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SALISBURY BANCORP, INC. - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

OR

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

 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ________ TO ________

 

Commission file number 0-24751

SALISBURY BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Connecticut   06-1514263
(State or other jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
5 Bissell Street, Lakeville, CT   06039
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

(860) 435-9801

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

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

Yes ☑ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes ☑ No

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ 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 ☑

 

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of May 16, 2016 is 2,753,426.

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

  PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)
  CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MARCH 31, 2016 (unaudited) AND DECEMBER 31, 2015 3
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2016 AND 2015(unaudited) 4
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2016 AND 2015 (unaudited) 5
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2016 AND 2015 (unaudited) 5
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2016 AND 2015 (unaudited) 6
  NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 8
Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 31
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 47
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 48
  PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 49
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS 50
Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS 50
Item 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES 50
Item 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 50
Item 5.  OTHER INFORMATION 50
Item 6.  EXHIBITS 51

 
 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)  March 31, 2016    December 31, 2015  
ASSETS    (unaudited)     
Cash and due from banks  $9,309   $14,891 
Interest bearing demand deposits with other banks   22,194    47,227 
Total cash and cash equivalents   31,503    62,118 
Securities          
Available-for-sale at fair value   79,034    76,694 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock at cost   3,117    3,176 
Loans held-for-sale   183    763 
Loans receivable, net (allowance for loan losses: $5,877 and $5,716)   728,845    699,018 
Bank premises and equipment, net   14,632    14,307 
Goodwill   12,552    12,552 
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization: $3,064 and $2,909)   2,183    2,338 
Accrued interest receivable   2,451    2,307 
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies   13,775    13,685 
Deferred taxes   2,013    1,989 
Other assets   1,516    2,245 
Total Assets  $891,804   $891,192 
LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Deposits          
Demand (non-interest bearing)  $192,184   $201,340 
Demand (interest bearing)   122,814    125,465 
Money market   192,357    183,783 
Savings and other   126,214    119,651 
Certificates of deposit   122,089    124,294 
Total deposits   755,658    754,533 
Repurchase agreements   2,620    3,914 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances   27,031    26,979 
Subordinated debt(1)   9,770    9,764 
Note payable   365    376 
Capital lease liability   420    422 
Accrued interest and other liabilities   4,538    4,630 
Total Liabilities   800,402    800,618 
Shareholders' Equity          
Common stock - $.10 per share par value          
Authorized: 5,000,000          
Issued: 2,753,426 and 2,733,576   275    273 
Paid-in capital   41,915    41,364 
Retained earnings   48,662    47,922 
Unearned compensation - restricted stock awards   (529)   (110)
Accumulated other comprehensive income   1,079    1,125 
Total Shareholders' Equity   91,402    90,574 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity  $891,804   $891,192 

 (1) Net of issuance costs, which are capitalized and amortized as a component of interest expense over a period of 10 years.

3
 


 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands except per share amounts)    2016      2015  
Interest and dividend income          
Interest and fees on loans  $7,925   $7,922 
Interest on debt securities          
Taxable   293    326 
Tax exempt   286    390 
Other interest and dividends   74    33 
Total interest and dividend income   8,578    8,671 
Interest expense          
Deposits   508    444 
Repurchase agreements   1    1 
Capital lease   18    18 
Note payable   5     
Subordinated debt   156     
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances   231    282 
Total interest expense   919    745 
Net interest and dividend income   7,659    7,926 
Provision (benefit) for loan losses   463    (200)
Net interest and dividend income after provision (benefit) for loan losses   7,196    8,126 
Non-interest income          
Trust and wealth advisory   784    822 
Service charges and fees   730    731 
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net   39    94 
Mortgage servicing, net   12    (40)
Gains on sales and calls of available-for-sale securities, net   2    175 
Other   117    114 
Total non-interest income   1,684    1,896 
Non-interest expense          
Salaries   2,574    2,540 
Employee benefits   1,088    1,005 
Premises and equipment   895    908 
Data processing   447    474 
Professional fees   380    650 
Collections and OREO   157    244 
FDIC insurance   134    198 
Marketing and community support   200    110 
Amortization of core deposit intangibles   155    169 
Other   810    537 
Total non-interest expense   6,840    6,835 
Income before income taxes   2,040    3,187 
Income tax provision   528    953 
Net income  $1,512   $2,234 
Net income available to common shareholders   $1,512   $2,194 
           
Basic earnings per common share  $0.55   $0.81 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, to calculate basic earnings per share   2,723    2,699 
Diluted earnings per common share  $0.55   $0.80 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, to calculate diluted earnings per share   2,741    2,716 
Common dividends per share  $0.28   $0.28 

4
 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands)    2016      2015  
Net income  $1,512   $2,234 
Other comprehensive loss          
Net unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale   (68)   (193)
Reclassification of net realized gains in net income(1)   (2)   (175)
Unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale   (70)   (368)
Income tax benefit   24    128 
Unrealized losses on securities available-for-sale, net of tax   (46)   (240)
Comprehensive income  $1,466   $1,994 

(1) Reclassification adjustments include realized security gains and losses. The gains and losses have been reclassified out of other comprehensive loss and have affected certain lines in the consolidated statements of income as follows: The pre-tax amount is reflected as gains on sales and calls of available-for-sale securities, net, the tax effect is included in the income tax provision and the after tax amount is included in net income.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited)

  (dollars in thousands) Common Stock  Preferred stock  Paid-in capital  Retained earnings  Unearned compensation - restricted stock awards 

Accumulated other comp-

rehensive income

 

Total share-

holders' equity

   Shares  Amount                  
Balances at December 31, 2014  2,720,766   $272   $16,000   $41,077   $42,677   $(313)  $2,108   $101,821 
Net income                   2,234            2,234 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                           (240)   (240)
Common stock dividends declared                   (761)           (761)
Preferred stock dividends declared                   (40)           (40)
Stock options exercised   6,750    1        125                126 
Issuance of common stock for executives   1,000            29                29 
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards                       42        42 
Balances at March 31, 2015   2,728,516   $273   $16,000   $41,231   $44,110   $(271)  $1,868   $103,211 
Balances at December 31, 2015  2,733,576   $273   $   $41,364   $47,922   $(110)  $1,125   $90,574 
Net income                   1,512            1,512 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                           (46)   (46)
Common stock dividends declared                   (772)           (772)
Stock options exercised   4,050            87                87 
Issuance of restricted stock awards   15,800    2        464                466 
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards                       (419)       (419)
Balances at March 31, 2016   2,753,426   $275   $   $41,915   $48,662   $(529)  $1,079   $91,402 

 

5
 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands)    2016      2015  
Operating Activities          
Net income  $1,512   $2,234 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
(Accretion), amortization and depreciation:          
Securities   60    38 
Bank premises and equipment   306    311 
Core deposit intangible   155    169 
Mortgage servicing rights   51    119 
Fair value adjustment on loans   (586)   (650)
Fair value adjustment on deposits   (38)   (135)
Debt issuance costs   6     
(Gains) and losses, including write-downs          
Gain on sales and calls of securities available-for-sale, net   (2)   (175)
Gain on sales of loans, excluding capitalized servicing rights   (19)   (32)
Write-downs of other real estate owned       127 
Loss on sale/disposals of premises and equipment   13    45 
Provision (benefit) for loan losses   463    (200)
Proceeds from loans sold   1,787    2,134 
Loans originated for sale   (1,188)   (1,862)
Increase in deferred loan origination fees and costs, net   (44)   (3)
Mortgage servicing rights originated   (20)   (62)
Increase in mortgage servicing rights impairment reserve   20    10 
Increase in interest receivable   (144)   (22)
Deferred tax benefit       (13)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses   47    (126)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies   (90)   (92)
Decrease in income tax receivable   506     
Increase in income taxes payable       55 
Decrease in other assets   125    64 
Decrease in accrued expenses   (113)   (184)
Decrease in interest payable   (30)    
Increase in other liabilities   51    161 
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards   47    71 
Net cash provided by operating activities   2,875    1,982 
Investing Activities          
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock   59     
Purchases of securities available-for-sale   (10,072)   (3)
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale       3,861 
Proceeds from calls of securities available-for-sale   5,351    3,740 
Proceeds from maturities of securities available-for-sale   2,253    2,304 
Loan originations and principal collections, net   (29,674)   (3,011)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off   14    460 
Capital expenditures   (644)   (186)
Net cash (utilized) provided by investing activities   (32,713)   7,165 

 

6
 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) (Continued)

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands)    2016      2015  
Financing Activities          
Increase in deposit transaction accounts, net   3,330    9,556 
(Decrease) increase in time deposits, net   (2,167)   63 
Decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase, net   (1,294)   (885)
Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances   (6)   (410)
Modification fees on Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances   58     
Principal payments on note payable   (11)    
Decrease in capital lease obligation   (2)   (1)
Stock options exercised   87    126 
Common stock dividends paid   (772)   (761)
Series B preferred stock dividends paid       (40)
Net cash (utilized) provided by financing activities   (777)   7,648 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents   (30,615)   16,795 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   62,118    36,105 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $31,503   $52,900 
Cash paid during period          
Interest  $760   $745 
Income taxes   258    911 

7
 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim (unaudited) consolidated financial statements of Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. ("Salisbury") include those of Salisbury and its wholly owned subsidiary, Salisbury Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank"). In the opinion of management, the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Salisbury and the statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the interim periods presented.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make extensive use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, expected cash flows from loans acquired in a business combination, other-than-temporary impairment of securities and impairment of goodwill and intangibles.

Certain financial information, which is normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but which is not required for interim reporting purposes, has been condensed or omitted. Operating results for the interim period ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Salisbury's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

The allowance for loan losses is a significant accounting policy and is presented in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis, which provides information on how significant assets are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions and estimates underlying those amounts, management has identified the determination of the allowance for loan losses to be the accounting area that requires the most subjective judgments, and as such could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available.

Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements Issued

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – overall (subtopic 825-10): "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." This ASU addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments by making targeted improvements to GAAP as follows: (1) require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer; (2) simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value; (3) eliminate the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for entities that are not public business entities; (4) eliminate the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (5) require public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (6) require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; (7) require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; and (8) clarify that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. ASU No. 2016-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption only for provisions (3) and (6) above. Early adoption of the other provisions mentioned above is not permitted. Salisbury does not expect ASU No. 2016-01 to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements; however, the Company will continue to closely monitor developments and additional guidance.

8
 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases" (Topic 842). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases): 1) a lease liability, which is the present value of a lessee's obligation to make lease payments, and 2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessor accounting under the new guidance remains largely unchanged as it is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases, and operating leases. Leveraged leases have been eliminated, although lessors can continue to account for existing leveraged leases using the current accounting guidance. Other limited changes were made to align lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and the new revenue recognition standard. All entities will classify leases to determine how to recognize lease-related revenue and expense. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures will be required by lessees and lessors to meet the objective of enabling users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The intention is to require enough information to supplement the amounts recorded in the financial statements so that users can understand more about the nature of an entity’s leasing activities. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018; early adoption is permitted. All entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. They have the option to use certain relief; full retrospective application is prohibited. The Company is currently evaluating this ASU to determine the impact on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718): "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” This ASU includes provisions intended to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements. Some of the key provisions of this new ASU include: (1) companies will no longer record excess tax benefits and certain tax deficiencies in additional paid-in capital (“APIC”). Instead, they will record all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement, and APIC pools will be eliminated. The guidance also eliminates the requirement that excess tax benefits be realized before companies can recognize them. In addition, the guidance requires companies to present excess tax benefits as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows rather than as a financing activity; (2) increase the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes on awards and still qualify for the exception to liability classification for shares used to satisfy the employer’s statutory income tax withholding obligation. The new guidance will also require an employer to classify the cash paid to a tax authority when shares are withheld to satisfy its statutory income tax withholding obligation as a financing activity on its statement of cash flows (current guidance did not specify how these cash flows should be classified); and (3) permit companies to make an accounting policy election for the impact of forfeitures on the recognition of expense for share-based payment awards. Forfeitures can be estimated, as required today, or recognized when they occur. ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period. Salisbury is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU No. 2016-09 to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

NOTE 2 - SECURITIES

The composition of securities is as follows:

  (in thousands) Amortized
cost (1)
  Gross un-
realized gains
  Gross un-
realized losses
  Fair value
March 31, 2016           
Available-for-sale                   
U.S. Treasury notes $7,497   $33   $(1)  $7,529 
Municipal bonds  24,893    495        25,388 
Mortgage-backed securities:                   
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government- sponsored enterprises  35,328    497    (23)   35,802 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                   
U.S. Government agencies  1,850    12        1,862 
Non-agency  4,198    382    (12)   4,568 
SBA bonds  2,843    28        2,871 
CRA mutual funds  770    9        779 
Preferred stock  20    215        235 
Total securities available-for-sale $77,399   $1,671   $(36)  $79,034 
Non-marketable securities                   
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock $3,117   $   $   $3,117 
                    
9
 

  (in thousands) Amortized
cost (1)
  Gross un-
realized gains
  Gross un-
realized losses
  Fair value
December 31, 2015                   
Available-for-sale                   
U.S. Treasury notes $2,499   $42   $   $2,541 
U.S. Government agency notes  498            498 
Municipal bonds  29,752    633        30,385 
Mortgage-backed securities:                   
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government- sponsored enterprises  31,900    385    (83)   32,202 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                   
U.S. Government agencies  2,002    12        2,014 
Non-agency  4,487    468    (7)   4,948 
SBA bonds  3,065    31        3,096 
CRA mutual funds  766        (2)   764 
Preferred stock  20    226        246 
Total securities available-for-sale $74,989   $1,797   $(92)  $76,694 
Non-marketable securities                   
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock $3,176   $   $   $3,176 
                    
(1)Net of other-than-temporary impairment write-downs recognized in earnings.

Salisbury did not sell any available-for-sale securities during the three month period ended March 31, 2016, and sold $3.9 million in available-for-sale securities during the three month period ended March 31, 2015, for a gain of $165,000. The after tax gain totaled $150,000.

