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Bank First Corp - Quarter Report: 2019 June (Form 10-Q)

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

 

Commission file number: 001-38676

 

BANK FIRST CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

WISCONSIN   39-1435359
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
402 North 8th Street, Manitowoc, Wisconsin   54220
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(920) 652-3100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer x Smaller reporting company x
  Emerging growth company x

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name on each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   BFC   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

The number of shares of the issuer’s common stock, par value $0.01, outstanding as of August 13, 2019, was 7,106,210 shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page Number
Part I. Financial Information 3
ITEM 1. Financial Statements 3
  Consolidated Balance Sheets – June 30, 2019 (unaudited) and December 31, 2018 3
  Consolidated Statements of Income – Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 (unaudited) 4
  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018  (unaudited) 5
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity – Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018  (unaudited) 6
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 (unaudited) 7
  Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 9
ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 31
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 61
ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures 63
Part II. Other Information 63
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings 63
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors 63
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 63
ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 64
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 64
ITEM 5. Other Information 64
ITEM 6. Exhibits 65
Signatures   66

 

  2 

 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

 

BANK FIRST CORPORATION

Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

   June 30, 2019   December 31, 2018 
   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
Assets          
Cash and due from banks  $19,204   $41,435 
Interest-bearing deposits   89,833    21,830 
Federal funds sold   16,837    44,478 
Cash and cash equivalents   125,874    107,743 
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost ($40,552 and $40,477 fair value at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively)   39,537    40,768 
Securities available for sale, at fair value   120,083    118,906 
Loans, net   1,407,022    1,416,246 
Premises and equipment, net   28,097    24,489 
Goodwill   15,024    15,024 
Other investments   4,517    4,555 
Cash value of life insurance   24,488    24,178 
Intangible assets, net   4,974    5,297 
Other real estate owned ("OREO")   3,543    3,592 
Investment in minority-owned subsidiaries   26,434    25,397 
Other assets   6,874    6,970 
TOTAL ASSETS  $1,806,467   $1,793,165 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity          
Liabilities:          
Deposits:          
Interest-bearing deposits  $1,093,636   $1,108,402 
Noninterest-bearing deposits   481,362    448,765 
Total deposits   1,574,998    1,557,167 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements   20,034    31,489 
Subordinated notes   11,500    11,500 
Other liabilities   14,487    18,686 
Total liabilities   1,621,019    1,618,842 
Stockholders' equity:          
Serial preferred stock - $0.01 par value          
Authorized - 5,000,000 shares   -    - 
Common stock - $0.01 par value          
Authorized - 20,000,000 shares          
Issued - 7,368,083 shares as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018          
Outstanding - 6,576,171 and 6,610,358 shares as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively   74    74 
Additional paid-in capital   27,436    27,601 
Retained earnings   178,314    168,363 
Treasury stock, at cost - 791,912 and 757,725 shares          
     as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively   (23,386)   (21,349)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   3,010    (366)
Total stockholders' equity   185,448    174,323 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY  $1,806,467   $1,793,165 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

  3 

 

  

ITEM 1. Financial Statements Continued:

 

BANK FIRST CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended June 30,    Six months ended June 30, 
   2019   2018   2019   2018 
     
Interest income:                    
Loans, including fees  $18,506   $17,888   $36,732   $35,614 
Securities:                    
Taxable   691    713    1,435    1,416 
Tax-exempt   413    448    839    914 
Other   548    323    875    737 
Total interest income   20,158    19,372    39,881    38,681 
Interest expense:                    
Deposits   4,442    2,797    8,667    5,160 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements   167    131    297    224 
Borrowed funds   175    675    343    1,247 
Total interest expense   4,784    3,603    9,307    6,631 
Net interest income   15,374    15,769    30,574    32,050 
Provision for loan losses   500    900    1,125    1,385 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   14,874    14,869    29,449    30,665 
Noninterest income:                    
Service charges   799    786    1,478    1,632 
Income from Ansay and Associates, LLC ("Ansay")   543    562    1,418    1,758 
Income from UFS, LLC ('UFS")   731    586    1,325    1,195 
Loan servicing income   244    604    467    846 
Net gain on sales of mortgage loans   154    128    241    285 
Noninterest income from strategic alliances   29    21    48    44 
Other   213    340    1,042    710 
Total noninterest income   2,713    3,027    6,019    6,470 
Noninterest expense:                    
Salaries, commissions, and employee benefits   5,403    5,446    10,713    10,763 
Occupancy   832    532    1,681    1,882 
Data processing   960    925    1,873    1,864 
Postage, stationery, and supplies   192    159    315    326 
Net (gain) loss on sales and valuations of OREO   (135)   (38)   (99)   98 
Net (gain) loss on sales of securities   (23)   47    (23)   44 
Net gain on sales of other investments   -    -    (234)   - 
Advertising   53    54    127    106 
Charitable contributions   141    322    272    695 
Outside service fees   982    896    1,666    1,416 
Amortization of intangibles   161    189    322    378 
Other   1,366    1,532    2,621    2,469 
Total noninterest expense   9,932    10,064    19,234    20,041 
Income before provision for income taxes   7,655    7,832    16,234    17,094 
Provision for income taxes   1,666    1,431    3,658    3,631 
Net Income  $5,989   $6,401   $12,576   $13,463 
Earnings per share - basic  $0.91   $0.96   $1.91   $2.01 
Earnings per share - diluted  $0.90   $0.96   $1.89   $2.01 
Dividends per share  $0.20   $0.16   $0.40   $0.32 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

  4 

 

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements Continued:

 

BANK FIRST CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended June 30,    Six months ended June 30, 
   2019   2018   2019   2018 
     
Net Income  $5,989   $6,401   $12,576   $13,463 
Other comprehensive income (loss):                    
Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities:                    
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period   1,961    (406)   4,318    (2,180)
Amortization of unrealized holding gains on securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity   (11)   (13)   (22)   (53)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income   (23)   47    (23)   44 
Income tax benefit (expense)   (405)   78    (897)   543 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   1,522    (294)   3,376    (1,646)
Comprehensive income  $7,511   $6,107   $15,952   $11,817 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

  5 

 

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements Continued:

 

BANK FIRST CORPORATION

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(In thousands, except per share data) (Unaudited)

 

                       Accumulated     
   Serial       Additional           Other   Total 
   Preferred   Common   Paid-in   Retained   Treasury   Comprehensive   Stockholders' 
   Stock   Stock   Capital   Earnings   Stock   Income (Loss)   Equity 
                             
Balance at January 1, 2018  $-   $74   $27,528   $145,879   $(12,730)  $977   $161,728 
Net income   -    -    -    7,062    -    -    7,062 
Other comprehensive loss   -    -    -    -    -    (1,352)   (1,352)
Purchase of treasury stock   -    -    -    -    (5,648)   -    (5,648)
Sale of treasury stock   -    -    -    -    951    -    951 
Cash dividends ($0.16 per share)   -    -    -    (1,066)   -    -    (1,066)
Amortization of stock-based compensation   -    -    121    -    -    -    121 
Vesting of restricted stock awards   -    -    (433)   -    433    -    - 
                                    
Balance at March 31, 2018   -    74    27,216    151,875    (16,994)   (375)   161,796 
Net income   -    -    -    6,401    -    -    6,401 
Other comprehensive loss   -    -    -    -    -    (294)   (294)
Purchase of treasury stock   -    -    -    -    (2,171)   -    (2,171)
Sale of treasury stock   -    -    -    -    396    -    396 
Cash dividends ($0.16 per share)   -    -    -    (1,072)   -    -    (1,072)
Amortization of stock-based compensation   -    -    144    -    -    -    144 
Vesting of restricted stock awards   -    -    (50)   -    50    -    - 
                                    
Balance at June 30, 2018  $-   $74   $27,310   $157,204   $(18,719)  $(669)  $165,200 
                                    
Balance at January 1, 2019  $-   $74   $27,601   $168,363   $(21,349)  $(366)  $174,323 
Net income   -    -    -    6,587    -    -    6,587 
Other comprehensive income   -    -    -    -    -    1,854    1,854 
Purchase of treasury stock   -    -    -    -    (2,489)   -    (2,489)
Issuance of treasury stock as deferred compensation payout   -    -    14    -    43    -    57 
Cash dividends ($0.20 per share)   -    -    -    (1,306)   -    -    (1,306)
Amortization of stock-based compensation   -    -    152    -    -    -    152 
Vesting of restricted stock awards   -    -    (462)   -    462    -    - 
                                    
Balance at March 31, 2019   -    74    27,305    173,644    (23,333)   1,488    179,178 
Net income   -    -    -    5,989    -    -    5,989 
Other comprehensive income   -    -    -    -    -    1,522    1,522 
Purchase of treasury stock   -    -    -    -    (161)   -    (161)
Issuance of treasury stock as deferred compensation payout   -    -    12    -    45    -    57 
Cash dividends ($0.20 per share)   -    -    -    (1,319)   -    -    (1,319)
Amortization of stock-based compensation   -    -    182    -    -    -    182 
Vesting of restricted stock awards   -    -    (63)   -    63    -    - 
                                    
Balance at June 30, 2019  $-   $74   $27,436   $178,314   $(23,386)  $3,010   $185,448 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements. 

 

  6 

 

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements Continued:

 

BANK FIRST CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2019   2018 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $12,576   $13,463 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Provision for loan losses   1,125    1,385 
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment   551    579 
Amortization of intangibles   322    378 
Net amortization of securities   186    209 
Amortization of stock-based compensation   334    266 
Accretion of purchase accounting valuations   (2,158)   (3,698)
Net change in deferred loan fees and costs   (136)   (131)
Change in fair value of mortgage servicing rights ("MSR")   (413)   (226)
Loss from sale and disposal of premises and equipment   23    123 
(Gain) loss on sale of OREO and valuation allowance   (99)   98 
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans   21,621    17,525 
Originations of mortgage loans held for sale   (21,589)   (17,864)
Gain on sales of mortgage loans   (241)   (285)
Realized (gain) loss on sale of securities available for sale and other investments   (257)   44 
Undistributed income of UFS joint venture   (1,325)   (1,195)
Undistributed income of Ansay joint venture   (1,418)   (1,758)
Net earnings on life insurance   (310)   (302)
(Increase) decrease in other assets   (779)   1,113 
Decrease in other liabilities   (5,803)   (5,149)
Net cash provided by operating activities   2,210    4,575 
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Activity in securities available for sale and held to maturity:          
Sales   748    3,326 
Maturities, prepayments, and calls   6,408    6,964 
Purchases   (3,015)   (16,458)
Net change in loans   9,402    (34,099)
Dividends received from UFS   1,067    501 
Dividends received from Ansay   639    501 
Proceeds from sale of OREO   1,070    1,771 
Proceeds from sales of other investments   984    - 
Net purchases of FHLB Stock   (90)   (204)
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment   -    149 
Purchases of premises and equipment   (2,464)   (5,608)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   14,749    (43,157)

  

  7 

 

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements Continued:

 

BANK FIRST CORPORATION

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)

(In thousands) (Unaudited)

 

   Six Months ended June 30, 
   2019   2018 
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) in deposits  $17,902   $(10,846)
Net decrease in securities sold under repurchase agreements   (11,455)   (34,135)
Proceeds from advances of borrowed funds   4,000    687,700 
Repayment of borrowed funds   (4,000)   (652,200)
Dividends paid   (2,625)   (2,138)
Proceeds from sales of common stock   -    1,347 
Repurchase of common stock   (2,650)   (7,819)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   1,172    (18,091)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   18,131    (56,673)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   107,743    101,977 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $125,874   $45,304 
           
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
           
Cash paid during the period for:          
Interest  $9,117   $7,453 
Income taxes   3,171    2,325 
Supplemental schedule of noncash activities:          
Loans transferred to OREO   920    649 
MSR resulting from sale of loans   209    164 
Amortization of unrealized holding gains on securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity recognized in other from available for sale to held to maturity recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax   (17)   (40)
Change in unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for sale, net of tax   3,375    (1,606)
Payment of deferred compensation through issuance of treasury stock   114    - 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

  8 

 

  

BANK FIRST CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

NOTE 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Bank First Corporation (the “Company”) provides a variety of financial services to individual and corporate customers through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Bank First, N.A. (the “Bank”). The Bank operates as a full-service financial institution with a primary market area including, but not limited to, the counties in which the Bank’s branches are located. The Bank has nineteen locations located in Manitowoc, Outagamie, Brown, Winnebago, Sheboygan, Waupaca and Barron counties in Wisconsin. The Company and Bank are subject to the regulations of certain federal agencies and undergo periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

 

These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP have been omitted or abbreviated. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (“Annual Report”).

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other items, the allowance for loan losses (“ALL”), valuation of loans in acquisition transactions, useful lives for depreciation and amortization, fair value of financial instruments, other-than-temporary impairment calculations, valuation of deferred tax assets, uncertain income tax positions and contingencies. Estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change for the Company include the determination of the ALL, the determination and assessment of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and the valuation of loans acquired in acquisition transactions; therefore, these are critical accounting policies. Factors that may cause sensitivity to the aforementioned estimates include but are not limited to: external market factors such as market interest rates and employment rates, changes to operating policies and procedures, changes in applicable banking or tax regulations, and changes to deferred tax estimates. Actual results may ultimately differ from estimates, although management does not generally believe such differences would materially affect the consolidated financial statements in any individual reporting period presented.

 

There have been no material changes or developments with respect to the assumptions or methodologies that the Company uses when applying what management believes are critical accounting policies and developing critical accounting estimates as previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report.

 

Recent Accounting Developments Adopted

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” The update required lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all leases not considered short-term leases. The provisions of the update also include (a) defining direct costs to only include those incremental costs that would not have been incurred if the lease had not been entered into, (b) circumstances under which the transfer contract in a sale-leaseback transaction should be accounted for as the sale of an asset by the seller-lessee and the purchase of an asset by the buyer-lessor, and (c) additional disclosure requirements. The provisions of this update became effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Adoption of this guidance required the Company to record a right-of-use asset approximating $1.7 million, included in premises and equipment, and a corresponding lease liability, included in other liabilities.

 

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities.” The amendments in this ASU shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount, which continue to be amortized to maturity. This guidance became effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

  9 

 

 

Recently Issued Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2016-13 requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts and requires enhanced disclosures related to the significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as, the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization’s portfolio. In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on available for sale and held to maturity debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. ASU 2016-13 will become effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of this update, although the general expectation in the banking industry is that the implementation of this standard will result in higher required balances in the ALL. During July 2019 the FASB proposed delaying the effective date of ASU 2016-13 for smaller, publicly traded companies, until interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. If this proposal is enacted, this delay would apply to the Bank as long as it remained a “Smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

NOTE 2 – ACQUISITIONS

 

On October 27, 2017, the Company completed a merger with Waupaca Bancorporation, Inc. (“Waupaca”), a bank holding company headquartered in Waupaca, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Bank Merger, dated as of May 11, 2017 and as amended on July 20, 2017, by and among the Company, BFNC Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Waupaca, whereby Waupaca merged with and into the Company, and First National Bank, Waupaca’s wholly-owned banking subsidiary, was merged with and into the Bank. Waupaca’s principal activity was the ownership and operation of First National Bank, a national banking institution that operated eight (8) branches in Wisconsin at the time of closing. The merger consideration totaled approximately $78.1 million, 70% of which was distributed in cash and 30% of which was distributed in the form of Company common stock.

 

For more information concerning this acquisition, see “Note 2 – Acquisition” in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report.

 

The Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Partnership Community Bancshares, Inc. (“Partnership”), a Wisconsin Corporation, dated as of January 22, 2019 and as amended on April 30, 2019, under which Partnership will merge with and into the Company and Partnership’s banking subsidiary, Partnership Bank, will merge with and into the Bank. The transaction closed on July 12, 2019. Merger consideration consisted of 65% common stock of the Company and 35% cash, and totalled approximately $49.6 million.

 

We marked Partnership’s assets and liabilities to fair value based on information available at the time of acquisition. We acquired approximately $306.1 million in assets at fair value from Partnership and added four branches with approximately $272.6 million in loans and approximately $268.9 million in deposits. We expect to record goodwill of approximately $30.1 million and a core deposit intangible asset of approximately $5.4 million as a result of the merger. The Company is still finalizing the fair value estimates. The fair value results are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing as additional information becomes available.

 

Additional information regarding the Partnership merger is included in Note 14, “Subsequent Events.”

 

NOTE 3 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and potential common shares using the treasury stock method.

 

  10 

 

 

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the earnings per common share and earnings per common share assuming dilution, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, are presented below:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2019   2018   2019   2018 
Net income from operations  $5,989   $6,401   $12,576   $13,463 
                     
Weighted average common shares outstanding   6,577,016    6,672,344    6,575,696    6,692,523 
Effect of dilutive potential common shares   98,778    -    66,526    - 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding   6,675,794    6,672,344    6,642,222    6,692,523 
                     
Earnings per share - basic  $0.91   $0.96   $1.91   $2.01 
Earnings per share - diluted  $0.90   $0.96   $1.89   $2.01 

  

NOTE 4 – SECURITIES

 

The Company’s securities available for sale as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is summarized as follows:

 

       Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Estimated 
   Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value 
                 
June 30, 2019                    
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $49,030   $2,155   $(4)  $51,181 
Mortgage-backed securities   50,610    1,446    (25)   52,031 
Corporate notes   16,761    211    (101)   16,871 
Total available for sale securities  $116,401   $3,812   $(130)  $120,083 
                     
December 31, 2018                    
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $51,292   $709   $(108)  $51,893 
Mortgage-backed securities   51,519    66    (1,016)   50,569 
Corporate notes   16,708    -    (264)   16,444 
Total available for sale securities  $119,519   $775   $(1,388)  $118,906 


  11 

 

  

The Company’s securities held to maturity as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is summarized as follows:


       Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   Unrealized   Unrealized   Estimated 
   Cost   Gains   Losses   Fair Value 
                 
June 30, 2019                    
U.S. Treasury securities  $28,978   $1,004   $(2)  $29,980 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   10,559    13    -    10,572 
Total held to maturity securities  $39,537   $1,017   $(2)  $40,552 
                     
December 31, 2018                    
U.S. Treasury securities  $28,975   $92   $(389)  $28,678 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   11,793    6    -    11,799 
Total held to maturity securities  $40,768   $98   $(389)  $40,477 

  

The following table shows the fair value and gross unrealized losses of securities with unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:

 

   Less Than 12 Months   Greater Than 12 Months   Total 
   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
   Value   Losses   Value   Losses   Value   Losses 
                         
June 30, 2019 - Available for Sale                              
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $-   $-   $1,646   $(4)  $1,646   $(4)
Mortgage-backed securities   -    -    3,460    (25)   3,460    (25)
Corporate notes   -    -    7,785    (101)   7,785    (101)
Totals  $-   $-   $12,891   $(130)  $12,891   $(130)
                               
June 30, 2019 - Held to Maturity                              
U.S. Treasury securities  $-   $-   $1,494   $(2)  $1,494   $(2)
                               
December 31, 2018 - Available for Sale                              
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $10,024   $(64)  $4,132   $(44)  $14,156   $(108)
Mortgage-backed securities   13,352    (183)   31,718    (833)   45,070    (1,016)
Corporate notes   -    -    12,531    (264)   12,531    (264)
Totals  $23,376   $(247)  $48,381   $(1,141)  $71,757   $(1,388)
                               
December 31, 2018 - Held to Maturity                              
U.S. Treasury securities  $8,422   $(46)  $11,580   $(343)  $20,002   $(389)

 

  12 

 

 

As of June 30, 2019, the Company does not consider its securities with unrealized losses to be other-than-temporarily impaired, as the unrealized losses in each category have occurred as a result of changes in interest rates, market spreads and market conditions subsequent to purchase, not credit deterioration. The Company has the intent and ability to hold its securities to maturity or until par is recovered. There were no other-than-temporary impairments charged to earnings during the six months ended June 30, 2019 or 2018.

