REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP INC - Quarter Report: 2015 September (Form 10-Q)

rfb10q.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[ X ]

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015.

[ ]	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: 000-17007

Republic First Bancorp, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania	23-2486815
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

50 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	19102
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

215-735-4422

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 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 [X] 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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer [ ]	Accelerated filer [X]
Non-Accelerated filer [ ] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company [ ]

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

YES [ ] NO [X]

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS

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

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	37,816,003
Title of Class	Number of Shares Outstanding as of November 5, 2015

REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I: Financial Information		Page

Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (unaudited)	1
	Consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited) Consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)	2 3
	Consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)	4
	Consolidated statements of changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (unaudited)	5

	Notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited)	6

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	30

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	44

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	44

Part II: Other Information

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	45

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	45

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	45

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	45

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	45

Item 5.	Other Information	45

Item 6.	Exhibits	46

Signatures		47

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	14,212		$	14,822
Interest bearing deposits with banks		96,307			114,004
Cash and cash equivalents		110,519			128,826

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value		209,119			185,379
Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $141,519 and $68,253, respectively)		140,116			67,866
Restricted stock, at cost		1,179			1,157
Loans held for sale		489			1,676
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $8,323 and $11,536, respectively)		837,037			770,404
Premises and equipment, net		45,094			35,030
Other real estate owned, net		13,773			3,715
Accrued interest receivable		3,548			3,226
Other assets		19,940			17,319
Total Assets	$	1,380,814		$	1,214,598

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits
Demand – non-interest bearing	$	243,836			224,245
Demand – interest bearing		391,230			283,768
Money market and savings		527,360			488,848
Time deposits		75,070			75,369
Total Deposits		1,237,496			1,072,230
Accrued interest payable		283			265
Other liabilities		6,086			6,816
Subordinated debt		22,476			22,476
Total Liabilities		1,266,341			1,101,787

Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share: 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued		-			-
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 50,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued 38,344,848 as of September 30, 2015 and 38,344,348 as of December 31, 2014		383			383
Additional paid in capital		152,676			152,234
Accumulated deficit		(33,623	)		(35,266	)
Treasury stock at cost (503,408 shares)		(3,725	)		(3,725	)
Stock held by deferred compensation plan (25,437 shares)		(183	)		(183	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,055	)		(632	)
Total Shareholders’ Equity		114,473			112,811
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	1,380,814		$	1,214,598

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Interest income:
Interest and fees on taxable loans	$	9,518		$	8,914		$	27,611		$	25,381
Interest and fees on tax-exempt loans		130			86			384			252
Interest and dividends on taxable investment securities		1,509			1,260			4,396			3,689
Interest and dividends on tax-exempt investment securities		153			96			416			258
Interest on federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets		60			45			223			107
Total interest income		11,370			10,401			33,030			29,687
Interest expense:
Demand- interest bearing		378			220			1,009			636
Money market and savings		538			509			1,592			1,392
Time deposits		183			189			528			540
Other borrowings		279			277			833			830
Total interest expense		1,378			1,195			3,962			3,398
Net interest income		9,992			9,206			29,068			26,289
Provision for loan losses		-			300			-			600
Net interest income after provision for loan losses		9,992			8,906			29,068			25,689
Non-interest income:
Loan advisory and servicing fees		163			388			1,087			1,291
Gain on sales of SBA loans		884			614			2,684			2,814
Service fees on deposit accounts		452			316			1,213			896
Gain on sale of investment securities		64			-			73			458
Other-than-temporary impairment		-			-			(13	)		21
Portion recognized in other comprehensive income (before taxes)		-			-			10			(28	)
Net impairment loss on investment securities		-			-			(3	)		(7	)
Other non-interest income		41			53			149			138
Total non-interest income		1,604			1,371			5,203			5,590
Non-interest expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits		5,730			5,074			16,667			14,942
Occupancy		1,240			1,039			3,624			3,104
Depreciation and amortization		671			710			2,126			1,779
Legal		52			283			631			982
Other real estate owned		425			376			1,173			1,062
Advertising		233			91			475			453
Data processing		408			336			1,133			990
Insurance		162			148			532			427
Professional fees		293			330			968			1,160
Regulatory assessments and costs		318			258			911			791
Taxes, other		169			171			594			620
Other operating expenses		1,323			1,170			3,811			3,448
Total non-interest expense		11,024			9,986			32,645			29,758
Income before benefit for income taxes		572			291			1,626			1,521
Benefit for income taxes		(10	)		(6	)		(17	)		(68	)
Net income	$	582		$	297		$	1,643		$	1,589
Net income per share:
Basic	$	0.02		$	0.01		$	0.04		$	0.05
Diluted	$	0.02		$	0.01		$	0.04		$	0.05

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(Dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014

Net income	$	582		$	297		$	1,643		$	1,589

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities (pre-tax $490, $(244), $(718), and $3,422, respectively)		314			(156	)		(460	)		2,194

Reclassification adjustment for securities gains (pre-tax $(64), $-, $(73), and $(458), respectively)		(41	)		-			(47	)		(293	)

Reclassification adjustment for impairment charge (pre-tax $-, $-, $3, and $7, respectively)		-			-			2			4

Net unrealized holding losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to- maturity:
Amortization of net unrealized holding losses to income during the period (pre-tax $25, $60, $128, $60, respectively)		16			38			82			38

Total other comprehensive income (loss)		289			(118	)		(423	)		1,943

Total comprehensive income	$	871		$	179		$	1,220		$	3,532

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(Dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	1,643		$	1,589
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses		-			600
Loss on sale of other real estate owned		-			9
Write down of other real estate owned		298			667
Depreciation and amortization		2,126			1,779
Stock based compensation		441			309
Gain on sale and call of investment securities		(73	)		(458	)
Impairment charges on investment securities		3			7
Amortization of premiums on investment securities		635			414
Accretion of discounts on retained SBA loans		(754	)		(568	)
Fair value adjustments on SBA servicing assets		597			170
Proceeds from sales of SBA loans originated for sale		27,999			29,485
SBA loans originated for sale		(24,128	)		(22,529	)
Gains on sales of SBA loans originated for sale		(2,684	)		(2,814	)
Increase in accrued interest receivable and other assets		(3,302	)		(1,917	)
Decrease in accrued interest payable and other liabilities		(712	)		(184	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		2,089			6,559

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of investment securities available for sale		(57,807	)		(46,823	)
Purchase of investment securities held to maturity		(85,246	)		-
Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale		6,672			5,700
Proceeds from the maturity or call of securities available for sale		26,397			20,114
Proceeds from the maturity or call of securities held to maturity		12,768			1,166
Net purchase of restricted stock		(22	)		(155	)
Net increase in loans		(77,027	)		(73,284	)
Net proceeds from sale of other real estate owned		792			91
Premises and equipment expenditures		(12,190	)		(8,798	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(185,663	)		(101,989	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Net proceeds from stock offering		-			44,853
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options		1			-
Net increase in demand, money market and savings deposits		165,565			121,245
Net decrease in time deposits		(299	)		(704	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		165,267			165,394

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(18,307	)		69,964
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		128,826			35,880
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	110,519		$	105,844

Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid	$	3,944		$	3,335
Income taxes paid	$	-		$	70
Non-cash transfers from loans to other real estate owned	$	11,148		$	483
Transfer of available-for-sale securities to held-to-maturity securities	$	-		$	70,118

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(Dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

	Common Stock		Additional Paid in Capital		Accumulated Deficit			Treasury Stock			Stock Held by Deferred Compensation Plan			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Total Shareholders’ Equity

Balance January 1, 2015	$	383	$	152,234	$	(35,266	)	$	(3,725	)	$	(183	)	$	(632	)	$	112,811

Net income						1,643												1,643
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax															(423	)		(423	)
Stock based compensation				441														441
Options exercised (500 shares)				1														1

Balance September 30, 2015	$	383	$	152,676	$	(33,623	)	$	(3,725	)	$	(183	)	$	(1,055	)	$	114,473


Balance January 1, 2014	$	265	$	107,078	$	(37,708	)	$	(3,099	)	$	(809	)	$	(2,828	)	$	62,899

Net income						1,589												1,589
Other comprehensive income, net of tax															1,943			1,943
Proceeds from shares issued under common stock offering (11,842,106 shares) net of offering costs (pre-tax $147)		118		44,735														44,853
Stock based compensation				309														309
Transfer from deferred compensation
plan to treasury stock (87,105 shares)									(626	)		626						-

Balance September 30, 2014	$	383	$	152,122	$	(36,119	)	$	(3,725	)	$	(183	)	$	(885	)	$	111,593

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and a registered bank holding company. The Company offers a variety of retail and commercial banking services to individuals and businesses throughout the Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey area through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Republic First Bank (“Republic” or the “Bank”) which does business under the name Republic Bank. The Company also has three unconsolidated subsidiaries, which are statutory trusts established by the Company in connection with its sponsorship of three separate issuances of trust preferred securities.

The Company and Republic encounter vigorous competition for market share in the geographic areas they serve from bank holding companies, national, regional and other community banks, thrift institutions, credit unions and other non-bank financial organizations, such as mutual fund companies, insurance companies and brokerage companies.

The Company and Republic are subject to regulations of certain state and federal agencies. These regulatory agencies periodically examine the Company and Republic for adherence to laws and regulations. As a consequence, the cost of doing business may be affected.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Republic. The Company follows accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). The FASB sets accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) that are followed to ensure consistent reporting of financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP for interim financial information and with the instructions to United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Form 10-Q and Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for financial statements for a complete fiscal year. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the financial data included herein.

Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Risks and Uncertainties

The earnings of the Company depend primarily on the earnings of Republic. The earnings of Republic are dependent primarily upon the level of net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on its interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the interest paid on its interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Accordingly, the Company’s results of operations are subject to risks and uncertainties surrounding Republic’s exposure to changes in the interest rate environment.

Prepayments on residential real estate mortgage and other fixed rate loans and mortgage-backed securities vary significantly and may cause significant fluctuations in interest margins.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant estimates are made by management in determining the allowance for loan losses, carrying values of other real estate owned, assessment of other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of investment securities, fair value of financial instruments and the realization of deferred income tax assets. Consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing these estimates.

In estimating the allowance for loan losses, management considers current economic conditions, diversification of the loan portfolio, delinquency statistics, results of internal loan reviews, borrowers’ perceived financial and managerial strengths, the adequacy of underlying collateral, if collateral dependent, or present value of future cash flows, and other relevant factors. An estimate for the carrying value of other real estate owned is normally determined through appraisals which are updated on a regular basis or through agreements of sale that have been negotiated. Because the allowance for loan losses and carrying value of other real estate owned are dependent, to a great extent, on the general economy and other conditions that may be beyond the Company’s and Republic’s control, the estimates of the allowance for loan losses and the carrying values of other real estate owned could differ materially in the near term.

In estimating OTTI of investment securities, securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other than temporary. To determine whether a loss in value is other than temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline, the intent to hold the security and the likelihood of the Company not being required to sell the security prior to an anticipated recovery in the fair value. The term “other than temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospect for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other than temporary, the value of the security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized.

In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover deferred tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence. Management also makes assumptions on the amount of future taxable income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require management to make judgments that are consistent with the plans and estimates used to manage the Company’s business. The Company has decided to currently exclude future taxable income from its analysis of the ability to recover deferred tax assets and has recorded a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. An increase or decrease in the valuation allowance would result in an adjustment to income tax expense in the period and could have a significant impact on the Company’s future earnings.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has a Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (“the 2005 Plan”), under which the Company may grant options, restricted stock or stock appreciation rights to the Company’s employees, directors, and certain consultants. The 2005 Plan became effective on November 14, 1995, and was amended and approved at the Company’s 2005 annual meeting of shareholders. Under the terms of the 2005 Plan, 1.5 million shares of common stock, plus an annual increase equal to the number of shares needed to restore the maximum number of shares that may be available for grant under the 2005 Plan to 1.5 million shares, are available for such grants. As of September 30, 2015, the only grants under the 2005 Plan have been option grants. The 2005 Plan provides that the exercise price of each option granted equals the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. Options granted pursuant to the 2005 Plan vest within one to four years and have a maximum term of 10 years. The 2005 Plan terminates pursuant to its term on November 14, 2015.

On April 29, 2014 the Company’s shareholders approved the 2014 Republic First Bancorp, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”), under which the Company may grant options, restricted stock, stock units, or stock appreciation rights to the Company’s employees, directors, independent contractors, and consultants. Under the terms of the 2014 Plan, 2.6 million shares of common stock, plus an annual adjustment to be no less than 10% of the outstanding shares or such lower number as the Board of Directors may determine, are available for such grants.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, 15,000 options were granted under the 2005 Plan with a weighted average grant date fair value of $20,826 and 490,200 options were granted under the 2014 Plan with a weighted average grant date fair value of $747,152.

The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the estimated fair value of each stock option granted on the date of the grant. A summary of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

	2015	2014
Dividend yield(1)	0.0%	0.0%
Expected volatility(2)	53.78% to 56.00%	55.79% to 57.99%
Risk-free interest rate(3)	1.49% to 2.00%	1.51% to 2.26%
Expected life(4)	5.5 to 7.0 years	5.5 to 7.0 years

(1) A dividend yield of 0.0% is utilized because cash dividends have never been paid.

(2) Expected volatility is based on Bloomberg’s five and one-half to seven year volatility calculation for “FRBK” stock.

(3) The risk-free interest rate is based on the five to seven year Treasury bond.

(4) The expected life reflects a 1 to 4 year vesting period, the maximum ten year term and review of historical behavior.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, 349,062 options and 206,825 options vested, respectively. Expense is recognized ratably over the period required to vest. At September 30, 2015, the intrinsic value of the 1,982,730 options outstanding was $1,073,953, while the intrinsic value of the 797,579 exercisable (vested) options was $400,024. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, 500 options were exercised with cash received of $1,345 and 16,369 options were forfeited with a weighted average grant date fair value of $21,331.

Information regarding stock based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is set forth below:

	2015		2014
Stock based compensation expense recognized	$	441,000	$	309,000
Number of unvested stock options		1,185,151		1,050,513
Fair value of unvested stock options	$	1,908,205	$	1,552,934
Amount remaining to be recognized as expense	$	1,034,337	$	812,979

The remaining amount of $1,034,337 will be recognized as expense through May 2019.

Earnings per Share

Earnings per share (“EPS”) consist of two separate components: basic EPS and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each period presented. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common stock equivalents (“CSEs”). CSEs consist of dilutive stock options granted through the Company’s 2005 Plan and 2014 Plan and convertible securities related to the trust preferred securities issued in 2008. In the diluted EPS computation, the after tax interest expense on the trust preferred securities issuance is added back to net income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the effect of CSEs in the amount of 1,661,538 shares (convertible securities related to the trust preferred securities only) and the related add back of after tax interest expense was considered anti-dilutive and therefore was not included in the EPS calculation. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, total anti-dilutive stock options were 660,780 and 247,624, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, total anti-dilutive stock options were 660,780 and 271,624, respectively.

The calculation of EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Net income (basic and diluted)	$	582	$	297	$	1,643	$	1,589

Weighted average shares outstanding		37,816		37,815		37,816		33,025

Net income per share – basic	$	0.02	$	0.01	$	0.04	$	0.05

Weighted average shares outstanding (including dilutive CSEs)		38,064		38,253		38,052		33,399

Net income per share – diluted	$	0.02	$	0.01	$	0.04	$	0.05

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2014-04

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, “Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructuring by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure – a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force.” The guidance clarifies 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 property recognized. For public business entities, the ASU is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. For entities other than public business entities, the ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-04 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2014-09

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 660): Summary and Amendments that Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs – Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40).” The purpose of this guidance is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue. The guidance in this update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the codification. For public companies, early adoption of the update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. For public companies that elect to defer the update, adoption will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect a material impact.

ASU 2014-14

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-14, “Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure - a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force.” The amendments in this Update address a practice issue related to the classification of certain foreclosed residential and nonresidential mortgage loans that are either fully or partially guaranteed under government programs. Specifically, creditors should reclassify loans that meet certain conditions to "other receivables" upon foreclosure, rather than reclassifying them to other real estate owned (OREO). The separate other receivable recorded upon foreclosure is to be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) the creditor expects to recover from the guarantor. The ASU is effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2015, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company adopted ASU 2014-14 effective January 1, 2015. The adoption of ASU 2014-14 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 3: Legal Proceedings

The Company and Republic are from time to time parties (plaintiff or defendant) to lawsuits in the normal course of business. While any litigation involves an element of uncertainty, management is of the opinion that the liability of the Company and Republic, if any, resulting from such actions will not have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and Republic.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company reached a settlement agreement with an insurance company relating to a bond claim initially submitted in 2010. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will receive a one-time cash payment in the amount of $2.6 million which will be recognized as “non-interest income” in the quarter ending December 31, 2015.

Note 4: Segment Reporting

The Company has one reportable segment: community banking. The community bank segment primarily encompasses the commercial loan and deposit activities of Republic, as well as consumer loan products in the area surrounding its stores.

Note 5: Investment Securities

A summary of the amortized cost and market value of securities available for sale and securities held to maturity at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:

	At September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Collateralized mortgage obligations	$	127,369	$	1,371	$	(353	)	$	128,387
Mortgage-backed securities		10,287		188		(51	)		10,424
Municipal securities		21,820		374		(110	)		22,084
Corporate bonds		29,313		275		(367	)		29,221
Asset-backed securities		17,804		-		(590	)		17,214
Trust preferred securities		3,070		-		(1,400	)		1,670
Other securities		115		4		-			119
Total securities available for sale	$	209,778	$	2,212	$	(2,871	)	$	209,119

U.S. Government agencies	$	12,091	$	1	$	(39	)	$	12,053
Collateralized mortgage obligations		120,051		1,574		(206	)		121,419
Mortgage-backed securities		7,954		73		-			8,027
Other securities		20		-		-			20
Total securities held to maturity	$	140,116	$	1,648	$	(245	)	$	141,519

	At December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
Collateralized mortgage obligations	$	98,626	$	692	$	(96	)	$	99,222
Mortgage-backed securities		13,271		564		(33	)		13,802
Municipal securities		15,784		363		(40	)		16,107
Corporate bonds		33,840		621		(34	)		34,427
Asset-backed securities		18,353		152		-			18,505
Trust preferred securities		5,261		-		(2,068	)		3,193
Other securities		115		8		-			123
Total securities available for sale	$	185,250	$	2,400	$	(2,271	)	$	185,379

U.S. Government agencies	$	1	$	-	$	-		$	1
Collateralized mortgage obligations		67,845		531		(144	)		68,232
Other securities		20		-		-			20
Total securities held to maturity	$	67,866	$	531	$	(144	)	$	68,253

The maturity distribution of the amortized cost and estimated market value of investment securities by contractual maturity at September 30, 2015 is as follows:

	Available for Sale				Held to Maturity
(dollars in thousands)	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Amortized Cost		Fair Value
Due in 1 year or less	$	23,526	$	24,035	$	1	$	1
After 1 year to 5 years		68,022		67,445		62,243		62,778
After 5 years to 10 years		106,071		105,624		77,872		78,740
After 10 years		12,159		12,015		-		-
Total	$	209,778	$	209,119	$	140,116	$	141,519

Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.

The Company’s investment securities portfolio consists primarily of debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies, U.S. government-sponsored agencies, state governments, local municipalities and certain corporate entities. There were no private label mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) or collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMO”) held in the investment securities portfolio as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. There were also no MBS or CMO securities that were rated “Alt-A” or “sub-prime” as of those dates.

The fair value of investment securities is impacted by interest rates, credit spreads, market volatility and liquidity conditions. Net unrealized gains and losses in the available for sale portfolio are included in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax. Securities classified as held to maturity are carried at amortized cost. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than the amortized cost basis.

The Company regularly evaluates investment securities that are in an unrealized loss position in order to determine if the decline in fair value is other than temporary. Factors considered in the evaluation include the current economic climate, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been below cost, the current interest rate environment and the rating of each security. An other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) loss must be recognized for a debt security in an unrealized loss position if the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of the amortized cost basis. The amount of OTTI loss recognized is equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the security that is attributed to credit deterioration. Accounting standards require the evaluation of the expected cash flows to be received to determine if a credit loss has occurred. In the event of a credit loss, that amount must be recognized against income in the current period. The portion of the unrealized loss related to other factors, such as liquidity conditions in the market or the current interest rate environment, is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Impairment charges (credit losses) on trust preferred securities for the nine month period ended September 30, 2015 amounted to $3,000. There were no impairment charges on trust preferred securities during the three month period ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. The impairment charges on trust preferred securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 amounted to $7,000.

The following table presents a roll-forward of the balance of credit-related impairment losses on securities held at September 30, 2015 and 2014 for which a portion of OTTI was recognized in other comprehensive income:

(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014

Beginning Balance, January 1st	$	3,966		$	3,959
Additional credit-related impairment loss on securities for which an
other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized		3			7
Reductions for securities paid off during the period		-			-
Reductions for securities sold during the period		(3,039	)		-
Reductions for securities for which the amount previously recognized in other
comprehensive income was recognized in earnings because the Company
intends to sell the security		-			-
Ending Balance, September 30th	$	930		$	3,966

The following tables show the fair value and gross unrealized losses associated with the investment portfolio, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position:

	At September 30, 2015
	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
(dollars in thousands)	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Collateralized mortgage obligations	$	23,084	$	353	$	-	$	-	$	23,084	$	353
Mortgage-backed securities		5,815		29		1,010		22		6,825		51
Municipal securities		1,412		13		5,408		97		6,820		110
Corporate bonds		12,488		367		-		-		12,488		367
Asset backed securities		17,214		590		-		-		17,214		590
Trust preferred securities		-		-		1,670		1,400		1,670		1,400
Total Available for Sale	$	60,013	$	1,352	$	8,088	$	1,519	$	68,101	$	2,871

	At September 30, 2015
	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
(dollars in thousands)	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
U.S. Government agencies	$	4,018	$	39	$	-	$	-	$	4,018	$	39
Collateralized mortgage obligations		9,460		206		-		-		9,460		206
Total Held to Maturity	$	13,478	$	245	$	-	$	-	$	13,478	$	245

	At December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
(dollars in thousands)	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Collateralized mortgage obligations	$	17,331	$	96	$	-	$	-	$	17,331	$	96
Mortgage-backed securities		3,997		2		1,069		31		5,066		33
Municipal securities		1,298		10		1,395		30		2,693		40
Corporate bonds		4,880		34		-		-		4,880		34
Trust preferred securities		-		-		3,193		2,068		3,193		2,068
Total Available for Sale	$	27,506	$	142	$	5,657	$	2,129	$	33,163	$	2,271

	At December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months				12 months or more				Total
(dollars in thousands)	Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses
Collateralized mortgage obligations	$	19,766	$	92	$	9,232	$	52	$	28,998	$	144
Total Held to Maturity	$	19,766	$	92	$	9,232	$	52	$	28,998	$	144

Unrealized losses on securities in the investment portfolio amounted to $3.1 million with a total fair value of $81.6 million as of September 30, 2015 compared to unrealized losses of $2.4 million with a total fair value of $62.2 million as of December 31, 2014. The Company believes the unrealized losses presented in the tables above are temporary in nature and primarily related to market interest rates or limited trading activity in particular type of security rather than the underlying credit quality of the issuers. The Company does not believe that these losses are other than temporary and does not currently intend to sell or believe it will be required to sell securities in an unrealized loss position prior to maturity or recovery of the amortized cost bases.

The Company held one U.S. Government agency security, nine collateralized mortgage obligations and four mortgage-backed securities that were in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2015. Principal and interest payments of the underlying collateral for each of these securities are backed by U.S. Government sponsored agencies and carry minimal credit risk. Management found no evidence of OTTI on any of these securities and believes the unrealized losses are due to fluctuations in fair values resulting from changes in market interest rates and are considered temporary as of September 30, 2015.

All municipal securities held in the investment portfolio are reviewed on least a quarterly basis for impairment. Each bond carries an investment grade rating by either Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s. In addition the Company periodically conducts its own independent review on each issuer to ensure the financial stability of the municipal entity. The largest geographic concentration was in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and consisted of either general obligation or revenue bonds backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality. At September 30, 2015, the investment portfolio included nine municipal securities that were in an unrealized loss position. Management believes the unrealized losses were the result of movements in long-term interest rates and are not reflective of any credit deterioration.

At September 30, 2015, the investment portfolio included two asset-backed securities that were in an unrealized loss position. The asset-backed securities held in the investment securities portfolio consist solely of Sallie Mae bonds, collateralized by student loans which are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. Management believes the unrealized losses on these securities were driven by changes in market interest rates and not a result of any credit deterioration. At September 30, 2015, the investment portfolio included four corporate bonds that were in an unrealized loss position. Management believes the unrealized losses on these securities were driven by changes in market interest rates and not a result of any credit deterioration.

The unrealized losses on the trust preferred securities are primarily the result of the secondary market for such securities becoming inactive and are also considered temporary at this time. The following table provides additional detail on the trust preferred securities held in the portfolio as of September 30, 2015.

(dollars in thousands)	Class / Tranche	Amortized Cost		Fair Value		Unrealized Losses			Lowest Credit Rating Assigned		Number of Banks Currently Performing		Deferrals / Defaults as % of Current Balance			Conditional Default Rates for 2015 and beyond			Cumulative OTTI Life to Date
TPREF Funding II	Class B Notes	$	732	$	395	$	(337	)		C		20		36	%		0.38	%	$	267
TPREF Funding III	Class B2 Notes		1,518		815		(703	)		C		16		29			0.40			483
ALESCO Preferred Funding V	Class C1 Notes		820		460		(360	)		C		40		15			0.34			180
Total		$	3,070	$	1,670	$	(1,400	)				76		27	%				$	930

Proceeds of sales of securities available for sale during the three months ended September 30, 2015 were $2.6 million. Gross gains of $206,000 and gross losses of $142,000 were realized on these sales. The tax provision applicable to the net gains for the three months ended September 30, 2015 amounted to $23,000. Proceeds of sales of securities available for sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 were $6.7 million. Gross gains of $361,000 and gross losses of $288,000 were realized on these sales. The tax provision applicable to the net gains for the three months ended September 30, 2015 amounted to $26,000.

The Company realized gross gains on the sale of securities of $458,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The related sale proceeds amounted to $5.7 million. The tax provision applicable to these gross gains in 2014 amounted to approximately $165,000.

In July 2014, thirteen CMOs with a fair value of $70.1 million that were previously classified as available-for-sale were transferred to the held-to-maturity category. These securities were transferred at fair value. Unrealized losses of $1.2 million associated with the transferred securities will remain in other comprehensive income and be amortized as an adjustment to yield over the remaining life of those securities. At September 30, 2015, there is a remaining $1.0 million unrealized loss to be amortized.

Note 6: Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table sets forth the Company’s gross loans by major categories as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014:

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014

Commercial real estate	$	377,307		$	379,259
Construction and land development		41,418			29,861
Commercial and industrial		174,631			145,113
Owner occupied real estate		203,735			188,025
Consumer and other		46,136			39,713
Residential mortgage		2,395			408
Total loans receivable		845,622			782,379
Deferred costs (fees)		(262	)		(439	)
Allowance for loan losses		(8,323	)		(11,536	)
Net loans receivable	$	837,037		$	770,404

A loan is considered impaired, when based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due from the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. Impaired loans include nonperforming loans, but also include internally classified accruing loans.

The following table summarizes information with regard to impaired loans by loan portfolio class as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

	September 30, 2015						December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance		Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate	$	14,349	$	14,483	$	-	$	11,964	$	11,969	$	-
Construction and land development		376		2,467		-		61		158		-
Commercial and industrial		1,972		3,229		-		3,764		7,275		-
Owner occupied real estate		509		509		-		524		528		-
Consumer and other		805		1,083		-		429		708		-
Total	$	18,011	$	21,771	$	-	$	16,742	$	20,638	$	-

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate	$	313	$	313	$	98	$	13,118	$	13,245	$	3,858
Construction and land development		38		1,691		38		316		3,741		217
Commercial and industrial		4,436		7,110		1,368		1,457		2,057		211
Owner occupied real estate		3,023		3,035		919		4,011		4,162		844
Consumer and other		149		149		19		-		-		-
Total	$	7,959	$	12,298	$	2,442	$	18,902	$	23,205	$	5,130

Total:
Commercial real estate	$	14,662	$	14,796	$	98	$	25,082	$	25,214	$	3,858
Construction and land development		414		4,158		38		377		3,899		217
Commercial and industrial		6,408		10,339		1,368		5,221		9,332		211
Owner occupied real estate		3,532		3,544		919		4,535		4,690		844
Consumer and other		954		1,232		19		429		708		-
Total	$	25,970	$	34,069	$	2,442	$	35,644	$	43,843	$	5,130

The following table presents additional information regarding the Company’s impaired loans for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014:

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2015				2014
(dollars in thousands)	Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate	$	13,923	$	73	$	6,578	$	88
Construction and land development		328		2		229		-
Commercial and industrial		2,459		16		3,290		10
Owner occupied real estate		589		1		806		2
Consumer and other		754		3		457		-
Total	$	18,053	$	95	$	11,360	$	100

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate	$	2,479	$	3	$	13,150	$	(3	)
Construction and land development		62		-		551		-
Commercial and industrial		3,776		12		2,851		-
Owner occupied real estate		3,293		27		3,686		26
Consumer and other		111		1		17		-
Total	$	9,721	$	43	$	20,255	$	23

Total:
Commercial real estate	$	16,402	$	76	$	19,728	$	85
Construction and land development		390		2		780		-
Commercial and industrial		6,235		28		6,141		10
Owner occupied real estate		3,882		28		4,492		28
Consumer and other		865		4		474		-
Total	$	27,774	$	138	$	31,615	$	123

If these loans were performing under their original contractual rate, interest income on such loans would have increased approximately $110,000 and $232,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The following table presents additional information regarding the Company’s impaired loans for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015				2014
(dollars in thousands)	Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate	$	13,073	$	214	$	6,682	$	300
Construction and land development		228		3		563		-
Commercial and industrial		3,435		64		2,896		11
Owner occupied real estate		749		5		762		4
Consumer and other		656		7		495		1
Total	$	18,141	$	293	$	11,398	$	316

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate	$	6,803	$	6	$	13,216	$	5
Construction and land development		112		-		617		-
Commercial and industrial		2,456		12		3,691		-
Owner occupied real estate		3,837		90		3,304		96
Consumer and other		37		1		51		-
Total	$	13,245	$	109	$	20,879	$	101

Total:
Commercial real estate	$	19,876	$	220	$	19,898	$	305
Construction and land development		340		3		1,180		-
Commercial and industrial		5,891		76		6,587		11
Owner occupied real estate		4,586		95		4,066		100
Consumer and other		693		8		546		1
Total	$	31,386	$	402	$	32,277	$	417

If these loans were performing under their original contractual rate, interest income on such loans would have increased approximately $573,000 and $774,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The following tables provide the activity in and ending balances of the allowance for loan losses by loan portfolio class at and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

(dollars in thousands)	Commercial Real Estate				Construction and Land Development				Commercial and Industrial				Owner Occupied Real Estate				Consumer and Other			Residential Mortgage			Unallocated				Total

Three months ended September 30, 2015
Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance:		$	2,707			$	311			$	2,823			$	1,787			$	251		$	2		$	517			$	8,398
Charge-offs			-				-				-				(78	)			-			-			-				(78	)
Recoveries			-				-				2				-				1			-			-				3
Provisions (credits)			(79	)			26				313				19				28			12			(319	)			-
Ending balance		$	2,628			$	337			$	3,138			$	1,728			$	280		$	14		$	198			$	8,323

Three months ended September 30, 2014
Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance:		$	6,776			$	1,024			$	2,791			$	1,129			$	220		$	13		$	110			$	12,063
Charge-offs			(176	)			(83	)			(152	)			-				-			-			-				(411	)
Recoveries			-				213				51				-				-			-			-				264
Provisions (credits)			98				(25	)			(165	)			436				6			-			(50	)			300
Ending balance		$	6,698			$	1,129			$	2,525			$	1,565			$	226		$	13		$	60			$	12,216

(dollars in thousands)	Commercial Real Estate				Construction and Land Development				Commercial and Industrial				Owner Occupied Real Estate				Consumer and Other				Residential Mortgage				Unallocated				Total

Nine months ended September 30, 2015
Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning balance:		$	6,828			$	917			$	1,579			$	1,638			$	234			$	2			$	338			$	11,536
Charge-offs			(2,623	)			(222	)			(325	)			(133	)			-				-				-				(3,303	)
Recoveries			4				5				48				-				33				-				-				90
Provisions (credits)			(1,581	)			(363	)			1,836				223				13				12				(140	)			-
Ending balance		$	2,628			$	337			$	3,138			$	1,728			$	280			$	14			$	198			$	8,323

Nine months ended September 30, 2014
Allowance for loan losses:

Beginning Balance:		$	6,454			$	1,948			$	2,309			$	985			$	225			$	14			$	328			$	12,263
Charge-offs			(364	)			(103	)			(435	)			-				(10	)			-				-				(912	)
Recoveries			-				213				52				-				-				-				-				265
Provisions (credits)			608				(929	)			599				580				11				(1	)			(268	)			600
Ending balance		$	6,698			$	1,129			$	2,525			$	1,565			$	226			$	13			$	60			$	12,216

The following tables provide a summary of the allowance for loan losses and balance of loans receivable by loan class and by impairment method as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(dollars in thousands)	Commercial Real Estate		Construction and Land Development		Commercial and Industrial		Owner Occupied Real Estate		Consumer and Other		Residential Mortgage		Unallocated		Total

September 30, 2015
Allowance for loan losses:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	98	$	38	$	1,368	$	919	$	19	$	-	$	-	$	2,442
Collectively evaluated for impairment		2,530		299		1,770		809		261		14		198		5,881
Total allowance for loan losses	$	2,628	$	337	$	3,138	$	1,728	$	280	$	14	$	198	$	8,323

Loans receivable:
Loans evaluated individually	$	14,662	$	414	$	6,408	$	3,532	$	954	$	-	$	-	$	25,970
Loans evaluated collectively		362,645		41,004		168,223		200,203		45,182		2,395		-		819,652
Total loans receivable	$	377,307	$	41,418	$	174,631	$	203,735	$	46,136	$	2,395	$	-	$	845,622

(dollars in thousands)	Commercial Real Estate		Construction and Land Development		Commercial and Industrial		Owner Occupied Real Estate		Consumer and Other		Residential Mortgage		Unallocated		Total

December 31, 2014
Allowance for loan losses:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,858	$	217	$	211	$	844	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	5,130
Collectively evaluated for impairment		2,970		700		1,368		794		234		2		338		6,406
Total allowance for loan losses	$	6,828	$	917	$	1,579	$	1,638	$	234	$	2	$	338	$	11,536

Loans receivable:
Loans evaluated individually	$	25,082	$	377	$	5,221	$	4,535	$	429	$	-	$	-	$	35,644
Loans evaluated collectively		354,177		29,484		139,892		183,490		39,284		408		-		746,735
Total loans receivable	$	379,259	$	29,861	$	145,113	$	188,025	$	39,713	$	408	$	-	$	782,379

The performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio is also monitored by analyzing the age of the loans receivable as determined by the length of time a recorded payment is past due. The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the past due status as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(dollars in thousands)	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans Receivable		Loans Receivable > 90 Days and Accruing
At September 30, 2015
Commercial real estate	$	-	$	6,897	$	8,142	$	15,039	$	362,268	$	377,307	$	-
Construction and land development		-		-		414		414		41,004		41,418		-
Commercial and industrial		-		153		4,888		5,041		169,590		174,631		844
Owner occupied real estate		-		2,299		1,225		3,524		200,211		203,735		-
Consumer and other		200		-		547		747		45,389		46,136		-
Residential mortgage		-		-		-		-		2,395		2,395		-
Total	$	200	$	9,349	$	15,216	$	24,765	$	820,857	$	845,622	$	844

(dollars in thousands)	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		Greater than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans Receivable		Loans Receivable > 90 Days and Accruing
At December 31, 2014
Commercial real estate	$	713	$	11,034	$	13,979	$	25,726	$	353,533	$	379,259	$	-
Construction and land development		-		-		377		377		29,484		29,861		-
Commercial and industrial		193		2,186		4,349		6,728		138,385		145,113		-
Owner occupied real estate		626		812		2,306		3,744		184,281		188,025		-
Consumer and other		149		30		429		608		39,105		39,713		-
Residential mortgage		-		-		-		-		408		408		-
Total	$	1,681	$	14,062	$	21,440	$	37,183	$	745,196	$	782,379	$	-

The following table presents 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 September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(dollars in thousands)	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
At September 30, 2015:
Commercial real estate	$	354,631	$	8,014	$	14,662	$	-	$	377,307
Construction and land development		41,004		-		414		-		41,418
Commercial and industrial		167,945		278		4,979		1,429		174,631
Owner occupied real estate		199,731		472		3,532		-		203,735
Consumer and other		45,107		75		954		-		46,136
Residential mortgage		2,395		-		-		-		2,395
Total	$	810,813	$	8,839	$	24,541	$	1,429	$	845,622

(dollars in thousands)	Pass		Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
At December 31, 2014:
Commercial real estate	$	345,444	$	8,199	$	25,616	$	-	$	379,259
Construction and land development		29,484		-		377		-		29,861
Commercial and industrial		139,062		702		3,920		1,429		145,113
Owner occupied real estate		181,940		1,550		4,535		-		188,025
Consumer and other		38,951		75		687		-		39,713
Residential mortgage		408		-		-		-		408
Total	$	735,289	$	10,526	$	35,135	$	1,429	$	782,379

The following table shows non-accrual loans by class as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Commercial real estate	$	8,142	$	13,979
Construction and land development		414		377
Commercial and industrial		4,044		4,349
Owner occupied real estate		1,225		2,306
Consumer and other		547		429
Residential mortgage		-		-
Total	$	14,372	$	21,440

Troubled Debt Restructurings

A modification to the contractual terms of a loan which results in a concession to a borrower that is experiencing financial difficulty is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). The concessions made in a TDR are those that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower or collateral with similar risk characteristics. A TDR is typically the result of efforts to minimize potential losses that may be incurred during loan workouts, foreclosure, or repossession of collateral at a time when collateral values are declining. Concessions include a reduction in interest rate below current market rates, a material extension of time to the loan term or amortization period, partial forgiveness of the outstanding principal balance, acceptance of interest only payments for a period of time, or a combination of any of these conditions.

The following table summarizes the balance of outstanding TDRs at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

(dollars in thousands)	Number of Loans		Accrual Status			Non- Accrual Status			Total TDRs
September 30, 2015
Commercial real estate		1		$	6,004		$	-		$	6,004
Construction and land development		-			-			-			-
Commercial and industrial		2			-			1,819			1,819
Owner occupied real estate		1			1,827			-			1,827
Consumer and other		-			-			-			-
Residential mortgage		-			-			-			-
Total		4		$	7,831		$	1,819		$	9,650

December 31, 2014
Commercial real estate		1		$	6,069		$	-		$	6,069
Construction and land development		-			-			-			-
Commercial and industrial		1			-			1,673			1,673
Owner occupied real estate		1			1,852			-			1,852
Consumer and other		-			-			-			-
Residential mortgage		-			-			-			-
Total		3		$	7,921		$	1,673		$	9,594

All TDRs are considered impaired and are therefore individually evaluated for impairment in the calculation of the allowance for loan losses. Some TDRs may not ultimately result in the full collection of principal and interest as restructured and could lead to potential incremental losses. These potential incremental losses would be factored into our estimate of the allowance for loan losses. The level of any subsequent defaults will likely be affected by future economic conditions.

There were no loan modifications that were considered TDRs during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The Company modified one commercial and industrial loan during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. In accordance with the modified terms of the commercial and industrial loan, the Company modified the amortization timeframe and reduced the effective interest rate when compared to the interest rate of the original loan. The company also extended the maturity date of the loan. The loan is unsecured and the Company has elected to carry the loan as a non-accrual loan until a satisfactory performance history is established at which time the loan may be returned to performing status. The borrower has remained current since the modification. The pre-modification balance was $1.2 million and the post modification balance was $1.2 million. There were no loan modifications made during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 that met the criteria of a TDR. There were no residential mortgages in the process of foreclosure as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

After a loan is determined to be a TDR, we continue to track its performance under the most recent restructured terms. There were no TDRs that subsequently defaulted during the twelve months ended September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Note 7: Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments, however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique. Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sale transaction on the dates indicated. The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates. As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end.

The Company follows the guidance issued under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and identifies required disclosures on fair value measurements.

ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are as follows:

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e. supported with little or no market activity).

An asset or liability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

For financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

(dollars in thousands)	Total		(Level 1) Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		(Level 2) Significant Other Observable Inputs		(Level 3) Significant Unobservable Inputs

September 30, 2015

Collateralized mortgage obligations	$	128,387	$	-	$	128,387	$	-
Mortgage-backed securities		10,424		-		10,424		-
Municipal securities		22,084		-		22,084		-
Corporate bonds		29,221		-		26,520		2,701
Asset-backed securities		17,214		-		17,214		-
Trust Preferred Securities		1,670		-		-		1,670
Other securities		119		-		119		-
Securities Available for Sale	$	209,119	$	-	$	204,748	$	4,371

December 31, 2014

Collateralized mortgage obligations	$	99,222	$	-	$	99,222	$	-
Mortgage-backed securities		13,802		-		13,802		-
Municipal securities		16,107		-		16,107		-
Corporate bonds		34,427		-		31,422		3,005
Asset-backed securities		18,505		-		18,505		-
Trust Preferred Securities		3,193		-		-		3,193
Other securities		123		-		123		-
Securities Available for Sale	$	185,379	$	-	$	179,181	$	6,198

The following table presents a reconciliation of the securities available for sale measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015					Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Level 3 Investments Only (dollars in thousands)	Trust Preferred Securities			Corporate Bonds		Trust Preferred Securities			Corporate Bonds
Balance, July 1st	$	2,006		$	2,684	$	2,977		$	3,006
Unrealized gains		220			17		212			-
Paydowns		-			-		(10	)		-
Proceeds from sales		(414	)		-		-			-
Realized losses		(142	)		-		-			-
Impairment charges on Level 3		-			-		-			-
Balance, September 30th	$	1,670		$	2,701	$	3,179		$	3,006

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015						Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Level 3 Investments Only (dollars in thousands)	Trust Preferred Securities			Corporate Bonds			Trust Preferred Securities			Corporate Bonds
Balance, January 1st	$	3,193		$	3,005		$	2,850		$	3,006
Unrealized gains (losses)		669			(304	)		346			-
Paydowns		(19	)		-			(10	)		-
Proceeds from sales		(1,952	)		-			-			-
Realized losses		(218	)		-			-			-
Impairment charges on Level 3		(3	)		-			(7	)		-
Balance, September 30th	$	1,670		$	2,701		$	3,179		$	3,006

For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

(dollars in thousands)	Total		(Level 1) Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		(Level 2) Significant Other Observable Inputs		(Level 3) Significant Unobservable Inputs
September 30, 2015:
Impaired loans	$	6,462	$	-	$	-	$	6,462
Other real estate owned		11,923		-		-		11,923
SBA servicing assets		4,174		-		-		4,174

December 31, 2014:
Impaired loans	$	15,838	$	-	$	-	$	15,838
Other real estate owned		2,135		-		-		2,135
SBA servicing assets		4,099		-		-		4,099

The table below presents additional quantitative information about level 3 assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis (dollars in thousands):

			Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
Asset Description	Fair Value		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range Weighted Average
September 30, 2015:

Impaired loans	$	6,462	Fair Value of Collateral (1)	Appraised Value (2)		12% - 78%	(30%) (4)

Other real estate owned	$	11,923	Fair Value of Collateral (1)	Appraised Value (2) Sales Price		3% - 44%	(7%) (4)
SBA Servicing Assets	$	4,174	Fair Value	Individual Loan Valuation (3)		(3	)

December 31, 2014:

Impaired loans	$	15,838	Fair Value of Collateral (1)	Appraised Value (2)		0% - 89%	(30%) (4)

Other real estate owned	$	2,135	Fair Value of Collateral (1)	Appraised Value (2) Sales Price		7% - 39%	(22%) (4)
SBA Servicing Assets	$	4,099	Fair Value	Individual Loan Valuation (3)		(3	)

(1)

Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which include Level 3 inputs that are not identifiable.

(2)

Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses.

(3)

There is a lack of transactional data in this market place for the non-guaranteed portion of SBA loans.

(4)

The range and weighted average of qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses are presented as a percent of the appraised value.

The significant unobservable inputs for impaired loans and other real estate owned are the appraised value or an agreed upon sales price. These values are adjusted for estimated costs to sell which are incremental direct costs to transact a sale such as broker commissions, legal fees, closing costs and title transfer fees. The costs must be considered essential to the sale and would not have been incurred if the decision to sell had not been made. The costs to sell are based on costs associated with the Company’s actual sales of other real estate owned which are assessed annually.

The following table presents an analysis of the activity in the SBA servicing assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(dollars in thousands)	2015			2014			2015			2014
Beginning balance	$	4,319		$	4,067		$	4,099			$	3,477
Additions		227			158			672				733
Fair value adjustments		(372	)		(185	)		(597	)			(170	)
Ending balance	$	4,174		$	4,040		$	4,174			$	4,040

Fair Value Assumptions

The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company’s disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the Company’s financial instruments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Cash and Cash Equivalents (Carried at Cost)

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximate those assets’ fair values.

Investment Securities

The fair value of securities available for sale (carried at fair value) and held to maturity (carried at amortized cost) are determined by obtaining quoted market prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1), or matrix pricing (Level 2), which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted market prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices. For certain securities, which are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, and such adjustments, are generally based on available market evidence (Level 3). In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. Management’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support on certain Level 3 investments. Internal cash flow models using a present value formula that includes assumptions market participants would use along with indicative exit pricing obtained from broker/dealers (where available) were used to support fair values of certain Level 3 investments.

The types of instruments valued based on matrix pricing in active markets include all of the Company’s U.S. government and agency securities, corporate bonds, asset backed securities, and municipal obligations. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. As required by ASC 820-10, the Company does not adjust the matrix pricing for such instruments.

Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, and may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with such adjustment generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. Subsequent to inception, management only changes Level 3 inputs and assumptions when corroborated by evidence such as transactions in similar instruments, completed or pending third-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable entities, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows. The Level 3 investment securities classified as available for sale are comprised of various issues of trust preferred securities and a single corporate bond.

The trust preferred securities are pools of similar securities that are grouped into an asset structure commonly referred to as collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) which consist of the debt instruments of various banks, diversified by the number of participants in the security as well as geographically. The secondary market for these securities has become inactive, and therefore these securities are classified as Level 3 securities. The fair value analysis does not reflect or represent the actual terms or prices at which any party could purchase the securities. There is currently a limited secondary market for the securities and there can be no assurance that any secondary market for the securities will expand.

An independent, third party pricing service is used to estimate the current fair market value of each CDO held in the investment securities portfolio. The calculations used to determine fair value are based on the attributes of the trust preferred securities, the financial condition of the issuers of the trust preferred securities, and market based assumptions. The INTEX CDO Deal Model Library was utilized to obtain information regarding the attributes of each security and its specific collateral as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Financial information on the issuers was also obtained from Bloomberg, the FDIC, and SNL Financial. Both published and unpublished industry sources were utilized in estimating fair value. Such information includes loan prepayment speed assumptions, discount rates, default rates, and loss severity percentages. Due to the current state of the global capital and financial markets, the fair market valuation is subject to greater uncertainty than would otherwise exist.

The fair market valuation for each CDO was determined based on discounted cash flow analyses. The cash flows are primarily dependent on the estimated speeds at which the trust preferred securities are expected to prepay, the estimated rates at which the trust preferred securities are expected to defer payments, the estimated rates at which the trust preferred securities are expected to default, and the severity of the losses on securities that do default.

Increases (decreases) in actual or expected issuer defaults tend to decrease (increase) the fair value of the Company’s senior and mezzanine tranches of CDOs. The values of the Company’s mezzanine tranches of CDOs are also affected by expected future interest rates. However, due to the structure of each security, timing of cash flows, and secondary effects on the financial performance of the underlying issuers, the effects of changes in future interest rates on the fair value of the Company’s holdings are not quantifiably estimable.

Also included in Level 3 investment securities classified as available for sale is a corporate bond since the bond is not actively traded. Impairment would depend on the repayment ability of the underlying issuer, which is assessed through a detailed quarterly review of the issuer’s financial statements. The issuer is a “well capitalized” financial institution as defined by federal banking regulations and has demonstrated the ability to raise additional capital, when necessary, through the public capital markets. The fair value of this corporate bond is estimated by obtaining a price of a comparable floating rate debt instrument through Bloomberg.

Loans Held For Sale (Carried at Lower of Cost or Fair Value)

The fair values of loans held for sale is determined, when possible, using quoted secondary-market prices. If no such quoted prices exist, the fair value of a loan is determined using quoted prices for a similar loan or loans, adjusted for the specific attributes of that loan. The Company did not write down any loans held for sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014.

Loans Receivable (Carried at Cost)

The fair values of loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using market rates at the balance sheet date that reflect the credit and interest rate-risk inherent in the loans. Projected future cash flows are calculated based upon contractual maturity or call dates, projected repayments and prepayments of principal. Generally, for variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values. Due to the significant judgment involved in evaluating credit quality, loans are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Impaired Loans (Carried at Lower of Cost or Fair Value)

Impaired loans are those that the Company has measured impairment based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral. Fair value is generally determined based upon independent third party appraisals of the properties, or discounted cash flows based upon the expected proceeds. These assets are included as Level 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The fair value consists of the loan balances less any valuation allowance. The valuation allowance amount is calculated as the difference between the recorded investment in a loan and the present value of expected future cash flows or it is calculated based on discounted collateral values if the loans are collateral dependent.

Other Real Estate Owned (Carried at Lower of Cost or Fair Value)

These assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 these assets are carried at current fair value.

SBA Servicing Asset (Carried at Fair Value)

The SBA servicing asset is initially recorded when loans are sold and the servicing rights are retained and recorded on the balance sheet. Updated fair values are obtained on a quarterly basis and adjustments are presented as loan advisory and servicing fees on the consolidated statement of operations. The valuation begins with the projection of future cash flows for each asset based on their unique characteristics, our market-based assumptions for prepayment speeds and estimated losses and recoveries. The present value of the future cash flows are then calculated utilizing our market-based discount ratio assumptions. In all cases, we model expected payments for every loan for each quarterly period in order to create the most detailed cash flow stream possible.

The Company uses assumptions and estimates in determining the fair value of the SBA servicing asset. These assumptions include prepayment speeds and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved and comparable to assumptions used by participants to value and bid serving rights available for sale in the market. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the sensitivity of the current fair value of the SBA loan servicing rights to immediate 10% and 20% adverse changes in key assumptions are included in the accompanying table.

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014

SBA Servicing Asset
Fair Value of SBA Servicing Asset	$	4,174			$	4,099

Composition of SBA Loans Serviced for Others
Fixed-rate SBA loans		0	%			0	%
Adjustable-rate SBA loans		100	%			100	%
Total		100	%			100	%

Weighted Average Remaining Term	21.0 years			21.2 years

Prepayment Speed		8.04	%			7.45	%
Effect on fair value of a 10% increase	$	(129	)		$	(116	)
Effect on fair value of a 20% increase		(252	)			(226	)

Weighted Average Discount Rate		12.33	%			12.48	%
Effect on fair value of a 10% increase	$	(200	)		$	(195	)
Effect on fair value of a 20% increase		(386	)			(378	)

The sensitivity calculations above are hypothetical and should not be considered to be predictive of future performance. As indicated, changes in value based on adverse changes in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in value may not be linear. Also in this table, the effect of an adverse variation in a particular assumption on the value of the SBA servicing rights is calculated without changing any other assumption. While in reality, changes in one factor may magnify or counteract the effect of the change.

Restricted Stock (Carried at Cost)

The carrying amount of restricted stock approximates fair value, and considers the limited marketability of such securities.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable (Carried at Cost)

The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximates fair value.

Deposit Liabilities (Carried at Cost)

The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and noninterest checking, passbook savings and money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts). Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered in the market on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits.

Subordinated Debt (Carried at Cost)

Fair values of subordinated debt are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on market rates currently offered on such debt with similar credit risk characteristics, terms and remaining maturity. Due to the significant judgment involved in developing the spreads used to value the subordinated debt, it is classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments (Disclosed at notional amounts)

Fair values for the Company’s off-balance sheet financial instruments (lending commitments and letters of credit) are based on fees currently charged in the market to enter into similar agreements, taking into account, the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing.

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments were as follows at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

	Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2015
(dollars in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Balance Sheet Data
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	110,519	$	110,519		$	110,519	$	-	$	-
Investment securities available for sale		209,119		209,119			-		204,748		4,371
Investment securities held to maturity		140,116		141,519			-		141,519		-
Restricted stock		1,179		1,179			-		1,179		-
Loans held for sale		489		489			-		-		489
Loans receivable, net		837,037		826,195			-		-		826,195
SBA servicing assets		4,174		4,174			-		-		4,174
Accrued interest receivable		3,548		3,548			-		3,548		-

Financial liabilities:
Deposits
Demand, savings and money market	$	1,162,426	$	1,162,426		$	-	$	1,162,426	$	-
Time		75,070		75,180			-		75,180		-
Subordinated debt		22,476		19,490			-		-		19,490
Accrued interest payable		283		283			-		283		-

Off-Balance Sheet Data
Commitments to extend credit		-		-
Standby letters-of-credit		-		-

	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)			Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Balance Sheet Data
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	128,826	$	128,826		$	128,826	$	-	$	-
Investment securities available for sale		185,379		185,379			-		179,181		6,198
Investment securities held to maturity		67,866		68,253			-		68,253		-
Restricted stock		1,157		1,157			-		1,157		-
Loans held for sale		1,676		1,699			-		-		1,699
Loans receivable, net		770,404		760,163			-		-		760,163
SBA servicing assets		4,099		4,099			-		-		4,099
Accrued interest receivable		3,226		3,226			-		3,226		-

Financial liabilities:
Deposits
Demand, savings and money market	$	996,861	$	996,861		$	-	$	996,861	$	-
Time		75,369		75,592			-		75,592		-
Subordinated debt		22,476		18,221			-		-		18,221
Accrued interest payable		265		265			-		265		-

Off-Balance Sheet Data
Commitments to extend credit		-		-
Standby letters-of-credit		-		-

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

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, and results of operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Certain statements in this report may be considered to be “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements that include the words “would be,” “could be,” “should be,” “probability,” “risk,” “target,” “objective,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect” and similar expressions or variations on such expressions. The forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For example, risks and uncertainties can arise with changes in: general economic conditions, including turmoil in the financial markets and related efforts of government agencies to stabilize the financial system; business conditions in the financial services industry, including competitive pressure among financial services companies, new service and product offerings by competitors, price pressures and similar items. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s analysis only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof, except as may be required by applicable laws or regulations. Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and other documents the Company files from time to time with the SEC, such as Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and any Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as other filings.

Regulatory Reform and Legislation

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) has and will continue to have a broad impact on the financial services industry, including significant regulatory and compliance changes including, among other things, (i) enhanced resolution authority of troubled and failing banks and their holding companies; (ii) increased capital and liquidity requirements; (iii) increased regulatory examination fees; (iv) changes to assessments to be paid to the FDIC for federal deposit insurance; and (v) numerous other provisions designed to improve supervision and oversight of, and strengthening safety and soundness for, the financial services sector. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act establishes a new framework for systemic risk oversight within the financial system to be distributed among new and existing federal regulatory agencies, including the Financial Stability Oversight Council, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the FDIC. A summary of certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act is set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Many of the requirements called for in the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented over time, and most are subject to implementing regulations that have or will be become effective over time. Given the complexity associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the various regulatory agencies through regulations, the full extent of the impact such requirements will have on financial institutions’ operations is unclear. The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act may impact the profitability of the Company’s business activities, require changes to certain of the Company’s business practices, impose upon the Company more stringent capital, liquidity and leverage ratio requirements or otherwise adversely affect the Company’s business. These changes may also require the Company to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make necessary changes in order to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements.

Financial Condition

Assets

Total assets increased by $166.2 million, or 13.7%, to $1.4 billion at September 30, 2015, compared to $1.2 billion at December 31, 2014, mainly due to increases in investment securities and loans receivable during the first nine months of 2015.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and due from banks, and interest bearing deposits with banks comprise this category, which consists of our most liquid assets. The aggregate amount in these three categories decreased by $18.3 million, to $110.5 million at September 30, 2015 from $128.8 million at December 31, 2014, primarily as a result of investment purchases and loan growth during the first nine months of 2015.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale are comprised of loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) which the Bank usually originates with the intention of selling in the future. Total SBA loans held for sale were $489,000 at September 30, 2015 as compared to $1.7 million at December 31, 2014. This decrease was driven by the timing of settlement on two loans which closed after December 31, 2014. Loans held for sale, as a percentage of total Company assets, were less than 0.04% at September 30, 2015.

Loans Receivable

The loan portfolio represents our largest asset category and is our most significant source of interest income. Our lending strategy is focused on small and medium size businesses and professionals that seek highly personalized banking services. The loan portfolio consists of secured and unsecured commercial loans including commercial real estate, construction loans, residential mortgages, automobile loans, home improvement loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, overdraft lines of credit and others. Commercial loans typically range between $250,000 and $5,000,000 but customers may borrow significantly larger amounts up to our legal lending limit to a customer, which was approximately $19.9 million at September 30, 2015. Loans made to one individual customer, even if secured by different collateral, are aggregated for purposes of the lending limit.

Loans receivable increased $63.4 million, or 8.1%, to $845.4 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $781.9 million at December 31, 2014. This growth was driven by an increase in quality loan demand across the commercial and industrial, owner occupied real estate, construction and land development, and consumer and other categories over the first nine months of 2015 along with the successful execution of the Company’s relationship banking strategy which focuses on customer service.

Investment Securities

Investment securities considered available-for-sale are investments which may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions, and for liquidity and other purposes. Our investment securities classified as available-for-sale consist primarily of U.S. Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO), agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), municipal securities, corporate bonds, asset-backed securities (ABS), and pooled trust preferred securities (CDO). Available-for-sale securities totaled $209.1 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $185.4 million at December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily due to the purchase of available-for-sale securities totaling $57.8 million, partially offset by the proceeds from sales, calls, and pay downs of available-for-sale securities totaling $33.1 million during the first nine months of 2015. At September 30, 2015, the available-for-sale portfolio had a net unrealized loss of $659,000 compared to a net unrealized gain of $129,000 at December 31, 2014.

Investment securities held-to-maturity are investments for which there is the intent and ability to hold the investment to maturity. These investments are carried at amortized cost. The held-to-maturity portfolio consists primarily of U.S. Government agency Small Business Investment Company bonds (SBIC), CMOs, and MBSs. The market value of securities held-to-maturity totaled $141.5 million and $68.3 million at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The increase was due to the purchase of held-to-maturity securities totaling $85.2 million, partially offset by pay downs of held-to-maturity securities totaling $12.8 million. At September 30, 2015, the held-to-maturity portfolio had a net unrealized gain of $1.4 million compared to a net unrealized gain of $387,000 at December 31, 2014.

The change in value of the available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investment portfolio was primarily driven by a decrease in market interest rates which drove an increase in value of the securities in the Company’s investment portfolio during the first nine months of 2015.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock, which represents required investment in the capital stock of correspondent banks related to available credit facilities, is carried at cost as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. As of those dates, restricted stock consisted of investments in the capital stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (“FHLB”) and Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”).

At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the investment in FHLB of Pittsburgh capital stock totaled $1.0 million. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, ACBB capital stock totaled $143,000. Both the FHLB and ACBB issued dividend payments during the first nine months of 2015.

Other Real Estate Owned

The balance of other real estate owned increased to $13.8 million at September 30, 2015 from $3.7 million at December 31, 2014, primarily due to the transfer of foreclosed properties from loans receivable partially offset by dispositions and writedowns on assets classified as other real estate owned during the first nine months of 2015.

Deposits

Deposits, which include non-interest and interest-bearing demand deposits, money market, savings and time deposits, are Republic’s major source of funding. Deposits are generally solicited from the Company’s market area through the offering of a variety of products to attract and retain customers, with a primary focus on multi-product relationships.

Total deposits increased by $165.3 million, or 15.4%, to $1.2 billion at September 30, 2015 from $1.1 billion at December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily the result of increases in interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing demand balances and money market and savings balances. Republic has continued to focus on its efforts to gather low-cost, core deposits by successfully executing its relationship banking model which is based upon high levels of customer service and convenience. The Company is also in the midst of an aggressive growth and expansion plan which it refers to as “The Power of Red is Back”. This plan includes the addition of several new stores throughout its footprint of Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. This strategy has also allowed Republic to eliminate the need to rely on the more volatile sources of funding in brokered and public fund certificates of deposit.

Shareholders’ Equity

Total shareholders’ equity increased $1.7 million to $114.5 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $112.8 million at December 31, 2014, primarily due to the net income recognized during the first nine months of 2015 partially offset by an increase in accumulated other comprehensive losses driven by a decrease in the market value of the investment securities portfolio. The shift in the market value of the investment securities portfolio resulted in accumulated other comprehensive losses of $1.1 million at September 30, 2015 compared to $632,000 at December 31, 2014.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

The Company reported net income of $582,000, or $0.02 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to net income of $297,000 or $0.01 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Net interest income for the three month period ended September 30, 2015 was $10.0 million compared to $9.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Interest income increased $969,000, or 9.3%, to $11.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $10.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in interest income was the result of an $87.2 million increase in average loans receivable and an $83.9 million increase in average investment balances partially offset by a 25 basis point decrease in investment yields and an 18 basis point decrease in loan yields for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to September 30, 2014. Interest expense increased $183,000 or 15.3%, to $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. This increase was primarily due to a $227.0 million increase in average deposits outstanding.

The Company did not record a loan loss provision for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to a provision of $300,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2014. The lower provision recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was driven by a decrease in the required allowance for loans individually evaluated for impairment.

Non-interest income increased by $233,000 to $1.6 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $1.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. The increase during the three months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to an increase of $270,000 from gains on the sale of SBA loans as a result of higher volumes, an increase of $136,000 from service fees on deposit accounts as a result of an increase in the number of deposit accounts, and $64,000 from gains on the sale of investment securities partially offset by a decrease of $225,000 in loan advisory and servicing fees due to a valuation adjustment of the SBA servicing asset.

Non-interest expenses increased by $1.0 million to $11.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $10.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014. This increase was primarily driven by higher salaries, employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expenses associated with the addition of new stores related to the Company’s expansion strategy over the last twelve months.

Return on average assets and average equity was 0.17% and 2.03%, respectively, during the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 0.11% and 1.06%, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 compared to September 30, 2014

The Company reported net income of $1.6 million, or $0.04 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to net income of $1.6 million, or $0.05 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014

Net interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased $2.8 million to $29.1 million as compared to $26.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Interest income increased $3.3 million, or 11.3%, due primarily to an increase in average loan and investment balances. Interest expense increased $564,000 or 16.6%, primarily due to an increase in average balances on deposits outstanding.

The Company did not require a loan loss provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to a provision of $600,000 during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The lower provision recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was driven by a decrease in the allowance for loan losses collectively evaluated for impairment due to a reduction in the factor used in the calculation related to historical charge-offs which has declined as a result of lower charge-offs in recent years.

Non-interest income decreased $387,000 to $5.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to $5.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The decrease is primarily due to decreases in gains on the sale of investment securities, gains recognized on the sale of SBA loans due to lower volumes, and loan advisory and servicing fees due to valuation adjustments of the SBA servicing asset partially offset by an increase in service fees on deposit accounts due to growth in the number of deposit accounts.

Non-interest expenses increased $2.9 million to $32.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to $29.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase was primarily driven by higher salaries, employee benefits, and occupancy and equipment expenses associated with the addition of new stores related to the Company’s growth strategy of adding and relocating stores.

Return on average assets and average equity from continuing operations were 0.17% and 1.93%, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 0.21% and 2.30%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Analysis of Net Interest Income

Historically, the Company’s earnings have depended primarily upon Republic’s net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is affected by changes in the mix of the volume and rates of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The following table provides an analysis of net interest income, setting forth for the periods’ (i) average assets, liabilities, and shareholders’ equity, (ii) interest income earned on interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, (iii) annualized average yields earned on interest-earning assets and average rates on interest-bearing liabilities, and (iv) Republic’s annualized net interest margin (net interest income as a percentage of average total interest-earning assets). Averages are computed based on daily balances. Non-accrual loans are included in average loans receivable. All yields are adjusted for tax equivalency.

Average Balances and Net Interest Income

	For the three months ended September 30, 2015							For the three months ended September 30, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	Average Balance		Interest		Yield/ Rate(1)			Average Balance		Interest		Yield/ Rate(1)
Interest-earning assets:
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets	$	106,357	$	60		0.22	%	$	77,666	$	45		0.23	%
Investment securities and restricted stock		305,266		1,745		2.29	%		221,357		1,408		2.54	%
Loans receivable		831,712		9,718		4.64	%		744,466		9,046		4.82	%
Total interest-earning assets		1,243,335		11,523		3.68	%		1,043,489		10,499		3.99	%

Other assets		82,638							53,430

Total assets	$	1,325,973						$	1,096,919

Interest-earning liabilities:
Demand – non-interest bearing	$	234,285						$	196,734
Demand – interest bearing		372,795		378		0.40	%		229,229		220		0.38	%
Money market & savings		500,687		538		0.43	%		449,848		509		0.45	%
Time deposits		74,863		183		0.97	%		79,798		189		0.94	%
Total deposits		1,182,630		1,099		0.37	%		955,609		918		0.38	%

Total interest-bearing deposits		948,345		1,099		0.46	%		758,875		918		0.48	%

Other borrowings		22,476		279		4.92	%		22,476		277		4.89	%

Total interest-bearing liabilities		970,821		1,378		0.56	%		781,351		1,195		0.61	%

Total deposits and other borrowings		1,205,106		1,378		0.45	%		978,085		1,195		0.48	%

Non interest-bearing other liabilities		7,034							7,198
Shareholders’ equity		113,833							111,636

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,325,973						$	1,096,919
Net interest income (2)			$	10,145						$	9,304
Net interest spread						3.12	%						3.38	%

Net interest margin (2)						3.24	%						3.54	%

(1)	Yields on investments are calculated based on amortized cost.

(2)

Net interest income and net interest margin are presented on a tax equivalent basis. Net interest income has been increased over the financial statement amount by $153 and $98 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to adjust for tax equivalency. The tax equivalent net interest margin is calculated by dividing tax equivalent net interest income by average total interest earning assets.

Average Balances and Net Interest Income

	For the nine months ended September 30, 2015							For the nine months ended September 30, 2014
(dollars in thousands)	Average Balance		Interest		Yield/ Rate(1)			Average Balance		Interest		Yield/ Rate(1)
Interest-earning assets:
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets	$	120,783	$	223		0.25	%	$	59,689	$	107		0.24	%
Investment securities and restricted stock		275,277		5,036		2.44	%		212,364		4,086		2.57	%
Loans receivable		809,259		28,202		4.66	%		712,867		25,769		4.83	%
Total interest-earning assets		1,205,319		33,461		3.71	%		984,920		29,962		4.07	%

Other assets		70,854							48,383

Total assets	$	1,276,173						$	1,033,303

Interest-earning liabilities:
Demand – non-interest bearing	$	230,181						$	181,365
Demand – interest bearing		334,116		1,009		0.40	%		225,352		636		0.38	%
Money market & savings		494,077		1,592		0.43	%		426,285		1,392		0.44	%
Time deposits		74,613		528		0.95	%		78,517		540		0.92	%
Total deposits		1,132,987		3,129		0.37	%		911,519		2,568		0.38	%

Total interest-bearing deposits		902,806		3,129		0.46	%		730,154		2,568		0.47	%

Other borrowings		22,489		833		4.95	%		22,476		830		4.94	%

Total interest-bearing liabilities		925,295		3,962		0.57	%		752,630		3,398		0.60	%

Total deposits and other borrowings		1,155,476		3,962		0.46	%		933,995		3,398		0.49	%

Non interest-bearing other liabilities		7,106							6,995
Shareholders’ equity		113,591							92,313

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,276,173						$	1,033,303
Net interest income (2)			$	29,499						$	26,564
Net interest spread						3.14	%						3.47	%

Net interest margin (2)						3.27	%						3.61	%

(1)	Yields on investments are calculated based on amortized cost.

(2)

Net interest income and net interest margin are presented on a tax equivalent basis. Net interest income has been increased over the financial statement amount by $431 and $275 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, to adjust for tax equivalency. The tax equivalent net interest margin is calculated by dividing tax equivalent net interest income by average total interest earning assets.

Rate/Volume Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income

Net interest income may also be analyzed by segregating the volume and rate components of interest income and interest expense. The following table sets forth an analysis of volume and rate changes in net interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. For purposes of this table, changes in interest income and expense are allocated to volume and rate categories based upon the respective changes in average balances and average rates.

	For the three months ended September 30, 2015 vs. 2014									For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 vs. 2014
	Changes due to:									Changes due to:
(dollars in thousands)	Average Volume			Average Rate			Total Change			Average Volume			Average Rate			Total Change
Interest earned:
Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets	$	15		$	-		$	15		$	114		$	2		$	116
Securities		490			(153	)		337			1,151			(201	)		950
Loans		1,008			(336	)		672			3,325			(892	)		2,433
Total interest-earning assets		1,513			(489	)		1,024			4,590			(1,091	)		3,499

Interest expense:
Deposits
Interest-bearing demand deposits		145			13			158			328			45			373
Money market and savings		54			(25	)		29			216			(16	)		200
Time deposits		(13	)		7			(6	)		(28	)		16			(12	)
Total deposit interest expense		186			(5	)		181			516			45			561
Other borrowings		-			2			2			-			3			3
Total interest expense		186			(3	)		183			516			48			564
Net interest income	$	1,327		$	(486	)	$	841		$	4,074		$	(1,139	)	$	2,935

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, for the third quarter of 2015 increased by $841,000, or 9.0%, over the same period in 2014. Interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, on interest-earning assets totaled $11.5 million and $10.5 million for the third quarters of 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in interest income was the result of an $87.2 million increase in average loans receivable and an $83.9 million increase in average investment balances partially offset by a 25 basis point decrease in investment yields and an 18 basis point decrease in loan yields for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to September 30, 2014. Total interest expense for the third quarter of 2015 increased $183,000, or 15.3%, to $1.4 million from $1.2 million over the same period in 2014. Interest expense on deposits for the third quarter of 2015 increased by $181,000, or 19.7%, over the same period in 2014.

Net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, for the first nine months of 2015 increased by $2.9 million, or 11.0%, over the same period in 2014. Interest income on a fully tax-equivalent basis, on interest-earning assets totaled $33.5 million and $30.0 million for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in interest income earned was the result of a $96.4 million increase in the average loans receivable and a $62.9 million increase in average investment securities partially offset by a 17 basis point decrease in the loan yields and a 13 basis point decrease in investment yields for the first nine months ended September 30, 2015 as compared to September 30, 2014. Total interest expense for the first nine months of 2015 increased $564,000, or 16.6%, to $4.0 million from $3.4 million over the same period in 2014. Interest expense on deposits for the first nine months of 2015 increased by $561,000, or 21.8%, over the same period in 2014.

Changes in net interest income are frequently measured by two statistics: net interest rate spread and net interest margin. Net interest rate spread is the difference between the average rate earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate incurred on interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest rate spread on a fully tax-equivalent basis was 3.12% during the third quarter of 2015 compared to 3.38% during the same period in the 2014 and was 3.14% during the first nine months of 2015 versus 3.47% during the first nine months of 2014. Net interest margin represents the difference between interest income, including net loan fees earned, and interest expense, reflected as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. The fully tax-equivalent net interest margin decreased to 3.24% for the third quarter of 2015 from 3.54% for the third quarter of 2014. The fully tax-equivalent net interest margin decreased to 3.27% for the nine months of 2015 from 3.61% in the first nine months of 2014. The net interest margin for the both the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2015 decreased primarily as a result of an increase in the average balance related to federal funds sold and other interest earning assets and a decrease in the yield on loans receivable.

Provision for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses is charged to operations in an amount necessary to bring the total allowance for loans losses to a level that management believes is adequate to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The Company did not record a provision for loan losses for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 compared to a $300,000 and $600,000 provision for loan losses for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2014. Lower provisions required for loans individually evaluated for impairment drove a reduction in the provision for loan losses during the three month period ended September 30, 2015. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, a decrease in the allowance required for loans collectively evaluated for impairment was driven by a reduction in the factor used in the calculation related to historical charge-offs which has declined as a result of lower charge-offs in recent years.

Nonperforming assets at September 30, 2015 totaled $29.0 million, or 2.10%, of total assets, up $3.8 million, or 15.2%, from $25.2 million, or 2.07%, of total assets at December 31, 2014 and up $2.0 million, or 7.6%, from $27.0 million, or 2.38%, of total assets at September 30, 2014.

Noninterest Income

Total noninterest income increased by $233,000, or 17.0%, to $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Gains on sales of SBA loans totaled $884,000 for the three months ended 2015 versus $614,000 for the same period of 2014. The increase in gains on the sale of SBA loans was driven by an increase in the number of SBA loans originated and sold during the third quarter of 2015. The Company recognized gains of $64,000 on the sale of investment securities for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $0 in the same period of 2014. Service charges, fees and other operating income, comprised primarily of servicing fees on SBA loans and deposit and loan service charges, totaled $656,000 for the third quarter of 2015, a decrease of $101,000 from the third quarter of 2014.

Total noninterest income decreased by $387,000, or 6.9%, to $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $5.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The Company recognized gains of $73,000 on sales of securities during the first nine months of 2015 compared to gains of $458,000 on sales of securities in the first nine months of 2014. Gains on the sale of SBA loans were $2.7 million during the first nine months of 2015 compared to $2.8 million in the same period of 2014. Service charges, fees and other operating income totaled $2.4 million for the first nine months of 2015, increasing $124,000, from the same period of 2014 due to an increase in the number of deposit accounts.

Noninterest Expenses

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

Noninterest expenses increased by $1.0 million, or 10.4%, for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. A detailed comparison of noninterest expenses for certain categories for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 is presented in the following paragraphs.

Salary and employee benefits expenses, which represent the largest component of noninterest expenses, increased by $656,000, or 12.9%, for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014 driven primarily by annual merit increases along with increased staffing levels related to the Company’s growth strategy of adding and relocating stores.

Occupancy expense and depreciation and amortization expense totaled $1.9 million, an increase of $162,000, or 9.3%, from the same quarter in 2014 as a result of the Company’s continuing growth and relocation strategy.

Other real estate owned expenses totaled $425,000 during the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $49,000, or 13.0%, from the same quarter in 2014. The increase was a result of higher costs to carry foreclosed properties in the current period.

Other operating expenses totaled $1.3 million during the third quarter of 2015, an increase of $153,000, or 13.1%, from the same quarter in 2014. This increase was mainly attributable to transaction fees, telephone expense, and other expenses resulting from our growth strategy.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

For the first nine months of 2015, noninterest expenses increased by $2.9 million, or 9.7%, compared to the first nine months of 2014. A detail of noninterest expenses for certain categories is presented in the following paragraphs.

Salary expenses and employee benefits for the first nine months of 2015 were $16.7 million, an increase of $1.7 million, or 11.5%, compared to the first nine months of 2014 primarily driven by annual merit increases along with increased staffing levels related to the Company’s growth strategy of adding and relocating stores.

Occupancy expense and depreciation and amortization expense totaled $5.8 million, an increase of $867,000, or 17.8%, from the first nine months of 2014 as a result of the Company’s continuing growth and relocation strategy.

Other real estate owned expenses totaled $1.2 million for the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $111,000, or 10.5%, from the first nine months of 2014 primarily as a result of higher costs to carry foreclosed properties in the current period.

Other operating expenses totaled $3.8 million during the first nine months of 2015, an increase of $363,000, or 10.5%, from the first nine months of 2014. This increase was mainly attributable to transaction fees, telephone expense, and other expenses resulting from our growth strategy.

One key measure that management utilizes to monitor progress in controlling overhead expenses is the ratio of annualized net noninterest expenses to average assets. For purposes of this calculation, net noninterest expenses equal noninterest expenses less noninterest income and nonrecurring expense. For the third quarters of 2015 and 2014, this ratio equaled 2.82% and 3.12%. For the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, the ratio equaled 2.87% compared to 3.13% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, respectively, reflecting higher expenses related to the Company’s growth strategy of adding and relocating stores.

Another productivity measure utilized by management is the operating efficiency ratio. This ratio expresses the relationship of noninterest expenses to net interest income plus noninterest income. For the quarter ended September 30, 2015, the operating efficiency ratio was 95.1%, compared to 94.4% for the same period in 2014. The increase in the operating efficiency ratio relates to a 10.4% increase in total noninterest expense. The efficiency ratio equaled 95.3% for the first nine months of 2015, compared to 93.3% for the first nine months of 2014. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 versus September 30, 2014 was due to a 9.7% increase in noninterest expenses.

Provision (Benefit) for Federal Income Taxes

The Company recorded a benefit for income taxes of $10,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to a $6,000 benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2014. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company recorded a benefit for income taxes of $17,000 compared to a $68,000 benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The $17,000 benefit recorded during the first nine months of 2015 was the net result of a tax provision in the amount of $321,000 calculated on the net profit generated during the period using the Company’s normal estimated tax rate, offset by an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the amount of $338,000. The effective tax rates for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were 20% and 15%, respectively, and for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were 20% and 25%, respectively, excluding an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

The Company evaluates the carrying amount of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis or more frequently, if necessary, in accordance with the guidance provided in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 (ASC 740), in particular, applying the criteria set forth therein to determine whether it is more likely than not (i.e. a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized within its life cycle, based on the weight of available evidence. If management makes a determination based on the available evidence that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods, a valuation allowance is calculated and recorded. These determinations are inherently subjective and dependent upon estimates and judgments concerning management’s evaluation of both positive and negative evidence.

In conducting the deferred tax asset analysis, the Company believes it is important to consider the unique characteristics of an industry or business. In particular, characteristics such as business model, level of capital and reserves held by financial institutions and their ability to absorb potential losses are important distinctions to be considered for bank holding companies like the Company. In addition, it is also important to consider that net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) for federal income tax purposes can generally be carried back two years and carried forward for a period of twenty years. In order to realize our deferred tax assets, we must generate sufficient taxable income in such future years.

In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company carefully weighed both positive and negative evidence currently available. Judgment is required when considering the relative impact of such evidence. The weight given to the potential effect of positive and negative evidence must be commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. A cumulative loss in recent years is a significant piece of negative evidence that is difficult to overcome. Based on the analysis of available positive and negative evidence, the Company determined that a valuation allowance should be recorded as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

When calculating an estimate for a valuation allowance, the Company assessed the possible sources of taxable income available under tax law to realize a tax benefit for deductible temporary differences and carry forwards as defined in ASC 740. The Company did not use projections of future taxable income, exclusive of reversing temporary timing differences and carryforwards, as a factor in this analysis. The Company will exclude future taxable income as a factor until it can show consistent and sustainable profitability.

The Company did assess tax planning strategies as defined under ASC 740 to determine the amount of a valuation allowance. Strategies reviewed included the sale of investment securities and loans with fair values greater than book values, redeployment of cash and cash equivalents into higher yielding investment options, a switch from tax-exempt to taxable investments and loans, and the election of a decelerated depreciation method for tax purposes on future fixed asset purchases. The Company believes that these tax planning strategies are (a) prudent and feasible, (b) steps that the Company would not ordinarily take, but would take to prevent an operating loss or tax credit carryforward from expiring unused, and (c) would result in the realization of existing deferred tax assets. These tax planning strategies, if implemented, would result in taxable income in the first full reporting period after deployment and accelerate the recovery of deferred tax asset balances if faced with the inability to recover those assets or the risk of potential expiration. The Company believes that these are viable tax planning strategies and appropriately considered in the analysis at this time, but may not align with the strategic direction of the organization today and therefore, has no present intention to implement such strategies.

The net deferred tax asset balance before consideration of a valuation allowance was $19.6 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. After assessment of all available tax planning strategies, the Company determined that a partial valuation allowance in the amount of $14.3 million as of September 30, 2015 and $14.7 million as of December 31, 2014 should be recorded.

The deferred tax asset will continue to be analyzed on a quarterly basis for changes affecting realizability. When the determination is made to include projections of future taxable income as a factor in recovering the deferred tax asset, the valuation allowance will be reduced accordingly resulting in a corresponding increase in net income.

Net Income and Net Income per Common Share

Net income for the third quarter of 2015 was $582,000, an increase of $285,000, compared to $297,000 recorded in the third quarter of 2014. The higher net income in third quarter of 2015 was due to a $786,000 increase in net interest income, a $233,000 increase in noninterest income and a $300,000 decrease in the loan loss provision, partially offset by a $1.0 million increase in noninterest expenses.

Net income for the first nine months of 2015 was $1.6 million, an increase of $54,000, compared to $1.6 million recorded in the first nine months of 2014. The higher net income in the first nine months of 2015 was due to a $2.8 million increase in net interest income and a $600,000 decrease in the provision for loan losses, partially

offset by a $2.9 million increase in noninterest expenses and a $387,000 decrease in noninterest income.

Basic and fully-diluted net income per common share was $0.02 for the third quarter of 2015 compared to $0.01 for the third quarter of 2014. For the first nine months of 2014, basic and fully-diluted net income per common share was $0.04 compared to $0.05 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Return on Average Assets and Average Equity

Return on average assets (ROA) measures our net income in relation to our total average assets. Our annualized ROA for the third quarter of 2014 was 0.17%, compared to 0.11% for the third quarter of 2014. The ROA for the first nine months in 2015 and 2014 was 0.17% and 0.21%, respectively. Return on average equity (ROE) indicates how effectively we can generate net income on the capital invested by our stockholders. ROE is calculated by dividing annualized net income by average stockholders' equity. The ROE was 2.03% for the third quarter of 2015, compared to 1.06% for the third quarter of 2014. The ROE for the first nine months of 2015 was 1.93%, compared to 2.30% for the first nine months of 2014.

Commitments, Contingencies and Concentrations

Financial instruments, whose contract amounts represent potential credit risk, were commitments to extend credit of approximately $148.7 million and $138.4 million, and standby letters of credit of approximately $4.9 million and $3.8 million, at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These financial instruments constitute off-balance sheet arrangements. Commitments often expire without being drawn upon. Substantially all of the $148.7 million of commitments to extend credit at September 30, 2015 were committed as variable rate credit facilities.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment. The Company’s commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and many require the payment of fees. Because many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. In issuing commitments, the Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral required in connection with any commitment is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. The type of required collateral varies, but may include real estate, marketable securities, pledged deposits, equipment and accounts receivable.

Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments that guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk and collateral policy involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in issuing loan commitments. The amount of collateral which may be pledged to secure a letter of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the customer. The type of collateral which may be held varies, but may include real estate, marketable securities, pledged deposits, equipment and accounts receivable.

Regulatory Matters

In July 2013, the federal bank regulatory agencies adopted revisions to the agencies’ capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action rules, which were designed to enhance such requirements and implement the revised standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, commonly referred to as Basel III. The final rules generally implement higher minimum capital requirements, add a new common equity tier 1 capital requirement, and establish criteria that instruments must meet to be considered common equity tier 1 capital, additional tier 1 capital or tier 2 capital. Effective as of January 1, 2015, the new minimum capital to risk-adjusted assets requirements are a common equity tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5% (6.5% to be considered “well capitalized”) and a tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0%, increased from 4.0% (and increased from 6.0% to 8.0% to be considered “well capitalized”); the total capital ratio remains at 8.0% under the new rules (10.0% to be considered “well capitalized”). Under the new rules, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions (including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers), a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer comprised of common equity tier 1 capital above its minimum risk-based capital requirements, which amount must be greater than 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets at January 1, 2019. The capital contribution buffer requirements phase in over a three-year period beginning January 1, 2016. Management has reviewed the new standards and evaluated all options and strategies to ensure compliance with the new standards. Both Republic and the Company met the “well capitalized” standards applicable to them as of September 30, 2015.

The following table presents the capital regulatory ratios for both Republic and the Company as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

	Actual					For Capital Adequacy Purposes					To be well capitalized under regulatory capital guidelines
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
At September 30, 2015:
Total risk based capital
Republic	$	131,005		12.61	%	$	83,091		8.00	%	$	103,863		10.00	%
Company		143,980		13.80	%		83,438		8.00	%		-		-	%

Tier one risk based capital
Republic		122,682		11.81	%		62,318		6.00	%		83,091		8.00	%
Company		135,657		13.01	%		62,578		6.00	%		-		-	%

CET 1 risk based capital
Republic		122,682		11.81	%		46,739		4.50	%		67,511		6.50	%
Company		113,857		10.92	%		46,934		4.50	%		-		-	%

Tier one leveraged capital
Republic		123,297		9.30	%		52,776		4.00	%		65,970		5.00	%
Company		114,472		10.24	%		52,972		4.00	%		-		-	%

At December 31, 2014:
Total risk based capital
Republic	$	132,460		14.04	%	$	75,491		8.00	%	$	94,364		10.00	%
Company		142,556		15.10	%		75,543		8.00	%		-		-	%

Tier one leveraged capital
Republic		120,924		12.81	%		37,746		4.00	%		56,618		6.00	%
Company		131,020		13.88	%		37,771		4.00	%		-		-	%

Tier one leveraged capital
Republic		120,924		10.37	%		46,630		4.00	%		58,288		5.00	%
Company		131,020		11.23	%		46,680		4.00	%		-		-	%

Dividend Policy

The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock. The Company has no plans to pay cash dividends in 2015. The Company’s ability to pay dividends depends primarily on receipt of dividends from the Company’s subsidiary, Republic. Dividend payments from Republic are subject to legal and regulatory limitations. The ability of Republic to pay dividends is also subject to profitability, financial condition, capital expenditures and other cash flow requirements.

Liquidity

Financial institutions must maintain liquidity to meet day-to-day requirements of depositors and borrowers, time investment purchases to market conditions and provide a cushion against unforeseen needs. Liquidity needs can be met by either reducing assets or increasing liabilities. The most liquid assets consist of cash and amounts due from banks.

Regulatory authorities require the Company to maintain certain liquidity ratios in order for funds to be available to satisfy commitments to borrowers and the demands of depositors. In response to these requirements, the Company has formed an asset/liability committee (ALCO), comprised of certain members of Republic’s board of directors and senior management to monitor such ratios. The ALCO committee is responsible for managing the liquidity position and interest sensitivity. That committee’s primary objective is to maximize net interest income while configuring Republic’s interest-sensitive assets and liabilities to manage interest rate risk and provide adequate liquidity for projected needs. The ALCO committee meets on a quarterly basis or more frequently if deemed necessary.

The Company’s target and actual liquidity levels are determined by comparisons of the estimated repayment and marketability of interest-earning assets with projected future outflows of deposits and other liabilities. The Company’s most liquid assets, comprised of cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet, totaled $110.5 million at September 30, 2015, compared to $128.8 million at December 31, 2014. Loan maturities and repayments are another source of asset liquidity. At September 30, 2015, Republic estimated that more than $45.0 million of loans would mature or repay in the three month period ending December 31, 2015. Additionally, the majority of its investment securities are available to satisfy liquidity requirements if necessary. At September 30, 2015, the Company had outstanding commitments (including unused lines of credit and letters of credit) of $153.6 million. Certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in one year totaled $59.6 million at September 30, 2015. The Company anticipates that it will have sufficient funds available to meet its current commitments.

Daily funding requirements have historically been satisfied by generating core deposits and certificates of deposit with competitive rates, buying federal funds or utilizing the credit facilities of the Federal Home Loan Bank System (“FHLB”). The Company has established a line of credit with the FHLB of Pittsburgh with total borrowing capacity in the amount of $438.3 million as of September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had no outstanding term borrowings with the FHLB. The Company had no short-term borrowings at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014. As of September 30, 2015, FHLB had issued letters of credit, on Republic’s behalf, totaling $75.1 million against our available credit line. The Company has also established a contingency line of credit of $10.0 million with Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”) to assist in managing its liquidity position. The Company had no amounts outstanding against the ACBB line of credit at both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

On April 22, 2014, the Company issued 11,842,106 shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $45.0 million. A registration statement covering the resale of these shares by such investors was declared effective May 22, 2014 by the SEC.

Investment Securities Portfolio

At September 30, 2015, the Company identified certain investment securities that were being held for indefinite periods of time, including securities that will be used as part of the Company’s asset/liability management strategy and that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, prepayments and similar factors. These securities are classified as available for sale and are intended to increase the flexibility of the Company’s asset/liability management. Available for sale securities consist primarily of U.S Government Agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), agency collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO), municipal securities, corporate bonds, asset-backed securities and pooled trust preferred securities (CDO). Available-for-sale securities totaled $209.1 million and $185.4 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. At September 30, 2015, the portfolio had a net unrealized loss of $659,000 and a net unrealized gain of $129,000 at December 31, 2014.

Loan Portfolio

The Company’s loan portfolio consists of secured and unsecured commercial loans including commercial real estate, construction loans, residential mortgages, automobile loans, home improvement loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, overdraft lines of credit and others. Commercial loans are primarily secured term loans made to small to medium-sized businesses and professionals for working capital, asset acquisition and other purposes. Commercial loans are originated as either fixed or variable rate loans with typical terms of 1 to 5 years. Republic’s commercial loans typically range between $250,000 and $5,000,000 but customers may borrow significantly larger amounts up to Republic’s combined legal lending limit, which was approximately $19.9 million at September 30, 2015. Individual customers may have several loans often secured by different collateral.

Credit Quality

Republic’s written lending policies require specified underwriting, loan documentation and credit analysis standards to be met prior to funding, with independent credit department approval for the majority of new loan balances. A committee consisting of senior management and certain members of the Board of Directors oversees the loan approval process to monitor that proper standards are maintained, while approving the majority of commercial loans.

Loans, including impaired loans, are generally classified as non-accrual if they are past due as to maturity or payment of interest or principal for a period of more than 90 days, unless such loans are well-secured and in the process of collection. Loans that are on a current payment status or past due less than 90 days may also be classified as non-accrual if repayment in full of principal and/or interest is in doubt. Loans may be returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within an acceptable period of time, and there is a sustained period of repayment performance by the borrower, in accordance with the contractual terms.

While a loan is classified as non-accrual or as an impaired loan and the future collectability of the recorded loan balance is doubtful, collections of interest and principal are generally applied as a reduction to principal outstanding. When the future collectability of the recorded loan balance is expected, interest income may be recognized on a cash basis. For non-accrual loans, which have been partially charged off, recognition of interest on a cash basis is limited to that which would have been recognized on the recorded loan balance at the contractual interest rate. Cash interest receipts in excess of that amount are recorded as recoveries to the allowance for loan losses until prior charge-offs have been fully recovered.

The following table shows information concerning loan delinquency and non-performing assets as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):

	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Loans accruing, but past due 90 days or more	$	844	$	-
Non-accrual loans		14,372		21,440
Total non-performing loans		15,216		21,440
Other real estate owned		13,773		3,715
Total non-performing assets	$	28,989	$	25,155


Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans, net of unearned income(1)	1.80	%	2.74	%
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets	2.10	%	2.07	%

(1)	Non-performing loans are comprised of (i) loans that are on non-accrual basis and (ii) accruing loans that are 90 days or more past due. Non-performing assets are composed of non-performing loans and other real estate owned.

Non-performing assets increased by $3.8 million to $29.0 million as of September 30, 2015, from $25.2 million at December 31, 2014. Non-accrual loans decreased by $7.1 million to $14.4 million as of September 30, 2015, from $21.4 million at December 31, 2014. The increase in non-performing assets was primarily driven by one loan in the amount of $5.7 million that became more than ninety days delinquent and was transferred to non-accrual status in the current year. In addition, non-accrual loans in the amount of $11.1 million were transferred to other real estate owned in the current year. Loans accruing, but past due 90 days or more were $844,000 as of September 30, 2015, compared to $0 at December 31, 2014 which was driven by one lending relationship which is well collateralized and in the process of collection. In addition to non-accrual loans, impaired loans also include loans that are currently performing but potential credit concerns with the borrowers’ financial condition have caused management to have doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to continue to comply with present repayment terms. At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, all identified impaired loans are internally classified and individually evaluated for impairment in accordance with the guidance under ASC 310.

The following table presents the Company’s 30 to 89 days past due loans at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.


(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
30 to 59 days past due	$	200	$	1,681
60 to 89 days past due		9,349		14,062
Total loans 30 to 89 days past due	$	9,549	$	15,743

Other Real Estate Owned

The balance of other real estate owned increased by $10.1 million to $13.8 million at September 30, 2015 from $3.7 million at December 31, 2014. This increase was primarily driven by the transfer of one asset from the loan portfolio during the second quarter of 2015. The Company recorded a significant provision related to a single loan relationship during the fourth quarter of 2013 which it determined to be impaired in that period. This loan was placed on non-accrual status during the second quarter of 2014 as a result of the delinquency in loan payments. The Company reached settlement agreements with the borrowers in this relationship during the second quarter of 2015 at which time full ownership interest in the real estate which served as collateral for the loan was assigned to the Company.

The following table presents a reconciliation of other real estate owned for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and the year ended December 31, 2014:

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Beginning Balance, January 1st	$	3,715		$	4,059
Additions		11,148			1,000
Valuation adjustments		(298	)		(1,147	)
Dispositions		(792	)		(197	)
Ending Balance	$	13,773		$	3,715

At September 30, 2015, the Company had no credit exposure to “highly leveraged transactions” as defined by the FDIC.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company evaluates the need to establish an allowance against loan losses on a quarterly basis. When an increase in this allowance is necessary, a provision for loan losses is charged to earnings. The allowance for loan losses consists of three components. The first component is allocated to individually evaluated loans found to be impaired and is calculated in accordance with ASC 310. The second component is allocated to all other loans that are not individually identified as impaired pursuant to ASC 310 (“non-impaired loans”). This component is calculated for all non-impaired loans on a collective basis in accordance with ASC 450. The third component is an unallocated allowance to account for a level of imprecision in management’s estimation process.

The Company evaluates loans for impairment and potential charge-off on a quarterly basis. Management regularly monitors the condition of borrowers and assesses both internal and external factors in determining whether any loan relationships have deteriorated. Any loan rated as substandard or lower will have an individual collateral evaluation analysis prepared to determine if a deficiency exists. We first evaluate the primary repayment source. If the primary repayment source is seriously inadequate and unlikely to repay the debt, we then look to the other available repayment sources. Secondary sources are conservatively reviewed for liquidation values. Updated appraisals and financial data are obtained to substantiate current values. If the reviewed sources are deemed to be inadequate to cover the outstanding principal and any costs associated with the resolution of the troubled loan, an estimate of the deficient amount will be calculated and a specific allocation of loan loss reserve is recorded.

Factors considered in the calculation of the allowance for non-impaired loans include several qualitative and quantitative factors such as historical loss experience, trends in delinquency and nonperforming loan balances, changes in risk composition and underwriting standards, experience and ability of management, and general economic conditions along with other external factors. Historical loss experience is analyzed by reviewing charge-offs over a three year period to determine loss rates consistent with the loan categories depicted in the allowance for loan loss table below.

The factors supporting the allowance for loan losses do not diminish the fact that the entire allowance for loan losses is available to absorb losses in the loan portfolio and related commitment portfolio, respectively. The Company’s principal focus, therefore, is on the adequacy of the total allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is subject to review by banking regulators. The Company’s primary bank regulators regularly conduct examinations of the allowance for loan losses and make assessments regarding the adequacy and the methodology employed in their determination.

An analysis of the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:

(dollars in thousands)	For the nine months ended September 30, 2015			For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014			For the nine months ended September 30, 2014

Balance at beginning of period	$	11,536		$	12,263		$	12,263
Charge-offs:
Commercial real estate		2,623			364			364
Construction and land development		222			303			103
Commercial and industrial		325			1,185			435
Owner occupied real estate		133			150			-
Consumer and other		-			10			10
Total charge-offs		3,303			2,012			912
Recoveries:
Commercial real estate		4			5			-
Construction and land development		5			214			213
Commercial and industrial		48			166			52
Owner occupied real estate		-			-			-
Consumer and other		33			-			-
Total recoveries		90			385			265
Net charge-offs		3,213			1,627			647
Provision for loan losses		-			900			600
Balance at end of period	$	8,323		$	11,536		$	12,216

Average loans outstanding(1) $		809,259		$	724,331		$	712,867
As a percent of average loans:(1)
Net charge-offs (annualized)		0.53	%		0.22	%		0.12	%
Provision for loan losses (annualized)		-	%		0.12	%		0.11	%
Allowance for loan losses		1.03	%		1.59	%		1.71	%
Allowance for loan losses to:
Total loans, net of unearned income		0.98	%		1.48	%		1.62	%
Total non-performing loans		54.70	%		53.81	%		52.71	%

(1)

Includes non-accruing loans.

The Company did not record a provision for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to a $300,000 provision for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and a $600,000 provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were decreases in the allowance required for loans collectively evaluated for impairment. The decrease associated with loans collectively evaluated for impairment was driven by a reduction in the factor used in the calculation related to historical charge-offs which has declined as a result of lower charge-offs in recent years.

The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans (coverage ratio) was 54.70% at September 30, 2015, compared to 53.81% at December 31, 2014 and 52.71% at September 30, 2014. Total non-performing loans were $15.2 million, $21.4 million and $23.2 million at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively. The decrease in non-performing loans was primarily driven by one loan in the amount of $9.6 million that was transferred from non-performing loans to other real estate owned during the second quarter of 2015.

Our credit monitoring process assesses the ultimate collectability of an outstanding loan balance from all potential sources. When a loan is determined to be uncollectible it is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses. Unsecured commercial loans and all consumer loans are charged-off immediately upon reaching the 90-day delinquency mark unless they are well secured and in the process of collection. The timing on charge-offs of all other loan types is subjective and will be recognized when management determines that full repayment, either from the cash flow of the borrower, collateral sources, and/or guarantors, will not be sufficient and that repayment is unlikely. A full or partial charge-off is recognized equal to the amount of the estimated deficiency calculation.

Serious delinquency is often the first indicator of a potential charge-off. Reductions in appraised collateral values and deteriorating financial condition of borrowers and guarantors are factors considered when evaluating potential charge-offs. The likelihood of possible recoveries or improvements in a borrower’s financial condition are also assessed when considering a charge-off. The Company recorded net charge-offs of $3.2 million during the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, compared to $647,000 during the nine month period ended September 30, 2014. The increase in charge-offs was primarily the result of a single loan relationship which transferred to other real estate owned during the second quarter of 2015. The provision for loan losses associated with this loan was recorded in a prior period.

Partial charge-offs of non-performing and impaired loans can significantly reduce the coverage ratio and other credit loss statistics due to the fact that the balance of the allowance for loan losses will be reduced while still carrying the remainder of a non-performing loan balance in the impaired loan category. The amount of non-performing loans for which partial charge-offs have been recorded amounted to $6.0 million at September 30, 2015 compared to $17.8 million at December 31, 2014.

The following table provides additional analysis of partially charged-off loans.

(dollars in thousands)	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
Total nonperforming loans	$	15,216		$	21,440
Nonperforming and impaired loans with partial charge-offs		6,025			17,787

Ratio of nonperforming loans with partial charge-offs to total loans		0.71	%		2.27	%
Ratio of nonperforming loans with partial charge-offs to total nonperforming loans		39.60	%		82.96	%
Coverage ratio net of nonperforming loans with partial charge-offs		138.14	%		64.86	%

The Company’s charge-off policy is reviewed on an annual basis and updated as necessary. During the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, there were no changes made to this policy.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

ASU 2014-04

ASU 2014-09

ASU 2014-14

Effects of Inflation

The majority of assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. Therefore, a financial institution differs greatly from most commercial and industrial companies that have significant investments in fixed assets or inventories. Management believes that the most significant impact of inflation on its financial results is through the Company’s need and ability to react to changes in interest rates. Management attempts to maintain an essentially balanced position between rate sensitive assets and liabilities over a one-year time horizon in order to protect net interest income from being affected by wide interest rate fluctuations.

ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE INFORMATION ABOUT MARKET RISK

There has been no material change in the Company’s assessment of its sensitivity to market risk since its presentation in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on March 13, 2015.

ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The Company’s management, with the participation of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, conducted an evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this report, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e), were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Controls

The principal executive officer and principal financial officer also conducted an evaluation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (“Internal Control”) to determine whether any changes in Internal Control occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 that have materially affected or which are reasonably likely to materially affect Internal Control. Based on that evaluation, there has been no such change during the quarter ended September 30, 2015.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Control systems, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not an absolute, level of assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. 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. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. The design of any system of controls is based in part on 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. Projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Significant risk factors could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operation. Risk factors discussing these risks can be found in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015. The risk factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K have not materially changed. You should carefully consider these risk factors. The risks described in the Company’s Form 10-K and Form 10-Q are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

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

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report. (Exhibit numbers correspond to the exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K for quarterly reports on Form 10-Q).

Exhibit Number	Description	Location

3.1	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Republic First Bancorp, Inc.	Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed May 13, 2010

10.1	Employee Agreements, dated July 1, 2015, by and among named Executive Officers, Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Republic First Bank	Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed July 14, 2015

31.1	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Republic First Bancorp, Inc.	Filed herewith

31.2	Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Republic First Bancorp, Inc.	Filed herewith

32.1	Section 1350 Certification of Harry D. Madonna	Furnished herewith

32.2	Section 1350 Certification of Frank A. Cavallaro	Furnished herewith

101	The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language); (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (v) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

SIGNATURES

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

		REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC.

Date: November 6, 2015	By:	/s/ Harry D. Madonna
		Harry D. Madonna
		Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)

Date: November 6, 2015	By:	/s/ Frank A. Cavallaro
		Frank A. Cavallaro
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)