Annual Statements Open main menu

UNITED SECURITY BANCSHARES - Quarter Report: 2018 March (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2018
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE  ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM             TO             .

Commission file number: 000-32897

UNITED SECURITY BANCSHARES
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
CALIFORNIA
 
91-2112732
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
2126 Inyo Street, Fresno, California
 
93721
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrants telephone number, including area code    (559) 248-4943

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o  No  x
 
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 for the past 90 days. Yes x No o   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o           

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a small reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
Small reporting company o

Emerging growth company o

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. o 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o  No  x

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

Common Stock, no par value
(Title of Class)

Shares outstanding as of April 30, 2018: 16,898,615

1

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Facing Page

Table of Contents


PART I. Financial Information
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II. Other Information
 
 
Item 1.
 
Item 1A.
 
Item 2.
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
 
Item 5.
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 

2

Table of Contents

PART I. Financial Information


United Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets – (unaudited)
March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017
(in thousands except shares)
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Assets
 
 
 
Cash and non-interest bearing deposits in other banks
$
24,608

 
$
35,237

Cash and due from Federal Reserve Bank ("FRB")
140,739

 
72,697

Cash and cash equivalents
165,347

 
107,934

Investment securities (at fair value)
 
 
 
Available for sale ("AFS") securities
39,329

 
41,985

Marketable equity securities
3,677

 
3,737

Total investment securities
43,006

 
45,722

Loans
595,882

 
601,351

Unearned fees and unamortized loan origination costs, net
968

 
1,039

Allowance for credit losses
(9,116
)
 
(9,267
)
Net loans
587,734

 
593,123

Accrued interest receivable
7,413

 
6,526

Premises and equipment – net
10,123

 
10,165

Other real estate owned
5,745

 
5,745

Goodwill
4,488

 
4,488

Cash surrender value of life insurance
19,671

 
19,752

Investment in limited partnerships
1,596

 
1,601

Deferred tax assets - net
2,432

 
2,389

Other assets
7,249

 
8,391

Total assets
$
854,804

 
$
805,836

 
 
 
 
Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity
 

 
 

Liabilities
 

 
 

Deposits
 

 
 

Noninterest bearing
$
319,438

 
$
307,299

Interest bearing
415,178

 
380,394

Total deposits
734,616

 
687,693

 
 
 
 
Accrued interest payable
47

 
44

Accounts payable and other liabilities
6,991

 
7,017

Junior subordinated debentures (at fair value)
9,641

 
9,730

Total liabilities
751,295

 
704,484

 
 
 
 
Shareholders' Equity
 

 
 

Common stock, no par value 20,000,000 shares authorized, 16,898,615 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018, and 16,885,615 at December 31, 2017
58,171

 
57,880

Retained earnings
44,152

 
44,182

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
1,186

 
(710
)
Total shareholders' equity
103,509

 
101,352

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
854,804

 
$
805,836


3

Table of Contents

United Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands except shares and EPS)
2018
 
2017
Interest Income:
 
 
 
Loans, including fees
$
8,226

 
$
7,225

Investment securities – AFS – taxable
193

 
224

Interest on deposits in FRB
384

 
183

Interest on deposits in other banks

 
1

Total interest income
8,803

 
7,633

 
 
 
 
Interest Expense:
 

 
 

Interest on deposits
387

 
336

Interest on other borrowings
90

 
69

Total interest expense
477


405

 
 
 
 
Net Interest Income
8,326

 
7,228

(Recovery of Provision) Provision for Credit Losses
(189
)
 
21

Net Interest Income after (Recovery of Provision) Provision for Credit Losses
8,515

 
7,207

 
 
 
 
Noninterest Income:
 

 
 

Customer service fees
951

 
941

Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
125

 
132

Gain on death benefit proceeds of bank-owned life insurance
171

 

Loss on change in fair value of marketable equity securities
(60
)
 

Loss on fair value of financial liability
(470
)
 
(336
)
Other
205

 
172

Total noninterest income
922

 
909

 
 
 
 
Noninterest Expense:
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
2,961

 
2,985

Occupancy expense
1,018

 
1,015

Data processing
52

 
27

Professional fees
335

 
255

Regulatory assessments
83

 
136

Director fees
80

 
68

Correspondent bank service charges
17

 
18

Loss on California tax credit partnership
5

 
108

Net cost on operation and sale of OREO
51

 
32

Other
398

 
546

Total noninterest expense
5,000

 
5,190

 
 
 
 
Income Before Provision for Taxes
4,437

 
2,926

Provision for Taxes on Income
1,280

 
1,155

Net Income
$
3,157

 
$
1,771


 
 
 
Net Income per common share
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.19

 
$
0.10

Diluted
$
0.19

 
$
0.10

Shares on which net income per common shares were based
 
 
 
Basic
16,898,615

 
16,874,778

Diluted
16,925,971

 
16,888,573


4

Table of Contents

United Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)

(In thousands)
Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2018
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31, 2017
Net Income
$
3,157

 
$
1,771

 
 
 
 
Unrealized holdings (loss) gain on securities
(254
)
 
87

Unrealized gains on unrecognized post-retirement costs
9

 
13

    Unrealized gains on TRUPs
567

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax
322

 
100

Tax benefit (expense) related to securities
79

 
(35
)
Tax expense related to unrecognized post-retirement costs
(3
)
 
(5
)
Tax expense related to TRUPs
(168
)
 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
230

 
60

Comprehensive Income
$
3,387

 
$
1,831



5

Table of Contents

United Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
(unaudited)
 
Common stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands except shares)
Number of Shares
 
Amount
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Gain
 
 Total
 
 
 
 
Balance December 31, 2016 (1)
16,705,594

 
$
56,557

 
$
40,701

 
$
(604
)
 
$
96,654

(1) Excludes 12,015 unvested restricted shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Other comprehensive income
 

 
 

 
 

 
60

 
60

Common stock dividends
167,082

 
1,220

 
(1,220
)
 
 

 

Stock options exercised
2,514

 
6

 
 
 
 
 
6

Stock-based compensation expense
 

 
7

 
 

 
 

 
7

Net income
 

 
 

 
1,771

 
 

 
1,771

Balance March 31, 2017 (2)
16,875,190

 
$
57,790

 
$
41,252

 
$
(544
)
 
$
98,498

(2) Excludes 12,015 unvested restricted shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss
 

 
 

 
 

 
(53
)
 
(53
)
Reclassification of income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
113

 
(113
)
 

Dividends on common stock ($0.17 per share)
 
 
 
 
(2,870
)
 
 
 
(2,870
)
Dividends payable
 
 
 
 
(1,182
)
 
 
 
(1,182
)
Restricted stock units released
10,425

 
 
 
 

 
 
 

  Stock-based compensation expense
 

 
90

 
 

 
 
 
90

Net income
 

 
 

 
6,869

 
 

 
6,869

Balance December 31, 2017 (3)
16,885,615

 
$
57,880

 
$
44,182

 
$
(710
)
 
$
101,352

(3) Excludes 46,511 unvested restricted shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Other comprehensive income
 

 
 

 
 

 
230

 
230

Adoption of ASU 2016-01: reclassification of TRUPS to accumulated other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
(1,482
)
 
1,482

 

Adoption of ASU 2016-01: recognition of previously unrealized losses within marketable equity securities
 
 
 
 
(184
)
 
184

 

Dividends payable ($0.09 per share)
 
 
 
 
(1,521
)
 
 
 
(1,521
)
Restricted stock units released
13,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Stock-based compensation expense
 

 
291

 
 

 
 

 
291

Net income
 

 
 

 
3,157

 
 

 
3,157

Balance March 31, 2018 (4)
16,898,615

 
$
58,171

 
$
44,152

 
$
1,186

 
$
103,509

(4) Excludes 46,511 unvested restricted shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


6

Table of Contents

United Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
 
Three months ended March 31,
(In thousands)
2018
 
2017
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income
$
3,157

 
$
1,771

Adjustments to reconcile net income: to cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

(Recovery of provision) provision for credit losses
(189
)
 
21

Depreciation and amortization
334

 
324

Amortization of investment securities
137

 
143

Accretion of investment securities
(1
)
 
(2
)
Increase in accrued interest receivable
(887
)
 
(550
)
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable
3

 
(24
)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(1,711
)
 
(718
)
Decrease in unearned fees and unamortized loan origination costs, net
71

 
168

Decrease in income taxes receivable
1,419

 
1,293

Unrealized loss on marketable equity securities
60

 

Stock-based compensation expense
291

 
7

(Provision) benefit for deferred income taxes
29

 
(138
)
Gain on bank owned life insurance
(171
)
 

Increase in cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
(125
)
 
(137
)
Loss on fair value option of financial liabilities
470

 
336

Loss on tax credit limited partnership interest
5

 
108

Net increase in other assets
(253
)
 
(172
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
2,639

 
2,430

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
 

 
 

Net increase in interest-bearing deposits with banks

 
(1
)
Purchase of correspondent bank stock
(3
)
 
(1
)
Principal payments of available-for-sale securities
2,265

 
2,087

Net decrease in loans
5,508

 
22,943

Investment in limited partnership

 
(598
)
Proceeds from bank owned life insurance
376

 

Capital expenditures of premises and equipment
(295
)
 
(678
)
Net cash provided by investing activities
7,851

 
23,752

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
 

 
 

Net increase in demand deposits and savings accounts
44,010

 
14,450

Net increase (decrease) in time deposits
2,913

 
(20,538
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 
6

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
46,923

 
(6,082
)
 
 
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
57,413

 
20,100

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
107,934

 
113,032

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
165,347

 
$
133,132


7

Table of Contents

United Security Bancshares and Subsidiaries - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Unaudited)
 
1.
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting and Reporting Policies
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of United Security Bancshares, and its wholly owned subsidiary United Security Bank (the “Bank”) and two bank subsidiaries, USB Investment Trust (the “REIT”) and United Security Emerging Capital Fund (collectively the “Company” or “USB”). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

These unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information on a basis consistent with the accounting policies reflected in the audited financial statements of the Company included in its 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. These interim financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of a normal, recurring nature) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year as a whole.

Reclassifications:

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, in accordance with ASU 2016-01, the Company changed its classification of investment securities available for sale (at fair value) presented within the consolidated balance sheets to separately present available for sale securities and marketable equity securities. This change in the classification of investment securities was made to better represent the types of securities held by the Company. As a result of these reclassifications, investment securities available for sale (at fair value) as of December 31, 2017 of $45,722,000 has been broken out to present available for sale securities of $41,985,000, and marketable equity securities of $3,737,000 separately. These reclassifications did not affect previously reported net income or total assets.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers:

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

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

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP. The new standard was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. Adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures as the Company’s primary sources of revenues are derived from interest and dividends earned on loans, investment securities, and other financial instruments that are not within the scope of ASU 2014-09. The Company’s revenue recognition pattern for revenue streams within the scope of ASU 2014-09, including but not limited to service charges on deposit accounts and gains/losses on the sale of OREO, did not change significantly from current practice. The standard permits the use of either the full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method. The Company elected to use the modified retrospective transition method which requires application of ASU 2014-09 to uncompleted contracts at the date of adoption however, periods prior to

8

Table of Contents

the date of adoption will not be retrospectively revised as the impact of the ASU on uncompleted contracts at the date of adoption was not material.
 
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“ASU 2016-01”). The guidance affects the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and resulted in separate classification of equity securities previously included in available for sale securities on the consolidated balance sheets with changes in the fair value of the equity securities captured in the consolidated statements of income. See Note 2 – Investment Securities for disclosures related to equity securities. Adoption of the standard also resulted in the use of an exit price rather than an entrance price to determine the fair value of loans not measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 11 – Fair Value Disclosures for further information regarding the valuation of these loans. Additionally, adoption of the standard resulted in separately recognizing the instrument-specific credit risk associated with the Company's Junior Subordinated Debt. See Note 10 - Junior Subordinated Debt / Trust Preferred Securities for additional information.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The FASB is issuing this Update to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. To meet that objective, the FASB is amending the FASB Accounting Standards Codification® and creating Topic 842, Leases. This Update, along with IFRS 16, Leases, are the results of the FASB’s and the International Accounting Standards Board’s (IASB’s) efforts to meet that objective and improve financial reporting. This ASU will be effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (i.e., calendar periods beginning on January 1, 2019), and interim periods therein. Although an estimate of the impact of the new leasing standard has not yet been determined, the Company expects a significant new lease asset and related lease liability on the consolidated balance sheet due to the number of leased branches and standalone ATM sites the Company currently has that are accounted for under current operating lease guidance.

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (Topic 326). The FASB is issuing this Update to improve financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments held by financial institutions and other organizations. The Update requires enhanced disclosures and judgments in estimating credit losses and also amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has established a project team for the implementation of this new standard. The team has started by working with a vendor to put a new Allowance for Loan Loss software in place and is collecting additional historical data to estimate the impact of this standard. An estimate of the impact of this standard has not yet been determined, however, the impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements is expected to be significant.

In January 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). The FASB is issuing this Update to eliminate the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value. This ASU will be effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 (i.e. calendar periods beginning on January 1, 2020, and interim periods therein. The Company does not expect any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements resulting from the adoption of this Update.

In March 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-08 - Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The provisions of the update require premiums recognized upon the purchase of callable debt securities to be amortized to the earliest call date in order to avoid losses recognized upon call. For public business entities that are SEC filers the amendments of the update will become effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not expect the requirements of this Update to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


9

Table of Contents

2.
Investment Securities

Following is a comparison of the amortized cost and fair value of securities available-for-sale, as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
(in 000's)
 Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value (Carrying Amount)
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies
$
18,548

 
$
272

 
$
(48
)
 
$
18,772

U.S. Government sponsored entities & agencies collateralized by mortgage obligations
21,125

 
45

 
(613
)
 
20,557

Total securities available for sale
$
39,673

 
$
317

 
$
(661
)
 
$
39,329

(in 000's)
 Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value (Carrying Amount)
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies
$
19,683

 
$
312

 
$
(41
)
 
$
19,954

U.S. Government sponsored entities & agencies collateralized by mortgage obligations
22,391

 
56

 
(416
)
 
22,031

Total securities available for sale
$
42,074

 
$
368

 
$
(457
)
 
$
41,985

 
The amortized cost and fair value of securities available for sale at March 31, 2018, by contractual maturity, are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties. Contractual maturities on collateralized mortgage obligations cannot be anticipated due to allowed paydowns.
 
March 31, 2018
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value (Carrying Amount)
(in 000's)
 
Due in one year or less
$

 
$

Due after one year through five years

 

Due after five years through ten years
567

 
576

Due after ten years
17,981

 
18,196

Collateralized mortgage obligations
21,125

 
20,557

 
$
39,673

 
$
39,329


There were no realized gains or losses on sales of available-for-sale securities for the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017. There were no other-than-temporary impairment losses for the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.

At March 31, 2018, available-for-sale securities with an amortized cost of approximately $32,695,073 (fair value of $32,225,704) were pledged as collateral for FHLB borrowings and public funds balances.

Management periodically evaluates each available-for-sale investment security in an unrealized loss position to determine if the impairment is temporary or other-than-temporary.


10

Table of Contents

The following summarizes temporarily impaired investment securities:
(in 000's)
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
March 31, 2018
Fair Value (Carrying Amount)
 
 Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value (Carrying Amount)
 
 Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value (Carrying Amount)
 
 Unrealized Losses
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies
$
1,620

 
$
(2
)
 
6,072

 
(46
)
 
$
7,692

 
$
(48
)
U.S. Government sponsored entities & agencies collateralized by mortgage obligations
6,958

 
(244
)
 
12,782

 
(369
)
 
19,740

 
(613
)
Total impaired securities
$
8,578

 
$
(246
)
 
$
18,854

 
$
(415
)
 
$
27,432

 
$
(661
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Securities available for sale:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

U.S. Government agencies
$
1,728

 
$
(3
)
 
$
6,625

 
$
(38
)
 
$
8,353

 
$
(41
)
U.S. Government sponsored entities & agencies collateralized by mortgage obligations
7,483

 
(154
)
 
13,583

 
(262
)
 
21,066

 
(416
)
Total impaired securities
$
9,211

 
$
(157
)
 
$
20,208

 
$
(300
)
 
$
29,419

 
$
(457
)
 
Temporarily impaired securities at March 31, 2018, were comprised of three U.S. government agency securities, and eleven U.S. government sponsored entities and agencies collateralized by mortgage obligations securities.

The Company evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) at least quarterly, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. The investment securities portfolio is evaluated for OTTI by segregating the portfolio into two general segments and applying the appropriate OTTI model. Investment securities classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity are generally evaluated for OTTI under ASC Topic 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Instruments. Certain purchased beneficial interests, including non-agency mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and collateralized debt obligations, are evaluated under ASC Topic 325-40, Beneficial Interest in Securitized Financial Assets.

In the first segment, the Company considers many factors in determining OTTI, including: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, (3) whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions, and (4) whether the Company has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. The assessment of whether an other-than-temporary decline exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to the Company at the time of the evaluation.
 
The second segment of the portfolio uses the OTTI guidance that is specific to purchased beneficial interests including private label mortgage-backed securities. Under this model, the Company compares the present value of the remaining cash flows as estimated at the preceding evaluation date to the current expected remaining cash flows. An OTTI is deemed to have occurred if there has been an adverse change in the remaining expected future cash flows.
 
Additionally, other-than-temporary-impairment occurs when the Company intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss. If the Company intends to sell or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period credit loss, the other-than-temporary-impairment shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before

11

Table of Contents

recovery of its amortized cost basis less any current-period loss, the other-than-temporary-impairment shall be separated into the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other factors. The amount of the total other-than-temporary-impairment related to the credit loss is recognized in earnings, and is determined based on the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the current amortized cost of the security. The amount of the total other-than-temporary-impairment related to other factors shall be recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income, net of applicable taxes. The previous amortized cost basis less the other-than-temporary-impairment recognized in earnings shall become the new amortized cost basis of the investment.

At March 31, 2018, the decline in fair value of the three U.S. government agency securities, and the eleven U.S. government sponsored entities and agencies collateralized by mortgage obligations securities is attributable to changes in interest rates, and not credit quality. Because the Company does not have the intent to sell these impaired securities, and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell these securities before its anticipated recovery, the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2018.

As of December 31, 2017, marketable equity securities with a fair value of $3,737,000 were recorded within investment securities available for sale with unrealized losses recorded through comprehensive income and accumulated other comprehensive income. As of January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016-01 and reclassified its marketable equity securities from investments available for sale into a separate component of investment securities. The ASU requires marketable equity securities to be reported at fair value with changes recorded through earnings. As of January 1, 2018, unrealized losses of $184,000 were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized $60,000 of unrealized losses related to equity securities held at March 31, 2018 in the consolidated statements of income.

The Company had no held-to-maturity or trading securities at March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.


3.
Loans

Loans are comprised of the following:
(in 000's)
March 31, 2018

 
December 31, 2017

Commercial and Business Loans
$
52,514

 
$
46,065

Government Program Loans
932

 
961

Total Commercial and Industrial
53,446

 
47,026

Real Estate – Mortgage:
 

 
 

Commercial Real Estate
210,111

 
221,032

Residential Mortgages
82,175

 
84,804

Home Improvement and Home Equity loans
445

 
457

Total Real Estate Mortgage
292,731

 
306,293

Real Estate Construction and Development
125,346

 
122,970

Agricultural
57,615

 
59,481

Installment and Student Loans
66,744

 
65,581

Total Loans
$
595,882

 
$
601,351

 
The Company's loans are predominantly in the San Joaquin Valley and the greater Oakhurst/East Madera County area, as well as the Campbell area of Santa Clara County. Although the Company does participate in loans with other financial institutions, they are primarily in the state of California.

Commercial and industrial loans represent 9.0% of total loans at March 31, 2018 and are generally made to support the ongoing operations of small-to-medium sized commercial businesses. Commercial and industrial loans have a high degree of industry diversification and provide working capital, financing for the purchase of manufacturing plants and equipment, or funding for growth and general expansion of businesses. A substantial portion of commercial and industrial loans are secured by accounts receivable, inventory, leases, or other collateral including real estate. The remainder are unsecured; however, extensions of credit are predicated upon the financial capacity of the borrower. Repayment of commercial loans is generally from the cash flow of the borrower.


12

Table of Contents

Real estate mortgage loans, representing 49.1% of total loans at March 31, 2018, are secured by trust deeds on primarily commercial property, but are also secured by trust deeds on single family residences. Repayment of real estate mortgage loans generally comes from the cash flow of the borrower and or guarantor(s).

Commercial real estate mortgage loans comprise the largest segment of this loan category and are available on all types of income producing and non-income producing commercial properties, including: office buildings, shopping centers; apartments and motels; owner occupied buildings; manufacturing facilities and more. Commercial real estate mortgage loans can also be used to refinance existing debt. Commercial real estate loans are made under the premise that the loan will be repaid from the borrower's business operations, rental income associated with the real property, or personal assets.

Residential mortgage loans are provided to individuals to finance or refinance single-family residences. Residential mortgages are not a primary business line offered by the Company, and a majority are conventional mortgages that were purchased as a pool.

Home Improvement and Home Equity loans comprise a relatively small portion of total real estate mortgage loans. Home equity loans are generally secured by junior trust deeds, but may be secured by 1st trust deeds.

Real estate construction and development loans, representing 21.0% of total loans at March 31, 2018, consist of loans for residential and commercial construction projects, as well as land acquisition and development, or land held for future development. Loans in this category are secured by real estate including improved and unimproved land, as well as single-family residential, multi-family residential, and commercial properties in various stages of completion. All real estate loans have established equity requirements. Repayment on construction loans generally comes from long-term mortgages with other lending institutions obtained at completion of the project or from the sale of the constructed homes to individuals.

Agricultural loans represent 9.7% of total loans at March 31, 2018 and are generally secured by land, equipment, inventory and receivables. Repayment is from the cash flow of the borrower.

Installment loans represent 11.2% of total loans at March 31, 2018 and generally consist of student loans, loans to individuals for household, family and other personal expenditures, automobiles or other consumer items. Included in installment loans are $61,001,000 in student loans made to medical and pharmacy school students. Upon graduation the loan is automatically placed on deferment for 6 months. This may be extended up to 48 months for graduates enrolling in Internship, Medical Residency or Fellowship. As approved the student may receive additional deferment for hardship or administrative reasons in the form of forbearance for a maximum of 24 months throughout the life of the loan. These loans are typically insured through a Surety Bond issued by ReliaMax Surety Company and provide the Company reasonable expectation of collection. Accrued interest on loans that have not entered repayment status totaled $5,159,000 at March 31, 2018. At March 31, 2018 there were 300 loans within repayment, deferment, and forbearance which represented $6,143,000, $1,297,000, and $2,697,000 in outstanding balances respectively.

In the normal course of business, the Company is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, these financial instruments include commitments to extend credit of $98,559,000 and $99,958,000, respectively, and standby letters of credit of $1,183,000 and $2,058,000, respectively. These instruments involve elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized on the consolidated balance sheet. The contract amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of the involvement the Company has in off-balance sheet financial instruments.

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amounts of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer, as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. A majority of these commitments are at floating interest rates based on the Prime rate. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates. The Company evaluates each customer's creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary, is based on management's credit evaluation. Collateral held varies but includes accounts receivable, inventory, leases, property, plant and equipment, residential real estate and income-producing properties.

Standby letters of credit are generally unsecured and are issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.

13

Table of Contents


Past Due Loans

The Company monitors delinquency and potential problem loans on an ongoing basis through weekly reports to the Loan Committee and monthly reports to the Board of Directors.

The following is a summary of delinquent loans at March 31, 2018 (in 000's):
March 31, 2018
Loans
30-60 Days Past Due
 
Loans
61-89 Days Past Due
 
Loans
90 or More
Days Past Due
 
Total Past Due Loans
 
Current Loans
 
Total Loans
 
Accruing
Loans 90 or
More Days Past Due
Commercial and Business Loans
$
60

 
$

 
$

 
$
60

 
$
52,454

 
$
52,514

 
$

Government Program Loans

 

 

 

 
932

 
932

 

Total Commercial and Industrial
60

 

 

 
60

 
53,386

 
53,446

 

Commercial Real Estate Loans

 

 

 

 
210,111

 
210,111

 

Residential Mortgages
304

 

 
288

 
592

 
81,583

 
82,175

 

Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans
23

 

 

 
23

 
422

 
445

 

Total Real Estate Mortgage
327

 

 
288

 
615

 
292,116

 
292,731

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real Estate Construction and Development Loans

 

 
310

 
310

 
125,036

 
125,346

 

Agricultural Loans

 

 

 

 
57,615

 
57,615

 

Consumer Loans
148

 
665

 

 
813

 
65,770

 
66,583

 
67

Overdraft Protection Lines

 

 

 

 
39

 
39

 

Overdrafts

 

 

 

 
122

 
122

 

Total Installment
148

 
665

 

 
813

 
65,931

 
66,744

 
67

Total Loans
$
535

 
$
665

 
$
598

 
$
1,798

 
$
594,084

 
$
595,882

 
$
67


The following is a summary of delinquent loans at December 31, 2017 (in 000's):
December 31, 2017
Loans
30-60 Days Past Due
 
Loans
61-89 Days Past Due
 
Loans
90 or More
Days Past Due
 
Total Past Due Loans
 
Current Loans
 
Total Loans
 
Accruing
Loans 90 or
More Days Past Due
Commercial and Business Loans
$

 
$

 
$
212

 
$
212

 
$
45,853

 
$
46,065

 
$

Government Program Loans

 

 

 

 
961

 
961

 

Total Commercial and Industrial

 

 
212

 
212

 
46,814

 
47,026

 

Commercial Real Estate Loans
779

 

 

 
779

 
220,253

 
221,032

 

Residential Mortgages

 

 
94

 
94

 
84,710

 
84,804

 

Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans

 

 

 

 
457

 
457

 

Total Real Estate Mortgage
779

 

 
94

 
873

 
305,420

 
306,293

 

Real Estate Construction and Development Loans

 

 
360

 
360

 
122,610

 
122,970

 
360

Agricultural Loans

 

 

 

 
59,481

 
59,481

 

Consumer Loans

 

 

 

 
65,446

 
65,446

 
125

Overdraft Protection Lines

 

 

 

 
38

 
38

 

Overdrafts

 

 

 

 
97

 
97

 

Total Installment

 

 

 

 
65,581

 
65,581

 
125

Total Loans
$
779

 
$

 
$
666

 
$
1,445

 
$
599,906

 
$
601,351

 
$
485


Nonaccrual Loans

14

Table of Contents


Commercial, construction and commercial real estate loans are placed on nonaccrual status under the following circumstances:

- When there is doubt regarding the full repayment of interest and principal.

- When principal and/or interest on the loan has been in default for a period of 90-days or more, unless the asset is both well secured and in the process of collection that will result in repayment in the near future.

- When the loan is identified as having loss elements and/or is risk rated "8" Doubtful.

Other circumstances which jeopardize the ultimate collectability of the loan including certain troubled debt restructurings, identified loan impairment, and certain loans to facilitate the sale of OREO.

Loans meeting any of the preceding criteria are placed on nonaccrual status and the accrual of interest for financial statement purposes is discontinued. Previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against interest income.

For student loans there is a reasonable expectation of collection, principal and accrued interest, as these loans are typically insured through a Surety Bond issued by ReliaMax Surety Company. If a loan were to be delinquent 180 - 210 days a claim would be filed through ReliaMax. At that point payment of accured interest and principal would be expected from ReliaMax, absent this expectation the loan would be placed on non-accrual and the accrual of interest for financial statement purposes would be discontinued. As of March 31, 2018, claims had been filed on six loans for a total of $125,000.

All other loans where principal or interest is due and unpaid for 90 days or more are placed on nonaccrual and the accrual of interest for financial statement purposes is discontinued. Previously accrued but unpaid interest is reversed and charged against interest income.

When a loan is placed on nonaccrual status and subsequent payments of interest (and principal) are received, the interest received may be accounted for in two separate ways.

Cost recovery method: If the loan is in doubt as to full collection, the interest received in subsequent payments is diverted from interest income to a valuation reserve and treated as a reduction of principal for financial reporting purposes.

Cash basis: This method is only used if the recorded investment or total contractual amount is expected to be fully collectible, under which circumstances the subsequent payments of interest are credited to interest income as received.

Loans on non-accrual status are usually not returned to accrual status unless all delinquent principal and/or interest has been brought current, there is no identified element of loss, and current and continued satisfactory performance is expected (loss of the contractual amount not the carrying amount of the loan). Return to accrual is generally demonstrated through the timely receipt of at least six monthly payments on a loan with monthly amortization.

Nonaccrual loans totaled $5,342,000 and $5,296,000 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. There were no remaining undisbursed commitments to extend credit on nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

The following is a summary of nonaccrual loan balances at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in 000's).

15

Table of Contents

 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Commercial and Business Loans
$

 
$
212

Government Program Loans

 

Total Commercial and Industrial

 
212

 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate Loans
448

 
454

Residential Mortgages
288

 
288

Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans

 

Total Real Estate Mortgage
736

 
742

 
 
 
 
Real Estate Construction and Development Loans
4,606

 
4,342

 Agricultural Loans

 

 
 
 
 
Consumer Loans

 

Overdraft Protection Lines

 

Overdrafts

 

Total Installment

 

Total Loans
$
5,342

 
$
5,296


Impaired Loans

A loan is considered impaired when based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due, including principal and interest, according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.

The Company applies its normal loan review procedures in making judgments regarding probable losses and loan impairment. The Company evaluates for impairment those loans on nonaccrual status, graded doubtful, graded substandard or those that are troubled debt restructures. The primary basis for inclusion in impaired status under generally accepted accounting pronouncements is that it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.

A loan is not considered impaired if there is merely an insignificant delay or shortfall in the amounts of payments and the Company expects to collect all amounts due, including interest accrued, at the contractual interest rate for the period of the delay.

Review for impairment does not include large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated to estimate the allowance for loan losses. The Company’s present allowance for loan losses methodology, including migration analysis, captures required reserves for these loans in the formula allowance.

For loans determined to be impaired, the Company evaluates impairment based upon either the fair value of underlying collateral, discounted cash flows of expected payments, or observable market price.

-
For loans secured by collateral including real estate and equipment, the fair value of the collateral less selling costs will determine the carrying value of the loan. The difference between the recorded investment in the loan and the fair value, less selling costs, determines the amount of impairment. The Company uses the measurement method based on fair value of collateral when the loan is collateral dependent and foreclosure is probable. For loans that are not considered collateral dependent, a discounted cash flow methodology is used.

-
The discounted cash flow method of measuring the impairment of a loan is used for impaired loans that are not considered to be collateral dependent. Under this method, the Company assesses both the amount and timing of cash flows expected from impaired loans. The estimated cash flows are discounted using the loan's effective interest rate. The difference between the amount of the loan on the Bank's books and the discounted cash flow amounts determines the amount of impairment to be provided. This method is used for most of the Company’s troubled debt restructurings or other impaired loans where some payment stream is being collected.


16

Table of Contents

-
The observable market price method of measuring the impairment of a loan is only used by the Company when the sale of loans or a loan is in process.
 
The method for recognizing interest income on impaired loans is dependent on whether the loan is on nonaccrual status or is a troubled debt restructure. For income recognition, the existing nonaccrual and troubled debt restructuring policies are applied to impaired loans. Generally, except for certain troubled debt restructurings which are performing under the restructure agreement, the Company does not recognize interest income received on impaired loans, but reduces the carrying amount of the loan for financial reporting purposes.

Loans other than certain homogeneous loan portfolios are reviewed on a quarterly basis for impairment. Impaired loans are written down to estimated realizable values by the establishment of specific reserves for loan utilizing the discounted cash flow method, or charge-offs for collateral-based impaired loans, or those using observable market pricing.
 
The following is a summary of impaired loans at March 31, 2018 (in 000's).
March 31, 2018
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No Allowance (1)
 
Recorded
Investment
With Allowance (1)
 
Total
Recorded Investment
 
Related Allowance
 
Average
Recorded Investment (2)
 
Interest Recognized (2)
Commercial and Business Loans
$
3,282

 
$
105

 
$
3,193

 
$
3,298

 
$
996

 
$
3,282

 
$
41

Government Program Loans
316

 
318

 

 
318

 

 
184

 
1

Total Commercial and Industrial
3,598

 
423

 
3,193

 
3,616

 
996

 
3,466

 
42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate Loans
1,609

 
297

 
1,318

 
1,615

 
464

 
1,430

 
16

Residential Mortgages
2,525

 
693

 
1,840

 
2,533

 
94

 
2,792

 
30

Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Real Estate Mortgage
4,134

 
990

 
3,158

 
4,148

 
558

 
4,222

 
46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real Estate Construction and Development Loans
4,606

 
4,606

 

 
4,606

 

 
5,289

 
60

Agricultural Loans
1,111

 
1

 
1,115

 
1,116

 
785

 
1,161

 
22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Loans
83

 
84

 

 
84

 

 
42

 

Overdraft Protection Lines

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overdrafts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Installment
83

 
84

 

 
84

 

 
42

 

Total Impaired Loans
$
13,532

 
$
6,104

 
$
7,466

 
$
13,570

 
$
2,339

 
$
14,180

 
$
170


(1) The recorded investment in loans includes accrued interest receivable of $38.
(2) Information is based on the three month period ended March 31, 2018.    


17

Table of Contents

The following is a summary of impaired loans at December 31, 2017 (in 000's).

December 31, 2017
Unpaid
Contractual
Principal Balance
 
Recorded
Investment
With No Allowance (1)
 
Recorded
Investment
With Allowance (1)
 
Total
Recorded Investment
 
Related Allowance
 
Average
Recorded Investment (2)
 
Interest Recognized (2)
Commercial and Business Loans
$
3,255

 
$
381

 
$
2,887

 
$
3,268

 
$
534

 
$
3,791

 
$
229

Government Program Loans
49

 
50

 

 
50

 

 
219

 
5

Total Commercial and Industrial
3,304

 
431

 
2,887

 
3,318

 
534

 
4,010

 
234

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate Loans
1,233

 

 
1,245

 
1,245

 
385

 
1,138

 
79

Residential Mortgages
3,040

 
1,199

 
1,852

 
3,051

 
103

 
2,745

 
142

Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Real Estate Mortgage
4,273

 
1,199

 
3,097

 
4,296

 
488

 
3,883

 
221

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real Estate Construction and Development Loans
5,951

 
5,972

 

 
5,972

 

 
6,660

 
418

Agricultural Loans
1,200

 
1

 
1,203

 
1,204

 
866

 
1,179

 
48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer Loans

 

 

 

 

 
241

 

Overdraft Protection Lines

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overdrafts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Installment

 

 

 

 

 
241

 

Total Impaired Loans
$
14,728

 
$
7,603

 
$
7,187

 
$
14,790

 
$
1,888

 
$
15,973

 
$
921


(1) The recorded investment in loans includes accrued interest receivable of $62.
(2) Information is based on the twelve month period ended December 31, 2017.

In most cases, the Company uses the cash basis method of income recognition for impaired loans. In the case of certain troubled debt restructurings for which the loan is performing under the current contractual terms for a reasonable period of time, income is recognized under the accrual method.

The average recorded investment in impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $14,180,000 and $16,958,000, respectively. Interest income recognized on impaired loans for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $170,000 and $223,000, respectively. For impaired nonaccrual loans, interest income recognized under a cash-basis method of accounting was approximately $63,000 and $79,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

In certain circumstances, when the Company grants a concession to a borrower as part of a loan restructuring, the restructuring is accounted for as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). TDRs are reported as a component of impaired loans.

A TDR is a type of restructuring in which the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties, grants a concession (either imposed by court order, law, or agreement between the borrower and the Bank) to the

18

Table of Contents

borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Although the restructuring may take different forms, the Company's objective is to maximize recovery of its investment by granting relief to the borrower.

A TDR may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:

- A transfer from the borrower to the Company of receivables from third parties, real estate, other assets, or an equity interest in the borrower is granted to fully or partially satisfy the loan.

- A modification of terms of a debt such as one or a combination of:

The reduction (absolute or contingent) of the stated interest rate.
The extension of the maturity date or dates at a stated interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk.
The reduction (absolute or contingent) of the face amount or maturity amount of debt as stated in the instrument or agreement.
The reduction (absolute or contingent) of accrued interest.
For a restructured loan to return to accrual status there needs to be, among other factors, at least 6 months successful payment history and continued satisfactory performance is expected. To this end, the Company typically performs a financial analysis of the credit to determine whether the borrower has the ability to continue to meet payments over the remaining life of the loan. This includes, but is not limited to, a review of financial statements and cash flow analysis of the borrower. Only after determination that the borrower has the ability to perform under the terms of the loans, will the restructured credit be considered for accrual status. Although the Company does not have a policy which specifically addresses when a loan may be removed from TDR classification, as a matter of practice, loans classified as TDRs generally remain classified as such until the loan either reaches maturity or its outstanding balance is paid off.

The following tables illustrates TDR activity for the periods indicated:

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
($ in 000's)
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Number of Contracts which Defaulted During Period
 
Recorded Investment on Defaulted TDRs
Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and Business Loans

 
$

 
$

 

 
$

Government Program Loans

 

 

 

 

Commercial Real Estate Term Loans

 

 

 

 

Single Family Residential Loans

 

 

 

 

Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Construction and Development Loans

 

 

 
1

 
310

Agricultural Loans

 

 

 

 

Consumer Loans

 

 

 

 

Overdraft Protection Lines

 

 

 

 

Total Loans

 
$

 
$

 
1

 
$
310






19

Table of Contents

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
($ in 000's)
Number of
Contracts
 
Pre-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Post-
Modification
Outstanding
Recorded
Investment
 
Number of Contracts which Defaulted During Period
 
Recorded Investment on Defaulted TDRs
Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and Business Loans
1

 
$
69

 
$
69

 

 
$

Government Program Loans

 

 

 

 

Commercial Real Estate Term Loans

 

 

 

 

Single Family Residential Loans

 

 

 

 

Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Construction and Development Loans
1

 
790

 
790

 

 

Agricultural Loans
1

 
850

 
850

 

 

Consumer Loans

 

 

 

 

Overdraft Protection Lines

 

 

 

 

Total Loans
3

 
$
1,709

 
$
1,709

 

 
$


The Company makes various types of concessions when structuring TDRs including rate discounts, payment extensions, and forbearance. At March 31, 2018, the Company had 20 restructured loans totaling $9,702,000 as compared to 25 restructured loans totaling $11,362,000 at December 31, 2017.

The following tables summarize TDR activity by loan category for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 (in 000's).
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Commercial and Industrial
 
Commercial Real Estate
 
Residential Mortgages
 
Home Improvement and Home Equity
 
Real Estate Construction Development
 
Agricultural
 
Installment
& Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
436

 
$
1,233

 
$
2,542

 
$

 
$
5,951

 
$
1,200

 
$

 
$
11,362

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Defaults

 

 

 

 
(310
)
 

 

 
(310
)
Additions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal reductions
(226
)
 
81

 
(17
)
 

 
(1,035
)
 
(90
)
 

 
(1,287
)
Charge-offs
(63
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(63
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
$
147

 
$
1,314

 
$
2,525

 
$

 
$
4,606

 
$
1,110

 
$

 
$
9,702

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan loss
$

 
$
464

 
$
109

 
$

 
$

 
$
786

 
$

 
$
1,359


20

Table of Contents

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Commercial and Industrial
 
Commercial Real Estate
 
Residential Mortgages
 
Home Improvement and Home Equity
 
Real Estate Construction Development
 
Agricultural
 
Installment
& Other
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
1,356

 
$
1,454

 
$
2,368

 
$

 
$
6,267

 
$

 
$
965

 
$
12,410

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Defaults

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions
69

 

 

 

 
790

 
850

 

 
1,709

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal additions (reductions)
(206
)
 
(363
)
 
(17
)
 

 
(97
)
 

 

 
(683
)
Charge-offs
(7
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
$
1,212

 
$
1,091

 
$
2,351

 
$

 
$
6,960

 
$
850

 
$
965

 
$
13,429

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan loss
$
54

 
$
321

 
$
148

 
$

 
$

 
$
180

 
$

 
$
703


Credit Quality Indicators

As part of its credit monitoring program, the Company utilizes a risk rating system which quantifies the risk the Company estimates it has assumed during the life of a loan. The system rates the strength of the borrower and the facility or transaction, and is designed to provide a program for risk management and early detection of problems.

For each new credit approval, credit extension, renewal, or modification of existing credit facilities, the Company assigns risk ratings utilizing the rating scale identified in this policy. In addition, on an on-going basis, loans and credit facilities are reviewed for internal and external influences impacting the credit facility that would warrant a change in the risk rating. Each credit facility is to be given a risk rating that takes into account factors that materially affect credit quality.

When assigning risk ratings, the Company evaluates two risk rating approaches, a facility rating and a borrower rating as follows:

Facility Rating:

The facility rating is determined by the analysis of positive and negative factors that may indicate that the quality of a particular loan or credit arrangement requires that it be rated differently from the risk rating assigned to the borrower. The Company assesses the risk impact of these factors:

Collateral - The rating may be affected by the type and quality of the collateral, the degree of coverage, the economic life of the collateral, liquidation value and the Company's ability to dispose of the collateral.

Guarantees - The value of third party support arrangements varies widely. Unconditional guaranties from persons with demonstrable ability to perform are more substantial than that of closely related persons to the borrower who offer only modest support.

Unusual Terms - Credit may be extended on terms that subject the Company to a higher level of risk than indicated in the rating of the borrower.

Borrower Rating:

The borrower rating is a measure of loss possibility based on the historical, current and anticipated financial characteristics of the borrower in the current risk environment. To determine the rating, the Company considers at least the following factors:

-    Quality of management
-    Liquidity
-    Leverage/capitalization
-    Profit margins/earnings trend
-    Adequacy of financial records
-    Alternative funding sources

21

Table of Contents

-    Geographic risk
-    Industry risk
-    Cash flow risk
-    Accounting practices
-    Asset protection
-    Extraordinary risks

The Company assigns risk ratings to loans other than consumer loans and other homogeneous loan pools based on the following scale. The risk ratings are used when determining borrower ratings as well as facility ratings. When the borrower rating and the facility ratings differ, the lowest rating applied is:

-
Grades 1 and 2 – These grades include loans which are given to high quality borrowers with high credit quality and sound financial strength. Key financial ratios are generally above industry averages and the borrower’s strong earnings history or net worth. These may be secured by deposit accounts or high-grade investment securities.

-
Grade 3 – This grade includes loans to borrowers with solid credit quality with minimal risk. The borrower’s balance sheet and financial ratios are generally in line with industry averages, and the borrower has historically demonstrated the ability to manage economic adversity. Real estate and asset-based loans assigned this risk rating must have characteristics, which place them well above the minimum underwriting requirements for those departments. Asset-based borrowers assigned this rating must exhibit extremely favorable leverage and cash flow characteristics, and consistently demonstrate a high level of unused borrowing capacity.

-
Grades 4 and 5 – These include “pass” grade loans to borrowers of acceptable credit quality and risk. The borrower’s balance sheet and financial ratios may be below industry averages, but above the lowest industry quartile. Leverage is above and liquidity is below industry averages. Inadequacies evident in financial performance and/or management sufficiency are offset by readily available features of support, such as adequate collateral, or good guarantors having the liquid assets and/or cash flow capacity to repay the debt. The borrower may have recognized a loss over three or four years, however recent earnings trends, while perhaps somewhat cyclical, are improving and cash flows are adequate to cover debt service and fixed obligations. Real estate and asset-borrowers fully comply with all underwriting standards and are performing according to projections would be assigned this rating. These also include grade 5 loans which are “leveraged” or on management’s “watch list.” While still considered pass loans (loans given a grade 5), the borrower’s financial condition, cash flow or operations evidence more than average risk and short term weaknesses, these loans warrant a higher than average level of monitoring, supervision and attention from the Company, but do not reflect credit weakness trends that weaken or inadequately protect the Company’s credit position. Loans with a grade rating of 5 are not normally acceptable as new credits unless they are adequately secured or carry substantial endorser/guarantors.

-
Grade 6 – This grade includes “special mention” loans which are loans that are currently protected but are potentially weak. This generally is an interim grade classification and should usually be upgraded to an Acceptable rating or downgraded to Substandard within a reasonable time period. Weaknesses in special mention loans may, if not checked or corrected, weaken the asset or inadequately protect the Company’s credit position at some future date. Special mention loans are often loans with weaknesses inherent from the loan origination, loan servicing, and perhaps some technical deficiencies. The main theme in special mention credits is the distinct probability that the classification will deteriorate to a more adverse class if the noted deficiencies are not addressed by the loan officer or loan management.

-
Grade 7 – This grade includes “substandard” loans which are inadequately supported by the current sound net worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Substandard loans have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that may impair the regular liquidation of the debt. Substandard loans exhibit a distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Substandard loans also include impaired loans.

-
Grade 8 – This grade includes “doubtful” loans which exhibit the same characteristics as the Substandard loans with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors, which may work to the advantage and strengthening of the loan, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined. Pending factors include a proposed merger, acquisition, or liquidation procedures, capital injection, perfecting liens on additional collateral and refinancing plans.


22

Table of Contents

-
Grade 9 – This grade includes loans classified “loss” which are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off the asset even though partial recovery may be achieved in the future.
 
The Company did not carry any loans graded as loss at March 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

The following tables summarize the credit risk ratings for commercial, construction, and other non-consumer related loans for March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
Commercial and Industrial
 
Commercial Real Estate
 
Real Estate Construction and Development
 
Agricultural
 
Total
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
(in 000's)
 
 
 
 
Grades 1 and 2
$
346

 
$
2,936

 
$

 
$

 
$
3,282

Grade 3
234

 
1,093

 

 

 
1,327

Grades 4 and 5 – pass
49,373

 
196,909

 
108,990

 
56,504

 
411,776

Grade 6 – special mention

 
8,430

 

 

 
8,430

Grade 7 – substandard
3,493

 
743

 
16,356

 
1,111

 
21,703

Grade 8 – doubtful

 

 

 

 

Total
$
53,446

 
$
210,111

 
$
125,346

 
$
57,615

 
$
446,518

 
Commercial and Industrial
 
Commercial Real Estate
 
Real Estate Construction and Development
 
Agricultural
 
Total
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
(in 000's)
 
 
 
 
Grades 1 and 2
$
342

 
$
2,954

 
$

 
$
70

 
$
3,366

Grade 3
251

 
1,569

 

 

 
1,820

Grades 4 and 5 – pass
43,264

 
207,568

 
104,549

 
56,817

 
412,198

Grade 6 – special mention

 
8,487

 
720

 
994

 
10,201

Grade 7 – substandard
3,169

 
454

 
17,701

 
1,600

 
22,924

Grade 8 – doubtful

 

 

 

 

Total
$
47,026

 
$
221,032

 
$
122,970

 
$
59,481

 
$
450,509

 
The Company follows consistent underwriting standards outlined in its loan policy for consumer and other homogeneous loans but, does not specifically assign a risk rating when these loans are originated. Consumer loans are monitored for credit risk and are considered “pass” loans until some issue or event requires that the credit be downgraded to special mention or worse.

The following tables summarize the credit risk ratings for consumer related loans and other homogeneous loans for March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Residential Mortgages
 
Home
Improvement and Home Equity
 
Installment and Other
 
Total
 
Residential Mortgages
 
Home
Improvement and Home Equity
 
Installment and Other
 
Total
(in 000's)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not graded
$
65,670

 
$
432

 
$
64,555

 
$
130,657

 
$
69,249

 
$
433

 
$
63,565

 
$
133,247

Pass
15,355

 
23

 
2,110

 
17,488

 
13,899

 
24

 
2,011

 
15,934

Special Mention
639

 

 

 
639

 
643

 

 

 
643

Substandard
511

 

 
83

 
594

 
1,013

 

 
5

 
1,018

Doubtful

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total
$
82,175

 
$
455

 
$
66,748

 
$
149,378

 
$
84,804

 
$
457

 
$
65,581

 
$
150,842



23

Table of Contents

The following tables summarize the credit quality indicators for outstanding student loans as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in 000's, except for number of borrowers):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Number of Loans
 
Amount (in 000's)
 
Number of Loans
 
Amount (in 000's)
School
1,180

 
$
48,490

 
1,216

 
$
48,825

Grace
92

 
2,249

 
55

 
1,446

Repayment
178

 
6,143

 
201

 
6,473

Deferment
37

 
1,297

 
32

 
1,128

Forbearance
85

 
2,697

 
50

 
1,981

Claim
6

 
125

 

 

Total
1,578

 
$
61,001

 
1,554

 
$
59,853


School - The time in which the borrower is still actively in school at least half time. No payments are expected during this stage, though the borrower may begin immediate payments.

Grace - If a borrower is activated to military duty while in their in-school period, they will be allowed to return to that status once their active duty has expired. The borrower must return to an at least half time status within six months of the active duty end date in order to return to an in-school status.

Repayment - The time in which the borrower is no longer actively in school at least half time, and has not received an approved grace, deferment, or forbearance. Regular payment is expected from these borrowers under an allotted payment plan.

Deferment - May be granted up to 48 months for borrowers who have begun the repayment period on their loans but are (1) actively enrolled in an eligible school at least half time, or (2) are actively enrolled in an approved and verifiable medical residency, internship, or fellowship program.

Forbearance - The period of time during which the borrower may postpone making principal and interest payments, which may be granted for either hardship or administrative reasons. Interest will continue to accrue on loans during periods of authorized forbearance. If the borrower is delinquent at the time the forbearance is granted, the delinquency will be covered by the forbearance and all accrued and unpaid interest from the date of delinquency or if none, from the date of beginning of the forbearance period, will be capitalized at the end of each forbearance period. The term of the loan will not change and payments may be increased to allow the loan to pay off in the required time frame.

Claim - Occurs after a loan has been delinquent for a period of time in which the servicer believes payment may not be received. A claim can be filed at any point in the delinquency, but typically not until 180 - 210 days. Once filed, a claim will be forwarded to the Insurer, ReliaMax, to request claim payment.

 Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company analyzes risk characteristics inherent in each loan portfolio segment as part of the quarterly review of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. The following summarizes some of the key risk characteristics for the ten segments of the loan portfolio (Consumer loans include three segments):

Commercial and industrial loans – Commercial loans are subject to the effects of economic cycles and tend to exhibit increased risk as economic conditions deteriorate, or if the economic downturn is prolonged. The Company considers this segment to be one of higher risk given the size of individual loans and the balances in the overall portfolio.
 
Government program loans – This is a relatively a small part of the Company’s loan portfolio, but has historically had a high percentage of loans that have migrated from pass to substandard given their vulnerability to economic cycles.
 
Commercial real estate loans – This segment is considered to have more risk in part because of the vulnerability of commercial businesses to economic cycles as well as the exposure to fluctuations in real estate prices because most of these loans are secured by real estate. Losses in this segment have however been historically low because most of the loans are real estate secured, and the bank maintains appropriate loan-to-value ratios.
 

24

Table of Contents

Residential mortgages – This segment is considered to have low risk factors both from the Company and peer statistics. These loans are secured by first deeds of trust. The losses experienced over the past sixteen quarters are isolated to approximately seven loans and are generally the result of short sales.
 
Home improvement and home equity loans – Because of their junior lien position, these loans have an inherently higher risk level. Because residential real estate has been severely distressed in the recent past, the anticipated risk for this loan segment has increased.
 
Real estate construction and development loans –This segment of loans is considered to have a higher risk profile due to construction and market value issues in conjunction with normal credit risks.
 
Agricultural loans – This segment is considered to have risks associated with weather, insects, and marketing issues. In addition, concentrations in certain crops or certain agricultural areas can increase risk.

Installment and other loans (Includes consumer loans, overdrafts, and overdraft protection lines) – This segment is higher risk because many of the loans are unsecured. Additionally, in the case of student loans, there are increased risks associated with liquidity as there is a significant time lag between funding of a student loan and eventual repayment.

The following summarizes the activity in the allowance for credit losses by loan category for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in 000's).
Three Months Ended
Commercial and Industrial
 
Real Estate Mortgage
 
Real Estate Construction Development
 
 Agricultural
 
Installment & Other
 
 Unallocated
 
Total
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
1,408

 
$
1,182

 
$
2,903

 
$
1,631

 
$
887

 
$
1,256

 
$
9,267

Provision (recovery of provision) for credit losses
614

 
17

 
(41
)
 
(289
)
 
(140
)
 
(350
)
 
(189
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charge-offs
(88
)
 

 

 

 
(4
)
 

 
(92
)
Recoveries
51

 
5

 

 

 
78

 
(4
)
 
130

Net recoveries
(37
)
 
5

 

 

 
74

 
(4
)
 
38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
$
1,985

 
$
1,204

 
$
2,862

 
$
1,342

 
$
821

 
$
902

 
$
9,116

Period-end amount allocated to:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loans individually evaluated for impairment
996

 
558

 

 
785

 

 

 
2,339

Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
989

 
646

 
2,862

 
557

 
821

 
902

 
6,777

Ending balance
$
1,985

 
$
1,204

 
$
2,862

 
$
1,342

 
$
821

 
$
902

 
$
9,116


Three Months Ended
Commercial and Industrial
 
Real Estate Mortgage
 
Real Estate Construction Development
 
 Agricultural
 
Installment & Other
 
 Unallocated
 
Total
March 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
1,843

 
$
1,430

 
$
3,378

 
$
666

 
$
888

 
$
697

 
$
8,902

Provision (recovery of provision) for credit losses
(65
)
 
(150
)
 
(282
)
 
410

 
(41
)
 
149

 
21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charge-offs
(7
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(5
)
 
(13
)
Recoveries
10

 
6

 

 
21

 
1

 

 
38

Net charge-offs
3

 
5

 

 
21

 
1

 
(5
)
 
25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ending balance
$
1,781

 
$
1,285

 
$
3,096

 
$
1,097

 
$
848

 
$
841

 
$
8,948

Period-end amount allocated to:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Loans individually evaluated for impairment
767

 
552

 

 
533

 

 

 
1,852

Loans collectively evaluated for impairment
1,014

 
733

 
3,096

 
564

 
848

 
841

 
7,096

Ending balance
$
1,781

 
$
1,285

 
$
3,096

 
$
1,097

 
$
848

 
$
841

 
$
8,948



25

Table of Contents

The following summarizes information with respect to the loan balances at March 31, 2018 and 2017.
 
March 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2017
 
Loans
Individually
Evaluated for Impairment
 
Loans
Collectively
Evaluated for Impairment
 
Total Loans
 
Loans
Individually
Evaluated for Impairment
 
Loans
Collectively
Evaluated for Impairment
 
Total Loans
(in 000's)
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial and Business Loans
$
3,298

 
$
49,216

 
$
52,514

 
$
4,342

 
$
41,172

 
$
45,514

Government Program Loans
318

 
614

 
932

 
345

 
1,432

 
1,777

Total Commercial and Industrial
3,616

 
49,830

 
53,446

 
4,687

 
42,604

 
47,291

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial Real Estate Loans
1,615

 
208,496

 
210,111

 
1,091

 
198,257

 
199,348

Residential Mortgage Loans
2,533

 
79,642

 
82,175

 
2,457

 
76,776

 
79,233

Home Improvement and Home Equity Loans

 
445

 
445

 

 
585

 
585

Total Real Estate Mortgage
4,148

 
288,583

 
292,731

 
3,548

 
275,618

 
279,166

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Real Estate Construction and Development Loans
4,606

 
120,740

 
125,346

 
6,975

 
114,422

 
121,397

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agricultural Loans
1,116

 
56,499

 
57,615

 
1,564

 
50,888

 
52,452

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Installment and Other Loans
84

 
66,660

 
66,744

 
965

 
45,570

 
46,535

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Loans
$
13,570

 
$
582,312

 
$
595,882

 
$
17,739

 
$
529,102

 
$
546,841


4.
Deposits

Deposits include the following:
 
(in 000's)
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Noninterest-bearing deposits
$
319,438

 
$
307,299

Interest-bearing deposits:
 

 
 

NOW and money market accounts
263,730

 
234,154

Savings accounts
83,693

 
81,408

Time deposits:
 

 
 

Under $250,000
52,343

 
51,687

$250,000 and over
15,412

 
13,145

Total interest-bearing deposits
415,178

 
380,394

Total deposits
$
734,616

 
$
687,693

 
 
 
 
Total brokered deposits included in time deposits above
$
7,741

 
$
7,421

 
5.
Short-term Borrowings/Other Borrowings

At  March 31, 2018, the Company had collateralized lines of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco totaling $306,296,000, as well as Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) lines of credit totaling $12,575,000. At March 31, 2018, the Company had an uncollateralized line of credit with Pacific Coast Bankers Bank ("PCBB") totaling $10,000,000, a Fed Funds line of $10,000,000 with Union Bank, and a Fed Funds line of $20,000,000 with Zions First National Bank. All lines of credit are on an “as available” basis and can be revoked by the grantor at any time. These lines of credit have interest rates that are generally tied to the Federal Funds rate or are indexed to short-term U.S. Treasury rates or LIBOR. FHLB advances are collateralized by the Company’s stock in the FHLB, investment securities, and certain qualifying mortgage loans. As of March 31, 2018, $15,526,000 in investment securities at FHLB were pledged as collateral for FHLB advances. Additionally,

26

Table of Contents

$456,142,000 in secured and unsecured loans were pledged at March 31, 2018, as collateral for borrowing lines with the Federal Reserve Bank. At March 31, 2018, the Company had no outstanding borrowings.
 
At December 31, 2017, the Company had collateralized lines of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco totaling $305,236,000, as well as Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) lines of credit totaling $13,363,000. At December 31, 2017, the Company had an uncollateralized line of credit with Pacific Coast Bankers Bank ("PCBB") totaling $10,000,000 and a Fed Funds line of $20,000,000 with Zions First National Bank. These lines of credit generally have interest rates tied to the Federal Funds rate or are indexed to short-term U.S. Treasury rates or LIBOR. FHLB advances are collateralized by the Company’s stock in the FHLB, investment securities, and certain qualifying mortgage loans. As of December 31, 2017, $17,049,000 in investment securities at FHLB were pledged as collateral for FHLB advances. Additionally, $473,364,000 in secured and unsecured loans were pledged at December 31, 2017, as collateral for used and unused borrowing lines with the Federal Reserve Bank. At December 31, 2017, the Company had no outstanding borrowings.

All lines of credit are on an “as available” basis and can be revoked by the grantor at any time.


27

Table of Contents


6.
Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in 000's)
2018
 
2017
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
474

 
$
429

Income taxes
$

 
$

Noncash investing activities:
 

 
 

Unrealized gains on unrecognized post retirement costs
$
9

 
$
13

Unrealized loss on available for sale securities
$
(254
)
 
$
87

Unrealized gains on TRUPs
$
567

 
$

Stock dividends issued
$

 
$
1,220

Cash dividend declared
$
1,521

 
$

Adoption of ASU 2016-01: reclassification of TRUPS to accumulated other comprehensive income
1,482

 
$

Adoption of ASU 2016-01: recognition of previously unrealized losses within CRA Fund
184

 
$


7.
Dividends on Common Stock

On March 27, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.09 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend was payable on April 19, 2018, to shareholders of record as of April 9, 2018. Approximately $1,521,000 was transfered from retained earnings to dividends payable to allow for distribution of the dividend to shareholders.

During 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3 million of the outstanding common stock of the Company. The timing of the purchases will depend on certain factors, including but not limited to, market conditions and prices, available funds, and alternative uses of capital. The stock repurchase program may be carried out through open-market purchases, block trades, or negotiated private transactions. At this time, no shares have been repurchased.

8.
Net Income per Common Share

The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerator and the denominator of the basic EPS computation with the numerator and the denominator of the diluted EPS computation:
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Net income (000's, except per share amounts)
$
3,157

 
$
1,771

 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares issued
16,898,615

 
16,874,778

Add: dilutive effect of stock options
27,356

 
13,795

Weighted average shares outstanding adjusted for potential dilution
16,925,971

 
16,888,573

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share
$
0.19

 
$
0.10

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.19

 
$
0.10

Anti-dilutive stock options excluded from earnings per share calculation
131,000

 



9.
Taxes on Income
 

28

Table of Contents

The Company periodically reviews its tax positions under the accounting standards related to uncertainty in income taxes, which defines the criteria that an individual tax position would have to meet for some or all of the income tax benefit to be recognized in a taxable entity’s financial statements. Under the guidelines, an entity should recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position if it determines that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on examination. The term “more likely than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent. In assessing whether the more-likely-than-not criterion is met, the entity should assume that the tax position will be reviewed by the applicable taxing authority and all available information is known to the taxing authority.

The Company periodically evaluates its deferred tax assets to determine whether a valuation allowance is required based upon a determination that some or all of the deferred assets may not be ultimately realized. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had no recorded valuation allowance.

The Company and its subsidiary file income tax returns in the U.S federal jurisdiction, and several states within the U.S. There are no filings in foreign jurisdictions. During 2014, the Company began the process to amend its state tax returns for the years 2009 through 2012 to file a combined report on a unitary basis with the Company and USB Investment Trust . The amended return for 2009 was filed during 2014, the 2010 return was filed during 2015, and the amended returns for 2011 and 2012 were filed in 2016. The Company is no longer subject to examination for years before 2013. As of March 31, 2018, the Company is unaware of any change in tax positions as a result of the IRS examination.

The Company's policy is to recognize any interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. Interest and penalties recognized during the periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were insignificant.

10.
Junior Subordinated Debt/Trust Preferred Securities
 
Effective September 30, 2009 and beginning with the quarterly interest payment due October 1, 2009, the Company elected to defer interest payments on the Company's $15.0 million of junior subordinated debentures relating to its trust preferred securities. The terms of the debentures and trust indentures allow for the Company to defer interest payments for up to 20 consecutive quarters without default or penalty. During the period that the interest deferrals were elected, the Company continued to record interest expense associated with the debentures. As of June 30, 2014, the Company ended the extension period, paid all accrued and unpaid interest, and is currently making quarterly interest payments. The Company may redeem the junior subordinated debentures at any time at par.

During August 2015, the Bank purchased $3.0 million of the Company's junior subordinated debentures related to the Company's trust preferred securities at a fair value discount of 40%. Subsequently, in September 2015, the Company purchased those shares from the Bank and canceled $3.0 million in par value of the junior subordinated debentures, realizing a $78,000 gain on redemption. The contractual principal balance of the Company's debentures relating to its trust preferred securities is $12.0 million as of March 31, 2018.
 
The fair value guidance generally permits the measurement of selected eligible financial instruments at fair value at specified election dates. Effective January 1, 2008, the Company elected the fair value option for its junior subordinated debt issued under USB Capital Trust II. The Company believes the election of fair value accounting for the junior subordinated debentures better reflects the true economic value of the debt instrument on the balance sheet. The rate paid on the junior subordinated debt issued under USB Capital Trust II is 3-month LIBOR plus 129 basis points, and is adjusted quarterly.
 
At March 31, 2018 the Company performed a fair value measurement analysis on its junior subordinated debt using a cash flow model approach to determine the present value of those cash flows. The cash flow model utilizes the forward 3-month LIBOR curve to estimate future quarterly interest payments due over the thirty-year life of the debt instrument. These cash flows were discounted at a rate which incorporates a current market rate for similar-term debt instruments, adjusted for additional credit and liquidity risks associated with the junior subordinated debt. We believe the 6.27% discount rate used represents what a market participant would consider under the circumstances based on current market assumptions. At March 31, 2018, the total cumulative gain recorded on the debt is $3,381,000.
 
Effective January 1, 2018, the Company elected ASU 2016-01 which modified the recognition and measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities. Upon adoption of the standard, the fair value determined for the period would separately present in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk. As of January 1, 2018 a cumulative effect adjustment of $1,482,000 was made to accumulated other comprehensive income. The fair value calculation performed at March 31, 2018 resulted in a net gain adjustment of $97,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, which was separately presented as a $470,000 loss ($331,000, net of tax) recognized on the consolidated statements of income, and a $567,000 gain associated with the instrument specific credit risk

29

Table of Contents

as part of the adoption of ASU 2016-01. The tax affected gain of $399,000 on instrument specific credit risk was recognized in other comprehensive income.

11.
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure
 
The following summary disclosures are made in accordance with the guidance provided by ASC Topic 825, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments), which requires the disclosure of fair value information about both on- and off-balance sheet financial instruments where it is practicable to estimate that value.
 
Generally accepted accounting guidance clarifies the definition of fair value, describes methods used to appropriately measure fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and expands fair value disclosure requirements. This guidance applies whenever other accounting pronouncements require or permit fair value measurements.

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels (Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3). Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets (as defined) for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).

In accordance with the prospective adoption of ASU No. 2016-01, the fair value of loans as of March 31, 2018 was measured using an exit price notion. The fair value of loans as of December 31, 2017 was measured using an entry price notion.
 
The table below is a summary of fair value estimates for financial instruments and the level of the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurements are categorized at the periods indicated:
March 31, 2018
(in 000's)
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
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
165,347

 
$
165,347

 
$
165,347

 
$

 
$

AFS Investment securities
39,329

 
39,329

 

 
39,329

 

Marketable equity securities
3,677

 
3,677

 
3,677

 

 

Loans
587,734

 
579,692

 

 

 
579,692

Accrued interest receivable
7,413

 
7,413

 

 
7,413

 

Financial Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Noninterest-bearing
319,438

 
319,438

 
319,438

 

 

NOW and money market
263,730

 
263,730

 
263,730

 

 

Savings
83,693

 
83,693

 
83,693

 

 

Time deposits
67,755

 
67,151

 

 

 
67,151

Total deposits
734,616

 
734,012

 
666,861

 
 

 
67,151

Junior subordinated debt
9,641

 
9,641

 

 

 
9,641

Accrued interest payable
47

 
47

 

 
47

 


30

Table of Contents

December 31, 2017
(in 000's)
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
Financial Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
107,934

 
$
107,934

 
$
107,934

 
$

 
$

Investment securities
41,985

 
45,722

 
3,737

 
41,985

 

Loans
593,123

 
588,938

 

 

 
588,938

Accrued interest receivable
6,526

 
6,526

 

 
6,526

 

Financial Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Noninterest-bearing
307,299

 
307,299

 
307,299

 

 

NOW and money market
234,154

 
234,154

 
234,154

 

 

Savings
81,408

 
81,408

 
81,408

 

 

Time deposits
64,832

 
64,387

 

 

 
64,387

Total deposits
687,693

 
687,248

 
622,861

 

 
64,387

Junior subordinated debt
9,730

 
9,730

 

 

 
9,730

Accrued interest payable
44

 
44

 

 
44

 

 
The Company performs fair value measurements on certain assets and liabilities as the result of the application of current accounting guidelines. Some fair value measurements, such as investment securities and junior subordinated debt are performed on a recurring basis, while others, such as impairment of loans, other real estate owned, goodwill and other intangibles, are performed on a nonrecurring basis.

The Company’s Level 1 financial assets consist of money market funds and highly liquid mutual funds for which fair values are based on quoted market prices. The Company’s Level 2 financial assets include highly liquid debt instruments of U.S. government agencies, collateralized mortgage obligations, and debt obligations of states and political subdivisions, whose fair values are obtained from readily-available pricing sources for the identical or similar underlying security that may, or may not, be actively traded. The Company’s Level 3 financial assets include certain instruments where the assumptions may be made by us or third parties about assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. From time to time, the Company recognizes transfers between Level 1, 2, and 3 when a change in circumstances warrants a transfer. There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements during the three month period ended March 31, 2018.

The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating the fair values of financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis:

Investment Securities – Available for sale and marketable equity securities are valued based upon open-market price quotes obtained from reputable third-party brokers that actively make a market in those securities. Market pricing is based upon specific CUSIP identification for each individual security. To the extent there are observable prices in the market, the mid-point of the bid/ask price is used to determine fair value of individual securities. If that data is not available for the last 30 days, a Level 2-type matrix pricing approach based on comparable securities in the market is utilized. Level 2 pricing may include using a forward spread from the last observable trade or may use a proxy bond like a TBA mortgage to come up with a price for the security being valued. Changes in fair market value are recorded through other comprehensive loss as the securities are available for sale.
 
Impaired Loans - Fair value measurements for collateral dependent impaired loans are performed pursuant to authoritative accounting guidance and are based upon either collateral values supported by appraisals and observed market prices. Collateral dependent loans are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral. Changes are recorded directly as an adjustment to current earnings.

Other Real Estate Owned - Nonrecurring adjustments to certain commercial and residential real estate properties classified as other real estate owned (OREO) are measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell.  Fair values are

31

Table of Contents

generally based on third party appraisals of the property, resulting in a Level 3 classification.  In cases where the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, less costs to sell, an impairment loss is recognized.

Junior Subordinated Debt – The fair value of the junior subordinated debt was determined based upon a discounted cash flows model utilizing observable market rates and credit characteristics for similar debt instruments. In its analysis, the Company used characteristics that market participants generally use, and considered factors specific to (a) the liability, (b) the principal (or most advantageous) market for the liability, and (c) market participants with whom the reporting entity would transact in that market. Cash flows are discounted at a rate which incorporates a current market rate for similar-term debt instruments, adjusted for credit and liquidity risks associated with similar junior subordinated debt and circumstances unique to the Company. The Company believes that the subjective nature of theses inputs, due primarily to the current economic environment, require the junior subordinated debt to be classified as a Level 3 fair value.
 
The following table provides a description of the valuation technique, unobservable input, and qualitative information about the unobservable inputs for the Company’s assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 and measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Financial Instrument
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Weighted Average
 
Financial Instrument
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Weighted Average
Junior Subordinated Debt
Discounted cash flow
Discount Rate
6.27%
 
Junior Subordinated Debt
Discounted cash flow
Discount Rate
5.81%

Management believes that the credit risk adjusted spread utilized in the fair value measurement of the junior subordinated debentures carried at fair value is indicative of the nonperformance risk premium a willing market participant would require under current market conditions, that is, the inactive market. Management attributes the change in fair value of the junior subordinated debentures during the period to market changes in the nonperformance expectations and pricing of this type of debt, and not as a result of changes to our entity-specific credit risk. The narrowing of the credit risk adjusted spread above the Company’s contractual spreads has primarily contributed to the negative fair value adjustments. Generally, an increase in the credit risk adjusted spread and/or a decrease in the three month LIBOR swap curve will result in positive fair value adjustments (and decrease the fair value measurement).  Conversely, a decrease in the credit risk adjusted spread and/or an increase in the three month LIBOR swap curve will result in negative fair value adjustments (and increase the fair value measurement). The decrease in discount rate between the periods ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is primarily due to decreases in rates for similar debt instruments.
 
The following tables summarize the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of March 31, 2018 (in 000’s):
Description of Assets
March 31, 2018
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
AFS Securities (2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies
$
18,772

 
$

 
$
18,772

 
$

U.S. Government collateralized mortgage obligations
20,557

 

 
20,557

 

Marketable equity securities (2)
3,677

 
3,677

 

 

Total investment securities
$
43,006

 
$
3,677

 
$
39,329

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
43,006

 
$
3,677

 
$
39,329

 
$



32

Table of Contents

Description of Liabilities
March 31, 2018
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Junior subordinated debt (2)
$
9,641

 

 

 
$
9,641

Total
$
9,641

 

 

 
$
9,641

 
(1)Nonrecurring
(2)Recurring

The following tables summarize the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 (in 000’s):

Description of Assets
December 31, 2017
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
AFS Securities (2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies
$
19,954

 
$

 
$
19,954

 
$

U.S. Government collateralized mortgage obligations
22,031

 

 
22,031

 

Marketable equity securities (2)
3,737

 
3,737

 

 

Total investment securities
45,722

 
3,737

 
41,985

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
45,722

 
$
3,737

 
$
41,985

 
$

Description of Liabilities
December 31, 2017
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Junior subordinated debt (2)
$
9,730

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,730

Total
$
9,730

 
$

 
$

 
$
9,730

 
(1)Nonrecurring
(2)Recurring

The Company did not record a write-down on other real estate owned during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or the year ended December 31, 2017.

There were no assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of the three months ended March 31, 2018 or the year ended December 31, 2017.












33

Table of Contents

The following tables provide a reconciliation of assets and liabilities at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) on a recurring basis during the three and three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in 000’s):
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
Reconciliation of Liabilities:
Junior
Subordinated
Debt
 
Junior
Subordinated
Debt
Beginning balance
$
9,730

 
$
8,832

Total loss included in earnings
470

 
336

Gross gain related to changes in instrument specific credit risk
(567
)
 

Change in accrued interest
8

 
3

Ending balance
$
9,641

 
$
9,171

The amount of total loss for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to liabilities still held at the reporting date
$
470

 
$
336


12.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets

At March 31, 2018, the Company had goodwill in the amount of $4,488,000 in connection with various business combinations and purchases. This amount was unchanged from the balance of $4,488,000 at December 31, 2017. While goodwill is not amortized, the Company does conduct periodic impairment analysis on goodwill at least annually or more often as conditions require. The Company performed its analysis of goodwill impairment and concluded goodwill was not impaired at March 31, 2018.

13.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, included in shareholders’ equity, are as follows:
(in 000's)
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Net unrealized loss on available for sale securities

 
Unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans

 
Net unrealized gain on junior subordinated debentures

 
Net unrealized loss on available for sale securities

 
Unfunded status of the supplemental retirement plans

 
Net unrealized gain on junior subordinated debentures

Beginning balance
$
(462
)
 
$
(248
)
 
$

 
$
(383
)
 
$
(221
)
 
$

Reclassifications upon adoption of ASU 2016-01
184

 

 
1,482

 

 

 

Current period comprehensive (loss) income
(175
)
 
6

 
399

 
(79
)
 
(27
)
 

Ending balance
$
(453
)
 
$
(242
)
 
$
1,881

 
$
(462
)
 
$
(248
)
 
$

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
$
1,186

 
 
 
 
 
$
(710
)


14.
Subsequent Events
 
Subsequent events are events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. Recognized subsequent events are events or transactions that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the date of the balance sheet, including the estimates inherent in the process of preparing financial statements.  Nonrecognized subsequent events are events that provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the date of the balance sheet but arose after that date.  Management has reviewed events occurring through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued and have identified no subsequent events requiring disclosure.

34

Table of Contents

Item 2  - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Certain matters discussed or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report of Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following factors: i) competitive pressures in the banking industry and changes in the regulatory environment; ii) exposure to changes in the interest rate environment and the resulting impact on the Company’s interest rate sensitive assets and liabilities; iii) decline in the health of the economy nationally or regionally which could reduce the demand for loans or reduce the value of real estate collateral securing most of the Company’s loans; iv) credit quality deterioration that could cause an increase in the provision for loan losses; v) Asset/Liability matching risks and liquidity risks; vi) volatility and devaluation in the securities markets, vi) expected cost savings from recent acquisitions are not realized, vii) potential impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, and viii) technology implementation problems and information security breaches. Therefore, the information set forth therein should be carefully considered when evaluating the business prospects of the Company. For additional information concerning risks and uncertainties related to the Company and its operations, please refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

United Security Bancshares (the “Company” or “Holding Company") is a California corporation incorporated during March of 2001 and is registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. United Security Bank (the “Bank”) is a wholly-owned bank subsidiary of the Company and was formed in 1987. References to the Company are references to United Security Bancshares (including the Bank). References to the Bank are to United Security Bank, while references to the Holding Company are to the parent only, United Security Bancshares. The Company currently has eleven banking branches, which provide financial services in Fresno, Madera, Kern, and Santa Clara counties in the state of California.

Trends Affecting Results of Operations and Financial Position

The Company’s overall operations are impacted by a number of factors, including not only interest rates and margin spreads, which impact the results of operations, but also the composition of the Company’s balance sheet. One of the primary strategic goals of the Company is to maintain a mix of assets that will generate a reasonable rate of return without undue risk, and to finance those assets with a low-cost and stable source of funds. Liquidity and capital resources must also be considered in the planning process to mitigate risk and allow for growth.

Since the Bank primarily conducts banking operations in California’s Central Valley, its operations and cash flows are subject to changes in the economic condition of the Central Valley. Our business results are dependent in large part upon the business activity, population, income levels, deposits and real estate activity in the Central Valley, and declines in economic conditions can have adverse material effects upon the Bank. In addition, the Central Valley remains largely dependent on agriculture. A downturn in agriculture and agricultural related business could indirectly and adversely affect the Company as many borrowers and customers are involved in, or are impacted to some extent, by the agricultural industry. While a great number of our borrowers are not directly involved in agriculture, they would likely be impacted by difficulties in the agricultural industry since many jobs in our market areas are ancillary to the regular production, processing, marketing and sale of agricultural commodities. While the prolonged drought has been alleviated during the past year due to significant amounts of precipitation, the state of California recently experienced the worst drought in recorded history. It is not possible to quantify the drought's impact on businesses and consumers located in the Company's market areas or to predict adverse economic impacts related to future droughts.

The residential real estate markets in the five county region from Merced to Kern has strengthened since 2013 and that trend has continued through 2018. The severe declines in residential construction and home prices that began in 2008 have ended and home prices are now rising on a year-over-year basis. The sustained period of double-digit price declines from 2008–2011 adversely impacted the Company’s operations and increased the levels of nonperforming assets, increased expenses related to foreclosed properties, and decreased profit margins. As the Company continues its business development and expansion efforts throughout its market areas, it will also maintain its commitment to the reduction of nonperforming assets and provision of options for borrowers experiencing difficulties. Those options include combinations of rate and term concessions, as well as forbearance agreements with borrowers.

The Company continues to emphasize relationship banking and core deposit growth, and has focused greater attention on its market area of Fresno, Madera, and Kern Counties, as well as Campbell, in Santa Clara County. The San Joaquin Valley and

35

Table of Contents

other California markets are exhibiting stronger demand for construction lending and commercial lending from small and medium size businesses, as commercial and residential real estate markets have shown improvements.

The Company continually evaluates its strategic business plan as economic and market factors change in its market area. Balance sheet management, enhancing revenue sources, and maintaining market share will continue to be of primary importance during 2018 and beyond. The previous pressure on net margins as interest rates hit historical lows may now be ending as interest rates are anticipated to rise. As a result, market rates of interest and asset quality will continue to be important factors in the Company’s ongoing strategic planning process.

Results of Operations

On a year-to-date basis, the Company reported net income of $3,157,000 or $0.19 per share ($0.19 diluted), for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $1,771,000, or $0.10 per share ($0.10 diluted), for the same period in 2017. The Company’s return on average assets was 1.57% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to 0.92% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company’s return on average equity was 12.43% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to 7.34% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Net Interest Income

The following tables present condensed average balance sheet information, together with interest income and yields earned on average interest earning assets, and interest expense and rates paid on average interest-bearing liabilities for the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Table 1. Distribution of Average Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity:
Interest rates and Interest Differentials
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and 2017

36

Table of Contents

 
 
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
2017
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Yield/Rate (2)
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Yield/Rate (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and leases (1)
$
598,891

 
$
8,226

 
5.57
%
 
$
566,075

 
$
7,225

 
5.18
%
Investment Securities – taxable (3)
44,431

 
193

 
1.76
%
 
56,589

 
224

 
1.61
%
Interest-bearing  deposits in other banks

 

 
%
 
651

 
1

 
0.62
%
Interest-bearing  deposits in FRB
98,070

 
384

 
1.59
%
 
91,692

 
183

 
0.81
%
Total interest-earning assets
741,392

 
$
8,803

 
4.82
%
 
715,007

 
$
7,633

 
4.33
%
Allowance for credit losses
(9,335
)
 
 

 
 

 
(8,924
)
 
 

 
 

Noninterest-earning assets:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and due from banks
26,442

 
 

 
 

 
20,916

 
 

 
 

Premises and equipment, net
10,156

 
 

 
 

 
10,655

 
 

 
 

Accrued interest receivable
6,230

 
 

 
 

 
3,583

 
 

 
 

Other real estate owned
5,745

 
 

 
 

 
6,471

 
 

 
 

Other assets
36,780

 
 

 
 

 
36,013

 
 

 
 

Total average assets
$
817,410

 
 

 
 

 
$
783,721

 
 

 
 

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

NOW accounts
$
89,254

 
$
29

 
0.13
%
 
$
87,343

 
$
28

 
0.13
%
Money market accounts
156,952

 
197

 
0.51
%
 
148,081

 
138

 
0.38
%
Savings accounts
83,171

 
47

 
0.23
%
 
75,202

 
43

 
0.23
%
Time deposits
66,691

 
114

 
0.69
%
 
94,819

 
127

 
0.54
%
Junior subordinated debentures
9,685

 
90

 
3.77
%
 
8,797

 
69

 
3.18
%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
405,753

 
$
477

 
0.48
%
 
414,242

 
$
405

 
0.40
%
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Noninterest-bearing checking
301,787

 
 

 
 

 
263,923

 
 

 
 

Accrued interest payable
100

 
 

 
 

 
118

 
 

 
 

Other liabilities
6,758

 
 

 
 

 
7,644

 
 

 
 

Total Liabilities
714,398

 
 

 
 

 
685,927

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total shareholders' equity
103,012

 
 

 
 

 
97,794

 
 

 
 

Total average liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
817,410

 
 

 
 

 
$
783,721

 
 

 
 

Interest income as a percentage  of average earning assets
 

 
 

 
4.82
%
 
 

 
 

 
4.33
%
Interest expense as a percentage of average earning assets
 

 
 

 
0.26
%
 
 

 
 

 
0.23
%
Net interest margin
 

 
 

 
4.56
%
 
 

 
 

 
4.10
%

(1)
Loan amounts include nonaccrual loans, but the related interest income has been included only if collected for the period prior to the loan being placed on a nonaccrual basis. Loan interest income includes loan costs of approximately $116 for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and loan costs of $223 for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.
(2)
Interest income/expense is divided by actual number of days in the period times 365 days in the yield calculation
(3)
Yields on investments securities are calculated based on average amortized cost balances rather than fair value, as changes in fair value are reflected as a component of shareholders' equity.


37

Table of Contents

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, total interest income increased $1,170,000, or 15.33%, as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017. Comparing those two periods, average interest earning assets increased $26,385,000, with a $32,816,000 increase in loans and leases and a $6,378,000 increase in balances held at the Federal Reserve Bank, partially offset by a $12,158,000 decrease in investment securities. The average yield on total interest-earning assets increased 49 basis points. Loan yields increased 39 basis points primarily as a result of loan growth in the higher-yielding student loan portfolio, and increases in rates throughout the loan portfolio reflecting the increases in the prime rate. Yields on interest bearing deposits at the Federal Reserve Bank increased for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as a result of three 0.25% interest rate increases during 2017 and one during 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, total interest expense increased $72,000, or 17.78%, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, despite a $8,489,000 decrease in interest-bearing liabilities. The average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities was 0.48% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 0.40% for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The prime rate was raised three times during 2017 and once during 2018 to reach its present value of 4.75%. These increases affect rates for loans and customer deposits, both of which have increased and are likely to increase further as the prime rate continues to rise.

Both the Company's net interest income and net interest margin are affected by changes in the amount and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, referred to as "volume change." Both are also affected by changes in yields on interest-earning assets and rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, referred to as "rate change." The following table sets forth the changes in interest income and interest expense for each major category of interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability, and the amount of change attributable to volume and rate changes for the periods indicated.

Table 2.  Rate and Volume Analysis

 
Increase (decrease) in the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to March 31, 2017
(in 000's)
Total
 
Rate
 
Volume
Increase (decrease) in interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and leases
$
1,001

 
$
578

 
$
423

Investment securities available for sale
(31
)
 
21

 
(52
)
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
1

Interest-bearing deposits in FRB
201

 
175

 
26

Total interest income
1,170

 
772

 
398

Increase (decrease) in interest expense:
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing demand accounts
60

 
52

 
8

Savings and money market accounts
4

 

 
4

Time deposits
(13
)
 
30

 
(43
)
Subordinated debentures
21

 
14

 
7

Total interest expense
72

 
96

 
(24
)
Increase in net interest income
$
1,098

 
$
676

 
$
422

 
For the three months ended March 31, 2018, total interest income increased approximately $1,170,000, or 15.33%, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. Average earning asset volumes for loans and leases increased $32,816,000. Overnight investments with the FRB increased $6,378,000, while available for sale investment securities decreased $12,158,000 between the two periods. The average yield on loans increased 39 basis points between the two periods, and the average yield on investment securities increased approximately 15 basis points during the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the same period of 2017.  

The overall average yield on the loan portfolio increased to 5.57% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to 5.18% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company has successfully sought to mitigate the low-interest rate environment with loan floors included in new and renewed loans when practical. At March 31, 2018, 57.3% of the Company's loan portfolio consisted of floating rate instruments, as compared to 52.0% of the portfolio at December 31, 2017, with the majority of those tied to the prime rate. Approximately 20.6%, or $70,483,000, of the floating rate loans had rate floors at

38

Table of Contents

March 31, 2018, making them effectively fixed-rate loans for certain increases in interest rates, and fixed-rate loans for all decreases in interest rates. None of the loans with floors have floor spreads of 100 basis points or more.

Although market rates of interest are at historically low levels, the Company’s disciplined deposit pricing efforts have helped keep the Company's cost of funds low. The Company’s net interest margin increased to 4.56% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, when compared to 4.10% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The net interest margin increased due to increases in the loan portfolio yield and increases in the yield on overnight investments held at correspondent banks. As interest rates paid on deposits have also increased, the Company’s average cost of funds rose to 0.48% for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to 0.40% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company utilizes brokered deposits as an additional source of funding. Currently, the Company holds CDARs reciprocal deposits, which are preferred by some depositors. These comprise $7,741,000 of the balance of certificates of deposits at March 31, 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, total interest expense increased approximately $72,000, or 17.78%, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017. Between those two periods, average interest-bearing liabilities decreased by $8,489,000 due to decreases in time deposits, partially offset by increases in NOW, money market, and savings accounts.

