Primis Financial Corp. - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2018

Commission File No. 001-33037

SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

6830 Old Dominion Drive

McLean, Virginia 22101

(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

(703) 893-7400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES x          NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

YES x          NO ¨

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨ No x

As of November 2, 2018, there were 24,052,253 shares of common stock outstanding.

SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.

FORM 10-Q

September 30, 2018

INDEX

SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

* Derived from audited consolidated financial statements

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 AND 2017

(dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.

SOUTHERN NATIONAL BANCORP OF VIRGINIA, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

September 30, 2018

Southern National Bancorp of Virginia, Inc. (“Southern National” or “SNBV” or the “Company”) is a corporation that was formed on July 28, 2004 under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and is the holding company for Sonabank (“Sonabank” or the “Bank”) a Virginia state-chartered bank which commenced operations on April 14, 2005. As of the close of business on June 23, 2017, SNBV completed its previously announced merger of Eastern Virginia Bankshares, Inc. (“EVBS”) with and into SNBV and the completion of the merger of EVBS’s wholly-owned subsidiary, EVB, with and into SNBV’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Sonabank (see Note 2 - Business Combinations).  This combination has brought together two banking companies with complementary business lines, creating one of the premier banking institutions headquartered in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  EVBS was the holding company for EVB, a Virginia state-chartered bank which traced its beginnings to 1910. Sonabank provides a range of financial services to individuals and small and medium sized businesses. At September 30, 2018, Sonabank had thirty-eight full-service retail branches in Virginia, located in the counties of Chesterfield (2), Essex (2), Fairfax (Reston, McLean and Fairfax), Gloucester (2), Hanover (3), King William, Lancaster, Middlesex (3), New Kent, Northumberland (3), Southampton, Surry, Sussex, and in Charlottesville, Clifton Forge, Colonial Heights, Front Royal, Hampton, Haymarket, Leesburg, Middleburg, New Market, Newport News, Richmond, South Riding, Warrenton, and Williamsburg, and seven full-service retail branches in Maryland, located in Rockville, Shady Grove, Bethesda, Upper Marlboro, Brandywine, Owings and Huntingtown.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Southern National and its subsidiaries Sonabank and EVB Statutory Trust I (the “Trust”). Significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Southern National consolidates subsidiaries in which it holds, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the voting rights or where it exercises control. Entities where Southern National holds 20 to 50 percent of the voting rights, or has the ability to exercise significant influence, or both, are accounted for under the equity method. Southern National has an interest in one affiliate, Southern Trust Mortgage, LLC (“STM”), which it accounts for as an equity method investment. In addition, Southern National owns the Trust which is an unconsolidated subsidiary. The junior subordinated debt owed to the Trust is reported as a liability of Southern National.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and instructions for Form 10-Q and follow general practice within the banking industry. Accordingly, the unaudited consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods presented have been made. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Southern National’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Southern National records revenue from contracts with customers in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“Topic 606”). Under Topic 606, we must identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation. Significant revenue has not been recognized in the current reporting period that results from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.

Our primary sources of revenue are derived from financial instruments, namely loans, investment securities, and other financial instruments that are not within the scope of Topic 606. We have evaluated the nature of the Company’s contracts with customers and determined that further disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers into more granular categories beyond what is presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income was not necessary. Southern National generally fully satisfies its performance obligations on its contracts with customers as services are rendered and the transaction prices are typically fixed; charged either on a periodic basis or based on activity. Because performance obligations are satisfied as services are rendered and the transaction prices are fixed, there is little judgment involved in applying Topic 606 that significantly affects the determination of the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with customers.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the carrying value of investment securities, other than temporary impairment of investment securities, the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, the FDIC indemnification asset, other real estate owned (“OREO”), deferred tax assets, and fair value measurements related to assets acquired and liabilities assumed from business combinations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adoption of New Accounting Standards:

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers (Topic 606). These amendments affect any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g. insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance, and creates a Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The ASU allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. The new guidance became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Our revenue is balanced between net interest income on financial assets and liabilities, which is explicitly excluded from the scope of the new standard, and noninterest income. The Company’s revenue recognition pattern for revenue streams within the scope of ASU 2014-09, include service charges on deposit accounts, investment services income and card interchange fees, which did not materially change from its prior practice. The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09 on January 1, 2018 utilizing the modified retrospective approach.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments Overall (Topic 825): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in ASU 2016-01: (a) require equity investments (except for those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; (b) simplify the impairment assessment of equity securities without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; (c) eliminate the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (d) require public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (e) require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income, the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; (f) require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial assets on the balance sheet or the notes to the financial statements; and (g) clarify that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available for sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The amendments in this ASU became effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In accordance with (d) above, the Company measured fair value of its net loans, certificates of deposits, junior subordinated debt, and senior subordinated notes as of September 30, 2018 using an exit price notion (see Note 8 Fair Value).

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. Before ASU 2016-15 GAAP was unclear or did not include specific guidance on how to classify certain transactions in the statement of cash flows. This ASU reduced diversity in practice in how eight particular transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU No. 2016-15 became effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Entities are required to apply the guidance retrospectively. If it is impracticable to apply the guidance retrospectively for an issue, the amendments related to that issue would be applied prospectively. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 on January 1, 2018. ASU 2016-15 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which was intended to provide guidance in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses in order to provide stakeholders with more detailed reporting and less cost to analyze transactions. This ASU provided a screen to determine when a set of assets is not a business. It required that when substantially all fair value of gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, the set of assets is not a business. If the screen is not met, the amendments in this update provided a framework to assist entities in evaluating whether both an input and a substantive process are present for the set to be a business. ASU 2017-01 became effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The Company adopted ASU 2017-01 on January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Scope of Modification Accounting. These amendments provide guidance on determining which changes to the terms and conditions of share-based payment awards require an entity to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. The guidance is effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09 on January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material impact of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement — Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220); Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The amendments in this ASU require a reclassification from/to accumulated other comprehensive income and to/from retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the change in the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate. Consequently, the amendments in this ASU eliminates the stranded tax effects associated with the change in the federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption allowed. Southern National adopted this ASU 2018-02 during the first quarter of 2018. The effect of the adoption of this ASU increased accumulated other comprehensive loss by $229 thousand with the offset to retained earnings as recorded in the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. This represents the difference between the historical federal corporate income tax rate and the newly enacted 21 percent federal corporate income tax rate.

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted:

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The FASB issued this ASU to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under current U.S. GAAP and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, which updates narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2016-02. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption of this ASU is permitted for all entities. The guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2019. Upon adoption, management anticipates to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability associated with its long-term operating leases and is in the process of inventorying and categorizing its lease agreements. We are still evaluating the full impact of this ASU to our disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"), which sets forth a “current expected credit loss” ("CECL") model requiring the Company to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost and applies to some off-balance sheet credit exposures. For public business entities that are U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filers, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Southern National has engaged a third-party to collect data that will be needed to produce historical inputs into any models created as a result of adopting this ASU. We are currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"), which eliminates the second step of the previous FASB guidance for testing goodwill for impairment and is intended to reduce cost and complexity of goodwill impairment testing. The amendments in this ASU modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. After determining if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the entity should take an impairment charge of the same amount to the goodwill for that reporting unit, not to exceed the total goodwill amount for that reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. Southern National is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, which shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date.  The amendments do not require an accounting change for securities held at a discount; the discount continues to be amortized to maturity.  ASU 2017-08 is effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.  Southern National is currently reviewing its portfolio of debt securities to determine the impact that this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-09, Codification Improvements. This ASU makes changes to a variety of topics to clarify, correct errors in, or make minor improvements to the Accounting Standards Codification. The majority of the amendments in ASU 2018-09 will be effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Southern National expects to adopt ASU 2018-09 in the first quarter of 2019 and is evaluating the impact of the standard, but does not expect the guidance to have a material effect on its financial statements.

