Annual Statements Open main menu

LANDMARK BANCORP INC - Quarter Report: 2020 March (Form 10-Q)

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

[X]   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
    THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from ________ to ________

 

Commission File Number 0-33203

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   43-1930755
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

701 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas   66502
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

785) 565-2000

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer [  ]          Accelerated filer [X]        Non-accelerated filer [  ]       Smaller reporting company [X]

Emerging growth company [  ]

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date: as of May 7, 2020, the issuer had outstanding 4,493,638 shares of its common stock, $0.01 par value per share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC.

Form 10-Q Quarterly Report

 

Table of Contents

 

    Page Number
     
  PART I  
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 2 - 26
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 27 - 36
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 37 - 38
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 39
     
  PART II  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 40
Item 1A. Risk Factors 40
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 41
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 41
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 41
Item 5. Other Information 41
Item 6. Exhibits 41
     
  Signature Page 42

 

1
 

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  March 31,   December 31, 
   2020   2019 
    (Unaudited)      
Assets          
Cash and cash equivalents  $28,782   $13,694 
Investment securities available-for-sale, at fair value   314,489    362,998 
Bank stocks, at cost   3,344    3,109 
Loans, net of allowance for loans losses of $7,479 at March 31, 2020 and $6,467 at December 31, 2019   553,736    532,180 
Loans held for sale, at fair value   9,753    8,497 
Premises and equipment, net   20,991    21,133 
Bank owned life insurance   24,963    24,809 
Goodwill   17,532    17,532 
Other intangible assets, net   2,764    2,829 
Real estate owned, net   570    290 
Accrued interest and other assets   12,150    11,394 
Total assets  $989,074   $998,465 
           
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
Liabilities:          
Deposits:          
Non-interest-bearing demand  $204,147   $182,717 
Money market and checking   386,167    405,746 
Savings   106,003    99,522 
Time   134,163    147,063 
Total deposits   830,480    835,048 
           
Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings   -    3,000 
Subordinated debentures   21,651    21,651 
Other borrowings   9,202    17,548 
Accrued interest, taxes, and other liabilities   16,607    12,611 
Total liabilities   877,940    889,858 
           
Commitments and contingencies          
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 200,000 shares authorized; none issued   -    - 
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 7,500,000 shares authorized; 4,600,532 and 4,597,396 shares issued at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively   46    46 
Additional paid-in capital   69,147    69,029 
Retained earnings   36,736    34,293 
Treasury stock, at cost: 91,137 and 0 shares at March 31, 2020 and December 31,2019, respectively   (2,023)   - 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   7,228    5,239 
Total stockholders’ equity   111,134    108,607 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $989,074   $998,465 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

2
 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  March 31, 
   2020   2019 
Interest income:          
Loans:          
Taxable  $7,102   $6,435 
Tax-exempt   24    26 
Investment securities:          
Taxable   1,344    1,493 
Tax-exempt   848    930 
Total interest income   9,318    8,884 
Interest expense:          
Deposits   983    1,331 
Borrowings   233    357 
Total interest expense   1,216    1,688 
Net interest income   8,102    7,196 
Provision for loan losses   1,200    200 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   6,902    6,996 
Non-interest income:          
Fees and service charges   1,962    1,689 
Gains on sales of loans, net   1,193    1,120 
Bank owned life insurance   154    159 
Gains on sales of investment securities, net   1,770    - 
Other   274    288 
Total non-interest income   5,353    3,256 
Non-interest expense:          
Compensation and benefits   4,582    4,143 
Occupancy and equipment   1,079    1,062 
Data processing   425    414 
Amortization of intangibles   277    264 
Professional fees   363    396 
Advertising   150    166 
Federal deposit insurance premiums   38    68 
Foreclosure and real estate owned expense   25    41 
Other   1,168    1,174 
Total non-interest expense   8,107    7,728 
Earnings before income taxes   4,148    2,524 
Income tax expense   785    341 
Net earnings  $3,363   $2,183 
Earnings per share (1):          
Basic  $0.73   $0.47 
Diluted  $0.73   $0.47 
Dividends per share  $0.20   $0.19 

 

(1) Per share amounts for the period ended March 31, 2019 have been adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividend paid during December 2019.

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

3
 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  March 31, 
   2020   2019 
         
Net earnings  $3,363   $2,183 
           
Net unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities   4,405    4,727 
Less reclassification adjustment for net gains included in earnings   (1,770)   - 
Net unrealized gains   2,635    4,727 
Income tax effect on net gains included in earnings   434    - 
Income tax effect on net unrealized holding gains   (1,080)   (1,158)
Other comprehensive income   1,989    3,569 
           
Total comprehensive income  $5,352   $5,752 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

4
 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  Common stock   Additional paid-in capital   Retained earnings   Treasury stock   Accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss)
   Total 
                         
Balance at January 1, 2019  $44   $63,775   $32,073   $-   $(3,991)  $91,901 
Net earnings   -    -    2,183         -    2,183 
Other comprehensive income   -    -    -         3,569    3,569 
Dividends paid ($0.19 per share)   -    -    (875)        -    (875)
Stock-based compensation   -    69    -         -    69 
Balance at March 31, 2019  $44   $63,844   $33,381   $-   $(422)  $96,847 
                               
Balance at January 1, 2020  $46   $69,029   $34,293   $-   $5,239   $108,607 
Net earnings   -    -    3,363    -    -    3,363 
Other comprehensive income   -    -    -    -    1,989    1,989 
Dividends paid ($0.20 per share)   -    -    (920)   -    -    (920)
Stock-based compensation   -    85    -    -    -    85 
Exercise of stock options, 3,136 shares   -    33    -    -    -    33 
Purchase of 91,137 treasury shares   -    -    -    (2,023)   -    (2,023)
Balance at March 31, 2020  $46   $69,147   $36,736   $(2,023)  $7,228   $111,134 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

5
 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  March 31, 
   2020   2019 
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net earnings  $3,363   $2,183 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used by) operating activities:          
Provision for loan losses   1,200    200 
Amortization of investment security premiums, net   366    440 
Amortization of purchase accounting adjustment on loans   (5)   (34)
Amortization of intangibles   277    264 
Depreciation   250    246 
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance   (154)   (159)
Stock-based compensation   85    69 
Deferred income taxes   403    (339)
Net gains on sales of investment securities   (1,770)   - 
Net losses on sales of foreclosed assets   1    - 
Net gains on sales of loans   (1,193)   (1,120)
Proceeds from sales of loans   45,830    25,395 
Origination of loans held for sale   (45,893)   (26,139)
Changes in assets and liabilities:          
Accrued interest and other assets   (928)   (430)
Accrued expenses, taxes, and other liabilities   2,948    (1,605)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   4,780    (1,029)
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Net increase in loans   (23,105)   (1,548)
Maturities and prepayments of investment securities   18,948    14,833 
Purchases of investment securities   (10,909)   (7,735)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities   44,508    - 
Redemption of bank stocks   680    4,254 
Purchase of bank stocks   (915)   (2,472)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment and foreclosed assets   45    14 
Purchases of premises and equipment, net   (120)   (243)
Net cash provided by investing activities   29,132    7,103 
Cash flows from financing activities:          
Net decrease in deposits   (4,568)   (1,847)
Federal Home Loan Bank advance borrowings   101,768    101,786 
Federal Home Loan Bank advance repayments   (104,768)   (111,486)
Proceeds from other borrowings   1,000    1,567 
Repayments on other borrowings   (9,346)   - 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options   33    - 
Payment of dividends   (920)   (875)
Purchase of treasury stock   (2,023)   - 
Net cash used in financing activities   (18,824)   (10,855)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   15,088    (4,781)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   13,694    19,114 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $28,782   $14,333 

 

(Continued)

 

6
 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS, CONTINUED

(Unaudited)

 

   Three months ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  March 31, 
   2020   2019 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:        
Cash paid for interest  $1,258   $1,685 
Cash paid for operating leases   44    40 
           
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities:          
Transfer of loans to real estate owned   314    20 
Investment securities purchases not yet settled   -    (1,858)
Operating lease asset and related lease liability recorded   -    353 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

7
 

 

LANDMARK BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Interim Financial Statements

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Landmark Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Landmark National Bank (the “Bank”) and Landmark Risk Management Inc., have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2020, containing the latest audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. The consolidated financial statements in this report have not been audited by an independent registered public accounting firm, but in the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial statements have been reflected herein. The results of the three-month interim period ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the year ending December 31, 2020 or any other future time period. The Company has evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure up to the date the financial statements were issued.

 

8
 

 

2. Investments

 

A summary of investment securities available-for-sale is as follows:

 

   As of March 31, 2020 
       Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   unrealized   unrealized   Estimated 
(Dollars in thousands)  cost   gains   losses   fair value 
                 
U. S. treasury securities  $2,000   $57   $-   $2,057 
U. S. federal agency obligations   2,015    148    -    2,163 
Municipal obligations, tax exempt   138,118    3,626    (61)   141,683 
Municipal obligations, taxable   48,307    1,822    (72)   50,057 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   112,570    4,054    -    116,624 
Certificates of deposit   1,905    -    -    1,905 
Total available-for-sale  $304,915   $9,707   $(133)  $314,489 

 

   As of December 31, 2019 
       Gross   Gross     
   Amortized   unrealized   unrealized   Estimated 
(Dollars in thousands)  cost   gains   losses   fair value 
                 
U. S. treasury securities  $2,300   $16   $-   $2,316 
U. S. federal agency obligations   4,015    91    -    4,106 
Municipal obligations, tax exempt   142,391    3,513    (42)   145,862 
Municipal obligations, taxable   45,541    1,293    (55)   46,779 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   159,908    2,353    (230)   162,031 
Certificates of deposit   1,904    -    -    1,904 
Total available-for-sale  $356,059   $7,266   $(327)  $362,998 

 

The tables above show that some of the securities in the available-for-sale investment portfolio had unrealized losses, or were temporarily impaired, as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. This temporary impairment represents the estimated amount of loss that would be realized if the securities were sold on the valuation date. Securities which were temporarily impaired are shown below, along with the length of time in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

       As of March 31, 2020 
(Dollars in thousands)      Less than 12 months   12 months or longer   Total 
   No. of   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
   securities   value   losses   value   losses   value   losses 
Municipal obligations, tax exempt   19    5,220    (60)   436    (1)   5,656    (61)
Municipal obligations, taxable   6    3,307    (72)   -    -    3,307    (72)
Total   25   $8,527   $(132)  $436   $(1)  $8,963   $(133)

 

       As of December 31, 2019 
(Dollars in thousands)      Less than 12 months   12 months or longer   Total 
   No. of   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
   securities   value   losses   value   losses   value   losses 
Municipal obligations, tax exempt   23    5,676    (16)   3,473    (26)   9,149    (42)
Municipal obligations, taxable   4    2,563    (55)   -    -    2,563    (55)
Agency mortgage-backed securities   21    15,735    (43)   17,137    (187)   32,872    (230)
Total   48   $23,974   $(114)  $20,610   $(213)  $44,584   $(327)

 

9
 

 

The Company’s portfolio of municipal obligations consists of both tax-exempt and taxable general obligations securities issued by various municipalities. As of March 31, 2020, the Company did not intend to sell and it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell its municipal obligations in an unrealized loss position until the recovery of its cost. Due to the issuers’ continued satisfaction of the securities’ obligations in accordance with their contractual terms and the expectation that they will continue to do so, the evaluation of the fundamentals of the issuers’ financial condition and other objective evidence, the Company believed that the municipal obligations identified in the tables above were temporarily impaired as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

The Company’s agency mortgage-backed securities portfolio consists of securities underwritten to the standards of and guaranteed by the government-sponsored agencies of FHLMC, FNMA and the Government National Mortgage Association. The receipt of principal, at par, and interest on agency mortgage-backed securities is guaranteed by the respective government-sponsored agency guarantor, such that the Company believed that its agency mortgage-backed securities did not expose the Company to credit-related losses. Based on these factors, along with the Company’s intent to not sell the securities and the Company’s belief that it was more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell the securities before recovery of their cost basis, the Company believed that the agency mortgage-backed securities identified in the tables above were temporarily impaired as of December 31, 2019.

 

The table below sets forth amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at March 31, 2020. The table includes scheduled principal payments and estimated prepayments, based on observable market inputs, for agency mortgage-backed securities. Actual maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Amortized   Estimated 
   cost   fair value 
Due in less than one year  $8,256   $8,286 
Due after one year but within five years   139,382    143,620 
Due after five years but within ten years   81,323    84,067 
Due after ten years   75,954    78,516 
Total  $304,915   $314,489 

 

Sales proceeds and gross realized gains and losses on sales of available-for-sale securities were as follows for the periods indicated:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Three months ended March 31, 
   2020   2019 
         
Sales proceeds  $44,508   $- 
           
Realized gains  $1,772   $- 
Realized losses   (2)   - 
Net realized gains  $1,770   $- 

 

Securities with carrying values of $204.2 million and $240.0 million were pledged to secure public funds on deposit, repurchase agreements and as collateral for borrowings at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Except for U.S. federal agency obligations, no investment in a single issuer exceeded 10% of consolidated stockholders’ equity.

 

10
 

 

3. Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses

 

Loans consisted of the following as of the dates indicated below:

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2020   2019 
         
One-to-four family residential real estate  $148,994   $146,505 
Construction and land   24,657    22,459 
Commercial real estate   141,712    133,501 
Commercial   121,271    109,612 
Agriculture   96,120    98,558 
Municipal   2,628    2,656 
Consumer   25,662    25,101 
Total gross loans   561,044    538,392 
Net deferred loan costs and loans in process   171    255 
Allowance for loan losses   (7,479)   (6,467)
Loans, net  $553,736   $532,180 

 

The following tables provide information on the Company’s allowance for loan losses by loan class and allowance methodology:

 

   Three months ended March 31, 2020 
(Dollars in thousands)  One-to-four family residential real estate   Construction and land   Commercial real estate   Commercial   Agriculture   Municipal   Consumer   Total 
                                 
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Balance at January 1, 2020  $501   $271   $1,386   $1,815   $2,347   $7   $140   $6,467 
Charge-offs   -    (100)   -    (33)   -    -    (87)   (220)
Recoveries   -    -    -    1    -    6    25    32 
Provision for loan losses   152    54    242    642    34    (6)   82    1,200 
Balance at March 31, 2020  $653   $225   $1,628   $2,425   $2,381   $7   $160   $7,479 

 

   Three months ended March 31, 2019 
(Dollars in thousands)  One-to-four family residential real estate   Construction and land   Commercial real estate   Commercial   Agriculture   Municipal   Consumer   Total 
                                 
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Balance at January 1, 2019  $449   $168   $1,686   $1,051   $2,238   $7   $166   $5,765 
Charge-offs   -    -    -    -    -    -    (49)   (49)
Recoveries   1    -    -    1    -    6    14    22 
Provision for loan losses   24    (12)   185    113    (110)   (6)   6    200 
Balance at March 31, 2019  $474   $156   $1,871   $1,165   $2,128   $7   $137   $5,938 

 

11
 

 

   As of March 31, 2020 
(Dollars in thousands)  One-to-four family residential real estate   Construction and land   Commercial real estate   Commercial   Agriculture   Municipal   Consumer   Total 
                                 
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Individually evaluated for loss  $129   $91   $52   $235   $36   $-   $-   $543 
Collectively evaluated for loss   524    134    1,576    2,190    2,345    7    160    6,936 
Total  $653   $225   $1,628   $2,425   $2,381   $7   $160   $7,479 
                                         
Loan balances:                                        
Individually evaluated for loss  $1,436   $1,319   $5,504   $1,576   $690   $58   $15   $10,598 
Collectively evaluated for loss   147,558    23,338    136,208    119,695    95,430    2,570    25,647    550,446 
Total  $148,994   $24,657   $141,712   $121,271   $96,120   $2,628   $25,662   $561,044 

 

   As of December 31, 2019 
(Dollars in thousands)  One-to-four family residential real estate   Construction and land   Commercial real estate   Commercial   Agriculture   Municipal   Consumer   Total 
                                 
Allowance for loan losses:                                        
Individually evaluated for loss  $129   $191   $103   $204   $106   $-   $-   $733 
Collectively evaluated for loss   372    80    1,283    1,611    2,241    7    140    5,734 
Total  $501   $271   $1,386   $1,815   $2,347   $7   $140   $6,467 
                                         
Loan balances:                                        
Individually evaluated for loss  $1,256   $1,479   $3,461   $1,298   $1,124   $58   $4   $8,680 
Collectively evaluated for loss   145,249    20,980    130,040    108,314    97,434    2,598    25,097    529,712 
Total  $146,505   $22,459   $133,501   $109,612   $98,558   $2,656   $25,101   $538,392 

 

The Company recorded net loan charge-offs of $188,000 during the first quarter of 2020 compared to net loan charge-offs of $27,000 during the first quarter of 2019.

 

The Company’s impaired loans increased from $8.7 million at December 31, 2019 to $10.6 million at March 31, 2020. The difference between the unpaid contractual principal and the impaired loan balance is a result of charge-offs recorded against impaired loans. The difference in the Company’s non-accrual loan balances and impaired loan balances at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, was related to troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) that are current and accruing interest, but still classified as impaired. Interest income recognized on a cash basis was immaterial during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The following tables present information on impaired loans:

 

12
 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of March 31, 2020 
   Unpaid contractual principal   Impaired loan balance   Impaired loans
without an allowance
   Impaired loans with an allowance   Related allowance recorded   Year-to-date average loan balance   Year-to-date interest income recognized 
                             
One-to-four family residential real estate  $1,477   $1,436   $1,067   $369   $129   $1,442   $2 
Construction and land   3,154    1,319    1,228    91    91    1,353    7 
Commercial real estate   5,504    5,504    5,308    196    52    5,510    118 
Commercial   1,710    1,576    680    896    235    1,578    1 
Agriculture   905    690    514    176    36    733    13 
Municipal   58    58    58    -    -    58    - 
Consumer   15    15    15    -    -    15    - 
Total impaired loans  $12,823   $10,598   $8,870   $1,728   $543   $10,689   $141 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of December 31, 2019 
   Unpaid contractual principal   Impaired loan balance   Impaired
loans
without an allowance
   Impaired loans with an allowance   Related allowance recorded   Year-to-date average loan balance   Year-to-date interest income recognized 
                             
One-to-four family residential real estate  $1,297   $1,256   $887   $369   $129   $1,291   $10 
Construction and land   3,214    1,479    1,288    191    191    1,631    36 
Commercial real estate   3,461    3,461    3,258    203    103    3,489    478 
Commercial   1,427    1,298    416    882    204    1,464    11 
Agriculture   1,339    1,124    613    511    106    1,166    48 
Municipal   58    58    58    -    -    58    1 
Consumer   4    4    4    -    -    5    - 
Total impaired loans  $10,800   $8,680   $6,524   $2,156   $733   $9,104   $584 

 

The Company’s key credit quality indicator is a loan’s performance status, defined as accruing or non-accruing. Performing loans are considered to have a lower risk of loss. Non-accrual loans are those which the Company believes have a higher risk of loss. The accrual of interest on non-performing loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent, unless the credit is well secured and in process of collection. Loans are placed on non-accrual or are charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. There were no loans 90 days or more delinquent and accruing interest at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.

 

13
 

 

The following tables present information on the Company’s past due and non-accrual loans by loan class:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of March 31, 2020 
   30-59 days delinquent and accruing   60-89 days delinquent and accruing   90 days or more delinquent and accruing   Total past due loans accruing   Non-accrual loans   Total past due and non-accrual loans   Total loans not past due 
                             
One-to-four family residential real estate  $67   $221   $-   $288   $1,271   $1,559   $147,435 
Construction and land   -    -    -    -    796    796    23,861 
Commercial real estate   265    64    -    329    3,483    3,812    137,900 
Commercial   201    127    -    328    1,548    1,876    119,395 
Agriculture   456    1,262    -    1,718    447    2,165    93,955 
Municipal   -    -    -    -    -    -    2,628 
Consumer   11    -    -    11    15    26    25,636 
Total  $1,000   $1,674   $-   $2,674   $7,560   $10,234   $550,810 
                                    
Percent of gross loans   0.18%   0.30%   0.00%   0.48%   1.35%   1.83%   98.17%

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of December 31, 2019 
   30-59 days delinquent and accruing   60-89 days delinquent and accruing   90 days or more delinquent and accruing   Total past due loans accruing   Non-accrual loans   Total past due and non-accrual loans   Total loans not past due 
                             
One-to-four family residential real estate  $79   $593   $-   $672   $1,088   $1,760   $144,745 
Construction and land   -    -    -    -    898    898    21,561 
Commercial real estate   1,137    707    -    1,844    1,440    3,284    130,217 
Commercial   510    68    -    578    1,270    1,848    107,764 
Agriculture   316    -    -    316    846    1,162    97,396 
Municipal   -    -    -    -    -    -    2,656 
Consumer   27    -    -    27    4    31    25,070 
Total  $2,069   $1,368   $-   $3,437   $5,546   $8,983   $529,409 
                                    
Percent of gross loans   0.39%   0.25%   0.00%   0.64%   1.03%   1.67%   98.33%

 

Under the original terms of the Company’s non-accrual loans, interest earned on such loans for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 would have increased interest income by $120,000 and $124,000, respectively. No interest income related to non-accrual loans was included in interest income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

 

The Company also categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of the borrowers to service their debt, such as current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information and current economic trends, among other factors. The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. This analysis is performed on a quarterly basis. Nonclassified loans generally include those loans that are expected to be repaid in accordance with contractual loan terms. Classified loans are those that are assigned a special mention, substandard or doubtful risk rating using the following definitions:

 

Special Mention: Loans are currently protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged but such protection is potentially weak. These loans constitute an undue and unwarranted credit risk, but not to the point of justifying a classification of substandard. The credit risk may be relatively minor, yet constitutes an unwarranted risk in light of the circumstances surrounding a specific asset.

 

Substandard: Loans are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged. Loans have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. Loans are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

 

Doubtful: Loans classified doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, with the added characteristic that weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.

 

14
 

 

The following table provides information on the Company’s risk categories by loan class:

 

   As of March 31, 2020   As of December 31, 2019 
(Dollars in thousands)  Nonclassified   Classified   Nonclassified   Classified 
                 
One-to-four family residential real estate  $147,591   $1,403   $145,311   $1,194 
Construction and land   23,861    796    21,560    899 
Commercial real estate   137,577    4,135    130,714    2,787 
Commercial   113,195    8,076    101,678    7,934 
Agriculture   90,158    5,962    93,259    5,299 
Municipal   2,628    -    2,656    - 
Consumer   25,647    15    25,097    4 
Total  $540,657   $20,387   $520,275   $18,117 

 

At March 31, 2020, the Company had nine loan relationships consisting of thirteen outstanding loans that were classified as TDRs. There were no loans classified as TDRs during the first three months of 2020 or 2019.