Net interest income has increased between the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, totaling $8,326,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $7,228,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase in net interest income between 2017 and 2018 was primarily the result of reinvestment of low yielding overnight investments into the loan and investment portfolios and growth in total interest-earning assets.

The increase in net interest margin between 2017 and 2018 can be primarily attributed to the relative increase in average loans, the highest yielding asset, as a percentage of total average assets, and the decrease in average time deposits, the most costly interest bearing liability, as a percentage of total interest bearing liabilities.

Table 3. Interest-Earning Assets and Liabilities

The following table summarizes the year-to-date averages of the components of interest-earning assets as a percentage of total interest-earning assets and the components of interest-bearing liabilities as a percentage of total interest-bearing liabilities:
 
YTD Average
3/31/2018
 
YTD Average
12/31/17
 
YTD Average
3/31/2017
Loans
80.78%
 
77.91%
 
79.17%
Investment securities available for sale
5.99%
 
7.18%
 
7.91%
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks
—%
 
0.09%
 
0.09%
Interest-bearing deposits in FRB
13.23%
 
14.82%
 
12.83%
Total interest-earning assets
100.00%
 
100.00%
 
100.00%
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOW accounts
22.00%
 
21.55%
 
21.09%
Money market accounts
38.68%
 
37.92%
 
35.75%
Savings accounts
20.50%
 
19.42%
 
18.15%
Time deposits
16.44%
 
18.85%
 
22.89%
Subordinated debentures
2.38%
 
2.26%
 
2.12%
Total interest-bearing liabilities
100.00%
 
100.00%
 
100.00%

Noninterest Income

Table 4. Changes in Noninterest Income

The following tables sets forth the amount and percentage changes in the categories presented for the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:


39

Table of Contents

 
     (in 000's)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Amount of
Change
 
Percent
 Change
Customer service fees
$
951

 
$
941

 
$
10

 
1.06
 %
Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI/COLI
125

 
132

 
(7
)
 
(5.30
)%
Loss on change in fair value of marketable equity securities
(60
)
 

 
(60
)
 
(100.00
)%
Gain on death benefit proceeds from bank-owned life insurance
171

 

 
171

 
(100.00
)%
Loss on fair value of financial liability
(470
)
 
(336
)
 
(134
)
 
39.88
 %
Other
205

 
172

 
33

 
19.19
 %
Total noninterest income
$
922

 
$
909

 
$
13

 
1.43
 %

Noninterest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 increased $13,000 to $922,000, compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2017. The increase is mostly attributed to the gain on death benefit proceeds from bank owned life insurance of $171,000, partially offset by the increase in loss on the fair value of financial liability of $134,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The fluctuation in fair value of financial liability was caused by changes in the LIBOR yield curve.

Noninterest Expense

Table 5. Changes in Noninterest Expense

The following table sets forth the amount and percentage changes in the categories presented for the three month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

 
     (in 000's)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Amount of
Change
 
Percent
 Change
Salaries and employee benefits
$
2,961

 
$
2,985

 
$
(24
)
 
(0.80
)%
Occupancy expense
1,018

 
1,015

 
3

 
0.30
 %
Data processing
52

 
27

 
25

 
92.59
 %
Professional fees
335

 
255

 
80

 
31.37
 %
FDIC/DFI insurance assessments
83

 
136

 
(53
)
 
(38.97
)%
Director fees
80

 
68

 
12

 
17.65
 %
Correspondent bank service charges
17

 
18

 
(1
)
 
(5.56
)%
Loss on California tax credit partnership
5

 
108

 
(103
)
 
(95.37
)%
Net cost on operation of OREO
51

 
32

 
19

 
59.38
 %
Other
398

 
546

 
(148
)
 
(27.11
)%
Total expense
$
5,000

 
$
5,190

 
$
(190
)
 
(3.66
)%

Noninterest expense decreased approximately $190,000 or 3.66% between the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. The decrease experienced during the three months ended March 31, 2018, was primarily the result of decreases of $103,000 in the loss on a tax credit partnership, $53,000 in regulatory assessments, and $24,000 in salaries and employee benefits, offset by increases of $80,000 in professional fees and $25,000 in data processing fees.

Income Taxes

The Company’s income tax expense is impacted to some degree by permanent taxable differences between income reported for book purposes and income reported for tax purposes, as well as certain tax credits which are not reflected in the Company’s pretax income or loss shown in the statements of operations and comprehensive income. As pretax income or loss amounts become smaller, the impact of these differences become more significant and are reflected as variances in the Company’s effective tax rate for the periods presented. In general, the permanent differences and tax credits affecting tax expense have a positive impact and tend to reduce the effective tax rates shown in the Company’s statements of income and comprehensive income.


40

Table of Contents

The Company reviews its current tax positions at least quarterly based on the accounting standards related to uncertainty in income taxes which includes the criteria that an individual tax position would have to meet for some or all of the income tax benefit to be recognized in a taxable entity’s financial statements. Under the income tax guidelines, an entity should recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position if it determines that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on examination. The term “more likely than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent. In assessing whether the more-likely-than-not criterion is met, the entity should assume that the tax position will be reviewed by the applicable taxing authority.
 
The Company has reviewed all of its tax positions as of March 31, 2018, and has determined that, there are no material amounts to be recorded under the current income tax accounting guidelines.

Financial Condition

Total assets increased $48,968,000, or 6.08%, to a balance of $854,804,000 at March 31, 2018, from the balance of $805,836,000 at December 31, 2017, and increased $70,706,000, or 9.02%, from the balance of $784,098,000 at March 31, 2017. Total deposits of $734,616,000 at March 31, 2018, increased $46,923,000, or 6.82%, from the balance reported at December 31, 2017, and increased $64,075,000, or 9.56%, from the balance of $670,541,000 reported at March 31, 2017. Cash and cash equivalents increased $57,413,000, or 53.19%, between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018; net loans decreased $5,389,000, or 0.91%, to a balance of $587,734,000; and investment securities decreased $2,656,000, or 6.33%, during the first quarter of 2018.

Earning assets averaged approximately $741,392,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $715,007,000 for the same period in 2017. Average interest-bearing liabilities decreased to $405,753,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from $414,242,000 reported for the comparative period of 2017.

Loans and Leases

The Company's primary business is that of acquiring deposits and making loans, with the loan portfolio representing the largest and most important component of earning assets. Loans totaled $595,882,000 at March 31, 2018, a decrease of $5,469,000, or 0.91%, when compared to the balance of $601,351,000 at December 31, 2017, and an increase of $49,041,000, or 8.97%, when compared to the balance of $546,841,000 reported at March 31, 2017. Loans on average increased $32,816,000, or 5.80%, between the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, with loans averaging $598,891,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $566,075,000 for the same period of 2017.

Total loans decreased $5,469,000 between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, and increased $80,564,000 between March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company experienced increases in commercial and industrial loans, real estate construction and development loans, and consumer loans compared to the same period ended March 31, 2017. Commercial and industrial loans increased $6,420,000 between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 and increased $6,155,000 between March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. Installment and other loans increased $1,163,000, during the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the same period ended March 31, 2017, due to growth in the student loan portfolio. Included in installment loans are $61,001,000 in student loans made to medical and pharmacy school students. Repayment on student loans is deferred until 6 months after graduation. Accrued interest on loans that have not entered repayment status totaled $5,159,000 at March 31, 2018. The outstanding balance of student loans that have not entered repayment status totaled $54,858,000 at March 31, 2018. Real estate mortgage loans decreased $13,562,000, or 4.43%, between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, and increased $13,565,000 between March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. Agricultural loans decreased $1,866,000, or 3.14%, between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 and increased $5,163,000 between March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018.  Commercial real estate loans (a component of real estate mortgage loans) continue to represent a significant portion of the total loan portfolio. Commercial real estate loans amounted to 35.26%, 36.76%, and 36.45%, of the total loan portfolio at March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, and March 31, 2017, respectively. Residential mortgage loans are not generally originated by the Company, but some residential mortgage loans have been made over the past several years to facilitate take-out loans for construction borrowers when they were not able to obtain permanent financing elsewhere. These loans are generally 30-year amortizing loans with maturities of between three and five years. Residential mortgages totaled $82,175,000, or 13.79%, of the portfolio at March 31, 2018, $84,804,000, or 14.10% of the portfolio at December 31, 2017, and $79,233,000 or 14.49% of the portfolio at March 31, 2017. The Company held no loan participation purchases at March 31, 2017, December 31, 2017 or March 31, 2018. Loan participations sold increased from $7,507,000, or 1.37%, of the portfolio at March 31, 2017, to $15,067,000, or 2.5%, of the portfolio, at December 31, 2017, and decreased to $14,559,000, or 2.4%, of the portfolio, at March 31, 2018.

Table 6. Loans

41

Table of Contents


The following table sets forth the amounts of loans outstanding by category at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the category percentages as of those dates, and the net change between the two periods presented.
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
(in 000's)
Dollar Amount
 
% of Loans
 
Dollar Amount
 
% of Loans
 
Net Change
 
% Change
Commercial and industrial
$
53,446

 
9.0
%
 
$
47,026

 
7.9
%
 
$
6,420

 
13.65
 %
Real estate – mortgage
292,731

 
49.1
%
 
306,293

 
50.9
%
 
(13,562
)
 
(4.43
)%
RE construction & development
125,346

 
21.0
%
 
122,970

 
20.4
%
 
2,376

 
1.93
 %
Agricultural
57,615

 
9.7
%
 
59,481

 
9.9
%
 
(1,866
)
 
(3.14
)%
Installment/other
66,744

 
11.2
%
 
65,581

 
10.9
%
 
1,163

 
1.77
 %
Total Gross Loans
$
595,882

 
100.0
%
 
$
601,351

 
100.0
%
 
$
(5,469
)
 
(0.91
)%

Deposits

Total deposits totaled $734,616,000 at March 31, 2018, representing an increase of $46,923,000, or 6.82%, from the balance of $687,693,000 reported at December 31, 2017, and an increase of $64,075,000, or 9.56%, from the balance of $670,541,000 reported at March 31, 2017.

Table 7. Deposits

The following table sets forth the amounts of deposits outstanding by category at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and the net change between the two periods presented.
 
(in 000's)
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Net
Change
 
Percentage
Change
Noninterest bearing deposits
$
319,438

 
$
307,299

 
$
12,139

 
3.95
%
Interest bearing deposits:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

NOW and money market accounts
263,730

 
234,154

 
29,576

 
12.63
%
Savings accounts
83,693

 
81,408

 
2,285

 
2.81
%
Time deposits:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Under $250,000
52,343

 
51,687

 
656

 
1.27
%
$250,000 and over
15,412

 
13,145

 
2,267

 
17.25
%
Total interest bearing deposits
415,178

 
380,394

 
34,784

 
9.14
%
Total deposits
$
734,616

 
$
687,693

 
$
46,923

 
6.82
%

The Company's deposit base consists of two major components represented by noninterest bearing (demand) deposits and interest bearing deposits, totaling $319,438,000 and $415,178,000 at March 31, 2018, respectively. Interest bearing deposits consist of time certificates, NOW and money market accounts, and savings deposits. Total interest bearing deposits increased $34,784,000, or 9.14%, between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, and noninterest bearing deposits increased $12,139,000, or 3.95%, between the same two periods presented. Included in the increase of $34,784,000 in interest bearing deposits during the three months ended March 31, 2018, are increases of $2,923,000 in time deposits and $29,576,000 in NOW and money market accounts, offset by increases of $2,285,000 in savings accounts and $29,576,000 in NOW and money market accounts. The increase in time deposits is attributed to an increase in activity driven by the increase in the prime rate, which is the base of the Company's floating CD rate.

Core deposits, as defined by the Company as consisting of all deposits other than time deposits of more than $250,000 and brokered deposits, continue to provide the foundation for the Company's principal sources of funding and liquidity. These core deposits amounted to 96.85% and 97.01% of the total deposit portfolio at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Brokered deposits totaled $7,741,000 at March 31, 2018, as compared to $7,421,000 at December 31, 2017, and $12,146,000 at March 31, 2017. Brokered deposits were 1.05% and 1.08% of total deposits at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

42

Table of Contents


On a year-to-date average, the Company experienced an increase of $28,487,000, or 4.26%, in total deposits between the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017. Between these two periods, average interest bearing deposits decreased $9,377,000, or 2.31%, and total noninterest-bearing deposits increased $37,864,000, or 14.35%, on a year-to-date average basis.

Short-Term Borrowings

At March 31, 2018, the Company had collateralized lines of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco totaling $306,296,000, as well as Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) lines of credit totaling $12,575,000. At March 31, 2018, the Company had uncollateralized lines of credit with both Pacific Coast Bankers Bank ("PCBB"), Union Bank, and Zion's Bank, totaling $10,000,000, $10,000,000, and $20,000,000, respectively. These lines of credit generally have interest rates tied to either the Federal Funds rate, short-term U.S. Treasury rates, or LIBOR. All lines of credit are on an “as available” basis and can be revoked by the grantor at any time. At March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, the Company had no outstanding borrowings. The Company had collateralized FRB lines of credit of $305,236,000, collateralized FHLB lines of credit totaling $13,363,000, and uncollateralized lines of credit of $10,000,000 with PCBB, $10,000,000 with Union Bank, and $20,000,000 with Zions Bank at December 31, 2017.

Asset Quality and Allowance for Credit Losses

Lending money is the Company's principal business activity, and ensuring appropriate evaluation, diversification, and control of credit risks is a primary management responsibility. Losses are implicit in lending activities and the amount of such losses will vary, depending on the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio as affected by local economic conditions and the financial experience of borrowers.

The allowance for credit losses is maintained at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide for known and inherent risks in existing loans and commitments to extend credit. The adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is based upon management's continuing assessment of various factors affecting the collectability of loans and commitments to extend credit; including current economic conditions, past credit experience, collateral, and concentrations of credit. There is no precise method of predicting specific losses or amounts which may ultimately be charged off on particular segments of the loan portfolio. The conclusion that a loan may become uncollectible, either in part or in whole is subjective and contingent upon economic, environmental, and other conditions which cannot be predicted with certainty. When determining the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses, the Company follows, in accordance with GAAP, the guidelines set forth in the Revised Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (“Statement”) issued by banking regulators in December 2006. The Statement is a revision of the previous guidance released in July 2001, and outlines characteristics that should be used in segmentation of the loan portfolio for purposes of the analysis including risk classification, past due status, type of loan, industry or collateral. It also outlines factors to consider when adjusting the loss factors for various segments of the loan portfolio, and updates previous guidance that describes the responsibilities of the board of directors, management, and bank examiners regarding the allowance for credit losses. Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 102 was released during July 2001, and represents the SEC staff’s view relating to methodologies and supporting documentation for the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses that should be observed by all public companies in complying with the federal securities laws and the Commission’s interpretations.  It is also generally consistent with the guidance published by the banking regulators.

The allowance for loan losses includes an asset-specific component, as well as a general or formula-based component. The Company segments the loan and lease portfolio into eleven (11) segments, primarily by loan class and type, that have homogeneity and commonality of purpose and terms for analysis under the formula-based component of the allowance. Those loans which are determined to be impaired under current accounting guidelines are not subject to the formula-based reserve analysis, and evaluated individually for specific impairment under the asset-specific component of the allowance.

The Company’s methodology for assessing the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses consists of several key elements, which include:

The formula allowance
Specific allowances for problem graded loans identified as impaired; and
The unallocated allowance

The formula allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to outstanding loans and certain unfunded loan commitments. Loss factors are based on the Company’s historical loss experience and on the internal risk grade of those loans, and may be

43

Table of Contents

adjusted for significant factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. Factors that may affect collectability of the loan portfolio include:
 
Levels of, and trends in delinquencies and nonaccrual loans;
Trends in volumes and term of loans;
Effects of any changes in lending policies and procedures including those for underwriting, collection, charge-off, and recovery;
Experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff;
National and local economic trends and conditions and;
Concentrations of credit that might affect loss experience across one or more components of the portfolio, including high-balance loan concentrations and participations.

Management determines the loss factors for problem graded loans (substandard, doubtful, and loss), special mention loans, and pass graded loans, based on a loss migration model. The migration analysis incorporates loan losses over the previous quarters as determined by management (time horizons adjusted as business cycles or environment changes) and loss factors are adjusted to recognize and quantify the loss exposure from changes in market conditions and trends in the Company’s loan portfolio. For purposes of this analysis, loans are grouped by internal risk classifications and categorized as pass, special mention, substandard, doubtful, or loss. Certain loans are homogeneous in nature and are therefore pooled by risk grade. These homogeneous loans include consumer installment and home equity loans. Special mention loans are currently performing but are potentially weak, as the borrower has begun to exhibit deteriorating trends which, if not corrected, could jeopardize repayment of the loan and result in further downgrades. Substandard loans have well-defined weaknesses which, if not corrected, could jeopardize the full satisfaction of the debt. A loan classified as doubtful has critical weaknesses that make full collection of the obligation improbable. Classified loans, as defined by the Company, include impaired loans and loans categorized as substandard, doubtful, and loss which are not considered impaired. At March 31, 2018, impaired and classified loans totaled $25,361,000, or 4.6%, of gross loans as compared to $27,311,000, or 5.2%, of gross loans at December 31, 2017.

Loan participations are reviewed for allowance adequacy under the same guidelines as other loans in the Company’s portfolio, with an additional participation factor added, if required, for specific risks associated with participations. In general, participations are subject to certain thresholds set by the Company, and are reviewed for geographic location as well as the well-being of the underlying agent bank.

Specific allowances are established based on management’s periodic evaluation of loss exposure inherent in impaired loans. For impaired loans, specific allowances are determined based on the net realizable value of the underlying collateral, the net present value of the anticipated cash flows, or the market value of the underlying assets. Formula allowances for classified loans, excluding impaired loans, are determined on the basis of additional risks involved with individual loans that may be in excess of risk factors associated with the loan portfolio as a whole. The specific allowance is different from the formula allowance in that the specific allowance is determined on a loan-by-loan basis based on risk factors directly related to a particular loan, as opposed to the formula allowance which is determined for a pool of loans with similar risk characteristics, based on past historical trends and other risk factors which may be relevant on an ongoing basis.

The unallocated portion of the allowance is based upon management’s evaluation of various conditions that are not directly measured in the determination of the formula and specific allowances. The conditions may include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions affecting the key lending areas of the Company, credit quality trends, collateral values, loan volumes and concentrations, and other business conditions.


44

Table of Contents

Table 8. Allowance for Loan Losses

The following table summarizes the specific allowance, formula allowance, and unallocated allowance at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, as well as classified loans at those period-ends.
(in 000's)
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Specific allowance – impaired loans
$
2,339

 
$
1,888

Formula allowance – classified loans not impaired
1,002

 
1,136

Formula allowance – special mention loans
56

 
181

Total allowance for special mention and classified loans
3,397

 
3,205

 
 
 
 
Formula allowance for pass loans
4,817

 
4,806

Unallocated allowance
902

 
1,256

Total allowance for loan losses
$
9,116

 
$
9,267

 
 
 
 
Impaired loans
13,570

 
14,790

Classified loans not considered impaired
11,791

 
12,521

Total classified loans / impaired loans
$
25,361

 
$
27,311

Special mention loans not considered impaired
$
8,430

 
$
10,201


While impaired loans decreased $1,220,000 between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, the specific allowance related to impaired loans increased $451,000 between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 due to the addition of a new highly reserved impaired commercial and industrial loan in the period. The decrease in impaired loans is primarily due to a decrease in troubled debt restructures. The formula allowance related to classified and special mention unimpaired loans decreased by $259,000 between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 as a result of improvements in loss factors. The unallocated allowance decreased from $1,256,000 at December 31, 2017 to $902,000 at March 31, 2018. The decrease in the unallocated allowance is primarily the result of a reversal in provision of $189,000. Although there has been a reduction in required loss reserves as economic conditions have improved, the Company has a concentration in loans to finance CRE, construction and land development activities not secured by real estate. These loans have inherently higher risk characteristics and management believes maintaining additional, unallocated reserves to address the inherent losses in these loans is reasonable and appropriate. The level of “pass” loans decreased approximately $2,035,000 between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. The related formula allowance increased $11,000 during the same period. The formula allowance for “pass loans” is derived from the loan loss factors under migration analysis.

The Company’s methodology includes features that are intended to reduce the difference between estimated and actual losses. The specific allowance portion of the analysis is designed to be self-correcting by taking into account the current loan loss experience based on that portion of the portfolio. By analyzing the estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio on a quarterly basis, management is able to adjust specific and inherent loss estimates using the most recent information available. In performing the periodic migration analysis, management believes that historical loss factors used in the computation of the formula allowance need to be adjusted to reflect current changes in market conditions and trends in the Company’s loan portfolio. There are a number of other factors which are reviewed when determining adjustments in the historical loss factors. Those factors include: 1) trends in delinquent and nonaccrual loans, 2) trends in loan volume and terms, 3) effects of changes in lending policies, 4) concentrations of credit, 5) competition, 6) national and local economic trends and conditions, 7) experience of lending staff, 8) loan review and Board of Directors oversight, 9) high balance loan concentrations, and 10) other business conditions.

The general reserve requirements (ASC 450-70) decreased with the continued strengthening of local, state, and national economies and their impact on our local lending base, which has resulted in a lower qualitative component for the general reserve calculation. These positive factors were partially offset by the Company including other real estate owned (OREO) financial results in loss history and extending the look back period used to capture the loss history for the quantitative portion of the allowance for loan and lease losses (ALLL). In the third quarter of 2013, the look back period was changed from 4 years to stake-in-the-ground (December 31, 2005), in an effort to include higher losses experienced during the credit crisis. Changes in the mix of historical losses in the look back period resulted in a reallocation of the general reserve component of the allowance amount within the various loan segments as compared to March 31, 2018, as loss experience by segment has

45

Table of Contents

fluctuated over time. The stake-in-the-ground methodology requires the Company to use December 31, 2005, as the starting point of the look back period to capture loss history. Time horizons are subject to management's assessment of the current period, taking into consideration changes in business cycles and environment changes.

Management and the Company’s lending officers evaluate the loss exposure of classified and impaired loans on a weekly/monthly basis. The Company’s Loan Committee meets weekly and serves as a forum to discuss specific problem assets that pose significant concerns to the Company, and to keep the Board of Directors informed through committee minutes. All special mention and classified loans are reported quarterly on Problem Asset Reports and Impaired Loan Reports and are reviewed by senior management. Migration analysis and impaired loan analysis are performed on a quarterly basis and adjustments are made to the allowance as deemed necessary. The Board of Directors is kept abreast of any changes or trends in problem assets on a monthly basis, or more often if required.

The specific allowance for impaired loans is measured based on the present value of the expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. The amount of impaired loans is not directly comparable to the amount of nonperforming loans disclosed later in this section. The primary differences between impaired loans and nonperforming loans are: i) all loan categories are considered in determining nonperforming loans while impaired loan recognition is limited to commercial and industrial loans, commercial and residential real estate loans, construction loans, and agricultural loans, and ii) impaired loan recognition considers not only loans 90 days or more past due, restructured loans and nonaccrual loans but may also include problem loans other than delinquent loans.

The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, it believes it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Impaired loans include nonaccrual loans, troubled debt restructures, and performing loans in which full payment of principal or interest is not expected. Management bases the measurement of these impaired loans either on the fair value of the loan's collateral or the expected cash flows on the loan discounted at the loan's stated interest rates. Cash receipts on impaired loans not performing to contractual terms and that are on nonaccrual status are used to reduce principal balances. Impairment losses are included in the allowance for credit losses through a charge to the provision, if applicable.

In most cases, the Company uses the cash basis method of income recognition for impaired loans. In the case of certain troubled debt restructuring, for which the loan has been performing for a prescribed period of time under the current contractual terms, income is recognized under the accrual method. At March 31, 2018, included in impaired loans, were troubled debt restructures totaling $9,702,000. Nonaccrual loans, totaling $5,342,000, were included in that total, with $4,360,000 in troubled debt restructures considered current with regards to payments, and were performing according to their modified contractual terms.

Commercial and industrial loans and real estate mortgage loans, respectively, comprised approximately 26.65% and 30.57% of total impaired loan balances at March 31, 2018. Of the $3,616,000 in commercial and industrial impaired loans reported at March 31, 2018, two loans, with a total recorded investment of $294,000, were secured by real estate. Specific collateral related to impaired loans is reviewed for current appraisal information, economic trends within geographic markets, loan-to-value ratios, and other factors that may impact the value of the loan collateral. Adjustments are made to collateral values as needed for these factors. Of total impaired loans at March 31, 2018, approximately $10,491,000, or 77.3%, are secured by real estate. The majority of impaired real estate construction and development loans are for the purpose of residential construction, residential and commercial acquisition and development, and land development. Residential construction loans are made for the purpose of building residential 1-4 single family homes. Residential and commercial acquisition and development loans are made for the purpose of purchasing land, developing that land if required, and developing real estate or commercial construction projects on those properties. Land development loans are made for the purpose of converting raw land into construction-ready building sites.

Table 9. Impaired Loans and Specific Reserves

The following table summarizes the components of impaired loans and their related specific reserves at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. 

46

Table of Contents

 
Impaired Loan Balance
 
Reserve
 
Impaired Loan Balance
 
Reserve
(in 000’s)
March 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2017
Commercial and industrial
$
3,616

 
$
996

 
$
3,318

 
$
534

Real estate – mortgage
4,148

 
558

 
4,296

 
488

RE construction & development
4,606

 

 
5,972

 

Agricultural
1,116

 
785

 
1,204

 
866

Installment/other
84

 

 

 

Total Impaired Loans
$
13,570

 
$
2,339

 
$
14,790

 
$
1,888


Included in impaired loans are loans modified in troubled debt restructurings (TDRs), where concessions have been granted to borrowers experiencing financial difficulties in an attempt to maximize collection. The Company makes various types of concessions when structuring TDRs including rate reductions, payment extensions, and forbearance. At March 31, 2018, approximately $3,838,000 of the total $9,702,000 in TDRs was comprised of real estate mortgages. An additional $4,606,000 was related to real estate construction and development loans. There were no reserve amounts for real estate construction and development impaired loans and impaired installment loans at December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, due to the value of the collateral securing those loans.
 
Total troubled debt restructurings decreased 14.61% between March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. Nonaccrual TDRs increased by 1.21% while accruing TDRs decreased by 28.34% over the same period. Total residential mortgages and real estate construction TDRs decreased slightly to 13.18%. Many of these credits are related to real estate projects that slowed significantly or stalled during the recession, leading the Company to pursue restructuring of the qualified credits allowing the real estate market time to recover and developers opportunity to finish projects at a slower pace. Concessions granted in these circumstances include lengthened maturities and/or rate reductions that enabled the borrower to finish the projects and may be entirely successful. In large part, current successes are related to a recovering real estate market.

Table 10. TDRs

The following tables summarize TDRs by type, classified separately as nonaccrual or accrual, which are included in impaired loans at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
 
Total TDRs
 
Nonaccrual TDRs
 
Accruing TDRs
(in 000's)
March 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
Commercial and industrial
$
147

 
$

 
$
147

Real estate - mortgage:
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial real estate
1,314

 
448

 
866

Residential mortgages
2,524

 
288

 
2,236

Total real estate mortgage
3,838

 
736

 
3,102

RE construction & development
4,606

 
4,606

 

Agricultural
1,111

 

 
1,111

Total Troubled Debt Restructurings
$
9,702

 
$
5,342

 
$
4,360

 

47

Table of Contents

 
Total TDRs
 
Nonaccrual TDRs
 
Accruing TDRs
 (in 000's)
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2017
Commercial and industrial
$
436

 
$
194

 
$
242

Real estate - mortgage:
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial real estate
1,233

 
454

 
779

Residential mortgages
2,542

 
288

 
2,254

Total real estate mortgage
3,775

 
742

 
3,033

RE construction & development
5,951

 
4,342

 
1,609

Installment/other

 

 

Total Troubled Debt Restructurings
$
11,362

 
$
5,278

 
$
6,084


Of the $9,702,000 in total TDRs at March 31, 2018, $5,342,000 were on nonaccrual status at period-end. Of the $11,362,000 in total TDRs at December 31, 2017, $5,278,000 were on nonaccrual status at period-end. As of March 31, 2018, the Company has no commercial real estate (CRE) workouts whereby an existing loan was restructured into multiple new loans (i.e., A Note/B Note structure).
 
For a restructured loan to return to accrual status there needs to be at least 6 months successful payment history and continued satisfactory performance is expected. to this end, the Company typically performs a financial analysis of the credit to determine whether the borrower has the ability to continue to meet payments over the remaining life of the loans. This includes, but is not limited to, a review of financial statements and cash flow analysis of the borrower. Only after determination that the borrower has the ability to perform under the terms of the loans, will the restructured credit be considered for accrual status.

For student loans there is a reasonable expectation of collection, principal and accrued interest, as these loans are typically insured through a Surety Bond issued by ReliaMax Surety Company. If a loan were to be delinquent 180 - 210 days a claim would be filed through ReliaMax. At that point payment of accured interest and principal would be expected from ReliaMax, absent this expectation the loan would be placed on non-accrual and the accrual of interest for financial statement purposes would be discontinued.

Table 11. Credit Quality Indicators for Outstanding Student Loans

The following table summarizes the credit quality indicators for outstanding student loans as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in 000's, except for number of borrowers):
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Number of Loans
 
Amount
 
Number of Loans
 
Amount
School
1,180

 
$
48,490

 
1,216

 
$
48,825

Grace
92

 
2,249

 
55

 
1,446

Repayment
178

 
6,143

 
201

 
6,473

Deferment
37

 
1,297

 
32

 
1,128

Forbearance
85

 
2,697

 
50

 
1,981

Claim
6

 
125

 

 

Total
1,578

 
$
61,001

 
1,554

 
$
59,853


School - The time in which the borrower is still actively in school at least half time. No payments are expected during this stage, though the borrower may begin immediate payments.

Grace - If a borrower is activated to military duty while in their in-school period, they will be allowed to return to that status once their active duty has expired. The borrower must return to an at least half time status within six months of the active duty end date in order to return to an in-school status.

Repayment - The time in which the borrower is no longer actively in school at least half time, and has not received an approved grace, deferment, or forbearance. Regular payment is expected from these borrowers under an allotted payment plan.


48

Table of Contents

Deferment - May be granted up to 48 months for borrowers who have begun the repayment period on their loans but are (1) actively enrolled in an eligible school at least half time, or (2) are actively enrolled in an approved and verifiable medical residency, internship, or fellowship program.

Forbearance - The period of time during which the borrower may postpone making principal and interest payments, which may be granted for either hardship or administrative reasons. Interest will continue to accrue on loans during periods of authorized forbearance. If the borrower is delinquent at the time the forbearance is granted, the delinquency will be covered by the forbearance and all accrued and unpaid interest from the date of delinquency or if none, from the date of beginning of the forbearance period, will be capitalized at the end of each forbearance period. The term of the loan will not change and payments may be increased to allow the loan to pay off in the required time frame.

Claim - Occurs after a loan has been delinquent for a period of time in which the servicer believes payment may not be received. A claim can be filed at any point in the delinquency, but typically not until 180 - 210 days. Once filed, a claim will be forwarded to the Insurer, ReliaMax, to request claim payment.

Table 12. Nonperforming Assets
 
The following table summarizes the components of nonperforming assets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in 000's), and the percentage of nonperforming assets to total gross loans, total assets, and the allowance for loan losses:
(in 000's)
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Nonaccrual Loans (1)
$
5,342

 
$
5,296

Restructured Loans
4,360

 
6,084

Loans past due 90 days or more, still accruing
67

 
485

Total nonperforming loans
9,769

 
11,865

Other real estate owned
5,745

 
5,745

Total nonperforming assets
$
15,514

 
$
17,610

 
 
 
 
Nonperforming loans to total gross loans
1.64
%
 
1.97
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
1.81
%
 
2.19
%
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans
93.32
%
 
78.10
%
 
(1)
Included in nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are restructured loans totaling $5,342,000 and $5,278,000, respectively.

Non-performing loans decreased $2,096,000 between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018. Nonaccrual loans increased $46,000 between December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, with real estate mortgage and real estate construction loans comprising approximately 100.00% of total nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2018. The reduction in non-performing loans is primarily attributed to a payoff of a $1,250,000 loan and the migration of a $589,000 loan to accrual. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans increased from 78.10% at December 31, 2017 to 93.32% at March 31, 2018.

The following table summarizes the nonaccrual totals by loan category for the periods shown:
 (in 000's)
 
Balance
 
Balance
 
Change from
Nonaccrual Loans:
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2017
Commercial and industrial
$

 
$
212

 
$
(212
)
Real estate - mortgage
736

 
742

 
(6
)
RE construction & development
4,606

 
4,342

 
264

Installment/other

 

 

Total Nonaccrual Loans
$
5,342

 
$
5,296

 
$
46


Loans past due more than 30 days receive increased management attention and are monitored for increased risk. The Company continues to move past due loans to nonaccrual status in an ongoing effort to recognize and address loan problems as early and

49

Table of Contents

most effectively as possible. As impaired loans, nonaccrual and restructured loans are reviewed for specific reserve allocations, the allowance for credit losses is adjusted accordingly.

Except for the nonaccrual loans included in the above table, or those included in the impaired loan totals, there were no loans at March 31, 2018 where the known credit problems of a borrower caused the Company to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrower to comply with the present loan repayment terms and which would result in such loan being included as a nonaccrual, past due, or restructured loan at some future date.

Nonperforming assets, which are primarily related to the real estate loan and other real estate owned portfolio, decreased$2,096,000 from a balance of $17,610,000 at December 31, 2017 to a balance of $15,514,000 at March 31, 2018, but remained relatively high compared to peers during the three months ended March 31, 2018. Nonaccrual loans, totaling $5,342,000 at March 31, 2018, increased $46,000 from the balance of $5,296,000 reported at December 31, 2017. In determining the adequacy of the underlying collateral related to these loans, management monitors trends within specific geographical areas, loan-to-value ratios, appraisals, and other credit issues related to the specific loans. Impaired loans decreased $1,220,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2018 to a balance of $13,570,000 at March 31, 2018. Other real estate owned through foreclosure remained the same at $5,745,000 for the period ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the balance recorded at December 31, 2017. Nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets decreased from 2.19% at December 31, 2017 to 1.81% at March 31, 2018.

The following table summarizes various nonperforming components of the loan portfolio, the related allowance for credit losses and provision for credit losses for the periods shown.
(in 000's)
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
March 31, 2017
(Recovery of provision) provision for credit losses year-to-date
$
(189
)
 
$
24

 
$
21

Allowance as % of nonperforming loans
93.32
%
 
78.10
%
 
66.63
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nonperforming loans as % total loans
1.64
%
 
1.97
%
 
2.46
%
Restructured loans as % total loans
1.63
%
 
1.89
%
 
2.46
%

Management continues to monitor economic conditions in the real estate market for signs of deterioration or improvement which may impact the level of the allowance for loan losses required to cover identified losses in the loan portfolio. Focus has been placed on monitoring and reducing the level of problem assets, while working with borrowers to find more options, including loan restructures. Restructured loan balances are comprised of 20 loans totaling $9,702,000 at March 31, 2018, compared to 25 loans totaling $11,362,000 at December 31, 2017.
 
The following table summarizes special mention loans by type at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
(in thousands)
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Commercial and industrial
$

 
$

Real estate - mortgage:
 

 
 

Commercial real estate
8,430

 
8,487

Residential mortgages
639

 
643

Total real estate mortgage
9,069

 
9,130

RE construction & development

 
720

Agricultural

 
994

Total Special Mention Loans
$
9,069

 
$
10,844

 
The Company focuses on competition and other economic conditions within its market area and other geographical areas in which it does business, which may ultimately affect the risk assessment of the portfolio. The Company continues to experience increased competition from major banks, local independents and non-bank institutions which creates pressure on loan pricing. The Company continues to place increased emphasis on reducing both the level of nonperforming assets and the level of losses on the disposition of these assets. It is in the best interest of both the Company and the borrowers to seek alternative options to foreclosure in an effort to reduce the impacts on the real estate market. As part of this strategy, the Company has increased its level of troubled debt restructurings, when it improves collection prospects. While business and consumer spending show

50

Table of Contents

improvement, it is difficult to forecast what impact Federal Reserve rate increases will have on the economy. Local unemployment rates in the San Joaquin Valley have improved, but remain elevated compared with other regions and historically are higher as a result of the area's agricultural dynamics. The Company believes that the Central San Joaquin Valley will continue to grow and diversify as property and housing costs remain low relative to other areas of the state. Management recognizes increased risk of loss due to the Company's exposure to local and worldwide economic conditions, as well as potentially volatile real estate markets, and takes these factors into consideration when analyzing the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses.

The following table provides a summary of the Company's allowance for possible credit losses, provisions made to that allowance, and charge-off and recovery activity affecting the allowance for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017.

Table 13. Allowance for Credit Losses - Summary of Activity
 
(in 000's)
March 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2017
Total loans outstanding at end of period before deducting allowances for credit losses
$
596,850

 
$
547,748

Average loans outstanding during period
598,891

 
566,075

 
 
 
 
Balance of allowance at beginning of period
9,267

 
8,902

Loans charged off:
 

 
 

Real estate

 
(1
)
Commercial and industrial
(88
)
 
(7
)
Installment and other
(4
)
 
(5
)
Total loans charged off
(92
)
 
(13
)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off:
 

 
 

Real estate
5

 
6

Commercial and industrial
51

 
31

Installment and other
74

 
1

Total loan recoveries
130

 
38

Net loans recovered (charged off)
38

 
25

 
 
 
 
(Recovery of provision) provision charged to operating expense
(189
)
 
21

Balance of allowance for credit losses at end of period
$
9,116

 
$
8,948

 
 
 
 
Net loan recoveries to total average loans (annualized)
(0.03
)%
 
(0.02
)%
Net loan recoveries to loans at end of period (annualized)
(0.01
)%
 
(0.01
)%
Allowance for credit losses to total loans at end of period
1.53
 %
 
1.63
 %
Net loan recoveries to allowance for credit losses (annualized)
(0.83
)%
 
(1.12
)%
(Recovery of provision) provision for credit losses to net recoveries (annualized)
(663.16
)%
 
112.00
 %

Provisions for credit losses are determined on the basis of management's periodic credit review of the loan portfolio, consideration of past loan loss experience, current and future economic conditions, and other pertinent factors. Management believes its estimate of the allowance for credit losses adequately covers estimated losses inherent in the loan portfolio and, based on the condition of the loan portfolio, management believes the allowance is sufficient to cover risk elements in the loan portfolio. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the recovery of provision for the allowance for credit losses was $189,000 as compared to a provision of $21,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Net recoveries during the three months ended March 31, 2018 totaled $38,000 as compared to net recoveries of $25,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company charged-off, or had partial charge-offs on 5 loans during the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to one loan during the same period ended March 31, 2017, and 6 loans during the year ended December 31, 2017. The annualized percentage net recoveries to average loans were 0.03% for the three months ended

51

Table of Contents

March 31, 2018 and 0.06% for the year ended December 31, 2017, and 0.02% for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The Company's net loans increased from $547,748,000 at March 31, 2017 to $596,850,000 at March 31, 2018.

The allowance at March 31, 2018 was 1.53% of outstanding loan balances at March 31, 2018, as compared to 1.54% at December 31, 2017, and 1.63% at March 31, 2017.

At March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, $370,000 and $316,000, respectively, of the formula allowance is allocated to unfunded loan commitments and is, therefore, reported separately in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Management believes that the 1.53% credit loss allowance at March 31, 2018 is adequate to absorb known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio. No assurance can be given, however, regarding economic conditions or other circumstances which may adversely affect the Company's service areas and result in future losses to the loan portfolio.


Asset/Liability Management – Liquidity and Cash Flow

The primary functions of asset/liability management are to provide adequate liquidity and maintain an appropriate balance between interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities. In a changing rate environment an inbalance in interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities will impact earnings. For example, in an increasing rate environment if interest-sensitive liabilities reprice sooner than interest sensitive assets, net interest income will be negatively impacted.

Liquidity

Liquidity management may be described as the ability to maintain sufficient cash flows to fulfill financial obligations, including loan funding commitments and customer deposit withdrawals, without straining the Company’s equity structure. To maintain an adequate liquidity position, the Bank relies on, in addition to cash and cash equivalents, cash inflows from deposits and short-term borrowings, repayments of principal on loans and investments, and interest income received. The Bank's principal cash outflows are for loan origination, purchases of investment securities, depositor withdrawals and payment of operating expenses.

The Bank continues to emphasize liability management as part of its overall asset/liability strategy. Through the discretionary acquisition of short term borrowings, the Bank has, when needed, been able to provide liquidity to fund asset growth while, at the same time, better utilizing its capital resources, and better controlling interest rate risk.  This does not preclude the Bank from selling assets such as investment securities to fund liquidity needs but, with favorable borrowing rates, the Bank has maintained a positive yield spread between borrowed liabilities and the assets which those liabilities fund. If, at some time, rate spreads become unfavorable, the Bank has the ability to utilize an asset management approach and, either control asset growth or fund further growth with maturities or sales of investment securities. At March 31, 2018, the Bank had no borrowings, as its deposit base currently provides funding sufficient to support its asset values.

The Banks liquid asset base which generally consists of cash and due from banks, federal funds sold, securities purchased under agreements to resell (“reverse repos”) and investment securities, is maintained at a level deemed sufficient to provide the cash outlay necessary to fund loan growth as well as any customer deposit runoff that may occur. Additional liquidity requirements may be funded with overnight or term borrowing arrangements with various correspondent banks, FHLB and the Federal Reserve Bank. Within this framework is the objective of maximizing the yield on earning assets. This is generally achieved by maintaining a high percentage of earning assets in loans, which historically have represented the Company's highest yielding asset. At March 31, 2018, the loan portfolio totaled 69.82% of total assets and the loan to deposit ratio was 80.01%, compared to 74.75% and 86.25%, respectively, at December 31, 2017. Liquid assets at March 31, 2018, included cash and cash equivalents totaling $165,347,000 as compared to $107,934,000 at December 31, 2017. Other sources of liquidity include collateralized lines of credit from the Federal Home Loan Bank, and from the Federal Reserve Bank totaling $318,871,000 and uncollateralized lines of credit from Pacific Coast Banker's Bank (PCBB) of $10,000,000, Union Bank of $10,000,000, and Zion's Bank of $20,000,000 at March 31, 2018.

The liquidity of the Holding Company, United Security Bancshares, is primarily dependent on the payment of cash dividends by its subsidiary, the Bank, subject to limitations imposed by the Financial Code of the State of California. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Holding Company has received $3,109,000 in cash dividends from the Bank.

Cash Flow

The period-end balances of cash and cash equivalents for the periods shown are as follows (from Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – in 000’s):

52

Table of Contents


  (in 000's)
Balance
December 31, 2016
$
113,032

March 31, 2017
$
133,132

December 31, 2017
$
107,934

March 31, 2018
$
165,347


Cash and cash equivalents increased $57,413,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to an increase of $20,100,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

The Company had a net cash inflow from operating activities of $2,639,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and a cash inflow from operations totaling $2,430,000 for the period ended March 31, 2017. The Company experienced net cash inflows from investing activities of $7,851,000 related to a $5,508,000 decrease in loan balances, augmented by principal payments on available-for-sale securities of $2,265,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2018. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company experienced net cash inflows from investing activities of $23,752,000 due a decrease of $22,943,000 in loan balances.

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company experienced net cash inflows from financing activities totaling $46,923,000, primarily as the result of increases of $44,010,000 in demand deposits and savings accounts, offset by decreases of $2,913,000 in time deposits and purchased brokered deposits. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company experienced net cash outflows of $6,082,000 from financing activities due to increases in demand deposit accounts, time deposits, and savings accounts.

The Company has the ability to increase or decrease loan growth, increase or decrease deposits and borrowings, or a combination of both to manage balance sheet liquidity.

Regulatory Matters

Capital Adequacy

The Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements adopted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Board of Governors”).  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandates and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the consolidated Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. Prompt corrective action provisions are not applicable to bank holding companies.

Quantitative measures established by the capital adequacy guidelines require insured institutions to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital (the sum of common stockholders' equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries, minus intangible assets, identified losses and investments in certain subsidiaries, plus unrealized losses or minus unrealized gains on available for sale securities) to total assets. Institutions which have received the highest composite regulatory rating and which are not experiencing or anticipating significant growth are required to maintain a minimum leverage capital ratio of 3% of Tier 1 capital to total assets. All other institutions are required to maintain a minimum leverage capital ratio of at least 100 to 200 basis points above the 3% minimum requirement.

The Company has adopted a capital plan that includes guidelines and trigger points to ensure sufficient capital is maintained at the Bank and the Company, and that capital ratios are maintained at a level deemed appropriate under regulatory guidelines given the level of classified assets, concentrations of credit, ALLL, current and projected growth, and projected retained earnings. The capital plan also contains contingency strategies to obtain additional capital as required to fulfill future capital requirements for both the Bank, as a separate legal entity, and the Company on a consolidated basis. The capital plan requires the Bank to maintain a ratio of tangible shareholder’s equity to total tangible assets equal to or greater than 9.0%. The Bank’s ratio of tangible shareholders’ equity to total tangible assets was 13.3% and 13.1% at March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.


53

Table of Contents

The following table sets forth the Company’s and the Bank's actual capital positions at March 31, 2018, as well as the minimum capital requirements and requirements to be well capitalized under prompt corrective action provisions (Bank required only) under the regulatory guidelines discussed above:

Table 14. Capital Ratios
 
 
Ratio at March 31, 2018
 
Ratio at December 31, 2017
 
Minimum for Capital Adequacy
 
Minimum requirement for "Well Capitalized" Institution
Total capital to risk weighted assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company
17.69%
 
17.54%
 
8.00%
 
N/A
Bank
17.88%
 
17.31%
 
8.00%
 
10.00%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company
16.44%
 
16.29%
 
6.00%
 
N/A
Bank
16.63%
 
16.06%
 
6.00%
 
8.00%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company
15.02%
 
14.81%
 
4.50%
 
N/A
Bank
16.63%
 
16.06%
 
4.50%
 
6.50%
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average assets (leverage)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company
13.00%
 
13.01%
 
4.00%
 
N/A
Bank
13.28%
 
12.90%
 
4.00%
 
5.00%

The Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation approved final capital rules in July 2013, that substantially amended the then existing capital rules for banks. These new rules reflect, in part, certain standards initially adopted by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010 (commonly referred to as “Basel III”) as well as requirements encompassed by the Dodd-Frank Act.
The final rules set a new common equity tier 1 requirement and higher minimum tier 1 requirements for all banking organizations. The final rules also require a Common Equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets which is in addition to the other minimum risk-based capital standards in the rule. The capital buffer requirement is being be phased in over three years beginning in 2016, and will effectively raise the minimum required Common Equity Tier 1 RBC Ratio to 7.0%, the Tier 1 RBC Ratio to 8.5%, and the Total RBC Ratio to 10.5% on a fully phased-in basis. Institutions that do not maintain the required capital buffer will become subject to progressively more stringent limitations on the percentage of earnings that can be paid out in dividends or used for stock repurchases, and on the payment of discretionary bonuses to executive management. The rules revise the prompt corrective action framework to incorporate the new regulatory capital minimums. They also enhance risk sensitivity and address weaknesses identified over recent years with the measure of risk-weighted assets.
As of March 31, 2018, the Company and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject. Management believes that, under the current regulations, both will continue to meet their minimum capital requirements in the foreseeable future.

Dividends

Dividends paid to shareholders by the Holding Company are subject to restrictions set forth in the California General Corporation Law. As applicable to the Holding Company, the California General Corporation Law provides that the Holding Company may make a distribution to its shareholders if retained earnings immediately prior to the dividend payout are at least equal to the amount of the proposed distribution or if immediately after the distribution, the value of the Holding Company’s assets would equal or exceed the sum of its total liabilities. The primary source of funds with which dividends will be paid to shareholders will come from cash dividends received by the Company from the Bank.

On April 25, 2017, the Board of Directors announced the authorization of the repurchase of up to $3,000,000 of the outstanding stock of the Holding Company. This amount represents 3% of total shareholders' equity of $103,509,000 at March 31, 2018. The timing of the purchases will depend on certain factors including, but not limited to, market conditions and prices, available

54

Table of Contents

funds, and alternative uses of capital. The stock repurchase program may be carried out through open-market purchases, block trades, or negotiated private transactions. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company did not repurchase any of the shares available.

During the three months ended ended March 31, 2018, the Bank paid $3,109,000 in cash dividends to the Holding Company which funded the Holding Company’s operating costs and payments of interest on its junior subordinated debt.

On March 27, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.09 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend was payable on April 19, 2018, to shareholders of record as of April 9, 2018. Approximately $1,521,000 was transfered from retained earnings to cash to allow for distribution of the dividend to shareholders.

The Bank, as a state-chartered bank, is subject to dividend restrictions set forth in the California Financial Code, as administered by the Commissioner of the DBO (“Commissioner”). As applicable to the Bank, the Financial Code provides that the Bank may not pay cash dividends in an amount which exceeds the lesser of the retained earnings of the Bank or the Bank’s net income for the last three fiscal years (less the amount of distributions to the Holding Company during that period of time). If the above test is not met, cash dividends may only be paid with the prior approval of the Commissioner, in an amount not exceeding the Bank’s net income for its last fiscal year or the amount of its net income for the current fiscal year. Such restrictions do not apply to stock dividends, which generally require neither the satisfaction of any tests nor the approval of the Commissioner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Commissioner finds that the shareholder's equity of the Bank is not adequate or that the declaration of a dividend would be unsafe or unsound, the Commissioner may order the Bank not to pay any dividend. The Reserve Bank may also limit dividends paid by the Bank.

Reserve Balances

The Bank is required to maintain average reserve balances with the Federal Reserve Bank. During 2005, the Company implemented a deposit reclassification program which allows the Company to reclassify a portion of transaction accounts to non-transaction accounts for reserve purposes. The deposit reclassification program is provided by a third-party vendor and has been approved by the Federal Reserve Bank.  At March 31, 2018, the Bank was not subject to a reserve requirement.


Item 3  - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company’s assessment of market risk as of March 31, 2018 indicates there are no material changes in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures from those in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and our management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
 
As of March 31, 2018, the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures was carried out. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2018, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

55

Table of Contents

 
The Company does not expect that its disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error and fraud.  A control procedure, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control procedure are met.  Because of the inherent limitations in all control procedures, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns in controls or procedures can occur because of simple error or mistake.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control.  The design of any control procedure is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.  Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control procedure, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.


56

Table of Contents

PART II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Not applicable
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
None during the quarter ended March 31, 2018.
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable
 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable
 
Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable
 
Item 6. Exhibits:

(a)
Exhibits:
11
Computation of Earnings per Share*
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
 
* Data required by Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 260, Earnings per Share, is provided in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements in this report.

57

Table of Contents

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.

 
 
United Security Bancshares
 
 
 
Date:
May 7, 2018
/S/ Dennis R. Woods
 
 
Dennis R. Woods
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
/S/ Bhavneet Gill
 
 
Bhavneet Gill
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

58