 

The following is a summary of amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities by contractual maturity as of June 30, 2019. Contractual maturities will differ from expected maturities for mortgage-backed securities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations without penalties.

 

   Available for Sale   Held to Maturity 
   Amortized   Estimated   Amortized   Estimated 
   Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value 
Due in one year or less  $2,533   $2,573   $2,324   $2,322 
Due after one year through five years   23,122    23,421    14,638    14,890 
Due after five years through ten years   9,827    10,311    19,666    20,431 
Due after ten years   30,309    31,747    2,909    2,909 
Subtotal   65,791    68,052    39,537    40,552 
Mortgage-backed securities   50,610    52,031    -    - 
Total  $116,401   $120,083   $39,537   $40,552 

  

The following is a summary of the proceeds from sales of securities available for sale, as well as gross gains and losses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018:

 

   2019   2018 
Proceeds from sales of securities  $748   $3,326 
Gross gains on sales   23    29 
Gross losses on sales   -    73 

 

  13 

 

 

NOTE 5 – LOANS, ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES, AND CREDIT QUALITY

 

The following table presents total loans by portfolio segment and class of loan as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2019   2018 
         
Commercial/industrial  $271,838   $297,576 
Commercial real estate - owner occupied   415,451    416,097 
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied   255,072    252,717 
Construction and development   73,522    60,927 
Residential 1-4 family   370,261    368,673 
Consumer   28,138    26,854 
Other   5,493    6,369 
Subtotals   1,419,775    1,429,213 
ALL   (12,170)   (12,248)
Loans, net of ALL   1,407,605    1,416,965 
Deferred loan fees and costs   (583)   (719)
Loans, net  $1,407,022   $1,416,246 

  

The ALL by loan type as of June 30, 2019 and 2018 is summarized as follows:

 

   Commercial /
Industrial
   Commercial
Real Estate -
Owner
Occupied
  

Commercial
Real Estate -
Non - Owner

Occupied

   Construction
and
Development
   Residential
1-4 Family
   Consumer   Other   Unallocated   Total 
                                     
ALL - January 1, 2019  $3,021   $3,459   $2,100   $725   $2,472   $148   $32   $291   $12,248 
Charge-offs   (594)   (659)   (54)   -    (11)   (11)   (8)   -    (1,337)
Recoveries   1    2    1    -    122    4    4    -    134 
Provision   (285)   2,631    (99)   (314)   (556)   (2)   1    (251)   1,125 
ALL - June 30, 2019   2,143    5,433    1,948    411    2,027    139    29    40    12,170 
                                              
ALL ending balance individually evaluated for impairment   -    2,285    -    -    -    -    -    -    2,285 
                                              
ALL ending balance collectively evaluated for impairment  $2,143   $3,148   $1,948   $411   $2,027   $139   $29   $40   $9,885 
                                              
Loans outstanding - June 30, 2019  $271,838   $415,451   $255,072   $73,522   $370,261   $28,138   $5,493   $-   $1,419,775 
Loans ending balance individually evaluated for impairment   -    9,992    -    -    176    -    -    -    10,168 
                                              
Loans ending balance collectively evaluated for impairment  $271,838   $405,459   $255,072   $73,522   $370,085   $28,138   $5,493   $-   $1,409,607 

 

  14 

 

  

   Commercial /
Industrial
   Commercial
Real Estate -
Owner
Occupied
   Commercial
Real Estate -
Non - Owner
Occupied
   Construction
and
Development
   Residential
1-4 Family
   Consumer   Other   Unallocated   Total 
                                     
ALL - January 1, 2018  $2,362   $2,855   $1,987   $945   $2,728   $191   $23   $521   $11,612 
Charge-offs   -    (17)   (1)   (83)   (81)   (3)   (23)   -    (208)
Recoveries   1    58    2    -    188    3    6    -    258 
Provision   1,042    385    177    16    (33)   57    43    (302)   1,385 
ALL - June 30, 2018   3,405    3,281    2,165    878    2,802    248    49    219    13,047 
                                              
ALL ending balance individually evaluated for impairment   -    498    -    -    160    -    -    -    658 
                                              
ALL ending balance collectively evaluated for impairment  $3,405   $2,783   $2,165   $878   $2,642   $248   $49   $219   $12,389 
                                              
Loans outstanding - June 30, 2018  $314,087   $415,097   $226,677   $67,558   $365,502   $40,226   $5,714   $-   $1,434,861 
Loans ending balance individually evaluated for impairment   -    652    -    -    709    -    -    -    1,361 
                                              
Loans ending balance collectively evaluated for impairment  $314,087   $414,445   $226,677   $67,558   $364,793   $40,226   $5,714   $-   $1,433,500 

 

The Company’s past due loans as of June 30, 2019 is summarized as follows:

 

       90 Days         
   30-89 Days   or more         
   Past Due   Past Due         
   Accruing   and Accruing   Non-Accrual   Total 
                 
Commercial/industrial  $-   $589   $665   $1,254 
Commercial real estate - owner occupied   348    2,567    11,914    14,829 
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied   -    -    -    - 
Construction and development   919    -    -    919 
Residential 1-4 family   744    276    1,028    2,048 
Consumer   61    1    4    66 
Other   -    -    -    - 
   $2,072   $3,433   $13,611   $19,116 

 

  15 

 

 

The Company’s past due loans as of December 31, 2018 is summarized as follows:

 

       90 Days         
   30-89 Days   or more         
   Past Due   Past Due         
   Accruing   and Accruing   Non-Accrual   Total 
                 
Commercial/industrial  $76   $-   $8,001   $8,077 
Commercial real estate - owner occupied   59    -    10,311    10,370 
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied   -    58    233    291 
Construction and development   -    -    -    - 
Residential 1-4 family   275    362    1,549    2,186 
Consumer   9    3    5    17 
Other   -    -    -    - 
   $419   $423   $20,099   $20,941 

  

We utilize a numerical risk rating system for commercial relationships. All other types of relationships (ex: residential, consumer, other) are assigned a “Pass” rating, unless they have fallen 90 days past due or more, at which time they receive a rating of 7. The Company uses split ratings for government guaranties on loans. The portion of a loan that is supported by a government guaranty is included with other Pass credits.

 

The determination of a commercial loan risk rating begins with completion of a matrix, which assigns scores based on the strength of the borrower’s debt service coverage, collateral coverage, balance sheet leverage, industry outlook, and customer concentration. A weighted average is taken of these individual scores to arrive at the overall rating. This rating is subject to adjustment by the loan officer based on facts and circumstances pertaining to the borrower. Risk ratings are subject to independent review.

 

Commercial borrowers with ratings between 1 and 5 are considered Pass credits, with 1 being most acceptable and 5 being just above the minimum level of acceptance.

 

Commercial borrowers rated 6 have potential weaknesses which may jeopardize repayment ability.

 

Borrowers rated 7 have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses such as the inability to demonstrate significant cash flow for debt service based on analysis of the company’s financial information. These loans remain on accrual status provided full collection of principal and interest is reasonably expected. Otherwise they are deemed impaired and placed on nonaccrual status. Borrowers rated 8 are the same as 7 rated credits with one exception: collection or liquidation in full is not probable.

 

The breakdown of loans by risk rating as of June 30, 2019 is as follows:

 

   Pass (1-5)   6   7   8   Total 
                          
Commercial/industrial  $255,273   $6,127   $10,438   $-   $271,838 
Commercial real estate - owner occupied   381,034    4,237    30,180    -    415,451 
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied   253,020    1,213    839    -    255,072 
Construction and development   73,522    -    -    -    73,522 
Residential 1-4 family   368,774    -    1,487    -    370,261 
Consumer   28,135    -    3    -    28,138 
Other   5,493    -    -    -    5,493 
                          
   $1,365,251   $11,577   $42,947   $-   $1,419,775 

  

  16 

 

 

The breakdown of loans by risk rating as of December 31, 2018 is as follows:

 

   Pass (1-5)   6   7   8   Total 
                          
Commercial/industrial  $277,993   $7,309   $12,274   $-   $297,576 
Commercial real estate - owner occupied   375,614    5,670    34,789    24    416,097 
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied   249,625    -    3,092    -    252,717 
Construction and development   60,866    -    61    -    60,927 
Residential 1-4 family   364,289    664    3,718    2    368,673 
Consumer   26,835    -    18    1    26,854 
Other   6,369    -    -    -    6,369 
                          
   $1,361,591   $13,643   $53,952   $27   $1,429,213 

  

The ALL represents management’s estimate of probable and inherent credit losses in the loan portfolio. Estimating the amount of the ALL requires the exercise of significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogenous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of other qualitative factors such as current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset on the consolidated balance sheets. Loan losses are charged off against the ALL, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the ALL. A provision for loan losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of the factors previously mentioned, as well as other pertinent factors.

 

The ALL consists of specific reserves for certain individually evaluated impaired loans and general reserves for collectively evaluated non-impaired loans. Specific reserves reflect estimated losses on impaired loans from management’s analyses developed through specific credit allocations. The specific reserves are based on regular analyses of impaired, non-homogenous loans greater than $250,000. These analyses involve a high degree of judgment in estimating the amount of loss associated with specific loans, including estimating the amount and timing of future cash flows and collateral values. The general reserve is based in part on the Bank’s historical loss experience which is updated quarterly. The general reserve portion of the ALL also includes consideration of certain qualitative factors such as 1) changes in lending policies and/or underwriting practices, 2) national and local economic conditions, 3) changes in portfolio volume and nature, 4) experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff, 5) levels of and trends in past-due and nonaccrual loans and quality, 6) changes in loan review and oversight, 7) impact and effects of concentrations and 8) other issues deemed relevant.

 

There are many factors affecting ALL; some are quantitative while others require qualitative judgment. The process for determining the ALL (which management believes adequately considers potential factors which might possibly result in credit losses) includes subjective elements and, therefore, may be susceptible to significant change. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provisions for loan losses could be required that could adversely affect the Company’s earnings or financial position in future periods. Allocations of the ALL may be made for specific loans but the entire ALL is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off or for which an actual loss is realized. As an integral part of their examination process, various regulatory agencies review the ALL as well. Such agencies may require that changes in the ALL be recognized when such regulators’ credit evaluations differ from those of management based on information available to the regulators at the time of their examinations.

 

  17 

 

 

A summary of impaired loans individually evaluated as of June 30, 2019 is as follows:

 

   Commercial/
Industrial
   Commercial
Real Estate -
Owner
Occupied
   Commercial
Real Estate -
Non - Owner
Occupied
   Construction
and
Development
   Residential
1-4 Family
   Consumer   Other   Unallocated   Total 
                                     
With an allowance recorded:                                             
Recorded investment  $-   $6,695   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $-   $6,695 
Unpaid principal balance   -    6,695    -    -    -    -    -    -    6,695 
Related allowance   -    2,285    -    -    -    -    -    -    2,285 
                                              
With no related allowance recorded:                                             
Recorded investment  $-   $3,297   $-   $-   $176   $-   $-   $-   $3,473 
Unpaid principal balance   -    3,297    -    -    176    -    -    -    3,473 
Related allowance   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                              
Total:                                             
Recorded investment  $-   $9,992   $-   $-   $176   $-   $-   $-   $10,168 
Unpaid principal balance   -    9,992    -    -    176    -    -    -    10,168 
Related allowance   -    2,285    -    -    -    -    -    -    2,285 
                                              
Average recorded investment  $2,834   $8,894   $-   $-   $439   $-   $-   $-   $12,167 

 

  18 

 

 

A summary of impaired loans individually evaluated as of December 31, 2018 is as follows:

 

   Commercial/
Industrial
   Commercial
Real Estate -
Owner
Occupied
   Commercial
Real Estate -
Non - Owner
Occupied
   Construction
and
Development
   Residential
1-4 Family
   Consumer   Other   Unallocated   Total 
                                     
With an allowance recorded:                                             
Recorded investment  $5,667   $2,099   $-   $-   $523   $-   $-   $-   $8,289 
Unpaid principal balance   5,667    2,099    -    -    523    -    -    -    8,289 
Related allowance   566    353    -    -    160    -    -    -    1,079 
                                              
With no related allowance recorded:                                             
Recorded investment  $-   $5,697   $-   $-   $179   $-   $-   $-   $5,876 
Unpaid principal balance   -    5,697    -    -    179    -    -    -    5,876 
Related allowance   -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    - 
                                              
Total:                                             
Recorded investment  $5,667   $7,796   $-   $-   $702   $-   $-   $-   $14,165 
Unpaid principal balance   5,667    7,796    -    -    702    -    -    -    14,165 
Related allowance   566    353    -    -    160    -    -    -    1,079 
                                              
Average recorded investment  $2,834   $4,036   $-   $-   $706   $-   $-   $-   $7,576 

  

Interest recognized while these loans were impaired is considered immaterial to the consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.

 

The following table presents loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. No loans in this table had a related allowance at either date, and therefore, the below disclosures were not expanded to include loans with and without a related allowance.

 

   June 30, 2019   December 31, 2018 
   Recorded
Investment
   Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   Recorded
Investment
   Unpaid
Principal
Balance
 
Commercial & Industrial  $417   $420   $555   $701 
Commercial real estate - owner occupied   1,318    1,932    1,558    2,069 
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied   -    -    233    475 
Construction and development   226    250    171    171 
Residential 1-4 family   1,072    1,170    1,664    1,828 
Consumer   -    -    -    - 
Other   -    -    -    - 
   $3,033   $3,772   $4,181   $5,244 

  

  19 

 

 

Due to the nature of these loan relationships, prepayment expectations have not been considered in the determination of future cash flows. Management regularly monitors these loan relationships, and if information becomes available that indicates expected cash flows will differ from initial expectations, it may necessitate reclassification between accretable and non-accretable components of the original discount calculation.

 

The following table represents the change in the accretable and non-accretable components of discounts on loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality for the periods ended June 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018:

 

   June 30, 2019   December 31, 2018 
   Accretable   Non-accretable   Accretable   Non-accretable 
   discount   discount   discount   discount 
                 
Balance at beginning of period  $318   $745   $583   $800 
Acquired balance, net   -    -    -    - 
Reclassifications between accretable and non-accretable   203    (203)   55    (55)
Accretion to loan interest income   (324)   -    (320)   - 
Disposals of loans   -    -    -    - 
Balance at end of period  $197   $542   $318   $745 

  

A troubled debt restructuring (TDR) includes a loan modification where a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and we grant a concession to that borrower that we would not otherwise consider except for the borrower’s financial difficulties. A TDR may be either on accrual or nonaccrual status based upon the performance of the borrower and management’s assessment of collectability. If a TDR is placed on nonaccrual status, it remains there until a sufficient period of performance under the restructured terms has occurred at which time it is returned to accrual status, generally six months. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 the Company had specific reserves of $2.1 million and $0.4 million for TDRs, respectively, and none of them have subsequently defaulted. There were no loan modifications resulting in TDRs during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018.

 

NOTE 6 – MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

 

Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. MSRs are recognized as separate assets when loans sold in the secondary market are sold with servicing retained. The Company utilizes a third-party consulting firm to determine an accurate assessment of the MSRs fair value. The third-party firm collects relevant data points from numerous sources. Some of these data points relate directly to the pricing level or relative value of the mortgage servicing while other data points relate to the assumptions used to derive fair value. In addition, the valuation evaluates specific collateral types, and current and historical performance of the collateral in question. The valuation process focuses on the non-distressed secondary servicing market, common industry practices and current regulatory standards. The primary determinants of the fair value of MSRs are servicing fee percentage, ancillary income, expected loan life or prepayment speeds, discount rates, costs to service, delinquency rates, foreclosure losses and recourse obligations. The valuation data also contains interest rate shock analyses for monitoring fair value changes in differing interest rate environments.

 

  20 

 

 

Following is an analysis of activity in the MSR asset:

 

   Six Months Ended   Year Ended 
   June 30, 2019   December 31, 2018 
         
Fair value at beginning of year  $3,085   $2,610 
Servicing asset additions   209    356 
Loan payments and payoffs   (246)   (475)
Changes in valuation inputs and assumptions used in the valuation model   37    594 
Amount recognized through earnings   -    475 
Fair value at end of period  $3,085   $3,085 
           
Unpaid principal balance of loans serviced for others  $319,173   $316,480 
Mortgage servicing rights as a percent of loans serviced for others   0.97    0.97 

  

The primary economic assumptions utilized by the Company in measuring the value of MSRs were constant prepayment speeds of 8.3 months as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, and discount rates of 10% as of both period ends.

 

NOTE 7 – NOTES PAYABLE

 

From time to time the Company utilizes short-term Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) advances to fund liquidity. The Bank had no advances outstanding from FHLB at June 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018.

 

The Company maintains a $5.0 million line of credit with a commercial bank. At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had no outstanding balances on this note. The note requires monthly payments of interest at a variable rate, and is due in full on May 25, 2020.

 

The Company maintains a $5.0 million line of credit with another commercial bank. There were no outstanding balances on this note at June 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018. The note requires monthly payments of interest at a variable rate, and is due in full on May 19, 2020.

 

NOTE 8 – SUBORDINATED NOTES

 

During September 2017, the Company entered into subordinated note agreements with three separate commercial banks. The Company had outstanding balances of $11.5 million under these agreements as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. These notes were all issued with 10- year maturities, carry interest at a variable rate payable quarterly, are callable on or after the sixth anniversary of the issuance dates, and qualify for Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.

 

NOTE 9 – REGULATORY MATTERS

 

Banks and certain bank holding companies are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action.

  

  21 

 

 

The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, signed into law in May 2018 raised the threshold for those bank holding companies subject to the Federal Reserve’s Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement to $3 billion. As a result, as of the effective date of that change in 2018, the Company was no longer required to comply with the risk-based capital rules applicable to the Bank. The Federal Reserve may, however, require smaller bank holding companies to maintain certain minimum capital levels, depending upon general economic conditions and a bank holding company’s particular condition, risk profile and growth plans.

 

Under regulatory guidance for non-advanced approaches institutions, the Bank is required to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of common equity Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets. Additionally, under Basel III rules, the decision was made to opt-out of including accumulated other comprehensive income in regulatory capital. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

 

Beginning in 2016, an additional conservation buffer was added to the minimum requirements for capital adequacy purposes, subject to a three year phase-in period. As of December 31, 2018, the buffer was 1.88%. The capital conservation buffer was fully phased in January 1, 2019 at 2.50%.

 

Actual and required capital amounts and ratios are presented below at period-end:

 

                           To Be Well 
               Minimum Capital   Capitalized Under 
           For Capital   Adeqaucy with   Prompt Corrective 
   Actual   Adequacy Purposes   Capital Buffer   Action Provisions 
   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
                                 
June 30, 2019                                        
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets):                                        
Company  $189,194    11.99%    NA      NA      NA      NA      NA      NA  
Bank  $187,186    11.88%  $126,048    8.00%  $165,437    10.50%  $157,560    10.00%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):                                        
Company  $165,524    10.49%    NA      NA      NA      NA      NA      NA  
Bank  $175,016    11.11%  $94,536    6.00%  $133,926    8.50%  $126,048    8.00%
Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):                                        
Company  $165,524    10.49%    NA      NA      NA      NA      NA      NA  
Bank  $175,016    11.11%  $70,902    4.50%  $110,292    7.00%  $102,414    6.50%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets):                                        
Company  $165,524    9.27%    NA      NA      NA      NA      NA      NA  
Bank  $175,016    9.85%  $71,105    4.00%  $71,105    4.00%  $88,881    5.00%
December 31, 2018                                        
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets):                                        
Company  $181,201    11.35%    NA      NA      NA      NA      NA      NA  
Bank  $178,668    11.21%  $127,497    8.00%  $157,459    9.88%  $159,372    10.00%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):                                        
Company  $157,453    9.86%    NA      NA      NA      NA      NA      NA  
Bank  $166,420    10.44%  $95,623    6.00%  $125,585    7.88%  $127,497    8.00%
Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets):                                        
Company  $157,453    9.86%    NA      NA      NA      NA      NA      NA  
Bank  $166,420    10.44%  $71,717    4.50%  $101,679    6.38%  $103,592    6.50%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets):                                        
Company  $157,453    9.06%    NA      NA      NA      NA      NA      NA  
Bank  $166,420    9.59%  $69,410    4.00%  69,410    4.00%  $86,762    5.00%

 

NOTE 10 – COMMITMENTS

 

The Company enters into commitments to originate loans whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (rate-lock commitments). Rate-lock commitments on mortgage loans that are intended to be sold are considered to be derivatives. Accordingly, such commitments, along with any related fees received from potential borrowers, are recorded at fair value in derivative assets or liabilities, with changes in fair value recorded in the net gain or loss on sale of mortgage loans. Fair value is based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements and for fixed rate commitments also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and committed rates. The notional amount of rate-lock commitments at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, was approximately $0.7 million and $3.3 million.

 

  22 

 

 

The Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

The Company’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual or notional amount of these commitments. The Company follows the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. Since some of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon and some of the commitments may not be drawn upon to the total extent of the commitment, the notional amount of these commitments does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

 

The following commitments were outstanding:

 

   Notional Amount 
   June 30, 2019   December 31, 2018 
Commitments to extend credit:          
Fixed  $44,412   $57,911 
Variable   251,085    268,541 
Credit card arrangements   8,064    7,119 
Letters of credit   23,962    25,261 

  

NOTE 11 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value.

 

Level 1:Quoted prices (unadjusted) or identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.
Level 2:Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3:Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

 

  23 

 

 

Information regarding the fair value of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:

 

   Instruments   Markets   Other   Significant 
   Measured   for Identical   Observable   Unobservable 
   At Fair   Assets   Inputs   Inputs 
   Value   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
                 
June 30, 2019                    
Assets                    
Securities available for sale                    
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $51,181   $-   $50,781   $400 
Mortgage-backed securities   52,031    -    52,031    - 
Corporate notes   16,871    -    16,871    - 
Mortgage servicing rights   3,085    -    3,085    - 
                     
December 31, 2018                    
Assets                    
Securities available for sale                    
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $51,893   $-   $51,493   $400 
Mortgage-backed securities   50,569    -    50,569    - 
Corporate notes   16,444    -    16,444    - 
Mortgage servicing rights   3,085    -    3,085    - 

 

Fair value of assets measured on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) are as follows:

 

   June 30, 2019   December 31, 2018 
         
Total securities at beginning of period  $400   $500 
Included in earnings   -    - 
Included in other comprehensive income   -    - 
Purchases, issuance, and settlements   -    (100)
Transfer in and/or out of level 3   -    - 
Total securities at end of period  $400   $400 

 

  24 

 

 

Information regarding the fair value of assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis is as follows:

 

       Quoted Prices         
       In Active   Significant     
   Assets   Markets   Other   Significant 
   Measured   for Identical   Observable   Unobservable 
   At Fair   Assets   Inputs   Inputs 
   Value   (Level 1)   (Level 2)   (Level 3) 
June 30, 2019                
Other real estate owned  $3,543   $-   $-   $3,543 
Impaired Loans, net of impairment reserve   13,008    -    -    13,008 
   $16,551   $-   $-   $16,551 
December 31, 2018                    
Other real estate owned  $3,592   $-   $-   $3,592 
Impaired Loans, net of impairment reserve   20,872    -    -    20,872 
   $24,464   $-   $-   $24,464 

  

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used by the Company for the items noted in the table above, including the general classification of such instruments in the fair value hierarchy. For individually evaluated impaired loans, the amount of impairment is based upon the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans, or the estimated liquidity of the note. For OREO, the fair value is based upon the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral adjusted for the expected costs to sell. The following table shows significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of Level 3 assets:

  

   Valuation Technique  Unobservable
Inputs
  Range of
Discounts
  Weighted
Average
Discount
 
As of June 30, 2019             
Other real estate owned  Third party appraisals, sales contracts or brokered price options  Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell  0% - 40%   21.3%
               
Impaired loans  Third party appraisals and discounted cash flows  Collateral discounts and discount rates  0% - 100%   4.6%
               
As of December 31, 2018              
Other real estate owned  Third party appraisals, sales contracts or brokered price options  Collateral discounts and estimated costs to sell  0% - 40%   18.6%
               
Impaired loans  Third party appraisals and discounted cash flows  Collateral discounts and discount rates  0% - 100%   9.3%

 

  25 

 

 

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company to estimate fair value of financial instruments.

 

Cash and cash equivalents — Fair value approximates the carrying amount.

 

Securities — The fair value measurement is obtained from an independent pricing service and is based on recent sales of similar securities and other observable market data.

 

Loans — Fair value of variable rate loans that reprice frequently are based on carrying value. Fair value of other loans is estimated by discounting future cash flows using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Fair value of impaired and other nonperforming loans are estimated using discounted expected future cash flows or the fair value of the underlying collateral, if applicable.

 

Other investments — The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets for other investments approximates the fair value of these assets.

 

Mortgage servicing rights — Fair values were determined using the present value of future cash flows.

 

Cash value of life insurance — The carrying amount approximates its fair value.

 

Deposits — Fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as demand deposits, savings, and money market accounts, by definition, is the amount payable on demand on the reporting date. Fair value of fixed-rate time deposits is estimated using discounted cash flows applying interest rates currently offered on similar time deposits.

 

Securities sold under repurchase agreements — The fair value of securities sold under repurchase agreements with variable rates or due on demand is the amount payable at the reporting date. The fair value of securities sold under repurchase agreements with fixed terms is estimated using discounted cash flows with discount rates at interest rates currently offered for securities sold under repurchase agreements of similar remaining values.

 

Subordinated notes — Rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate fair value of existing debt. Fair value of borrowings is estimated by discounting future cash flows using the current rates at which similar borrowings would be made. Fair value of borrowed funds due on demand is the amount payable at the reporting date.

 

Off-balance-sheet instruments — Fair value is based on quoted market prices of similar financial instruments where available. If a quoted market price is not available, fair value is based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreement and the company’s credit standing. Since this amount is immaterial, no amounts for fair value are presented.

 

  26 

 

 

The carrying value and estimated fair value of financial instruments at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 follows:

 

       Fair Value 
June 30, 2019  Carrying
amount
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Financial assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $125,874   $125,874   $-   $-   $125,874 
Securities held to maturity   39,537    -    40,552    -    40,552 
Securities available for sale   120,083    -    119,683    400    120,083 
Loans, net   1,407,022    -    -    1,393,494    1,393,494 
Other investments   4,517    -    -    4,517    4,517 
Mortgage servicing rights   3,085    -    3,085    -    3,085 
Cash surrender value of life insurance   24,488    24,488    -    -    24,488 
                          
Deposits  $1,574,998   $-   $-   $1,560,172   $1,560,172 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements   20,034    -    20,034    -    20,034 
Subordinated notes   11,500    -    11,500    -    11,500 

 

       Fair Value 
December 31, 2018  Carrying
amount
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Financial assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $107,743   $107,743   $-   $-   $107,743 
Securities held to maturity   40,768    -    40,477    -    40,477 
Securities available for sale   118,906    -    118,506    400    118,906 
Loans, net   1,416,246    -    -    1,400,538    1,400,538 
Other investments, at cost   4,555    -    -    4,555    4,555 
Mortgage servicing rights   3,085    -    3,085    -    3,085 
Cash surrender value of life insurance   24,178    24,178    -    -    24,178 
                          
Financial liabilities:                         
Deposits  $1,557,167   $-   $-   $1,449,552   $1,449,552 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements   31,489    -    31,489    -    31,489 
Subordinated notes   11,500    -    11,500    -    11,500 

  

The fair value of a financial instrument is the current amount that would be exchanged between willing parties, other than in a forced liquidation. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. Consequently, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

 

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 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 that could 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.

 

  27 

 

 

Deposits with no stated maturities are defined as having a fair value equivalent to the amount payable on demand. This prohibits adjusting fair value derived from retaining those deposits for an expected future period of time. This component, commonly referred to as a deposit base intangible, is neither considered in the above amounts nor is it recorded as an intangible asset on the consolidated balance sheet. Significant assets and liabilities that are not considered financial assets and liabilities include premises and equipment. In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in the estimates.

 

NOTE 12 – STOCK BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company has made restricted share grants pursuant to the Bank First Corporation 2011 Equity Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to provide financial incentives for selected employees and for the non-employee Directors of the Company, thereby promoting the long-term growth and financial success of the Company. The Company stock to be offered under the Plan pursuant to Stock Appreciation Rights, performance unit awards, and restricted stock and unrestricted Company stock awards must be Company stock previously issued and outstanding and reacquired by the Company. The number of shares of Company stock that may be issued pursuant to awards under the Plan shall not exceed, in the aggregate, 659,250. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, 177,377 and 160,362 shares of Company stock have been awarded under the Plan, respectively. Compensation expense for restricted stock is based on the fair value of the awards of Bank First Corporation common stock at the time of grant. The value of restricted stock grants that are expected to vest is amortized into expense over the vesting periods. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, compensation expense of $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, was recognized related to restricted stock awards.

 

As of June 30, 2019, there was $1.9 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted stock awards granted under the plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.15 years. The aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock awards that vested during the six months ended June 30, 2019, was approximately $0.5 million.

 

   For the six months ended June 30, 2019   For the six months ended June 30, 2018 
                 
       Weighted-       Weighted- 
       Average Grant-       Average Grant- 
   Shares   Date Fair Value   Shares   Date Fair Value 
Restricted Stock                    
Outstanding at beginning of period   51,776   $34.27    53,619   $26.59 
Granted   17,015    56.62    16,673    46.01 
Vested   (17,212)   30.54    (19,825)   24.36 
Forfeited or cancelled   (176)   22.90    -    - 
Outstanding at end of period   51,403   $43.06    50,467   $33.88 

  

  28 

 

 

NOTE 13 – LEASES

 

In February 2016, the FASB established Topic 842, Leases, by issuing Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, which requires lessees to recognize leases on-balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. Subsequently, amendments ASU No. 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU No. 2018- 11, Targeted Improvements were issued. ASC 842 establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU lease asset and liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases are classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the income statement.

 

The Company leases certain properties under operating leases that resulted in the recognition of ROU lease assets of approximately $1.7 million and corresponding lease liabilities of the same value on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

ASC 842 was effective on January 1, 2019. A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. The Company chose to use the effective date approach. As such, all periods presented after January 1, 2019 are under ASC 842 whereas periods presented prior to January 1, 2019 are in accordance with prior lease accounting of ASC 840. Financial information was not updated and the disclosures required under ASC 842 was not provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019.

 

ASC 842 provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company has elected the ‘package of practical expedients,’ which permits the Company not to reassess under the new standard the prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company also elected the use of the hindsight, a practical expedient which permits the use of information available after lease inception to determine the lease term via the knowledge of renewal options exercised not available as of the leases inception. The practical expedient pertaining to land easements is not applicable to the Company.

 

ASC 842 also requires certain accounting elections for ongoing application of ASC 842. The Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify, meaning those with terms under twelve months. ROU assets or lease liabilities are not to be recognized for short-term leases. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all leases, the majority of which consist of real estate common area maintenance expenses. However, since these non-lease items are subject to change, they are treated and disclosed as variable payments in the quantitative disclosures below. Consequently, ASC 842’s changed guidance on contract components will not significantly affect our financial reporting. Similarly, ASC 842’s narrowed definition of initial direct costs will not significantly affect financial reporting.

 

Lessee Leases

 

The Company’s lessee leases are operating leases, and consist of leased real estate for branches. Options to extend and renew leases are generally exercised under normal circumstances. Advance notification is required prior to termination, and any noticing period is often limited to the months prior to renewal. Rent escalations are generally specified by a payment schedule, or are subject to a defined formula. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all leases, the majority of which consist of real estate common area maintenance expenses. Generally, leases do not include guaranteed residual values, but instead typically specify that the leased premises are to be returned in satisfactory condition with the Company liable for damages.

 

For operating leases, the lease liability and ROU asset (before adjustments) are recorded at the present value of future lease payments. ASC 842 requires the use of the lease interest rate; however, this rate is typically not known. As an alternative, ASC 842 permits the use of an entity’s fully secured incremental borrowing rate. The Company is electing to utilize the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate on the date of lease commencement.

 

  29 

 

 

   Six-month
period ended
 
   June 30, 2019 
Amortization of ROU Assets - Operating Leases  $26 
Interest on Lease Liabilities - Operating Leases   39 
Operating Lease Cost (Cost resulting from lease payments)   65 
New ROU Assets - Operating Leases   1,744 
Weighted Average Lease Term (Years) - Operating Leases   31.63 
Weighted Average Discount Rate - Operating Leases   5.50%

  

A maturity analysis of operating lease liabilities and reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows to the total operating lease liabilities as of June 30, 2019 is as follows:

 

   June 30, 2019 
Operating lease payments due:     
Within one year  $133 
After one but within two years   139 
After two but within three years   132 
After three but within four years   93 
After four years but within five years   85 
After five years   3,453 
Total undiscounted cash flows   4,035 
Discount on cash flows   (2,317)
Total operating lease liabilities  $1,718 

 

NOTE 14 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

As stated in Note 2, “Acquisitions,” effective July 12, 2019, the previously announced merger with Partnership was completed.

 

At the effective time of the merger, each share of common stock of Partnership issued and outstanding was converted into the right to receive either 0.35 shares of Bank First common stock or cash in the amount of $17.30. The Company paid approximately $14,285,000 in cash and issued 534,659 shares of Bank First common stock for the issued and outstanding shares of Partnership common stock.

 

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

 

The Company is still finalizing the fair value estimates, but the following table presents the initial estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of Partnership as of July 12, 2019.

 

   As Recorded by
Partnership
   Fair Value
Adjustments
   As Recorded by
the Company
 
Cash and cash equivelants  $4,511        $4,511
Investment securities   16,933    (512)a   16,421 
Other investments   441         441 
Gross loans   278,532    (5,908)b   272,624 
Allowance for loan losses   (2,253)   2,253c   - 
Net Loans   276,279    (3,655)   272,624 
Premises and equipment, net   6,066    (2,940)d   3,126 
Core deposit intangible   -    5,400e   5,400 
Existing intangible assets   195    (195)f   - 
Other assets   3,118    473g   3,591 
Total assets  $307,543   $(1,429)  $306,114 
                
Total deposits  $268,653   $272h  $268,925 
Subordinated debt   7,000    195i   7,195 
Other borrowings   9,800    (18)i   9,782 
Other liabilities   690    16j   706 
Total liabilities   286,143    465    286,608 
                
Net indentifiable assets acquired over liabilties assumed   21,400    (1,894)   19,506 
                
Goodwill   -    30,083    30,083 
                
Net assets acquired over liabilities assumed  $21,400   $28,189   $49,589 
                
Consideration:               
Shares of common stock issued        534,659      
Estimated value per share of Company's stock       $66.03      
                
Fair value of Company stock issued        35,304      
Cash paid for shares and in lieu of fractional shares        14,285      
                
Fair value of total consideration transferred       $49,589      

  

Explanation of fair value adjustments:

a.Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments of the available-for-sale portfolio at acquisition date.
b.Adjustment reflects fair value adjustments based on the Company's evaluation of the acquired loan portfolio.
c.Adjustment reflects the elimination of Partnership's allowance for loan losses.
d.Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment of the acquired premises and equipment from Partnership's historical net cost basis.
e.Adjustment reflects the recording of a core deposit intangible asset.
f.Adjustment reflects removal of intangible assets from Partnership's balance sheet from a prior acquisition.
g.Adjustment reflects write-off of prepaid assets recorded on Partnership's balance sheet that had no value to the Company and the establishment of a deferred tax asset as a result of the purchase accounting adjustments.
h.Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to time deposits.
i.Adjustment reflects the fair value adjustment to subordinated debt and other borrowings due to the current rate environment for these items compared to those in place when they were originally instituted.
j.Adjustment to record an accrual for a severance agreement that was in place for Partnership prior to July 12, 2019.

 

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

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, included in our Annual Report and with our unaudited condensed accompanying notes set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period June 30, 2019.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements contained in this report are forward-looking statements within the meaning of and subject to the safe harbor protections of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements relating to the Company’s assets, business, cash flows, condition (financial or otherwise), credit quality, financial performance, liquidity, short and long-term performance goals, prospects, results of operations, strategic initiatives, potential future acquisitions, disposition and other growth opportunities. These statements, which are based upon certain assumptions and estimates and describe the Company’s future plans, results, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words and phrases “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “goal,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target,” “aim,” “predict,” “continue,” “seek,” “projection” and other variations of such words and phrases and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, and are based upon current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and beyond the Company’s control. The inclusion of these forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that such expectations, estimates and projections will be achieved. Accordingly, the Company cautions investors that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and that are beyond the Company’s control. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date of this report, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statement in this report including, without limitation, the risks and other factors set forth in the Company’s Registration Statements under the captions “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk factors.” Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s ability to control or predict. If one or more events related to these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if the Company’s underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements speaks only as of the date of this report, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict their occurrence or how they will affect the Company.

 

We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

 

OVERVIEW

 

Bank First Corporation is a Wisconsin corporation that was organized primarily to serve as the holding company for Bank First, N.A. Bank First, N.A., which was incorporated in 1894, is a nationally-chartered bank headquartered in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It is a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”), and is regulated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”). Including its headquarters in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the Bank has 19 banking locations in Manitowoc, Outagamie, Brown, Winnebago, Sheboygan, Waupaca and Barron counties in Wisconsin. The Bank offers loan, deposit and treasury management products at each of its banking locations.

 

As with most community banks, the Bank derives a significant portion of its income from interest received on loans and investments. The Bank’s primary source of funding is deposits, both interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing. In order to maximize the Bank’s net interest income, or the difference between the income on interest-earning assets and the expense of interest-bearing liabilities, the Bank must not only manage the volume of these balance sheet items, but also the yields earned on interest-earning assets and the rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. To account for credit risk inherent in all loans, the Bank maintains an ALL to absorb possible losses on existing loans that may become uncollectible. The Bank establishes and maintains this allowance by charging a provision for loan losses against operating earnings. Beyond its net interest income, the Bank further receives income through the net gain on sale of loans held for sale as well as servicing income which is retained on those sold loans. In order to maintain its operations and bank locations, the Bank incurs various operating expenses which are further described within the “Results of Operations” later in this section.

 

The Bank is a 49.8% member of a data processing subsidiary, UFS, LLC which provides core data processing, endpoint management cloud services, cyber security and digital banking solutions for over 50 Midwest banks. The Bank, through its 100% owned subsidiary TVG Holdings, Inc., also holds a 30% ownership interest in Ansay & Associates, LLC, an insurance agency providing clients throughout Wisconsin with insurance and risk management solutions. These unconsolidated subsidiary interests contribute noninterest income to the Bank through their underlying annual earnings.

 

On October 27, 2017, the Company consummated its merger with Waupaca pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Bank Merger, dated as of May 11, 2017 and as amended on July 20, 2017, by and among the Company, BFNC Merger Sub, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Waupaca, whereby Waupaca was merged with and into the Company, and First National Bank, Waupaca’s wholly owned banking subsidiary, was merged with and into the Bank. The system integration was completed, and six branches of First National Bank opened on October 30, 2017 as branches of the Bank, expanding the Bank’s presence into Barron and Waupaca counties.

 

The Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Partnership Community Bancshares, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation, dated as of January 22, 2019 and as amended on April 30, 2019, under which Partnership will merge with and into the Company and Partnership’s banking subsidiary, Partnership Bank, will merge with and into the Bank. The transaction closed on July 12, 2019. Merger consideration consisted of 65% common stock of the Company and 35% cash, and totalled approximately $49.6 million.

 

  31 

 

 

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following tables present certain selected historical consolidated financial data as of the dates or for the period indicated:

 

   At or for the Three Months Ended   At or for the Six Months Ended 
(In thousands, except per share data)  6/30/2019   3/31/2019   12/31/2018   9/30/2018   6/30/2018   6/30/2019   6/30/2018 
                             
Results of Operations:                                   
                                    
Interest income  $20,158   $19,723   $19,753   $19,510   $19,372   $39,881   $38,681 
Interest expense   4,784    4,523    4,240    3,974    3,604    9,307    6,631 
                                    
Net interest income   15,374    15,200    15,513    15,536    15,768    30,574    32,050 
Provision for loan losses   500    625    750    800    900    1,125    1,385 
                                    
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   14,874    14,575    14,763    14,736    14,868    29,449    30,665 
                                    
Noninterest income   2,713    3,306    2,553    2,508    3,027    6,019    6,470 
Noninterest expense   9,932    9,302    9,893    9,708    10,064    19,234    20,041 
                                    
Income before income tax expense   7,655    8,579    7,423    7,536    7,831    16,234    17,094 
Income tax expense   1,666    1,992    1,362    1,604    1,431    3,658    3,631 
                                    
Net income  $5,989   $6,587   $6,061   $5,932   $6,400   $12,576   $13,463 
                                    
Earnings per common share - basic  $0.91   $1.00   $0.91   $0.89   $0.96   $1.91   $2.01 
Earnings per common share - diluted   0.90    1.00    0.91    0.89    0.96    1.89    2.01 
                                    
Common Shares:                                   
                                    
Basic weighted average   6,577,016    6,574,362    6,647,586    6,661,337    6,672,344    6,575,696    6,692,523 
Diluted weighted average   6,675,794    6,608,273    6,647,586    6,661,337    6,672,344    6,642,222    6,692,523 
Outstanding   6,576,171    6,577,045    6,610,358    6,659,021    6,662,292    6,576,171    6,662,292 
                                    
Noninterest income / noninterest expense:                                   
                                    
Service charges  $799   $679   $890   $971   $786   $1,478   $1,632 
Income from Ansay   543    875    180    176    562    1,418    1,758 
Income from UFS   731    594    708    660    586    1,325    1,195 
Loan servicing income   244    223    372    260    604    467    846 
Net gain on sales of mortgage loans   154    87    188    144    128    241    285 
Noninterest income from strategic alliances   29    19    22    24    21    48    44 
Other noninterest income   213    829    193    273    340    1,042    710 
                                    
Total noninterest income  $2,713   $3,306   $2,553   $2,508   $3,027   $6,019   $6,470 
                                    
Personnel expense  $5,403   $5,310   $5,532   $5,205   $5,446   $10,713   $10,763 
Occupancy, equipment and office   832    849    799    817    532    1,681    1,882 
Data processing   960    913    899    856    925    1,873    1,864 
Postage, stationery and supplies   192    123    156    138    159    315    326 
Net (gain) loss on sales of other real estate owned   (135)   36    (79)   233    (38)   (99)   98 
Net (gain) loss on sales of securities   (23)   (234)   -    (19)   47    (257)   44 
Advertising   53    74    78    36    54    127    106 
Charitable contributions   141    131    121    169    322    272    695 
Outside service fees   982    684    899    817    896    1,666    1,416 
Amortization of intangibles   161    161    189    189    189    322    378 
Other noninterest income   1,366    1,255    1,299    1,267    1,532    2,621    2,469 
                                    
Total noninterest expense  $9,932   $9,302   $9,893   $9,708   $10,064   $19,234   $20,041 

 

  32 

 

 

Period-end balances:                                   
                                    
Loans  $1,419,192   $1,431,498   $1,428,494   $1,441,477   $1,434,504   $1,419,192   $1,434,504 
Allowance for loan losses   12,170    12,213    12,248    11,560    13,047    12,170    13,047 
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value   120,083    122,761    118,906    119,623    121,550    120,083    121,550 
Investment securities held-to-maturity, at cost   39,537    40,769    40,768    40,882    41,203    39,537    41,203 
Goodwill and other intangibles, net   19,998    20,160    20,321    20,425    20,614    19,998    20,614 
Total assets   1,806,467    1,805,408    1,793,165    1,735,754    1,741,874    1,806,467    1,741,874 
Deposits   1,574,998    1,573,677    1,557,167    1,486,470    1,495,424    1,574,998    1,495,424 
Stockholders' equity   185,448    179,177    174,323    169,133    165,200    185,448    165,200 
Book value per common share   28.20    27.24    26.37    25.40    24.80    28.20    24.80 
Tangible book value per common share (1)   25.63    24.65    23.76    22.78    22.15    25.63    22.15 
                                    
Average balances:                                   
                                    
Loans  $1,420,710   $1,434,283   $1,435,745   $1,437,832   $1,424,604   $1,427,458   $1,414,727 
Interest-earning assets   1,679,604    1,652,106    1,637,080    1,654,966    1,676,017    1,665,930    1,673,742 
Total assets   1,801,530    1,773,345    1,755,835    1,772,768    1,794,227    1,787,515    1,790,288 
Deposits   1,563,322    1,548,306    1,510,978    1,487,865    1,474,952    1,556,139    1,473,184 
Interest-bearing liabilities   1,142,604    1,141,177    1,144,202    1,185,391    1,215,923    1,141,894    1,213,758 
Goodwill and other intangibles, net   20,096    20,259    20,377    20,610    20,474    20,177    20,488 
Stockholders' equity   181,498    175,058    170,992    167,651    162,860    178,295    162,100 
                                    
Financial ratios (2):                                   
                                    
Return on average assets   1.33%   1.49%   1.37%   1.33%   1.42%   1.41%   1.50%
Return on average common equity   13.20%   15.05%   14.06%   14.04%   15.59%   14.11%   16.61%
Average equity to average assets   10.07%   9.87%   9.74%   9.46%   9.08%   9.97%   9.48%
Stockholders' equity to assets   10.27%   9.92%   9.72%   9.74%   9.48%   10.27%   9.48%
Tangible equity to tangible assets (1)   9.42%   9.06%   8.85%   8.83%   8.56%   9.42%   8.56%
Loan yield   5.22%   5.15%   5.09%   4.98%   5.04%   5.19%   5.08%
Earning asset yield   4.90%   4.93%   4.88%   4.76%   4.72%   4.92%   4.75%
Cost of funds   1.68%   1.61%   1.47%   1.33%   1.19%   1.64%   1.10%
Net interest margin, taxable equivalent   3.76%   3.82%   3.85%   3.81%   3.86%   3.79%   3.95%
Net loan charge-offs to average loans   0.16%   0.18%   0.00%   0.16%   0.00%   0.17%   -0.01%
Nonperforming loans to total loans   1.20%   1.14%   1.44%   1.99%   1.43%   1.20%   1.43%
Nonperforming assets to total assets   1.10%   1.07%   1.30%   1.79%   1.32%   1.10%   1.32%
Allowance for loan losses to loans   0.86%   0.85%   0.86%   0.80%   0.91%   0.86%   0.91%

 

(1)These measures are not measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, and are therefore considered to be non-GAAP financial measures. See "GAAP reconciliation and management explanation of non-GAAP finanical measures" for a reconciliation of these measures to their most comparable GAAP measures.
(2)Income statement-related ratios for partial year periods are annualized.

 

GAAP RECONCILIATION AND MANAGEMENT EXPLANATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

We identify certain financial measures discussed in the Report as being “non-GAAP financial measures.” The non-GAAP financial measures presented in this Report are tangible book value per common share and tangible equity to tangible assets.

 

In accordance with the SEC’s rules, we classify a financial measure as being a non-GAAP financial measure if that financial measure excludes or includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding or including amounts, that are included or excluded, as the case may be, in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP as in effect from time to time in the United States in our statements of income, balance sheets or statements of cash flows.

 

The non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in this Report should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which we calculate the non-GAAP financial measures that we discuss in our selected historical consolidated financial data may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names. You should understand how such other banking organizations calculate their financial measures similar or with names similar to the non-GAAP financial measures we have presented in our selected historical consolidated financial data when comparing such non-GAAP financial measures. The following discussion and reconciliations provide a more detailed analysis of these non-GAAP financial measures.

 

  33 

 

 

Tangible book value per common share and tangible equity to tangible assets are non-GAAP measures that exclude the impact of goodwill and other intangibles used by the Company’s management to evaluate capital adequacy. Because intangible assets such as goodwill and other intangibles vary extensively from company to company, we believe that the presentation of this information allows investors to more easily compare the Company’s capital position to other companies. The most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP are book value per common share, return on average common equity and stockholders’ equity to total assets.

 

   At or for the Three Months Ended   At or for the Six Months Ended 
(In thousands, except per share data)  6/30/2019   3/31/2019   12/31/2018   9/30/2018   6/30/2018   6/30/2019   6/30/2018 
                             
Tangible Assets                                   
  Total assets  $1,806,467   $1,805,408   $1,793,165   $1,735,754   $1,741,874   $1,806,467   $1,741,874 
  Adjustments:                                   
    Goodwill   (15,024)   (15,024)   (15,024)   (15,024)   (15,024)   (15,024)   (15,024)
    Core deposit intangible, net of amortization   (1,890)   (2,051)   (2,212)   (2,401)   (2,590)   (1,890)   (2,590)
  Tangible assets  $1,789,553   $1,788,333   $1,775,929   $1,718,329   $1,724,260   $1,789,553   $1,724,260 
                                    
Tangible Common Equity                                   
  Total stockholders' equity  $185,448   $179,177   $174,323   $169,133   $165,200   $185,448   $165,200 
  Adjustments:                                   
    Goodwill   (15,024)   (15,024)   (15,024)   (15,024)   (15,024)   (15,024)   (15,024)
    Core deposit intangible, net of amortization   (1,890)   (2,051)   (2,212)   (2,401)   (2,590)   (1,890)   (2,590)
  Tangible common equity  $168,534   $162,102   $157,087   $151,708   $147,586   $168,534   $147,586 
                                    
Book value per common share  $28.20   $27.24   $26.37   $25.40   $24.80   $28.20   $24.80 
Tangible book value per common share   25.63    24.65    23.76    22.78    22.15    25.63    22.15 
                                    
Total stockholders' equity to total assets   10.27%   9.92%   9.72%   9.74%   9.48%   10.27%   9.48%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets   9.42%   9.06%   8.85%   8.83%   8.56%   9.42%   8.56%

  

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018

 

General.   Net income decreased $0.4 million to $6.0 million for three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $6.4 million for the same period in 2018. This decrease was primarily due to the reduced level of accretion to net interest income from purchase accounting marks on the loans and deposits acquired in the Waupaca acquisition during the fourth quarter of 2017. This accretion added $1.2 million to net interest income, net of tax, during the second quarter of 2018 compared to $0.7 million, net of tax, in the second quarter of 2019, a reduction of $0.5 million. Due to a higher overall interest rate environment, we also experienced a 32.7% increase in interest expense, from $3.6 million in the second quarter of 2018 to $4.8 million in the second quarter of 2019.

 

Net Interest Income.    The management of interest income and expense is fundamental to our financial performance. Net interest income, the difference between interest income and interest expense, is the largest component of the Company’s total revenue. Management closely monitors both total net interest income and the net interest margin (net interest income divided by average earning assets). We seek to maximize net interest income without exposing the Company to an excessive level of interest rate risk through our asset and liability policies. Interest rate risk is managed by monitoring the pricing, maturity and repricing options of all classes of interest-bearing assets and liabilities. Our net interest margin can also be adversely impacted by the reversal of interest on nonaccrual loans and the reinvestment of loan payoffs into lower yielding investment securities and other short-term investments.

 

Net interest and dividend income decreased by $0.4 million to $15.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $15.8 million for three months ended June 30, 2018. The decrease in net interest income was primarily due to the previously mentioned reduction in purchase accounting accretion from the second quarter of 2018 to the second quarter of 2019. Interest income on loans increased by $0.6 million, or 3.45%, during the same period. Total average interest-earning assets was $1.68 billion for the three months ended June 30, 2019, which matched the total for the same period in 2018. Tax equivalent net interest margin decreased 0.10% to 3.76% for the three-months ended June 30, 2019, down from 3.86% for the same period in 2018. Net interest margin decreased by 0.18% due to the reduction in purchase accounting accretion quarter-over-quarter which was offset by an increase of 0.08% in core net interest margin. Net interest margin and net interest income are influenced by internal and external factors. Internal factors include balance sheet changes on both volume and mix and pricing decisions, and external factors include changes in market interest rates, competition and the shape of the interest rate yield curve.

 

  34 

 

 

Interest Income. Total interest income increased $0.8 million, or 4.06%, to $20.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $19.4 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in total interest income was primarily due a rising interest rate environment, which was offset by the reduction in purchase accounting accretion. The average balance of loans decreased by $3.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $1.2 million, or 32.7%, to $4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $3.6 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increasing interest rate environment.

 

Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased by $1.6 million to $4.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, from $2.8 million for the same period in 2018. This increase was primarily due to an increasing interest rate environment. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits was 1.62% for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 1.06% for the same period in 2018.

 

Provision for Loan Losses. Credit risk is inherent in the business of making loans. We establish an ALL through charges to earnings, which are shown in the statements of operations as the provision for loan losses. Specifically identifiable and quantifiable known losses are promptly charged off against the allowance. The provision for loan losses is determined by conducting a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of our ALL and charging the shortfall or excess, if any, to the current quarter’s expense. This has the effect of creating variability in the amount and frequency of charges to earnings. The provision for loan losses and level of allowance for each period are dependent upon many factors, including loan growth, net charge-offs, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, delinquencies, management’s assessment of the quality of the loan portfolio, the valuation of problem loans and the general economic conditions in our market area. The determination of the amount is complex and involves a high degree of judgment and subjectivity.

 

We recorded a provision for loan losses of $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $0.9 million for the same period in 2018. We recorded net charge-offs of $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to negligible net charge offs for the same period in 2018. The ALL was $12.2 million, or 0.86% of total loans, at June 30, 2019 compared to $13.0 million, or 0.91% of total loans at June 30, 2018.

 

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income is an important component of our total revenues. A significant portion of our noninterest income is associated with service charges and income from the Bank’s subsidiaries, Ansay & Associates, LLC and UFS, LLC. Other sources of noninterest income include loan servicing fees, gains on sales of mortgage loans, and other income from strategic alliances.

 

Noninterest income decreased $0.3 million to $2.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $3.0 million for the same period in 2018. Income from our investment in UFS, LLC, increased by 25% as they continue to see significant growth in customers in their managed information technology business. Loan servicing income saw a decline of 60% quarter-over-quarter, resulting from a $0.4 million increase in the valuation of our mortgage serving rights in the second quarter of 2018 which did not recur in the second quarter of 2019.

 

The major components of our noninterest income are listed below:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30, 
   2019   2018   $ Change   % Change 
(In thousands)                
Noninterest Income                    
Service Charges  $799   $786   $13    2%
Income from Ansay & Associates, LLC   543    562    (19)   (3)%
Income from UFS, LLC   731    586    145    25%
Loan Servicing income   244    604    (360)   (60)%
Net gain on sales of mortgage loans   154    128    26    20%
Noninterest income from strategic alliances   29    21    8    38%
Other   213    340    (127)   (37)%
Total noninterest income  $2,713   $3,027   $(314)   (10)%

 

Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense decreased $0.1 million to $9.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $10.1 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease in noninterest expense was a product of many offsetting increases and decreases in the individual components of noninterest expense. Occupancy expenses increased $0.3 million from $0.5 million in the second quarter of 2018 to $0.8 million in the second quarter of 2019, the result of significant investments made during the second quarter of 2019 for equipment and facilities of branch locations anticipated to be acquired in the Partnership acquisition, a cost that was did not exist in the second quarter of 2019. Net gains and losses from sales of ORE and securities, are specific to the properties and securities which are sold and will vary greatly period to period. Charitable contributions declined significantly from the second quarter of 2018 to the second quarter of 2019 due primarily to several one-time contributions made during the second quarter of 2018 which were not repeated in the second quarter of 2019.

 

  35 

 

 

The major components of our noninterest expense are listed below:

 

   Three Months Ended June 30, 
   2019   2018   $ Change   % Change 
(In thousands)                
Noninterest Expense                    
Salaries, commissions, and employee benefits  $5,403   $5,446   $(43)   (1)%
Occupancy   832    532    300    56%
Data Processing   960    925    35    4%
Postage, stationary, and supplies   192    159    33    21%
Net gain on sales and valuation of ORE   (135)   (38)   (97)   NM 
Net (gain) loss on sales of securities   (23)   47    (70)   NM 
Advertising   53    54    (1)   (2)%
Charitable contributions   141    322    (181)   (56)%
Outside service fees   982    896    86    10%
Amortization of intangibles   161    189    (28)   (15)%
Other   1,366    1,532    (166)   (11)%
Total noninterest expenses  $9,932   $10,064   $(132)   (1)%

 

Income Tax Expense. We recorded a provision for income taxes of $1.7 million for the three months ended June, 2019 compared to a provision of $1.4 million for the same period during 2018, reflecting effective tax rates of 21.8% and 18.3%, respectively. The effective tax rates were reduced from the statutory federal and state income tax rates largely as a result of tax-exempt interest income produced by certain qualifying loans and investments in the Bank’s portfolios.

 

Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2018

 

General.   Net income decreased $0.9 million to $12.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $13.5 million for the same period in 2018. This decrease was primarily due to the reduced level of accretion to net interest income from purchase accounting marks on the loans and deposits acquired in the Waupaca acquisition during the fourth quarter of 2017. This accretion added $2.6 million to net interest income, net of tax, during the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $1.4 million, net of tax, for the same period in 2019, a reduction of $1.2 million. Due to a higher overall interest rate environment, we also experienced a 40.4% increase in interest expense, from $6.6 million in the first six months of 2018 to $9.3 million in the first six months of 2019.

 

Net Interest Income.    The management of interest income and expense is fundamental to our financial performance. Net interest income, the difference between interest income and interest expense, is the largest component of the Company’s total revenue. Management closely monitors both total net interest income and the net interest margin (net interest income divided by average earning assets). We seek to maximize net interest income without exposing the Company to an excessive level of interest rate risk through our asset and liability policies. Interest rate risk is managed by monitoring the pricing, maturity and repricing options of all classes of interest-bearing assets and liabilities. Our net interest margin can also be adversely impacted by the reversal of interest on nonaccrual loans and the reinvestment of loan payoffs into lower yielding investment securities and other short-term investments

 

Net interest and dividend income decreased by $1.5 million to $30.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $32.1 million for six months ended June 30, 2018. The decrease in net interest income was primarily due to the previously mentioned reduction in purchase accounting accretion from the first half of 2018 to the first half of 2019. Interest income on loans increased by $1.1 million, or 3.2%, during the same period. Total average interest-earning assets decreased to $1.67 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2019, negligibly different from the same period in 2018. Tax equivalent net interest margin decreased 0.16% to 3.79% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, down from 3.95% for the same period in 2018. Net interest margin declined by 0.21% due to the reduction in purchase accounting accretion quarter-over-quarter which was offset by an increase of 0.05% in core net interest margin. Net interest margin and net interest income are influenced by internal and external factors. Internal factors include balance sheet changes on both volume and mix and pricing decisions, and external factors include changes in market interest rates, competition and the shape of the interest rate yield curve.

 

  36 

 

 

Interest Income. Total interest income increased $1.2 million, or 3.1%, to $39.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $38.7 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in total interest income was primarily due a rising interest rate environment, which was offset by the reduction in purchase accounting accretion. The average balance of loans increased by $12.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $2.7 million, or 40.3%, to $9.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $6.6 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to an increasing interest rate environment.

 

Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits increased by $3.5 million to $8.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, from $5.2 million for the same period in 2018. This increase was primarily due to an increasing interest rate environment. The average cost of interest-bearing deposits was 1.58% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to 0.98% for the same period in 2018.

 

Provision for Loan Losses. Credit risk is inherent in the business of making loans. We establish an ALL through charges to earnings, which are shown in the statements of operations as the provision for loan losses. Specifically identifiable and quantifiable known losses are promptly charged off against the allowance. The provision for loan losses is determined by conducting a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of our ALL and charging the shortfall or excess, if any, to the current quarter’s expense. This has the effect of creating variability in the amount and frequency of charges to earnings. The provision for loan losses and level of allowance for each period are dependent upon many factors, including loan growth, net charge-offs, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, delinquencies, management’s assessment of the quality of the loan portfolio, the valuation of problem loans and the general economic conditions in our market area. The determination of the amount is complex and involves a high degree of judgment and subjectivity.

 

We recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to $1.4 million for the same period in 2018. We recorded net charge-offs of $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to negligible net recoveries for the same period in 2018. The ALL was $12.2 million, or 0.86% of total loans, at June 30, 2019 compared to $13.0 million, or 0.91% of total loans at June 30, 2018.

 

Noninterest Income. Noninterest income is an important component of our total revenues. A significant portion of our noninterest income is associated with service charges and income from the Bank’s subsidiaries, Ansay & Associates, LLC and UFS, LLC. Other sources of noninterest income include loan servicing fees, gains on sales of mortgage loans, and other income from strategic alliances.

 

Noninterest income decreased $0.5 million to $6.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $6.5 million for the same period in 2018. One reason for the decrease in noninterest income was a lower contribution from our investment in Ansay & Associates, LLC (Ansay). Due to a change in accounting standards, income from Ansay, which has historically been concentrated in the first two quarters of every year, will be realized much more ratably throughout the year for 2019 and years thereafter. As a result of this change, year-over-year income contributions by this investment decreased by $0.3 million for the first six months of 2019. . Loan servicing income saw a decline of 45% period-over-period, resulting from a $0.4 million increase in the valuation of our mortgage serving rights in the second quarter of 2018 which did not recur in the second quarter of 2019. Other noninterest income was positively impacted during the first half of 2019 by a revaluing of an investment which the Company holds in common stock of another financial institution, historically recorded at its cost basis, to fair value based on recent observable prices in orderly stock transactions, resulting in income of $0.6 million. The major components of our noninterest income are listed below:

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2019   2018   $ Change   % Change 
(In thousands)                
Noninterest Income                    
Service Charges  $1,478   $1,632   $(154)   (9)%
Income from Ansay & Associates, LLC   1,418    1,758    (340)   (19)%
Income from UFS, LLC   1,325    1,195    130    11%
Loan Servicing income   467    846    (379)   (45)%
Net gain on sales of mortgage loans   241    285    (44)   (15)%
Noninterest income from strategic alliances   48    44    4    9%
Other   1,042    710    332    47%
Total noninterest income  $6,019   $6,470   $(451)   (7)%

 

  37 

 

 

Noninterest Expense. Noninterest expense decreased $0.8 million to $19.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to $20.0 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease in noninterest expense was a product of many offsetting increases and decreases in the individual components of noninterest expense. Occupancy expenses decreased $0.2 million from $1.9 million in the first half of 2018 to $1.7 million in the first half of 2019, the result of significant investments made during the first quarter of 2018 for equipment and facilities of branch locations acquired in the Waupaca acquisition, a cost that outpaced similar expenditures during the second quarter of 2019 for branch locations anticipated to be acquired in the Partnership acquisition. Net gains and losses from sales of ORE and securities are specific to the properties and securities which are sold and will vary greatly period to period. Charitable contributions declined significantly from the first half of 2018 to the first half of 2019 due primarily to one multi-year contribution commitment of $0.3 million made to an organization during the first quarter of 2018 which was fully accrued for in that quarter as well as several smaller one-time contributions made in the second quarter of 2018, none of which were repeated in the first half of 2019. Outside service fees and other noninterest expense increased by a combined $0.4 million, due primarily to expenses incurred in 2019 resulting from the Company’s public company status and pending acquisition of Partnership, neither of which existed in the first half of 2018.

 

The major components of our noninterest expense are listed below:

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2019   2018   $ Change   % Change 
(In thousands)                
Noninterest Expense                    
Salaries, commissions, and employee benefits  $10,713   $10,763   $(50)   (0)%
Occupancy   1,681    1,882    (201)   (11)%
Data Processing   1,873    1,864    9    0%
Postage, stationary, and supplies   315    326    (11)   (3)%
 Net (gain) loss on sales and valuation of other real estate owned   (99)   98    (197)   NM 
Net (gain) loss on sales of securities   (257)   44    (301)   NM 
Advertising   127    106    21    20%
Charitable Contributions   272    695    (423)   (61)%
Outside service fees   1,666    1,416    250    18%
Amortization of intangibles   322    378    (56)   (15)%
Other   2,621    2,469    152    6%
Total noninterest expenses  $19,234   $20,041   $(807)   (4)%

 

Income Tax Expense. We recorded a provision for income taxes of $3.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 compared to a provision of $3.6 million for the same period during 2018, reflecting effective tax rates of 22.5% and 21.2%, respectively. The effective tax rates were reduced from the statutory federal and state income tax rates largely as a result of tax-exempt interest income produced by certain qualifying loans and investments in the Bank’s portfolios.

 

NET INTEREST MARGIN

 

Net interest income represents the difference between interest earned, primarily on loans and investments, and interest paid on funding sources, primarily deposits and borrowings. Interest rate spread is the difference between the average rate earned on total interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on total interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest margin is the amount of net interest income, on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, expressed as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. The average rate earned on earning assets is the amount of annualized taxable equivalent interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities is equal to annualized interest expense as a percentage of average interest-bearing liabilities.

  

  38 

 

 

The following tables set forth the distribution of our average assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity, and average rates earned or paid on a fully taxable equivalent basis for each of the periods indicated:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   June 30, 2019   June 30, 2018 
   Average
Balance
   Interest
Income/
Expenses (1)
   Rate Earned/ Paid
(1)
   Average
Balance
  

Interest

Income/
Expenses (1)

   Rate Earned/ Paid
(1)
 
   (dollars in thousands) 
ASSETS                        
Interest-earning assets                              
Loans (2)                              
Taxable  $1,326,394   $70,224    5.29%  $1,337,974   $68,282    5.10%
Tax-exempt   94,316    5,067    5.37%   86,579    4,390    5.07%
Securities                              
Taxable (available for sale)   74,055    2,014    2.72%   76,232    2,137    2.80%
Tax-exempt (available for sale)   51,954    1,870    3.60%   55,281    2,005    3.63%
Taxable (held to maturity)   28,977    713    2.46%   26,476    617    2.33%
Tax-exempt (held to maturity)   10,979    302    2.75%   13,243    403    3.04%
Cash and due from banks   92,929    2,186    2.35%   80,232    1,298    1.62%
Total interest-earning assets   1,679,604    82,376    4.90%   1,676,017    79,132    4.72%
Non interest-earning assets   134,201              130,651           
Allowance for loan losses   (12,275)             (12,441)          
Total assets  $1,801,530             $1,794,227           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                              
Interest-bearing deposits                              
Checking accounts  $72,458   $2,001    2.76%  $110,531   $1,228    1.11%
Savings accounts   248,539    2,671    1.07%   153,741    487    0.32%
Money market accounts   400,664    4,682    1.17%   433,925    4,237    0.98%
Certificates of deposit   363,799    7,975    2.19%   368,359    5,264    1.43%
Brokered Deposits   16,789    489    2.91%   6,222    181    2.91%
Total interest bearing deposits   1,102,249    17,818    1.62%   1,072,778    11,397    1.06%
Other borrowed funds   40,355    1,374    3.40%   143,145    3,024    2.11%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,142,604    19,192    1.68%   1,215,923    14,421    1.19%
Non-interest bearing liabilities                              
Demand Deposits   461,073              402,275           
Other liabilities   16,355              13,169           
Total Liabilities   1,620,032              1,631,367           
Shareholders' equity   181,498              162,860           
Total liabilities & sharesholders' equity  $1,801,530             $1,794,227           
Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis        63,184              64,711      
Less taxable equivalent adjustment        (1,520)             (1,420)     
Net interest income       $61,664             $63,291      
Net interest spread (3)             3.22%             3.54%
Net interest margin (4)             3.76%             3.86%

 

(1)Annualized on a fully taxable equivalent basis calculated using a federal tax rate of 21% for the period ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(2)Nonaccrual loans are included in average amounts outstanding.
(3)Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Net interest margin represents net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

 

  39 

 

 

   Six Months Ended 
   June 30, 2019   June 30, 2018 
  

Average

Balance

  

Interest

Income/
Expenses (1)

  

Rate Earned/ Paid

(1)

   Average
Balance
   Interest
Income/
Expenses (1)
   Rate Earned/ Paid
(1)
 
   (dollars in thousands) 
ASSETS                        
Interest-earning assets                              
Loans (2)                              
Taxable  $1,333,402   $70,116    5.26%  $1,329,608   $68,395    5.14%
Tax-exempt   94,056    5,009    5.33%   85,119    4,333    5.09%
Securities                              
Taxable (available for sale)   72,743    2,132    2.93%   72,055    2,152    2.99%
Tax-exempt (available for sale)   51,954    1,895    3.65%   56,752    2,054    3.62%
Taxable (held to maturity)   28,976    711    2.45%   25,955    596    2.30%
Tax-exempt (held to maturity)   11,384    318    2.79%   13,733    414    3.01%
Cash and due from banks   73,415    1,759    2.40%   90,520    1,489    1.64%
Total interest-earning assets   1,665,930    81,940    4.92%   1,673,742    79,433    4.75%
Non interest-earning assets   133,806              128,665           
Allowance for loan losses   (12,221)             (12,119)          
Total assets  $1,787,515             $1,790,288           
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                              
Interest-bearing deposits                              
Checking accounts  $75,690   $1,850    2.44%  $113,598   $1,156    1.02%
Savings accounts   235,155    2,466    1.05%   147,304    377    0.26%
Money market accounts   403,527    4,633    1.15%   440,700    4,085    0.93%
Certificates of deposit   373,556    8,030    2.15%   366,789    4,786    1.30%
Brokered Deposits   17,247    498    2.89%   3,128    91    2.91%
Total interest bearing deposits   1,105,175    17,477    1.58%   1,071,519    10,495    0.98%
Other borrowed funds   36,719    1,291    3.52%   142,239    2,879    2.02%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   1,141,894    18,768    1.64%   1,213,758    13,374    1.10%
Non-interest bearing liabilities                              
Demand Deposits   450,964              401,665           
Other liabilities   16,362              12,765           
Total Liabilities   1,609,220              1,628,188           
Shareholders' equity   178,295              162,100           
Total liabilities & sharesholders' equity  $1,787,515             $1,790,288           
Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis        63,172              66,059      
Less taxable equivalent adjustment        (1,517)             (1,421)     
Net interest income       $61,655             $64,638      
Net interest spread (3)             3.27%             3.64%
Net interest margin (4)             3.79%             3.95%

 

(1)Annualized on a fully taxable equivalent basis calculated using a federal tax rate of 21% for the period ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(2)Nonaccrual loans are included in average amounts outstanding.
(3)Interest rate spread represents the difference between the weighted average yield on interest-earning assets and the weighted average cost of interest-bearing liabilities.
(4)Net interest margin represents net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.

 

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Rate/Volume Analysis

 

The following tables describe the extent to which changes in interest rates and changes in the volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities have affected our interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. Information is provided in each category with respect to: (i) changes attributable to changes in volumes (changes in average balance multiplied by prior year average rate) and (ii) changes attributable to changes in rate (change in average interest rate multiplied by prior year average balance), while (iii) changes attributable to the combined impact of volumes and rates have been allocated proportionately to separate volume and rate categories.

 

   Three Months Ended June 30, 2019
Compared with
   Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Compared with
 
   Three Months Ended June 30, 2018   Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 
   Increase/(Decrease) Due to Change
in
   Increase/(Decrease) Due to Change
in
 
   Volume   Rate   Total   Volume   Rate   Total 
   (dollars in thousands)   (dollars in thousands) 
Interest income                              
Loans                              
Taxable  $(584)  $2,526   $1,942   $196   $1,525   $1,721 
Tax-exempt   406    271    677    470    206    676 
Securities                              
Taxable (AFS)   (60)   (63)   (123)   21    (41)   (20)
Tax-exempt (AFS)   (120)   (15)   (135)   (175)   16    (159)
Taxable (HTM)   60    36    96    72    43    115 
Tax-exempt (HTM)   (65)   (36)   (101)   (67)   (29)   (96)
Cash and due from banks   230    658    888    (191)   461    270 
Total interest income   (133)   3,377    3,244    326    2,181    2,507 
Interest expense                              
Deposits                              
Checking accounts  $(233)  $1,006   $773   $(217)  $911   $694 
Savings accounts   448    1,736    2,184    337    1,752    2,089 
Money market accounts   (284)   729    445    (300)   848    548 
Certificates of deposit   (64)   2,775    2,711    90    3,154    3,244 
Brokered Deposits   308    0    308    408    (1)   407 
Total interest bearing deposits   175    6,246    6,421    318    6,664    6,982 
Other borrowed funds   (2,202)   551    (1,650)   (2,136)   548    (1,588)
Total interest expense   (2,027)   6,798    4,771    (1,818)   7,212    5,394 
Change in net interest income  $1,894   $(3,421)  $(1,527)  $2,144   $(5,031)  $(2,887)

 

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CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

Total Assets. Total assets increased $13.3 million, or 0.7%, to $1.81 billion at June 30, 2019, from $1.79 billion at December 31, 2018.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents increased by $18.2 million to $125.9 million at June 30, 2019 from $107.7 million at December 31, 2018.

 

Investment Securities. The carrying value of total investment securities decreased by $0.1 million to $159.6 million at June 30, 2019, from $159.7 million at December 31, 2018.

 

Loans. Net loans decreased by $9.2 million, totaling $1.41 billion at June 30, 2019 compared to $1.42 billion at December 31, 2018.

 

Bank-Owned Life Insurance. At June 30, 2019, our investment in bank-owned life insurance was $24.5 million, an increase of $0.3 million from $24.2 million at December 31, 2018.

 

Deposits. Deposits increased $17.8 million, or 1.1%, to $1.57 billion at June 30, 2019 from $1.56 billion at December 31, 2018.

 

Borrowings. At June 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, borrowings consisted of subordinated debt to other banks totaling $11.5 million.

 

Stockholders’ Equity. Total stockholders’ equity increased $11.1 million, or 6.2%, to $185.4 million at June 30, 2019, from $174.3 million at December 31, 2018.

 

LOANS

 

Our lending activities are conducted principally in Wisconsin. The Bank makes commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, construction and development loans, residential real estate loans, and a variety of consumer loans and other loans. Much of the loans made by the Bank are secured by real estate collateral. The Bank’s commercial business loans are primarily made based on the cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower, with liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral typically being viewed as the primary source of repayment in the event of borrower default. Although commercial business loans are also often collateralized by equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, or other business assets, the liquidation of collateral in the event of default is often an insufficient source of repayment. Repayment of the Bank’s residential loans are generally dependent on the health of the employment market in the borrowers’ geographic areas and that of the general economy with liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral being typically viewed as the primary source of repayment in the event of borrower default.

 

Our loan portfolio is our most significant earning asset, comprising 78.6% and 79.7% of our total assets as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Our strategy is to grow our loan portfolio by originating quality commercial and consumer loans that comply with our credit policies and that produce revenues consistent with our financial objectives. We believe our loan portfolio is well-balanced, which provides us with the opportunity to grow while monitoring our loan concentrations.

 

Loans decreased $9.3 million, or 0.7%, to $1.42 billion as of June 30, 2019 as compared to $1.43 billion as of December 31, 2018. This decline during the first six months of 2019 has been comprised of an decrease of $25.7 million or 8.6% in commercial and industrial loans, an increase of $1.8 million or 0.3% in commercial real estate loans, an increase of $12.6 million or 20.7% in construction and development loans, an increase of $1.6 million or 0.4% in residential 1-4 family loans and an increase of $0.4 million or 1.3% in consumer and other loans. The decrease in loans during the six months ended June 30, 2019 is attributable to modest organic loan growth, which was more than offset by a planned reduction of a portion of the loan portfolio acquired from Waupaca. The reduction of a portion of the loan portfolio acquired from Waupaca focused on out of market loans as well as loans of poor asset quality.

 

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The following table presents the balance and associated percentage of each major category in our loan portfolio at June 30, 2019, December 31, 2018, and June 30, 2018:

 

   June 30,   December 31,   June 30, 
   2019   % of Total   2018   % of Total   2018   % of Total 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Commercial & industrial                              
Commercial & industrial  $271,838    19%  $297,576    21%  $314,087    22%
Deferred costs net of unearned fees   (207)   0%   (248)   0%   (278)   0%
Total commercial & industrial   271,631    19%   297,328    21%   313,809    22%
Commercial real estate                              
Owner Occupied   415,451    29%   416,097    29%   415,097    29%
Non-owner occupied   255,072    18%   252,717    18%   226,677    16%
Deferred costs net of unearned fees   (428)   0%   (465)   0%   (326)   0%
Total commercial real estate   670,095    47%   668,349    47%   641,448    45%
Construction & Development                              
Construction & Development   73,522    5%   60,927    4%   67,558    5%
Deferred costs net of unearned fees   (106)   0%   (125)   0%   (86)   0%
Total construction & development   73,416    5%   60,802    4%   67,472    5%
Residential 1-4 family                              
Residential 1-4 family   370,261    26%   368,673    26%   365,502    25%
Deferred costs net of unearned fees   43    0%   17    0%   239    0%
Total residential 1-4 family   370,304    26%   368,690    26%   365,741    25%
Consumer                              
Consumer   28,138    2%   26,854    2%   40,226    3%
Deferred costs net of unearned fees   114    0%   101    0%   94    0%
Total consumer   28,252    2%   26,955    2%   40,320    3%
Other Loans                              
Other   5,493    0%   6,369    0%   5,714    0%
Deferred costs net of unearned fees   1    0%   1    0%   -    0%
Total other loans   5,494    0%   6,370    0%   5,714    0%
Total loans  $1,419,192    100%  $1,428,494    100%  $1,434,504    100%

  

Our directors and officers and their associates are customers of, and have other transactions with, the Bank in the normal course of business. All loans and commitments included in such transactions were made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and do not involve more than normal risk of collection or present other unfavorable features. At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, total loans outstanding to such directors and officers and their associates were $82.9 million and $84.1 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, $15.1 million of additions and $16.3 million of repayments were made to these loans. At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, all of the loans to directors and officers were performing according to their original terms.

 

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Loan categories

 

The principal categories of our loan portfolio are discussed below:

 

Commercial and Industrial (C&I). Our C&I portfolio totaled $271.6 million and $297.3 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and represented 19% and 21% of our total loans at those dates.

 

Our C&I loan customers represent various small and middle-market established businesses involved in professional services, accommodation and food services, health care, financial services, wholesale trade, manufacturing, distribution, retailing and non-profits. Most clients are privately owned with markets that range from local to national in scope. Many of the loans to this segment are secured by liens on corporate assets and the personal guarantees of the principals. The regional economic strength or weakness impacts the relative risks in this loan category. There is little concentration in any one business sector, and loan risks are generally diversified among many borrowers.

 

Commercial Real Estate (CRE). Our CRE loan portfolio totaled $670.1 million and $668.3 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and represented 47% of our total loans at both of those dates.

 

Our CRE loans are secured by a variety of property types including multifamily dwellings, retail facilities, office buildings, commercial mixed use, lodging and industrial and warehouse properties. We do not have any specific industry or customer concentrations in our CRE portfolio. Our commercial real estate loans are generally for terms up to ten years, with loan-to-values that generally do not exceed 80%. Amortization schedules are long term and thus a balloon payment is generally due at maturity. Under most circumstances, the Bank will offer to rewrite or otherwise extend the loan at prevailing interest rates.

 

Construction and Development (C&D). Our C&D loan portfolio totaled $73.4 million and $60.8 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and represented 5% and 4% of our total loans at those dates.

 

Our C&D loans are generally for the purpose of creating value out of real estate through construction and development work, and also include loans used to purchase recreational use land. Borrowers typically provide a copy of a construction or development contract which is subject to bank acceptance prior to loan approval. Disbursements are handled by a title company. Borrowers are required to inject their own equity into the project prior to any note proceeds being disbursed. These loans are, by their nature, intended to be short term and are refinanced into other loan types at the end of the construction and development period.

 

Residential 1 – 4 Family. Residential 1 – 4 family loans held in portfolio amounted to $370.3 million and $368.7 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and represented 26% of our total loans at both of those dates.

 

We offer fixed and adjustable-rate residential mortgage loans with maturities up to 30 years. One-to-four family residential mortgage loans are generally underwritten according to Fannie Mae guidelines, and we refer to loans that conform to such guidelines as “conforming loans.” We generally originate both fixed and adjustable-rate mortgage loans in amounts up to the maximum conforming loan limits as established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, which is generally $424,100 for one-unit properties. In addition, we also offer loans above conforming lending limits typically referred to as “jumbo” loans. These loans are typically underwritten to the same guidelines as conforming loans; however, we may choose to hold a jumbo loan within its portfolio with underwriting criteria that does not exactly match conforming guidelines.

 

We do not offer reverse mortgages nor do we offer loans that provide for negative amortization of principal, such as “Option ARM” loans, where the borrower can pay less than the interest owed on his loan, resulting in an increased principal balance during the life of the loan. We also do not offer “subprime loans” (loans that are made with low down payments to borrowers with weakened credit histories typically characterized by payment delinquencies, previous charge-offs, judgments, bankruptcies, or borrowers with questionable repayment capacity as evidenced by low credit scores or high debt-burden ratios) or Alt-A loans (defined as loans having less than full documentation).

 

Residential real estate loans are originated both for sale to the secondary market as well as for retention in the Bank’s loan portfolio. The decision to sell a loan to the secondary market or retain within the portfolio is determined based on a variety of factors including but not limited to our asset/liability position, the current interest rate environment, and customer preference. Servicing rights are retained on all loans sold to the secondary market.

 

We were servicing mortgage loans sold to others without recourse of approximately $319.2 million at June 30, 2019 and $316.5 million at December 31, 2018.

 

Loans sold with the retention of servicing assets result in the capitalization of servicing rights. Loan servicing rights are included in other assets and are carried at fair value. The net balance of capitalized servicing rights amounted to $3.1 million at both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019.

 

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Consumer Loans. Our consumer loan portfolio totaled $28.3 million and $27.0 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and represented 2% of our total loans at those dates. Consumer loans include secured and unsecured loans, lines of credit and personal installment loans.

 

Consumer loans generally have greater risk compared to longer-term loans secured by improved, owner-occupied real estate, particularly consumer loans that are secured by rapidly depreciable assets. In these cases, any repossessed collateral for a defaulted loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the outstanding loan balance. As a result, consumer loan repayments are dependent on the borrower’s continuing financial stability and thus are more likely to be adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.

 

Other Loans. Our other loans totaled $5.5 million and $6.4 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, and are immaterial to the overall loan portfolio. The other loans category consists primarily of over-drafted depository accounts, loans utilized to purchase or carry securities and loans to nonprofit organizations.

 

Loan Portfolio Maturities. The following tables summarize the dollar amount of loans maturing in our portfolio based on their loan type and contractual terms to maturity at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The tables do not include any estimate of prepayments, which can significantly shorten the average life of all loans and may cause our actual repayment experience to differ from that shown below. Demand loans, loans having no stated repayment schedule or maturity, and overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less.

 

The following tables summarize the dollar amount of loans maturing in our portfolio based on whether the loan has a fixed or variable rate of interest and their contractual terms to maturity at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The tables do not include any estimate of prepayments, which can significantly shorten the average life of all loans and may cause our actual repayment experience to differ from that shown below. Demand loans, loans having no stated repayment schedule or maturity, and overdraft loans are reported as being due in one year or less.

 

As of June 30, 2019  One Year or
Less
   One to Five
Years
   Over Five
Years
   Total 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Commercial & industrial  $91,663   $111,403   $68,565   $271,631 
Commercial real estate   107,408    328,491    234,196    670,095 
Construction & Development   23,794    30,196    19,426    73,416 
Residential 1-4 family   26,835    61,228    282,241    370,304 
Consumer and other   5,800    20,747    7,199    33,746 
Total  $255,500   $552,065   $611,627   $1,419,192 

 

As of December 31, 2018  One Year or
Less
  

One to Five

Years

   Over Five
Years
   Total 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Commercial & industrial  $89,358   $111,354   $96,616   $297,328 
Commercial real estate   114,017    313,836    240,496    668,349 
Construction & Development   28,357    19,721    12,724    60,802 
Residential 1-4 family   27,987    69,206    271,497    368,690 
Consumer and other   4,980    21,385    6,960    33,325 
Total  $264,699   $535,502   $628,293   $1,428,494 

 

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As of June 30, 2019  One Year or
Less
   One to Five
Years
   Over Five
Years
   Total 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Predetermined interest rates  $133,480   $438,290   $256,695   $828,465 
Floating or adjustable interest rates   122,020    113,775    354,932    590,727 
Total  $255,500   $552,065   $611,627   $1,419,192 
                     

 

As of December 31, 2018 

One Year or

Less

   One to Five
Years
   Over Five
Years
   Total 
   (dollars in thousands)
Predetermined interest rates  $143,333   $412,100   $267,221   $822,654 
Floating or adjustable interest rates   121,366    123,402    361,072    605,840 
Total  $264,699   $535,502   $628,293   $1,428,494 

  

NONPERFORMING LOANS AND TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS

 

In order to operate with a sound risk profile, we focus on originating loans that we believe to be of high quality. We have established loan approval policies and procedures to assist us in maintaining the overall quality of our loan portfolio. When delinquencies in our loans exist, we rigorously monitor the levels of such delinquencies for any negative or adverse trends. From time to time, we may modify loans to extend the term or make other concessions to help a borrower with a deteriorating financial condition stay current on their loan and to avoid foreclosure. We generally do not forgive principal or interest on loans or modify the interest rates on loans to rates that are below market rates. Furthermore, we are committed to collecting on all of our loans and, as a result, at times have lower net charge-offs compared to many of our peer banks. We believe that our commitment to collecting on all of our loans results in higher loan recoveries.

 

Our nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans and foreclosed real estate. Nonperforming loans are those on which the accrual of interest has stopped, as well as loans that are contractually 90 days past due on which interest continues to accrue. The composition of our nonperforming assets is as follows:

 

   June 30,   December 31,   June 30, 
   2019   2018   2018 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Nonaccruals  $13,611   $20,099   $19,431 
Loans past due > 90 days, but still accruing   3,433    423    1,066 
Total nonperforming loans  $17,044   $20,522   $20,497 
Accruing troubled debt resructured loans  $176   $179   $182 
Nonperforming loans as a percent of gross loans   1.20%   1.44%   1.43%
Nonperforming loans as a percent of total assets   0.94%   1.14%   1.18%

  

At June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, impaired loans had specific reserves of $2.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The increase year-over-year is due to a $1.7 million specific reserve established on one loan during the first quarter of 2019.

 

Nonaccrual Loans

 

Loans are typically placed on nonaccrual status when any payment of principal and/or interest is 90 days or more past due, unless the collateral is sufficient to cover both principal and interest and the loan is in the process of collection. Loans are also placed on nonaccrual status when management believes, after considering economic and business conditions, that the principal or interest will not be collectible in the normal course of business. We monitor closely the performance of our loan portfolio. In addition to the monitoring and review of loan performance internally, we have also contracted with an independent organization to review our commercial and retail loan portfolios. The status of delinquent loans, as well as situations identified as potential problems, is reviewed on a regular basis by senior management.

 

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Troubled Debt Restructurings

 

A troubled debt restructuring includes a loan modification where a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and we grant a concession to that borrower that we would not otherwise consider except for the borrower’s financial difficulties. These concessions may include modifications of the terms of the debt such as deferral of payments, extension of maturity, reduction of principal balance, reduction of the stated interest rate other than normal market rate adjustments, or a combination of these concessions. Debt may be bifurcated with separate terms for each tranche of the restructured debt. Restructuring a loan in lieu of aggressively enforcing the collection of the loan may benefit the Company by increasing the ultimate probability of collection.

 

A TDR may be either on accrual or nonaccrual status based upon the performance of the borrower and management’s assessment of collectability. If a TDR is placed on nonaccrual status, which would occur based on the same criteria as non-TDR loans, it remains there until a sufficient period of performance under the restructured terms has occurred at which it returned to accrual status, generally 6 months.

 

As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 the Company had specific reserves of $1.7 million and $0.4 million for TDRs, respectively, and none of them have subsequently defaulted.

 

Classified loans

 

Accounting standards require the Company to identify loans, where full repayment of principal and interest is doubtful, as impaired loans. These standards require that impaired loans be valued at the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or using one of the following methods: the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the underlying collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. We have implemented these standards in our quarterly review of the adequacy of the ALL, and identify and value impaired loans in accordance with guidance on these standards. As part of the review process, we also identify loans classified as watch, which have a potential weakness that deserves management’s close attention.

 

Loans totaling $54.5 million were classified substandard under the Bank’s policy at June 30, 2019 and loans totaling $67.6 million were classified substandard under the Bank’s policy as of December 31, 2018. The following table sets forth information related to the credit quality of our loan portfolio at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

 

Loan type (in thousands)  Pass   Watch   Substandard   Total 
As of June 30, 2019 (unaudited)                    
Commercial & industrial  $219,271   $35,795   $16,565   $271,631 
Commercial real estate   524,287    109,339    36,469    670,095 
Construction & Development   68,001    5,415    -    73,416 
Residential 1-4 family   361,260    7,557    1,487    370,304 
Consumer   28,207    42    3    28,252 
Other loans   2,013    3,481    -    5,494 
Total loans  $1,203,039   $161,629   $54,524   $1,419,192 
                     
Loan type (in thousands)  Pass   Watch   Substandard   Total 
As of December 31, 2018                    
Commercial & industrial  $237,367   $40,377   $19,584   $297,328 
Commercial real estate   497,871    126,904    43,574    668,349 
Construction & Development   57,967    2,774    61    60,802 
Residential 1-4 family   351,772    12,534    4,384    368,690 
Consumer   26,887    49    19    26,955 
Other loans   3,112    3,258    -    6,370 
Total loans  $1,174,976   $185,896   $67,622   $1,428,494 

 

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ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

ALL represents management’s estimate of probable and inherent credit losses in the loan portfolio. Estimating the amount of the ALL require the exercise of significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows or impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogenous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of other qualitative factors such as current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset on the consolidated balance sheets. Loan losses are charged off against the ALL, while recoveries of amounts previously charged off are credited to the ALL. A provision for loan losses is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of the factors previously mentioned, as well as other pertinent factors.

 

The ALL consists of specific reserves for certain individually evaluated impaired loans and general reserves for collectively evaluated non-impaired loans. Specific reserves reflect estimated losses on impaired loans from management’s analyses developed through specific credit allocations. The specific reserves are based on regular analyses of impaired, non-homogenous loans greater than $250,000. These analyses involve a high degree of judgment in estimating the amount of loss associated with specific loans, including estimating the amount and timing of future cash flows and collateral values. The general reserve is based in part on the Bank’s historical loss experience which is updated quarterly. The general reserve portion of the ALL also includes consideration of certain qualitative factors such as (1) changes in lending policies and/or underwriting practices, (2) national and local economic conditions, (3) changes in portfolio volume and nature, (4) experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff, (5) levels of and trends in past-due and nonaccrual loans and quality, (6) changes in loan review and oversight, (7) impact and effects of concentrations and (8) other issues deemed relevant.

 

There are many factors affecting ALL; some are quantitative while others require qualitative judgment. The process for determining the ALL (which management believes adequately considers potential factors which might possibly result in credit losses) includes subjective elements and, therefore, may be susceptible to significant change. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, additional provision for loan losses could be required that could adversely affect our earnings or financial position in future periods. Allocations of the ALL may be made for specific loans but the entire ALL is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off or for which an actual loss is realized. As an integral part of their examination process, various regulatory agencies review the ALL as well. Such agencies may require that changes in the ALL be recognized when such regulators’ credit evaluations differ from those of management based on information available to the regulators at the time of their examinations.

 

  48 

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in our ALL for the periods indicated:

 

   Six months ended
June 30,
  

Year ended

December 31,

   Six months ended
June 30,
 
   2019   2018   2018 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Period-end loans outstanding (net of unearned discount and deferred loan fees)  $1,419,192   $1,428,494   $1,434,504 
Average loans outstanding (net of unearned discount and deferred loan fees)  $1,427,458   $1,425,867   $1,414,727 
Balance of allowance for loan losses at the beginning of period  $12,248   $11,612   $11,612 
Loans charged-off:               
Commercial & industrial   594    35    - 
Commercial real estate - owner occupied   659    2,374    17 
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied   54    -    1 
Construction & Development   -    83    83 
Residential 1-4 family   11    140    81 
Consumer   11    48    3 
Other Loans   8    37    23 
Total loans charged-off   1,337    2,717    208 
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:               
Commercial & industrial   1    2    1 
Commercial real estate - owner occupied   2    158    58 
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied   1    3    2 
Construction & Development   -    -    - 
Residential 1-4 family   122    233    188 
Consumer   4    12    3 
Other Loans   4    10    6 
Total recoveries of loans previously charged off:   134    418    258 
Net Loan charge-offs (recoveries)   1,203    2,299    (50)
Provision charged to operating expense   1,125    2,935    1,385 
Balance at end of period  $12,170   $12,248   $13,047 
Ratio of net charge offs (recoveries) during the year to average loans outstanding   0.17%   0.16%   (0.01)%
Ratio of allowance for loan losses to loans outstanding   0.86%   0.86%   0.91%

 

The level of charge-offs depends on many factors, including the national and regional economy. Cyclical lagging factors may result in charge-offs being higher than historical levels. Although the allowance is allocated between categories, the entire allowance is available to absorb losses attributable to all loan categories. Management believes that the current ALL is adequate.

 

The following table summarizes an allocation of the ALL and the related percentage of loans outstanding in each category for the periods below.

 

   June 30, 2019   December 31, 2018   June 30, 2018 
(in thousands, except %)  Amount   % of
Loans
   Amount   % of
Loans
   Amount   % of
Loans
 
Loan Type:                              
Commercial & industrial  $2,143    19%  $3,021    21%  $3,405    22%
Commercial real estate - owner occupied   5,433    29%   3,459    29%   3,281    29%
Commercial real estate - non-owner occupied   1,948    18%   2,100    18%   2,165    16%
Construction & Development   411    5%   725    4%   878    5%
Residential 1-4 family   2,027    26%   2,472    26%   2,802    25%
Consumer   139    2%   148    2%   248    3%
Other Loans   29    0%   32    0%   49    0%
Unallocated   40         291         219      
Total allowance  $12,170    100%  $12,248    100%  $13,047    100%

 

  49 

 

 

SOURCES OF FUNDS

 

General. Deposits traditionally have been our primary source of funds for our investment and lending activities. We also borrow from the FHLB of Chicago to supplement cash needs, to lengthen the maturities of liabilities for interest rate risk management purposes and to manage our cost of funds. Our additional sources of funds are scheduled payments and prepayments of principal and interest on loans and investment securities and fee income and proceeds from the sales of loans and securities.

 

Deposits. Our current deposit products include non-interest bearing and interest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts, and certificate of deposits. As of June 30, 2019, deposit liabilities accounted for approximately 87.2% of our total liabilities and equity. We accept deposits primarily from customers in the communities in which our branches and offices are located, as well as from small businesses and other customers throughout our lending area. We rely on our competitive pricing and products, quality customer service, and convenient locations and hours to attract and retain deposits. Deposit rates and terms are based primarily on current business strategies, market interest rates, liquidity requirements and our deposit growth goals.

 

Total deposits were $1.57 billion and $1.56 billion as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Noninterest-bearing deposits at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, were $481.4 million and $448.8 million, respectively, while interest-bearing deposits were $1.10 billion and $1.11 billion at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

 

At June 30, 2019, we had a total of $368.3 million in certificates of deposit, including $15.1 million of brokered deposits. Based on historical experience and our current pricing strategy, we believe we will retain a majority of these accounts upon maturity, although our long-term strategy is to minimize reliance on certificates of deposits by increasing relationship deposits in lower earning savings and demand deposit accounts.

 

The following tables set forth the average balances of our deposits for the periods indicated:

 

   Six months ended June 30, 2019   Year ended December 31, 2018   Six months ended June 30, 2018 
   Amount   Percent   Weighted
average rate
   Amount   Percent   Weighted
average rate
   Amount   Percent   Weighted
average rate
 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits  $450,964    29.0%   N/A   $408,403    27.5%   N/A   $401,665    27.3%   N/A 
Interest-bearing checking deposits   75,690    4.9%   2.44%   99,894    6.7%   1.13%   113,598    7.7%   1.02%
Savings deposits   235,155    15.1%   1.05%   168,254    11.3%   0.52%   147,304    10.0%   0.26%
Money market accounts   403,527    25.9%   1.15%   428,052    28.8%   0.99%   440,700    29.9%   0.93%
Certificates of deposit   373,556    24.0%   2.15%   371,332    25.0%   1.57%   366,789    24.9%   1.30%
Brokered deposits   17,247    1.1%   2.89%   10,476    0.7%   2.91%   3,128    0.2%   2.91%
Total  $1,556,139    100%       $1,486,411    100%       $1,473,184    100%     

  

Certificates of deposit of $100,000 or greater by maturity are as follows:

 

   June 30,   December 31,   June 30, 
   2019   2018   2018 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Less than 3 months remaining  $19,944   $26,366   $24,157 
3 to 6 months remaining   20,503    46,593    14,802 
6 to 12 months remaining   46,014    35,932    67,201 
12 months or more remaining   91,221    89,501    67,083 
Total  $177,682   $198,392   $173,243 

 

  50 

 

 

Retail certificates of deposit of $100,000 or greater totaled $177.7 million and $198.4 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Interest expense on retail certificates of deposit of $100,000 or greater was $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019, and $2.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

 

The following table sets forth certificates of deposit classified by interest rate as of the dates indicated:

 

   June 30,   December 31,   June 30, 
   2019   2018   2018 
   (dollars in thousands)     
Interest Rate:               
Less than 1.00%  $852   $1,824   $5,541 
1.00% to 1.99%   122,398    164,366    241,151 
2.00% to 2.99%   212,328    204,825    123,589 
3.00% to 3.99%   32,734    29,142    18,963 
Total  $368,312   $400,157   $389,244 

  

Borrowings

 

Securities sold under repurchase agreements

 

The Company has securities sold under repurchase agreements which have contractual maturities up to one year from the transaction date with variable and fixed rate terms. The agreements to repurchase require that the Company (seller) repurchase identical securities as those that are sold. The securities underlying the agreements are under the Company’s control.

 

The following table summarizes securities sold under repurchase agreements, and the weighted average interest rates paid:

 

(dollars in thousands) 

Six months ended

June 30, 2019

   Year ended
December 31, 2018
   Six months ended
June 30, 2018
 
Average daily amount of securities sold under repurchase agreements during the period  $25,178   $22,315   $28,315 
Weighted average interest rate on average daily securities sold under repurcase agreements   2.38%   1.79%   1.58%
Maximum outstanding securities sold under repourchase agreements at any month-end  $42,338   $48,010   $48,010 
Securities sold under repruchase agreements at period end  $20,034   $31,489   $13,433 
Weighted average interest rate on short-term borrowing at period end   2.30%   2.43%   1.97%

 

Short-term borrowings

 

The Company’s short-term borrowings have historically consisted primarily of short-term FHLB of Chicago advances collateralized by a blanket pledge agreement on the Company’s FHLB capital stock and retail and commercial loans held in the Company’s portfolio. There were no advances outstanding from the FHLB at June 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018. From time to time the Company utilized short-term FHLB advances to fund liquidity during 2018.

 

The total loans pledged as collateral were $678.1 million at June 30, 2019 and $697.3 million at December 31, 2018. Outstanding letters of credit from the FHLB totaled $55.0 million at both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

 

  51 

 

 

The following table summarizes short-term borrowings (borrowings with maturities of one year or less), which consist of borrowings from the FHLB, and the weighted average interest rates paid:

 

(dollars in thousands)  Six months ended
June 30, 2019
   Year ended
December 31, 2018
   Six months ended
June 30, 2018
 
Average daily amount of short-term borrowings outstanding during the period  $-   $73,464   $95,855 
Weighted average interest rate on average daily short-term borrowing   NA    1.75%   1.59%
Maximum outstanding short-term borrowings outstanding at any month-end  $-   $100,000   $100,000 
Short-term borrowing outstanding at period end  $-   $-   $40,000 
Weighted average intrest rate on short-term borrowing at period end   NA    NA    2.03%

 

Lines of credit and other borrowings.

 

We maintain a $5.0 million line of credit with a commercial bank. There were no outstanding balances on this note as of June 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018. Any future borrowings under this note would carry interest at a variable rate with a floor of 3.50%, due in full on May 25, 2019.

 

We also maintain a $5.0 million line of credit with another commercial bank. There were no outstanding balances on this note as of June 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018. Any future borrowings under this note would carry interest at a variable rate with a floor of 3.25%, due in full on May 19, 2019.

 

During September 2017, the Company entered into subordinated note agreements with three separate commercial banks, where the Company had up to twelve months from entering these agreements to borrow funds up to a maximum availability of $22.5 million. As of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, outstanding balances under these agreements totaled $11.5 million. These notes were all issued with 10-year maturities, carry interest at a variable rate payable quarterly, are callable on or after the sixth anniversary of their issuance dates, and qualify for Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.

 

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

 

Our securities portfolio consists of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity. Securities are classified as held to maturity or available for sale at the time of purchase. U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of states and political subdivisions and mortgage-backed securities, all of which are issued by U.S. government agencies or U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, make up the largest components of the securities portfolio. We manage our investment portfolio to provide an adequate level of liquidity as well as to maintain neutral interest rate-sensitive positions, while earning an adequate level of investment income without taking undue or excessive risk.

 

Securities available for sale consist of obligations of states and political subdivision, mortgage-backed securities, and corporate notes. Securities classified as available for sale, which management has the intent and ability to hold for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity, are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of related deferred income taxes, included in stockholders’ equity as a separate component of other comprehensive income. The fair value of securities available for sale totaled $120.1 million and included gross unrealized gains of $3.8 million and gross unrealized losses of $0.1 million at June 30, 2019. At December, 31 2018, the fair value of securities available for sale totaled $118.9 million and included gross unrealized gains of $0.8 million and gross unrealized losses of $1.4 million.

 

  52 

 

 

Securities classified as held to maturity consist of U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of states and political subdivisions. These securities, which management has the intent and ability to hold to maturity, are reported at amortized cost. Securities held to maturity totaled $39.6 million and $40.8 million at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

 

The Company recognized a net gain of $0.2 million on the sale of an investment previously classified as an “other investment” and a $22,000 gain on sale of available for sale securities during the six-months ended June 30, 2019, and a net loss on sale of available for sale securities of $44,000 during the six-months ended June 30, 2018.

 

The following table sets forth the fair value of available for sale investment securities, the amortized costs of held to maturity and the percentage distribution at the dates indicated:

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2019   2018 
   Amount   Percent   Amount   Percent 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Available for sale securities, at estimated fair value                    
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $51,181    43%  $51,893    44%
Mortgage-backed securities   52,031    43%   50,569    42%
Corporate notes   16,871    14%   16,444    14%
Total securities available for sale   120,083    100%   118,906    100%
Held to maturity securities, at amortized cost                    
U.S. Treasury securities   28,978    73%   28,975    71%
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   10,559    27%   11,793    29%
Total securities held to maturity   39,537    100%   40,768    100%
Total  $159,620        $159,674      

 

  53 

 

 

The following tables set forth the composition and maturities of investment securities as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

   Within One Year   After One, But Within Five
Years
   After Five, But Within Ten
Years
   After Ten Years   Total 
   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
 
                   (dollars in thousands)                 
At June 30, 2019                                        
Available for sale securities                                                  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $2,533    4.2%  $6,361    3.3%  $9,827    3.6%  $30,309    3.9%  $49,030    3.8%
Mortgage-backed securities   1,666    2.1%   11,046    2.4%   36,273    2.9%   1,625    3.3%   50,610    2.8%
Corporate notes   -    -    16,761    3.0%   -    -    -    -    16,761    3.0%
Total available for sale securities   4,199    3.4%   34,168    2.9%   46,100    3.1%   31,934    3.9%   116,401    3.2%
Held to maturity securities                                                  
U.S. Treasury securities   1,496    2.0%   11,017    2.6%   16,465    2.5%   -    -%   28,978    2.5%
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   828    2.5%   3,621    2.5%   3,201    2.8%   2,909    3.8%   10,559    3.0%
Total held to maturity securities   2,324    2.2%   14,638    2.6%   19,666    2.6%   2,909    3.8%   39,537    2.6%
Total  $6,523    2.9%  $48,806    2.8%  $65,766    2.9%  $34,843    3.9%  $155,938    3.1%

 

   Within One Year  

After One, But Within Five

Years

   After Five, But Within Ten
Years
   After Ten Years   Total 
   Amortized
Cost
   Weighted
Average
Yield (1)
   Amortized
Cost
  

Weighted

Average
Yield (1)

   Amortized
Cost
  

Weighted

Average
Yield (1)

   Amortized
Cost
  

Weighted
Average

Yield (1)

   Amortized
Cost
  

Weighted

Average
Yield (1)

 
                   (dollars in thousands)                 
At December 31, 2018                                        
Available for sale securities                                                  
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $3,681    3.4%  $6,438    3.3%  $8,092    3.5%  $33,081    3.9%  $51,292    3.7%
Mortgage-backed securities   1,838    1.6%   13,009    2.4%   34,810    2.9%   1,862    3.2%   51,519    2.7%
Corporate notes   -    -    11,770    2.9%   4,938    3.3%   -    -    16,708    3.0%
Total available for sale securities   5,519    2.8%   31,217    2.7%   47,840    3.0%   34,943    3.9%   119,519    3.2%
Held to maturity securities                                                  
U.S. Treasury securities   1,492    2.0%   11,020    2.6%   16,463    2.5%   -    -%   28,975    2.5%
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   1,434    3.3%   3,140    2.1%   3,440    2.8%   3,779    3.6%   11,793    3.0%
Total held to maturity securities   2,926    2.6%   14,160    2.5%   19,903    2.6%   3,779    3.6%   40,768    2.6%
Total  $8,445    2.7%  $45,377    2.7%  $67,743    2.9%  $38,722    3.8%  $160,287    3.0%

  

(1)Weighted Average Yield is shown on a fully taxable equivalent basis using a federal tax rate of 21% at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

 

  54 

 

  

The Company evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) credit quality of individual securities and their issuers are assessed; (2) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost; (3) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; and (4) that the Company does not have the intent to sell the security and it is more likely than not that it will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis.

 

As of June 30, 2019, 13 debt securities had gross unrealized losses, with an aggregate depreciation of 0.09% from our amortized cost basis. The largest unrealized loss percentage of any single security was 2.45% (or $97,400) of its amortized cost. This was also the largest unrealized dollar loss of any security.

 

As of December 31, 2018, 64 debt securities had gross unrealized losses, with an aggregate depreciation of 1.11% from our amortized cost basis. The largest unrealized loss percentage of any single security was 4.98% (or $148,000) of its amortized cost. This was also the largest unrealized dollar loss of any security.

 

The unrealized losses on these debt securities arose primarily due to changing interest rates and are considered to be temporary.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices. Our consolidated financial statements and related notes have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. GAAP generally requires the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars without consideration of changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations. Unlike industrial companies, our assets and liabilities are primarily monetary in nature. As a result, changes in market interest rates have a greater impact on our performance than they would on industrial companies.

 

Liquidity. Liquidity is defined as the Company’s ability to generate adequate cash to meet its needs for day-to-day operations and material long and short-term commitments. Liquidity is the risk of potential loss if we were unable to meet our funding requirements at a reasonable cost. We are expected to maintain adequate liquidity at the Bank to meet the cash flow requirements of customers who may be either depositors wishing to withdraw funds or borrowers needing assurance that sufficient funds will be available to meet their credit needs. Our asset and liability management policy is intended to cause the Bank to maintain adequate liquidity and, therefore, enhance our ability to raise funds to support asset growth, meet deposit withdrawals and lending needs, maintain reserve requirements and otherwise sustain our operations.

 

We continuously monitor our liquidity position to ensure that assets and liabilities are managed in a manner that will meet all of our short-term and long-term cash requirements. We manage our liquidity based on demand and specific events and uncertainties to meet current and future financial obligations of a short-term nature. We also monitor our liquidity requirements in light of interest rate trends, changes in the economy and the scheduled maturity and interest rate sensitivity of the investment and loan portfolios and deposits. Our objective in managing liquidity is to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers as well as to increase earnings enhancement opportunities in a changing marketplace.

 

Our liquidity is maintained through investment portfolio, deposits, borrowings from the FHLB, and lines available from correspondent banks. Our highest priority is placed on growing noninterest bearing deposits through strong community involvement in the markets that we serve. Borrowings and brokered deposits are considered short-term supplements to our overall liquidity but are not intended to be relied upon for long-term needs. We believe that our present position is adequate to meet our current and future liquidity needs, and management knows of no trend or event that will have a material impact on the Company’s ability to maintain liquidity at satisfactory levels.

 

  55 

 

 

Capital Adequacy. Total stockholders’ equity was $185.4 million at June 30, 2019 compared to $174.3 million at December 31, 2018.

 

Our capital management consists of providing adequate equity to support our current and future operations. The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal banking agencies, including the Federal Reserve and the OCC. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements may prompt certain actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measure of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and the classifications are also subject to qualitative judgment by the regulator in regards to components, risk weighting and other factors.

 

The Bank is subject to the following risk-based capital ratios: a common equity Tier 1 (“CET1”) risk-based capital ratio, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, which includes CET1 and additional Tier 1 capital, and a total capital ratio, which includes Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital. CET1 is primarily comprised of the sum of common stock instruments and related surplus net of treasury stock, retained earnings, and certain qualifying minority interests, less certain adjustments and deductions, including with respect to goodwill, intangible assets, mortgage servicing assets and deferred tax assets subject to temporary timing differences. Additional Tier 1 capital is primarily comprised of noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, tier 1 minority interests and grandfathered trust preferred securities. Tier 2 capital consists of instruments disqualified from Tier 1 capital, including qualifying subordinated debt, other preferred stock and certain hybrid capital instruments, and a limited amount of loan loss reserves up to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets, subject to certain eligibility criteria. The capital rules also define the risk-weights assigned to assets and off-balance sheet items to determine the risk-weighted asset components of the risk-based capital rules, including, for example, certain “high volatility” commercial real estate, past due assets, structured securities and equity holdings.