 

The Company evaluates each TDR individually and returns the loan to accrual status when a payment history is established after the restructuring and future payments are reasonably assured. There were no loans modified as TDRs for which there was a payment default within 12 months of modification as of March 31, 2020 and 2019. The Company did not record any charge-offs against loans classified as TDRs in the first quarter of 2020 or 2019. A credit provision of $1,000 was recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to no provision related to TDRs recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2019. The Company allocated $9,000 of the allowance for loan losses recorded against loans classified as TDRs at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

The following table presents information on loans that are classified as TDRs:

 

(Dollars in thousands)                        
   As of March 31, 2020   As of December 31, 2019 
   Number of loans   Non-accrual balance   Accruing balance   Number of loans   Non-accrual balance   Accruing balance 
                         
One-to-four family residential real estate   2   $-   $165    2   $-   $168 
Construction and land   4    508    523    4    510    581 
Commercial real estate   1    -    2,021    1    -    2,021 
Commercial   1    -    28    1    -    28 
Agriculture   4    -    243    4    -    278 
Municipal   1    -    58    1    -    58 
Total troubled debt restructurings   13   $508   $3,038    13   $510   $3,134 

 

As of March 31, 2020, the Company had 12 loan modifications on outstanding loan balances of $8.4 million in connection with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. These modifications consisted of payment deferrals that were less than 180 days and consisted of either the full loan payment or just the principal component. Consistent with regulatory guidance, the Company also entered into short-term forbearance plans or short-term repayment plans on three one-to-four family residential mortgage loans totaling $682,000 as of March 31, 2020. Based on the Joint Interagency Regulatory Guidance, these loan modifications were not classified as TDRs and are excluded from the table above.

 

4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if circumstances warrant. The Company’s annual step one impairment test as of December 31, 2019 concluded that its goodwill was not impaired. The Company concluded there was triggering event during the first three months of 2020 that required an interim goodwill impairment test. The Company’s interim step one impairment test as of March 31, 2020 concluded that its goodwill was not impaired.

 

15
 

 

Lease intangible assets are amortized over the life of the lease. Core deposit intangible assets are amortized over the estimated useful life of ten years on an accelerated basis. Mortgage servicing rights are amortized over the estimated life of the mortgage loan serviced for others. A summary of the other intangible assets that continue to be subject to amortization was as follows:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of March 31, 2020 
   Gross carrying amount   Accumulated amortization   Net carrying amount 
Core deposit intangible assets  $2,018   $(1,742)  $276 
Lease intangible asset   350    (290)   60 
Mortgage servicing rights   7,000    (4,572)   2,428 
Total other intangible assets  $9,368   $(6,604)  $2,764 

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of December 31, 2019 
   Gross carrying amount   Accumulated amortization   Net carrying amount 
Core deposit intangible assets  $2,018   $(1,707)  $311 
Lease intangible asset   350    (278)   72 
Mortgage servicing rights   6,910    (4,464)   2,446 
Total other intangible assets  $9,278   $(6,449)  $2,829 

 

The following sets forth estimated amortization expense for core deposit and lease intangible assets for the remainder of 2020 and in successive years ending December 31:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Amortization 
   expense 
Remainder of 2020  $131 
2021   121 
2022   58 
2023   26 
Total  $336 

 

Mortgage loans serviced for others are not reported as assets. The following table provides information on the principal balances of mortgage loans serviced for others:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  March 31,   December 31, 
   2020   2019 
FHLMC  $511,759   $509,101 
FHLB   42,155    40,462 
Total  $553,914   $549,563 

 

Custodial escrow balances maintained in connection with serviced loans were $8.2 million and $4.7 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Gross service fee income related to such loans was $357,000 and $335,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is included in fees and service charges in the consolidated statements of earnings.

 

16
 

 

Activity for mortgage servicing rights was as follows:

 

   Three months ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  March 31, 
   2020   2019 
Mortgage servicing rights:          
Balance at beginning of period  $2,446   $2,495 
Additions   212    97 
Amortization   (230)   (208)
Balance at end of period  $2,428   $2,384 

 

The fair value of mortgage servicing rights was $4.3 million and $5.2 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Fair value at March 31, 2020 was determined using discount rates ranging from 9.00% to 11.00%; prepayment speeds ranging from 6.00% to 22.91%, depending on the stratification of the specific mortgage servicing right; and a weighted average default rate of 1.42%. Fair value at December 31, 2019 was determined using discount rates ranging from 9.00% to 11.00%, prepayment speeds ranging from 6.00% to 23.21%, depending on the stratification of the specific mortgage servicing right, and a weighted average default rate of 1.40%.

 

The Company had a mortgage repurchase reserve of $235,000 at both March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, which represents the Company’s best estimate of probable losses that the Company will incur related to the repurchase of one-to-four family residential real estate loans previously sold or to reimburse investors for credit losses incurred on loans previously sold where a breach of the contractual representations and warranties occurred. The Company did not incur any losses charged against the reserve or make any provisions to the reserve during the first three months of 2020 and 2019.

 

5. Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share have been computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share include the effect of all potential common shares outstanding during each period. The diluted earnings per share computations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 excluded 100,039 and 32,408, respectively, of unexercised stock options because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive during such periods. The shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share are shown below:

 

   Three months ended 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  March 31, 
   2020   2019 
Net earnings  $3,363   $2,183 
           
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (1)   4,579,592    4,590,722 
Assumed exercise of stock options (1)   18,211    14,886 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (1)   4,597,803    4,605,608 
Earnings per share (1):          
Basic  $0.73   $0.47 
Diluted  $0.73   $0.47 

 

  (1) Share and per share values for the period ended March 31, 2019 have been adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividend paid during December 2019.

 

17
 

 

6. Repurchase Agreements

 

The Company has overnight repurchase agreements with certain deposit customers whereby the Company uses investment securities as collateral for non-insured funds. These balances are accounted for as collateralized financing and included in other borrowings on the balance sheet.

 

Repurchase agreements are comprised of non-insured customer funds, totaling $9.0 million at March 31, 2020 and $17.5 million at December 31, 2019, which were secured by $12.2 million and $20.1 million of the Company’s investment portfolio at the same dates, respectively.

 

The following is a summary of the balances and collateral of the Company’s repurchase agreements:

 

   As of March 31, 2020 
(dollars in thousands)  Overnight and           Greater     
   Continuous   Up to 30 days   30-90 days   than 90 days   Total 
Repurchase agreements:                         
U.S. federal agency obligations  $1,503   $-   $-   $-   $1,503 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   7,449    -    -    -    7,449 
Total  $8,952   $-   $-   $-   $8,952 

 

   As of December 31, 2019 
   Overnight and   Up to       Greater     
   Continuous   30 days   30-90 days   than 90 days   Total 
Repurchase agreements:                         
U.S. federal treasury obligations  $789   $-   $-   $-   $789 
U.S. federal agency obligations   1,978    -    -    -    1,978 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   14,781    -    -    -    14,781 
Total  $17,548   $-   $-   $-   $17,548 

 

The investment securities are held by a third party financial institution in the customer’s custodial account. The Company is required to maintain adequate collateral for each repurchase agreement. Changes in the fair value of the investment securities impact the amount of collateral required. If the Company were to default, the investment securities would be used to settle the repurchase agreement with the deposit customer.

 

7. Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

All of the Company’s revenue from contracts with customers in the scope of ASC 606 is recognized within non-interest income. Items outside the scope of ASC 606 are noted as such.

 

   Three months ended 
(Dollars in thousands)  March 31, 
   2020   2019 
Non-interest income:          
Service charges on deposits          
Overdraft fees  $873   $777 
Other   146    126 
Interchange income   535    435 
Loan servicing fees (1)   357    335 
Office lease income (1)   162    161 
Gains on sales of loans (1)   1,193    1,120 
Bank owned life insurance income (1)   154    159 
Gains on sales of investment securities (1)   1,770    - 
Losses on sales of real estate owned   (1)   - 
Other   164    143 
Total non-interest income  $5,353   $3,256 

 

  (1) Not within the scope of ASC 606.

 

18
 

 

A description of the Company’s revenue streams under ASC 606 follows:

 

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

 

The Company earns fees from its deposit customers for transaction-based, account maintenance, and overdraft services. Transaction-based fees, which include services such as ATM usage fees, stop payment charges, statement rendering, and ACH fees, are recognized at the time the transaction is executed as that is the point in time the Company fulfills the customer’s request. Account maintenance fees, which relate primarily to monthly maintenance, are earned over the course of a month, representing the period during which the Company satisfies the performance obligation. Overdraft fees are recognized at the point in time that the overdraft occurs. Service charges on deposits are withdrawn from the customer’s account balance.

 

Interchange Income

 

The Company earns interchange fees from debit cardholder transactions conducted through the interchange payment network. Interchange fees from cardholder transactions represent a percentage of the underlying transaction value and are recognized daily, concurrently with the transaction processing services provided to the cardholder.

 

Gains (Losses) on Sales of Real Estate Owned

 

The Company records a gain or loss from the sale of real estate owned when control of the property transfers to the buyer, which generally occurs at the time of an executed deed. When the Company finances the sale of real estate owned to the buyer, the Company assesses whether the buyer is committed to perform their obligations under the contract and whether collectability of the transaction price is probable. Once these criteria are met, the real estate owned asset is derecognized and the gain or loss on sale is recorded upon the transfer of control of the property to the buyer. In determining the gain or loss on the sale, the Company adjusts the transaction price and related gain (loss) on sale if a significant financing component is present. There were no sales of real estate owned that were financed by the Company during the first three months of 2020 or 2019.

 

8. Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the entity has the ability to access as of the measurement date.

 

Level 2 – Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3 – Significant unobservable inputs that reflect a company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

 

19
 

 

Fair value estimates of the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019,

including methods and assumptions utilized, are set forth below:

 

(Dollars in thousands)  As of March 31, 2020 
   Carrying                 
   amount   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Financial assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $28,782   $28,782   $-   $-   $28,782 
Investment securities available-for-sale   314,489    2,057    312,432    -    314,489 
Bank stocks, at cost   3,344     n/a      n/a      n/a      n/a  
Loans, net   553,736    -    -    564,022    564,022 
Loans held for sale   9,753    -    9,753    -    9,753 
Derivative financial instruments   1,576    -    1,576    -    1,576 
Accrued interest receivable   4,508    10    1,716    2,782    4,508 
                          
Financial liabilities:                         
Non-maturity deposits  $(696,317)  $(696,317)  $-   $-    (696,317)
Time deposits   (134,163)   -    (134,491)   -    (134,491)
FHLB borrowings   -    -    -    -    - 
Subordinated debentures   (21,651)   -    (19,232)   -    (19,232)
Other borrowings   (9,202)   -    (9,202)   -    (9,202)
Accrued interest payable   (362)   -    (362)   -    (362)
Derivative financial instruments   (1,128)   -    (1,128)   -    (1,128)

 

   As of December 31, 2019 
   Carrying                 
   amount   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Financial assets:                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $13,694   $13,694   $-   $-   $13,694 
Investment securities available-for-sale   362,998    2,316    360,682    -    362,998 
Bank stocks, at cost   3,109     n/a      n/a      n/a      n/a  
Loans, net   532,180    -    -    538,427    538,427 
Loans held for sale   8,497    -    8,497    -    8,497 
Derivative financial instruments   532    -    532    -    532 
Accrued interest receivable   4,557    2    1,895    2,660    4,557 
                          
Financial liabilities:                         
Non-maturity deposits  $(687,985)  $(687,985)  $-   $-    (687,985)
Time deposits   (147,063)   -    (146,390)   -    (146,390)
FHLB borrowings   (3,000)   -    (3,000)   -    (3,000)
Subordinated debentures   (21,651)   -    (19,527)   -    (19,527)
Other borrowings   (17,548)   -    (17,548)   -    (17,548)
Accrued interest payable   (404)   -    (404)   -    (404)
Derivative financial instruments   (50)   -    (50)   -    (50)

 

Transfers

 

The Company did not transfer any assets or liabilities among levels during the three months ended March 31, 2020 or during the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

20
 

 

Valuation Methods for Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

The following tables represent the Company’s financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, allocated to the appropriate fair value hierarchy:

 

(Dollars in thousands)      As of March 31, 2020 
       Fair value hierarchy 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Assets:                
Available-for-sale investment securities:                    
U. S. treasury securities  $2,057   $2,057   $-   $- 
U. S. federal agency obligations   2,163    -    2,163    - 
Municipal obligations, tax exempt   141,683    -    141,683    - 
Municipal obligations, taxable   50,057    -    50,057    - 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   116,624    -    116,624    - 
Certificates of deposit   1,905    -    1,905    - 
Loans held for sale   9,753    -    9,753    - 
Derivative financial instruments   1,576    -    1,576    - 
Liability:                    
Derivative financial instruments   (1,128)   -    (1,128)   - 

 

       As of December 31, 2019 
       Fair value hierarchy 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Assets:                
Available-for-sale investment securities:                    
U. S. treasury securities  $2,316   $2,316   $-   $- 
U. S. federal agency obligations   4,106    -    4,106    - 
Municipal obligations, tax exempt   145,862    -    145,862    - 
Municipal obligations, taxable   46,779    -    46,779    - 
Agency mortgage-backed securities   162,031    -    162,031    - 
Certificates of deposit   1,904    -    1,904    - 
Loans held for sale   8,497    -    8,497    - 
Derivative financial instruments   532    -    532    - 
Liability:                    
Derivative financial instruments   (50)   -    (50)   - 

 

The Company’s investment securities classified as available-for-sale include U.S. treasury securities, U.S. federal agency obligations, municipal obligations, agency mortgage-backed securities and certificates of deposits. Quoted exchange prices are available for the Company’s U.S treasury securities, which are classified as Level 1. U.S. federal agency securities and agency mortgage-backed securities are priced utilizing industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including time value, yield curves, volatility factors, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severity, current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace, can be derived from observable data, or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. These measurements are classified as Level 2. Municipal obligations are valued using a type of matrix, or grid, pricing in which securities are benchmarked against U.S. treasury rates based on credit rating. These model and matrix measurements are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive income to the extent the changes are not considered other-than-temporary impairments. Other-than-temporary impairment tests are performed on a quarterly basis and any decline in the fair value of an individual security below its cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary results in a write-down of that security’s cost basis.

 

21
 

 

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at fair value. The mortgage loan valuations are based on quoted secondary market prices for similar loans and are classified as Level 2. Changes in the fair value of mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market and derivative financial instruments are included in gains on sales of loans.

 

The aggregate fair value, contractual balance (including accrued interest), and gain on loans held for sale were as follows:

 

   As of   As of 
   March 31,   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2020   2019 
Aggregate fair value  $9,753   $8,497 
Contractual balance   9,707    8,316 
Gain  $46   $181 

 

The Company’s derivative financial instruments consist of interest rate lock commitments and corresponding forward sales contracts on mortgage loans held for sale. The fair values of these derivatives are based on quoted prices for similar loans in the secondary market. The market prices are adjusted by a factor, based on the Company’s historical data and its judgment about future economic trends, which considers the likelihood that a commitment will ultimately result in a closed loan. These instruments are classified as Level 2. The amounts are included in other assets or other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and gains on sales of loans, net in the consolidated statements of earnings. The total amount of gains from changes in fair value of loans held for sale included in earnings were as follows:

 

   Three months ended 
   March 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2020   2019 
Interest income  $56   $51 
Change in fair value   (135)   148 
Total change in fair value  $(79)  $199 

 

Valuation Methods for Instruments Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

 

The Company does not record its loan portfolio at fair value. Collateral-dependent impaired loans are generally carried at the lower of cost or fair value of the collateral, less estimated selling costs. Collateral values are determined based on appraisals performed by qualified licensed appraisers hired by the Company and then further adjusted if warranted based on relevant facts and circumstances. The appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including the comparable sales and income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Impaired loans are reviewed and evaluated at least quarterly for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly, based on the same factors identified above. The carrying value of the Company’s impaired loans was $10.6 million and $8.7 million, with an allocated allowance of $543,000 and $733,000, at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

 

Real estate owned includes assets acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure and land previously acquired for expansion. Real estate owned is initially recorded at the fair value of the collateral less estimated selling costs. Subsequent valuations are updated periodically and are based upon independent appraisals, third party price opinions or internal pricing models. The appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including the comparable sales and income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Real estate owned is reviewed and evaluated at least annually for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly, based on the same factors identified above.

 

22
 

 

The following tables represent the Company’s financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 allocated to the appropriate fair value hierarchy:

 

(Dollars in thousands)            
       As of March 31, 2020   Total 
       Fair value hierarchy   (losses)/ 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   gains 
Assets:                         
Impaired loans:                         
One-to-four family residential real estate  $240   $-   $-   $240   $1 
Commercial real estate   144    -    -    144    51 
Commercial   661    -    -    661    (31)
Agriculture   140    -    -    140    70 

 

       As of December 31, 2019   Total 
       Fair value hierarchy   (losses)/ 
   Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   gains 
Assets:                         
Impaired loans:                         
One-to-four family residential real estate  $240   $-   $-   $240   $(15)
Commercial real estate   100    -    -    100    (103)
Commercial   678    -    -    678    (177)
Agriculture   405    -    -    405    (93)

 

The following table presents quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

(Dollars in thousands)              
   Fair value   Valuation technique  Unobservable inputs  Range 
As of March 31, 2020                
Impaired loans:                
One-to-four family residential real estate  $240   Sales comparison  Adjustment to appraised value   0%-25%
Commercial real estate   144   Sales comparison  Adjustment to appraised value   15%
Commercial   661   Sales comparison  Adjustment to comparable sales   0%-69%
Agriculture   140   Sales comparison  Adjustment to appraised value   0%-30%
                 
As of December 31, 2019                
Impaired loans:                
One-to-four family residential real estate  $240   Sales comparison  Adjustment to appraised value   0%-25%
Commercial real estate   100   Sales comparison  Adjustment to appraised value   15%
Commercial   678   Sales comparison  Adjustment to comparable sales   0%-75%
Agriculture   405   Sales comparison  Adjustment to appraised value   0%-30%

 

23
 

 

9. Regulatory Capital Requirements

 

Banks and bank holding companies are subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies. Capital adequacy guidelines and, additionally for banks, prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance-sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators. Failure to meet capital requirements can initiate regulatory action. Management believed that as of March 31, 2020, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which they were subject at that time.

 

Prompt corrective action regulations provide five classifications: well capitalized, adequately capitalized, undercapitalized, significantly undercapitalized, and critically undercapitalized, although these terms are not used to represent overall financial condition. If adequately capitalized, regulatory approval is required to accept brokered deposits. If undercapitalized, capital distributions are limited, as is asset growth and expansion, and capital restoration plans are required. The Company and the Bank are subject to the Basel III Rule, which is applicable to all U.S. banks that are subject to minimum capital requirements, as well as to bank and savings and loan holding companies other than “small bank holding companies” (generally, non-public bank holding companies with consolidated assets of less than $3.0 billion).

 

The Basel III Rule includes a common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.0%, a minimum ratio of Total Capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, and a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A capital conservation buffer, equal to 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital, is also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. The capital conservation buffer increases the common equity Tier 1 capital ratio, and Tier 1 capital and total risk based capital ratios.

 

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the most recent regulatory notifications categorized the Bank as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action then in effect. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the institution’s category.

 

The following is a comparison of the Company’s regulatory capital to minimum capital requirements at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

 

(Dollars in thousands)          For capital 
   Actual   adequacy purposes 
   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio (1) 
As of March 31, 2020                    
Leverage  $107,546    11.20%  $38,402    4.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital   86,546    12.94%   46,835    7.0%
Tier 1 Capital   107,546    16.07%   56,871    8.5%
Total Risk Based Capital   115,165    17.21%   70,253    10.5%
                     
As of December 31, 2019                    
Leverage  $106,938    10.94%  $39,109    4.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital   85,938    13.09%   45,952    7.0%
Tier 1 Capital   106,938    16.29%   55,799    8.5%
Total Risk Based Capital   113,545    17.30%   68,928    10.5%

 

  (1) The required ratios for capital adequacy purposes include a capital conservation buffer of 2.5%.

 

24
 

 

The following is a comparison of the Bank’s regulatory capital to minimum capital requirements at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:

 

                   To be well-capitalized 
                   under prompt 
(Dollars in thousands)          For capital   corrective 
   Actual   adequacy purposes   action provisions 
   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio(1)   Amount   Ratio 
As of March 31, 2020                        
Leverage  $105,239    10.77%  $39,104    4.0%  $48,880    5.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital   105,239    15.75%   46,763    7.0%   43,423    6.5%
Tier 1 Capital   105,239    15.75%   567,884    8.5%   53,444    8.0%
Total Risk Based Capital   112,858    16.89%   70,145    10.5%   66,805    10.0%
                               
As of December 31, 2019                              
Leverage  $104,510    10.72%  $38,984    4.0%  $48,730    5.0%
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital   104,510    15.94%   45,884    7.0%   42,607    6.5%
Tier 1 Capital   104,510    15.94%   55,716    8.5%   52,439    8.0%
Total Risk Based Capital   111,117    16.95%   68,826    10.5%   65,549    10.0%

 

(1) The required ratios for capital adequacy purposes include a capital conservation buffer of 2.5%.

 

10. Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), commonly referred to as “CECL.” The provisions of the update eliminate the probable initial recognition threshold under current GAAP which requires reserves to be based on an incurred loss methodology. Under CECL, reserves required for financial assets measured at amortized cost will reflect an organization’s estimate of all expected credit losses over the expected term of the financial asset and thereby require the use of reasonable and supportable forecasts to estimate future credit losses. Because CECL encompasses all financial assets carried at amortized cost, the requirement that reserves be established based on an organization’s reasonable and supportable estimate of expected credit losses extends to held to maturity debt securities. Under the provisions of the update, credit losses recognized on available for sale debt securities will be presented as an allowance as opposed to a write-down. In addition, CECL will modify the accounting for purchased loans, with credit deterioration since origination, so that reserves are established at the date of acquisition for purchased loans. Under current GAAP a purchased loan’s contractual balance is adjusted to fair value through a credit discount, and no reserve is recorded on the purchased loan upon acquisition. Since under CECL reserves will be established for purchased loans at the time of acquisition, the accounting for purchased loans is made more comparable to the accounting for originated loans. Finally, increased disclosure requirements under CECL require organizations to present the currently required credit quality disclosures disaggregated by the year of origination or vintage. FASB expects that the evaluation of underwriting standards and credit quality trends by financial statement users will be enhanced with the additional vintage disclosures. For public entities, the amendments of the update became effective on January 1, 2020. In October 2019, the FASB approved a change in the effective dates for CECL which delayed the effective date to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 for smaller reporting companies. Because the Company is a smaller reporting company, the proposed delay is applicable to the Company, and the Company plans to delay the implementation of CECL until January 1, 2023. Management formed an implementation committee that has implemented a process to collect the data and is utilizing a vendor solution for the new standard. Initial calculations estimate the effect will be an increase to the allowance for loan losses upon adoption. However, the size of the overall increase is uncertain at this time. Management will utilize the delay to continue to refine and back test the CECL calculation. The internal controls over financial reporting specifically related to CECL are in the design stage and are currently being evaluated.

 

25
 

 

In April 2020, various regulatory agencies, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, issued a revised Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions, which, among other things, encouraged financial institutions to work prudently with borrowers who are or may be unable to meet their contractual payment obligations because of the effects of COVID-19, and stated that institutions generally do not need to categorize COVID-19-related modifications as TDRs and that the agencies will not direct supervised institutions to automatically categorize all COVID-19-related loan modifications as TDRs. The interagency guidance was effective immediately and is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

11. COVID-19 Pandemic

 

The COVID-19 pandemic in the United States is expected to have a complex and significant adverse impact on the economy, the banking industry and the Company in future fiscal periods, all subject to a high degree of uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely impact our customers, employees or vendors which may impact our operations and financial results. The COVID-19 pandemic may cause economic declines in excess of current projections, or if the pandemic lasts longer than currently projected, the Company’s provision for loan losses may remain elevated or increase in future periods. The Company expects to see higher loan delinquencies and defaults in future periods as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to monitor our allowance for loan losses in light of changing economic conditions related to COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic may also impact the Company’s deposit balances and service charge income. In addition, the fair value of certain assets may be adversely impacted by the pandemic and the economic downturn, including the fair value of goodwill, mortgage servicing rights and other real estate. These declines could result in impairments in future periods. The pandemic has caused a significant decline in market interest rates which may cause our net interest margin to decline. At this time, the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s financial statements is uncertain.

 

As of April 30, 2020, the Company had 111 COVID-19 loan modifications related to deferrals of loan payments on outstanding loan balances of $43.5 million. Consistent with regulatory guidance, the Company also entered into short-term forbearance plans or short-term repayment plans on 12 one-to-four family residential mortgage loans totaling $1.6 million as of April 30, 2020. The Company had originated 739 loans totaling $123.6 million under the Small Business Administration’s paycheck protection program as of April 30, 2020.

 

26
 

 

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

 

Overview. Landmark Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is engaged in the banking business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Landmark National Bank and in the insurance business through its wholly owned subsidiary, Landmark Risk Management, Inc. References to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer collectively to Landmark Bancorp, Inc., Landmark National Bank and Landmark Risk Management, Inc. The Company is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “LARK.” The Bank is dedicated to providing quality financial and banking services to its local communities. Our strategy includes continuing a tradition of holding and acquiring quality assets while growing our commercial, commercial real estate and agriculture loan portfolios. We are committed to developing relationships with our borrowers and providing a total banking service.

 

The Bank is principally engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and using such deposits, together with borrowings and other funds, to originate one-to-four family residential real estate, construction and land, commercial real estate, commercial, agriculture, municipal and consumer loans. Although not our primary business function, we do invest in certain investment and mortgage-related securities using deposits and other borrowings as funding sources.

 

Landmark Risk Management, Inc., which was formed and began operations on May 31, 2017, is a Nevada-based captive insurance company which provides property and casualty insurance coverage to the Company and the Bank for which insurance may not be currently available or economically feasible in today’s insurance marketplace. Landmark Risk Management, Inc. is subject to the regulations of the State of Nevada and undergoes periodic examinations by the Nevada Division of Insurance. As of May 31, 2019, Landmark Risk Management, Inc. exited the pool resources relationship of which it was previously a member. Management expects that it will join a new pool during May 2020 and resume providing insurance to the Company and the Bank at that time.

 

Our results of operations depend generally on net interest income, which is the difference between interest income from interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is affected by regulatory, economic and competitive factors that influence interest rates, loan demand and deposit flows. In addition, we are subject to interest rate risk to the degree that our interest-earning assets mature or reprice at different times, or at different speeds, than our interest-bearing liabilities. Our results of operations are also affected by non-interest income, such as service charges, loan fees, gains from the sale of newly originated loans and gains or losses on investments and certain other non-interest related items. Our principal operating expenses, aside from interest expense, consist of compensation and employee benefits, occupancy costs, professional fees, federal deposit insurance costs, data processing expenses and provision for loan losses.

 

We are significantly impacted by prevailing economic conditions, including federal monetary and fiscal policies, and federal regulations of financial institutions. Deposit balances are influenced by numerous factors such as competing investments, the level of income and the personal rate of savings within our market areas. Factors influencing lending activities include the demand for housing and the interest rate pricing competition from other lending institutions.

 

Currently, our business consists of ownership of the Bank, with its main office in Manhattan, Kansas and twenty- nine additional branch offices in central, eastern, southeast and southwest Kansas, and our ownership of Landmark Risk Management, Inc.

 

Significant Developments – Impact of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic in the United States is expected to have a complex and significant adverse impact on the economy, the banking industry and the Company in future fiscal periods, all subject to a high degree of uncertainty.

 

Effects on Our Market Areas. Our commercial and consumer banking products and services are offered primarily in Kansas, where individual and governmental responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to a broad curtailment of economic activity beginning in March 2020. In Kansas, the Governor issued a series of orders, including an order that, subject to limited exceptions, all individuals stay at home and non-essential businesses cease all activities, which order was effective beginning March 28, 2020. This order remained in effect through May 3, 2020 with some of the restrictions lifted after May 3, 2020, and some of the restrictions staying in place after that date. The Bank and its branches have remained open during these orders because banks have been deemed essential businesses. The Bank has been serving its customers through its digital banking platforms and drive-thru services, while branch lobbies have been open by appointment only.

 

Across the United States, as a result of stay-at-home orders, many states have experienced a dramatic increase in unemployment levels as a result of the curtailment of business activities. The unemployment rate in Kansas was 3.1 percent in March 2020, but does not reflect the surge in unemployment claims which have increased to approximately 200,000 as a result of economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

27
 

 

To date, many of the public health and economic effects of COVID-19 have been concentrated in large cities, such as New York City, but we anticipate that similar effects will occur on a more delayed basis in smaller cities and communities, where our banking operations are primarily focused.

 

Policy and Regulatory Developments. Federal, state and local governments and regulatory authorities have enacted and issued a range of policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the following:

 

  The Federal Reserve decreased the range for the federal funds target rate by 0.5% on March 3, 2020, and by another 1.0% on March 16, 2020, reaching a current range of 0.0 – 0.25%.
     
  On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), which established a $2.0 trillion economic stimulus package, including cash payments to individuals, supplemental unemployment insurance benefits and a $349 billion loan program administered through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), referred to as the paycheck protection program (“PPP”). Under the PPP, small businesses, sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed individuals could apply for loans from existing SBA lenders and other approved regulated lenders that enroll in the program, subject to numerous limitations and eligibility criteria. The Bank is participating as a lender in the PPP. On or about April 16, 2020, the SBA notified lenders that the $349 billion earmarked for the PPP was exhausted. On April 24, 2020, an additional $310 billion in funding for PPP loans was authorized, with such funds available for PPP loans beginning on April 27, 2020. In addition, the CARES Act provides financial institutions the option to temporarily suspend certain requirements under GAAP related to TDRs for a limited period of time to account for the effects of COVID-19. See footnotes 3 and 11 of the financial statements for additional information.
     
  On April 7, 2020, federal banking regulators issued a revised Interagency Statement on Loan Modifications and Reporting for Financial Institutions, which, among other things, encouraged financial institutions to work prudently with borrowers who are or may be unable to meet their contractual payment obligations because of the effects of COVID-19, and stated that institutions generally do not need to categorize COVID-19-related modifications as TDRs and that the agencies will not direct supervised institutions to automatically categorize all COVID-19 related loan modifications as TDRs. See footnotes 3 and 11 of the financial statements for additional information.
     
  On April 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve announced additional measures aimed at supporting small and midsized business, as well as state and local governments impacted by COVID-19. The Federal Reserve announced the Main Street Business Lending Program, which establishes two new loan facilities intended to facilitate lending to small and midsized businesses: (1) the Main Street New Loan Facility (“MSNLF”), and (2) the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility (“MSELF”). MSNLF loans are unsecured term loans originated on or after April 8, 2020, while MSELF loans are provided as upsized tranches of existing loans originated before April 8, 2020. The combined size of the program will be up to $600 billion. The program is designed for businesses with up to 10,000 employees or $2.5 billion in 2019 revenues. To obtain a loan, borrowers must confirm that they are seeking financial support because of COVID-19 and that they will not use proceeds from the loan to pay off debt. The Federal Reserve also stated that it would provide additional funding to banks offering PPP loans to struggling small businesses. Lenders participating in the PPP will be able to exclude loans financed by the facility from their leverage ratio. In addition, the Federal Reserve created a Municipal Liquidity Facility to support state and local governments with up to $500 billion in lending, with the Treasury Department backing $35 billion for the facility using funds appropriated by the CARES Act. The facility will make short-term financing available to cities with a population of more than one million or counties with a population of greater than two million. The Federal Reserve expanded both the size and scope of its Primary and Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facilities to support up to $750 billion in credit to corporate debt issuers. This will allow companies that were investment grade before the onset of COVID-19 but then subsequently downgraded after March 22, 2020 to gain access to the facility. Finally, the Federal Reserve announced that its Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility will be scaled up in scope to include the triple A-rated tranche of commercial mortgage-backed securities and newly issued collateralized loan obligations. The size of the facility is $100 billion.

 

28
 

 

Effects on Our Business. We currently expect that the COVID-19 pandemic and the specific developments referred to above will have a significant impact on our business. In particular, we anticipate that a significant portion of the Bank’s borrowers in the retail, restaurant, hospitality and agriculture industries will continue to endure significant economic distress, which may cause them to draw on their existing lines of credit and adversely affect their ability to repay existing indebtedness, and is expected to adversely impact the value of collateral. These developments, together with economic conditions generally, are also expected to impact our commercial real estate portfolio, particularly with respect to real estate with exposure to these industries, our one-to-four family residential real estate loan business and loan portfolio, and the value of certain collateral securing our loans. As a result, we anticipate that our financial condition, capital levels and results of operations will be significantly adversely affected, as described in further detail below.

 

Our Response. We have taken numerous steps in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the following:

 

 

We established a pandemic response team, which has been meeting almost daily since mid-March to address changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We have a significant portion of our associates working from home and for those that remain in our bank facilities have enhanced safety precautions in place for their safety. We have repositioned associates to support our customer care – call center to handle increased volumes of customer requests and to support our customer’s access to our digital banking platforms.

     
  As a preferred lender with the SBA, we were able and prepared to immediately respond to help existing and new clients access the PPP authorized by the CARES Act. As of April 30, 2020, we have funded 739 loans totaling approximately $123.6 million.
     
  We have suspended foreclosure proceedings, offered fee waivers and provided relief through loan forbearance and modification programs, including temporary interest only and payment deferral accommodations.
     
  With the safety and well-being of our customers and associates foremost in mind, we limited access to our bank lobbies while keeping our drive-through lanes open and encouraging our customers to use our online and mobile banking applications or call our customer care center.
     
  In May 2020, we declared our 75th consecutive quarterly dividend and we currently have no plans to change our dividend strategy given our current capital and liquidity position. However, while we have achieved a strong capital base and expect to continue operating profitably, this is dependent upon the projected length and depth of any economic recession. In addition, as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, we will not be permitted to make capital distributions (including for dividends and repurchases of stock) or pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers without restriction if we do not maintain 2.5% in Common Equity Tier 1 Capital attributable to a capital conservation buffer.

 

Critical Accounting Policies. Critical accounting policies are those which are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require our management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Our critical accounting policies relate to the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of investment securities, accounting for goodwill and the accounting for income taxes, all of which involve significant judgment by our management. Information about our critical accounting policies is included under Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 12, 2020.

 

Summary of Results. During the first quarter of 2020, we recorded net earnings of $3.4 million, which was an increase of $1.2 million from the $2.2 million of net earnings recorded in the first quarter of 2019. The increase in net earnings was primarily due to $1.8 million of gains on sales of investment securities and higher net interest income, which were partially offset by a higher provision for loan losses.

 

29
 

 

The following table summarizes earnings and key performance measures for the periods presented:

 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)  Three months ended March 31, 
   2020   2019 
Net earnings:          
Net earnings  $3,363   $2,183 
Basic earnings per share (1)  $0.73   $0.47 
Diluted earnings per share (1)  $0.73   $0.47 
Earnings ratios:          
Return on average assets (2)   1.35%   0.91%
Return on average equity (2)   12.21%   9.52%
Equity to total assets   11.24%   9.87%
Net interest margin (2) (3)   3.67%   3.41%
Dividend payout ratio   27.40%   40.00%

 

  (1) Per share values for the period ended March 31, 2019 have been adjusted to give effect to the 5% stock dividend paid during December 2019.
  (2) Ratios have been annualized and are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.
  (3) Net interest margin is presented on a fully tax equivalent basis, using a 21% federal tax rate.

 

Interest Income. Interest income was $9.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, which was an increase of $434,000 as compared to the same period of 2019. Interest income on loans increased $665,000, or 10.3%, to $7.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, compared to the same period of 2019 due primarily to an increase in our average loan balances, which increased from $491.7 million in the first quarter of 2019 to $546.9 million in the first quarter of 2020. Partially offsetting the higher average balances were lower yields on loans, which decreased from 5.33% in the first quarter of 2019 to 5.24% in the first quarter of 2020. The Federal Reserve decreased the target federal funds interest rate by a total of 75 basis points in the second half of 2019. In addition, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve decreased the target federal funds interest rate by a total of 150 basis points in March 2020. These decreases impacted yields on loans between 2019 and 2020. We anticipate that our yield on loans will be adversely affected in future periods as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interest income on investment securities decreased $231,000, or 9.5%, to $2.2 million for the first quarter of 2020, as compared to $2.4 million in the same period of 2019. The decrease in interest income on investment securities was the result of lower average balances, which decreased from $389.4 million in the first quarter of 2019 to $361.3 million in the first quarter of 2020, and lower rates, which decreased from 2.75% in the first quarter of 2019 to 2.67% in the first quarter of 2020.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 decreased $472,000, or 28.0%, to $1.2 million as compared to the same period of 2019. Interest expense on interest-bearing deposits decreased $348,000, or 26.2%, to $983,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2019. Our total cost of interest-bearing deposits decreased from 0.83% in the first quarter of 2019 to 0.61% in the first quarter of 2020 as a result of lower rates paid on money market and checking accounts, as the rates reprice based on market indexes, and lower rates on our certificates of deposits. Also contributing to lower interest expense was a decrease in average interest-bearing deposit balances, which decreased from $649.0 million in the first quarter of 2019 to $644.8 million in the first quarter of 2020. For the first quarter of 2020, interest expense on borrowings decreased $124,000, or 34.7%, to $233,000 as compared to the same period of 2019 due to a decrease in our average outstanding borrowings, which decreased from $47.8 million in the first quarter of 2019 to $41.1 million in the same period of 2020, and lower rates, which decreased from 3.03% in the first quarter of 2019 to 2.28% in the same period of 2020.

 

Net Interest Income. Net interest income increased $906,000 or 12.6%, to $8.1 million for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period of 2019. The increase was a result of a 3.3% increase in average interest-earning assets, from $883.0 million in the first quarter of 2019 to $912.4 million in the first quarter of 2020. The increase in average interest-earning assets was primarily driven by growth in our loan portfolio, which contributed to an increase in net interest margin, on a tax equivalent basis, from 3.41% in the first quarter of 2019 to 3.67% in the same period of 2020.

 

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have originated approximately $123.6 million of PPP loans from April 3, 2020 through April 30, 2020. These loans have an interest rate of 1.00% plus the amortization of the origination fee which will increase the yield. The maturity date of these loans is two years unless the borrower’s loan is forgiven, in which case the loan may be repaid sooner. While the cost of our funds is lower than the yield on these loans, the interest rate spread is lower than we generally have received. As a result of the origination of PPP loans, our net interest income may increase in future periods, but our net interest margin will likely decline. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed our origination of new loans, excluding PPP loans, which may lead to lower net interest income and net interest margin in future periods. The decline in market interest rates will also likely adversely impact our net interest income and net interest margin as a result of lower yields on loans and investment securities exceeding the benefit of a lower cost of funds.

 

30
 

 

See the Average Assets/Liabilities and Rate/Volume tables at the end of Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional details on asset yields, liability rates and net interest margin.

 

Provision for Loan Losses. We maintain, and our Board of Directors monitors, an allowance for losses on loans. The allowance is established based upon management’s periodic evaluation of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio, review of significant individual loans and collateral, review of delinquent loans, past loss experience, adverse situations that may affect the borrowers’ ability to repay, current and expected market conditions, and other factors management deems important. Determining the appropriate level of reserves involves a high degree of management judgment and is based upon historical and projected losses in the loan portfolio and the collateral value or discounted cash flows of specifically identified impaired loans. Additionally, allowance policies are subject to periodic review and revision in response to a number of factors, including current market conditions, actual loss experience and management’s expectations.

 

During the first quarter of 2020, we recorded a provision for loan losses of $1.2 million compared to a provision for loan losses of $200,000 during the first quarter of 2019. We recorded net loan charge-offs of $188,000 during the first quarter of 2020 compared to $27,000 during the first quarter of 2019. The increase in our provision for loan losses during 2020 was primarily due to the projected economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. If the COVID-19 pandemic causes economic declines in excess of our projections, or if the pandemic lasts longer than currently projected, our provision for loan losses may remain elevated or increase in future periods. We expect to see higher loan delinquencies and defaults in future periods as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to monitor our allowance for loan losses in light of changing economic conditions related to COVID-19.

 

For further discussion of the allowance for loan losses, refer to the “Asset Quality and Distribution” section below.

 

Non-interest Income. Total non-interest income was $5.4 million in the first quarter of 2020, compared to $3.3 million in the same period of 2019. The increase in non-interest income was primarily due to $1.8 million of gains on sales of investment securities due to approximately $44 million of mortgage-backed investment securities sold during the first quarter of 2020. We sold high coupon mortgage-backed investment securities after comparing the market prices to the risks of accelerating prepayment speeds. Also contributing to the increase in non-interest income was an increase of $273,000 in fees and service charges, which were primarily due to higher fee income on deposit accounts. Our gains on sales of loans increased $73,000 in the first quarter of 2020 as our originations of one-to-four family residential real estate loans increased due to the decline in mortgage interest rates. We anticipate our origination levels to remain elevated for some time as a result of increased refinancings: however, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may slow these volumes if our borrowers are impacted by the economic slowdown.

 

Non-interest Expense. Non-interest expense increased $379,000, or 4.9%, to $8.1 million for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period of 2019. The increase in non-interest expense was primarily due to an increase of $439,000 in compensation and benefits as a result of the addition of bank employees, increased compensation and higher benefit costs. Partially offsetting that increase was a decrease of $30,000 in federal deposit insurance premiums after the bank utilized its remaining federal deposit insurance premium credits during the first quarter 2020. Also offsetting the increase was a decrease of $33,000 in professional fees which was due primarily to a decrease in costs associated with an external audit of our internal controls over financial reporting as a result of the expectation that the Company will no longer qualify as an accelerated filer for its Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2020 based on the change in the definition of accelerated filer.

 

Income Tax Expense. During the first quarter of 2020, we recorded income tax expense of $785,000, compared to $341,000 during the same period of 2019. The effective tax rate increased from 13.5% in the first quarter of 2019 to 18.9% in the first quarter of 2020, primarily due to an increase in earnings before income taxes while our tax-exempt income declined over the comparable periods.

 

31
 

 

Financial Condition. Economic conditions in the United States deteriorated during the first quarter of 2020 as the impact of COVID-19 caused portions of the economy to shut down. On March 28, 2020, a stay at home order was issued for the entire state of Kansas, which expanded previously issued local orders. This stay at home order was lifted on May 3, 2020 with a phased approach to reopening the Kansas economy. While we believe the State of Kansas is still in the early stages of being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the geographic markets in which the Company operates have been significantly impacted by this pandemic. The Company’s allowance for loan losses at March 31, 2020 included projections of the economic impact of COVID-19 on our loan portfolio. COVID-19 will likely cause an increase in our delinquent and non-accrual loans as time passes and the economic slowdown impacts our customers. However, our loan portfolio is diversified across various types of loans and collateral throughout the markets in which we operate. Aside from a few problem loans that management is working to resolve, our asset quality has remained strong over the past few years. While we anticipate an increase in problem assets as a result of COVID-19, management believes its efforts to run a high quality financial institution with a sound asset base will continue to create a strong foundation for continued growth and profitability in the future. The tables below show additional information on the diversification of industry types within our commercial real estate and commercial loan categories:

 

(dollars in thousands)  As of April 30, 2020 
   Loan   Number of 
   balance   loans 
Real estate rental and leasing  $15,476    44 
Hospitality and restaurants   8,351    11 
Manufacturing   3,652    14 
Health care and social assistance   3,145    8 
Educational services   3,099    3 
Construction and specialty contractors   2,156    4 
Other   7,582    27 
Total COVID-19 loan restructurings  $43,461    111 

 

(dollars in thousands)  As of March 31, 2020 
   Loan   Percent of 
   balance   total loans 
Commercial real estate loans:          
Real estate rental and leasing  $72,521    12.9%
Hotels   14,339    2.6%
Retail   8,924    1.6%
Health care and social assistance   8,136    1.5%
Restaurants   6,111    1.1%
Construction and specialty contractors   4,695    0.8%
Educational services   4,662    0.8%
Other   22,324    4.0%
Total commercial real estate loans  $141,712    25.3%

 

32
 

 

Asset Quality and Distribution. Our primary investing activities are the origination of one-to-four family residential real estate, construction and land, commercial real estate, commercial, agriculture, municipal and consumer loans and the purchase of investment securities. Total assets decreased to $989.1 million at March 31, 2020, compared to $998.5 million at December 31, 2019. The decrease in our total assets was primarily the result of the strategic sale of agency mortgage-backed investment securities during the first quarter of 2020. Investment securities decreased from $363.0 million at December 31, 2019 to $314.5 million at March 31, 2020. Net loans, excluding loans held for sale, increased to $553.7 million at March 31, 2020 from $532.2 million at December 31, 2019. We anticipate that loan growth will slow down in the future for our commercial real estate portfolio as a result of COVID-19 and the related decline in economic conditions in our market areas.

 

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses based on our evaluation of the risk inherent in the loan portfolio and changes in the nature and volume of our loan activity. This evaluation, which includes a review of all loans with respect to which full collectability may not be reasonably assured, considers the fair value of the underlying collateral, economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, level of classified loans and other factors that warrant recognition in providing for an appropriate allowance for loan losses. At March 31, 2020, our allowance for loan losses totaled $7.5 million, or 1.33% of gross loans outstanding, compared to $6.5 million or 1.20% of gross loans outstanding at December 31, 2019.

 

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, approximately $20.4 million and $18.1 million, respectively, of loans were considered classified and assigned a risk rating of special mention, substandard or doubtful. These ratings indicate that these loans were identified as potential problem loans having more than normal risk which raised doubts as to the ability of the borrower to comply with present loan repayment terms. Even though borrowers were experiencing moderate cash flow problems as well as some deterioration in collateral value, management believed the allowance was sufficient to cover the risks and probable incurred losses related to such loans at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

 

Loans past due 30-89 days and still accruing interest totaled $2.7 million, or 0.48% of gross loans, at March 31, 2020 compared to $3.4 million, or 0.64% of gross loans, at December 31, 2019. At March 31, 2020, $7.6 million in loans were on non-accrual status, or 1.35% of gross loans, compared to $5.5 million, or 1.03% of gross loans, at December 31, 2019. Non-accrual loans consist of loans 90 or more days past due and certain impaired loans. There were no loans 90 days delinquent and accruing interest at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019. Our impaired loans totaled $10.6 million at March 31, 2020 compared to $8.7 million at December 31, 2019. The difference in the Company’s non-accrual loan balances and impaired loan balances at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was related to TDRs that were accruing interest but still classified as impaired.

 

At March 31, 2020, the Company had nine loan relationships consisting of thirteen outstanding loans that were classified as TDRs. No loan restructurings were classified as TDRs during the first three months of 2020 and 2019.

 

At March 31, 2020, the Company had restructured twelve loans totaling $8.4 million as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These loans are not classified as TDRs based on regulatory guidance as the modifications were directly related to the impact of COVID-19. As of April 30, 2020, the Company had restructured 111 loans totaling $43.5 million as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following table presents additional information on these loan modifications by industry types:

 

(dollars in thousands)  As of April 30, 2020 
   Loan   Number of 
   balance   loans 
Real estate rental and leasing  $15,476    44 
Hotels   4,808    3 
Manufacturing   3,652    14 
Restaurants   3,543    8 
Health care and social assistance   3,145    8 
Educational services   3,099    3 
Construction and specialty contractors   2,156    4 
Other   7,582    27 
Total COVID-19 loan restructurings  $43,461    111 

 

As part of our credit risk management, we continue to manage the loan portfolio to identify problem loans and have placed additional emphasis on commercial real estate and construction and land relationships. We are working to resolve the remaining problem credits or move the non-performing credits out of the loan portfolio. At March 31, 2020, we had $570,000 of real estate owned compared to $290,000 at December 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2020, real estate owned primarily consisted of residential real estate properties and agriculture land. The Company is currently marketing all of the remaining properties in real estate owned.

 

33
 

 

Liability Distribution. Our primary ongoing sources of funds are deposits, FHLB borrowings, proceeds from principal and interest payments on loans and investment securities and proceeds from the sale of mortgage loans and investment securities. While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans are a predictable source of funds, deposit flows and mortgage prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates and economic conditions. We experienced a decrease of $4.6 million in total deposits during the first quarter of 2020, to $830.5 million at March 31, 2020, from $835.0 million at December 31, 2019. The decrease in deposits was primarily due to decreased money market and checking accounts and time deposit accounts. The decrease in time deposits was associated with brokered certificates of deposits, which decreased $14.5 million from $20.0 million at December 31, 2019 to $5.5 million at March 31, 2020. Our brokered money market and checking deposits also declined from $12.0 million at December 31, 2019 to none at March 31, 2020 as we used proceeds from sales of investment securities to reduce our brokered deposit balances. We believe that deposit levels will generally decrease in future periods as a result of the distressed economic conditions in our market areas relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Non-interest-bearing deposits at March 31, 2020, were $204.1 million, or 24.6% of deposits, compared to $182.7 million, or 21.9% of deposits, at December 31, 2019. Money market and checking deposit accounts were 46.5% of our deposit portfolio and totaled $386.2 million at March 31, 2020, compared to $405.7 million, or 48.6% of deposits, at December 31, 2019. Savings accounts increased to $106.0 million, or 12.8% of deposits, at March 31, 2020, from $99.5 million, or 11.9% of deposits, at December 31, 2019. Certificates of deposit totaled $134.2 million, or 16.2% of deposits, at March 31, 2020, compared to $147.1 million, or 17.6% of deposits, at December 31, 2019.

 

Certificates of deposit at March 31, 2020, scheduled to mature in one year or less, totaled $111.7 million. Historically, maturing deposits have generally remained with the Bank, and we believe that a significant portion of the deposits maturing in one year or less will remain with us upon maturity in some type of deposit account.

 

Total borrowings decreased $11.3 million to $30.9 million at March 31, 2020, from $42.2 million at December 31, 2019. The decrease in total borrowings was primarily due to a decrease in our FHLB borrowings from $3.0 million at December 31, 2019 to none at March 31, 2020, which was primarily the result of a paying off our line of credit borrowings with proceeds from the sales of investment securities.

 

Cash Flows. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents increased by $15.1 million. Our operating activities provided net cash of $4.8 million during the first three months of 2020. Our investing activities provided net cash of $29.1 million during the first three months of 2020, primarily as a result of the proceeds from the sales of investment securities. Financing activities used net cash of $18.8 million during the first three months of 2020, primarily as a result of the repayment of FHLB borrowings and decrease in brokered deposits.

 

Liquidity. Our most liquid assets are cash and cash equivalents and investment securities available-for-sale. The levels of these assets are dependent on the operating, financing, lending and investing activities during any given year. These liquid assets totaled $343.3 million at March 31, 2020 and $376.7 million at December 31, 2019. During periods in which we are not able to originate a sufficient amount of loans and/or periods of high principal prepayments, we generally increase our liquid assets by investing in short-term, high-grade investments.

 

Liquidity management is both a daily and long-term function of our strategy. Excess funds are generally invested in short-term investments. Excess funds are typically generated as a result of increased deposit balances, while uses of excess funds are generally deposit withdrawals and loan advances. In the event we require funds beyond our ability to generate them internally, additional funds are generally available through the use of FHLB advances, a line of credit with the FHLB, other borrowings or through sales of investment securities. At March 31, 2020, we had no borrowings against our line of credit with the FHLB. At March 31, 2020, we had collateral pledged to the FHLB that would allow us to borrow $71.6 million, subject to FHLB credit requirements and policies. At March 31, 2020, we had no borrowings through the Federal Reserve discount window, while our borrowing capacity with the Federal Reserve was $17.5 million. We also have various other federal funds agreements, both secured and unsecured, with correspondent banks totaling approximately $30.0 million in available credit under which we had no outstanding borrowings at March 31, 2020. At March 31, 2020, we had subordinated debentures totaling $21.7 million and $9.0 million of repurchase agreements. At March 31, 2020, the Company had $250,000 borrowed against a $7.5 million line of credit from an unrelated financial institution maturing on November 1, 2020, with an interest rate that adjusts daily based on the prime rate less 0.25%. This line of credit has covenants specific to capital and other financial ratios, which the Company was in compliance with at March 31, 2020.

 

We increased our liquidity available through the Federal Reserve discount window to $108.0 million as of April 30, 2020 by pledging additional municipal investment securities as collateral. The current rate on discount window borrowings is 0.25%. We also have access to the Federal Reserve’s Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) through which PPP loans can be pledged as collateral to the Federal Reserve in order to access liquidity at an interest rate of 0.35%. During April 2020, we borrowed $8.0 million from the FHLB through a special offering to fund PPP loans. As of the date of this filing, a substantial portion of the PPP loan proceeds to our customers have remained in the Bank as deposits. If our deposits decrease, we have various options to fund the liquidity requirements through the Federal Reserve, FHLB or brokered deposits.

 

34
 

 

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements. As a provider of financial services, we routinely issue financial guarantees in the form of financial and performance standby letters of credit. Standby letters of credit are contingent commitments issued by us generally to guarantee the payment or performance obligation of a customer to a third party. While these standby letters of credit represent a potential outlay by us, a significant amount of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon. We have recourse against the customer for any amount the customer is required to pay to a third party under a standby letter of credit. The letters of credit are subject to the same credit policies, underwriting standards and approval process as loans made by us. Most of the standby letters of credit are secured, and in the event of nonperformance by the customers, we have the right to the underlying collateral, which could include commercial real estate, physical plant and property, inventory, receivables, cash and marketable securities. The contract amount of these standby letters of credit, which represents the maximum potential future payments guaranteed by us, was $2.1 million at March 31, 2020.

 

At March 31, 2020, we had outstanding loan commitments, excluding standby letters of credit, of $124.2 million. We anticipate that sufficient funds will be available to meet current loan commitments. These commitments consist of unfunded lines of credit and commitments to finance real estate loans.

 

Capital. Current regulatory capital regulations require financial institutions (including banks and bank holding companies) to meet certain regulatory capital requirements. The Company and the Bank are subject to the Basel III Rules that implemented the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain changes required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The Basel III Rules are applicable to all U.S. banks that are subject to minimum capital requirements, as well as to bank and savings and loan holding companies other than “small bank holding companies” (generally, non-public bank holding companies with consolidated assets of less than $3.0 billion).

 

The Basel III Rules require a common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, a Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 6.0%, a Total Capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 8.0%, and a Tier 1 leverage minimum ratio of 4.0%. A capital conservation buffer, equal to 2.5% common equity Tier 1 capital, is also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Bank was rated “well capitalized,” which is the highest rating available under the regulatory capital regulations framework for prompt corrective action. Management believed that as of March 31, 2020, the Company and the Bank met all capital adequacy requirements to which we are subject.

 

We believe the Company has adequate capital to withstand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and any economic downturn on our asset quality and net earnings. The Company performs stress tests on the loan portfolio to measure the impact of severe economic recessions on its capital levels to ensure we are prepared for events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Dividends. During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share to our stockholders.

 

The payment of dividends by any financial institution or its holding company is affected by the requirement to maintain adequate capital pursuant to applicable capital adequacy guidelines and regulations. In addition, under the Basel III Rules, financial institutions have to maintain 2.5% in common equity Tier 1 capital attributable to the capital conservation buffer in order to pay dividends and make other capital distributions. As described above, the Bank exceeded its minimum capital requirements under applicable guidelines as of March 31, 2020. The National Bank Act imposes limitations on the amount of dividends that a national bank may pay without prior regulatory approval. Generally, the amount is limited to the bank’s current year’s net earnings plus the adjusted retained earnings for the two preceding years. As of March 31, 2020, approximately $15.2 million was available to be paid as dividends to the Company by the Bank without prior regulatory approval.

 

Additionally, our ability to pay dividends is limited by the subordinated debentures that are held by three business trusts that we control. Interest payments on the debentures must be paid before we pay dividends on our capital stock, including our common stock. We have the right to defer interest payments on the debentures for up to 20 consecutive quarters. However, if we elect to defer interest payments, all deferred interest must be paid before we may pay dividends on our capital stock.

 

35
 

 

Average Assets/Liabilities. The following table reflects the tax-equivalent yields earned on average interest-earning assets and costs of average interest-bearing liabilities for the periods indicated (derived by dividing income or expense by the monthly average balance of assets or liabilities, respectively) as well as “net interest margin” (which reflects the effect of the net earnings balance) for the periods shown:

 

   Three months ended   Three months ended 
   March 31, 2020   March 31, 2019 
   Average balance   Income/ expense   Average yield/cost   Average balance   Income/ expense   Average yield/cost 
(Dollars in thousands)                        
Assets                              
Interest-earning assets:                              
Interest-bearing deposits at banks  $4,232   $11    1.05%  $1,858   $14    3.06%
Investment securities (1)   361,264    2,397    2.67%   389,441    2,641    2.75%
Loans receivable, net (2)   546,910    7,132    5.24%   491,725    6,468    5.33%
Total interest-earning assets   912,406    9,540    4.21%   883,024    9,123    4.19%
Non-interest-earning assets   92,076              92,753           
Total  $1,004,482             $975,777           
                               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity                              
Interest-bearing liabilities:                              
Money market and checking  $393,028   $514    0.53%  $382,958   $682    0.72%
Savings accounts   101,738    9    0.04%   96,149    8    0.03%
Time deposits   150,038    460    1.23%   169,941    641    1.53%
Total interest-bearing deposits   644,804    983    0.61%   649,048    1,331    0.83%
FHLB advances and other borrowings   41,140    233    2.28%   47,803    357    3.03%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   685,944    1,216    0.71%   696,851    1,688    0.98%
Non-interest-bearing liabilities   207,767              185,897           
Stockholders’ equity   110,771              93,029           
Total  $1,004,482             $975,777           
                               
Interest rate spread (3)             3.49%             3.21%
Net interest margin (4)       $8,324    3.67%       $7,435    3.41%
Tax-equivalent interest - imputed        222              239      
Net interest income       $8,102             $7,196      
                               
Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities             133.0%             126.7%

 

(1) Income on tax exempt securities is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis, using a 21% federal tax rate.
(2) Includes loans classified as non-accrual. Income on tax-exempt loans is presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis, using a 21% federal tax rate.
(3) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the average yield earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
(4) Net interest margin represents annualized, tax-equivalent net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 

36
 

 

Rate/Volume Table. The following table describes the extent to which changes in tax-equivalent interest income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities affected the Company’s interest income and expense for the periods indicated. The table distinguishes between (i) changes attributable to rate (changes in rate multiplied by prior volume), (ii) changes attributable to volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate), and (iii) net change (the sum of (i) and (ii)). The net changes attributable to the combined effect of volume and rate that cannot be segregated have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.

 

   Three months ended March 31, 
   2020 vs 2019 
   Increase/(decrease) attributable to 
   Volume   Rate   Net 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Interest income:               
Interest-bearing deposits at banks  $(6)  $3   $(3)
Investment securities   (174)   (70)   (244)
Loans   767    (103)   664 
Total   587    (170)   417 
Interest expense:               
Deposits   (8)   (340)   (348)
Other borrowings   (45)   (79)   (124)
Total   (53)   (419)   (472)
Net interest income  $640   $249   $889 

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Our assets and liabilities are principally financial in nature, and the resulting net interest income thereon is subject to changes in market interest rates and the mix of various assets and liabilities. Interest rates in the financial markets affect our decisions relating to pricing our assets and liabilities, which impact net interest income, a significant cash flow source for us. As a result, a substantial portion of our risk management activities relates to managing interest rate risk.

 

Our Asset/Liability Management Committee monitors the interest rate sensitivity of our balance sheet using earnings simulation models. We have set policy limits of interest rate risk to be assumed in the normal course of business and monitor such limits through our simulation process.

 

We have been successful in meeting the interest rate sensitivity objectives set forth in our policy. Simulation models are prepared to determine the impact on net interest income for the coming twelve months, including one using rates at March 31, 2020, and forecasting volumes for the twelve-month projection. This position is then subjected to a shift in interest rates of 100 and 200 basis points with an impact to our net interest income on a one-year horizon as follows:

 

   Dollar change in net   Percent change in 
Scenario  interest income ($000’s)   net interest income 
200 basis point rising  $(680)   (2.2)%
100 basis point rising  $(570)   (1.8)%
100 basis point falling  $(217)   (0.7)%
200 basis point falling   NM    NM 

 

The 200 basis point falling scenario is considered to be not meaningful (“NM”) in the current low interest rate environment.

 

37
 

 

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This document (including information incorporated by reference) contains, and future oral and written statements by us and our management may contain, forward-looking statements, within the meaning of such term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of our management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or other similar expressions. Additionally, all statements in this document, including forward-looking statements, speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

 

Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors which could have a material adverse effect on operations and future prospects of us and our subsidiaries include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its potential effects on the economic environment, our customers and our operations as well as any changes to federal, state or local government laws, regulations or orders in connection with the pandemic.
  The strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct our operations, which may be less favorable than expected and may result in, among other things, a deterioration in the credit quality and value of our assets.
  The effects of, and changes in, federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies affecting banking, securities, consumer protection, insurance, tax, trade and monetary and financial matters.
  The effects of changes in interest rates (including the effects of changes in the rate of prepayments of our assets) and the policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System including on our net interest income and the value of our securities portfolio.
  Our ability to compete with other financial institutions due to increases in competitive pressures in the financial services sector.
  Our inability to obtain new customers and to retain existing customers.
  The timely development and acceptance of products and services, including products and services offered through alternative delivery channels such as the Internet.
  Technological changes implemented by us and by other parties, including third-party vendors, which may be more difficult to implement or more expensive than anticipated or which may have unforeseen consequences to us and our customers.
  Our ability to develop and maintain secure and reliable electronic systems.
  The effectiveness of our risk management framework.
  The occurrence of fraudulent activity, breaches or failures of our information security controls or cybersecurity-related incidents and our ability to identify and address such incidents.
  Interruptions involving our information technology and telecommunications systems or third-party servicers.
  Changes in benchmark interest rates used to price our loans and deposits, including the expected elimination of LIBOR.
  The effects of severe weather, natural disasters, widespread disease or pandemics, and other external events.
  Our ability to retain key executives and employees and the difficulty that we may experience in replacing key executives and employees in an effective manner.
  Consumer spending and saving habits which may change in a manner that affects our business adversely.
  Our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and future growth.
  The costs, effects and outcomes of existing or future litigation.
  Changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by state and federal regulatory agencies and the FASB, such as the implementation of CECL.
  The economic impact of past and any future terrorist attacks, acts of war or threats thereof, and the response of the United States to any such threats and attacks.
  Our ability to effectively manage our credit risk.
  Our ability to forecast probable loan losses and maintain an adequate allowance for loan losses.
  The effects of declines in the value of our investment portfolio.
  Our ability to raise additional capital if needed.
  The effects of declines in real estate markets.
  The effects of fraudulent activity on the part of our employees, customers, vendors, or counterparties.

 

38
 

 

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Additional information concerning us and our business, including other factors that could materially affect our financial results, is included in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the “Risk Factors” section in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed on March 12, 2020.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of March 31, 2020. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2020.

 

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

39
 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party or which any of their property is subject, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to their respective businesses.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

In addition to the risk factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the following risk factor applies to the Company:

 

The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) has adversely impacted, and an outbreak of other highly infectious or contagious diseases could adversely impact, certain industries in which the Company’s customers operate and impaired their ability to fulfill their obligations to the Company. Further, the spread of the outbreak is expected to lead to an economic recession and other severe disruptions in the U.S. economy and may disrupt banking and other financial activity in the areas in which the Company operates and could potentially create widespread business continuity issues for the Company.

 

The spread of highly infectious or contagious diseases could cause, and the spread of COVID-19 has caused, severe disruptions in the U.S. economy at large, and for small businesses in particular, which could disrupt the Company’s operations. We are starting to see the impact from COVID-19 on our business, and we believe that it may be significant, adverse and potentially material. Currently, COVID-19 is spreading through the United States and the world. The resulting concerns on the part of the U.S. and global populations have created the threat of a recession, reduced economic activity and caused a significant correction in the global stock markets. We expect that we could experience significant disruptions across our business due to these effects, leading to decreased earnings and significant slowdowns in our loan collections or loan defaults.

 

COVID-19 may impact businesses’ and consumers’ financial ability to borrow money, which would negatively impact loan volumes. In addition, certain of our borrowers are in or have exposure to the retail, restaurant, hospitality and agriculture industries and/or are located in areas that are quarantined or under stay-at-home orders, and COVID-19 may also have an adverse effect on our commercial real estate and one-to-four family residential real estate loan portfolios. A prolonged quarantine or stay-at-home order has had a negative adverse impact on these borrowers and their revenue streams, which consequently impacts their ability to meet their financial obligations and could result in loan defaults.

 

The outbreak of COVID-19 or an outbreak of other highly infectious or contagious diseases has resulted in, or may result in, a decrease in our customers’ businesses, a decrease in consumer confidence and business generally, an increase in unemployment or a disruption in the services provided by the Company’s vendors. Disruptions to our customers could result in increased risk of delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and losses on our loans, negatively impact regional economic conditions, result in declines in local loan demand, liquidity of loan guarantors, loan collateral (particularly in real estate), loan originations and deposit availability and negatively impact the implementation of our growth strategy.

 

The Company relies upon its third-party vendors to conduct business and to process, record, and monitor transactions. If any of these vendors are unable to continue to provide the Company with these services, it could negatively impact the Company’s ability to serve its customers. Furthermore, the outbreak could negatively impact the ability of the Company’s employees and customers to engage in banking and other financial transactions in the geographic areas in which the Company operates and could create widespread business continuity issues for the Company. The Company also could be adversely affected if key personnel or a significant number of employees were to become unavailable due to the effects and restrictions of a COVID-19 outbreak in our market areas. Although the Company has business continuity plans and other safeguards in place, there is no assurance that such plans and safeguards will be effective.

 

We believe that the economic impact from COVID-19 will be severe and may have a material and adverse impact on our business and that it could result in significant losses in our loan portfolio, all of which would adversely and materially impact our earnings and capital.

 

40
 

 

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

 

The following table provides information about purchases by the Company during the quarter ended March 31, 2020, of the Company’s equity securities that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act:

 

Period   Total number of shares purchased   Average
price paid
per share
   Total number of shares purchased as part of a publicly announced plan (1)   Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans (1) 
                  
January 1-31, 2020    -   $-    -    108,006 
February 1-29, 2020    -    -    -    108,006 
March 1-31, 2020    91,137    22.14    91,137    242,759 
Total    91,137   $22.14    91,137    242,759 

 

(1) In December 2017, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, permitting us to repurchase up to 108,006 shares of our common stock, which was the amount of shares remaining under our prior stock repurchase program (“December 2017 Repurchase Program”). Unless terminated earlier by resolution of the Board of Directors, the December 2017 Repurchase Program will expire when we have repurchased all shares authorized for repurchase thereunder. As of March 31,2020, there were 16,869 shares remaining to repurchase under the December 2017 Repurchase Program. In March 2020, our Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase plan, permitting us to repurchase up to 225,890 shares (“March 2020 Repurchase Program”) following repurchase of all shares under the December 2017 Repurchase Program. Unless terminated earlier by resolution of the Board of Directors, the March 2020 Repurchase Program will expire when we have repurchased all shares authorized for repurchase thereunder.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

  Exhibit 31.1   Certificate of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
  Exhibit 31.2   Certificate of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)
  Exhibit 32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  Exhibit 32.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  Exhibit 101   Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

41
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

  LANDMARK BANCORP, INC.
   
Date: May 8, 2020 /s/ Michael E. Scheopner
  Michael E. Scheopner
  President and Chief Executive Officer
   
Date: May 8, 2020 /s/ Mark A. Herpich
  Mark A. Herpich
  Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer
  and Chief Financial Officer

 

42