NATIONAL BANKSHARES INC - Annual Report: 2020 (Form 10-K)

Part I

$ in thousands, except per share data.

Item 1. Business

History and Business

National Bankshares, Inc. (the “Company” or “NBI”) is a financial holding company that was organized in 1986 under the laws of Virginia and is registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. It conducts most of its operations through its wholly-owned community bank subsidiary, the National Bank of Blacksburg (the “Bank” or “NBB”). It also owns National Bankshares Financial Services, Inc. (“NBFS”), which does business as National Bankshares Insurance Services and National Bankshares Investment Services. References in this report to “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to NBI unless the context indicates that the reference is to NBB.

The National Bank of Blacksburg

The National Bank of Blacksburg, which does business as National Bank, was originally chartered in 1891 as the Bank of Blacksburg. Its state charter was converted to a national charter in 1922 and it became the National Bank of Blacksburg. In 2004, NBB purchased Community National Bank of Pulaski, Virginia. In 2006, Bank of Tazewell County, a Virginia bank which since 1996 was a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBI, was merged with and into NBB.

NBB is community-oriented and offers a full range of retail and commercial banking services to individuals, businesses, non-profits and local governments from its headquarters in Blacksburg, Virginia and its 24 branch offices throughout southwest Virginia and one loan production office in Roanoke Virginia. NBB has telephone, mobile and internet banking and it operates 24 automated teller machines ("ATMs") in its service area.

The Bank’s primary source of revenue stems from lending activities. The Bank focuses lending on small and mid-sized businesses and individuals. Loan types include commercial and agricultural, commercial real estate, construction for commercial and residential properties, residential real estate, home equity and various consumer loan products. The Bank believes its prudent lending policies align its underwriting and portfolio management with its risk tolerance and income strategies. Underwriting and documentation requirements are tailored to the unique characteristics and inherent risks of each loan category.

The Bank’s loan policy is updated and approved by the Board of Directors annually and disseminated to lending and loan portfolio management personnel to ensure consistent lending practices. The policy communicates the Company’s risk tolerance by prescribing underwriting guidelines and procedures, including approval limits and hierarchy, documentation standards, requirements for collateral and loan-to-value limits, debt coverage, overall creditworthiness and guarantor support.

Of primary consideration is the repayment ability of the borrowers and (if secured) the collateral value in relation to the principal balance. Collateral lowers risk and may be used as a secondary source of repayment. The credit decision must be supported by documentation appropriate to the type of loan, including current financial information, income verification or cash flow analysis, tax returns, credit reports, collateral information, guarantor verification, title reports, appraisals (where appropriate) and other documents. A discussion of underwriting policies and procedures specific to the major loan products follows.

Commercial Non Real Estate Loans. Commercial and agricultural loans primarily finance equipment acquisition, expansion, working capital, and other general business purposes. Because these loans have a higher degree of risk, the Bank generally obtains collateral such as inventory, accounts receivables or equipment and personal guarantees from the borrowing entity’s principal owners. The Bank’s policy limits lending up to 60% of the appraised value for inventory, up to 90% of the lower of cost of market value of equipment and up to 70% for accounts receivables less than 90 days old. Credit decisions are based upon an assessment of the financial capacity of the applicant, including the primary borrower’s ability to repay within proposed terms, a risk assessment, financial strength of guarantors and adequacy of collateral. Credit agency reports of individual owners’ credit history supplement the analysis.

Commercial Real Estate Loans. Commercial mortgages and construction loans are offered to investors, developers and builders primarily within the Bank’s market area in southwest Virginia. These loans generally are secured by first mortgages on real estate. The loan amount is generally limited to 80% of the lower of cost or appraised value and is individually determined based on the property type, quality, location and financial strength of any guarantors. Commercial properties financed include retail centers, office space, hotels and motels, apartments, and industrial properties.

Underwriting decisions are based upon an analysis of the economic viability of the collateral and creditworthiness of the borrower. The Bank obtains appraisals from qualified certified independent appraisers to establish the value of collateral properties. The property’s projected net cash flows compared to the debt service requirement (often referred to as the “debt service coverage ratio”) is required to be 115% or greater and is computed after deduction for a vacancy factor and property expenses, as appropriate. Borrower cash flow may be supplemented by a personal guarantee from the principal(s) of the borrower and guarantees from other parties. The Bank requires title insurance, fire, extended coverage casualty insurance and flood insurance, if appropriate, in order to protect the security interest in the underlying property. In addition, the Bank may employ stress testing techniques on higher balance loans to determine repayment ability in a changing rate environment before granting loan approval.

Public Sector and Industrial Development Loans. The Bank provides both long and short term loans to municipalities and other governmental entities within its geographical footprint. Borrowers include general taxing authorities such as a city or county, industrial/economic development authorities or utility authorities. Repayment sources are derived from taxation, such as property taxes and sales taxes, or revenue from the project financed with the loan. The Company’s underwriting considers local economic and population trends, reserves and liabilities, including pension liabilities.

Real Estate Construction Loans. Construction loans are underwritten against projected cash flows from rental income, business and/or personal income from an owner-occupant or the sale of the property to an end-user. Associated risks may be mitigated by requiring fixed-price construction contracts, performance and payment bonding, controlled disbursements, and pre-sale contracts or pre-lease agreements.

Consumer Real Estate Loans. The Bank offers a variety of first mortgage and junior lien loans secured by primary residences to individuals within our markets. Credit decisions are primarily based on loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios, debt-to-income (“DTI”) ratios, liquidity and net worth. Income and financial information is obtained from personal tax returns, personal financial statements and employment documentation. A maximum LTV ratio of 80% is generally required, although higher levels are permitted. The DTI ratio is limited to 43% of gross income.

Consumer real estate mortgages may have fixed interest rates for the entire term of the loan or variable interest rates subject to change after the first, third, or fifth year. Variable rates are based on the weekly average yield of United States Treasury Securities and are underwritten at fully-indexed rates. We do not offer certain high risk loan products such as interest-only consumer mortgage loans, hybrid loans, payment option adjustable rate mortgages (“ARMs”), reverse mortgage loans, loans with initial teaser rates or any product with negative amortization. Hybrid loans are loans that start out as a fixed rate mortgage, but after a set number of years they automatically adjust to an ARM. Payment option ARMs usually have adjustable rates, for which borrowers choose their monthly payment of either a full payment, interest only, or a minimum payment which may be lower than the payment required to reduce the balance of the loan in accordance with the originally underwritten amortization.     

Home equity loans are secured primarily by second mortgages on residential property. The underwriting policy for home equity loans generally permits aggregate (the total of all liens secured by the collateral property) borrowing availability up to 80% of the appraised value of the collateral. We offer both fixed rate and variable rate home equity loans, with variable rate loans underwritten at fully-indexed rates. Decisions are primarily based on LTV ratios, DTI ratios, liquidity and credit history. We do not offer home equity loan products with reduced documentation.

Consumer Non Real Estate Loans. Consumer loans include loans secured by automobiles, loans to consumers secured by other non-real estate collateral and loans to consumers that are unsecured. Automobile loans include loans secured by new or used automobiles. We originate automobile loans on a direct basis. During 2018 and years prior, automobile loans were also originated on an indirect basis through selected dealerships. This program was discontinued in 2019. We require borrowers to maintain collision insurance on automobiles securing consumer loans. Our procedures for underwriting consumer loans include an assessment of an applicant’s overall financial capacity, including credit history and the ability to meet existing obligations and payments on the proposed loan. An applicant’s creditworthiness is the primary consideration, and if the loan is secured by an automobile or other collateral, the underwriting process also includes a comparison of the value of the collateral security to the proposed loan amount.

SBA Paycheck Protection Program. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") was signed into law on March 27, 2020.  The CARES Act created the Small Business Administration ("SBA") Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP").  Under the PPP, money was authorized for small business loans to pay payroll and group health costs, salaries and commissions, mortgage and rent payments, utilities and interest on other debt.  The Company assisted customers in obtaining the loans during the application window between April and August 2020. As of December 31, 2020, the Company held $35,992 in PPP loans, net of deferred fees and costs. The Company is currently participating in the SBA lending window that opened in January 2021.

Other Products and Services. Deposit products offered by the Bank include interest-bearing and non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts, money market deposit accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, health savings accounts and individual retirement accounts. Deposit accounts are offered to both individuals and commercial businesses. Business and consumer debit and credit cards are available. NBB offers other miscellaneous services normally provided by commercial banks, such as letters of credit, night depository, safe deposit boxes, utility payment services and automatic funds transfer. NBB conducts a general trust business that has wealth management, trust and estate services for individual and business customers.

At December 31, 2020, NBB had total assets of $1,506,348 and total deposits of $1,298,294. NBB’s net income for 2020 was $16,668, which produced a return on average assets of 1.19% and a return on average equity of 8.62%. Refer to Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for NBB’s risk-based capital ratios.

National Bankshares Financial Services, Inc.

In 2001, National Bankshares Financial Services, Inc. was formed in Virginia as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NBI. NBFS offers non-deposit investment products and insurance products for sale to the public. NBFS works cooperatively with Infinex Investments, Inc. to provide investments and with Bankers Insurance, LLC for insurance products. NBFS does not significantly contribute to NBI’s net income.

Operating Revenue

The following table displays components that contributed 15% or more of the Company’s total operating revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Market Area

The Company’s market area in southwest Virginia is made up of the counties of Montgomery, Roanoke, Giles, Pulaski, Tazewell, Wythe, Smyth and Washington. It includes the independent cities of Roanoke, Radford and Galax, and the portions of Carroll and Grayson Counties that are adjacent to Galax. The Company also serves those portions of Mercer County and McDowell County, West Virginia that are contiguous with Tazewell County, Virginia and portions of Monroe County, West Virginia that are contiguous with Giles County, Virginia. Although largely rural, the market area is home to two major universities, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (“Virginia Tech”) and Radford University, and to three community colleges. Virginia Tech, located in Blacksburg, Virginia, is the area’s largest employer and is Virginia’s second largest university. A second state supported university, Radford University, is located nearby. In recent years, Virginia Tech’s Corporate Research Center has brought a number of technology-related companies to Montgomery County.

In addition to education, the market area has a diverse economic base with manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, retail and service industries. Large manufacturing facilities in the region include Celanese Acetate, the largest employer in Giles County, and Volvo Heavy Trucks, the largest company in Pulaski County. Both of these companies have experienced cycles of hiring and layoffs within the past several years. Tazewell County is largely dependent on the coal mining industry and on agriculture for its economic base. Coal production has declined significantly in recent years and suffered from increased regulations. Montgomery County, Bluefield in Tazewell County and Abingdon in Washington County are regional retail centers and have facilities to provide basic health care for the region.

NBI’s market area offers the advantages of a good quality of life, scenic beauty, moderate climate and historical and cultural attractions. The region has had some recent success attracting retirees, particularly from the Northeast and urban northern Virginia.

Because NBI’s market area is economically diverse and includes large public employers, it has historically avoided the most extreme effects of past economic downturns. If the economy wavers or experiences recession, it is likely that unemployment will rise and that other economic indicators will negatively impact the Company's market.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic

 During March 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic began to severely impact the economy. In response to substantial public health concern, the federal and state governments, individual companies and countries around the world implemented methods to slow the pandemic’s spread, including social distancing, stay-at-home orders and a vast number of cancellations of previously scheduled economic activity.

One of the Company’s top priorities is the health and safety of our customers and employees and to that end, the Company implemented certain protective measures.  Where possible the Company allowed certain employees to work remotely and rearranged work environments for other employees to promote appropriate social distancing. On March 20, 2020, the Company shifted to serving customers primarily through digital channels, drive-thrus and ATMs and closed the lobbies of the Company’s 25 branches. We continue to serve customers in person by appointment and continue to monitor the situation to determine when we may safely reopen our lobbies. Current analysis of transactions has not shown a decline compared with pre-pandemic operations.  Controls over cash and physical assets have remained in place and internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure have been appropriately maintained. 

The Company also considered the impact of the pandemic on critical estimates, including the allowance for loan losses, valuation of goodwill, valuation of other real estate owned (“OREO”), other-than-temporary impairment of securities and pension obligations, as well as lease right of use assets. The impact to the allowance for loan losses is discussed under the “Asset Quality” section.  Analysis as of December 31, 2020 did not indicate declines in the valuation of OREO, other-than-temporary impairment of securities, pension obligations or lease right-of-use assets.  The Company will continue to monitor the values as the effects of the pandemic unfold. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant stock market volatility which adversely impacted the Company’s stock price. As a result of this volatility and impact on the market, management determined that a triggering event occurred. Management performed an interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 and contracted a third party expert to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of September 30, 2020 during the fourth quarter 2020. The analysis did not find impairment of goodwill.

The Company is also monitoring increased threats of fraud, including schemes against employees new to remote working arrangements, fraud related to state unemployment insurance and COVID-19 related scams against customers.

The Company’s business relies on positive relationships with customers. At this time, we feel our customer relationships remain strong and our team remains ready to provide banking services.  The Company has a robust business continuity plan, and partners with vendors whom we believe also have robust business continuity plans.  In implementing its business continuity plan to address the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has not incurred material expenditures and does not anticipate material expenditures.  In the event that we experience high infection rates within our staff, our ability to serve our customers would be adversely impacted for a certain period.  We have implemented many measures to protect the health of our employees and continue to monitor the situation closely.  Further, all critical functions are cross-trained as part of our business continuity preparedness.

Competition

The banking and financial services industry is highly competitive. The competitive business environment is a result of changes in regulation, changes in technology and product delivery systems and competition from other financial institutions as well as non-traditional financial services. NBB competes for loans and deposits with other commercial banks, credit unions, securities and brokerage companies, mortgage companies, insurance companies, retailers, automobile companies and other nonbank financial service providers. Many of these competitors are much larger in total assets and capitalization, have greater access to capital markets and offer a broader array of financial services than NBB. In order to compete, NBB relies upon a deep knowledge of its markets, a service-based business philosophy, personal relationships with customers, specialized services tailored to meet customers’ needs and the convenience of office locations. In addition, the Bank is generally competitive with other financial institutions in its market area with respect to interest rates paid on deposit accounts, interest rates charged on loans and other service charges on loans and deposit accounts.

Cybersecurity

As a financial institution, NBI is subject to cybersecurity risks.  Cybersecurity risks have expanded with the pandemic as fraudsters seek to take advantage of customer concerns and changes to work environment.  The Company has not suffered any losses or breaches due to the pandemic.  In prior years, the Company suffered two cybersecurity incidents.  To manage and mitigate cybersecurity risk, the Company limits certain transactions and interactions with customers.  The Company does not offer online account openings or loan originations, limits the dollar amount of online banking transfers to other banks, does not permit customers to submit address changes or wire requests through online banking, requires a special vetting process for commercial customers who wish to originate ACH transfers, and limits certain functionalities of mobile banking.  The Company also requires assurances from key vendors regarding their cybersecurity.  While these measures reduce the likelihood and scope of the risk of further cybersecurity breaches, in light of the evolving sophistication of system intruders, the risk of such breaches continues to exist.  We maintain insurance for these risks but insurance policies are subject to exceptions, exclusions and terms whose applications have not been widely interpreted in litigation.  Accordingly, insurance can provide less than complete protection against the losses that result from cybersecurity breaches and pursuing recovery from insurers can result in significant expense.  In addition, some risks such as reputational damage and loss of customer goodwill, which can result from cybersecurity breaches cannot be insured against.

Organization and Employment

NBI, NBB and NBFS are organized in a holding company/subsidiary structure. At December 31, 2020, NBB had 226 full time equivalent employees and NBFS had 3 full time equivalent employees. NBB performs services and charges commensurate fees to NBI and NBFS.

Regulation, Supervision and Government Policy

NBI and NBB are subject to state and federal banking laws and regulations that provide for general regulatory oversight of all aspects of their operations. As a result of substantial regulatory burdens on banking, financial institutions like NBI and NBB are at a disadvantage to other competitors who are not as highly regulated, and NBI and NBB’s costs of doing business are accordingly higher. Legislative efforts to prevent a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis culminated in the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). This legislation, together with existing and planned regulations, dramatically increased the regulatory burden on commercial banks. The burden falls disproportionately on community banks like NBB, which must devote a higher proportion of their human and other resources to compliance than do their larger competitors. The financial crisis also heightened the examination focus by banking regulators, particularly on Bank Secrecy Act, real estate-related assets and commercial loans. However, with the passage of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“EGRRCPA”) in 2018, a number of regulatory requirements for smaller financial institutions like the Company were reduced or eliminated (see below). The following is a brief summary of certain laws, rules and regulations that affect NBI and NBB.

National Bankshares, Inc.

NBI is a bank holding company qualified as a financial holding company under the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”), which is administered by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). As such, NBI is subject to the supervision, examination, and reporting requirements of the BHCA and the regulations of the Federal Reserve. NBI is required to furnish to the Federal Reserve an annual report of its operations at the end of each fiscal year and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require pursuant to the BHCA. The Federal Reserve is authorized to examine NBI and its subsidiaries. With some limited exceptions, the BHCA requires a bank holding company to obtain prior approval from the Federal Reserve before acquiring or merging with a bank or before acquiring more than 5% of the voting shares of a bank unless it already controls a majority of shares.

The Bank Holding Company Act. Under the BHCA, a bank holding company is generally prohibited from engaging in nonbanking activities unless the Federal Reserve has found those activities to be incidental to banking. Amendments to the BHCA that were included in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (see below) permitted any bank holding company with bank subsidiaries that are well-capitalized, well-managed and which have a satisfactory or better rating under the Community Reinvestment Act (see below) to file an election with the Federal Reserve to become a financial holding company. A financial holding company may engage in any activity that is (i) financial in nature (ii) incidental to a financial activity or (iii) complementary to a financial activity. Financial activities include insurance underwriting, insurance agency activities, securities dealing and underwriting and providing financial, investment or economic advising services. NBI is a financial holding company that currently engages in insurance agency activities and provides financial, investment or economic advising services.

The Virginia Banking Act. The Virginia Banking Act requires all Virginia bank holding companies to register with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (the “Commission”). NBI is required to report to the Commission with respect to its financial condition, operations and management. The Commission may also make examinations of any bank holding company and its subsidiaries and must approve the acquisition of ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any Virginia bank or bank holding company.

The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”) permits significant combinations among different sectors of the financial services industry, allows for expansion of financial service activities by bank holding companies and offers financial privacy protections to consumers. GLBA preempts most state laws that prohibit financial holding companies from engaging in insurance activities. GLBA permits affiliations between banks and securities firms in the same holding company structure, and it permits financial holding companies to directly engage in a broad range of securities and merchant banking activities.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (“SOX”) protects investors by improving the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures. It impacts all companies with securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including NBI. SOX creates increased responsibility for chief executive officers and chief financial officers with respect to the content of filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Section 404 of SOX and related Securities and Exchange Commission rules focused increased scrutiny by internal and external auditors on NBI’s systems of internal controls over financial reporting, which is designed to ensure that those internal controls are effective in both design and operation. SOX sets out enhanced requirements for audit committees, including independence and expertise, and it includes stronger requirements for auditor independence and limits the types of non-audit services that auditors can provide. Finally, SOX contains additional and increased civil and criminal penalties for violations of securities laws.

Capital and Related Requirements. In August, 2018, the Federal Reserve updated the Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement (the “Statement”), in compliance with the EGRRCPA. The Statement, among other things, exempts bank holding companies that fall below a certain asset threshold from reporting consolidated regulatory capital ratios and from minimum regulatory capital requirements. The interim final rule expands the exemption to bank holding companies with consolidated total assets of less than $3 billion. Prior to August 2018, the statement exempted bank holding companies with consolidated total assets of less than $1 billion. As a result of the interim final rule, the Company qualifies as of August, 2018 as a small bank holding company and is no longer subject to regulatory capital requirements on a consolidated basis.

The Bank continues to be subject to various capital requirements administered by banking agencies as described below. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can trigger certain mandatory and discretionary actions by regulators that could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The Dodd-Frank Act was signed into law on July 21, 2010. Its wide ranging provisions affect all federal financial regulatory agencies and nearly every aspect of the American financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Act created an independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) which has the ability to write rules for consumer protections governing all financial institutions. All consumer protection responsibility formerly handled by other banking regulators was consolidated in the CFPB. It oversees the enforcement of all federal laws intended to ensure fair access to credit. For smaller financial institutions such as NBI and NBB, the CFPB coordinates its examination activities through their primary regulators.

The Dodd-Frank Act contains provisions designed to reform mortgage lending, which includes the requirement of additional disclosures for consumer mortgages, and the CFPB implemented many mortgage lending regulations to carry out its mandate. Additionally, in response to the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Reserve issued rules in 2011 which had the effect of limiting the fees charged to merchants by credit card companies for debit card transactions. The Dodd-Frank Act also contains provisions that affect corporate governance and executive compensation.

The Dodd-Frank Act provisions are extensive and have required the Company and the Bank to deploy resources to comply with them. Several federal agencies, including the Federal Reserve, the CFPB and the Securities and Exchange Commission, have been in the process of issuing final regulations implementing major portions of the legislation, and this process will be affected by the EGRRCPA, which rolls back many provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act (see below).

Source of Strength. Federal Reserve policy has historically required bank holding companies to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to their subsidiary banks. The Dodd-Frank Act codified this policy as a statutory requirement. Under this requirement, the Company is expected to commit resources and capital to support NBB, including at times when the Company may not be in a financial position to provide such resources. Any capital loans by a bank holding company to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to depositors and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary banks. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to priority of payment.

The Economic Growth, Regulatory Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2018. In May 2018 the EGRRCPA amended provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and other statutes administered by banking regulators. Among these amendments are provisions to tailor applicability of certain of the enhanced prudential standards for Systemically Important Financial Institutions (“SIFI’s”) and to increase the $50 billion asset threshold in two stages to $250 billion to which these enhanced standards apply. The EGRRCPA exempts insured depository institutions (and their parent companies) with less than $10 billion in consolidated assets and that meet certain tests from the Volker Rule (which prohibits banks from conducting certain investment activities with their own accounts). As discussed below, pursuant to EGRRCPA, regulators finalized an optional, simplified measure of capital adequacy, which is commonly known as the “community bank leverage ratio” (“CBLR”) framework, for qualifying financial institutions with less than $10 billion in consolidated assets. If the financial institution maintains its tangible equity above the CBLR it will be deemed in compliance with the various regulatory capital requirements currently in effect. The EGRRCPA also increased the asset threshold from $1 billion to $3 billion for financial institutions to qualify for an 18 month on site examination schedule. The EGRRCPA changes numerous other regulatory requirements based on the size and complexity of financial institutions, particularly benefiting smaller institutions like the Company.

The National Bank of Blacksburg

NBB is a national banking association incorporated under the laws of the United States, and the bank is subject to regulation and examination by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”). NBB’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) up to the limits of applicable law. The OCC, as the primary regulator, and the FDIC regulate and monitor all areas of NBB’s operation. These areas include adequacy of capitalization and loss reserves, loans, deposits, business practices related to the charging and payment of interest, investments, borrowings, payment of dividends, security devices and procedures, establishment of branches, corporate reorganizations and maintenance of books and records. NBB is required to maintain certain capital ratios. It must also prepare quarterly reports on its financial condition for the OCC and conduct an annual audit of its financial affairs. The OCC requires NBB to adopt internal control structures and procedures designed to safeguard assets and monitor and reduce risk exposure. While appropriate for the safety and soundness of banks, these requirements add to overhead expense for NBB and other banks.

The Community Reinvestment Act. NBB is subject to the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), which imposes an affirmative obligation on financial institutions to meet the credit needs of the communities they serve, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The OCC monitors NBB’s compliance with the CRA and assigns public ratings based upon the bank’s performance in meeting stated assessment goals. Unsatisfactory CRA ratings can result in restrictions on bank operations or expansion. NBB received a “satisfactory” rating in its last CRA examination by the OCC.

On June 5, 2020, the OCC published a final rule, effective October 1, 2020, to modernize the agency’s regulations under the CRA. The rule (i) clarifies which activities qualify for CRA credit and (ii) requires banks to identify an additional assessment area based on where they receive a significant portion of their domestic retail products, thus creating two assessment areas: a deposit-based assessment area and a facility-based assessment area. Further, on November 24, 2020, the OCC issued a proposed rule to establish the agency’s proposed approach to determine the CRA evaluation measure benchmarks, retail lending distribution test thresholds, and community development minimums under the general performance standards set forth in the June, 2020 final rule.  The Company is evaluating what impact this new rule will have on its operations.

Privacy Legislation. Several recent laws, including the Right to Financial Privacy Act and the GBLA, and related regulations issued by the federal bank regulatory agencies, also provide new protections against the transfer and use of customer information by financial institutions. A financial institution must provide to its customers information regarding its policies and procedures with respect to the handling of customers’ personal information. Each institution must conduct an internal risk assessment of its ability to protect customer information. These privacy provisions generally prohibit a financial institution from providing a customer’s personal financial information to unaffiliated parties without prior notice and approval from the customer.

Consumer Laws and Regulations. There are a number of laws and regulations that regulate banks’ consumer loan and deposit transactions. Among these are the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Service Members Civil Relief Act, laws governing flood insurance, federal and state laws prohibiting unfair and deceptive business practices, foreclosure laws and various regulations that implement some or all of the foregoing. NBB is required to comply with these laws and regulations in its dealings with customers. In addition, the CFPB has adopted and may continue to refine rules regulating consumer mortgage lending pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act. There are numerous disclosure and other compliance requirements associated with the consumer laws and regulations. The EGRRCPA modified a number of these requirements, including, for qualifying institutions with less than $10 billion in assets, a safe harbor for compliance with the “ability to pay” requirements for consumer mortgage loans.

Deposit Insurance. NBB has deposits that are insured by the FDIC. The FDIC maintains a Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) that is funded by risk-based insurance premium assessments on insured depository institutions. Assessments are determined based upon several factors, including the level of regulatory capital and the results of regulatory examinations. The FDIC may adjust assessments if the insured institution’s risk profile changes or if the size of the DIF declines in relation to the total amount of insured deposits. Beginning April 1, 2011, an institution’s assessment base became consolidated total assets less its average tangible equity as defined by the FDIC. The FDIC has authority to impose (and has imposed as a result of the 2008 financial crisis) special measures to boost the deposit insurance fund such as prepayments of assessments and additional special assessments.

After giving primary regulators an opportunity to first take action, the FDIC may initiate an enforcement action against any depository institution it determines is engaging in unsafe or unsound actions or which is in an unsound condition, and the FDIC may terminate that institution’s deposit insurance. NBB has no knowledge of any matter that would threaten its FDIC insurance coverage.

Capital Requirements. NBB is subject to the rules implementing the Basel III capital framework and certain related provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act (the “Basel III Capital Rules”) as applied by the OCC. The Basel III Capital Rules require NBB to comply with minimum capital ratios plus a “capital conservation buffer” designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. The implementation period for the capital conservation buffer began in 2016 and it was fully phased in on January 1, 2019. The following table presents the required minimum ratios along with the required minimum ratios including the capital conservation buffer:

Risk-weighted assets are assets on the balance sheet as well as certain off-balance sheet items, such as standby letters of credit, to which weights between 0% and 1250% are applied, according to the risk of the asset type. Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (“CET1”) is capital according to the balance sheet, adjusted for goodwill and intangible assets and other prescribed adjustments. At NBB’s election, CET1 is also adjusted to exclude accumulated other comprehensive income. Tier 1 Capital is CET1 adjusted for additional capital deductions. Total Capital is Tier 1 Capital increased for the allowance for loan losses and adjusted for other items. The Leverage Ratio is the ratio of Tier 1 Capital to total average assets, less goodwill and intangibles and certain deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2020, NBB’s capital ratios exceeded the above minimum ratios including the capital conservation buffer.

NBB is also subject to the “prompt corrective action” regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act of 1950, which were revised, effective as of January 1, 2015, to incorporate a CET1 ratio and to increase certain other capital ratios. To be classified as well capitalized under the revised regulations, NBB must have the following minimum capital ratios: (i) a CET1 ratio of at least 6.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 Capital to Risk Weighted Assets ratio of at least 8.0%; (iii) a Total Capital to Risk Weighted Assets ratio of at least 10.0%; and (iv) a Leverage Ratio of at least 5.0%. NBB exceeded the thresholds to be considered well capitalized as of December 31, 2020.

Pursuant to the EGRRCPA, regulators have provided for an optional, simplified measure of capital adequacy, the CBLR framework, for qualifying community banking organizations with consolidated assets of less than $10 billion.  Banks that qualify, including NBB, may opt in to the CBLR framework beginning January 1, 2020 or any time thereafter.  The CBLR framework eliminates the requirement to comply with capital ratios disclosed above and, instead, requires the disclosure of a single leverage ratio, with a minimum requirement of 9%.  These CBLR rules were modified in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  See “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021” below. The Bank has not opted in to the CBLR framework at this time.

In December 2017, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published standards that it described as the finalization of the Basel III post-crisis regulatory reforms (the standards are commonly referred to as “Basel IV”). Among other things, these standards revise the standardized approach for credit risk (including by recalibrating risk weights and introducing new capital requirements for certain “unconditionally cancellable commitments,” such as unused credit card lines of credit) and provide a new standardized approach for operational risk capital. Under the proposed framework, these standards will generally be effective on January 1, 2022, with an aggregate output floor phasing-in through January 1, 2027. Under the current capital rules, operational risk capital requirements and a capital floor apply only to “advanced approaches” institutions, and not to the Company or the Bank. The impact of Basel IV on the Company and the Bank will depend on the manner in which it is implemented by the federal bank regulatory agencies.

Limits on Dividend Payments. A significant portion of NBI’s income is derived from dividends paid by NBB. As a national bank, NBB may not pay dividends from its capital, and it may not pay dividends if the bank would become undercapitalized, as defined by regulation, after paying the dividend. Without prior OCC approval, NBB’s dividend payments in any calendar year are restricted to the bank’s retained net income for that year, as that term is defined by the laws and regulations, combined with retained net income from the preceding two years, less any required transfer to surplus.

The OCC and FDIC have authority to limit dividends paid by NBB if the payments are determined to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice. Any payment of dividends that depletes the bank’s capital base could be deemed to be an unsafe and unsound banking practice.

Branching. As a national bank, NBB is required to comply with the state branch banking laws of Virginia, the state in which the main office of the bank is located. NBB must also have the prior approval of the OCC to establish a branch or acquire an existing banking operation. Under Virginia law, NBB may open branch offices or acquire existing banks or bank branches anywhere in the state. Virginia law also permits banks domiciled in the state to establish a branch or to acquire an existing bank or branch in another state. The Dodd-Frank Act permits the OCC to approve applications by national banks like NBB to establish de novo branches in any state in which a bank located in that state is permitted to establish a branch.

Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgage Rule. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB amended Regulation Z as implemented by the Truth in Lending Act, requiring mortgage lenders to make a reasonable and good faith determination based on verified and documented information that a consumer applying for a mortgage loan has a reasonable ability to repay the loan according to its terms. Mortgage lenders are required to determine consumers’ ability to repay in one of two ways. The first alternative requires the mortgage lender to consider the following eight underwriting factors when making the credit decision: (i) current or reasonably expected income or assets; (ii) current employment status; (iii) the monthly payment on the covered transaction; (iv) the monthly payment on any simultaneous loan; (v) the monthly payment for mortgage-related obligations; (vi) current debt obligations, alimony, and child support; (vii) the monthly debt-to-income ratio or residual income; and (viii) credit history. Alternatively, the mortgage lender can originate “qualified mortgages,” which are entitled to a presumption that the creditor making the loan satisfied the ability-to-repay requirements. In general, a “qualified mortgage” is a mortgage loan without negative amortization, interest-only payments, balloon payments or terms exceeding 30 years. In addition, to be a qualified mortgage the points and fees paid by a consumer cannot exceed 3% of the total loan amount. Qualified mortgages that are “higher-priced” (e.g. subprime loans) create a rebuttable presumption of compliance with the ability-to-repay rules, while qualified mortgages that are not “higher-priced” (e.g. prime loans) are given a safe harbor of compliance. The Company is predominantly an originator of compliant qualified mortgages.

Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Regulations.  The Company is subject to several federal laws that are designed to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and transactions with persons, companies or foreign governments designated by U.S. authorities (“AML laws”). This category of laws includes the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020.

The AML laws and their implementing regulations require insured depository institutions, broker-dealers, and certain other financial institutions to have policies, procedures, and controls to detect, prevent, and report money laundering and terrorist financing. The AML laws and their regulations also provide for information sharing, subject to conditions, between federal law enforcement agencies and financial institutions, as well as among financial institutions, for counter-terrorism purposes. Federal banking regulators are required, when reviewing bank holding company acquisition and bank merger applications, to take into account the effectiveness of the anti-money laundering activities of the applicants. To comply with these obligations, the Company has implemented appropriate internal practices, procedures, and controls.

Office of Foreign Assets Control. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) is responsible for administering and enforcing economic and trade sanctions against specified foreign parties, including countries and regimes, foreign individuals and other foreign organizations and entities. OFAC publishes lists of prohibited parties that are regularly consulted by the Company in the conduct of its business in order to assure compliance. The Company is responsible for, among other things, blocking accounts of, and transactions with, prohibited parties identified by OFAC, avoiding unlicensed trade and financial transactions with such parties and reporting blocked transactions after their occurrence. Failure to comply with OFAC requirements could have serious legal, financial and reputational consequences for the Company.

Incentive Compensation. In June 2010, the federal bank regulatory agencies issued comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of financial institutions do not undermine the safety and soundness of such institutions by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The Interagency Guidance on Sound Incentive Compensation Policies, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of a financial institutions, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a financial institution’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the institution’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the financial institution’s board of directors.

Section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal banking agencies and the Securities and Exchange Commission to establish joint regulations or guidelines prohibiting incentive-based payment arrangements at specified regulated entities that encourage inappropriate risk-taking by providing an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder with excessive compensation, fees, or benefits or that could lead to material financial loss to the entity. The federal banking agencies issued such proposed rules in March 2011 and issued a revised proposed rule in June 2016 implementing the requirements and prohibitions set forth in Section 956. The revised proposed rule would apply to all banks, among other institutions, with at least $1 billion in average total consolidated assets for which it would go beyond the existing Interagency Guidance on Sound Incentive Compensation Policies to (i) prohibit certain types and features of incentive-based compensation arrangements for senior executive officers, (ii) require incentive-based compensation arrangements to adhere to certain basic principles to avoid a presumption of encouraging inappropriate risk, (iii) require appropriate board or committee oversight, (iv) establish minimum recordkeeping, and (v) mandate disclosures to the appropriate federal banking agency.

The Federal Reserve will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of financial institutions, such as the Company, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” These reviews will be tailored to each financial institution based on the scope and complexity of the institution’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the institution’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the institution’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a financial institution if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the institution’s safety and soundness and the financial institution is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had not been made aware of any instances of non-compliance with the final guidance.

Cybersecurity. In March 2015, federal regulators issued two related statements regarding cybersecurity. One statement indicates that financial institutions should design multiple layers of security controls to establish lines of defense and to ensure that their risk management processes also address the risk posed by compromised customer credentials, including security measures to reliably authenticate customers accessing internet-based services of the financial institution. The other statement indicates that a financial institution’s management is expected to maintain sufficient business continuity planning processes to ensure the rapid recovery, resumption and maintenance of the institution’s operations after a cyber-attack involving destructive malware. A financial institution is also expected to develop appropriate processes to enable recovery of data and business operations and address rebuilding network capabilities and restoring data if the institution or its critical service providers fall victim to this type of cyber-attack. If the Company fails to observe the regulatory guidance, it could be subject to various regulatory sanctions, including financial penalties.

In December 2020, the federal banking agencies issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would require banking organizations to notify their primary regulator within 36 hours of becoming aware of a “computer-security incident” or a “notification incident.” The proposed rule also would require specific and immediate notifications by bank service providers that become aware of similar incidents.

The Company’s systems and those of its customers and third-party service providers are under constant threat. Risks and exposures related to cybersecurity attacks are expected to remain high for the foreseeable future due to the rapidly evolving nature and sophistication of these threats, as well as due to the expanding use of Internet banking, mobile banking and other technology-based products and services by the Company and its customers.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (“Appropriations Act”) was signed into law on December 27, 2020.  Among other things, the CARES Act and Appropriations Act include the following provisions impacting financial institutions:

Monetary Policy

The monetary and interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve, as well as general economic conditions, affect the business and earnings of NBI. NBB and other banks are particularly sensitive to interest rate fluctuations. The spread between the interest paid on deposits and that which is charged on loans is the most important component of the bank’s earnings. In addition, interest earned on investments held by NBI and NBB has a significant effect on earnings. U.S. fiscal policy, including deficits requiring increased governmental borrowing also can affect interest rates. As conditions change in the national and international economy and in the money markets, the Federal Reserve’s actions, particularly with regard to interest rates, and the effects of fiscal policies can impact loan demand, deposit levels and earnings at NBB. It is not possible to accurately predict the effects on NBI of economic and interest rate changes.

Other Legislative and Regulatory Concerns

Federal and state laws and regulations are regularly proposed that could affect the regulation of financial institutions. New, revised or rescinded regulations could add to the regulatory burden on banks and other financial service providers and increase the costs of compliance, or they could change the products that can be offered and the manner in which financial institutions do business. We cannot foresee how regulation of financial institutions may change in the future and how those changes might affect NBI.

Company Website

NBI maintains a website at www.nationalbankshares.com. The Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports are made available on its website as soon as is practical after the material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company’s proxy materials for the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders are also posted on a separate website at www.investorvote.com/NKSH.  Access through the Company’s websites to the Company’s filings is free of charge. The SEC maintains an internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy, and information statements, and other information the Company files electronically with the SEC.

Executive Officers of the Company

The following is a list of names and ages of all executive officers of the Company; their terms of office as officers; the positions and offices within the Company held by each officer; and each person’s principal occupation or employment during the past five years.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

CREDIT RISK

Focus on lending to small to mid-sized community-based businesses may increase our credit risk.

      Most of the Company’s commercial business and commercial real estate loans are made to small business or middle market customers. These businesses generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities and have a heightened vulnerability to economic conditions. If general economic conditions in the market areas in which the Company operates negatively impact this important customer sector, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.  Moreover, a portion of these loans have been made by the Company in recent years and the borrowers may not have experienced a complete business or economic cycle since becoming borrowers of the Bank. The deterioration of the borrowers’ businesses may hinder their ability to repay their loans with the Company, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual losses.

In accordance with GAAP, an allowance for loan losses is maintained to provide for probable loan losses. The allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual credit losses, and future provisions for credit losses could materially and adversely affect operating results.  The allowance for loan losses is based on prior experience as well as an evaluation of risks in the current portfolio. The amount of future losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating, and other outside forces and conditions, including changes in interest rates, all of which are beyond the Company’s control; and these losses may exceed current estimates. Federal regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, review the Company’s loans and allowance for loan losses.  The Company also outsources independent loan review.  While management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover current probable losses, it cannot make assurances that it will not further increase the allowance for loan losses or that regulators will not require it to increase this allowance. Either occurrence could adversely affect earnings.

The allowance for loan losses requires management to make significant estimates that affect the consolidated financial statements. Due to the inherent nature of this estimate, management cannot provide assurance that it will not significantly increase the allowance for loan losses, which could materially and adversely affect earnings.

A decline in the condition of the local real estate market could negatively affect our business.

The Company offers a variety of secured loans, including commercial lines of credit, commercial term loans, real estate, construction, residential mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, consumer and other loans. Many of these loans are secured by real estate (both residential and commercial). As of December 31, 2020, 80% of all loans were secured by mortgages on real property.  Substantially all of the Company’s real property collateral is located in its market area. If there is a decline in real estate values, especially in the Company’s market area, the collateral for loans would deteriorate and provide significantly less security to the Company.  In the event the Company forecloses on a loan that is collateralized with property having reduced market value, the Company may suffer a recovery loss.

The Bank has a moderate concentration of credit exposure in commercial real estate, and loans with this type of collateral are viewed as having more risk of default.

As of December 31, 2020, the Bank had approximately $393,115 in loans secured by commercial real estate, representing approximately 51% of total loans outstanding at that date. The real estate consists primarily of non-owner-operated properties and other commercial properties. These types of loans are generally viewed as having more risk of default than residential real estate loans. They are also typically larger than residential real estate loans and consumer loans and depend on cash flows from the owner’s business or the property to service the debt. It may be more difficult for commercial real estate borrowers to repay their loans in a timely manner, as commercial real estate borrowers’ abilities to repay their loans frequently depends on the successful rental of their properties. Cash flows may be affected significantly by general economic conditions, and a downturn in the local economy or in occupancy rates in the local economy where the property is located could increase the likelihood of default. Because the Bank’s loan portfolio contains a number of commercial real estate loans with relatively large balances, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in the percentage of non-performing loans. An increase in non-performing loans could result in a loss of earnings from these loans, an increase in the provision for loan losses and an increase in charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

Nonperforming assets take significant time to resolve and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s nonperforming assets adversely affect its net income in various ways. The Company expects to continue to incur additional losses relating to volatility in nonperforming loans. The Company does not record interest income on nonaccrual loans, which adversely affects its income and increases credit administration costs. When the Company receives collateral through foreclosures and similar proceedings, it is required to mark the related asset to the then fair market value of the collateral less estimated selling costs, which may, and often does, result in a loss. An increase in the level of nonperforming assets also increases the Company’s risk profile and may impact the capital levels regulators believe are appropriate in light of such risks. The Company utilizes various techniques such as workouts and restructurings to manage problem assets. Increases in or negative adjustments in the value of these problem assets, the underlying collateral, or in the borrowers’ performance or financial condition, could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the resolution of nonperforming assets requires significant commitments of time from management and staff, which can be detrimental to the performance of their other responsibilities, including generation of new loans. There can be no assurance that the Company will avoid further increases in nonperforming loans in the future.

The Company relies upon independent appraisals to determine the value of the real estate which secures a significant portion of its loans, and the values indicated by such appraisals may not be realizable if the Company is forced to foreclose upon such loans.

A significant portion of the Company’s loan portfolio consists of loans secured by real estate. The Company relies upon independent appraisers to estimate the value of such real estate. Appraisals are only estimates of value and the independent appraisers may make mistakes of fact or judgment which adversely affect the reliability of their appraisals. In addition, events occurring after the initial appraisal may cause the value of the real estate to increase or decrease.  As a result of any of these factors, the real estate securing some of the Company’s loans may be more or less valuable than anticipated at the time the loans were made. If a default occurs on a loan secured by real estate that is less valuable than originally estimated, the Company may not be able to recover the outstanding balance of the loan and will suffer a loss.

Our loan portfolio’s credit risk and the risk of loan losses may increase if the economic conditions brought about by the pandemic extends beyond the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in massive job losses and elevated unemployment as well as depressed business activity.  If these conditions continue beyond the pandemic, they will likely to lead to a higher rate of business closures and increased job losses in the region in which we do business. In addition, reduced state funding for the public colleges and universities that are large employers in our market area could have an adverse effect on employment levels and on the area’s economy. These factors would increase the likelihood that more of our customers would become delinquent or default on their loans. A higher level of loan defaults could result in higher loan losses, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

The risk of loss in our investment portfolio may increase if the economic conditions brought about by the pandemic extends beyond the pandemic, or if interest rates change rapidly.

The Company holds both corporate and municipal bonds in its investment portfolio. A prolonged economic downturn could increase the actual or perceived risk of default by both corporate and government issuers and, in either case, could adversely affect the value of these investments. In addition, the value of these investments could be adversely affected by a change in interest rates and related factors, including the pricing of securities.

MARKET RISK

If competition increases, our business could suffer.

The financial services industry is highly competitive, with a number of commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, stockbrokers, financial technology companies and other nonbank financial service providers seeking to do business with our customers. If there is additional competition from new business or if our existing competitors focus more attention on our market, we could lose customers and our business could suffer.

Consumers may increasingly decide not to use the Bank to complete their financial transactions, which would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and operations.

         Technology and other changes are allowing parties to complete financial transactions through alternative methods that historically have involved banks. For example, consumers can now maintain funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts, mutual funds or general-purpose reloadable prepaid cards. Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. The loss of these revenue streams and the lower cost of deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

INTEREST RATE RISK

When market interest rates change, our net interest income can be negatively affected in the short term.

The direction and speed of interest rate changes affect our net interest margin and net interest income. In the short term, rising interest rates may negatively affect our net interest income if our interest-bearing liabilities (generally deposits) reprice sooner than our interest-earning assets (generally loans).  Falling interest rates may negatively affect our net interest income if our interest-earning assets reprice sooner than our interest-bearing liabilities.

LIQUIDITY RISK

The Company’s liquidity needs could adversely affect results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s primary sources of funds are deposits and loan repayments. While scheduled loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, they are subject to the ability of borrowers to repay the loans. The ability of borrowers to repay loans can be adversely affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, changes in economic conditions, reductions in real estate values or markets, availability of, and/or access to, sources of refinancing, business closings or lay-offs, and natural disasters. Additionally, deposit levels may be affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, rates paid by competitors, general interest rate levels, regulatory capital requirements, returns available to customers on alternative investments and general economic conditions. Accordingly, the Company may be required from time to time to rely on secondary sources of liquidity to meet withdrawal demands or otherwise fund operations. Such sources include Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) advances, sales of securities and loans, federal funds lines of credit from correspondent banks and borrowings from the Federal Reserve Discount Window, as well as additional out-of-market time deposits and brokered deposits. While the Company believes that these sources are currently adequate, there can be no assurance they will be sufficient to meet future liquidity demands, particularly if the Company continues to grow and experiences increasing loan demand. The Company may be required to slow or discontinue loan growth, capital expenditures or other investments or liquidate assets should such sources not be adequate.

CYBERSECURITY RISK 

Our information systems may experience an interruption or security breach.

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. Any failure, interruption or breach in security of these systems could result in failures or disruptions of our internet banking, deposit, loan and other systems. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of the possible failure, interruption or security breach of our information systems, there can be no assurance that any such failure, interruption or security breach will not occur or, if it does occur, that it will be adequately addressed.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company collects and stores sensitive data, including proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of its customers and employees, in systems and on networks. The secure processing, maintenance and use of this information is critical to the Company’s operations and business strategy. The Company has invested in industry-accepted technologies, and annually reviews its processes and practices that are designed to protect its networks, computers and data from damage or unauthorized access. Despite these security measures, the Company’s computer systems experienced two cyber-intrusions, one in May 2016 and one in January 2017 in which certain customer information was compromised, but which did not cause interruption to the Company’s normal operations.  The Company has implemented additional security measures since the breaches. The Company’s computer systems and infrastructure may in the future be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. A breach of any kind could compromise systems and the information stored there could be accessed, damaged or disclosed. The occurrence of any failure, interruption or security breach of our communications and information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of customer business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability.

Cybersecurity attacks may disarm and/or bypass system safeguards that are used by us and our vendors and service providers, and allow unauthorized access and misappropriation of financial data and assets.

As a financial institution, we are vulnerable to and the target of cybersecurity attacks that attempt to access our digital technology systems, disarm and/or bypass system safeguards, access customer data and ultimately increase the risk of economic and reputational loss.

The Company experienced two cyber-intrusions, one in May 2016 and one in January 2017 in which certain customer information was compromised. The Company has strengthened its multi-faceted approach to reduce the exposure of our systems to cyber-intrusions, strengthen our defenses against hackers and protect customer accounts and information relevant to customer accounts from unauthorized access.  These tools include digital technology safeguards, internal policies and procedures, and employee training.

The Company believes its cybersecurity risk management program reasonably addresses the risk from cybersecurity attacks.  However, it is not possible to fully eliminate exposure. We may experience human error or have unknown susceptibilities that allow our systems to become victim to a highly-sophisticated cyber-attack.  If hackers gain entry to our systems, they may disable other safeguards that limit loss, including limits on the number, amount and frequency of ATM withdrawals, as well as other loss-prevention or detection measures.

We also face risks related to cybersecurity attacks and security breaches in connection with the use, transmission and storage of sensitive information regarding us and our customers by various vendors and service providers. Some of these vendors and service providers have been the target of cybersecurity attacks or suffered security breaches, and because they use systems that we do not control or secure, future cyber-attacks or security breaches affecting any of these vendors and service providers could impact us through no fault of our own. In some cases, we may have exposure and suffer losses relating to these companies. Although we assess the security of our higher risk vendors and service providers, we cannot be sure that the information security protocols of all companies we do business with are sufficient to withstand cyber-attacks or other security breaches.

Cybersecurity attacks are probable and may result in additional costs.

The Company has experienced many attempted cybersecurity attacks, of which two resulted in a breach.  The Company estimates that the probability of future attempted cyber-attacks is high.  To reduce the risk of loss from cyber-attacks and to remediate vulnerabilities discovered through the breach investigations, the Company has incurred costs related to forensic investigations, legal and advisory expenses, insurance premiums, system monitoring and testing, and installing new technological infrastructure and defenses.  The Company has implemented every recommendation from the forensic investigations.  If the Company experiences another cyber-breach, these costs will increase and the Company will also likely incur additional litigation, reputational harm and regulatory costs.

Insurance may not cover losses from cybersecurity attacks.

The Company has invested in insurance related to cybersecurity.  Insurance policies are necessary to protect the Company from major losses but may be written in such a way as to limit the protection from certain risks, including cyber risks.  If the insurance carrier denies coverage of losses the Company may litigate, resulting in additional legal expense.  Because of policy technicalities, litigation may not result in a favorable outcome for the Company.

OPERATIONAL RISK

The Company is dependent on key personnel and the loss of one or more of those key personnel may materially and adversely affect the Company’s operations and prospects.

The Company currently depends on the services of a number of key management personnel. The loss of key personnel could materially and adversely affect the results of operations and financial condition. The Company’s success also depends in part on the ability to attract and retain additional qualified management personnel. Competition for such personnel is strong and the Company may not be successful in attracting or retaining the personnel it requires.

The Company relies on other companies to provide key components of the Company’s business infrastructure.

Third parties provide key components of the Company’s business operations such as data processing, recording and monitoring transactions, online banking interfaces and services, internet connections and network access. While the Company has selected these third party vendors carefully, it does not control their actions. Any problem caused by these third parties, including those resulting from disruptions in communication services provided by a vendor, failure of a vendor to handle current or higher volumes, failures of a vendor to provide services for any reason or poor performance of services, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to deliver products and services to its customers and otherwise conduct its business. Financial or operational difficulties of a third party vendor could also hurt the Company’s operations if those difficulties interface with the vendor’s ability to serve the Company.  Replacing these third party vendors could also create significant delay and expense and damage the Company’s ability to service its customers, resulting in a loss of customer goodwill. Accordingly, use of such third parties creates an unavoidable inherent risk to the Company’s business operations.

The Company’s ability to operate profitably may be dependent on its ability to integrate or introduce various technologies into its operations.

The market for financial services, including banking and consumer finance services, is increasingly affected by advances in technology, including developments in telecommunications, data processing, computers, automation, online banking and tele-banking. The Company’s ability to compete successfully in its market may depend on the extent to which it is able to exploit such technological changes. If the Company is not able to afford such technologies, properly or timely anticipate or implement such technologies, or effectively train its staff to use such technologies, its business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. 

COMPLIANCE AND REGULATORY RISK

Additional laws and regulations, or revisions and rescission of existing laws and regulations, could lead to a significant increase in our regulatory burden.

Both federal and state governments could enact new laws and regulations affecting financial institutions that would further increase our regulatory burden and could negatively affect our profits. Likewise, revisions or rescission of existing laws and regulations already implemented may result in additional compliance costs, at least in the short term or, if done imprudently, could ultimately create economic risks negatively affecting our revenues.

Intense oversight by regulators could result in stricter requirements and higher overhead costs.

Regulators for the Company and the Bank are tasked with ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.  Laws and regulations are subject to a degree of interpretation.  If financial industry regulators take more extreme interpretations, the Company’s earnings could be adversely impacted.

Changes in accounting standards could impact reported earnings. 

The authorities who promulgate accounting standards, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), SEC, and other regulatory authorities, periodically change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. These changes are difficult to predict and can materially impact how the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, the Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in the restatement of consolidated financial statements for prior periods. Such changes could also require the Company to incur additional personnel or technology costs. Notably, guidance issued in June 2016 requires a change in the calculation of credit reserves from using an incurred loss model to using the current expected credit losses model (“CECL”). During 2019, the standard’s effective date was delayed for the Company and other qualifying institutions until January 1, 2023. The Company formed a management committee to prepare for the new standard.  The committee implemented data collection measures, researched forecasting resources, studied applicable loss calculations and has begun running preliminary CECL models concurrent with the incurred loss model. The committee is currently analyzing the CECL disclosures of companies who adopted the standard effective January 1, 2020 for consideration in further refining its CECL calculations. To implement the standard, the Company will incur costs related to data collection and documentation, technology, training and increased audit expenses to validate the model. Implementation could significantly impact our required credit reserves.  Other impacts to capital levels, profit and loss and various financial metrics will also result.

The Company’s ability to pay dividends depends upon the results of operations of its subsidiaries. 

The Company is a financial holding company and a bank holding company that conducts substantially all of its operations through NBB. As a result, the Company’s ability to make dividend payments on its common stock depends primarily on certain federal regulatory considerations and the receipt of dividends and other distributions from NBB. There are various regulatory restrictions on the ability of NBB to pay dividends or make other payments to the Company. Although the Company has historically paid a cash dividend to the holders of its common stock, holders of the common stock are not entitled to receive dividends, and regulatory or economic factors may cause the Company’s Board of Directors to consider, among other things, the reduction of dividends paid on the Company’s common stock.

LEGAL RISK

The Company is subject to claims and litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibility. 

From time to time, customers make claims and take legal action pertaining to the performance of the Company’s fiduciary responsibilities. Whether customer claims and legal action related to the performance of the Company’s fiduciary responsibilities are founded or unfounded, if such claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner favorable to the Company, they may result in significant financial liability and/or adversely affect the market perception of the Company and its products and services, as well as impact customer demand for those products and services. Any financial liability or reputation damage could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

GENERAL RISK

Changes in funding for local universities could materially affect our business.

Two major employers in the Company’s market area are Virginia Tech and Radford University, both state-supported institutions. If federal or state support for public colleges and universities wanes, our business may be adversely affected from declines in university programs, capital projects, employment, enrollment, sporting and cultural events, and other related factors.

The impact to local universities from measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 could materially affect our business.

                If conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic substantially reduce in-person attendance or university-associated events for more than a temporary period, our business may be adversely affected from declines in local economic activity that support student housing, hospitality and dining sectors.

Political, economic and social risks in the U.S. and the rest of the world could negatively affect the financial markets.

Political, economic and social risks in the U.S. and the rest of the world could affect financial markets and affect fiscal policy which could negatively affect our investment portfolio and earnings.

While the Company’s common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market, it has less liquidity than stocks for larger companies quoted on a national securities exchange. 

The trading volume in the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market has been relatively low when compared with larger companies listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or other stock exchanges. There is no assurance that a more active and liquid trading market for the common stock will exist in the future. Consequently, stockholders may not be able to sell a substantial number of shares for the same price at which stockholders could sell a smaller number of shares. In addition, the Company cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales of its common stock in the market, or the availability of shares of common stock for sale in the market, will have on the market price of the common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the market, or the potential for large amounts of sales in the market, could cause the price of the Company’s common stock to decline, or reduce the Company’s ability to raise capital through future sales of common stock.

Natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, the impact of public health issues and other adverse external events could detrimentally affect our financial condition and results of operations.   

Natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, the impact of public health issues and other adverse external events could have a significant negative impact on our ability to conduct business or upon third parties who perform operational services for us or our customers.  Such events also could affect the stability of our deposit base, impair the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans, impair the value of collateral securing loans, cause significant property damage, result in lost revenue or cause us to incur additional expenses.

Although the Company has business continuity plans and other safeguards in place, there is no assurance that such plans and safeguards will be effective.  In the event of a natural disaster, acts of war or terrorism, the impact of public health issues or other adverse external events, our business, services, asset quality, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

The effects of widespread public health emergencies may negatively affect our local economies or disrupt our operations, which would have an adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

Widespread health emergencies, such as the current coronavirus outbreak, can disrupt our operations through their impact on our employees, customers and their businesses, and the communities in which we operate. 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 a decline in local loan demand, loan originations and deposit availability and negatively impact the implementation of our growth strategy. Any one or more of these developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures intended to prevent its spread may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and operations; the extent of such impacts are highly uncertain and difficult to predict.

 Global health and economic concerns relating to the COVID-19 outbreak and government, community and individual actions taken to reduce the spread of the virus have had a material adverse impact on the macroeconomic environment, and the outbreak has significantly increased economic uncertainty. Federal, state and local authorities, including those who govern the markets in which the Company operates, implemented numerous measures to try to contain the virus.  These measures, including shelter in place orders and business limitations and shutdowns, have significantly contributed to rising unemployment and negatively impacted consumer and business spending.

The COVID-19 outbreak has adversely impacted and is likely to continue to adversely impact the Company’s workforce and operations and the operations of the Company’s customers and business partners. In particular, the Company may experience adverse effects due to operational factors impacting the Company or its customers or business partners, including but not limited to:

The extent to which the pandemic impacts the Company’s business, liquidity, financial condition and operations will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and are difficult to predict, including, but not limited to, its duration and severity, the actions to contain it or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. In addition, the rapidly changing and unprecedented nature of COVID-19 heightens the inherent uncertainty of forecasting future economic conditions and their impact on the Company’s loan portfolio, thereby increasing the risk that the assumptions, judgments and estimates used to determine the allowance for loan losses and other estimates are incorrect. Further, the Company’s program providing loan payment extensions and interest only periods could delay or make it difficult to identify the extent of asset quality deterioration during the period of relief. As a result of these and other conditions, the ultimate impact of the pandemic is highly uncertain and subject to change, and the Company cannot predict the full extent of the impacts on its business or operations, or the local and national economy as a whole. To the extent any of the foregoing risks or other factors that develop as a result of COVID-19 materialize, it could exacerbate the risk factors below, or otherwise materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

There are no unresolved staff comments.

Item 2. Properties

NBB owns and has a branch bank in NBI’s headquarters building located at 101 Hubbard Street, Blacksburg, Virginia. NBB’s main office is at 100 South Main Street, Blacksburg, Virginia. NBB owns an additional eighteen branch offices and a private office location for support functions and it leases five branch locations and a loan production office. We believe that existing facilities are adequate for current needs and to meet anticipated growth.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

NBI, NBB, and NBFS are not currently involved in any material pending legal proceedings. There are no legal proceedings against the Company related to cybersecurity.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.     

Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Common Stock Information and Dividends

NBI’s common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “NKSH.” As of December 31, 2020, there were 591 record stockholders of NBI common stock.

NBI’s primary source of funds for dividend payments is dividends from its bank subsidiary, NBB. Bank dividend payments are restricted by regulators, as more fully disclosed in “Regulation, Supervision and Government Policy” contained in Part I, Item 1, “Business” and Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K.

On June 1, 2020, NBI’s Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The authorization extends from June 1, 2020 to May 31, 2021. During 2020, the Company repurchased 57,554 shares. The Company may yet repurchase 942,446 shares under the program. During 2019, the Company repurchased 468,400 shares under prior repurchase authorizations.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer 

Share repurchase activity during the fourth quarter of 2020 was as follows:

(1) On June 1, 2020, the Company announced the Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares under its share repurchase program. The authorization expires May 31, 2021. The Company’s share repurchase program does not obligate it to acquire any specific number of shares or any shares at all.

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total of stockholder return on NBI common stock with the cumulative return on the Nasdaq Composite Index, and the Nasdaq Bank Index for the five-year period commencing on December 31, 2015. These comparisons assume the investment of $100 in National Bankshares, Inc. common stock in each of the indices on December 31, 2015, and the reinvestment of dividends.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

National Bankshares, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Selected Consolidated Financial Data

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

$ in thousands, except per share data.

The purpose of this discussion and analysis is to provide information about the results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and capital resources of the Company. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the material presented in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” of this Form 10-K.

Subsequent events have been considered through the date of this Form 10-K.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

We make forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.  These forward-looking statements include statements regarding our profitability, liquidity, allowance for loan losses, interest rate sensitivity, market risk, growth strategy, and financial and other goals, and are based upon our management’s views and assumptions as of the date of this report.  The words “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “anticipates,” “forecasts,” “intends,” or other similar words or terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based upon or are affected by factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, effects of or changes in:

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements contained in this report. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on those statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the description of our “Risk Factors” in Item 1A. of this Form 10-K.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures 

The Company prepares financial information in accordance with GAAP, with the exception of certain financial measures which are computed under a basis other than GAAP (“non-GAAP”). These measures include the efficiency ratio, the net interest margin and the noninterest margin. Management believes such financial information is meaningful to the reader in understanding operating performance, but cautions that such information not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP.

Efficiency Ratio

The efficiency ratio is computed by dividing noninterest expense, excluding certain items management deems unusual or non-recurring, by the sum of net interest income on a tax-equivalent basis and noninterest income, excluding certain items management deems unusual or non-recurring. The tax rate used to calculate fully taxable equivalent basis is 21%. This is a non-GAAP financial measure that the Company believes provides investors with important information regarding operational efficiency. The components of the efficiency ratio calculation are summarized in the following table.

Net Interest Margin

The net interest margin is calculated by dividing taxable equivalent net interest income by total average interest-earning assets. Because a portion of interest income earned by the Company is nontaxable, the tax equivalent net interest income is considered in the calculation of this ratio. Tax equivalent net interest income is calculated by adding the tax benefit realized from interest income that is nontaxable to total interest income then subtracting total interest expense. The tax rate utilized in calculating the tax benefit is 21%. The reconciliation of tax equivalent net interest income, which is not a measurement under GAAP, to net interest income, is reflected in the table below.

Noninterest Margin

The noninterest margin is calculated by dividing noninterest expense (excluding the write-down of insurance receivable) less noninterest income (excluding realized securities gain/loss, net) by average year-to-date assets. The reconciliation of adjusted noninterest income and adjusted noninterest expense, which are not measurements under GAAP, is reflected in the table below.

Critical Accounting Policies

General

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. The financial information contained within our statements is, to a significant extent, financial information based on measures of the financial effects of transactions and events that have already occurred. A variety of factors could affect the ultimate value obtained when earning income, recognizing an expense, recovering an asset or relieving a liability. Although the economics of the Company’s transactions may not change, the timing of events that would impact the transactions could change.

Allowance for Loan Losses

      The allowance for loan losses is an estimate of probable losses inherent in our loan portfolio. The allowance is funded by the provision for loan losses, reduced by charge-offs of loans and increased by recoveries of previously charged-off loans. The determination of the allowance is based on two accounting principles, Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 450-20 (Contingencies) which requires that losses be accrued when occurrence is probable and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable, and ASC Topic 310-10 (Receivables) which requires accrual of losses on impaired loans if the recorded investment exceeds fair value.

Probable losses are accrued through two calculations, individual evaluation of impaired loans and collective evaluation of the remainder of the portfolio. Impaired loans are larger non-homogeneous loans for which there is a probability that collection will not occur according to the loan terms, as well as loans whose terms have been modified in a TDR. Impaired loans that are not TDRs with an estimated impairment loss are placed on nonaccrual status. TDRs with an impairment loss may accrue interest if they have demonstrated six months of timely payment performance.

Impaired loans

Impaired loans are identified through the Company’s credit risk rating process. Estimated loss for an impaired loan is the amount of recorded investment that exceeds the loan’s fair value. Fair value of an impaired loan is measured by one of three methods: the fair value of collateral (“collateral method”), the present value of future cash flows (“cash flow method”), or observable market price. The Company applies the collateral method to collateral-dependent loans, loans for which foreclosure is imminent and to loans for which the fair value of collateral is a more reliable estimate of fair value. The cash flow method is applied to loans that are not collateral dependent and for which cash flows may reasonably be estimated.

The Company bases collateral method fair valuation upon the “as-is” value of independent appraisals or evaluations. Valuations for impaired loans secured by residential 1-4 family properties with outstanding principal balances greater than $250 are based on an appraisal. Appraisals are also used to value impaired loans secured by commercial real estate with outstanding principal balances greater than $500. Collateral-method impaired loans secured by residential 1-4 family property with outstanding principal balances of $250 or less, or secured by commercial real estate with outstanding principal balances of $500 or less, are valued using a real estate evaluation prepared by a third party.

Appraisals and internal valuations provide an estimate of market value. Appraisals must conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and are prepared by an independent third-party appraiser who is certified and licensed and who is approved by the Company. Appraisals may incorporate market analysis, comparable sales analysis, cash flow analysis and market data pertinent to the property to determine market value.

Internal evaluations are prepared by third party providers and reviewed by employees of the Company who are independent of the loan origination, operation, management and collection functions. Evaluations provide a property’s market value based on the property’s current physical condition and characteristics and the economic market conditions that affect the collateral’s market value. Evaluations incorporate multiple sources of data to arrive at a property’s market value, including physical inspection, independent third-party automated tools, comparable sales analysis and local market information.

Updated appraisals or evaluations are ordered when the loan becomes impaired if the appraisal or evaluation on file is more than 24 months old. Appraisals and evaluations are reviewed for propriety and reasonableness and may be discounted if the Company determines that the value exceeds reasonable levels. If an updated appraisal or evaluation has been ordered but has not been received by a reporting date, the fair value may be based on the most recent available appraisal or evaluation, discounted for age.

The appraisal or evaluation value for a collateral-dependent loan for which recovery is expected solely from the sale of collateral is reduced by estimated selling costs. Estimated losses on collateral-dependent loans, as well as any other impairment loss considered uncollectible, are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Impairment losses that are not considered uncollectible or for loans that are not collateral-dependent are accrued in the allowance. Impaired loans with partial charge-offs are maintained as impaired until the remaining balance is satisfied. Smaller homogeneous impaired loans with balances less than $250 that are not TDRs and are not part of a larger impaired relationship are collectively evaluated.

TDRs are impaired loans and are measured for impairment under the same valuation methods as other impaired loans. TDRs are maintained in nonaccrual status until the loan has demonstrated reasonable assurance of repayment with at least six months of consecutive timely payment performance.

Collectively evaluated loans

Non-impaired loans and smaller homogeneous impaired loans that are not TDRs and not part of a larger impaired relationship are grouped by portfolio segments. Portfolio segments are further divided into smaller loan classes. Loans within a segment or class have similar risk characteristics.

Probable loss is determined by applying historical net charge-off rates as well as additional percentages for trends and current levels of quantitative and qualitative factors. Loss rates are calculated for and applied to individual classes by averaging loss rates over the most recent eight quarters. The look-back period of eight quarters is applied consistently among all classes.

Two loss rates for each class are calculated: total net charge-offs for the class as a percentage of average class loan balance (“class loss rate”), and total net charge-offs for the class as a percentage of average classified loans in the class (“classified loss rate”). Classified loans are those with risk ratings that indicate credit quality is “substandard”, “doubtful” or “loss”. Net charge-offs in both calculations include charge-offs and recoveries of classified and non-classified loans as well as those associated with impaired loans. Class historical loss rates are applied to collectively evaluated non-classified loan balances, and classified historical loss rates are applied to collectively evaluated classified loan balances.

Qualitative factors are evaluated and allocations are applied to each class. Qualitative factors include delinquency rates, loan quality and concentrations, loan officers’ experience, changes in lending policies and changes in the loan review process. Economic factors such as unemployment rates, bankruptcy rates and others are evaluated, with standard allocations applied consistently to relevant classes.

The Company accrues additional allocations for criticized loans within each class and for loans designated high risk. Criticized loans include classified loans as well as loans rated “special mention.” Loans rated special mention indicate weakened credit quality but to a lesser degree than classified loans. High risk loans are defined as junior lien mortgages, loans with high loan-to-value ratios and loans with terms that require interest only payments. Both criticized loans and high risk loans are included in the base risk analysis for each class and are allocated additional reserves.

Estimation of the allowance for loan losses

The estimation of the allowance involves analysis of internal and external variables, methodologies, assumptions and management’s judgment and experience. Key judgments used in determining the allowance for loan losses include internal risk rating determinations, market and collateral values, discount rates, loss rates, and management’s assessment of current economic conditions. These judgments are inherently subjective and actual losses could be greater or less than the estimate. Future estimates of the allowance could increase or decrease based on changes in the financial condition of individual borrowers, concentrations of various types of loans, economic conditions or the markets in which collateral may be sold. The estimate of the allowance accrual determines the amount of provision expense and directly affects our financial results.

The estimate of the allowance for December 31, 2020 considered market conditions as of December 31, 2020 where possible, and the most recent available information when data was not available as of December 31, 2020, portfolio conditions and levels of delinquencies at December 31, 2020, and net charge-offs in the eight quarters prior to the quarter ended December 31, 2020.  Some of the available economic data lags the reporting date by one to three months.  Delinquency levels at December 31, 2020 are lower than they might otherwise have been due to modifications granted to qualifying borrowers in accordance with regulatory guidance and the CARES Act, including loan payment extensions, interest only periods and rate reductions to borrowers.  Past due status will not occur during the period in which a payment is extended.  Providing an interest only period affords borrowers lower payments during the interest only period.  When extension periods and interest only periods expire, there may be increases in past dues that will increase the requirement for the allowance for loan loss.  Management used its best judgement and efforts in incorporating possible impacts as of December 31, 2020 in estimating the allowance for loan losses, but if the economy experiences a greater downturn than estimated, the ultimate amount of loss could vary from that estimate. For additional discussion of the allowance, see Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the subsections “Asset Quality,” and “Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses” below.

 Goodwill

 Goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value based test. The Company typically performs impairment testing in the fourth quarter of each year. The Company’s most recent outsourced impairment test was performed using data from September 30, 2020. Accounting guidance provides the option of performing preliminary assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether impairment testing is necessary. The Company opted not to perform the preliminary assessment. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis considered three valuation techniques appropriate to the measurement. The first technique uses the Company’s market capitalization as an estimate of fair value; the second technique estimates fair value using current market pricing multiples for companies comparable to the Company; while the third technique uses current market pricing multiples for change-of-control transactions involving companies comparable to the Company. 

Certain key judgments were used in the valuation measurement. Goodwill is held by the Company’s bank subsidiary. The bank subsidiary is 100% owned by the Company, and no market capitalization is available. Because most of the Company’s assets are comprised of the subsidiary bank’s equity, the Company’s market capitalization was used to estimate the Bank’s market capitalization. Other judgments include the assumption that the companies and transactions used as comparables for the second and third technique were appropriate to the estimate of the Company’s fair value, and that the comparable multiples are appropriate indicators of fair value, and compliant with accounting guidance.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant stock market volatility which adversely impacted the Company’s stock price.  As a result of this volatility and impact on the market, management determined that a triggering event occurred.  Management performed an interim quantitative goodwill impairment analysis as of March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 and did not assess impairment. Management contracted an outside expert to perform its regular annual impairment test during the fourth quarter using data at September 30, 2020.  The analysis did not result in an impairment assessment.

Other Real Estate Owned (“OREO”)

Real estate acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure is held for sale and is stated at fair value of the property, less estimated disposal costs, if any. Any excess of cost over the fair value less costs to sell at the time of acquisition is charged to the allowance for loan losses. The fair value is reviewed periodically by management and any write-downs are charged against current earnings. Accounting policy and treatment is consistent with accounting for impaired loans described above.

Pension Plan

The Company’s actuary determines plan obligations and annual pension expense using a number of key assumptions. Key assumptions may include the discount rate, the estimated return on plan assets and the anticipated rate of compensation increases. Changes in these assumptions in the future, if any, or in the method under which benefits are calculated may impact pension assets, liabilities or expense.

Overview

National Bankshares, Inc. is a financial holding company incorporated under the laws of Virginia. Located in southwest Virginia, NBI has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, the National Bank of Blacksburg and National Bankshares Financial Services, Inc. NBB, which does business as National Bank from 25 office locations and one loan production office, is a community bank. NBB is the source of nearly all of the Company’s revenue. NBFS does business as National Bankshares Investment Services and National Bankshares Insurance Services. Income from NBFS is not significant at this time, nor is it expected to be so in the near future.

National Bankshares, Inc. common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market and is traded under the symbol “NKSH.” The Company has been included in the Russell Investments Russell 3000 and Russell 2000 Indexes since June 29, 2009.

Performance Summary

The Company’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2020 was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to contain it. The Company worked with borrowers impacted by the pandemic to provide payment relief which resulted in reversal of accrued interest income on certain loans within the portfolio. The Company also used available information to inform and quantify the increased risk in the allowance for loan losses, resulting in an increased provision expense. Partially offsetting the adverse impact to income are fees collected from providing SBA PPP loans to qualifying customers and increased mortgage refinancing activity which fueled gains from the sale of mortgages.

The following table presents NBI’s key performance ratios for the years ending December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

The key performance ratios provide a summary of the Company’s results and allow comparison with results from prior years and with current peer results.             The return on average assets for the year ended December 31, 2020 was 1.15%, a decrease from 1.39% for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2018, return on average assets was 1.29%. The return on average equity decreased from 9.87% for the year ended December 31, 2019 to 8.21% for the year ended December 31, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the return on average equity was 8.65%.

The net interest margin decreased from 3.29% for the year ended December 31, 2019 to 2.98% for the year ended December 31, 2020.  The net interest margin for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 3.36%. The noninterest margin improved to 1.22% for the year ended December 31, 2020, from 1.44% for the year ended December 31, 2019.  The noninterest margin for the year ended December 31, 2018 was 1.40%.  Basic net earnings per common share decreased from $2.65 for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $2.48 for the year ended December 31, 2020.  Basic net earnings per common share were $2.32 for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Growth

NBI’s key growth indicators are shown in the following table:

Securities and restricted stock, loans and total assets increased when amounts at December 31, 2020 are compared with amounts at December 31, 2019. Customer deposits increased $177,390 or 15.84% from December 31, 2019, with increases mainly from interest-bearing demand deposits and noninterest-bearing deposits. The liquidity provided by the increase of deposits supported growth in loans of $33,730 or 4.64% and growth in securities and restricted stock of $111,538 or 25.55%.

Asset Quality

Key indicators of NBI’s asset quality are presented in the following table:

The Company monitors asset quality indicators in managing credit risk and in determining the allowance and provision for loan losses. At December 31, 2020, nonperforming loans were $3,685 or 0.48% of loans net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs. This compares to $3,375 or 0.46% at December 31, 2019. Loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing at year-end 2020 totaled $17, a decrease from $231 at December 31, 2019. The net charge-off ratio decreased from 0.09% for the year ended December 31, 2019 to 0.05% for the year ended December 31, 2020, while OREO decreased $59 for the same period.

The Company’s risk analysis determined an allowance for loan losses of $8,481 at December 31, 2020, resulting in a provision for the year of $1,991. This compares with an allowance for loan losses of $6,863 as of December 31, 2019, and a provision of $126 for the year ended December 31, 2019. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to loans increased to 1.10% at December 31, 2020, from 0.94% at December 31, 2019. Included in loans net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs are $35,992 in PPP loans.  Because PPP loans are guaranteed by the SBA, they are not included in the calculation for the allowance for loan losses.  If the PPP loans are removed from loans net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs, the allowance ratio is 1.16%.The methodology for determining the allowance for loan losses relies on historical charge-off trends, modified by trends in nonperforming loans and economic indicators. More information about the level and calculation methodology of the allowance for loan losses is provided in the sections “Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses”, “Balance Sheet – Loans – Risk Elements” and “Balance Sheet – Loans – Modifications and Troubled Debt Restructurings” below as well as Notes 1 and 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Sufficient resources have been dedicated to working out problem assets, and exposure to loss is somewhat mitigated because most of the nonperforming loans are collateralized. More information about nonaccrual and past due loans is provided in the section “Balance Sheet – Loans – Risk Elements” below and Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company continues to carefully monitor risk levels within the loan portfolio and the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income was $38,171, $37,767 and $38,177 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Total interest income was $44,008, $45,147 and $43,224 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Interest expense was $5,837, $7,380 and $5,047 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

The amount of net interest income earned is affected by various factors, including changes in market interest rates due to the Federal Reserve's monetary policy, U.S. fiscal policy, competitive pressure, the level and composition of the interest-earning assets and the composition of interest-bearing liabilities. Also affecting interest income during the 12 months ended December 31, 2020, was interest and fee recognition associated with PPP loans, partially offset by interest deferred for certain COVID-19 related payment extensions.

Interest rates have decreased since 2018. The Federal Reserve reduced its target federal funds rate by 75 basis points in 2019 and, in an effort to combat the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, decreased the federal funds rate by 150 basis points in March 2020. Changes in the Federal Reserve’s target interest rate immediately impact the yield on the Company’s interest-bearing deposits in other banks. Rate decreases also result in reduced loan portfolio yield when customers refinance to lower rates or request and are granted rate reductions for competitive purposes. Rate decreases also influence bond markets and result in higher numbers of calls on callable securities, with reinvestment opportunities at lower rates.

The primary source of funds used to support the Company’s interest-earning assets is deposits. The Company also has access to other funding sources, including the FHLB. Deposits, including noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing deposits and interest-bearing time deposits are obtained in the Company’s markets through traditional marketing techniques. When the interest rate environment changes, the Company can immediately change rates on interest-bearing deposits and change offering rates on new time deposits. Existing time deposits commit the Company to the contractual rate for the length of the term. Time deposits provide a measure of stability in the cost of funds, but partially delay the Company’s ability to respond to downward rate movements.

The Company closely monitors interest rate movements, statutory tax rate changes, competition and other influencing factors in order to manage the net interest margin. The decreases in the Federal Reserve’s target interest rate allowed the Company to reduce deposit offering rates in 2019 and 2020. The frequency and/or magnitude of future changes in market interest rates and legislative changes are difficult to predict and may have a greater short-term impact on net interest income than adjustments by management. Please refer to the section titled “Analysis of Changes In Interest Income and Interest Expense” for further information related to rate and volume changes.

Included in interest income are fees and costs associated with loan origination. Fees received and costs incurred for loan origination are deferred and recognized as an adjustment to yield on a straight-line basis over the life of the loan. If a loan pays off prior to maturity, the remaining deferred fees and costs are recognized on the date of payoff. During 2020, the Company originated 813 PPP loans grossing $58,227. The loans bear a contractual interest rate of 1%, bolstered by an origination fee determined by the size of the loan. Loans that are forgiven or paid off prior to maturity result in recognition of the outstanding origination fee at the date of forgiveness or payoff. As of December 31, 2020, 242 loans with original amounts totaling $21,324 had been forgiven or paid off. Contractual interest earned on PPP loans totaled $387, while net fees recognized totaled $1,366. As of December 31, 2020, gross PPP loans totaling $36,903 with net deferred fees of $911 remain on the balance sheet.

The net interest margin was 2.98%, 3.29% and 3.36% for the 12 months ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The net interest margin is a non-GAAP measure that incorporates the effect of tax-advantaged instruments, including qualifying investments and loans to municipalities. For purposes of the net interest margin, interest income on tax-advantaged instruments is grossed up to reflect the value of lower tax expense. The Company’s statutory tax rate for 2018, 2019 and 2020 was 21%. Detail of tax equivalent yields and the net interest margin is provided in the table below.

Analysis of Net Interest Earnings

The following table shows the major categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, the interest earned or paid, the average yield or rate on the daily average balance outstanding, net interest income and net yield on average interest-earning assets for the years indicated.

The following table reconciles net interest income on a fully-taxable equivalent basis to net interest income on a GAAP basis for the years indicated.

Analysis of Changes in Interest Income and Interest Expense

The Company’s primary source of revenue is net interest income, which is the difference between the interest and fees earned on loans and investments and the interest paid on deposits and other funds. The Company’s net interest income is affected by changes in the amount and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and by changes in yields earned on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, a summary of the changes in interest income and interest expense resulting from changes in average asset and liability balances (volume) and changes in average interest rates (rate).

Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis increased $123 when 2020 is compared with 2019. Total interest income on a taxable equivalent basis decreased $1,420 and total interest expense decreased by $1,543. Rate changes decreased net interest income by $2,683, offset by $2,806 from increased volume.

2020 over 2019: Impact of Interest Rate Environment

The interest rate environment in 2020 was significantly lower than in 2019 due to the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut rates by 150 basis points in March 2020 in response to the pandemic.  The lower rate environment decreased interest income on interest-bearing deposits by $1,380, on taxable securities by $1,261 and on loans by $1,680 (taxable equivalent) when 2020 is compared with 2019.  The rate environment resulted in lower interest income on non-taxable securities of $409.  Reinvestment opportunities for calls and maturities of higher-yielding securities were at lower yields during 2020.

In response to the Federal Reserve’s rate policies, the Company lowered customer deposit offering rates, resulting in a decrease of $2,047 in interest expense.

2020 over 2019: Impact of Volume

The average balance of loans net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs grew $49,903, of which $36,875 were PPP loan originations. The average balance of taxable securities grew $97,660 and the average balance of interest-bearing deposits grew $7,112 when 2020 is compared with 2019. The average balance of nontaxable securities declined $26,757 when 2020 is compared with 2019. The net increase in interest earning assets resulted in additional interest income of $3,310.

The average balance of savings and interest-bearing demand deposits grew by $82,848 when 2020 is compared with 2019, increasing interest expense by $571, partially offset by reduced expense of $67 associated with a lower average balance of time deposits.