 

The leverage capital ratio, which serves as a minimum capital standard, is the ratio of Tier 1 capital to quarterly average assets net of goodwill, certain other intangible assets, and certain required deduction items. The required minimum leverage ratio for all banks is 4%.

 

In addition, the capital rules require a capital conservation buffer of up to 2.5% above each of the minimum capital ratio requirements (CET1, Tier 1, and total risk-based capital), which is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. These buffer requirements must be met for a bank to be able to pay dividends, engage in share buybacks or make discretionary bonus payments to executive management without restriction. This capital conservation buffer is being phased in, and was 1.875% as of January 1, 2018 and is 2.5% effective January 1, 2019.

 

Failure to be well-capitalized or to meet minimum capital requirements could result in certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have an adverse material effect on our operations or financial condition. For example, only a well-capitalized depository institution may accept brokered deposits without prior regulatory approval. Failure to be well-capitalized or to meet minimum capital requirements could also result in restrictions on the Bank’s ability to pay dividends or otherwise distribute capital or to receive regulatory approval of applications or other restrictions on its growth.

 

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), among other things, requires the federal bank regulatory agencies to take “prompt corrective action” regarding depository institutions that do not meet minimum capital requirements. FDICIA establishes five regulatory capital tiers: “well capitalized”, “adequately capitalized”, “undercapitalized”, “significantly undercapitalized”, and “critically undercapitalized”. A depository institution’s capital tier will depend upon how its capital levels compare to various relevant capital measures and certain other factors, as established by regulation. FDICIA generally prohibits a depository institution from making any capital distribution (including payment of a dividend) or paying any management fee to its holding company if the depository institution would thereafter be undercapitalized. The FDICIA imposes progressively more restrictive restraints on operations, management and capital distributions, depending on the category in which an institution is classified. Undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to restrictions on borrowing from the Federal Reserve System. In addition, undercapitalized depository institutions may not accept brokered deposits absent a waiver from the FDIC, are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit capital restoration plans for regulatory approval. A depository institution’s holding company must guarantee any required capital restoration plan, up to an amount equal to the lesser of 5 percent of the depository institution’s assets at the time it becomes undercapitalized or the amount of the capital deficiency when the institution fails to comply with the plan. Federal banking agencies may not accept a capital plan without determining, among other things, that the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring the depository institution’s capital. If a depository institution fails to submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is significantly undercapitalized. All of the federal bank regulatory agencies have adopted regulations establishing relevant capital measures and relevant capital levels for federally insured depository institutions. The Bank was well capitalized at December 31, 2018, and brokered deposits are not restricted.

 

To be well-capitalized, the Bank must maintain at least the following capital ratios:

·6.5% CET1 to risk-weighted assets;
·8.0% Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets;
·10.0% Total capital to risk-weighted assets; and
·5.0% leverage ratio.

 

  56 

 

 

The Bank’s regulatory capital ratios were above the applicable well-capitalized standards and met the then-applicable capital conservation buffer. Based on current estimates, we believe that the Bank will continue to exceed all applicable well-capitalized regulatory capital requirements and the capital conservation buffer in 2019.

 

The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (the “Economic Growth Act”) signed into law in May 2018 scaled back certain requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act and provided other regulatory relief. Among the provisions of the Economic Growth Act was a requirement that the Federal Reserve raise the asset threshold for those bank holding companies subject to the Federal Reserve’s Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement (“Policy Statement”) to $3 billion. As a result, as of the effective date of that change in 2018, the Company was no longer required to comply with the risk-based capital rules applicable to the Bank as described above. The Federal Reserve may however, require smaller bank holding companies subject to the Policy Statement to maintain certain minimum capital levels, depending upon general economic conditions and a bank holding company’s particular condition, risk profile and growth plans.

 

On November 21, 2018, the federal banking agencies jointly issued a proposed rule to simplify the regulatory capital requirements for eligible banks and holding companies with less than $10 billion in consolidated assets that opt into the Community Bank Leverage Ratio (“CBLR”) framework, as required by Section 201 of the Economic Growth, Relief and Consumer Protection Act (the “Regulatory Relief Act”). The Regulatory Relief Act mandates that the banking agencies develop a CBLR of not less than 8% and not more than 10% for qualifying community banking organizations. A qualifying community banking organization that exceeds the CBLR threshold would be exempt from the agencies’ current capital framework, including the risk-based capital requirements and capital conservation buffer described above, and would be deemed well-capitalized under the agencies’ prompt corrective action regulations. The Regulatory Relief Act defines a “qualifying community banking organization” as a depository institution or depository institution holding company with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion. Under the proposed rule, if a qualifying community banking organization elects to use the CBLR framework, it will be considered “well-capitalized” so long as its CBLR is greater than 9%. The agencies are expected to issue a final rule in the first quarter of 2019.

 

On December 21, 2018, federal banking agencies issued a joint final rule to revise their regulatory capital rules to (i) address the upcoming implementation of the “current expected credit losses” (“CECL”) accounting standard under GAAP; (ii) provide an optional three-year phase-in period for the day-one adverse regulatory capital effects that banking organizations are expected to experience upon adopting CECL; and (iii) require the use of CECL in stress tests beginning with the 2020 capital planning and stress testing cycle for certain banking organizations. In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, which introduced CECL as the methodology to replace the current “incurred loss” methodology for financial assets measured at amortized cost, and changed the approaches for recognizing and recording credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased credit impaired financial assets. Under the incurred loss methodology, credit losses are recognized only when the losses are probable or have been incurred; under CECL, companies are required to recognize the full amount of expected credit losses for the lifetime of the financial assets, based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. This change will result in earlier recognition of credit losses that the Company deems expected but not yet probable.

 

  57 

 

 

Federal banking regulators have issued risk-based capital guidelines, which assign risk factors to asset categories and off-balance-sheet items. The following table reflects capital ratios computed utilizing the implemented Basel III regulatory capital framework discussed above:

 

   Actual   Minimum Capital
Required for Capital
Adequacy
   Minimum Capital Required
for Capital Adequacy Plus
Capital Conservation
Buffer Basel III Phase-In
Schdule
   Minimum Capital
Required for Capital
Adequacy Plus Capital
Conservation Buffer Basel
III Fully Phased In
   Minimum To Be Well-
Capitalized Under Ptompt
Corective Action Provisions
 
   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
   (dollars in thousands) 
At June 30, 2019                                        
Bank First Corporation:                                                  
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)  $189,194    12.0%    N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A 
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)   165,524    10.5%   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A 
Common equity tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)   165,524    10.5%    N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A 
Tier I capital (to average assets)   165,524    9.3%   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A 
Bank First, N.A:                                                  
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)  $187,186    11.9%  $126,048    8.0%  $165,437    10.5%  $165,437    10.5%  $157,560    10.0%
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)   175,016    11.1%   94,536    6.0%   133,926    8.5%   133,926    8.5%   126,048    8.0%
Common equity tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)   175,016    11.1%   70,902    4.5%   110,292    7.0%   110,292    7.0%   102,414    6.5%
Tier I capital (to average assets)   175,015    9.9%   71,105    4.0%   71,105    4.0%   71,105    4.0%   88,881    5.0%
At December 31, 2018                                                  
Bank First Corporation:                                                  
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)  $181,201    11.4%    N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A 
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)   157,453    9.9%   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A 
Common equity tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)   157,453    9.9%    N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A     N/A 
Tier I capital (to average assets)   157,453    9.1%   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A 
Bank First, N.A:                                                  
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)  $178,668    11.2%  $127,497    8.0%  $157,459    9.88%  $167,340    10.5%  $159,372    10.0%
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted   166,420    10.4%   95,623    6.0%   125,585    7.88%   135,466    8.5%   127,497    8.0%
Common equity tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)   166,420    10.4%   71,717    4.5%   101,679    6.38%   111,560    7.0%   103,592    6.5%
Tier I capital (to average assets)   166,420    9.6%   69,410    4.0%   69,410    4.00%   69,410    4.0%   86,762    5.0%

 

As previously mentioned, the Company carried $11.5 million of subordinated debt as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 which is included in total capital for the Company in the tables above.

 

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK

 

We are party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments primarily include commitments to originate and sell loans, standby and direct pay letters of credit, unused lines of credit and unadvanced portions of construction and development loans. The instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in these particular classes of financial instruments.

 

Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for loan commitments, standby and direct pay letters of credit and unadvanced portions of construction and development loans is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements. Our significant off-balance-sheet arrangements consist of the following:

 

·Unused lines of credit
·Standby and direct pay letters of credit
·Credit card arrangements

 

Off-balance sheet arrangement means any transaction, agreement or other contractual arrangement to which an entity unconsolidated with the registrant is a party, under which the registrant has (1) any obligation under a guarantee contract, (2) retained or contingent interest in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity or similar arrangement, (3) any obligation, including a contingent obligation, under a contract that would be accounted for as a derivative instrument, or (4) any obligation, including a contingent obligation, arising out of a variable interest.

 

Loan commitments are made to accommodate the financial needs of our customers. Standby and direct pay letters of credit commit us to make payments on behalf of customers when certain specified future events occur. Both arrangements have credit risk essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to clients and are subject to our normal credit policies. Collateral (e.g., securities, receivables, inventory, equipment, etc.) is obtained based on management’s credit assessment of the customer.

 

  59 

 

 

Loan commitments and standby and direct pay letters of credit do not necessarily represent our future cash requirements because while the borrower has the ability to draw upon these commitments at any time, these commitments often expire without being drawn upon. Our off-balance sheet arrangements at the dates indicated were as follows:

 

   Amounts of Commitments Expiring - By Period as of June 30, 2019 
Other Commitments  Total   Less Than One
Year
   One to Three
Years
   Three to Five
Years
   After Five Years 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Unused portion of existing lines of credit  $295,497   $183,786   $38,090   $37,687   $35,934 
Letters of credit   23,962    10,719    2,547    8,530    2,166 
Credit card arrangements   8,064    -    -    -    8,064 
Total commitments  $327,523   $194,505   $40,637   $46,217   $46,164 

 

   Amounts of Commitments Expiring - By Period as of December 31, 2018 
Other Commitments  Total   Less Than One
Year
  

One to Three

Years

   Three to Five
Years
   After Five Years 
   (dollars in thousands) 
Unused portion of existing lines of credit  $326,452   $205,200   $45,589   $51,371   $24,292 
Letters of credit   25,261    11,501    2,964    8,630    2,166 
Credit card arrangements   7,119    -    -    -    7,119 
Total commitments  $358,832   $216,701   $48,553   $60,001   $33,577 

 

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ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market risk is the risk of loss from adverse changes in market prices and rates. Our market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending, investment and deposit-taking activities. To that end, management actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk exposure.

 

Our profitability is affected by fluctuations in interest rates. A sudden and substantial change in interest rates may adversely impact our earnings to the extent that the interest rates borne by assets and liabilities do not change at the same speed, to the same extent or on the same basis. We monitor the impact of changes in interest rates on its net interest income using several tools.

 

Our primary objective in managing interest rate risk is to minimize the adverse impact of changes in interest rates on our net interest income and capital, while configuring our asset-liability structure to obtain the maximum yield-cost spread on that structure. We rely primarily on our asset-liability structure to control interest rate risk.

 

Interest Rate Sensitivity. Interest rate risk is the risk to earnings and value arising from changes in market interest rates. Interest rate risk arises from timing differences in the repricings and maturities of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities (repricing risk), changes in the expected maturities of assets and liabilities arising from embedded options, such as borrowers’ ability to prepay home mortgage loans at any time and depositors’ ability to redeem certificates of deposit before maturity (option risk), changes in the shape of the yield curve where interest rates increase or decrease in a nonparallel fashion (yield curve risk), and changes in spread relationships between different yield curves, such as U.S. Treasuries and LIBOR (basis risk).

 

An asset sensitive position refers to a balance sheet position in which an increase in short-term interest rates is expected to generate higher net interest income, as rates earned on our interest-earning assets would reprice upward more quickly than rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities, thus expanding our net interest margin. Conversely, a liability sensitive position refers to a balance sheet position in which an increase in short-term interest rates is expected to generate lower net interest income, as rates paid on our interest-bearing liabilities would reprice upward more quickly than rates earned on our interest-earning assets, thus compressing our net interest margin.

 

The Company actively manages its interest rate sensitivity position. The objectives of interest rate risk management are to control exposure of net interest income to risks associated with interest rate movements and to achieve sustainable growth in net interest income. The Company’s ALCO, using policies and procedures approved by the Company’s board of directors, is responsible for the management of the Company’s interest rate sensitivity position. The Company manages interest rate sensitivity by changing the mix, pricing and re-pricing characteristics of its assets and liabilities, through the management of its investment portfolio, its offerings of loan and selected deposit terms and through wholesale funding. Wholesale funding consists of, but is not limited to, multiple sources including borrowings with the FHLB of Chicago, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s discount window and certificates of deposit from institutional brokers.

 

The Company uses several tools to manage its interest rate risk including interest rate sensitivity analysis, or gap analysis, market value of portfolio equity analysis, interest rate simulations under various rate scenarios and net interest margin reports. The results of these reports are compared to limits established by the Company’s ALCO policies and appropriate adjustments are made if the results are outside the established limits.

 

There are an infinite number of potential interest rate scenarios, each of which can be accompanied by differing economic/political/regulatory climates; can generate multiple differing behavior patterns by markets, borrowers, depositors, etc.; and, can last for varying degrees of time. Therefore, by definition, interest rate risk sensitivity cannot be predicted with certainty. Accordingly, the Company’s interest rate risk measurement philosophy focuses on maintaining an appropriate balance between theoretical and practical scenarios; especially given the primary objective of the Company’s overall asset/liability management process is to facilitate meaningful strategy development and implementation.

 

Therefore, we model a set of interest rate scenarios capturing the financial effects of a range of plausible rate scenarios; the collective impact of which will enable the Company to clearly understand the nature and extent of its sensitivity to interest rate changes. Doing so necessitates an assessment of rate changes over varying time horizons and of varying/sufficient degrees such that the impact of embedded options within the balance sheet are sufficiently examined.

 

The following tables demonstrate the annualized result of an interest rate simulation and the estimated effect that a parallel interest rate shift, or “shock,” in the yield curve and subjective adjustments in deposit pricing might have on the Company’s projected net interest income over the next 12 months.

 

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This simulation assumes that there is no growth in interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities over the next 12 months. The changes to net interest income shown below are in compliance with the Company’s policy guidelines. As of June 30, 2019:

 

Change in Interest Rates (in

Basis Points)

  Percentage Change in
Net Interst Income
 
+400   8.7 
+300   6.5 
+200   4.4 
+100   2.3 
-100   (3.5)

 

As of December 31, 2018:

 

Change in Interest Rates (in
Basis Points)
  Percentage Change in
Net Interst Income
 
+400   5.0 
+300   3.9 
+200   2.7 
+100   1.5 
-100   (4.1)

 

Economic Value of Equity Analysis. We also analyze the sensitivity of the Company’s financial condition to changes in interest rates through our economic value of equity model. This analysis measures the difference between estimated changes in the present value of the Company’s assets and estimated changes in the present value of the Company’s liabilities assuming various changes in current interest rates. The Company’s economic value of equity analysis as of June 30, 2019 estimated that, in the event of an instantaneous 200 basis point increase in interest rates, the Company would experience a 8.2% increase in the economic value of equity. At the same date, our analysis estimated that, in the event of an instantaneous 100 basis point decrease in interest rates, the Company would experience a 9.5% decrease in the economic value of equity. The estimates of changes in the economic value of our equity require us to make certain assumptions including loan and mortgage-related investment prepayment speeds, reinvestment rates, and deposit maturities and decay rates. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, we cannot precisely predict the impact of changes in interest rates on the economic value of our equity. Although our economic value of equity analysis provides an indication of our interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such estimates are not intended to, and do not, provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on the economic value of our equity and will differ from actual results.

 

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), undertook an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, and, based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report, in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting in a timely manner the information that the Company is required to disclose in its reports under the Exchange Act and in accumulating and communicating to the Company’s management, including the Company’s CEO and CFO, such information as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

No changes were made to our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended June 30, 2019 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

We are a party to various litigation in the normal course of business. Management, after consulting with our legal counsel, believes that any liability resulting from litigation will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS

 

Additional information regarding risk factors appears in “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward-Looking Statements” of this Form 10-Q and in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. There have been no material changes during the quarterly period ended June 30, 2019 to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report.

 

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

 

(a)On June 28, 2019, the Company issued 1,534 shares of restricted stock to a former member of Senior Management who had retired, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

(b)None.

 

(c)Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

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The Company's Board of Directors authorized a $10 million share repurchase program on April 16, 2019. This program was announced in a Current Report on Form 8-K on April 18, 2019. The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common stock during the second quarter of 2019 under that program as well as pursuant to the Company's 401(k) Plan and Equity Plan.

 

(in thousands, except per share data)  Total Number of Shares
Repurchased(3)
   Average Price Paid per
Share(1)
  

Total Number
of Shares
Repurchased as

Part of

Publicly Announced

Plans or Programs

  

Maximum Number

of Shares

that May Yet Be

Purchased Under the

Plans or Programs(2)

 
April 2019   0   $0    0    148,920 
May 2019   0    0    0    148,920 
June 2019   2,408    67.15    0    148,920 
Total   2,408   $67.15    0    148,920 

 

 

(1)The average price paid per share is calculated on a trade date basis for all open market transactions and excludes commissions and other transaction expenses
(2)Based on the closing per share price as of June 28, 2019 ($67.15)
(3)Includes 2,408 shares repurchased from the 401(k) Plan.

 

The foregoing repurchases during the second quarter of 2019 were purchased through open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, and pursuant to the Company’s 401(k) Plan and Equity Plan.

 

ITEM 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None.

 

ITEM 5.OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

 

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ITEM 6.EXHIBITS

  

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit Number   Description  
     
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer*
31.2   Rules 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer*
32.1   Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer**
101 INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

*Filed herewith.
**Furnished herewith.

  

 65 

 

 

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.

 

  BANK FIRST CORPORATION
   

DATE: August 13, 2019

BY:   /s/ Kevin M. LeMahieu  
    Kevin M. LeMahieu
    Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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