,065
Transfer of loans held-for-investment to other real estate owned
$ 407 $ 462
Directors' & Officer's Retirement Plan Equity Adj, net of tax
$ (33 ) $
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on available for sale securities, net of taxes
$ (243 ) $ 1,277
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
June 30, 2015 and 2014 and December 31, 2014

1.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of First Northern Community Bancorp (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Articles 9 and 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results expected for the full year.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP also requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements:

In January 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-01, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures .  The amendments in this ASU permit reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met.  Disclosures for a change in accounting principle are required upon transition.  The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented.  A reporting entity that uses the effective yield method to account for its investments in qualified affordable housing projects before the date of adoption may continue to apply the effective yield method for those preexisting investments.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014.  Early adoption is permitted.  The adoption of this update did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-04, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors .  The amendments in this ASU clarify that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement.  Additionally, the amendments require interim and annual disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014.  An entity can elect to adopt the amendments in this ASU using either a modified retrospective transition method or a prospective transition method.  Early adoption is permitted.  The adoption of this update did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-05, Service Concession Arrangements .  The amendments specify that an operating entity should not account for a service concession arrangement that is within the scope of this ASU as a lease in accordance with Topic 840.  An operating entity should refer to other Topics as applicable to account for various aspects of a service concession arrangement.  The amendments also specify that the infrastructure used in a service concession arrangement should not be recognized as property, plant, and equipment of the operating entity.  The amendments in this ASU should be applied on a modified retrospective basis to service concession arrangements that exist at the beginning of an entity’s fiscal year of adoption.  The modified retrospective approach requires the cumulative effect of applying this ASU to arrangements existing at the beginning of the period of adoption to be recognized as an adjustment to the opening retained earnings balance for the annual period of adoption.  The amendments are effective for a public business entity for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014.  The adoption of this update did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

8

In August 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-14, Receivables- Troubled Debt Restructuring by Creditors: Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure .  The amendment affects creditors that hold government-guaranteed mortgage loans, including those guaranteed by the FHA and the VA.  It requires that a mortgage loan be derecognized and a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are present:

·
The loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure.
·
At the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim.
·
At the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed.

Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor.  The amendments are effective for a public business entity for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014.  The adoption of this update did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements- Going Concern: Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern .  The amendment defines management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures.  Under GAAP, financial statements are prepared under the presumption that the reporting organization will continue to operate as a going concern, except in limited circumstances. The going concern basis of accounting is critical to financial reporting because it establishes the fundamental basis for measuring and classifying assets and liabilities. Currently, GAAP lacks guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the organization’s ability to continue as a going concern or to provide related footnote disclosures.  This ASU provides guidance to an organization’s management, with principles and definitions that are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of disclosures that are commonly provided by organizations today in the financial statement footnotes.  The amendments are effective for a public business entity for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs .  The amendments in ASU 2015-03 are intended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. These amendments require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU.  Effective for public business entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

9

In June 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-10, Technical Corrections and Improvements .  The amendments in ASU 2015-10 represent changes to clarify the Codification, correct unintended application of guidance, or make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. In addition, some of the amendments are intended to make the Codification easier to understand and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies, providing needed clarifications, and improving the presentation of guidance in the Codification.  The amendments that require transition guidance are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. All other amendments will be effective upon issuance. The Company does not expect the adoption of this update to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period balances in order to conform to the current year presentation.  There was no impact to the net income, earnings per share, or stockholders’ equity as a result of reclassifications.

10


2.           LOANS

The composition of the Company’s loan portfolio, by loan class, is as follows:

($ in thousands)
June 30,
2015
December 31,
2014
Commercial
$ 125,789 $ 120,751
Commercial Real Estate
284,084 256,955
Agriculture
68,199 61,144
Residential Mortgage
44,888 50,511
Residential Construction
9,367 5,963
Consumer
46,114 49,911
578,441 545,235
Allowance for loan losses
(9,106 ) (8,583 )
Net deferred origination fees and costs
1,205 1,327
Loans, net
$ 570,540 $ 537,979

The Company manages asset quality and credit risk by maintaining diversification in its loan portfolio and through review processes that include analysis of credit requests and ongoing examination of outstanding loans and delinquencies, with particular attention to portfolio dynamics and loan mix.  The Company strives to identify loans experiencing difficulty early enough to correct the problems, to record charge-offs promptly based on realistic assessments of collectability and current collateral values and to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses at all times.   Asset quality reviews of loans and other non-performing assets are administered using credit risk rating standards and criteria similar to those employed by state and federal banking regulatory agencies.
Commercial loans, whether secured or unsecured, generally are made to support the short-term operations and other needs of small businesses.  These loans are generally secured by the receivables, equipment, and real property of the business and are susceptible to the related risks described above.  Problem commercial loans are generally identified by periodic review of financial information that may include financial statements, tax returns, and payment history of the borrower.  Based on this information, the Company may decide to take any of several courses of action including demand for repayment, requiring the borrower to provide a significant principal payment and/or additional collateral or requiring similar support from guarantors. Notwithstanding, when repayment becomes unlikely based on the borrower’s income and cash flow, repossession or foreclosure of the underlying collateral may become necessary.  Collateral values may be determined by appraisals obtained through Bank-approved, licensed appraisers, qualified independent third parties, purchase invoices, or other appropriate means.

Commercial real estate loans generally fall into two categories, owner-occupied and non-owner occupied.  Loans secured by owner-occupied real estate are primarily susceptible to changes in the market conditions of the related business.  This may be driven by, among other things, industry changes, geographic business changes, changes in the individual financial capacity of the business owner, general economic conditions and changes in business cycles. These same risks apply to commercial loans whether secured by equipment, receivables or other personal property or unsecured.  Losses on loans secured by owner-occupied real estate, equipment, or other personal property generally are dictated by the value of underlying collateral at the time of default and liquidation of the collateral.  When default is driven by issues related specifically to the business owner, collateral values tend to provide better repayment support and may result in little or no loss. Alternatively, when default is driven by more general economic conditions, underlying collateral generally has devalued more and results in larger losses due to default.  Loans secured by non-owner occupied real estate are primarily susceptible to risks associated with swings in occupancy or vacancy and related shifts in lease rates, rental rates or room rates. Most often, these shifts are a result of changes in general economic or market conditions or overbuilding and resulting over-supply of space.  Losses are dependent on the value of underlying collateral at the time of default.  Values are generally driven by these same factors and influenced by interest rates and required rates of return as well as changes in occupancy costs.  Collateral values may be determined by appraisals obtained through Bank-approved, licensed appraisers, qualified independent third parties, sales invoices, or other appropriate means.

11

Agricultural loans, whether secured or unsecured, generally are made to producers and processors of crops and livestock.  Repayment is primarily from the sale of an agricultural product or payments for services.  Agricultural loans are generally secured by inventory, receivables, equipment, and real property.  Agricultural loans are susceptible to changes in market demand for specific commodities.  This may be exacerbated by, among other things, industry changes, changes in the individual financial capacity of the business owner, general economic conditions and changes in business cycles, as well as adverse weather conditions, including drought conditions such as those affecting California.  Problem agricultural loans are generally identified by periodic review of financial information that may include financial statements, tax returns, crop budgets, payment history, and crop inspections.  Based on this information, the Company may decide to take any of several courses of action including demand for repayment, requiring the borrower to provide a significant principal payment and/or additional collateral or requiring similar support from guarantors. Notwithstanding, when repayment becomes unlikely based on the borrower’s income and cash flow, repossession or foreclosure of the underlying collateral may become necessary.

Residential mortgage loans, which are secured by real estate, are primarily susceptible to four risks: non-payment due to diminished or lost income; over-extension of credit; a lack of borrower’s cash flow to sustain payments; and shortfalls in collateral value.  In general, non-payment is usually due to loss of employment and follows general economic trends in the economy, particularly the upward movement in the unemployment rate, loss of collateral value, and demand shifts.

Residential construction loans, whether owner-occupied or non-owner occupied residential development loans, are not only susceptible to the related risks described above but the added risks of construction, including cost over-runs, mismanagement of the project, or lack of demand and market changes experienced at time of completion.  Losses are primarily related to underlying collateral value and changes therein as described above.  Problem construction loans are generally identified by periodic review of financial information that may include financial statements, tax returns and payment history of the borrower.  Based on this information the Company may decide to take any of several courses of action including demand for repayment, requiring the borrower to provide a significant principal payment and/or additional collateral or requiring similar support from guarantors, or repossession or foreclosure of the underlying collateral.  Collateral values may be determined by appraisals obtained through Bank-approved, licensed appraisers, qualified independent third parties, purchase invoices, or other appropriate means.

Consumer loans, whether unsecured or secured are primarily susceptible to four risks: non-payment due to diminished or lost income; over-extension of credit; a lack of borrower’s cash flow to sustain payments; and shortfall in the collateral value.  In general, non-payment is usually due to loss of employment and will follow general economic trends in the economy, particularly upward movements in the unemployment rate, loss of collateral value, and demand shifts.

As of June 30, 2015, approximately 49% in principal amount of the Company’s loans were secured by commercial real estate, consisting primarily of loans secured by commercial properties and construction and land development loans.  Approximately 8% in principal amount of the Company’s loans were residential mortgage loans.  Approximately 1% in principal amount of the Company’s loans were residential construction loans.  Approximately 12% in principal amount of the Company’s loans were for agriculture and 22% in principal amount of the Company’s loans were for general commercial uses including professional, retail and small businesses.  Approximately 8% in principal amount of the Company’s loans were consumer loans.

Once a loan becomes delinquent and repayment becomes questionable, a Company collection officer will address collateral shortfalls with the borrower and attempt to obtain additional collateral or a principal payment.  If this is not forthcoming and payment in full is unlikely, the Company will consider the loan to be collateral dependent and will estimate its probable loss, using a recent valuation as appropriate to the underlying collateral less estimated costs of sale, and charge-off the loan down to the estimated net realizable amount.  Depending on the length of time until final collection, the Company may periodically revalue the underlying collateral and take additional charge-offs as warranted. Revaluations may occur as often as every 3-12 months depending on the underlying collateral and volatility of values.  Final charge-offs or recoveries are taken when collateral is liquidated and actual loss is known.  Unpaid balances on loans after or during collection and liquidation may also be pursued through legal action and attachment of wages or judgment liens on the borrower's other assets.

At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, all loans were pledged under a blanket collateral lien to secure actual and potential borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and the Federal Reserve Bank.
12

Non-accrual and Past Due Loans

The Company’s non-accrual loans by loan class, as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

($ in thousands)
June 30,
2015
December 31,
2014
Commercial
$ 1,814 $ 2,151
Commercial Real Estate
908 672
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
1,008 1,691
Residential Construction
61 71
Consumer
602 652
$ 4,393 $ 5,237

Non-accrual loans amounted to $4,393,000 at June 30, 2015 and were comprised of five commercial loans totaling $1,814,000, six commercial real estate loans totaling $908,000, three residential mortgage loans totaling $1,008,000, one residential construction loan totaling $61,000 and four consumer loans totaling $602,000.  Non-accrual loans amounted to $5,237,000 at December 31, 2014 and were comprised of six residential mortgage loans totaling $1,691,000, two residential construction loans totaling $71,000, five commercial real estate loans totaling $672,000, seven commercial loans totaling $2,151,000, and five consumer loans totaling $652,000.  It is generally the Company’s policy to charge-off the portion of any non-accrual loan that the Company does not expect to collect by writing the loan down to the estimated net realizable value of the underlying collateral.

An age analysis of past due loans, segregated by loan class, as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:
($ in thousands)
30-59 Days Past Due
60-89 Days Past Due
90 Days or more Past Due
Total Past Due
Current
Total Loans
June 30, 2015
Commercial
$ $ $ $ $ 125,789 $ 125,789
Commercial Real Estate
138 535 239 912 283,172 284,084
Agriculture
68,199 68,199
Residential Mortgage
125 1,008 1,133 43,755 44,888
Residential Construction
9,367 9,367
Consumer
1 174 428 603 45,511 46,114
Total
$ 264 $ 709 $ 1,675 $ 2,648 $ 575,793 $ 578,441
December 31, 2014
Commercial
$ $ $ 82 $ 82 $ 120,669 $ 120,751
Commercial Real Estate
239 239 256,716 256,955
Agriculture
61,144 61,144
Residential Mortgage
1,172 457 1,629 48,882 50,511
Residential Construction
5,963 5,963
Consumer
2 1 472 475 49,436 49,911
Total
$ 1,174 $ 1 $ 1,250 $ 2,425 $ 542,810 $ 545,235

The Company had no loans that were 90 days or more past due and still accruing at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  Included in the aging loan category labeled “current” are non-accrual loans that were not delinquent with respect to contractual principal and interest payments as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  These loans are categorized as non-accrual loans and are not accruing interest as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  Non-accrual loans outstanding at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are disclosed in the table above.
13

Impaired Loans
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, including scheduled interest payments.  Loans considered for impairment include non-accrual loans, troubled debt restructurings and loans with a risk rating of 6 (substandard) or worse.  Once identified, impaired loans are measured individually for impairment using one of three methods:  present value of expected cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; the loan’s observable market price; and the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.  In general, any portion of the recorded investment in a collateral dependent loan in excess of the fair value of the collateral that can be identified as uncollectible, and is, therefore, deemed a confirmed loss, is promptly charged-off against the allowance for loan losses.

Impaired loans, segregated by loan class, as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:
($ in thousands)
Unpaid Contractual Principal Balance
Recorded Investment with no Allowance
Recorded Investment with Allowance
Total Recorded Investment
Related Allowance
June 30, 2015
Commercial
$ 2,820 $ 2,022 $ 700 $ 2,722 $ 36
Commercial Real Estate
1,221 908 299 1,207 43
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
4,048 1,008 2,807 3,815 628
Residential Construction
999 61 811 872 107
Consumer
1,642 673 700 1,373 17
Total
$ 10,730 $ 4,672 $ 5,317 $ 9,989 $ 831
December 31, 2014
Commercial
$ 2,803 $ 2,147 $ 531 $ 2,678 $ 39
Commercial Real Estate
990 672 304 976 45
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
5,666 1,691 2,956 4,647 646
Residential Construction
1,065 71 826 897 107
Consumer
1,506 780 726 1,506 23
Total
$ 12,030 $ 5,361 $ 5,343 $ 10,704 $ 860

The average recorded investment in impaired loans and the amount of interest income recognized on impaired loans during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014 was as follows:
($ in thousands)
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2015
Three Months Ended
June 30, 2014
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
Commercial
$ 2,650 $ 12 $ 3,875 $ 7
Commercial Real Estate
1,084 4 3,406 24
Agriculture
515
Residential Mortgage
4,205 27 5,357 42
Residential Construction
879 9 925 12
Consumer
1,428 9 1,494 20
Total
$ 10,246 $ 61 $ 15,572 $ 105

14

The average recorded investment in impaired loans and the amount of interest income recognized on impaired loans during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014 was as follows:
($ in thousands)
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2015
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2014
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
Commercial
$ 2,659 $ 20 $ 4,207 $ 15
Commercial Real Estate
1,048 8 3,404 43
Agriculture
655
Residential Mortgage
4,352 58 5,484 74
Residential Construction
885 18 937 22
Consumer
1,454 19 1,286 34
Total
$ 10,398 $ 123 $ 15,973 $ 188

None of the interest on impaired loans was recognized using a cash basis of accounting for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.
Troubled Debt Restructurings
The Company’s loan portfolio includes certain loans that have been modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring (“TDR”), which are loans on which concessions in terms have been granted because of the borrowers’ financial difficulties and, as a result, the Company receives less than the current market based compensation for the loan.  These concessions may include reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance, or other actions.  Certain TDRs are placed on non-accrual status at the time of restructure and may only be returned to accruing status after considering the borrower’s sustained repayment performance for a reasonable period, generally six months.
When a loan is modified, it is measured based upon the present value of future cash flows discounted at the contractual interest rate of the original loan agreement, or the fair value of collateral less selling costs if the loan is collateral dependent.  If the value of the modified loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, impairment is recognized through a specific allowance or a charge-off of the loan.
The Company had $6,272,000 and $6,712,000 in TDR loans as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  Specific reserves for TDR loans totaled $831,000 and $860,000 as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  TDR loans performing in compliance with modified terms totaled $5,596,000 and $5,467,000 as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  There were no commitments to advance more funds on existing TDR loans as of June 30, 2015.
15

Loans modified as TDRs during the three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, were as follows:
($ in thousands)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
Number of Contracts
Pre-modification outstanding recorded investment
Post-modification outstanding recorded investment
Commercial
1 419 419
Total
1 $ 419 $ 419

($ in thousands)
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
Number of Contracts
Pre-modification outstanding recorded investment
Post-modification outstanding recorded investment
Commercial
1 49 49
Total
1 $ 49 $ 49

Loans modified as TDRs during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014 were as follows:
($ in thousands)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
Number of Contracts
Pre-modification outstanding recorded investment
Post-modification outstanding recorded investment
Commercial
1 $ 419 $ 419
Consumer
1 109 109
Total
2 $ 528 $ 528

($ in thousands)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
Number of Contracts
Pre-modification outstanding recorded investment
Post-modification outstanding recorded investment
Commercial
1 $ 49 $ 49
Consumer
2 498 498
Total
3 $ 547 $ 547

The loan modifications generally involved reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, and forbearance.  There were no loans modified as a TDR within the previous 12 months and for which there was a payment default during the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.
16

Credit Quality Indicators
All loans are rated using the credit risk ratings and criteria adopted by the Company.  Risk ratings are adjusted as future circumstances warrant.  All credits risk-rated 1, 2, 3 or 4 equate to a Pass as indicated by Federal and State regulatory agencies; a 5 equates to a Special Mention; a 6 equates to Substandard; a 7 equates to Doubtful; and an 8 equates to a Loss.  For the definitions of each risk rating, see Note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The following table presents the risk ratings by loan class as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
($ in thousands)
Pass
Special Mention
Substandard
Doubtful
Loss
Total
June 30, 2015
Commercial
$ 117,650 $ 4,592 $ 3,547 $ $ $ 125,789
Commercial Real Estate
263,046 16,865 4,173 284,084
Agriculture
68,199 68,199
Residential Mortgage
43,291 384 1,213 44,888
Residential Construction
8,805 462 100 9,367
Consumer
43,882 361 1,871 46,114
Total
$ 544,873 $ 22,664 $ 10,904 $ $ $ 578,441
December 31, 2014
Commercial
$ 112,751 $ 3,255 $ 4,745 $ $ $ 120,751
Commercial Real Estate
240,808 10,607 5,540 256,955
Agriculture
61,144 61,144
Residential Mortgage
46,043 997 3,471 50,511
Residential Construction
5,386 467 110 5,963
Consumer
46,234 944 2,733 49,911
Total
$ 512,366 $ 16,270 $ 16,599 $ $ $ 545,235

17


Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015.

Three-month period ended June 30, 2015
($ in thousands)
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Unallocated
Total
Balance as of March 31, 2015
$ 3,325 $ 2,485 $ 646 $ 1,047 $ 195 $ 826 $ 370 $ 8,894
Provision for loan losses
(141 ) 399 206 (297 ) (107 ) (173 ) 113
Charge-offs
(132 ) (18 ) (150 )
Recoveries
75 4 215 56 12 362
Net recoveries
75 4 83 56 (6 ) 212
Balance as of June 30, 2015
$ 3,259 $ 2,888 $ 852 $ 833 $ 144 $ 647 $ 483 $ 9,106


Six-month period ended June 30, 2015
($ in thousands)
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Unallocated
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2014
$ 3,581 $ 1,825 $ 580 $ 1,181 $ 161 $ 886 $ 369 $ 8,583
Provision for loan losses
(409 ) 1,059 272 (431 ) (74 ) (181 ) 114 350
Charge-offs
(132 ) (85 ) (217 )
Recoveries
87 4 215 57 27 390
Net recoveries
87 4 83 57 (58 ) 173
Balance as of June 30, 2015
$ 3,259 $ 2,888 $ 852 $ 833 $ 144 $ 647 $ 483 $ 9,106


The following table details the allowance for loan losses allocated to loans individually and collectively evaluated for impairment by loan class as of June 30, 2015.

($ in thousands)
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Unallocated
Total
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
$ 36 $ 43 $ $ 628 $ 107 $ 17 $ $ 831
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
3,223 2,845 852 205 37 630 483 8,275
Ending Balance
$ 3,259 $ 2,888 $ 852 $ 833 $ 144 $ 647 $ 483 $ 9,106


18

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan class for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2014.

Three-month period ended June 30, 2014
($ in thousands)
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Unallocated
Total
Balance as of March 31, 2014
$ 3,282 $ 2,150 $ 439 $ 1,173 $ 258 $ 967 $ 377 $ 8,646
Provision for loan losses
1,191 (390 ) (47 ) (64 ) 49 (139 ) 600
Charge-offs
(1,024 ) (69 ) (26 ) (1,119 )
Recoveries
22 2 23 47
Net charge-offs
(1,002 ) (69 ) 2 (3 ) (1,072 )
Balance as of June 30, 2014
$ 3,471 $ 1,691 $ 439 $ 1,126 $ 196 $ 1,013 $ 238 $ 8,174


Six-month period ended June 30, 2014
($ in thousands)
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Unallocated
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2013
$ 3,199 $ 2,290 $ 557 $ 1,216 $ 441 $ 1,023 $ 627 $ 9,353
Provision for loan losses
2,323 (530 ) (118 ) (90 ) (248 ) 252 (389 ) 1,200
Charge-offs
(2,085 ) (69 ) (328 ) (2,482 )
Recoveries
34 3 66 103
Net charge-offs
(2,051 ) (69 ) 3 (262 ) (2,379 )
Balance as of June 30, 2014
$ 3,471 $ 1,691 $ 439 $ 1,126 $ 196 $ 1,013 $ 238 $ 8,174


The following table details the allowance for loan losses allocated to loans individually and collectively evaluated for impairment by loan class as of June 30, 2014.

($ in thousands)
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Unallocated
Total
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
$ 37 $ 55 $ $ 652 $ 124 $ 25 $ $ 893
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
3,434 1,636 439 474 72 988 238 7,281
Ending Balance
$ 3,471 $ 1,691 $ 439 $ 1,126 $ 196 $ 1,013 $ 238 $ 8,174


19

The following table details activity in the allowance for loan losses and the amount allocated to loans individually and collectively evaluated for impairment as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Year ended December 31, 2014
($ in thousands)
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Unallocated
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2013
$ 3,199 $ 2,290 $ 557 $ 1,216 $ 441 $ 1,023 $ 627 $ 9,353
Provision for (reversal of) loan losses
2,612 (396 ) 23 36 (366 ) 149 (258 ) 1,800
Charge-offs
(2,288 ) (69 ) (71 ) (393 ) (2,821 )
Recoveries
58 86 107 251
Net charge-offs
(2,230 ) (69 ) (71 ) 86 (286 ) (2,570 )
Ending Balance
3,581 1,825 580 1,181 161 886 369 8,583
Period-end amount allocated to:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
39 45 646 107 23 860
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
3,542 1,780 580 535 54 863 369 7,723
Balance as of December 31, 2014
$ 3,581 $ 1,825 $ 580 $ 1,181 $ 161 $ 886 $ 369 $ 8,583


The Company’s investment in loans as of June 30, 2015, June 30, 2014, and December 31, 2014 related to each balance in the allowance for loan losses by loan class and disaggregated on the basis of the Company’s impairment methodology was as follows:
($ in thousands)
Commercial
Commercial Real Estate
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
Residential Construction
Consumer
Total
June 30, 2015
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
$ 2,722 $ 1,207 $ $ 3,815 $ 872 $ 1,373 $ 9,989
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
123,067 282,877 68,199 41,073 8,495 44,741 568,452
Ending Balance
$ 125,789 $ 284,084 $ 68,199 $ 44,888 $ 9,367 $ 46,114 $ 578,441
June 30, 2014
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
$ 3,248 $ 3,119 $ $ 5,321 $ 920 $ 1,315 $ 13,923
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
116,342 244,801 50,374 46,270 6,973 50,389 515,149
Ending Balance
$ 119,590 $ 247,920 $ 50,374 $ 51,591 $ 7,893 $ 51,704 $ 529,072
December 31, 2014
Loans individually evaluated for impairment
$ 2,678 $ 976 $ $ 4,647 $ 897 $ 1,506 $ 10,704
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
118,073 255,979 61,144 45,864 5,066 48,405 534,531
Ending Balance
$ 120,751 $ 256,955 $ 61,144 $ 50,511 $ 5,963 $ 49,911 $ 545,235


20

3.           MORTGAGE OPERATIONS

Transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities are accounted for and reported based on consistent application of a financial-components approach that focuses on control.  Transfers of financial assets that are sales are distinguished from transfers that are secured borrowings.  Retained interests (mortgage servicing rights) in loans sold are measured by allocating the previous carrying amount of the transferred assets between the loans sold and retained interests, if any, based on their relative fair value at the date of transfer.  Fair values are estimated using discounted cash flows based on a current market interest rate.

The Company recognizes a gain and a related asset for the fair value of the rights to service loans for others when loans are sold.  The Company sold substantially its entire portfolio of conforming long-term residential mortgage loans originated during the six months ended June 30, 2015 for cash proceeds equal to the fair value of the loans.

The recorded value of mortgage servicing rights is included in other assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and is amortized in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues.  The Company assesses capitalized mortgage servicing rights for impairment based upon the fair value of those rights at each reporting date. For purposes of measuring impairment, the rights are stratified based upon the product type, term and interest rates.  Fair value is determined by discounting estimated net future cash flows from mortgage servicing activities using discount rates that approximate current market rates and estimated prepayment rates, among other assumptions.  The amount of impairment recognized, if any, is the amount by which the capitalized mortgage servicing rights for a stratum exceeds their fair value.  Impairment, if any, is recognized through a valuation allowance for each individual stratum.  Changes in the carrying amount of mortgage servicing rights are reported in earnings under other non-interest income on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Key assumptions used in measuring the fair value of mortgage servicing rights as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

June 30, 2015
December 31, 2014
Constant prepayment rate
12.19 % 12.12 %
Discount rate
10.06 % 10.06 %
Weighted average life (years)
6.17 6.25

At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s mortgage loans held-for-sale were $486,000 and $491,000, respectively.  At June 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, the Company serviced real estate mortgage loans for others totaling $237,906,000 and $238,974,000, respectively.

The following table summarizes the Company’s mortgage servicing rights assets as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  Mortgage servicing rights are included in Interest Receivable and Other Assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets:

(in thousands)
December 31, 2014
Additions
Reductions
June 30, 2015
Mortgage servicing rights
$ 1,862 $ 199 $ (187 ) $ 1,874
Valuation allowance
Mortgage servicing rights, net of valuation allowance
$ 1,862 $ 199 $ (187 ) $ 1,874

At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the estimated fair value of the Company’s mortgage servicing rights asset was $2,001,000 and $2,068,000, respectively.
The Company received contractually specified servicing fees of $149,000 and $152,000 for the three- month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively.  The Company received contractually specified servicing fees of $300,000 and $305,000 for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014, respectively.  Contractually specified servicing fees are included in non-interest income on the condensed consolidated statements of income, net of the amortization of the mortgage servicing rights asset.

21


4.           OUTSTANDING SHARES AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

On January 22, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a 4% stock dividend payable as of March 31, 2015.  All income per share amounts have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to stock dividends.

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Basic EPS includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the respective period.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding plus dilutive shares for the quarter.  Diluted shares include all common stock equivalents (“in-the-money” stock options, unvested restricted stock, stock units, warrants and rights, convertible bonds and preferred stock), which reflects the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings of the Company.

The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.

Three months ended
Six months ended
June 30,
June 30,
2015
2014
2015
2014
Basic earnings per share:
Net income
$ 1,770 $ 1,339 $ 3,287 $ 2,703
Preferred stock dividend
$ (32 ) $ (32 ) $ (64 ) $ (64 )
Net income available to common stockholders
$ 1,738 $ 1,307 $ 3,223 $ 2,639
Weighted average common shares outstanding
10,170,640 10,119,433 10,152,942 10,112,748
Basic EPS
$ 0.17 $ 0.13 $ 0.32 $ 0.26
Diluted earnings per share:
Net income
$ 1,770 $ 1,339 $ 3,287 $ 2,703
Preferred stock dividend
$ (32 ) $ (32 ) $ (64 ) $ (64 )
Net income available to common stockholders
$ 1,738 $ 1,307 $ 3,223 $ 2,639
Weighted average common shares outstanding
10,170,640 10,119,433 10,152,942 10,112,748
Effect of dilutive shares
50,319 47,108 55,927 49,979
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding
10,220,959 10,166,541 10,208,869 10,162,727
Diluted EPS
$ 0.17 $ 0.13 $ 0.32 $ 0.26


22


Stock options which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they would have had an anti-dilutive effect amounted to 164,321 shares and 253,865 shares for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Stock options which were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they would have had an anti-dilutive effect amounted to 173,826 shares and 253,865 shares for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  There were no non-vested shares of restricted stock not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they would have an anti-dilutive effect for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.  Non-vested shares of restricted stock that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they would have had an anti-dilutive effect amounted to zero shares and 12,871 shares for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

5. STOCK PLANS
On January 22, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a 4% stock dividend payable as of March 31, 2015.  All stock options and restricted stock outstanding have been adjusted to give retroactive effect to stock dividends.

The following table presents the activity related to stock options for the three months ended June 30, 2015.
Number of Shares
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)
Options outstanding at Beginning of  Period
247,809 $ 12.02
Granted
Expired
(7,734 ) $ 21.32
Cancelled / Forfeited
(11,382 ) $ 16.28
Exercised
Options outstanding at End of Period
228,693 $ 11.49 $ 205,654 4.69
Exercisable (vested) at End of Period
157,044 $ 13.56 $ 156,511 2.76

The following table presents the activity related to stock options for the six months ended June 30, 2015.
Number of Shares
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)
Options outstanding at Beginning of  Period
313,483 $ 11.54
Granted
41,047 $ 7.60
Expired
(94,609 ) $ 10.93
Cancelled / Forfeited
(11,382 ) $ 16.28
Exercised
(19,846 ) $ 4.23
Options outstanding at End of Period
228,693 $ 11.49 $ 205,654 4.69
Exercisable (vested) at End of Period
157,044 $ 13.56 $ 156,511 2.76

The weighted average grant date fair value per share of options granted during the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was $2.67 per share.

23

As of June 30, 2015, there was $166,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3.00 years.

There was $32,000 of recognized compensation cost related to stock options granted for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

A summary of the weighted average assumptions used in valuing stock options during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 is presented below.

Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2015*
June 30, 2015
Risk Free Interest Rate
1.61 %
Expected Dividend Yield
0.00 %
Expected Life in Years
5
Expected Price Volatility
37.38 %
* There were no stock options granted during the three-month period ended June 30, 2015.
The following table presents the activity related to non-vested restricted stock for the three months ended June 30, 2015.
Number of Shares
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term            (in years)
Non-vested Restricted stock outstanding at Beginning of  Period
85,579 $ 6.54
Granted
Cancelled / Forfeited
Exercised/Released/Vested
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at End of Period
85,579 $ 6.54
$654,679
8.49


The following table presents the activity related to non-vested restricted stock for the six months ended June 30, 2015.
Number of Shares
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term            (in years)
Non-vested Restricted stock outstanding at Beginning of  Period
73,827 $ 5.64
Granted
30,056 $ 7.59
Cancelled / Forfeited
Exercised/Released/Vested
(18,304 ) $ 4.66
Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at End of Period
85,579 $ 6.54
$654,679
8.49
The weighted average fair value of restricted stock granted during the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was $7.59 per share.

As of June 30, 2015, there was $366,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.96 years.  There was $71,000 of recognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

24

The Company has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”).  Under the ESPP, the Company is authorized to issue shares of common stock to eligible employees.  There are 322,385 (adjusted for the 2015 stock dividend) shares authorized under the 2006 Amended ESPP.  The 2006 Amended ESPP will expire on March 15, 2016.  In May 2015, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2016 ESPP, which will become effective on March 16, 2016.  There are 250,000 shares authorized under the 2016 ESPP, which include authorized but unissued shares under the 2006 Amended ESPP.  The 2016 ESPP will expire on March 16, 2026. The ESPP is implemented by participation periods of not more than twenty-seven months each.  The Board of Directors determines the commencement date and duration of each participation period.  The Board of Directors approved the current participation period of November 24, 2014 to November 23, 2015.  An eligible employee is one who has been continually employed for at least 90 days prior to commencement of a participation period. Under the terms of the ESPP, employees can choose to have up to 10 percent of their compensation withheld to purchase the Company’s common stock each participation period.  The purchase price of the stock is 85 percent of the lower of the fair value on the last trading day before the date of participation or the fair value on the last trading day during the participation period.

As of June 30, 2015, there was $10,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to ESPP issuances.  This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 0.50 years.

There was $13,000 of recognized compensation cost related to ESPP issuances for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015.

The weighted average fair value at issuance date during the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was $1.67.

A summary of the weighted average assumptions used in valuing ESPP issuances during the three months and six months ended June 30, 2015 is presented below.
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2015
Risk Free Interest Rate
0.14 % 0.14 %
Expected Dividend Yield
0.00 % 0.00 %
Expected Life in Years
1.00 1.00
Expected Price Volatility
15.10 % 15.10 %

25


6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
The Company utilizes fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures.  Securities available-for-sale and trading securities are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.  Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a non-recurring basis, such as loans held-for-sale, loans held-for-investment and certain other assets.  These non-recurring fair value adjustments typically involve application of lower of cost or market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.  Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstances that caused the transfer, which generally corresponds with the Company’s quarterly valuation process.

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

Level 1
Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.
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 or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3
Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market.  These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, and similar techniques and include management judgment and estimation which may be significant.
Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value.

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

Loans Held-for-Sale

Loans held-for-sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.  The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics.  As such, the Company classifies loans subjected to non-recurring fair value adjustments as Level 2.  At June 30, 2015 there were no loans held-for-sale that required a write-down.

Impaired Loans

The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis.  However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and an allowance for loan losses is established.  Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired.  Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, the Company measures impairment.  The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using one of several methods, including collateral value, market value of similar debt, enterprise value, liquidation value and discounted cash flows.  Inputs include external appraised values, management assumptions regarding market trends or other relevant factors, selling and commission costs ranging from 6% to 7%, and amount and timing of cash flows based upon current discount rates.  Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans.

26

At June 30, 2015, certain impaired loans were considered collateral dependent and were evaluated based on the fair value of the underlying collateral securing the loan.  Impaired loans where an allowance is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy.  When a loan is evaluated based on the fair value of the underlying collateral securing the loan, the Company records the impaired loan as non-recurring Level 3.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate assets (“OREO”) acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure are held-for-sale and are initially recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, less selling costs.  Any write-downs to fair value at the time of transfer to OREO are charged to the allowance for loan losses.  Appraisals or evaluations are then done periodically thereafter charging any additional write-downs or valuation allowances to the appropriate expense accounts.  Values are derived from appraisals of underlying collateral and discounted cash flow analysis.  OREO is classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy.

Loan Servicing Rights

Loan servicing rights are subject to impairment testing.  The Company utilizes a third party service provider to calculate the fair value of the Company’s loan servicing rights.  Loan servicing rights are measured at fair value as of the date of sale.  The Company uses quoted market prices when available.  Subsequent fair value measurements are determined using a discounted cash flow model.  In order to determine the fair value of the loan servicing rights, the present value of expected future cash flows is estimated.  Assumptions used include market discount rates, anticipated prepayment speeds, delinquency and foreclosure rates, and ancillary fee income.

The model used to calculate the fair value of the Company’s loan servicing rights is periodically validated by an independent external model validation group.  The model assumptions and the loan servicing rights fair value estimates are also compared to observable trades of similar portfolios as well as to loan servicing rights broker valuations and industry surveys, as available.  If the valuation model reflects a value less than the carrying value, loan servicing rights are adjusted to fair value through a valuation allowance as determined by the model.  As such, the Company classifies loan servicing rights subjected to non-recurring fair value adjustments as Level 3.


Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The table below presents the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2015:
(in thousands)
June 30, 2015
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Securities of U.S. government
agencies and corporations
$ 29,686 $ $ 29,686 $
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions
22,031 22,031
Collateralized mortgage obligations
12,693 12,693
Mortgage-backed securities
91,803 91,803
Total investments at fair value
$ 156,213 $ $ 156,213 $

There were no transfers of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

27


The table below presents the recorded amount of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014:
(in thousands)
December 31, 2014
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Securities of U.S. government
agencies and corporations
$ 28,429 $ $ 28,429 $
Obligations of states and
political subdivisions
20,763 20,763
Collateralized mortgage obligations
12,553 12,553
Mortgage-backed securities
89,481 89,481
Total investments at fair value
$ 151,226 $ $ 151,226 $

Assets Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are included in the table below by level within the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2015:

June 30, 2015
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Other real estate owned
$ 407 $ 407
Total assets at fair value
$ 407 $ $ $ 407

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis are included in the table below by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2014:

(in thousands)
December 31, 2014
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Impaired loans
$ 568 $ $ $ 568
Other real estate owned
736 736
Total assets at fair value
$ 1,304 $ $ $ 1,304


There were no liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Key methods and assumptions used in measuring the fair value of impaired loans and other real estate owned as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

Method
Assumption Inputs
Impaired loans
Collateral, market, income,  enterprise, liquidation and discounted Cash Flows
External appraised values, management assumptions regarding market trends or other relevant factors; selling costs ranging 6% to 7%.
Other real estate owned
Collateral
External appraised values, management assumptions regarding market trends or other relevant factors; selling costs ranging 6% to 11%.


28

7. PREFERRED STOCK

On September 15, 2011, the Company issued to the U.S. Treasury under the United States Department of Treasury Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) 22,847 shares of the Company’s Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (SBLF Shares), having a liquidation preference per share equal to $1,000, for an aggregate purchase price of $22,847,000.

On September 15, 2011, the Company redeemed from the U.S. Treasury, using the partial proceeds from the issuance of the SBLF Shares, all 17,390 outstanding shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, liquidation amount $1,000 per share, for a redemption price of $17,390,000, plus accrued but unpaid dividends at the date of redemption.

On February 8, 2013, the Company redeemed $10,000,000 of the $22,847,000 in preferred stock it issued to the U.S. Treasury under the SBLF program.

29

8. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Cash & Cash Equivalents and Certificates of Deposit
The carrying amounts reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash and short-term instruments are a reasonable estimate of fair value.  The carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value because of the relatively short term between the origination of the instrument and its expected realization.  Therefore, the Company believes the measurement of fair value of cash & cash equivalents and certificates of deposit are derived from Level 1 inputs.
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank and other equity securities, at cost
The carrying amounts reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value as the shares can only be redeemed by the issuing institution.  The Company believes the measurement of the fair value of other equity securities is derived from Level 2 inputs.
Loans Receivable
For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values.  The fair values for other loans (e.g., commercial real estate and rental property mortgage loans, commercial and industrial loans, and agricultural loans) are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.  The allowance for loan losses is considered to be a reasonable estimate of loan discount due to credit risks.  Given that there are loans with specific terms that are not readily available, the Company believes the fair value of loans receivable is derived from Level 3 inputs.
Loans Held-for-Sale
For loans held for sale, the fair value is based on what secondary markets are currently offering for portfolios with similar characteristics. See Note 6, Fair Value Measurement included in these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Mortgage Servicing Rights
The Company measures fair value of mortgage servicing rights using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs. The Company uses quoted market prices when available.  Subsequent fair value measurements are determined using a discounted cash flow model.  In order to determine the fair value of the MSR, the present value of expected future cash flows is estimated.  Assumptions used include market discount rates, anticipated prepayment speeds, delinquency and foreclosure rates, and ancillary fee income.  This model is periodically validated by an independent external model validation group.  The model assumptions and the MSR fair value estimates are also compared to observable trades of similar portfolios as well as to MSR broker valuations and industry surveys, as available.
Interest Receivable and Payable
The carrying amount of interest receivable and payable approximates its fair value.  The Company believes the measurement of the fair value of interest receivable and payable is derived from Level 2 inputs.
Deposit Liabilities
The Company measures fair value of deposits using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs.  The fair value of deposits were derived by discounting their expected future cash flows back to their present values based on the FHLB yield curve, and their expected decay rates for non-maturing deposits.  The Company is able to obtain FHLB yield curve rates as of the measurement date, and believes these inputs fall under Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  Decay rates were developed through internal analysis, and are supported by recent years of the Bank’s transaction history.  The inputs used by the Company to derive the decay rate assumptions are unobservable inputs, and therefore fall under Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
30

Limitations
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
Fair value estimates are based on existing on and off-balance sheet financial instruments without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments. Other significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets or liabilities include deferred tax liabilities and premises and equipment.  In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in many of the estimates.
The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments for the periods ended June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are approximately as follows:
June 30, 2015
December 31, 2014
Level
Carrying amount
Fair
value
Carrying amount
Fair
value
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
1 $ 225,749 $ 225,749 $ 216,192 $ 216,192
Certificates of deposit
1 11,937 11,937 12,860 12,860
Stock in FHLB and other equity securities, at cost
2 3,934 3,934 3,934 3,934
Loans receivable:
Net loans
3 570,540 567,129 537,979 535,018
Loans held-for-sale
2 486 486 491 509
Interest receivable
2 2,765 2,765 2,650 2,650
Mortgage servicing rights
3 1,874 2,001 1,862 2,068
Financial liabilities:
Deposits
3 898,367 873,066 857,052 837,150
Interest payable
2 78 78 70 70


31


9. INVESTMENT SECURITIES
The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of investments in debt and other securities at June 30, 2015 are summarized as follows:
(in thousands)
Amortized cost
Unrealized gains
Unrealized losses
Estimated fair value
Investment securities available-for-sale:
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
$ 29,790 $ 53 $ (157 ) $ 29,686
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
21,578 487 (34 ) 22,031
Collateralized mortgage obligations
12,803 12 (122 ) 12,693
Mortgage-backed securities
91,275 817 (289 ) 91,803
Total debt securities
$ 155,446 $ 1,369 $ (602 ) $ 156,213

The amortized cost, unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair values of investments in debt and other securities at December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:
(in thousands)
Amortized cost
Unrealized gains
Unrealized losses
Estimated fair value
Investment securities available-for-sale:
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
$ 28,787 $ 17
$(375)­­­
$ 28,429
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
20,236 579 (52 ) 20,763
Collateralized mortgage obligations
12,541 37 (25 ) 12,553
Mortgage-backed securities
88,491 1,144 (154 ) 89,481
Total debt securities
$ 150,055 $ 1,777 $ (606 ) $ 151,226
There were no proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities for the six-month and three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.  There were no gross realized gains from sales or calls of available-for-sale securities for the six-month and three-month periods ended June 30, 2015.  There were no gross realized gains from sales or calls of available-for-sale securities for the six-month and three-month periods ended June 30, 2014.  There were no gross realized losses from sales of available-for-sale securities for the six-month and three-month periods ended June 30, 2015.  There was a $50,000 gross realized loss from other equity securities for the six-month and three-month periods ended June 30, 2014.

The amortized cost and estimated market value of debt and other securities at June 30, 2015, by contractual and expected maturity, are shown in the following table:
(in thousands)
Amortized
cost
Estimated fair value
Due in one year or less
$ 3,478 $ 3,485
Due after one year through five years
135,642 136,039
Due after five years through ten years
14,392 14,642
Due after ten years
1,934 2,047
$ 155,446 $ 156,213


32

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities due after one year through five years included mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations with expected maturities totaling $102,160,000.  The maturities on these securities were based on the average lives of the securities.
An analysis of gross unrealized losses of the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio as of June 30, 2015, follows:
Less than 12 months
12 months or more
Total
(in thousands)
Fair Value
Unrealized losses
Fair Value
Unrealized losses
Fair Value
Unrealized losses
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
$ 7,992 $ (22 ) $ 12,965 $ (135 ) $ 20,957 $ (157 )
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
5,524 (34 ) 5,524 (34 )
Collateralized Mortgage obligations
10,968 (122 ) 10,968 (122 )
Mortgaged-backed
securities
31,202 (163 ) 6,613 (126 ) 37,815 (289 )
Total
$ 55,686 $ (341 ) $ 19,578 $ (261 ) $ 75,264 $ (602 )


No decline in value was considered “other-than-temporary” during the first six months of 2015.  Forty-eight securities, all considered investment grade, which had a fair value of $55,686,000 and a total unrealized loss of $341,000, have been in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months as of June 30, 2015.  Sixteen securities, all considered investment grade, which had a fair value of $19,578,000 and a total unrealized loss of $261,000, have been in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve months as of June 30, 2015.  The declines in fair value were attributable to changes in interest rates.  We have evaluated the credit ratings of our investment securities and their issuer and/or insurers, and based on this evaluation have determined that no investment security in our investment portfolio is other-than-temporarily impaired. As the Company does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these securities prior to their anticipated recovery, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

An analysis of gross unrealized losses of the available-for-sale investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2014, follows:

Less than 12 months
12 months or more
Total
Fair Value
Unrealized losses
Fair Value
Unrealized losses
Fair Value
Unrealized losses
Securities of U.S. government agencies and corporations
$ 1,474 $ (4 ) $ 21,729 $ (371 ) $ 23,203 $ (375 )
Obligations of states and political subdivisions
1,927 (28 ) 1,530 (24 ) 3,457 (52 )
Collateralized Mortgage obligations
2,881 (25 ) 2,881 (25 )
Mortgage-backed securities
9,786 (55 ) 9,128 (99 ) 18,914 (154 )
Total
$ 16,068 $ (112 ) $ 32,387 $ (494 ) $ 48,455 $ (606 )

33

Investment securities carried at $29,209,000 and $27,868,000 at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits or for other purposes as required or permitted by law.
10. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

The following table details activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015.
($ in thousands)
Unrealized Gains on Securities
Officers’ retirement plan
Directors’ retirement plan
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss)
Balance as of March 31, 2015
$ 1,078 $ (678 ) $ 8 $ 408
Current period other comprehensive   loss
(618 ) (618 )
Balance as of June 30, 2015
$ 460 $ (678 ) $ 8 $ (210 )

The following table details activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015.
($ in thousands)
Unrealized Gains on Securities
Officers’ retirement plan
Directors’ retirement plan
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss)
Balance as of December 31, 2014
$ 703 $ (678 ) $ 41 $ 66
Current period other comprehensive   loss
(243 ) (33 ) (276 )
Balance as of June 30, 2015
$ 460 $ (678 ) $ 8 $ (210 )

The following table details activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three-month period ended June 30, 2014.
($ in thousands)
Unrealized Gains on Securities
Officers’ retirement plan
Directors’ retirement plan
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss)
Balance as of March 31, 2014
$ (123 ) $ (480 ) $ 46 $ (557 )
Current period other comprehensive   income
761 761
Balance as of June 30, 2014
$ 638 $ (480 ) $ 46 $ 204

The following table details activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014.
($ in thousands)
Unrealized Gains on Securities
Officers’ retirement plan
Directors’ retirement plan
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(loss)
Balance as of December 31, 2013
$ (639 ) $ (480 ) $ 46 $ (1,073 )
Current period other comprehensive   income
1,277 1,277
Balance as of June 30, 2014
$ 638 $ (480 ) $ 46 $ 204
34

11. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of loans or through standby letters of credit.  These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the balance sheet.  The contract amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments.
The Bank’s exposure to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual notional amount of those instruments.  The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
Financial instruments, whose contract amounts represent credit risk at the indicated periods, were as follows:
(in thousands)
June 30, 2015
December 31, 2014
Undisbursed loan commitments
$ 170,904 $ 171,019
Standby letters of credit
2,246 2,099
Commitments to sell loans
4,675 1,230
$ 177,825 $ 174,348

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The Bank evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Bank upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation.  Collateral held varies but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment, and income-producing commercial properties.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan facilities to customers.  The Bank issues both financial and performance standby letters of credit.  The financial standby letters of credit are primarily to guarantee payment to third parties.  At June 30, 2015, there were no financial standby letters of credit outstanding.  The performance standby letters of credit are typically issued to municipalities as specific performance bonds.  At June 30, 2015, there was $2,246,000 issued in performance standby letters of credit.  At June 30, 2015, the Bank had experienced no draws on these letters of credit, resulting in no related liability included on its balance sheet, however, should a triggering event occur, the Bank either has collateral in excess of the letter of credit or imbedded agreements of recourse from the customer.  The Bank has set aside a reserve for unfunded commitments in the amount of $793,000 at June 30, 2015, which is recorded in “interest payable and other liabilities” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit bear similar credit risk characteristics as outstanding loans.  As of June 30, 2015, the Company had no off-balance sheet derivatives requiring additional disclosure.
Mortgage loans sold to investors may be sold with servicing rights retained, for which the Company makes only standard legal representations and warranties as to meeting certain underwriting and collateral documentation standards.  In the past two years, the number of loans the Company has had to repurchase due to deficiencies in underwriting or loan documentation was not significant.  Management believes that any liabilities that may result from such recourse provisions are not significant.
35



FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
ITEM 2.   – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report includes forward-looking statements, which may include forecasts of our financial results and condition, expectations for our operations and business, and our assumptions for those forecasts and expectations. Do not rely unduly on forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ significantly compared to our forecasts and expectations. See Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors,” and the other risks described in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for factors to be considered when reading any forward-looking statements in this filing.
This report and other reports or statements which we may release includes forward-looking statements, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We may make forward-looking statements in our Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, press releases, news articles and when we are speaking on behalf of the Company. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Often, they include the words “believe,” “expect,” “target,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “strive,” “estimate,” “potential,” “project,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” or “may.” These forward-looking statements are intended to provide investors with additional information with which they may assess our future potential. All of these forward-looking statements are based on assumptions about an uncertain future and are based on information available to us at the date of these statements. We do not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances, assumptions or events that occur after the date any forward-looking statements are made.
In this document and in other SEC filings or other public statements, for example, we make forward-looking statements relating to the following topics, among others:
·
Our business objectives, strategies and initiatives, our organizational structure, the growth of our business and our competitive position and prospects, and the affect of competition on our business and strategies
·
Our assessment of significant factors and developments that have affected or may affect our results
·
Pending and recent legal and regulatory actions, and future legislative and regulatory developments, including the effects of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and other legislation and governmental measures introduced in response to the financial crises affecting the banking system, financial markets and the U.S. economy
·
Regulatory and compliance controls, processes and requirements and their impact on our business
·
The costs and effects of legal or regulatory actions
·
Expectations regarding draws on performance letters of credit
·
Our regulatory capital requirements, including the recently adopted capital rules by the U.S. federal banking agencies
·
Expectations regarding our non-payment of a cash dividend on our common stock in the foreseeable future
36

·
Credit quality and provision for credit losses and management of asset quality and credit risk
·
Our allowances for credit losses, including the conditions we consider in determining the unallocated allowance and our portfolio credit quality, underwriting standards, and risk grading
·
Our assessment of economic conditions and trends and credit cycles and their impact on our business
·
The seasonal nature of our business
·
The impact of changes in interest rates and our strategy to manage our interest rate risk profile and the possible effect of increases in residential mortgage interest rates on new originations and refinancing of existing residential mortgage loans.
·
Loan portfolio composition and risk grade trends, expected charge-offs, portfolio credit quality, our strategy regarding troubled debt restructurings (TDRs), delinquency rates and our underwriting standards
·
Our deposit base including renewal of time deposits
·
The impact on our net interest income and net interest margin from the current low-interest rate environment
·
Expectations regarding an increase or decrease in unrecognized tax benefits
·
Our pension and retirement plan costs
·
Our liquidity position
·
Critical accounting policies and estimates, the impact or anticipated impact of recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting principles
·
Expected rates of return, maturities, loss exposure, growth rates, yields and projected results
·
The possible impact of the California drought and related governmental responses on economic conditions, especially in the agricultural sector

·
Maintenance of insurance coverage appropriate for our operations

·
Threats to the banking sector and our business due to cybersecurity issues and attacks and regulatory expectations related to cybersecurity

·
Descriptions of assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing



Readers of this document should not rely on any forward-looking statements, which reflect only our management’s belief as of the date of this report. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could and will cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in our forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations or prospects. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to those listed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of Part II of this Form 10-Q, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of Part I of this Form 10-Q and “Risk Factors” and  “Supervision and Regulation” in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in our other reports to the SEC.

37

INTRODUCTION

This overview of Management’s Discussion and Analysis highlights selected information in this report and may not contain all of the information that is important to you.  For a more complete understanding of trends, events, commitments, uncertainties, liquidity, capital resources and critical accounting estimates, you should carefully read this entire report and any other reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), together with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 .

Our subsidiary, First Northern Bank of Dixon (the “Bank”), is a California state-chartered bank that derives most of its revenues from lending and deposit taking in the Sacramento Valley region of Northern California.  Interest rates, business conditions and customer confidence all affect our ability to generate revenues.  In addition, the regulatory and compliance environment and competition can present challenges to our ability to generate those revenues.


Significant results and developments during the second quarter and year-to-date 2015 included:

· Net income of $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, up 22.2% from $2.7 million earned for the same period last year.

· Net income available to common shareholders of $3.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015, up 23.1% from $2.6 million for the same period last year.

· Diluted income per share for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was $0.32, up 23.1% from diluted income per share of $0.26 in the same period last year.

· Net interest income increased in the six months ended June 30, 2015 by $0.9 million, or 6.2%, to $15.4 million from $14.5 million in the same period last year.  The increase in net interest income was primarily due to an increase in interest income on loans and other interest-earning assets and a decrease in interest expense, which was partially offset by a decrease in interest income on investment securities.  The increase in interest income on loans was primarily due to an increase in average loans, partially offset by a decrease in interest yield.  The increase in interest income on other interest-earning assets was primarily due to a special dividend paid by the FHLB in the current year . The decrease in interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in interest yield, partially offset by an increase in average balance.  The decrease in interest income on investment securities was due to a decrease in average balance and interest yield.  Net interest margin decreased from 3.33% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014 to 3.32% for the same period ended June 30, 2015.

Provision for loan losses of $0.4 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 , compared to a provision for loan losses of $1.2 million for the same period in 2014.

· Total assets at June 30, 2015 were $1 billion, an increase of $44.2 million, or 4.6%, compared to total assets at December 31, 2014.
· Total net loans at June 30, 2015 (including loans held-for-sale) increased $32.5 million, or 6.0%, to $571.0 million compared to December 31, 2014.

· Total investment securities at June 30, 2015 increased $5.0 million, or 3.3%, to $156.2 million compared to December 31, 2014.

· Total deposits of $898.4 million at June 30, 2015, represented an increase of $41.3 million, or 4.8%, compared to December 31, 2014.

· Net income of $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, up 38.5% from $1.3 million for the same period last year.

· Net income available to common shareholders of $1.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, up 30.8% from $1.3 million for the same period last year.

● Diluted income per share for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 was $0.17, up 30.8% from diluted income per share of $0.13 in the same period last year.
38

SUMMARY

The Company recorded net income of $3,287,000 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015, representing an increase of $584,000 or 21.6% from net income of $2,703,000 for the same period in 2014.  The Company recorded net income of $1,770,000 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015, representing an increase of $431,000 or 32.2% from net income of $1,339,000 for the same period in 2014.


The following tables present a summary of the results for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, and a summary of financial condition at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Three months ended
June 30, 2015
Three months ended
June 30, 2014
Six months ended
June 30, 2015
Six months ended
June 30, 2014
(in thousands except for per share amounts)
For the Period:
Net Income
$ 1,770 $ 1,339 $ 3,287 $ 2,703
Net Income Available to Common   Shareholders
$ 1,738 $ 1,307 $ 3,223 $ 2,639
Basic Earnings Per common Share
$ 0.17 $ 0.13 $ 0.32 $ 0.26
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
$ 0.17 $ 0.13 $ 0.32 $ 0.26


June 30, 2015
December 31, 2014
(in thousands except for ratios)
At Period End:
Total Assets
$ 1,002,114 $ 957,884
Total Loans, Net (including loans held-for-sale)
$ 571,026 $ 538,470
Total Investment Securities
$ 156,213 $ 151,226
Total Deposits
$ 898,367 $ 857,052
Loan-To-Deposit Ratio
63.6 % 62.8 %


39



FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
Distribution of Average Statements of Condition and Analysis of Net Interest Income
(in thousands, except percentage amounts)

Three months ended
Three months ended
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2014
Average
Yield/
Average
Yield/
Balance
Interest
Rate (4)
Balance
Interest
Rate (4)
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (1)
$ 555,026 $ 7,078 5.12 % $ 509,254 $ 6,664 5.25 %
Certificate of deposits
11,936 21 0.71 % 11,260 21 0.75 %
Interest bearing due from banks
208,357 143 0.28 % 193,582 133 0.28 %
Investment securities, taxable
152,511 694 1.83 % 156,460 717 1.84 %
Investment securities, non-taxable  (2)
7,186 66 3.68 % 9,759 98 4.03 %
Other interest earning assets
3,934 222 22.63 % 3,884 61 6.30 %
Total average interest-earning assets
938,950 8,224 3.51 % 884,199 7,694 3.49 %
Non-interest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks
23,193 15,732
Premises and equipment, net
7,184 7,407
Other real estate owned
140 262
Interest receivable and other assets
25,283 26,370
Total average assets
994,750 933,970
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing transaction deposits
244,621 81 0.13 % 214,175 74 0.14 %
Savings and MMDA’s
267,663 126 0.19 % 258,333 166 0.26 %
Time, under $250,000
64,295 67 0.42 % 68,992 68 0.40 %
Time, $250,000 and over
20,195 19 0.38 % 24,239 28 0.46 %
FHLB advances and other borrowings
% 5 %
Total average interest-bearing liabilities
596,774 293 0.20 % 565,744 336 0.24 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
294,737 272,763
Interest payable and other liabilities
8,263 7,242
Total liabilities
899,774 845,749
Total average stockholders’ equity
94,976 88,221
Total average liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 994,750 $ 933,970
Net interest income and net interest margin (3)
$ 7,931 3.39 % $ 7,358 3.34 %

(1)  Average balances for loans include loans held-for-sale and non-accrual loans and are net of th allowance for loan losses, but non-accrued interest thereon is excluded.  Loan interest income includes loan fees or approximately $367 and $237 for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(2)  Interest income and yields on tax-exempt securities are not presented on a taxable-equivalent basis.
(3)  Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average interest-earning assets.
(4)  For disclosure purposes, yield /rates are annualized by dividing the number of days in the reported period by 365.

40

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
Distribution of Average Statements of Condition and Analysis of Net Interest Income
(in thousands, except percentage amounts)

Six months ended
Six months ended
June 30, 2015
June 30, 2014
Average
Yield/
Average
Yield/
Balance
Interest
Rate (4)
Balance
Interest
Rate (4)
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Loans (1)
$ 545,599 $ 13,800 5.10 % $ 505,208 $ 13,078 5.22 %
Certificate of deposits
12,215 45 0.74 % 11,376 40 0.71 %
Interest bearing due from banks
217,540 275 0.25 % 189,832 239 0.25 %
Investment securities, taxable
150,127 1,435 1.93 % 158,628 1,491 1.90 %
Investment securities, non-taxable  (2)
7,012 130 3.74 % 9,743 197 4.08 %
Other interest earning assets
3,934 298 15.28 % 3,801 128 6.79 %
Total average interest-earning assets
936,427 15,983 3.44 % 878,588 15,173 3.48 %
Non-interest-earning assets:
Cash and due from banks
19,799 16,422
Premises and equipment, net
7,231 7,421
Other real estate owned
181 132
Interest receivable and other assets
25,310 26,675
Total average assets
988,948 929,238
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity:
Interest-bearing liabilities:
Interest-bearing transaction deposits
237,291 157 0.13 % 214,154 148 0.14 %
Savings and MMDA’s
268,288 259 0.19 % 254,490 325 0.26 %
Time, under $250,000
64,642 130 0.41 % 67,999 135 0.40 %
Time, $250,000 and over
20,304 40 0.40 % 23,890 53 0.45 %
FHLB advances and other borrowings
% 2 %
Total average interest-bearing liabilities
590,525 586 0.20 % 560,535 661 0.24 %
Non-interest-bearing liabilities:
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
296,146 273,645
Interest payable and other liabilities
8,170 7,715
Total liabilities
894,841 841,895
Total average stockholders’ equity
94,107 87,343
Total average liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$ 988,948 $ 929,238
Net interest income and net interest margin (3)
$ 15,397 3.32 % $ 14,512 3.33 %

(1) Average balances for loan include loans held-for-sale and non-accrual loans and are net of the allowance for loan losses, but non-accrued interest thereon is exculded.  Loan interest income includes loan fees of approximately $583 and $477 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(2)  Interest income and yields on tax-exempt securities are not presented on a taxable-equivalent basis.
(3)  Net interest margin is computed by dividing net interest income by total average interest-earning assets.
(4)  For disclosure purposes, yield /rates are annualized by dividing the number of days in the reported period by 365.


41

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

The assets of the Company set forth in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect a $9,557,000 or 4.4% increase in cash and cash equivalents, a $4,987,000 or 3.3% increase in investment securities available-for-sale, a $32,561,000 or 6.1% increase in net loans held-for-investment, a $923,000 or 7.2% decrease in certificate of deposits, a $329,000 or 44.7% decrease in other real estate owned and a $1,436,000 or 5.3% decrease in interest receivable and other assets from December 31, 2014 to June 30, 2015.  The increase in cash and cash equivalents was primarily due to an increase in non-interesting bearing due from accounts, which was partially offset by a decrease in Federal Reserve Bank accounts.  The increase in investment securities available-for-sale was primarily the result of the purchase of U.S. government agencies, municipal securities, and mortgage-backed securities, partially offset by the payments on mortgage-backed securities and maturities and calls of U.S. government agencies and municipal securities.  The increase in loans held-for investment was primarily due to increased loan demand.  The following loan categories had increases in the six months ended June 30, 2015:  commercial, commercial real estate, agriculture, and residential construction.  The following loan categories had decreases in that period: residential mortgage and consumer.  The decrease in other real estate owned was primarily due to the sale of two properties, which was partially offset by the addition of one property.  The decrease in interest receivable and other assets was mainly due to a decrease in accrued income and other receivable.

The liabilities of the Company set forth in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect an increase in total deposits of $41,315,000 from December 31, 2014 to June 30, 2015.  The increase in deposits was due to increases in demand accounts, interest-bearing transaction deposits, savings accounts and money market accounts, which were partially offset by decreases in time deposits.

42


CHANGES IN RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Interest Income

The Federal Open Market Committee made no changes to the Federal Funds rate during the six-month period ended June 30, 2015.

Interest income on loans for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was up 5.5% from the same period in 2014, increasing from $13,078,000 to $13,800,000, and was up 6.2% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 over the same period in 2014, increasing from $6,664,000 to $7,078,000.  The increase in interest income on loans for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to an increase in average loans, partially offset by a 12 basis point decrease in loan yields.  The increase in interest income on loans for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to an increase in average loans, partially offset by a 13 basis point decrease in loan yields.  The decrease in loan yields was primarily due to the origination of new loans and the repricing of existing loans at lower rates.

Interest income on investment securities available-for-sale for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was down 7.3% from the same period in 2014, decreasing from $1,688,000 to $1,565,000 and was down 6.8% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 over the same period in 2014, decreasing from $815,000 to $760,000. The decrease in interest income on investment securities for the six-month and three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period a year ago was primarily due to a decrease in average investment securities and a decrease in the yields of investment securities of 1 and 6 basis points, respectively.

Interest income on interest-bearing due from banks for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was up 14.7% from the same period in 2014, increasing from $279,000 to $320,000, and was up 6.5% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 over the same period in 2014, increasing from $154,000 to $164,000.  The increase in interest income on interest-bearing due from banks for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period a year ago was due to an increase in the average interest-bearing due from banks and certificate of deposits balances outstanding, as well as a 3 basis point increase in certificate of deposits yield.  The increase in interest income on interest-bearing due from banks for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 as compared to the same period a year ago was due to an increase in the average interest-bearing due from banks and certificate of deposits balances outstanding, which was partially offset by a 4 basis point decrease in certificate of deposits yield.

The Company had no Federal Funds sold balances during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.

43

Interest Expense

Interest expense on deposits and other borrowings for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 was down 11.4% from the same period in 2014, decreasing from $661,000 to $586,000 , and was down 12.8% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 over the same period in 2014, decreasing from $336,000 to $293,000.  The decrease in interest expense during the six-month and three-month periods ended June 30, 2015 was primarily due to a 4 basis point decrease in the Company’s average cost of funds, which was partially offset by an increase in the average balance of interest-bearing liabilities.  The Company had no FHLB advances and related interest expense during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.

Provision for Loan Losses

There was a provision for loan losses of $350,000 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 compared to a provision for loan losses of $1,200,000 for the same period in 2014.  There was no provision for loan losses for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 compared to a provision for loan losses of $600,000 for the same period in 2014.  The allowance for loan losses was approximately $9,106,000, or 1.57% of total loans, at June 30, 2015 compared to $8,583,000, or 1.57% of total loans, at December 31, 2014.  The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate by management to provide for probable loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio.

The decrease in the provision for loan losses during the three-month and six-month periods in 2015 was primarily due to decreased net charge-offs and improved credit quality of the loan portfolio compared to the same periods in 2014.

Provision for Unfunded Lending Commitment Losses

There was no provision for unfunded lending commitment losses for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014.

The provision for unfunded lending commitment losses is included in non-interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

44

Non-Interest Income

Non-Interest income was up 5.0% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 from the same period in 2014, increasing from $3,576,000 to $3,753,000.

This increase was primarily due to increases in gains on sales of loans held-for-sale, loan servicing income, and debit card income, which was partially offset by decreases in service charges on deposit accounts and fiduciary activities income.  The increase in gains on sales of loans held-for-sale was due to an increase in originations and sales of loans held-for-sale.  The increase in loan servicing income was primarily due to an increase in mortgage servicing assets booked.  The increase in debit card income was primarily due to an increase in volume of transactions.  The decrease in service charges on deposit accounts was primarily due to a decrease in the volume of service charges on checking accounts.  The decrease in fiduciary activities income was primarily due to a decrease in the demand for those services.

Non-Interest income was up 10.6% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 from the same period in 2014, increasing from $1,828,000 to $2,022,000.

This increase was primarily due to increases in gains on sales of loans held-for-sale and loan servicing income, which was partially offset by decreases in service charges on deposit accounts.  The increase in gains on sales of loans held-for-sale was due to an increase in originations and sales of loans held-for-sale.  The increase in loan servicing income was primarily due to an increase in mortgage servicing assets booked.  The decrease in service charges on deposit accounts was primarily due to a decrease in the volume of service charges on checking accounts.

45

Non-Interest Expenses

Total non-interest expenses were up 6.4% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2015 from the same period in 2014, increasing from $12,953,000 to $13,785,000.

The increase was primarily due to increases in salaries and employee benefits and other expenses, which was partially offset by decreases in occupancy and equipment expense, an increase in gains on sales of other real estate owned, and a decrease in impairment on other interest earning assets.  The increase in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to an increase in regular salaries, commissions, contingent compensation, and profit sharing.  The increase in other expenses was primarily due to an increase in legal fees, which was partially offset by a decrease in loan collection expense.  The decrease in occupancy and equipment expense was primarily due to a decrease in rent expense.  The increase in gains on sales of other real estate owned was primarily due to an increase in the volume of other real estate owned sales transactions.  The decrease in impairment on other interest-earning assets was due to no impairment recorded on other interest-earning assets during the six-month period ended June 30, 2015.

Total non-interest expenses were up 8.8% for the three-month period ended June 30, 2015 from the same period in 2014, increasing from $6,640,000 to $7,223,000.

The increase was primarily due to increases in salaries and employee benefits, which was partially offset by decreases in occupancy and equipment expense and impairment on other interest-earning assets.  The increase in salaries and employee benefits was primarily due to an increase in regular salaries, commissions, contingent compensation, and profit sharing.  The decrease in occupancy and equipment expense was primarily due to a decrease in rent expense.  The decrease in impairment on other interest-earning assets was due to no impairment recorded on other interest-earning assets during the six-month period ended June 30, 2015.

46


The following table sets forth other non-interest expenses by category for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014.
(in thousands)
Three months
ended
June 30, 2015
Three months
ended
June 30, 2014
Six months
ended
June 30, 2015
Six months
ended
June 30, 2014
Other non-interest expenses
FDIC assessments
$ 155 $ 155 $ 310 $ 290
Contributions
43 27 64 62
Legal fees
187 49 234 72
Accounting and audit fees
74 97 147 177
Consulting fees
94 149 250 277
Postage expense
72 89 164 179
Telephone expense
30 37 64 70
Public relations
51 61 118 118
Training expense
38 37 84 62
Loan origination expense
181 142 336 260
Computer software depreciation
20 14 36 37
Sundry losses
29 37 101 80
Loan collection expense
39 101 47 147
Other non-interest expense
360 370 701 748
Total other non-interest expenses
$ 1,373 $ 1,365 $ 2,656 $ 2,579
47


Income Taxes

The Company’s tax rate, the Company’s income before taxes and the amount of tax relief provided by non-taxable earnings primarily affect the Company’s provision for income taxes.

In the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company’s expense for income taxes increased $496,000 from the same period last year, from $1,232,000 to $1,728,000.

In the three-months ended June 30, 2015, the Company’s expense for income taxes increased $353,000 from the same period last year, from $607,000 to $960,000.

The increase in provision for income taxes for the period presented was primarily attributable to the respective level of earnings combined with the interim effective tax rate and the incidence of allowable deductions, in particular non-taxable municipal bond income, tax credits generated from low-income housing investments, solar tax credits, and excludable interest income.

Off-Balance Sheet Commitments

The following table shows the distribution of the Company’s undisbursed loan commitments at the dates indicated.

(in thousands)
June 30, 2015
December 31, 2014
Undisbursed loan commitments
$ 170,904 $ 171,019
Standby letters of credit
2,246 2,099
Commitments to sell loans
4,675 1,230
$ 177,825 $ 174,348
The reserve for unfunded lending commitments amounted to $793,000 at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The reserve for unfunded lending commitments is included in other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.


48


Asset Quality

The Company manages asset quality and credit risk by maintaining diversification in its loan portfolio and through review processes that include analysis of credit requests and ongoing examination of outstanding loans and delinquencies, with particular attention to portfolio dynamics and loan mix.  The Company strives to identify loans experiencing difficulty early enough to correct the problems, to record charge-offs promptly based on realistic assessments of collectability and current collateral values and to maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses at all times.   Asset quality reviews of loans and other non-performing assets are administered using credit risk-rating standards and criteria similar to those employed by state and federal banking regulatory agencies.  The federal bank regulatory agencies utilize the following definitions for assets adversely classified for supervisory purposes:

·
Substandard Assets – A substandard asset is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Assets so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the institution will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

·
Doubtful Assets – An asset classified doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable or improbable.

Other Real Estate Owned and loans rated Substandard and Doubtful are deemed "classified assets".  This category, which includes both performing and non-performing assets, receives an elevated level of attention regarding collection.

The following tables summarize the Company’s non-accrual loans net of guarantees of the State of California and U.S. Government by loan category at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

At June 30, 2015
At December 31, 2014
Gross
Guaranteed
Net
Gross
Guaranteed
Net
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial
$ 1,814 $ $ 1,814 $ 2,151 $ 82 $ 2,069
Commercial real estate
908 908 672 672
Agriculture
Residential mortgage
1,008 1,008 1,691 1,691
Residential construction
61 61 71 71
Consumer
602 602 652 652
Total non-accrual loans
$ 4,393 $ $ 4,393 $ 5,237 $ 82 $ 5,155

It is generally the Company’s policy to discontinue interest accruals once a loan is past due for a period of 90 days as to interest or principal payments.  When a loan is placed on non-accrual, interest accruals cease and uncollected accrued interest is reversed and charged against current income.  Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied against principal.  A loan may only be restored to an accruing basis when it again becomes well secured and in the process of collection or all past due amounts have been collected.

Non-accrual loans amounted to $4,393,000 at June 30, 2015 and were comprised of five commercial loans totaling $1,814,000, six commercial real estate loans totaling $908,000, three residential mortgage loans totaling $1,008,000, one residential construction loan totaling $61,000 and four consumer loans totaling $602,000.  Non-accrual loans amounted to $5,237,000 at December 31, 2014 and were comprised of six residential mortgage loans totaling $1,691,000, two residential construction loans totaling $71,000, five commercial real estate loans totaling $672,000, seven commercial loans totaling $2,151,000, and five consumer loans totaling $652,000.  It is generally the Company’s policy to charge-off the portion of any non-accrual loan that the Company does not expect to collect by writing the loan down to the estimated net realizable value of the underlying collateral.

The five largest non-accrual loans as of June 30, 2015, totaled approximately $3,090,000, or 70.3% of total non-accrual loans, and consisted of two residential mortgage loans totaling $990,000, supported by residential properties located within the Company’s market area, two commercial and industrial loans totaling $1,672,000, supported by the business assets of the borrower, and one consumer loan totaling $428,000, supported by residential property located within the Company’s market area.  The collateral securing these loans is generally appraised every six months.

49

In comparison, the five largest non-accrual loans as of December 31, 2014, totaled approximately $3,193,000, or 61.0% of total non-accrual loans, and consisted of two residential mortgage loans totaling $1,014,000, supported by residential property located within the Company’s market area, two commercial and industrial loans totaling $1,756,000, supported by the business assets of the borrower, and one consumer loan totaling $423,000, supported by residential property located within the Company’s market area.  The collateral securing all of these loans is generally appraised every six months.

Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired.  Non-performing impaired loans are non-accrual loans and loans that are 90 days or more past due and still accruing.  Total non-performing impaired loans at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of loans on non-accrual status totaled $4,393,000 and $5,237,000, respectively.  A restructuring of a loan can constitute a troubled debt restructuring if the Company for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider.  A loan that is restructured in a troubled debt restructuring is considered an impaired loan.  Performing impaired loans, which consisted of loans modified as troubled debt restructurings, totaled $5,596,000 and $5,467,000 at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.  The Company expects to collect all principal and interest due from performing impaired loans.  These loans are not on non-accrual status.  The majority of the non-performing impaired loans, in management's opinion, were adequately collateralized based on recently obtained appraised property values or were guaranteed by a governmental entity.  See “Allowance for Loan Losses” below for additional information.  No assurance can be given that the existing or any additional collateral will be sufficient to secure full recovery of the obligations owed under these loans.

As the following table illustrates, total non-performing assets, net of guarantees of the State of California and U.S. Government, including its agencies and its government-sponsored agencies, decreased $1,090,000, or 18.5% to $4,801,000 during the first six months of 2015.  Non-performing assets, net of guarantees, represented 0.5% of total assets at June 30, 2015.

At June 30, 2015
At December 31, 2014
Gross
Guaranteed
Net
Gross
Guaranteed
Net
(dollars in thousands)
Non-accrual loans
$ 4,393 $ $ 4,393 $ 5,237 $ 82 $ 5,155
Loans 90 days past due and still accruing
Total non-performing loans
4,393 4,393 5,237 82 5,155
Other real estate owned
407 407 736 736
Total non-performing assets
$ 4,800 $ $ 4,800 $ 5,973 $ 82 $ 5,891
Non-performing loans to total loans
0.8 % 0.9 %
Non-performing assets to total assets
0.5 % 0.6 %
Allowance for loan and lease losses to non-performing loans (net of guarantees)
207.3 % 166.5 %

The Company had no loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Other real estate owned (“OREO”) consists of property that the Company has acquired by deed in lieu of foreclosure or through foreclosure proceedings, and property that the Company does not hold title to but is in actual control of, known as in-substance foreclosure.  The estimated fair value of the property is determined prior to transferring the balance to OREO.  The balance transferred to OREO is the estimated fair value of the property less estimated cost to sell.  Impairment may be deemed necessary to bring the book value of the loan equal to the appraised value.  Appraisals or loan officer evaluations are then conducted periodically thereafter charging any additional impairment to the appropriate expense account.  OREO amounted to $407,000 and $736,000 as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

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Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company’s Allowance for Loan Losses is maintained at a level believed by management to be adequate to provide for loan losses that can be reasonably anticipated.  The allowance is increased by provisions charged to non-interest expense and reduced by net charge-offs.  The Company contracts with vendors for credit reviews of the loan portfolio as well as considers current economic conditions, loan loss experience, and other factors in determining the adequacy of the reserve balance.  The allowance for loan losses is based on estimates, and actual losses may vary from current estimates.

The following table summarizes the Allowance for Loan Losses of the Company during the six-month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, and for the year ended December 31, 2014:

Analysis of the Allowance for Loan Losses
(Amounts in thousands, except percentage amounts)
Six months ended
June 30,
Year ended
December 31,
2015
2014
2014
Balance at beginning of period
$ 8,583 $ 9,353 $ 9,353
Provision for loan losses
350 1,200 1,800
Loans charged-off:
Commercial
(2,085 ) (2,288 )
Commercial Real Estate
(69 ) (69 )
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
(132 ) (71 )
Residential Construction
Consumer
(85 ) (328 ) (393 )
Total charged-off
(217 ) (2,482 ) (2,821 )
Recoveries:
Commercial
87 34 58
Commercial Real Estate
4
Agriculture
Residential Mortgage
215
Residential Construction
57 3 86
Consumer
27 66 107
Total recoveries
390 103 251
Net recoveries (charge-offs)
173 (2,379 ) (2,570 )
Balance at end of period
$ 9,106 $ 8,174 $ 8,583
Ratio of net charge-offs to average loans outstanding
during the period (annualized)
0.06 % (0.93 %) (0.49 %)
Allowance for loan losses
To total loans at the end of the period
1.57 % 1.53 % 1.57 %
To non-performing loans, net of guarantees at the end of the period
207.3 % 120.8 % 166.5 %


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Deposits

Deposits are one of the Company’s primary sources of funds.  At June 30, 2015, the Company had the following deposit mix: 30.4% in savings and MMDA deposits, 9.3% in time deposits, 27.0% in interest-bearing transaction deposits and 33.3% in non-interest-bearing transaction deposits.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had the following deposit mix: 30.8% in savings and MMDA deposits, 10.0% in time deposits, 25.6% in interest-bearing transaction deposits and 33.6% in non-interest-bearing transaction deposits.  Non-interest-bearing transaction deposits increase the Company’s net interest income by lowering its cost of funds.

The Company obtains deposits primarily from the communities it serves.  The Company believes that no material portion of its deposits has been obtained from or is dependent on any one person or industry.  The Company accepts deposits in excess of $250,000 from customers.  These deposits are priced to remain competitive.

Maturities of time certificates of deposits of $250,000 or more outstanding at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:

(in thousands)
June 30, 2015
December 31, 2014
Three months or less
$ 4,030 $ 8,369
Over three to twelve months
12,486 9,598
Over twelve months
3,366 2,636
Total
$ 19,882 $ 20,603

The decrease in time certificates of deposit (CD's) of $250,000 or more was primarily attributable to maturities of time deposits, which was partially offset by the additions of time deposits.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

In order to serve our market area, the Company must maintain adequate liquidity and adequate capital.  Liquidity is measured by various ratios, in management’s opinion, the most common being the ratio of net loans to deposits (including loans held-for-sale).  This ratio was 63.6% on June 30, 2015.  In addition, on June 30, 2015, the Company had the following short-term investments (based on remaining maturity and/or next repricing date):  $1,142,000 in securities due within one year or less; and $41,115,000 in securities due in one to five years.

To meet unanticipated funding requirements, the Company maintains short-term unsecured lines of credit with other banks totaling $57,000,000 at June 30, 2015.  Additionally, the Company has a line of credit with the FHLB, with a borrowing capacity at June 30, 2015 of $221,541,000; credit availability is subject to certain collateral requirements.

The Company’s primary source of liquidity on a stand-alone basis is dividends from the Bank.  Dividends from the Bank are subject to regulatory restrictions.

As of June 30, 2015, the Bank’s capital ratios exceeded applicable regulatory requirements.  The following table presents the capital ratios for the Bank, compared to the regulatory standards for well-capitalized depository institutions, as of June 30, 2015.

(amounts in thousands except percentage amounts)
Actual
Well Capitalized
Ratio
Capital
Ratio
Requirement
Leverage
$ 91,234 9.17 % 5.0 %
Common Equity Tier 1
$ 91,234 14.17 % 6.5 %
Tier 1 Risk-Based
$ 91,234 14.17 % 8.0 %
Total Risk-Based
$ 99,309 15.42 % 10.0 %
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In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Board and the other U.S. federal banking agencies adopted final rules making significant changes to the U.S. regulatory capital framework for U.S. banking organizations and to conform this framework to the Basel Committee's current international regulatory capital accord (Basel III). These rules replaced the federal banking agencies' general risk-based capital rules, advanced approaches rule, market-risk rule, and leverage rules, in accordance with certain transition provisions. The Bank became subject to the new rules on January 1, 2015. The new rules implement higher minimum capital requirements, include a new common equity Tier 1 capital requirement, and establish criteria that instruments must meet in order to be considered common equity Tier 1 capital, additional Tier 1 capital, or Tier 2 capital. When fully phased in, the final rules will provide for increased minimum capital ratios as follows: (a) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%; (b) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6% (which is an increase from 4.0%); (c) a total capital ratio of 8%; and (d) a Tier 1 leverage ratio to average consolidated assets of 4%. Under the new rules, in order to avoid certain limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers, a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer composed of common equity Tier 1 capital above its minimum risk based capital requirements (equal to 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets). The phase-in of the capital conservation buffer will begin January 1, 2016, and be completed by January 1, 2019. The new rules also provide for various adjustments and deductions to the definitions of regulatory capital that will phase in through December 31, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of these changes on our future regulatory capital position.
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ITEM 3.   – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company believes that there have been no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk as of June 30, 2015, from those presented in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, which are incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM 4.   – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a)  We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Our disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to meet reasonable assurance standards. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  Our Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) have concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of June 30, 2015.  This conclusion is based on an evaluation conducted under the supervision and with the participation of management.

(b)  During the quarter ended June 30, 2015, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
PART II   – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Neither the Company nor the Bank is a party to any material pending legal proceeding, nor is any of their property the subject of any material pending legal proceeding, except ordinary routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of the Bank’s business and incidental to its business, none of which is expected to have a material adverse impact upon the Company’s or the Bank’s business, financial position or results of operations.
ITEM 1A. – RISK FACTORS
For a discussion of risk factors relating to our business, please refer to Part I, Item 1A of our 2014 Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference herein, and to the following:

The Bank’s Dependence on Real Estate Lending Increases Our Risk of Losses

At June 30, 2015, approximately 74% of the Bank’s loans (excluding loans held-for-sale) were secured by real estate.  The value of the Bank’s real estate collateral has been, and could in the future continue to be, adversely affected by the economic recession and resulting adverse impact on the real estate market in Northern California.

The Bank’s primary lending focus has historically been commercial (including agricultural), construction, and real estate mortgage.  At June 30, 2015, real estate mortgage (excluding loans held-for-sale) and construction loans (residential and other) comprised approximately 72% and 2%, respectively, of the total loans in the Bank’s portfolio.  At June 30, 2015, all of the Bank’s real estate mortgage and construction loans and approximately 6% of its commercial loans were secured fully or in part by deeds of trust on underlying real estate.  The Company’s dependence on real estate increases the risk of loss in both the Bank’s loan portfolio and its holdings of other real estate owned if economic conditions in Northern California further deteriorate in the future.  Further deterioration of the real estate market in Northern California would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

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The CFPB has adopted various regulations which have and will continue to impact our residential mortgage lending business.  For additional information, see “Business – Certain CFPB Rules” in Part I, Item 1 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Adverse California Economic Conditions Could Adversely Affect the Bank’s Business

The Bank’s operations and a substantial majority of the Bank’s assets and deposits are generated and concentrated primarily in Northern California, particularly the counties of Placer, Sacramento, Solano and Yolo, and are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. At June 30, 2015, approximately 74% of the Bank’s loan portfolio (excluding loans held-for-sale) consisted of real estate-related loans, all of which were secured by collateral located in Northern California. As a result, a further downturn in the economic conditions in Northern California may cause the Bank to incur losses associated with high default rates and decreased collateral values in its loan portfolio. Economic conditions in California are subject to various uncertainties at this time, including the significant deterioration in the California real estate market and housing industry.
For the last several years, economic conditions in California, and especially the regional markets we serve, have been subject to various challenges, including significant deterioration in the residential real estate sector and the California state government’s budgetary and fiscal difficulties. California continues to have a high unemployment rate. Also, California markets have experienced some of the worst property value declines in the U.S.

In addition, in the recent past, the State government of California has experienced budget shortfalls or deficits that have led to protracted negotiations between the Governor and the State Legislature over how to address the budget gap. The California electorate approved, in the November 2012 general elections, certain increases in the rate of income taxation in California, and also elected Democratic super-majorities in both Houses of the California legislature, thus potentially facilitating further increases in California tax rates. As a consequence, California’s current budget does not reflect a deficit, however, there can be no assurance that the state’s fiscal and budgetary challenges will be readily resolved. In addition, the impact of increased rates of income taxation on the level of economic activity in California cannot be predicted at this time.

Also, municipalities and other governmental units within California have been experiencing budgetary difficulties, and several California municipalities have filed for protection under the Bankruptcy Code. As a result, concerns also have arisen regarding the outlook for the State of California’s governmental obligations, as well as those of California municipalities and other governmental units.

Poor economic conditions in California, and especially the regional markets we serve, will cause us to incur losses associated with higher default rates and decreased collateral values in our loan portfolio. If the budgetary and fiscal difficulties of the California State government and California municipalities and other governmental units continue or economic conditions in California decline further, we expect that our level of problem assets will increase and our prospects for growth will be impaired.  The severe drought which California has experienced in recent years, if it continues, may also cause further difficulties for the California economy, particularly in the agricultural sector.  In April 2015, California Governor, Edmund G. Brown, Jr., issued an executive order directing the State Water Resource Control Board to implement mandatory water reductions in cities and towns across California to reduce water usage by 25%.  The impact of this and other measures in response to the drought on the California business climate and economy cannot be predicted.

Information Security Breaches or other technological difficulties could adversely affect the Company

Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage, transmission and reporting of personal, confidential and other sensitive information in our computer systems, networks and business applications. Although we take protective measures, our computer systems may be vulnerable to breaches, unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses or other malicious code, and other events that could have significant negative consequences to us. Such events could result in interruptions or malfunctions in our or our customers’ operations, interception, misuse or mishandling of personal or confidential information, or processing of unauthorized transactions or loss of funds. These events could result in litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered by our insurance, regulatory consequences or reputational harm, any of which could harm our competitive position, operating results and financial condition. These types of incidents can remain undetected for extended periods of time, thereby increasing the associated risks. We may also be required to expend significant resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or exposures arising from cybersecurity risks.

55

We depend on the continued efficacy of our technical systems, operational infrastructure, relationships with third parties and our employees in our day-to-day and ongoing operations. Our dependence upon automated systems to record and process transactions may further increase the risk that technical system flaws or employee tampering or manipulation of those systems will result in losses that are difficult to detect. With regard to the physical infrastructure that supports our operations, we have taken measures to implement backup systems and other safeguards, but our ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by any disruption to that infrastructure. Failures in our internal control or operational systems, security breaches or service interruptions could impair our ability to operate our business and result in potential liability to customers, reputational damage and regulatory intervention, any of which could harm our operating results and financial condition.

We may also be subject to disruptions of our operating systems arising from other events that are wholly or partially beyond our control, such as electrical, internet or telecommunications outages or unexpected difficulties with the implementation of our technology enhancement projects, which may give rise to disruption of service to customers and to financial loss or liability. Our business recovery plan may not work as intended or may not prevent significant interruptions of our operations.

In recent years, it has been reported that several of the larger U.S. banking institutions have been the target of cyberattacks that have, for limited periods, resulted in the disruption of various operations of the targeted banks. While we have a variety of cyber-security measures in place, the consequences to our business, if we were to become a target of such attacks, cannot be predicted with any certainty.

In addition, there have been increasing efforts on the part of third parties to breach data security at financial institutions or with respect to financial transactions, including through the use of social engineering schemes such as “phishing.” The ability of our customers to bank remotely, including online and though mobile devices, requires secure transmission of confidential information and increases the risk of data security breaches.

Even if cyber-attacks and similar tactics are not directed specifically at the Bank, such attacks on other large financial institutions could disrupt the overall functioning of the financial system and undermine consumer confidence in banks generally, to the detriment of other financial institutions, including the Bank.  A data security breach at a large U.S. retailer recently resulted in the compromise of data related to credit and debit cards of large numbers of customers requiring many banks, including the Bank, to reissue credit and debit cards for affected customers and reimburse these customers for losses sustained. Proposals have been advanced to replace the magnetic-stripe cards commonly used in the U.S. with more secure smart-chip technology to reduce the risk of such data breaches. The costs of such a conversion could be considerable and it remains unclear at this time how much of such costs would be borne by retailers, card issuers and the banking industry.

In March of 2015, the Federal bank regulators issued two related statements regarding cybersecurity.  One statement indicates that financial institutions should design multiple layers of security controls to establish lines of defense and to ensure that their risk management processes also address the risk posed by compromised customer credentials, including security measures to reliably authenticate customers accessing internet-based services of the financial institution.  The other statement indicates that a financial institution’s management is expected to maintain sufficient business continuity planning processes to ensure the rapid recovery, resumption and maintenance of the institution’s operations after a cyber-attack involving destructive malware.  A financial institution is also expected to develop appropriate processes that enable recovery of data and business operations and that address rebuilding network capabilities and restoring data if the institution or its critical service providers fall victim to this type of cyber-attack.   While we do not believe that these statements contain any new regulatory expectations, we are continuing to evaluate them and they do indicate that the regulators regard cybersecurity to be a matter of great importance for U.S. financial institutions.  A financial institution which fails to observe the regulatory guidance could be subject to various regulatory sanctions, including financial penalties.

56



ITEM 2. – UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
None.
ITEM 3. – DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.
ITEM 4. – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. – OTHER INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6.   – EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
Description of Document
31.1
Rule 13a — 14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2
Rule 13a — 14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1*
Statement of the Chief Executive Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
32.2*
Statement of the Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
101
Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, the following financial information from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015, is formatted in XBRL interactive data files: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity; (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
_________________________
*   In accordance with Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K and SEC Release No. 34-47986, the certifications furnished in Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 hereto are deemed to accompany this Form 10-Q and will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act. Such certifications will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.
57


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

FIRST NORTHERN COMMUNITY BANCORP
Date:
August 5, 2015
By:
/s/  Jeremiah Z. Smith
Jeremiah Z. Smith, Senior Executive Vice President / Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)


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TABLE OF CONTENTS