2019 over 2018

Net interest income on a taxable-equivalent basis decreased $708 when 2019 is compared with 2018. Total interest income on a taxable equivalent basis increased $1,625 while total interest expense increased by $2,333. Rate changes decreased net interest income by $1,000, partially offset by $292 from increased volume.

Compared with 2018, the interest rate environment in 2019 was elevated by Federal Reserve interest rate increases throughout 2018, partially offset by Federal Reserve rate decreases in the latter half of 2019. The higher rate environment provided an increase of $83 in interest income on interest-bearing deposits, $638 on taxable securities and $880 (taxable equivalent) on loans when 2019 is compared with 2018. Non-taxable securities generated lower taxable equivalent returns of $218 due to the loss of higher-yielding securities from sales, calls and maturities during 2019. The Federal Reserve’s rate policies also gave rise to competitive pressures to boost customer deposit offering rates, resulting in an additional $2,465 in interest expense.

The average balance of loans grew $36,292 and the average balance of interest-bearing deposits grew $37,965 when 2019 is compared with 2018, providing additional interest income of $2,483. The average balance of securities declined $70,339 when 2019 is compared with 2018, reducing interest income by $2,241. During 2019, the Company implemented a plan to restructure its securities portfolio to manage interest rate risk. Timing differences in sales and purchase activity increased the average balance of interest-bearing deposits.

The average balance of savings and time deposits grew by $13,237 when 2019 is compared with 2018, increasing interest expense by $65, partially offset by reduced expense of $33 associated with a lower average balance of interest-bearing demand deposits.

See “Net Interest Income” for additional information related to interest income and expense.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

The Company considers interest rate risk to be a significant risk and has systems in place to measure the exposure of net interest income and fair market values to movement in interest rates. Among the tools available to management is interest rate sensitivity analysis, which provides information related to repricing opportunities. Interest rate shock simulations indicate potential economic loss due to future interest rate changes. Shock analysis is a test that measures the effect of a hypothetical, immediate and parallel shift in interest rates. The following table shows the results of a rate shock and the effects on the return on average assets and the return on average equity projected at December 31, 2020 and 2019. For purposes of this analysis, noninterest income and expenses are assumed to be flat.

Simulation analysis is another tool available to the Company to test asset and liability management strategies under rising and falling rate conditions. As a part of the simulation process, certain estimates and assumptions must be made. These include, but are not limited to, asset growth, the mix of assets and liabilities, rate environment and local and national economic conditions. Asset growth and the mix of assets can, to a degree, be influenced by management. Other areas, such as the rate environment and economic factors, cannot be controlled. In addition, competitive pressures can make it difficult to price deposits and loans in a manner that optimally minimizes interest rate risk. Therefore, actual results may vary materially from any particular forecast or shock analysis. This shortcoming is offset somewhat by the periodic reforecasting of the balance sheet to reflect current trends and economic conditions. Shock analysis must also be updated periodically as a part of the asset and liability management process.

Noninterest Income

The following table presents the Company’s noninterest income for the years indicated.

Service charges on deposit accounts totaled $1,966 for the year ended December 31, 2020. This is a decrease of $487, or 19.85%, from $2,453 for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to a decline in nonsufficient funds and overdraft fee income. Service charges on deposit accounts decreased $225, or 8.40%, from 2018 to 2019. This income category is affected by the number of deposit accounts, the level of service charges and the number of checking account overdrafts. The COVID-19 pandemic continued and magnified a trend of increased vigilance and caution in deposit customer activity to avoid overdrafts and other fees.

Other service charges and fees include charges for official checks, income from the sale of checks to customers, safe deposit box rent, fees from letters of credit and income from commissions on the sale of credit life, accident and health insurance. These fees were $162 for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $36, or 18.18%, from $198 for 2019. The decrease stemmed from lower check charges and service charges on letters of credit. The total for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $66 above the $132 recorded for the year ended December 31, 2018, due to higher service charges on letters of credit and check charges.

Credit card fees for the year ended December 31, 2020, were $2 above the $1,398 reported for the year ended December 31, 2019. From 2018 to 2019, credit card fees decreased $33, or 2.31%. Credit card fees are presented net of certain processing expenses and are dependent on the volume of transactions.

Trust fees at $1,662 increased by $40 or 2.47% when the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are compared. For the year ended December 31, 2019, trust fees were $1,622, an increase of $57, or 3.64%, from 2018. Trust fees are generated from a number of different types of accounts, including estates, personal trusts, employee benefit trusts, investment management accounts, attorney-in-fact accounts and guardianships. Trust income varies depending on the number and type of accounts under management and financial market conditions. The mix of account types affected the level of trust fees in 2019 and 2020.

Income from bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”) decreased from $910 for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $877 for 2020. Income from BOLI was affected by the performance of the variable rate policies. BOLI income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $901.

Gain on sale of mortgage loans increased $379 or 127.61% from $297 for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $676 for the year ended December 31, 2020.  The Company originates consumer real estate mortgage loans to be kept in portfolio and to be sold on the secondary market under best efforts contracts.  A robust housing market during 2020 and the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts in March 2020 spurred a high level of consumer real estate purchase activity and refinance activity.  Many of these loans were sold on the secondary market. The gain on sale of mortgage loans increased $98 or 49.25% from $199 for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $297 for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Other income is income from smaller balance accounts that cannot be classified in another category. Some examples include dividends and increases in the Company’s equity-method investments, net gains from the sale of fixed assets, and revenue from investment and insurance sales. When 2020 is compared to 2019, other income decreased $253, or 18.80%. Higher stock dividends and income recognized for increases in the value of the Company’s equity-method investments during 2020 were offset by a one-time insurance recovery received in 2019.  Other income for 2019 was $1,346, an increase of $540, or 67.00%, when compared with $806 for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase was largely due to a one-time insurance recovery received in 2019.

During 2020, the Company realized net securities gains of $108, including net gains of $43 on the sale of securities and $65 on calls of securities. During 2019, the Company realized net securities gains of $566, including net gains of $438 on the sale of securities and $128 on calls of securities. The sales of securities were pursuant to a restructuring plan to manage interest rate risk. During 2018, the $17 realized securities gain stemmed from the call of one security with a gain of $1 and the sale of another security for a gain of $16.

Noninterest Expense

The following table presents the Company’s noninterest expense for the years indicated.

Salaries and employee benefits expense includes salaries, payroll taxes, health insurance, contributions to the employee stock ownership plan and employee 401(k), pension expense, incentives and salary continuation. When 2020 is compared with 2019, salary and employee benefits expense decreased 1.65% or $246, from $14,920 for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $14,674 for 2020. When 2019 is compared with 2018, salary and employee benefits expense increased $680, or 4.78%, from $14,240 for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $14,920 for 2019. The increase was the result of normal staffing and compensation decisions.

Occupancy, furniture and fixtures expense was $1,795 for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of $71, or 3.80%, from the prior year. When 2019 is compared with 2018, the expense increased $21 or 1.14%.

Data processing and ATM expense was $3,088 in 2020, down 2.62% or $83 from $3,171 for 2019. Data processing and ATM expense was $2,784 for 2018. The increase of $387 or 13.90% from 2018 to 2019 was due to increased maintenance expense associated with infrastructure upgrades in 2019. The Company is committed to maintaining up-to-date technology in a cost-effective manner.

When the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 are compared, the FDIC assessment expense increased $31 or 18.56%. The total expense for 2020 was $198, which compares with $167 for 2019. The FDIC assessment is accrued based on a method provided by the FDIC. During the third quarter of 2019, the FDIC notified the Bank that it was eligible to use small bank assessment credits. The credits were applied to the Bank’s September 30, 2019, December 31, 2019, March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 assessments. The FDIC assessment expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased $192 from $359 for 2018.

Core deposit intangibles are the result of prior merger and acquisition activity and are amortized over a period of years. Amortization of the Company’s intangible assets was completed in 2018.

Net costs of OREO decreased from $47 for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $39 for the year ended December 31, 2020. From 2018 to 2019, net costs of OREO decreased $506 from $553. This expense category varies with the number of foreclosed properties owned by NBB and with the expense associated with each. It includes write-downs on OREO plus other costs associated with carrying these properties, as well as net gains or losses on the sale of other real estate. Other real estate is initially accounted for at fair value less estimated costs to sell using current valuations, which include appraisals, real estate evaluations and realtor market opinions. If new valuation information indicates a decline from the initial basis, the Company records a write-down.  There was one write-down on OREO in 2020 totaling $9. There were no write-downs on OREO in 2019. This compares with $476 in 2018. Other costs for these properties in 2020 were $51, compared with $42 in 2019 and $64 in 2018. The Company recorded a gain of $21 on the sale of OREO in 2020, a loss of $5 for 2019 and a loss of $13 for 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced significant uncertainty into credit quality and may result in additional foreclosures in the future. The Company currently has loans of $1,344 in process of foreclosure.

Franchise taxes are based upon NBB’s total equity at the prior year-end, adjusted for real estate taxes and certain other items. Franchise taxes were $1,340 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and $1,333 for 2019, an increase of $7 or 0.53%. Franchise tax expense increased $55 in 2019 from $1,278 in 2018.

The write-down of insurance receivable totaled $2,010 for the year ended December 31, 2018. The write-down is associated with the two cybersecurity breaches. Please see additional information under the heading “Cybersecurity Risks and Incidents”.

The category of other operating expenses includes noninterest expense items such as professional services, stationery and supplies, telephone costs and charitable donations. For the year ended December 31, 2020, other operating expenses were $3,836. This compares with $4,250 for 2019 and $4,157 for 2018.

Cybersecurity Risks and Incidents

The Company considers cybersecurity risk to be one of the greatest risks to its business. The Company has a program to identify, mitigate and manage its cybersecurity risk. The program includes penetration testing and vulnerability assessment, technological defenses such as antivirus software, patch management, firewall management, email and web protections, an intrusion prevention system, a cybersecurity insurance policy which covers some but not all losses arising from cybersecurity breaches, as well as ongoing employee training. The costs of these measures were $379 for the 12 months ended December 31, 2020, $365 for the 12 months ended December 31, 2019 and $345 for the 12 months ended December 31, 2018. These costs are included in various categories of noninterest expense.

The Company experienced two intrusions to its digital systems, one in May 2016 and one in January 2017. Hackers and related organized criminal groups obtained unauthorized access to certain customer accounts. The attacks disabled certain systems protections, including limits on the number, amount, and frequency of ATM withdrawals. The attacks resulted in the theft of funds disbursed through ATMs. In the May 2016 attack, hackers accessed customer funds and in the January 2017 intrusion, the hackers artificially inflated account balances and did not access customer funds. The Company notified all affected customers, and restored all funds so that no customer experienced a loss. The Company retained a nationally recognized firm to investigate and remediate the May 2016 intrusion and a separate nationally recognized firm to investigate and remediate the January 2017 intrusion. The Company adopted and implemented all of the recommendations provided through the investigations.

The financial impact of the attacks include the amount of the theft, as well as costs of investigation and remediation. The theft of funds totaled $570 in the May 2016 attack and $1,838 in the January 2017 attack. The Company recognized an estimated loss of $347 in 2016, and $2,010 in 2018. Costs for investigation, remediation, and legal consultation totaled $157 in 2019, $224 in 2018 and $407 in 2017. The Company’s litigation against the insurance carrier was settled during the first quarter of 2019, subject to a non-disclosure agreement. There has been no litigation against the Company to date associated with the breaches.

We have deployed a multi-faceted approach to limit the risk and impact of unauthorized access to customer accounts and to information relevant to customer accounts. We use digital technology safeguards, internal policies and procedures, and employee training to reduce the exposure of our systems to cyber-intrusions. However, it is not possible to fully eliminate exposure. The potential for financial and reputational losses due to cyber-breaches is increased by the possibility of human error, unknown system susceptibilities, and the rising sophistication of cyber-criminals to attack systems, disable safeguards and gain access to accounts and related information. The Company maintains insurance which provides a degree of coverage depending on the nature and circumstances of any cyber penetration but cannot be relied upon to reimburse fully the Company for all losses that may arise. The Company has adopted new protections and invested additional resources to increase its security.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense for 2020 was $3,077 compared to $3,211 in 2019 and $2,560 in 2018. The Company’s statutory tax rate was 21% for such years.

The Company’s effective tax rates for 2020, 2019 and 2018 were 16.06%, 15.53% and 13.68%, respectively. The expected income tax expense based on the Company’s statutory tax rate differs from the actual income tax expense due to tax exempt income on municipal securities and loans. See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information relating to income taxes.

Effects of Inflation

The Company’s consolidated statements of income generally reflect the effects of inflation. Since interest rates, loan demand and deposit levels are related to inflation, the resulting changes are included in net income. The most significant item which does not reflect the effects of inflation is depreciation expense. Historical dollar values used to determine depreciation expense do not reflect the effects of inflation on the market value of depreciable assets after their acquisition.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company’s risk analysis at December 31, 2020 determined an allowance for loan losses of $8,481 or 1.10% of loans net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs. Included in loans net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs are $35,992 in PPP loans. Because PPP loans are guaranteed by the SBA, they are not included in the calculation for the allowance for loan losses. If the PPP loans are removed from loans net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs, the allowance ratio is 1.16%. The allowance at December 31, 2019 was $6,863 or 0.94% of loans net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs.

The determination of the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses resulted in a provision of $1,991 for the 12 months ended December 31, 2020, compared with a provision of $126 for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2019. To determine the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses, the Company considers credit risk for certain loans designated as impaired and for non-impaired (“collectively evaluated”) loans.

Individually Evaluated Impaired Loans

Individually evaluated impaired loans totaled $4,903 gross and $4,905 net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs, with specific allocations to the allowance for loan losses totaling $75 at December 31, 2020. Individually evaluated impaired loans at December 31, 2019 were $5,289 gross as well as net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs, with specific allocations to the allowance for loan losses of $110. The specific allocation is determined based on criteria particular to each impaired loan.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and may lead to additional loans designated as impaired in future quarters. Cash flow assumptions associated with impaired loans measured under the cash flow method may be impacted if borrowers are further distressed by the economic impacts of the pandemic, resulting in lower measurements and higher funding requirements for the allowance for loan losses. Real estate activity in the Company’s market for the 12 months ended December 31, 2020 has been robust. However, if the pandemic suppresses real estate activity, real estate values could decline, causing reduced collateral values for impaired loans measured under the collateral method and potential charge-offs.

Individually evaluated impaired loans include TDRs. In the ordinary course of business, the Company grants modification requests when deemed appropriate. Modifications may be granted for competitive reasons or to strengthen repayment prospects for borrowers who may or may not be experiencing financial difficulty. The Company reviews all modifications to determine whether, at the time of the modification, the borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and whether the Company provided a concession that it would not otherwise consider. Loans with modifications that meet these criteria are designated TDR.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began impacting the U.S., Congress passed the CARES Act and regulatory agencies provided guidance allowing banks to forego TDR designation for COVID-19 related accommodations to loans that met certain criteria. In accordance with the guidance, the Company did not designate TDR status for modifications to loans impacted by the pandemic that met the criteria, but did implement additional tracking mechanisms to monitor all COVID-19 related modifications.

As the pandemic extends beyond December 31, 2020, some borrowers who received COVID-19 related modifications have requested subsequent accommodations. When the Company grants subsequent modifications to a loan that received a COVID-19 modification, in accordance with accounting guidance, it must consider whether the totality of the accommodations along with the evaluation of borrower financial difficulty, results in TDR status. Every modification is reviewed for TDR status and beginning in the third quarter of 2020, the Company implemented additional evaluation and documentation requirements for all COVID-19 related modifications to loans over $250,000. While subsequent requests for COVID-19 related modifications have not yet resulted in additional TDRs, future subsequent requests may result in an increase in the number of the Company’s TDRs.

Collectively Evaluated Loans

Collectively evaluated loans totaled $765,124 gross and $763,894 net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs, with an allowance of $8,406 or 1.10% of loans net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs at December 31, 2020. Excluding PPP loans, the collectively evaluated allowance ratio was 1.16% at December 31, 2020. At December 31, 2019, collectively evaluated loans totaled $728,738 gross and $728,162 net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs, with an allowance of $6,753 or 0.93%.

Collectively evaluated loans are divided into classes based upon risk characteristics. In order to calculate the allowance for collectively evaluated loans, the Company applies to each loan class a historical net charge-off rate for the class, adjusted for qualitative factors that influence credit risk. Qualitative factors evaluated for impact to credit risk include economic measures, asset quality indicators, loan characteristics, and changes to internal Company policies and changes in management.

Net Charge-Offs

Net charge-off rates for each class are averaged over eight quarters and applied to the class balance. On a portfolio level, net charge-offs for the 12 months ended December 31, 2020 were $373 or 0.05% of average loans, compared with $653 or 0.09% for the 12 months ended December 31, 2019. The 8-quarter average historical loss rate was 0.07% for December 31, 2020 and 0.08% for December 31, 2019. Increases in the net charge-off rate increase the required allowance for collectively-evaluated loans, while decreases in the net charge-off rate decrease the required allowance for collectively-evaluated loans.

Economic Factors

Economic factors influence credit risk and impact the allowance for loan loss.  The Company considers economic indicators within its market area, including: unemployment, business and personal bankruptcy filings, the residential vacancy rate and the inventory of new and existing homes.  The Company also assesses the interest rate, and competitive, legal and regulatory environments.

Lower unemployment lowers credit risk and the allowance for loan losses, while higher unemployment increases credit risk.  Higher bankruptcy filings indicate heightened credit risk and increase the allowance for loan losses, while lower bankruptcy filings have a beneficial impact on credit risk.  Residential vacancy rates and housing inventory impact the Company’s residential construction customers and the consumer real estate market.  Higher levels increase credit risk.  The interest rate environment impacts variable rate loans.  If interest rates increase, the payment on variable rate loans increases, which may increase credit risk.  Higher competition for loans increases credit risk, while lower competition decreases credit risk. 

The Company obtains the most current measurements available of economic indicators.  However, some economic indicators lag the report date by one to three months.  In periods of low volatility, lagging indicators are accepted as reasonably representative of current conditions.  The COVID-19 pandemic began impacting the local and national economies in March 2020 and continues to shroud the economic situation in uncertainty and volatility.  Methods implemented to slow the spread of the virus including social distancing and government mandates that restrict business activity have resulted in a vast reduction in economic activity.  The situation continues to evolve and sources of economic indicators available as of December 31, 2020 may not fully reflect the current impact of the expanding pandemic.

To attempt to incorporate unprecedented impact to credit risk of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company added a qualitative factor for unemployment filings, beginning with the March 31, 2020 calculation. Data for the Company’s market area is not available on a timely basis, however national data is available on a timely basis and historical analysis shows a strong correlation between national and local unemployment filings.  National unemployment claims escalated sharply beginning in the latter half of March 2020.  Weekly claims peaked at the end of March and have fallen steadily since, but as of the end of December 2020, remain almost four times the pre-pandemic levels. On a year to date basis, total unemployment claims exceed what would be expected from pre-pandemic levels by 650%. The Company assessed this as a significant impact to credit risk and at December 31, 2020 provided 26 basis points to the allowance for loan losses.

The Company continues to monitor the most recently available economic indicators and their effect on credit risk.  As of December 31, 2020, the unemployment rate for the Company’s market area was measured as of October 2020 and increased from the measurement available at December 31, 2019.  The Company increased the allocation for unemployment rate. 

Business and personal bankruptcy filing data was available as of September 2020.  Compared with data available at December 31, 2019, business bankruptcies were slightly lower and resulted in a slightly lower allocation. Personal bankruptcies decreased, resulting in a lower allocation for credit risk. 

The residential vacancy rate was measured as of the third quarter of 2020 and improved from the data incorporated into the December 31, 2019 calculation, resulting in a lower allocation for credit risk.  Housing inventory data was available as of December 31, 2020.  Levels were similar to those at December 31, 2019, resulting in a similar assessment for credit risk.

Asset Quality Indicators

Asset quality indicators, including past due levels, nonaccrual levels and internal risk ratings, are evaluated at the class level.

As discussed above, the CARES Act and regulatory guidance encouraged banks to assist qualifying borrowers experiencing COVID-19 related difficulty. The Company provided COVID-19 related accommodations to qualifying borrowers, without which, additional loans would be included in past due data at December 31, 2020. The Company followed its normal risk rating practices and in keeping with the regulatory guidance, did not automatically downgrade the risk rating on loans that received COVID-19 accommodations. Without the regulatory provision, additional loans would be included in criticized assets as of December 31, 2020.

Loans past due and loans designated nonaccrual indicate heightened credit risk. Increases in past due and nonaccrual loans increase the required level of the allowance for loan losses and decreases in past due and nonaccrual loans reduce the required level of the allowance for loan losses.

Accruing loans past due 30-89 days were 0.19% of total loans, net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs at December 31, 2020, an increase from 0.15% at December 31, 2019. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more were 0.00% of total loans, net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs at December 31, 2020, and 0.03% at December 31, 2019. Nonaccrual loans at December 31, 2020 were 0.48% of total loans, net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs, an increase from 0.46% at December 31, 2019.

Loans rated “special mention” and “classified” (together, “criticized assets”) indicate heightened credit risk. Higher levels of criticized assets increase the required level of the allowance for collectively-evaluated loans, while lower levels of criticized assets reduce the required level of the allowance for collectively-evaluated loans. Loans rated special mention receive a 50% greater allocation for qualitative risk factors, and loans rated classified receive a 100% greater allocation for qualitative risk factors. A classified loss rate is also applied to classified loans, calculated as net charge offs divided by classified loans.

Collectively evaluated loans rated “special mention” were $8,035 at December 31, 2020, an increase from $135 at December 31, 2019. The increase in loans rated special mention primarily came from downgrades to loans that received initial and subsequent COVID-19 related modifications. Collectively evaluated loans rated classified were $473 at December 31, 2020 and $961 at December 31, 2019.

Other Factors

The Company considers other factors that impact credit risk, including the interest rate environment, the competitive, legal and regulatory environments, changes in lending policies and loan review, changes in management, and high risk loans, as well as a factor added to measure the risk from loans that received a COVID-19 modification and then received a subsequent COVID-19 modification.

The interest rate environment is at a low level as of December 31, 2020, with the Federal Reserve’s fed funds target rate between 0.00% and 0.25%. The target was set by the Federal Reserve in an attempt to soften the pandemic’s impact on the economy, and is lower than the target at December 31, 2019 by 150 basis points. This provides variable rate loans with lower payments, reducing credit risk.

The competitive, legal and regulatory environments were evaluated for changes that would impact credit risk. Competition remained at similar levels from December 31, 2019.  The legal and regulatory environments have experienced some changes since December 31, 2019.  At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress acted swiftly to provide benefits that supported many of the Company’s borrowers and allowed them to maintain their repayment ability.  The Bank’s primary federal regulator issued guidance encouraging banks to aid qualifying borrowers suffering from COVID-19 induced hardship and providing some leeway to banks in TDR-designation requirements.  However, ambiguity in regulatory guidance introduces uncertainty for future regulatory treatment of loans modified for COVID-19 related financial difficulty.  The Company is not able to forecast the effects and so no change was assessed for legal and regulatory environments.

The Company considers the risk from changes to lending policies and loan review, and changes in management’s experience. Each of these factors remained at similar levels to December 31, 2019.

Levels of high risk loans are considered in the determination of the level of the allowance for loan loss. High risk loans are defined by the Company as loans secured by junior liens, interest only loans and loans with a high loan-to-value ratio. A decrease in the level of high risk loans within a class decreases the required allocation for the loan class, and an increase in the level of high risk loans within a class increases the required allocation for the loan class. Total high risk loans decreased $15,536 or 12.07% from the level at December 31, 2019, resulting in a decreased allocation.

Beginning with the December 31, 2020 calculation, the Company added a qualitative factor for loans with modifications related to COVID-19. The loans captured in the analysis were granted COVID-19 related modifications subsequent to initial COVID-19 related modifications, have not yet emerged from the modification period and are flagged by credit review procedures for additional monitoring. The allocation methodology considers the percent of captured loans to the total class balance, and allocates according to the maximum estimated loss.

Unallocated Surplus

In addition to funding the allowance for loan losses based upon data analysis, the Company has the option to fund an unallocated surplus in excess to the calculated requirement, based upon management judgement. The Company’s policy permits an unallocated surplus of between 0% and 5% of the calculated requirement. The unallocated surplus at December 31, 2020 is $395 or 4.9% in excess of the calculated requirement. As of December 31, 2019, the unallocated surplus was $326 or 5.0%. The surplus provides some mitigation of the uncertainty surrounding the impact of COVID-19.

Conclusion

The calculation of the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses incorporates analysis of multiple factors and requires management’s prudent and informed judgment. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans, net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs at December 31, 2020 was 1.10%, an increase from 0.94% at December 31, 2019. The ratio of the allowance for collectively-evaluated loan losses to collectively-evaluated loans, net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs was 1.10%, compared with 0.93% at December 31, 2019. Both ratios at December 31, 2020 are diluted by the presence of government-guaranteed PPP loans which do not add to credit risk.  Excluding the PPP loans, the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans, net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs at December 31, 2020 was 1.16%, and the ratio of the allowance for collectively-evaluated loan losses to collectively-evaluated loans, net of unearned income and deferred fees and costs was 1.15%.

The most recently available data showed improvements that decreased the required level of the allowance for loan losses from December 31, 2019 including the interest rate environment, loans considered high risk, personal bankruptcy filings and the residential vacancy rate.  Other indicators offset the improvements, including a worsening in the unemployment rate, some asset quality indicators and loans receiving initial and subsequent modifications for COVID-19 related difficulty flagged for monitoring by credit review procedures.  To attempt to capture the impact on credit risk of the COVID-19 pandemic, which continues to evolve, the Company added 26 basis points for unprecedented national unemployment filing data. Because of lags in data and heightened uncertainty stemming from the pandemic, the Company also maintained its unallocated surplus at the maximum allowed by policy.  Based on analysis of historical indicators, asset quality and economic factors, management believes the level of allowance for loan losses is reasonable for the credit risk in the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2020.

Please refer to Note 5: Allowance for Loan Losses, Nonperforming Assets and Impaired Loans for further information on collectively evaluated loans, individually evaluated impaired loans and the unallocated portion of the allowance for loan losses.

Quarterly Results of Operations

The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

Balance Sheet

On December 31, 2020, total assets were $1,519,673, an increase of $197,836 or 14.97%, over total assets of $1,321,837 on December 31, 2019. Total assets at December 31, 2019 increased $65,805 or 5.24%, from $1,256,032 at December 31, 2018.

Loans

The Company’s loan categorization reflects its approach to loan portfolio management and includes six groups. Real estate construction loans include construction loans for residential and commercial properties, as well as land. Consumer real estate loans include conventional and junior lien mortgages, equity lines and investor-owned residential real estate. Commercial real estate loans are comprised of owner-occupied and leased nonfarm, nonresidential properties, multi-family residence loans and farmland. Commercial non-real estate loans include agricultural loans, operating capital lines and loans secured by capital assets. Public sector and industrial development authority (“IDA”) loans are extended to municipalities. Consumer non-real estate loans include automobile loans, personal loans, credit cards and consumer overdrafts.