The following table summarizes, for all securities in an unrealized loss position, including debt securities for which a portion of other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) has been recognized in other comprehensive loss, the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss of securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of the date presented:

  (in thousands)  Less than 12 Months  12 Months or Longer  Total
   Fair
value
 

Unrealized

losses

  Fair
value
 

Unrealized

losses

  Fair
value
  Unrealized losses
March 31, 2016               
Available-for-sale                              
Municipal bonds  $4,997   $(1)  $   $   $4,997   $(1)
Mortgage-backed securities   7,096    (18)   177    (5)   7,273    (23)
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                              
Non-agency   343    (2)   211    (6)   554    (8)
Total temporarily impaired securities   12,436    (21)   388    (11)   12,824    (32)
Other-than-temporarily impaired securities                              
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                              
Non-agency   217    (4)           217    (4)
Total temporarily impaired and other-than-temporarily impaired securities  $12,653   $(25)  $388   $(11)  $13,041   $(36)
                               

Salisbury evaluates securities for OTTI where the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis at the balance sheet date. As part of this process, Salisbury considers whether it has the intent to sell each debt security and whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, Salisbury recognizes an OTTI charge to earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities that meet neither of these conditions, an analysis is performed to determine if any of these securities are at risk for OTTI.

10
 

The following summarizes, by security type, the basis for evaluating if the applicable securities were OTTI at March 31, 2016.

U.S. Government agency mortgage-backed securities: The contractual cash flows are guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government-sponsored enterprises. Changes in fair values are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest rate movements and not changes in credit quality. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. Furthermore, Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity, and does not intend to sell these securities. Therefore, management does not consider these securities to be OTTI at March 31, 2016.

Municipal bonds: Contractual cash flows are performing as expected. Salisbury’s portfolio is mostly comprised of tax-exempt general obligation bonds or public-purpose revenue bonds for schools, municipal offices, sewer infrastructure and fire houses, for small towns and municipalities across the United States. In the wake of the financial crisis, most monoline bond insurers had their ratings downgraded or withdrawn because of excessive exposure to insurance for collateralized debt obligations. Where appropriate, Salisbury performs credit underwriting reviews of unrated issuers, including some that have had their ratings withdrawn and are insured by insurers that have had their ratings withdrawn, to assess default risk. For all completed reviews, pass credit risk ratings have been assigned. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. It is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be at maturity, and Salisbury does not intend to sell these securities. Therefore, management does not consider these securities to be OTTI at March 31, 2016.

Non-agency CMOs: Salisbury performed a detailed cash flow analysis of its non-agency CMOs at March 31, 2016, to assess whether any of the securities were OTTI. Salisbury uses cash flow forecasts for each security based on a variety of market driven assumptions and securitization terms, including prepayment speed, default or delinquency rate, and default severity for losses including interest, legal fees, property repairs, expenses and realtor fees, that, together with the loan amount are subtracted from collateral sales proceeds to determine severity. In 2009, Salisbury determined that five non-agency CMO securities reflected OTTI and recognized losses for deterioration in credit quality of $1,128,000. Salisbury judged the four remaining securities not to have additional OTTI and all other CMO securities not to be OTTI as of March 31, 2016. It is possible that future loss assumptions could change necessitating Salisbury to recognize future OTTI for further deterioration in credit quality. Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and depending upon such factor could reduce its position in these securities, although it has no present intention to do so, and it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost bases.

The following table presents activity related to credit losses recognized into earnings on the non-agency CMOs held by Salisbury for which a portion of an OTTI charge was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:

  Three months ended March 31 (in thousands)    2016      2015  
Balance, beginning of period  $1,128   $1,128 
Credit component on debt securities in which OTTI was not previously recognized        
Balance, end of period  $1,128   $1,128 

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) is a cooperative that provides services, including funding in the form of advances, to its member banking institutions. As a requirement of membership, the Bank must own a minimum amount of FHLBB stock, calculated periodically based primarily on its level of borrowings from the FHLBB. No market exists for shares of the FHLBB and therefore, they are carried at par value. FHLBB stock may be redeemed at par value five years following termination of FHLBB membership, subject to limitations which may be imposed by the FHLBB or its regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Board, to maintain capital adequacy of the FHLBB. While the Bank currently has no intentions to terminate its FHLBB membership, the ability to redeem its investment in FHLBB stock would be subject to the conditions imposed by the FHLBB. Based on the capital adequacy and the liquidity position of the FHLBB, management believes there is no impairment related to the carrying amount of the Bank’s FHLBB stock as of March 31, 2016. Deterioration of the FHLBB’s capital levels may require the Bank to deem its restricted investment in FHLBB stock to be OTTI. If evidence of impairment exists in the future, the FHLBB stock would reflect fair value using either observable or unobservable inputs. The Bank will continue to monitor its investment in FHLBB stock.

11
 

NOTE 3 – LOANS

The composition of loans receivable and loans held-for-sale is as follows:

   March 31, 2016  December 31, 2015
  (In thousands)  Business Activities  Loans 

Acquired

Loans

  Total  Business Activities  Loans 

Acquired

Loans

  Total
Residential 1-4 family  $274,881   $7,443   $282,324   $261,495   $7,799   $269,294 
Residential 5+ multifamily   8,095    6,050    14,145    6,411    6,136    12,547 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   9,332        9,332    7,998        7,998 
Home equity lines of credit   34,329        34,329    35,017        35,017 
Residential real estate   326,637    13,493    340,130    310,921    13,935    324,856 
Commercial   136,315    86,500    222,815    129,446    88,829    218,275 
Construction of commercial   10,145    4,903    15,048    6,525    4,874    11,399 
Commercial real estate   146,460    91,403    237,863    135,971    93,703    229,674 
Farm land   4,007        4,007    3,193        3,193 
Vacant land   8,198        8,198    8,563        8,563 
Real estate secured   485,302    104,896    590,198    458,648    107,638    566,286 
Commercial and industrial   92,528    35,517    128,045    74,657    46,764    121,421 
Municipal   9,364        9,364    9,566        9,566 
Consumer   5,806    76    5,882    6,195    77    6,272 
Loans receivable, gross   593,000    140,489    733,489    549,066    154,479    703,545 
Deferred loan origination fees and costs, net   1,233        1,233    1,189        1,189 
Allowance for loan losses   (5,573)   (304)   (5,877)   (5,481)   (235)   (5,716)
Loans receivable, net  $588,660   $140,185   $728,845   $544,774   $154,244   $699,018 
Loans held-for-sale                              
Residential 1-4 family  $183   $   $183   $763   $   $763 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Salisbury's loans consist primarily of residential and commercial real estate loans located principally in northwestern Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts towns, which constitute Salisbury's service area. Salisbury offers a broad range of loan and credit facilities to borrowers in its service area, including residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, working capital loans, equipment loans, and a variety of consumer loans, including home equity lines of credit, and installment and collateral loans. All residential and commercial mortgage loans are collateralized by first or second mortgages on real estate. The ability of single family residential and consumer borrowers to honor their repayment commitments is generally dependent on the level of overall economic activity within the market area and real estate values. The ability of commercial borrowers to honor their repayment commitments is dependent on the general economy as well as the health of the real estate economic sector in Salisbury’s market area.

 

12
 

Loan Credit Quality

The composition of loans receivable by risk rating grade is as follows:

Business Activities Loans

  (in thousands)  Pass  Special mention  Substandard  Doubtful  Loss  Total
March 31, 2016                              
Residential 1-4 family  $260,994   $6,386   $7,411   $90   $   $274,881 
Residential 5+ multifamily   6,075    1,931    89            8,095 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   8,445    887                9,332 
Home equity lines of credit   32,954    510    865            34,329 
Residential real estate   308,468    9,714    8,365    90        326,637 
Commercial   125,703    5,269    5,343            136,315 
Construction of commercial   10,025        120            10,145 
Commercial real estate   135,728    5,269    5,463            146,460 
Farm land   2,983        1,024            4,007 
Vacant land   5,207    67    2,924            8,198 
Real estate secured   452,386    15,050    17,776    90        485,302 
Commercial and industrial   88,953    2,995    578    2        92,528 
Municipal   9,364                    9,364 
Consumer   5,788    17    1            5,806 
Loans receivable, gross  $556,491   $18,062   $18,355   $92   $   $593,000 

Acquired Loans

  (in thousands)  Pass  Special mention  Substandard  Doubtful  Loss  Total
March 31, 2016                              
Residential 1-4 family  $6,663   $   $780   $   $   $7,443 
Residential 5+ multifamily   5,927        123            6,050 
Construction of residential 1-4 family                        
Home equity lines of credit                        
Residential real estate   12,590        903            13,493 
Commercial   77,995    3,067    5,438            86,500 
Construction of commercial   4,645        258            4,903 
Commercial real estate   82,640    3,067    5,696            91,403 
Farm land                        
Vacant land                        
Real estate secured   95,230    3,067    6,599            104,896 
Commercial and industrial   34,007    917    509    84        35,517 
Municipal                        
Consumer   71    5                76 
Loans receivable, gross  $129,308   $3,989   $7,108   $84   $   $140,489 

 

 

13
 

Business Activities Loans

  (in thousands)  Pass  Special mention  Substandard  Doubtful  Loss  Total
December 31, 2015                              
Residential 1-4 family  $248,027   $6,933   $6,444   $91   $   $261,495 
Residential 5+ multifamily   4,507    1,815    89            6,411 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   7,111    887                7,998 
Home equity lines of credit   33,687    545    785            35,017 
Residential real estate   293,332    10,180    7,318    91        310,921 
Commercial   120,903    4,801    3,742            129,446 
Construction of commercial   6,525                    6,525 
Commercial real estate   127,428    4,801    3,742            135,971 
Farm land   2,162        1,031            3,193 
Vacant land   5,567    69    2,927            8,563 
Real estate secured   428,489    15,050    15,018    91        458,648 
Commercial and industrial   72,887    1,214    555    1        74,657 
Municipal   9,566                    9,566 
Consumer   6,171    18    6            6,195 
Loans receivable, gross  $517,113   $16,282   $15,579   $92   $   $549,066 

Acquired Loans

  (in thousands)  Pass  Special mention  Substandard  Doubtful  Loss  Total
December 31, 2015                              
Residential 1-4 family  $6,824   $199   $776   $   $   $7,799 
Residential 5+ multifamily   6,136                    6,136 
Construction of residential 1-4 family                        
Home equity lines of credit                        
Residential real estate   12,960    199    776            13,935 
Commercial   80,406    4,005    4,418            88,829 
Construction of commercial   4,612        262            4,874 
Commercial real estate   85,018    4,005    4,680            93,703 
Farm land                        
Vacant land                        
Real estate secured   97,978    4,204    5,456            107,638 
Commercial and industrial   45,363    875    443    83        46,764 
Municipal                        
Consumer   71    6                77 
Loans receivable, gross  $143,412   $5,085   $5,899   $83   $   $154,479 

  

14
 

The composition of loans receivable by delinquency status is as follows:

Business Activities Loans

    Past due   
                  180  30      
  (in thousands)  Current  1-29  30-59  60-89  90-179  days  days  Accruing  Non-
      days  days  days  days  and  and90 days accrual
                  over  overand over  
  March 31, 2016                           
Residential 1-4 family  $267,101   $1,334   $3,509   $75   $   $2,862   $6,446   $   $5,834 
Residential 5+ multifamily   7,946    60                89    89         
Construction of residential 1-4 family9,160    172                             
Home equity lines of credit   33,395    434    218    43    150    89    500        701 
Residential real estate   317,602    2,000    3,727    118    150    3,040    7,035        6,535 
Commercial   133,401    156    833    668    342    915    2,758        2,557 
Construction of commercial   10,145                                 
Commercial real estate   143,546    156    833    668    342    915    2,758        2,557 
Farm land   2,983    301                723    723        1,024 
Vacant land   5,371        4            2,823    2,827        2,854 
Real estate secured   469,502    2,457    4,564    786    492    7,501    13,343        12,970 
Commercial and industrial   90,851    398    973    288        18    1,279        447 
Municipal   9,364                                 
Consumer   5,763    24    15    4            19         
Loans receivable, gross  $575,480   $2,879   $5,552   $1,078   $492   $7,519   $14,641   $   $13,417 

Acquired Loans

    Past due   
                  180  30      
  (in thousands)  Current  1-29  30-59  60-89  90-179  days  days  Accruing  Non-
      days  days  days  days  and  and90 days accrual
                  over  overand over  
  March 31, 2016                           
Residential 1-4 family  $6,664   $   $   $   $   $779   $779   $   $779 
Residential 5+ multifamily   5,168    759            123        123        123 
Construction of residential 1-4 family                                    
Home equity lines of credit                                    
Residential real estate   11,832    759            123    779    902        902 
Commercial   80,481    2,635    1,605            1,779    3,384        1,839 
Construction of commercial   4,645                    258    258        258 
Commercial real estate   85,126    2,635    1,605            2,037    3,642        2,097 
Farm land                                    
Vacant land                                    
Real estate secured   96,958    3,394    1,605        123    2,816    4,544        2,999 
Commercial and industrial   33,725    844    123    825            948        414 
Municipal                                    
Consumer   72    4                             
Loans receivable, gross  $130,755   $4,242    $1,728   $825   $123   $2,816   $5,492   $   $3,413 

 

15
 

The composition of loans receivable by delinquency status is as follows:

Business Activities Loans

    Past due   
                  180  30      
  (in thousands)  Current  1-29  30-59  60-89  90-179  days  days  Accruing  Non-
      days  days  days  days  and  and90 days accrual
                  over  overand over  
  December 31, 2015                           
Residential 1-4 family  $254,152   $1,781   $1,931   $683   $973   $1,975   $5,562   $   $5,671 
Residential 5+ multifamily   6,254        68            89    157        89 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   7,826    172                             
Home equity lines of credit   33,744    363    306    101    113    390    910        601 
Residential real estate   301,976    2,316    2,305    784    1,086    2,454    6,629        6,361 
Commercial   126,440    1,618    474        233    681    1,388        2,349 
Construction of commercial   6,525                                 
Commercial real estate   132,965    1,618    474        233    681    1,388        2,349 
Farm land   2,172    298                723    723        1,031 
Vacant land   5,734        6            2,823    2,829        2,855 
Real estate secured   442,847    4,232    2,785    784    1,319    6,681    11,569        12,596 
Commercial and industrial   73,698    906    35            18    53        461 
Municipal   9,566                                 
Consumer   6,096    61    21    17            38        80 
Loans receivable, gross  $532,207   $5,199   $2,841   $801   $1,319   $6,699   $11,660   $   $13,137 

Acquired Loans
                                             
    Past due   
                  180  30      
  (in thousands)  Current  1-29  30-59  60-89  90-179  days  days  Accruing  Non-
      days  days  days  days  and  and90 days accrual
                  over  overand over  
  December 31, 2015                           
Residential 1-4 family  $6,823   $   $   $110   $   $866   $976   $90   $776 
Residential 5+ multifamily   6,136                                 
Construction of residential
1-4 family
                                    
Home equity lines of credit                                    
Residential real estate   12,959            110        866    976    90    776 
Commercial   81,140    4,848    916            1,925    2,841        2,000 
Construction of commercial   4,612                    262    262        262 
Commercial real estate   85,752    4,848    916            2,187    3,103        2,262 
Farm land                                    
Vacant land                                    
Real estate secured   98,711    4,848    916    110        3,053    4,079    90    3,038 
Commercial and industrial   46,128    471    83    82            165         
Municipal                                    
Consumer   77                                 
Loans receivable, gross  $144,916   $5,319   $999   $192   $    3,053   $4,244   $90   $3,038 

Interest on non-accrual loans that would have been recorded as additional interest income for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 had the loans been current in accordance with their original terms totaled $365,000 and $135,000, respectively. 

16
 

Troubled Debt Restructurings

Troubled debt restructurings occurring during the periods are as follows:

Business Activities Loans

   March 31, 2016  March 31, 2015
  (in thousands)  Quantity 

Pre-

modification balance

 

Post-

modification balance

  Quantity 

Pre-

modification balance

 

Post-

modification balance

Residential real estate   1   $89   $89    1   $51   $51 
Commercial real estate               1    297    297 
Home equity lines of credit                        
Troubled debt restructurings   1   $89   $89    2   $348   $348 
Refinance   1   $89   $89             
Rate reduction and term extension               1   $297   $297 
Debt consolidation and term extension                        
Debt consolidation, rate reduction, term extension and note bifurcation               1    51    51 
Term extension                        
Troubled debt restructurings   1   $89   $89    2   $348   $348 

Acquired Loans

   March 31, 2016  March 31, 2015
  (in thousands)  Quantity 

Pre-

modification balance

 

Post-

modification balance

  Quantity 

Pre-

modification balance

 

Post-

modification balance

Commercial real estate      $   $       $   $ 
Troubled debt restructurings      $   $       $   $ 
Rate reduction and term extension      $   $       $   $ 
Troubled debt restructurings      $   $       $   $ 

One loan has been modified as a troubled debt restructure during 2016 and was not past due at March 31, 2016.

Allowance for Loan Losses

Changes in the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

   Business Activities Loans  Acquired Loans
  (in thousands)  March 31, 2016  March 31, 2016
   Beginning balance 

Provision

(benefit)

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance  Beginning balance 

Provision

(benefit)

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance
Residential  $2,477   $86   $(106)  $1   $2,458   $79   $(10)  $   $   $69 
Commercial   1,466    154    (36)   1    1,585    132    56    (96)   2    94 
Land   188    (1)   (23)       164                     
Real estate   4,131    239    (165)   2    4,207    211    46    (96)   2    163 
Commercial and industrial   683    125    (31)   4    781    24    114    (1)   4    141 
Municipal   61    (2)           59                     
Consumer   124    11    (23)   2    114                     
Unallocated   482    (70)           412                     
Totals  $5,481   $303   $(219)  $8   $5,573   $235   $160   $(97)  $6   $304 
17
 

   Business Activities Loans  Acquired Loans
  (in thousands)  December 31, 2015  December 31, 2015
   Beginning balance 

Provision

(benefit)

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance  Beginning balance 

Provision

(benefit)

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance
Residential  $2,306   $746   $(698)  $123   $2,477   $   $79   $   $   $79 
Commercial   1,697    (18)   (214)   1    1,466    7    136    (16)   5    132 
Land   164    157    (133)       188                     
Real estate   4,167    885    (1,045)   124    4,131    7    215    (16)   5    211 
Commercial and industrial   583    (295)   (69)   464    683    14    (24)       34    24 
Municipal   61                61                     
Consumer   117    71    (82)   18    124        (8)       8     
Unallocated   409    73            482                     
Totals  $5,337   $734   $(1,196)  $606   $5,481   $21   $183   $(16)  $47   $235 

 

The composition of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses is as follows:

Business Activities Loans

  (in thousands)  Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance 
March 31, 2016         
Residential 1-4 family  $266,482   $1,534   $8,399   $474   $274,881   $2,008 
Residential 5+ multifamily   6,330    45    1,765        8,095    45 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   9,332    75            9,332    75 
Home equity lines of credit   33,511    309    818    21    34,329    330 
Residential real estate   315,655    1,963    10,982    495    326,637    2,458 
Commercial   132,084    1,377    4,231    80    136,315    1,457 
Construction of commercial   10,025    127    120    1    10,145    128 
Commercial real estate   142,109    1,504    4,351    81    146,460    1,585 
Farm land   2,983    24    1,024    1    4,007    25 
Vacant land   5,125    120    3,073    19    8,198    139 
Real estate secured   465,872    3,611    19,430    596    485,302    4,207 
Commercial and industrial   92,019    780    509    1    92,528    781 
Municipal   9,364    59            9,364    59 
Consumer   5,806    114            5,806    114 
Unallocated allowance       412                412 
Totals  $573,061   $4,976   $19,939   $597   $593,000   $5,573 

 

18
 

Acquired Loans

(in thousands)  Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  ASC 310-30 loans   Total portfolio 
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance 
March 31, 2016                                        
Residential 1-4 family  $6,664   $   $779   $69   $   $   $7,443    $69 
Residential 5+ multifamily   5,927        123                6,050     
Construction of residential 1-4 family                                
Home equity lines of credit                                
Residential real estate   12,591        902    69            13,493    69 
Commercial   79,134    19    2,585    27    4,781    44    86,500    90 
Construction of commercial   4,645    4    258                4,903    4 
Commercial real estate   83,779    23    2,843    27    4,781    44    91,403    94 
Farm land                                
Vacant land                                
Real estate secured   96,370    23    3,745    96    4,781    44    104,896    163 
Commercial and industrial   34,475    21    414    114    628    6    35,517    141 
Municipal                                
Consumer   60                16        76     
Unallocated allowance                                
Totals  $130,905   $44   $4,159   $210   $5,425   $50   $140,489   $304 

Business Activities Loans

  (in thousands)  Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance 
December 31, 2015                              
Residential 1-4 family  $253,156   $1,415   $8,339   $610   $261,495   $2,025 
Residential 5+ multifamily   4,640    33    1,771        6,411    33 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   7,998    65            7,998    65 
Home equity lines of credit   34,298    286    719    68    35,017    354 
Residential real estate   300,092    1,799    10,829    678    310,921    2,477 
Commercial   125,173    1,265    4,273    113    129,446    1,378 
Construction of commercial   6,403    87    122    1    6,525    88 
Commercial real estate   131,576    1,352    4,395    114    135,971    1,466 
Farm land   2,162    23    1,031    14    3,193    37 
Vacant land   5,486    122    3,077    29    8,563    151 
Real estate secured   439,316    3,296    19,332    835    458,648    4,131 
Commercial and industrial   74,131    673    526    10    74,657    683 
Municipal   9,566    61            9,566    61 
Consumer   6,115    124    80        6,195    124 
Unallocated allowance       482                482 
Totals  $529,128   $4,636   $19,938   $845   $549,066   $5,481 

 

19
 

Acquired Loans

(in thousands)  Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  ASC 310-30 loans   Total portfolio 
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance 
December 31, 2015                                        
Residential 1-4 family  $7,023   $   $776   $79   $   $   $7,799   $79 
Residential 5+ multifamily   6,136                        6,136     
Construction of residential 1-4 family                                
Home equity lines of credit                                
Residential real estate   13,159        776    79            13,935    79 
Commercial   81,300    19    2,742    107    4,787    2    88,829    128 
Construction of commercial   4,612    4    262                4,874    4 
Commercial real estate   85,912    23    3,004    107    4,787    2    93,703    132 
Farm land                                
Vacant land                                
Real estate secured   99,071    23    3,780    186    4,787    2    107,638    211 
Commercial and industrial   45,650    24            1,114        46,764    24 
Municipal                                
Consumer   61                16        77     
Unallocated allowance                                
Totals  $144,782   $47   $3,780   $186   $5,917   $2   $154,479   $235 

 

 

The credit quality segments of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

Business Activities Loans

  March 31, 2016 (in thousands) Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans   Allowance 
Performing loans  $569,493   $4,429   $   $   $569,493   $4,429
Potential problem loans   3,568    135            3,568   135
Impaired loans           19,939    597    19,939   597
Unallocated allowance       412               412
Totals  $573,061   $4,976   $19,939   $597   $593,000   $5,573

Acquired Loans

  March 31, 2016 (in thousands) Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans   Allowance 
Performing loans  $133,381   $51   $   $   $133,381   $51 
Potential problem loans   2,949    42            2,949    42 
Impaired loans           4,159    211    4,159    211 
Unallocated allowance                        
Totals  $136,330   $93   $4,159   $211   $140,489   $304 

Business Activities Loans

  December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans   Allowance 
Performing loans  $527,905   $4,110   $   $   $527,905   $4,110 
Potential problem loans   1,223    44            1,223    44 
Impaired loans           19,938    845    19,938    845 
Unallocated allowance       482                482 
Totals  $529,128   $4,636   $19,938   $845   $549,066   $5,481 
20
 

Acquired Loans

  December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans   Allowance 
Performing loans  $148,580   $46   $   $   $148,580   $46 
Potential problem loans   2,119    2            2,119    2 
Impaired loans           3,780    187    3,780    187 
Unallocated allowance                        
Totals  $150,699   $48   $3,780   $187   $154,479   $235 

A specific valuation allowance is established for the impairment amount of each impaired loan, calculated using the fair value of expected cash flows or collateral, in accordance with the most likely means of recovery. Certain data with respect to loans individually evaluated for impairment is as follows:

Business Activities Loans

   Impaired loans with specific allowance   Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands)  Loan balance    Specific    Income   Loan balance    Income 
    Book    Note    Average    allowance    recognized    Book    Note    Average    recognized 
March 31, 2016                                             
Residential  $7,155   $7,787   $8,032   $474   $18   $3,009   $3,230   $2,740   $20 
Home equity lines of credit   488    513    503    21        330    347    296     
Residential real estate   7,643    8,300    8,535    495    18    3,339    3,577    3,036    20 
Commercial   3,095    3,412    3,058    80    13    1,136    1,403    1,195    7 
Construction of commercial   120    126    121    1    2                 
Farm land   11    13    372    1        1,013    1,109    656     
Vacant land   2,870    3,859    2,870    19    1    203    238    205     
Real estate secured   13,739    15,710    14,956    596    34    5,691    6,327    5,092    27 
Commercial and industrial   94    98    95    1        415    468    421    1 
Consumer                               20     
Totals  $13,833   $15,808   $15,051   $597   $34   $6,106   $6,795   $5,533   $28 

Acquired Loans

   Impaired loans with specific allowance   Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands)  Loan balance    Specific    Income   Loan balance    Income 
    Book    Note    Average    allowance    recognized    Book    Note    Average    recognized 
March 31, 2016                                             
Residential  $602   $716   $645   $69   $   $300   $300   $263   $ 
Home equity lines of
credit
                                    
Residential real estate   602    716    645    69        300    300    263     
Commercial   331    723    547    27    4    2,255    2,853    2,176    13 
Construction of commercial                       258    271    259     
Farm land                                    
Vacant land                                    
Real estate secured   933    1,439    1,192    96    4    2,813    3,424    2,698    13 
Commercial and
industrial
   332    439    83    114                     
Consumer                                    
Totals  $1,265   $1,878   $1,275   $210   $4   $2,813   $3,424   $2,698   $13 

 

21
 

Business Activities Loans

   Impaired loans with specific allowance   Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands)  Loan balance    Specific    Income   Loan balance    Income 
    Book    Note    Average    allowance    recognized    Book    Note    Average    recognized 
December 31, 2015                                         
Residential 1-4 family  $7,482   $8,094   $6,449   $610   $167   $2,628   $2,770   $3,089   $98 
Home equity lines of credit   535    659    260    68    9    184    199    423    2 
Residential real estate   8,017    8,753    6,709    678    176    2,812    2,969    3,512    100 
Commercial   3,131    3,405    2,850    113    123    1,142    1,393    1,624    49 
Construction of commercial   122    128    9    1    7            116     
Farm land   733    773    400    14    25    298    352    461     
Vacant land   2,870    3,836    3,015    29    3    207    241    72    9 
Real estate secured   14,873    16,895    12,983    835    334    4,459    4,955    5,785    158 
Commercial and industrial   95    98    145    10    4    431    481    383    22 
Consumer                       80    108    12    1 
Totals  $14,968   $16,993   $13,128   $845   $338   $4,970   $5,544   $6,180   $181 

Acquired Loans

   Impaired loans with specific allowance   Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands)  Loan balance    Specific    Income   Loan balance    Income 
    Book    Note    Average    allowance    recognized    Book    Note    Average    recognized 
December 31, 2015                                         
Residential 1-4 family  $599   $716   $273   $79   $   $177   $177   $376   $7 
Home equity lines of credit                                    
Residential real estate   599    716    273    79        177    177    376    7 
Commercial   675    826    698    107    34    2,067    2,843    2,011    32 
Construction of commercial                       262    273    167    22 
Farm land                                    
Vacant land                                    
Real estate secured   1,274    1,542    971    186    34    2,506    3,293    2,554    61 
Commercial and industrial           6                4         
Consumer                                    
Totals  $1,274   $1,542   $977   $186   $34   $2,506   $3,297   $2,554   $61 

 

22
 

NOTE 4 - MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

March 31, (in thousands)    2016      2015  
Residential mortgage loans serviced for others  $129,194   $137,186 
Fair value of mortgage servicing rights   1,037    1,355 

Changes in mortgage servicing rights are as follows:

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands)    2016      2015  
Mortgage Servicing Rights          
Balance, beginning of period  $486   $694 
Originated   20    62 
Amortization (1)   (51)   (119)
Balance, end of period  $455   $637 
Valuation Allowance          
Balance, beginning of period  $(3)  $ 
Increase in impairment reserve (1)   (20)   (9)
Balance, end of period   (23)   (9)
Mortgage servicing rights, net  $432   $628 
(1)Amortization expense and changes in the impairment reserve are recorded in mortgage servicing, net, in the consolidated statements of income.

NOTE 5 - PLEDGED ASSETS

(in thousands)    March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015  
Securities available-for-sale (at fair value)  $71,444   $67,750 
Loans receivable   162,284    153,269 
Total pledged assets  $233,728   $221,019 

At March 31, 2016, securities were pledged as follows: $64.5 million to secure public deposits, $6.8 million to secure repurchase agreements and $0.1 million to secure FHLBB advances. Additionally, loans receivable were pledged to secure FHLBB advances and credit facilities.

NOTE 6 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company defines unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends as participating securities that are included in computing earnings per share (EPS) using the two-class method.

The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each share of common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income allocated to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity.

23
 

The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share (basic and diluted) for the periods indicated:

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands, except per share data)    2016      2015  
Net income  $1,512   $2,234 
Less: Preferred stock dividends declared       (40)
Net income available to common shareholders   1,512    2,194 
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities   (13)   (19)
Net income allocated to common stock  $1,499   $2,175 
Weighted-average common shares issued   2,747    2,723 
Less: Unvested restricted stock awards   (24)   (24)
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per common share   2,723    2,699 
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options   18    17 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per common share   2,741    2,716 
Earnings per common share (basic)  $0.55   $0.81 
Earnings per common share (diluted)  $0.55   $0.80 

NOTE 7 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Capital Requirements

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

In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries. On July 9, 2013, the FDIC also approved, as an interim final rule, the regulatory capital requirements for U.S. banks, following the actions of the FRB. On April 8, 2014, the FDIC adopted as final its interim final rule, which is identical in substance to the final rules issued by the FRB in July 2013. Under the final rules, minimum requirements will increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by Salisbury and the Bank. The rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0%, require a minimum ratio of Total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, and require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A new capital conservation buffer, comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital, is also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. The implementation of the capital conservation buffer was phased in effective January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increases each subsequent January 1, by an additional 0.625% until reaching its final level of 2.5% on January 1, 2019. Strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments were also implemented under the final rules.

The phase-in period for the final rules began for Salisbury on January 1, 2015. As of March 31, 2016, Salisbury and the Bank met each of their capital requirements and the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as “well-capitalized.” There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

24
 

Actual regulatory capital position and minimum capital requirements as defined "To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions" and "For Capital Adequacy Purposes" for Salisbury and the Bank are as follows:

                      To be Well Capitalized
   Actual  For Capital Adequacy Purposes  Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
  (dollars in thousands)  Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio
  March 31, 2016                  
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury  $93,065    12.92%  $57,633    8.0%   n/a     
Bank   90,245    12.53    57,633    8.0   $72,042    10.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury   77,000    10.69    43,225    6.0    n/a     
Bank   84,180    11.68    43,225    6.0    57,633    8.0 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury   77,000    10.69    40,429    4.5    n/a     
Bank   84,180    11.68    32,419    4.5    46,827    6.5 
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)                              
Salisbury   77,000    8.57    35,937    4.0    n/a     
Bank   84,180    9.51    35,403    4.0    39,828    5.0 
December 31, 2015                              
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury  $92,030    13.51%  $54,509    8.0%   n/a     
Bank   89,249    13.10    54,504    8.0   $68,131    10.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury   76,120    11.17    40,878    6.0    n/a     
Bank   83,340    12.23    40,878    6.0    54,504    8.0 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury   76,120    11.17    30,659    4.5    n/a     
Bank   83,340    12.23    30,659    4.5    44,285    6.5 
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)                              
Salisbury   76,120    8.56    36,102    4.0    n/a     
Bank   83,340    9.37    35,593    4.0    44,491    5.0 

 

Cash Dividends to Common Shareholders

Salisbury's ability to pay cash dividends is substantially dependent on the Bank's ability to pay cash dividends to Salisbury. There are certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends and other payments by the Bank to Salisbury. Under Connecticut law, the Bank cannot declare a cash dividend except from net profits, defined as the remainder of all earnings from current operations. The total of all cash dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year shall not, unless specifically approved by the Banking Commissioner, exceed the total of its net profits of that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years.

FRB Supervisory Letter SR 09-4, February 24, 2009, revised March 30, 2009, notes that, as a general matter, the Board of Directors of a Bank Holding Company (“BHC”) should inform the Federal Reserve and should eliminate, defer, or significantly reduce dividends if (1) net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends; (2) the prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition; or (3) the BHC will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Moreover, a BHC should inform the Federal Reserve reasonably in advance of declaring or paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period (e.g., quarter) for which the dividend is being paid or that could result in a material adverse change to the BHC capital structure.

Preferred Stock

In August 2011, Salisbury issued to the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) $16 million of its Series B Preferred Stock under the Small Business Lending Fund (the “SBLF”) program. The SBLF program is a $30 billion fund established under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 to encourage lending to small businesses by providing Tier 1 capital to qualified community banks with assets of less than $10 billion. The Preferred Stock qualified as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes and ranked senior to the Common Stock.

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During fourth quarter 2015, Salisbury completed an offering of $10 million of unsecured 6.00% fixed-to–floating rate subordinated notes due in 2025. The notes qualify as Tier II capital and are included as such within Salisbury's total risk-based capital ratio.

The net proceeds of the offering, along with cash on hand, were used during the fourth quarter 2015 to redeem the $16 million of Senior Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock issued in conjunction with Salisbury’s participation in the U.S. Treasury’s SBLF program.

NOTE 8 – BENEFITS

Salisbury’s 401(k) Plan expense was $216,000 and $162,000, respectively, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. Other post-retirement benefit obligation expense for endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements was $19,000 and $18,000 for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

In 2014, Salisbury terminated the Defined Benefit Pension Plan.  Excess assets in the amount of $1,018,000 were distributed to the Bank’s Defined Contribution Plan (401k) and the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) for future allocations to employees.  The division of the excess pension assets was 66.67% to the 401k account (or $679,000) and 33.33% to the ESOP account (or $339,000).

ESOP

Salisbury offers an ESOP to eligible employees.  Under the Plan, Salisbury may make discretionary contributions to the Plan, which generally vest in full upon six years of qualified service.

Salisbury’s ESOP expense was $36,000 and $96,000, respectively, for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. First quarter 2015 included an increased ESOP accrual.

Other Retirement Plans

A Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan") was adopted effective January 1, 2013. This Plan was adopted by the Bank for the benefit of certain key employees ("Executive" or "Executives") who have been selected and approved by the Bank to participate in this Plan and who have evidenced their participation by execution of a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan Participation Agreement ("Participation Agreement") in a form provided by the Bank. This Plan is intended to comply with Internal Revenue Code ("Code") Section 409A and any regulatory or other guidance issued under such Section.

In 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Bank awarded six (6), seven (7) and six (6) Executives, respectively, with discretionary contributions to the plan. Expenses related to this plan amounted to $11,000 for the first quarter of 2016 and $33,000 for the first quarter of 2015. Based on the Executive’s date of retirement, the vesting schedule ranges from 7.7% per year to 50% per year.

On January 29, 2016, the Compensation Committee granted a total of 47,470 Phantom Stock Appreciation Units pursuant to its 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, which was approved by shareholders at the 2011 Annual Meeting, including 23,012 units to three Named Executive Officers. Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer received 11,484 units, John Davies, President New York Region and Chief Lending Officer received 5,963 units and Donald E. White, Chief Financial Officer received 5,565 units. The units will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.

Grants of Restricted Stock and Options

On February 16, 2016, 1,350 shares of stock options were exercised at $21.48 per share by one former Riverside Bank executive.

On January 29, 2016, Salisbury granted a total of 15,800 shares of restricted stock pursuant to its 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, which was approved by shareholders at the 2011 Annual Meeting, to 42 employees, including 6,000 shares to three Named Executive Officers. Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer received 5,000 and John Davies, President New York Region and Chief Lending Officer and Donald E. White, Chief Financial Officer each received 500 shares. The fair value of the stock as of the grant date was determined to be $466,000 and the stock will be vested three years from the grant date.

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On January 26, 2016, 2,700 shares of stock options were exercised at $21.48 per share by two former Riverside Bank executives.

On September 28, 2015, 2,700 shares of stock options were exercised at $21.48 per share by one former Riverside Bank executive.

On February 17, 2015 and February 25, 2015, 1,350 and 5,400 shares of stock options were exercised, respectively, at $18.52 per share by two former Riverside Bank executives.

On March 27, 2015, Salisbury granted a total of 1,000 shares of restricted stock, pursuant to its 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, to one (1) Named Executive Officer, Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer. The fair value of the stock as of the grant date was determined to be $29,000 and the stock vested immediately.

Expense in first quarter 2016 and 2015 related to stock based compensation totaled $47,000 and $71,000, respectively. Unrecognized compensation cost relating to the awards as of March 31, 2016 and 2015 totaled $275,000 and $271,000, respectively. There were no forfeitures in the first quarter of 2016 or the first quarter of 2015.

NOTE 9 –ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income is as follows:

(in thousands)    March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015
Unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net of tax  $1,079   $1,125 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net  $1,079   $1,125 

NOTE 10 – FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Salisbury uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, other assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for sale, collateral dependent impaired loans, property acquired through foreclosure or repossession and mortgage servicing rights. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve the application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurement-Overall,” provides a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles. This guidance permitted Salisbury the irrevocable option to elect fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis. Salisbury did not elect fair value treatment for any financial assets or liabilities upon adoption.

In accordance with ASC 820-10, Salisbury groups its financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value.

GAAP specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the types of valuation information (“inputs”) are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect Salisbury’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 1 also includes U.S. Treasury, other U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active markets. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2. Significant other observable inputs. Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets. Valuations are obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Level 3. Significant unobservable inputs. Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, are not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets and liabilities.

 

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A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Salisbury did not have any significant transfers of assets between levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies for assets recorded at fair value, including the general classification of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Securities available-for-sale. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Level 1 securities include exchange-traded equity securities. Level 2 securities include debt securities with quoted prices, which are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments, whose value is determined using matrix pricing with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, municipal bonds, SBA bonds, corporate bonds and certain preferred equities. Level 3 is for positions that 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. 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, recapitalization and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows.
Collateral dependent loans that are deemed to be impaired are valued based upon the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell. Such collateral primarily consists of real estate and, to a lesser extent, other business assets. Management may adjust appraised values to reflect estimated market value declines or apply other discounts to appraised values resulting from its knowledge of the property. Internal valuations are utilized to determine the fair value of other business assets. Collateral dependent impaired loans are categorized as Level 3.
Other real estate owned acquired through foreclosure or repossession is adjusted to fair value less costs to sell upon transfer out of loans. Subsequently, it is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is generally based upon independent market prices or appraised values of the collateral. Management adjusts appraised values to reflect estimated market value declines or apply other discounts to appraised values for unobservable factors resulting from its knowledge of the property, and such property is categorized as Level 3.
Mortgage servicing assets are accounted for at cost, subject to impairment testing. When the carrying cost exceeds fair value, a valuation allowance is established to reduce the carrying cost to fair value. Fair value is calculated as the present value of estimated future net servicing income and relies on market based assumptions for loan prepayment speeds, servicing costs, discount rates, and other economic factors; as such, the primary risk inherent in valuing mortgage servicing assets is the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the servicing revenue stream. Mortgage servicing assets are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

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Assets measured at fair value are as follows:

   Fair Value Measurements Using       Assets at  
  (in thousands)    Level 1       Level 2      Level 3      fair  
                     value  
March 31, 2016                    
Assets at fair value on a recurring basis                    
U.S. Treasury notes  $   $7,529   $   $7,529 
Municipal bonds       25,388        25,388 
Mortgage-backed securities:                    
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises       35,802        35,802 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                    
U.S. Government agencies       1,862        1,862 
Non-agency       4,568        4,568 
SBA bonds       2,871        2,871 
CRA mutual funds       779        779 
Preferred stock   235            235 
Securities available-for-sale  $235   $78,799   $   $79,034 
Assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis                    
Collateral dependent impaired loans           14,290    14,290 
Mortgage servicing rights           1,037    1,037 
December 31, 2015                    
Assets at fair value on a recurring basis                    
U.S. Treasury notes  $   $2,541   $   $2,541 
U.S. Government agency notes       498        498 
Municipal bonds       30,385        30,385 
Mortgage-backed securities:                    
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises       32,202        32,202 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                    
U.S. Government agencies       2,014        2,014 
Non-agency       4,948        4,948 
SBA bonds       3,096        3,096 
CRA mutual funds       764        764 
Preferred stock   246            246 
Securities available-for-sale  $246   $76,448   $   $76,694 
Assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis                    
Collateral dependent impaired loans           15,211    15,211 
Mortgage servicing rights           1,315    1,315 

 

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Carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments are as follows:

  (in thousands)  Carrying  Estimated  Fair value measurements using
   value  fair value  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3
  March 31, 2016               
Financial Assets                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $31,503   $31,503   $31,503   $  $
Securities available-for-sale   79,034    79,034    235    78,799  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   3,117    3,117        3,117  
Loans held-for-sale   183    183           183
Loans receivable, net   728,845    732,699           732,699
Accrued interest receivable   2,451    2,451           2,451
Cash surrender value of life insurance   13,775    13,775    13,775      
Financial Liabilities                         
Demand (non-interest-bearing)  $192,184   $192,184   $   $  $ 192,184
Demand (interest-bearing)   122,814    122,814           122,814
Money market   192,357    192,357           192,357
Savings and other   126,214    126,214           126,214
Certificates of deposit   122,089    122,952           122,952
Deposits   755,658    756,521           756,521
Repurchase agreements   2,620    2,620           2,620
FHLBB advances   27,031    29,046           29,046
Subordinated debt   9,770    10,190           10,190
Note payable   365    404           404
Capital lease liability   420    895           895
Accrued interest payable   120    120           120
December 31, 2015                         
Financial Assets                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $62,118   $62,118   $62,118   $  $
Securities available-for-sale   76,694    76,694    246    76,448  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   3,176    3,176        3,176  
Loans held-for-sale   763    778           778
Loans receivable, net   699,018    707,154           707,154
Accrued interest receivable   2,307    2,307           2,307
Cash surrender value of life insurance   13,685    13,685    13,685      
Financial Liabilities                         
Demand (non-interest-bearing)  $201,340   $201,340   $   $  $ 201,340
Demand (interest-bearing)   125,465    125,465           125,465
Money market   183,783    183,783           183,783
Savings and other   119,651    119,651           119,651
Certificates of deposit   124,294    125,437           125,437
Deposits   754,533    755,676           755,676
Repurchase agreements   3,914    3,914           3,914
FHLBB advances   26,979    28,559           28,559
Subordinated debt   9,764    9,764           9,764
Note payable   376    405           405
Capital lease liability   422    870           870
Accrued interest payable   150    150           150

The carrying amounts of financial instruments shown in the above table are included in the consolidated balance sheets under the indicated captions.

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Salisbury and its subsidiary should be read in conjunction with Salisbury's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Readers should also review other disclosures Salisbury files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

BUSINESS

Salisbury, a Connecticut corporation, formed in 1998, is the bank holding company for the Bank, a Connecticut-chartered and FDIC insured commercial bank headquartered in Lakeville, Connecticut. Salisbury's principal business consists of the business of the Bank. The Bank, formed in 1848, is engaged in customary banking activities, including general deposit taking and lending activities to both retail and commercial markets, and trust and wealth advisory services. The Bank conducts its banking business from thirteen full-service offices in the towns of: Canaan, Lakeville, Salisbury and Sharon, Connecticut; Great Barrington, South Egremont and Sheffield, Massachusetts; and, Fishkill, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Red Oaks Mill, Dover Plains and Millerton, New York, and its trust and wealth advisory services from offices in Lakeville, Connecticut. In May 2014, the Bank established a new branch in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. In June 2014, the Bank acquired a branch office and related deposits from another institution in Sharon, Connecticut and consolidated its existing Sharon office with the new branch. In December 2014, the Bank completed its acquisition of Riverside Bank of Poughkeepsie, New York, adding four new offices and a strong commercial lending focus to Salisbury’s New York market presence.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements follow GAAP as applied to the banking industry in which it operates. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event.

Salisbury’s significant accounting policies are presented in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which, along with this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, provide information on how significant assets are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Management believes that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating Salisbury’s reported financial results, and they require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Loans acquired in business combinations are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of cash flows initially expected to be collected and discounting those cash flows at an appropriate market rate of interest. The Bank continues to evaluate reasonableness of the timing and the amount of cash to be collected. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows may result in changes in the amortization or accretion of fair market value adjustments, and in some cases may result in the loan being considered impaired.  For collateral dependent loans with deteriorated credit quality, the Bank estimates the fair value of the underlying collateral of the loans.  These values are discounted using market derived rates of return, with consideration given to the period of time and costs associated with the foreclosure and disposition of the collateral.

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The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on the balance sheet. Note 1 describes the methodology used to determine the allowance for loan losses. A discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for loan losses are included in the “Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Management evaluates goodwill and identifiable intangible assets for impairment annually using valuation techniques that involve estimates for discount rates, projected future cash flows and time period calculations, all of which are susceptible to change based on changes in economic conditions and other factors. Future events or changes in the estimates, which are used to determine the carrying value of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets or which otherwise adversely affect their value or estimated lives could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment giving consideration to the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, estimates of future cash flows, delinquencies and default severity, and the intent and ability of Salisbury to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. The consideration of the above factors is subjective and involves estimates and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Should actual factors and conditions differ materially from those used by management, the actual realization of gains or losses on investment securities could differ materially from the amounts recorded in the financial statements.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Overview

Total assets were $891.8 million at March 31, 2016, an increase of $0.6 million from December 31, 2015. Loans receivable, net, were $728.8 million at March 31, 2016, an increase of $29.8 million from December 31, 2015. Non-performing assets of $16.8 million at March 31, 2016, increased $0.6 million from $16.2 million at December 31, 2015. Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, was 0.80%, 0.81% and 0.76%, at March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively. Deposits increased $1.2 million to $755.7 million, up from $754.5 million at December 31, 2015.

At March 31, 2016, book value and tangible book value per common share were $33.20 and $27.84, respectively. Salisbury’s tier 1 leverage, total risk-based capital, and common equity tier 1 capital ratios were 8.57%, 12.92%, and 10.69%, respectively.

Securities and Short Term Funds

During the first quarter of 2016, securities increased $2.3 million to $79.0 million primarily as a result of the purchase of $10.0 million of mortgage backed securities and treasury bills, partially offset by calls and principal pay downs. FHLBB advances increased $0.1 million, while cash and cash equivalents (non-time interest-bearing deposits with other banks, money market funds and federal funds sold) decreased $30.6 million to $31.5 million.

Salisbury evaluates securities for OTTI where the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis at the balance sheet date. As part of this process, Salisbury considers its intent to sell each debt security and whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, Salisbury recognizes an OTTI charge to earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities that meet neither of these conditions, an analysis is performed to determine if any of these securities are at risk for OTTI.

Salisbury evaluates securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity. Therefore, management does not consider any of its securities, other than four non-agency CMO securities reflecting OTTI, to be OTTI at March 31, 2016.

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Salisbury has, and continues to monitor, CMO securities where historical recognition of losses has occurred as a result of OTTI. Salisbury determined, as of March 31, 2016, that additional recognition of OTTI was not required. It is possible that future loss assumptions could change necessitating Salisbury to recognize future OTTI.

Loans

Net loans receivable increased $29.8 million to $728.8 million at March 31, 2016, compared with $699.0 million at December 31, 2015.

Loan Credit Quality

During the first three months of 2016, non-performing assets increased $0.6 million primarily from the addition of five relationships, and partially offset by repayments and charged off loans.

During the first quarter of 2016, total impaired and potential problem loans increased by $3.5 million to $30.6 million, or 4.2% of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2016, from $27.1 million, compared to 3.8% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2015.

Changes in impaired and potential problem loans are as follows:

   March 31, 2016   March 31, 2015 
                                         
Three months ended Impaired loans    Potential        Impaired loans    Potential      
(in thousands)  Non-        problem         Non-         problem      
    accural    Accruing    loans    Total    accrual    Accruing    loans    Total 
Loans placed on non-accrual status  $1,316   $(229)  $(564)  $523   $4,892   $(2,208)  $(2,547)  $137 
Loans restored to accrual status                   (340)   340         
Loan risk rating downgrades to substandard           3,754    3,754            40    40 
Loan risk rating upgrades from substandard                           (156)   (156)
Loan repayments   (492)   (46)   15    (523)   (80)   (79)   (269)   (428)
Loan charge-offs   (187)       (30)   (217)   (362)           (362)
Increase (decrease) in TDR loans                                
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans                                
Inter-month tax advances   18            18    17            17 
Increase (decrease) in loans  $655   $(275)  $3,175   $3,555   $4,127   $(1,947)  $(2,932)  $(752)

During the first quarter of 2016, Salisbury placed $1.3 million of loans on non-accrual status as a result of deteriorated payment and financial performance and charged-off $217,000 of loans primarily as a result of collateral deficiencies.

Salisbury has cooperative relationships with the vast majority of its non-performing loan customers. Substantially all non-performing loans are collateralized with real estate and the repayment of such loans is largely dependent on the return of such loans to performing status or the liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral. Salisbury pursues the resolution of all non-performing loans through collections, restructures, voluntary liquidation of collateral by the borrower and, where necessary, legal action. When attempts to work with a customer to return a loan to performing status, including restructuring the loan, are unsuccessful, Salisbury will initiate appropriate legal action seeking to acquire property by deed in lieu of foreclosure or through foreclosure, or to liquidate business assets.

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Credit Quality Segments

Salisbury categorizes loans receivable into the following credit quality segments:

Impaired loans consist of all non-accrual loans and troubled debt restructured loans, and represent loans for which it is probable that Salisbury will not be able to collect all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreements.
Non-accrual loans, a sub-set of impaired loans, are loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued because, in the opinion of management, full collection of principal or interest is unlikely.
Non-performing loans consist of non-accrual loans, and accruing loans past due 90 days and over that are well collateralized, in the process of collection and where full collection of principal and interest is reasonably assured. Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans plus real estate acquired in settlement of loans.
Troubled debt restructured loans are loans for which concessions such as reduction of interest rates, other than normal market rate adjustments, or deferral of principal or interest payments, extension of maturity dates, or reduction of principal balance or accrued interest, have been granted due to a borrower’s financial condition. Loan restructuring is employed when management believes the granting of a concession will increase the probability of the full or partial collection of principal and interest.
Potential problem loans consist of performing loans that have been assigned a substandard credit risk rating and are not classified as impaired.

Credit Risk Ratings

Salisbury assigns credit risk ratings to loans receivable in order to manage credit risk and to determine the allowance for loan losses. Credit risk ratings categorize loans by common financial and structural characteristics that measure the credit strength of a borrower. Salisbury’s rating model has eight risk rating grades, with each grade corresponding to a progressively greater risk of default. Grades 1 through 4 are pass ratings and 5 through 8 are ratings (special mention, substandard, doubtful, and loss) defined by the bank’s regulatory agencies, the FDIC and CTDOB. Risk ratings are assigned to differentiate risk within the portfolio and are reviewed on an ongoing basis and revised, if needed, to reflect changes in the borrowers' current financial position and outlook, risk profiles and the related collateral and structural positions.

Loans risk rated as "special mention" possess credit deficiencies or potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention that if left uncorrected may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loans at some future date.
Loans risk rated as "substandard" are loans where the Bank’s position is clearly not protected adequately by borrower current net worth or payment capacity. These loans have well defined weaknesses based on objective evidence and include loans where future losses to the Bank may result if deficiencies are not corrected, and loans where the primary source of repayment such as income is diminished and the Bank must rely on sale of collateral or other secondary sources of collection.
Loans risk rated as "doubtful" have the same weaknesses as substandard loans with the added characteristic that the weakness makes collection or liquidation in full, given current facts, conditions, and values, to be highly improbable. The possibility of loss is high, but due to certain important and reasonably specific pending factors, which may work to strengthen the loan, its reclassification as an estimated loss is deferred until its exact status can be determined.
Loans risk rated as "loss" are considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as Bank assets is unwarranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather, it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this loan even though partial recovery may be made in the future.

Management actively reviews and tests its credit risk ratings against actual experience and engages an independent third-party to annually validate its assignment of credit risk ratings. In addition, the Bank’s loan portfolio and risk ratings are examined annually on a rotating basis by its two primary regulatory agencies, the FDIC and CTDOB.

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Impaired Loans

Loans individually evaluated for impairment (impaired loans) are loans for which Salisbury does not expect to collect all contractual principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. Impaired loans include all modified loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) and loans on non-accrual status. The components of impaired loans are as follows:

(in thousands)    March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015  
Troubled debt restructured loans, accruing  $7,269   $7,544 
Troubled debt restructured loans, non-accrual   3,327    3,044 
All other non-accrual loans   13,502    13,130 
Total impaired loans  $24,098   $23,718 
Commitments to lend additional amounts to impaired borrowers  $   $ 

Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing assets increased $0.6 million to $16.8 million, or 1.9% of assets at March 31, 2016, from $16.2 million, or 1.8% of assets at December 31, 2015, and increased $2.0 million from $14.9 million, or 1.7% of assets at March 31, 2015.

The 3.4% increase in non-performing assets in the first three months of 2016 resulted primarily from $1.3 million of loans placed on non-accrual status. This increase was offset in part by $0.5 million in payoffs and repayments and $0.2 million charged off.

The components of non-performing assets are as follows:

(in thousands)    March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015  
Residential 1-4 family  $6,613   $6,446 
Residential 5+ multifamily   123    89 
Home equity lines of credit   701    601 
Commercial   4,654    4,611 
Farm land   1,024    1,031 
Vacant land   2,854    2,855 
Real estate secured   15,969    15,633 
Commercial and industrial   861    461 
Consumer       80 
Non-accruing loans   16,830    16,174 
Accruing loans past due 90 days and over       90 
Non-performing loans   16,830    16,264 
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans        
Non-performing assets  $16,830   $16,264 

The past due status of non-performing loans is as follows:

(in thousands)    March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015  
Current  $4,334   $4,496 
Past due 001-029 days   357    362 
Past due 030-059 days   446    306 
Past due 060-089 days   743    27 
Past due 090-179 days   615    1,320 
Past due 180 days and over   10,335    9,753 
Total non-performing loans  $16,830   $16,264 

At March 31, 2016, 25.75% of non-performing loans were current with respect to loan payments, compared with 27.65% at December 31, 2015. Loans past due 180 days include a $2.8 million loan secured by vacant land (residential building lots) where Salisbury has initiated a foreclosure action that is referred to in Item 1 of Part II, Legal Proceedings.

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Troubled Debt Restructured Loans

Troubled debt restructured loans improved slightly as a percentage of gross loans during first quarter 2016 at $10.6 million, or 1.44% of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2016, compared to $10.6 million, or 1.50% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2015.

The components of troubled debt restructured loans are as follows:

(in thousands)    March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015  
Residential 1-4 family  $4,329   $4,351 
Home equity lines of credit   117    118 
Personal       222 
Vacant land   219    122 
Commercial   2,540    2,666 
Real estate secured   7,205    7,479 
Commercial and industrial   63    65 
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans   7,268    7,544 
Residential 1-4 family   1,235    1,149 
Commercial   1,763    1,554 
Real estate secured   2,998    2,703 
Commercial and industrial   330    341 
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans   3,328    3,044 
Troubled debt restructured loans  $10,596   $10,588 

The past due status of troubled debt restructured loans is as follows:

(in thousands)    March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015  
Current  $6,315   $6,771 
Past due 1-29 days   219    453 
Past due 30-59 days   445    320 
Past due 60-89 days   290     
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans   7,269    7,544 
Current   1,535    1,810 
Past due 1-29 days        
Past due 30-59 days   73    28 
Past due 60-89 days   284     
Past due 90-179 days   229    1,206 
Past due 180 days and over   1,206     
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans   3,327    3,044 
Total troubled debt restructured loans  $10,596   $10,588 

At March 31, 2016, 74.08% of troubled debt restructured loans were current with respect to loan payments, as compared with 81.04% at December 31, 2015.

Past Due Loans

Loans past due 30 days or more increased $4.2 million during first quarter 2016 to $20.1 million, or 2.74% of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2016, compared with $15.9 million, or 2.26% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2015.

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The components of loans past due 30 days or greater are as follows:

(in thousands)    March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015  
Past due 030-059 days  $6,835   $3,533 
Past due 060-089 days   1,160    966 
Past due 090-179 days        
Past due 180 days and over       90 
Accruing loans   7,995    4,589 
Past due 030-059 days   446    306 
Past due 060-089 days   743    27 
Past due 090-179 days   615    1,320 
Past due 180 days and over   10,334    9,663 
Non-accrual loans   12,138    11,316 
Total loans past due 30 days or greater  $20,133   $15,905 

Potential Problem Loans

Potential problem loans increased $3.2 million during the three months of 2016 to $6.5 million, or 0.89% of gross loans receivable at March 31, 2016, compared with $3.3 million, or 0.48% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2015.

The components of potential problem loans are as follows:

(in thousands)    March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015  
Residential 1-4 family  $1,355   $655 
Residential 5+ multifamily        
Construction of residential 1-4 family        
Home equity lines of credit   130    150 
Residential real estate   1,485    805 
Commercial   4,839    2,030 
Construction of commercial        
Commercial real estate   4,839    2,030 
Farm land        
Vacant land   23    23 
Real estate secured   6,347    2,858 
Commercial and industrial   168    478 
Consumer   2    6 
Other classified loans receivable  $6,517   $3,342 

The past due status of potential problem loans is as follows:

(in thousands)    March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015  
Current  $5,183   $2,716 
Past due 001-029 days   24    229 
Past due 030-059 days   1,211    150 
Past due 060-089 days   99    247 
Past due 090-179 days        
Total potential problem loans  $6,517   $3,342 

At March 31, 2016, 79.53% of potential problem loans were current with respect to loan payments, as compared with 81.27% at December 31, 2015.

Management cannot predict the extent to which economic or other factors may impact such borrowers’ future payment capacity, and there can be no assurance that such loans will not be placed on nonaccrual status, restructured, or require increased provisions for loan losses.

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Deposits and Borrowings

Deposits increased $1.1 million during first quarter 2016 to $755.7 million, from $754.5 million at December 31, 2015, and increased $30.8 million year-over-year from $724.9 million at March 31, 2015. Retail repurchase agreements decreased $1.3 million during first quarter 2016 to $2.6 million, compared with $3.9 million at December 31, 2015, and decreased $0.7 million for year-over-year compared with $3.3 million at March 31, 2015.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) advances are unchanged at $27.0 million as of March 31, 2016, when compared to $27.0 million at December 31, 2015, and decreased $1.4 million year-over-year from $28.4 million at March 31, 2015. The decreases were due to amortizing payments of advances, maturities of advances that were not renewed, and in accordance with ASC 470-50 for two advances which were modified during the quarter ending September 30, 2015. The modification extended $21.0 million in advances a weighted average period of 39 months.

Liquidity

Salisbury manages its liquidity position to ensure that there is sufficient funding availability at all times to meet both anticipated and unanticipated deposit withdrawals, loan originations and advances, securities purchases and other operating cash outflows. Salisbury's primary sources of liquidity are principal payments and maturities of securities and loans, short-term borrowings through repurchase agreements and FHLBB advances, net deposit growth and funds provided by operations. Liquidity can also be provided through sales of loans and available-for-sale securities.

Salisbury manages its liquidity in accordance with a liquidity funding policy, and also maintains a contingency funding plan that provides for the prompt and comprehensive response to unexpected demands for liquidity. At March 31, 2016, Salisbury's liquidity ratio, as represented by cash, short term available-for-sale securities and marketable assets to net deposits and short term unsecured liabilities, was 18.08%, down from 22.67% at December 31, 2015. Management believes Salisbury’s funding sources will meet anticipated funding needs.

Operating activities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 provided net cash of $2.9 million. Investing activities utilized net cash of $32.7 million, principally from $30.0 million of net loan originations and principal collections and $10.1 million of purchases of securities available-for-sale offset by proceeds of $7.6 million from sales, calls, and maturities of securities available-for-sale. Financing activities utilized net cash of $0.8 million, principally due common stock dividends paid totaling $0.8 million.

At March 31, 2016, Salisbury had outstanding commitments to fund new loan originations of $25.1 million and unused lines of credit of $119.4 million. Salisbury believes that these commitments can be met in the normal course of business. Salisbury believes that its liquidity sources will continue to provide funding sufficient to support operating activities, loan originations and commitments, and deposit withdrawals.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015

OVERVIEW

Net income available to common shareholders was $1.5 million, or $0.55 per common share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2016 (first quarter 2016), compared with $2.1 million, or $0.78 per common share, for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2015 (fourth quarter 2015), and $2.2 million, or $0.81 per common share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015 (first quarter 2015).

Earnings per common share of $0.55 decreased $0.23 versus fourth quarter 2015, and decreased $0.26, versus first quarter 2015. The earnings for the quarter were down as compared to the fourth and first quarter 2015 primarily as the result of a lesser interest income benefit from the purchased loan portfolio, increased interest expenses related to our issuance of the subordinated debt offering last December, an increase in expenses related to adjustments from sold loans serviced for others, and an increase in provision for loan losses as a result of the exceptional loan growth.
The net interest margin of 3.80% decreased 8 basis points versus 3.88% for the fourth quarter 2015 and decreased 31 basis points versus 4.11% for the first quarter 2015.
Net loans increased $29.8 million, or 4.3%, in the first quarter 2016 to $728.8 million versus the fourth quarter 2015 and increased $52.1 million, or 7.7% versus the first quarter 2015.
Interest income for the first quarter reflects net accretion related to the fair value adjustments of loans acquired in the Riverside Bank acquisition in the amount of $586,000 ($443,000 net of impairments). The fourth quarter and first quarter of 2015 included similar adjustments of $691,000 ($728,000 net of impairments) and $650,000 ($650,000 net of impairments), respectively.
Provision for loan loss expense (benefit) was $463,000 for first quarter 2016 versus $266,000 for fourth quarter 2015, and ($200,000) for first quarter 2015. Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) were $302,000 for the first quarter 2016, $209,000 for fourth quarter 2015 and ($24,000) for the first quarter 2015. Included in the provision expense are impairments related to ASC310-30 acquired loans of $143,000 for the first quarter 2016, ($28,000) for the fourth quarter 2015, and $0 for the first quarter 2015. Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, was 0.80% for the first quarter 2016, versus 0.81% for fourth quarter 2015 and 0.76% for first quarter 2015.
Tax equivalent net interest income for first quarter 2016 decreased $250,000, or 3.0%, versus fourth quarter 2015, and decreased $264,000 or 3.2%, versus first quarter 2015.

Net Interest Income

Tax equivalent net interest income for first quarter 2016 decreased $250,000, or 3.0%, versus fourth quarter 2015, and decreased $264,000 or 3.2%, versus first quarter 2015. Average earning assets decreased $3.2 million versus fourth quarter 2015, and increased $37.4 million versus first quarter 2015. Average total interest bearing deposits increased $3.7 million versus fourth quarter 2015 and increased $2.3 million versus first quarter 2015. The net interest margin of 3.80% decreased 8 basis points versus 3.88% for the fourth quarter 2015 and decreased 31 basis points versus 4.11% for the first quarter 2015.

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The following table sets forth the components of Salisbury's fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) net interest income and yields on average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

Three months ended March 31,  Average Balance  Income / Expense  Average Yield / Rate
(dollars in thousands)    2016      2015      2016      2015      2016      2015  
Loans (a)(d)  $721,618   $681,277   $8,101   $8,029    4.47%   4.72%
Securities (c)(d)   72,964    84,356    718    921    3.94    4.37 
FHLBB stock   3,157    3,515    28    15    3.55    1.78 
Short term funds (b)   41,618    32,780    46    18    0.45    0.21 
Total interest-earning assets   839,357    801,928    8,893    8,983    4.23    4.49 
Other assets   59,079    61,078                     
Total assets  $898,436   $863,006                     
Interest-bearing demand deposits  $125,733   $117,193    77    76    0.25    0.26 
Money market accounts   189,167    173,268    135    114    0.28    0.27 
Savings and other   123,299    127,118    53    54    0.17    0.17 
Certificates of deposit   123,207    141,568    243    200    0.79    0.83 
Total interest-bearing deposits   561,406    559,147    508    444    0.36    0.32 
Repurchase agreements   3,083    3,408    1    1    0.14    0.18 
Note payable   373        5        5.44    0.00 
Subordinated debt   9,767        156        6.39    0.00 
Capital lease   421    423    18    18    17.10    16.57 
FHLBB advances   27,002    28,545    231    282    3.39    3.95 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   602,052    591,523    919    745    0.61    0.51 
Demand deposits   196,212    160,324                     
Other liabilities   8,928    8,071                     
Shareholders’ equity   91,244    103,088                     
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity  $898,436   $863,006                     
Net interest income            $7,974   $8,238           
Spread on interest-bearing funds                       3.62    3.98 
Net interest margin (e)                       3.80    4.11 
 (a)Includes non-accrual loans.
(b)Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold.
 (c)Average balances of securities are based on historical cost.
 (d)Includes tax exempt income benefit of $315,000 and $312,000, respectively, for 2016 and 2015 on tax-exempt securities and loans whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis.
 (e)Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

The following table sets forth the changes in FTE interest due to volume and rate.

Three months ended March 31, (in thousands) 2016 versus 2015
Change in interest due to   Volume    Rate    Net 
Interest-earning assets               
Loans  $464   $(392)  $72 
Securities   (119)   (84)   (203)
FHLBB stock   (1)   14    13 
Short term funds   7    21    28 
Total   351    (441)   (90)
Interest-bearing liabilities               
Deposits   (17)   81    64 
Repurchase agreements            
Note payable   3    2    5 
Subordinated debt   78    78    156 
Capital lease            
FHLBB advances   (14)   (37)   (51)
Total   50    124    174 
Net change in net interest income  $301   $(565)  $(264)

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Interest Income

Tax equivalent interest income decreased $0.3 million to $8.0 million for first quarter 2016 as compared with first quarter 2015.

Loan income as compared to first quarter 2015 increased $0.1 million, or 0.9%, primarily due to a $40.3 million, or 5.6%, increase in average loans, partially offset by a 25 basis point decrease in the average loan yield. The first quarter of 2016 reflects the net accretion of $586,000 related to fair value adjustments of loans related to the Riverside acquisition compared to net accretion of $650,000 in first quarter 2015. Additionally, recoveries in excess of book value of previously charged off loans also contributed $34,000 to interest income in the first quarter of 2015.

Tax equivalent securities income decreased $0.2 million, or 21.9%, for first quarter 2016 as compared with first quarter 2015, primarily due to an $11.4 million, or 13.5%, decrease in average volume due to calls, prepayments of mortgage-backed securities, sales of municipal bonds and by a 43 basis point decrease in average yield.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $0.2 million, or 23.4%, to $0.9 million for first quarter 2016 as compared with first quarter 2015.

Interest on deposit accounts increased $0.1 million, or 14.6%, as a result of a $2.3 million increase in the average balances and by higher average deposit rates, up 4 basis points. The higher average rate resulted from the effect of market interest rates paid on interest bearing deposits and changes in product mix.

Interest expense on FHLBB borrowings decreased $0.1 million as a result of the lower average borrowing rate, down 56 basis points, and an average balance decrease of $1.5 million as compared with first quarter 2015. Interest expense on subordinated debt totaled $156,000 for first quarter 2016.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

Provision for loan loss expense (benefit) was $463,000 for first quarter 2016 versus ($200,000) for first quarter 2015. Included in the provision are impairments related to ASC310-30 purchased loans of $143,000 for the first quarter 2016 and $0 for the first quarter 2015. Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) were $302,000 for the first quarter 2016 and ($24,000) for the first quarter 2015. Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, was 0.80% for the first quarter 2016, versus 0.76% for first quarter 2015.

The following table details the principal categories of credit quality ratios:

March 31, (dollars in thousands)    2016      2015  
Net charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans receivable, gross   0.17%   (0.01)%
Non-performing loans to loans receivable, gross   2.29    2.05 
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days to loans receivable, gross   1.09    0.82 
Allowance for loan losses to loans receivable, gross   0.80    0.76 
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans   34.92    37.02 
Non-performing assets to total assets   1.89    1.72 

The ratio of non-performing loans (non-accrual loans and accruing loans past-due 90 days or more) to gross loans receivable increased to 2.29% at March 31, 2016 compared to 2.05% at March 31, 2015. Such increase in non-performing loans is concentrated among a few specific relationships and is not considered to be generally indicative of any adverse trend. The ratio of accruing loans past due 30-89 days to gross loans receivable increased to 1.09% from 0.82% at March 31, 2015.

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of the probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the reporting date. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to earnings and by recoveries of amounts previously charged off, and is reduced by loan charge-offs. Loan charge-offs are recognized when management determines a loan, or portion of a loan, to be uncollectible. The allowance for loan losses is computed by segregating the portfolio into three components: (1) loans collectively evaluated for impairment: general loss allocation factors for non-impaired loans are segmented into pools of loans based on similar risk characteristics such as loan product, collateral type and loan-to-value, loan risk rating, historical loss experience, delinquency factors and other similar economic indicators, (2) loans individually evaluated for impairment: individual loss allocations for loans deemed to be impaired based on discounted cash flows or collateral value, and (3) unallocated: general loss allocations for other environmental factors.

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Impaired loans and certain potential problem loans, when warranted, are individually evaluated for impairment. Impairment is measured for each individual loan, or for a borrower’s aggregate loan exposure, using either the fair value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell if the loan is collateral dependent, or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. A specific allowance is generally established when the collateral value or discounted cash flows of the loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.

The component of the allowance for loan losses for loans collectively evaluated for impairment is estimated by stratifying loans into segments and credit risk ratings and then applying management’s general loss allocation factors. The general loss allocation factors are based on expected loss experience adjusted for historical loss experience and other qualitative factors, including levels or trends in delinquencies; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting standards and other changes in lending policies, procedures and practices; experience/ability/depth of lending management and staff; and national and local economic trends and conditions. The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. There were no significant changes in Salisbury’s policies or methodology pertaining to the general component of the allowance for loan losses during first quarter 2016.

The unallocated component of the allowance is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. It reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating allocated and general reserves in the portfolio. Additionally reserves are established for off balance sheet exposures.

Determining the adequacy of the allowance and reserves at any given period is difficult, particularly during deteriorating or uncertain economic periods, and management must make estimates using assumptions and information that are often subjective and changing rapidly. The review of credit exposure related to loans is a continuing event in light of a changing economy and the dynamics of the banking and regulatory environment. Should the economic climate deteriorate, borrowers could experience difficulty and the level of non-performing loans, charge-offs and delinquencies could rise, requiring increased provisions and reserves. In management's judgment, Salisbury remains adequately reserved both against total loans and non-performing loans at March 31, 2016.

Management’s loan risk rating assignments, loss percentages and specific reserves are subjected annually to an independent credit review by an external firm. In addition, the Bank is examined annually on a rotational basis by one of its two primary regulatory agencies, the FDIC and CTDOB. As an integral part of their examination process, the FDIC and CTDOB review the adequacy and methodology of the Bank's credit risk ratings and allowance for loan losses.

Non-Interest Income

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest income.

Three months ended March 31, (dollars in thousands) 2016      2015      2016 vs. 2015  
Trust and wealth advisory fees  $784   $822   $(38)   (4.62)%
Service charges and fees   730    731    (1)   (0.14)
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net   39    94    (55)   (58.51)
Mortgage servicing, net   12    (40)   52    130.00 
Gains on sales of available-for-sale securities, net   2    175    (173)   (98.86)
Other   117    114    3    2.63 
Total non-interest income  $1,684   $1,896   $(212)   (11.18)%

Non-interest income decreased $212,000, or 11.18% in 2016 versus 2015. Trust and wealth advisory revenues decreased $38,000 versus first quarter 2015. The year-over-year revenue decrease is the result of fewer estate fees collected in first quarter 2016. Service charges and fees decreased $1,000 versus first quarter 2015. Income from sales and servicing of mortgage loans decreased $3,000 versus first quarter 2015 due to a decrease in servicing values as a result of a decline in the discount rate. First quarter 2016 mortgage loans sales totaled $1.8 million versus $2.1 million for first quarter 2015. First quarter 2016 and first quarter 2015 included mortgage servicing amortization and periodic impairment charges (net) of $71,000 and $128,000, respectively. Gain on sale and calls of securities for the first quarter 2016 totaled $2,000.  Gains recognized in the first quarter of 2016 resulted from called securities, and gains in first quarter 2015 resulted from called and sold securities. Other income includes bank owned life insurance income and rental income.

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Non-Interest Expense

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest expense.

Three months ended March 31, (dollars in thousands) 2016      2015      2016 vs. 2015  
Salaries  $2,574   $2,540   $34    1.34%
Employee benefits   1,088    1,005    83    8.26 
Premises and equipment   895    908    (13)   (1.43)
Data processing   447    474    (27)   (5.70)
Professional fees   380    650    (270)   (41.54)
Collections and OREO   157    244    (87)   (35.66)
FDIC insurance   134    198    (64)   (32.32)
Marketing and community support   200    110    90    81.82 
Amortization of intangible assets   155    169    (14)   (8.28)
Other   810    537    273    50.84 
Non-interest expense  $6,840   $6,835   $5    0.07%

Non-interest expense for first quarter 2016 increased $5,000 versus first quarter 2015. Total salaries and benefits expense increased $117,000 versus first quarter 2015. The total compensation expenses year-over-year increase of $117,000 is mainly attributable to increased staffing levels and timing differences related to the 401K match and payroll taxes associated with the prior year’s performance related compensation. Premises and equipment decreased $13,000 versus first quarter 2015, mainly related to lower fuel and utility costs. Data processing decreased $27,000 versus first quarter 2015. Tax preparation expenses totaling $18,000 were reclassified from data processing to consulting in 2016. Professional fees decreased $270,000 versus first quarter 2015, which included consulting and audit fees related to the Riverside merger. Loan related expenses decreased $87,000 versus first quarter 2015, mainly due to the write-downs associated with OREO properties in first quarter 2015. Other expense increased $273,000 versus first quarter 2015 primarily as a result of expenses related to sold loans serviced for others.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for first quarter 2016 and first quarter 2015 were 25.9% and 29.9%, respectively. Generally, fluctuations in the effective tax rate result from changes in the mix of taxable and tax exempt income. The sale of $3.9 million of municipal securities in first quarter 2015 contributed to the increase in the effective tax rate for that quarter.  Salisbury’s effective tax rate is generally less than the 34% federal statutory rate due to holdings of tax-exempt municipal bonds and loans as well as bank owned life insurance.

Salisbury did not incur Connecticut income tax in 2015 or 2014, other than minimum state income tax, as a result of its utilization of Connecticut tax legislation that permits banks to shelter certain mortgage income from the Connecticut corporation business tax through the use of a special purpose entity called a Passive Investment Company (“PIC”). In accordance with this legislation, in 2004 the Bank formed a PIC, SBT Mortgage Service Corporation. Salisbury's income tax provision reflects the full impact of the Connecticut legislation.

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Shareholders’ equity was $91.4 million at March 31, 2016, up $0.8 million from December 31, 2015. Book value and tangible book value per common share were $33.20 and $27.84, respectively, compared with $33.13 and $27.69, respectively, at December 31, 2015. Contributing to the increase in shareholders’ equity for year-to-date 2016 was net income of $1.5 million and issued stock of $0.1 million, partially offset by common stock dividends of $0.8 million. Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net of tax, of $1.1 million as of March 31, 2016.

In August 2011, Salisbury issued to the Treasury $16 million of its Series B Preferred Stock under the SBLF program. The SBLF program is a $30 billion fund established under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 to encourage lending to small businesses by providing Tier 1 capital to qualified community banks with assets of less than $10 billion. The Preferred Stock qualified as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes and ranked senior to the Common Stock.

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The Series B Preferred Stock paid noncumulative dividends. The dividend rate on the Series B Preferred Stock for the initial quarterly dividend period ended September 30, 2011, and each of the next nine quarterly dividend periods the Series B Preferred Stock was outstanding, was determined each quarter based on the increase in the Bank’s Qualified Small Business Lending. The dividend rate for the quarterly dividend period ended December 31, 2016, was 1.0%. For the eleventh quarterly dividend period through four and one-half years after its issuance, the dividend rate on the Series B Preferred Stock was 1.0% and after four and one-half years from its issuance the dividend rate would have been fixed at 9.0% per annum. In December 2015, Salisbury issued $10 million of subordinated debentures and used the proceeds along with other cash-on-hand to redeem all of the Series B Preferred Stock.

On February 16, 2016, 1,350 shares of stock options were exercised at $21.48 per share by one former Riverside Bank executive.

On January 26, 2016, 2,700 shares of stock options were exercised at $21.48 per share by two former Riverside Bank executives.

On September 28, 2015, 2,700 shares of stock options were exercised at $21.48 per share by one former Riverside Bank executive.

On February 17, 2015 and February 25, 2015, 1,350 and 5,400 shares of stock options were exercised, respectively, at $18.52 per share by two former Riverside Bank executives.

On January 29, 2016, Salisbury granted a total of 15,800 shares of restricted stock pursuant to its 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, which was approved by shareholders at the 2011 Annual Meeting, to 42 employees, including 6,000 shares to three Named Executive Officers. Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer received 5,000 and John Davies, President New York Region and Chief Lending Officer and Donald E. White, Chief Financial Officer each received 500 shares. The fair value of the stock as of the grant date was determined to be $466,000 and the stock will be vested three years from the grant date.

On March 27, 2015, Salisbury granted a total of 1,000 shares of restricted stock, pursuant to its 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan, to one (1) Named Executive Officer, Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer. The fair value of the stock as of the grant date was determined to be $29,000 and the stock vested immediately.

Capital Requirements

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

Salisbury and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Salisbury and the Bank must meet specific guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.

Under current regulatory definitions, Salisbury and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject and the Bank is considered to be well-capitalized. As a result, the Bank pays lower federal deposit insurance premiums than those banks that are not “well- capitalized.” Requirements for classification as a well-capitalized institution and for minimum capital adequacy along with Salisbury’s and the Bank's regulatory capital ratios are as follows:

    March 31, 2016  December 31, 2015
     Salisbury   Bank   Salisbury   Bank
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   12.92%   12.53%   13.51%   13.10%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   10.69    11.68    11.17    12.23 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   10.69    11.68    11.17    12.23 
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)   8.57    9.51    8.56    9.37 

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A well-capitalized institution, which is the highest capital category for an institution as defined by the Prompt Corrective Action regulations issued by the FDIC and the FRB, is one which maintains a Total Risk-Based ratio of 10% or above, a Tier 1 Risk-Based ratio of 8% or above, a Common Equity to Tier 1 ratio of 6.5% or above, and a Leverage ratio of 5% or above, and is not subject to any written order, written agreement, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level. Maintaining strong capital is essential to Salisbury and the Bank’s safety and soundness. However, the effective management of capital resources requires generating attractive returns on equity to build value for shareholders while maintaining appropriate levels of capital to fund growth, meet regulatory requirements and be consistent with prudent industry practices.

In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries. On July 9, 2013, the FDIC also approved, as an interim final rule, the regulatory capital requirements for U.S. banks, following the actions of the FRB. On April 8, 2014, the FDIC adopted as final its interim final rule, which is identical in substance to the final rules issued by the FRB in July 2013. Under the final rules, minimum requirements will increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by the Bank and Company. The rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0%, require a minimum ratio of Total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, and require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A new capital conservation buffer, comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital, is also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. This capital conservation buffer is being phased in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increases each subsequent year by an additional 0.625% until reaching its final level of 2.50% on January 1, 2019. Strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments were also implemented under the final rules.

The phase-in period for the final rules began for Salisbury and the Bank on January 1, 2015. As of March 31, 2016, the Company and the Bank met each of their capital requirements and the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as “well-capitalized.” There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

Dividends

During the three month period ended March 31, 2016, Salisbury paid $772,000 in common stock dividends.

On April 29, 2016, the Board of Directors of Salisbury declared a common stock dividend of $0.28 per common share payable on May 27, 2016 to shareholders of record on May 13, 2016. Common stock dividends, when declared, will generally be paid the last Friday of February, May, August and November, although Salisbury is not obligated to pay dividends on those dates or at any other time.

Salisbury's ability to pay cash dividends is dependent on the Bank's ability to pay cash dividends to Salisbury. There are certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends and other payments by the Bank to Salisbury. Under Connecticut law, the Bank cannot declare a cash dividend except from net profits, defined as the remainder of all earnings from current operations. The total of all cash dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year shall not, unless specifically approved by the Banking Commissioner, exceed the total of its net profits of that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years.

FRB Supervisory Letter SR 09-4, February 24, 2009, revised December 31, 2015, states that, as a general matter, the Board of Directors of a Bank Holding Company (“BHC”) should inform the Federal Reserve and should eliminate, defer, or significantly reduce dividends if (1) net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends; (2) the prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition; or (3) the BHC will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Moreover, a BHC should inform the Federal Reserve reasonably in advance of declaring or paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period (e.g., quarter) for which the dividend is being paid or that could result in a material adverse change to the BHC capital position.

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Salisbury believes that the payment of common stock cash dividends is appropriate, provided that such payment considers Salisbury's capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition and does not adversely affect the financial stability of Salisbury or the Bank. The continued payment of common stock cash dividends by Salisbury will be dependent on Salisbury's future core earnings, financial condition and capital needs, regulatory restrictions, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors of Salisbury.

IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto presented elsewhere in this Form 10-K are prepared in conformity with GAAP, which require the measurement of financial condition and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money, over time, due to inflation. Unlike some other types of companies, the financial nature of Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements is more clearly affected by changes in interest rates than by inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily fluctuate in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services. However, inflation does affect Salisbury to some extent because, as prices increase, the money supply grows and interest rates are affected by inflationary expectations. There is no precise method, however, to measure the effects of inflation on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, any examination or analysis of the financial statements should take into consideration the possible effects of inflation. Although not a material factor in recent years, inflation could impact earnings in future periods.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q and future filings made by Salisbury with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other filings, reports and press releases made or issued by Salisbury and the Bank, and oral statements made by executive officers of Salisbury and the Bank, may include forward-looking statements relating to such matters as:

(a)assumptions concerning future economic and business conditions and their effect on the economy in general and on the markets in which Salisbury and the Bank do business; and
(b)expectations for revenues and earnings for Salisbury and the Bank.

Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions rather than historical or current facts and, therefore, are inherently uncertain and subject to risk. For those statements, Salisbury claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Salisbury notes that a variety of factors could cause the actual results or experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations described or implied by such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operation, performance, development and results of Salisbury’s and the Bank’s business include the following:

(a)the risk of adverse changes in business conditions in the banking industry generally and in the specific markets in which the Bank operates;
(b)changes in the legislative and regulatory environment that negatively impacts Salisbury and the Bank through increased operating expenses;
(c)increased competition from other financial and non-financial institutions;
(d)the impact of technological advances and cybersecurity matters;
(e)interest rate fluctuations; and
(f)other risks detailed from time to time in Salisbury’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Such developments could have an adverse impact on Salisbury’s and the Bank’s financial position and results of operations.

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Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Salisbury manages its exposure to interest rate risk through its Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) using risk limits and policy guidelines to manage assets and funding liabilities to produce financial results that are consistent with Salisbury’s liquidity, capital adequacy, growth, risk and profitability targets. Interest rate risk is the risk of a negative impact to future earnings due to changes in interest rates.

The ALCO manages interest rate risk using income simulation to measure interest rate risk inherent in Salisbury’s financial instruments at a given point in time by showing the effect of interest rate shifts on net interest income over a 24-month horizon. In management’s March 31, 2016 analysis, three of the simulations incorporate static growth assumptions over the simulation horizons, with allowances made for loan, deposit and security product mix shifts in selected interest rate scenarios, such as movements between lower rate savings and money market deposit accounts and higher rate time deposits, and changes in the reinvestment of loan and securities cash flows. The fourth simulation incorporates management’s balance sheet growth assumptions. Additionally, the simulations take into account the specific re-pricing, maturity and prepayment characteristics of differing financial instruments that may vary under different interest rate scenarios.

The ALCO reviews the simulation results to determine whether Salisbury’s exposure to change in net interest income remains within established tolerance levels over the simulation horizons and to develop appropriate strategies to manage this exposure. Salisbury’s tolerance levels for changes in net interest income in its income simulations vary depending on the magnitude of interest rate changes and level of risk-based capital. All changes are measured in comparison to the projected net interest income that would result from an “unchanged” rate scenario where interest rates remain stable over the forecast horizon. The ALCO also evaluates the directional trends of net interest income, net interest margin and other financial measures over the forecast horizon for consistency with its liquidity, capital adequacy, growth, risk and profitability targets.

ALCO uses four interest rate scenarios to evaluate interest risk exposure and may vary these interest rate scenarios to show the effect of steepening or flattening changes in yield curves as well as parallel changes in interest rates. At March 31, 2016, ALCO used the following interest rate scenarios: (1) unchanged interest rates; (2) immediately rising interest rates – immediate parallel upward shift in market interest rates ranging from 300 basis points for short term rates to 300 basis points for the 10-year Treasury; (3) immediately falling interest rates – immediate non-parallel downward shift in market interest rates ranging from 57 basis points for short term rates to 77 basis points for the 10-year Treasury; and (4) immediately rising interest rates – immediate parallel upward shift in market interest rates ranging from 200 basis points for short term rates to 200 basis points for the 10-year Treasury. Deposit rates are assumed to shift by lesser amounts due to their relative historical insensitivity to market interest rate movements. Further, deposits are assumed to have certain minimum rate levels below which they will not fall. Income simulations do not reflect adjustments in strategy that the ALCO could implement in response to rates. As of March 31, 2016, net interest income simulations indicated that the Bank’s exposure to changing interest rates over the simulation horizons remained within its tolerance levels. The following table sets forth the estimated change in net interest income from an unchanged interest rate scenario over the periods indicated for changes in market interest rates using the Bank’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2016:

As of March 31, 2016    Months 1-12      Months 13-24  
Immediately rising interest rates (static growth assumptions)   (6.09)%   1.93%
Immediately falling interest rates (static growth assumptions)   (1.71)   (4.17)
Immediately rising interest rates (static growth assumptions)   (3.23)   3.17 

The negative exposure of net interest income to immediately and gradually rising rates as compared to the unchanged rate scenario results from a faster projected rise in the cost of funds versus income from earning assets, as relatively rate-sensitive money market and time deposits re-price faster than longer duration earning assets. The negative exposure of net interest income to immediately falling rates as compared to an unchanged rate scenario results from a greater decline in earning asset yields compared to rates paid on funding liabilities, as a result of faster prepayments on existing assets and lower reinvestment rates on future loans originated and securities purchased.

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While the ALCO reviews simulation assumptions and back-tests simulation results to ensure that they are reasonable and current, income simulation may not always prove to be an accurate indicator of interest rate risk or future net interest margin. Over time, the re-pricing, maturity and prepayment characteristics of financial instruments and the composition of Salisbury’s balance sheet may change to a different degree than estimated. Simulation modeling assumes Salisbury’s expectation for future balance sheet growth, which is a function of the business environment and customer behavior. Another significant simulation assumption is the sensitivity of core savings deposits to fluctuations in interest rates. Income simulation results assume that changes in both core savings deposit rates and balances are related to changes in short-term interest rates. The assumed relationship between short-term interest rate changes and core deposit rate and balance changes used in income simulation may differ from the ALCO’s estimates. Lastly, mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans involve a level of risk that unforeseen changes in prepayment speeds may cause related cash flows to vary significantly in differing rate environments. Such changes could affect the level of reinvestment risk associated with cash flow from these instruments, as well as their market value. Changes in prepayment speeds could also increase or decrease the amortization of premium or accretion of discounts related to such instruments, thereby affecting interest income.

Salisbury also monitors the potential change in market value of its available-for-sale debt securities in changing interest rate environments. The purpose is to determine market value exposure that may not be captured by income simulation, but which might result in changes to Salisbury’s capital and liquidity position. Results are calculated using industry-standard analytical techniques and securities data. Available-for-sale equity securities are excluded from this analysis because the market value of such securities cannot be directly correlated with changes in interest rates.

The following table summarizes the potential change in market value of available-for-sale debt securities resulting from immediate parallel rate shifts:

As of March 31, 2016 (in thousands)    Rates up 100bp      Rates up 200bp  
U.S. Treasury notes  $(22)  $(44)
U.S. Government agency notes        
Municipal bonds   (1,145)   (2,148)
Mortgage backed securities   (800)   (1,882)
Collateralized mortgage obligations   (248)   (376)
SBA pools   (6)   (13)
Other   (22)   (40)
Total available-for-sale debt securities  $(2,243)  $(4,503)

 

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Salisbury’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Salisbury’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2016. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2016.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

Changes in Internal Controls

In addition, based on an evaluation of its internal controls over financial reporting, no change in Salisbury’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Salisbury’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

The Bank is involved in various claims and legal proceedings, which are not material, arising in the ordinary course of business.

As previously disclosed, the Bank, individually and in its capacity as a former Co-Trustee of the Erling C. Christophersen Revocable Trust (the “Trust”), was named as a defendant in litigation filed in the Connecticut Complex Litigation Docket in Stamford, captioned John Christophersen v. Erling Christophersen, et al., X08-CV-08-5009597S (the “First Action”).  The Bank also was a counterclaim-defendant in related mortgage foreclosure litigation in the Connecticut Complex Litigation Docket in Stamford, captioned Salisbury Bank and Trust Company v. Erling C. Christophersen, et al., X08-CV-10-6005847-S (the “Foreclosure Action,” together with the First Action, the “Actions”).  The other parties to the Actions were John R. Christophersen; Erling C. Christophersen, individually and as Co-Trustee of the Trust; Bonnie Christophersen and Elena Dreiske, individually and as Co-Trustees of the Mildred B. Blount Testamentary Trust; People’s United Bank; Law Offices of Gary Oberst, P.C.; Rhoda Rudnick; and Hinckley Allen & Snyder LLP.

The Actions involved a dispute over title to certain real property located in Westport, Connecticut that was conveyed by Erling Christophersen, as grantor, to the Trust on or about August 8, 2007.  Subsequent to this conveyance, the Bank loaned $3,387,000 to the Trust, which was secured by a commercial mortgage in favor of the Bank on the Westport property.  This mortgage is the subject of the Foreclosure Action brought by the Bank.

As previously disclosed, John R. Christophersen claimed an interest in the Westport real property transferred to the Trust and sought to quiet title to the property and to recover money damages from the defendants for the alleged wrongful divestiture of his claimed interest in the property.

On June 25, 2012, the Bank and John R. Christophersen entered into a Settlement Agreement, which resolved all differences between John R. Christophersen and the Bank and resulted in the withdrawal (with prejudice) of the claims made by John R. Christophersen.  All claims against the Bank have been withdrawn and the Bank is no longer a defendant or counterclaim defendant in any litigation involving the Actions.  As an additional consequence of the Settlement Agreement, Bonnie Christophersen, Elena Dreiske and People’s United Bank are no longer parties to any of the litigation referenced above. 

On July 27, 2012, Erling Christophersen filed a Motion to Restore the First Action, and on October 15, 2012 filed a Motion to Stay the Foreclosure Action pending resolution of the Motion to Restore.  The Bank opposed both motions.  On February 1, 2013, the Court issued orders denying both motions.  On February 14, 2013, Erling Christophersen appealed the orders denying his Motion to Restore the First Action, and Motion to Stay the Foreclosure Action.

The Appellate Court dismissed the appeal of the Foreclosure Action in May 2013, and later denied Erling Christophersen’s motion for reconsideration of its decision.

The Bank proceeded in its Foreclosure Action against Erling Christophersen.  Erling Christophersen asserted two special defenses and set-off claims alleging (1) that the Bank failed to defend the title claims against the properties, and (2) that the Bank took certain trustee fees without approval.  The Bank moved to strike the special defenses and set off claims.  In a decision issued on November 6, 2013, the Court granted the motion to strike as to the second special defense and set off, but denied the motion as to the first special defense and set off.  Trial began on February 4, 2014, and concluded on February 14, 2014. 

In a decision issued on June 2, 2014, the Court dismissed Erling Christophersen’s special defense, and made findings as to the amount of the debt owed by Erling Christophersen and the value of the property, reserving judgment on whether to order a strict foreclosure or foreclosure by sale pending a hearing on the amount of attorneys’ fees accrued, and the debt accrued since the commencement of the trial.  That hearing was held on July 29, 2014.  On July 25, 2014, Erling Christophersen moved to disqualify the Bank’s counsel, seeking, in part, the remedy of a new trial.  The Court denied that motion in a decision dated July 30, 2014.  On August 5, 2014, the Court issued a Judgment of Strict Foreclosure (the “Judgment”) in favor of the Bank and set September 16, 2014 as the Law Day, which is the final date fixed by the Court on which the debtor can pay off the debt or redeem the real property, with subsequent dates for subsequent encumbrances in inverse order of priority.  

49
 

On September 15, 2014, Christophersen moved to open the Judgment, which motion was denied by order of the Court dated September 30, 2014.  On October 3, 2014, Christophersen filed an Appeal of the Judgment and of the denial of his motion to reopen.   Salisbury Bank moved to dismiss the Appeal on October 24, 2014, on grounds that Christophersen cannot represent the Trust as he is not an attorney, and that Christophersen in his individual capacity does not have any interest in the Appeal.  On December 17, 2014, such motion was granted in part and dismissed in part, but the decision was moot because counsel submitted an appearance on behalf of the Trust on December 29, 2014.   On January 20, 2015, Christophersen filed a motion for reconsideration, which motion was denied by order of the Appellate Court on February 10, 2015.

The parties submitted briefs and oral arguments were heard on January 7, 2016. On March 1, 2016, the Appellate Court affirmed the trial court’s judgment and remanded the case for the setting of new Law Days.  Subsequently, the defendant filed an application for review with the Connecticut Supreme Court, which denied Mr. Christophersen’s Petition For Certification on March 23, 2016. The defendant has filed motions to open the Judgment which the Bank has opposed. The Bank is currently awaiting a decision on the defendant’s motion.

On March 31, 2016 the bank filed a Motion to Set New Law Days and Update Debt in accordance with the order of the Appellate Court, which denied the defendant’s appeal, and the Supreme Court, which refused to hear the defendant’s appeal.

There are no other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the registrant’s business, to which Salisbury is a party or of which any of its property is subject.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
  Not applicable
   
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
   
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Item 6. EXHIBITS 

2.1Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Salisbury Bancorp, Inc., Salisbury Bank and Trust Company and Riverside Bank dated March 18, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2014.
3.1Certificate of Incorporation of Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s 1998 Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed April 23, 1998, File No.: 33-50857).
3.1.1Amendment to Article Third of Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 11, 2009).
3.1.2Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 19, 2009).
3.1.3Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation for the Series B Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 25, 2011).
3.1.4Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed October 30, 2014).
3.2Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K filed November 25, 2014).
4.1Form of Subordinated Note, dated as of December 10, 2015, issued by Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed December 10, 2015).
10.1Securities Purchase Agreement dated August 25, 2011 with the U.S. Treasury Department relating to the Small Business Lending Fund (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 25, 2011).
10.22011 Long Term Incentive Plan adopted by the Board on March 25, 2011 and approved by the shareholders at Salisbury’s 2011 Annual Meeting (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 19, 2012).
10.3Amendment Number One to 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan dated as of January 18, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 7, 2013).
10.4Severance Agreement between Salisbury Bank and Trust and Mr. Richard J. Cantele, Jr. effective as of January 1, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 15, 2013).
10.5Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan effective as of January 1, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed February 15, 2013).
10.6Change in Control Agreement with Donald E. White dated April 1, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Form 10-Q filed May 14, 2013).
10.7Employee Stock Ownership Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Form 10-K filed March 28, 2014).
10.8Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Phantom Stock Appreciation Unit and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K filed January 2, 2015).
10.9Amendment Number One to Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Phantom Stock Appreciation Unit and Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K filed January 30, 2015).
10.10Amendment Number Two to 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan dated as of January 29, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 30, 2016).
10.11Form of Split-dollar Life Insurance Agreements with Senior Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 30, 2016).
10.12Employment Agreement with John M. Davies (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of Registrant’s Form 10-K filed March 30, 2016).
10.13Form of Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2015, between Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and the Purchasers identified therein. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed December 10, 2015).
31.1Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 17 CF 240.13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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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.

 

    SALISBURY BANCORP, INC.
     
May 16, 2016 by:   /s/ Richard J. Cantele, Jr.  
    Richard J. Cantele, Jr.,
    President and Chief Executive Officer
     
May 16, 2016 by:   /s/ Donald E. White  
    Donald E. White
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer