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Prime Meridian Holding Co - Annual Report: 2014 (Form 10-K)

Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

OR

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     .

Commission file number: 333-191801

 

 

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Florida   27-2980805

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

1897 Capital Circle NE, Second Floor, Tallahassee, Florida   32308
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (850) 907-2301

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

 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share   None
(Title of each class to be registered)  

(Name of each exchange on which

each class is to be registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    YES  ¨    NO   x

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    YES  ¨    NO  x

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES  x    NO  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x

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

 

Large accelerated filer:   ¨    Accelerated filer:   ¨
Non accelerated filer:   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company:   x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    YES  ¨    NO  x

As of March 26, 2015, there were 1,943,534 issued and outstanding shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock. The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the $12.50 per share selling price of the common stock on June 30, 2014 was $14.2 million.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Prime Meridian Holding Company

2014 Form 10-K Annual Report

Table of Contents

 

    

Item Number

        Page  

Part I

  

Item 1.

  

Business

     3   
  

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     15   
  

Item 1B.

  

Unresolved Staff Comments

     19   
  

Item 2.

  

Properties

     19   
  

Item 3.

  

Legal Proceedings

     20   
  

Item 4.

  

Mine Safety Disclosures

     20   

Part II

  

Item 5.

  

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

     20   
  

Item 6.

  

Selected Financial Data

     21   
  

Item 7.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     22   
  

Item 7A.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     37   
  

Item 8.

  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

     38   
  

Item 9.

  

Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

     70   
  

Item 9A.

  

Controls and Procedures

     70   
  

Item 9B.

  

Other Information

     71   

Part III

  

Item 10.

  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

     71   
  

Item 11.

  

Executive Compensation

     74   
  

Item 12.

  

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

     77   
  

Item 13.

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

     78   
  

Item 14.

  

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

     79   

Part IV

  

Item 15.

  

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

     79   

Signatures

        

 

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Part I

 

Item 1. Business

General Description of Business

Prime Meridian Holding Company (“PMHC” and the “Company”) was incorporated as a Florida corporation on May 25, 2010 and is the one-bank holding company for and sole shareholder of Prime Meridian Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank opened for business on February 4, 2008 and was acquired by the Company on September 16, 2010. PMHC has no significant operations other than owning the stock of the Bank. Since opening in 2008, the Bank has conducted a general banking business and has grown to forty-two full time equivalent (“FTE”) employees as of December 31, 2014.

History

Prime Meridian Bank, a Florida commercial bank, was chartered on February 4, 2008, with a commitment to provide a high level of client service while maintaining sound and prudent banking practices. In 2010, our holding company, PMHC, was formed and the Bank’s shareholders exchanged their shares of Common Stock for shares of Common Stock of PMHC, with the Bank becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of PMHC. This occurred through a statutory share exchange on September 16, 2010.

In an effort to provide a superior level of service, we are building a culture and brand that cultivates a client relationship and creates an inviting atmosphere as opposed to simply processing a customer transaction. We want a culture that supports relationship banking. This culture has served us well, with many of our clients referring others to us. In our view, there is no greater compliment than to have our existing clients share their positive banking experiences with their family and friends.

Our team developed and adopted the following five core principles to support our actions and guide our decisions:

 

    Passion – A level of intense excellence and commitment that goes over and above merely meeting the commercial considerations and legal requirements - Never give up. Never settle for mediocrity. Never let fear hamper us from taking chances. Above all, Never let a cynic stand in our way.

 

    Grace - Providing a high level of service, with courtesy and compassion. Having an awareness of how our actions, body language, and words affect others. Learning to master a mindful, calm response to any situation.

 

    Integrity – Doing the right thing, simply because it is the right thing to do, based on a firm adherence to the Bank’s three way test: (1) Is it right by the client? (2) Is it right by the Bank? (3) Is it legally, morally, and ethically correct?

 

    Tenacity – A culture of looking at new ideas, tackling challenges, and overcoming obstacles in order to meet our clients’ needs.

 

    Accountability – Accepting full and ultimate responsibility for the situation or action at hand.

These core principles and the Bank’s three way test also serve as the foundation for our motto, “Let’s think of a few good reasons why it CAN be done!” which is an overarching concept for our Company and team. We stress the question “Why?” because, while we clearly recognize that “how” is imperative, without understanding “why” something should be done, “how it can be done” does not necessarily matter. Our mission statement is also supported by our core principles: “Building bankers to serve our clients and community in order to optimize shareholder value.” As a result of our efforts and culture, we have experienced an outstanding level of organic growth.

Location and Service Area

Prime Meridian Bank is headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida and offers a broad range of banking services to the Tallahassee Metropolitan Statistical Area (“MSA”) and the surrounding North Florida, South Georgia, and South Alabama areas. Currently, the Bank has two offices, both of which are located in Tallahassee, Florida, its primary market area. The Company is located at 1897 Capital Circle NE, Second Floor, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 in the Bank’s second and newest location, which opened on February 21, 2012. The Bank also continues to serve clients from its original office, located at 1471 Timberlane Road, Suite 124, Tallahassee, Florida 32312.

 

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A substantial portion of the Company’s market is located in the larger Tallahassee MSA. The United States Census Bureau estimated that the population of the Tallahassee MSA, which includes Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, and Wakulla counties, was 367,315 at the end of 2010. Tallahassee is the State Capital and is characterized by mostly small businesses in many different service industries in addition to significant governmental and educational employment. Florida’s Capital Region is furthermore home to two state universities (Florida State University and Florida A&M University) and Tallahassee Community College, one of the largest community colleges in Florida. While the region is thought to be attractive for many types of economic development, the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County has identified seven targeted industry sectors that match the region’s strengths, goals, and assets: (1) renewable energy and environment, (2) aviation and aerospace, (3) health sciences, medical education, training and research, and sports medicine, (4) information technology, (5) research and engineering, (6) transportation and logistics, and (7) advanced manufacturing.

Like all Florida communities, we have seen the impact of the most recent economic recession, specifically the dramatic decrease in housing and real estate values. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of December 2014, the national unemployment rate and Florida’s unemployment rate were both 5.6%, while Tallahassee’s rate was at 5.4%. Although trends have begun to improve, sustained elevated unemployment rates could result in nonperforming loans and reduced asset quality.

Banking Services

Our business strategy focuses on traditional, relationship-based banking. The Bank provides a range of consumer and commercial banking services to individuals and businesses. In addition to electronic banking services such as mobile banking, remote deposit, mobile deposit and online banking, we offer basic services which include demand interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing accounts, savings accounts, money-market deposit accounts, NOW accounts, time deposits, safe deposit services, wire transfers, foreign exchange services, escrow accounts, debit cards, direct deposits, notary services, night depository, cashier’s checks, domestic collections, bank drafts, automated teller services, drive-in tellers, banking by mail, credit cards through a third party, and merchant card services with a third party. In addition, the Bank issues standby letters of credit and offers commercial real estate loans, residential real estate loans, construction loans, commercial loans, and consumer loans. The Bank provides debit and automated teller machine (“ATM”) cards and is a member of the MoneyPASS and Pulse networks, thereby permitting clients to utilize the convenience of a large ATM network system including more than 400,000 member machines nationwide. As of December 31, 2014, the Bank did not have trust powers.

Our organizational structure focuses on a strong risk management culture. We stay abreast of our market by having our Board and management team highly involved in our communities. We believe our team’s banking experience and high-quality client service distinguishes us from other banks. We believe this foundation will enable us to expand our products and services to new and existing clients, resulting in steady, long-term growth. Our culture focuses on servicing our clients and proactively exceeding their expectations, which in turn supports client retention and loyalty, enhanced profitability, and increased referrals.

Our loan target market includes owner-occupied and non-owner occupied commercial real estate, small businesses, real estate developers, consumers, and professionals. Small business clients are typically a commercial entity with sales of $25 million or less; these clients have the opportunity to generate significant revenue for banks.

Our revenues are primarily derived from interest income and fees on loans, interest and dividends from investment securities, and service charge income generated from demand accounts, ATM fees, and other services. The principal sources of funds for the Bank’s lending activities are its deposits, loan repayments, and proceeds from investment securities. The principal expenses of the Bank are the interest paid on deposits, salaries, and general operating expenses.

We are committed to being a successful community bank and being a good business partner within our community. We believe our active community involvement and business development strategies, in conjunction with our client relationship culture, establish a successful foundation for developing new relationships and enhancing existing ones.

Lending Activities

The Bank offers a wide range of lending services to the community, providing loans to small to medium sized companies and their owners and not-for-profit organizations. Included in our array of commercial loan products are commercial real estate loans, equipment loans, small business loans, business lines of credit, and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans. Consumer loans include residential first and second mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, and consumer installment loans for cars, trucks, boats, and other recreational vehicles. Most of our retail lending connections are driven by our relationships with commercial clients. The Bank maintains strong and disciplined credit policies and procedures and makes loans on a nondiscriminatory basis throughout its lending area. The net loan portfolio, excluding loans held for sale, constituted 72.2% of the Company’s total assets at December 31, 2014.

 

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Our lenders have the authority to extend credit under guidelines established and approved by the Board of Directors. Any aggregate credit that exceeds the authority of the loan officer is presented to Loan Committee for approval. The voting members of the Bank’s Loan Committee consist of at least five directors, with at least two of those five being outside Board members. Alternates or designates may be appointed by the Board of Directors when needed. Loan Committee generally meets weekly to consider any loan requests which are in excess of the lending limits of individual lending officers and require approval before the disbursement of proceeds and to review all other loans for compliance with our loan policy. Liquidity and stability in the Bank’s portfolio are given the highest priority, and therefore, it is the responsibility of the Loan Committee to review the portfolio mix of loans as well as the average maturities on at least a quarterly basis following Call Reports. Actions of the Loan Committee are reported to the Board of Directors at its regular meetings.

We categorize our loans as follows: commercial real estate, residential real estate (first and second mortgages and home equity loans), construction loans, commercial loans, and consumer loans. Commercial real estate loans, comprising 34.2% of the loan portfolio, and residential real estate and home equity loans, accounting for 33.7% of the loan portfolio were the two largest categories of loans in 2014.

Commercial Real Estate Loans. Secured by mortgages on commercial property, these loans are typically more complex and present a higher risk profile than our consumer real estate loans. Commercial loans that are secured by owner-occupied commercial real estate are repaid through operating cash flows of the borrower whereas non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans are generally dependent on rental income. The typical maturity for these loans is three to five years; however, payments may be amortized over a longer period. Interest rates on our commercial real estate loans are generally fixed for five years or less after which they adjust based upon a predetermined spread over an index. At times, a rate may be fixed for longer than five years. As part of our credit underwriting standards, we normally require personal guarantees from the principal owners of the business supported by a review of the principal owners’ personal financial statements and tax returns. As part of our enterprise risk management process, we understand that risks associated with commercial real estate loans include fluctuations in real estate values, the overall strength of the borrower, the overall strength of the economy, new job creation trends, tenant vacancy rates, environmental contamination, and the quality of the borrowers’ management. In order to mitigate and limit these risks, we analyze the borrowers’ cash flow and evaluate collateral value. Currently, the collateral securing our commercial real estate loans includes a variety of property types, such as office, warehouse, and retail facilities, multifamily properties, hotels, mixed-use residential and commercial properties.

Residential Real Estate Loans. We offer first and second one-to-four family mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit; the collateral for these loans is generally the clients’ owner-occupied residences. Although these types of loans present lower levels of risk than commercial real estate loans, risks do still exist because of possible fluctuations in the value of the real estate collateral securing the loan, as well as changes in the borrowers’ financial condition. Borrowers may be affected by numerous factors, including divorce, job loss, illness, or other personal hardship. As part of our product mix, we offer both portfolio and secondary market mortgages. Portfolio loans generally consist of 1-year, 3-year, or 5-year adjustable rate mortgages, while 15-year or 30-year fixed rate loans are generally sold to the secondary market. All of our portfolio residential loans are underwritten based upon the guidelines of the secondary market, predominantly Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

Construction Loans. Typically, these loans have a term of one to two years and the interest is paid monthly. Once the construction period terminates, some of these loans will convert to a term loan with a maturity of one to five years. This portion of our loan portfolio includes loans to small-to-medium sized businesses to construct owner-user properties, loans to developers of commercial real estate investment properties, and loans to residential developers. This type of loan is also made to individual clients for construction of single family homes in our market area. An independent appraisal is used to determine the value of the collateral and confirm that the ratio of the loan principal to the value of the collateral will not exceed the Bank’s policies. As the construction project progresses, loan proceeds are requested by the borrower to complete phases of construction, and funding is only disbursed after the project has been inspected by a third-party inspector or experienced construction lender. Risks associated with construction loans include fluctuations in the value of real estate, project completion risk, and changes in market trends. The ability of the construction loan borrower to move to permanent financing of the loan or sell the property upon completion of the project is another risk factor that also may be affected by changes in market trends after the initial funding of the loan.

 

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Commercial Loans. We offer a wide range of commercial loans, including small business loans, equipment financing, business lines of credit, and SBA loans. Small-to-medium sized businesses, retail, and professional establishments, make up our target market for commercial loans. Our lenders primarily underwrite these loans based on the borrower’s ability to service the loan from cash flow. Lines of credit and loans secured by accounts receivable and/or inventory are monitored periodically by our staff. Loans secured by “all business assets,” or a “blanket lien” are typically only made to highly qualified borrowers due to the nonspecific nature of the collateral. Valuation of business collateral is generally supported by an appraisal, purchase order, or third party physical inspection. Personal guarantees of the principals of business borrowers are usually required. Equipment loans generally have a term of five years or less and may have a fixed or variable rate. Business lines of credit generally do not exceed two years and typically, are secured by accounts receivable, inventory, and the personal guarantees of the principals of the business. Significant factors affecting a commercial borrower’s credit-worthiness include the quality of management and the ability to evaluate changes in the supply and demand characteristics affecting the business’ markets for products and services and respond effectively to such changes. These loans may be made unsecured or secured, but most are made on a secured basis. Risks associated with our commercial loan portfolio include local, regional, and national market conditions. Other risk factors could include changes in the borrower’s management and fluctuations in collateral value. Additionally, there may be refinancing risk if a commercial loan includes a balloon payment which must be refinanced or paid off at loan maturity. In reference to our risk management process, our commercial loan portfolio presents a higher risk profile than our residential real estate and consumer loan portfolios. Therefore, we require that all loans to businesses must have a clearly stated and reasonable payment plan to allow for timely retirement of debt.

Consumer Loans. Our consumer loan portfolio is the smallest portion of our loan portfolio, representing 1.8% of our total loan portfolio at December 31, 2014. These loans are made for various consumer purposes, such as the financing of automobiles, boats, and recreational vehicles. The payment structure of these loans is normally on an installment basis. The risk associated with this category of loans stems from the reduced collateral value for a defaulted loan; it may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the principal. The underwriting on these loans is primarily based on the borrower’s financial condition. In some cases, consumer loans are unsecured credits that subject us to risk when the borrower’s financial condition declines or deteriorates. Based upon our current trend in consumer loans, we do not anticipate that consumer loans will become a substantial component of our loan portfolio at any time in the immediate future. Consumer loans are made at fixed and variable interest rates and are based on the appropriate amortization for the asset and purpose.

Investments

Our investments are managed in relation to loan demand and deposit growth. Available funds are placed in low risk investments and provide liquidity to fund increases in loan demand or to offset fluctuations in deposits. With respect to our investment portfolio, the total portfolio may be invested in U.S. Treasuries, general obligations of government agencies, and bank-qualified municipal securities because such securities generally represent a minimal investment risk. Occasionally, we may purchase certificates of deposit from national and state banks. We also invest in mortgage-backed securities which generally have a shorter life than the stated maturity.

We monitor changes in financial markets. In addition to portfolio investments, our daily cash position is monitored to ensure that all available funds earn interest at the earliest possible date. A portion of the investment account is designated as secondary reserves and invested in liquid securities that can be readily converted to cash with minimum risk of market loss. These investments usually consist of U.S. Treasury obligations, U.S. Government agencies and federal funds. The remainder of the investment account may be placed in investment securities of a different type and longer maturity. Whenever possible, our strategy is to stagger the maturities of our securities to produce a steady cash-flow in the event the Bank needs cash, or economic conditions change to a more favorable rate environment.

Deposit Activities

Deposits are the major source of the Bank’s funds for lending and other investment purposes. Deposits are gathered principally from within our primary market area through the offering of a broad variety of deposit products, including checking accounts, money-market accounts, regular savings accounts, term certificate of deposit accounts (including “jumbo” certificates in denominations of $100,000 or more), and retirement savings plans. We consider the majority of our regular savings, demand, NOW, and money-market deposit accounts to be core deposits. The majority of our deposits are generated within the Leon County, Florida area. Our deposits are insured up to the maximum amount allowed by law by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), and we operate under the supervision and regulations of the FDIC and the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (“OFR”).

Maturity terms, service fees, and withdrawal penalties are established by the Bank on a periodic basis. The determination of rates and terms is predicated on funds acquisition and liquidity requirements, rates paid by competitors, growth goals, and federal regulations.

 

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FDIC regulations limit the ability of certain insured depository institutions to accept, renew, or rollover deposits by offering rates of interest that are significantly higher than the prevailing rates of interest on deposits offered by other insured depository institutions having the same type of charter in such depository institutions’ normal market area. Under these regulations, “well capitalized” depository institutions may accept, renew, or roll over deposits at such rates without restriction, “adequately capitalized” depository institutions may accept, renew or rollover deposits at such rates with a waiver from the FDIC (subject to certain restrictions on payments of rates), and “undercapitalized” depository institutions may not accept, renew, or roll over deposits at such rates. The regulations define “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized” and “undercapitalized” as those terms are defined by the agencies implementing the prompt corrective action provisions of applicable law (see “Government Supervision and Regulation-Capital”). As of December 31, 2014, the Bank met the definition of a “well capitalized” depository institution.

We have not participated in the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS”), nor do we have any brokered deposits. We do offer certificates of deposit, including time deposits of $100,000 or more, public fund deposits and other large deposit accounts. These tend to be short-term in nature and are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than other types of deposits; therefore, they may be a less stable source of funds. In the event that existing short-term deposits are not renewed, the resulting loss of the deposited funds could adversely affect our liquidity. In a rising interest rate market, short-term deposits may prove to be a costly source of funds because their short-term nature requires renewal at increasingly higher interest rates, which may adversely affect the Bank’s earnings. However, the opposite is true in a falling interest rate market where such short-term deposits are more favorable to the Bank.

Company Website and U.S. Securities Exchange Commission Filings

Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports can be found free of charge on our website at www.primemeridianbank.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The SEC maintains a website, www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Our charters of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee, along with our Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policy are available on our website at www.primemeridianbank.com. Printed copies of this information may also be obtained, without charge, by written request to the Corporate Secretary at P.O. Box 13629, Tallahassee, FL 32317.

Employees

At December 31, 2014, PMHC had forty-two full time equivalent employees (including executive officers), none of whom are represented by a union or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. Management considers employee relations to be good.

Competition

Our competition is made up of a wide range of financial institutions, including credit unions, local, regional, and national commercial banks, mortgage companies, insurance companies, and other non-traditional providers of financial services. According to the Annual Deposit Report produced by the FDIC, total deposits in the Tallahassee MSA grew from approximately $5.4 billion to $5.6 billion from June 30, 2009 to June 30, 2014. Today, there are 29 financial institutions serving Tallahassee; 17 of these are banks and 12 are credit unions. Four of the banks are headquartered in Leon County, including Prime Meridian Bank. As of June 30, 2014, Prime Meridian Bank had a 3.3% share of the deposits in the Tallahassee MSA.

Some of our competitors are not subject to the same level of regulation and oversight that is required of banks and bank holding companies. As a result, some of our competitors may have lower cost structures. By emphasizing our exceptional client service, knowledge of local trends and conditions, and local decision-making process, we believe the Bank has developed an effective competitive advantage in its market, thus maintaining a strong level of growth. We also are actively engaged in Small Business Administration guaranteed financing to support local borrowers who might not otherwise qualify for conventional financing, while mitigating our credit risk and earning fee income by selling the guaranteed portion of some of these loans.

Some of our competitors are much larger financial institutions with greater financial resources. It is not our goal to compete on all products and services, but to support the product mix that best suits our strategic plan. This strategy has yielded solid growth for our Bank.

Other important competitive factors that have contributed to our success in our market area include convenient office hours, electronic banking products, community reputation, quality of our banking team, capacity and willingness to extend credit, and our ability to offer cash management and other commercial banking services. Many of our competitors’ approaches and processes may appear to be more efficient, however, these efficiencies may not allow for the same level of personal service we provide to our clients. Although offering competitive rates is important, we believe that our greatest competitive advantages are our experienced management team, client relationship culture, and personal service.

 

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Government Supervision and Regulation

General

As a one-bank holding company, we are subject to an extensive collection of state and federal banking laws and regulations, which impose specific requirements and restrictions on virtually all aspects of our operations. We are affected by government monetary policy and by regulatory measures affecting the banking industry in general. These regulations are primarily intended to protect depositors, borrowers, the public, the FDIC, and the integrity of the U.S. banking system and capital markets. Future legislative enactments, changes in governmental policy, or changes in the way such laws or regulations are interpreted by regulatory agencies or courts could have a material impact on our business, operations, and earnings. Federal economic and monetary policy may also affect our ability to attract deposits, make loans, and achieve our planned operating results.

The following is a brief summary of some of the statutes, rules, and regulations that affect PMHC’s and the Bank’s operations. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory and regulatory provision referred to below, and is not intended to be an exhaustive description of the statutes or regulations applicable to our business. Any change in applicable laws or regulations may have a material adverse effect on our business.

Prime Meridian Holding Company

As a bank holding company, PMHC is subject to regulation under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”), and the examination and reporting requirements of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”). As such, the Company is required to file semi-annual and annual reports and other information with the Federal Reserve regarding its business operations and those of its subsidiary. Under the BHCA, a bank holding company may not directly or indirectly acquire ownership or control of more than 5% of the voting shares or substantially all of the assets of any additional bank without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. The Company is further prohibited from merging or consolidating with another bank holding company without prior approval.

Prior to any person or company, excluding a bank holding company, acquiring control of a bank holding company, subject to certain exemptions, the BHCA and the Change in Bank Control Act, together with regulations promulgated by the Federal Reserve, require either the Federal Reserve’s stated approval or a notice be furnished to the Federal Reserve and not disapproved. Control is conclusively presumed to exist when an individual or company acquires 25% or more of any class of voting securities of a bank holding company. Control may be presumed to exist if a person acquires 10% or more, but less than 25%, of any class of voting securities and either the bank holding company has registered securities under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or no other person owns a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after the transaction. Additionally, the BHCA provides that the Federal Reserve may not approve any of these transactions if it would result in a monopoly, substantially lessen competition, or otherwise function as a restraint of trade, unless the anti-competitive effects of the proposed transaction are clearly outweighed by the public interest in meeting the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve is also required to consider the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the bank holding companies and banks concerned and the convenience and needs of the community to be served. The Federal Reserve’s consideration of financial resources generally focuses on capital adequacy, which is discussed below. As a result of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Federal Reserve is also required to consider the record of a bank holding company and its subsidiary bank(s) in combating money laundering activities in its evaluation of bank holding company merger or acquisition transactions.

Except as authorized by the BHCA and Federal Reserve regulations or orders, a bank holding company is generally prohibited from acquiring direct or indirect control of 5% or more of the voting shares of any company engaged in any business other than the business of banking or managing and controlling banks. The primary exception allows a bank holding company to own shares in any company whose activities have been determined by the Federal Reserve to be so closely related to banking or to managing or controlling banks that ownership of shares of that company is appropriate. Activities the Federal Reserve has determined by regulation to be permissible for bank holding companies include the following:

 

    making or servicing loans and certain types of leases;

 

    engaging in certain insurance activities;

 

    performing certain data processing services;

 

    acting in certain circumstances as a fiduciary or investment or financial advisor;

 

    providing management consulting services;

 

    owning savings associations;

 

    and making investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare.

 

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In accordance with Federal Reserve Policy, a bank holding company is expected to act as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary banks. In adhering to the Federal Reserve’s policy, we may be required to provide financial support to the Bank at a time when, absent such Federal Reserve Policy, it might not be deemed advisable to provide such assistance. Under the BHCA, the Federal Reserve may also require a bank holding company to terminate any activity or relinquish control of a nonbank subsidiary (other than a nonbank subsidiary of a bank) upon the Federal Reserve’s determination that the activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness or stability of any subsidiary depository institution of the bank holding company. Further, federal bank regulatory authorities have additional discretion to require a bank holding company to divest itself of any bank or nonbank subsidiary if the agency determines that divestiture may aid the depository institution’s financial condition. The Dodd-Frank Act Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) codified the Federal Reserve’s policy on serving as a source of financial strength. Such support may be required at times when, absent this Federal Reserve policy, a holding company may not be inclined to provide it. A bank holding company, in certain circumstances, could be required to guarantee the capital plan of an undercapitalized banking subsidiary.

The Federal Reserve’s authority was expanded through the Financial Institutions Reform Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (“FIRREA”) to prohibit activities of bank holding companies and their nonbanking subsidiaries which represent unsafe and unsound banking practices, or which constitute violations of laws or regulations. FIRREA increased the amount of civil money penalties which the Federal Reserve can assess for activities conducted on a knowing and reckless basis, if those activities caused a substantial loss to a depository institution. The penalties can be as high as $1.0 million for each day the activity continues. FIRREA also expanded the scope of the individuals and entities against which such penalties may be assessed.

Prime Meridian Bank

As a state-chartered commercial bank, the Bank is subject to the supervision and regulation of the OFR and the FDIC. Our deposits are insured by the FDIC for a maximum of $250,000 per account ownership category. For this protection, we must pay a semi-annual statutory assessment and comply with the rules and regulations of the FDIC. The assessment levied on a bank for deposit insurance varies, depending on the capital position of each bank, and other supervisory factors. Currently, we are subject to the statutory assessment.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act provides that, in the event of the “liquidation or other resolution” of a bank, the claims of depositors of the bank, including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver, will have priority over other general unsecured claims against a bank. If a bank fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, non-deposit creditors and shareholders.

Areas regulated and monitored by the bank regulatory authorities include:

 

    security devices and procedures;

 

    adequacy of capitalization and loss reserves;

 

    loans;

 

    investments;

 

    borrowings;

 

    deposits;

 

    mergers;

 

    issuances of securities;

 

    payment of dividends;

 

    establishment of branches;

 

    corporate reorganizations;

 

    transactions with affiliates;

 

    maintenance of books and records;

 

    and adequacy of staff training to carry out safe lending and deposit gathering practices.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

Enacted in 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act has increased the regulation and oversight of the financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Act addresses, among other things, systemic risk, capital adequacy, deposit insurance assessments, consumer financial protection, interchange fees, derivatives, lending limits, thrift charters, and changes among the banking regulatory agencies. Some provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act became effective immediately upon its enactment. Many provisions, however, require regulations to be promulgated by various federal agencies before implementation, some of which have already been proposed and enacted by the applicable federal agencies. Certain provisions will not apply to banking organizations with less than $10 billion of assets; however, the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act may have unintended effects on smaller banks, which will not be clear until execution.

 

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The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act may impact the profitability of our business activities, require changes to some of our business practices, or otherwise adversely affect our business. These impacts may also require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make any changes necessary to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements. It may further necessitate higher levels of regulatory capital and/or liquidity and lead to a change in our business strategy. We cannot predict the effects of this legislation and the corresponding regulations on us, our competitors, or on the financial markets and economy, although it may significantly increase costs and impede efficiency of internal business processes.

Restrictions on Transactions with Affiliates and Loans to Insiders

Under Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, the Bank is subject to restrictions that limit the transfer of funds or other items of value to the parent holding company, and any other non-bank affiliates in so-called “covered transactions.” The term “covered transaction” includes loans, leases, other extensions of credit, investments and asset purchases, issuance of a guarantee, as well as other transactions involving the transfer of value from the Bank to an affiliate or for the benefit of an affiliate. An affiliate of a bank is any company or entity which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the bank. Unless an exemption applies, covered transactions by the Bank with a single affiliate are limited to 10% of the Bank’s capital stock and surplus (tangible capital) and all such transactions are required to be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the Bank or subsidiary, as those provided to a nonaffiliate. With respect to all covered transactions with affiliates in the aggregate, they are limited to 20% of the Bank’s capital and surplus.

The Dodd-Frank Act expanded the scope of Section 23A, and going forward, will include investment funds managed by an affiliate institution as well as other hurdles. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act expanded coverage of transactions with insiders by including credit exposure arising from derivative transactions, although, the Bank has not engaged in any derivative transactions since its inception. The Dodd-Frank Act furthermore prohibits an insured depository institution from purchasing or selling an asset to an executive officer, director, or principal shareholder (or any related interest of such a person) unless the transaction is on market terms. If the transaction exceeds 10% of the institution’s capital, it must be approved in advance by a majority of the disinterested directors.

A bank’s authority to extend credit to executive officers, directors and shareholders with greater than 10% ownership, as well as entities controlled by such persons, is subject to Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation O promulgated thereunder by the Federal Reserve. Among other things, these loans must be made on terms substantially the same as those offered to unaffiliated individuals. The amount of loans a bank may make to these persons is based, in part, on the bank’s capital position, and certain approval procedures must be followed in making loans which exceed specified amounts.

Basel III and Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Additionally, in July 2013, the FDIC approved revisions to its capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action rules that implement the revised standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, commonly called Basel III, and address relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Beginning in January 2015, Basel III and the regulations of the federal banking agencies required bank holding companies and banks to undertake significant activities to demonstrate compliance with the new and higher capital standards. Compliance with these rules will likely impose additional costs on the Company and the Bank.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 comprehensively revised the laws affecting corporate governance, accounting obligations, and corporate reporting requirements for companies with debt or equity securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Compliance with this complex legislation and subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission rules is a major focus of all public corporations and will be so for the Company going forward. One of the more applicable provisions of this act is corporate responsibility for financial reports. Sarbanes-Oxley requires a public company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer to sign quarterly and annual reports stating that they have reviewed the reports and that they are true.

Capital

Banks are subject to regulatory capital requirements imposed by the Federal Reserve and the FDIC. Until a bank holding company’s assets reach $500 million, the risk-based capital and leverage guidelines issued by the Federal Reserve are applied to bank holding companies on a nonconsolidated basis, unless the bank holding company is engaged in nonbank activities involving significant leverage, or it has a significant amount of outstanding debt held by the general public. Instead a bank holding company with less than $500 million generally applies the risk-based capital and leverage capital guidelines on a bank only basis and must only meet a debt-to-equity ratio at the holding company level. The FDIC risk-based capital guidelines apply directly to insured state banks, regardless of whether they are subsidiaries of a bank holding company. Both agencies’ requirements, which are substantially similar, establish minimum capital ratios in relation to assets, both on an aggregate basis as adjusted for credit risks and off balance sheet exposures. The risk weights assigned to assets are based primarily on credit risks. Depending upon the riskiness of a particular asset, it is assigned to a risk category. Under the guidelines, capital is compared to the relative risk related to the balance sheet. To derive the risk included in the balance sheet, risk weights (from 0% to 150%) are applied to different balance sheet and off-balance sheet assets, primarily based on the relative credit risk of the counterparty. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

 

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Capital is then classified into three categories, Common Equity Tier 1, Additional Tier 1, and Tier 2. Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (“CET1”) is the sum of common stock instruments and related surplus net of treasury stock, retained earnings, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”), and qualifying minority interests, less applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions that include AOCI (if an irrevocable option to neutralize AOCI is exercised). Mortgage-servicing assets, deferred tax assets, and investments in financial institutions are limited to an aggregate of 15% of CET1 and 10% of CET1 individually. Additional Tier 1 Capital includes noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, Tier 1 minority interests, grandfathered trust preferred securities, and Troubled Asset Relief Program instruments, less applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions. Tier 2 Capital includes subordinated debt and preferred stock, total capital minority interests not included in Tier 1, and ALLL not exceeding 1.25% percent of risk-weighted assets, less applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions.

Effective January 1, 2015, smaller banks, such as the Bank, became subject to the following new capital level threshold requirements under the FDIC’s Prompt Corrective Action regulations.

 

     Threshold Ratios  

PCA Capital

Category

   Total
Risk-Based
Capital

Ratio
    Tier 1
Risk-Based
Capital

Ratio
    CET1
Risk-Based
Capital Ratio
    Tier 1
Leverage
Capital Ratio
 

Well capitalized

     10     8     6.5     5

Adequately Capitalized

     8     6     4.5     4

Undercapitalized

     < 8     < 6     < 4.5     < 4

Significantly Undercapitalized

     < 6     < 4     < 3     <3

Critically Undercapitalized

     Tangible Equity/Total Assets £ 2%   

Community banks also became, and will become, subject to the following minimum capital requirements as of the dates indicated below.

 

Year (as of January 1)

   2015     2016     2017     2018     2019  

Minimum CET1 ratio

     4.5     4.5     4.5     4.5     4.5

Capital conversion buffer

     N/A        0.625     1.25     1.875     2.50

CET1 plus capital conservation buffer

     4.5     5.125     5.75     6.375     7.0

Phase-in of deductions from CET1*

     40.0     60.0     80.0     100.0     100.0

Minimum tier 1 capital

     6.0     6.0     6.0     6.0     6.0

Minimum tier 1 capital plus capital conservation buffer

     N/A        6.625     7.25     7.875     8.5

Minimum total capital

     8.0     8.0     8.0     8.0     8.0

Minimum total capital plus conservation buffer

     N/A        8.625     9.25     9.875     10.5

 

* Including certain threshold deduction items that are over the limits.

Federal banking regulators have adopted regulations revising the risk-based capital guidelines to further ensure that the guidelines take adequate account of interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is the adverse effect that changes in market interest rates may have on a bank’s financial condition and is inherent to the business of banking. Under the regulations, when evaluating a bank’s capital adequacy, the revised capital standards now explicitly include a bank’s exposure to declines in the economic value of its capital due to changes in interest rates. The exposure of a bank’s economic value generally represents the change in the present value of its assets, less the change in the value of its liabilities, plus the change in the value of its interest rate off-balance sheet contracts.

 

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Federal bank regulatory agencies possess broad powers to take prompt corrective action as deemed appropriate for an insured depository institution and its holding company, based on the institution’s capital levels. The extent of these powers depends upon whether the institution in question is considered “well-capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly under-capitalized,” or “critically undercapitalized.” Generally, as an institution is deemed to be less well-capitalized, the scope and severity of the agencies’ powers increase, ultimately permitting the agency to appoint a receiver for the institution. Business activities may also be influenced by an institution’s capital classification. For instance, only a “well-capitalized” depository institution may accept brokered deposits without prior regulatory approval and can engage in various expansion activities with prior notice, rather than prior regulatory approval. However, rapid growth, poor loan portfolio performance or poor earnings performance, or a combination of these factors, could change the capital position of the Bank in a relatively short period of time. Failure to meet these capital requirements could subject the Bank to prompt corrective action provisions of the FDIC, which may include filing with the appropriate bank regulatory authorities a plan describing the means and a schedule for achieving the minimum capital requirements. In addition, we would not be able to receive regulatory approval of any application that required consideration of capital adequacy, such as a branch or merger application, unless we could demonstrate a reasonable plan to meet the capital requirement within an acceptable period of time.

On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for U.S. banks. Under the final rules, minimum requirements will increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by the Bank. The rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The final rules also raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0% and require a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%. The final rules also implement strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments. On July 9, 2013, the FDIC also approved, as an interim final rule, the regulatory capital requirements for U.S. banks, following the actions of the Federal Reserve. The FDIC’s rule is identical in substance to the final rules issued by the FRB. The phase-in period for the final rules will begin for the Bank on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final rule’s requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule. On November 14, 2014, the FDIC also adjusted the capital ratio thresholds used to assess Federal Deposit Insurance premiums. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of the final rules and their expected impact.

As of December 31, 2014, the Bank was considered to be “well capitalized” with a 9.52% Tier 1 leverage ratio; 12.84% Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and 14.09% total risk-based capital ratio, well above the current capital minimum ratios to be considered “well capitalized.”

Other Safety and Soundness Regulations

The federal banking agencies also have adopted guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards relating to internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth and compensation and benefits. The federal regulatory agencies may take action against a financial institution that does not meet such standards.

Payment of Dividends

PMHC is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. The Company’s principal source of funds to pay dividends on its common stock is dividends from the Bank. Various federal and state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends the Bank may pay to the Company without regulatory approval. The Federal Reserve Board is authorized to determine the circumstances when the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit such payments. The right of the Company, its shareholders, and creditors, to participate in any distribution of the assets or earnings of the Bank is also subject to the prior claims of creditors of the Bank. Additionally, the Florida Business Corporation Act provides that the Bank may only pay dividends if the dividend payment would not render the company insolvent, or unable to meet its obligations as they come due.

As a Florida state-chartered bank, the Bank is also subject to regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends, including a prohibition of dividend payments from the Bank’s capital under certain circumstances without the prior approval of the OFR and the FDIC. Except with the prior approval of the OFR, all dividends of any Florida bank must be paid out of retained net profits from the

 

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current period and the previous two years, after deducting expenses, including losses and bad debts. In addition, a Florida state-chartered bank is required to transfer at least 20% of its net income to surplus until their surplus equals the amount of paid-in capital. Effective January 1, 2015, banks are also required to hold a capital conservation buffer of CET1 in excess of their minimum risk-based capital ratios to avoid limits on dividend payments and certain other bonus payments. Those requirements are reflected in the following table.

 

Capital Conservation Buffer

(as a percentage of risk weighted assets)

   Maximum Payout
Ratio (as a % of
the Previous Four
Quarters of Net
Income)
 

Greater than 2.5%

     No payout limitation   

Less than or equal to 2.5% and greater than 1.875%

     60%   

Less than or equal to 1.875% and greater than 1.25%

     40%   

Less than or equal to 1.25% and greater than 0.625%

     20%   

Less than or equal to 0.625%

     0%   

The Federal Reserve expects bank holding companies to serve as a source of strength to their subsidiary bank(s), which may require them to retain capital for investment in their subsidiary bank(s), rather than pay dividends to shareholders. As stated previously, the Bank may not pay dividends to PMHC, if, after paying those dividends, the Bank would fail to meet the required minimum levels under the risk-based capital guidelines and the minimum leverage ratio requirements. Payment of dividends by the Bank may be restricted at any time at the discretion of its applicable regulatory authorities, based upon the Bank’s capital position and asset quality.

Community Reinvestment

In connection with its lending activities, the Bank is subject to a number of federal laws designed to protect borrowers and promote lending to various sectors of the economy and population. These include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Truth-in-Lending Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, and the Community Reinvestment Act (the “CRA”). The CRA requires the appropriate federal banking agency to assess the bank’s record in meeting the credit needs of the communities served by the bank, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. Under the CRA, institutions are assigned a rating of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve,” or “substantial non-compliance.” The Bank received a “satisfactory” rating in its most recent CRA evaluation. In addition, pursuant to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, federal banking regulators have enacted regulations limiting the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose nonpublic consumer information to non-affiliated third parties. The regulations require disclosure of privacy policies and allow consumers to prevent certain personal information from being shared with non-affiliated third parties.

The Dodd-Frank Act created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the “CFPB”) as an agency to centralize responsibility for consumer financial protection, including implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws. The CFPB has begun exercising supervisory review of banks under its jurisdiction. The CFPB is expected to focus its rulemaking in several areas, particularly in the areas of mortgage reform involving the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the Truth in Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; however, the content of the final rules and impact to our businesses are uncertain at this time.

Additional rulemakings to come under the Dodd-Frank Act will dictate compliance changes for financial institutions. Any such changes in regulations or regulatory policies applicable to the Bank make it difficult to predict the ultimate effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

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Bank Secrecy Act / Anti-Money Laundering Laws

Since September 11, 2001, banking regulators have intensified their focus on Anti-Money Laundering and Bank Secrecy Act compliance requirements, particularly the Anti-Money Laundering provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. The USA PATRIOT Act substantially broadened the scope of U.S. anti-money laundering laws and regulations by creating new laws, regulations, and penalties, imposing significant new compliance and due diligence obligations, and expanding the extra-territorial jurisdiction of the U.S. These laws and regulations require the Bank to implement policies, procedures, and controls to detect, prevent, and report potential money laundering and terrorist financing and to verify the identity of its customers. Violations of these requirements can result in substantial civil and criminal sanctions. In addition, provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act require the federal financial institution regulatory agencies to consider the effectiveness of a financial institution’s anti-money laundering activities when reviewing bank mergers and BHC acquisitions.

Interstate Banking and Branching

Current federal law authorizes interstate acquisitions of banks and bank holding companies without geographic limitation. Furthermore, national banks and state banks are able to establish branches in any state if that state would permit the establishment of the branch by a state bank chartered in that state. Florida law permits a state bank to establish a branch of the bank anywhere in the state. Accordingly, with the elimination of interstate branching under the Dodd-Frank Act, a bank with its headquarters outside the State of Florida may establish branches anywhere within Florida.

Economic and Monetary Policies

The Bank’s earnings are affected by the policies of various banking regulatory authorities of the United States, especially the Federal Reserve and FDIC. The Federal Reserve, among other things, regulates the supply of money, credit and interest rates as a means of influencing general economic conditions within the United States. The instruments of monetary policy employed by the Federal Reserve for these purposes influence the overall level of investments, loans, other extensions of credit and deposits, and the interest rates paid on liabilities and received on assets.

As is generally true with all banking institutions, the Bank’s operations are materially and significantly influenced by these general economic conditions and by related monetary and fiscal policies of financial institution regulatory agencies, including the Federal Reserve and the FDIC. Deposit flows and the cost of funds are influenced by interest rates on competing investments and general market rates of interest. Lending activities are affected by the demand for real estate financing and other types of loans, which in turn, is affected by interest rates and other factors affecting local demand and availability of funds.

Enterprise Risk Management

As evidenced by many of the challenges that the financial industry has faced, we understand and place significant emphasis on risk management. We have invested resources in comprehensive software which monitors every component of the Bank. We believe that taking a global view of the Bank’s processes, down to the details of each procedure, will keep us properly focused. We recognize that enterprise risk management is an ongoing process.

Our solid asset quality statistics support our emphasis on risk management. With respect to lending, our risk management philosophy focuses on structuring credits to provide for multiple sources of repayment; this philosophy, coupled with strong underwriting policies and processes administered by experienced lenders, assists us with managing and mitigating our lending risks. As loans are reviewed, any borrowers who display deteriorating financial conditions are moved to an increased level of monitoring and a plan for implementing corrective actions is developed to minimize losses. We also have an annual independent, third-party loan review performed. In addition, our risk management software has the capability to stress test our portfolio utilizing mild and severe environments.

Our program also focuses on other specific areas of risk management including asset liability management, regulatory compliance, vendor management, policy review tracking, audit functions, and internal controls. Our asset liability management process is extensive; we use independent models by reputable third parties to run our interest rate risk model. We may utilize hedging techniques whenever our models indicate short term (net interest income) or long term (economic value of equity) risk to interest rate movements.

Our enterprise risk management program assists with monitoring operational controls and compliance control functions. We have also engaged an experienced independent public accounting firm to assist us with testing controls for operations and compliance. In addition, another experienced independent firm has been engaged to review and assess our controls with respect to technology and to perform penetration testing to assist us in managing the risks associated with information security.

 

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Correspondent Banking

Correspondent banking gives the Bank access to services that we have determined are not economical or practical to perform ourselves. We purchase correspondent services offered by larger banks, including check collections, purchase of federal funds, security safekeeping, investment services, coin and currency supplies. We also use correspondent banks for overline and liquidity loan participations and sales of loan participations.

Interest and Usury

The Bank is subject to numerous state and federal statutes that affect the interest rates that may be charged on loans. These laws do not, under present market conditions, deter the Bank from continuing to originate loans.

 

Item 1A Risk Factors

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Some of our borrowers will not repay their loans, and losses from loan defaults may exceed the allowance we establish for that purpose, which may have an adverse effect on our business.

Consistent with the financial institution industry, some of our borrowers inevitably will not repay loans that we make to them. This risk is inherent in the banking business. The risk of credit losses on loans varies with, among other things, general economic conditions, the type of loan being made, the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan and, in the case of a collateralized loan, the value and marketability of the collateral for the loan. If a significant number of loans are not repaid, it will have an adverse effect on our earnings and overall financial condition.

Like all financial institutions, we maintain an allowance for loan and lease losses to account for possible loan defaults and nonperformance. The allowance for loan and lease losses reflects our best estimate of probable losses in the loan portfolio at the relevant time. This evaluation is based primarily upon the following: a review of our historical loan loss experience as adjusted for certain qualitative factors; known risks contained in the loan portfolio; known risks for each segment of our loan portfolio; composition and growth of the loan portfolio; and certain economic factors. Despite our best efforts, and particularly due to the fact that we have a limited loan loss history, the determination of an appropriate level of loan loss allowance is an inherently difficult process and is based on numerous assumptions and estimations. As a result, our allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover our actual losses, and future provisions for loan losses may adversely affect our earnings.

Our recent results may not be indicative of our future results.

We may not be able to sustain our historical rate of growth any further. In addition, our recent growth may distort some of our historical financial ratios and statistics. Various factors, such as economic conditions, regulatory and legislative considerations and limitations, and competition, may also impede or prohibit our efforts to expand our market presence. If we experience a significant decrease in our historical rate of growth, our results from operations and financial condition may be adversely affected due to a high percentage of our operating costs being fixed expenses.

If the economic recovery in our market continues at or below the current pace for a prolonged period, our financial results could be adversely affected.

Our success will depend in large part on economic conditions in Tallahassee and Leon County, Florida. An economic downturn in our market could result in nonperforming assets, which may result in operating losses, impaired liquidity, and the erosion of capital. A variety of factors could create this scenario, including adverse developments in the local industries, reduction in state government staffing, or national disasters such as hurricanes, floods, or tornadoes.

Changes in interest rates affect our profitability and assets.

Our profitability depends to a large extent on the Bank’s net interest income, which is the difference between income on interest-earning assets such as loans and investment securities, and expenses on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowings. We are unable to predict changes in market interest rates, which are affected by many factors beyond our control including inflation, economic recession, unemployment, money supply, domestic and international events, and changes in the United States and other financial markets. Our net interest income may be reduced if: (i) more interest-earning assets than interest-bearing liabilities reprice or mature during a time when interest rates are declining; or (ii) more interest-bearing liabilities than interest-earning assets reprice or mature during a time when interest rates are rising.

Changes in the difference between short and long-term interest rates may also harm our business. For example, short-term deposits may be used to fund longer-term loans. When differences between short-term and long-term interest rates shrink or disappear, as has occurred in the current zero interest target rate policy environment, the spread between rates paid on deposits and received on loans could narrow significantly, decreasing our net interest income.

 

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Liquidity risk could impair our ability to fund operations and jeopardize our financial condition.

Liquidity is essential to our business. An inability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, and other sources, could have a substantial negative effect on our liquidity. Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities on terms that are acceptable to us could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically, the financial services industry, or economy in general. Factors that could negatively impact our access to liquidity sources include a decrease of our business activity as a result of a downturn in the markets in which our loans are concentrated, adverse regulatory action against us, or our inability to attract and retain deposits. Our ability to borrow could be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as a disruption in the financial markets and diminished expectations or growth in the financial services industry.

Our loan portfolio includes commercial, real estate, and consumer and other loans that may have higher risks.

Our commercial real estate, residential real estate, construction, commercial, and consumer and other loans at December 31, 2014, were $ 52.7 million, $ 51.9 million, $15.9 million, $30.8 million, and $2.9 million, respectively, or 34.2%, 33.7%, 10.3%, 20.0%, and 1.8% of total loans. Commercial loans and commercial real estate loans generally carry larger balances and can involve a greater degree of financial and credit risk than other loans. As a result, banking regulators continue to give greater scrutiny to lenders with a high concentration of commercial real estate loans in their portfolios, and such lenders are expected to implement stricter underwriting standards, internal controls, risk management policies, and portfolio stress testing, as well as higher capital levels and loss allowances. The increased financial and credit risk associated with these types of loans are a result of several factors, including the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and borrowers, the size of loan balances, the effects of general economic conditions on income-producing properties, and the increased difficulty of evaluating and monitoring these types of loans.

Our continued pace of growth may require us to raise additional capital in the future, but that capital may not be available when it is needed.

We are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. Our ability to raise additional capital will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and depend on our financial performance. Accordingly, there is no assurance as to our ability to raise additional capital if needed on terms acceptable to us. If we cannot raise additional capital to support our growth, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth and acquisitions could be materially impaired.

Both our industry and our primary service area are highly competitive.

There are a number of national and regional financial institutions that compete with us in our primary service area, both within Tallahassee and in all of Leon County, Florida. By virtue of their larger capital resources, such institutions have significantly greater lending limits than we have, and these financial institutions have the ability to offer a greater mix of financial products and services than we are able to provide. In addition, we are also competing with other financial institutions, such as savings and loan associations and credit unions, for deposits and loans. Most of our competitors benefit from a more established market presence, greater capital, and a larger asset and lending base. As a result, we cannot anticipate the extent to which such competition may negatively affect our ability to operate profitably.

Our lending limit per borrower will continue to be lower than many of our competitors which may discourage potential clients and limit our loan growth.

The Bank’s legally mandated lending limit is lower than that of many of our larger competitors because we have less capital. At December 31, 2014, our legal lending limit for loans was approximately $4.8 million to any one borrower on a secured basis and $2.9 million on an unsecured basis. Furthermore, management had an established in-house lending limit of $3.5 million for any single secured loan or loan relationship and an in-house limit of $500,000 for any single unsecured loan or loan relationship as of December 31, 2014. Although we have not experienced this to date, our lower lending limit may discourage potential borrowers with loan needs that exceed our limit from doing business with us. This may restrict our ability to grow. We attempt to serve the needs of these borrowers by selling loan participations to other institutions, but this strategy may not always succeed.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate in our geographic markets and events that negatively impact the real estate market in our primary market could hurt our business.

Our interest-earning assets are heavily concentrated in mortgage loans secured by real estate, particularly real estate located in Leon County, Florida. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 78.2% of our loans had real estate as a primary or secondary component of collateral. The real estate collateral, in each case, provides an alternate source of repayment in the event of default by the borrower; however, the value of the collateral may decline during the time the credit is extended. Real estate values and real estate markets are generally affected by a variety of factors including changes in economic conditions; fluctuations in interest rates; the availability of credit; changes in tax laws and other governmental statutes, regulations, and policies; and acts of nature. If we are required to liquidate the collateral securing a loan during a period of reduced real estate values to satisfy the debt, our earnings and capital could be adversely affected.

 

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This concentration of loans subjects us to risks if there is a downturn in the economy or a recession similar to the one our country recently experienced. A downturn could result in decreased loan originations and increased delinquencies and foreclosures, which could more greatly affect us than if our lending were more geographically diversified. In addition, since a large portion of our portfolio is secured by properties located in Leon County, Florida, the occurrence of a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, or a man-made disaster could result in a decline in loan originations, a decline in the value or destruction of mortgaged properties, and an increase in the risk of delinquencies, foreclosures or loss on loans originated by us.

Future economic growth in our market area may be slower compared to previous years.

The State of Florida’s population growth historically has exceeded national averages. Consequently, the state has experienced substantial growth in new business formation and public works spending. Although recently home prices have increased due to a moderate economic growth and migration into our market area, growth in our market area may still be restrained in the near term. Any decrease in existing and new home sales limits lending opportunities and negatively affects our income. Additionally, a decline in property values could lead to valuation adjustments on our loan portfolio.

Our business strategy depends on continued growth; therefore, our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively affected if we fail to grow or fail to manage our growth effectively.

We intend to continue pursuing a growth strategy for our business. Our business prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses, and difficulties that are frequently encountered by companies in significant growth stages of development. In light of the prevailing economic conditions, we cannot assure you we will be able to expand our market presence in our existing market, successfully enter new markets, or that any such expansion will not adversely affect our results of operations. Failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, future prospects, financial condition, or results of operations and could negatively affect successful implementation of our business strategy.

We may face risks with respect to future expansion.

We may engage in additional de novo branch expansion, expansion through acquisitions of existing branches of other financial institutions, or the acquisition of existing financial institutions in North Florida, South Georgia, or South Alabama. We may consider and enter into new lines of business or offer new products or services. Branch expansion, acquisitions, and mergers involve a number of risks, including, but not limited to: (i) the time and costs associated with identifying and evaluating potential acquisitions and merger partners; (ii) inaccurate estimates and judgments regarding credit, operations, management, and market risks of the target institutions; (iii) the time and costs of evaluating new markets, hiring experienced local management, opening new offices, and the time lags between these activities and the generation of sufficient assets and deposits to support the costs of the expansion; (iv) our ability to finance an acquisition and possible dilution to our existing shareholders; (v) the diversion of our management’s attention to the negotiation of a transaction, and the integration of the operations and personnel of the combining businesses; (vi) our ability to penetrate new markets when we lack experience in those markets; (vii) the strain of growth on our infrastructure, staff, internal controls and managements, which may require additional personnel, time, and expenditures; (viii) exposure to potential asset quality issues with acquired institutions; (ix) the introduction of new products and services into our business that could prove costly; and (x) the possibility of unknown or contingent liabilities.

We may incur substantial costs to expand and we can give no assurance such expansion will result in the levels of profits we seek. There can be no guarantee that integration efforts of any future mergers or acquisitions will be successful. Also, we may issue equity securities, including Common Stock and securities convertible into shares of our Common Stock in connection with a future acquisition, which could cause ownership and economic dilution to our current shareholders.

We are dependent on key executive officers, the loss of which may be detrimental to our operations.

We are dependent on certain executive officers of the Bank, namely our Chief Executive Officer and President, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, our Executive Vice President and Senior Lender, and our Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer for their leadership and oversight in all aspects of our operations and the unexpected loss of any of these personnel could adversely affect our operations.

LEGAL AND REGULATORY RISKS

We are subject to government regulation and monetary policy that could constrain our growth and profitability.

We are subject to extensive federal government supervision and regulations that impose substantial limitations with respect to lending activities, purchases of investment securities, the payment of dividends, and many other aspects of the banking business.

 

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Many of these regulations are intended to protect depositors, the public, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), but not our shareholders. Future legislative enactments or governmental policy could adversely affect the banking industry and our operations. Federal economic and monetary policy may also affect our ability to attract deposits, make loans, and achieve our planned operating results.

Recent legislative and regulatory initiatives could affect our operations.

The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted in 2010, has and will continue to increase the regulation and oversight of the financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Act addresses, among other things, systemic risk, capital adequacy, deposit insurance assessments, consumer financial protection, interchange fees, derivatives, lending limits, thrift charters, and changes among the banking regulatory agencies. Some provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act became effective immediately upon its enactment. Many provisions, however, will require regulations to be promulgated by various federal agencies in order to be implemented, some of which have already been proposed and enacted by the applicable federal agencies. Certain provisions will not apply to banking organizations with less than $10 billion of assets; however, the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act may have unintended effects on smaller banks, which will not be clear until implementation.

The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act may impact the profitability of our business activities, require changes to some of our business practices, or otherwise adversely affect our business, as would other regulatory initiatives that may become effective. These changes may also require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make any changes necessary to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements. It may also require us to hold higher levels of regulatory capital and/or liquidity and it may cause us to adjust our business strategy and limit our future business opportunities. We cannot predict the effects of this legislation and the corresponding regulations on us, our competitors, or on the financial markets and economy, although it may significantly increase costs and impede efficiency of internal business processes.

Additionally, in July 2013, the FDIC approved revisions to its capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action rules that implement the revised standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, commonly called Basel III, and address relevant provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. Basel III and the regulations of the federal banking agencies required bank holding companies and banks to undertake significant activities to demonstrate compliance with the new and higher capital standards beginning in January 2015. Compliance with these rules will impose additional costs on the Company and the Bank.

Our information systems may experience an interruption or security breach.

We rely heavily on communications and information systems to conduct our business. We also provide our clients the ability to bank electronically through online banking, remote capture, mobile capture, and mobile banking. The secure transmission of confidential information over the internet is a critical element of banking online. Our network could be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes, and other security problems. Any failure, interruption, or breach in the security of these systems could result in disruptions in our client relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan, and other systems. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent or limit the effect of 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 they do occur, that they will be adequately addressed. The occurrence of any failure, interruption, or security breach of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in a loss of client business, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny, or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability. While we do carry insurance to protect against losses resulting from such technology issues or breaches, we could be exposed to claims, litigation, and other possible liabilities that could exceed the maximum policy limits.

Florida financial institutions face a higher risk of noncompliance and enforcement actions with the Bank Secrecy Act and other Anti-Money Laundering statutes and regulations.

Since September 11, 2001, banking regulators have intensified their focus on Anti-Money Laundering and Bank Secrecy Act compliance requirements, particularly the Anti-Money Laundering provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. There is also increased scrutiny of compliance with the rules enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Since 2004, federal banking regulators and examiners have been extremely aggressive in their supervision and examination of financial institutions located in the State of Florida with respect to institutions’ Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering compliance. Consequently, a number of formal enforcement actions have been issued against Florida financial institutions.

In order to comply with regulations, guidelines, and examination procedures in this area, the Bank has been required to adopt new policies and procedures and to install new systems. If the Bank or future Bank acquisitions have policies, procedures, and systems that are deemed deficient, then the Bank would be subject to liability, including fines and regulatory actions such as restrictions on its ability to pay dividends and the necessity to obtain regulatory approvals to proceed with certain aspects of its business plan including its acquisition plans.

 

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Higher FDIC deposit insurance premiums and assessments could adversely affect our financial condition.

The deposits of the Bank are insured by the FDIC up to legal limits and, accordingly, subject the Bank to the payment of FDIC deposit insurance assessments. The Bank’s regular assessments are determined by its risk classification, which is based on its regulatory capital levels and the level of supervisory concern that it poses. High levels of bank failures since the beginning of the financial crisis and increases in the statutory deposit insurance limits have increased resolution costs to the FDIC and put significant pressure on the Deposit Insurance Fund. In order to maintain a strong funding position and restore the reserve ratios of the Deposit Insurance Fund, the FDIC increased deposit insurance assessment rates and charged a special assessment to all FDIC-insured financial institutions. While the Bank’s most recent assessment decreased, increases in assessment rates or special assessments may occur in the future, especially if there are significant additional financial institution failures. Any future special assessments, increases in assessment rates, or required prepayments in FDIC insurance premiums could reduce our profitability or limit our ability to pursue certain business opportunities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.

RISKS RELATED TO OWNERSHIP OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK

The limited trading market may make it difficult for you to sell your shares in the future.

There has been very limited trading activity in shares of our Common Stock as our shares are not currently listed on any stock exchange. A public market having depth and liquidity depends on having enough buyers and sellers at any given time. Without an active trading market, shareholders may find it difficult to find buyers for their shares. Investors should be aware that they may be required to bear the financial risks of this investment for an indefinite period of time.

Our Board of Directors owns a significant percentage of our shares and will be able to make decisions to which you may be opposed.

As of March 26, 2015, the Company’s directors and executive officers as a group own 487,839 shares of Common Stock, or 25.1% of our outstanding Common Stock. In addition, the directors and executive officers have stock options to acquire 96,500 shares of Common Stock, which, if fully exercised, would result in them owning 28.6% of our outstanding Common Stock. Our directors and executive officers are expected to exert a significant influence on the election of Board members and on the direction of the Company. This influence could negatively affect the price of our shares or be inconsistent with other shareholders’ desires.

We do not intend, and face statutory restrictions on our ability, to pay dividends in the immediate future.

We have not paid any dividends on our Common Stock since our inception, and we do not intend to pay dividends in the immediate future. Instead, we anticipate that all of our future earnings will be used for working capital, to support our operations, and to finance the growth and development of our business. In addition, because the Bank is our only material asset, PMHC’s ability to pay dividends to our shareholders depends on our receipt of dividends from the Bank, which is also subject to restrictions on dividends as a result of banking laws, regulations, and policies.

We are an emerging growth company, “EGC,” and the reduced reporting requirements applicable to EGCs may make our Common Stock less attractive to investors.

We are an EGC as defined in the JOBS Act. As long as we are classified as an EGC we may take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not EGCs. These include reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. We could be an EGC for up to five years, although we could lose that status sooner if our gross revenues exceed $1.0 billion, if we issue more than $1.0 billion in nonconvertible debt in a three year period, or if the market value of our Common Stock held by nonaffiliates exceeds $700 million, in which case we would no longer be an EGC as of the following December 31. We cannot predict if investors will find our Common Stock less attractive because we may utilize these exemptions, or if we choose to utilize additional exemptions in the future. If some investors find our Common Stock less attractive, there may be a less active trading market for our Common Stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

 

Item 1B Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 

Item 2 Properties

Our main office is a free standing facility located at 1897 Capital Circle NE, Tallahassee, Florida, which we own and first occupied in February 2012. The main floor houses the headquarters of the Bank and has three drive-up windows and an automated teller machine (“ATM”). The second floor houses the Executive Offices and headquarters of the Company. In addition, we continue to lease our original office, at 1471 Timberlane Road, Suite 124, Tallahassee, Florida, which has drive-up access and is equipped with an ATM.

 

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Item 3 Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are a party to various matters incidental to the conduct of a banking business. Presently, we believe that we are not a party to any legal proceedings in which resolution would have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition, liquidity, results of operation, cash flows, or capital levels.

 

Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable.

 

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

Shares of the Company’s Common Stock are not listed on any stock exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market. Shares of Common Stock have periodically been sold in a limited number or privately negotiated transactions between stockholders. As of December 31, 2014, there were 475 record holders of Common Stock.

Dividends

As of December 31, 2014, the Board of Directors had not declared any dividends. Florida law and federal regulations limit the Bank’s ability to declare and pay dividends to the Company (see Item 1 Business – “Government Supervision and Regulation – Payment of Dividends”).

Share Repurchase

We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock in 2014.

Stock Plans

The equity compensation plan information presented in Part III, Item 12 of this Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 6: Selected Financial Data

The following table is a presentation of summary financials for PMHC as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012. The following Summary Financial Data should be read in conjunction with the other financial disclosures and discussions contained elsewhere in this report. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected in future period.

 

     At or For the Years Ending December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Balance Sheet Data:

      

Total assets

   $ 210,358        206,473        169,658   

Total loans, net

     151,869        121,220        93,400   

Total deposits

     183,971        183,365        146,729   

Total shareholders’ equity

     22,867        16,361        16,039   

Income Statement Data:

      

Net interest income

   $ 7,455        6,266        4,932   

Provision for loan and lease losses

     747        513        473   

Noninterest income

     710        859        1,250   

Noninterest expense

     5,898        4,861        4,102   

Income taxes

     514        602        589   

Net earnings

     1,006        1,149        1,018   

Per Common Share Outstanding Data:

      

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.59        0.77        0.68   

Diluted earnings per common share

     0.58        0.76        0.68   

Book value per common share

     11.78        10.92        10.72   

Common shares outstanding

     1,941,617        1,498,937        1,496,106   

Average common shares outstanding:

      

Per basic

     1,709,746        1,497,737        1,496,106   

Per diluted

     1,726,662        1,518,618        1,496,106   

Performance Ratios:

      

Return on average assets

     0.48     0.62     0.69

Return on average equity

     5.21     7.08     6.50

Net interest margin

     3.70     3.55     3.53

Asset Quality Ratios:

      

Allowance to loans

     1.36     1.41     1.31

Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans

     1,227     0.00     1,231

Nonperforming loans to total loans

     0.11     0.00     0.11

Nonperforming assets to total assets

     0.08     0.00     0.06

Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans

     0.28     0.02     0.16

Capital Ratios:

      

Total risk-based capital ratio (Bank)

     14.09     13.66     15.97

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (Bank)

     12.84     12.41     14.78

Tier 1 leverage capital ratio (Bank)

     9.52     8.41     9.67

Total equity to total assets (Bank)

     9.34     7.89     9.42

Other Data:

      

Number of full-time employees

     42        38        34   

Number of full-service branch offices

     2        2        2   

 

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

Certain information in this report may include “forward-looking statements” as defined by federal securities law. Words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “is confident that,” and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty and a variety of factors could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. We do not have a policy of updating or revising forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by law, and silence by management over time should not be construed to mean that actual events are occurring as estimated in such forward-looking statements.

Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and the operations of our subsidiary, Prime Meridian Bank, include, but are not limited to, changes in the following:

 

    local, regional, and national economic and business conditions;

 

    banking laws, compliance, and the regulatory environment;

 

    unanticipated changes in the U.S. and global securities markets, public debt markets, and other capital markets;

 

    monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. Government;

 

    litigation, tax, and other regulatory matters;

 

    demand for banking services, both loan and deposit products in our market area;

 

    quality and composition of our loan or investment portfolios;

 

    risks inherent in making loans such as repayment risk and fluctuating collateral values;

 

    competition;

 

    attraction and retention of key personnel, including our management team and directors;

 

    technology, product delivery channels, and end user demands and acceptance of new products;

 

    consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

 

    any failure or breach of our operational systems, information systems or infrastructure, or those of our third party vendors and other service providers, including cyber-attacks;

 

    application and interpretation of accounting principles and guidelines;

 

    natural disasters, public unrest, adverse weather, public health and other conditions impacting our or our clients’ operations;

 

    and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, or technological factors affecting us.

General

The following discussion and analysis presents our financial condition and results of operations on a consolidated basis. However, because we conduct all of our material business operations through the Bank, the discussion and analysis relates to activities primarily conducted at the subsidiary level. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

As a one-bank holding company, we generate most of our revenue from interest on loans and investments. Our primary source of funding for our loans is deposits. Our largest expenses are interest on those deposits, salaries plus related employee benefits, and occupancy and equipment. We measure our performance through our net interest margin, return on average assets, and return on average equity, while maintaining appropriate regulatory leverage and risk-based capital ratios.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and with prevailing practices within the banking industry. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes; therefore, our financial condition and results of operations are sensitive to accounting measurements and estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. When applying accounting policies in areas that are subjective in nature, the Bank must use its best judgment to arrive at the carrying value of certain assets. The most critical accounting policy applied is the valuation of our subsidiary bank’s loan portfolio. A variety of estimates impact the carrying value of the loan portfolio, including: the calculation of the allowance for loan losses; the valuation of underlying collateral; the timing of loan charge-offs; and the amount and amortization of loan fees and deferred origination costs.

 

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We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under current circumstances. These assumptions form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from independent, objective sources. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. Use of alternative assumptions may have resulted in significantly different estimates and actual results may differ from these estimates.

We have identified the following accounting policies and estimates as critical. In order to understand our financial condition and results of operations, it is important to comprehend how these assumptions apply to our financial statements.

Allowance for Loan Losses. Our allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”) is established through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings as specific loan losses are identified by management and as inherent loan losses are determined to exist. Loan losses are charged against the ALLL when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ALLL.

Our ALLL is evaluated for adequacy by management on a monthly basis and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loan portfolio in light of historical experience in the industry, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral, prevailing economic conditions and industry standards. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

Specific loan losses are identified and evaluated in accordance with ASC 310-10 – “Receivables.” A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment status include payment status and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not considered as impaired. We look at the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

When a loan is considered impaired, the amount of the impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis by comparing the recorded investment in the loan to any of the following measurements: the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the recorded investment in the loan is higher than the calculated impairment basis, the difference is maintained as a specific loan loss allocation, or it is charged off if the amount is determined to be uncollectible. As the Bank grows, management may elect to collectively evaluate large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans for impairment, instead of on a loan-by-loan basis.

Inherent loan losses are evaluated in accordance with ASC 450-20 – “Contingencies.” Management currently uses three years of historical loan loss data; however, because of limited loss experience we also take into account the following qualitative factors: (i) changes in lending policies and procedures, risk selection and underwriting standards; (ii) changes in national, regional and local economic conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio; (iii) changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; (iv) changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, nonaccrual loans or loans classified “Special Mention,” “Substandard,” “Doubtful” or “Loss;” (v) the quality of loan review and Board of Directors oversight; (vi) changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio and terms of loans; (vii) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations; and (viii) the effect of other external factors, trends or uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses, such as competition and industry conditions. As evidence of inherent loan loss increases, the appropriate qualitative risk factors may be increased to support any additional risk in the portfolio.

Recent Interest-Rate Trends

Like many other financial institutions, our results of operations are dependent on net interest income, which is the difference between interest received on interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, namely deposits and borrowings. We are unable to predict changes in market interest rates, which are affected by many factors beyond our control including inflation, economic conditions, unemployment, money supply, domestic and international events, and changes in the United States and other financial markets. Our net interest income may be reduced if (i) more interest-earning assets than interest-earning liabilities reprice or mature during a time when interest rates are declining, or (ii) more interest-bearing liabilities than interest-earning assets reprice or mature during a time when interest rates are rising. We measure the potential adverse impacts of changing interest rates by shocking average interest rates up or down 100 to 400 basis points and calculating the potential impacts on our net interest income, liquidity, and economic value of equity. We utilize the results of these simulations to determine whether to increase or decrease our fixed rate loan portfolio, to adjust our investment in assets such as bonds, or to take other action in order to maintain or improve our net interest margin given the trending or expected interest rate changes.

 

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As of December 31, 2014, 54.3% of our loan portfolio consisted of adjustable-rate loans, meaning these loans will adjust with changes in interest rates and pose little interest rate risk in a rising interest rate environment. Also as of December 31, 2014, 57.2% of the total loan portfolio was scheduled to mature in five years or less, which helps mitigate the risks of a fixed-rate loan portfolio in a rising interest rate environment. If interest rates increase, borrowers may be less inclined to seek new loans. In addition, higher interest rates could adversely affect an adjustable rate borrower’s ability to continue servicing debt. On the other hand, loan commitments totaling $79.5 million, or approximately 51.6% of our total loan portfolio, have interest rate floors which will help maximize our net interest margin in a decreasing rate environment.

Our ability to originate new loans may be further impeded by increased competition for high quality borrowers which leads to downward pricing pressure on loans, a general consumer and business bias towards reducing debt levels, and the lingering effects of the economic recession on the financial condition of both consumers and businesses, making the underwriting of new loans more challenging.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

A principal objective of the Bank’s asset liability management strategy is to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates within Board approved policy limits by matching the maturity and re-pricing characteristics of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. This strategy is overseen through the direction of the Bank’s Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”), which establishes policies and monitors results to control interest rate sensitivity.

We model our current interest rate exposure in various rate scenarios, review our model assumptions, and then stress test those assumptions. Based on the results, we then formulate strategies regarding asset generation, funding sources and their pricing parameters, as well as evaluate off-balance sheet commitments in order to maintain interest rate risk within Board approved target limits. We utilize industry recognized Asset Liability models driven by third-party providers. ALCO uses both internally and externally generated reports to analyze the Bank’s interest rate sensitivity. From these reports, the ALCO can estimate both the effect on Net Interest Income and the effect on Economic Value of Equity (“EVE”) in various interest rate scenarios.

As a part of the Bank’s Interest Rate Risk Management Policy, our ALCO examines the extent to which the Bank’s assets and liabilities are “interest rate sensitive” and monitors its interest rate sensitivity. An asset or liability is considered to be interest rate sensitive, for income purposes, if its projected income/expense amount will change if interest rates change. Likewise, it is considered interest rate sensitive for EVE if its economic value will change if interest rates change.

In an asset sensitive portfolio, the Bank’s income will increase in a rising rate environment as assets will re-price faster than liabilities. Conversely, if the Bank is liability sensitive and the liabilities re-price faster than the assets, income will fall in a rising rate environment. In a rising rate environment, if the Bank is asset sensitive, the EVE will increase. If the Bank is liability sensitive, the EVE will fall in a rising rate environment.

In modeling the Bank’s interest rate exposure, the Bank makes a number of important assumptions about the behavior of assets and liabilities. The critical assumptions fall into three main categories, Nonmaturity Assumptions, Prepayment Assumptions, and Options.

Nonmaturity Assumptions

Nonmaturity Deposit Betas – The Beta of a nonmaturity deposit is a measure of the re-pricing behavior of the deposit. Based on the Bank’s own historical experience, the Bank determines how much the price of a deposit will change as a percentage of the change in the market rates. For example, a 50% Beta means that the deposit price will change by 50% of the market rate change.

Nonmaturity Decay – We determine how “sticky” deposits are by assigning a “maturity” to the deposits, e.g. 120 months. These assumptions are also based on our own experience by looking at both the age of the current deposit base and the historic monthly account closings experience. The lower the Beta (more fixed rate nature) and the higher the Decay (longer duration), the less sensitive a bank becomes.

Prepayment Assumptions

We also determine how likely each asset or liability is to prepay or be withdrawn prior to its contracted maturity date. As refinancing rates become increasingly attractive, prepayment speeds increase as clients are able to prepay loans and refinance at lower rates. Conversely, prepayments decrease in a rising rate environment; however, time deposits will display the opposite behavior if clients are able to withdraw their CDs without significant penalty and reinvest at a higher rate. In a decreasing rate environment, clients generally hold their time deposits to maturity.

Prepayment speed changes are not linear; they will continue to increase as rates fall but will plateau as rates rise. Therefore, the Bank’s asset prices will not change linearly with market rate changes. The higher the prepayment speed of assets or withdrawal speed of term liabilities, the more liability sensitive the Bank becomes. The Bank monitors its prepayments and withdrawals and updates the assumptions used in the risk models on a monthly basis.

 

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In addition, certain balance sheet instruments such as interest-rate floors or caps on loans, be they periodic or lifetime, and other optionality on investments, limit or increase income and create value changes of the instrument as interest rates change.

Options

We monitor our exposure to option-type effects and manage our option risk. Currently, the most significant assumptions which affect the Bank’s interest rate sensitivity are the Nonmaturity Deposit assumptions, followed by the Prepayment Assumptions. The amount of option risk, aside from prepayment risk, is minimal.

We monitor our exposure on a monthly basis under thirteen different rate scenarios, including rates rising or declining by up to 4% and the current yield curve flattening or steepening. We compare these results to the Board’s established limits to determine if a limit has been compromised. If a limit is exceeded, we have policies and strategies in place to reduce the exposure back to acceptable levels. In addition, we also stress test all of our assumptions under these rate scenarios to determine at what point the Board approved target limits would be compromised, even if they are not currently compromised using the historically determined assumptions. If the limits are in danger of being compromised with relatively small assumption changes, we would adjust our strategy to reduce exposure. All of these assumptions, reports, stress tests, and strategies are reviewed by ALCO at least quarterly and all limit exceptions are reported to the Board.

Currently, we have not entered into any interest rate swaps or similar off-balance sheet hedging instruments in connection with our asset liability management. Further discussion on off-balance sheet arrangements can be found in Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit, unused lines of credit, guaranteed accounts, and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments.

Our strategy is to maintain an interest rate risk position within the tolerance limits set by the Board of Directors in order to protect our net interest margin under extreme market fluctuations. Principal among our asset liability management strategies has been the emphasis on reducing exposure during periods of fluctuating interest rates. We believe that the type and amount of our interest rate sensitive liabilities should reduce the potential impact that a rise in interest rates might have on our net interest income.

We look to maintain a core deposit base by providing quality services to our clients, without significantly increasing our cost of funds or operating expenses. We anticipate that these accounts will continue to comprise a significant portion of the Bank’s total deposit base. We also maintain a portfolio of liquid assets in order to reduce overall exposure to changes in market interest rates. Likewise, we maintain a “floor,” or minimum rate, on certain of our floating or published base rate loans. These floors allow us to continue to earn a higher rate when the floating rate falls below the established floor rate. All interest rate caps and floors are clearly and closely related to the loan agreement; therefore, they are not bifurcated and valued separately.

 

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The following table sets forth certain information related to the Company’s interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at December 31, 2014, which are estimated to mature or are scheduled to re-price within the period shown (dollars in thousands):

 

     Under
Three

Months
    Three to
Twelve

Months
    One to
Five

Years
    Over Five
Years
    Total  

Interest-earning deposits

   $ 187        0        0        0        187   

Federal funds sold

     3,611        0        0        0        3,611   

Interest bearing time deposits in banks

     0        0        0        0        0   

Loans(1) (2)

     37,187        29,182        82,584        6,945        155,898   

Securities (3) (4)

     3,424        5,196        22,235        11,641        42,496   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total rate-sensitive assets (earning assets)

$ 44,409      34,378      104,819      18,586      202,192   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Money-market(5)

$ 104,167      0      0      0      104,167   

Savings and NOW deposits(5)

  17,999      0      0      0      17,999   

Time deposits(5)

  2,406      8,321      7,930      0      18,657   

Other borrowings

  2,699      0      0      0      2,699   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total rate-sensitive liabilities

$ 127,271      8,321      7,930      0      143,522   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gap (re-pricing differences)

$ (82,862   26,057      96,889      18,586      58,670   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cumulative Gap

$ (82,862   (56,805   40,084      58,670   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Cumulative Gap/total assets

  (39.39 )%    (27.00 )%    19.06   27.89
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Cumulative Gap/total earnings assets

  (40.98 )%    (28.09 )%    19.82   29.01
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total assets

$ 210,358   
  

 

 

         

Total earning assets

$ 202,211   
  

 

 

         

 

(1)  In preparing the table above, adjustable-rate loans were included in the period in which the interest rates are next scheduled to adjust rather than in the period in which the loans mature. Fixed-rate loans were scheduled according to their contractual maturities.
(2)  Includes loans held for sale
(3) Securities include securities available for sale and Federal Home Loan Bank stock.
(4)  Securities were scheduled at amortized cost based on their remaining maturity or repricing frequency. Fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities are scheduled ratably over nine years.
(5)  Excludes noninterest-bearing deposit accounts. Money-market, NOW, and savings deposits are scheduled based on FDICIA studies on nonmaturity deposits. All other time deposits were scheduled through the maturity dates.

 

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Table of Contents

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net interest income constitutes the principal source of income for the Bank and results from the excess of interest income on interest-earning assets over interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities. The principal interest-earning assets are investment securities and loans receivable. Interest-bearing liabilities primarily consist of time deposits, interest-bearing checking accounts, savings deposits, money-market accounts, and other borrowings. Funds attracted by these interest-bearing liabilities are invested in interest-earning assets. Accordingly, net interest income depends upon the volume of average interest-earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities and the interest rates earned or paid on these assets and liabilities.

The table below sets forth information regarding: (i) the total dollar amount of interest and dividend income of the Bank from interest-earning assets and the resultant average yields; (ii) the total dollar amount of interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and the resultant average costs; (iii) net interest income; (iv) interest rate spread; (v) net interest margin; and (vi) weighted average yields and rates. Yields and costs were derived by dividing annualized income or expense by the average balance of assets or liabilities. The yields and costs depicted in the table include the amortization of fees, which are considered to constitute adjustments to yields (dollars in thousands). As shown in the table below, the increase in yield on total interest-earning assets from 2013 to 2014 in conjunction with lower rates on interest-bearing liabilities and a higher ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities led to a higher net interest margin in 2014.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013  
     Average
Balance
     Interest
and
Dividends
     Average
Yield/
Rate
    Average
Balance
     Interest
and
Dividends
     Average
Yield/
Rate
 

Interest-earning assets:

                

Loans(1)

   $ 136,119       $ 7,083         5.20   $ 112,826       $ 6,076         5.39

Mortgage loans held for sale

     924         51         5.50        0         0         0   

Securities

     42,907         922         2.15        43,531         838         1.93   

Other (2)

     21,760         60         0.28        20,391         56         0.27   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total interest-earning assets

  201,710      8,116      4.02      176,748      6,970      3.94   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noninterest-earning assets

  8,490      7,876   
  

 

 

         

 

 

       

Total assets

$ 210,200    $ 184,624   
  

 

 

         

 

 

       

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Savings, NOW and money-market deposits

  118,299      534      0.45      103,459      528      0.51   

Time deposits<$100,000

  3,524      17      0.48      3,578      24      0.68   

Time deposits>$100,000

  10,628      74      0.70      11,878      94      0.79   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

Deposits

  132,451      625      0.47      118,915      646      0.54   

Other borrowings

  3,657      36      0.98      5,782      58      1.00   
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total interest-bearing liabilities

  136,108      661      0.49      124,697      704      0.56   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing deposits

  54,170      43,233   

Noninterest-bearing liabilities

  602      474   

Stockholders’ equity

  19,320      16,220   
  

 

 

         

 

 

       

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 210,200    $ 184,624   
  

 

 

         

 

 

       

Net earning assets

$ 65,602    $ 52,051   
  

 

 

         

 

 

       

Net interest income

$ 7,455    $ 6,266   
     

 

 

         

 

 

    

Interest rate spread

  3.53   3.38
        

 

 

         

 

 

 

Net interest margin (3)

  3.70   3.55
        

 

 

         

 

 

 

Ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities

  1.48      1.42   
  

 

 

         

 

 

       

 

(1)  Includes nonaccrual loans
(2)  Other interest-earning assets included Federal funds sold and Federal Home Loan Bank stock.
(3)  Net interest margin is net interest income divided by total interest-earning assets.

 

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Table of Contents

Comparison of the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013

Net earnings for the year ended December 31, 2014, were $1.0 million or $0.59 per basic and $0.58 per diluted share compared to net earnings of $1.1 million, or $0.77 per basic and $0.76 per diluted share in 2013. The $143,000 decrease in net earnings can be attributed to a $234,000, or 45.6%, increase in the provision for loan losses, a $149,000, or 17.3%, decrease in noninterest income and a $1.0 million, or 21.3%, increase in noninterest expense, all partially offset by a $1.2 million, or 19.0%, increase in net interest income.

Net Interest Income

Our operating results depend primarily on our net interest income, which is the difference between interest and dividend income on interest-earning assets such as loans and investments, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities such as deposits and borrowings. Net interest income was $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Interest Income. Despite lower yields on loans since 2011, interest income increased to $8.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was driven by an increase in average net loans from $112.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, to $136.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and an $84,000, or 10.0%, increase in interest income from securities. Although the average balance of securities declined from $43.5 million in 2013 to $42.9 million in 2014, higher yields on the securities portfolio resulted in the higher interest income from this category.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to $661,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $704,000 for the year ended December 31, 2013. The decrease in interest expense in 2014 was due to a lower interest rate environment and a higher average balance of noninterest bearing deposit accounts in 2014. Since inception, the Bank has proactively managed interest rates paid on deposits, decreasing the average rate paid on deposits from 0.54% in 2013 and 0.47% in 2014. Furthermore, the average balance of noninterest-bearing deposits increased from 26.7% of the average balance of total deposits in 2013 to 29.0% of the average balance of total deposits in 2014. At December 31, 2014, however, noninterest-bearing deposits decreased as a percentage of total deposits as one political committee action deposit account withdrew over $23 million over the course of 2014 in connection with a November 2014 election.

Overall, a combination of higher average loan balances, higher yields on securities, and a decrease in deposit funding costs led to improvement in the Bank’s net interest margin from 3.55% in 2013, to 3.70% in 2014.

Provision for Loan Losses. The provision for loan losses is charged to earnings to increase the total loan loss allowance to a level deemed appropriate by management. The provision is based upon the volume and type of lending conducted by the Bank, industry standards, general economic conditions, particularly as they relate to our market area, and other factors related to the collectability of the loan portfolio. The provisions for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $747,000 and $513,000, respectively. Management believes that the ALLL, which was $2.1 million, or 1.36% of gross loans, at December 31, 2014, was adequate.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income consists of revenues generated from a broad range of financial services and activities, primarily service charges on deposit accounts, transaction fees on credit cards and debit cards, mortgage banking revenue, and gains on sales of securities and loans. During 2014, noninterest income decreased $149,000, or 17.3%, to $710,000. The decrease was primarily due to a $246,000 gain on sale of an SBA loan that was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to a $0 gain on sale of SBA loans in 2014. The decrease was partially offset, however, by a $34,000 increase in service charges and fees on deposit accounts, a $46,000 increase in gain on sale of securities available for sale, and a $37,000 increase in other noninterest income.

Noninterest Expense

Noninterest expense increased $1.0 million from $4.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, to $5.9 million for 2014. The increase was primarily due to a $560,000, or 21.1%, increase in salaries and employee benefits and a $267,000 increase in professional fees as the company completed its first full year as an SEC reporting company and incurred higher than normal legal costs associated with the resolution of one impaired loan. In addition, other expenses increased $197,000 during 2014, driven by increases in loan and collection expenses, board of directors’ fees, travel and entertainment expenses, and business development expenses. Full-time equivalent employees increased from thirty-eight at December 31, 2013, to forty-two at December 31, 2014, as the Bank continues to position itself for future expansion.

 

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Table of Contents

Income Taxes

Income tax expense is based on amounts reported in the statement of earnings, after adjustments for nontaxable income and nondeductible expenses, and consists of taxes currently due plus deferred taxes on temporary differences in the recognition of income and expense for tax and financial statement purposes. The income taxes were $514,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014, compared to $602,000 for 2013. The decrease was due to lower pre-tax earnings.

Rate/Volume Analysis

The following table sets forth certain information regarding changes in interest income and interest expense for the periods indicated. For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, information is provided on changes attributable to: (i) changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior volume); (ii) changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate); and (iii) changes in rate-volume (change in rate multiplied by change in volume).

 

     Rate      Volume      Rate/Volume      Total  
     (In thousands)  

Year Ended December 31, 2014 vs. 2013:

           

Interest-earning assets:

           

Loans

   $ (203      1,305         (44      1,058   

Securities

     98         (13      (1      84   

Other interest-earning assets

     2         2         0         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ (103   1,294      (45   1,146   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest-bearing liabilities:

Savings, NOW and MMKT

  (62   76      (8   6   

Time deposits <$ 100,000

  (7   0      0      (7

Time deposits ³$ 100,000

  (10   (9   (1   (20
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deposits

  (79   67      (9   (21

Other borrowings

  (1   (21   0      (22
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  (80   46      (9   (43
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in net interest income

$ (23   1,248      (36   1,189   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial Condition

As of December 31, 2014, Prime Meridian has grown to $210.4 million in total assets, $184.0 million in deposits, and $151.9 million in portfolio net loans. This compares to $206.5 million in total assets, $183.4 million in deposits, and $121.2 million in portfolio net loans, as of December 31, 2013. We attribute the successful growth of our loan portfolio to a combination of factors including our relationship banking model, our proactive marketing efforts in the community, and an experienced team. Although the Bank did not experience significant growth in deposits in 2014, this was anticipated. A political action committee account took in significant noninterest-bearing deposits in preparation for a November, 2014, election reaching a balance of $23.9 million at December 31, 2013. The balance of this account at December 31, 2014 was $132,000. Excluding the effect of this one account, deposits would have grown $24.4 million, or 13.3% over 2013.

Investment Securities

Our securities portfolio is used to make various term investments, maintain a source of liquidity, and serve as collateral for certain types of deposits and borrowings. We manage our investment portfolio according to a written investment policy approved by our Board of Directors in order to accomplish these goals. Adjustments are sometimes necessary in the portfolio to provide liquidity for funding loan demand and deposit fluctuations and to control interest rate risk. Therefore, from time to time, management may sell certain securities prior to their maturity.

 

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Table of Contents

At the dates indicated below, the investment portfolio has been classified as available for sale. The following table sets forth the carrying amount of the investment portfolio as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):

 

     At December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Available for Sale:

     

U.S. Government agency securities

   $ 6,863         6,969   

Municipal securities

     9,531         8,884   

Mortgage backed securities

     26,003         26,280   

Asset backed securities

     0         1,938   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total securities available for sale

$ 42,397      44,071   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The carrying amount and weighted average yields for investments as of December 31, 2014 are shown below (dollars in thousands):

 

     U.S.
Government
Agency
Securities
     Municipals      Mortgage
Backed
     Total      Weighted-
Average
Yields
 

Due in one to five years

   $ 737         1,575         0         2,312         1.10

Due in five to ten years

     3,852         2,982         0         6,834         1.91   

Due after ten years

     2,274         4,974         0         7,248         2.53   

No defined maturity

     0         0         26,003         26,003         2.34   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

$ 6,863      9,531      26,003      42,397      2.23
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* All securities are listed at actual yield and not on a tax equivalent basis.

Cash Surrender Value of Bank-Owned Life Insurance

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, we maintained investments of $1.61 million and $1.56 million, respectively, in Bank-Owned Life Insurance policies due to attractive risk-adjusted returns and for protection against the loss of key executives.

Loans

Our primary earning asset is our loan portfolio and our primary source of income is the interest earned on the loan portfolio. Our loan portfolio consists of commercial real estate loans, construction loans, and commercial loans made to small-to-medium sized companies and their owners, as well as residential real estate loans, including first and second mortgages, and consumer loans.

We work diligently to attract new lending clients through direct solicitation by our loan officers, utilizing relationship networks from existing clients, competitive pricing, and innovative structure. Evidence of this effort is seen in the organic growth in our loans. As of December 31, 2014, the Bank’s net loans were $151.9 million, representing 72.2% of total assets, compared to net loans of $121.2 million as of December 31, 2013 representing 58.7% of total assets. These loans were priced based upon the degree of risk, collateral, loan amount, and maturity. We have no foreign loans.

 

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Table of Contents

The composition of our loan portfolio as of the dates indicated was as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     As of December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     Amount     % of
Total
    Amount     % of
Total
    Amount     % of
Total
 

Real estate mortgage loans:

            

Commercial real estate

   $ 52,661        34.2   $ 44,796        36.4   $ 35,490        37.5

Residential real estate and home equity

     51,858        33.7        38,571        31.4        30,886        32.6   

Construction

     15,876        10.3        12,933        10.5        6,437        6.8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total real estate mortgage

  120,395      78.2      96,300      78.3      72,813      76.9   

Commercial

  30,755      20.0      24,651      20.0      19,794      20.9   

Consumer and other

  2,877      1.8      2,072      1.7      2,105      2.2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total loans

  154,027      100.0   123,023      100.0   94,712      100.0
    

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less:

Deferred loan costs, net

  (60   (69   (69

Allowance for loan and lease losses

  (2,098   (1,734   (1,243
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Loans, net

$ 151,869    $ 121,220    $ 93,400   
  

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

   

Maturities of Loans

The following tables show the contractual maturities of the Bank’s loan portfolio at December 31, 2014. Loans with scheduled maturities are reported in the maturity category in which the payment is due. Demand loans with no stated maturity and overdrafts are reported in the “due one year or less” category. Loans that have adjustable rates are shown as amortizing to final maturity rather than when the interest rates are next subject to change. The tables do not include prepayment or scheduled principal repayments (dollars in thousands).

Type of Loan

 

     Due in
One Year
or Less
     Due in
One to
Five Years
     Due
After
Five Years
     Total  

Real estate mortgage loans:

           

Commercial real estate

   $ 7,151         20,731         24,779         52,661   

Residential real estate and home equity

     3,052         14,879         33,927         51,858   

Construction

     8,277         3,197         4,402         15,876   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate mortgage

  18,480      38,807      63,108      120,395   

Commercial

  12,419      14,835      3,501      30,755   

Consumer

  1,319      1,426      132      2,877   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 32,218      55,068      66,741      154,027   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

Sensitivity. For loans due after one year or more, the following tables present the sensitivities to changes in interest rates at December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

Type of Loans

 

     Fixed
Interest
Rate
     Floating
Interest
Rate
     Total  

Real estate mortgage loans:

        

Commercial real estate

   $ 22,726         22,784         45,510   

Residential real estate and home equity

     17,893         30,914         48,807   

Construction

     3,943         3,656         7,599   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate mortgage

  44,562      57,354      101,916   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commercial

  9,964      8,371      18,335   

Consumer

  1,171      388      1,559   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 55,697      66,113      121,810   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Nonperforming Assets

Nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans and other real estate owned, (“OREO”). Nonperforming loans include loans that are on nonaccrual status and nonperforming loans restructured as trouble debt restructurings, where we have granted a concession on the interest rate or original repayment terms due to financial difficulties of the borrower. OREO consists of real property acquired through foreclosure. We account for troubled debt restructurings in accordance with ASC 310, “Receivables.”

We generally place loans on nonaccrual status when they become 90 days or more past due, unless they are well secured and in the process of collection. We also place loans on nonaccrual status if they are less than 90 days past due if the collection of principal or interest is in doubt. When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status, any interest previously accrued, but not collected, is reversed from income.

Accounting standards require the Bank to identify loans as impaired loans when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. These standards require that impaired loans be valued at the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, using one of the following methods: the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the underlying collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. We implement these standards in our monthly review of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, and identify and value impaired loans in accordance with guidance on these standards. Five loans totaling $237,000 were deemed to be impaired under the Bank’s policy at December 31, 2014, while loans totaling $382,000 and $232,000 were deemed to be impaired under the Bank’s policy at December 31, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

At December 31, 2014, we had two non-accruing loans in the aggregate amount of $171,000, compared to no non-accruing loans as of December 31, 2013 and $101,000 as of December 31, 2012.

Our goal is to maintain a high quality of loans through sound underwriting and lending practices. As of December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, approximately 78.2%, 78.3%, and 76.9%, respectively, of the total loan portfolio were collateralized by commercial and residential real estate mortgages. The level of nonperforming loans and OREO also is relevant to the credit quality of a loan portfolio. As of December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, there were $171,000, $0, and $101,000, respectively, in nonperforming loans and OREO.

 

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The goal of the loan review process is to identify and address classified and nonperforming loans as early as possible. The following table sets forth certain information on nonaccrual loans and OREO, the ratio of such loans and foreclosed assets to total assets as of the dates indicated, and certain other related information (dollars in thousands).

 

     At December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

Total nonperforming loans

   $ 171        0        101   

OREO

     0        0        0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total nonperforming loans and foreclosed assets

$ 171      0      101   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total nonperforming loans as a percentage of total loans

  0.11   0.00   0.11

Total nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets

  0.08   0.00   0.06

Total accruing loans over 90-days delinquent as a percentage of total loans

  0.00   0.00   0.00

Allowance for Loan Losses

As of December 31, 2014, our ALLL was allocated mostly to inherent loan losses using historical loss experience and qualitative risk factors, but we also had a $98,000 allocation for specific loan losses. Our ALLL was allocated as follows, as of the indicated dates (dollars in thousands).

 

     As of December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  
     Amount      % of
Loans to
Total
Loans
    Amount      % of
Loans to
Total
Loans
    Amount      % of
Loans to
Total
Loans
 

Commercial real estate

   $ 702         34.2   $ 604         36.4   $ 352         37.5

Residential real estate and home equity

     691         33.7        545         31.4        226         32.6   

Construction

     211         10.3        175         10.5        237         6.8   

Commercial

     453         20.0        387         20.0        405         20.9   

Consumer

     41         1.8        23         1.7        23         2.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans

$ 2,098      100.0 $ 1,734      100.0 $ 1,243      100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table sets forth certain information with respect to activity in our ALLL during the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013     2012  

ALLL at beginning of period

   $ 1,734        1,243        903   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Charge-offs:

Commercial real estate

  (532   0      0   

Residential and home equity

  0      0      0   

Construction

  0      (47   (165

Commercial

  0      0      0   

Consumer

  (16   (1   (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total charge-offs

  (548   (48   (166
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Recoveries:

Commercial real estate

  128      0      0   

Residential and home equity

  0      0      0   

Construction

  0      0      0   

Commercial

  36      26      33   

Consumer

  1      0      0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recoveries

  165      26      33   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net charge-offs

  (383   (22   (133
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for loan losses charged to operations

  747      513      473   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

ALLL at end of year

$ 2,098      1,734      1,243   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of net charge-offs (recoveries) during the year to average loans outstanding during the year

  0.28   0.02   0.16
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

ALLL as a percentage of total loans at end of year

  1.36   1.41   1.31
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

ALLL as a percentage of nonperforming loans

  1,226.90   0.00    1,230.69
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We believe that our ALLL at December 31, 2014, appropriately reflected the risk inherent in the portfolio as of that date. The methodologies used in the calculation are in compliance with regulatory policy and GAAP.

 

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Deposits

The major source of the Bank’s funds for lending and other investment purposes are deposits, in particular core deposits and non-maturity deposits. Management believes that substantially all of our depositors are residents in our primary market area. Total deposits were $184.0 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $183.4 million at December 31, 2013. Although the Bank did not experience growth in deposits, this was anticipated. The balance of one of our noninterest-bearing deposit accounts, a political action committee account, increased significantly in 2013 in preparation for the November, 2014 election, reaching a balance of $23.9 million at December 31, 2013. The balance of this account at December 31, 2014 was $132,000. Excluding the effect of this one account, deposits would have grown $24.4 million, or 13.3% over 2013.

The following table sets forth the distribution by type of our deposit accounts as follows at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):

 

     As of December 31,  
     2014     2013  

Deposit Types

   Amount      % of
Deposits
    Amount      % of
Deposits
 

Noninterest-bearing deposits

   $ 43,148         23.5   $ 59,011         32.2

Money-market accounts

     98,565         53.6        96,556         52.6   

NOW

     20,626         11.2        11,104         6.1   

Savings

     2,975         1.6        2,100         1.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

  165,314      89.9      168,771      92.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Time deposits:

0.00 – 0.50%

  7,509      4.1      8,263      4.6   

0.51 – 1.00%

  9,267      5.0      4,070      2.2   

1.01 – 1.50%

  966      0.5      506      0.3   

1.51 – 2.00%

  915      0.5      1,308      0.7   

2.01 – 2.50%

  0      0.0      447      0.2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total time deposits

  18,657      10.1      14,594      8.0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deposits

$ 183,971      100.0 $ 183,365      100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table presents the maturities of our time deposits of $100,000 or more as of December 31, 2014, (dollars in thousands):

 

Due in three months or less

$ 2,081   

Due from three months to six months

  1,807   

Due from six months to one year

  4,133   

Due over one year

  7,213   
  

 

 

 

Total

$ 15,234   
  

 

 

 

Borrowings

Deposits are the primary source of funds for our lending and investment activities and general business purposes; however, as an alternate source of liquidity, we may obtain advances from the FHLB of Atlanta, sell investment securities subject to our obligation to repurchase them, purchase federal funds, and engage in overnight borrowing from the Federal Reserve, correspondent banks, or client repurchase agreements. The level of short-term borrowings can fluctuate on a daily basis depending on funding needs and the source of funds to satisfy the needs.

The Bank has an agreement with the FHLB and pledges its qualified loans as collateral which would allow the Bank, as of December 31, 2014, to borrow up to $30.7 million. There were no advances outstanding at December 31, 2014.

 

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Table of Contents

We have entered into a repurchase agreement with a client that requires the Company to pledge securities as collateral for borrowing under the agreement. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the outstanding balance of such borrowings totaled $2.7 million and $5.7 million, respectively. For the same time periods, the Company pledged securities with a carrying value of $3.6 million and $5.9 million, as collateral for the agreement.

The following table summarizes our borrowings for the respective time periods (dollars in thousands):

 

     At December 31,  
     2014     2013  

Balance outstanding at year-end

   $ 2,699        5,719   

Average balance outstanding during the year

   $ 3,592        5,789   

Average interest rate paid

     1.0     1.0

Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during year

   $ 5,733        5,813   

Capital Adequacy

Stockholder’s equity was $22.9 million as of December 31, 2014, compared to $16.4 million as of December 31, 2013. As of December 31, 2014, no dividends had been paid or declared. On December 11, 2013, PMHC commenced a public offering of up to 1,200,000 shares of its common stock for $12.50 per share (the “Offering”) in order to raise additional capital. The Offering ended on December 31, 2014. The Company sold 425,619 shares of common stock and raised $4.96 million, net of expenses.

As of December 31, 2014, the Bank was considered to be “well capitalized” with a 9.52% Tier 1 leverage ratio; 12.84% Tier 1 leverage risk-based capital ratio and 14.09% total risk-based capital ratio, well above the current capital minimum ratios to be considered “well capitalized.”

 

                 For Well
Capitalized
Purposes
 
     Actual     For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
   
     Amount      Percentage     Amount      Percentage     Amount      Percentage  

As of December 31, 2014:

               

Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets

   $ 19,589         9.52   $ 8,227         4.00   $ 10,284         5.00

Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets

     19,589         12.84        6,102         4.00        9,154         6.00   

Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets

     21,498         14.09        12,206         8.00        15,257         10.00   

As of December 31, 2013:

               

Tier 1 Capital to Average Assets

     16,611         8.41        7,898         4.00        9,872         5.00   

Tier 1 Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets

     16,611         12.41        5,355         4.00        8,033         6.00   

Total Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets

     18,286         13.66        10,711         8.00        13,388         10.00   

Effective January 1, 2015, banks became subject to the following new capital level threshold requirements under the FDIC’s Prompt Corrective Action regulations.

 

     Threshold Ratios  

Capital

Category

   Total
Risk-Based
Capital Ratio
    Tier 1
Risk-Based
Capital Ratio
    Common Equity
Tier 1

Risk-Based
Capital Ratio
    Tier 1
Leverage
Capital Ratio
 

Well capitalized

     10.00     8.00     6.50     5.00

Adequately Capitalized

     8.00     6.00     4.50     4.00

Undercapitalized

     < 8.00     < 6.00     < 4.50     < 4.00

Significantly Undercapitalized

     < 6.00     < 4.00     < 3.00     < 3.00

Critically Undercapitalized

       Tangible Equity/Total Assets £ 2%     

 

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Liquidity

As a commercial bank, we are expected to maintain an adequate liquidity reserve. Liquidity refers to our ability to maintain cash flow that is adequate to fund operations and meet present and future financial obligations through either the sale or maturity of existing assets or by obtaining additional funding through liability management. The liquidity reserve may consist of cash on hand, cash on demand deposit with correspondent banks, other investments, and short-term marketable securities such as federal funds sold, United States securities, or securities guaranteed by the United States. Some of our securities are pledged to collateralize certain deposits through our participation in the State of Florida’s Qualified Public Deposit Program (“QPD”). We believe that the sources of available liquidity are adequate to meet all reasonably immediate short-term and intermediate-term demands. The market value of securities pledged to the QPD Program as of December 31, 2014, was $3.5 million.

As discussed above, at December 31, 2014, total deposits were approximately $184.0 million, of which $15.2 million were in certificates of deposits of $100,000 or more. Also, as a member of FHLB, we have access to approximately $30.7 million of available lines of credit secured by qualifying collateral as of December 31, 2014, in addition to $8.7 million in lines of credit we maintain with correspondent banks. As of December 31, 2014, we had no outstanding balances under our lines of credit. All draws under these lines are subject to approval by the correspondent bank.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions that are not included in our consolidated balance sheets in accordance GAAP. These transactions include commitments to extend credit in the ordinary course of business to approved clients, construction loans in process, unused lines of credit, guaranteed accounts, and standby letters of credit. These instruments may involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.

Generally, loan commitments have been granted on a temporary basis for working capital or commercial real estate financing requirements or may be reflective of loans in various stages of funding. These commitments are recorded on our financial statements as they are funded. Commitments typically have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Loan commitments include unused commitments for open-end lines secured by one-to-four family residential properties and commercial properties, commitments to fund loans secured by commercial real estate, construction loans, business lines of credit and other unused commitments.

Guaranteed accounts are irrevocable standby letters of credit issued by us to guarantee a client’s credit line with our third party credit card company, First Arkansas Bank & Trust. As a part of this agreement, we are responsible for the established credit limit on the particular account plus 10%. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make is represented by the dollar amount disclosed in the table below.

Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by us to guarantee the client will fulfill his or her contractual financial obligations to a third party. In the event the client does not perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the third party, we would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment is funded, we would be entitled to seek recovery from the client.

We minimize our exposure to loss under loan commitments, guaranteed accounts, and standby letters of credit by subjecting them to credit approval and monitoring procedures. The effect on our revenues, expenses, cash flows, and liquidity of the unused portions of these commitments cannot be reasonably predicted because there is no guarantee that the lines of credit will be used.

The following is a summary of the total contractual amount of commitments outstanding at December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

Commitments to extend credit

$ 2,508   

Construction loans in process

  7,265   

Unused lines of credit

  23,020   

Guaranteed accounts

  113   

Standby financial letters of credit

  1,225   
  

 

 

 

Total of off-balance sheet instruments

$ 34,131   
  

 

 

 

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not required.


Table of Contents
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  39   

Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2014 and 2013

  40   

Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

  41   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

  42   

Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

  43   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Year Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

  44-45   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, December  31, 2014 and 2013 and for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

  46-69   

 

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Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Prime Meridian Holding Company

Tallahassee, Florida:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Prime Meridian Holding Company and Subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

HACKER, JOHNSON & SMITH PA

Tampa, Florida

March 26, 2015

 

39


Table of Contents

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Balance Sheets

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     At December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Assets

     

Cash and due from banks

   $ 3,757         5,033   

Federal funds sold

     3,611         147   

Interest-bearing deposits

     187         28,986   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash and cash equivalents

  7,555      34,166   

Securities available for sale

  42,397      44,071   

Loans held for sale

  1,871      150   

Loans, net of allowance for loan losses of $2,098 and $1,734

  151,869      121,220   

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

  186      204   

Premises and equipment, net

  3,563      3,757   

Deferred tax asset

  362      426   

Accrued interest receivable

  624      516   

Bank-owned life insurance

  1,613      1,562   

Capitalized offering costs

  0      218   

Other assets

  318      183   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 210,358      206,473   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Liabilities:

Noninterest-bearing demand deposits

  43,148      59,011   

Savings, NOW and money-market deposits

  122,166      109,760   

Time deposits

  18,657      14,594   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deposits

  183,971      183,365   

Other borrowings

  2,699      5,719   

Official checks

  368      636   

Other liabilities

  453      392   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  187,491      190,112   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 4, 8 and 15)

Stockholders’ equity:

Preferred stock, undesignated; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

  0      0   

Common stock, $.01 par value; 9,000,000 shares authorized, 1,941,617 and 1,498,937 issued and outstanding

  19      15   

Additional paid-in capital

  20,056      14,929   

Retained earnings

  2,738      1,732   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

  54      (315
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

  22,867      16,361   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 210,358      206,473   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

40


Table of Contents

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Interest income:

     

Loans

   $ 7,134         6,076   

Securities

     922         838   

Other

     60         56   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest income

  8,116      6,970   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense:

Deposits

  625      646   

Other borrowings

  36      58   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest expense

  661      704   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net interest income

  7,455      6,266   

Provision for loan losses

  747      513   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

  6,708      5,753   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noninterest income:

Service charges and fees on deposit accounts

  138      104   

Gain on sale of SBA loans

  0      246   

Mortgage banking revenue

  309      325   

Income from bank-owned life insurance

  51      55   

Gain on sale of securities available for sale

  60      14   

Other income

  152      115   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noninterest income

  710      859   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noninterest expenses:

Salaries and employee benefits

  3,210      2,650   

Occupancy and equipment

  899      897   

Professional fees

  395      128   

Advertising

  186      206   

Software maintenance

  178      146   

Other

  1,030      834   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noninterest expenses

  5,898      4,861   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

  1,520      1,751   

Income taxes

  514      602   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net earnings

$ 1,006      1,149   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

$ 0.59      0.77   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

$ 0.58      0.76   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash dividends per common share

$ 0      0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

41


Table of Contents

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013  

Net earnings

   $ 1,006        1,149   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive gain (loss):

Change in unrealized gain on securities:

Unrealized gain (loss) arising during the year

  646      (1,349

Reclassification adjustment for realized gains

  (60   (14
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)

  586      (1,363

Deferred income taxes on above change

  (217   503   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

  369      (860
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

$ 1,375      289   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

42


Table of Contents

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

($ in thousands, except share amounts)

 

     Common Stock      Additional
Paid-In
Capital
     Retained
Earnings
     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss)
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
             
             
             
     Shares      Amount             

Balance at December 31, 2012

     1,496,106       $ 15         14,896         583         545        16,039   

Net earnings

     0         0         0         1,149         0        1,149   

Net change in unrealized gain on available for sale securities, net of income tax of $503

     0         0         0         0         (860     (860

Common stock issued as compensation to directors

     2,831         0         30         0         0        30   

Stock-based compensation

     0         0         3         0         0        3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

  1,498,937      15      14,929      1,732      (315   16,361   

Net earnings

  0      0      0      1,006      0      1,006   

Net change in unrealized gain on available for sale securities, net of income tax of $217

  0      0      0      0      369      369   

Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of $365 in offering costs

  425,619      4      4,951      0      0      4,955   

Proceeds from stock options exercised

  14,200      0      142      0      0      142   

Common stock issued as compensation to directors

  2,861      0      32      0      0      32   

Stock-based compensation

  0      0      2      0      0      2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

  1,941,617    $ 19      20,056      2,738      54      22,867   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2014     2013  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net earnings

   $ 1,006        1,149   

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     400        360   

Provision for loan losses

     747        513   

Net amortization of deferred loan fees

     (9     (91

Deferred income taxes (benefit)

     (153     (175

Gain on sale of securities available for sale

     (60     (14

Amortization of premiums, discounts on securities available for sale

     453        455   

Proceeds from the sale of loans held for sale

     16,380        2,182   

Gain on sale of SBA loans and loans, held for sale

     (273     (250

Loan originated as held for sale

     (17,828     (2,082

Stock issued as compensation to directors

     32        30   

Stock-based compensation expense

     2        3   

Income from bank-owned life insurance

     (51     (55

Net increase in accrued interest receivable

     (108     (94

Decrease (increase) in capitalized offering cost

     218        (218

Net (increase) decrease in other assets

     (135     197   

Net (decrease) increase in other liabilities and official checks

     (207     150   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  414      2,060   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

Loan originations, net of principal repayments

  (32,259   (28,242

Purchase of securities available for sale

  (12,364   (11,650

Principal repayments of securities available for sale

  8,150      8,082   

Proceeds from the sales of securities available for sale

  4,587      1,498   

Maturities and calls of securities

  1,494      0   

Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank stock

  18      5   

Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned

  872      0   

Purchase of premises and equipment

  (206   (680
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (29,708   (30,987
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

Net increase in deposits

  606      36,636   

Decrease in other borrowings

  (3,020   (41

Proceeds from sale of common stock

  4,955      0   

Proceeds from stock options exercised

  142      0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

  2,683      36,595   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

  (26,611   7,668   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

  34,166      26,498   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$ 7,555      34,166   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Continued

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2014      2013  

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

     

Cash paid during the year for:

     

Interest

   $ 659         708   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income taxes

$ 551      452   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Noncash transactions

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net change in unrealized gain on sale of securities available for sale, net of taxes

$ 369      (860
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loans transferred from Other Real Estate Owned

$ 872      0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See Accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

At December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the Years Then Ended

 

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization. Prime Meridian Holding Company (the “Holding Company”) owns 100% of the outstanding common stock of Prime Meridian Bank (the “Bank”) (collectively the “Company”). The Holding Company’s primary activity is the operation of the Bank. The Bank is a state (Florida)-chartered commercial bank. The deposit accounts of the Bank are insured up to the applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Bank offers a variety of community banking services to individual and corporate customers through its two banking offices located in Tallahassee, Florida.

The following is a description of the significant accounting policies and practices followed by the Company, which conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and prevailing practices within the banking industry.

Use of Estimates. In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relates to the determination of the allowance for loan losses.

Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Holding Company and the Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. For purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and balances due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits, all of which have original maturities of less than ninety days.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company was required by law or regulation to maintain cash reserves with the Federal Reserve Bank, in accounts with other banks or in the vault in the amounts of $1,026,000 and $986,000, respectively.

Securities. Securities may be classified as either trading, held to maturity or available for sale. Trading securities are held principally for resale and recorded at their fair values. Unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included immediately in earnings. Held-to-maturity securities are those which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity and are reported at amortized cost. Available-for-sale securities consist of securities not classified as trading securities or as held-to-maturity securities. Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are excluded from operations and reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities are recorded on the trade date determined using the specific-identification method. Premiums and discounts on securities available for sale are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the period to maturity.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued

 

Loans Held for Sale. Loans held for sale include mortgage loans and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans originated which are intended for sale in the secondary market and are carried at the lower of book value or estimated fair value in the aggregate. Gains on loans held for sale are reported on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings under noninterest income in either gain on sale of SBA loans or mortgage banking revenue. At December 31, 2014 loans held for sale were $1,871,000, compared to $150,000 at December 31, 2013.

Loans. Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at their outstanding principal adjusted for any charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs.

Commitment and loan origination fees are capitalized and certain direct origination costs are deferred. Both are recognized as an adjustment of the yield of the related loan.

The accrual of interest on all portfolio classes is discontinued at the time the loan is ninety-days delinquent unless the loan is well collateralized and in process of collection. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or loans that are charged-off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all of the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management confirms that a loan balance cannot be collected. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. There were no changes in the Company’s accounting policies or methodology during the year ended December 31, 2014.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are considered impaired. For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows or collateral value of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers all other loans and is based on the following factors:

The historical loss component of the allowance is determined by losses recognized by portfolio segment over the preceding thirty-six months. This is supplemented by the risks for each portfolio segment. Risk factors impacting loans in each of the portfolio segments include any deterioration of property values, reduced consumer and business spending as a result of unemployment and reduced credit availability, and a lack of confidence in the economy. The historical experience is adjusted for the following qualitative factors: (a) changes in lending policies and procedures, risk selection and underwriting standards; (b) changes in national, regional and local economic conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio; (c) changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; (d) changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, nonaccrual loans or loans classified special mention, substandard, doubtful or loss; (e) quality of loan review and Board of Directors oversight; (f) changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio and terms of loans; (g) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations; (h) the effect of other external factors, trends or uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses, such as competition and industry conditions.

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued

 

Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for all loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent.

Premises and Equipment. Land is stated at cost. Buildings, leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and software are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each type of asset, or the lease term if shorter.

Other Real Estate Owned. Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and are carried at the lower of the new cost basis or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in other real estate owned expenses.

Transfer of Financial Assets. Transfers of financial assets or a participating interest in an entire financial asset are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. A participating interest is a portion of an entire financial asset that (1) conveys proportionate ownership rights with equal priority to each participating interest holder (2) involves no recourse (other than standard representations and warranties) to, or subordination by, any participating interest holder, and (3) does not entitle any participating interest holder to receive cash before any other participating interest holder.

Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments. In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into off-balance-sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit, construction loans in process, unused lines of credit, standby letters of credit, and guaranteed accounts. Such financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated financial statements when they are funded.

Income Taxes. There are two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods.

Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. As of December 31, 2014, management is not aware of any uncertain tax positions that would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued

 

The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

The Company files consolidated income tax returns. Income taxes are allocated to the Holding Company and Bank as if separate income tax returns were filed.

Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and measured at fair value. The Company enters into commitments to originate loans whereby the interest-rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (rate lock commitments). Rate-lock commitments on mortgage loans that are intended to be sold are considered to be derivatives. Accordingly, such commitments, along with any related fees received from potential borrowers, are recorded at fair value in derivative assets or liabilities, with changes in fair value recorded in the net gain or loss on sale of mortgage loans. Fair value is based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, and for fixed-rate commitments, the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates is also considered.

Fair Value Measurements. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. GAAP has established a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The hierarchy describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active; and model-driven valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. Valuations may be obtained from, or corroborated by, third-party pricing services.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs to measure fair value of assets and liabilities for which there is little, if any market activity at the measurement date, using reasonable inputs and assumptions based upon the best information at the time, to the extent that inputs are available without undue cost and effort.

The following describes valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value:

Securities Available for Sale. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities include highly liquid government bonds, certain mortgage products and exchange-traded equities. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Examples of such instruments, which would generally be classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy, include U.S. Government agency securities, municipal securities and mortgage-backed securities. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Securities classified within Level 3 include certain asset-backed securities.

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued

 

Impaired Loans. Estimates of fair value for impaired loans is based on the estimated value of the underlying collateral which is determined based on a variety of information, including the use of available appraisals, estimates of market value by licensed appraisers or local real estate brokers and the knowledge and experience of the Bank’s management related to values of equipment or properties in the Bank’s market areas. Management takes into consideration the type, location or occupancy of the equipment or property as well as current economic conditions in the area the property is located in assessing estimates of fair value. Accordingly, fair value estimates for impaired loans are classified as Level 3.

Fair Values of Financial Instruments. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair values of financial instruments:

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair value (Level 1).

Securities. Fair values for securities are based on the framework for measuring fair value (Level 2).

Loans. For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values. Fair values for fixed-rate mortgage (e.g. one-to-four family residential), commercial real estate and commercial loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. Fair values for nonperforming loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis or underlying collateral values, where applicable (Level 3).

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock. The fair value of the Company’s investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock is based on its redemption value (Level 3).

Accrued Interest Receivable. The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate their fair values (Level 3).

Deposits. The fair values disclosed for demand, NOW, money-market and savings deposits are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (that is, their carrying amounts). Fair values for fixed-rate time deposits are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on time deposits to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities of time deposits (Level 3).

Other Borrowings. The carrying amounts of other borrowings approximate their fair value (Level 3).

Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments. Fair values for off-balance-sheet lending commitments are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing (Level 3).

Advertising. The Company expenses all media advertising as incurred.

Share-Based Compensation. The Company expenses the fair value of any stock options granted. The Company recognizes share-based compensation in the statements of earnings as the options vest.

Comprehensive Income. GAAP require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in earnings. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets, such items, along with net earnings, are components of comprehensive income.

Mortgage Banking Revenue. Mortgage banking revenue includes gains on the sale of mortgage loans originated for sale. The Company recognizes mortgage banking revenue from mortgage loans originated in the consolidated statement of earnings upon sale of the loans.

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Continued

 

Recent Accounting Standards Update. In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, Receivables-Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure, which is intended to clarify when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan should be derecognized and the real estate recognized. These amendments clarify that an insubstance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either: (a) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure; or (b) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Additional disclosures are required. The amendments are effective beginning January 1, 2015. Upon adoption, this guidance is not expected to impact the Bank’s financial statements.

Recent Regulatory Developments

Basel III Rules. On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for U.S. banks. Under the final rules, minimum requirements will increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by the Bank. The rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The final rules also raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0% and require a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%. The final rules also implement strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments. On July 9, 2013, the FDIC also approved, as an interim final rule, the regulatory capital requirements for U.S. banks, following the actions of the FRB. The FDIC’s rule is identical in substance to the final rules issued by the FRB.

The phase-in period for the final rules began for the Bank on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final rule’s requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule. The Bank is currently evaluating the provisions of the final rules and their expected impact on the Bank.

 

(2) Securities Available for Sale

Securities have been classified according to management’s intention. The carrying amount of securities and their fair values are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

At December 31, 2014:

           

U.S. Government agency securities

   $ 6,943         19         (99      6,863   

Municipal securities

     9,497         113         (79      9,531   

Mortgage-backed securities

     25,870         228         (95      26,003   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 42,310      360      (273   42,397   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013:

U.S. Government agency securities

  7,290      8      (329   6,969   

Municipal securities

  9,139      14      (269   8,884   

Mortgage-backed securities

  26,225      253      (198   26,280   

Asset-backed securities

  1,916      22      0      1,938   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 44,570      297      (796   44,071   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(2) Securities Available for Sale, Continued

 

Securities available for sale measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below (in thousands):

 

            Fair Value Measurements Using  
     Fair
Value
     Quoted
Prices

In Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 

At December 31, 2014:

           

U.S. Government agency securities

   $ 6,863         0         6,863         0   

Municipal securities

     9,531         0         9,531         0   

Mortgage-backed securities

     26,003         0         26,003         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 42,397      0      42,397      0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013:

U.S. Government agency securities

  6,969      0      6,969      0   

Municipal securities

  8,884      0      8,884      0   

Mortgage-backed securities

  26,280      0      26,280      0   

Asset-backed securities

  1,938      0      1,938      0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 44,071      0      44,071      0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, no securities were transferred in or out of Level I, Level 2 or Level 3. During year ended December 31, 2013, securities of $1.8 million were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 due to changes in the inputs used to value the securities.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant observable inputs (Level 3). The table below presents a reconciliation for asset-backed securities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2013.

These instruments were valued using pricing models and discounted cash flow methodologies incorporating assumptions that, in management’s judgment, reflect the assumptions a marketplace participant would use (in thousands):

 

Balance, beginning of year

$ 1,899   

Total gains or (losses) - realized/unrealized-

Transfer into/out of Level 3

  (1,899
  

 

 

 

Balance, end of year

$ 0   
  

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(2) Securities Available for Sale, Continued

 

The scheduled maturities of securities are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Amortized
Cost
     Fair
Value
 

At December 31, 2014:

     

Due in one to five years

   $ 2,303         2,312   

Due five to ten years

     6,908         6,834   

Due after ten years

     7,229         7,248   

Mortgage-backed securities

     25,870         26,003   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 42,310      42,397   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following summarizes sales of securities available for sale (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2014      2013  

Proceeds received from sales

   $ 4,587         1,498   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross gains

  60      14   

Gross losses

  0      0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net gain from sale of securities

$ 60      14   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, securities with a fair value of $7,054,000 and $8,352,000, respectively, were pledged as collateral for public deposits and for other borrowings with clients.

Securities with unrealized losses aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Less Than Twelve
Months
     More Than Twelve
Months
 
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 

At December 31, 2014:

           

U.S. Government agency securities

   $ 0         0       $ (99      5,945   

Municipal securities

     (2      269         (77      3,026   

Mortgage-backed securities

     (47      8,250         (48      1,705   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ (49   8,519    $ (224   10,676   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013:

U.S. Government agency securities

  (329   5,984      0      0   

Municipal securities

  (269   5,758      0      0   

Mortgage-backed securities

  (198   12,326      0      0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ (796   24,068    $ 0      0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(2) Securities Available for Sale, Continued

 

The unrealized losses at December 31, 2014 and 2013 on twenty-two and twenty-five securities were caused by market conditions. It is expected that the securities would not be settled at a price less than the par value of the investments. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to market conditions and not credit quality, and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments until a market price recovery or maturity, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

(3) Loans

The segments and classes of loans are as follows (in thousands):

 

     At December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Real estate mortgage loans:

     

Commercial

   $ 52,661         44,796   

Residential and home equity

     51,858         38,571   

Construction

     15,876         12,933   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate mortgage loans

  120,395      96,300   

Commercial loans

  30,755      24,651   

Consumer and other loans

  2,877      2,072   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans

  154,027      123,023   

Less:

Net deferred loan fees

  (60   (69

Allowance for loan losses

  (2,098   (1,734
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loans, net

$ 151,869      121,220   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company has divided the loan portfolio into three portfolio segments and five portfolio classes, each with different risk characteristics and methodologies for assessing risk. All loans are underwritten based upon standards set forth in the policies approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. The portfolio segments and classes are identified by the Company as follows:

Real Estate Mortgage Loans. Real estate mortgage loans are typically divided into three classes: Commercial, residential and home equity, and construction. The real estate mortgage loans are as follows:

Commercial. Loans of this type are typically our more complex loans. This category of real estate loans is comprised of loans secured by mortgages on commercial property that is typically owner-occupied, but also includes nonowner occupied investment properties. Commercial loans that are secured by owner-occupied commercial real estate are repaid through operating cash flows of the borrower. The maturity for this type of loan is generally limited to three to five years; however, payments may be structured on a longer amortization basis. Typically, interest rates on our commercial real estate loans are fixed for five years or less after which they adjust based upon a predetermined spread over an index. At times, a rate may be fixed for longer than five years. As part of our credit underwriting standards, the Bank typically requires personal guarantees from the principal owners of the business supported by a review of the principal owners’ personal financial statements and tax returns. As part of the enterprise risk management process, it is understood that risks associated with commercial real estate loans include fluctuations in real estate values, the overall strength of the borrower, the overall strength of the economy, new job creation trends, tenant vacancy rates, environmental contamination, and the quality of the borrowers’ management. In order to mitigate and limit these risks, we analyze the borrowers’ cash flow and evaluate collateral value. Currently, the collateral securing our commercial real estate loans include a variety of property types, such as office, warehouse, and retail facilities. Other types include multifamily properties, hotels, mixed-use residential, and commercial properties. Generally, commercial real estate loans present a higher risk profile than our consumer real estate loans portfolio.

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(3) Loans, Continued

 

Residential and Home Equity. We offer first and second one-to-four family mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit; the collateral for these loans is generally on the clients’ owner-occupied residences. Although these types of loans present lower levels of risk than commercial real estate loans, risks do still exist because of possible fluctuations in the value of the real estate collateral securing the loan, as well as changes in the borrowers’ financial condition. Borrowers may be affected by numerous factors, including divorce, job loss, illness, or other personal hardship. As part of our product mix, the Bank offers both portfolio and secondary market mortgages; portfolio loans generally are based on a 1-year, 3-year or 5-year adjustable rate mortgage; while 15-year or 30-year fixed-rate loans are sold to the secondary market. All portfolio residential loans are underwritten based upon the guidelines of the secondary market, predominantly Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

Construction. Typically, these loans have a construction period of one to two years and the interest is paid monthly. Once the construction period terminates, some of these loans convert to a term loan with a maturity of one to five years. This portion of our loan portfolio includes loans to small and midsized businesses to construct owner-user properties, loans to developers of commercial real estate investment properties, and residential developments. This type of loan is also made to individual clients for construction of single family homes in our market area. An independent appraisal is used to determine the value of the collateral and confirm that the ratio of the loan principal to the value of the collateral will not exceed policies of the Bank. As the construction project progresses, loan proceeds are requested by the borrower to complete phases of construction and funding is only disbursed after the project has been inspected by a third-party inspector or experienced construction lender. Risks associated with construction loans include fluctuations in the value of real estate, project completion risk, and changes in market trends. The ability of the construction loan borrower to finance the loan or sell the property upon completion of the project is another risk factor that also may be affected by changes in market trends since the initial funding of the loan.

Commercial Loans. The Bank offers a wide range of commercial loans, including business term loans, equipment financing, and lines of credit to small and midsized businesses. Small-to-medium sized businesses, retail, and professional establishments, make up our target market for commercial loans. Our Relationship Managers primarily underwrite these loans based on the borrower’s ability to service the loan from cash flow. Lines of credit and loans secured by accounts receivable and/or inventory are monitored periodically by our staff. Loans secured by “all business assets,” or a “blanket lien” are typically only made to highly qualified borrowers due to the nonspecific nature of the collateral. Valuation of business collateral is generally supported by an appraisal, purchase order, or third party physical inspection. Personal guarantees of the principals of business borrowers are usually required.

Equipment loans generally have a term of five years or less and may have a fixed or variable rate; we use conservative margins when pricing these loans. Working capital loans generally do not exceed one year and typically, they are secured by accounts receivable, inventory, and personal guarantees of the principals of the business. Significant factors affecting a commercial borrower’s creditworthiness include the quality of management and the ability both to evaluate changes in the supply and demand characteristics affecting the business’ markets for products and services and to respond effectively to such changes. These loans may be made unsecured or secured, but most are made on a secured basis. Risks associated with our commercial loan portfolio include local, regional, and national market conditions. Other factors of risk could include changes in the borrower’s management and fluctuations in collateral value. Additionally, there may be refinancing risk if a commercial loan includes a balloon payment which must be refinanced or paid off at loan maturity.

In reference to our risk management process, our commercial loan portfolio presents a higher risk profile than our consumer real estate and consumer loan portfolios. Therefore, we require that all loans to businesses must have a clearly stated and reasonable payment plan to allow for timely retirement of debt.

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(3) Loans, Continued

 

Consumer and Other Loans. These loans are made for various consumer purposes, such as the financing of automobiles, boats, and recreational vehicles. The payment structure of these loans is normally on an installment basis. The risk associated with this category of loans stems from the reduced collateral value for a defaulted loan; it may not provide an adequate source of repayment of the principal. The underwriting on these loans is primarily based on the borrower’s financial condition. In many cases, these are unsecured credits that subject us to risk when the borrower’s financial condition declines or deteriorates. Based upon our current trend in consumer loans, management does not anticipate consumer loans will become a substantial component of our loan portfolio at any time in the foreseeable future. Consumer loans are made at fixed and variable interest rates and are based on the appropriate amortization for the asset and purpose.

An analysis of the change in the allowance for loan losses follows (in thousands):

 

     Real Estate Mortgage Loans                    
     Commercial     Residential
and
Home
Equity
     Construction     Commercial     Consumer
and
Other
Loans
    Total  

Year Ended December 31, 2014:

             

Beginning balance

   $ 604        545         175        387        23        1,734   

Provision for loan losses

     502        146         36        30        33        747   

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

     (404     0         0        36        (15     (383
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 702      691      211      453      41      2,098   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014:

Individually evaluated for impairment:

Recorded investment

$ 0      0      0      229      8      237   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance in allowance for loan losses

$ 0      0      0      92      6      98   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Collectively evaluated for impairment:

Recorded investment

$ 52,661      51,858      15,876      30,526      2,869      153,790   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance in allowance for loan losses

$ 702      691      211      361      35      2,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2013:

Beginning balance

  352      226      237      405      23      1,243   

Provision (credit) for loan losses

  252      319      (15   (44   1      513   

Net (charge-offs) recoveries

  0      0      (47   26      (1   (22
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 604      545      175      387      23      1,734   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013:

Individually evaluated for impairment:

Recorded investment

$ 0      36      0      346      0      382   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance in allowance for loan losses

$ 0      23      0      82      0      105   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Collectively evaluated for impairment:

Recorded investment

$ 44,796      38,685      12,933      24,305      2,072      122,791   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance in allowance for loan losses

$ 604      522      175      305      23      1,629   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(3) Loans, Continued

 

The following summarizes the loan credit quality (in thousands):

 

     Real Estate Mortgage Loans                       
     Commercial      Residential
and
Home
Equity
     Construction      Commercial
Loans
     Consumer
and
Other
Loans
     Total  

Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade:

                 

At December 31, 2014:

                 

Grade:

                 

Pass

   $ 50,654         47,357         15,714         30,006         2,801         146,532   

Special mention

     0         3,065         154         520         68         3,807   

Substandard

     2,007         1,436         8         229         8         3,688   

Doubtful

     0         0         0         0         0         0   

Loss

     0         0         0         0         0         0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 52,661      51,858      15,876      30,755      2,877      154,027   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013:

Grade:

Pass

  40,901      36,461      12,528      23,919      1,914      115,723   

Special mention

  1,804      1,346      396      509      38      4,093   

Substandard

  2,091      764      9      223      120      3,207   

Doubtful

  0      0      0      0      0      0   

Loss

  0      0      0      0      0      0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 44,796      38,571      12,933      24,651      2,072      123,023   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company categorizes loans into risk categories based on relevant information about the ability of borrowers to service their debt such as: current financial information, historical payment experience, credit documentation, public information, and current economic trends, among other factors.

The Company analyzes loans individually by classifying the loans as to credit risk. Loans classified as substandard or special mention are reviewed quarterly by the Company for further deterioration or improvement to determine if they are appropriately classified and whether there is any impairment. All loans are graded upon initial issuance. Further, construction and nonowner occupied commercial real estate loans and commercial relationships in excess of $500,000 are reviewed at least annually. In addition, during the renewal process of any loan, as well as if a loan becomes past due, the Company will determine the appropriate loan grade.

Loans excluded from the review process above are generally classified as pass credits until: (a) they become past due; (b) management becomes aware of a deterioration in the credit worthiness of the borrower; or (c) the customer contacts the Company for a modification. In these circumstances, the loan is specifically evaluated for potential classification as to special mention, substandard or even charged-off. The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings:

Pass – A Pass loan’s primary source of loan repayment is satisfactory, with secondary sources very likely to be realized if necessary.

Special Mention – A Special Mention loan has potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in the deterioration of the repayment prospects for the asset or the Company’s credit position at some future date. Special Mention loans are not adversely classified and do not expose an institution to sufficient risk to warrant adverse classification.

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(3) Loans, Continued

 

Substandard – A Substandard loan is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.

Doubtful – A loan classified Doubtful has all the weaknesses inherent in one classified Substandard with the added characteristics that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

Loss – A loan classified Loss is considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as a bankable asset is not warranted. This classification does not necessarily preclude the potential for recovery, but rather signifies it is no longer practical to defer writing off the asset.

At December 31, 2014, there was one loan over thirty days past due, no loans past due ninety days or more but still accruing and two loans on nonaccrual. Age analysis of past-due loans at December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Accruing Loans                
     30-59
Days
Past Due
     60-89
Days
Past Due
     Greater
Than 90
Days
Past Due
     Total
Past
Due
     Current      Nonaccrual
Loans
     Total
Loans
 

At December 31, 2014:

                    

Real estate mortgage:

                    

Commercial

   $ 0         0         0         0         52,661         0         52,661   

Residential and home equity

     0         0         0         0         51,858         0         51,858   

Construction

     0         0         0         0         15,876         0         15,876   

Commercial

     18         0         0         18         30,566         171         30,755   

Consumer/other

     0         0         0         0         2,877         0         2,877   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 18      0      0      0      153,838      171      154,027   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013:

Real estate mortgage:

Commercial

  0      0      0      0      44,796      0      44,796   

Residential and home equity

  0      0      0      0      38,571      0      38,571   

Construction

  0      0      0      0      12,933      0      12,933   

Commercial

  38      0      0      0      24,613      0      24,651   

Consumer/other

  0      0      0      0      2,072      0      2,072   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 38      0      0      0      122,985      0      123,023   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(3) Loans, Continued

 

The following summarizes the amount of impaired loans (in thousands):

 

     With No Related
Allowance Recorded
     With an Allowance Recorded      Total  
     Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
     Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
     Related
Allowance
     Recorded
Investment
     Unpaid
Contractual
Principal
Balance
     Related
Allowance
 

At December 31, 2014:

                       

Commercial loans

   $ 0         0         229         229         92         229         229         92   

Consumer

     0         0         8         8         6         8         8         6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 0      0      237      237      98      237      237      98   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013:

Residential and home equity

$ 0      0      36      36      23      36      36      23   

Commercial loans

  27      27      319      319      82      346      346      82   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 27      27      355      355      105      382      382      105   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The average net investment in impaired loans and interest income recognized and received on impaired loans by loan class are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Average      Interest      Interest  
     Recorded      Income      Income  
     Investment      Recognized      Received  

Year Ended December 31, 2014:

        

Commercial

   $ 244         14         14   

Consumer

     8         1         1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 252      15      15   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2013:

Residential and home equity

  36      3      3   

Commercial

  298      23      23   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

$ 334      26      26   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

There were no loans measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2013. Impaired collateral-dependent loans measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis by loan class at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

 

                                        Losses  
     At Year End      Recorded  
     Fair                           Total      During the  
     Value      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Losses      Year  

Commercial loans

   $ 118         0         0         118         20         20   

Consumer loans

     2         0         0         2         6         6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  120      0      0      120      26      26   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(3) Loans, Continued

 

The Company grants the majority of its loans to borrowers throughout Leon County, Florida. Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio, a significant portion of its borrowers’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent upon the economy of this area. The Company does not have any significant concentrations to any one industry or customer.

 

(4) Premises and Equipment

A summary of premises and equipment follows (in thousands):

 

     At December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Land

   $ 400         400   

Building

     2,399         2,387   

Leasehold improvements

     364         364   

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

     778         706   

Computer and software

     1,399         1,276   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total, at cost

  5,340      5,133   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

  (1,777   (1,376
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Premises and equipment, net

$ 3,563      3,757   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company leases certain office facilities under an operating lease which expires in 2017. This lease requires monthly lease payments and common area maintenance charges and has options to renew. This lease contains escalation clauses during the term of the lease. Rent expense under this operating lease during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $88,000 and $114,000, respectively. Future minimum rental commitments under this noncancelable lease are as follows (in thousands):

 

Year Ending December 31,

   Amount  

2015

   $ 85   

2016

     85   

2017

     91   

2018

     98   
  

 

 

 
$ 359   
  

 

 

 

 

(5) Deposits

The aggregate amount of time deposits with a minimum denomination of $100,000 was approximately $15.2 million and $10.9 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

A schedule of maturities of time deposits follows (in thousands):

 

Year Ending

December 31,

   Amount  
  

2015

   $  10,727   

2016

     7,420   

2017

     510   
  

 

 

 
$ 18,657   
  

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(6) Other Borrowings

The Company entered into a repurchase agreement with a customer. This agreement requires the Company to pledge securities as collateral for borrowings under this agreement. A summary of other borrowings follows ($ in thousands):

 

     At December 31,  
     2014     2013  

Balance outstanding at year-end

   $ 2,699        5,719   

Average balance outstanding during the year

     3,592        5,789   

Average interest rate paid

     1.0     1.0

Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during year

     5,733        5,813   

Pledged securities

     3,558        5,882   

The Company has pledged collateral to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”) for future advances which will be collateralized by a blanket lien on qualifying residential real estate, commercial real estate, home equity lines of credit and multi-family loans. The Company may borrow up to $30.7 million as of December 31, 2014 from the FHLB. There were no advances outstanding at December 31, 2014 or 2013. The Company also has available credit of $8.7 million in lines of credit with correspondent banks. All draws under these lines are subject to approval by the correspondent bank.

 

(7) Income Taxes

The components of the income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2014      2013  

Current:

     

Federal

   $ 560         658   

State

     107         119   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current

  667      777   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred:

Federal

  (123   (146

State

  (30   (29
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deferred

  (153   (175
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income taxes

$ 514      602   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(7) Income Taxes, Continued

 

The reasons for the difference between the statutory Federal income tax rate of 34% and the effective tax rates are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2014     2013  
     Amount      % of
Pretax
Earnings
    Amount      % of
Pretax
Earnings
 

Income taxes at statutory rate

   $ 517         34.0   $ 595         34.0

Increase (decrease) resulting from:

          

State taxes, net of Federal tax benefit

     51         3.3        60         3.4   

Tax-exempt income

     (42      (2.7     (30      (1.7

Other nondeductible expenses

     (12      (0.8     (23      (1.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 514      33.8 $ 602      34.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

     At December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Deferred tax assets:

     

Allowance for loan losses

   $ 710         517   

Organizational and start-up costs

     116         130   

Stock-based compensation

     18         18   

Unrealized loss on securities available for sale

     0         184   

Other

     60         63   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

  904      912   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

Accrual to cash conversion

  (139   (145

Deferred loan costs

  (109   (88

Premises and equipment

  (261   (253

Unrealized gains on securities available for sale

  (33   0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities

  (542   (486
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net deferred tax asset (liability)

$ 362      426   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company files consolidated income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and the State of Florida. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, or state and local income tax examinations by taxing authorities for years before 2011.

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(8) Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments are commitments to extend credit, construction loans in process, unused lines of credit, standby letters of credit, and guaranteed accounts and may involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest-rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The contract amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in these financial instruments.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for available lines of credit, construction loans in process and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

Commitments to extend credit and unused lines of credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since some of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company upon extension of credit, is based on management’s credit evaluation of the counterparty. Standby letters of credit are written conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a client to a third party. These letters of credit are primarily issued to support third-party borrowing arrangements and generally have expiration dates within one year of issuance. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers. In the event the client does not perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement with the third party, we would be required to fund the commitment. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. If the commitment is funded, we would be entitled to seek recovery from the client. The Bank may hold collateral supporting those commitments, and at December 31, 2014 such collateral amounted to $945,000.

Guaranteed accounts are irrevocable standby letters of credit issued by us to guarantee a client’s credit line with our third party credit card company, First Arkansas Bank & Trust. As a part of this agreement, we are responsible for the established credit limit on certain accounts plus 10%. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make is represented by the dollar amount disclosed in the table below.

Standby letters of credit and commitments to extend credit typically result in loans with a market interest rate when funded. A summary of the contractual amounts of the Company’s financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

 

Commitments to extend credit

$ 2,508   
  

 

 

 

Construction loans in process

$ 7,265   
  

 

 

 

Unused lines of credit

$ 23,020   
  

 

 

 

Standby letters of credit

$ 1,225   
  

 

 

 

Guaranteed Accounts

$ 113   
  

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

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Table of Contents

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(9) Stock Option Plan

The 2007 Stock Option Plan provides for certain key employees and directors of the Company to have the option to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. Under this Plan, the total number of shares which may be issued is 108,400. All options granted have ten-year terms and vest over periods up to five years. As of December 31, 2014, there were 30,305 shares available for grant.

A summary of the activity in the Company’s Stock Option Plan is as follows:

 

     Number of
Options
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
     Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2012

     136,000       $ 10.00         

Options granted

     2,500         10.72         

Options forfeited

     (4,500      10.00         
  

 

 

          

Outstanding at December 31, 2013

  134,000      10.01   

Options exercised

  (14,200   10.00   

Options forfeited

  (11,400 $ 10.00   
  

 

 

          

Outstanding at December 31, 2014

  108,400    $ 10.01      4.2 years   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Exercisable at December 31, 2014

  105,400      10.00      4.1 years    $ 263,500   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2014, there was $3,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested share based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of twenty-one months. The total fair value of shares vesting and recognized as compensation expense was $2,000 and $3,000 in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The associated income tax benefit recognized was $0 and $1,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

(10) Profit Sharing Plan

The Company sponsors a 401(k) profit sharing plan available to all employees electing to participate after meeting certain length-of-service requirements. The Company’s contributions to the profit sharing plan are discretionary and determined annually. Contributions to the plan for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $102,000 and $65,000, respectively.

 

(continued)

 

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PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(11) Related Party Transactions

The Company enters into transactions during the ordinary course of business with officers and directors of the Company and entities in which they hold a significant financial interest. The following summarizes these transactions (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2014      2013  

Loans:

     

Beginning balance

   $ 3,734         3,558   

Originated during the year

     885         354   

Principal repayments

     (1,605      (178
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ending balance

$ 3,014      3,734   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Deposits at year end

$ 16,510      13,292   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company leases an office facility from a related party. Rent expense under the operating lease during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $88,000 and $114,000, respectively. In addition, the Bank has contracted with a related party to perform loan reviews of the Bank’s loan portfolio. The expenses related to the loan reviews during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $20,000 and $24,000, respectively.

 

(12) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The approximate carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows (in thousands):

 

          At December 31,  
          2014      2013  
     Level    Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
Value
 

Financial assets:

              

Cash and cash equivalents

   1    $ 7,555         7,555         34,166         34,166   

Securities available for sale

   2      42,397         42,397         44,071         44,071   

Loans held for sale

   3      1,871         1,923         150         150   

Loans, net

   3      151,869         148,588         121,220         121,947   

Federal Home Loan Bank stock

   3      186         186         204         204   

Accrued interest receivable

   3      624         624         516         516   

Financial liabilities:

              

Deposits

   3      183,971         184,057         183,365         183,435   

Other borrowings

   3      2,699         2,699         5,719         5,719   

Off-balance-sheet financial instruments

   3      0         0         0         0   

 

(13) Dividend Restrictions

The Holding Company is limited in the amount of cash dividends it may declare and pay by the amount of dividends it can receive from the Bank. The Bank is limited in the amount of cash dividends that may be paid. The amount of cash dividends that may be paid is based on the Bank’s net earnings of the current year combined with the Bank’s retained earnings of the preceding two years, as defined by state banking regulations. However, for any dividend declaration, the Bank must consider additional factors such as the amount of current period net earnings, liquidity, asset quality, capital adequacy and economic conditions. It is likely that these factors would further limit the amount of dividend which the Bank could declare. In addition, bank regulators have the authority to prohibit banks from paying dividends if they deem such payment to be an unsafe or unsound practice.

 

(continued)

 

65


Table of Contents

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(14) Regulatory Matters

The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and the Bank’s financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain minimum amounts and percentage (set forth in the table below) of total and Tier I capital (as defined in the regulations) to risk-weighted assets (as defined), and of Tier I capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined). Management believes, as of December 31, 2014, that the Bank meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject

As of December 31, 2014, the Bank is well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as adequately capitalized, the Bank must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, and Tier I leverage percentages as set forth in the table. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category. The Bank’s actual capital amounts and percentages are also presented in the table ($ in thousands):

 

     Actual     For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
    For Well
Capitalized
Purposes
 
     Amount      Percentage     Amount      Percentage     Amount      Percentage  

As of December 31, 2014:

               

Tier I Capital to Average Assets

   $ 19,589         9.52   $ 8,227         4.00   $ 10,284         5.00

Tier I Capital to Risk- Weighted Assets

     19,589         12.84        6,102         4.00        9,154         6.00   

Total Capital to Risk- Weighted Assets

     21,498         14.09        12,206         8.00        15,257         10.00   

As of December 31, 2013:

               

Tier I Capital to Average Assets

     16,611         8.41        7,898         4.00        9,872         5.00   

Tier I Capital to Risk- Weighted Assets

     16,611         12.41        5,355         4.00        8,033         6.00   

Total Capital to Risk- Weighted Assets

     18,286         13.66        10,711         8.00        13,388         10.00   

 

(15) Legal Contingencies

Various legal claims arise from time to time in the normal course of business which, in the opinion of management, will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. As of December 31, 2014, there is no pending or threatened litigation of which management is aware.

 

 

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Table of Contents

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(16) Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share has been computed on the basis of the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Outstanding stock options are considered dilutive securities for purposes of calculating diluted EPS which was computed using the treasury stock method. (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     2014      2013  
     Earnings      Weighted-
Average
Shares
     Per
Share
Amount
     Earnings      Weighted-
Average
Shares
     Per
Share
Amount
 

Year Ended December 31:

                 

Basic EPS:

                 

Net earnings

   $ 1,006         1,709,746       $ 0.59       $ 1,149         1,497,737       $ 0.77   

Effect of dilutive securities-Incremental shares from assumed conversion of options

     

 

16,916

  

        

 

20,881

  

  
                 
     

 

 

          

 

 

    

Diluted EPS:

Net earnings

$ 1,006      1,726,662    $ 0.58    $ 1,149      1,518,618    $ 0.76   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(17) Common Stock Offering

The Company filed a Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission which was effective on December 11, 2013. The Company offered up to 1,200,000 shares of common stock for $12.50 per share through December 31, 2014, when the Stock Offering was closed. The Company sold 425,619 shares and raised $4.96 million, net of expenses.

 

(18) Reclassification

Certain noninterest expenses were reclassified from other noninterest expense to advertising for the year ended December 31, 2013 to conform to 2014 presentation. The reclassification of expenses had no effect on net earnings.

 

(continued)

 

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Table of Contents

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(19) Parent Company Only Financial Information

The Holding Company’s unconsolidated financial information follows:

Condensed Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

     At December 31,  
     2014      2013  

Assets

     

Cash

   $ 3,132         13   

Investment in subsidiary

     19,643         16,296   

Other assets

     92         270   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

$ 22,867      16,579   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities-

Accounts payable

  0      218   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

Stockholders’ equity

  22,867      16,361   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$ 22,867      16,579   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Condensed Statements of Operations

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2014     2013  

Revenues

   $ 0        0   

Expenses

     (110     (37

Income tax benefit

     41        15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss before earnings of subsidiary

  (69   (22

Net earnings of subsidiary

  1,075      1,171   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net earnings

$ 1,006      1,149   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

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Table of Contents

PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Continued

 

(19) Parent Company Only Financial Information, Continued

 

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
 
     2014     2013  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net earnings

   $ 1,006        1,149   

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Equity in earnings of subsidiary

     (1,075     (1,171

Stock issued as compensation

     32        30   

Increase (decrease) in other assets

     177        (233

(Decrease) increase in liabilities

     (218     218   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

  (78   (7
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow from financing activities:

Proceeds from sale of common stock

  4,955      0   

Proceeds from stock options exercised

  142      0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

  5,097      0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow from investment activities:

Cash dividend received from bank subsidiary

  300      0   

Capital infusion in subsidiary

  (2,200   0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

  (1,900   0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in cash

  3,119      (7

Cash at beginning of the year

  13      20   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash at end of year

$ 3,132      13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information-Noncash items:

Net change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income of subsidiary, net change in unrealized gain on securities available for sale, net of tax

$ 369      (860
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense of subsidiary

$ 2      3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

69


Table of Contents
Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that PMHC files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Based upon management’s evaluation of those controls and procedures performed within the 90 days preceding the filing of this Report, our Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, subject to the limitations noted below, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

We intend to continually review and evaluate the design and effectiveness of PMHC’s disclosure controls and procedures and to improve the Company’s controls and procedures over time and to correct any deficiencies that we may discover in the future. The goal is to ensure that senior management has timely access to all material financial and non-financial information concerning the Company’s business. While we believe the present design of the disclosure controls and procedures is effective to achieve its goal, future events affecting its business may cause the Company to modify its disclosure controls and procedures.

(b) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Such internal controls over financial reporting were designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, the Company used the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 1992 (“COSO”). Based upon our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014.

This annual report does not include an attestation report of PMHC’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

(c) Changes in Internal Controls

We have made no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

(d) Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control.

The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 9B. Other Information

None.

 

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The Boards of Directors of PMHC and the Bank are each composed of the same fourteen members. The members of both Boards of Directors are elected each year for one year terms. Our shareholders elect the Company’s Board of Directors, while the Company (as the sole shareholder), elects the Board of Directors of the Bank. Executive officers of the Company and of the Bank are elected by the respective Board of Directors and hold office until their successors are elected.

The following table lists the names and ages of all directors and executive officers of the Company and the Bank and indicates all positions and offices with PMHC and the Bank held by each person. Also included in the table is the year in which each person commenced service with Prime Meridian, and a brief description of the current occupation of each director or executive officer. There are no arrangements or understandings between such persons and any other person pursuant to which any person was elected as a director or executive officer.

 

Name

   Age   

Position with the
Company

  

Position with the

Bank

   Year
Joined
Prime
Meridian
    

Principal Occupation

William D. Crona

   65    Director    Director      2010       Financial Consultant, Investor & CPA

Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.

   45    CEO, President, Director    CEO, President, Director      2010       Chief Executive Officer & President

Steven L. Evans

   67    Director    Director      2010       Retired IBM Executive

R. Randy Guemple

   63    Director    Director      2010       Retired Banker & Certified Public Accountant

Nan Hillis

   60    N/A    EVP, Chief Strategy Officer      2014       Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer

Kathleen C. Jones

   61    CFO, EVP, Director    CFO, EVP, Director      2010       Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Chris L. Jensen, Jr.

   58    EVP, Director    SLO, EVP, Director      2010       Executive Vice President, Senior Lender

Robert H. Kirby

   48    Director    Director      2010       Businessman, Partner in Rehab Technologies

Frank L. Langston

   56    Director    Director      2010       Principal of NAI TALCOR

Todd A. Patterson, D.O.

   63    Director    Director      2010       Osteopathic Physician

L. Collins Proctor, Sr.

   45    Director    Director      2010       Partner/Chief Operating Officer kW Control - Holdings, LLC

Garrison A. Rolle, M.D.

   51    Director    Director      2010       Orthopedic Surgeon

Steven D. Smith

   60    Director    Director      2010       Businessman, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Franchisee

Marjorie R. Turnbull

   73    Director    Director      2010       Consultant

Susan Payne Turner

   48    N/A    EVP, Chief Risk Officer      2013       Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer

Richard A. Weidner

   70    Chairman    Chairman      2010       CPA, Partner with Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC

 

71


Table of Contents

The following sets forth a brief description of each director and executive officer’s principal occupation and business experience, and certain other information.

Executive Officers

Sammie D. Dixon, Jr., is the Company’s and the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer and President, as well as a member of both Boards of Directors. Prior to joining the Bank, from June 2005 to December 2006, he was the Senior Vice President and Commercial Sales Manager for Regions Bank in Tallahassee, Florida. From August 2003 to June 2005, he served as Chief Executive Officer and President for Bank of Thomas County, Georgia. From April 1999 to 2003, Mr. Dixon held various positions with Bank of Florida – Southwest in Naples, Florida. Mr. Dixon began his banking career with NationsBank in 1997. Mr. Dixon is active in the community as a member of the Rotary Club of Tallahassee, a Board member of Big Bend Hospice Foundation, a member of the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees, a Board member of the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County, and attends Saint Peter’s Anglican Church. Mr. Dixon’s banking experience and intimate knowledge of the Bank qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

Kathleen C. Jones, is the Company’s and the Bank’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President and a member of both of their Boards of Directors. Prior to joining the Bank, she spent 36 years with SunTrust Bank and its predecessor institutions. Mrs. Jones retired from SunTrust Bank in 2007, at the position of the North Florida Regional Senior Vice President and Senior Banking Operations Manager. She is a 1978 graduate of Florida State University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Finance. She also is a 1988 graduate of the Graduate School of Banking of the South in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mrs. Jones is a member of Thomasville Road Baptist Church. Mrs. Jones’ banking experience and intimate knowledge of the Company’s financial operations qualify her to serve on our Board of Directors.

Chris L. Jensen, Jr., is the Bank’s Executive Vice President and Senior Lender, an Executive Vice President of the Company, as well as a director of the Company and the Bank. Prior to joining the Bank, from February 2005 to 2007, he served as Tallahassee Market President for Regions Bank. Before that, Mr. Jensen held various management positions with SouthTrust Bank from 1997 to 2005, culminating with the position of Tallahassee’s Market President. He also served as Senior Lender for First Bank of Tallahassee in its de novo stage in 1990. Mr. Jensen has over 30 years of lending experience in Tallahassee and the surrounding markets. He is active in the community and currently serves on the Boards of several local groups including the Young Actors Theatre, the Suwannee River Area Council for the Boy Scouts of America and the Rotary Club of Tallahassee. Mr. Jensen’s banking experience and intimate knowledge of the Bank’s lending activities and market qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

Susan Payne Turner, is Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer for the Bank. From October, 2010 until she joined the Bank in February, 2013, she was a Regional Retail Leader for Centennial Bank, where her responsibilities included management of retail for ten branches located in Leon, Wakulla, Calhoun and Liberty Counties. Prior to this position, Mrs. Turner was Chief Financial Officer for a community bank with responsibilities in the following: financials, budgeting, staff management and development; AML/BSA compliance; deposit compliance; facility expansion; GLBA-Technology; and audit/exam initiatives. Mrs. Turner began her banking career while working part-time in high school and has worked in many areas of banking including operations, marketing, compliance, financials and human resources. She is a graduate of Florida State University and received her Master’s in Business Administration from Troy University in 2005. Mrs. Turner also graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. Currently, she is the Chair for Tallahassee Community College Foundation and Chair for the Wakulla County Senior Citizens’ Council, and also serves on the Wakulla County Chamber of Commerce Board. Mrs. Turner is Treasurer for the Coastal Optimist Club.

Nan Hillis, is Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for the Bank. Mrs. Hillis was a former BB&T Region President. She previously oversaw bank operations for BB&T’s Central Florida Region, including 57 branches in Polk, Osceola, Orange, Seminole and Brevard counties, with deposits exceeding $2.7 billion. She served BB&T in the central Florida area from July, 2006 to June, 2012. She joined BB&T in 2002 serving mostly as a corporate and community lender. As their city executive in Tallahassee, she later earned the bank’s highest internal recognition as a leader and revenue producer. Mrs. Hillis has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Marketing from Florida State University (FSU). She is immediate past chair of the FSU College of Business Board of Governors, serves on the FSU Foundation Board of Trustees, and chairs the Audit Committee. She served as a former member of the National Board of Directors of The Girl Scouts of The USA, a position she held for nine years.

Directors

William D. Crona, is a certified public accountant. In 2005, he retired from a 23 year career with the accounting firm of Law, Redd, Crona and Munroe, CPAs, in Tallahassee, Florida, where he served as a partner. He currently is a private financial consultant and investor in the Tallahassee area. Mr. Crona serves on the boards of the Apalachee Land Conservancy, Manchebo Beach Resort Hotel, Calloway Corporation, TEC Incorporated, SAVA, the City of Tallahassee Citizen Advisory Board, Terra, and Verdicorp, Inc. Mr. Crona’s financial and accounting experience, as well as his familiarity with our market area, qualifies him to serve on our Board of Directors.

 

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Steven L. Evans, retired from a 30 year career with IBM in 2003. Mr. Evans is a graduate of the University of Michigan and played baseball in the St. Louis Cardinal organization for six years prior to joining IBM. In 1986, he and his family moved to Tallahassee, Florida, to assume responsibility for IBM’s Florida Public Sector Industry and to serve as IBM’s Senior State Executive. In 1994, Mr. Evans became an IBM Vice President with responsibility across North America. Mr. Evans currently serves on the Boards of Florida Taxwatch Research Institute, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, MGT of America, FSU-Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurialism, FSU Marine Research Lab Advisor, FSU University Center Club, and Municipal Code Corporation. Mr. Evans’ business experience and significant involvement in our community qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

R. Randy Guemple, is a retired bank Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer of First Bank of Florida in West Palm Beach, Florida. Mr. Guemple is currently Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare Foundation, Inc. and Emeritus Director of Elder Care Services, Inc. He is also the current Executive Director of the Leon County Educational Facilities Authority and an active member of the Tallahassee Kiwanis Club. He is a former baseball player at Florida State University. Mr. Guemple’s banking and finance experience qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors. Based upon Mr. Guemple’s experience, the Board of Directors believes he is qualified to be designated as the Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Robert H. Kirby, was elected to the Boards of the Company and the Bank in May 2010. He is a partner in Rehab Technologies, LLC, a medical equipment sales and leasing business, Southern Fidelity Mortgage Group of Huntsville, LLC, a mortgage brokerage company, and Huxford Land Company, LLC, a land and timber company. Mr. Kirby received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He serves on the Boards of a number of private companies and nonprofit organizations, including Maclay School and Tall Timbers Research, Inc. Mr. Kirby’s business experience and knowledge of our market area qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

Frank L. Langston, has, since 1990, been a principal with the real estate services company, NAI TALCOR, located in Tallahassee. After attending Auburn University, Mr. Langston entered the management training program of First Florida Banks in Tampa. While assigned to the Marketing Department, Mr. Langston gained valuable first hand real estate experience in locating bank branch locations around the state. In addition, he participated in strategic planning, new product development, and market analysis. From 1981 to 1984, Mr. Langston served as Marketing Director with the responsibility of business development for the Tallahassee Office. In May 1989, he entered the commercial real estate business specializing in retail and office sales and leasing, and bank-owned real estate. Mr. Langston is a Certified Commercial Investment Member, a Florida licensed broker-salesman, and an Alabama licensed broker. He is also a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Florida Association of Realtors, and the Tallahassee Association of Realtors. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Masters of Real Estate Development Program at Auburn University. His business experience and knowledge of the real estate market in the Bank’s market area qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

Todd A. Patterson, D.O., is a retired osteopathic physician and the former Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. He is also one of the founders of the Tallahassee Ronald McDonald House. Dr. Patterson received his Bachelor’s degree from Hobart & William Smith College, in Geneva, New York, and his Doctorate of Osteopathy from the College of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery, in Des Moines, Iowa. He serves on the Boards of the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital Foundation and Big Bend Hospice. Dr. Patterson’s business experience and knowledge of our market area qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

L. Collins Proctor, Sr., is a partner and Chief Operating Officer of kW Control – Holdings, LLC, a regional energy management company servicing government, education, corporate, and nonprofit clients. Mr. Proctor is also a co-founder of Red Brick Partners, LLC, a Tallahassee-based real estate and private equity investment firm started in 2006. Prior to 2006, Mr. Proctor owned and managed a regional real estate acquisition and construction advisory firm with which he was associated for ten years. Mr. Proctor received his Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University in 1991, and his Master of Business Administration from Emory University in 1997, between which times he served five years with NationsBank in its leveraged leasing group. Mr. Proctor also serves on the Board of the Tallahassee Downtown Improvement Authority (DIA). Mr. Proctor’s business and banking experience and knowledge of our market area qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

Garrison A. Rolle, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon who joined the Tallahassee Orthopedic Group in 1997. He previously served on AmSouth Bank’s Advisory Board of Directors in Tallahassee, and was formerly a director of Regions Bank in Tallahassee. In the early 1980’s, Dr. Rolle played football for the University of Florida, while pursuing his Bachelors of Science degree. In 1990, he received his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Florida. Dr. Rolle’s business and banking experience and knowledge of our market area qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

Steven D. Smith, is the owner and operator of a number of Krispy Kreme Doughnut franchises throughout the Florida Panhandle area, including Tallahassee, Florida. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Pursuit Channel, an outdoor network delivered to approximately 38 million U.S. households. He was also a director of Chipola Community Bank in Marianna, Florida,

 

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from 2004 until it was placed into receivership in 2013, after numerous attempts to raise capital and find merger partners. Mr. Smith is also the owner of a number of other local businesses and is a 1974 graduate of Livingston University in Livingston, Alabama. His business and banking experience and knowledge of our market area qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

Marjorie R. Turnbull, currently is a consultant for nonprofit organizations. Previously, she served as the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Tallahassee Community College Foundation from 1995 until her retirement in 2006. From 1994 to 2000, Mrs. Turnbull represented Leon County, District 9, in the Florida House of Representatives. Prior to her service in the Florida House of Representatives, she was a member of the Leon County Commission from 1988 to 1994, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Planning for the State of Florida, and a member of the staff of the Florida House of Representatives. Mrs. Turnbull is a member of the Board of Directors for the Florida College System Foundation, the Board of Trustees of Florida A&M University, as well as the Institutional Review Board of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. She has also served in the past as President of the Council of Neighborhood Associations, the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and the Children’s Home Society. Mrs. Turnbull’s extensive knowledge of our community and government activities qualifies her to serve on our Board of Directors.

Richard A. Weidner, serves as the Chairman of the Boards of the Company and the Bank. He is a certified public accountant and a partner and member of the Executive Committee of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC, an accounting firm with more than 100 partners and 750 employees. In 2002, this firm acquired Williams, Cox, Weidner & Cox, PA, which Mr. Weidner helped establish in 1972. From approximately 1998 to 2001, Mr. Weidner served as an Advisory Board member for SunTrust Bank. Mr. Weidner currently serves on the Audit Committee of the Tallahassee Community College Foundation Board and on the Children’s Home Society Foundation Advisory Board. He is a past Treasurer of the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, past President of the Tallahassee YMCA, and past Treasurer of the Maclay School Board of Directors. He has also served on the Leon County Library Advisory Board and was a United Way Campaign Captain. Mr. Weidner’s business and accounting experience and knowledge of our market area qualify him to serve on our Board of Directors.

Audit Committee Matters

The Board of Directors of the Company has a standing Audit Committee, which has been established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act and which operates under a formal written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. The members of that committee are William D. Crona, R. Randy Guemple, Robert H. Kirby, L. Steven L. Evans and Steven D. Smith, each of whom was considered independent under NASDAQ listing standards.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

The Company is not currently subject to the beneficial ownership reporting requirements of Section 16(a).

Code of Ethics

The Company adopted a written Code of Ethics based upon the standards set forth under Item 406 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act. A copy of the Company’s Code of Ethics is filed as an exhibit with this Form 10-K, is available on our website at www.primemeridianbank.com or free of charge from the Company by writing to our Corporate Secretary at Prime Meridian Holding Company, 1897 Capital Circle NE, Second Floor, Tallahassee, Florida 32308 or by calling (850) 907-2301.

Nomination Procedures

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation

General

The Company does not compensate any of its executive officers and has no other employees. The Bank’s executive compensation program is designed to attract and retain qualified management, meet short-term financial goals, and enhance long-term shareholder value. Currently, we strive to pay each Bank executive officer the base salary that would be paid on the open market for a similarly qualified officer of that position. The Bank’s Compensation Committee determines the level of base salary and any incentive bonus for the executive officers based upon competitive norms derived from surveys published by independent banking institutes and private companies specializing in the analysis of financial institutions. Such surveys provide information regarding compensation of financial institution officers and employees based on the size and geographic location of the financial institution and serve as a benchmark for determining executive salaries. Actual salary changes and discretionary bonus awards are based upon the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of the Bank’s performance, the officer’s responsibilities, and individual performance standards of each executive officer. Until March 2014, the Board of Directors has acted as the Compensation Committee. As of March 20, 2014, a Compensation Committee for the Company has been established and a charter adopted. The members of the Compensation Committee are: R. Randy Guemple (Chairman); Steven L. Evans; Robert H. Kirby; and Steven D. Smith.

 

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Summary Compensation Table

The following table provides information regarding the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

 

Name and

Principal Position

   Year    Salary      Bonus      Stock
Awards
     Option
Awards
     All Other
Compensation*
     Total  

Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.
CEO and President

   2014

2013

2012

   $

$

$

244,062

237,500

225,000

  

  

  

   $

$

$

55,000

25,000

—  

  

  

  

   $

$

$

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

   $

$

$

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

   $

$

$

6,600

6,600

6,600

  

  

  

   $

$

$

305,662

269,100

231,600

  

  

  

Kathleen C. Jones
CFO and EVP

   2014

2013

2012

   $

$

$

168,375

164,000

155,000

  

  

  

   $

$

$

35,000

15,000

—  

  

  

  

   $

$

$

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

   $

$

$

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

   $

$

$

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

   $

$

$

203,375

179,000

155,000

  

  

  

Chris L. Jensen, Jr.
SLO and EVP

   2014

2013

2012

   $

$

$

148,125

135,000

120,833

  

  

  

   $

$

$

21,762

6,512

—  

  

  

  

   $

$

$

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

   $

$

$

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

   $

$

$

6,600

6,600

6,600

  

  

  

   $

$

$

176,487

148,112

127,433

  

  

  

 

* Includes car allowances.

Outstanding Equity Awards

The 2007 Stock Option Plan (“Plan”) was approved by the shareholders of the Bank at a Special Meeting of the Shareholders held on December 27, 2007, prior to the share exchange pursuant to which the Company acquired the Bank. The Company assumed the Plan upon its acquisition of the Bank. The Board of Directors believes that stock-based incentives are important factors in attracting, retaining, and rewarding employees and directors of the Bank and directors of the Company and closely aligning their interests with those of shareholders. The following is a summary of the material terms of the Plan. This summary is qualified in its entirety by the complete terms of the Plan.

The Plan provides for grants of options to purchase Common Stock. Options to purchase Common Stock may be either incentive stock options (“ISOs”), which are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or nonqualified options, which are not intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code (“NQOs”).

There are 152,905 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan. Any shares subject to an option, that remain unissued after the cancellation, expiration, or exchange of an option will again become available for use under the Plan.

The Plan is administered by the Company’s Board of Directors, which has the sole authority to grant options under the Plan. Our Board is authorized to interpret the Plan, to determine the employees and directors to receive grants, the number of shares to be granted, the terms of option grants, the provisions of the respective options (which need not be identical) and to take such other action in the administration and operation of the Plan as our Board deems equitable under the circumstances. Our Board of Directors has also reserved to itself the right to amend or terminate the Plan. However, no amendment may be implemented without approval of the shareholders to the extent such approval is required under applicable law, Code Section 422, Rule 16b-3, or any applicable stock exchange rule. Furthermore, in no case can options be re-priced either by cancellation and re-grant or by lowering the exercise price of a previously granted award.

The following table provides information regarding stock options held by each of the Company’s named executive officers as of December 31, 2014. All of the stock options shown in the table below were granted under the Plan and have a per share exercise price equal to or greater than the fair market value of our Common Stock on the grant date. Executive officers did exercise options in 2014. Mr. Dixon exercised 4,000 options, Mr. Jensen exercised 2,500 options and Ms. Jones exercised 250 options in 2014.

 

(continued)

 

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Name and

Principal Position

   Date of
Grant
   # of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Option (#)
Exercisable
     # of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Option (#)
Unexercisable
     Option
Exercise
Price
     Option
Expiration
Date

Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.
CEO and President

   1/1/09

1/1/09

1/1/09

1/1/09

    

 

 

 

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

  

  

  

  

    

 

 

 

0

0

0

0

  

  

  

  

   $

 

 

 

10.00

10.00

10.00

10.00

  

  

  

  

   1/1/16

1/1/17

1/1/18

1/1/19

Kathleen C. Jones
CFO and EVP

   1/1/09

1/1/09

1/1/09

1/1/09

    

 

 

 

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

  

  

  

  

    

 

 

 

0

0

0

0

  

  

  

  

   $

 

 

 

10.00

10.00

10.00

10.00

  

  

  

  

   1/1/16

1/1/17

1/1/18

1/1/19

Chris L. Jensen, Jr.
SLO and EVP

   1/1/09

1/1/09

1/1/09

1/1/09

    

 

 

 

2,500

2,500

2,500

2,500

  

  

  

  

    

 

 

 

0

0

0

0

  

  

  

  

   $

 

 

 

10.00

10.00

10.00

10.00

  

  

  

  

   1/1/16

1/1/17

1/1/18

1/1/19

There are no Compensation Committee interlocks between the Company and any other entities associated with our executive officers and directors who serve as an executive officer or director of such other entities.

Director Compensation

PMHC does not pay directors fees. The Bank pays its directors $500 per Board meeting attended, $100 per Board committee meeting attended, and $150 to chair a Board committee meeting, all of which can be paid in cash or used to purchase Company Common Stock at its book value. In addition, the Chairman of the Board was paid a $4,000 annual salary in 2014. The Bank paid a total of $81,040 in fees to its directors in 2014 and $68,100 in fees to its directors in 2013.

In 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors and shareholders adopted the Directors’ Compensation Plan (“Directors’ Plan”). The Directors’ Plan permits the Bank’s directors to elect to receive any compensation to be paid to them in shares of the Company Common Stock. Should the Company pay director fees in the future, the Directors’ Plan would allow them to make the same election. Pursuant to the Directors’ Plan, each director is permitted to make an annual election to receive shares of stock instead of cash. To encourage directors to elect to receive stock, the Directors’ Plan provides that if a director elects to receive shares of Common Stock, he or she will receive 110% of the amount of fees set by the Board or the Compensation Committee. The value of Common Stock to be awarded pursuant to the Directors’ Plan will be the closing price of a share of Common Stock if the stock is traded on any market or exchange, or a price set by the Board or its Compensation Committee, acting in good faith. The maximum number of shares to be issued pursuant to the Directors’ Plan is limited to 74,805 shares, which is approximately 3.85% of the total shares outstanding as of December 31, 2014. Directors became eligible to participate in the Directors’ Plan on January 1, 2013. In 2014, the Company issued 2,861 shares under the Directors’ Plan.

 

(continued)

 

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The following table sets forth compensation paid or awarded during 2014 to each of our Bank directors other than executive officers Mr. Dixon, Mrs. Jones and Mr. Jensen, whose compensation is described in the “Summary Compensation Table” above.

 

     Total Fees
Awarded in Stock
     Total Fees
Earned or

Paid in Cash
 

Name

   Cash Value      # of Shares     

William D. Crona

     0         0       $ 8,200   

Steven L. Evans

     0         0       $ 8,500   

R. Randy Guemple

     0         0       $ 9,300   

Robert H. Kirby

   $ 6,600         584       $ 6,600   

Frank L. Langston

     0         0       $ 7,250   

Todd A. Patterson, D.O.

   $ 7,205         636       $ 7,205   

L. Collins Proctor, Sr.

     0         0       $ 5,950   

Garrison A. Rolle, M.D.

   $ 5,940         526       $ 5,940   

Steven D. Smith

   $ 6,765         599       $ 6,765   

Marjorie R. Turnbull

     0         0       $ 5,500   

Richard A. Weidner

   $ 5,830         516       $ 9,830   

 

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Principal Shareholders

As of March 26, 2015, the Company knows of no beneficial owner of five percent or more of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, the only class of voting securities. We are not aware of any arrangements or any pledge of securities of the Company through which a change in control of the Company may result at some subsequent date. The following table sets forth the number of shares and percentages of Common Stock that the directors and executive officers of the Company beneficially owned as of March 26, 2015.

 

Name

   Number of
Shares(1)
     Right to
Acquire(2)
     Beneficial
Ownership
Percentage(3)
 

William D. Crona

     40,000         5,600         2.34

Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.

     41,555         16,000         2.94   

Steven L. Evans

     23,069         5,600         1.47   

R. Randy Guemple

     24,000         5,600         1.52   

Chris L. Jensen, Jr.

     39,400         10,000         2.53   

Kathleen C. Jones

     16,750         10,000         1.37   

Robert H. Kirby

     70,193         5,600         3.89   

Frank L. Langston

     28,000         4,500         1.67   

Todd A. Patterson, D.O.

     37,215         5,600         2.20   

L. Collins Proctor, Sr.

     8,400         5,600         0.72   

Garrison A. Rolle, M.D.

     26,074         5,600         1.63   

Steven D. Smith

     32,662         5,600         1.96   

Marjorie R. Turnbull

     17,000         5,600         1.16   

Richard A. Weidner

     83,521         5,600         4.58   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total (14 people)

  487,839      96,500      28.64
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes shares for which the named person:

 

    has sole voting and investment power;

 

    has shared voting and investment power with a spouse, or

 

    holds in an IRA or other retirement plan program, unless otherwise indicated in these footnotes.

 

(2) Shares covered by stock options.
(3) Based on 1,943,534 shares issued and outstanding and only the listed individual exercising his or her stock options.

 

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Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table sets forth information relating to PMHC’s equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2014.

 

Plan Category

  Number of Securities to
be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants, and Rights
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of Options,

Warrants, and Rights
    Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans
 

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

     

2007 Stock Option Plan

    108,400      $ 10.01        30,305   

2012 Directors’ Compensation Plan

    0      $ 10.74     69,114   

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders

    N/A        N/A        N/A   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  122,600    $ 10.27      99,419   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* The shares issued pursuant to the Directors Plan were previously authorized but unissued shares of the Common Stock of the Company and the per share price upon which they were awarded was based upon the book value at the time of the award, not based upon a previously set exercise price.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Both PMHC and the Bank encourage its directors, executive officers, and their immediate family members to establish client relationships with the Bank. Loans made to directors, executive officers, and their immediate families, as well as, any principal shareholders, require approval of a majority of the disinterested directors approving the loan. All transactions between the Company or the Bank and their directors, executive officers, the immediate family members of directors and executive officers, employees, and any principal shareholders, were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated persons. In these transactions, management’s opinion did not involve above average risk of collectability or present any other unfavorable features.

As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, loans to directors, executive officers, and their immediate family members represented $3.0 million and $3.7 million, or approximately 2.16% and 3.03% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio. All of these loans are current and performing according to their terms.

We currently lease our Timberlane Road office space from MS Timberlane, Inc., a company for which Director Crona also serves as a director. The payments we made under that lease for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $88,000 and $114,000, respectively. In addition, we have contracted with Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC to perform loan reviews of the Bank’s loan portfolio resulting in $20,000 and $24,000 in expense during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As described above, Chairman Weidner, is a partner and member of the Executive Committee of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC.

 

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Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

Fees paid for professional services provided by Hacker, Johnson & Smith were as follows for the last two fiscal years:

 

     2014      2013  

Audit fees1

   $ 36,254       $ 32,254   

Tax fees2

     6,000         6,000   

All other fees3

     32,000         23,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
$ 74,254    $ 61,254   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

1  Includes professional services rendered for the audit of PMHC’s annual financial statements, including out-of-pocket expenses.
2  Tax fees include the preparation of state and federal tax returns and assistance with tax questions and research.
3  Other fees include services rendered in relation to the Company’s filing of its S-1 and a 2014 IRS Tax Audit.

The above fees were approved in accordance with the Audit Committee’s policy. The de minimus exception (as defined in Rule 202 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act) was not applied to any of the 2014 or 2013 total fees.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 with Company’s management and had a discussion with the Registered Public Accounting Firm of Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA, regarding communications required pursuant to applicable auditing standards. In addition, Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA has provided the Audit Committee with the letters required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent auditor’s communications with the Audit Committee and concerning independence. The Audit Committee has also discussed with Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA, the independent auditor’s independence.

Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

R. Randy Guemple, Chair Steven D. Smith Steven L. Evans
Robert H. Kirby William D. Crona

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

    (a) 1 and 2 Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules

The following financial statements and financial statement schedules are included under a separate caption “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in Part II, Item 8 hereof and are incorporated herein by reference.

Consolidated Balance Sheets — December 31, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Statements of Income — For the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income — For the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity — For the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — For the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

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    (a) 3 Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description of Exhibit

  

Incorporated by Reference From or Filed Herewith

  3.1    Articles of Incorporation    Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 18, 2013
  3.2    Bylaws    Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 18, 2013
  4.1    Specimen Common Stock Certificate    Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 18, 2013
  4.2    2010 Articles of Share Exchange    Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 18, 2013
10.1    2007 Stock Option Plan (“2007 Plan”)    Exhibit 10.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 18, 2013
10.2    Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement Under 2007 Plan    Exhibit 10.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 18, 2013
10.3    Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement Under 2007 Plan    Exhibit 10.3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 18, 2013
10.4    2012 Directors’ Compensation Plan (“Directors’ Plan”)    Exhibit 10.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 18, 2013
10.5    Lease for Branch Location on Timberlane Road    Exhibit 10.5 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 18, 2013
10.6    Agreement for Loan Review Services with Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC    Exhibit 10.6 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 18, 2013
14.1    Code of Ethics   

Exhibit 14.1 to Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2014

21.1    Subsidiaries of the Registrant    Exhibit 21.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on October 18, 2013
31.1    Certification Under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley by Sammie D. Dixon, Jr., Chief Executive Officer    Filed herewith
31.2    Certification Under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley by Kathleen C. Jones, Chief Financial Officer    Filed herewith
32.1    Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley by    Filed herewith
99.1    Charter of the Audit Committee    Exhibit 99.1 to Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2014
99.2    Charter of the Compensation Committee    Exhibit 99.2 to Form 10-K filed on March 28, 2014.
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document    *
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document    *
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document    *
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definitions Linkbase Document    *
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document    *
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document    *
* Furnished, not filed, for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Schedules and exhibits other than those listed are omitted for the reasons that they are not required, are not applicable or that equivalent information has been included in the financial statements, and notes thereto, or elsewhere within.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

    PRIME MERIDIAN HOLDING COMPANY
Date: March 26, 2015     By:  

/s/ Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.

      Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.
      Chief Executive Officer and President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name and Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ William D. Crona

William D. Crona

   Director   March 26, 2015

/s/ Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.

Sammie D. Dixon, Jr.

  

CEO, President, Principal

Executive Officer, & Director

  March 26, 2015

/s/ Steve L. Evans

Steven L. Evans

   Director   March 26 2015

/s/ Randy Guemple

R. Randy Guemple

   Director   March 26, 2015

/s/ Chris L. Jensen, Jr.

Chris L. Jensen, Jr.

   Director   March 26, 2015

/s/ Kathleen C. Jones

Kathleen C. Jones

  

CFO, EVP, Principal

Financial Officer & Director

  March 26, 2015

/s/ Robert H. Kirby

Robert H. Kirby

   Director   March 26, 2015

/s/ Frank L. Langston

Frank L. Langston

   Director   March 26, 2015

 

Todd A. Patterson, D.O.

   Director  

/s/ L. Collins Proctor, Sr.

L. Collins Proctor, Sr.

   Director   March 26, 2015

 

Garrison A. Rolle, M.D.

   Director  

/s/ Steven D. Smith

Steven D. Smith

   Director   March 26, 2015

/s/ Marjorie R. Turnbull

Marjorie R. Turnbull

   Director   March 26, 2015

/s/ Richard A. Weidner

Richard A. Weidner

   Chairman   March 26, 2015

 

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