In August 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value measurement (Topic 820). This ASU adds, eliminates and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The disclosures are effective using the prospective method for certain disclosures and retrospective for majority of the disclosures. Southern National is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

On June 23, 2017, SNBV completed its acquisition of EVBS and its subsidiaries, the Trust and EVB. Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 13, 2016, as amended, holders of EVBS common stock received 0.6313 shares of SNBV common stock for each outstanding share of EVBS common stock held immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger and holders of Non-Voting Mandatorily Convertible Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series B of EVBS (“EVBS Series B Preferred Stock”) received 0.6313 shares of SNBV common stock for each share of EVBS Series B Preferred Stock held immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, which totaled approximately $198.9 million based on SNBV’s closing common stock price on June 23, 2017 of $17.21 per share. EVBS was a bank holding company organized and chartered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia on September 5, 1997, commenced operations on December 29, 1997 and was headquartered in Glen Allen, Virginia. EVBS operated twenty-four retail branches, which served diverse markets that primarily are in the counties of Essex, Gloucester, Hanover, Henrico, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Southampton, Surry, Sussex and the cities of Colonial Heights, Hampton, Newport News, Richmond and Williamsburg.

SNBV accounted for the acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, “Business Combinations.” Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets and liabilities of EVBS were recorded at their respective acquisition date fair values. Determining the fair value of assets and liabilities, particularly related to the loan portfolio, is a complicated process involving significant judgment regarding methods and assumptions used to calculate the estimated fair values. After recognition of all measurement period adjustments, SNBV recognized goodwill of $91.5 million in connection with the acquisition, none of which is deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table details the total consideration paid by SNBV on June 23, 2017 in connection with the acquisition of EVBS, the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and the resulting goodwill.

The net effect of the amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts associated with the Company’s acquisition accounting adjustments to assets acquired and liabilities assumed from EVBS had the following impact on the consolidating statements of income during the nine months ended September 30, 2018:

Fair values of the major categories of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were determined as follows:

Loans: The acquired loans were recorded at fair value at the acquisition date of $1.03 billion without carryover of EVBS’s allowance for loan losses. The unpaid principal balance and discount at the merger date were $1.05 billion and $21.4 million, respectively. Where loans exhibited characteristics of performance, fair value was determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis which included default estimates; loans without such characteristics, fair value was determined based on the estimated values of the underlying collateral. While estimating the amount and timing of both principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected, a market-based discount rate was applied.  In this regard, the acquired loans were segregated into pools based on loan type and credit risk.  Loan type was determined based on collateral type and purpose, industry segment and loan structure.  Credit risk characteristics included risk rating groups pass, special mention and substandard and lien position. For valuation purposes, these pools were further disaggregated by maturity and pricing characteristics (e.g., fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, balloon maturities).

Included in the $1.05 billion of acquired loans were certain loans acquired with deteriorating credit quality, or purchased credit impaired loans. The table below summarizes the purchased credit impaired loans acquired in the EVBS acquisition on June 23, 2017 (in thousands):

Loans Held for Sale: The $19.7 million of acquired loans held for sale were recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. Acquired loans held for sale represent the potentially credit-impaired loans that were moved out of the held for investment portfolio and marked to fair value by EVBS just prior to the closing of the merger. Fair value was determined using quoted prices from an independent, third party buyer. Subsequent to the acquisition date, acquired loans held for sale were sold to an independent third party.

Premises and Equipment and Assets Held for Sale: The fair value of EVBS’s premises, including land, buildings and improvements, was determined based upon appraisal by licensed appraisers or sales contracts. These appraisals were based upon the best and highest use of the property with final values determined based upon an analysis of the cost, sales comparison and income capitalization approaches for each property appraised. The fair value of bank-owned real estate resulted in a net premium of $3.3 million.  Land is not depreciated.

Core Deposit Intangible: The fair value of the core deposit intangible (“CDI”) was determined based on a combined discounted economic benefit and market approach.  The economic benefit was calculated as the cost savings between maintaining the core deposit base and using an alternate funding source, such as FHLB advances.  The life of the deposit base and projected deposit attrition rates was determined using EVBS's historical deposit data.  The CDI was estimated at $10.0 million or 0.9% of total deposits.  The CDI is being amortized over a weighted average life of 96 months using the straight-line method.

Time Deposits: The fair value of time deposits was determined based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The resulting estimated fair value adjustment of time deposits is a $1.2 million premium and is being amortized over the weighted average remaining life of approximately 18 months using the straight-line method.

FHLB Advances: The fair value of FHLB advances was considered to be equivalent to EVBS’s recorded book balance as the advances mature in 90 days or less.

Junior Subordinated Debt and Senior Subordinated Notes: The fair value of the junior subordinated debt and senior subordinated notes were based on discounted cash flows using rates for securities with similar terms. The resulting estimated fair value adjustment of junior subordinated debt is a $801 thousand discount and is being accreted over the remaining life of approximately 195 months using the straight-line method. The resulting estimated fair value adjustment of senior subordinated notes is a $1.1 million premium and is being amortized over the remaining life of approximately 95 months using the straight-line method.

Deferred Income Taxes: Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities were carried over to SNBV from EVBS based on the Company’s ability to utilize them in the future. Additionally, deferred tax assets and liabilities were established for acquisition accounting fair value adjustments as the future amortization/accretion of these adjustments represent temporary differences between book income and taxable income.

In 2004, the Board of Directors adopted a stock option plan that authorized the reservation of up to 302,500 shares of common stock and provided for the granting of stock options to certain directors, officers and employees. The 2010 Stock Awards and Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) was approved by the Board of Directors in January 2010 and approved by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting in April 2010. The 2010 Plan authorized the reservation of an additional 700,000 shares of common stock for the granting of stock awards. The options granted to officers and employees are incentive stock options and the options granted to non-employee directors are non-qualified stock options. The purpose of the plan is to afford key employees an incentive to remain in the employ of Southern National and to assist in the attracting and retaining of non-employee directors by affording them an opportunity to share in Southern National’s future success. Under the plan, the option’s price cannot be less than the fair market value of the stock on the grant date. The maximum term of the options is ten years and options granted may be subject to a graded vesting schedule. At the June 21, 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Southern National, the 2017 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2017 Plan”) was approved as recommended by the Board of Directors. The 2017 Plan replaces the 2010 Plan and has a maximum number of 750,000 shares reserved for issuance. The purpose of the 2017 Plan is to promote the success of the Company by providing greater incentive to employees, non-employee directors, consultants and advisors to associate their personal interests with the long-term financial success of the Company, including its subsidiaries, and with growth in stockholder value, consistent with the Company’s risk management practices. Because the 2017 Plan was approved, shares under the 2004 stock-option plan or 2010 Plan will no longer be awarded.

A total of 58,000 stock options were exercised during the first nine months of 2018. Southern National granted 58,000 shares of restricted stock during the first nine months of 2018. A total of 700 shares of restricted stock issued in 2017 were forfeited during the first quarter of 2018 due to the employee who was granted the restricted shares leaving the Company before the shares had vested.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, stock-based compensation expense was $158 thousand and $327 thousand, respectively. That compares to $84 thousand and $185 thousand for the same periods in 2017, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, unrecognized compensation expense associated with the stock options was $114 thousand, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.

A summary of the activity in the stock option plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 follows:

4. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale investment securities and the related gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (in thousands):

The amortized cost, unrecognized gains and losses, and fair value of investment securities held to maturity were as follows (in thousands):

The amortized cost amounts are net of recognized other than temporary impairment.

The fair value and carrying amount, if different, of debt investment securities as of September 30, 2018, by contractual maturity were as follows (in thousands). Investment securities not due at a single maturity date are shown separately.

Investment securities with a carrying amount of approximately $165.7 million and $173.4 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits, certain other deposits, a line of credit for advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”), and repurchase agreements.

Southern National monitors the portfolio for indicators of other than temporary impairment. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, certain investment securities’ fair values were below cost. As outlined in the table below, there were investment securities with fair values totaling approximately $218.8 million in the portfolio with the carrying value exceeding the estimated fair value that are considered temporarily impaired at September 30, 2018. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and market illiquidity, and not credit quality, and because we do not have the intent to sell these investment securities and it is likely that we will not be required to sell the investment securities before their anticipated recovery, management does not consider these investment securities to be other than temporarily impaired as of September 30, 2018.

The following tables present information regarding investment securities in a continuous unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 by duration of time in a loss position (in thousands):

As of September 30, 2018, we owned pooled trust preferred securities as follows: