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UNION BANKSHARES INC - Quarter Report: 2020 March (Form 10-Q)



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

OR

(  ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2020

Commission file number: 001-15985

UNION BANKSHARES, INC.
 
VERMONT
 
03-0283552
 

P.O. BOX 667
20 LOWER MAIN STREET
MORRISVILLE, VT 05661

Registrant’s telephone number:      802-888-6600

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: Not applicable

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Common Stock, $2.00 par value
UNB
Nasdaq Stock Market
 
 
(Title of class)
(Trading Symbol)
(Exchanges registered on)
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes [X]      No [  ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes [X]      No [  ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer [  ]
Accelerated filer [ X ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]
Smaller reporting company [ X ]
 
Emerging growth company [ ]
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes [  ]      No [X]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of April 27, 2020.
 
Common Stock, $2 par value
 
4,473,246

shares
 




UNION BANKSHARES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 





PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
March 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
 
(Unaudited)
 
Assets
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash and due from banks
$
6,224

$
5,405

Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
35,488

45,729

Cash and cash equivalents
41,712

51,134

Interest bearing deposits in banks
6,067

6,565

Investment securities available-for-sale
89,447

87,393

Other investments
581

690

Total investments
90,028

88,083

Loans held for sale
16,456

7,442

Loans
676,531

670,244

Allowance for loan losses
(6,391
)
(6,122
)
Net deferred loan costs
1,056

1,043

Net loans
671,196

665,165

Premises and equipment, net
20,528

20,923

Goodwill
2,223

2,223

Company-owned life insurance
12,403

12,322

Other assets
22,474

19,055

Total assets
$
883,087

$
872,912

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
Deposits
 
 
Noninterest bearing
$
139,963

$
136,434

Interest bearing
449,943

458,940

Time
146,154

148,653

Total deposits
736,060

744,027

Borrowed funds
62,164

47,164

Accrued interest and other liabilities
11,075

9,878

Total liabilities
809,299

801,069

Commitments and Contingencies


Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
Common stock, $2.00 par value; 7,500,000 shares authorized; 4,949,246 shares
  issued at March 31, 2020 and 4,948,245 shares issued at December 31, 2019
9,899

9,897

Additional paid-in capital
1,226

1,124

Retained earnings
64,783

64,019

Treasury stock at cost; 476,046 shares at March 31, 2020
  and 476,268 shares at December 31, 2019
(4,181
)
(4,183
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
2,061

986

Total stockholders' equity
73,788

71,843

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
883,087

$
872,912


See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 1


UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2020
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest and dividend income
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
8,291

$
7,902

Interest on debt securities:
 
 
Taxable
387

401

Tax exempt
157

131

Dividends
34

42

Interest on federal funds sold and overnight deposits
53

61

Interest on interest bearing deposits in banks
41

55

Total interest and dividend income
8,963

8,592

Interest expense
 
 
Interest on deposits
1,309

1,065

Interest on borrowed funds
148

162

Total interest expense
1,457

1,227

    Net interest income
7,506

7,365

Provision for loan losses
300

50

    Net interest income after provision for loan losses
7,206

7,315

Noninterest income
 
 
Trust income
173

168

Service fees
1,497

1,426

Net gains on sales of investment securities available-for-sale
11

4

Net gains on sales of loans held for sale
812

374

Net (loss) gain on other investments
(124
)
62

Other income
149

198

Total noninterest income
2,518

2,232

Noninterest expenses
 
 
Salaries and wages
3,121

2,798

Employee benefits
982

999

Occupancy expense, net
514

438

Equipment expense
740

565

Other expenses
1,815

1,727

Total noninterest expenses
7,172

6,527

        Income before provision for income taxes
2,552

3,020

Provision for income taxes
356

399

        Net income
$
2,196

$
2,621

Earnings per common share
$
0.49

$
0.59

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
4,472,886

4,467,376

Dividends per common share
$
0.32

$
0.31

 
 
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 2


UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)


 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2020
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
2,196

$
2,621

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
Net unrealized holding gains arising during the period on investment securities available-for-sale
1,084

943

Reclassification adjustment for net gains on sales of investment securities available-for-sale realized in net income
(9
)
(3
)
Total other comprehensive income
1,075

940

Total comprehensive income
$
3,271

$
3,561


See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 3


UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Month Periods Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
Shares,
net of
treasury
Amount
Additional
paid-in
capital
Retained
earnings
Treasury
stock
Total
stockholders’
equity
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Balances, December 31, 2019
4,471,977

$
9,897

$
1,124

$
64,019

$
(4,183
)
$
986

$
71,843

   Net income



2,196



2,196

   Other comprehensive income





1,075

1,075

   Dividend reinvestment plan
223


6


2


8

   Cash dividends declared
       ($0.32 per share)



(1,432
)


(1,432
)
   Stock based compensation expense


76




76

   Exercise of stock options
1,000

2

20




22

Balances, March 31, 2020
4,473,200

$
9,899

$
1,226

$
64,783

$
(4,181
)
$
2,061

$
73,788

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balances, December 31, 2018
4,466,679

$
9,888

$
894

$
58,911

$
(4,179
)
$
(1,023
)
$
64,491

   Net income



2,621



2,621

   Other comprehensive income





940

940

   Dividend reinvestment plan
246


10


2


12

   Cash dividends declared
  ($0.31 per share)



(1,385
)


(1,385
)
   Stock based compensation expense


43




43

   Exercise of stock options
1,000

2

20




22

   Purchase of treasury stock
(300
)



(13
)

(13
)
Balances, March 31, 2019
4,467,625

$
9,890

$
967

$
60,147

$
(4,190
)
$
(83
)
$
66,731

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 4



UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
2020
2019
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
2,196

$
2,621

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
 
 
Depreciation
476

337

Provision for loan losses
300

50

Deferred income tax provision
10

8

Net amortization of premiums on investment securities
113

87

Equity in losses of limited partnerships
188

162

Stock based compensation expense
76

43

Net increase in unamortized loan costs
(13
)
(13
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
43,322

21,779

Origination of loans held for sale
(51,524
)
(24,153
)
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale
(812
)
(374
)
Net gains on sales of investment securities available-for-sale
(11
)
(4
)
Decrease (increase) in other investments
109

(65
)
Increase in accrued interest receivable
(275
)
(248
)
Amortization of core deposit intangible
43

43

Decrease in other assets
209

281

(Decrease) increase in other liabilities
(1,339
)
492

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
(6,932
)
1,046

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
 
 
Interest bearing deposits in banks
 
 
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions
498

996

Purchases

(249
)
Investment securities available-for-sale
 
 
Proceeds from sales
3,076

6,510

Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns
3,980

1,580

Purchases
(7,851
)
(13,092
)
Net increase in nonmarketable stock
(599
)
(213
)
Net increase in loans
(6,341
)
(7,578
)
Recoveries of loans charged off
23

4

Purchases of premises and equipment
(81
)
(1,545
)
Investments in limited partnerships
(826
)
(358
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(8,121
)
(13,945
)
 
 
 

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 5



Cash Flows From Financing Activities
 
 
Repayment of long-term debt

(10,000
)
Net increase in short-term borrowings outstanding
15,000

19,963

Net increase (decrease) in noninterest bearing deposits
3,529

(5,133
)
Net decrease in interest bearing deposits
(8,997
)
(18,825
)
Net (decrease) increase in time deposits
(2,499
)
17,561

Issuance of common stock
22

22

Purchase of treasury stock

(13
)
Dividends paid
(1,424
)
(1,373
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
5,631

2,202

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(9,422
)
(10,697
)
Cash and cash equivalents
 
 
Beginning of period
51,134

37,289

End of period
$
41,712

$
26,592

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
 
 
Interest paid
$
1,925

$
1,174

Income taxes paid
$

$

 
 
 
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing Activities
 
 
Investment in limited partnerships acquired by capital contributions payable
$
2,722

$

Right-of-use operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
$

$
2,002

 
 
 
Dividends paid on Common Stock:
 
 
Dividends declared
$
1,432

$
1,385

Dividends reinvested
(8
)
(12
)
 
$
1,424

$
1,373

 
 
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 6


UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Union Bankshares, Inc. and Subsidiary (together, the Company) as of March 31, 2020, and for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, have been prepared in conformity with GAAP for interim financial information, general practices within the banking industry, and the accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (2019 Annual Report). The Company's sole subsidiary is Union Bank. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of the information contained herein, have been made. This information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2019 Annual Report. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, or any future interim period.
The Company is a “smaller reporting company” and as permitted under the rules and regulations of the SEC, has elected to provide its consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in stockholder’ equity for a two year, rather than three year, period. The Company has also elected to provide certain other scaled disclosures in this report, as permitted for smaller reporting companies.
Certain amounts in the 2019 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2020 presentation.
On May 7, 2020, Union Bankshares, Inc. distributed its First Quarter 2020 unaudited Report to Shareholders presenting information concerning the Company's results of operations and financial condition for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Subsequent to the compilation of this report, the gain or loss on other investments has been reclassified from dividend income to noninterest income for both the March 31, 2020 and 2019 comparison periods.

In addition to the definitions set forth elsewhere in this report, the acronyms, abbreviations and capitalized terms identified below are used throughout this Form 10-Q, including Part I. "Financial Information" and Part II. "Other Information". The following is provided to aid the reader and provide a reference page when reviewing this Form 10-Q.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 7



AFS:
Available-for-sale
MBS:
Mortgage-backed security
ALCO:
Asset Liability Committee
MSRs:
Mortgage servicing rights
ALL:
Allowance for loan losses
OAO:
Other assets owned
ASC:
Accounting Standards Codification
OCI:
Other comprehensive income (loss)
ASU:
Accounting Standards Update
OFAC:
U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control
Board:
Board of Directors
OREO:
Other real estate owned
bp or bps:
Basis point(s)
OTTI:
Other-than-temporary impairment
Branch Acquisition:
The acquisition of three New Hampshire branches in May 2011
OTT:
Other-than-temporary
CARES Act:
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act
Plan:
The Union Bank Pension Plan
CDARS:
Certificate of Deposit Accounts Registry Service of the Promontory Interfinancial Network
PPP:
Paycheck Protection Program
Company:
Union Bankshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
PPPLF:
PPP Liquidity Facility of the FRB
COVID-19:
Novel Coronavirus
RD:
USDA Rural Development
DRIP:
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
RSU:
Restricted Stock Unit
FASB:
Financial Accounting Standards Board
SBA:
U.S. Small Business Administration
FDIC:
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
SEC:
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
FHA:
U.S. Federal Housing Administration
TDR:
Troubled-debt restructuring
FHLB:
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston
Union:
Union Bank, the sole subsidiary of Union Bankshares, Inc
FRB:
Federal Reserve Board
USDA:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
FHLMC/Freddie Mac:
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
VA:
U.S. Veterans Administration
GAAP:
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States
WHO:
World Health Organization
HTM:
Held-to-maturity
2008 ISO Plan:
2008 Incentive Stock Option Plan of the Company
HUD:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
2014 Equity Plan:
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
ICS:
Insured Cash Sweeps of the Promontory Interfinancial Network
2019 Annual Report
Annual Report of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019
IRS:
Internal Revenue Service
2017 Tax Act:
Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017

Note 2. Risks and Uncertainties
The outbreak of COVID-19 has adversely impacted a broad range of industries in which the Company’s customers operate and could impair their ability to fulfill their financial obligations to the Company. The WHO has declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic indicating that almost all public commerce and related business activities must be, to varying degrees, curtailed with the goal of decreasing the rate of new infections. The spread of the outbreak has caused significant disruptions in the U.S. economy and has disrupted banking and other financial activity in the areas in which the Company operates. While there has been no material impact to the Company’s employees to date, COVID-19 could also potentially create widespread operating issues for the Company.
Congress, the President, and the FRB have taken several actions designed to cushion the economic fallout. Most notably, the CARES Act was signed into law at the end of March 2020 as a $2 trillion legislative package. The goal of the CARES Act is to prevent a severe economic downturn through various measures, including direct financial aid to American families and economic stimulus to significantly impacted industry sectors. The package also includes extensive emergency funding for small businesses, hospitals and health care providers. In addition to the general impact of COVID-19, certain provisions of the CARES Act as well as other recent legislative and regulatory relief efforts are expected to have a material impact on the Company’s operations in future periods.
The Company’s business is dependent upon the willingness and ability of its employees and customers to conduct banking and other financial transactions. If the global response to contain COVID-19 escalates further or is unsuccessful, the Company could experience a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. While it is not possible

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 8



to know the full extent that the impact of COVID-19, and resulting measures to curtail its spread, will have on the Company’s operations, the Company is disclosing potentially material items of which it is aware.

Financial position and results of operations
The Company’s fee income could be reduced due to COVID-19. In keeping with guidance from regulators, the Company is working with COVID-19 affected customers to waive a variety of fees, including but not limited to, insufficient funds and overdraft fees, ATM fees and account maintenance fees. These reductions in fees are thought, at this time, to be temporary, while the COVID-19 related economic crisis persists. At this time, the Company is unable to project the duration or materiality of such an impact, but recognizes that the scope of the economic impact is likely to impact its fee income in future periods. Also, the Company expects to collect fee income from the SBA for participating in the PPP and processing PPP loans, which will offset the above mentioned reduction in fee income.
The Company’s interest income could be reduced due to COVID-19. In keeping with guidance from regulators, the Company is actively working with COVID-19 affected borrowers to defer their loan payments, interest, and fees. While interest and fees will still accrue to income, through normal GAAP accounting, should eventual credit losses on these deferred payments emerge, interest income and fees accrued would need to be reversed. In such a scenario, interest income in future periods could be negatively impacted. At this time, the Company is unable to project the materiality of such an impact, but recognizes the scope of the economic impact may affect its borrowers’ ability to repay in future periods.

Capital and liquidity
While the Company believes that it has sufficient capital to withstand an extended economic recession brought about by COVID-19, its reported and regulatory capital ratios could be adversely impacted by further credit losses. The Company relies on cash on hand as well as dividends from its subsidiary bank to pay dividends to shareholders. If the Company’s capital deteriorates such that its subsidiary bank is unable to pay dividends to it for an extended period of time, the Company may not be able to maintain its dividend to shareholders at the current level.
The Company maintains access to multiple sources of liquidity. Wholesale funding markets have remained open to the Company, but rates for short term funding have recently been volatile. If funding costs are elevated for an extended period of time, it could have an adverse effect on the Company’s net interest margin. If an extended recession caused large numbers of the Company’s deposit customers to withdraw their funds, the Company might become more reliant on volatile or more expensive sources of funding.

Asset valuation
Currently, the Company does not expect COVID-19 to affect its ability to account timely for the assets on its balance sheet; however, this could change in future periods. While certain valuation assumptions and judgments will change to account for pandemic-related circumstances such as widening credit spreads, the Company does not anticipate significant changes in methodology used to determine the fair value of assets measured in accordance with GAAP.
COVID-19 could cause a further and sustained decline in the Company’s stock price or the occurrence of what management would deem to be a triggering event that could, under certain circumstances, cause the Company to perform a goodwill impairment test and result in an impairment charge being recorded for that period. In the event that the Company concludes that all or a portion of its goodwill is impaired, a non-cash charge for the amount of such impairment would be recorded to earnings. Such a charge would have no impact on tangible capital or regulatory capital.
It is possible that the lingering effects of COVID-19 could cause the occurrence of what management would deem to be a triggering event that could, under certain circumstances, cause the Company to perform an intangible asset impairment test and result in an impairment charge being recorded for that period. In the event that the Company concludes that all or a portion of its intangible assets are impaired, a non-cash charge for the amount of such impairment would be recorded to earnings. Such a charge would have no impact on tangible capital or regulatory capital.

Processes, controls and business continuity plan
The Company has implemented its Pandemic and Business Continuity Plans to address the operating risks associated with the global COVID-19 pandemic and has followed guidance as events evolved from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the WHO and other available resources. Since enacting the Pandemic and Business Continuity Plans, the Company has taken a series of actions to safeguard its employees and customers while continuing to provide essential banking services to its communities. The Company has developed and executed a plan to decentralize employees, including working remotely, to isolate certain personnel essential to critical business continuity operations, canceled business travel and outside vendor appointments, limited inter-branch visits, and increased the use of video conferencing to avoid large gatherings. Also, social distancing and

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 9



enhanced hygiene practices were put into place as well as rigorous cleaning of all bank facilities. Throughout these changes, employees and customers have been kept informed with regular communications.
On March 17, 2020, branch lobby service was limited to appointment-only, and new capabilities were implemented  to execute lobby transactions electronically or via its drive-up facilities. Effective March 25, 2020, a "Stay Home, Stay Safe" emergency order issued in the State of Vermont resulted in branch lobbies being closed to all customers.
Management continues to evaluate current events and put appropriate protocols in place to ensure the safety of staff and customers while continuing to provide essential banking services our customers rely on. No material operational or internal control challenges or risks related to COVID-19 have been identified to date. The Company does not anticipate significant challenges to its ability to maintain its systems and controls in light of the measures the Company has taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Company does not currently face any material resource constraints through the implementation of its Pandemic and Business Continuity Plans.

Lending operations and accommodations to borrowers
In keeping with regulatory guidance to work with borrowers during this unprecedented situation and as outlined in the CARES Act, the Company is continuing to approve payment deferrals for its borrowers that are adversely affected by the pandemic. Depending on the demonstrated need of the customer, the Company is deferring either the full loan payment or the principal component of the loan payment for up to 180 days. As of April 30, 2020, the Company has executed 335 of these deferrals on outstanding loan balances of $160.5 million. In accordance with interagency guidance issued in March 2020 and confirmed by the FASB, these short term deferrals are not considered troubled debt restructurings.
With the passage of the PPP, administered by the SBA, the Company is actively participating in assisting its customers with applications for resources through the program. PPP loans have a two-year term and earn interest at 1%. The Company believes that a significant amount of these loans will ultimately be forgiven by the SBA in accordance with the terms of the program. It is the Company’s understanding that loans funded through the PPP are fully guaranteed by the U.S. Government. Should those circumstances change, the Company could be required to establish additional allowance for credit loss through additional credit loss expense charged to earnings.
Further, in sensitivity and service to its communities during this unprecedented time, the Company is waiving late payment and overdraft fees on a case by case basis and has temporarily suspended collection and foreclosure efforts on past due loans in accordance with CARES Act guidance.

Note 3. Legal Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in various legal and other proceedings. In the opinion of management, any liability resulting from such proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Note 4. Per Share Information
Earnings per common share are computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and reduced for shares held in treasury. The assumed exercise of outstanding exercisable stock options and vesting of RSUs does not result in material dilution and is not included in the calculation.

Note 5. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Under the new guidance, which will replace the existing incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses, banks and other lending institutions will be required to recognize the full amount of expected credit losses. The new guidance, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss model ("CECL"), requires that expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date that are accounted for at amortized cost be measured and recognized based on historical experience and current and reasonably supportable forecasted conditions to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. A modified version of these requirements also applies to debt securities classified as AFS. As initially proposed, the ASU was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption was permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within such years. In October 2019, the FASB approved amendments to delay the effective date of the ASU to fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, for smaller reporting companies, as defined by the SEC, and other non-SEC reporting entities. As the Company is a smaller reporting company, the delay is applicable to the Company and the Company does not intend to early adopt the ASU at this time. The Company has established a CECL implementation team and developed a transition project plan. The Company has entered into an agreement with a software provider, historical data has been compiled and training on utilizing the software for the existing incurred loss model has been completed. The Company continues the collection of historical data

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 10



and training is ongoing surrounding CECL implementation and methodologies, including the running of parallel calculations throughout the year. This will facilitate the eventual implementation process and management's evaluation of the potential impact of the ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The ASU was issued to reduce the cost and complexity of the goodwill impairment test. To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, step two of the goodwill impairment test was eliminated. Instead, a company will recognize an impairment of goodwill should the carrying value of a reporting unit exceed its fair value (i.e. step one). The ASU was effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 and did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This guidance, which is a part of the FASB’s disclosure framework project to improve disclosure effectiveness, eliminates certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements regarding the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, an entity’s policy for the timing of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy and an entity’s valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance also adds new disclosure requirements for public entities regarding changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of instruments held at the end of the reporting period, and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop recurring and nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements, including how the weighted average is calculated.  In addition, this guidance modifies certain requirements regarding the disclosure of transfers into and out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, purchases and issuances of Level 3 assets and liabilities, and information about the measurement uncertainty of Level 3 fair value measurements as of the reporting date. This ASU was effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 and did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statement disclosures.

In March 2020, various regulatory agencies, including the FRB and the FDIC (“the agencies”), issued an interagency statement on loan modifications and reporting for financial institutions working with customers affected by COVID-19. The interagency statement was effective immediately and impacted accounting for loan modifications. Under ASC No. 310-40, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors, a restructuring of debt constitutes a TDR if the creditor, for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. The agencies confirmed with the staff of the FASB that short-term modifications made on a good faith basis in response to COVID-19 to borrowers who were current prior to any relief, are not to be considered TDRs. This includes short-term (e.g., six months) modifications such as payment deferrals, fee waivers, extensions of repayment terms, or other delays in payment that are insignificant. Borrowers considered current are those that are less than 30 days past due on their contractual payments at the time a modification program is implemented. This interagency guidance is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements; however, this impact cannot be quantified at this time.

Note 6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
As a result of the 2011 Branch Acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill amounting to $2.2 million. The goodwill is not amortizable. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually, in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance. Management assesses qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Company, in total, is less than its carrying amount. Management is not aware of any such events or circumstances that would cause it to conclude that the fair value of the Company is less than its carrying amount.
The Company also initially recorded $1.7 million of acquired identifiable intangible assets in connection with the 2011 Branch Acquisition, representing the core deposit intangible which is subject to straight-line amortization over the estimated 10 year average life of the core deposit base, absent any future impairment. The net core deposit intangible balance of $199 thousand and $242 thousand at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, is included in Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Management will evaluate the core deposit intangible for impairment if conditions warrant.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 11



Amortization expense for the core deposit intangible was $43 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The amortization expense is included in Other expenses on the consolidated statements of income and is deductible for tax purposes. As of March 31, 2020, the remaining amortization expense related to the core deposit intangible, absent any future impairment, is expected to be as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2020
$
128

2021
71

Total
$
199


Note 7. Investment Securities
AFS securities as of the balance sheet dates consisted of the following:
March 31, 2020
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
$
5,050

$
49

$
(42
)
$
5,057

Agency mortgage-backed
46,212

1,881

(14
)
48,079

State and political subdivisions
27,767

611

(39
)
28,339

Corporate
7,808

304

(140
)
7,972

Total
$
86,837

$
2,845

$
(235
)
$
89,447

December 31, 2019
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
$
6,349

$
19

$
(76
)
$
6,292

Agency mortgage-backed
45,503

602

(81
)
46,024

State and political subdivisions
26,489

515

(39
)
26,965

Corporate
7,804

378

(70
)
8,112

Total
$
86,145

$
1,514

$
(266
)
$
87,393


There were no investment securities HTM at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019. There were no investment securities pledged as collateral at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 12



The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual scheduled maturity as of March 31, 2020 were as follows:
 
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Available-for-sale
(Dollars in thousands)
Due in one year or less
$
940

$
947

Due from one to five years
3,679

3,784

Due from five to ten years
14,136

14,406

Due after ten years
21,870

22,231

 
40,625

41,368

Agency mortgage-backed
46,212

48,079

Total debt securities available-for-sale
$
86,837

$
89,447


Actual maturities may differ for certain debt securities that may be called by the issuer prior to the contractual maturity. Actual maturities usually differ from contractual maturities on agency MBS because the mortgages underlying the securities may be prepaid, usually without any penalties. Therefore, these agency MBS are shown separately and are not included in the contractual maturity categories in the above maturity summary.

Information pertaining to all investment securities with gross unrealized losses as of the balance sheet dates, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, follows:
March 31, 2020
Less Than 12 Months
12 Months and over
Total
 
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-
  sponsored enterprises
2

$
1,112

$
(3
)
7

$
1,614

$
(39
)
9

$
2,726

$
(42
)
Agency mortgage-backed



1

703

(14
)
1

703

(14
)
State and political
  subdivisions
10

4,923

(39
)



10

4,923

(39
)
Corporate
1

497

(3
)
3

1,363

(137
)
4

1,860

(140
)
Total
13

$
6,532

$
(45
)
11

$
3,680

$
(190
)
24

$
10,212

$
(235
)
December 31, 2019
Less Than 12 Months
12 Months and over
Total
 
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-
  sponsored enterprises
4

$
2,376

$
(22
)
8

$
2,772

$
(54
)
12

$
5,148

$
(76
)
Agency mortgage-backed
8

6,193

(38
)
8

4,861

(43
)
16

11,054

(81
)
State and political
  subdivisions
9

3,813

(38
)
1

304

(1
)
10

4,117

(39
)
Corporate



3

1,430

(70
)
3

1,430

(70
)
Total
21

$
12,382

$
(98
)
20

$
9,367

$
(168
)
41

$
21,749

$
(266
)
The Company evaluates all investment securities on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic conditions warrant, to determine if an OTTI exists. A security is considered impaired if the fair value is lower than its amortized cost basis at the report date. If impaired, management then assesses whether the unrealized loss is OTT.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 13



An unrealized loss on a debt security is generally deemed to be OTT and a credit loss is deemed to exist if the present value of the expected future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the debt security. The credit loss component of OTTI write-down is recorded, net of tax effect, through net income as a component of net OTTI losses in the consolidated statements of income, while the remaining portion of the impairment loss is recognized in OCI, provided the Company does not intend to sell the underlying debt security and it is "more likely than not" that the Company will not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery.

Management considers the following factors in determining whether OTTI exists and the period over which the security is expected to recover:
The length of time, and extent to which, the fair value has been less than the amortized cost;
Adverse conditions specifically related to the security, industry, or geographic area;
The historical and implied volatility of the fair value of the security;
The payment structure of the debt security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments that may increase in the future;
Failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments;
Any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency;
Recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date; and
The nature of the issuer, including whether it is a private company, public entity or government-sponsored enterprise, and the existence or likelihood of any government or third party guaranty.

The Company has the ability to hold the investment securities that had unrealized losses at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 for the foreseeable future and no declines were deemed by management to be OTT.

The following table presents the proceeds, gross realized gains and gross realized losses from the sales of AFS securities:
 
For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Proceeds
$
3,076

$
6,510

 
 
 
Gross gains
32

38

Gross losses
(21
)
(34
)
Net gains on sales of investment securities AFS
$
11

$
4


Note 8.  Loans
Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for any charge-offs, the ALL, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.
Loan interest income is accrued daily on outstanding balances. The following accounting policies, related to accrual and nonaccrual loans, apply to all portfolio segments and loan classes, which the Company considers to be the same. The accrual of interest is normally discontinued when a loan is specifically determined to be impaired and/or management believes, after considering collection efforts and other factors, that the borrower's financial condition is such that collection of interest is doubtful. Generally, any unpaid interest previously accrued on those loans is reversed against current period interest income. A loan may be restored to accrual status when its financial status has significantly improved and there is no principal or interest past due. A loan may also be restored to accrual status if the borrower makes six consecutive monthly payments or the lump sum equivalent. Income on nonaccrual loans is generally not recognized unless a loan is returned to accrual status or after all principal has been collected. Interest income generally is not recognized on impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is remote. Interest payments received on such loans are generally applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance. Delinquency status is determined based on contractual terms for all portfolio segments and loan classes. Loans past due 30 days or more are considered delinquent. Loans are considered in process of foreclosure when a judgment of foreclosure has been issued by the court.
Loan origination fees and direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized as an adjustment of the related loan's yield using methods that approximate the interest method. The Company generally amortizes these amounts over the estimated average life of the related loans.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 14



The composition of Net loans as of the balance sheet dates was as follows:
 
March 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
190,420

$
192,125

Construction real estate
54,207

69,617

Commercial real estate
304,204

289,883

Commercial
47,633

47,699

Consumer
3,460

3,562

Municipal
76,607

67,358

    Gross loans
676,531

670,244

Allowance for loan losses
(6,391
)
(6,122
)
Net deferred loan costs
1,056

1,043

    Net loans
$
671,196

$
665,165

Qualifying residential first mortgage loans and certain commercial real estate loans with a carrying value of $221.8 million and $207.7 million were pledged as collateral for borrowings from the FHLB under a blanket lien at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.
A summary of current, past due and nonaccrual loans as of the balance sheet dates follows:
March 31, 2020
Current
30-59 Days
60-89 Days
90 Days and Over and Accruing
Nonaccrual
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
185,549

$
3,305

$
35

$
1,233

$
298

$
190,420

Construction real estate
53,550

263


369

25

54,207

Commercial real estate
300,689

1,576


73

1,866

304,204

Commercial
47,541

29


45

18

47,633

Consumer
3,445

6

5

2

2

3,460

Municipal
76,571

36




76,607

Total
$
667,345

$
5,215

$
40

$
1,722

$
2,209

$
676,531


December 31, 2019
Current
30-59 Days
60-89 Days
90 Days and Over and Accruing
Nonaccrual
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
187,022

$
2,716

$
1,304

$
811

$
272

$
192,125

Construction real estate
68,731

470

19

368

29

69,617

Commercial real estate
286,795

940

150


1,998

289,883

Commercial
47,673


5


21

47,699

Consumer
3,532

21

6


3

3,562

Municipal
67,358





67,358

Total
$
661,111

$
4,147

$
1,484

$
1,179

$
2,323

$
670,244

There was one residential real estate loan totaling $50 thousand in process of foreclosure at March 31, 2020 and two residential real estate loans totaling $64 thousand in process of foreclosure at December 31, 2019. In April 2020, the State of Vermont issued a temporary moratorium on foreclosure actions until the end of the COVID-19 emergency period. Aggregate interest on nonaccrual loans not recognized was $280 thousand as of March 31, 2020 and $271 thousand as of December 31, 2019.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 15



Note 9.  Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality
The ALL is established for estimated losses in the loan portfolio through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. For all loan classes, loan losses are charged against the ALL when management believes the loan balance is uncollectible or in accordance with federal guidelines. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ALL.

The ALL is maintained at a level believed by management to be appropriate to absorb probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The amount of the ALL is based on management's periodic evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio, including the nature, volume and risk characteristics of the portfolio, credit concentrations, trends in historical loss experience, estimated value of any underlying collateral, specific impaired loans and economic conditions. There was no change to the methodology used to estimate the ALL during the first quarter of 2020. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the ALL may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions or other relevant factors.

In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, regularly review the Company's ALL. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the ALL, with a corresponding charge to earnings, based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management.

The ALL consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to the loans that are classified as impaired. Loans are evaluated for impairment and may be classified as impaired when management believes it is probable that the Company will not collect all the contractual interest and principal payments as scheduled in the loan agreement. Impaired loans may also include troubled loans that are restructured. A TDR occurs when the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that would otherwise not be granted. A TDR classification may result from the transfer of assets to the Company in partial satisfaction of a troubled loan, a modification of a loan's terms (such as reduction of stated interest rates below market rates, extension of maturity that does not conform to the Company's policies, reduction of the face amount of the loan, reduction of accrued interest, or reduction or deferment of loan payments), or a combination. A specific reserve amount is allocated to the ALL for individual loans that have been classified as impaired based on management's estimate of the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, an observable market price, or the present value of anticipated future cash flows. The Company accounts for the change in present value attributable to the passage of time in the loan loss reserve. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer, real estate or small balance commercial loans for impairment evaluation, unless such loans are subject to a restructuring agreement or have been identified as impaired as part of a larger customer relationship. Based on an evaluation of the Company's historical loss experience on substandard commercial loans, management has established the commercial loan threshold for individual impairment evaluation as commercial loan relationships with aggregate balances greater than $500 thousand.

The general component represents the level of ALL allocable to each loan portfolio segment with similar risk characteristics and is determined based on historical loss experience, adjusted for qualitative factors, for each class of loan. Management deems a five year average to be an appropriate time frame on which to base historical losses for each portfolio segment. Qualitative factors considered include underwriting, economic and market conditions, portfolio composition, collateral values, delinquencies, lender experience and legal issues. The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each portfolio segment. Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:
Residential real estate - Loans in this segment are collateralized by owner-occupied 1-4 family residential real estate, second and vacation homes, 1-4 family investment properties, home equity and second mortgage loans. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, could have an effect on the credit quality of this segment.

Construction real estate - Loans in this segment include residential and commercial construction properties, commercial real estate development loans (while in the construction phase of the projects), land and land development loans. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower and/or the underlying cash flows generated by the properties being constructed. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates, housing prices, vacancy rates and material costs, could have an effect on the credit quality of this segment.

Commercial real estate - Loans in this segment are primarily properties occupied by businesses or income-producing properties. The underlying cash flows generated by the properties may be adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy as evidenced by a general slowdown in business or increased vacancy rates which, in turn, could have an effect on the credit quality of this segment. Management requests business financial statements at least annually and monitors the cash flows of these loans.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 16



Commercial - Loans in this segment are made to businesses and are generally secured by non-real estate assets of the business. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer or business spending, could have an effect on the credit quality of this segment.

Consumer - Loans in this segment are made to individuals for personal expenditures, such as an automobile purchase, and include unsecured loans. Repayment is primarily dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment, could have an effect on the credit quality of this segment.

Municipal - Loans in this segment are made to municipalities located within the Company's service area. Repayment is primarily dependent on taxes or other funds collected by the municipalities. Management considers there to be minimal risk surrounding the credit quality of this segment.
An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management's estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the ALL reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

All evaluations are inherently subjective as they require estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available or as changes occur in economic conditions or other relevant factors. Despite the allocation shown in the tables below, the ALL is general in nature and is available to absorb losses from any class of loan.

Changes in the ALL, by class of loans, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Unallocated
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2019
$
1,392

$
774

$
3,178

$
394

$
23

$
76

$
285

$
6,122

Provision (credit) for loan losses
98

(152
)
335

13


9

(3
)
300

Recoveries of amounts charged off
23







23

 
1,513

622

3,513

407

23

85

282

6,445

Amounts charged off


(54
)




(54
)
Balance, March 31, 2020
$
1,513

$
622

$
3,459

$
407

$
23

$
85

$
282

$
6,391

For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Unallocated
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2018
$
1,368

$
617

$
2,933

$
354

$
23

$
82

$
362

$
5,739

Provision (credit) for loan losses
37

26

(70
)
177

2

10

(132
)
50

Recoveries of amounts charged off



1

3



4

 
1,405

643

2,863

532

28

92

230

5,793

Amounts charged off
(16
)


(200
)
(5
)


(221
)
Balance, March 31, 2019
$
1,389

$
643

$
2,863

$
332

$
23

$
92

$
230

$
5,572

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 17



The allocation of the ALL, summarized on the basis of the Company's impairment methodology by class of loan, as of the balance sheet dates, was as follows:
March 31, 2020
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Unallocated
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Individually evaluated
   for impairment
$
68

$

$
133

$
7

$

$

$

$
208

Collectively evaluated
   for impairment
1,445

622

3,326

400

23

85

282

6,183

Total allocated
$
1,513

$
622

$
3,459

$
407

$
23

$
85

$
282

$
6,391

December 31, 2019
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Unallocated
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Individually evaluated
   for impairment
$
39

$

$
149

$
8

$

$

$

$
196

Collectively evaluated
   for impairment
1,353

774

3,029

386

23

76

285

5,926

Total allocated
$
1,392

$
774

$
3,178

$
394

$
23

$
76

$
285

$
6,122


The recorded investment in loans, summarized on the basis of the Company's impairment methodology by class of loan, as of the balance sheet dates, was as follows:
March 31, 2020
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Individually evaluated
   for impairment
$
1,488

$
218

$
3,158

$
280

$

$

$
5,144

Collectively evaluated
   for impairment
188,932

53,989

301,046

47,353

3,460

76,607

671,387

Total
$
190,420

$
54,207

$
304,204

$
47,633

$
3,460

$
76,607

$
676,531

December 31, 2019
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Individually evaluated
   for impairment
$
1,515

$
223

$
3,204

$
299

$

$

$
5,241

Collectively evaluated
   for impairment
190,610

69,394

286,679

47,400

3,562

67,358

665,003

Total
$
192,125

$
69,617

$
289,883

$
47,699

$
3,562

$
67,358

$
670,244


Risk and collateral ratings are assigned to loans and are subject to ongoing monitoring by lending and credit personnel with such ratings updated annually or more frequently if warranted. The following is an overview of the Company's loan rating system:
1-3 Rating - Pass
Risk-rating grades "1" through "3" comprise those loans ranging from those with lower than average credit risk, defined as borrowers with high liquidity, excellent financial condition, strong management, favorable industry trends or loans secured by highly liquid assets, through those with marginal credit risk, defined as borrowers that, while creditworthy, exhibit some characteristics requiring special attention by the account officer.
4/M Rating - Satisfactory/Monitor
Borrowers exhibit potential credit weaknesses or downward trends warranting management's attention. While potentially weak, these borrowers are currently marginally acceptable; no loss of principal or interest is envisioned. When warranted, these credits may be monitored on the watch list.
5-7 Rating - Substandard
Borrowers exhibit well defined weaknesses that jeopardize the orderly liquidation of debt. The loan may be inadequately protected by the net worth and paying capacity of the obligor and/or the underlying collateral is inadequate.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 18




The following tables summarize the loan ratings applied by management to the Company's loans by class as of the balance sheet dates:
March 31, 2020
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Pass
$
172,425

$
33,632

$
174,365

$
35,464

$
3,364

$
76,607

$
495,857

Satisfactory/Monitor
15,078

20,091

125,767

11,595

91


172,622

Substandard
2,917

484

4,072

574

5


8,052

Total
$
190,420

$
54,207

$
304,204

$
47,633

$
3,460

$
76,607

$
676,531


December 31, 2019
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Pass
$
174,798

$
47,326

$
168,654

$
35,625

$
3,499

$
67,358

$
497,260

Satisfactory/Monitor
14,520

21,819

117,004

10,974

57


164,374

Substandard
2,807

472

4,225

1,100

6


8,610

Total
$
192,125

$
69,617

$
289,883

$
47,699

$
3,562

$
67,358

$
670,244


The following tables provide information with respect to impaired loans by class of loan as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019:
 
As of March 31, 2020
For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
 
Recorded Investment
(1)
Principal Balance
(1)
Related Allowance
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
216

$
226

$
68

 
 
Commercial real estate
1,746

1,781

133

 
 
Commercial
25

27

7

 
 
With an allowance recorded
1,987

2,034

208

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
1,272

1,818


 
 
Construction real estate
218

237


 
 
Commercial real estate
1,412

1,509


 
 
Commercial
255

257


 
 
With no allowance recorded
3,157

3,821


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
1,488

2,044

68

$
1,502

$
19

Construction real estate
218

237


220

1

Commercial real estate
3,158

3,290

133

3,181

22

Commercial
280

284

7

290

7

Total
$
5,144

$
5,855

$
208

$
5,193

$
49

____________________
(1)
Does not reflect government guaranties on impaired loans as of March 31, 2020 totaling $570 thousand.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 19



 
As of March 31, 2019
For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
Recorded Investment
(1)
Principal Balance
(1)
Related Allowance
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
1,720

$
2,344

$
46

$
1,699

$
19

Construction real estate
114

131


116

1

Commercial real estate
1,669

1,761

11

1,973

40

Commercial
340

342

10

346

5

Total
$
3,843

$
4,578

$
67

$
4,134

$
65

____________________
(1)
Does not reflect government guaranties on impaired loans as of March 31, 2019 totaling $630 thousand.

The following table provides information with respect to impaired loans by class of loan as of December 31, 2019:
 
December 31, 2019
 
 
 
Recorded Investment
(1)
Principal Balance
(1)
Related Allowance
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Residential real estate
$
218

$
228

$
39

 
 
Commercial real estate
1,762

1,783

149

 
 
Commercial
11

12

8

 
 
With an allowance recorded
1,991

2,023

196

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
1,297

1,832


 
 
Construction real estate
223

241


 
 
Commercial real estate
1,442

1,539


 
 
Commercial
288

290


 
 
With no allowance recorded
3,250

3,902


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
1,515

2,060

39

 
 
Construction real estate
223

241


 
 
Commercial real estate
3,204

3,322

149

 
 
Commercial
299

302

8

 
 
Total
$
5,241

$
5,925

$
196

 
 
____________________
(1)
Does not reflect government guaranties on impaired loans as of December 31, 2019 totaling $587 thousand.

The following is a summary of TDR loans by class of loan as of the balance sheet dates:
 
March 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
 
Number of Loans
Principal Balance
Number of Loans
Principal Balance
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
25

$
1,488

25

$
1,515

Construction real estate
2

96

2

100

Commercial real estate
8

950

8

966

Commercial
5

271

5

290

Total
40

$
2,805

40

$
2,871


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 20



The TDR loans above represent loan modifications in which a concession was provided to the borrower, including due date extensions, maturity date extensions, interest rate reductions or the forgiveness of accrued interest. Troubled loans that are restructured and meet established thresholds are classified as impaired and a specific reserve amount is allocated to the ALL on the basis of the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, an observable market price, or the present value of anticipated future cash flows.
The following tables provide new TDR activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
 
New TDRs During the
New TDRs During the
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
Number of Loans
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Number of Loans
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate

$

$

1

$
77

$
79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There were no TDR loans modified within the previous twelve months that subsequently defaulted during the three months ended March 31, 2020 or 2019. TDR loans are considered defaulted at 90 days past due.
In March 2020, the federal banking agencies issued guidance, confirmed by the FASB, that certain modifications made in loans to a borrower affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and government shutdown orders would not be considered a TDR under specified circumstances (See Note 2). As of April 30, 2020, the Company has executed 335 of these modifications on outstanding loan balances of $160.5 million. The Company intends to continue to follow the guidance of the banking regulators in making TDR determinations.

At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company was not committed to lend any additional funds to borrowers whose loans were nonperforming, impaired or restructured.

Note 10.  Stock Based Compensation
Under the Union Bankshares, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan, 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for equity awards of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock and RSUs to eligible officers and (except for awards of incentive stock options) nonemployee directors. Shares available for issuance of awards under the 2014 Equity Plan consist of unissued shares of the Company’s common stock and/or shares held in treasury. As of March 31, 2020, there were outstanding grants of RSUs and incentive stock options under the 2014 Equity Plan with respect to an aggregate of 15,971 shares of common stock.

RSUs. Each outstanding RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company's common stock upon satisfaction of applicable vesting conditions. The general terms of the awards are described in the Company's 2019 Annual Report. Prior to vesting, the RSUs do not earn dividends or dividend equivalents, nor do they bear any voting rights.
The following table summarizes the RSUs awarded to Company executives in 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the number of such RSUs remaining unvested as of March 31, 2020:
 
Number of RSUs Granted
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Number of Unvested RSUs
2018 Award
3,225

$
52.95

433

2019 Award
3,734

47.75

2,120

2020 Award
8,918
$
36.26

8,918

Total
15,877

11,471
Unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested RSUs as of March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $167 thousand and $254 thousand, respectively.
On April 15, 2020, the Compensation Committee adopted criteria for provisional 2021 RSU awards, including performance goals, with one half of the 2021 grants to be in the form of Time-Based RSUs and one-half in the form of Performance-Based RSUs.  Under the 2021 award criteria and solely for modeling purposes, assuming achievement of 2020 performance goals at the target level and assuming a stock price of $25.76 per share (the closing price on April 15, 2020),  approximately 15,751 RSUs would

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 21



be granted in 2021. However, actual awards will be subject to Compensation Committee approval and made in the first quarter of 2021, with the number of RSUs actually granted to be determined based on the Company’s stock price on the 2021 approval date, and in the case of Performance-Based RSUs, also on the level of achievement of 2020 performance goals. The number of potential grantees for 2021 RSU awards is 15, compared to seven grantees in 2020 and prior years. As of March 31, 2020, the estimated unrecognized executive compensation expense related to the modeled 2021 target level RSU grants, based on the April 15, 2020 closing market price of the Company's stock, would be $294 thousand.
On May 15, 2019, the Company's board of directors, as a component of total director compensation, granted an aggregate of 1,185 RSUs to the Company's non-employee directors. Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company's common stock upon satisfaction of applicable vesting conditions. The RSUs will vest on May 19, 2020, subject to continued board service through the vesting date, other than in the case of the director's death or disability. Prior to vesting, the RSUs do not earn dividends or dividend equivalents, nor do they bear any voting rights. Unrecognized director compensation expense related to the unvested RSUs as of March 31, 2020 was $7 thousand.
Stock options. As of March 31, 2020, 4,500 incentive stock options granted in December 2014 under the 2014 Equity Plan remained outstanding and exercisable and will expire in December 2021. There was no unrecognized compensation expense related to those options as of March 31, 2020. The intrinsic value of those options was $0 due to the stock options not being in the money as of March 31, 2020.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, 1,000 incentive stock options granted under the 2008 ISO Plan were exercised. There are no remaining options outstanding under the 2008 ISO Plan. There was no unrecognized compensation expense related to those options as of March 31, 2020.

Note 11. Other Comprehensive Income
Accounting principles generally require recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income or loss. Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as the after tax effect of unrealized gains and losses on investment securities AFS that are not OTTI, are not reflected in the consolidated statements of income. The cumulative effect of such items, net of tax effect, is reported as a separate component of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets (Accumulated OCI). OCI, along with net income, comprises the Company's total comprehensive income or loss.
As of the balance sheet dates, the components of Accumulated OCI, net of tax, were:
 
March 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net unrealized gain on investment securities available-for-sale
$
2,061

$
986

The following tables disclose the tax effects allocated to each component of OCI for the three months ended March 31:
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31, 2020
March 31, 2019
 
Before-Tax Amount
Tax (Expense) Benefit
Net-of-Tax Amount
Before-Tax Amount
Tax (Expense) Benefit
Net-of-Tax Amount
Investment securities available-for-sale:
(Dollars in thousands)
Net unrealized holding gains arising during the period on investment securities available-for-sale
$
1,372

$
(288
)
$
1,084

$
1,194

$
(251
)
$
943

Reclassification adjustment for net gains on investment securities available-for-sale realized in net income
(11
)
2

(9
)
(4
)
1

(3
)
Total other comprehensive income
$
1,361

$
(286
)
$
1,075

$
1,190

$
(250
)
$
940

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 22



The following table discloses information concerning reclassification adjustments from OCI for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Reclassification Adjustment Description
March 31, 2020
March 31, 2019
Affected Line Item in
Consolidated Statement of Income
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
Net gains on investment securities available-for-sale
$
(11
)
$
(4
)
Net gains on sales of investment securities available-for-sale
Tax expense
2

1

Provision for income taxes
Total reclassifications
$
(9
)
$
(3
)
Net income

Note 12. Fair Value Measurement
The Company utilizes FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, as guidance for accounting for assets and liabilities carried at fair value. This standard defines fair value as the price that would be received, without adjustment for transaction costs, to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is a market based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The guidance in FASB ASC Topic 820 establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. 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.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;
Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s assets that are measured on a recurring basis at estimated fair value:
Investment securities AFS: The Company’s AFS securities have been valued utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include market maker bids, quotes and pricing models. Inputs to the pricing models include recent trades, benchmark interest rates, spreads and actual and projected cash flows.
Mutual funds: Mutual funds have been valued using unadjusted quoted prices from active markets and therefore have been classified as Level 1.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 23



Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, segregated by fair value hierarchy level, are summarized below:
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Fair
Value
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
March 31, 2020:
(Dollars in thousands)
Debt securities AFS:
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
$
5,057

$

$
5,057

$

Agency mortgage-backed
48,079


48,079


State and political subdivisions
28,339


28,339


Corporate
7,972


7,972


Total debt securities
$
89,447

$

$
89,447

$

 
 
 
 
 
Other investments:
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
$
581

$
581

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2019:
 
 
 
 
Debt securities AFS:
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
$
6,292

$

$
6,292

$

Agency mortgage-backed
46,024


46,024


State and political subdivisions
26,965


26,965


Corporate
8,112


8,112


Total debt securities
$
87,393

$

$
87,393

$

 
 
 
 
 
Other investments:
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
$
690

$
690

$

$

There were no transfers in or out of Levels 1 and 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, nor were there any Level 3 assets at any time during either period. Certain other assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in periods after initial recognition, such as collateral-dependent impaired loans, MSRs and OREO, were not considered material at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019. The Company has not elected to apply the fair value method to any financial assets or liabilities other than those situations where other accounting pronouncements require fair value measurements.

FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Management’s estimates and assumptions are inherently subjective and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment. Changes in assumptions could dramatically affect the estimated fair values.

Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments may be excluded from disclosure requirements. Thus, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the actual underlying fair value of such instruments of the Company.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 24



As of the balance sheet dates, the estimated fair values and related carrying amounts of the Company's significant financial instruments were as follows:
 
March 31, 2020
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Carrying
Amount
Estimated Fair
Value
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
41,712

$
41,712

$
41,712

$

$

Interest bearing deposits in banks
6,067

6,247


6,247


Investment securities
90,028

90,028

581

89,447


Loans held for sale
16,456

16,887


16,887


Loans, net
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
189,204

191,802



191,802

Construction real estate
53,670

53,172



53,172

Commercial real estate
300,938

302,181



302,181

Commercial
47,300

46,065



46,065

Consumer
3,442

3,395



3,395

Municipal
76,642

75,345



75,345

Accrued interest receivable
2,702

2,702


443

2,259

Nonmarketable equity securities
3,205

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest bearing
$
139,963

$
139,963

$
139,963

$

$

Interest bearing
449,943

449,943

449,943



Time
146,154

147,443


147,443


Borrowed funds
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term
55,000

55,031


55,031


Long-term
7,164

7,155


7,155


Accrued interest payable
204

204


204



Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 25



 
December 31, 2019
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Carrying
Amount
Estimated Fair
Value
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
51,134

$
51,134

$
51,134

$

$

Interest bearing deposits in banks
6,565

6,671


6,671


Investment securities
88,083

88,083

690

87,393


Loans held for sale
7,442

7,587


7,587


Loans, net
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
191,032

192,955



192,955

Construction real estate
68,951

68,381



68,381

Commercial real estate
286,871

288,931



288,931

Commercial
47,379

45,872



45,872

Consumer
3,545

3,483



3,483

Municipal
67,387

67,103



67,103

Accrued interest receivable
2,702

2,702


435

2,267

Nonmarketable equity securities
2,607

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest bearing
$
136,434

$
136,434

$
136,434

$

$

Interest bearing
458,940

458,940

458,940



Time
148,653

148,542


148,542


Borrowed funds
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term
40,000

40,000

40,000



Long-term
7,164

7,416


7,416


Accrued interest payable
673

673


673


The carrying amounts in the preceding tables are included in the consolidated balance sheets under the applicable captions.

Note 13. Subsequent Events
Subsequent events represent events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. Financial statements are considered “issued” when they are widely distributed to shareholders and others for general use and reliance in a form and format that complies with GAAP. Events occurring subsequent to March 31, 2020 have been evaluated as to their potential impact to the consolidated financial statements.
On April 3, 2020, Union began its participation in the PPP initiated by the SBA as part of the CARES Act. As of April 30, 2020, Union had submitted and received approval for 626 applications in excess of $66.7 million in PPP loans. The PPP loans are required to be closed and disbursed to the borrowers within 10 calendar days of receiving approval from the SBA. The interest rate on the PPP loans is 1.0% with a maximum maturity date of two years from disbursement. Borrowers receiving PPP loans are granted a six month deferment period where no payments are expected, however, interest will continue to accrue during the deferment period. The PPP loans are unsecured and 100% guaranteed by the SBA. The CARES Act permits forgiveness of PPP loans in whole or in part if certain spending criteria are met and certified by the borrower, with the forgiven portion repaid to Union under the SBA guarantee. The amount of principal and interest owed by Union's borrowers that will be forgiven is unknown at this time. Union will collect an origination fee from the SBA for processing PPP loans. The gross amount of fees expected to be collected is approximately $2.4 million with respect to PPP loans approved through April 30, 2020, which will be recognized in interest and fees on loans over the term of the individual loan or at the time of forgiveness.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 26



Additionally, on April 9, 2020, the FRB authorized the PPPLF which is intended to facilitate lending by eligible borrowers, such as Union, to small businesses under the PPP. Under the PPPLF, the Federal Reserve Banks will lend to eligible banks and other PPP lenders on a non-recourse basis, taking PPP loans (including purchased loans) as collateral. The maturity date of an extension of credit under the PPPLF will be the maturity date of the PPP loans pledged to secure the extension of credit. The maturity date of the PPPLF's extension of credit will be accelerated if the underlying PPP loan goes into default and the PPP loan is sold to the SBA to collect on the SBA guarantee. The maturity date of the PPPLF's extension of credit also will be accelerated to the extent any loan forgiveness reimbursement is received from the SBA. There are no fees associated with extensions of credit under the PPPLF and advances will bear an interest rate of 0.35%. Union has been approved by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to participate in the PPPLF and, as of April 30, 2020, had an outstanding advance in the amount of $2.3 million. Available borrowing capacity through the PPPLF will be determined based on the principal amount of the PPP loans pledged to the facility.
Also, in April, Union pledged $42.5 million of qualifying investment securities to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to access borrowing capacity at the discount window.
On April 15, 2020, the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.32 per share, payable May 7, 2020, to stockholders of record on April 27, 2020.

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
GENERAL
The following discussion and analysis focuses on those factors that, in management's view, had a material effect on the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, and its results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. This discussion is being presented to provide a narrative explanation of the consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes and with other financial data appearing elsewhere in this filing and with the Company's 2019 Annual Report. In the opinion of the Company's management, the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments and disclosures necessary to fairly present the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. Management is not aware of the occurrence of any events after March 31, 2020 which would materially affect the information presented.
Please refer to Note 1 in the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements at Part I, Item 1 of this Report for definitions of acronyms, abbreviations and capitalized terms used throughout the following discussion and analysis.

CAUTIONARY ADVICE ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Company, "we," "us," "our," may from time to time make written or oral statements that are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include financial projections, statements of plans and objectives for future operations, estimates of future economic performance or conditions and assumptions relating thereto. The Company may include forward-looking statements in its filings with the SEC, in its reports to stockholders, including this quarterly report, in press releases, other written materials, and in statements made by senior management to analysts, rating agencies, institutional investors, representatives of the media and others.
Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainties, both general and specific, and risk exists that actual results will differ from those predictions, forecasts, projections and other estimates contained in forward-looking statements. These risks cannot be readily quantified. When management uses any of the words “believes,” “expects,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “targets,” “goals,” “may,” “might,” “could,” “would,” “should,” or similar expressions, they are making forward-looking statements. Many possible events or factors, including those beyond the control of management, could affect the future financial results and performance of the Company.
Factors that may cause results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
General economic conditions and financial instability, either nationally, internationally, regionally or locally;
The impact of COVID-19 on our business, including the impact of the actions taken by governmental authorities to try to contain the virus or address the impact of the virus on the United States economy (including, without limitation, passage of the CARES Act), and the resulting effect of all of such items on our operations, liquidity and capital position, and on the financial condition of our borrowers and other customers;
Increased competitive pressures, including those from tax-advantaged credit unions and other financial service providers in our northern Vermont and New Hampshire market area or in the financial services industry generally, from increasing consolidation and integration of financial service providers, and from changes in technology and delivery systems;
Interest rates change in a way that puts pressure on the Company's margins, or that results in lower fee income and lower gain on sale of real estate loans, or that increases our interest costs;

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 27



Changes in laws or government rules, or the way in which courts or government agencies interpret or implement those laws or rules, that increase our costs of doing business or otherwise adversely affect our business;
Further changes in federal or state tax policy;
Changes in our level of nonperforming assets and charge-offs;
Changes in depositor behavior resulting in movement of funds out of bank deposits and into the stock market or other higher-yielding investments;
Changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon relevant regulatory and accounting requirements;
Changes in information technology that require increased capital spending or that result in new or increased risks;
Changes in consumer and business spending, borrowing and savings habits;
Changes in accounting principles, including those governing the manner of estimating our credit risk and calculating our loan loss reserve;
Further changes to the regulations governing the calculation of the Company’s regulatory capital ratios;
Increased competitive pressures affecting the ability of the Company to attract, develop and retain employees;
Increased cybersecurity threats; and
The effect of and changes in the United States monetary and fiscal policies, including interest rate policies and regulation of the money supply by the FRB.
When evaluating forward-looking statements to make decisions about the Company and our stock, investors and others are cautioned to consider these and other risks and uncertainties, and are reminded not to place undue reliance on such statements. Investors should not consider the foregoing list of factors to be a complete list of risks or uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them to reflect new or changed information or events, except as may be required by federal securities laws.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Under SEC Regulation G, public companies making disclosures containing financial measures that are not in accordance with GAAP must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as a statement of the company’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure. The SEC has exempted from the definition of non-GAAP financial measures certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP. However, two non-GAAP financial measures commonly used by financial institutions, namely tax-equivalent net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest margin (as presented in the tables in the section labeled Yields Earned and Rates Paid), have not been specifically exempted by the SEC, and may therefore constitute non-GAAP financial measures under Regulation G. We are unable to state with certainty whether the SEC would regard those measures as subject to Regulation G. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s financial performance and facilitate comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions. However, that information should be considered supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company has established various accounting policies which govern the application of GAAP in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements. Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by management which have a material impact on the reported amount of assets, liabilities, capital, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The SEC has defined a company's critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of the company's financial condition and results of operations, and which require management to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates on matters that are inherently uncertain. Based on this definition, management has identified the accounting policies and judgments most critical to the Company. They include establishing the amount of ALL, evaluating our investment securities for OTTI, and valuing our intangible assets. The judgments and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Because of the nature of the judgments and assumptions made by management, actual results could differ from estimates and have a material impact on the carrying value of assets, liabilities, or capital, and/or the results of operations of the Company.
Please refer to the Company's 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more in-depth discussion of the Company's critical accounting policies. There have been no changes to the Company's critical accounting policies since the filing of that report.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 28




OVERVIEW
On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the United States and around the world. The declaration of a global pandemic indicates that almost all public commerce and related business activities must be, to varying degrees, curtailed with the goal of decreasing the rate of new infections. Subsequent to the global declaration, the President of the United States declared a National Health Emergency and the Governors of Vermont and New Hampshire issued emergency orders requiring the temporary closure of businesses deemed non-essential. The outbreak of COVID-19 could adversely impact a broad range of industries in which the Company’s customers operate and impair their ability to fulfill their financial obligations to the Company and weaken their demand for our products and services.
On March 3, 2020, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) reduced the target federal funds rate by 50 basis points to a range of 1.00% to 1.25%. This rate was further reduced to a target range of 0% to 0.25% on March 16, 2020 and on April 29, 2020 the FOMC announced that it expected to maintain this target range until it is confident that the economy has weathered recent events and is on track to achieve its maximum employment and price stability goals. These reductions in interest rates and other effects of the COVID-19 outbreak may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations in future periods.
Consolidated net income for the first quarter was $2.2 million, or $0.49 per share, compared to $2.6 million, or $0.59 per share, for the same period in 2019. The reduction in earnings from the 2019 comparison period was due to a combination of factors including an anticipated flat interest rate environment, planned technology infrastructure spending, discretionary hiring of high value staff to allow continued growth in the franchise, continued development of newer branch locations, ongoing competition in all aspects of the business, and the initial impacts of the outbreak of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Interest income increased $371 thousand, or 4.3%, to $9.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $8.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. As discussed above, the FRB initiated a 150 basis point reduction in short term interest rates in March 2020 which will impact interest income in future periods. Interest expense was $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $230 thousand, or 18.7%.
The provision for loan losses was $300 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $50 thousand for the same period in 2019. The increase in the provision resulted from management's adjustment to the economic qualitative factors utilized to estimate the allowance for loan losses due to the economic disruption currently impacting our borrowers.
Total noninterest income amounted to $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an increase of $286 thousand, or 12.8%, primarily due to an increase in the gain on sale of residential loans. Total noninterest expenses were $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $6.5 million for the same period in 2019. Increases of $323 thousand in salaries and wages, $76 thousand in occupancy expenses, $175 thousand in equipment expenses, and $88 thousand in other expenses were partially offset by a decrease of $17 thousand in employee benefits between periods.
At March 31, 2020, the Company had total consolidated assets of $883.1 million, including gross loans and loans held for sale (total loans) of $693.0 million, deposits of $736.1 million, borrowed funds of $62.2 million, and stockholders' equity of $73.8 million.
The Company's total capital increased from $71.8 million at December 31, 2019 to $73.8 million at March 31, 2020. This increase primarily reflects net income of $2.2 million for the first three months of 2020 and an increase of $1.1 million in accumulated other comprehensive income, partially offset by regular cash dividends declared of $1.4 million. (See Capital Resources on page 41.)

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 29



The following unaudited per share information and key ratios depict several measurements of performance or financial condition at or for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively:
 
Three Months Ended or At March 31,
 
2020
2019
Return on average assets (1)
1.03
%
1.32
%
Return on average equity (1)
12.09
%
16.09
%
Net interest margin (1)(2)
3.88
%
4.07
%
Efficiency ratio (3)
70.75
%
67.14
%
Net interest spread (4)
3.70
%
3.90
%
Loan to deposit ratio
94.15
%
93.59
%
Net loan charge-offs to average loans not held for sale (1)
0.02
%
0.14
%
Allowance for loan losses to loans not held for sale
0.94
%
0.86
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets (5)
0.45
%
0.28
%
Equity to assets
8.36
%
8.20
%
Total capital to risk weighted assets
13.20
%
13.05
%
Book value per share
$
16.50

$
14.94

Earnings per share
$
0.49

$
0.59

Dividends paid per share
$
0.32

$
0.31

Dividend payout ratio (6)
65.31
%
52.54
%
__________________
(1)
Annualized.
(2)
The ratio of tax equivalent net interest income to average earning assets. See page 31 for more information.
(3)
The ratio of noninterest expense to tax equivalent net interest income and noninterest income, excluding securities gains (losses).
(4)
The difference between the average yield on earning assets and the average rate paid on  interest bearing liabilities. See page 31 for more information.
(5)
Nonperforming assets are loans or investment securities that are in nonaccrual or 90 or more days past due as well as OREO or OAO.
(6)
Cash dividends declared and paid per share divided by consolidated net income per share.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income. The largest component of the Company’s operating income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest and dividend income received from earning assets and interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities. Net interest income is affected by various factors including, but not limited to changes in interest rates, loan and deposit pricing strategies, the volume and mix of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, and the level of nonperforming assets. Net interest margin is calculated as the net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis as a percentage of average earning assets.
The average yield on average earning assets was 4.62% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to 4.74% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, a decrease of 12 bps despite an increase in average earning assets of $45.6 million. Interest income on investment securities increased $12 thousand between comparison periods primarily due to an increase of $9.9 million in average balances between the comparison periods, partially offset by a decrease in average yield of 27 bps. Interest income on loans increased $389 thousand between comparison periods due to an increase in the average volume of loans outstanding of $34.2 million partially offset by a decrease in the average yield of six bps due to the current interest rate environment and competition for quality loans.
The average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities increased eight bps, to 0.92% for the first quarter of 2020 compared to 0.84% for the first quarter of 2019. The increase in the average rates paid along with an increase of $38.4 million in the average balance in interest bearing liabilities resulted in an increase of $230 thousand in interest expense between comparison periods. The average rate paid on time deposits increased eight bps for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, which reflects higher rate CD specials offered to customers in the Company's newest markets. The reduction in short term interest rates initiated by the FRB beginning in the third quarter of 2019 has provided some relief in wholesale funding costs, with a reduction in the average rate paid of 39 bps, resulting in a decrease of $14 thousand in interest expense for borrowed funds during the three months

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 30



ended March 31, 2020 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019 despite an increase of $3.3 million in the average balance.
The Company’s tax-equivalent net interest income increased $141 thousand, or 1.9%, to $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 from $7.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The net interest spread decreased 20 bps to 3.70% for the first quarter of 2020, from 3.90% for the same period last year, reflecting the net effect of the eight bps increase in the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities and the 12 bps decrease in the average yield earned on interest earning assets between periods. The net interest margin decreased 19 bps during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period last year as a result of the changes discussed above.
The following tables show for the periods indicated the total amount of income recorded from average interest earning assets, the related average tax equivalent yields, the interest expense associated with average interest bearing liabilities, the related average rates paid, and the resulting tax equivalent net interest spread and margin.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2020
2019
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Earned/
Paid
Average
Yield/
Rate
Average
Balance
Interest
Earned/
Paid
Average
Yield/
Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Average Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
$
18,222

$
53

1.15
%
$
14,306

$
61

1.72
%
Interest bearing deposits in banks
6,541

41

2.52
%
9,048

55

2.46
%
Investment securities (1), (2)
86,311

544

2.66
%
76,383

532

2.93
%
Loans, net (1), (3)
677,702

8,291

4.98
%
643,514

7,902

5.04
%
Nonmarketable equity securities
2,152

34

6.43
%
2,094

42

8.13
%
Total interest earning assets (1)
790,928

8,963

4.62
%
745,345

8,592

4.74
%
Cash and due from banks
5,188

 
 
4,440

 
 
Premises and equipment
20,826

 
 
16,812

 
 
Other assets
32,590

 
 
24,725

 
 
Total assets
$
849,532

 
 
$
791,322

 
 
Average Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing checking accounts
$
169,513

170

0.40
%
$
152,091

75

0.20
%
Savings/money market accounts
283,570

616

0.87
%
286,967

571

0.81
%
Time deposits
146,396

523

1.44
%
125,376

419

1.36
%
Borrowed funds and other liabilities
33,260

148

1.77
%
29,927

162

2.16
%
Total interest bearing liabilities
632,739

1,457

0.92
%
594,361

1,227

0.84
%
Noninterest bearing deposits
135,561

 
 
125,202

 
 
Other liabilities
8,607

 
 
6,615

 
 
Total liabilities
776,907

 
 
726,178

 
 
Stockholders' equity
72,625

 
 
65,144

 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
849,532

 
 
$
791,322

 
 
Net interest income
 
$
7,506

 
 
$
7,365

 
Net interest spread (1)
 
 
3.70
%
 
 
3.90
%
Net interest margin (1)
 
 
3.88
%
 
 
4.07
%
__________________
(1)
Average yields reported on a tax equivalent basis using a marginal federal corporate income tax rate of 21%.
(2)
Average balances of investment securities are calculated on the amortized cost basis and include nonaccrual securities, if applicable.
(3)
Includes loans held for sale as well as nonaccrual loans, unamortized costs and unamortized premiums and is net of the allowance for loan losses.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 31



Tax exempt interest income amounted to $653 thousand and $602 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The following table presents the effect of tax exempt income on the calculation of net interest income, using a marginal federal corporate income tax rate of 21% for the 2020 and 2019 three month comparison periods:
 
For The Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
2020
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net interest income, as presented
$
7,506

$
7,365

Effect of tax-exempt interest
 
 
Investment securities
30

28

Loans
94

99

Net interest income, tax equivalent
$
7,630

$
7,492


Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table describes the extent to which changes in average interest rates earned and paid (on a fully tax-equivalent basis) and changes in volume of average interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities have affected the Company's interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. For each category of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, information is provided on changes attributable to:
changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by prior rate);
changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior volume); and
total change in rate and volume.
Changes attributable to both rate and volume have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
Compared to
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Increase/(Decrease) Due to Change In
 
Volume
Rate
Net
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest earning assets:
 
 
 
Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
$
15

$
(23
)
$
(8
)
Interest bearing deposits in banks
(15
)
1

(14
)
Investment securities
69

(57
)
12

Loans, net
459

(70
)
389

Nonmarketable equity securities
1

(9
)
(8
)
Total interest earning assets
$
529

$
(158
)
$
371

Interest bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
Interest bearing checking accounts
$
11

$
84

$
95

Savings/money market accounts
(4
)
49

45

Time deposits
76

28

104

Borrowed funds
18

(32
)
(14
)
Total interest bearing liabilities
$
101

$
129

$
230

Net change in net interest income
$
428

$
(287
)
$
141


Provision for Loan Losses. A provision for loan losses of $300 thousand was recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to $50 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase in the provision resulted from management's adjustment to the economic qualitative factors utilized to estimate the allowance for loan losses due to the economic disruption related to the COVID-19 pandemic currently impacting Union's borrowers. The provision for loan losses for the first three months of 2020 was deemed appropriate by management based on the size and mix of the loan portfolio, the level of nonperforming loans, the results of the qualitative factor review and prevailing economic conditions. For further details, see FINANCIAL CONDITION- Allowance for Loan Losses and Asset Quality below.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 32



Noninterest Income. The following table sets forth the components of noninterest income and changes between the three month comparison periods of 2020 and 2019:
 
For The Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2020
2019
$ Variance
% Variance
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Trust income
$
173

$
168

$
5

3.0

Service fees
1,497

1,426

71

5.0

Net gains on sales of loans held for sale
812

374

438

117.1

Income from Company-owned life insurance
81

56

25

44.6

Income from mortgage servicing rights, net
39

(52
)
91

(175.0
)
Other income
29

194

(165
)
(85.1
)
Net (loss) gain on other investments
(124
)
62

(186
)
(300.0
)
Net gains on sales of investment securities AFS
11

4

7

100.0

Total noninterest income
$
2,518

$
2,232

$
286

12.8

The significant changes in noninterest income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period of 2019 are described below:
Service fees. Service fees increased $71 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the same period of 2019 due to increases of $11 thousand in ATM network income, $19 thousand in overdraft fee income, and $25 thousand in loan servicing fees.
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale. Continuing the Company's strategy to mitigate long-term interest rate risk, residential mortgage loans totaling $42.4 million were sold during the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to sales of $21.4 million during the same period in 2019. The increase in net gains on sales of real estate loans reflects the increase in the volume of loans sold and a declining rate environment.
Income from Company-owned life insurance. The Company purchased $3.0 million of Company owned life insurance covering select officers of Union during the third quarter of 2019, resulting in increased income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Income from mortgage servicing rights, net. The increase in volume of sales of residential loans as discussed above resulted in income from mortgage servicing rights net of amortization of $39 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The amortization of mortgage servicing rights exceeded capitalized mortgage servicing rights for the three months ended March 31, 2019 which resulted in an expense of $52 thousand.
Other income. Other income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included $131 thousand in prepayment penalties from the early payoff of commercial loans and $50 thousand related to oil and gas income, which were not repeated in the first quarter of 2020.
Net (loss) gain on other investments. Participants in the 2006 Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan elect to defer receipt of current compensation from the Company or its subsidiary and select designated reference investments consisting of investment funds. The performance of those funds resulted in net gains of $62 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and a net loss of $124 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 33



Noninterest Expense. The following table sets forth the components of noninterest expense and changes between the three month comparison periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
 
For The Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2020
2019
$ Variance
% Variance
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Salaries and wages
$
3,121

$
2,798

$
323

11.5

Employee benefits
982

999

(17
)
(1.7
)
Occupancy expense, net
514

438

76

17.4

Equipment expense
740

565

175

31.0

Other loan related expenses
65

48

17

35.4

Vermont franchise tax
177

164

13

7.9

Advertising and public relations
118

90

28

31.1

Electronic banking expenses
78

67

11

16.4

Other expenses
1,377

1,358

19

1.4

Total noninterest expense
$
7,172

$
6,527

$
645

9.9

The significant changes in noninterest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 are described below:
Salaries and wages. Salaries and wages increased $323 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to increases in commissions earned by mortgage loan originators, additions to staff for new branch locations and other operational departments of the Bank, and annual salary adjustments.
Employee benefits. Employee benefits decreased due to a reduction in deferred compensation expense due to the quarterly loss adjustment of $122 thousand related to the decline in value of the underlying assets supporting the plan, partially offset by increases in the Company's medical and dental plan costs of $60 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020, and increases of $45 thousand in payroll taxes and $62 thousand in 401k contributions for the same period.
Occupancy expense, net. Occupancy expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2020 due to increases in depreciation expense, utilities, and repairs and maintenance. These increases are primarily due to our branch expansion projects with the opening of two full service branches in Vermont in 2019.
Equipment expense. Equipment expenses increased due to increases of $124 thousand in depreciation expense, $23 thousand in ATM services and $29 thousand in software license and maintenance costs for the three months ended March 31, 2020. These increases are the result of planned spending on technology infrastructure, with the replacement of computers throughout the Company and upgrading the fleet of ATMs.
Other loan related expenses. The increase in other loan related expenses is the result of higher volume of residential loan originations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Vermont franchise tax. The increase in expense between the comparison periods is due to the increase in average deposit balances for customer accounts allocated to Vermont.
Advertising and public relations. The increase between the comparison periods is due to updates to existing advertising and marketing campaigns related to residential mortgage loans and customer deposit accounts.
Electronic banking expenses. Electronic banking expenses increased $11 thousand between the comparison periods due to changes in services with ATM and debit card service providers.

Provision for Income Taxes. The Company has provided for current and deferred federal income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. The Company's net provision for income taxes was $356 thousand and $399 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company's effective federal corporate income tax rate was 13.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to 12.9% for the same period in 2019.
Amortization expense related to limited partnership investments is included as a component of tax expense and amounted to $188 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and $162 thousand for the same period in 2019. These investments provide tax benefits, including tax credits. Low income housing tax credits with respect to limited partnership investments are also included as a component of income tax expense and amounted to $195 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and $167 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 34




FINANCIAL CONDITION
At March 31, 2020, the Company had total consolidated assets of $883.1 million, including gross loans and loans held for sale (total loans) of $693.0 million, deposits of $736.1 million, borrowed funds of $62.2 million and stockholders' equity of $73.8 million. The Company’s total assets at March 31, 2020 increased $10.2 million, or 1.2%, from $872.9 million at December 31, 2019, and increased $69.8 million, or 8.6%, compared to March 31, 2019.

Net loans and loans held for sale increased $15.0 million, or 2.2%, to $687.7 million, or 77.9% of total assets at March 31, 2020, compared to $672.6 million, or 77.1% of total assets at December 31, 2019. (See Loans Held for Sale and Loan Portfolio below.)

Total deposits decreased $8.0 million, or 1.1%, to $736.1 million at March 31, 2020, from $744.0 million at December 31, 2019. There were decreases in interest bearing deposits of $9.0 million, or 2.0%, and time deposits of $2.5 million, or 1.7%, which were partially offset by an increase in noninterest bearing deposits of $3.5 million, or 2.6%. (See average balances and rates in the Yields Earned and Rates Paid table on page 31.)

Total borrowed funds increased $15.0 million, or 31.8%, from $47.2 million at December 31, 2019 to $62.2 million at March 31, 2020. (See Borrowings on page 40.)

Total stockholders’ equity increased $1.9 million to $73.8 million at March 31, 2020 from $71.8 million at December 31, 2019. (See Capital Resources on page 41.)

Loans Held for Sale and Loan Portfolio. Total loans (including loans held for sale) increased $15.3 million, or 2.3%, to $693.0 million, representing 78.5% of assets at March 31, 2020, from $677.7 million, representing 77.6% of assets at December 31, 2019. The total loan portfolio at March 31, 2020 increased $37.5 million compared to the March 31, 2019 level of $655.5 million, representing 80.6% of assets. The Company’s loans consist primarily of adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family, multi-family residential or commercial real estate. Real estate secured loans represented $565.3 million, or 81.6% of total loans at March 31, 2020 and $559.1 million, or 82.5% of total loans at December 31, 2019. The composition of the Company’s loan portfolio remained relatively unchanged from December 31, 2019. There was no material change in the Company’s lending programs or terms during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

The composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was as follows:
 
March 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
Loan Class
Amount
Percent
Amount
Percent
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
190,420

27.5
$
192,125

28.4
Construction real estate
54,207

7.8
69,617

10.3
Commercial real estate
304,204

43.9
289,883

42.8
Commercial
47,633

6.9
47,699

7.0
Consumer
3,460

0.5
3,562

0.5
Municipal
76,607

11.0
67,358

9.9
Loans held for sale
16,456

2.4
7,442

1.1
Total loans
692,987

100.0
677,686

100.0
Allowance for loan losses
(6,391
)
 
(6,122
)
 
Unamortized net loan costs
1,056

 
1,043

 
Net loans and loans held for sale
$
687,652

 
$
672,607

 
The Company originates and sells qualified residential mortgage loans in various secondary market avenues, with a majority of sales made to the FHLMC/Freddie Mac, generally with servicing rights retained. At March 31, 2020, the Company serviced a $770.3 million residential real estate mortgage portfolio, of which $16.5 million was held for sale and approximately $563.4 million was serviced for unaffiliated third parties.
During the first three months of 2020, the Company sold $42.4 million of qualified residential real estate loans to the secondary market to mitigate long-term interest rate risk and to generate fee income, compared to sales of $21.4 million during the first three months of 2019. The Company originates and sells FHA, VA, and RD residential mortgage loans, and also has an Unconditional Direct Endorsement Approval from HUD which allows the Company to approve FHA loans originated in any of its Vermont or

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 35



New Hampshire locations without needing prior HUD underwriting approval. The Company sells FHA, VA and RD loans as originated with servicing released. Some of the government backed loans qualify for zero down payments without geographic or income restrictions. These loan products increase the Company's ability to serve the borrowing needs of residents in the communities served, including low and moderate income borrowers, while the government guaranty mitigates the Company's exposure to credit risk.
The Company also originates commercial real estate and commercial loans under various SBA, USDA and State sponsored programs which provide a government agency guaranty for a portion of the loan amount. There was $4.1 million guaranteed under these various programs at March 31, 2020 on an aggregate balance of $5.3 million in subject loans. The Company occasionally sells the guaranteed portion of a loan to other financial concerns and retains servicing rights, which generates fee income. There were $131 thousand in commercial loans sold in the first three months of 2020 and no commercial loans sold in the first three months of 2019. The Company recognizes gains and losses on the sale of the principal portion of these loans as they occur.
The Company serviced $25.1 million of commercial and commercial real estate loans for unaffiliated third parties as of March 31, 2020. This includes $23.3 million of commercial or commercial real estate loans the Company has participated out to other financial institutions. These loans were participated in the ordinary course of business on a nonrecourse basis, for liquidity or credit concentration management purposes.
The Company capitalizes MSRs for all loans sold with servicing retained and recognizes gains and losses on the sale of the principal portion of these loans as they occur. The unamortized balance of MSRs on loans sold with servicing retained was $1.8 million at March 31, 2020, with an estimated market value in excess of the carrying value as of such date. Management periodically evaluates and measures the servicing assets for impairment.
Qualifying residential first mortgage loans and certain commercial real estate loans with a carrying value of $221.8 million were pledged as collateral for borrowings from the FHLB under a blanket lien at March 31, 2020.

Asset Quality. The Company, like all financial institutions, is exposed to certain credit risks, including those related to the value of the collateral that secures its loans and the ability of borrowers to repay their loans. Consistent application of the Company’s conservative loan policies has helped to mitigate this risk and has been prudent for both the Company and its customers. Management closely monitors the Company’s loan and investment portfolios, OREO and OAO for potential problems and reports to the Company’s and Union’s Board at regularly scheduled meetings. Board approved policies set forth portfolio diversification levels to mitigate concentration risk and the Company participates large credits out to other financial institutions to further mitigate that risk.
As a result of the current economic environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous industries and individuals have and will continue to experience adverse impacts which may effect our borrowers’ ability to make their loan payments on a timely basis. The Company’s management is focused on the impact that the COVID-19 economic disruption may have on its borrowers and closely monitors industry and geographic concentrations, specifically the impact on the region's tourist industry. Although the nationwide unemployment rate was reported at 4.4% and 3.8% for March 2020 and March 2019, respectively, there has been significant job loss since this date as a result of the economic disruption including government mandated business shutdowns. The Vermont unemployment rate was reported at 3.2% for March 2020 compared to 2.3% for March 2019 and the New Hampshire unemployment rate was 2.6% for March 2020 compared to 2.4% for March 2019. Management will continue to monitor the national, regional and local economic environment in relation to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on unemployment, business outlook and real estate values in the Company’s market area.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 36



Repossessed assets and loans or investments that are 90 days or more past due are considered to be nonperforming assets. The following table shows the composition of nonperforming assets at the dates indicated and trends in certain ratios monitored by the Company's management in reviewing asset quality:
 
March 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
March 31,
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans
$
2,209

$
2,323

$
783

Accruing loans 90+ days delinquent
1,722

1,179

1,492

Total nonperforming assets (1)
$
3,931

$
3,502

$
2,275

ALL to loans not held for sale
0.94
%
0.91
%
0.86
%
ALL to nonperforming loans
162.58
%
174.81
%
244.92
%
Nonperforming loans to total loans
0.57
%
0.52
%
0.35
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.45
%
0.40
%
0.28
%
Delinquent loans (30 days to nonaccruing) to total loans
1.33
%
1.35
%
1.20
%
Net charge-offs (annualized) to average loans not held for sale
0.02
%
0.06
%
0.14
%
____________________
(1)
The Company had guarantees of U.S. or state government agencies on certain of the above nonperforming loans totaling $92 thousand at March 31, 2020, $286 thousand at December 31, 2019, and $109 thousand at March 31, 2019.

The level of nonaccrual loans decreased $114 thousand, or 4.9%, since December 31, 2019, and accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more increased $543 thousand, or 46.1%, during the same time period. There was one residential real estate loan totaling $50 thousand in process of foreclosure at March 31, 2020. In April 2020, the State of Vermont issued a temporary moratorium on foreclosure actions until the end of the COVID-19 emergency period. The aggregate interest income not recognized on nonaccrual loans approximated $280 thousand as of March 31, 2020 and $271 thousand as of December 31, 2019.
The Company had loans rated substandard that were on performing status totaling $1.7 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019. In management's view, substandard loans represent a higher degree of risk of becoming nonperforming loans in the future.
On occasion, the Company acquires residential or commercial real estate properties through or in lieu of loan foreclosure. These properties are held for sale and are initially recorded as OREO at fair value less estimated selling costs at the date of the Company’s acquisition of the property, with fair value based on an appraisal for more significant properties and on a broker’s price opinion for less significant properties. Holding costs and declines in the fair value of properties acquired are expensed as incurred. Declines in the fair value after acquisition of the property result in charges against income before tax. The Company evaluates each OREO property at least quarterly for changes in the fair value. The Company had no properties classified as OREO at March 31, 2020, March 31, 2019 or December 31, 2019.
Allowance for Loan Losses. Some of the Company’s loan customers ultimately do not make all of their contractually scheduled payments, requiring the Company to charge off a portion or all of the remaining principal balance due. The Company maintains an ALL to absorb such losses. The ALL is maintained at a level believed by management to be appropriate to absorb probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the evaluation date; however, actual loan losses may vary from current estimates. The Company's policy and methodologies for establishing the ALL, described in the Company's 2019 Annual Report did not change during the first three months of 2020.
Due to the economic disruption currently impacting our borrowers, the economic qualitative reserve factor assigned to each loan portfolio in the ALL estimate was increased 5 bps during the first three months of 2020 to incorporate the current economic implications and rising unemployment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Impaired loans, including $2.8 million of TDR loans, were $5.1 million at March 31, 2020, with government guaranties of $570 thousand and a specific reserve amount allocated of $208 thousand. Impaired loans, including $2.9 million of TDR loans, were $5.2 million at December 31, 2019, with government guaranties of $587 thousand and a specific reserve amount allocated of $196 thousand. Based on management's evaluation of the Company's historical loss experience on substandard commercial loans, commercial loan relationships with aggregate balances greater than $500 thousand are evaluated individually for impairment, with a specific reserve allocated when warranted. Commercial loans with balances under this threshold are collectively evaluated for impairment as a homogeneous pool of loans, unless such loans are subject to a restructuring agreement or have been identified as impaired as part of a larger customer relationship. The specific reserve amount allocated to individually identified impaired loans increased $12 thousand as a result of the March 31, 2020 impairment evaluation.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 37



The following table reflects activity in the ALL for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
 
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
2020
2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period
$
6,122

$
5,739

Charge-offs
(54
)
(221
)
Recoveries
23

4

Net charge-offs
(31
)
(217
)
Provision for loan losses
300

50

Balance at end of period
$
6,391

$
5,572

The following table (net of loans held for sale) shows the internal breakdown by risk component of the Company's ALL and the percentage of loans in each category to total loans in the respective portfolios at the dates indicated:
 
March 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
 
Amount
Percent
Amount
Percent
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
1,513

28.2
$
1,392

28.7
Construction real estate
622

8.0
774

10.4
Commercial real estate
3,459

45.0
3,178

43.3
Commercial
407

7.0
394

7.1
Consumer
23

0.5
23

0.5
Municipal
85

11.3
76

10.0
Unallocated
282

285

Total
$
6,391

100.0
$
6,122

100.0

Notwithstanding the categories shown in the table above or any specific allocation under the Company's ALL methodology, all funds in the ALL are available to absorb loan losses in the portfolio, regardless of loan category or specific allocation.
Management believes, in its best estimate, that the ALL at March 31, 2020 is appropriate to cover probable credit losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio as of such date. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will not sustain losses in future periods which could be greater than the size of the ALL at March 31, 2020. In addition, our banking regulators, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our ALL. Such agencies may require us to recognize adjustments to the ALL based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. A large adjustment to the ALL for losses in future periods could require increased provisions to replenish the ALL, which could negatively affect earnings.
Investment Activities. During the first three months of 2020, investment securities classified as AFS increased $2.1 million to $89.4 million, comprising 10.1% of total assets, compared to $87.4 million, or 10.0% of total assets at December 31, 2019. Net unrealized gains for the Company’s AFS investment securities portfolio were $2.6 million as of March 31, 2020, compared to net unrealized gains of $1.2 million as of December 31, 2019. The Company’s accumulated OCI component of stockholders’ equity at March 31, 2020 reflected cumulative net unrealized gains on investment securities of $2.1 million. There were no securities classified as HTM at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019. No declines in value were deemed by management to be OTT at March 31, 2020. Deterioration in credit quality and/or imbalances in liquidity that may exist in the financial marketplace might adversely affect the fair values of the Company’s investment portfolio and the amount of gains or losses ultimately realized on the sale of such securities, and may also increase the potential that certain resulting unrealized losses will be designated as OTT in future periods, resulting in write-downs and charges to earnings. There were no investment securities pledged as of March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 38



Deposits. The following table shows information concerning the Company's average deposits by account type and weighted average nominal rates at which interest was paid on such deposits for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019:
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2019
 
Average
Amount
Percent
of Total
Deposits
Average
Rate
Average
Amount
Percent
of Total
Deposits
Average
Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Nontime deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest bearing deposits
$
135,561

18.4

$
125,202

18.1

Interest bearing checking accounts
169,513

23.1
0.40
%
152,091

22.1
0.20
%
Money market accounts
176,150

24.0
1.32
%
180,256

26.1
1.19
%
Savings accounts
107,420

14.6
0.15
%
106,711

15.5
0.15
%
Total nontime deposits
588,644

80.1
0.54
%
564,260

81.8
0.46
%
Time deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than $100,000
75,132

10.2
1.26
%
70,737

10.3
1.20
%
$100,000 and over
71,264

9.7
1.62
%
54,639

7.9
1.56
%
Total time deposits
146,396

19.9
1.44
%
125,376

18.2
1.36
%
Total deposits
$
735,040

100.0
0.72
%
$
689,636

100.0
0.63
%
During the first three months of 2020, average total deposits grew $45.4 million, or 6.6%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019, with growth in all categories except money market accounts.
The Company participates in CDARS, which permits the Company to offer full deposit insurance coverage to its customers by exchanging deposit balances with other CDARS participants. CDARS also provides the Company with an additional source of funding and liquidity through the purchase of deposits. There were no purchased deposits as of March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019. There were $13.2 million of time deposits of $250,000 or less on the balance sheet at March 31, 2020 and $12.0 million at December 31, 2019, which were exchanged with other CDARS participants.
The Company also participates in the ICS program, a service through which it can offer its customers demand or savings products with access to unlimited FDIC insurance, while receiving reciprocal deposits from other FDIC-insured banks. Like the exchange of certificate of deposit accounts through CDARS, exchange of demand or savings deposits through ICS provides a depositor with full deposit insurance coverage of excess balances, thereby helping the Company retain the full amount of the deposit on its balance sheet. As with the CDARS program, in addition to reciprocal deposits, participating banks may also purchase one-way ICS deposits. There were $91.0 million and $115.3 million in exchanged ICS demand and money market deposits on the balance sheet at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. There were no purchased ICS deposits at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.
The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 allows the Company to hold reciprocal deposits up to 20 percent of total liabilities without those deposits being treated as brokered for regulatory purposes.
At March 31, 2020, there were $15.0 million in retail brokered deposits issued under a master certificate of deposit program with a deposit broker for the purpose of providing a supplemental source of funding and liquidity. These deposits will mature in August 2020. There were $12.0 million of retail brokered deposits at December 31, 2019.
The following table provides a maturity distribution of the Company’s time deposits in amounts of $100,000 and over at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
 
March 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Within 3 months
$
7,346

$
27,377

3 to 6 months
17,647

7,351

6 to 12 months
26,459

20,160

Over 12 months
19,072

18,161

 
$
70,524

$
73,049


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 39



The Company's time deposits in amounts of $100 thousand and over decreased $2.5 million, or 3.5%, between December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, resulting primarily from the maturity of customer time deposits originated when promotions were offered during 2019 that were not renewed.
A provision of the Dodd-Frank Act permanently raised FDIC deposit insurance coverage to $250 thousand per depositor per insured depository institution for each account ownership category. At March 31, 2020, the Company had deposit accounts with less than the maximum FDIC insured deposit amount of $250 thousand totaling $571.6 million, or 77.7% of total deposits. An additional $18.9 million of municipal deposits were over the FDIC insurance coverage limit at March 31, 2020 and were collateralized under applicable state regulations by letters of credit issued by the FHLB.
Borrowings. The Company's borrowed funds at March 31, 2020 were comprised of borrowings from the FHLB of $62.2 million, at a weighted average rate of 0.99%, compared to $47.2 million at December 31, 2019, at a weighted average rate of 2.01%, a net increase of $15.0 million, or 31.8%. The increase in FHLB borrowings reflects new advances of $55 million at rates ranging from 0.45% to 1.62% taken during the first quarter of 2020. These advances were partially offset by the maturity of $40.0 million in advances during the first three months of 2020. The increase in borrowed funds was utilized to fund loan demand as loan growth outpaced deposit growth throughout the first three months of 2020 and the remaining funds were retained on hand in preparation for potential cash flow needs resulting from COVID-19 economic and financial market disruptions.
The Company has the authority, up to its available borrowing capacity with the FHLB, to collateralize public unit deposits with letters of credit issued by the FHLB. FHLB letters of credit in the amount of $24.2 million and $24.8 million were utilized as collateral for these deposits at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Total fees paid by the Company in connection with the issuance of these letters of credit were $8 thousand and $6 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Commitments, Contingent Liabilities, and Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements. The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers, to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and to implement its strategic objectives. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, interest rate caps and floors written on adjustable-rate loans, commitments to participate in or sell loans, commitments to buy or sell securities, certificates of deposit or other investment instruments and risk-sharing commitments or guarantees on certain sold loans. Such instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized on the balance sheet. The contractual or notional amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in a particular class of financial instruments.
The Company's maximum exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual or notional amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. For interest rate caps and floors written on adjustable-rate loans, the contractual or notional amounts do not represent the Company’s exposure to credit loss. The Company controls the risk of interest rate cap agreements through credit approvals, limits, and monitoring procedures. The Company generally requires collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.
The following table details the contractual or notional amount of financial instruments that represented credit risk at the balance sheet dates:
 
March 31, 2020
December 31, 2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commitments to originate loans
$
35,813

$
35,689

Unused lines of credit
98,836

103,623

Standby and commercial letters of credit
2,306

2,308

Credit card arrangements
314

311

FHLB Mortgage Partnership Finance credit enhancement obligation, net
687

687

Total
$
137,956

$
142,618

Commitments to originate loans are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have a fixed expiration date or other termination clause and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the loan commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon and not all credit lines will be utilized, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Lines of credit incur seasonal volume fluctuations due to the nature of some customers' businesses, such as tourism and maple syrup products production.
The Company did not hold any derivative or hedging instruments at March 31, 2020 or December 31, 2019.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 40



Prior to March 26, 2020, all banks, including the Company’s subsidiary, were required to maintain vault cash or a noninterest bearing reserve balance under FRB regulations. The reserve requirement was eliminated effective March 26, 2020. The Bank had an average total required reserve of $1.8 million for the 14 day maintenance period that included December 31, 2019, which was satisfied by vault cash.

Liquidity. Liquidity is a measurement of the Company’s ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to fund deposit withdrawals, repay borrowings, fund investment and lending activities, and for other general business purposes. The primary objective of liquidity management is to maintain a balance between sources and uses of funds to meet our cash flow needs in the most economical and expedient manner. The Company’s principal sources of funds are deposits; whole-sale funding options including purchased deposits, amortization, prepayment and maturity of loans, investment securities, interest bearing deposits and other short-term investments; sales of securities and loans AFS; earnings; and funds provided from operations. Contractual principal repayments on loans have been a relatively predictable source of funds; however, payment deferrals approved for borrowers as a result of COVID-19 will delay receipt of contractual payments. Deposit flows and loan and investment prepayments are less predictable and can be significantly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and rates offered by our competitors. Managing liquidity risk is essential to maintaining both depositor confidence and earnings stability.
As of March 31, 2020, Union, as a member of FHLB, had access to unused lines of credit up to $48.9 million over and above the $87.3 million in combined outstanding borrowings and other credit subject to collateralization, subject to the purchase of required FHLB Class B common stock and evaluation by the FHLB of the underlying collateral available. This line of credit can be used for either short-term or long-term liquidity or other funding needs.
Union also maintains an IDEAL Way Line of Credit with the FHLB. The total line available was $551 thousand at March 31, 2020. There were no borrowings against this line of credit as of such date. Interest on this line is chargeable at a rate determined by the FHLB and payable monthly. Should Union utilize this line of credit, qualified portions of the loan and investment portfolios would collateralize these borrowings.
In addition to its borrowing arrangements with the FHLB, Union maintains a pre-approved federal funds line of credit totaling $15.0 million with an upstream correspondent bank, a master brokered deposit agreement with a brokerage firm, one-way buy options with CDARS and ICS. In addition to the funding sources available to Union, the Company maintains a $5.0 million revolving line of credit with a correspondent bank. At March 31, 2020, there were no purchased ICS or CDARS deposits, $15.0 million in retail brokered deposits issued under a master certificate of deposit program with a deposit broker, and no outstanding advances on the federal funds lines.
Union has implemented its Contingency Liquidity Plan as a result of COVID-19. In April 2020, certain qualifying investment securities were pledged as collateral to the FRB to have access to discount window borrowing facility. As of April 30, 2020, there were no outstanding advances from the discount window. Additionally, on April 9, 2020, the FRB authorized the PPPLF, which provides funding to facilitate lending by eligible borrowers to small businesses under the PPP. Under the PPPLF, the FRB will lend to eligible borrowers on a non-recourse basis, taking PPP loans, including purchased loans, as collateral. Union has been approved by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston to participate in the PPPLF and, as of April 30, 2020, had an outstanding advance in the amount of $2.3 million.
Union's investment and residential loan portfolios also provide a significant amount of contingent liquidity that could be accessed in a reasonable time period through sales of those portfolios. Additional contingent liquidity sources are available with further access to the brokered deposit market. These sources are considered as liquidity alternatives in our contingent liquidity plan. Management believes the Company has sufficient liquidity to meet all reasonable borrower, depositor, and creditor needs in the present economic environment. However, any projections of future cash needs and flows are subject to substantial uncertainty, including factors outside the Company's control.

Capital Resources. Capital management is designed to maintain an optimum level of capital in a cost-effective structure that meets target regulatory ratios, supports management’s internal assessment of economic capital, funds the Company’s business strategies and builds long-term stockholder value. Dividends are generally in line with long-term trends in earnings per share and conservative earnings projections, while sufficient profits are retained to support anticipated business growth, fund strategic investments, maintain required regulatory capital levels and provide continued support for deposits. The Company continues to evaluate growth opportunities both through internal growth or potential acquisitions.
Stockholders’ equity increased from $71.8 million at December 31, 2019 to $73.8 million at March 31, 2020, reflecting net income of $2.2 million for the first three months of 2020, an increase of $1.1 million in accumulated other comprehensive income due to an increase in the fair market value of the Company's AFS securities, an increase of $76 thousand from stock based compensation, a $22 thousand increase due to the issuance of 1,000 shares of common stock from the exercise of incentive stock options and an $8 thousand increase due to the issuance of common stock under the DRIP. These increases were partially offset by cash dividends declared of $1.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020. The components of other comprehensive income are illustrated in Note 11 of the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 41



The Company has 7,500,000 shares of $2.00 par value common stock authorized. As of March 31, 2020, the Company had 4,949,246 shares issued, of which 4,473,200 were outstanding and 476,046 were held in treasury.
In January 2020, the Company's Board reauthorized for 2020 the limited stock repurchase plan that was initially established in May of 2010. The limited stock repurchase plan allows the repurchase of up to a fixed number of shares of the Company's common stock each calendar quarter in open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, as management deems advisable and as market conditions may warrant. The repurchase authorization for a calendar quarter (currently 2,500 shares) expires at the end of that quarter to the extent it has not been exercised, and is not carried forward into future quarters. The quarterly repurchase authorization expires on December 31, 2020, unless reauthorized. The Company had no repurchases under this program during the first three months of 2020.
The Company maintains a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan whereby registered stockholders may elect to reinvest cash dividends and optional cash contributions to purchase additional shares of the Company's common stock. The Company has reserved 200,000 shares of its common stock for issuance and sale under the DRIP. As of March 31, 2020, 2,726 shares of stock had been issued from treasury stock under the DRIP.
The Company (on a consolidated basis) and Union 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 discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company's and Union's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and Union must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company's and Union's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
Under the current guidelines, banking organizations must have a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0%, a minimum Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 6.0%, a minimum common equity Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 4.5%, and a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0% in order to be "adequately capitalized." In addition to these requirements, banking organizations must maintain a 2.5% capital conservation buffer consisting of common Tier I equity, increasing the minimum required total risk-based capital, Tier I risk-based and common equity Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets they must maintain to avoid limits on capital distributions and certain bonus payments to executive officers and similar employees.
The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 directed the federal banking regulators to adopt rules providing for a simplified regulatory capital framework for qualifying community banking organizations. In September 2019, the banking regulators finalized a rule that introduced the community bank leverage ratio (CBLR) framework as an optional simplified measure of capital adequacy for qualifying institutions. Beginning with the March 31, 2020 regulatory capital calculation, a banking organization with a Tier I leverage ratio greater than 9.0%, less than $10 billion in average consolidated assets, and limited amounts of off-balance sheet exposures and trading assets and liabilities may opt into the CBLR framework and will be deemed "well capitalized" and will not be required to report or calculate risk-based capital. A community banking organization that does not meet the requirements for use of the simplified CBLR framework will continue to calculate its regulatory capital ratios under existing guidelines. As of March 31, 2020, the Tier I leverage ratio was 8.18% and 8.16% for the Company and Union, respectively.
As shown in the table below, as of March 31, 2020, both the Company and Union met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are currently subject and Union exceeded the requirements for a "well capitalized" bank under the FDIC's Prompt Corrective Action framework. There were no conditions or events between March 31, 2020 and the date of this report that management believes have changed either Company’s regulatory capital category.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 42



 
Actual
For Capital Adequacy Purposes
To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
As of March 31, 2020
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Company:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk weighted assets
$
75,691

13.20
%
$
45,873

8.00
%
N/A

N/A

Tier I capital to risk weighted assets
69,300

12.09
%
34,392

6.00
%
N/A

N/A

Common Equity Tier 1 to risk weighted assets
69,300

12.09
%
25,794

4.50
%
N/A

N/A

Tier I capital to average assets
69,300

8.18
%
33,888

4.00
%
N/A

N/A

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Union:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk weighted assets
$
75,391

13.17
%
$
45,796

8.00
%
$
57,244

10.00
%
Tier I capital to risk weighted assets
69,000

12.05
%
34,357

6.00
%
45,809

8.00
%
Common Equity Tier 1 to risk weighted assets
69,000

12.05
%
25,768

4.50
%
37,220

6.50
%
Tier I capital to average assets
69,000

8.16
%
33,824

4.00
%
42,279

5.00
%
Dividends paid by Union are the primary source of funds available to the Company for payment of dividends to its stockholders. Union is subject to certain requirements imposed by federal banking laws and regulations, which among other things, establish minimum levels of capital and restrict the amount of dividends that may be distributed by Union to the Company.
Cash dividends of $0.32 per share were paid during the first quarter of 2020 and have been declared for the second quarter, payable on May 7, 2020 to stockholders of record on April 27, 2020.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Omitted, in accordance with the regulatory relief available to smaller reporting companies in SEC Release Nos. 33-10513 (effective September 10, 2018).

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the assistance of the Disclosure Control Committee, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2020. Based on this evaluation they concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files with the Commission is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required information.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act, during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 43



PART II  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
There are no known pending legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiary is a party, or to which any of their properties is subject, other than ordinary litigation arising in the normal course of business activities. Although the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to such proceedings cannot be determined, in the opinion of management, any such liability is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiary.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors from those disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, with the exception of the following:
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures intended to prevent its spread could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and such effects will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and are difficult to predict.
Global health concerns relating to the COVID-19 outbreak and related government actions taken to reduce the spread of the virus have been weighing on the macroeconomic environment, and the outbreak has significantly increased economic uncertainty and reduced economic activity, including in our Vermont and New Hampshire markets. The outbreak has resulted in authorities implementing numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter in place or total lock-down orders and business limitations and shutdowns. Such measures have significantly contributed to rising unemployment and negatively impacted consumer and business spending. The United States government has taken steps to attempt to mitigate some of the more severe anticipated economic effects of the virus, including the passage of the CARES Act, but there can be no assurance that such steps will be effective or achieve their desired results in a timely fashion.
The outbreak has adversely impacted and is likely to further adversely impact our workforce and operations and the operations of our borrowers, customers and business partners. In particular, we may experience financial losses due to a number of operational factors impacting us or our borrowers, customers or business partners, including but not limited to:
credit losses resulting from financial stress being experienced by our borrowers as a result of the outbreak and related governmental actions, particularly in the hospitality, retail, and restaurant industries, but across other industries as well;
declines in collateral values;
negative pressure on our net interest income due to FRB monetary policy in response to the pandemic;
third party disruptions, including outages in network providers and other vendors;
the absence of detailed SBA guidance regarding the required terms and documentation for PPP loans, compounded by the compressed timetable for processing of PPP loan applications and funding of such loans, could result in additional credit risk to us if the SBA later determines that our PPP loans do not meet program requirements and therefore do not qualify for the 100% SBA guaranty;
increased cyber and payment fraud risk, as cybercriminals attempt to profit from the disruption, given increased online and remote activity; and
operational failures due to changes in normal business practices necessitated by the outbreak and related governmental actions.
These factors may remain prevalent for a significant period of time and may continue to adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition, which includes capital, liquidity, and asset valuations, even after the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided.
The spread of COVID-19 has caused us to modify our business practices (including restricting employee travel, and developing work from home and social distancing plans for our employees), and we may take further actions as may be required by government authorities or as we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers and business partners. There is no certainty that such measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by the virus or will otherwise be satisfactory to government authorities.
The extent to which the COVID-19 outbreak impacts our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and are difficult to predict, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the outbreak, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume. Even after the COVID-19 outbreak has subsided, we may continue to experience materially adverse impacts to our business as a result of the virus’s global economic impact, including the availability of credit, adverse impacts on our liquidity and any recession that has occurred or may occur in the future.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 44



There are no comparable recent events that provide guidance as to the effect the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic may have, and, as a result, the ultimate impact of the outbreak is highly uncertain and subject to change. We do not yet know the full extent of the impacts on our business, our operations or the global economy as a whole. However, the effects could have a material impact on our results of operations and heighten many of our known risks described in the “Risk Factors” section of our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, the only unregistered issuance of the Company's equity securities was pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options issued under the 2008 ISO Plan, resulting in the issuance of 1,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The shares were issued in reliance upon an exemption in section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 for distributions not involving a public offering.
There was no repurchase of the Company's equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2020.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6. Exhibits.
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
101
The following materials from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets, (ii) the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (iii) the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) related notes.
____________________
*
This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
                    
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.
 
 
Union Bankshares, Inc.
 
 
 
May 8, 2020
 
/s/ David S. Silverman
 
 
David S. Silverman
 
 
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 8, 2020
 
/s/ Karyn J. Hale
 
 
Karyn J. Hale
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 45




EXHIBIT INDEX
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 
 
101
The following materials from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets, (ii) the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (iii) the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) related notes.
____________________
*
This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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