FIRST US BANCSHARES, INC. - Annual Report: 2018 (Form 10-K)

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). In addition, First US Bancshares, Inc. (“Bancshares” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), through its senior management, from time to time makes forward-looking statements concerning its expected future operations and performance and other developments. The words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “continues” and similar expressions are indicative of forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the Company’s best judgment based on current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and various factors could cause results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Such factors could include those identified from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings and other public announcements, including the risk factors described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Specifically, with respect to statements relating to the sufficiency of the allowance for loan and lease losses, loan demand, cash flows, growth and earnings potential and geographic expansion, these factors include, but are not limited to, the rate of growth (or lack thereof) in the economy generally and in the Company’s service areas, market conditions and investment returns, changes in interest rates, the availability of quality loans in the Company’s service areas, the relative strength and weakness in the consumer and commercial credit sectors and in the real estate markets, collateral values and cybersecurity threats. With respect to the Company’s acquisition of The Peoples Bank, these factors include, but are not limited to, difficulties, delays and unanticipated costs in integrating the organizations’ businesses or realized expected cost savings and other benefits; business disruptions as a result of the integration of the organizations, including possible loss of customers; diversion of management time to address integration-related issues; and changes in asset quality and credit risk as a result of the transaction. There can be no assurance that such factors or other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the dates on which the forward-looking statements are made, except as required by law.

In addition, our business is subject to a number of general and market risks that would affect any forward-looking statements, including the risks discussed under Item 1A herein entitled “Risk Factors.”

PART I

First US Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Bancshares”), is a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”). Bancshares operates one banking subsidiary, First US Bank, an Alabama banking corporation (the “Bank”). Prior to its name change on October 11, 2016, Bancshares was known as United Security Bancshares, Inc.

The Bank conducts a general commercial banking business and offers banking services such as demand, savings, individual retirement account and time deposits, personal and commercial loans, safe deposit box services and remote deposit capture. The Bank operates and serves its customers through 20 full-service banking offices located in Birmingham, Bucksville, Butler, Calera, Centreville, Columbiana, Gilbertown, Grove Hill, Harpersville, Jackson, Thomasville, Tuscaloosa and Woodstock, Alabama; Knoxville and Powell, Tennessee; and Rose Hill and Ewing, Virginia.

In August 2017, the Bank opened its newly-constructed office complex, known as Pump House Plaza, along U.S. Highway 280 in the Birmingham, Alabama metro area. In October 2017, the Bank relocated its headquarters to the Pump House Plaza location, which now houses a full-service retail office of the Bank and offices for the Bank’s commercial lending and executive leadership teams.

On August 31, 2018, Bancshares completed the acquisition of The Peoples Bank (“TPB”) and then merged TPB with and into the Bank. In accordance with the transaction agreement, Bancshares acquired 100% of the capital stock of TPB for the purchase price of $23.4 million calculated on the net book value of TPB as of December 31, 2017 and a mutually agreed upon multiple of 1.62, less certain mutually agreed upon deductions that are described in the transaction agreement, which reduced the purchase price by approximately $0.4 million. Approximately 90% of the purchase price was paid in cash, which totaled approximately $20.7 million, and approximately 10% was paid in the form of unregistered shares of Bancshares’ common stock, which consisted of 204,355 shares. The aggregate purchase price was subject to adjustment following the closing date of the transaction based on determination of TPB’s final net book value as of the date of closing, which resulted in the payment by Bancshares of an additional cash amount of approximately $1.4 million. As of the acquisition date, TPB’s assets totaled $166.5 million, consisting primarily of pre-discounted gross loans totaling $156.8 million. Total deposits were $140.0 million. Purchase accounting adjustments were recorded as of the acquisition date, resulting in goodwill as of December 31, 2018 of $7.4 million.

The Bank has two wholly owned subsidiaries: Acceptance Loan Company, Inc. (“ALC”) and FUSB Reinsurance, Inc. (“FUSB Reinsurance”). As used herein, unless the context suggests otherwise, references to the “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Bancshares, as well as the Bank, ALC and FUSB Reinsurance, collectively.

ALC, an Alabama corporation headquartered in Mobile, Alabama, is a finance company that performs both indirect lending through third-party retailers and conventional consumer finance lending through a branch network. ALC conducts indirect lending in 10 states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, with loans underwritten centrally at ALC’s headquarters location. ALC’s branch network serves customers through 21 offices located in Alabama and southeast Mississippi. ALC’s lending guidelines are based on an established company policy that is reviewed regularly by its Loan Committee. The lending guidelines include a consideration of collateral (age, type and loan-to-value) and loan term, as well as the borrower’s budget (debt-to-income ratio), employment and residence history, credit score, credit history and experience with ALC. 

FUSB Reinsurance underwrites credit life and credit accident and health insurance policies sold to the Bank’s and ALC’s consumer loan customers. FUSB Reinsurance is responsible for the first level of risk on these policies up to a specified maximum amount, and a primary third-party insurer retains the remaining risk. A third-party insurer and/or a third-party administrator are responsible for performing most of the administrative functions of FUSB Reinsurance on a contract basis.

Employees

Bancshares has no employees, other than the executive officers discussed in the information incorporated by reference in Part III, Item 10 of this report. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank had 171 full-time equivalent employees, and ALC had 99 full-time equivalent employees. FUSB Reinsurance has no employees. None of our employees are party to a collective bargaining agreement. Management believes that the Company’s employee relations are good.

Competition

We face strong competition in making loans, acquiring deposits and attracting customers for investment services. Competition among financial institutions is based on interest rates offered on deposit accounts, interest rates charged on loans, other credit and service charges relating to loans, the quality and scope of the services rendered, the convenience of banking facilities and, in the case of loans to commercial borrowers, relative lending limits. We compete with numerous other financial services providers, including commercial banks, online banks, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, investment banking companies, brokerage firms and other financial intermediaries operating in Alabama and elsewhere. Many of these competitors, some of which are affiliated with large bank holding companies, have substantially greater resources and lending limits than we do. In addition, many of our non-bank competitors are not subject to the same extensive federal regulations that govern bank holding companies and federally insured banks.

The financial services industry is likely to become more competitive as further technological advances enable more companies to provide financial services. These technological advances may diminish the importance of depository institutions and other financial intermediaries.

Supervision and Regulation

General

We are extensively regulated under both federal and state law. These laws restrict permissible activities and investments and require compliance with various consumer protection provisions applicable to lending, deposit, brokerage and fiduciary activities. They also impose capital adequacy requirements and limit Bancshares’ ability to repurchase stock or to receive dividends from the Bank. Bancshares is subject to comprehensive examination and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”), and the Bank and its subsidiaries are subject to comprehensive examination and supervision by the Alabama State Banking Department (the “ASBD”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”). These regulatory agencies generally have broad discretion to impose restrictions and limitations on our operations. This supervisory framework could materially impact the conduct and profitability of our activities.

To the extent that the following information describes statutory and regulatory provisions, it is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of such provisions. Proposals to change the laws and regulations governing the banking industry are frequently raised at both the state and federal level. The likelihood and timing of any changes in these laws and regulations, as well as the impact that such changes may have on us, are difficult to ascertain. A change in applicable laws and regulations, or in the manner in which such laws or regulations are interpreted by regulatory agencies or courts, may have a material effect on our business, operations and earnings.

Regulation of Bancshares

Bancshares is registered as a bank holding company and is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve. The BHCA requires a bank holding company to secure the approval of the Federal Reserve before it owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than five percent (5%) of the voting shares or substantially all of the assets of any bank or thrift, or merges or consolidates with another bank or thrift holding company. Further, under the BHCA, the activities of a bank holding company and any nonbank subsidiary are limited to: (1) those activities that the Federal Reserve determines to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto and (2) investments in companies not engaged in activities closely related to banking, subject to quantitative limitations on the value of such investments. Prior approval of the Federal Reserve may be required before engaging in certain activities. In making such determinations, the Federal Reserve is required to weigh the expected benefits to the public, such as greater convenience, increased competition and gains in efficiency, against the possible adverse effects, such as undue concentration of resources, decreased or unfair competition, conflicts of interest, and unsound banking practices.

There are a number of restrictions imposed on us by law and regulatory policy that are designed to minimize potential losses to the depositors of the Bank and the Deposit Insurance Fund maintained by the FDIC (as discussed in more detail below) if the Bank should become insolvent. For example, the Federal Reserve requires bank holding companies to serve as a source of financial strength to their subsidiary depository institutions and to commit resources to support such institutions in circumstances in which they might not otherwise do so. The Federal Reserve also has the authority to require a bank holding company to terminate any activity or to relinquish control of a non-bank subsidiary upon the Federal Reserve’s determination that such activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness and stability of any bank subsidiary of the bank holding company.

Any capital loan by Bancshares to the Bank is subordinate in right of payment to deposits and certain other indebtedness of the Bank. In addition, in the event of Bancshares’ bankruptcy, any commitment by Bancshares to a federal banking regulatory agency to maintain the capital of the Bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution (including the claims of the FDIC as a subrogee of insured depositors) and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. If an insured depository institution fails, then insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority of payment over unsecured, non-deposit creditors, including the institution’s holding company, with respect to any extensions of credit that they have made to such insured depository institution.

Regulation of the Bank

The operations and investments of the Bank are limited by federal and state statutes and regulations. The Bank is subject to supervision and regulation by the ASBD and the FDIC and to various requirements and restrictions under federal and state law, including requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types, amount and terms and conditions of loans that it may originate, and limits on the types of other activities in which the Bank may engage and the investments it may make.

The Bank is subject to federal laws that limit the amount of transactions between the Bank and its nonbank affiliates, including Bancshares, but excluding operating subsidiaries, such as ALC. Under these provisions, transactions by the Bank with nonbank affiliates (such as loans or investments) are generally limited to 10% of the Bank’s capital and surplus for all covered transactions with any one affiliate and 20% of capital and surplus for all covered transactions with all affiliates. Any extensions of credit to affiliates, with limited exceptions, must be secured by eligible collateral in specified amounts. The Bank is also prohibited from purchasing any “low quality” assets from an affiliate. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) imposed additional requirements on transactions with affiliates, including an expansion of the definition of “covered transactions” and an increase in the length of time for which collateral requirements regarding covered transactions must be maintained.  

Securities and Exchange Commission

Bancshares is under the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for matters relating to the offer and sale of its securities and is subject to the SEC’s rules and regulations related to periodic reporting, reporting to shareholders, proxy solicitations and insider trading regulations.

Monetary Policy

Our earnings are and will be affected by domestic economic conditions and the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States government and its agencies. The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve have a substantial effect on the operating results of commercial banks, including the Bank. The Federal Reserve has a significant impact on the levels of bank loans, investments and deposits through its open market operations in United States government securities and through its regulation of, among other things, the discount rate on borrowings of member banks and the reserve requirements against member banks’ deposits. It is not possible to predict the nature and impact of future changes in monetary and fiscal policies.

Deposit Insurance

The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund maintained by the FDIC. As a result, the Bank is required to pay periodic assessments to maintain insurance coverage for its deposits. Under the FDIC’s assessment system for banks with less than $10 billion in assets, the assessment rate is determined based on a number of factors, including the Bank’s CAMELS (supervisory) rating, leverage ratio, net income, non-performing loan ratios, OREO ratios, core deposit ratios, one-year organic asset growth and a loan mix index.

The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments. A significant increase in insurance assessments would likely have an adverse effect on our operating expense, results of operations, and cash flows. Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future. Furthermore, deposit insurance may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. 

Dividend Restrictions

Under Delaware law, dividends may be paid only out of the amount calculated as the present fair value of the total assets of the corporation, minus the present fair value of the total liabilities of the corporation, minus the capital of the corporation. In the event that there is no such amount, dividends may be paid out of the net profits of the corporation for the fiscal year in which the dividend is declared and/or the immediately preceding fiscal year. Dividends may not be paid, however, out of net profits of the corporation if the capital represented by the issued and outstanding stock of all classes having a preference on the distribution of assets is impaired. Further, the Federal Reserve permits bank holding companies to pay dividends only out of current earnings and only if future retained earnings would be consistent with the company’s capital, asset quality and financial condition.

Since it has no significant independent sources of income, Bancshares’ ability to pay dividends depends on its ability to receive dividends from the Bank. Under Alabama law, the Bank may not pay a dividend in excess of 90% of its net earnings unless its surplus is equal to at least 20% of capital. The Bank is also required by Alabama law to seek the approval of the Superintendent of the ASBD prior to the payment of dividends if the total of all dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year will exceed the total of (1) the Bank’s net earnings for that year, plus (2) its retained net earnings for the preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus. Alabama law defines net earnings as the remainder of all earnings from current operations plus actual recoveries on loans and investments and other assets, after deducting from the total thereof all current operating expenses, actual losses, accrued dividends on preferred stock, if any, and all federal, state and local taxes. The Bank must be able to satisfy the conditions described above in order to declare or pay a dividend to Bancshares without obtaining the prior approval of the Superintendent of the ASBD. In addition, the FDIC prohibits the payment of cash dividends if (1) as a result of such payment, the bank would be undercapitalized or (2) the bank is in default with respect to any assessment due to the FDIC, including a deposit insurance assessment. These restrictions could materially influence the Bank’s, and therefore Bancshares’, ability to pay dividends.

Capital Adequacy

In July 2013, the federal banking regulatory agencies adopted regulations to implement the framework developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (“Basel Committee”) for strengthening international capital and liquidity, known as “Basel III” (the “Basel III Rule”).  The Basel III Rule provides risk-based capital guidelines designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banks, to account for off-balance sheet exposures, and to minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets. Under these guidelines, assets and off-balance sheet items are assigned to broad risk categories, each with appropriate risk-weights. The net amount of assets remaining after applying the risk-weights to the gross asset values represents the institution’s total risk-weighted assets (“RWA”). An institution’s total RWA are used to calculate its regulatory capital ratios. The Basel III Rule establishes minimum capital and leverage ratios that supervised financial institutions are required to maintain, while also providing countercyclical capital requirements so that the required amount of capital increases in times of economic expansion and decreases in times of economic contraction, consistent with safety and soundness. Under the Basel III Rule, banks must maintain a specified capital conservation buffer above each of the required minimum capital levels in order to avoid limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases and paying certain discretionary bonuses. 

In December 2017, the Basel Committee published the last version of the Basel III accord, generally referred to as “Basel IV.” The Basel Committee stated that a key objective of the revisions incorporated into the framework is to reduce excessive variability of risk-weighted assets, which will be accomplished by enhancing the robustness and risk sensitivity of the standardized approaches for credit risk and operational risk, which will facilitate the comparability of banks’ capital ratios; constraining the use of internally modeled approaches; and complementing the risk-weighted capital ratio with a finalized leverage ratio and a revised and robust capital floor. Leadership of the federal banking agencies who are tasked with implementing Basel IV has indicated that it is considering how to appropriately apply these revisions in the United States. Although it is uncertain at this time, some, if not all, of the Basel IV accord may be incorporated into the capital requirements framework applicable to Bancshares and the Bank.

Banking organizations must have appropriate capital planning processes, with proper oversight from the board of directors. Accordingly, pursuant to a separate, general supervisory letter from the Federal Reserve, bank holding companies are expected to conduct and document comprehensive capital adequacy analyses prior to the declaration of any dividends (on common stock, preferred stock, trust preferred securities or other Tier 1 capital instruments), capital redemptions or capital repurchases. Moreover, the federal banking agencies have adopted a joint agency policy statement, noting that the adequacy and effectiveness of a bank’s interest rate risk management process and the level of its interest rate exposures are critical factors in the evaluation of the bank’s capital adequacy.

In 2018, the U.S. Congress passed, and the President signed into law, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 (the “Growth Act”) to modify or remove certain financial reform rules and regulations, including some of those implemented under the Dodd-Frank Act.  While the Growth Act maintains most of the regulatory structure established by the Dodd-Frank Act, it amends certain aspects of the regulatory framework for small depository institutions with assets of less than $10 billion and for large banks with assets of more than $50 billion. The Growth Act, among other things, requires the federal banking agencies to issue regulations allowing community bank organizations with total assets of less than $10.0 billion in assets and limited amounts of certain assets and off-balance sheet exposures to access a simpler capital regime focused on a bank’s Tier 1 leverage capital levels rather than risk-based capital levels that are the focus of the capital rules issued under the Dodd-Frank Act implementing Basel III.

Among other changes, the Growth Act expands the definition of qualified mortgages that may be held by a financial institution and simplifies the regulatory capital rules for financial institutions and their holding companies with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion by instructing the federal banking regulators to establish a single “Community Bank Leverage Ratio” of between 8% and 10% to replace the leverage and risk-based regulatory capital ratios.  The Growth Act also includes regulatory relief for community banks regarding regulatory examination cycles, call reports, the Volcker Rule (proprietary trading prohibitions), mortgage disclosures, and risk weights for certain high-risk commercial real estate loans.  It is difficult to predict at this time when or how any new standards under the Growth Act will ultimately be applied to us or what specific impact the Growth Act and the yet-to-be-written implementing rules and regulations will have on community banks.

In November 2018, the federal banking agencies proposed regulations that would exempt a qualifying community bank and its holding company that have Tier 1 leverage ratios of greater than 9% from the risk-based capital requirements of the capital rules issued under the Dodd-Frank Act. A qualifying community banking organization and its holding company that have chosen the proposed framework would not be required to calculate the existing risk-based and leverage capital requirements. A qualifying community banking organization would also be considered to have met the capital ratio requirements to be well capitalized for the agencies’ prompt corrective action rules provided it has a community bank leverage ratio greater than 9%.

The rules implementing these provisions of the Growth Act are not yet finalized and Bancshares has not yet made a determination regarding whether it will seek to take advantage of these new capital rules under the Growth Act.

Prompt Corrective Action

In addition to the required minimum capital levels described above, federal law establishes a system of “prompt corrective actions” that federal banking agencies are required to take, and certain actions that they have discretion to take, based on the capital category into which a federally regulated depository institution falls. Regulations set forth detailed procedures and criteria for implementing prompt corrective action in the case of any institution that is not adequately capitalized. Each institution is assigned to one of five categories based on its capital ratios:  “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” Institutions categorized as “undercapitalized” or worse become subject to increasing levels of regulatory oversight and restrictions, which may include, among other things, limitations on growth and activities and payment of dividends. 

As of December 31, 2018, the Bank was “well-capitalized” under the prompt corrective action rules. This classification is primarily for the purpose of applying the federal prompt corrective action provisions and is not intended to be, and should not be, interpreted as a representation of our overall financial condition or prospects.

Community Reinvestment Act

The Community Reinvestment Act (the “CRA”) requires the federal banking regulatory agencies to assess all financial institutions that they regulate to determine whether these institutions are meeting the credit needs of the communities that they serve, including their assessment area(s) (as established for these purposes in accordance with applicable regulations based principally on the location of the institution’s branch offices). Under the CRA, institutions are assigned a rating of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “unsatisfactory.” An institution’s record in meeting the requirements of the CRA is made publicly available and is taken into consideration in connection with any applications that it files with federal regulators to engage in certain activities, including approval of branches or other deposit facilities, mergers and acquisitions, office relocations or expansions into non-banking activities. The Bank received a “satisfactory” rating in its most recent CRA evaluation.

Anti-Money Laundering Laws

Under various federal laws, including the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act”), as amended by the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT) Act, financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships, as well as enhanced due diligence and “know your customer” standards in their dealings with foreign financial institutions and foreign customers. These laws also mandate that financial institutions establish anti-money laundering programs meeting certain standards and require the federal banking regulators to consider the effectiveness of a financial institution’s anti-money laundering activities when reviewing bank mergers and bank holding company acquisitions.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”) comprehensively revised the laws affecting corporate governance, auditing, executive compensation and corporate reporting for entities with equity or debt securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Among other things, Sarbanes-Oxley and its implementing regulations established new membership requirements and additional responsibilities for audit committees, imposed restrictions on the relationships between public companies and their outside auditors (including restrictions on the types of non-audit services that auditors may provide), imposed additional responsibilities for public companies’ external financial statements on the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and expanded the disclosure requirements for corporate insiders. The requirements are intended to allow stockholders to more easily and efficiently monitor the performance of companies and directors. We and our Board of Directors have, as appropriate, adopted or modified our policies and practices in order to comply with these regulatory requirements and to enhance our corporate governance practices.

As required by Sarbanes-Oxley, we have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to our Board, executives and employees. This Code of Business Conduct can be found on our website at http://www.firstusbank.com under the tabs “About – Investor Relations – FUSB Policies.”

Privacy of Customer Information

The Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 (also known as the “Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act” or the “GLBA”) and the implementing regulations issued by federal banking regulatory agencies require financial institutions to adopt policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of nonpublic personal information about their customers to non-affiliated third parties. In general, financial institutions are required to explain to customers their policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of such nonpublic personal information, and, unless otherwise required or permitted by law, financial institutions are prohibited from disclosing such information except as provided in their policies and procedures. Specifically, the GLBA established certain information security guidelines that require each financial institution, under the supervision and ongoing oversight of its board of directors or an appropriate committee thereof, to develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information, to protect against anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information and to protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer.

Cybersecurity

The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015 (“CISA”) was intended to improve cybersecurity in the United States by enhanced sharing of information about security threats among the U.S. government and private sector entities, including financial institutions. CISA also authorizes companies to monitor their own systems notwithstanding any other provision of law and allows companies to carry out defensive measures on their own systems from cyber-attacks. The law includes liability protections for companies that share cyber threat information with third parties so long as such sharing activity is conducted in accordance with CISA.

In October 2016, the federal bank regulatory agencies issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding enhanced cyber risk management standards which would apply to a wide range of large financial institutions and their third-party service providers, including Bancshares and the Bank. The proposed standards would expand existing cybersecurity regulations and guidance to focus on cyber risk governance and management, management of internal and external dependencies and incident response, cyber resilience and situational awareness. In addition, the proposal contemplates more stringent standards for institutions with systems that are critical to the financial sector.

The federal banking regulators regularly issue guidance regarding cybersecurity intended to enhance cyber risk management standards among financial institutions. A financial institution is expected to establish multiple lines of defense and to ensure their risk management processes address the risk posed by potential threats to the institution. A financial institution’s management is expected to maintain sufficient processes to effectively respond and recover the institution’s operations after a cyber-attack. A financial institution is also expected to develop appropriate processes to enable recovery of data and business operations if a critical service provider of the institution falls victim to this type of cyber-attack.

State regulators have also been increasingly active in implementing privacy and cybersecurity standards and regulations. Recently, several states have adopted regulations requiring certain financial institutions to implement cybersecurity programs and providing detailed requirements with respect to these programs, including data encryption requirements. Many states have also recently implemented or modified their data breach notification and data privacy requirements. We expect this trend of state-level activity in those areas to continue, and are continually monitoring developments in the states in which our customers are located.

Regulation of Lending Practices

Our lending practices are subject to a number of federal and state laws, as supplemented by the rules and regulations of the various agencies charged with the responsibility of implementing these laws. These include, among others, the following:

In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”), an independent bureau with broad authority to regulate the consumer finance industry, including regulated financial institutions, non-banks and others involved in extending credit to consumers. The CFPB has authority through rulemaking, orders, policy statements, guidance and enforcement actions to administer and enforce federal consumer financial laws.  Although the CFPB has the power to interpret, administer and enforce federal consumer financial laws, the Dodd-Frank Act provides that the federal banking regulatory agencies continue to have examination and enforcement powers over the financial institutions that they supervise relating to the matters within the jurisdiction of the CFPB if the supervised institutions have less than $10 billion in assets.  The CFPB has adopted a number of rules that impact our lending practices, including, among other things, (1) requiring financial institutions to make a “reasonable and good faith determination” that a consumer has a “reasonable ability” to repay a residential mortgage loan before making such a loan, (2) requiring sponsors of asset-backed securities to retain at least 5% of the credit risk of the assets underlying the securities (and generally prohibiting sponsors from transferring or hedging that credit risk), and (3) imposing a number of new and enhanced requirements on the mortgage servicing industry, including rules regarding communications with borrowers, maintenance of customer account records, procedures for responding to written borrower requests and complaints of errors, servicing delinquent loans and conducting foreclosure proceedings, among other measures.

Regulation of Deposit Operations

Our deposit operations are subject to federal laws applicable to depository accounts, including, among others, the following:

Federal Home Loan Bank Membership

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLBA”). Each member of the FHLBA is required to maintain a minimum investment in the Class B stock of the FHLBA. The Board of Directors of the FHLBA can increase the minimum investment requirements if it concludes that additional capital is required to allow it to meet its own regulatory capital requirements. Any increase in the minimum investment requirements outside of specified ranges requires the approval of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Because the extent of any obligation to increase the level of investment in the FHLBA depends entirely on the occurrence of a future event, we are unable to determine the extent of future required potential payments to the FHLBA at this time. Additionally, in the event that a member financial institution fails, the right of the FHLBA to seek repayment of funds loaned to that institution will take priority over the rights of all other creditors.

Website Information

The Bank’s website address is http://www.firstusbank.com. Bancshares does not maintain a separate website. Bancshares makes available free of charge on or through the Bank’s website, under the tabs “About – Investor Relations,” its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the SEC. These reports are also available on the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. Bancshares will provide paper copies of these reports to shareholders free of charge upon written request. Bancshares is not including the information contained on or available through the Bank’s website as a part of, or incorporating such information into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Making or continuing an investment in our common stock involves certain risks that you should carefully consider. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only risks that may have a material adverse effect on us. Additional risks and uncertainties also could adversely affect our business and results of operations. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be negatively affected, the market price of your common stock could decline and you could lose all or a part of your investment. Further, to the extent that any of the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K constitutes forward-looking statements, the risk factors set forth below also are cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.

If loan losses are greater than anticipated, our earnings may be adversely affected.

As a lender, we are exposed to the risk that customers will be unable to repay their loans according to their terms and that any collateral securing the payment of their loans may not be sufficient to assure repayment. Credit losses are inherent in the business of making loans and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Our credit risk with respect to our real estate and construction loan portfolio relates principally to the creditworthiness of individuals and the value of the real estate serving as security for the repayment of loans, and the credit risk with respect to our commercial and consumer loan portfolio relates principally to the general creditworthiness of businesses and individuals within the local markets in which we operate. We make various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of our loan portfolio and provide an allowance for potential loan losses based on a number of factors. We believe that our allowance for loan losses is adequate. However, if estimates, assumptions or judgments used in calculating this allowance are incorrect, the allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover our actual loan losses. Deterioration of economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, inaccurate management assumptions, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may result in higher levels of nonperforming assets and charge-offs and loan losses in excess of our current allowance for loan losses, requiring us to make material additions to our allowance for loan losses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations. The actual amount of future provisions for loan losses cannot be determined at this time and may vary from the amounts of past provisions. In addition, banking regulators periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or recognize further charge-offs if the regulators’ judgments are different than those of our management. Material additions to the allowance could materially decrease our net income.

We may be required to increase our allowance for loan losses as a result of a recent change to an accounting standard.

The measure of our allowance for loan losses depends in part on the adoption and interpretation of accounting standards. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. This ASU provides a new credit impairment model, the Current Expected Credit Loss, or CECL model, which will apply to us in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. CECL will require financial institutions to estimate and develop a provision for credit losses at origination for the lifetime of the loan, as opposed to reserving for incurred or probable losses up to the balance sheet date. Under the CECL model, credit deterioration would be reflected in the income statement in the period of origination or acquisition of the loan, with changes in expected credit losses due to further credit deterioration or improvement reflected in the periods in which the expectation changes. Accordingly, implementation of the CECL model will change our current method of providing allowances for loan losses, which would likely require us to increase our allowance for loan losses. Moreover, the CECL model likely would create more volatility in our level of allowance for loan losses. A material increase in our level of allowance for loan losses could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations. 

Our business and operations may be materially adversely affected by weak economic conditions. 

Our business and operations, which primarily consist of banking activities, including lending money to customers in the form of loans and borrowing money from customers in the form of deposits, are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the United States generally, and in our region in particular. The economic conditions in our local markets may be different from the economic conditions in the United States as a whole. If economic conditions in the United States or any of our markets weaken, our growth and profitability from our operations could be constrained. The current economic environment is characterized by interest rates near historically low levels, which impacts our ability to attract deposits and to generate attractive earnings through our loan and investment portfolios. All of these factors can individually or in the aggregate be detrimental to our business, and the interplay between these factors can be complex and unpredictable. Unfavorable market conditions can result in a deterioration in the credit quality of our borrowers and the demand for our products and services, an increase in the number of delinquencies, defaults and charge-offs, additional provisions for loan losses, a decline in the value of our collateral and an overall material adverse effect on the quality of our loan portfolio. 

The banking industry is highly competitive, which could result in loss of market share and adversely affect our business.

We encounter strong competition in making loans and acquiring deposits. We compete with commercial banks, online banks, credit unions, finance companies, mutual funds, insurance companies, investment banking companies, brokerage firms and other financial intermediaries operating in Alabama and elsewhere in various segments of the financial services market. Many of these competitors, some of which are affiliated with large bank holding companies, have substantially greater resources and lending limits than we do. In addition, many of our non-bank competitors are not subject to the same extensive federal regulations that govern bank holding companies and federally insured banks, and, as a result, may be able to offer certain products and services at a lower cost than the we are able to offer, which could adversely affect our business.

We are subject to extensive governmental regulation, and the costs of complying with such regulation could have an adverse impact on our operations.

The financial services industry is extensively regulated and supervised under both federal and state law. We are subject to the supervision and regulation of the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the ASBD. These regulations are intended primarily to protect depositors, the public and the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund, rather than shareholders. Additionally, we are subject to supervision, regulation and examination by other regulatory authorities, such as the SEC and state securities and insurance regulators. If, as a result of an examination, the Federal Reserve, the FDIC or the ASBD were to determine that our financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity or other aspects of any of our operations had become unsatisfactory, or that we were in violation of any law or regulation, they may take a number of different remedial actions as they deem appropriate. These actions include the power to require us to remediate any such adverse examination findings. We are also subject to changes in federal and state laws, as well as regulations and governmental policies, income tax laws and accounting principles. Regulations affecting banks and other financial institutions are undergoing continuous change, and the ultimate effect of such changes cannot be predicted. Regulations and laws may be modified at any time, and new legislation may be enacted that could affect us. We cannot assure you that any changes in regulations or new laws will not adversely affect our performance or consolidated results of operations. Our regulatory framework is discussed in greater detail under “Item 1. Business – Supervision and Regulation.”

We are subject to laws regarding the privacy, information security and protection of personal information, and any violation of these laws or unauthorized disclosure of such information could damage our reputation and otherwise adversely affect our operations and financial condition.

Our business requires the collection and retention of large volumes of customer data, including personally identifiable information in various information systems that we maintain and in those maintained by third parties with whom we contract to provide data services. We also maintain important internal data, such as personally identifiable information about our employees and information relating to our operations. We are subject to complex and evolving laws and regulations governing the privacy and protection of personal information of individuals (including customers, employees, suppliers and other third parties). For example, our business is subject to the GLBA, which, among other things: (1) imposes certain limitations on our ability to share nonpublic personal information about our customers with nonaffiliated third parties; (2) requires us to provide certain disclosures to customers about our information collection, sharing and security practices and to afford customers the right to “opt out” of any information sharing by us with nonaffiliated third parties (with certain exceptions); and (3) requires us to develop, implement and maintain a written comprehensive information security program containing appropriate safeguards based on our size and complexity, the nature and scope of our activities, and the sensitivity of customer information we process, as well as plans for responding to data security breaches. Various state and federal banking regulators and state legislatures have also enacted data security breach notification requirements with varying levels of individual, consumer, regulatory or law enforcement notification in the event of a security breach. Ensuring that our collection, use, transfer and storage of personal information complies with all applicable laws and regulations can increase our costs. Furthermore, we may not be able to ensure that all of our clients, suppliers, counterparties and other third parties have appropriate controls in place to protect the confidentiality of the information that they exchange with us, particularly where such information is transmitted by electronic means. If personal, confidential or proprietary information of customers or others were to be mishandled or misused (in situations where, for example, such information was erroneously provided to unauthorized persons, or where such information was intercepted or otherwise compromised by third parties), we could be exposed to litigation or regulatory sanctions under applicable laws and regulations. Concerns about the effectiveness of our measures to safeguard personal information could cause us to lose customers or potential customers for our products and services and thereby reduce our revenues. Accordingly, any failure or perceived failure to comply with applicable privacy or data protection laws and regulations may subject us to inquiries, examinations and investigations that could result in requirements to modify or cease certain operations or practices or in significant liabilities, fines or penalties, and could damage our reputation and otherwise adversely affect our consolidated operations and financial condition.

Our FDIC deposit insurance premiums and assessments may increase and thereby adversely affect our financial results.

The Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC up to legal limits, and, accordingly, the Bank is subject to periodic insurance assessments by the FDIC. The Bank’s regular assessments are determined by its risk classification, which is based on its regulatory capital levels and the level of supervisory concern that it poses. Numerous bank failures during the financial crisis and increases in the statutory deposit insurance limits increased resolution costs to the FDIC and put significant pressure on the Deposit Insurance Fund. The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments, and any significant increase in insurance assessments would likely have an adverse effect on us and thereby negatively impact our consolidated results of operations. 

We may not be able to maintain consistent growth, earnings or profitability.

There can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to grow and to remain profitable in future periods, or, if profitable, that our overall earnings will remain consistent with our prior results of operations, or increase in the future. Our growth in recent years has been driven primarily by a strong commercial loan market and real estate loan market in certain of our markets. A downturn in economic conditions in our markets, heightened competition from other financial services providers, an inability to retain or grow our core deposit base, regulatory and legislative considerations and failure to attract and retain high-performing talent, among other factors, could limit our ability to grow our assets or increase our profitability to the same extent as in recent periods. Sustainable growth requires that we manage our risks by following prudent loan underwriting standards, balancing loan and deposit growth without materially increasing interest rate risk or compressing our net interest margin, maintaining adequate capital, hiring and retaining qualified employees and successfully implementing our strategic initiatives. A failure to sustain our recent rate of growth, adequately manage the factors that have contributed to our growth or successfully enter new markets could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and profitability and, therefore on our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

Rapid and significant changes in market interest rates may adversely affect our performance.

Most of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature and are therefore subject to significant risks from changes in interest rates. Our profitability depends to a large extent on net interest income, and changes in interest rates can impact our net interest income as well as the valuation of our assets and liabilities. Our consolidated results of operations are affected by changes in interest rates and our ability to manage interest rate risks. Changes in market interest rates, changes in the relationships between short-term and long-term market interest rates and changes in the relationships between different interest rate indices can affect the interest rates charged on interest-earning assets differently than the interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. These differences could result in an increase in interest expense relative to interest income or a decrease in our interest rate spread. For a more detailed discussion of these risks and our management strategies for these risks, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our net interest margin depends on many factors that are partly or completely out of our control, including competition, federal economic monetary and fiscal policies and general economic conditions. Despite the implementation of strategies to manage interest rate risks, changes in interest rates may have a material adverse impact on our profitability.

The performance of our investment portfolio is subject to fluctuations due to changes in interest rates and market conditions.

Changes in interest rates can negatively affect the performance of most of our investments. Interest rate volatility can reduce gains or create losses in our investment portfolios. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary policies, domestic and international economic and political conditions and other factors beyond our control. Fluctuations in interest rates affect returns on, and the market value of, investment securities. The fair market value of the securities in our portfolio and the investment income from these securities also fluctuate depending on general economic and market conditions. In addition, actual net investment income and/or cash flows from investments that carry prepayment risk, such as mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, may differ from those anticipated at the time of investment as a result of interest rate fluctuations. The potential effect of these factors is heightened due to the current conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally.

Changes in the policies of monetary authorities and other government action could adversely affect our profitability.

Our consolidated results of operations are affected by credit policies of monetary authorities, particularly the Federal Reserve. The instruments of monetary policy employed by the Federal Reserve include open market operations in United States government securities, changes in the discount rate or the federal funds rate on bank borrowings and changes in reserve requirements against bank deposits. In view of changing conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, we cannot predict future changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand or our business and earnings. Furthermore, the actions of the United States government and other governments in responding to such conditions may result in currency fluctuations, exchange controls, market disruption and other adverse effects.

Uncertainty relating to the LIBOR calculation process and potential phasing out of LIBOR may adversely affect our results of operations.

On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit rates for the calibration of LIBOR to the administrator of LIBOR after 2021. The announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. It is impossible to predict whether and to what extent banks will continue to provide LIBOR submissions to the administrator of LIBOR or whether any additional reforms to LIBOR may be enacted in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. At this time, no consensus exists as to what rate or rates may become acceptable alternatives to LIBOR, and it is impossible to predict the effect of any such alternatives on the value of LIBOR-based securities and variable rate loans, subordinated debentures or other securities or financial arrangements, given LIBOR’s role in determining market interest rates globally. Uncertainty as to the nature of alternative reference rates and as to potential changes or other reforms to LIBOR may adversely affect LIBOR rates and the value of LIBOR-based loans and securities in our portfolio and may impact the availability and cost of hedging instruments and borrowings. If LIBOR rates are no longer available, and we are required to implement substitute indices for the calculation of interest rates under our loan agreements with our borrowers, we may incur significant expenses in effecting the transition and may be subject to disputes or litigation with customers over the appropriateness or comparability to LIBOR of the substitute indices, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

Our profitability and liquidity may be affected by changes in economic conditions in the areas in which our operations and loans are concentrated.

Our success depends to a certain extent on the general economic conditions of the geographic markets that we serve in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Virginia. Local economic conditions in these areas have a significant impact on our commercial, real estate and construction loans, the ability of borrowers to repay these loans and the value of the collateral securing these loans. Adverse changes in the economic conditions of the southeastern United States in general or any one or more of these local markets could negatively impact the financial results of our banking operations and have a negative effect on our profitability. For example, significant unemployment in the timber industry could cause widespread economic distress in many of the areas that we serve. Similar trends in other industries or sectors that we serve could have a significant negative effect on our profitability.

We cannot guarantee that we will pay dividends in the future.

Dividends from the Bank are Bancshares’ primary source of funds for the payment of dividends to its shareholders, and there are various legal and regulatory limits regarding the extent to which the Bank may pay dividends or otherwise supply funds to Bancshares. The ability of both the Bank and Bancshares to pay dividends will continue to be subject to and limited by the results of operations of the Bank and by certain legal and regulatory restrictions. Further, any lenders making loans to Bancshares or the Bank may impose financial covenants that may be more restrictive than the legal and regulatory requirements with respect to the payment of dividends. There can be no assurance as to whether or when Bancshares may pay dividends to its shareholders.

Extreme weather could cause a disruption in our operations, which could have an adverse impact on our profitability. 

Some of our operations are located in areas near the Gulf of Mexico, a region that is susceptible to hurricanes and other forms of extreme weather. Such weather events could disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our overall results of operations. Further, a hurricane, tornado or other extreme weather event in any of our market areas could adversely impact the ability of borrowers to timely repay their loans and may adversely impact the value of collateral that we hold. 

Technological changes in the banking and financial services industries may negatively impact our results of operations and our ability to compete.

The banking and financial services industries are undergoing rapid changes, with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to enhancing the level of service provided to customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. To remain competitive, financial institutions must continuously evaluate changing customer preferences with respect to emerging technologies and develop plans to address such changes in the most cost-effective manner possible. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to use technology to offer products and services that provide convenience to customers and create additional efficiencies in operations, and our failure to do so could negatively impact our business. Additionally, our competitors may have greater resources to invest in technological improvements than we do, and we may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services, which could reduce our ability to effectively compete.

Our information systems may experience a failure or interruption.

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Any failure or interruption in the operation of these systems could impair or prevent the effective operation of our customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, lending or other functions. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of a failure or interruption in the operation of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failures or interruptions will not occur or, if they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failures or interruptions impacting our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business and expose us to additional regulatory scrutiny, civil litigation and possible financial liability, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

We use information technology in our operations and offer online banking services to our customers, and unauthorized access to our customers’ confidential or proprietary information as a result of a cyber-attack or otherwise could expose us to reputational harm and litigation and adversely affect our ability to attract and retain customers.

Information security risks for financial institutions have generally increased in recent years, in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists, activists and other external parties. We are under continuous threat of loss due to hacking and cyber-attacks, especially as we continue to expand customer capabilities to utilize the internet and other remote channels to transact business. Our risk and exposure to these matters remains heightened because of the evolving nature and complexity of these threats from cybercriminals and hackers, our plans to continue to provide internet banking channels and our plans to develop additional remote connectivity solutions to serve our customers. Therefore, the secure processing, transmission and storage of information in connection with our online banking services are critical elements of our operations. However, our network could be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses and other malware, phishing schemes or other security failures. In addition, our customers may use personal smartphones, tablet PCs or other mobile devices that are beyond our control systems in order to access our products and services. Our technologies, systems and networks, and our customers’ devices, may become the target of cyber-attacks, electronic fraud or information security breaches that could result in the unauthorized release, gathering, monitoring, use, loss or destruction of our or our customers’ confidential, proprietary and other information, or otherwise disrupt our or our customers’ or other third parties’ business operations. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to spend significant capital and other resources to protect against these threats or to alleviate or investigate problems caused by such threats. To the extent that our activities or the activities of our customers involve the processing, storage or transmission of confidential customer information, any breaches or unauthorized access to such information could present significant regulatory costs and expose us to litigation and other possible liabilities. Any inability to prevent these types of security threats could also cause existing customers to lose confidence in our systems and could adversely affect our reputation and ability to generate deposits. In addition, we may not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate for losses from a cyber threat event. While we have not experienced any material losses relating to cyber-attacks or other information security breaches to date, we may suffer such losses in the future. The occurrence of any cyber-attack or information security breach could result in potential legal liability, reputational harm, damage to our competitive position, additional compliance costs and the disruption of our operations, all of which could adversely affect our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

We depend on outside third parties for the processing and handling of our records and data, which exposes us to additional risk for cybersecurity breaches and regulatory action.

We rely on software and internet-based platforms developed by third-party vendors to process various transactions. In some cases, we have contracted with third parties to run their proprietary software on our behalf. These systems include, but are not limited to, general ledger, payroll, employee benefits, loan and deposit processing and securities portfolio accounting. If these third-party service providers experience difficulties, are subject to cybersecurity breaches or terminate their services, and we are unable to replace them with other service providers on a timely basis, our operations could be interrupted. If an interruption were to continue for a significant period of time, our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. While we perform a review of controls instituted by the applicable vendors over these programs in accordance with industry standards and perform our own testing of user controls, we must rely on the continued maintenance of controls by these third-party vendors, including safeguards over the security of customer data. In addition, we maintain, or contract with third parties to maintain, daily backups of key processing outputs in the event of a failure on the part of any of these systems. Nonetheless, we may incur a temporary disruption in our ability to conduct business or process transactions, or damage to our reputation, if the third-party vendor fails to adequately maintain internal controls or institute necessary changes to systems. Such a disruption or breach of security could have a material adverse effect on our business.

In addition, federal regulators have issued guidance outlining their expectations for third-party service provider oversight and monitoring by financial institutions. Any failure to adequately oversee the actions of our third-party service providers could result in regulatory actions against us, which could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations. 

We face a risk of noncompliance and enforcement action under the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations. 

The Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, the USA PATRIOT Act and other laws and regulations require financial institutions, among other duties, to institute and maintain an effective anti-money laundering program and to file reports such as suspicious activity reports and currency transaction reports. We are required to comply with these and other anti-money laundering requirements. Our federal and state banking regulators, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and other government agencies are authorized to impose significant civil money penalties for violations of anti-money laundering requirements. We are also subject to increased scrutiny with respect to our compliance with the regulations issued and enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. If our program is deemed deficient, we could be subject to liability, including fines, civil money penalties and other regulatory actions, which may include restrictions on our business operations and our ability to pay dividends, restrictions on mergers and acquisitions activity, restrictions on expansion and restrictions on entering new business lines. Failure to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could also have significant reputational consequences for us. Any of these circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

The internal controls that we have implemented to mitigate risks inherent to the business of banking might fail or be circumvented.

Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls and procedures that are designed to manage the various risks in our business, including credit risk, operational risk, financial risk, compliance risk and interest rate risk. No system of controls, however well-designed and operated, can provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. If such a system fails or is circumvented, there could be a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Securities issued by us, including our common stock, are not insured.

Securities issued by us, including our common stock, are not savings or deposit accounts or other obligations of any bank and are not insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund maintained by the FDIC or by any other governmental agency or instrumentality, or any private insurer. Therefore, such securities are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.

Future issuances of additional securities by us could result in dilution of your ownership.

We may decide from time to time to issue additional securities in order to raise capital, support growth or fund acquisitions. Further, we may issue stock options or other stock grants to retain and motivate employees. Such issuances of securities by us would dilute the respective ownership interests of our shareholders.

We intend to engage in acquisitions of other banking institutions from time to time. These acquisitions may not produce revenue or earnings enhancements or cost savings at levels, or within time frames, originally anticipated and may result in unforeseen integration difficulties.

We regularly evaluate opportunities to strengthen our current market and competitive position through acquisitions, subject to applicable regulatory and shareholder approvals. Such transactions could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on our operating results and financial condition, including short- and long-term liquidity. Our acquisition activities could be material to our business. These activities could require us to use a substantial amount of cash or other liquid assets and/or incur debt. In addition, if goodwill recorded in connection with acquisitions were determined to be impaired, then we would be required to recognize a charge against our earnings, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations during the period in which the impairment was recognized. Our acquisition activities could involve a number of additional risks, including the risks of:

Depending on the condition of any institutions or assets that are acquired, any acquisition may, at least in the near term, materially adversely affect our capital and earnings and, if not successfully integrated following the acquisition, may continue to have such effects.

Generally, any acquisition of target financial institutions, banking centers or other banking assets by us may require approval by, and cooperation from, a number of governmental regulatory agencies, possibly including the Federal Reserve and the FDIC, as well as state banking regulators. Such regulators could deny our application based on their regulatory criteria or other considerations, which could restrict our growth, or the regulatory approvals may not be granted on terms that are acceptable to us. For example, we could be required to sell banking centers as a condition to receiving regulatory approvals, and such a condition may not be acceptable to us or may reduce the benefit of any acquisition.

We cannot assure you that we will be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with potential acquisitions. Our inability to overcome these risks could have an adverse effect on levels of reported net income, return on equity and return on assets and the ability to achieve our business strategy and maintain market value.

Our common stock price could be volatile, which could result in losses for individual shareholders.

The market price of our common stock may be subject to significant fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:

Due to these factors, you may not be able to sell your stock at or above the price you paid for it, which could result in substantial losses.

Bancshares’ liquidity is subject to various regulatory restrictions applicable to its subsidiaries.

Bancshares’ right to participate in any distribution of assets of any of its subsidiaries upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or otherwise will be subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary, except to the extent that any of Bancshares’ claims as a creditor of such subsidiary may be recognized.

Our performance and results of operations depend in part on the soundness of other financial institutions.

Our ability to engage in routine investment and banking transactions, as well as the quality and value of our investments in equity securities and obligations of other financial institutions, could be adversely affected by the actions, financial condition and profitability of such other financial institutions with which we transact, including, without limitation, the FHLBA and our correspondent banks. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of shared credits, trading, clearing, counterparty and other relationships. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial institutions, or the financial services industry generally, could lead to market-wide liquidity problems and losses of depositor, creditor or counterparty confidence in certain institutions, and could lead to losses or defaults by other institutions. Any defaults by, or failures of, the institutions with whom we transact could adversely affect our debt and equity holdings in such other institutions, our participation interests in loans originated by other institutions and our business, including our liquidity, consolidated financial condition and earnings. 

Liquidity risks could affect our operations and jeopardize our financial condition.

Liquidity is essential to our business. An inability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, the repayment or sale of loans and other sources could have a substantial negative effect on our liquidity. Our funding sources include federal funds, purchased securities sold under repurchase agreements, core and non-core deposits, and short- and long-term debt. We maintain a portfolio of securities that can be used as a source of liquidity. Other sources of liquidity are available should they be needed, such as through our acquisition of additional non-core deposits. Bancshares may be able, depending on market conditions, to issue and sell debt securities and preferred or common equity securities in public or private transactions. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance or capitalize our activities or on acceptable terms could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry or economy in general, such as further disruption in the financial markets, negative views and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry, deterioration within the credit markets or the financial condition, liquidity or profitability of the financial institutions with which we transact.

We depend on the services of our management team and board of directors, and the unexpected loss of key officers or directors may adversely affect our operations.

A departure of any of our executive officers, other key personnel or directors could adversely affect our operations. The community involvement of our executive officers and directors and our directors’ diverse and extensive business relationships are important to our success. A material change in the composition of our management team or board of directors could cause our business to suffer.

We may not realize the full expected benefit of our significant deferred income tax assets.

At December 31, 2018, we had gross deferred tax assets of $6.1 million. Our ability to realize our deferred tax assets is based on the extent to which we generate future taxable income and on prevailing corporate income tax rates, and we cannot provide any assurance as to when and to what extent we will generate sufficient future taxable income to realize our deferred tax assets, whether in whole or in any part. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”) was enacted into law. While we believe that the full impact of Tax Reform on our business may not be fully known for some time, its reduction of the federal corporate income tax rate to 21% required us to record a one-time, non-cash charge of approximately $2.5 million to our provision for income taxes in the fourth quarter of 2017. The charge is solely due to the accounting re-measurement of our deferred tax assets based on the lower income tax rate. While we believe that Tax Reform will not impact the ability of our deferred tax assets, as re-measured, to reduce the amount of cash to be paid in federal income taxes in 2018 and beyond, any future lowering of corporate income tax rates and/or adjustment in the treatment of deferred tax assets could impact the realization as well as the value of our deferred tax assets in our consolidated balance sheets, and these impacts could be material and adverse. Further, we have filed our tax returns based on certain filing positions that we believe are appropriate. Should the applicable taxing authorities disagree with these positions, we may owe additional taxes.

None.

With the exception of its offices located in Knoxville and Powell, Tennessee, which are leased, the Bank owns all of its offices, including its executive offices, without encumbrances. ALC owns a commercial building in Jackson, Alabama, which houses its Jackson branch office, and leases additional office space throughout Alabama and southeast Mississippi. Bancshares does not separately own any property, and to the extent that its activities require the use of physical office facilities, such activities are conducted at the offices of the Bank. We believe that our properties are sufficient for our operations at the current time.

We are party to certain ordinary course litigation, and we intend to vigorously defend ourselves in all such litigation. In the opinion of management, based on a review and consultation with our legal counsel, the outcome of such ordinary course litigation should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements or results of operations.

Not applicable.

PART II

Bancshares’ common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FUSB.” Prior to our name change on October 11, 2016, our common stock was listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “USBI.” As of March 13, 2019, there were 714 record holders of Bancshares’ common stock (excluding any participants in any clearing agency and “street name” holders).

The last reported sales price of Bancshares’ common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on March 13, 2019, was $9.98.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

Information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans is incorporated by reference to Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following table sets forth purchases made by or on behalf of Bancshares or any “affiliated purchaser,” as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) of the Exchange Act, of shares of Bancshares’ common stock during the fourth quarter of 2018.

FIRST US BANCSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). In addition, First US Bancshares, Inc. (“Bancshares” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), through its senior management, from time to time makes forward-looking statements concerning its expected future operations and performance and other developments. The words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “believe,” “continues” and similar expressions are indicative of forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the Company’s best judgment based on current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and various factors could cause results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Such factors could include those identified from time to time in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings and other public announcements, including the risk factors described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Specifically, with respect to statements relating to the sufficiency of the allowance for loan and lease losses, loan demand, cash flows, growth and earnings potential and geographic expansion, these factors include, but are not limited to, the rate of growth (or lack thereof) in the economy generally and in the Company’s service areas, market conditions and investment returns, changes in interest rates, the availability of quality loans in the Company’s service areas, the relative strength and weakness in the consumer and commercial credit sectors and in the real estate markets, collateral values and cybersecurity threats. With respect to the Company’s acquisition of The Peoples Bank, these factors include, but are not limited to, difficulties, delays and unanticipated costs in integrating the organizations’ businesses or realized expected cost savings and other benefits; business disruptions as a result of the integration of the organizations, including possible loss of customers; diversion of management time to address integration-related issues; and changes in asset quality and credit risk as a result of the transaction. There can be no assurance that such factors or other factors will not affect the accuracy of such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the dates on which the forward-looking statements are made, except as required by law.

In addition, the Company’s business is subject to a number of general and market risks that would affect any forward-looking statements, including the risks discussed under Item 1A herein entitled “Risk Factors.”

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

First US Bancshares, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Bancshares”), is a bank holding company with its principal offices in Birmingham, Alabama. Bancshares operates one commercial banking subsidiary, First US Bank (the “Bank”). As of December 31, 2018, the Bank operated and served its customers through 20 banking offices located in Birmingham, Bucksville, Butler, Calera, Centreville, Columbiana, Gilbertown, Grove Hill, Harpersville, Jackson, Thomasville, Tuscaloosa and Woodstock, Alabama; Knoxville and Powell, Tennessee; and Rose Hill and Ewing, Virginia.

The Bank owns all of the stock of Acceptance Loan Company, Inc., an Alabama corporation (“ALC”). ALC is a finance company headquartered in Mobile, Alabama that performs both indirect lending through third-party retailers and conventional consumer finance lending through a branch network. ALC conducts indirect lending in 10 states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, with loans underwritten centrally at ALC’s headquarters location. ALC’s branch network serves customers through 21 offices located in Alabama and southeast Mississippi. The Bank serves as the primary funding source for ALC’s operations. In recent years, ALC’s indirect lending portfolio has grown at a more rapid pace than conventional consumer finance lending. In general, the credit quality of indirect lending exceeds the credit quality of conventional consumer finance lending, with a commensurate reduction in yield and lower loss ratios.

The Bank provides a wide range of commercial banking services to small- and medium-sized businesses, property managers, business executives, professionals and other individuals, while ALC’s business is focused on consumer lending.

FUSB Reinsurance, Inc., an Arizona corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank (“FUSB Reinsurance”), reinsures or “underwrites” credit life and credit accident and health insurance policies sold to the Bank’s and ALC’s consumer loan customers. FUSB Reinsurance is responsible for the first level of risk on these policies up to a specified maximum amount, and a primary third-party insurer retains the remaining risk. A third-party administrator is also responsible for performing most of the administrative functions of FUSB Reinsurance on a contract basis.

Delivery of the best possible financial services to customers remains an overall operational focus of Bancshares and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). We recognize that attention to detail and responsiveness to customers’ desires are critical to customer satisfaction. The Company continues to upgrade technology, both in its financial services and in the training of its 270 full-time equivalent employees (as of December 31, 2018), to ensure customer satisfaction and convenience.

The following discussion and financial information are presented to aid in an understanding of the current consolidated financial position, changes in financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the Company and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included herein. The emphasis of the discussion is on the years 2018 and 2017. All yields and ratios presented and discussed herein are recorded and presented on the accrual basis and not on the tax-equivalent basis, unless otherwise indicated.

The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements requires management to make subjective judgments associated with estimates. These estimates are necessary to comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and general banking practices. The estimates include accounting for the allowance for loan losses, other real estate owned, valuation of deferred tax assets and fair value measurements.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

The Company maintains the allowance for loan and lease losses at a level deemed adequate by management to absorb probable losses from loans and leases in the portfolio at the balance sheet date. In determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses, management considers numerous factors, including, but not limited to, management’s estimate of: (a) loan and lease loss experience; (b) the financial condition and liquidity of certain loan customers and (c) collateral values of property securing certain loans and leases. Because these factors and others involve the use of management’s estimation and judgment, the allowance for loan and lease losses is inherently subject to adjustment at future dates. Unfavorable changes in the factors used by management to determine the adequacy of the allowance, including increased loan or lease delinquencies and subsequent charge-offs, or the availability of new information, could require additional provisions in excess of normal provisions to the allowance for loan and lease losses in future periods. No allowance for loan losses is carried over or established at acquisition for purchased loans acquired in business combinations. Loans acquired in business combinations that are deemed impaired at acquisition, purchased credit impaired (“PCI”) loans, are grouped into pools and evaluated separately from the non-PCI portfolio. The estimated cash flows to be collected on PCI loans are discounted at a market rate of interest. Subsequent to the acquisition of PCI loans, estimates of cash flows expected to be collected are updated each reporting period based on updated assumptions regarding default rates, loss severities and other factors that are reflective of current market conditions. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses. Subsequent increases in expected cash flows will generally result in a reversal of the provision for loan losses to the extent of prior charges. There can be no assurance that loan and lease losses in future periods will not exceed the allowance for loan and lease losses or that additions to the allowances will not be required.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill arises from business combinations and is generally determined as the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is determined to have an indefinite useful life and is not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances exist that indicate that a goodwill impairment test should be performed. The Company has selected October 1 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. 

Other intangible assets consist of core deposit intangible assets arising from acquisitions. Core deposit intangibles have definite useful lives and are amortized on an accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives. The Company’s core deposit intangibles have estimated useful lives of 7 years. In addition, these intangibles are evaluated for impairment whenever events or circumstances exist that indicate that the carrying amount should be reevaluated.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) consists of properties obtained through foreclosure or in satisfaction of loans and is reported at the net realizable value of the property, less estimated costs to sell. Estimates of fair value are generally based on third-party appraisals of the property and are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The appraisals are sometimes discounted based on management’s knowledge of the property and/or changes in market conditions from the date of the most recent appraisal. Such discounts are typically unobservable inputs for determining fair value.

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation

Income tax expense and current and deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect management’s best estimate of current and future taxes to be paid. Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. Deferred tax assets may also arise from the carryforward of operating loss or tax credit carryforwards as allowed by applicable federal or state tax jurisdictions. In evaluating the ability to recover deferred tax assets in the tax jurisdictions from which they arise, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including the Company’s historical earnings and, in particular, the results of recent operations, expected reversals of temporary differences, the ability to utilize tax planning strategies and the expiration dates of any operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is recognized for a deferred tax asset if, based on the weight of all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion of or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. The assumptions about the amount of future taxable income require the use of significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates that management uses in the underlying business. At this time, management considers it to be more likely than not that the Company will have sufficient taxable income in the future to allow all deferred tax assets to be realized. Accordingly, a valuation allowance was not established for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Fair Value Measurements

Portions of the Company’s assets and liabilities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded either in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). These include securities available-for-sale, impaired loans and derivatives. Additionally, other real estate and certain other assets acquired in foreclosure are reported at the lower of the recorded investment or fair value of the property, less estimated cost to sell. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. While management uses judgment when determining the price at which willing market participants would transact when there has been a significant decrease in the volume or level of activity for the asset or liability in relation to “normal” market activity, management’s objective is to determine the point within the range of fair value estimates that is most representative of a sale to a third party under current market conditions. The value to the Company if the asset or liability were held to maturity is not included in the fair value estimates.

A fair value measure should reflect the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including the assumptions about the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique, the effect of a restriction on the sale or use of an asset and the risk of nonperformance. Fair value is measured based on a variety of inputs that the Company utilizes. Fair value may be based on quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets (Level 1 valuations). If market prices are not available, we may use quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market (Level 2 valuations). Where observable market data is not available, the valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use significant assumptions not observable in the market, but that are observable based on Company-specific data (Level 3 valuations). These unobservable assumptions reflect the Company’s own estimates for assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Other Significant Accounting Policies

Other significant accounting policies, not involving the same level of measurable uncertainties as those discussed above, are nevertheless important to an understanding of the consolidated financial statements. Policies related to revenue recognition, investment securities and long-lived assets require difficult judgments on complex matters that are often subject to multiple and recent changes in the authoritative guidance. Certain of these matters are among topics currently under re-examination by accounting standard setters and regulators. Specific conclusions have not been reached by these standard setters, and outcomes cannot be predicted with confidence. See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which discusses accounting policies that we have selected from acceptable alternatives.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company earned net income of $2.5 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share, compared to a net loss of $0.4 million, or ($0.07) per diluted common share, for the year ended December 31, 2017.  The Company’s operations in 2018 were significantly impacted by additional revenues and expenses associated with the acquisition of The Peoples Bank (“TPB”) during the third quarter of 2018.  The net loss in 2017 was attributable to a one-time, non-cash charge to the provision for income taxes that resulted from the adjustment of deferred tax assets upon the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“Tax Reform”).

Summarized condensed consolidated statements of operations are included below for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Acquisition and Merger of The Peoples Bank

The Company acquired TPB on August 31, 2018, and immediately thereafter merged TPB into the Bank.  As of the acquisition date, TPB’s assets totaled $166.5 million, consisting primarily of pre-discounted gross loans totaling $156.8 million. Total deposits assumed in the transaction were $140.0 million.  In accordance with the acquisition method of accounting, preliminary purchase accounting entries were recorded as of the acquisition date to adjust the assets and liabilities to estimated fair value, resulting in goodwill of approximately $7.4 million as of December 31, 2018. 

Approximately $1.6 million in non-recurring acquisition-related expenses were recorded by the Company in 2018. These expenses included approximately $0.7 million associated with the early termination of TPB’s contractual obligations with its core processing provider.  Other acquisition-related expenses included legal, professional, employee benefit and other data processing expenses.  

As the Company pursues its strategy of growing its business, and particularly growing its loan portfolio, it will look for additional acquisition opportunities, although currently the Company has no specific target acquisitions under negotiation. Generally, the Company looks for acquisition opportunities which it expects to contribute to its loan growth and to be accretive to its earnings within a period of two years or less.

Other Significant Impacts on Earnings

The following discussion summarizes the most significant activity that drove changes in the Company’s net income during 2018 as compared to 2017. 

Net Interest Income

Net interest income increased by $4.4 million, or 15.5%, due primarily to increases in average loans outstanding following the acquisition of TPB. The average loan balance for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $414.1 million, compared to $331.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Organic loan growth (independent of growth resulting from the TPB acquisition) totaled $23.3 million, or 6.7%, comparing 2018 to 2017. Net yield on interest earning assets improved to 5.27% for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to 5.08% for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

The provision for loan and lease losses increased by $0.6 million, or 32.0%, in 2018 compared to 2017. Approximately $0.2 million of the increase resulted from organic growth in commercial loans at the Bank. An additional $0.1 million of the increase was due to a reduction in the Bank’s allowance in 2017 for the recovery of an impaired loan relationship that was not repeated in 2018. The remainder of the increase was due to more substantial growth in ALC’s indirect point-of-sale consumer lending portfolio. In general, ALC’s consumer loans require higher levels of loss provisioning than the Bank’s commercial loans. However, point-of-sale indirect lending has resulted in loans that are typically of higher credit quality than ALC’s traditional direct consumer lending portfolio. Accordingly, losses in this portfolio have historically been lower than the direct consumer portfolio.

Non-interest Income

Non-interest income increased by $0.9 million, or 18.8%, comparing 2018 to 2017.  The increase was due primarily to the settlement during the third quarter of 2018 of two forward interest rate swap contracts that netted a pre-tax gain of approximately $1.0 million. In addition, the Bank earned fees from secondary mortgage activities in 2018 that were $0.3 million higher than fees earned during 2017, the first year of operation of the Bank’s mortgage division. The increases in non-interest income in 2018 were partially offset by reductions in gains on sales and prepayments of investment securities, credit insurance income and other income items totaling $0.4 million as compared to 2017.

Non-interest Expense

Non-interest expense in 2018 increased by $3.9 million, or 13.6%, compared to 2017, due in part to the expenses discussed previously associated with the acquisition of TPB, which totaled $1.6 million. In addition, salaries and employee benefits expense increased by $1.4 million and net building and occupancy expense increased by $0.4 million, comparing 2018 to 2017. The increase in salaries and benefits resulted from merit and cost of living increases for the Company’s employees, combined with additional expenses subsequent to the acquisition of TPB related to the assumption of salaries and benefits of TPB’s employees. The increase in building and occupancy expense was associated with the Bank’s Pump House Plaza office complex in Birmingham, Alabama, which became operational during the third quarter of 2017 and now serves as the headquarters of both the Company and the Bank. During 2018, the Bank entered into an agreement to lease all unused remaining leasable space in Pump House Plaza. The lease, which commenced in the fourth quarter of 2018, is expected to generate over $0.7 million of lease revenue annually and is expected to offset the Bank’s building and occupancy-related expenses associated with the facility. Additional increases to non-interest expense in 2018 compared to 2017 totaled $0.5 million and resulted from fees for professional services and other miscellaneous costs.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate was 26.6% in 2018, compared to 115.7% during the corresponding period of 2017. As discussed previously, the 2017 effective tax rate was impacted significantly by the adjustment of deferred tax assets under Tax Reform.  The 2018 effective tax rate has been reduced under Tax Reform resulting from the reduction of the statutory federal tax rate to 21%.  The 2018 income tax provision includes an estimate of approximately $0.2 million of additional tax expense associated with acquisition-related expenses that are not expected to be deductible on the Company’s 2018 federal tax return under IRS regulations. 

Balance Sheet Management

As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s assets totaled $791.9 million, compared to $625.6 million as of December 31, 2017, an increase of 26.6%. The increase resulted primarily from the acquisition of TPB. The discussion below summarizes significant balance sheet components comparing December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2017.

Loans and Credit Quality

Net loans increased to $514.9 million as of December 31, 2018, compared to $346.1 million as of December 31, 2017. The majority of the increase was due to the acquisition of TPB, supplemented by annualized organic loan growth of 6.7%, as mentioned previously. Due to the pace of loan growth relative to deposit growth, the Company’s ratio of net loans to deposits increased to 73.1% as of December 31, 2018, compared to 66.9% as of December 31, 2017, while net loans to assets totaled 65.0% and 55.3% as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Management believes that these levels continue to provide ample opportunity for further loan growth and remains focused on growth efforts that meet the Company’s established credit standards.

As of December 31, 2018, the allowance for loan and lease losses totaled $5.1 million, or 0.97% of gross loans outstanding, representing a decrease from 1.36% as of December 31, 2017. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for acquisition accounting, the loans acquired through the acquisition of TPB were recorded at fair value. Accordingly, there was no allowance for loan or lease losses associated with the acquired loan portfolio at the acquisition date. Management continues to evaluate the need for an allowance on the acquired portfolio, factoring in the remaining net discount on the loans, which totaled $1.9 million, or 1.27% of gross purchased loans, as of December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, management determined that no additional allowance was required for the acquired portfolio. Management believes that the allowance for loan and lease losses as of December 31, 2018 is sufficient to provide for losses in the existing portfolio.

Non-performing assets, including loans in non-accrual status and other real estate owned (OREO), totaled $4.3 million, or 0.54% of total assets, as of December 31, 2018, compared to $5.9 million, or 0.95% of total assets, as of December 31, 2017. The decrease was largely driven by continued resolution of OREO properties. OREO decreased to $1.5 million as of December 31, 2018, compared to $3.8 million as of December 31, 2017. The reduction in OREO was partially offset by an increase in non-accrual loans resulting from the acquisition of TPB. Non-accrual loans totaled $2.8 million as of December 31, 2018, compared to $2.1 million as of December 31, 2017.

Investment Securities

The investment securities portfolio continues to provide the Company with additional liquidity and allows management to fund a portion of loan growth from the maturity and payoff of securities within the portfolio. During 2018, investment maturities outpaced purchases as management generally re-deployed maturing securities into other interest-earning assets, including cash utilized in the acquisition of TPB, as well as cash to fund organic loan growth. As of December 31, 2018, the investment securities portfolio totaled $153.9 million, compared to $180.1 million as of December 31, 2017. Management monitors its liquidity position, including forecasted expectations related to loan growth, when making determinations about whether to re-invest in the securities portfolio. 

Deposits and Borrowings

Deposits totaled $704.7 million as of December 31, 2018, compared to $517.1 million as of December 31, 2017, an increase of $187.6 million. Of this amount, $128.6 million was attributable to deposits as of December 31, 2018 within the service territory acquired from TPB.  Independent of acquisition-related deposits, wholesale brokered deposits were increased by $24.4 million primarily as a replacement of $20 million in FHLB borrowings that were paid off in 2018.  The remaining increase in deposits represents organic growth of approximately $34.7 million, or 6.8%. The majority of the organic deposit growth occurred at the Bank’s Pump House Plaza branch, which opened in Birmingham in 2017.

Liquidity and Capital

The Company continues to maintain excess funding capacity to provide adequate liquidity for loan growth, capital expenditures and ongoing operations. The Company benefits from a strong deposit base, a liquid investment portfolio and access to funding from a variety of sources, including federal funds lines, FHLB advances and brokered deposits. Management believes that continued success in loan growth efforts at both the Bank and ALC, combined with continued adherence to established credit underwriting standards, will strengthen both the diversity and credit quality of the Company’s loan portfolio, while improving interest and fee income on loans.

As a result of the acquisition of TPB, the Company has leveraged its equity capital to levels that management believes will facilitate the achievement of stronger returns on equity in the future. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank’s common equity Tier 1 capital and Tier 1 risk-based capital ratios were each 12.62%. Its total capital ratio was 13.53% and Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.96%.  Although these ratios are lower than those reported in previous quarters, they continue to be at higher levels than the ratios required to be considered a “well-capitalized” bank under applicable banking regulations.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Interest Income

Net interest income is calculated as the difference between interest and fee income generated from earning assets and the interest expense paid on deposits and borrowed funds. Fluctuations in interest rates, as well as volume and mix changes in earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, can materially impact net interest income. The Company’s earning assets consist of loans at both the Bank and ALC, as well as taxable and tax-exempt investments and federal funds sold by the Bank. Interest-bearing liabilities consist of interest-bearing demand deposits and savings and time deposits, as well as short-term borrowings and long-term debt. Net interest income for the Company increased $4.4 million, or 15.5%, in 2018 compared to 2017.

The following table shows the average balances of each principal category of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Additionally, the table provides an analysis of interest revenue or expense associated with each category, along with the accompanying yield or rate percentage. Net yield is calculated for each period presented as net interest income divided by average total interest-earning assets.

The following table summarizes the impact of variances in volume and rate of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities on components of net interest income.

Interest income earned on loans for both the Bank and ALC increased comparing 2018 to 2017, primarily as a result of growth in average loan volume, as well as increased yield in most earning asset categories. The loan volume increases were partially offset by decreases in the average balances of taxable and tax-exempt investments. The shift in the mix of earning assets is consistent with management’s ongoing strategy to utilize cash flows from the maturity and paydown of investment securities to fund loan growth as opportunities permit. The investment portfolio has been structured to provide monthly cash flows through the maturity and paydown of securities in a manner that management believes can continue to fund a substantial portion of loan growth over time. Aggregate yield on earning assets increased comparing 2018 to 2017, and yield increased in all categories of earning assets, except loans at ALC. The decrease in yield on loans at ALC is consistent with the focus on indirect lending at ALC, which generally provides lower yielding loans, but with corresponding higher credit quality and lower losses.

Interest expense increased comparing 2018 to 2017 primarily due to increases in rates commensurate with the interest rate environment experienced during the year ended December 31, 2018.

We expect that continued growth in net loan volume at both the Bank and ALC with loans of sufficient credit quality will enhance net interest income, particularly as resources are shifted from lower-earning investment securities to higher-earning loan balances. However, the competitive environment is significant relative to the generation of loans of high credit quality. At both the Bank and ALC, management is continuing to focus efforts on new loan origination within the parameters of established credit policy, while also maintaining vigilance in the deployment of strategies to effectively manage risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. In addition, the Bank experiences significant competitive pressure to both obtain and retain deposits. In recent quarters, the general interest rate environment has resulted in increasing deposit rates. Net interest income could experience downward pressure as a result of increased competition for quality loan and deposit funding opportunities.

Provision (Reduction in Reserve) for Loan and Lease Losses

The provision for loan and lease losses is an expense used to establish the allowance for loan and lease losses. Actual loan and lease losses, net of recoveries, are charged directly to the allowance for loan and lease losses. The expense recorded for each reporting period is a reflection of actual net losses experienced during the period and management’s judgment as to the adequacy of the allowance to absorb losses inherent in the portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The following table presents the provision for loan and lease losses for the Bank and ALC for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

At the Bank, during the year ended December 31, 2018, recoveries of previously charged-off loans exceeded current period charge-offs. The increase in provision expense during 2018 resulted primarily from organic loan growth experienced during the year. The reduction in allowance that occurred in 2017 resulted primarily from the resolution of a previously impaired loan relationship through the collection of contractual amounts due. The resolution of the impairment, combined with net recoveries experienced by the Bank in 2017, enabled the Bank to reduce the allowance in 2017. The Bank’s allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of loans totaled 0.66% as of December 31, 2018, compared to 0.95% as of December 31, 2017. The decrease in the allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of loans was due to the acquisition of TPB that occurred during the third quarter of 2018. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for acquisition accounting, the loans acquired through the acquisition of TPB were recorded at fair value; accordingly, there was no allowance for loan and lease losses associated with the acquired loan portfolio at the acquisition date. Management continues to evaluate the need for an allowance on the acquired portfolio, factoring in the remaining net discount on the loans, which totaled $1.9 million, or 1.27% of gross purchased loans, as of December 31, 2018. At the Bank, the allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of gross loans outstanding less gross purchased loans was 1.01% as of December 31, 2018.

At ALC, the provision for loan and lease losses increased during the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to 2017, based primarily on growth in ALC’s loan balances. ALC’s allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of loans totaled 2.26% as of December 31, 2018, compared to 2.48% as of December 31, 2017. The decrease in the allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of loans was due to the changing mix of ALC’s portfolio to point-of-sale indirect lending, which has enhanced the credit quality of ALC’s loan portfolio.

For the Company, the allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of loans totaled 0.97% as of December 31, 2018, compared to 1.36% as of December 31, 2017. As discussed above, the decrease in the allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of loans was due to the acquisition of TPB that occurred during the third quarter of 2018. For the Company, the allowance for loan and lease losses as a percentage of gross loans outstanding less gross purchased loans was 1.36% as of December 31, 2018. Based on our evaluation of the loan portfolio, we believe that the allowance for loan and lease losses at both the Bank and ALC is adequate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2018. While we believe that the methodologies and calculations that have been used in the determination of the allowance are adequate, our conclusions are based on estimates and judgments. Factors beyond our control, such as changes in economic conditions impacting the national economy or the local service areas in which the Bank and ALC operate, may negatively and materially affect asset quality and the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses, as well as the resulting provision for loan and lease losses. In general, we expect the provision for loan and lease losses to increase commensurate with growth in loan volume at both the Bank and ALC.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income represents fees and income derived from sources other than interest-earning assets. The following table presents the major components of non-interest income:

NM: Not measurable

Non-interest income at the Bank consists of service charges and other fees on deposit accounts; bank-owned life insurance; net gains on the sale and prepayment of investment securities; net gains on the settlement of derivative contracts; mortgage fees from the secondary market; and other non-interest income, which includes fee income generated by the Bank, such as ATM fees and real estate rental income. Non-interest income at ALC consists of credit insurance commissions and fees and other non-interest income generated for ancillary services, such as ALC’s auto club membership program. The increase in non-interest income during the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, resulted primarily from $1.0 million in pre-tax gains during 2018 on the settlement of two derivative contracts that were not generated during 2017. The increase is also attributable to fees earned from secondary market mortgage closings at the Bank. These increases were partially offset by decreases in gains on the sale and prepayment of investment securities, credit insurance income and other income items during the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to 2017. Given the nature of the types of revenues categorized as non-interest income, there is uncertainty as to the level of revenue that will be derived from these sources in the future.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense represents expenses incurred from sources other than interest-bearing liabilities. The following table presents the major components of non-interest expense for the periods indicated:

NM: Not measurable

Non-interest expense consists of the items noted above. The increase in non-interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017, resulted primarily from expenses associated with the TPB acquisition that totaled approximately $1.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. In addition, salaries and benefits increased as a result of merit and cost of living salary increases for the Company’s employees, combined with additional expense during the third and fourth quarters of 2018 related to the assumption by the Company of salaries and benefits for employees of TPB post-acquisition. The increase also resulted from increased expenses associated with the Bank’s Pump House Plaza office complex in Birmingham, Alabama, which became operational during the third quarter of 2017. Occupancy and equipment expense increased as a result of depreciation and operating expenses associated with the location, which now serves as the headquarters of both the Bank and the Company. During 2018, the Bank entered into an agreement with a third party to lease all unused remaining leasable space in Pump House Plaza. The lease commenced during the fourth quarter of 2018, is expected to generate in excess of $0.7 million of lease revenue annually and is expected to offset a significant portion of expense associated with the location. In general, non-interest expense is expected to increase over time due to inflationary pressures; however, management continues to maintain vigilance in efforts to reduce these costs where opportunities to do so exist.

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes was $0.9 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate was 26.6% for 2018, and the tax provisioning during the third and fourth quarters of 2018 was impacted by the incurrence of acquisition-related expenses, a portion of which are non-deductible under IRS regulations. The Company’s effective tax rate was 115.7% for 2017, primarily due to Tax Reform.

Under Tax Reform, beginning January 1, 2018, the Company’s federal statutory income tax rate was set at 21%, reduced from the 34% statutory income tax rate previously applied. Aside from the impact of Tax Reform and in the normal course of business, the effective tax rate is also expected to fluctuate based on recurring items, such as changes in tax-exempt interest income earned from bank-qualified municipal bonds and loans and the cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance. Management makes decisions about whether to invest in tax-exempt instruments on a case-by-case basis after considering a number of factors, including investment return, credit quality and the consistency of such investments with the Company’s overall strategy. The Company’s effective tax rate is expected to fluctuate commensurate with the level of these investments as compared to total pre-tax income.

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

Investment Securities

The investment securities portfolio is used by management to provide liquidity, to generate interest income and for use as collateral for public deposits and wholesale funding. Risk and return can be adjusted by altering the duration, composition and/or balance of the portfolio. The expected average life of securities in the investment portfolio was 2.9 years and 2.8 years as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Available-for-sale securities are recorded at estimated fair value, with unrealized gains or losses recognized, net of taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders’ equity. As of December 31, 2018, available-for-sale securities totaled $132.5 million, or 86.1% of the total investment portfolio, compared to $153.9 million, or 85.4% of the total investment portfolio, as of December 31, 2017. Available-for-sale securities consisted of residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of state and political subdivisions.

Held-to-maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost and represent securities that the Company both intends and has the ability to hold to maturity. As of December 31, 2018, held-to-maturity securities totaled $21.5 million, or 13.9% of the total investment portfolio, compared to $26.3 million, or 14.6% of the total investment portfolio, as of December 31, 2017. Held-to-maturity securities consisted of commercial mortgage-backed securities, obligations of U.S. government-sponsored agencies and obligations of states and political subdivisions.

During 2018, investment security maturities outpaced purchases as management generally re-deployed maturing securities into other interest-earning assets, including cash utilized in the acquisition of TPB, as well as cash to fund organic loan growth. Purchases of investment securities totaled $19.7 million, while proceeds from maturities and prepayments of investment securities totaled $45.4 million.  In addition, management sold securities totaling $4.2 million during 2018, generating gains on sale of approximately $0.1 million.  All sales were made from the available-for-sale portfolio in response to market conditions that, in management’s view, were favorable for sale.  Management monitors its liquidity position, including forecasted expectations related to loan growth, when making determinations about whether to re-invest in the securities portfolio.

Management has structured the investment portfolio to provide cash flows on a monthly basis through interest earned and the maturity or payoff of securities in the portfolio. In the current environment, it is expected that cash flows from the investment portfolio will continue to serve as a significant source of liquidity available for the funding of future loan growth. In addition, purchase and sale transactions affecting the investment portfolio are directed by asset and liability management activities, with consideration given to the expected pace of loan growth. In general, it is expected that the investment portfolio will continue to decrease over time as loan volume increases. However, no assurance can be given as to the level or pace of loan growth that will ultimately materialize, and accordingly, there is uncertainty as to the ultimate level of increases or decreases in the investment portfolio. See Note 4, “Investment Securities,” in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional detail related to the investment portfolio.

Investment Securities Maturity Schedule

The following tables summarize the carrying values and weighted average yield of the available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities portfolios as of December 31, 2018, according to contractual maturity. Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value. Held-to-maturity securities are stated at amortized cost.

Condensed Portfolio Maturity Schedule

Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

The tables below summarize loan balances by portfolio segment for both the Bank and ALC at the end of each of the most recent five quarters as of December 31, 2018:

The tables below summarize changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses at the end of each of the most recent five quarters as of December 31, 2018, at both the Bank and ALC: