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COMMUNITY BANCORP /VT - Quarter Report: 2020 March (Form 10-Q)

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
[ x ]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2020
 
OR
 
[   ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                to                 
 
Commission File Number 000-16435
 
 
 
Community Bancorp.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
Vermont
03-0284070
(State of Incorporation)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
 
4811 US Route 5, Derby, Vermont
05829
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(zip code)
 
 
Registrant's Telephone Number: (802) 334-7915
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
 
Title of Each Class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
 
(Not Applicable)
 
 
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 for such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ( X )  No (  )
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically 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 and post such files). YES ( X ) NO (  )
 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer (  )
Accelerated filer (X)
Non-accelerated filer (  )
Smaller reporting company ( X )
 
Emerging growth company (  )
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. (  )
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES (  )     NO(X)
 
At May 05, 2020, there were 5,257,359 shares outstanding of the Corporation's common stock.
 
 
1
 

 
FORM 10-Q
Index
 
 
 
 
Page  
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1
3  
Item 2
27  
Item 3
47  
Item 4
48  
 
 
 
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1
48  
Item 1A
  48  
Item 2
50  
Item 6
50  
 
51  
 
52  
 
 
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
The following are the unaudited consolidated financial statements for the Company.
 
2
 
 
Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
 March 31, 
 December 31, 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 2020 
 2019 
 
 (Unaudited) 
   
 
   
   
Assets
   
   
  Cash and due from banks
 $8,957,754 
 $10,263,535 
  Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
  29,672,723 
  38,298,677 
     Total cash and cash equivalents
  38,630,477 
  48,562,212 
  Securities available-for-sale
  41,870,209 
  45,966,750 
  Restricted equity securities, at cost
  1,414,950 
  1,431,850 
  Loans held-for-sale
  667,000 
  0 
  Loans
  634,414,690 
  606,988,937 
    Allowance for loan losses
  (6,186,764)
  (5,926,491)
    Deferred net loan costs
  355,638 
  362,415 
        Net loans
  628,583,564 
  601,424,861 
  Bank premises and equipment, net
  10,789,719 
  10,959,403 
  Accrued interest receivable
  2,890,552 
  2,336,553 
  Bank owned life insurance
  4,924,090 
  4,903,012 
  Goodwill
  11,574,269 
  11,574,269 
  Other real estate owned
  781,238 
  966,738 
  Other assets
  9,566,186 
  9,829,671 
        Total assets
 $751,692,254 
 $737,955,319 
 
    
    
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    
    
 Liabilities
    
    
  Deposits:
    
    
    Demand, non-interest bearing
 $124,080,117 
 $125,089,403 
    Interest-bearing transaction accounts
  184,978,145 
  185,102,333 
    Money market funds
  96,907,876 
  91,463,661 
    Savings
  101,646,285 
  97,167,652 
    Time deposits, $250,000 and over
  17,007,994 
  14,565,559 
    Other time deposits
  93,524,279 
  101,632,760 
        Total deposits
  618,144,696 
  615,021,368 
  Borrowed funds
  22,650,000 
  2,650,000 
  Repurchase agreements
  22,910,735 
  33,189,848 
  Junior subordinated debentures
  12,887,000 
  12,887,000 
  Accrued interest and other liabilities
  4,516,331 
  5,312,424 
        Total liabilities
  681,108,762 
  669,060,640 
 
    
    
 Shareholders' Equity
    
    
  Preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 15 shares issued and outstanding
    
    
    At 03/31/20 and 12/31/19 ($100,000 liquidation value, per share)
  1,500,000 
  1,500,000 
  Common stock - $2.50 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized, 5,466,043
    
    
    shares issued at 03/31/20 and 5,449,857 shares issued at 12/31/19
  13,665,108 
  13,624,643 
  Additional paid-in capital
  33,678,193 
  33,464,381 
  Retained earnings
  23,515,839 
  22,667,949 
  Accumulated other comprehensive income
  847,129 
  260,483 
  Less: treasury stock, at cost; 210,101 shares at 03/31/20 and 12/31/19
  (2,622,777)
  (2,622,777)
        Total shareholders' equity
  70,583,492 
  68,894,679 
        Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
 $751,692,254 
 $737,955,319 
 
    
    
Book value per common share outstanding
 $13.14 
 $12.86 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
3
 
 
Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
 Three Months Ended March 31, 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 2020 
 2019 
(Unaudited)
   
   
 
   
   
Interest income
   
   
   Interest and fees on loans
 $7,365,961 
 $7,210,810 
   Interest on taxable debt securities
  284,756 
  248,108 
   Dividends
  24,425 
  25,959 
   Interest on federal funds sold and overnight deposits
  97,010 
  213,491 
        Total interest income
  7,772,152 
  7,698,368 
 
    
    
Interest expense
    
    
   Interest on deposits
  1,249,537 
  1,282,960 
   Interest on borrowed funds
  12,795 
  5,137 
   Interest on repurchase agreements
  59,535 
  72,831 
   Interest on junior subordinated debentures
  154,526 
  177,612 
        Total interest expense
  1,476,393 
  1,538,540 
 
    
    
     Net interest income
  6,295,759 
  6,159,828 
 Provision for loan losses
  376,503 
  212,503 
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses
  5,919,256 
  5,947,325 
 
    
    
Non-interest income
    
    
   Service fees
  806,211 
  790,366 
   Income from sold loans
  140,463 
  103,087 
   Other income from loans
  220,467 
  138,744 
   Other income
  186,566 
  286,503 
        Total non-interest income
  1,353,707 
  1,318,700 
 
    
    
Non-interest expense
    
    
   Salaries and wages
  1,886,316 
  1,842,930 
   Employee benefits
  798,441 
  776,340 
   Occupancy expenses, net
  683,235 
  690,829 
   Other expenses
  1,725,227 
  1,845,825 
        Total non-interest expense
  5,093,219 
  5,155,924 
 
    
    
    Income before income taxes
  2,179,744 
  2,110,101 
 Income tax expense
  318,505 
  338,196 
        Net income
 $1,861,239 
 $1,771,905 
 
    
    
 Earnings per common share
 $0.35 
 $0.34 
 Weighted average number of common shares
    
    
  used in computing earnings per share
  5,245,216 
  5,180,334 
 Dividends declared per common share
 $0.19 
 $0.19 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4
 
 
 
Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
   
   
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
   
   
(Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended March 31, 
 
 2020 
 2019 
 
   
   
Net income
 $1,861,239 
 $1,771,905 
 
    
    
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
    
    
  Unrealized holding gain on securities AFS arising during the period
  742,589 
  571,759 
  Tax effect
  (155,943)
  (120,069)
  Other comprehensive income, net of tax
  586,646 
  451,690 
          Total comprehensive income
 $2,447,885 
 $2,223,595 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5
 
 
 
 Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary 
 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity 
 (Unaudited) 
   
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 
 
   
   
 Additional 
   
   
   
 Total 
 
 Common 
 Preferred 
 paid-in 
 Retained 
   
 Treasury 
 shareholders' 
 
 Stock 
 Stock 
 capital 
 earnings 
 AOCI* 
 stock 
 equity 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
January 1, 2020
 $13,624,643 
 $1,500,000 
 $33,464,381 
 $22,667,949 
 $260,483 
 $(2,622,777)
 $68,894,679 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Issuance of common stock
  40,465 
    
  213,812 
    
    
    
  254,277 
Cash dividends declared
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  Common stock
    
    
    
  (995,536)
    
    
  (995,536)
  Preferred stock
    
    
    
  (17,813)
    
    
  (17,813)
Comprehensive income
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  Net income
    
    
    
  1,861,239 
    
    
  1,861,239 
  Other comprehensive income
    
    
    
    
  586,646 
    
  586,646 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
March 31, 2020
 $13,665,108 
 $1,500,000 
 $33,678,193 
 $23,515,839 
 $847,129 
 $(2,622,777)
 $70,583,492 
 
 
 Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary 
 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity 
 (Unaudited) 
   
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 
 
   
   
 Additional 
   
   
   
 Total 
 
 Common 
 Preferred 
 paid-in 
 Retained 
   
 Treasury 
 shareholders' 
 
 Stock 
 Stock 
 capital 
 earnings 
 AOCI* 
 stock 
 equity 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
January 1, 2019
 $13,455,258 
 $2,000,000 
 $32,536,532 
 $17,882,282 
 $(647,584)
 $(2,622,777)
 $62,603,711 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Issuance of common stock
  49,415 
    
  263,611 
    
    
    
  313,026 
Cash dividends declared
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  Common stock
    
    
    
  (983,122)
    
    
  (983,122)
  Preferred stock
    
    
    
  (27,500)
    
    
  (27,500)
Redemption of preferred stock
    
  (500,000)
    
    
    
    
  (500,000)
Comprehensive income
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  Net income
    
    
    
  1,771,905 
    
    
  1,771,905 
  Other comprehensive income
    
    
    
    
  451,690 
    
  451,690 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
March 31, 2019
 $13,504,673 
 $1,500,000 
 $32,800,143 
 $18,643,565 
 $(195,894)
 $(2,622,777)
 $63,629,710 
 
 
*Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 
6
 
 
 
Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
   
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
   
   
(Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended March 31, 
 
 2020 
 2019 
 
   
   
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
   
   
  Net income
 $1,861,239 
 $1,771,905 
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
    
    
   operating activities:
    
    
    Depreciation and amortization, bank premises and equipment
  232,759 
  236,438 
    Provision for loan losses
  376,503 
  212,503 
    Deferred income tax
  (61,497)
  (3,995)
    Gain on sale of loans
  (51,183)
  (22,602)
    Gain on sale of OREO
  (7,799)
  0 
    Income from CFS Partners
  (91,909)
  (177,420)
    Amortization of bond premium, net
  13,315 
  31,611 
    Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
  3,736,533 
  769,622 
    Originations of loans held for sale
  (4,352,350)
  (747,020)
    Increase in taxes payable
  295,831 
  264,164 
    Increase in interest receivable
  (553,999)
  (257,600)
    Decrease in mortgage servicing rights
  24,285 
  38,554 
    Decrease in right-of-use assets
  60,825 
  57,216 
    Decrease in operating lease liabilities
  (60,219)
  (55,014)
    (Increase) decrease in other assets
  (143,340)
  282,292 
    Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI
  (21,078)
  (21,635)
    Amortization of limited partnerships
  84,171 
  78,027 
    Decrease (increase) in unamortized loan costs
  6,777 
  (1,537)
    (Decrease) increase in interest payable
  (6,398)
  35,102 
    Decrease in accrued expenses
  (411,204)
  (444,039)
    Decrease in other liabilities
  (23,573)
  (8,027)
       Net cash provided by operating activities
  907,689 
  2,038,545 
 
    
    
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
    
    
  Investments - AFS
    
    
    Maturities, calls, pay downs and sales
  5,817,816 
  701,657 
    Purchases
  (992,000)
  (1,498,000)
  Proceeds from redemption of restricted equity securities
  361,600 
  383,500 
  Purchases of restricted equity securities
  (344,700)
  0 
  Decrease in limited partnership contributions payable
  (288,000)
  0 
  Increase in loans, net
  (27,559,512)
  (564,060)
  Capital expenditures net of proceeds from sales of bank
    
    
   premises and equipment
  (123,901)
  (272,864)
  Proceeds from sales of OREO
  193,299 
  0 
  Recoveries of loans charged off
  17,531 
  20,320 
       Net cash used in investing activities
  (22,917,867)
  (1,229,447)
 
 
 
7
 
 
 
 
 2020 
 2019 
 
   
   
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
   
   
  Net decrease in demand and interest-bearing transaction accounts
  (1,133,474)
  (26,180,086)
  Net increase in money market and savings accounts
  9,922,848 
  13,450,476 
  Net decrease in time deposits
  (5,666,046)
  (5,159,073)
  Net (decrease) increase in repurchase agreements
  (10,279,113)
  2,313,304 
  Net increase in short-term borrowings
  20,000,000 
  0 
  Decrease in finance lease obligations
  (14,987)
  (30,251)
  Redemption of preferred stock
  0 
  (500,000)
  Dividends paid on preferred stock
  (17,813)
  (27,500)
  Dividends paid on common stock
  (732,972)
  (688,701)
       Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
  12,078,443 
  (16,821,831)
 
    
    
       Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
  (9,931,735)
  (16,012,733)
  Cash and cash equivalents:
    
    
          Beginning
  48,562,212 
  67,934,815 
          Ending
 $38,630,477 
 $51,922,082 
 
    
    
Supplemental Schedule of Cash Paid During the Period:
    
    
  Interest
 $1,482,791 
 $1,503,438 
 
    
    
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
    
    
  Change in unrealized gain on securities AFS
 $742,589 
 $571,759 
 
    
    
Common Shares Dividends Paid:
    
    
  Dividends declared
 $995,536 
 $983,122 
  (Increase) decrease in dividends payable attributable to dividends declared
  (8,287)
  18,605 
  Dividends reinvested
  (254,277)
  (313,026)
 
 $732,972 
 $688,701 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
8
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Consolidation and Certain Definitions
 
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation. The interim consolidated financial statements of Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary are unaudited. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its subsidiary, Community National Bank (the Bank), contained herein have been made. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2019 contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full annual period ending December 31, 2020, or for any other interim period.
 
Certain amounts in the 2019 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2020 presentation. Reclassifications had no effect on prior period net income or shareholders’ equity.
 
The Company is considered a “smaller reporting company” under the disclosure rules of the SEC, as amended in 2018. Accordingly, the Company has elected to provide its audited consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity for a two year, rather than a three year, period, and provides smaller reporting company scaled disclosures where management deems it appropriate.
 
 
 
9
 
 
In addition to the definitions provided elsewhere in this quarterly report, the definitions, acronyms and abbreviations identified below are used throughout this report, including in Part I. “Financial Information” and Part II. “Other Information”, and are intended to aid the reader and provide a reference page when reviewing this report.
 
ABS:
Asset backed security
FHLBB:
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston
ACBB:
Atlantic Community Bankers Bank
FHLMC:
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
AFS:
Available-for-sale
FOMC:
Federal Open Market Committee
Agency MBS:
MBS issued by a US government agency
FRB:
Federal Reserve Board
 
or GSE
FRBB:
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
ALCO:
Asset Liability Committee
GAAP:
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
ALL:
Allowance for loan losses
 
in the United States
AOCI:
Accumulated other comprehensive income
GSE:
Government sponsored enterprise
ASC:
Accounting Standards Codification
HTM:
Held-to-maturity
ASU:
Accounting Standards Update
ICS:
Insured Cash Sweeps of the Promontory
Bancorp:
Community Bancorp.
 
Interfinancial Network
Bank:
Community National Bank
IRS:
Internal Revenue Service
BHG:
Bankers Healthcare Group
JNE:
Jobs for New England
BIC:
Borrower-in-Custody
Jr:
Junior
Board:
Board of Directors
MBS:
Mortgage-backed security
BOLI:
Bank owned life insurance
MPF:
Mortgage Partnership Finance
bp or bps:
Basis point(s)
MSRs:
Mortgage servicing rights
CARES ACT:
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic
NII:
Net interest income
 
Security Act
NMTC:
New Market Tax Credits
CBLR:
Community Bank Leverage Ratio
OAS:
Other amortizing security
CDARS:
Certificate of Deposit Accounts Registry
OCI:
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
Service of the Promontory Interfinancial
OREO:
Other real estate owned
 
Network
OTTI:
Other-than-temporary impairment
CDs:
Certificates of deposit
PMI:
Private mortgage insurance
CDI:
Core deposit intangible
PPP:
Paycheck Protection Program
CECL:
Current Expected Credit Loss
PPPLF:
PPP Liquidity Facility of the FRB
CFSG:
Community Financial Services Group, LLC
RD:
USDA Rural Development
CFS Partners:
Community Financial Services Partners,
SBA:
U.S. Small Business Administration
 
LLC
SEC:
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
Company:
Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary
SERP:
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan
COVID-19:
Coronavirus Disease 2019
TDR:
Troubled-debt restructuring
CRE:
Commercial Real Estate
USDA:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
DDA or DDAs:
Demand Deposit Account(s)
VA:
U.S. Veterans Administration
DTC:
Depository Trust Company
2017 Tax Act:
Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017
DRIP:
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
2018
Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and
Exchange Act:
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Regulatory
Consumer Protection Act of 2018
FASB:
Financial Accounting Standards Board
Relief Act:
 
FDIC:
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
10
 
 
Note 2. Risks and Uncertainties
 
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, and on March 13, 2020 President Trump declared the pandemic to be a national emergency.  The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, economic activity globally, nationally and locally. Government actions taken to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 include restrictions on travel, quarantines in certain areas, and forced closures for certain types of public places and businesses. COVID-19 and actions taken to mitigate the spread of it have had and are expected to continue to have an adverse impact on financial markets and the economy, including the local economy in the Company’s Vermont markets, with adverse effects on business and consumer confidence generally, and on the Company’s customers, and their employees, suppliers, vendors and processors. Forced closures of businesses have resulted in sharp increases in unemployment.
 
In addition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, market interest rates have declined significantly, with the 10-year Treasury bond falling below 1.00 percent on March 3, 2020 for the first time. On March 3, 2020, the FOMC reduced the targeted federal funds interest rate range by 50 bps to 1.00% to 1.25%. This range was further reduced to 0 percent to 0.25% on March 16, 2020. On April 29, 2020, the FOMC indicated that the federal funds target rate range will remain unchanged until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals.
 
On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was enacted to provide emergency assistance for individuals, families and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These reductions in interest rates and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic will adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations in future periods. It is unknown how long the adverse economic conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic will last and what the complete financial effect will be to the Company.  Due to the inherent economic and other uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is reasonably possible that estimates made in the Company’s consolidated financial statements could be materially and adversely impacted in the near term as a result of the pandemic, including expected credit losses on loan receivables.
 
Note 3. Recent Accounting Developments
 
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Under the new guidance, which will replace the existing incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses, banks and other lending institutions will be required to recognize the full amount of expected credit losses. The new guidance, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss, or CECL model, requires that expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date that are accounted for at amortized cost be measured and recognized based on historical experience and current and reasonably supportable forecasted conditions to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. A modified version of these requirements also applies to debt securities classified as available for sale, which will require that credit losses on those securities be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than a write-down. The ASU may have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements upon adoption as it will require a change in the Company's methodology for calculating its ALL and allowance on unused commitments. The Company will transition from an incurred loss model to an expected loss model, which will likely result in an increase in the ALL upon adoption and may negatively impact the Company’s and the Bank's regulatory capital ratios. The Company has formed a committee to assess the implications of this new pronouncement and transitioned to a software solution for preparing the ALL calculation and related reports that management believes provides the Company with stronger data integrity, ease and efficiency in ALL preparation. The new software solution also provides numerous training opportunities for the appropriate personnel within the Company. The Company has gathered and is continuing to analyze the historical data to serve as a basis for estimating the ALL under CECL and continues to evaluate the impact of the adoption of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements. As initially proposed, the ASU was to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within such years. However, on October 16, 2019, the FASB approved an extended effective date for compliance with the ASU by smaller reporting companies, which are now required to comply with the ASU for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The Company qualifies for this extension and does not intend to early adopt the ASU at this time. Management will continue to evaluate the Company’s CECL compliance and implementation timetable in light of the extension.
 
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The ASU was issued to reduce the cost and complexity of the goodwill impairment test. To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, step two of the goodwill impairment test was eliminated. Instead, a company will recognize an impairment of goodwill should the carrying value of a reporting unit exceed its fair value (i.e., step one). As initially proposed, the ASU was to be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020, however similar to ASU No. 2016-13, the effective date for this ASU was also extended with a revised effective date of January 1, 2023. The Company early adopted this ASU on January 1, 2020, and prospectively the Company will no longer give considerations to “Step 2” when performing its annual goodwill impairment test.
 
The Company has goodwill from its acquisition of LyndonBank in 2007 and performs an impairment test annually or more frequently if circumstances warrant (see Note 7).
 
 
11
 
 
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of its disclosure framework project. The standard is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The impact of adopting this ASU was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
On March 22, 2020, federal banking regulators issued an interagency statement providing guidance on accounting for loan modifications in light of the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance interprets current accounting standards and indicates that a lender can conclude that a borrower is not experiencing financial difficulty if short-term (that is, six months or less) modifications are made in response to COVID-19, such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment that are insignificant, provided that the loan is less than 30 days past due at the time a modification program is implemented. The banking agencies confirmed with the staff of the FASB that short-term modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who were current prior to any relief are not TDRs under ASC No. 310-40, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors.
 
Note 4.  Earnings per Common Share
 
Earnings per common share amounts are computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock issued during the period (retroactively adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends, if any), including Dividend Reinvestment Plan shares issuable upon reinvestment of dividends declared, and reduced for shares held in treasury.
 
The following tables illustrate the calculation of earnings per common share for the periods presented, as adjusted for the cash dividends declared on the preferred stock:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 2020 
 2019 
 
   
   
Net income, as reported
 $1,861,239 
 $1,771,905 
Less: dividends to preferred shareholders
  17,813 
  27,500 
Net income available to common shareholders
 $1,843,426 
 $1,744,405 
Weighted average number of common shares
    
    
   used in calculating earnings per share
  5,245,216 
  5,180,334 
Earnings per common share
 $0.35 
 $0.34 
 
 
Note 5.  Investment Securities
 
Debt securities as of the balance sheet dates consisted of the following:
 
 
   
 Gross 
 Gross 
   
 
 Amortized 
 Unrealized 
 Unrealized 
 Fair 
 
 Cost 
 Gains 
 Losses 
 Value 
 
   
   
   
   
March 31, 2020
   
   
   
   
U.S. GSE debt securities
 $13,629,991 
 $243,435 
 $98 
 $13,873,328 
Agency MBS
  15,156,225 
  506,237 
  50,361 
  15,612,101 
ABS and OAS
  2,602,677 
  128,155 
  0 
  2,730,832 
Other investments
  9,409,000 
  244,948 
  0 
  9,653,948 
     Total
 $40,797,893 
 $1,122,775 
 $50,459 
 $41,870,209 
 
    
    
    
    
December 31, 2019
    
    
    
    
U.S. GSE debt securities
 $18,002,549 
 $99,743 
 $40,672 
 $18,061,620 
Agency MBS
  16,169,819 
  86,874 
  51,318 
  16,205,375 
ABS and OAS
  2,799,657 
  55,418 
  2,166 
  2,852,909 
Other investments
  8,665,000 
  181,846 
  0 
  8,846,846 
     Total
 $45,637,025 
 $423,881 
 $94,156 
 $45,966,750 
 
 
 
12
 
 
Investments pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements consisted of U.S. GSE debt securities, Agency MBS, ABS and OAS, and CDs. These repurchase agreements mature daily. These investments as of the balance sheet dates were as follows:
 
 
 Amortized 
 Fair 
 
 Cost 
 Value 
 
   
   
March 31, 2020
 $40,797,893 
 $41,870,209 
December 31, 2019
  45,637,025 
  45,966,750 
 
 
The scheduled maturities of debt securities as of the balance sheet dates were as follows:
 
 
 Amortized 
 Fair 
 
 Cost 
 Value 
March 31, 2020
   
   
Due in one year or less
 $3,747,350 
 $3,770,276 
Due from one to five years
  8,427,000 
  8,673,422 
Due from five to ten years
  12,460,639 
  12,783,926 
Due after ten years
  1,006,679 
  1,030,484 
Agency MBS
  15,156,225 
  15,612,101 
     Total
 $40,797,893 
 $41,870,209 
 
    
    
December 31, 2019
    
    
Due in one year or less
 $2,760,515 
 $2,766,254 
Due from one to five years
  9,674,948 
  9,862,450 
Due from five to ten years
  15,042,170 
  15,147,201 
Due after ten years
  1,989,573 
  1,985,470 
Agency MBS
  16,169,819 
  16,205,375 
     Total
 $45,637,025 
 $45,966,750 
 
 
Agency MBS are not due at a single maturity date and have not been allocated to maturity groupings for purposes of the maturity table.
 
Debt securities with unrealized losses as of the balance sheet dates are presented in the table below.
 
 
 Less than 12 months 
 12 months or more 
 Total 
 
 Fair 
 Unrealized 
 Fair 
 Unrealized 
 Number of 
 Fair 
 Unrealized 
 
 Value 
 Loss 
 Value 
 Loss 
 Securities 
 Value 
 Loss 
March 31, 2020
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
U.S. GSE debt securities
 $615,286 
 $98 
 $0 
 $0 
  1 
 $615,286 
 $98 
Agency MBS
  970,720 
  19,703 
  894,000 
  30,658 
  6 
  1,864,720 
  50,361 
     Total
 $1,586,006 
 $19,801 
 $894,000 
 $30,658 
  7 
 $2,480,006 
 $50,459 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
December 31, 2019
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
U.S. GSE debt securities
 $7,964,192 
 $40,672 
 $0 
 $0 
  7 
 $7,964,192 
 $40,672 
Agency MBS
  5,273,683 
  24,648 
  2,920,091 
  26,670 
  13 
  8,193,774 
  51,318 
ABS and OAS
  1,000,490 
  2,166 
  0 
  0 
  1 
  1,000,490 
  2,166 
     Total
 $14,238,365 
 $67,486 
 $2,920,091 
 $26,670 
  21 
 $17,158,456 
 $94,156 
 
 
The unrealized losses for all periods presented were principally attributable to changes in prevailing interest rates for similar types of securities and not deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer.
 
Management evaluates its debt securities for OTTI at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions, or adverse developments relating to the issuer, warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the carrying value, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. In analyzing an issuer's financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies or other adverse developments in the status of the securities have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuer's financial condition. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, there were no declines in the fair value of any of the securities reflected in the table above that were deemed by management to be OTTI.
 
13
 
 
Note 6. Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality
 
The composition of net loans as of the balance sheet dates was as follows:
 
 
 March 31, 
 December 31, 
 
 2020 
 2019 
 
   
   
Commercial & industrial
 $108,458,404 
 $98,930,831 
Commercial real estate
  256,814,702 
  246,282,726 
Municipal
  59,649,823 
  55,817,206 
Residential real estate - 1st lien
  163,328,266 
  158,337,296 
Residential real estate - Jr lien
  42,030,798 
  43,230,873 
Consumer
  4,132,697 
  4,390,005 
    Total loans
  634,414,690 
  606,988,937 
Deduct (add):
    
    
ALL
  6,186,764 
  5,926,491 
Deferred net loan costs
  (355,638)
  (362,415)
     Net loans
 $628,583,564 
 $601,424,861 
 
 
The following is an age analysis of past due loans (including non-accrual) as of the balance sheet dates, by portfolio segment:
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 90 Days or 
 
   
 90 Days
 Total 
   
   
 Non-Accrual 
 More and 
March 31, 2020
 30-89 Days 
 or More 
 Past Due 
 Current 
 Total Loans 
 Loans 
 Accruing 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Commercial & industrial
 $3,131,271 
 $62,743 
 $3,194,014 
 $105,264,390 
 $108,458,404 
 $445,392 
 $9,537 
Commercial real estate
  1,142,631 
  373,818 
  1,516,449 
  255,298,253 
  256,814,702 
  1,556,536 
  0 
Municipal
  0 
  0 
  0 
  59,649,823 
  59,649,823 
  0 
  0 
Residential real estate
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 - 1st lien
  3,000,591 
  1,466,837 
  4,467,428 
  158,860,838 
  163,328,266 
  2,305,917 
  872,541 
 - Jr lien
  363,312 
  206,656 
  569,968 
  41,460,830 
  42,030,798 
  398,376 
  0 
Consumer
  29,376 
  0 
  29,376 
  4,103,321 
  4,132,697 
  0 
  0 
     Totals
 $7,667,181 
 $2,110,054 
 $9,777,235 
 $624,637,455 
 $634,414,690 
 $4,706,221 
 $882,078 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
 90 Days or 
 
   
 90 Days
 Total 
   
   
 Non-Accrual 
 More and 
December 31, 2019
 30-89 Days 
 or More 
 Past Due 
 Current 
 Total Loans 
 Loans 
 Accruing 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Commercial & industrial
 $68,532 
 $44,503 
 $113,035 
 $98,817,796 
 $98,930,831 
 $480,083 
 $0 
Commercial real estate
  1,690,307 
  151,723 
  1,842,030 
  244,440,696 
  246,282,726 
  1,600,827 
  0 
Municipal
  0 
  0 
  0 
  55,817,206 
  55,817,206 
  0 
  0 
Residential real estate
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 - 1st lien
  3,871,045 
  1,217,098 
  5,088,143 
  153,249,153 
  158,337,296 
  2,112,267 
  530,046 
 - Jr lien
  331,416 
  147,976 
  479,392 
  42,751,481 
  43,230,873 
  240,753 
  112,386 
Consumer
  49,607 
  0 
  49,607 
  4,340,398 
  4,390,005 
  0 
  0 
     Totals
 $6,010,907 
 $1,561,300 
 $7,572,207 
 $599,416,730 
 $606,988,937 
 $4,433,930 
 $642,432 
 
 
For all loan segments, loans over 30 days past due are considered delinquent.
 
 
14
 
 
As of the balance sheet dates presented, residential mortgage loans in process of foreclosure consisted of the following:
 
 
 Number of loans 
 Balance 
 
   
   
March 31, 2020
  8 
 $394,086 
December 31, 2019
  9 
  495,943 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
The ALL is established through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes that future payments of a loan balance are unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
 
Unsecured loans, primarily consumer loans, are charged off when they become uncollectible and no later than 120 days past due. Unsecured loans to customers who subsequently file bankruptcy are charged off within 30 days of receipt of the notification of filing or by the end of the month in which the loans become 120 days past due, whichever occurs first. For secured loans, both residential and commercial, the potential loss on impaired loans is carried as a loan loss reserve specific allocation; the loss portion is charged off when collection of the full loan appears unlikely. The unsecured portion of a real estate loan is that portion of the loan exceeding the "fair value" of the collateral less the estimated cost to sell. Value of the collateral is determined in accordance with the Company’s appraisal policy. The unsecured portion of an impaired real estate secured loan is charged off by the end of the month in which the loan becomes 180 days past due.
 
As described below, the allowance consists of general, specific and unallocated components. However, the entire allowance is available to absorb losses in the loan portfolio, regardless of specific, general and unallocated components considered in determining the amount of the allowance.
 
General component
 
The general component of the ALL is based on historical loss experience and various qualitative factors and is stratified by the following loan segments: commercial and industrial, CRE, municipal, residential real estate 1st lien, residential real estate Jr lien and consumer loans. The Company does not disaggregate its portfolio segments further into classes.
 
Loss ratios are calculated by loan segment for one year, two year, three year, four year and five year look back periods. Management uses an average of historical losses based on a time frame appropriate to capture relevant loss data for each loan segment in the current economic climate. During periods of economic stability, a relatively longer period (e.g., five years) may be appropriate. During periods of significant expansion or contraction, the Company may appropriately shorten the historical time period. The Company is currently using an extended look back period of five years.
 
Qualitative factors include the levels of and trends in delinquencies and non-performing loans, levels of and trends in loan risk groups, trends in volumes and terms of loans, effects of any changes in loan related policies, experience, ability and the depth of management, documentation and credit data exception levels, national and local economic trends, external factors such as competition and regulation and lastly, concentrations of credit risk in a variety of areas, including portfolio product mix, the level of loans to individual borrowers and their related interests, loans to industry segments, and the geographic distribution of CRE loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to revision as more information becomes available.
 
The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. The Company has policies, procedures and internal controls that management believes are commensurate with the risk profile of each of these segments. Major risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:
 
Commercial & Industrial – Loans in this segment include commercial and industrial loans and to a lesser extent loans to finance agricultural production. Commercial loans are made to businesses and are generally secured by assets of the business, including trade assets and equipment. While not the primary collateral, in many cases these loans may also be secured by the real estate of the business. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, soft consumer spending, unfavorable foreign trade conditions and the rising cost of labor or raw materials are examples of issues that can impact the credit quality in this segment.
 
15
 
 
Commercial Real Estate – Loans in this segment are principally made to businesses and are generally secured by either owner-occupied, or non-owner occupied CRE. A relatively small portion of this segment includes farm loans secured by farm land and buildings. As with commercial and industrial loans, repayment of owner-occupied CRE loans is expected from the cash flows of the business and the segment would be impacted by the same risk factors as commercial and industrial loans. The non-owner occupied CRE portion includes both residential and commercial construction loans, vacant land and real estate development loans, multi-family dwelling loans and commercial rental property loans. Repayment of construction loans is expected from permanent financing takeout; the Company generally requires a commitment or eligibility for the take-out financing prior to construction loan origination. Real estate development loans are generally repaid from the sale of the subject real property as the project progresses. Construction and development lending entail additional risks, including the project exceeding budget, not being constructed according to plans, not receiving permits, or the pre-leasing or occupancy rate not meeting expectations. Repayment of multi-family loans and commercial rental property loans is expected from the cash flow generated by rental payments received from the individuals or businesses occupying the real estate. CRE loans are impacted by factors such as competitive market forces, vacancy rates, cap rates, net operating incomes, lease renewals and overall economic demand. In addition, loans in the recreational and tourism sector can be affected by weather conditions, such as unseasonably low winter snowfalls. CRE lending also carries a higher degree of environmental risk than other real estate lending.
 
Municipal – Loans in this segment are made to local municipalities, attributable to municipal financing transactions and backed by the full faith and credit of town governments or dedicated governmental revenue sources, with no historical losses recognized by the Company.
 
Residential Real Estate - 1st Lien – Loans in this segment are collateralized by first mortgages on 1 – 4 family owner-occupied residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.
 
Residential Real Estate – Jr Lien – Loans in this segment are collateralized by junior lien mortgages on 1 – 4 family residential real estate and repayment is primarily dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.
 
Consumer – Loans in this segment are made to individuals for consumer and household purposes. This segment includes both loans secured by automobiles and other consumer goods, as well as loans that are unsecured. This segment also includes overdrafts, which are extensions of credit made to both individuals and businesses to cover temporary shortages in their deposit accounts and are generally unsecured. The Company maintains policies restricting the size and term of these extensions of credit. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.
 
Specific component
 
The specific component of the ALL relates to loans that are impaired. Impaired loans are loan(s) to a borrower that in the aggregate are greater than $100,000 and that are in non-accrual status or are TDRs regardless of amount. A specific allowance is established for an impaired loan when its estimated fair value or net present value of future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the loan. For all loan segments, except consumer loans, a loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, in management’s estimation it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant or temporary payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management evaluates the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length and frequency of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis, by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.
 
Impaired loans also include troubled loans that are restructured. A TDR occurs when the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that would otherwise not be granted. TDRs may include the transfer of assets to the Company in partial satisfaction of a troubled loan, a modification of a loan’s terms, or a combination of the two. As described above in Note 3, under March 2020 guidance from the federal banking agencies and concurrence by the FASB, certain short-term loan accommodations made in good faith for borrowers experiencing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 health emergency will not be considered TDRs.
 
Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment evaluation, unless such loans are subject to a restructuring agreement.
 
 
 
16
 
 
Unallocated component
 
An unallocated component of the ALL is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component reflects management’s estimate of the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.
 
The tables below summarize changes in the ALL and select loan information, by portfolio segment, for the periods indicated.
 
As of or for the three months ended March 31, 2020
 
 
   
   
   
 Residential 
 Residential 
   
   
   
 
 Commercial 
 Commercial 
   
 Real Estate 
 Real Estate 
   
   
   
 
 & Industrial 
 Real Estate 
 Municipal 
 1st Lien 
 Jr Lien 
 Consumer 
 Unallocated 
 Total 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
ALL beginning balance
 $836,766 
 $3,181,646 
 $0 
 $1,388,564 
 $289,684 
 $51,793 
 $178,038 
 $5,926,491 
  Charge-offs
  0 
  0 
  0 
  (77,696)
  (28,673)
  (27,391)
  0 
  (133,760)
  Recoveries
  0 
  0 
  0 
  3,334 
  3,367 
  10,829 
  0 
  17,530 
  Provision (credit)
  30,901 
  141,408 
  0 
  163,074 
  21,403 
  18,486 
  1,231 
  376,503 
ALL ending balance
 $867,667 
 $3,323,054 
 $0 
 $1,477,276 
 $285,781 
 $53,717 
 $179,269 
 $6,186,764 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
ALL evaluated for impairment
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  Individually
 $0 
 $0 
 $0 
 $119,355 
 $477 
 $0 
 $0 
 $119,832 
  Collectively
  867,667 
  3,323,054 
  0 
  1,357,921 
  285,304 
  53,717 
  179,269 
  6,066,932 
     Total
 $867,667 
 $3,323,054 
 $0 
 $1,477,276 
 $285,781 
 $53,717 
 $179,269 
 $6,186,764 
   
Loans evaluated for impairment
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  Individually
 $392,187 
 $1,650,748 
 $0 
 $4,781,243 
 $314,521 
 $0 
    
 $7,138,699 
  Collectively
  108,066,217 
  255,163,954 
  59,649,823 
  158,547,023 
  41,716,277 
  4,132,697 
    
  627,275,991 
     Total
 $108,458,404 
 $256,814,702 
 $59,649,823 
 $163,328,266 
 $42,030,798 
 $4,132,697 
    
 $634,414,690 
 
 
As of or for the year ended December 31, 2019
 
 
   
   
   
 Residential 
 Residential 
   
   
   
 
 Commercial 
 Commercial 
   
 Real Estate 
 Real Estate 
   
   
   
 
 & Industrial 
 Real Estate 
 Municipal 
 1st Lien 
 Jr Lien 
 Consumer 
 Unallocated 
 Total 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
ALL beginning balance
 $697,469 
 $3,019,868 
 $0 
 $1,421,494 
 $273,445 
 $56,787 
 $133,478 
 $5,602,541 
  Charge-offs
  (175,815)
  (116,186)
  0 
  (242,244)
  (222,999)
  (102,815)
  0 
  (860,059)
  Recoveries
  10,768 
  50,388 
  0 
  15,776 
  2,200 
  38,710 
  0 
  117,842 
  Provision
  304,344 
  227,576 
  0 
  193,538 
  237,038 
  59,111 
  44,560 
  1,066,167 
ALL ending balance
 $836,766 
 $3,181,646 
 $0 
 $1,388,564 
 $289,684 
 $51,793 
 $178,038 
 $5,926,491 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
ALL evaluated for impairment
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  Individually
 $0 
 $0 
 $0 
 $103,836 
 $712 
 $0 
 $0 
 $104,548 
  Collectively
  836,766 
  3,181,646 
  0 
  1,284,728 
  288,972 
  51,793 
  178,038 
  5,821,943 
     Total
 $836,766 
 $3,181,646 
 $0 
 $1,388,564 
 $289,684 
 $51,793 
 $178,038 
 $5,926,491 
   
Loans evaluated for impairment
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  Individually
 $420,933 
 $1,699,238 
 $0 
 $4,471,902 
 $156,073 
 $0 
    
 $6,748,146 
  Collectively
  98,509,898 
  244,583,488 
  55,817,206 
  153,865,394 
  43,074,800 
  4,390,005 
    
  600,240,791 
     Total
 $98,930,831 
 $246,282,726 
 $55,817,206 
 $158,337,296 
 $43,230,873 
 $4,390,005 
    
 $606,988,937 
 
 
17
 
 
 
As of or for the three months ended March 31, 2019
 
 
   
   
   
 Residential 
 Residential 
   
   
   
 
 Commercial 
 Commercial 
   
 Real Estate 
 Real Estate 
   
   
   
 
 & Industrial 
 Real Estate 
 Municipal 
 1st Lien 
 Jr Lien 
 Consumer 
 Unallocated 
 Total 
ALL beginning balance
 $697,469 
 $3,019,868 
 $0 
 $1,421,494 
 $273,445 
 $56,787 
 $133,478 
 $5,602,541 
  Charge-offs
  0 
  0 
  0 
  (74,731)
  0 
  (32,791)
  0 
  (107,522)
  Recoveries
  9,077 
  0 
  0 
  2,497 
  485 
  8,261 
  0 
  20,320 
  Provision (credit)
  (29,782)
  133,288 
  0 
  57,872 
  (8,927)
  17,458 
  42,594 
  212,503 
ALL ending balance
 $676,764 
 $3,153,156 
 $0 
 $1,407,132 
 $265,003 
 $49,715 
 $176,072 
 $5,727,842 
 
 
Impaired loans, by portfolio segment, were as follows:
 
 
 As of March 31, 2020 
   
   
 
   
 Unpaid 
   
 Average 
 Interest 
 
 Recorded 
 Principal 
 Related 
 Recorded 
 Income 
 
 Investment(1) 
 Balance 
 Allowance 
 Investment (1)(2) 
 Recognized(2) 
Related allowance recorded
   
   
   
   
   
   Residential real estate
    
    
    
    
    
    - 1st lien
 $968,459 
 $991,113 
 $119,355 
 $923,449 
 $20,431 
    - Jr lien
  5,686 
  5,683 
  477 
  5,904 
  144 
     Total with related allowance
  974,145 
  996,796 
  119,832 
  929,353 
  20,575 
 
    
    
    
    
    
No related allowance recorded
    
    
    
    
    
   Commercial & industrial
  392,187 
  424,442 
    
  406,560 
  0 
   Commercial real estate
  1,651,247 
  2,004,694 
    
  1,675,509 
  3,542 
   Residential real estate
    
    
    
    
    
    - 1st lien
  3,834,253 
  4,609,223 
    
  3,724,607 
  51,612 
    - Jr lien
  308,838 
  350,313 
    
  229,405 
  0 
     Total with no related allowance
  6,186,525 
  7,388,672 
    
  6,036,081 
  55,154 
 
    
    
    
    
    
     Total impaired loans
 $7,160,670 
 $8,385,468 
 $119,832 
 $6,965,434 
 $75,729 
 
(1) Recorded investment in impaired loans as of March 31, 2020 includes accrued interest receivable and deferred net loan costs of $21,971.
(2) For the three months ended March 31, 2020
 
 
18
 
 
 
 
 As of December 31, 2019 
 2019 
 
   
 Unpaid 
   
 Average 
 Interest 
 
 Recorded 
 Principal 
 Related 
 Recorded 
 Income 
 
 Investment(1) 
 Balance 
 Allowance 
 Investment(1)(2) 
 Recognized(2) 
 
   
   
   
   
   
Related allowance recorded
   
   
   
   
   
   Commercial & industrial
 $0 
 $0 
 $0 
 $32,466 
 $0 
   Commercial real estate
  0 
  0 
  0 
  97,720 
  0 
   Residential real estate
    
    
    
    
    
    - 1st lien
  878,439 
  902,000 
  103,836 
  982,158 
  86,039 
    - Jr lien
  6,121 
  6,101 
  712 
  6,869 
  648 
     Total with related allowance
  884,560 
  908,101 
  104,548 
  1,119,213 
  86,687 
 
    
    
    
    
    
No related allowance recorded
    
    
    
    
    
   Commercial & industrial
  420,933 
  445,509 
    
  307,208 
  6,396 
   Commercial real estate
  1,699,772 
  2,031,764 
    
  1,812,836 
  21,591 
   Residential real estate
    
    
    
    
    
    - 1st lien
  3,614,960 
  4,273,884 
    
  3,778,822 
  212,883 
    - Jr lien
  149,972 
  157,754 
    
  224,938 
  4,524 
     Total with no related allowance
  5,885,637 
  6,908,911 
    
  6,123,804 
  245,394 
 
    
    
    
    
    
     Total impaired loans
 $6,770,197 
 $7,817,012 
 $104,548 
 $7,243,017 
 $332,081 
 
(1) Recorded investment in impaired loans as of December 31, 2019 includes accrued interest receivable and deferred net loan costs of $22,051.
(2) For the year ended December 31, 2019
 
 
 
 As of March 31, 2019 
   
   
 
   
 Unpaid 
   
 Average 
 Interest 
 
 Recorded 
 Principal 
 Related 
 Recorded 
 Income 
 
 Investment(1) 
 Balance 
 Allowance 
 Investment(1)(2) 
 Recognized(2) 
 
   
   
   
   
   
Related allowance recorded
   
   
   
   
   
   Commercial real estate
 $488,601 
 $499,540 
 $7,375 
 $244,300 
 $0 
   Residential real estate
    
    
    
    
    
    - 1st lien
  911,245 
  929,119 
  115,494 
  926,805 
  17,944 
    - Jr lien
  6,932 
  6,923 
  815 
  7,101 
  171 
     Total with related allowance
  1,406,778 
  1,435,582 
  123,684 
  1,178,206 
  18,115 
 
    
    
    
    
    
No related allowance recorded
    
    
    
    
    
   Commercial & industrial
  39,587 
  63,477 
    
  50,216 
  0 
   Commercial real estate
  1,713,077 
  1,971,060 
    
  1,730,700 
  5,067 
   Residential real estate
    
    
    
    
    
    - 1st lien
  3,596,317 
  4,315,339 
    
  3,530,717 
  56,132 
    - Jr lien
  296,080 
  338,447 
    
  304,076 
  0 
     Total with no related allowance
  5,645,061 
  6,688,323 
    
  5,615,709 
  61,199 
 
    
    
    
    
    
 
 $7,051,839 
 $8,123,905 
 $123,684 
 $6,793,915 
 $79,314 
 
(1) Recorded investment in impaired loans as of March 31, 2020 includes accrued interest receivable and deferred net loan costs of $16,325.
(2) For the three months ended March 31, 2019
 
 
19
 
 
For all loan segments, the accrual of interest is discontinued when a loan is specifically determined to be impaired or when the loan is delinquent 90 days and management believes, after considering collection efforts and other factors, that the borrower's financial condition is such that collection of interest is considered by management to be doubtful. Any unpaid interest previously accrued on those loans is reversed from income. Interest income is generally not recognized on specific impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is considered by management to be remote. Interest payments received on impaired loans are generally applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are considered by management to be reasonably assured.
 
Credit Quality Grouping
 
In developing the ALL, management uses credit quality groupings to help evaluate trends in credit quality. The Company groups credit risk into Groups A, B and C. The manner the Company utilizes to assign risk grouping is driven by loan purpose. Commercial purpose loans are individually risk graded while the retail portion of the portfolio is generally grouped by delinquency pool.
 
Group A loans - Acceptable Risk – are loans that are expected to perform as agreed under their respective terms. Such loans carry a normal level of risk that does not require management attention beyond that warranted by the loan or loan relationship characteristics, such as loan size or relationship size. Group A loans include commercial purpose loans that are individually risk rated and retail loans that are rated by pool. Group A retail loans include performing consumer and residential real estate loans. Residential real estate loans are loans to individuals secured by 1-4 family homes, including first mortgages, home equity and home improvement loans. Loan balances fully secured by deposit accounts or that are fully guaranteed by the federal government are considered acceptable risk.
 
Group B loans – Management Involved - are loans that require greater attention than the acceptable risk loans in Group A. Characteristics of such loans may include, but are not limited to, borrowers that are experiencing negative operating trends such as reduced sales or margins, borrowers that have exposure to adverse market conditions such as increased competition or regulatory burden, or borrowers that have had unexpected or adverse changes in management. These loans have a greater likelihood of migrating to an unacceptable risk level if these characteristics are left unchecked. Group B is limited to commercial purpose loans that are individually risk rated.
 
Group C loans – Unacceptable Risk – are loans that have distinct shortcomings that require a greater degree of management attention. Examples of these shortcomings include a borrower's inadequate capacity to service debt, poor operating performance, or insolvency. These loans are more likely to result in repayment through collateral liquidation. Group C loans range from those that are likely to sustain some loss if the shortcomings are not corrected, to those for which loss is imminent and non-accrual treatment is warranted. Group C loans include individually rated commercial purpose loans and retail loans adversely rated in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Uniform Retail Credit Classification Policy. Group C retail loans include 1-4 family residential real estate loans and home equity loans past due 90 days or more with loan-to-value ratios greater than 60%, home equity loans 90 days or more past due where the Bank does not hold first mortgage, irrespective of loan-to-value, loans in bankruptcy where repayment is likely but not yet established, and lastly consumer loans that are 90 days or more past due.
 
Commercial purpose loan ratings are assigned by the commercial account officer; for larger and more complex commercial loans, the credit rating is a collaborative assignment by the lender and the credit analyst. The credit risk rating is based on the borrower's expected performance, i.e., the likelihood that the borrower will be able to service its obligations in accordance with the loan terms. Credit risk ratings are meant to measure risk versus simply record history. Assessment of expected future payment performance requires consideration of numerous factors. While past performance is part of the overall evaluation, expected performance is based on an analysis of the borrower's financial strength, and historical and projected factors such as size and financing alternatives, capacity and cash flow, balance sheet and income statement trends, the quality and timeliness of financial reporting, and the quality of the borrower’s management. Other factors influencing the credit risk rating to a lesser degree include collateral coverage and control, guarantor strength and commitment, documentation, structure and covenants and industry conditions. There are uncertainties inherent in this process.
 
Credit risk ratings are dynamic and require updating whenever relevant information is received. Risk ratings are assessed on an ongoing basis and at various points, including at delinquency or at the time of other adverse events. For larger, more complex or adversely rated loans, risk ratings are also assessed at the time of annual or periodic review. Lenders are required to make immediate disclosure to the Chief Credit Officer of any known increase in loan risk, even if considered temporary in nature.
 
 
20
 
 
The risk ratings within the loan portfolio, by segment, as of the balance sheet dates were as follows:
 
As of March 31, 2020
 
 
   
   
   
 Residential 
 Residential 
   
   
 
 Commercial 
 Commercial 
   
 Real Estate 
 Real Estate 
   
   
 
 & Industrial 
 Real Estate 
 Municipal 
 1st Lien 
 Jr Lien 
 Consumer 
 Total 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Group A
 $103,861,820 
 $245,271,475 
 $59,649,823 
 $159,824,138 
 $41,594,537 
 $4,132,697 
 $614,334,490 
Group B
  2,980,190 
  5,753,517 
  0 
  0 
  0 
  0 
  8,733,707 
Group C
  1,616,394 
  5,789,710 
  0 
  3,504,128 
  436,261 
  0 
  11,346,493 
   Total
 $108,458,404 
 $256,814,702 
 $59,649,823 
 $163,328,266 
 $42,030,798 
 $4,132,697 
 $634,414,690 
 
 
As of December 31, 2019
 
 
   
   
   
 Residential 
 Residential 
   
   
 
 Commercial 
 Commercial 
   
 Real Estate 
 Real Estate 
   
   
 
 & Industrial 
 Real Estate 
 Municipal 
 1st Lien 
 Jr Lien 
 Consumer 
 Total 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Group A
 $93,774,871 
 $233,702,063 
 $55,817,206 
 $154,770,678 
 $42,725,543 
 $4,390,005 
 $585,180,366 
Group B
  3,295,223 
  4,517,811 
  0 
  0 
  0 
  0 
  7,813,034 
Group C
  1,860,737 
  8,062,852 
  0 
  3,566,618 
  505,330 
  0 
  13,995,537 
   Total
 $98,930,831 
 $246,282,726 
 $55,817,206 
 $158,337,296 
 $43,230,873 
 $4,390,005 
 $606,988,937 
 
 
Modifications of Loans and TDRs
 
A loan is classified as a TDR if, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider.
 
The Company is deemed to have granted such a concession if it has modified a troubled loan in any of the following ways:
 
Reduced accrued interest;
Reduced the original contractual interest rate to a rate that is below the current market rate for the borrower;
Converted a variable-rate loan to a fixed-rate loan;
Extended the term of the loan beyond an insignificant delay;
Deferred or forgiven principal in an amount greater than three months of payments; or
Performed a refinancing and deferred or forgiven principal on the original loan.
 
An insignificant delay or insignificant shortfall in the amount of payments typically would not require the loan to be accounted for as a TDR. However, pursuant to regulatory guidance, any payment delay longer than three months is generally not considered insignificant. Management’s assessment of whether a concession has been granted also takes into account payments expected to be received from third parties, including third-party guarantors, provided that the third party has the ability to perform on the guarantee.
 
The Company’s TDRs are principally a result of extending loan repayment terms to relieve cash flow difficulties. The Company has only, on a limited basis, reduced interest rates for borrowers below the current market rate for the borrower. The Company has not forgiven principal or reduced accrued interest within the terms of original restructurings, nor has it converted variable rate terms to fixed rate terms. However, the Company evaluates each TDR situation on its own merits and does not foreclose the granting of any particular type of concession.
 
The Company has adopted the TDR guidance issued by the federal banking agencies in March 2020 regarding the treatment of certain short-term loan modifications relating to the COVID-19 pandemic (See Note 3). Under this guidance, qualifying concessions and modifications are not considered TDRs. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had granted short term loan concessions and/or modifications within the terms of this guidance as to 380 borrowers, with respect to loans having an aggregate principal amount of $86.6 million. These loans may bear a higher risk of default in future periods.
 
21
 
 
New TDRs, by portfolio segment, during the periods presented were as follows:
 
 
 Three months ended March 31, 2020 
 
   
 Pre- 
 Post- 
 
   
 Modification 
 Modification 
 
   
 Outstanding 
 Outstanding 
 
 Number of 
 Recorded 
 Recorded 
 
 Contracts  
 Investment  
 Investment  
 
   
   
   
Residential real estate
    
    
    
 - 1st lien
  3 
 $168,109 
 $196,478 
 
 
 
 Year ended December 31, 2019 
 
   
 Pre- 
 Post- 
 
   
 Modification 
 Modification 
 
   
 Outstanding 
 Outstanding 
 
 Number of 
 Recorded 
 Recorded 
 
 Contracts 
 Investment 
 Investment 
 
   
   
   
Commercial & industrial
  6 
 $371,358 
 $372,259 
Commercial real estate
  1 
  19,266 
  21,628 
Residential real estate
    
    
    
 - 1st lien
  6 
  755,476 
  798,800 
 - Jr lien
  1 
  55,557 
  57,415 
 
  14 
 $1,201,657 
 $1,250,102 
 
 
 
 Three months ended March 31, 2019 
 
   
 Pre- 
 Post- 
 
   
 Modification 
 Modification 
 
   
 Outstanding 
 Outstanding 
 
 Number of 
 Recorded 
 Recorded 
 
 Contracts 
 Investment 
 Investment 
 
   
   
   
Commercial real estate
  1 
 $19,265 
 $21,628 
Residential real estate
    
    
    
 - 1st lien
  1 
  95,899 
  96,369 
 
  2 
 $115,164 
 $117,997 
 
 
The TDRs for which there was a payment default during the twelve month periods presented were as follows:
 
For the twelve months ended March 31, 2020
 
 
 Number of 
 Recorded 
 
 Contracts 
 Investment 
 
   
   
Commercial real estate
  1 
 $376,864 
 
 
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019
 
 Number of 
 Recorded 
 
 Contracts 
 Investment 
 
   
   
Commercial & industrial
  2 
 $27,818 
Residential real estate
    
    
 - 1st lien
  1 
  227,907 
 - Jr lien
  1 
  55,010 
 
  4 
 $310,735 
 
 
22
 
 
For the twelve months ended March 31, 2019
 Number of 
 Recorded 
 
 Contracts 
 Investment 
 
   
   
Commercial real estate
  1 
 $392,719 
 
 
TDRs are treated as other impaired loans and carry individual specific reserves with respect to the calculation of the ALL. These loans are categorized as non-performing, may be past due, and are generally adversely risk rated. The TDRs that have defaulted under their restructured terms are generally in collection status and their reserve is typically calculated using the fair value of collateral method.
 
The specific allowances within the ALL related to TDRs as of the balance sheet dates are presented in the table below.
 
 
 March 31, 
 December 31, 
 
 2020 
 2019 
 
   
   
Specific Allocation
 $119,832 
 $104,548 
 
 
As of the balance sheet dates, the Company evaluates whether it is contractually committed to lend additional funds to debtors with impaired, non-accrual or modified loans. The Company is contractually committed to lend on one SBA guaranteed line of credit to a borrower whose lending relationship was previously restructured.
 
Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
As a result of a merger with LyndonBank on December 31, 2007, the Company recorded goodwill amounting to $11,574,269. The goodwill is not amortizable and is not deductible for tax purposes.
 
As of December 31, 2019, the most recent evaluation, management concluded that no impairment existed. Management evaluates its goodwill intangible for impairment at least annually, or more frequently as circumstances warrant, including, as applicable, circumstances arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the disruptions to the economy and increased volatility in the financial markets and related impacts on the Company's business.
 
Note 8. Fair Value
 
Certain assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value to provide additional insight into the Company’s quality of earnings and comprehensive income. The fair values of some of these assets and liabilities are measured on a recurring basis while others are measured on a non-recurring basis, with the determination based upon applicable existing accounting pronouncements. For example, securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Other assets, such as MSRs, loans held-for-sale, impaired loans, and OREO are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis using the lower of cost or market methodology to determine impairment of individual assets. The Company groups assets and liabilities which are recorded at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (with Level 1 considered highest and Level 3 considered lowest). A brief description of each level follows.
 
Level 1 
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasury, other U.S. Government debt securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.
 
Level 2 
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes MSRs, impaired loans and OREO.
 
Level 3 
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
 
 
23
 
 
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value measurements:
 
Debt Securities AFS:  Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices for similar assets, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using matrix pricing models, or other model-based valuation techniques requiring observable inputs other than quoted prices such as yield curves, prepayment speeds and default rates. Level 1 securities would include U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets. Level 2 securities include federal agency securities.
 
Impaired loans: Impaired loans are reported based on one of three measures: the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; the loan’s observable market price; or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the fair value is less than an impaired loan’s recorded investment, an impairment loss is recognized as part of the ALL. Accordingly, certain impaired loans may be subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Management has estimated the fair values of collateral-dependent loans using Level 2 inputs, such as the fair value of collateral based on independent third-party appraisals.
 
Loans held-for-sale: The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based upon an actual purchase and sale agreement between the Company and an independent market participant. The sale is executed within a reasonable period following quarter end at the stated fair value.
 
MSRs:  MSRs represent the value associated with servicing residential mortgage loans. Servicing assets and servicing liabilities are reported using the amortization method and compared to fair value for impairment. In evaluating the carrying values of MSRs, the Company obtains third party valuations based on loan level data including note rate, and the type and term of the underlying loans. The Company classifies MSRs as non-recurring Level 2.
 
OREO:  Real estate acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure and bank properties no longer used as bank premises are initially recorded at fair value. The fair value of OREO is based on property appraisals and an analysis of similar properties currently available. The Company records OREO as non-recurring Level 2.
 
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
 
Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at the dates presented, segregated by fair value hierarchy, are summarized below. There were no Level 1 or Level 3 assets or liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of the balance sheet dates presented, nor were there any transfers of assets between Levels during 2020 or 2019.
 
Level 2
 March 31, 2020 
 December 31, 2019 
Assets: (market approach)
   
   
U.S. GSE debt securities
 $13,873,328 
 $18,061,620 
Agency MBS
  15,612,101 
  16,205,375 
ABS and OAS
  2,730,832 
  2,852,909 
Other investments
  9,653,948 
  8,846,846 
     Total
 $41,870,209 
 $45,966,750 
 
 
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
 
The following table includes assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis that have had a fair value adjustment since their initial recognition. Impaired loans measured at fair value only include collateral-dependent impaired loans with a related specific allocation with the ALL and are presented net of specific allowances as disclosed in Note 6. There were no fair value adjustments to such impaired loans for the periods presented in the table below.
 
 
24
 
 
Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at the dates presented, segregated by fair value hierarchy level, are summarized below. There were no Level 1 or Level 3 assets or liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis as of the balance sheet dates presented, nor were there any transfers of assets between levels during 2020 or 2019.
 
Level 2
 March 31, 2020 
 December 31, 2019 
Assets: (market approach)
   
   
Loans held-for-sale
 $667,000 
 $0 
MSRs (1)
  915,292 
  939,577 
OREO
  781,238 
  966,738 
 
(1) Represents MSRs at lower of cost or fair value.
 
FASB ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments”, requires disclosures of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, if the fair values can be reasonably determined. 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 using observable inputs when available. 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. Topic 825 excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.
 
The estimated fair values of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit were immaterial as of the dates presented in the tables below. The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments were as follows:
 
March 31, 2020
   
 Fair 
 Fair 
 Fair 
 Fair 
 
 Carrying 
 Value 
 Value 
 Value 
 Value 
 
 Amount 
 Level 1 
 Level 2 
 Level 3 
 Total 
 
 (Dollars in Thousands) 
Financial assets:
   
   
   
   
   
Cash and cash equivalents
 $38,630 
 $38,630 
 $0 
 $0 
 $38,630 
Debt securities AFS
  41,870 
  0 
  41,870 
  0 
  41,870 
Restricted equity securities
  1,415 
  0 
  1,415 
  0 
  1,415 
Loans and loans held-for-sale, net of ALL
    
    
    
    
    
  Commercial & industrial
  107,556 
  0 
  0 
  107,359 
  107,359 
  Commercial real estate
  253,412 
  0 
  0 
  252,713 
  252,713 
  Municipal
  59,650 
  0 
  0 
  60,089 
  60,089 
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
  162,467 
  0 
  0 
  163,812 
  163,812 
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
  41,732 
  0 
  0 
  41,762 
  41,762 
  Consumer
  4,078 
  0 
  0 
  4,091 
  4,091 
MSRs (1)
  915 
  0 
  1,148 
  0 
  1,148 
Accrued interest receivable
  2,891 
  0 
  2,891 
  0 
  2,891 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Financial liabilities:
    
    
    
    
    
Deposits
    
    
    
    
    
  Other deposits
  616,447 
  0 
  618,480 
  0 
  618,480 
  Brokered deposits
  1,698 
  0 
  1,709 
  0 
  1,709 
Short-term borrowings
  20,000 
  0 
  20,000 
  0 
  20,000 
Long-term borrowings
  2,650 
  0 
  2,512 
  0 
  2,512 
Repurchase agreements
  22,911 
  0 
  22,911 
  0 
  22,911 
Operating lease obligations
  1,203 
  0 
  1,203 
  0 
  1,203 
Finance lease obligations
  85 
  0 
  85 
  0 
  85 
Subordinated debentures
  12,887 
  0 
  11,717 
  0 
  11,717 
Accrued interest payable
  133 
  0 
  133 
  0 
  133 
 
 
(1)
Reported fair value represents all MSRs for loans serviced by the Company at March 31, 2020, regardless of carrying amount.
 
 
25
 
 
December 31, 2019
   
 Fair 
 Fair 
 Fair 
 Fair 
 
 Carrying 
 Value 
 Value 
 Value 
 Value 
 
 Amount 
 Level 1 
 Level 2 
 Level 3 
 Total 
 
 (Dollars in Thousands) 
Financial assets:
   
   
   
   
   
Cash and cash equivalents
 $48,562 
 $48,562 
 $0 
 $0 
 $48,562 
Debt securities AFS
  45,967 
  0 
  45,967 
  0 
  45,967 
Restricted equity securities
  1,432 
  0 
  1,432 
  0 
  1,432 
Loans and loans held-for-sale, net of ALL
    
    
    
    
    
  Commercial & industrial
  98,062 
  0 
  0 
  97,356 
  97,356 
  Commercial real estate
  243,022 
  0 
  0 
  242,735 
  242,735 
  Municipal
  55,817 
  0 
  0 
  55,867 
  55,867 
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
  156,897 
  0 
  0 
  156,520 
  156,520 
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
  42,927 
  0 
  0 
  42,950 
  42,950 
  Consumer
  4,337 
  0 
  0 
  4,306 
  4,306 
MSRs (1)
  940 
  0 
  1,250 
  0 
  1,250 
Accrued interest receivable
  2,337 
  0 
  2,337 
  0 
  2,337 
 
    
    
    
    
    
Financial liabilities:
    
    
    
    
    
Deposits
    
    
    
    
    
  Other deposits
  603,872 
  0 
  604,267 
  0 
  604,267 
  Brokered deposits
  11,149 
  0 
  11,153 
  0 
  11,153 
Long-term borrowings
  2,650 
  0 
  2,427 
  0 
  2,427 
Repurchase agreements
  33,190 
  0 
  33,190 
  0 
  33,190 
Operating lease obligations
  1,263 
  0 
  1,263 
  0 
  1,263 
Finance lease obligations
  100 
  0 
  100 
  0 
  100 
Subordinated debentures
  12,887 
  0 
  12,831 
  0 
  12,831 
Accrued interest payable
  139 
  0 
  139 
  0 
  139 
 
(1)
Reported fair value represents all MSRs for loans serviced by the Company at December 31, 2018, regardless of carrying amount.
 
Note 9. Loan Servicing
 
The following table shows the changes in the carrying amount of the MSRs, included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, for the periods indicated:
 
 
 Three Months Ended 
 Year Ended 
 
 March 31, 2020 
 December 31, 2019 
 
   
   
Balance at beginning of year
 $939,577 
 $1,004,948 
   MSRs capitalized
  30,653 
  114,580 
   MSRs amortized
  (54,938)
  (179,951)
Balance at end of period
 $915,292 
 $939,577 
 
There was no valuation allowance recorded for MSRs for the periods presented.
 
Note 10. Legal Proceedings
 
In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in litigation that is considered incidental to its business. Management does not expect that any such litigation will be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
 
Note 11. Subsequent Event
 
The Company has evaluated events and transactions through the date that the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in these financial statements, as required by GAAP. On March 12, 2020, the Company’s Board declared a cash dividend of $0.19 per common share, payable May 1, 2020 to shareholders of record as of April 15, 2020. This dividend has been recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the declaration date, including shares issuable under the DRIP.
As of May 5, 2020, the Company had received approval from the SBA for approximately 700 applications for PPP loans under the CARES Act with respect to approximately $95 million in loans. In addition, in April, 2020, the Company qualified to obtain loan advances through the FRB’s PPPLF to fund its PPP lending activities, but had no outstanding balance under that facility as of May 5, 2020.
 
26
 
 
 
ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Period Ended March 31, 2020
 
The following discussion analyzes the consolidated financial condition of Community Bancorp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community National Bank, as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, and its consolidated results of operations for the three-month interim period presented.
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in its 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
 
Capitalized terms, abbreviations and acronyms used throughout the following discussion are defined in Note 1 to the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this report.
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding the results of operations, financial condition and business of the Company and its subsidiary. Words used in the discussion below such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," “projects”, "plans," “assumes”, "predicts," “may”, “might”, “will”, “could”, “should” and similar expressions, indicate that management of the Company is making forward-looking statements.
 
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They necessarily involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Examples of forward looking statements included in this discussion include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects; the estimated contingent liability related to assumptions made within the asset/liability management process; management's expectations as to the future interest rate environment and the Company's related liquidity level; credit risk expectations relating to the Company's loan portfolio and its participation in the FHLBB MPF program; and management's general outlook for the future performance of the Company or the local or national economy. Although forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and estimates as of the date they are made, many of the factors that could influence or determine actual results are unpredictable and not within the Company's control.
 
Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities:
 
general economic or business conditions, either nationally, regionally or locally, deteriorate, resulting in a decline in credit quality or a diminished demand for the Company's products and services;
competitive pressures increase among financial service providers in the Company's northern New England market area or in the financial services industry generally, including competitive pressures from non-bank financial service providers, from increasing consolidation and integration of financial service providers, and from changes in technology and delivery systems;
interest rates change in such a way as to negatively affect the Company's net income, asset valuations or margins;
changes in laws or government rules, including the rules of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or the way in which courts or government agencies interpret or implement those laws or rules, increase our costs of doing business, causing us to limit or change our product offerings or pricing, or otherwise adversely affect the Company's business;
changes in federal or state tax laws or policy;
changes in the level of nonperforming assets and charge-offs;
changes in applicable accounting policies, practices and standards, including, without limitation, implementation of pending changes to the measurement of credit losses in financial statements under US GAAP pursuant to the CECL model;
changes in consumer and business spending, borrowing and savings habits;
reductions in deposit levels, which necessitate increased borrowings to fund loans and investments;
the geographic concentration of the Company’s loan portfolio and deposit base;
losses due to the fraudulent or negligent conduct of third parties, including the Company’s service providers, customers and employees;
cybersecurity risks could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial performance or reputation and could result in financial liability for losses incurred by customers or others due to data breaches or other compromise of the Company’s information security systems;
 
 
27
 
 
higher-than-expected costs are incurred relating to information technology or difficulties arise in implementing technological enhancements;
management’s risk management measures may not be completely effective;
changes in the United States monetary and fiscal policies, including the interest rate policies of the FRB and its regulation of the money supply;
adverse changes in the credit rating of U.S. government debt;
the planned phase out the LIBOR by the end of 2021, which could adversely affect the Company’s interest costs in future periods on its $12,887,000 in principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures due December 12, 2037, which currently bear interest at a variable rate, adjusted quarterly, equal to 3-month LIBOR, plus 2.85%;
the effect of COVID-19 on our Company, the communities where we have branches, the State of Vermont and the national and global economies and overall stability of the financial markets;
government and regulatory responses to the COVID-19 pandemic;
operational and internal system failures due to changes in normal business practices, including remote working for Company staff;
increased cybercrime and payment system risk due to increase usage by customers of online and other remote banking channels;
rising unemployment rates in our markets due to the COVID-19 related business shutdowns and other economic disruptions, which reduces our borrowers' ability to repay their loans and reduces customer demand for our products and services; and
government intervention in the U.S. financial system, including the effects of recent legislative, tax, accounting and regulatory actions and reforms, such as passage of the CARES Act, the actions of the Federal Reserve affecting monetary policy, and the moratorium on foreclosures imposed by the State of Vermont.
 
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements as they speak only as of the date they are made. The Company does not undertake, and disclaims any obligation, to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence or anticipated occurrence of events or circumstances after the date of this Report, except as required by applicable law. The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
 
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
 
Under SEC Regulation G, public companies making disclosures containing financial measures that are not in accordance with GAAP must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as a statement of the company’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure. The SEC has exempted from the definition of non-GAAP financial measures certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP. However, three non-GAAP financial measures commonly used by financial institutions, namely tax-equivalent net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest margin (as presented in the tables in the section labeled Interest Income Versus Interest Expense (NII)) and core earnings (as defined and discussed in the Results of Operations section), have not been specifically exempted by the SEC, and may therefore constitute non-GAAP financial measures under Regulation G. We are unable to state with certainty whether the SEC would regard those measures as subject to Regulation G.
 
Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s financial performance and facilitate comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions. However, that information should be considered supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.
 
OVERVIEW
 
The Company’s consolidated assets on March 31, 2020 were $751,692,254, an increase of $13,736,935, or 1.9%, from December 31, 2019. Net loans increased $27,158,703, or 4.5%, since December 31, 2019. This year-to-date growth is attributable to an increase of $9.5 million in commercial loans, $3.8 million in municipal loans, $10.5 million in commercial real estate loans, and $3.8 million in 1-4 family residential loans. Growth in the commercial loan portfolio was enhanced with $2.4 million in purchased loans from BHG.  The securities AFS portfolio decreased $4,096,541, or 8.9%, from December 31, 2019 due to several calls exercised during the first three months of 2020.
 
Total deposits increased $3,123,328 or 0.5%, since December 31, 2019, reflecting the combined effect of an increase in money market and savings accounts totaling $9.9 million, or 5.3%, a decrease in core deposits, demand, non-interest bearing demand and interest-bearing transaction accounts, totaling $1.1 million, or 0.4%, and a decrease in time deposits of $5.7 million, or 4.9%. Increases in money market and savings accounts was driven in part by an increase in municipal deposits as well as consumer savings accounts, while the decrease in time deposits was predominantly due to the maturity of brokered deposits that were not replaced.
 
 
 
28
 
 
On March 16, 2020 the federal bank regulatory agencies released a statement encouraging banks to use the Federal Reserve’s discount window in an effort to support the liquidity and stability of the banking system amid the economic disruption related to the COVID-19 health emergency. The Company’s liquidity position was enhanced at quarter end with a $20.0 million advance from the FRB’s discount window under a BIC agreement with the FRBB. This action was taken to strengthen the Company’s liquidity position and ensure the ability to manage through any unforeseen disruptions or potential gridlock in the system due to challenges from the COVID-19 outbreak. The advance was paid off in April once the Governor of Vermont recognized banks as essential businesses and a sense of stability returned to the banking system.
 
Interest income increased $73,784, or 1.0%, for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019, while interest expense decreased $62,147 or 4.0%, for the same comparison period. The opportunity for an increase in interest income from the loan growth was offset by the impact the decrease in the prime rate had on adjustable rate loans. The decrease in interest expense is due to a reduction of rates paid on interest-bearing transaction accounts, money market accounts and time deposits, following the 150 basis point decrease in short-term rates in March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please refer to the interest rate sensitivity discussion in the Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management section for more information on the impact that FRB action and changes in the yield curve could have on net interest income. Growth of the loan portfolio was the major driver to the increase in the provision for loan losses of $376,503 for the first quarter of 2020 compared to $212,503 for the same period in 2019, an increase of 77.2%. Please refer to the ALL and provisions discussion in the Credit Risk section for more information on these increases.
 
Net income for the first quarter of 2020 was $1,861,239, an increase of $89,334, or 5.0%, from net income of $1,771,905 for the same quarter of 2019. Non-interest income increased $35,007, or 2.7%, and non-interest expense decreased $62,705, or 1.2%, accounting for the increase in 2020 net income versus 2019. Income from sold loans increased $37,376, or 36.3%, and other income from loans increased $81,723, or 58.9% for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019. Loan originations that were subsequently sold in the secondary market were $3,685,350 for the first three months of 2020 compared to $747,020 for the same period in 2019 resulting in a gain on sale of loans of $51,183 and 22,602, respectively. Commercial and residential loan documentation fees make up the biggest portion of other income from loans, with increases of $51,783 and $26,640, respectively, noted for the first three months of 2020 versus 2019. The decrease in non-interest expense is made up of many components, with audit fees accounting for $44,620 and collection and non-accruing loan expenses accounting for $33,359. Please refer to the Non-interest Income and Non-interest Expense sections for more information on these and other changes.
 
Equity capital grew to $70.5 million, with a book value per share of $13.14 as of March 31, 2020, compared to equity capital of $63.6 million and a book value of $11.97 as of March 31, 2019. On March 13, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 per common share, payable on May 1, 2020 to shareholders of record on April 15, 2020.
 
The financial statements and capital sections of this report reflect a partial redemption in 2019 of the Company’s outstanding Series A non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock. On March 31, 2019, the Company completed a second partial redemption of its preferred stock. Five shares were redeemed at par, at an aggregate redemption price of $500,000, plus accrued dividends. These redemptions began in 2018, and are at the discretion of management and voted on by the Board. The Company opted to not redeem any additional preferred shares during the first quarter of 2020, but may consider further redemptions later this year.
 
RECENT EVENTS – COVID-19 PANDEMIC
 
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported to have surfaced in China, and has since spread to a number of other countries, including the United States. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and the United States declared a National Public Health Emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely restricted the level of economic activity in Vermont and nationwide.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states and local governments have taken preventative or protective actions, such as imposing restrictions on travel and business operations, advising or requiring individuals to limit or forego their time outside of their homes, and ordering temporary closures of businesses that have been deemed to be non-essential.
 
In Vermont, on March 24, 2020 the Governor issued a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order and directed the closure of in-person operations for all non-essential businesses. As an essential business, the Company remained open but put in place a number of mitigation strategies in order to reduce close contact among employees and customers, including:
 
branch lobbies were closed to in-person transactions, transacting business through drive-up windows;
customers were encouraged to use ATM and electronic banking as options to avoid close contact with others;
work-from-home protocol was employed for employees, where appropriate;
14 retail staff were placed on furlough;
employees were instructed to practice social distancing when working in areas requiring multiple workers;
in-person meetings were replaced with use of video conferencing and conference calls; and
the Company’s annual meeting scheduled for May 12, 2020 was postponed until a later date.
 
 
29
 
 
As a guide, management followed protocols from the Company’s Pandemic and Business Continuity Plan and guidance from State and Federal governments to ensure continued safe access to banking services while focusing on the health and safety of our employees and customers. Members of the Company’s Pandemic Team meet weekly to address COVID-19 issues and developments. Management is conducting a risk situation analysis in each business unit and stress testing areas most vulnerable to be impacted such as liquidity and asset quality.
 
Although the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s results for the first three months ended March 31, 2020 was minimal, the extent to which the pandemic impacts our business, operations and financial results in the future will depend on numerous factors that we may not be able to accurately predict, although adverse impacts are likely.
 
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is fluid and continues to evolve, adversely affecting many of the Company’s customers. The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated impacts on trade (including supply chains and export levels), travel, employee productivity, unemployment, consumer spending, and other economic activities has resulted in less economic activity, lower equity market valuations and significant volatility and disruption in financial markets, and has had an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The ultimate extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition and results of operations is currently uncertain and will depend on various developments and other factors, including, among others, the duration and scope of the pandemic, as well as governmental, regulatory and private sector responses to the pandemic, and the associated impacts on the economy, financial markets and our customers, employees and vendors.
 
Our business, financial condition and results of operations generally rely upon the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, the value of collateral underlying our secured loans, and the demand for loans and other products and services we offer, which are highly dependent on the business environment in our local banking markets and in the country as a whole. Following the close of the first quarter of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has begun to have a significant impact on our business and operations. In addition to the temporary measures we have taken to modify our business operations and methods for delivering our products and services, we are focused on servicing the financial needs of our commercial and consumer clients with flexible loan payment arrangements, including, where appropriate, short-term loan modifications or other concessions and reducing or waiving certain fees on deposit accounts. Future governmental actions may require continuation of these and other types of customer accommodations.
 
The CARES Act included an allocation of $349 billion for loans to be issued by financial institutions through the SBA, under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). Additional PPP funding of $321 million was subsequently approved. These loans will be forgiven to the extent that the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, or utilities as long as at least 75% of the forgiven amount was used for payroll. Additionally, loan payments will be deferred for six months and no collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders are permitted to charge the recipients any fees. PPP loans carry a fixed rate of 1.00% and a term of two years, if not forgiven, in whole or in part. Payments are deferred for the first six months of the loan and the loans are 100% guaranteed by the SBA. The SBA pays the originating bank a processing fee ranging from 1% to 5%, based on the size of the loan. The SBA began accepting submissions for these PPP loans on Friday, April 3, 2020. As of May 5, 2020, the Company had processed over 700 PPP loan applications with respect to loans totaling over $ 95 million, and expects to earn approximately $ 3.5 million in related fees. Participation in the PPP will likely have a significant impact on our asset mix and net interest margin for the remainder of 2020.
 
We maintain access to multiple sources of liquidity, including access to the newly-created Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (PPPLF) of the FRB, which was established by the FRB to facilitate funding of PPP lending activity by banks and other eligible lenders. Under the PPPLF lenders may pledge pools of PPP loans having the same maturity date, with the maturity date of the lender’s advance matching the maturity date of the pool. There are no fees for PPPLF advances, which bear an annual rate of 35 bps. As of April 30, 2020, the Company had no PPPLF advances.
 
As of March 31, 2020, all of the Company’s capital ratios, and those of our subsidiary Bank, were in excess of all regulatory requirements. While we believe that we have sufficient capital to withstand an extended economic recession brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, our reported and regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted by further credit losses.
 
On April 17, Vermont Governor Phil Scott outlined an approach for the phased restart of Vermont’s economy, emphasizing the state’s modeling of COVID 19 cases indicated initial steps could be taken while the “stay home, stay safe” order remains in effect. On April 24, with modeling continuing to indicate a significant slowing of the spread of the virus, the Governor’s administration outlined some additional openings as an effort to put Vermonters back to work. These phased steps to reopen the economy come with a full list of work-place health and safety requirements for all business and specifications for each newly opened operation. As of Monday, April 27, 2020, Vermont reported 855 confirmed cases, 47 cases resulting in deaths and a reduction in active cases.
 
As Vermont statistics are trending below the initial best-case forecast and COVID-19 cases have plateaued in the state, the Company’s Pandemic Team is working on a plan for reopening in order to be well prepared for when the Governor’s administration phased approach to opening the economy lifts restrictions and allows the opening of bank lobbies.
 
 
30
 
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The Company’s significant accounting policies are fundamental to understanding the Company’s results of operations and financial condition because they require management to use estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of the Company’s assets or liabilities and financial results, sometimes in material respects. These policies are considered by management to be critical because they require subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. These policies, and others deemed less critical, are described in the Company’s Accounting Policy, which is updated yearly for review and approval by the Company’s Audit Committee, and then presented to the Company’s Board for final review and approval.
 
The Company’s critical accounting policies govern:
 
 the ALL;
 OREO;
 OTTI of debt securities;
 valuation of residential MSRs; and
 the carrying value of goodwill.
 
These policies are described in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies” and in Note 1 (Significant Accounting Policies) to the audited consolidated financial statements. There were no material changes during the first three months of 2020 in the Company’s critical accounting policies.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Net income for the first quarter of 2020 was $1,861,239, or $0.35 per common share, compared to $1,771,905, or $0.34 per common share, for the same quarter of 2019. Core earnings (NII) for the first quarter of 2020 increased $135,931, or 2.2%, compared to the same quarter in 2019. The loan mix continued to shift in favor of higher yielding commercial loans, while the deposit mix experienced an increase in non-maturity deposits, both of which have benefited the Company’s net interest income. Interest paid on deposits, which is the major component of total interest expense, decreased $33,423, or 2.6%, for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter of 2019, reflecting the decreases in short-term rates.
  
The following tables summarize certain balance sheet data and the earnings performance of the Company for the periods presented.
 
 March 31, 
 December 31, 
 
 2020 
 2019 
Balance Sheet Data
   
   
Net loans
 $628,583,564 
 $601,424,861 
Total assets
  751,692,254 
  737,955,319 
Total deposits
  618,144,696 
  615,021,368 
Borrowed funds
  22,650,000 
  2,650,000 
Junior subordinated debentures
  12,887,000 
  12,887,000 
Total liabilities
  681,108,762 
  669,060,640 
Total shareholders' equity
  70,583,492 
  68,894,679 
 
    
    
Book value per common share outstanding
 $13.14 
 $12.86 
 
    
    
 
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, 
 
 2020 
 2019 
Operating Data
   
   
Total interest income
 $7,772,152 
 $7,698,368 
Total interest expense
  1,476,393 
  1,538,540 
     Net interest income
  6,295,759 
  6,159,828 
 
    
    
Provision for loan losses
  376,503 
  212,503 
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses
  5,919,256 
  5,947,325 
 
    
    
Non-interest income
  1,353,707 
  1,318,700 
Non-interest expense
  5,093,219 
  5,155,924 
     Income before income taxes
  2,179,744 
  2,110,101 
Applicable income tax expense(1)
  318,505 
  338,196 
 
    
    
     Net Income
 $1,861,239 
 $1,771,905 
 
    
    
Per Common Share Data
    
    
Earnings per common share (2)
 $0.35 
 $0.34 
Dividends declared per common share
 $0.19 
 $0.19 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
  5,245,216 
  5,180,334 
Number of common shares outstanding, period end
  5,255,942 
  5,191,768 
 
(1) Applicable income tax expense assumes a 21% tax rate for both periods.
(2) Computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented.
 
 
31
 
 
Return on average assets, which is net income divided by average total assets, measures how effectively a corporation uses its assets to produce earnings. Return on average equity, which is net income divided by average shareholders' equity, measures how effectively a corporation uses its equity capital to produce earnings.
 
The following table shows these ratios annualized for the comparison periods presented.
 
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, 
 
 2020 
 2019 
Return on average assets
  1.02%
  1.02%
Return on average equity
  10.77%
  11.38%
 
 
INTEREST INCOME VERSUS INTEREST EXPENSE (NET INTEREST INCOME)
 
The largest component of the Company’s operating income is NII, which is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and other sources of funds (i.e., borrowings). The Company’s level of net interest income can fluctuate over time due to changes in the level and mix of earning assets and sources of funds (volume), and changes in the yield earned and costs of funds (rate). A portion of the Company’s income from loans to local municipalities is not subject to income taxes. Because the proportion of tax-exempt items in the Company's balance sheet varies from year-to-year, to improve comparability of information, the non-taxable income shown in the tables below has been converted to a tax equivalent basis. The Company’s corporate tax rate is 21%; therefore, to equalize tax-free and taxable income in the comparison, we divide the tax-free income by 79%, with the result that every tax-free dollar is equivalent to $1.27 in taxable income for the periods presented.
 
The Company’s tax-exempt interest income of $395,488 and $311,632 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, was derived from loans to local municipalities of $59.6 million and $46.3 million at March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
The following table shows the reconciliation between reported NII and tax equivalent NII for the comparison periods presented.
 
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, 
 
 2020 
 2019 
 
   
   
Net interest income as presented
 $6,295,759 
 $6,159,828 
Effect of tax-exempt income
  105,130 
  82,839 
   Net interest income, tax equivalent
 $6,400,889 
 $6,242,667 
 
 
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, FRB monetary policies and economic uncertainties have arisen that are likely to adversely affect the Company’s NII in future periods, although the extent of such impacts cannot predicted at this time.
 
 
32
 
 
The following table presents average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities supporting earning assets. Interest income (excluding interest on non-accrual loans) is expressed on a tax equivalent basis, both in dollars and as a rate/yield for the comparison periods presented.
 
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, 
 
   
 2020 
   
   
 2019 
   
 
   
   
 Average 
   
   
 Average 
 
 Average 
 Income/ 
 Rate/ 
 Average 
 Income/ 
 Rate/ 
 
 Balance 
 Expense 
 Yield 
 Balance 
 Expense 
 Yield 
Interest-Earning Assets
   
   
   
   
   
   
 Loans (1)
 $614,741,699 
 $7,471,091 
  4.89%
 $579,445,366 
 $7,293,649 
  5.10%
 Taxable investment securities
  43,343,211 
  284,756 
  2.64%
  39,483,343 
  248,108 
  2.55%
 Sweep and interest-earning accounts
  19,838,634 
  97,010 
  1.97%
  36,294,255 
  213,491 
  2.39%
 Other investments (2)
  1,891,518 
  24,425 
  5.19%
  1,821,128 
  25,959 
  5.78%
     Total
 $679,815,062 
 $7,877,282 
  4.66%
 $657,044,092 
 $7,781,207 
  4.80%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
    
    
    
    
    
    
 Interest-bearing transaction accounts
 $180,072,075 
 $386,232 
  0.86%
 $158,509,721 
 $403,539 
  1.03%
 Money market accounts
  98,155,689 
  361,283 
  1.48%
  94,236,356 
  356,658 
  1.53%
 Savings deposits
  98,797,285 
  39,271 
  0.16%
  94,344,953 
  40,110 
  0.17%
 Time deposits
  111,380,830 
  462,751 
  1.67%
  126,596,917 
  482,653 
  1.55%
 Borrowed funds
  7,818,352 
  11,017 
  0.57%
  1,551,344 
  22 
  0.01%
 Repurchase agreements
  26,199,028 
  59,535 
  0.91%
  32,940,885 
  72,831 
  0.90%
 Finance lease obligations
  90,072 
  1,778 
  7.90%
  246,736 
  5,115 
  8.29%
 Junior subordinated debentures
  12,887,000 
  154,526 
  4.82%
  12,887,000 
  177,612 
  5.59%
     Total
 $535,400,331 
 $1,476,393 
  1.11%
 $521,313,912 
 $1,538,540 
  1.20%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
Net interest income
    
 $6,400,889 
    
    
 $6,242,667 
    
Net interest spread (3)
    
    
  3.55%
    
    
  3.60%
Net interest margin (4)
    
    
  3.79%
    
    
  3.85%
 
 
1)
Included in gross loans are non-accrual loans with an average balance of $4,734,924 and $4,600,114 for the first three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Loans are stated before deduction of unearned discount and ALL, less loans held-for-sale and includes tax-exempt loans to local municipalities with average balances of $58,579,914 and $40,700,683 for the first three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
2)
Included in other investments is the Company’s FHLBB Stock with average balances of $826,368 and $755,978, respectively, and a dividend rate of approximately 5.24% and 5.77%, respectively, for the first three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
3)
Net interest spread is the difference between the average yield on average interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities.
 
4)
Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average earning assets.
 

 
33
 
 
The average volume of interest-earning assets for the three-month ended March 31, 2020 increased 3.5%, compared to the same period last year while the average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 14 bps. The decrease in the average yield in most categories reflects the decrease in the federal funds rate during the first quarter of 2020.
 
The average volume of loans increased over the three-month comparison periods of 2020 versus 2019 by 6.1%, while the average yield on loans decreased 21 bps. Loans account for 90.4% of the interest-earning asset portfolio as of March 31, 2020 compared to 88.2% for the same period last year. Interest earned on the loan portfolio as a percentage of total interest income increased to 94.8% during the first three months of 2020 compared to 93.7% for the same period in 2019.
 
The average volume of the taxable investment portfolio (classified as AFS) increased 9.8% during the first three months of 2020, compared to the same period last year, and the average yield increased nine bps. While the average volume of the investment portfolio has grown over the last two years, $4.4 million in exercised calls during the first three months of 2020 have caused the period end balance to decrease from $46.0 million at December 31, 2019 to $41.9 million at March 31, 2020, with proceeds used to fund loan growth.
 
The average volume of sweep and interest-earning accounts, which consists primarily of interest-bearing accounts at the FRBB and two correspondent banks, decreased 45.3% during the first three months of 2020, compared to the same period last year, and the average yield on these funds decreased 42 bps. This decrease in average volume is attributable to the need to fund loan growth during the first three months of 2020.
 
The average volume of interest-bearing liabilities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 increased 2.7% compared to the same period last year and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased nine bps, reflecting the decrease in the federal funds rate in March of 2020.
 
The average volume of interest-bearing transaction accounts increased 13.6% during the first three months of 2020 compared to the same period last year, while the average rate paid on these accounts decreased 17 bps. Contributing factors to the increase in average volume were increases of $10.0 million, or 33.0% in ICS DDAs, $4.4 million, or 6.9%, in other interest-bearing DDAs, as well as a higher deposit balance of the Company’s affiliate, CFSG. Interest-bearing transaction accounts comprise 33.6% of the interest-bearing liabilities as of March 31, 2020 compared to 30.4% for the same period last year. Interest paid on these accounts as a percentage of total interest expense was approximately 26.0% for the first three months of 2020 and 2019.
 
The average volume of money market accounts increased 4.2% during the first three months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, while the average rate paid decreased five bps.
 
The average volume of savings accounts increased 4.7% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 versus the same period in 2019, while the average rate paid decreased one bp.
 
The average volume of time deposits decreased 12.0% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the same period last year, while the average rate paid on these accounts increased 12 bps between periods. The decrease in the average volume of time deposits between periods reflects the maturity of brokered deposits during the first quarter of 2020 that were not replaced. Time deposits represented 20.8% of interest-bearing liabilities as of March 31, 2020, compared to 24.3% for the same period last year, and interest paid on time deposits represented 31.3% and 31.4%, respectively of total interest expense. The average volume of retail time deposits increased 5.6% from $95.3 million at March 31, 2019 to $100.6 million at March 31, 2020, while average wholesale time deposits decreased 70.0% from an average volume of $35.5 million to $10.8 million, respectively. Refer to the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section for more discussion on these changes.
 
The average volume of borrowed funds increased 404.0% from an average volume of $1.6 million to $7.8 million during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, and the average rate paid on these borrowings increased 56 bps between periods. This increase was attributable to the need to fund increased loan demand, which outpaced deposit growth.
 
The average volume of repurchase agreements decreased 20.5%, for the first three months of 2020 versus 2019, while the average rate paid increased slightly, by one bp.
 
In summary, between the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the average yield on interest-earning assets decreased 14 bps, and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased nine bps. Net interest spread for the first quarter of 2020 was 3.55%, a decrease of five bps from 3.60% for the same period in 2019. Net interest margin decreased six bps during the first quarter of 2020 versus 2019, to 3.79% from 3.85%, respectively.
 
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the reductions in the target federal funds rate, the Company’s net interest margin and net interest spread may be adversely affected in future periods, although the extent of such impacts cannot be predicted at this time.
 
 
34
 
 
The following table summarizes the variances in interest income and interest expense on a fully tax-equivalent basis for the periods presented for 2020 and 2019 resulting from volume changes in average assets and average liabilities and fluctuations in average rates earned and paid.
 
 
 Three Months Ended March 31, 
 
 Variance 
 Variance 
   
 
 Due to 
 Due to 
 Total 
 
 Rate (1) 
 Volume (1) 
 Variance 
Average Interest-Earning Assets
   
   
   
 Loans
 $(266,421)
 $443,863 
 $177,442 
 Taxable investment securities
  12,378 
  24,270 
  36,648 
 Sweep and interest-earning accounts
  (35,880)
  (80,601)
  (116,481)
 Other investments
  (2,537)
  1,003 
  (1,534)
     Total
 $(292,460)
 $388,535 
 $96,075 
 
    
    
    
Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities
    
    
    
 Interest-bearing transaction accounts
 $(72,069)
 $54,762 
 $(17,307)
 Money market accounts
  (10,161)
  14,786 
  4,625 
 Savings deposits
  (2,705)
  1,866 
  (839)
 Time deposits
  43,278 
  (63,180)
  (19,902)
 Borrowed funds
  10,840 
  155 
  10,995 
 Repurchase agreements
  1,958 
  (15,254)
  (13,296)
 Finance lease obligations
  (260)
  (3,077)
  (3,337)
 Junior subordinated debentures
  (23,086)
  0 
  (23,086)
     Total
 $(52,205)
 $(9,942)
 $(62,147)
 
    
    
    
       Changes in net interest income
 $(240,255)
 $398,477 
 $158,222 
 
 
(1) Items which have shown a year-to-year increase in volume have variances allocated as follows:
          Variance due to rate = Change in rate x new volume
          Variance due to volume = Change in volume x old rate
     Items which have shown a year-to-year decrease in volume have variances allocated as follows:
          Variance due to rate = Change in rate x old volume
          Variances due to volume = Change in volume x new rate
 
35
 
 
NON-INTEREST INCOME AND NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
 
Non-interest Income
 
The components of non-interest income for the periods presented were as follows:
 
 
 Three Months Ended 
   
   
 
 March 31, 
 Change 
 
 2020 
 2019 
 Income 
 Percent 
 
   
   
   
   
Service fees
 $806,211 
 $790,366 
 $15,845 
  2.00%
Income from sold loans
  140,463 
  103,087 
  37,376 
  36.26%
Other income from loans
  220,467 
  138,744 
  81,723 
  58.90%
Other income
    
    
    
    
  Income from CFS Partners
  91,908 
  177,419 
  (85,511)
  -48.20%
  Rental income
  2,464 
  2,428 
  36 
  1.48%
  VISA card commission
  18,662 
  23,099 
  (4,437)
  -19.21%
  Other miscellaneous income
  73,532 
  83,557 
  (10,025)
  -12.00%
     Total non-interest income
 $1,353,707 
 $1,318,700 
 $35,007 
  2.65%
 
 
Total non-interest income increased $35,007, or 2.7%, for the first three months of 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, with significant changes noted in the following:
 
The increase in income from sold loans for the first three months of 2020 is due to an increase in residential mortgage lending activity, resulting in a higher volume of loans being sold into the secondary market.
 
An uptick of commercial and residential loan volume, resulted in an increase in documentation fees collected at origination accounting for the increase in other income from loans for the first three months of 2020.
 
Due to the unprecedented and very sharp decline in the stock market in March 2020 related to the COVID-19 outbreak, income from CFS Partners decreased 48.2% for the first three months of 2020. This resulted in a decrease in the value of CFSG’s assets under management, upon which its fee income is generally based. Also, because CFS Partners has a small portion of its capital equity invested in the stock market, it was necessary to mark-to-the-market the portfolio decline, resulting in a $106,000 downward adjustment.
 
The Company entered into a VISA principal vendor agreement during 2019, resulting in higher first-year incentive payments for 2019, accounting for the decrease in VISA card commission income for the first three months of 2020.
 
 
 
36
 
 
Non-interest Expense
 
The components of non-interest expense for the periods presented were as follows:
 
 
 Three Months Ended 
   
   
 
 March 31, 
 Change 
 
 2020 
 2019 
 Expense 
 Percent 
 
   
   
   
   
Salaries and wages
 $1,886,316 
 $1,842,930 
 $43,386 
  2.35%
Employee benefits
  798,441 
  776,340 
  22,101 
  2.85%
Occupancy expenses, net
  683,235 
  690,829 
  (7,594)
  -1.10%
Other expenses
    
    
    
    
  Service contracts - administrative
  131,897 
  148,192 
  (16,295)
  -11.00%
  Marketing expense
  112,500 
  138,501 
  (26,001)
  -18.77%
  Audit fees
  100,038 
  144,658 
  (44,620)
  -30.85%
  Consultant services
  56,979 
  76,535 
  (19,556)
  -25.55%
  Collection & non-accruing loan expense
  28,824 
  62,183 
  (33,359)
  -53.65%
  Expense on OREO
  4,501 
  6,000 
  (1,499)
  -24.98%
  ATM Fees
  115,763 
  100,250 
  15,513 
  15.47%
  Other miscellaneous expenses
  1,174,725 
  1,169,506 
  5,219 
  0.45%
     Total non-interest expense
 $5,093,219 
 $5,155,924 
 $(62,705)
  -1.22%
 
 
Total non-interest expense decreased $62,705, or 1.2%, for the first three months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 with significant changes noted in the following:
 
Increased costs in 2019 to support information technology and branch infrastructure accounts for the decrease in service contracts – administrative for the first three months of 2020. More projects are scheduled for 2020, but have not been finalized.
 
Marketing expense decreased for the first three months of 2020 due to a decrease in marketing activity.
 
A timing difference in the payment of audit fees in 2019 accounts for the decrease for the first three months of 2020.
 
Fewer projects are in place at this time in 2020 compared to 2019 resulting in a decrease in consultant services.
 
Collection & non-accruing loan expense decreased for the first three months of 2020, due in part to the recovery of collection fees from the resolution of secondary market foreclosures.
 
 
APPLICABLE INCOME TAXES
 
The provision for income taxes decreased by $19,691, or 5.8%, to $318,505 for the first quarter of 2020 compared to $338,196 for the same period in 2019, due in part to an increase in tax credits for 2020 and an increase in deferred tax items. Tax credits related to limited partnership investments amounted to $108,492 and $103,776, respectively, for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019.
 
Amortization expense related to limited partnership investments is included as a component of income tax expense and amounted to $84,171 and $78,027, respectively, for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019. These investments provide tax benefits, including tax credits, and are designed to provide a targeted effective annual yield between 7% and 10%.
 
 
 
37
 
 
CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
The following table reflects the composition of the Company's major categories of assets and liabilities as a percentage of total assets or liabilities and shareholders’ equity, as the case may be, as of the balance sheet dates:
 
 
 March 31, 2020 
 December 31, 2019 
Assets
   
   
   
   
 Loans
 $634,414,690 
  84.40%
 $606,988,937 
  82.25%
 AFS Securities
  41,870,209 
  5.57%
  45,966,750 
  6.23%
 
    
    
    
    
Liabilities
    
    
    
    
 Demand deposits
  124,080,117 
  16.51%
  125,089,403 
  16.95%
 Interest-bearing transaction accounts
  184,978,145 
  24.61%
  185,102,333 
  25.08%
 Money market accounts
  96,907,876 
  12.89%
  91,463,661 
  12.39%
 Savings deposits
  101,646,285 
  13.52%
  97,167,652 
  13.17%
 Time deposits
  110,532,273 
  14.70%
  116,198,319 
  15.75%
 Short-term advances
  20,000,000 
  2.66%
  0 
  0.00%
 Long-term advances
  2,650,000 
  0.35%
  2,650,000 
  0.36%
 
 
The following table reflects the changes in the composition of the Company's major categories of assets and liabilities disclosed in the table above:
 
 
 Change in Volume 
 Percentage Change 
Assets
   
   
 Loans
 $27,425,753 
  4.52%
 AFS Securities
  (4,096,541)
  -8.91%
 
    
    
Liabilities
    
    
 Demand deposits
  (1,009,286)
  -0.81%
 Interest-bearing transaction accounts
  (124,188)
  -0.07%
 Money market accounts
  5,444,215 
  5.95%
 Savings deposits
  4,478,633 
  4.61%
 Time deposits
  (5,666,046)
  -4.88%
 Short-term advances
  20,000,000 
  100.00%
 
 
Contributing to loan growth during the first quarter of 2020 was an increase in commercial loans of 9.6%, CRE loans of 4.3%, municipal loans of 6.9%, and residential loans 1st liens of 3.2%. Included in the commercial loan growth were originations of $2.2 million in loans purchased through BHG. The Company began purchasing loans through this program during the third quarter of 2019. This portfolio will serve to support asset growth and provide geographic diversification, and with average duration expected to be slightly longer than the Company’s loan portfolio average, it is expected to reduce exposure to falling rates in the near term. The Company has established conservative credit parameters and expects a low risk of default in this portfolio. As assets have grown, management has sought to increase the securities AFS portfolio in order to maintain its size proportional to the overall asset base, as this portfolio serves an important role in the Company’s liquidity position. As mentioned earlier in this discussion, calls exercised within the AFS portfolio during the first quarter of 2020 account for most of the decrease between periods noted above.
 
Most of the fluctuation in demand deposits is due to a decrease in business checking accounts of $1.8 million, or 2.0%. The overall decrease in interest-bearing transactions accounts is due to decreases of $11.3 million, or 30.8%, in the Government Agency deposit accounts and $2.5 million, or 6.4%, in ICS deposit accounts. These decreases were partially offset by increases in other consumer interest-bearing transaction accounts. The increase in money market accounts is attributable, in part, to a seasonal increase in municipal deposits of $2.2 million, or 11.4%. The decrease in time deposits was primarily driven by a decrease in wholesale time deposits of $9.4 million, or 52.6%. There were no overnight federal funds purchases as of the balance sheet dates, but there were outstanding long-term advances from the FHLBB of $2.7 million and a short-term advance of $20.0 million from the FRB discount window. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section for additional information on these advances.
 
Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management - Management actively monitors and manages the Company’s interest rate risk exposure and attempts to structure the balance sheet to maximize net interest income while controlling its exposure to interest rate risk. The Company's ALCO is made up of the Executive Officers and certain Vice Presidents of the Bank representing major business lines. The ALCO formulates strategies to manage interest rate risk by evaluating the impact on earnings and capital of such factors as current interest rate forecasts and economic indicators, potential changes in such forecasts and indicators, liquidity and various business strategies. The ALCO meets at least quarterly to review financial statements, liquidity levels, yields and spreads to better understand, measure, monitor and control the Company’s interest rate risk. In the ALCO process, the committee members apply policy limits set forth in the Asset Liability, Liquidity and Investment policies approved and periodically reviewed by the Company’s Board of Directors. The ALCO's methods for evaluating interest rate risk include an analysis of the effects of interest rate changes on net interest income and an analysis of the Company's interest rate sensitivity "gap", which provides a static analysis of the maturity and repricing characteristics of the entire balance sheet. The ALCO Policy also includes a contingency funding plan to help management prepare for unforeseen liquidity restrictions, including hypothetical severe liquidity crises.
 
38
 
 
Interest rate risk represents the sensitivity of earnings to changes in market interest rates. As interest rates change, the interest income and expense streams associated with the Company’s financial instruments also change, thereby impacting NII, the primary component of the Company’s earnings. Fluctuations in interest rates can also have an impact on liquidity. The ALCO uses an outside consultant to perform rate shock simulations to the Company's net interest income, as well as a variety of other analyses. It is the ALCO’s function to provide the assumptions used in the modeling process. Assumptions used in prior period simulation models are regularly tested by comparing projected NII with actual NII. The ALCO utilizes the results of the simulation model to quantify the estimated exposure of NII and liquidity to sustained interest rate changes. The simulation model captures the impact of changing interest rates on the interest income received and interest expense paid on all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities reflected on the Company’s balance sheet. The model also simulates the balance sheet’s sensitivity to a prolonged flat rate environment. All rate scenarios are simulated assuming a parallel shift of the yield curve; however further simulations are performed utilizing non-parallel changes in the yield curve. The results of this sensitivity analysis are compared to the ALCO policy limits which specify a maximum tolerance level for NII exposure over a 1-year horizon, assuming no balance sheet growth, given a 200 bps shift upward and a 100 bps shift downward in interest rates.
 
Under the Company’s interest rate sensitivity modeling, with the continued asset sensitive balance sheet, in a rising rate environment, interest income is expected to trend upward as the short-term asset base (cash and adjustable rate loans) quickly cycle upward. However, as rates continue to rise, the cost of wholesale funds increases and pressure to increase rates paid on the retail funding base is increasing, putting pressure on NII and reducing the benefit to rising rates. In a falling rate environment, NII is expected to trend slightly downward compared with the current rate environment scenario for the first year of the simulation as asset yield erosion is not fully offset by decreasing funding costs. Thereafter, net interest income is projected to experience sustained downward pressure as funding costs reach their assumed floors and asset yields continue to reprice into the lower rate environment. The slope of the yield curve will be very important to the Company’s margins going forward.
 
The following table summarizes the estimated impact on the Company's NII over a twelve month period, assuming a gradual parallel shift of the yield curve beginning March 31, 2020:
 
Rate Change
 Percent Change in NII 
 
   
Down 100 bps
  0.8%
Up 200 bps
  0.7%
 
The amounts shown in the table are well within the ALCO Policy limits. However, those amounts do not represent a forecast and should not be relied upon as indicative of future results. While assumptions used in the ALCO process, including the interest rate simulation analyses, are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, and expected future conditions, the Company cannot provide any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions, including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change, or the measures that the FRB may take in managing monetary policy in response to external events such as the COVID-19 pandemic..
 
As of March 31, 2020, the Company had outstanding $12,887,000 in principal amount of Junior Subordinated Debentures due December 15, 2037, which bear a quarterly floating rate of interest equal to the 3-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), plus 2.85%. During 2017, the financial authorities in the United Kingdom that administer LIBOR announced that LIBOR will be phased out by the end of 2021. In May 2020, they announced that certain interim measures related to the LIBOR phase out may be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that the ultimate goal of LIBOR phase out by the end of 2021 remains unchanged. The Company has reviewed the pertinent language in the Indenture governing the Debentures and believes that the Debenture Trustee has sufficient authority under the Indenture to establish a substitute interest rate benchmark without the need to amend the Indenture. However, the Debenture Trustee has not yet informed the Company as to how it intends to proceed. Aside from the Debentures, the Company does not have any other exposures to the phase out of LIBOR. The Company has not generally utilized LIBOR as an interest rate benchmark for its variable rate commercial, residential or other loans and does not utilize derivatives or other financial instruments tied to LIBOR for hedging or investment purposes. Accordingly, management expects that the Company’s exposure to the phase out of LIBOR will be limited to the effect on the interest rate paid on its Debentures.
 
39
 
 
Credit Risk - As a financial institution, one of the primary risks the Company manages is credit risk, the risk of loss stemming from borrowers’ failure to repay loans or inability to meet other contractual obligations. The Company’s Board of Directors prescribes policies for managing credit risk, including Loan, Appraisal and Environmental policies. These policies are supplemented by comprehensive underwriting standards and procedures. The Company maintains a Credit Administration department whose function includes credit analysis and monitoring of and reporting on the status of the loan portfolio, including delinquent and non-performing loan trends. The Company also monitors concentration of credit risk in a variety of areas, including portfolio mix, the level of loans to individual borrowers and their related interest, loans to industry segments, and the geographic distribution of commercial real estate loans. Loans are reviewed periodically by an independent loan review firm to help ensure accuracy of the Company's internal risk ratings and compliance with various internal policies, procedures and regulatory guidance.
 
Residential mortgages represented 32.4% of the Company’s loan balances as of March 31, 2020, a level that has been on a gradual decline in recent years, consistent with the Company’s strategic shift to commercial lending. The Company maintains a mortgage loan portfolio of traditional mortgage products and does not engage in higher risk loans such as option adjustable rate mortgage products, high loan-to-value products, interest only mortgages, subprime loans and products with deeply discounted teaser rates. Residential mortgages with loan-to-values exceeding 80% are generally covered by PMI. A 90% loan-to-value residential mortgage product without PMI is only available to borrowers with excellent credit and low debt-to-income ratios and has not been widely originated. Junior lien home equity products make up 20.5% of the residential mortgage portfolio with maximum loan-to-value ratios (including prior liens) of 80%. The Company also originates some home equity loans greater than 80% under an insured loan program with stringent underwriting criteria.
 
Consistent with the strategic focus on commercial lending, the commercial & industrial and CRE loan portfolios have seen solid growth over recent years. Commercial & industrial and CRE loans together comprised 67.0% of the Company’s loan portfolio at March 31, 2020, compared to 66.1% at December 31, 2019.
 
Growth in the CRE portfolio in recent years has enhanced the geographic diversification of the loan portfolio as it has been principally driven by new loan volume in Chittenden County and northern Windsor County around the White River Junction, Vermont I91-I93 interchange area.  Credits in the Chittenden County market are being managed by two commercial lenders out of the Company’s Burlington loan production office who know the area well, while Windsor County is being served by a commercial lender from the St. Johnsbury office with previous lending experience serving the greater White River Junction area. On May 1, 2019, the Company opened a loan production office in Lebanon, New Hampshire to provide a presence in the greater White River Junction area including Grafton County, New Hampshire. Larger transactions continue to be centrally underwritten and monitored through the Company’s commercial credit department. The types of CRE transactions driving the growth have been a mix of construction, land and development, multifamily, and other non-owner occupied CRE properties including hotels, retail, office, and industrial properties. The largest components of the $256.8 million CRE portfolio at March 31, 2020 were approximately $97.7 million in owner-occupied CRE and $85.7 million in non-owner occupied CRE.
 
The following table reflects the composition of the Company's loan portfolio, by portfolio segment, as a percentage of total loans as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 March 31, 2020 
 December 31, 2019 
 
   
   
   
   
Commercial & industrial
 $108,458,404 
  17.10%
 $98,930,831 
  16.30%
Commercial real estate
  256,814,702 
  40.48%
  246,282,726 
  40.57%
Municipal
  59,649,823 
  9.40%
  55,817,206 
  9.20%
Residential real estate - 1st lien
  163,328,266 
  25.74%
  158,337,296 
  26.09%
Residential real estate - Jr lien
  42,030,798 
  6.63%
  43,230,873 
  7.12%
Consumer
  4,132,697 
  0.65%
  4,390,005 
  0.72%
     Total loans
  634,414,690 
  100.00%
  606,988,937 
  100.00%
Deduct (add):
    
    
    
    
ALL
  6,186,764 
    
  5,926,491 
    
Deferred net loan costs
  (355,638)
    
  (362,415)
    
      Net loans
 $628,583,564 
    
 $601,424,861 
    
 
 
40
 
 
Risk in the Company’s commercial & industrial and CRE loan portfolios is mitigated in part by government guarantees issued by federal agencies such as the SBA and RD. At March 31, 2020, the Company had $28.3 million in guaranteed loans with guaranteed balances of $20.9 million, compared to $28.4 million in guaranteed loans with guaranteed balances of $21.1 million at December 31, 2019.
 
At March 31, 2020, loan balances in the retail, restaurant and bars, hotels and lodging, and breweries totaled $29.5 million, $5.2 million, $33.6 million, and $16.8 million, respectively. These segments of the economy have been particularly impacted by the COVID-19 business shutdowns, and accordingly the credit quality of these loan portfolios may deteriorate in future periods.
 
The Company works actively with customers early in the delinquency process to help them to avoid default and foreclosure. Commercial & industrial and CRE loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when there is deterioration in the financial position of the borrower, payment in full of principal and interest is not expected, and/or principal or interest has been in default for 90 days or more. However, such a loan need not be placed on non-accrual status if it is both well secured and in the process of collection. Residential mortgages and home equity loans are considered for non-accrual status at 90 days past due and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The Company obtains current property appraisals or market value analyses and considers the cost to carry and sell collateral in order to assess the level of specific allocations required. Consumer loans are generally not placed in non-accrual but are charged off by the time they reach 120 days past due. When a loan is placed in non-accrual status, the Company reverses the accrued interest against current period income and discontinues the accrual of interest until the borrower clearly demonstrates the ability and intention to resume normal payments, typically demonstrated by regular timely payments for a period of not less than six months. Interest payments received on non-accrual or impaired loans are generally applied as a reduction of the loan book balance.
 
The Company’s non-performing assets increased $326,437, or 5.4%, during the first three months of 2020. The increase is due primarily to an increase in residential loans 90 days or more past due. There were no claims receivable on related government guarantee loans at March 31, 2020 compared to $38,377 at December 31, 2019. Non-performing loans as of March 31, 2020 carried RD and SBA guarantees totaling $340,471, compared to $359,654 at December 31, 2019.
 
As of March 31, 2020, the Emergency “Stay Home/Stay Safe” Order issued by the Vermont Governor had been in effect for less than one week. Accordingly, the Company experienced minimal impact from the COVID-19 pandemic during the first quarter. However, we expect that in future periods, unless the economic strain from the COVID-19 shutdown is alleviated quickly, our loan asset quality may be affected, including possible increases in past due loans and other nonperforming assets and reversal of interest accrual on past due loans that move to nonaccrual status, with a resulting charge to earnings.
 
The following table reflects the composition of the Company's non-performing assets, by portfolio segment, as a percentage of total non-performing assets as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 March 31, 2020 
 December 31, 2019 
Loans past due 90 days or more
   
   
   
   
 and still accruing (1)
   
   
   
   
  Commercial & industrial
 $9,537 
  0.15%
 $0 
  0.00%
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
  872,541 
  13.70%
  530,046 
  8.77%
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
  0 
  0.00%
  112,386 
  1.86%
     Total
  882,078 
  13.85%
  642,432 
  10.63%
 
    
    
    
    
Non-accrual loans (1)
    
    
    
    
  Commercial & industrial
  445,392 
  6.99%
  480,083 
  7.95%
  Commercial real estate
  1,556,536 
  24.44%
  1,600,827 
  26.49%
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
  2,305,917 
  36.20%
  2,112,267 
  34.95%
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
  398,376 
  6.25%
  240,753 
  3.98%
     Total
  4,706,221 
  73.88%
  4,433,930 
  73.37%
 
    
    
    
    
OREO
  781,238 
  12.27%
  966,738 
  16.00%
 
    
    
    
    
     Total Non-Performing Assets
 $6,369,537 
  100.00%
 $6,043,100 
  100.00%
 
(1) No CRE loans, municipal loans or consumer loans were past due 90 days or more and accruing and no municipal loans or consumer loans were in non-accrual status as of the consolidated balance sheet dates presented. In accordance with Company policy, delinquent consumer loans are charged off at 120 days past due.
 
 
 
41
 
 
The Company’s OREO portfolio consisted of two commercial properties at March 31, 2020 and three commercial properties and one residential property at December 31, 2019. The Company took control of the commercial properties held at December 31, 2019, rather than obtaining them through the normal foreclosure process. One of those properties and the residential property were sold during the first three months of 2020. The Company has a purchase and sale on one of the two remaining properties, with the other property listed for sale.
 
The Company’s TDRs are principally a result of extending loan repayment terms to relieve cash flow difficulties. The Company has only infrequently reduced interest rates below the current market rate. The Company has not forgiven principal or reduced accrued interest within the terms of original restructurings. Management evaluates each TDR situation on its own merits and does not foreclose the granting of any particular type of concession.
 
The non-performing assets in the table above include the following TDRs that were past due 90 days or more or in non-accrual status as of the dates presented:
 
 
 March 31, 2020 
 December 31, 2019 
 
 Number of 
 Principal 
 Number of 
 Principal 
 
 Loans 
 Balance 
 Loans 
 Balance 
 
   
   
   
   
Commercial & industrial
  6 
 $310,226 
  6 
 $331,767 
Commercial real estate
  4 
  755,014 
  4 
  772,894 
Residential real estate - 1st lien
  17 
  1,681,615 
  14 
  1,468,415 
Residential real estate - Jr lien
  1 
  53,372 
  1 
  55,011 
     Total
  28 
 $2,800,228 
  25 
 $2,628,085 
 
The remaining TDRs were performing in accordance with their modified terms as of the dates presented and consisted of the following:
 
 
 March 31, 2020 
 December 31, 2019 
 
 Number of 
 Principal 
 Number of 
 Principal 
 
 Loans 
 Balance 
 Loans 
 Balance 
 
   
   
   
   
Commercial real estate
  2 
 $102,428 
  2 
 $106,913 
Residential real estate - 1st lien
  30 
  2,361,600 
  30 
  2,459,649 
Residential real estate - Jr lien
  1 
  5,683 
  1 
  6,101 
     Total
  33 
 $2,469,710 
  33 
 $2,572,663 
 
 
As of the balance sheet dates, the Company evaluates whether it is contractually committed to lend additional funds to debtors with impaired, non-accrual or modified loans. The Company is contractually committed to lend on one SBA guaranteed line of credit to a borrower whose lending relationship was previously restructured.
 
On March 22, 2020, the federal banking agencies issued an “Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions Working with Customers Affected by the Coronavirus”. This guidance encourages financial institutions to work prudently with borrowers that may be unable to meet their contractual obligations because of the effects of COVID-19. The guidance explains that in consultation with the FASB staff the federal banking agencies have concluded that short-term modifications (e.g. six months or less) made on a good faith basis to borrowers who were current as of the implementation date of a relief program are not TDRs. Section 4013 of the CARES Act also addressed COVID-19 related modifications and provides that COVID-19 related modifications on loans that were current as of December 31, 2019 are not TDRs from the period beginning on March 1, 2020 until the earlier of December 31, 2020 or 60 days after the President declares an end to the COVID-19 national emergency. Through March 31, 2020, the Company had applied this guidance and modified 380 individual loans with aggregate principal balances totaling $86.6 million. More of these types of modifications are likely to be executed in the second quarter of 2020. The majority of these modifications involved three-month extensions of interest-only periods. The Company intends to continue to work with its borrowers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide short-term debt relief where prudent and appropriate.
 
ALL and provisions - The Company maintains an ALL at a level that management believes is appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the measurement date (See Note 6 to the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements). Although the Company, in establishing the ALL, considers the inherent losses in individual loans and pools of loans, the ALL is a general reserve available to absorb all credit losses in the loan portfolio. No part of the ALL is segregated to absorb losses from any particular loan or segment of loans.
 
 
42
 
 
When establishing the ALL each quarter, the Company applies a combination of historical loss factors and qualitative factors to loan segments, including residential first and junior lien mortgages, commercial real estate, commercial & industrial, and consumer loan portfolios, other than the municipal loans as there has never been a loss recorded in that loan segment. The Company applies numerous qualitative factors to each segment of the loan portfolio. Those factors include the levels of and trends in delinquencies and non-accrual loans, criticized and classified assets, volumes and terms of loans, and the impact of any loan policy changes. Experience, ability and depth of lending personnel, levels of policy and documentation exceptions, national and local economic trends, the competitive environment, and concentrations of credit are also factors considered.
 
Specific allocations to the ALL are made for certain impaired loans. Impaired loans include all troubled debt restructurings regardless of amount, and all loans to a borrower that in aggregate are greater than $100,000 and that are in non-accrual status. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due, including interest and principal, according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company reviews all the facts and circumstances surrounding non-accrual loans and on a case-by-case basis may consider loans below the threshold as impaired when such treatment is material to the financial statements. See Note 6 to the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for information on the recorded investment in impaired loans and their related allocations.
 
The following table summarizes the Company's loan loss experience for the periods presented:
 
 
 As of or Three Months Ended March 31, 
 
 2020 
 2019 
 
   
   
Loans outstanding, end of period
 $634,414,690 
 $578,907,055 
Average loans outstanding during period
 $614,741,699 
 $579,445,366 
Non-accruing loans, end of period
 $4,706,221 
 $4,263,286 
Non-accruing loans, net of government guarantees
 $4,365,750 
 $3,886,997 
 
    
    
ALL, beginning of period
 $5,926,491 
 $5,602,541 
Loans charged off:
    
    
  Commercial & industrial
  0 
  0 
  Commercial real estate
  0 
  0 
  Municipal
  0 
  0 
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
  (77,696)
  (74,731)
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
  (28,673)
  0 
  Consumer
  (27,391)
  (32,791)
       Total loans charged off
  (133,760)
  (107,522)
Recoveries:
    
    
  Commercial & industrial
  0 
  9,077 
  Commercial real estate
  0 
  0 
  Municipal
  0 
  0 
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
  3,334 
  2,497 
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
  3,367 
  485 
  Consumer
  10,829 
  8,261 
        Total recoveries
  17,530 
  20,320 
Net loans charged off
  (116,230)
  (87,202)
Provision charged to income
  376,503 
  212,503 
ALL, end of period
 $6,186,764 
 $5,727,842 
 
    
    
Net charge offs to average loans outstanding
  0.019%
  0.015%
Provision charged to income as a percent of average loans
  0.061%
  0.037%
ALL to average loans outstanding
  1.006%
  0.989%
ALL to non-accruing loans
  131.459%
  134.353%
ALL to non-accruing loans net of government guarantees
  141.711%
  147.359%
 
 
 
 
43
 
 
The provision for loan losses increased $164,000, or 77.2%, for the first three months of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The increased 2020 provision level is due primarily to the year to date increase in the loan portfolio combined with higher than anticipated loan charge off activity during the first quarter of 2020, rather than to COVID-19 related factors. However, increases in the provision in future periods will be necessary if economic conditions and credit quality continue to deteriorate due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The Company has an experienced collections department that continues to work actively with borrowers to resolve problem loans and manage the OREO portfolio, and management continues to monitor the loan portfolio closely.
 
The first quarter ALL analysis shows the reserve balance of $6.2 million at March 31, 2020 which is appropriate in management’s view to cover losses that are probable and estimable as of the measurement date, with an unallocated reserve of $179,270 compared to $178,038 at December 31, 2019. The reserve balance and unallocated amount continue to be directionally consistent with the overall risk profile of the Company’s loan portfolio and credit risk appetite. The portion of the ALL termed "unallocated" is established to absorb inherent losses that exist as of the measurement date although not specifically identified through management's process for estimating credit losses. While the ALL is described as consisting of separate allocated portions, the entire ALL is available to support loan losses, regardless of category. Unallocated reserves are considered by management to be appropriate in light of the Company’s continued growth strategy and shift in the portfolio from residential loans to commercial and industrial and CRE loans and the risk associated with the relatively new, unseasoned loans in those portfolios. The adequacy of the ALL is reviewed quarterly by the risk management committee of the Board and then presented to the full Board for approval.
 
In addition to credit risk in the Company’s loan portfolio and liquidity risk in its loan and deposit-taking operations, the Company’s business activities also generate market risk. Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. Declining capital markets can result in fair value adjustments necessary to record decreases in the value of the investment portfolio for other-than-temporary-impairment. The Company does not have any market risk sensitive instruments acquired for trading purposes. The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending and deposit taking activities. During recessionary periods, a declining housing market can result in an increase in loan loss reserves or ultimately an increase in foreclosures. Interest rate risk is directly related to the different maturities and repricing characteristics of interest-bearing assets and liabilities, as well as to loan prepayment risks, early withdrawal of time deposits, and the fact that the speed and magnitude of responses to interest rate changes vary by product. As discussed above under "Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management", the Company actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk through the ALCO process. However, sudden and dramatic changes in prevailing interest rates, such as those adopted by the FRB in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, create challenges for interest rate risk management.
 
COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OFF-BALANCE-SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
 
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and risk-sharing commitments on certain sold loans. Such instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments. During the first three months of 2020, the Company did not engage in any activity that created any additional types of off-balance sheet risk.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
Managing liquidity risk is essential to maintaining both depositor confidence and stability in earnings. Liquidity management refers to the ability of the Company to adequately cover fluctuations in assets and liabilities. Meeting loan demand (assets) and covering the withdrawal of deposit funds (liabilities) are two key components of the liquidity management process. The Company’s principal sources of funds are deposits, amortization and prepayment of loans and securities, maturities of investment securities, sales of loans available-for-sale, and earnings and funds provided from operations. Maintaining a relatively stable funding base, which is achieved by diversifying funding sources, competitively pricing deposit products, and extending the contractual maturity of liabilities, reduces the Company’s exposure to rollover risk on deposits and limits reliance on volatile short-term borrowed funds. Short-term funding needs arise from declines in deposits or other funding sources and from funding requirements for loan commitments. The Company’s strategy is to fund assets to the maximum extent possible with core deposits that provide a sizable source of relatively stable and low-cost funds.
 
The Company recognizes that, at times, when loan demand exceeds deposit growth or the Company has other liquidity demands, it may be desirable to utilize alternative sources of deposit funding to augment retail deposits and borrowings. One-way deposits acquired through the CDARS program provide an alternative funding source when needed. At March 31, 2020, the Company had one-way CDARS outstanding totaling $1.0 million, compared to $4.0 million at December 31, 2019. In addition, two-way (that is, reciprocal) CDARS deposits, as well as reciprocal ICS money market and demand deposits, allow the Company to provide FDIC deposit insurance to its customers in excess of account coverage limits by exchanging deposits with other participating FDIC-insured financial institutions. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company reported approximately $6.8 million in reciprocal CDARS deposits. The balance in ICS reciprocal money market deposits was $21.6 million at March 31, 2020, compared to $22.6 million at December 31, 2019, and the balance in ICS reciprocal demand deposits as of those dates was $37.2 million and $39.7 million, respectively.
 
44
 
 
In January, 2019, the Company partially replaced a matured $20.0 million block of DTC Brokered CDs issued during 2018 with purchases of two blocks of DTC Brokered CDs totaling $15.0 million and having maturities in July and August, 2019 and January, 2020. The Company did not replace the blocks that matured in July and August, 2019, leaving a $6.2 million block maturing in January 2020, outstanding as of December 31, 2019. Upon maturity, this block was not replaced, bringing the balance of DTC Brokered CDs to $0 at March 31, 2020. Wholesale deposit funding through DTC is an important supplemental source of liquidity that has proven efficient, flexible and cost-effective when compared with other borrowing methods.
 
At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, borrowing capacity of $95.0 million and $97.4 million, respectively, was available through the FHLBB, secured by the Company's qualifying loan portfolio (generally, residential mortgage and commercial loans), reduced by outstanding advances and by collateral pledges securing FHLBB letters of credit collateralizing public unit deposits. The Company also has an unsecured Federal Funds credit line with the FHLBB with an available balance of $500,000 and no outstanding advances during any of the respective comparison periods. Interest is chargeable at a rate determined daily, approximately 25 bps higher than the rate paid on federal funds sold.
 
The Company has a BIC arrangement with the FRBB secured by eligible commercial & industrial loans, CRE loans and home equity loans, resulting in an available credit line of $47.6 million and $56.9 million, respectively, at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Credit advances under this FRBB lending program are overnight advances with interest chargeable at the primary credit rate (generally referred to as the discount rate), currently 25 bps. As disclosed in the table below, the Company had an outstanding advance against this credit line at March 31, 2020, with no outstanding advance at December 31, 2019.
 
On April 20, 2020 the Company became eligible to borrow through the FRB’s PPPLF under a lending arrangement with the FRBB to support its PPP lending activities. Under the PPPLF, advances from the FRBB carry a fixed interest rate of 35 bps and must be secured by pledges of loans to small businesses guaranteed by the SBA. As of April 30, 2020, the Company had no PPPLF advances.
 
The following table reflects the Company’s outstanding FHLBB and FRBB advances against the respective lines as of the dates indicated:
 
 
 March 31, 
 December 31, 
 
 2020 
 2019 
Long-Term Advances(1)
   
   
FHLBB term advance, 0.00%, due February 26, 2021
 $350,000 
 $350,000 
FHLBB term advance, 0.00%, due November 22, 2021
  1,000,000 
  1,000,000 
FHLBB term advance, 0.00%, due September 22, 2023
  200,000 
  200,000 
FHLBB term advance, 0.00%, due November 12, 2025
  300,000 
  300,000 
FHLBB term advance, 0.00%, due November 13, 2028
  800,000 
  800,000 
 
 $2,650,000 
 $2,650,000 
 
    
    
Short-Term Advances
    
    
 
    
    
FRBB short-term advance 0.25% fixed rate, due June 18, 2020(2)
  20,000,000 
  0 
 
  20,000,000 
  0 
 
    
    
     Total Advances
 $22,650,000 
 $2,650,000 
 
 
(1)
The FHLBB provides a subsidy, funded by the FHLBB’s earnings, to write down interest rates to zero percent on advances that finance qualifying loans to small businesses. JNE advances must support small business in New England that create and/or retain jobs, or otherwise contribute to overall economic development activities.
(2)
FRB discount window advance repaid in April 2020.
 
The Company has unsecured lines of credit with three correspondent banks with aggregate available borrowing capacity totaling $21.5 million as of the balance sheet dates presented in this quarterly report. The Company had no outstanding advances against any of these credit lines during either of the periods presented.
 
45
 
 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase provide another funding source for the Company. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding repurchase agreement balances of $22.9 million and $33.2 million, respectively. These repurchase agreements mature and are repriced daily.
 
The following table illustrates the changes in shareholders' equity from December 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020:
 
Balance at December 31, 2019 (book value $12.86 per common share)
 $68,894,679 
    Net income
  1,861,239 
    Issuance of stock through the DRIP
  254,277 
    Dividends declared on common stock
  (995,536)
    Dividends declared on preferred stock
  (17,813)
    Change in AOCI on AFS securities, net of tax
  586,646 
Balance at March 31, 2020 (book value $13.14 per common share)
 $70,583,492 
 
 
The primary objective of the Company’s capital planning process is to balance appropriately the retention of capital to support operations and future growth, with the goal of providing shareholders an attractive return on their investment. To that end, management monitors capital retention and dividend policies on an ongoing basis.
 
As described in more detail in Note 21 to the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and under the caption “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES” in the MD&A section of that report, the Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies pursuant to which they must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
 
Under the 2018 Regulatory Relief Act, these capital requirements have been simplified for qualifying community banks and bank holding companies. In September 2019, the OCC and the other federal bank regulators approved a final joint rule that permits a qualifying community banking organization to opt in to a simplified regulatory capital framework. A qualifying institution that elects to utilize the simplified framework must maintain a community bank leverage ratio (CBLR) in excess of 9%, and will thereby be deemed to have satisfied the generally applicable risk-based and other leverage capital requirements and (if applicable) the FDIC’s prompt corrective action framework. In order to utilize the CBLR framework, in addition to maintaining a CBLR of over 9%, a community banking organization must have less than $10 billion in total consolidated assets and must meet certain other criteria such as limitations on the amount of off-balance sheet exposures and on trading assets and liabilities. The CBLR will be calculated by dividing tangible equity capital by average total consolidated assets. The final rule became effective on January 1, 2020. The Company and Bank qualify to utilize the CBLR framework as of March 31, 2020.
 
As of March 31, 2020, the Bank was considered well capitalized under the regulatory capital framework for Prompt Corrective Action and the Company exceeded currently applicable consolidated regulatory guidelines for capital adequacy. While we believe that the Company has sufficient capital to withstand an extended economic downturn in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, our regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted by future credit losses and other operational impacts related to COVID-19.
 
 
 
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The following table shows the Company’s actual capital ratios and those of its subsidiary, as well as currently applicable regulatory capital requirements, as of the dates indicated.
 
 
   
   
   
   
 Minimum 
 Minimum 
 
   
   
 Minimum 
 For Capital 
 To Be Well 
 
   
   
 For Capital 
 Adequacy Purposes 
 Capitalized Under 
 
   
   
 Adequacy 
 with Conservation 
 Prompt Corrective 
 
 Actual 
 Purposes: 
 Buffer(1): 
 Action Provisions(2): 
 
 Amount 
 Ratio 
 Amount 
 Ratio 
 Amount 
 Ratio 
 Amount 
 Ratio 
 
 (Dollars in Thousands) 
March 31, 2020
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
Common equity tier 1 capital
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  (to risk-weighted assets)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Company
 $71,049 
  13.27%
 $24,092 
  4.50%
 $37,477 
  7.00%
  N/A 
  N/A 
   Bank
 $70,015 
  13.09%
 $24,073 
  4.50%
 $37,446 
  7.00%
 $34,772 
  6.50%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Company
 $71,049 
  13.27%
 $32,123 
  6.00%
 $45,508 
  8.50%
  N/A 
  N/A 
   Bank
 $70,015 
  13.09%
 $32,097 
  6.00%
 $45,470 
  8.50%
 $42,796 
  8.00%
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Company
 $77,306 
  14.44%
 $42,831 
  8.00%
 $56,215 
  10.50%
  N/A 
  N/A 
   Bank
 $76,272 
  14.26%
 $42,796 
  8.00%
 $56,169 
  10.50%
 $53,495 
  10.00%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Company
 $71,049 
  9.89%
 $28,736 
  4.00%
  N/A 
  N/A 
  N/A 
  N/A 
   Bank
 $70,015 
  9.75%
 $28,719 
  4.00%
  N/A 
  N/A 
 $35,899 
  5.00%
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
December 31, 2019:
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Common equity tier 1 capital
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  (to risk-weighted assets)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Company
 $69,947 
  13.48%
 $23,352 
  4.50%
 $36,325 
  7.00%
  N/A 
  N/A 
   Bank
 $69,330 
  13.38%
 $23,325 
  4.50%
 $36,283 
  7.00%
 $33,691 
  6.50%
Tier 1 capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Company
 $69,947 
  13.48%
 $31,135 
  6.00%
 $44,108 
  8.50%
  N/A 
  N/A 
   Bank
 $69,330 
  13.38%
 $31,099 
  6.00%
 $44,057 
  8.50%
 $41,466 
  8.00%
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Company
 $75,943 
  14.63%
 $41,514 
  8.00%
 $54,487 
  10.50%
  N/A 
  N/A 
   Bank
 $75,326 
  14.53%
 $41,466 
  8.00%
 $54,424 
  10.50%
 $51,832 
  10.00%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   Company
 $69,947 
  9.57%
 $29,223 
  4.00%
  N/A 
  N/A 
  N/A 
  N/A 
   Bank
 $69,330 
  9.50%
 $29,201 
  4.00%
  N/A 
  N/A 
 $36,501 
  5.00%
 
(1)
Conservation Buffer is calculated based on risk-weighted assets and does not apply to calculations of average assets.
(2)
Applicable to banks, but not bank holding companies.
 
 
The Company's ability to pay dividends to its shareholders is largely dependent on the Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Company. In general, a national bank may not pay dividends that exceed net income for the current and preceding two years regardless of statutory restrictions, as a matter of regulatory policy, banks and bank holding companies should pay dividends only out of current earnings and only if, after paying such dividends, they remain adequately capitalized.
 
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Omitted, in accordance with the regulatory relief available to smaller reporting companies in SEC Release Nos. 33-10513 and 34-83550.
 
 
 
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ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. As of March 31, 2020, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2020 were effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed in the reports it files with the Commission under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.
 
For this purpose, the term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of the Company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings
 
In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in litigation that is considered incidental to their business. Management does not expect that any such litigation will be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
 
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
 
Except for the additional risks discussed below related to the COVID-19 pandemic, in management’s view there are no new risk factors relating to the Company in addition to the risk factors identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, although the severity of those risk factors may be heightened as a result of COVID-19 related risks.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic is adversely affecting us and our customers, employees and third-party service providers, and the adverse impacts on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be significant. Moreover, the ultimate impacts of the pandemic on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects will depend on future developments and other factors that are highly uncertain and will be affected by the scope and duration of the pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities in response to the pandemic.
 
The ongoing COVID-19 global and national health emergency has caused significant disruption in the national and global economies and financial markets and is adversely affecting our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The spread of COVID-19 has caused illness, quarantines, cancellation of business and social events and travel, business and school shutdowns, reduction in business activity and financial transactions, supply chain interruptions and overall economic and financial market instability throughout our Vermont markets and nationwide. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Vermont, as well as the governments in most other states, have taken preventative or protective actions, such as imposing restrictions on travel and in-person business operations, advising or requiring individuals to limit or forego their time outside of their homes, and ordering temporary closures of businesses that have been deemed to be non-essential. These restrictions and other consequences of the pandemic have resulted in significant adverse effects for many different types of businesses, including, among others, those in the travel, hospitality and food and beverage industries, real estate and the health care industry, and have resulted in a significant number of layoffs and furloughs of employees in Vermont and nationwide.
 
 
 
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The ultimate effects of COVID-19 on the broader economy and our markets are not known, nor is the ultimate duration or impacts of the economic and social restrictions described above. Moreover, the responsive actions taken by the FRB to lower the Federal Funds rate may negatively affect our interest income and, therefore, earnings, financial condition, results of operation and prospects in future periods.  Additional impacts of COVID-19 on our business could be widespread and material, and may include, or exacerbate, among other consequences, the following:
 
decline in the credit quality of our loan portfolio, owing to the effects of COVID-19 in the markets we serve, leading to a need to increase our allowance for loan losses;
declines in value of collateral for loans, including real estate collateral;
declines in the net worth and liquidity of borrowers and loan guarantors, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us;
declines in demand resulting from businesses being deemed to be “non-essential” by governments in the markets we serve, and from “non-essential” and “essential” businesses suffering adverse effects from reduced levels of economic activity in our markets.
our employees contracting COVID-19;
reductions in our operating effectiveness as our employees work from home;
a work stoppage, forced quarantine, or other interruption of our business;
unavailability of key personnel necessary to conduct our business activities;
effects on key employees, including operational management personnel and those charged with preparing, monitoring and evaluating our financial reporting and internal controls;
sustained closures of our branch lobbies or the offices of our customers;
declines in demand for loans and other banking services and products;
substantial increases in unemployment in our markets;
reduced consumer spending due to job losses and other effects attributable to COVID-19;
unprecedented volatility in U.S. financial markets ;and
volatile performance of our investment securities portfolio.
 
These factors, together or in combination with other factors, events or occurrences that may not yet be known or anticipated, may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, in both the short-term and the long-term. The further spread of the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as ongoing or new governmental, regulatory and private sector responses to the pandemic, may continue to materially disrupt banking and other economic activity generally and in the areas in which we operate. This could result in further decline in demand for our banking products and services, and could negatively impact, among other things, our asset quality, liquidity, regulatory capital, net income and growth prospects.
 
We are taking precautions to protect the safety and well-being of our employees and customers. However, no assurance can be given that the steps being taken will be adequate or deemed to be appropriate, nor can we predict the level of disruption which will occur to our employees’ ability to provide customer support and service. If we are unable to recover from a business disruption on a timely basis, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. We may also incur additional costs to remedy damages caused by such disruptions, which could further adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
 
As a participating lender in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”), the Company is subject to additional risks that the SBA may not fund some or all PPP loan guaranties and risks of litigation from our customers or other parties regarding the processing of PPP loans.
 
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the CARES Act, which included a $349 billion loan program administered through the SBA referred to as the PPP. Congress subsequently approved $321 billion in additional funding for the PPP, including $60 billion earmarked for community banks and other small lenders. Under the PPP, small businesses and other entities and individuals can apply for loans from existing SBA lenders and other approved regulated lenders that enroll in the program, subject to numerous limitations and eligibility criteria. The Company’s subsidiary Bank is participating as a lender in the PPP. The PPP opened on April 3, 2020; however, because of the short timeframe between passage of the CARES Act and the opening of the PPP, there is some ambiguity in the laws, rules and guidance regarding the operation of the PPP and documentation of PPP loans, which could expose the Company to risks relating to noncompliance with the PPP. For example, as a PPP lender, the Company has credit risk on PPP loans if a determination is made by the SBA that there was a deficiency in the manner in which the loan was originated, funded, or serviced by the Bank, such as an issue with the eligibility of a borrower to receive a PPP loan, which may or may not be related to the ambiguity in the laws, rules and guidance regarding the operation of the PPP. In the event of a loss resulting from a default on a PPP loan and a determination by the SBA that there was a deficiency in the manner in which the PPP loan was originated, funded, or serviced by the Company, the SBA may deny its liability under the loan guaranty, reduce the amount of the guaranty, or, if it has already paid under the guaranty, seek recovery of any loss related to the deficiency from the Company.  If any such deficiency or noncompliance with PPP requirements is systemic to all or a substantial portion of the Company’s PPP loan portfolio, the Company’s credit risk exposure could be severe.
 
 
49
 
 
In addition, since inception of the PPP, several large banks have been subject to litigation regarding their processes and procedures used in processing PPP loan applications. The Company could be exposed to similar risk of litigation, from both customers and non-customers who sought PPP loans from us, regarding our processes and procedures for processing PPP loan applications. If such litigation were to occur and not be resolved in a manner favorable to the Company, it could result in significant financial liability or adversely affect the Company’s reputation.
 
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
The following table provides information as to the purchases of the Company’s common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2020, by the Company or by any affiliated purchaser (as defined in SEC Rule 10b-18). During the monthly periods presented, the Company did not have any publicly announced repurchase plans or programs.
 
 
 Total Number 
 Average 
 
 of Shares 
 Price Paid 
For the period:
 Purchased(1) 
 Per Share 
 
   
   
January 1 - January 31
  0 
 $0.00 
February 1 - February 29
  2,160 
  16.15 
March 1 -March 31
  6,190 
  16.15 
     Total
  8,350 
 $16.15 
 
(1)  All 8,350 shares were purchased for the account of participants invested in the Company Stock Fund under the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan by or on behalf of the Plan Trustee, the Human Resources Committee of the Bank. Such share purchases were facilitated through CFSG, which provides certain investment advisory services to the Plan. Both the Plan Trustee and CFSG may be considered affiliates of the Company under Rule 10b-18.
 
 
ITEM 6. Exhibits
 
The following exhibits are filed with this report:
 
Exhibit 31.1 - Certification from the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 31.2 - Certification from the Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32.1 - Certification from the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
Exhibit 32.2 - Certification from the Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
Exhibit 101--The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets, (ii) the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three-month interim periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (iii) the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) related notes.
 
* This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.
 
 
50
 
 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
COMMUNITY BANCORP.
 
 
DATED: May 11, 2020
/s/Kathryn M. Austin
 
 
Kathryn M. Austin, President
 
 
& Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DATED: May 11, 2020
/s/Louise M. Bonvechio
 
 
Louise M. Bonvechio, Corporate
 
 
Secretary & Treasurer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
51
 
 
 
 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, DC 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
[ x ]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2020
 
COMMUNITY BANCORP.
 
EXHIBITS
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 
Certification from the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Certification from the Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
Certification from the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
 
Certification from the Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 101
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets, (ii) the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three-month interim periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (iii) the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) related notes.
 
 
* This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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