QNB CORP - Quarter Report: 2014 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended                                                                               March 31, 2014                                                                                                  

OR

For the transition period from                                                                                                                       to                                                                                   

Commission file number     0-17706      

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    ✔     No____ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).  Yes    ✔    No         

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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 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    ✔   

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

FORM 10-Q

QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2014

INDEX

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements                        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of QNB Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, QNB Bank (the “Bank”). The consolidated entity is referred to herein as “QNB” or the “Company”. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in QNB's 2013 Annual Report incorporated in the Form 10-K. Operating results for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim period and are of a normal and recurring nature.

For comparative purposes, prior year’s consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the report classifications of the current year. The reclassifications had no effect on net income.

Tabular information, other than share and per share data, is presented in thousands of dollars.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

The Company has evaluated events and transactions occurring subsequent to the balance sheet date of March 31, 2014, for items that should potentially be recognized or disclosed in these financial statements.

2. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-04 – Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. The ASU clarifies that an in substance 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 (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) 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. Additionally, the amendments require interim and annual disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. The objective of this ASU is to promote uniformity in practice on this topic. The amendment is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2014. QNB does not anticipate the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its financial statements but will result in expanded disclosures.

3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

QNB sponsors stock-based compensation plans, administered by a Board Committee, under which both qualified and non-qualified stock options may be granted periodically to certain employees. Compensation cost has been measured using the fair value of an award on the grant date and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period.

Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $19,000 and $6,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of March 31, 2014, there was approximately $133,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation award grants that is expected to be recognized over the next 34 months.

Options are granted to certain employees at prices equal to the market value of the stock on the date the options are granted. The 1998 Plan authorized the issuance of 220,500 shares. The time period during which any option is exercisable under the Plan is determined by the Committee but shall not commence before the expiration of six months after the date of grant or continue beyond the expiration of ten years after the date the option is awarded. The granted options vest ratably over a three-year period. As of March 31, 2014, there were 225,058 options granted, 30,444 options forfeited, 164,814 options exercised and 29,800 options outstanding under this Plan. The 1998 Plan expired on March 10, 2008.

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (continued)

The 2005 Plan authorizes the issuance of 200,000 shares. The terms of the 2005 Plan are identical to the 1998 Plan, except options expire five years after the grant date. As of March 31, 2014, there were 163,200 options granted, 45,000 options forfeited, 24,700 options exercised, and 93,500 options outstanding under this Plan. The 2005 Plan expires March 15, 2015.

The fair value of each option is amortized into compensation expense on a straight-line basis between the grant date for the option and each vesting date. QNB estimated the fair value of stock options on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The model requires the use of numerous assumptions, many of which are highly subjective in nature.

The following assumptions were used in the option pricing model in determining the fair value of options granted during the period:

The risk-free interest rate was selected based upon yields of U.S. Treasury issues with a term approximating the expected life of the option being valued. Historical information was the primary basis for the selection of the expected dividend yield, expected volatility and expected lives of the options.

The fair market value of options granted in the first three months of 2014 and 2013 was $3.81 and $4.52, respectively.

Stock option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2014 is as follows:

4. SHARE REPURCHASE PLAN

The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 100,000 shares of its common stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase authorization does not bear a termination date. There were no shares repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2014, 57,883 shares were repurchased under this authorization at an average price of $16.97 and a total cost of $982,000.

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

5. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

There were 69,800 and 52,300 stock options that were anti-dilutive for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These stock options were not included in the above calculation.

6. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The following shows the components of accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

The following table presents amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2014:

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

7. INVESTMENT SECURITIES

QNB engages in trading activities for its own account. Securities that are held principally for resale in the near term are recorded in the trading account at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in non-interest income. There were net losses of $17,000 included in net gains on trading activity related to trading securities still held at March 31, 2014. Interest and dividends are included in interest income.

There were no trading securities held by QNB at December 31, 2013. Trading securities, at fair value, at March 31, 2014 were as follows:

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities available-for-sale at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

7. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities available-for-sale by contractual maturity at March 31, 2014 are shown in the following table. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Securities are assigned to categories based on contractual maturity except for mortgage-backed securities and CMOs which are based on the estimated average life of these securities and municipal securities that have been pre-refunded.

Proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale were approximately $12,581,000 and $ 4,097,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, investment securities available-for-sale totaling approximately $192,485,000 and $207,868,000, respectively, were pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements and deposits of public funds.

The following table presents information related to the Company’s gains and losses on the sales of equity and debt securities, and losses recognized for the other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of these investments. Gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are computed on the specific identification method and included in non-interest income. Gross realized losses on equity and debt securities are net of other-than-temporary impairment charges:

The tax expense applicable to the net realized gains for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 amounted to approximately $211,000 and $144,000 respectively.

QNB recognizes OTTI for debt securities classified as available-for-sale in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities, which requires that we assess whether we intend to sell or it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit losses. For debt securities that are considered other-than-temporarily impaired and that we do not intend to sell and will not be required to sell prior to recovery of our amortized cost basis, the amount of the impairment is separated into the amount that is credit related (credit loss component) and the amount due to all other factors. The credit loss component is recognized in earnings and is the difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and the present value of its expected future cash flows discounted at the security’s effective yield. The remaining difference between the security’s fair value and the present value of future expected cash flows is due to factors that are not credit related and, therefore, is not required to be recognized as a loss in the income statement, but is recognized in other comprehensive income. For equity securities, once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the value of the equity security is reduced to fair value and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized. QNB believes that we will fully collect the carrying value of securities on which we have recorded a non-credit related impairment in other comprehensive income.

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

7. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

The following table presents a rollforward of the credit loss component recognized in earnings. The credit loss component of the amortized cost represents the difference between the present value of expected future cash flows and the amortized cost basis of the security prior to considering credit losses. The beginning balance represents the credit loss component for debt securities for which OTTI occurred prior to the beginning of the year. Credit-impaired debt securities must be presented in two components based upon whether the current period is the first time the debt security was credit-impaired (initial credit impairment) or is not the first time the debt security was credit-impaired (subsequent credit impairments). No credit impairments were recognized during the first quarter of 2014 or 2013.

The following table presents a summary of the cumulative credit-related other-than-temporary impairment charges recognized as components of earnings for debt securities still held by QNB:

The amortized cost and estimated fair values of investment securities held-to-maturity at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities held-to-maturity by contractual maturity at March 31, 2014 are shown in the following table. Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

There were no sales of investment securities classified as held-to-maturity during the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

7. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

The following table indicates the length of time individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

Management evaluates debt securities, which are comprised of U.S. Government agencies, state and municipalities, mortgage-backed securities, CMOs and corporate debt securities, for other-than-temporary impairment and considers the current economic conditions, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, interest rates and the bond rating of each security. The unrealized losses at March 31, 2014 in U.S. Government securities, state and municipal securities, mortgage-backed securities, CMOs and corporate debt securities are primarily the result of interest rate fluctuations. If held to maturity, these bonds will mature at par, and QNB will not realize a loss. The Company has the intent to hold the securities and does not believe it will be required to sell the securities before recovery occurs.

QNB holds seven pooled trust preferred securities as of March 31, 2014. These securities have a total amortized cost of approximately $3,519,000 and a fair value of $2,238,000. Five of the seven securities have been in an unrealized loss position for more than twelve months. All of the pooled trust preferred securities are available-for-sale securities and are carried at fair value.

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

7. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

The following table provides additional information related to pooled trust preferred securities (PreTSLs) as of March 31, 2014:

Mezzanine* - only class of bonds still outstanding (represents the senior-most obligation of the trust)

On December 10, 2013, Federal Banking Regulators issued final rules regarding implementation of Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act ("the Volcker rule") which stated that “a banking entity may not, as principal, directly or indirectly, acquire or retain any ownership interest in or sponsor a covered fund”. The interpretation of the final rules indicated that a very high percentage of pooled trust preferred securities would be considered "covered funds". The rules also required that banks dispose of their covered funds by July 21, 2015, subject to a regulatory extension of up to five years. This would have triggered accounting requirements to record pooled trust preferred securities to fair value through the income statement. As a result of this regulation there were some trades of pooled trust preferred securities during December of 2013. On January 14, 2014, Regulators released a final interim rule authorizing retention of pooled trust preferred securities backed primarily by bank-issued trust preferred securities which included the PreTSLs held by QNB. Due to the uncertainty invoked between the original release of the Volcker Rule and the final interim rule, there was a noticeable increase in trading activity. However, we believe most of these trades occurred under distress and do not represent trades made in an orderly market. Despite the trades that took place as discussed previously, the market for these securities at March 31, 2014 was not active and markets for similar securities also are not active. The inactivity was evidenced first by a significant widening of the bid-ask spread in the brokered markets in which pooled trust preferred securities trade and then by a significant decrease in the volume of trades relative to historical levels. The new issue market is also inactive and the market values for these securities are depressed relative to historical levels. Lack of liquidity in the market for trust preferred collateralized debt obligations, credit rating downgrades and market uncertainties related to the financial industry are all factors contributing to the temporary impairment of these securities. Although these securities are classified as available-for-sale, the Company has the intent to hold the securities and does not believe it will be required to sell the securities before recovery occurs. As illustrated in the previous table, these securities are comprised mainly of securities issued by banks, and to a lesser degree, insurance companies. QNB owns the mezzanine tranches of these securities, except for PreTSL IV and V which represent the senior-most obligation of the trust.

On a quarterly basis we evaluate our debt securities for OTTI, which involves the use of a third-party valuation firm to assist management with the valuation. When evaluating these investments a credit-related portion and a non-credit related portion of OTTI are determined. The credit related portion is recognized in earnings and represents the expected shortfall in future cash flows. The non-credit related portion is recognized in other comprehensive income and represents the difference between the book value and the fair value of the security less any current quarter credit related impairment. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, no other-than-temporary impairment charges representing credit impairment were recognized on our pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations. A discounted cash flow analysis provides the best estimate of credit related OTTI for these securities. Additional information related to this analysis follows:

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

7. INVESTMENT SECURITIES (continued)

All of the pooled trust preferred collateralized debt obligations held by QNB are rated lower than AA and are measured for OTTI within the scope of ASC 325 (formerly known as EITF 99-20), Recognition of Interest Income and Impairment on Purchased Beneficial Interests and Beneficial Interests That Continue to be Held by a Transferor in Securitized Financial Assets, and Amendments to the Impairment Guidance of EITF Issue No. 99-20 (formerly known as EITF 99-20-1). QNB performs a discounted cash flow analysis on all of its impaired debt securities to determine if the amortized cost basis of an impaired security will be recovered. In determining whether a credit loss exists, QNB uses its best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security and discounts them at the effective yield implicit in the security at the date of acquisition or the prospective yield for those securities with prior OTTI charges. The discounted cash flow analysis is considered to be the primary evidence when determining whether credit related other-than-temporary impairment exists.

Results of a discounted cash flow test are significantly affected by other variables such as the estimate of future cash flows (including prepayments), credit worthiness of the underlying banks and insurance companies and determination of probability and severity of default of the underlying collateral. The following provides additional information for each of these variables:

 QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

In addition to the above factors, the evaluation of impairment also includes a stress test analysis which provides an estimate of future risk for each tranche. This stressed breakpoint is then compared to the level of assets with credit concerns in each tranche. This comparison allows management to identify those pools that are at a greater risk for a future adverse change in cash flows so the asset quality in those pools can be monitored more closely for potential deterioration of credit quality.

Based upon the analysis performed by management as of March 31, 2014, it is probable that we will collect all contractual principal and interest payments on one of our seven pooled trust preferred securities, PreTSL XIX. The expected principal shortfall on the remaining pooled trust preferred securities resulted in credit related other-than-temporary impairment charges in previous years. All of these pooled trust preferred securities held by QNB could be subject to additional writedowns in the future if additional deferrals and defaults occur.

8. LOANS & ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs. Interest income is accrued on the principal amount outstanding. Loan origination and commitment fees and related direct costs are deferred and amortized to income over the term of the respective loan and loan commitment period as a yield adjustment.

Loans held-for-sale consists of residential mortgage loans that are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance charged to income. Gains and losses on residential mortgages held-for-sale are included in non-interest income.

QNB maintains an allowance for loan losses, which is intended to absorb probable known and inherent losses in the outstanding loan portfolio. The allowance is reduced by actual credit losses and is increased by the provision for loan losses and recoveries of previous losses. The provisions for loan losses are charged to earnings to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level considered necessary by management.

The allowance for loan losses is based on management’s continuing review and evaluation of the loan portfolio. The level of the allowance is determined by assigning specific reserves to individually identified problem credits and general reserves to all other loans. For such loans that are also classified as impaired, 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 portion of the allowance that is allocated to internally criticized and non-accrual loans is determined by estimating the inherent loss on each credit after giving consideration to the value of underlying collateral. The general component covers pools of loans by loan class including commercial loans not considered impaired, as well as smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as residential real estate, home equity and other consumer loans. These pools of loans are evaluated for loss exposure based upon historical loss rates. These loss rates are based on a three year history of charge-offs and are more heavily weighted for recent experience for each of these categories of loans, adjusted for qualitative factors. These qualitative risk factors include:

8. LOANS & ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

Each factor is assigned a value to reflect improving, stable or declining conditions based on management’s best judgment using relevant information available at the time of the evaluation.

An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

Management emphasizes loan quality and close monitoring of potential problem credits. Credit risk identification and review processes are utilized in order to assess and monitor the degree of risk in the loan portfolio. QNB’s lending and credit administration staff are charged with reviewing the loan portfolio and identifying changes in the economy or in a borrower’s circumstances which may affect the ability to repay debt or the value of pledged collateral. A loan classification and review system exists that identifies those loans with a higher than normal risk of uncollectibility. Each commercial loan is assigned a grade based upon an assessment of the borrower’s financial capacity to service the debt and the presence and value of collateral for the loan. An independent loan review group tests risk assessments and evaluates the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Management meets monthly to review the credit quality of the loan portfolio and quarterly to review the allowance for loan losses.

In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review QNB’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require QNB to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments using information available to them at the time of their examination.

Management believes that it uses the best information available to make determinations about the adequacy of the allowance and that it has established its existing allowance for loan losses in accordance with GAAP. If circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making determinations, future adjustments to the allowance for loan losses may be necessary and results of operations could be affected. Because future events affecting borrowers and collateral cannot be predicted with certainty, there can be no assurance that increases to the allowance will not be necessary should the quality of any loans deteriorate as a result of the factors discussed above.

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

8. LOANS & ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

Major classes of loans are as follows:

Loans secured by commercial real estate include all loans collateralized at least in part by commercial real estate. These loans may not be for the expressed purpose of conducting commercial real estate transactions.

Overdrafts are reclassified as loans and are included in consumer loans above and total loans on the balance sheet. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, overdrafts were approximately $113,000 and $138,000, respectively.

QNB generally lends in its trade area which is comprised of Quakertown and the surrounding communities. To a large extent, QNB makes loans collateralized at least in part by real estate. Its lending activities could be affected by changes in the general economy, the regional economy, or real estate values. Other than disclosed in the table above, at March 31, 2014, there were no concentrations of loans exceeding 10% of total loans.

The Company engages in a variety of lending activities, including commercial, residential real estate and consumer transactions. The Company focuses its lending activities on individuals, professionals and small to medium sized businesses. Risks associated with lending activities include economic conditions and changes in interest rates, which can adversely impact both the ability of borrowers to repay their loans and the value of the associated collateral.

Commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans and residential real estate loans with a business purpose are generally perceived as having more risk of default than residential real estate loans with a personal purpose and consumer loans. These types of loans involve larger loan balances to a single borrower or groups of related borrowers and are more susceptible to a risk of loss during a downturn in the business cycle. These loans may involve greater risk because the availability of funds to repay these loans depends on the successful operation of the borrower’s business. The assets financed are used within the business for its ongoing operation. Repayment of these kinds of loans generally comes from the cash flow of the business or the ongoing conversions of assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory, to cash. Typical collateral for commercial and industrial loans includes the borrower’s accounts receivable, inventory and machinery and equipment. Commercial real estate and residential real estate loans secured for a business purpose are originated primarily within the eastern Pennsylvania market area at conservative loan-to-value ratios and often backed by the individual guarantees of the borrowers or owners. Repayment of this kind of loan is dependent upon either the ongoing cash flow of the borrowing entity or the resale of or lease of the subject property. Commercial real estate loans may be affected to a greater extent than residential loans by adverse conditions in real estate markets or the economy because commercial real estate borrowers’ ability to repay their loans depends on successful development of their properties, as well as the factors affecting residential real estate borrowers.

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

8. LOANS & ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

Loans to state and political subdivisions are tax-exempt or taxable loans to municipalities, school districts and housing and industrial development authorities. These loans can be general obligations of the municipality or school district repaid through their taxing authority, revenue obligations repaid through the income generated by the operations of the authority, such as a water or sewer authority, or loans issued to a housing and industrial development agency, for which a private corporation is responsible for payments on the loans.

Loans to depository institutions consist of a loan to a commercial bank in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. This loan is secured by shares of common stock of the borrowing institution.

Indirect lease financing receivables represent loans to small businesses that are collateralized by equipment. These loans tend to have higher risk characteristics but generally provide higher rates of return. These loans are originated by a third party and purchased by QNB based on criteria specified by QNB. The criteria include minimum credit scores of the borrower, term of the lease, type and age of equipment financed and geographic area. The geographic area primarily represents states contiguous to Pennsylvania. QNB is not the lessor and does not service these loans.

The Company originates fixed-rate and adjustable-rate real estate-residential mortgage loans for personal purposes that are secured by first liens on the underlying 1-4 family residential properties. Credit risk exposure in this area of lending is minimized by the evaluation of the credit worthiness of the borrower, including debt-to-income ratios, credit scores and adherence to underwriting policies that emphasize conservative loan-to-value ratios of generally no more than 80%. Residential mortgage loans granted in excess of the 80% loan-to-value ratio criterion are generally insured by private mortgage insurance.

The real estate-home equity portfolio consists of fixed-rate home equity loans and variable-rate home equity lines of credit. Risks associated with loans secured by residential properties are generally lower than commercial loans and include general economic risks, such as the strength of the job market, employment stability and the strength of the housing market. Since most loans are secured by a primary or secondary residence, the borrower’s continued employment is the greatest risk to repayment.

The Company offers a variety of loans to individuals for personal and household purposes. Consumer loans are generally considered to have greater risk than first or second mortgages on real estate because they may be unsecured, or, if they are secured, the value of the collateral may be difficult to assess and is more likely to decrease in value than real estate. Credit risk in this portfolio is controlled by conservative underwriting standards that consider debt-to-income levels and the creditworthiness of the borrower and, if secured, collateral values.

The Company employs an eight (8) grade risk rating system related to the credit quality of commercial loans, loans to state and political subdivisions and indirect lease financing of which the first four categories are pass categories (credits not adversely rated). The following is a description of the internal risk ratings and the likelihood of loss related to each risk rating.

1 - Excellent - no apparent risk

2 - Good - minimal risk

3 - Acceptable - average risk

4 - Watch List - greater than average risk

5 - Special Mention - potential weaknesses

6 - Substandard - well defined weaknesses

QNB CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 (Unaudited)

8. LOANS & ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES (continued)

7 - Doubtful - full collection unlikely

8 - Loss - considered uncollectible

The Company maintains a loan review system, which allows for a periodic review of our loan portfolio and the early identification of potential problem loans. Each loan officer assigns a rating to all loans in the portfolio at the time the loan is originated. Loans with risk ratings of one through three are reviewed annually based on the borrower’s fiscal year. Loans with risk ratings of four are reviewed every six to twelve months based on the dollar amount of the relationship with the borrower. Loans with risk ratings of five through eight are reviewed at least quarterly, and as often as monthly, at management’s discretion. The Company also utilizes an outside loan review firm to review the portfolio on a semi-annual basis to provide the Board of Directors and senior management an independent review of the Bank’s loan portfolio on an ongoing basis. These reviews are designed to recognize deteriorating credits in their earliest stages in an effort to reduce and control risk in the lending function as well as identifying potential shifts in the quality of the loan portfolio. The examinations by the outside loan review firm include the review of lending activities with respect to underwriting and processing new loans, monitoring the risk of existing loans and to provide timely follow-up and corrective action for loans showing signs of deterioration in quality. In addition, the outside firm reviews the methodology for the allowance for loan losses to determine compliance to policy and regulatory guidance.

The following tables present the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aggregate pass rating and the classified ratings of special mention, substandard and doubtful within the Company’s internal risk rating system as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013: