tenk2016.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K
(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended
 
     December 31, 2015

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

For the transition period from
 
to
 

Commission file number
     000-13222

CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Pennsylvania
 
23-2265045
State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
15 South Main Street, Mansfield, Pennsylvania
 
16933
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
(570) 662-2121
         
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
 
         
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
         
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
  Yes       No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
  Yes       No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
  Yes       No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
  Yes       No
 
 
 

 
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
                
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
 
Large accelerated filer  o                                                                                     Accelerated filer  
 
 
Non-accelerated filer  o                                                                           Smaller reporting company  o
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

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

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. $131,083,374 as of June 30, 2015.
 
As of February 23, 2016, there were 3,335,876 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Certain information required by Part III is incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.



 
 

 

 

 
Citizens Financial Services, Inc.
Form 10-K
INDEX
 
Page
PART I
 
ITEM 1 – BUSINESS
1 – 8
ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS
8 – 14
ITEM 1B – UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
14
ITEM 2 – PROPERTIES
14
ITEM 3 – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
14
ITEM 4 – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
14
PART II
 
ITEM 5 – MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
15 – 16
ITEM 6 – SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
17
ITEM 7 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS  OF OPERATIONS
18 – 47
ITEM 7A – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
47
ITEM 8 – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
48 – 100
ITEM 9 – CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
101
ITEM 9A – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
101
ITEM 9B– OTHER INFORMATION
101
PART III
 
ITEM 10 – DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
102
ITEM 11 – EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
102
ITEM 12 – SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
102 – 103
ITEM 13 – CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
103
ITEM 14 – PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
103
PART IV
 
ITEM 15 – EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
104 – 105
SIGNATURES
106

 
 

 
 
PART I
 
ITEM 1 – BUSINESS.
 
CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
 
Citizens Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company”), a Pennsylvania corporation, was incorporated on April 30, 1984 to be the holding company for First Citizens Community Bank (the “Bank”), which until 2012, and in connection with its conversion from a national bank to a Pennsylvania-chartered bank and trust company, operated under the name First Citizens National Bank. The Company is primarily engaged in the ownership and management of the Bank and the Bank’s wholly-owned insurance agency subsidiary, First Citizens Insurance Agency, Inc. On December 11, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of The First National Bank of Fredericksburg (“FNB”) by merging FNB into the Bank, with the Bank as the resulting institution.
 
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
A copy of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current events reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d)  of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are made available free of charge through the Company’s web site at www.firstcitizensbank.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with or furnished to  the Securities and Exchange Commission. Information on our website shall not be considered as incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.
 
FIRST CITIZENS COMMUNITY BANK
 
The Bank is a full-service bank engaged in a broad range of banking activities and services for individual, business, governmental and institutional customers.  These activities and services principally include checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential, commercial and agricultural real estate, commercial and industrial, state and political subdivision and consumer loans; and a variety of other specialized financial services.  The Trust and Investment division of the Bank offers a full range of client investment, estate, mineral management and retirement services.
 
The Bank’s main office is located at 15 South Main Street, Mansfield, (Tioga County) Pennsylvania.  The Bank’s primary market area consists of the Pennsylvania Counties of Bradford, Clinton, Potter and Tioga in north central Pennsylvania.  It also includes Allegany, Steuben, Chemung and Tioga Counties in Southern New York.  With the completion of the FNB acquisition, the Bank has added seven additional banking offices in south central Pennsylvania; four offices in Lebanon Country, two offices in Schuylkill County, and one office in Berks County. The economy of the Bank’s market areas are diversified and include manufacturing industries, wholesale and retail trade, service industries, agricultural and the production of natural resources of gas and timber.  We are dependent geographically upon the economic conditions in both north central and south central Pennsylvania, as well as the southern tier of New York.  In addition to the main office in Mansfield and the additional seven offices acquired from FNB, the Bank has 16 other full service branch offices in its market areas.
 
As of December 31, 2015, the Bank had 229 full time employees and 51 part-time employees, resulting in 246 full time equivalent employees at our corporate offices and other banking locations.
 
COMPETITION
 
The banking industry in the Bank’s service area is intensely competitive, both among commercial banks and with financial service providers such as consumer finance companies, thrifts, investment firms, mutual funds, insurance companies, credit unions, mortgage banking firms, financial companies, financial affiliates of industrial companies, internet entities, and government sponsored agencies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, provide additional competition for loans and other financial services.  The overall economy, which continues to be sluggish, has also increased competitive pressures particularly for entities seeking loan growth.  Additionally, north central Pennsylvania has benefited from additional wealth resulting from the exploration for natural gas in our primary market.  This has resulted in increased competition from brokerage firms and retirement fund management firms.  The Bank is generally competitive with all competing financial institutions in its service areas with respect to interest rates paid on time and savings deposits, service charges on deposit accounts and interest rates charged on loans.
 
 
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Additional information related to our business and competition is included in Part II, Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.
 
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

GENERAL
 
The Bank is subject to extensive regulation, examination and supervision by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking (“PDB”) and, as a member of the Federal Reserve System, by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “FRB”).  Federal and state banking laws and regulations govern, among other things, the scope of a bank’s business, the investments a bank may make, the reserves against deposits a bank must maintain, terms of deposit accounts, loans a bank makes, the interest rates a bank charges and collateral a bank takes, the activities of a bank with respect to mergers and consolidations and the establishment of branches.  The Company is registered as a bank holding company and is subject to supervision and regulation by FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”).

PENNSYLVANIA BANKING LAWS
 
The Pennsylvania Banking Code (“Banking Code”) contains detailed provisions governing the organization, location of offices, rights and responsibilities of directors, officers, and employees, as well as corporate powers, savings and investment operations and other aspects of the Bank and its affairs. The Banking Code delegates extensive rule-making power and administrative discretion to the PDB so that the supervision and regulation of state chartered banks may be flexible and readily responsive to changes in economic conditions and in savings and lending practices.
 
Pennsylvania law also provides Pennsylvania state chartered institutions elective parity with the power of national banks, federal thrifts, and state-chartered institutions in other states as authorized by the FDIC, subject to a required notice to the PDB. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (“FDIA”), however, prohibits state chartered banks from making new investments, loans, or becoming involved in activities as principal and equity investments which are not permitted for national banks unless (1) the FDIC determines the activity or investment does not pose a significant risk of loss to the Deposit Insurance Fund and (2) the bank meets all applicable capital requirements. Accordingly, the additional operating authority provided to the Bank by the Banking Code is restricted by the FDIA.
 
In April 2008, banking regulators in the States of New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (the “Interstate MOU”) to clarify their respective roles, as home and host state regulators, regarding interstate branching activity on a regional basis pursuant to the Riegle-Neal Amendments Act of 1997. The Interstate MOU establishes the regulatory responsibilities of the respective state banking regulators regarding bank regulatory examinations and is intended to reduce the regulatory burden on state chartered banks branching within the region by eliminating duplicative host state compliance exams.  Under the Interstate MOU, the activities of branches we established in New York would be governed by Pennsylvania state law to the same extent that federal law governs the activities of the branch of an out-of-state national bank in such host states. Issues regarding whether a particular host state law is preempted are to be determined in the first instance by the PDB. In the event that the PDB and the applicable host state regulator disagree regarding whether a particular host state law is pre-empted, the PDB and the applicable host state regulator would use their reasonable best efforts to consider all points of view and to resolve the disagreement.
 
COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT
 
The Community Reinvestment Act, (“CRA”), as implemented by FRB regulations, provides that the Bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods.  The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA.  The CRA requires the FRB, in connection with its examination of the Bank, to assess the institution’s record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take such record into account in its evaluation of certain corporate applications by such institution, such as mergers and branching.  The Bank’s most recent rating was “Satisfactory.”  Various consumer laws and regulations also affect the operations of the Bank.  In addition to the impact of regulation, commercial banks are affected significantly by the actions of the FRB as it attempts to control the money supply and credit availability in order to influence the economy.
 
 
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THE DODD-FRANK ACT
 
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) has significantly changed the current bank regulatory structure and will affect it into the immediate future the lending and investment activities and general operations of depository institutions and their holding companies.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act requires the FRB to establish minimum consolidated capital requirements for bank holding companies that are as stringent as those required for insured depository institutions; the components of Tier 1 capital would be restricted to capital instruments that are currently considered to be Tier 1 capital for insured depository institutions. In addition, the proceeds of trust preferred securities are excluded from Tier 1 capital unless (i) such securities are issued by bank holding companies with assets of less than $500 million or (ii) such securities were issued prior to May 19, 2010 by bank or savings and loan holding companies with less than $15 billion of assets. The exclusion of such proceeds are phased in over a three year period beginning in 2013.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act also created a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with extensive powers to implement and enforce consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has broad rulemaking authority for a wide range of consumer protection laws that apply to all banks, among other things, including the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive or abusive” acts and practices. However, institutions of less than $10 billion in assets, such as the Bank, will continue to be examined for compliance with consumer protection and fair lending laws and regulations by, and be subject to the enforcement authority of, their prudential regulators.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act created a new supervisory structure for oversight of the U.S. financial system, including the establishment of a new council of regulators, the Financial Stability Oversight Council, to monitor and address systemic risks to the financial system. Non-bank financial companies that are deemed to be significant to the stability of the U.S. financial system and all bank holding companies with $50 billion or more in total consolidated assets will be subject to heightened supervision and regulation. The FRB will implement prudential requirements and prompt corrective action procedures for such companies.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act made many other changes in banking regulation. Those include allowing depository institutions, for the first time, to pay interest on business checking accounts, requiring originators of securitized loans to retain a percentage of the risk for transferred loans, establishing regulatory rate-setting for certain debit card interchange fees and establishing a number of reforms for mortgage originations. Effective October 1, 2011, the debit-card interchange fee was capped at $0.21 per transaction, plus an additional 5 basis point charge to cover fraud losses. These fees are much lower than the current market rates. Although the regulation only impacts banks with assets above $10 billion, we believe that the provisions could result in a reduction in interchange revenue in the future.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act also broadened the base for FDIC insurance assessments. The FDIC was required to promulgate rules revising its assessment system so that it is based on the average consolidated total assets less tangible equity capital of an insured institution instead of deposits. That rule took effect April 1, 2011. The Dodd-Frank Act also permanently increased the maximum amount of deposit insurance for banks, savings institutions and credit unions to $250,000 per depositor, retroactive to January 1, 2008.
 
Under provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act referred to as the “Volcker Rule” certain limitations are placed on the ability of bank holding companies and their affiliates to engage in sponsoring, investing in and transacting with certain investment funds, including hedge funds and private equity funds (collectively “covered funds”). The Volcker Rule also places restrictions on proprietary trading, which could impact certain hedging activities. The Volcker Rule became fully effective in July 2015. We do not expect this rule to have a material impact on the Company.
 
 
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The Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to promulgate numerous and extensive implementing regulations. Although the substance and scope of many of these regulations cannot be determined at this time, particularly those provisions relating to the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Dodd-Frank Act and implementing regulations may have a material impact on operations through, among other things, increased compliance costs, heightened regulatory supervision, and higher interest expense.
 
CURRENT CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
 
Federal regulations require FDIC-insured depository institutions, including state-chartered, FRB-member banks, to meet several minimum capital standards.  These capital standards were effective January 1, 2015, and result from a final rule implementing regulatory amendments based on recommendations of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act.
 
The capital standards require the maintenance of common equity Tier 1 capital, Tier 1 capital and total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, 6.0% and 8.0%, respectively, and a leverage ratio of at least 4% of Tier 1 capital.  Common equity Tier 1 capital is generally defined as common stockholders’ equity and retained earnings.  Tier 1 capital is generally defined as common equity Tier 1 and Additional Tier 1 capital.  Additional Tier 1 capital generally includes certain noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries.  Total capital includes Tier 1 capital (common equity Tier 1 capital plus Additional Tier 1 capital) and Tier 2 capital.  Tier 2 capital is comprised of capital instruments and related surplus meeting specified requirements, and may include cumulative preferred stock and long-term perpetual preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, intermediate preferred stock and subordinated debt.  Also included in Tier 2 capital is the allowance for loan and lease losses limited to a maximum of 1.25% of risk-weighted assets and, for institutions that have exercised an opt-out election regarding the treatment of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”), up to 45% of net unrealized gains on available-for-sale equity securities with readily determinable fair market values.  The Company has exercised the AOCI opt-out option and therefore AOCI is not incorporated into common equity Tier 1 capital.  Calculation of all types of regulatory capital is subject to deductions and adjustments specified in the regulations.
 
In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets for purposes of calculating risk-based capital ratios, assets, including certain off-balance sheet assets (e.g., recourse obligations, direct credit substitutes, residual interests) are multiplied by a risk weight factor assigned by the regulations based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset.  Higher levels of capital are required for asset categories believed to present greater risk.  For example, a risk weight of 0% is assigned to cash and U.S. government securities, a risk weight of 50% is generally assigned to prudently underwritten first lien one- to four-family residential mortgages, a risk weight of 100% is assigned to commercial and consumer loans, a risk weight of 150% is assigned to certain past due loans and a risk weight of between 0% to 600% is assigned to permissible equity interests, depending on certain specified factors.
 
In addition to establishing the minimum regulatory capital requirements, the regulations limit capital distributions by the institution and certain discretionary bonus payments to management if an institution does not hold a “capital conservation buffer” consisting of 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets above the amount necessary to meet its minimum risk-based capital requirements.  The capital conservation buffer requirement is being phased in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increasing each year until fully implemented at 2.5% on January 1, 2019.
 
The FRB has authority to establish individual minimum capital requirements in appropriate cases upon a determination that an institution’s capital level is or may become inadequate in light of the particular risks or circumstances.
 
As of December 31, 2015, we met all applicable capital adequacy requirements.
 
PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION RULES
 
Federal law establishes a system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized institutions.  The law requires that certain supervisory actions be taken against undercapitalized institutions, the severity of which depends on the degree of undercapitalization.  The FRB has adopted regulations to implement the prompt corrective action legislation as to state member banks.  The regulations were amended to incorporate the previously mentioned increased regulatory capital standards that were effective January 1, 2015.  An institution is deemed to be “well capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 5.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 6.5% or greater.  An institution is “adequately capitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or greater, a leverage ratio of 4.0% or greater and a common equity Tier 1 ratio of 4.5% or greater.  An institution is “undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 8.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 4.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 4.5%.  An institution is deemed to be “significantly undercapitalized” if it has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0%, a leverage ratio of less than 3.0% or a common equity Tier 1 ratio of less than 3.0%.  An institution is considered to be “critically undercapitalized” if it has a ratio of tangible equity (as defined in the regulations) to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%.
 
 
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Subject to a narrow exception, a receiver or conservator must be appointed for an institution that is “critically undercapitalized” within specified time frames.  The regulations also provide that a capital restoration plan must be filed with the FRB within 45 days of the date an institution is deemed to have received notice that it is “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” or “critically undercapitalized.” Compliance with the capital restoration plan must be guaranteed by any parent holding company up to the lesser of 5% of the depository institution’s total assets when it was deemed to be undercapitalized or the amount necessary to achieve compliance with applicable capital requirements.  In addition, numerous mandatory supervisory actions become immediately applicable to an undercapitalized institution including, but not limited to, increased monitoring by regulators and restrictions on growth, capital distributions and expansion.  The FRB could also take any one of a number of discretionary supervisory actions, including the issuance of a capital directive and the replacement of senior executive officers and directors.  Significantly and critically undercapitalized institutions are subject to additional mandatory and discretionary measures.
 
STANDARDS FOR SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS
 
The federal banking agencies have adopted Interagency Guidelines prescribing Standards for Safety and Soundness in various areas such as internal controls and information systems, internal audit, loan documentation and credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth and quality, earnings and compensation, fees and benefits.  The guidelines set forth the safety and soundness standards that the federal banking agencies use to identify and address problems at insured depository institutions before capital becomes impaired.  If the FRB determines that a state member bank fails to meet any standard prescribed by the guidelines, the FRB may require the institution to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the standard.
 
ENFORCEMENT
 
The PDB maintains enforcement authority over the Bank, including the power to issue cease and desist orders and civil money penalties and remove directors, officers or employees.  The PDB also has the power to appoint a conservator or receiver for a bank upon insolvency, imminent insolvency, unsafe or unsound condition or certain other situations.  The FRB has primary federal enforcement responsibility over FRB-member state banks and has authority to bring actions against the institution and all institution-affiliated parties, including shareholders, who knowingly or recklessly participate in wrongful actions likely to have an adverse effect on the bank. Formal enforcement action may range from the issuance of a capital directive or a cease and desist order, to removal of officers and/or directors.  Civil penalties cover a wide range of violations and can amount to $25,000 per day, or even $1 million per day in especially egregious cases.  The FDIC, as deposit insurer, has the authority to recommend to the FRB that enforcement action be taken with respect to a member bank.  If the FRB does not take action, the FDIC has authority to take such action under certain circumstances.  In general, regulatory enforcement actions occur with respect to situations involving unsafe or unsound practices or conditions, violations of law or regulation or breaches of fiduciary duty.  Federal and Pennsylvania law also establish criminal penalties for certain violations.
 
REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS ON BANK DIVIDENDS
 
The Bank may not declare a dividend without approval of the FRB, unless the dividend to be declared by the Bank's Board of Directors does not exceed the total of:  (i) the Bank's net profits for the current year to date, plus (ii) its retained net profits for the preceding two years, less any required transfers to surplus.
 
 
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Under Pennsylvania law, the Bank may only declare and pay dividends from its accumulated net earnings.  In addition, the Bank may not declare and pay dividends from the surplus funds that Pennsylvania law requires that it maintain.  Under these policies and subject to the restrictions applicable to the Bank, the Bank could have declared, during 2015, without prior regulatory approval, aggregate dividends of approximately $9.2 million, plus net profits earned to the date of such dividend declaration.
 
BANK SECRECY ACT
 
Under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), banks and other financial institutions are required to retain records to assure that the details of financial transactions can be traced if investigators need to do so.  Banks are also required to report most cash transactions in amounts exceeding $10,000 made by or on behalf of their customers.  Failure to meet BSA requirements may expose the Bank to statutory penalties, and a negative compliance record may affect the willingness of regulating authorities to approve certain actions by the Bank requiring regulatory approval, including new branches.
 
INSURANCE OF DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS
 
The Bank’s deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) of the FDIC.  Under the FDIC’s risk-based assessment system, insured institutions are assigned to one of four risk categories based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels and certain other factors, with less risky institutions paying lower assessments.  An institution’s assessment rate depends upon the category to which it is assigned, and certain adjustments specified by FDIC regulations.  Until recently, assessment rates ranged from seven to 77.5 basis points of assessable deposits.
 
As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has issued final rules implementing changes to the assessment rules. The rules change the assessment base used for calculating deposit insurance assessments from deposits to total assets less tangible (Tier 1) capital. Since the new base is larger than the previous base, the FDIC also lowered assessment rates so that the rule would not significantly alter the total amount of revenue collected from the industry. The range of adjusted assessment rates is now 2.5 to 45 basis points of the new assessment base. The rule is expected to benefit smaller financial institutions, which typically rely more on deposits for funding, and shift more of the burden for supporting the insurance fund to larger institutions, which are thought to have greater access to nondeposit funding. No institution may pay a dividend if it is in default of its assessments.  As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, deposit insurance per account owner is $250,000 for all types of accounts.
 
The Dodd-Frank Act increased the minimum target DIF ratio from 1.15% of estimated insured deposits to 1.35% of estimated insured deposits.  The FDIC must seek to achieve the 1.35% ratio by September 30, 2020.  Insured institutions with assets of $10 billion or more are supposed to fund the increase.  The Dodd-Frank Act eliminated the 1.5% maximum fund ratio, instead leaving it to the discretion of the FDIC. The FDIC has recently exercised that discretion by establishing a long range fund ratio of 2%.
 
The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments. A significant increase in insurance premiums would likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank.  Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future.
 
Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or regulatory condition imposed in writing.  The management of the Bank does not know of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of deposit insurance.
 
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
 
Under FRB regulations, the Bank is required to maintain reserves against its transaction accounts (primarily NOW and regular checking accounts). For 2016, the Bank is required to maintain average daily reserves equal to 3% on aggregate transaction accounts of up to $110.0 million, plus 10% on the remainder, and the first $15.2 million of otherwise reservable balances will be exempt. These reserve requirements are subject to annual adjustment by the FRB.  The Bank is in compliance with the foregoing requirements.
 
 
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ACQUISITION OF THE HOLDING COMPANY
 
Under the Federal Change in Bank Control Act (the “CIBCA”), a notice must be submitted to the FRB if any person (including a company), or group acting in concert, seeks to acquire 10% or more of the Company’s shares of outstanding common stock, unless the FRB has found that the acquisition will not result in a change in control of the Company. Under the CIBCA, the FRB generally has 60 days within which to act on such notices, taking into consideration certain factors, including the financial and managerial resources of the acquirer, the convenience and needs of the communities served by the Company and the Bank, and the anti-trust effects of the acquisition. Under the BHCA, any company would be required to obtain prior approval from the FRB before it may obtain “control” of the Company within the meaning of the BHCA. Control generally is defined to mean the ownership or power to vote 25% or more of any class of voting securities of the Company or the ability to control in any manner the election of a majority of the Company’s directors. An existing bank holding company would be required to obtain the FRB’s prior approval under the BHCA before acquiring more than 5% of the Company’s voting stock.
 
HOLDING COMPANY REGULATION
 
The Company, as a bank holding company, is subject to examination, supervision, regulation, and periodic reporting under the BHCA, as administered by the FRB.  The Company is required to obtain the prior approval of the FRB to acquire all, or substantially all, of the assets of any bank or bank holding company.  Prior FRB approval would be required for the Company to acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting securities of any bank or bank holding company if it would, directly or indirectly, own or control more than 5% of any class of voting shares of the bank or bank holding company.
 
A bank holding company is generally prohibited from engaging in, or acquiring, direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting securities of any company engaged in nonbanking activities.  One of the principal exceptions to this prohibition is for activities found by the FRB to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto.  Some of the principal activities that the FRB has determined by regulation to be closely related to banking are: (i) making or servicing loans; (ii) performing certain data processing services; (iii) providing securities brokerage services; (iv) acting as fiduciary, investment or financial advisor; (v) leasing personal or real property under certain conditions; (vi) making investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare; and (vii) acquiring a savings association.
 
A bank holding company that meets specified conditions, including that its depository institutions subsidiaries are “well capitalized” and “well managed,” can opt to become a “financial holding company.” A “financial holding company” may engage in a broader array of financial activities than permitted a typical bank holding company.  Such activities can include insurance underwriting and investment banking.  The Company does not anticipate opting for “financial holding company” status at this time.
 
The Company is subject to the FRB’s consolidated capital adequacy guidelines for bank holding companies.  Traditionally, those guidelines have been structured similarly to the regulatory capital requirements for the subsidiary depository institutions, but were somewhat more lenient.  For example, the holding company capital requirements allowed inclusion of certain instruments in Tier 1 capital that are not includable at the institution level.  As previously noted, the Dodd-Frank Act requires that the guidelines be amended so that they are at least as stringent as those required for the subsidiary depository institutions.  See  “—The Dodd-Frank Act.”
 
A bank holding company is generally required to give the FRB prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of then outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net worth.  The FRB may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation, FRB order or directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the FRB.  The FRB has adopted an exception to that approval requirement for well-capitalized bank holding companies that meet certain other conditions.
 
The FRB has issued a policy statement regarding the payment of dividends by bank holding companies.  In general, the FRB’s policies provide that dividends should be paid only out of current earnings and only if the prospective rate of earnings retention by the bank holding company appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition.  The FRB’s policies also require that a bank holding company serve as a source of financial strength to its subsidiary banks by using available resources to provide capital funds during periods of financial stress or adversity and by maintaining the financial flexibility and capital-raising capacity to obtain additional resources for assisting its subsidiary banks where necessary.  The Dodd-Frank Act codified the source of strength policy and requires the promulgation of implementing regulations.  Under the prompt corrective action laws, the ability of a bank holding company to pay dividends may be restricted if a subsidiary bank becomes undercapitalized.  These regulatory policies could affect the ability of the Company to pay dividends or otherwise engage in capital distributions.
 
 
7

 
 
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act makes depository institutions liable to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for losses suffered or anticipated by the insurance fund in connection with the default of a commonly controlled depository institution or any assistance provided by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to such an institution in danger of default.  That law would have potential applicability if the Company ever held as a separate subsidiary a depository institution in addition to the Bank.
 
The status of the Company as a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act will not exempt it from certain federal and state laws and regulations applicable to corporations generally, including, without limitation, certain provisions of the federal securities laws.
 
EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT MONETARY POLICIES
 
The earnings and growth of the banking industry are affected by the credit policies of monetary authorities, including the Federal Reserve System.  An important function of the Federal Reserve System is to regulate the national supply of bank credit in order to control recessionary and inflationary pressures.  Among the instruments of monetary policy used by the Federal Reserve to implement these objectives are open market activities in U.S. government securities, changes in the discount rate on member bank borrowings and changes in reserve requirements against member bank deposits.  These operations are used in varying combinations to influence overall economic growth and indirectly, bank loans, securities, and deposits.  These variables may also affect interest rates charged on loans or paid on deposits.  The monetary policies of the Federal Reserve authorities have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to have such an effect in the future.
 
In view of the changing conditions in the national economy and in the money markets, as well as the effect of actions by monetary and fiscal authorities including the Federal Reserve System, no prediction can be made as to possible changes in interest rates, deposit levels, loan demand or their effect on the business and earnings of the Company and the Bank.   Additional information is included under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 1A – RISK FACTORS.
 
Changing interest rates may decrease our earnings and asset values.
 
Our net interest income is the interest we earn on loans and investments less the interest we pay on our deposits and borrowings.  Our net interest margin is the difference between the yield we earn on our assets and the interest rate we pay for deposits and our other sources of funding.  Changes in interest rates—up or down—could adversely affect our net interest margin and, as a result, our net interest income.  Although the yield we earn on our assets and our funding costs tend to move in the same direction in response to changes in interest rates, one can rise or fall faster than the other, causing our net interest margin to expand or contract.  Our liabilities tend to be shorter in duration than our assets, so they may adjust faster in response to changes in interest rates.  As a result, when interest rates rise, our funding costs may rise faster than the yield we earn on our assets, causing our net interest margin to contract until the asset yields catch up.   Changes in the slope of the “yield curve”—or the spread between short-term and long-term interest rates—could also reduce our net interest margin.  Normally, the yield curve is upward sloping, meaning short-term rates are lower than long-term rates.  Because our liabilities tend to be shorter in duration than our assets, when the yield curve flattens or even inverts, we could experience pressure on our net interest margin as our cost of funds increases relative to the yield we can earn on our assets.
 
 
8

 
 
Changes in interest rates also affect the value of the Bank’s interest-earning assets, and in particular the Bank’s securities portfolio.  Generally, the value of fixed-rate securities fluctuates inversely with changes in interest rates.  Unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale are reported as a separate component of shareholder equity, net of tax.  Decreases in the fair value of securities available for sale resulting from increases in interest rates could have an adverse effect on shareholders’ equity.
 
Local economic conditions are impacted by the exploration and drilling activities for natural gas in the in the Marcellus and Utica Shale formations.
 
Our market area is predominately centered in the Marcellus and Utica Shale natural gas exploration and drilling area, and as a result, the economy in north central Pennsylvania has become increasingly influenced by the natural gas industry.  Loan demand, deposit levels and the market value of local real estate have been impacted by this activity.  While the Company does not lend to the various entities directly engaged in exploration, drilling or production activities, many of our customers provide transportation and other services and products that support natural gas exploration and production activities.  Therefore, our customers could be negatively impacted by the market price for natural gas as a significant downturn in this industry could impact the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans in accordance with their terms.  Additionally, exploration and drilling activities may be affected by federal, state and local laws and regulations such as restrictions on production, permitting, changes in taxes and environmental protection.  Regulatory and market pricing of natural gas could also impact and/or reduce demand for loans and deposit levels.  These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Higher loan losses could require us to increase our allowance for loan losses through a charge to earnings.
 
When we loan money we incur the risk that our borrowers do not repay their loans. We reserve for loan losses by establishing an allowance through a charge to earnings. The amount of this allowance is based on our assessment of loan losses inherent in our loan portfolio. The process for determining the amount of the allowance is critical to our financial results and condition. It requires subjective and complex judgments about the future, including forecasts of economic or market conditions that might impair the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans. We might underestimate the loan losses inherent in our loan portfolio and have loan losses in excess of the amount reserved. We might increase the allowance because of changing economic conditions. For example, in a rising interest rate environment, borrowers with adjustable-rate loans could see their payments increase. There may be a significant increase in the number of borrowers who are unable or unwilling to repay their loans, resulting in our charging off more loans and increasing our allowance. In addition, when real estate values decline, the potential severity of loss on a real estate-secured loan can increase significantly, especially in the case of loans with high combined loan-to-value ratios. A decline in the national economy and the local economies of the areas in which the loans are concentrated could result in an increase in loan delinquencies, foreclosures or repossessions resulting in increased charge-off amounts and the need for additional loan loss allowances in future periods. In addition, bank regulators may require us to make a provision for loan losses or otherwise recognize further loan charge-offs following their periodic review of our loan portfolio, our underwriting procedures, and our loan loss allowance. Any increase in our allowance for loan losses or loan charge-offs as required by such regulatory authorities could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our allowance for loan losses amounted to $7.1 million, or 1.02% of total loans outstanding and 99.3% of nonperforming loans, at December 31, 2015. Our allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2015 may not be sufficient to cover future loan losses. A large loss could deplete the allowance and require increased provisions to replenish the allowance, which would decrease our earnings. In addition, at December 31, 2015, we had a total of 29 loan relationships with outstanding balances that exceeded $3.0 million, 28 of which were performing according to their original terms. However, the deterioration of one or more of these loans could result in a significant increase in our nonperforming loans and our provision for loan losses, which would negatively impact our results of operations.
 
Our emphasis on commercial real estate, agricultural, construction and municipal lending may expose us to increased lending risks.
 
At December 31, 2015, we had $237.5 million in loans secured by commercial real estate, $57.8 million in agricultural loans, $15.0 million in construction loans and $98.5 million in municipal loans. Commercial real estate loans, agricultural, construction and municipal loans represented 34.2%, 8.3%, 2.2% and 14.1%, respectively, of our loan portfolio.  At December 31, 2015, we had $4.4 million of reserves specifically allocated to these loan types.  While commercial real estate, agricultural, construction and municipal loans are generally more interest rate sensitive and carry higher yields than do residential mortgage loans, these types of loans generally expose a lender to greater risk of non-payment and loss than single-family residential mortgage loans because repayment of the loans often depends on the successful operation of the property, the income stream of the borrowers and, for construction loans, the accuracy of the estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction and the estimated cost of construction.  Such loans typically involve larger loan balances to single borrowers or groups of related borrowers compared to single-family residential mortgage loans.
 
 
9

 

Loan participations have been a significant source of loan originations in recent periods and a decline in loan participation volume could hurt profits and slow loan growth.

We have actively engaged in loan participations in recent periods whereby we are invited to participate in loans, primarily commercial real estate and municipal loans, originated by another financial institution known as the lead lender.  We have participated with other financial institutions in both our primary markets and out of market areas. Loan participations accounted for approximately $14.3 million, $14.4 million and $13.1 million, or 37.6%, 100% and 50.4% of the Company’s net organic loan growth during 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.  Our profits and loan growth could be significantly and adversely affected if the volume of loan participations would materially decrease, whether because loan demand declines, loan payoffs, lead lenders may come to perceive us as a potential competitor in their respective market areas, or otherwise.
 
If we conclude that the decline in value of any of our investment securities is other than temporary, we are required to write down the value of that security through a charge to earnings.
 
We review our investment securities portfolio monthly and at each quarter-end reporting period to determine whether the fair value is below the current carrying value. When the fair value of any of our investment securities has declined below its carrying value, we are required to assess whether the decline is other than temporary. If we conclude that the decline is other than temporary, we are required to write down the value of that security through a charge to earnings. As of December 31, 2015, our investment portfolio included available for sale investment securities with an amortized cost of $356.4 million and a fair value of $359.7 million, which included unrealized losses on 91 securities totaling $801,000.  Changes in the expected cash flows of these securities and/or prolonged price declines may result in our concluding in future periods that the impairment of these securities is other than temporary, which would require a charge to earnings to write down these securities to their fair value. Any charges for other-than-temporary impairment would not impact cash flow, tangible capital or liquidity.
 
Failure to resolve the Pennsylvania state budget impasse could hurt our profits, asset values and liquidity.
 
The Company makes loans to, invests in securities issued by, and maintains deposit accounts of Pennsylvania municipalities, primarily school districts.  Until funding was distributed in January 2016, the state budget impasse resulted in the non-receipt by municipalities of state subsidies, which is a significant source of cash flow needed to meet their financial obligations.  If the budget impasse remains unresolved, we may incur losses on loans granted to municipalities as well as incur losses, including impairment losses as a result of credit rating downgrades or otherwise, on municipal securities in which we invest.  The continuing budget impasse may also reduce municipal funds on deposit with the Company, which could hurt our liquidity and our earnings if we would have to resort to higher cost funding sources to meet our liquidity needs.
 
Income from secondary mortgage market operations is volatile, and we may incur losses or charges with respect to our secondary mortgage market operations which would negatively affect our earnings.
 
We generally sell in the secondary market the longer term fixed-rate residential mortgage loans that we originate, earning non-interest income in the form of gains on sale. When interest rates rise, the demand for mortgage loans tends to fall and may reduce the number of loans available for sale. Furthermore, the prolonged low interest rate environment has reduced the demand for loans available for sale.  In addition to interest rate levels, weak or deteriorating economic conditions also tend to reduce loan demand. Although we sell loans in the secondary market without recourse, we are required to give customary representations and warranties to the buyers. If we breach those representations and warranties, the buyers can require us to repurchase the loans and we may incur a loss on the repurchase. Because we generally retain the servicing rights on the loans we sell in the secondary market, we are required to record a mortgage servicing right asset, which we test annually for impairment. The value of mortgage servicing rights tends to increase with rising interest rates and to decrease with falling interest rates. If we are required to take an impairment charge on our mortgage servicing rights our earnings would be adversely affected.
 
 
10

 
 
As a result of the acquisition of FNB, the Bank acquired a portfolio of loans sold to the FHLB, which were sold under the Mortgage Partnership Finance Program ("MPF"). The Bank is no longer an active participant in the MPF program. The MPF portfolio balance was $40,437,000 at December 31, 2015, respectively. The FHLB maintains a first-loss position for the MPF portfolio that totals $104,000. Should the FHLB exhaust its first-loss position, recourse to the Bank's credit enhancement would be up to the next $4,345,000 of losses. The Bank has not experienced any losses for the MPF portfolio.
 
The Company’s financial condition and results of operations are dependent on the economy in the Bank’s market area.
 
The Bank’s primary market area consists of the Pennsylvania Counties of Bradford, Clinton, Potter, and Tioga in north central Pennsylvania and Allegany, Steuben, Chemung and Tioga Counties in southern New York.  With the acquisition of FNB, south central Pennsylvania counties of Lebanon, Schuylkill and Berks represents a new market area.  As of December 31, 2015, management estimates that approximately 92.1% of deposits and 77.0% of loans came from households whose primary address is located in the Bank’s primary market area.  Because of the Bank’s concentration of business activities in its market area, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations depend upon economic conditions in its market area.  Adverse economic conditions in our market areas could reduce our growth rate, affect the ability of our customers to repay their loans and generally affect our financial condition and results of operations.  Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, high interest rates and short money supply and other factors beyond our control may adversely affect our profitability.  We are less able than a larger institution to spread the risks of unfavorable local economic conditions across a large number of diversified economies.  Any sustained period of increased payment delinquencies, foreclosures or losses caused by adverse market or economic conditions in the States of Pennsylvania and New York could adversely affect the value of our assets, revenues, results of operations and financial condition.  Moreover, we cannot give any assurance we will benefit from any market growth or favorable economic conditions in our primary market areas if they do occur.
 
A return of recessionary conditions could result in increases in our level of nonperforming loans and/or reduce demand for our products and services, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
 
Although the U.S. economy is not currently in a recession, economic growth has been slow and uneven, and the percentage of people out of the workforce or uemployed remains elevated. A return to prolonged deteriorating economic conditions and/or continued negative developments in the domestic and international credit markets could significantly affect the markets in which we do business, the value of our loans and investments, and our ongoing operations, costs and profitability. These events may cause us to incur losses and may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
We may fail to realize all of the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of FNB.
 
With the FNB acquisition, the Company entered into a new banking market area.  The success of the FNB acquisition will depend upon, in part, the Company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits and cost savings from combining the businesses of the Company and FNB.  To realize these anticipated benefits and cost savings, the businesses must be successfully combined and operated.  If the Company is not able to achieve these objectives, the anticipated benefits, including growth and cost savings related to the combined businesses, may not be realized at all or may take longer to realize than expected.  If the Company fails to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected.
 
Regulation of the financial services industry is undergoing major changes, and future legislation could increaseour cost of doing business or harm our competitive position.
 
We are subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by the FRB and the PDB, our primary regulators, and by the FDIC, as insurer of our deposits. Such regulation and supervision governs the activities in which an institution and its holding company may engage and are intended primarily for the protection of the insurance fund and the depositors and borrowers of the Bank rather than for holders of our common stock. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on our operations, the classification of our assets and determination of the level of our allowance for loan losses. Any change in such regulation and oversight, whether in the form of regulatory policy, regulations, legislation or supervisory action, may have a material impact on our profitability and operations. Future legislative changes could require changes to business practices or force us to discontinue businesses and potentially expose us to additional costs, liabilities, enforcement action and reputational risk.
 
 
11

 
 
We are periodically subject to examination and scrutiny by a number of banking agencies and, depending upon the findings and determinations of these agencies, we may be required to make adjustments to our business that could adversely affect us.
 
Federal and state banking agencies periodically conduct examinations of our business, including compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If, as a result of an examination, a banking agency was to determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, asset concentration, earnings prospects, management, liquidity, sensitivity to market risk or other aspects of any of our operations has become unsatisfactory, or that we or our management is in violation of any law or regulation, it could take a number of different remedial actions as it deems appropriate. These actions include the power to enjoin “unsafe or unsound” practices, to require affirmative actions to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in our capital, to restrict our growth, to change the asset composition of our portfolio or balance sheet, to assess civil monetary penalties against our officers or directors, to remove officers and directors and, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance.  If we become subject to such regulatory actions, our business, results of operations and reputation may be negatively impacted.
 
Strong competition within the Bank’s market areas could hurt profits and slow growth.
 
The Bank faces intense competition both in making loans and attracting deposits.  This competition has made it more difficult for the Bank to make new loans and at times has forced the Bank to offer higher deposit rates.  Price competition for loans and deposits might result in the Bank earning less on loans and paying more on deposits, which would reduce net interest income.  Competition also makes it more difficult to increase the volume of our loan and deposit portfolios.  As of June 30, 2015, which is the most recent date for which information is available, we held 35.5% of the FDIC insured deposits in Bradford, Potter and Tioga Counties, Pennsylvania, which was the largest share of deposits out of eight financial institutions with offices in the area, and 6.1% of the FDIC insured deposits in Allegany County, New York, which was the fourth largest share of deposits out of five financial institutions with offices in this area. As of June 30, 2015, which is prior to the acquisition by the Company, FNB held 6.9% of the deposits in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. This data does not include deposits held by credit unions. Competition also makes it more difficult to hire and retain experienced employees.  Some of the institutions with which the Bank competes have substantially greater resources and lending limits than the Bank has and may offer services that the Bank does not provide.  Management expects competition to increase in the future as a result of legislative, regulatory and technological changes and the continuing trend of consolidation in the financial services industry.  The Bank’s profitability depends upon its continued ability to compete successfully in its market area.
 
We rely on our management and other key personnel, and the loss of any of them may adversely affect our operations.
 
We are and will continue to be dependent upon the services of our executive management team. In addition, we will continue to depend on our ability to retain and recruit key commercial loan officers. The unexpected loss of services of any key management personnel or commercial loan officers could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition because of their skills, knowledge of our market, years of industry experience and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel.
 
Environmental liability associated with lending activities could result in losses.
 
In the course of our business, we may foreclose on and take title to properties securing our loans.  If hazardous substances were discovered on any of these properties, we could be liable to governmental entities or third parties for the costs of remediation of the hazard, as well as for personal injury and property damage.  Many environmental laws can impose liability regardless of whether we knew of, or were responsible for, the contamination.  In addition, if we arrange for the disposal of hazardous or toxic substances at another site, we may be liable for the costs of cleaning up and removing those substances from the site even if we neither own nor operate the disposal site.  Environmental laws may require us to incur substantial expenses and may materially limit use of properties we acquire through foreclosure, reduce their value or limit our ability to sell them in the event of a default on the loans they secure.  In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental liability.
 
 
12

 
 
Our ability to pay dividends is limited by law.
 
Our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders largely depends on our receipt of dividends from the Bank. The amount of dividends that the Bank may pay to us is limited by federal and state laws and regulations. We also may decide to limit the payment of dividends even when we have the legal ability to pay them in order to retain earnings for use in our business.
 
Federal and state banking laws, our articles of incorporation and our by-laws may have an anti-takeover effect.
 
Federal law imposes restrictions, including regulatory approval requirements, on persons seeking to acquire control over us.  Pennsylvania law also has provisions that may have an anti-takeover effect.  These provisions may serve to entrench management or discourage a takeover attempt that shareholders consider to be in their best interest or in which they would receive a substantial premium over the current market price.
 
We are subject to certain risks in connection with our use of technology
 
Communications and information systems are essential to the conduct of our business, as we use such systems to manage our customer relationships, our general ledger, our deposits, our loans, and to deliver on-line and electronic banking services. Our operations rely on the secure processing, storage, and transmission of confidential and other information in our computer systems and networks. Although we take protective measures and endeavor to modify them as circumstances warrant, the security of our computer systems, software, and networks may be vulnerable to breaches, unauthorized access, misuse, computer viruses, or other malicious code and cyber attacks that could have a security impact.
 
In addition, breaches of security may occur through intentional or unintentional acts by those having authorized or unauthorized access to our confidential or other information or the confidential or other information of our customers, clients, or counterparties. If one or more of such events were to occur, the confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks could potentially be jeopardized, or could otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations or the operations of our customers, clients, or counterparties. This could cause us significant reputational damage or result in our experiencing significant losses from fraud or otherwise.
 
Furthermore, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures arising from operational and security risks. Also, we may be subject to litigation and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance we maintain.
 
In addition, we routinely transmit and receive personal, confidential, and proprietary information by e-mail and other electronic means. We have discussed and worked with our customers, clients, and counterparties to develop secure transmission capabilities, but we do not have, and may be unable to put in place, secure capabilities with all of these constituents, and we may not be able to ensure that these third parties have appropriate controls in place to protect the confidentiality of such information. Any interception, misuse, or mishandling of personal, confidential, or proprietary information being sent to or received from a customer, client, or counterparty could result in legal liability, regulatory action, and reputational harm, and could have a significant adverse effect on our competitive position, financial condition, and results of operations.
 
Our risk management framework may not be effective in mitigating risks and/or losses to us.
 
We have implemented a risk management framework to manage our risk exposure. This framework is comprised of various processes, systems and strategies, and is designed to manage the types of risk to which we are subject, including, among others, credit, market, liquidity, interest rate and compliance. Our framework also includes financial or other modeling methodologies which involve management assumptions and judgment. There is no assurance that our risk management framework will be effective under all circumstances or that it will adequately mitigate any risk or loss to us. If our framework is not effective, we could suffer unexpected losses and our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially and adversely affected. We may also be subject to potentially adverse regulatory consequences.
 
 
13

 
 
ITEM 1B – UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 2 – PROPERTIES.
 
The headquarters of the Company and Bank are located at 15 South Main Street, Mansfield, Pennsylvania. The building contains the central offices of the Company and Bank. Our bank owns twenty one banking facilities and leases four other facilities. All buildings owned by the Bank are free of any liens or encumbrances.
 
The net book value of owned banking facilities and leasehold improvements totaled $16,317,000 as of December 31, 2015.  The properties are adequate to meet the needs of the employees and customers. We have equipped all of our facilities with current technological improvements for data processing.
 
ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
 
The Company is not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.  Such routine legal proceedings in the aggregate are believed by management to be immaterial to the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 4 – MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
Not applicable.

 
14

 
 
PART II
 
ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
 
The Company's stock is not listed on any stock exchange, but it is quoted on the OTC Pink Market under the trading symbol CZFS.  Prices presented in the table below are bid prices between broker-dealers published by the OTC Pink Market and the Pink Sheets Electronic Quotation Service.  The prices do not include retail markups or markdowns or any commission to the broker-dealer.  The bid prices do not necessarily reflect prices in actual transactions.  Cash dividends are declared on a quarterly basis and are summarized in the table below
 
 
Dividends
   
Dividends
 
2015
declared
2014
declared
 
High
Low
per share
High
Low
per share
First quarter
 $      53.63
 $      49.39
 $      0.405
 $    52.56
 $     47.00
 $        0.385
Second quarter
         50.14
         48.00
         0.405
       53.56
        50.02
           0.385
Third quarter
         49.89
         45.50
         0.510
       52.59
        50.86
           1.000
Fourth quarter
         49.22
         45.50
         0.410
       53.34
        51.51
           0.400
 
The Company has paid dividends since April 30, 1984, the effective date of our formation as a bank holding company. The Company's Board of Directors expects that comparable cash dividends will continue to be paid by the Company in the future; however, future dividends necessarily depend upon earnings, financial condition, appropriate legal restrictions and other factors in existence at the time the Board of Directors considers a dividend policy. Cash available for dividend distributions to stockholders of the Company comes primarily from dividends paid to the Company by the Bank. Therefore, restrictions on the ability of the Bank to make dividend payments are directly applicable to the Company.  Under the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, the Company may pay dividends only if, after payment, the Company would be able to pay debts as they become due in the usual course of our business and total assets will be greater than the sum of total liabilities.  These regulatory policies could affect the ability of the Company to pay dividends or otherwise engage in capital distributions. Also see “Supervision and Regulation – Regulatory Restrictions on Bank Dividends,” “Supervision and Regulation – Holding Company Regulation,” and “Note 14 – Regulatory Matter” to the consolidated financial statements.
 
As of February 23, 2016, the Company had approximately 1,738 stockholders of record.  The computation of stockholders of record excludes investors whose shares were held for them by a bank or broker at that date. The following table presents information regarding the Company’s stock repurchases during the three months ended December 31, 2015:
 
Period
Total Number of
Shares (or units
Purchased)
Average Price
Paid per
Share (or
Unit)
Total Number of Shares (or
Units) Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced Plans of
Programs
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value) of
Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the Plans or
Programs (1)
         
10/1/15 to 10/31/15
                                 1
$48.15
                                          1
                                 176,746
11/1/15 to 11/31/15
                          3,147
$46.00
                                   3,147
                                 173,599
12/1/15 to 12/31/15
                               63
$46.00
                                        63
                                 173,536
Total
                          3,211
$46.00
                                   3,211
                                 173,536
 
(1)  
On January 17, 2012, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 140,000 shares.  The repurchases will be conducted through open-market purchases or privately negotiated transactions and will be made from time to time depending on market conditions and other factors.  No time limit was placed on the duration of the share repurchase program.  Any repurchased shares will be held as treasury stock and will be available for general corporate purposes.
 
(2)  
On October 20, 2015, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to an additional 150,000 shares.  The repurchases will be conducted through open-market purchases or privately negotiated transactions and will be made from time to time depending on market conditions and other factors.  No time limit was placed on the duration of the share repurchase program.  Any repurchased shares will be held as treasury stock and will be available for general corporate purposes.
 
 
15

 
 
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly dollar changes in the cumulative shareholder return on the Company’s common stock against the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Stock index, SNL Mid-Atlantic Bank Index and SNL Bank $500 Million to $1 Billion index for the period of seven fiscal years assuming the investment of $100.00 on December 31, 2008 and assuming the reinvestment of dividends. The $1 Billion to $5 Billion Index was added to the chart in 2015 due to the Company exceeding $1.0 billion in assets in December as a result of the FNB acquisition.  The shareholder return shown on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future performance and was obtained from SNL Financial LC, Charlottesville, VA.
 
 
 
Period Ending
       
Index
12/31/08
12/31/09
12/31/10
12/31/11
12/31/12
12/31/13
12/31/14
12/31/15
Citizens Financial Services, Inc.
100.00
139.87
210.87
204.87
268.13
362.46
378.63
358.26
S&P 500
100.00
126.46
145.51
148.59
172.37
228.19
259.43
263.02
SNL Mid-Atlantic Bank
100.00
105.27
122.81
92.26
123.59
166.59
181.49
188.30
 SNL Bank $1B-$5B       100.00 71.68  81.25  74.10  91.37  132.87  138.93  155.51
SNL Bank $500M-$1B
100.00
95.24
103.96
91.46
117.25
152.05
166.81
188.27
 
 
16

 
 
ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
 
The following table sets forth certain financial data as of and for each of the years in the five year period ended December 31, 2015:
 
(in thousands, except share data)
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
Interest and dividend income
 $     35,653
 $      35,291
 $     36,234
 $     38,085
 $    38,293
Interest expense
4,820
4,953
          6,315
          7,659
          9,683
Net interest income
30,833
30,338
        29,919
        30,426
        28,610
Provision for loan losses
 480
585
              405
              420
             675
Net interest income after provision
         
  for loan losses
30,353
29,753
        29,514
        30,006
        27,935
Non-interest income
6,994
6,740
          6,982
          7,364
          6,625
Investment securities gains, net
429
616
              441
              604
             334
Non-interest expenses
23,429
20,165
        19,810
        19,428
        18,452
Income before provision for income taxes
14,347
16,944
        17,127
        18,546
        16,442
Provision for income taxes
2,721
3,559
          3,752
          4,331
          3,610
Net income
 $     11,626
 $      13,385
 $     13,375
 $     14,215
 $    12,832
           
Per share data:
         
Net income - Basic (1)
 $         3.84
 $          4.41
 $         4.38
 $         4.61
 $         4.12
Net income - Diluted (1)
3.83
4.40
             4.38
             4.60
            4.12
Cash dividends declared (1)
1.73
2.17
             1.21
             1.49
            1.08
Stock dividend
0%
1%
5%
1%
1%
Book value (1) (2)
35.97
32.83
          30.64
          27.62
          24.64
           
End of Period Balances:
         
Total assets
 $1,162,984
 $    925,048
 $  914,934
 $  882,427
 $  878,567
Total investments
359,737
306,146
      317,301
      310,252
     318,823
Loans
695,031
554,105
      540,612
      502,463
     487,509
Allowance for loan losses
7,106
6,815
          7,098
          6,784
          6,487
Total deposits
988,031
773,933
      748,316
      737,096
     733,993
Total borrowings
41,631
41,799
        66,932
        46,126
        53,882
Stockholders' equity
119,760
100,528
        92,056
        89,475
        81,468
           
Key Ratios
         
Return on assets (net income to average total assets)
1.22%
1.48%
1.51%
1.62%
1.52%
Return on equity (net income to average total equity)
11.20%
13.73%
14.89%
17.48%
17.86%
Equity to asset ratio (average equity to average total assets,
         
  excluding other comprehensive income)
10.91%
10.74%
10.13%
9.26%
8.49%
Net interest margin
3.76%
3.84%
3.87%
3.99%
3.94%
Efficiency
54.50%
48.61%
48.12%
46.10%
46.23%
Dividend payout ratio (dividends declared divided by net income)
46.00%
49.32%
27.63%
32.37%
26.30%
Tier 1 leverage
11.01%
10.99%
10.42%
9.70%
8.83%
Common equity risk based capital
14.14%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Tier 1 risk-based capital
15.20%
17.30%
16.44%
16.21%
14.94%
Total risk-based capital
16.23%
18.55%
17.75%
17.50%
16.23%
Nonperforming assets/total loans
1.22%
1.67%
1.88%
1.83%
2.11%
Nonperforming loans/total loans
1.03%
1.34%
1.63%
1.71%
1.94%
Allowance for loan losses/total loans
1.02%
1.23%
1.31%
1.35%
1.33%
Net charge-offs/average loans
0.03%
0.16%
0.02%
0.02%
0.02%
           
(1) Amounts were adjusted to reflect stock dividends.
         
(2) Calculation excludes accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
       
 
 
17

 

ITEM 7 – MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
 
We have made forward-looking statements in this document, and in documents that we incorporate by reference, that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company, the Bank, First Citizens Insurance Agency, Inc. or the Company on a consolidated basis. When we use words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” or similar expressions, we are making forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements may prove inaccurate. For a variety of reasons, actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by forward-looking statements:
 
 
·
Interest rates could change more rapidly or more significantly than we expect.
 
·
The economy could change significantly in an unexpected way, which would cause the demand for new loans and the ability of borrowers to repay outstanding loans to change in ways that our models do not anticipate.
 
·
The financial markets could suffer a significant disruption, which may have a negative effect on our financial condition and that of our borrowers, and on our ability to raise money by issuing new securities.
 
·
It could take us longer than we anticipate implementing strategic initiatives designed to increase revenues or manage expenses, or we may be unable to implement those initiatives at all.
 
·
Acquisitions and dispositions of assets could affect us in ways that management has not anticipated.
 
·
We may become subject to new legal obligations or the resolution of litigation may have a negative effect on our financial condition or operating results.
 
·
We may become subject to new and unanticipated accounting, tax, or regulatory practices or requirements.
 
·
We could experience greater loan delinquencies than anticipated, adversely affecting our earnings and financial condition.  We could also experience greater losses than expected due to the ever increasing volume of information theft and fraudulent scams impacting our customers and the banking industry.
 
·
We could lose the services of some or all of our key personnel, which would negatively impact our business because of their business development skills, financial expertise, lending experience, technical expertise and market area knowledge.
 
·
The agricultural economy is subject to extreme swings in both the costs of resources and the prices received from the sale of products, which could negatively impact our customers.
 
·
The budget impasse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania could impact our asset values, liquidity and profitability.
 
·
Companies providing support services related to the exploration and drilling of the natural gas reserves in our market area may be affected by federal, state and local laws and regulations such as restrictions on production, permitting, changes in taxes and environmental protection, which could negatively impact our customers and, as a result, negatively impact our loan and deposit volume and loan quality. Additionally, the activities the companies providing support services related to the exploration and drilling of the natural gas reserves may be dependent on the market price of natural gas.  As a result, decreases in the market price of natural gas could also negatively impact these companies, our customers.
 
Additional factors are discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”  These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date of the forward-looking statements or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Accordingly, past results and trends should not be used by investors to anticipate future results or trends.
 
INTRODUCTION
 
The following is management’s discussion and analysis of the significant changes in financial condition, the results of operations, capital resources and liquidity presented in its accompanying consolidated financial statements for the Company. Our Company’s consolidated financial condition and results of operations consist almost entirely of the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations. Management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes. Except as noted, tabular information is presented in thousands of dollars.
 
 
18

 
 
Our Company currently engages in the general business of banking throughout our service area of Potter, Tioga, Clinton and Bradford counties in north central Pennsylvania, Lebanon, Berks and Schuylkill counties in south central Pennsylvania and Allegany county in southern New York. We maintain our central office in Mansfield, Pennsylvania. Presently we operate 25 banking facilities, 24 of which operate as bank branches.  In Pennsylvania, these offices are located in Mansfield, Blossburg, Ulysses, Genesee, Wellsboro, Troy, Sayre, Canton, Gillett, Millerton, LeRaysville, Towanda, Rome, the Mansfield Wal-Mart Super Center, Mill Hall, Schuylkill Haven, Friedensburg, Mt. Aetna, Fredericksburg and three branches near the city of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. In New York, our office is in Wellsville.
 
Risk identification and management are essential elements for the successful management of the Company.  In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various types of risk, including interest rate, credit, liquidity, reputational and regulatory risk.
 
Interest rate risk is the sensitivity of net interest income and the market value of financial instruments to the direction and frequency of changes in interest rates.  Interest rate risk results from various re-pricing frequencies and the maturity structure of the financial instruments owned by the Company.  The Company uses its asset/liability and funds management policies to control and manage interest rate risk.
 
Credit risk represents the possibility that a customer may not perform in accordance with contractual terms.  Credit risk results from loans with customers and the purchasing of securities.  The Company’s primary credit risk is in the loan portfolio.  The Company manages credit risk by adhering to an established credit policy and through a disciplined evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.  Also, the investment policy limits the amount of credit risk that may be taken in the investment portfolio.
 
Liquidity risk represents the inability to generate or otherwise obtain funds at reasonable rates to satisfy commitments to borrowers and obligations to depositors.  The Company has established guidelines within its asset/liability and funds management policy to manage liquidity risk.  These guidelines include, among other things, contingent funding alternatives.
 
Reputational risk, or the risk to our business, earnings, liquidity, and capital from negative public opinion, could result from our actual or alleged conduct in a variety of areas, including legal and regulatory compliance, lending practices, corporate governance, litigation, ethical issues, or inadequate protection of customer information, which could include identify theft, or theft of customer information through third parties. We expend significant resources to comply with regulatory requirements. Failure to comply could result in reputational harm or significant legal or remedial costs. Damage to our reputation could adversely affect our ability to retain and attract new customers, and adversely impact our earnings and liquidity.
 
Regulatory risk represents the possibility that a change in law, regulations or regulatory policy may have a material effect on the business of the Company and its subsidiary.  We cannot predict what legislation might be enacted or what regulations might be adopted, or if adopted, the effect thereof on our operations.  We cannot anticipate additional requirements or additional compliance efforts regarding the Bank Secrecy Act, Dodd-Frank Act or USA Patriot Act, or regulatory burdens regarding the ever increasing information theft and fraudulent activities impacting our customers and the banking industry in general.
 
Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in other documents our Company files with the SEC, including the annual reports on Form 10-K, the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and any current reports on Form 8-K filed by us.
 
TRUST AND INVESTMENT SERVICES; OIL AND GAS SERVICES
 
Our Investment and Trust Division is committed to helping our customers meet their financial goals.  The Trust Division offers professional trust administration, investment management services, estate planning and administration, custody of securities and individual retirement accounts.  Assets held by the Bank in a fiduciary or agency capacity for its customers are not included in the consolidated financial statements since such items are not assets of the Bank. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, assets owned and invested by customers of the Bank through the Bank’s investment representatives totaled $119.7 million and $111.7 million, respectively.  Additionally, as summarized in the table below, the Trust Department had assets under management as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 of $110.2 million and $100.7 million, respectively. The increase in assets under management is due to several factors with the primary increased being due to the acquisition of FNB, which increased assets under management by $12.4 million. The Company also assigned a value to mineral rights in 2015 that resulted in a $2.8 million increase. These increases were offset by net withdrawals/account closings of $6.2 million. Changes in market values resulted in an approximately $500,000 increase in assets under management.
 
 
19

 
 
(market values - in thousands)
2015
2014
INVESTMENTS:
   
Bonds
 $         16,425
 $         15,558
Stock
            18,574
            17,925
Savings and Money Market Funds
            12,437
            12,395
Mutual Funds
            58,644
            53,456
Mineral interests
              2,781
                      -
Mortgages
                 686
                 701
Real Estate
                 565
                 637
Miscellaneous
                   68
                   49
TOTAL
 $       110,180
 $       100,721
ACCOUNTS:
   
Trusts
            26,746
            21,268
Guardianships
              1,274
              1,684
Employee Benefits
            46,888
            41,289
Investment Management
            35,268
            36,478
Custodial
                     4
                     2
TOTAL
 $       110,180
 $       100,721
 
Our financial consultants offer full service brokerage and financial planning services throughout the Bank’s market areas.  Appointments can be made at any Bank branch.  Products such as mutual funds, annuities, health and life insurance are made through our insurance subsidiary, First Citizens Insurance Agency, Inc.
 
In addition to the trust and investment services offered we have a mineral management division, which serves as a network of experts to assist our customers through various oil and gas specific leasing matters from lease negotiations to establishing a successful approach to personal wealth management. As of December 31, 2015, customers owning 6,653 acres have signed agreements with the Bank that provide for the Bank to manage oil and gas matters related to the customers land, which may include negotiating lease payments and royalty percentages, resolving leasing issues, accounting for and ensuring the accuracy of royalty checks, distributing revenue to satisfy investment objectives and providing customized reports outlining payment and distribution information.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Net income for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $11,626,000, which represents a decrease of $1,759,000, or 13.1%, when compared to the 2014 related period.  Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $13,385,000, which represents an increase of $10,000, or 0.1%, when compared to the 2013 related period.  Basic earnings per share were $3.84, $4.41, and $4.38 for the years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Diluted earnings per share were $3.83, $4.40 and  $4.38 for the years ended 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
Net income is influenced by five key components: net interest income, provision for loan losses, non-interest income, non-interest expenses, and the provision for income taxes.
 
Net Interest Income
 
The most significant source of revenue is net interest income; the amount of interest earned on interest-earning assets exceeding interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities.  Factors that influence net interest income are changes in volume of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities as well as changes in the associated interest rates.
 
The following table sets forth our Company’s average balances of, and the interest earned or incurred on, each principal category of assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity, the related rates, net interest income and rate “spread” created. It should be noted that average balances and rates for 2015 were slightly impacted by the acquisition of FNB, which closed on December 11, 2015:
 
 
20

 
 
Analysis of Average Balances and Interest Rates
 
2015
2014
2013
 
Average
 
Average
Average
 
Average
Average
 
Average
 
Balance (1)
Interest
Rate
Balance (1)
Interest
Rate
Balance (1)
Interest
Rate
(dollars in thousands)
$
$
%
$
$
%
$
$
%
ASSETS
                 
Short-term investments:
                 
   Interest-bearing deposits at banks
       12,218
           20
0.16
        8,479
9
0.11
      15,024
         25
0.17
Total short-term investments
       12,218
           20
0.16
        8,479
9
0.11
      15,024
         25
0.17
Interest bearing time deposits at banks
          6,215
        122
1.97
        3,651
73
2.00
           743
         15
2.02
Investment securities:
                 
  Taxable
     202,991
     3,320
1.64
    212,338
3,531
1.66
    215,746
    3,807
1.76
  Tax-exempt (3)
       97,852
     4,776
4.88
      96,954
5,082
5.24
      92,911
    5,159
5.55
  Total investment securities
     300,843
     8,096
2.69
    309,292
8,613
2.78
    308,657
    8,966
2.90
Loans:
                 
  Residential mortgage loans
     182,877
   10,059
5.50
    187,057
10,582
5.66
    181,887
  10,941
6.02
  Construction loans
          8,518
        438
5.14
        5,237
247
4.71
      13,098
       647
4.94
  Commercial & agricultural loans
     292,518
   15,294
5.23
    270,164
14,618
5.41
    252,242
  14,794
5.87
  Loans to state & political subdivisions
       85,631
     3,815
4.45
      69,440
3,225
4.64
      59,759
    2,647
4.43
  Other loans
          8,448
        676
8.00
        8,643
703
8.13
        9,762
       802
8.22
  Loans, net of discount (2)(3)(4)
     577,992
   30,282
5.24
    540,541
29,375
5.43
    516,748
  29,831
5.77
Total interest-earning assets
     897,268
   38,520
4.29
    861,963
38,070
4.42
    841,172
  38,837
4.62
Cash and due from banks
          4,197
   
        3,781
   
        3,750
   
Bank premises and equipment
       12,837
   
      11,454
   
      11,375
   
Other assets
       36,781
   
      30,152
   
      29,905
   
Total non-interest earning assets
       53,789
   
      45,387
   
      45,030
   
Total assets
     951,083
   
    907,350
   
    886,202
   
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Interest-bearing liabilities:
                 
  NOW accounts
     230,675
        801
       0.35
    219,473
764
      0.35
    209,275
       791
      0.38
  Savings accounts
     119,021
        144
       0.12
    101,639
119
      0.12
      92,095
       146
      0.16
  Money market accounts
       98,452
        481
       0.49
      91,373
 424
      0.46
      85,688
       405
      0.47
  Certificates of deposit
     250,952
     2,687
       1.07
    257,723
3,040
      1.18
    271,862
    3,765
      1.38
Total interest-bearing deposits
     699,100
     4,113
       0.59
    670,208
4,347
      0.65
    658,920
    5,107
      0.78
Other borrowed funds
       36,700
        707
       1.93
      39,209
606
      1.55
      42,214
    1,208
      2.86
Total interest-bearing liabilities
     735,800
     4,820
       0.66
    709,417
4,953
      0.70
    701,134
    6,315
      0.90
Demand deposits
     102,977
   
      92,878
   
      87,496
   
Other liabilities
          8,510
   
        7,578
   
        7,767
   
Total non-interest-bearing liabilities
     111,487
   
    100,456
   
      95,263
   
Stockholders' equity
     103,796
   
      97,477
   
      89,805
   
Total liabilities & stockholders' equity
     951,083
   
    907,350
   
    886,202
   
Net interest income
 
   33,700
   
33,117
   
  32,522
 
Net interest spread (5)
   
3.63%
   
3.72%
   
3.72%
Net interest income as a percentage
                 
  of average interest-earning assets
   
3.76%
   
3.84%
   
3.87%
Ratio of interest-earning assets
                 
  to interest-bearing liabilities
   
       1.22
   
      1.22
   
      1.20
                   
(1) Averages are based on daily averages.
               
(2) Includes loan origination and commitment fees.
               
(3) Tax exempt interest revenue is shown on a tax equivalent basis for proper comparison using
       
       a statutory federal income tax rate of 34%.
           
(4) Income on non-accrual loans is accounted for on a cash basis, and the loan balances are included in interest-earning assets.
   
(5) Interest rate spread represents the difference between the average rate earned on interest-earning assets
   
      and the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities.
             
 
 
21

 
 
Tax exempt interest revenue is shown on a tax-equivalent basis for proper comparison using a statutory, federal income tax rate of 34%.  For purposes of the comparison, as well as the discussion that follows, this presentation facilitates performance comparisons between taxable and tax-free assets by increasing the tax-free income by an amount equivalent to the Federal income taxes that would have been paid if this income were taxable at the 34% Federal statutory rate.  Accordingly, tax equivalent adjustments for investments and loans have been made accordingly to the previous table for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively (in thousands):
 
 
2015
2014
2013
Interest and dividend income from investment securities,
     
    interest bearing time deposits and short-term investments (non-tax adjusted)
 $          6,614
 $          6,967
 $        7,252
Tax equivalent adjustment
             1,624
             1,728
           1,754
Interest and dividend income from investment securities,
     
    interest bearing time deposits and short-term investments (tax equivalent basis)
 $          8,238
 $          8,695
 $        9,006
       
 
2015
2014
2013
Interest and fees on loans (non-tax adjusted)
 $        29,039
 $        28,324
 $      28,982
Tax equivalent adjustment
             1,243
             1,051
              849
Interest and fees on loans (tax equivalent basis)
 $        30,282
 $        29,375
 $      29,831
       
 
2015
2014
2013
Total interest income
 $        35,653
 $        35,291
 $      36,234
Total interest expense
             4,820
             4,953
           6,315
Net interest income
           30,833
           30,338
         29,919
Total tax equivalent adjustment
             2,867
             2,779
           2,603
Net interest income (tax equivalent basis)
 $        33,700
 $        33,117
 $      32,522

 
22

 

The following table shows the tax-equivalent effect of changes in volume and rates on interest income and expense (in thousands):

Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income on a Tax-Equivalent Basis
 
 2015 vs. 2014 (1)
 2014 vs. 2013 (1)
 
 Change in
 Change
 Total
 Change in
 Change
 Total
 
 Volume
 in Rate
 Change
 Volume
 in Rate
 Change
Interest Income:
           
Short-term investments:
           
  Interest-bearing deposits at banks
 $              5
 $              6
 $            11
 $            (9)
 $             (7)
 $          (16)
Interest bearing time deposits at banks
               50
               (1)
               49
              58
                 -
              58
Investment securities:
           
  Taxable
             (154)
              (57)
            (211)
             (59)
            (217)
           (276)
  Tax-exempt
               47
            (353)
            (306)
            270
            (347)
             (77)
Total investment securities
             (107)
            (410)
            (517)
            211
            (564)
           (353)
Total investment income
              (52)
            (405)
            (457)
            260
            (571)
           (311)
Loans:
           
  Residential mortgage loans
             (234)
            (289)
            (523)
            328
            (687)
           (359)
  Construction loans
              166
               25
             191
           (371)
              (29)
           (400)
  Commercial & agricultural loans
           1,141
            (465)
             676
          1,947
         (2,123)
           (176)
  Loans to state & political subdivisions
              715
            (125)
             590
            445
             133
            578
  Other loans
              (16)
              (11)
              (27)
             (91)
               (8)
             (99)
Total loans, net of discount
           1,772
            (865)
             907
          2,258
         (2,714)
           (456)
Total Interest Income
           1,720
         (1,270)
             450
          2,518
         (3,285)
           (767)
Interest Expense:
           
Interest-bearing deposits:
           
  NOW accounts
               39
               (2)
               37
              43
              (70)
             (27)
  Savings accounts
               21
                4
               25
              18
              (45)
             (27)
  Money Market accounts
               34
               23
               57
              26
               (7)
              19
  Certificates of deposit
              (77)
            (276)
            (353)
           (188)
            (537)
           (725)
Total interest-bearing deposits
               17
            (251)
            (234)
           (101)
            (659)
           (760)
Other borrowed funds
              (35)
             136
             101
             (81)
            (521)
           (602)
Total interest expense
              (18)
            (115)
            (133)
           (182)
         (1,180)
        (1,362)
Increase (decrease) in net interest income
 $        1,738
 $       (1,155)
 $          583
 $       2,700
 $       (2,105)
 $         595
             
(1) The portion of the total change attributable to both volume and rate changes during the year has been allocated
 
      to volume and rate components based upon the absolute dollar amount of the change in each component prior to allocation.

2015 vs. 2014
 
Tax equivalent net interest income for 2015 was $33,700,000 compared with $33,117,000 for 2014, an increase of $583,000 or 1.8%. Total interest income increased $450,000, as loan interest income increased $907,000, which was offset by a decrease in total investment income of $457,000. Interest expense decreased $133,000 from 2014.
 
Total tax equivalent interest income from investment securities decreased $517,000 in 2015 from 2014.  The average tax-effected yield on our investment portfolio decreased from 2.78% in 2014 to 2.69% in 2015.  This had the effect of decreasing interest income by $410,000 due to rate, the majority of which was related to non-taxable securities whose yield decreased from 5.24% in 2014 to 4.88% in 2015. The average balance of investment securities decreased $8.4 million, which had an effect of decreasing interest income by $107,000 due to volume. During 2015, there were significant fluctuations in the yield on investments as a result of economic indicators in the United States and global markets, turbulence in foreign markets and comments made by the Federal Reserve about raising the Fed funds rate and the actual increase in the Fed funds rate of 25 bps in late 2015. These factors led to a further flattening of the yield curve in late 2015, which has continued into 2016. Prior to the acquisition close, we chose to fund a portion of our loan growth from the cash flows from the investment portfolio, which were not reinvested in the bond market. For the investment cash flows that were reinvested, we monitored the trading ranges for various investment products and limited purchases to times when yields were in the top third of the trading range. Additionally, for the purchases made prior to the acquisition, the investment strategy in 2015 was to purchase agency securities with maturities of less than five years and high quality municipal bonds with high coupons. The acquisition of FNB increased the liquidity during this time of volatility in the investment markets. Due to the amount of liquidity obtained as part of the acquisition, purchases made subsequent to the acquisition included US treasury securities as the spread between agency and treasuries on the short end of the curve was insignificant and therefore treasury securities were purchased. Additionally, mortgage backed securities were purchased to provide a higher yield than agencies. The Bank believes its investment strategy has appropriately mitigated its interest rate risk exposure in the event of rising interest rates, while also providing sufficient cashflows to fund loan growth expected as a result of the acquisition. The investment strategy benefits from the fact that high coupon municipal bonds generally have less price volatility in rising rate scenarios than similar lower coupon municipal bonds.
 
 
23

 
 
In total, loan interest income increased $907,000 in 2015 from 2014.  The average balance of our loan portfolio increased by $37.5 million in 2015 compared to 2014, which resulted in an increase in interest income of $1,772,000 due to volume.  Offsetting this was a decrease in average yield on total loans from 5.43% in 2014 to 5.24% in 2015 resulting in a decrease in interest income of $865,000 due to rate.
 
Interest income on residential mortgage loans decreased $523,000. The change due to rate was a decrease of $289,000 as the average yield on residential mortgages decreased from 5.66% in 2014 to 5.50% in 2015. Additionally, the average balance of residential mortgage loans decreased $4.2 million, resulting in a decrease of $234,000 due to volume. Loan demand for conforming mortgages in 2015 increased over demand in 2014 as a result of a decrease in interest rates in the secondary market. Additionally, demand for nonconforming loans remained limited. Due to the decrease in rates in the secondary market, we did not portfolio as many loans that qualified for sale in 2015 as we did in 2014. In 2015, the Company added to its portfolio $2.0 million of conforming mortgages with maturities of less than 15 years compared to $5.1 million of similar loans in 2014.  The Company originated loans to be sold of $18.9 million during 2015, which compares to $11.1 million originated and sold in 2014. Currently, all loans sold by the Bank are sold without recourse, with servicing retained. As a result of the acquisition completed in 2015, the Bank obtained a portfolio of serviced loans that include recourse, which totaled $40.4 million at December 31, 2015.
 
The average balance of construction loans increased $3.3 million from 2014 to 2015, due to several large projects in progress during 2015, which resulted in an increase of $166,000 in interest income. Additionally, the average yield on construction loans increased from 4.71% to 5.14%, which correlated to a $25,000 increase in interest income.
 
The Company attributes the increase in state and political loans, other commercial and agricultural, commercial real estate and agricultural real estate loans to the Company’s experienced lenders and their ability to identify and meet the needs of our customers while providing growth opportunities for the Company’s loan portfolio.  We also look at commercial relationships as a way to obtain deposits from farmers, small businesses and municipalities throughout our market area. During 2015, there was an increase in pricing pressure for loans that has resulted in the Bank reducing loan rates and/or changing the terms of loans in order to maintain the relationship. We believe our lenders are adept at customizing and structuring loans to customers that meet their needs and satisfy our commitment to credit quality. In many cases, the Bank works with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed loan programs to offset risk and to further promote economic growth in our market area. During 2015, despite these competitive pressures, the average balance of commercial and agricultural loans increased $22.4 million which had a positive impact of $1,141,000 on total interest income due to volume.  Offsetting the increase due to volume, the average yield on commercial and agricultural loans decreased from 5.41% in 2014 to 5.23% in 2015, decreasing interest income by $465,000. The average balance of loans to state and political subdivisions increased $16.2 million from 2014 to 2015 which had a positive impact of $715,000 on total interest income due to volume. The average tax equivalent yield on loans to state and political subdivisions decreased from 4.64% in 2014 to 4.45% in 2015, decreasing interest income by $125,000.
 
Total interest expense decreased $133,000 in 2015 compared to 2014.  The decrease is primarily attributable to a change in average rate from .70% in 2014 to .66% in 2015, which had the effect of decreasing interest expense by $115,000. The continued low interest rate environment prompted by the Federal Reserve had the effect of decreasing our rates on certificate of deposit products. While the Company’s rates on certificate of deposit products are below historical averages they are competitive with rates paid by other institutions in the marketplace. The average balance of interest bearing liabilities increased $26.4 million from 2014 to 2015. Certificates of deposit and other borrowed funds decreased $6.8 million and $2.5 million, respectively, which resulted in a decrease in interest expense due to volume of $112,000. These decreases were offset by increases in NOW accounts of $11.2 million, savings accounts of $17.4 million and money market accounts of $7.1 million. The cumulative effect of these increases was an increase in interest expense of $94,000.
 
 
24

 
 
The average balance of certificates of deposit decreased $6.8 million causing a decrease in interest expense of $77,000.  In addition, as a result of the continued low rate environment, there was a decrease in the average rate on certificates of deposit from 1.18% to 1.07% resulting in a decrease in interest expense of $276,000. The continued low interest rate environment, both short-term and longer-term rates, has contributed to the decline in certificate of deposit balances.  Customers, who typically utilize certificate of deposits as a means of generating income or as a longer term investment option, continue to move funds into money market and savings accounts in order to maintain flexibility for potentially rising interest rates.
 
The average balance of other borrowed funds decreased $2.5 million causing a decrease in interest expense of $35,000. Offsetting this decrease, there was an increase in the average rate on other borrowed funds from 1.55% to 1.93% resulting in an increase in interest expense of $136,000.  The increase in rate on borrowed funds was the result of the taking out a long term borrowing during the first quarter of 2015 and a decrease in the amount of funds borrowed overnight from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh as a result of an increase in deposit levels.
 
Our net interest spread for 2015 and 2014 was 3.63%.  The current economic situation has resulted in a flattening of the yield curve. It should be noted that there is currently more downward pressure on the pricing of interest earning assets than there is on interest bearing liabilities due to the rates that are currently being offered. Should short or long-term interest rates move in such a way that results in a further flattened or inverted yield curve, we would anticipate additional pressure on our margin.

2014 vs. 2013
 
Tax equivalent net interest income for 2014 was $33,117,000 compared with $32,522,000 for 2013, an increase of $595,000 or 1.8%. Total interest income decreased $767,000, as total investment income decreased $311,000 and loan interest income decreased $456,000. Offsetting the decrease in interest income, interest expense decreased $1,362,000 from 2013.
 
Total tax equivalent interest income from investment securities decreased $353,000 in 2014 from 2013.  The average tax-effected yield on our investment portfolio decreased from 2.90% in 2013 to 2.78% in 2014.  This had the effect of decreasing interest income by $564,000 due to rate, the majority of which was related to non-taxable securities whose yield decreased from 5.55% in 2013 to 5.24% in 2014. The average balance of investment securities increased $635,000, which had an effect of increasing interest income by $211,000 due to volume.  During 2014, there was a flattening of the treasury yield curve as a result of a rise in rates on the short end of the yield curve with no corresponding increase in long term rates. In fact, rates related to longer term instruments decreased during 2014. The increase in short term rates was due to an expectation of a rise in the federal fund rates with the ending of the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing. As a result, the investment strategy during 2014 was to purchase agency securities with maturities of less than four years, which was the steepest part of the yield curve during 2014, and high quality municipal bonds with high coupons.
 
In total, loan interest income decreased $456,000 in 2014 from 2013.  The average balance of our loan portfolio increased by $23.8 million in 2014 compared to 2013, which resulted in an increase in interest income of $2,258,000 due to volume.  Offsetting this was a decrease in average yield on total loans from 5.77% in 2013 to 5.43% in 2014 resulting in a decrease in interest income of $2,714,000 due to rate.
 
Interest income on residential mortgage loans decreased $359,000. The change due to rate was a decrease of $687,000 as the average yield on residential mortgages decreased from 6.02% in 2013 to 5.66% in 2014. Offsetting this decrease was an increase of $328,000 due to volume as the average balance of residential mortgage loans increased $5.2 million. During 2014, the Company added to its portfolio $5.1 million of conforming mortgages with maturities of less than 15 years that would typically be sold due to lower nonconforming loan demand. The Company originated and sold $11.1 million of conforming mortgages in 2014.
 
 
25

 
 
The average balance of construction loans decreased $7.9 million from 2013 to 2014, due to the completion of several projects, which resulted in a decrease of $371,000 in interest income. Additionally, the average yield on construction loans decreased from 4.94% to 4.71%, which correlated to a $29,000 decrease in interest income.
 
During 2014, the average balance of commercial and agricultural loans increased $17.9 million which had a positive impact of $1,947,000 on total interest income due to volume.  Offsetting the increase due to volume, the average yield on commercial and agricultural loans decreased from 5.87% in 2013 to 5.41% in 2014, decreasing interest income by $2,123,000. The Company focus during 2014 was to grow its commercial and agricultural loan portfolio, utilizing its strong and experienced team of business development lenders.
 
The average balance of loans to state and political subdivisions increased $9.7 million from 2013 to 2014 which had a positive impact of $445,000 on total interest income due to volume.  Part of the growth during 2014 was the result of municipalities in our area that continued to borrow funds to ensure compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency laws and regulations impacting the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Additionally, the Company participated in hospital loans with other community banks, both in and out of our primary markets, to meet the needs of these customers. The average tax equivalent yield on loans to state and political subdivisions increased from 4.43% in 2013 to 4.64% in 2014, increasing interest income by $133,000.
 
Total interest expense decreased $1,362,000 in 2014 compared to 2013.  The decrease is primarily attributable to a change in average rate from .90% in 2013 to .70% in 2014, which had the effect of decreasing interest expense by $1,180,000. The low interest rate environment had the effect of decreasing our short and long term borrowing costs as well as rates on all deposit products. The average balance of interest bearing liabilities increased $8,283,000 from 2013 to 2014. Certificates of deposit and other borrowed funds decreased $14.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively, which resulted in a decrease in interest expense due to volume of $269,000. These decreases were offset by increases in NOW accounts of $10.2 million, savings accounts of $9.5 million and money market accounts of $5.7 million. The cumulative effect of these increases was an increase in interest expense of $87,000.
 
The average balance of certificates of deposit decreased $14.1 million causing a decrease in interest expense of $188,000.  In addition, as a result of the continued low rate environment, there was a decrease in the average rate on certificates of deposit from 1.38% to 1.18% resulting in a decrease in interest expense of $537,000. The average balance of other borrowed funds decreased $3.0 million causing a decrease in interest expense of $81,000. In addition, there was a decrease in the average rate on other borrowed funds from 2.86% to 1.55% resulting in a decrease in interest expense of $521,000.  The decrease in rate on borrowed funds was the result of the interest rate swap for the trust preferred securities maturing in December of 2013. This resulted in the interest rate on the trust preferred securities decreasing from 5.82% to 3.09%.
 
Our net interest spread for 2014 and 2013 was 3.72%.

PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded a provision for loan losses of $480,000. The provision for 2015 was $105,000, or 18.0%, lower than the provision in 2014. The decrease in the provision for loan losses was primarily the result of the decrease in charge-offs the Company recorded in 2015 compared to 2014. (see also “Financial Condition – Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality Risk”).
 
For the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded a provision for loan losses of $585,000. The provision for 2014 was $180,000, or 44.4%, higher than the same time period in 2013. The increase in the provision for loan losses was primarily the result of the increase in charge-offs the Company recorded in 2014. (see also “Financial Condition – Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality Risk”).
 
NON-INTEREST INCOME
 
The following table reflects non-interest income by major category for the periods ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
26

 
 
 
2015
2014
2013
Service charges
 $          4,126
 $          4,297
 $          4,453
Trust
                673
                688
                694
Brokerage and insurance
                720
                567
                444
Investment securities gains, net
                429
                616
                441
Gains on loans sold
                404
                236
                443
Earnings on bank owned life insurance
                628
                507
                502
Other
                443
                445
                446
Total
 $          7,423
 $          7,356
 $          7,423
 
         
 
 2015/2014
 2014/2013
 
Change
Change
 
Amount
%
Amount
%
Service charges
 $            (171)
                (4.0)
 $            (156)
                (3.5)
Trust
                 (15)
                (2.2)
                   (6)
                (0.9)
Brokerage and insurance
                153
               27.0
                123
               27.7
Investment securities gains, (losses), net
               (187)
              (30.4)
                175
               39.7
Gains on loans sold
                168
               71.2
               (207)
              (46.7)
Earnings on bank owned life insurance
                121
               23.9
                    5
                 1.0
Other
                   (2)
                (0.4)
                   (1)
                (0.2)
Total
 $               67
                 0.9
 $              (67)
                (0.9)
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
Non-interest income increased $67,000 in 2015 from 2014, or 0.9%.  We recorded investment securities gains totaling $429,000 compared with net gains of $616,000 in 2014. During 2015, we sold five agency securities for gains totaling $196,000, five mortgage backed securities in government sponsored entities for gains totaling $69,000, seven municipal bonds for gains totaling $99,000, a financial institution equity holding for a gain of $76,000 and a US Treasury note for a loss of $11,000 in order to take advantage of interest rate market conditions. As a result of the acquisition, we sold seven agency securities and three mortgage backed securities, as a result of their risk profile in a rising interest rate environment. These securities were sold upon the acquisition date and as a result no gains or losses were recorded on the sale. During 2014 we elected to sell eight agency securities, seven mortgage backed securities, several lots of an equity security, and one municipal security for gains of $177,000, $197,000, $101,000 and $172,000, respectively. We also sold two US Treasury securities for a loss of $31,000.
 
Gains on loans sold increased $168,000 compared to last year, which is the result of an increased level of refinancing activities in 2015 versus 2014 for conforming loans. During 2015, the Bank generated $19.2 million of loan sale proceeds, which was $8.1 million, or 72.6% more than the proceeds received in 2014.
 
Service charge income decreased by $171,000 in 2015 compared to 2014, but still continues to be the Company’s primary source of non-interest income. The largest decrease was in fees charged to customers for insufficient funds, which experienced a decrease of $139,000. ATM income decreased $22,000 in 2015 compared to 2014 due to decreased usage of the Company’s ATM machines by non-customers. Management continues to monitor regulatory changes to determine the level of impact that these regulations will have on the Company.
 
The increase in earnings on bank owned life insurance of $121,000 is primarily due to purchases of an additional $5.0 million of insurance made late in the fourth quarter of 2014. The increase in brokerage and insurance revenues of $153,000 is primarily due to sales to a new customer, with a large brokerage balance.
 
2014 vs. 2013
 
Non-interest income decreased $67,000 in 2014 from 2013, or 0.9%.  We recorded investment securities gains totaling $616,000 compared with net gains of $441,000 in 2013. During 2014 we elected to sell eight agency securities, seven mortgage backed securities, several lots of an equity security, and one municipal security for gains of $177,000, $197,000, $101,000 and $172,000, respectively. We also sold two US Treasury securities for a loss of $31,000. During 2013 we elected to sell seven agency securities, nine mortgage backed securities, portions of three equity securities, four municipal securities and one corporate security for gains of $86,000, $356,000, $296,000, $87,000 and $2,000, respectively. We also sold one corporate security and two mortgage backed securities for losses of $246,000 and $140,000, respectively.
 
 
27

 
 
Gains on loans sold in 2014 decreased $207,000 compared to 2013, which is the result of a lower level of refinancing activities in 2014 versus 2013 for conforming loans. During 2014, the Bank generated $11.1 million of loan sale proceeds, but this was $10.8 million or 49.0% less than the proceeds received in 2013.
 
Service charge income decreased by $156,000 in 2014 compared to 2013. The largest decrease was in fees charged to customers for insufficient funds, which experienced a decrease of $153,000. ATM income decreased $18,000 in 2014 compared to 2013 due to decreased usage of the Company’s ATM machines by non-customers. Service charge fees related to customers’ usage of their debit cards increased by $22,000.
 
The increase in brokerage and insurance revenues was the result of hiring additional brokers in 2014 that resulted in additional business. There was also an in increase in brokerage activity as a result of increases in the stock market during 2014 as customers had renewed interest in non-bank investments in the low interest rate environment.
 
Non-interest Expenses
 
The following tables reflect the breakdown of non-interest expense by major category for the periods ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
2015
2014
2013
Salaries and employee benefits
 $       12,504
 $       11,505
 $       11,392
Occupancy
            1,424
            1,287
            1,271
Furniture and equipment
               506
               362
               492
Professional fees
               846
               820
               781
FDIC insurance
               464
               461
               450
ORE expenses
               969
               299
               191
Pennsylvania shares tax
               713
               686
               640
Merger and acquisition
            1,103
               237
                 55
Other
            4,900
            4,508
            4,538
Total
 $       23,429
 $       20,165
 $       19,810
 
         
 
 2015/2014
 2014/2013
 
Change
Change
 
Amount
%
Amount
%
Salaries and employee benefits
 $            999
                8.7
 $            113
                1.0
Occupancy
               137
              10.6
                 16
                1.3
Furniture and equipment
               144
              39.8
             (130)
            (26.4)
Professional fees
                 26
                3.2
                 39
                5.0
FDIC insurance
                   3
                0.7
                 11
                2.4
ORE expenses
               670
            224.1
               108
              56.5
Pennsylvania shares tax
                 27
                3.9
                 46
                7.2
Merger and acquisition
               866
            365.4
               182
            330.9
Other
               392
                8.7
               (30)
              (0.7)
Total
 $         3,264
              16.2
 $            355
                1.8
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
Non-interest expenses for 2015 totaled $23,429,000, which represents an increase of $3,264,000, compared with 2014 expenses of $20,165,000.  Salary and benefit costs increased $999,000.  Base salaries and related payroll taxes increased $597,000, primarily due to merit increases and additional head count as a result of continuing to implement the Company’s strategic and expansion plans and, to a lesser extent, increased headcount as a result of the FNB acquisition.  Full time equivalent staffing was 195 and 189 employees for 2015 and 2014, respectively. Health insurance related expenses increased $128,418 from 2014 due to increased claims experience in 2015. Retirement expenses increased $192,000 compared to 2014 as a result of actuarial changes and a decrease in earnings on pension plan assets.
 
 
28

 
 
The increases in occupancy and furniture and equipment was primarily related to the opening of the Mill Hall branch in the first quarter of 2015, which includes some one-time costs incurred as part of the opening. The increase in ORE expenses was primarily the result of recording several properties to fair value based on updated appraisals. During 2015, the Company experienced losses on ORE properties of $409,000 compared to losses of $16,400 in 2014. The other large increase in ORE expenses was the result of an increase in legal fees and real estate taxes on certain properties and loans in foreclosure.
 
The increase in merger and acquisition costs was the result of the completed FNB acquisition in 2015, which resulted in severance costs, professional fees to assist with the completion of the merger, and system conversion costs to combine financial systems and records.
 
The largest driver of the increase in other expenses is charge-offs related to fraudulent charges on our customers debit cards. In addition, increases in other expenses included office and printing supplies for the new Mill Hall branch and the acquired branches as part of the FNB transaction, travel related expenses as a result of opening the new Mill Hall branch and the acquisition, and amortization of the core deposit intangible associated with the acquisition.
 
2014 vs. 2013
 
Non-interest expenses for 2014 totaled $20,165,000 which represents an increase of $355,000, compared with 2013 expenses of $19,810,000.  Salary and benefit costs increased $113,000.  Base salaries and related payroll taxes increased $375,000, primarily due to merit increases and additional head count.  Full time equivalent staffing was 189 and 186 employees for 2014 and 2013, respectively. Health insurance related expenses decreased $182,000 from 2013 due to significantly improved claims experience in 2014. Incentive costs increased $213,000 compared to 2013.  Retirement expenses decreased $295,000 compared to 2013 mostly due to improved earnings on pension plan assets and a decrease in the net amortization and deferral of actuarial gains and losses.
 
The increase in merger and acquisition costs was the result of investigating merger targets during 2014, but did not result in a completed transaction. The increase in ORE expenses is due to the increase in foreclosed properties owned by the Company in 2014. Furniture and equipment costs decreased as a result of purchasing equipment for the online teller system implemented during 2013 and additional assets becoming fully depreciated.
 
Provision for Income Taxes
 
The provision for income taxes was $2,721,000, $3,559,000 and $3,752,000 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The effective tax rates for 2015, 2014 and 2013 were 19.0%, 21.0%, and 21.9%, respectively.
 
Income before the provision for income taxes decreased by $2,597,000 in 2015 compared to 2014. As the result of this decrease and an increase in non-taxable investment and loan interest income, the provision for income taxes decreased by $838,000 when compared to 2014. We have managed our effective tax rate by remaining invested in tax-exempt municipal loans and bonds and investments in certain partnerships that provide the Company with tax credits.
 
Income before the provision for income taxes decreased by $183,000 in 2014 compared to 2013. As the result of this decrease and an increase in non-taxable investment and loan interest income, the provision for income taxes decreased by $193,000 when compared to 2013.
 
We are involved in four limited partnership agreements that established low-income housing projects in our market area. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recognized tax credits related to two of the four partnerships. The tax credits for the other two projects were fully utilized by December 31, 2012. We anticipate recognizing an aggregate of $1.0 million of tax credits over the next seven years.
 
 
29

 
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
The following table presents ending balances (dollars in millions), growth and the percentage change during the past two years:

 
 2015
 
 %
 2014
 
 %
 2013
 
 Balance
 Increase
 Change
 Balance
 Increase
 Change
 Balance
 Total assets
 $     1,163.0
 $         238.0
           25.7
 $      925.0
 $           10.1
             1.1
 $      914.9
 Total investments
           359.7
              53.6
           17.5
         306.1
            (11.2)
            (3.5)
         317.3
 Total loans, net
           687.9
            140.6
           25.7
         547.3
              13.8
             2.6
         533.5
 Total deposits
           988.0
            214.1
           27.7
         773.9
              25.6
             3.4
         748.3
 Total stockholders' equity
           119.8
              19.3
           19.2
         100.5
                8.4
             9.1
           92.1
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $24.4 million at December 31, 2015 compared with $11.4 million at December 31, 2014. The increase in cash and cash equivalents is the result of the Company’s acquisition of FNB in December of 2015, which resulted in a significant cash increase. Management actively measures and evaluates its liquidity through our Asset – Liability committee and believes its liquidity needs are satisfied by the current balance of cash and cash equivalents, readily available access to traditional funding sources, Federal Home Loan Bank financing, federal funds lines with correspondent banks, brokered certificates of deposit and the portion of the investment and loan portfolios that mature within one year.  Management expects that these sources of funds will permit us to meet cash obligations and off-balance sheet commitments as they come due.
 
Investments
 
The following table shows the year-end composition of the investment portfolio for the five years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
2015
% of
2014
% of
2013
% of
2012
% of
2011
% of
 
Amount
Total
Amount
Total
Amount
Total
Amount
Total
Amount
Total
Available-for-sale:
                   
  U. S. Agency securities
 $    199,591
      55.5
 $ 150,885
      49.3
 $ 152,189
    48.0
 $ 127,234
    41.0
 $ 168,600
      52.9
  U.S. Treasuries
         10,082
        2.8
        4,849
        1.6
      11,309
      3.6
        4,947
      1.6
                -
          -
  Obligations of state & political
                   
     subdivisions
       102,863
      28.6
    105,036
      34.3
      95,005
    29.9
    100,875
    32.5
    101,547
      31.9
  Corporate obligations
         14,565
        4.0
      13,958
        4.6
      16,802
      5.3
      22,109
      7.1
        8,460
        2.7
  Mortgage-backed securities
         30,204
        8.4
      29,728
        9.6
      40,671
    12.8
      53,673
    17.3
      38,974
      12.2
  Equity securities
           2,432
        0.7
        1,690
        0.6
        1,325
      0.4
        1,414
      0.5
        1,242
        0.3
Total
 $    359,737
    100.0
 $ 306,146
    100.0
 $ 317,301
  100.0
 $ 310,252
  100.0
 $ 318,823
    100.0

2015
 
The Company’s investment portfolio increased by $53.6 million, or 17.5%, during the past year primarily due to the acquisition of FNB. As part of the acquisition, we acquired $17.8 million of U.S. agency obligations, $1.2 million of mortgage backed securities, $1.8 million of state and local obligations and $3.0 million of corporate obligations. In addition, during 2015, we purchased $10.1 million of U.S treasuries, $74.5 million of U.S. agencies, $6.8 million of mortgage backed securities, $19.1 million of state and local obligations and $901,000 of equity securities, which helped to offset the $5.7 million of principal repayments and $42.5 million of calls and maturities that occurred during the year. We also sold $30.5 million of bonds and equities at a net gain of $429,000. The market value of our investment portfolio decreased approximately $1.3 million in 2015 due to interest rate fluctuations. Excluding our short term investments consisting of monies held primarily at the Federal Reserve, the effective yield on our investment portfolio for 2015 was 2.69% compared to 2.78% for 2014 on a tax equivalent basis.
 
During 2015, rates on the short end of the Treasury yield curve experienced an increase, as the result of the increase in the federal funds rate and the potential for additional increases in the federal funds rate in the near future, while the long end of the curve experienced significant volatility throughout the year and ended the year up slightly from 2014. The investment strategy in 2015 prior to the acquisition of FNB was to purchase agency securities with maturities of less than five years and high quality municipal bonds with high coupons. Due to the amount of liquidity obtained as part of the acquisition, purchases made subsequently included US Treasury securities as the spread between agency and treasuries on the short end of the curve was insignificant and thus the Treasury security was purchased. Additionally, mortgage backed securities were purchased to provide a higher yield than agencies. The Bank believes its investment strategy has appropriately mitigated its interest rate risk exposure in the event of rising interest rates while providing sufficient cashflows to fund loan growth expected as a result of the acquisition.
 
 
30

 
 
At December 31, 2015, the Company did not own any securities, other than government-sponsored and government-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities, that had an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of its stockholders’ equity at that date.
 
The expected principal repayments (amortized cost) and average weighted yields for the investment portfolio (excluding equity securities) as of December 31, 2015, are shown below (dollars in thousands). Expected principal repayments, which include prepayment speed assumptions for mortgage-backed securities, are significantly different than the contractual maturities detailed in Note 3 of the consolidated financial statements. Yields on tax-exempt securities are presented on a fully taxable equivalent basis, assuming a 34% tax rate.
 
     
After One Year
After Five Years
       
 
One Year or Less
to Five years
to Ten Years
After Ten Years
Total
 
Amortized
Yield
Amortized
Yield
Amortized
Yield
Amortized
Yield
Amortized
Yield
 
Cost
%
Cost
%
Cost
%
Cost
%
Cost
%
Available-for-sale securities:
                   
  U.S. agency securities
 $            16,753
0.9
 $           179,937
1.4
 $           3,059
      2.0
 $             -
-
 $    199,749
      1.4
  U.S. treasuries
                 2,119
0.7
7,984
1.0
-
        -
-
-
         10,103
      0.9
  Obligations of state & political
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    subdivisions
                 4,601
4.2
63,563
4.0
16,419
      4.8
15,273
5.8
         99,856
      4.4
  Corporate obligations
                 6,536
2.8
8,047
5.3
-
        -
-
-
         14,583
      4.1
  Mortgage-backed securities
                 7,809
2.0
14,017
2.1
6,936
      2.2
1,345
2.4
         30,107
      2.1
Total available-for-sale
 $            37,818
1.8
 $           273,548
2.1
 $         26,414
      3.8
 $   16,618
5.5
 $    354,398
      2.4
 
At December 31, 2015, approximately 87.9% of the amortized cost of debt securities is expected to mature, call or pre-pay within five years or less.  The Company expects that earnings from operations, the levels of cash held at the Federal Reserve and other correspondent banks, the high liquidity level of the available-for-sale securities, growth of deposits and the availability of borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and other third party banks will be sufficient to meet future liquidity needs.

2014
 
The Company’s investment portfolio decreased by $11.2 million, or 3.5%, during the past year.  During 2014, we purchased $40.5 million of U.S. agency obligations, $15.2 million of state and local obligations and $602,000 of equity securities, which helped to offset the $6.7 million of principal repayments and $35.0 million of calls and maturities that occurred during the year. We also selectively sold $29.0 million of bonds and equities at a net gain of $616,000. The market value of our investment portfolio increased approximately $4.8 million in 2014 due to interest rate fluctuations. Excluding our short term investments consisting of monies held primarily at the Federal Reserve, the effective yield on our investment portfolio for 2014 was 2.78% compared to 2.90% for 2013 on a tax equivalent basis.
 
During 2014, rates on the short end of the Treasury yield curve experienced an increase, as the result of an expected rise in the federal funds rate in the near future due to the end of the quantitative easing program by the Federal Reserve, while the long end of the curve, particularly the 10 year treasury, experienced a decrease in excess of 80 basis points. These changes resulted in the market value of the investment portfolio increasing. As a result of these items, the investment strategy during 2014 was to purchase agency securities with maturities of less than four years and high quality municipal bonds with high coupons.
 
 
31

 
 
At December 31, 2014, the Company did not own any securities, other than government-sponsored and government-guaranteed mortgage-backed securities, that had an aggregate book value in excess of 10% of its stockholders’ equity at that date.
 
Loans
 
The Bank’s lending efforts have historically focused on north central Pennsylvania and southern New York. With the acquisition of FNB, this focus will change to include opportunities in the Lebanon, Schuylkill and Berks County markets of south central, Pennsylvania. We originate loans primarily through direct loans to our existing customer base, with new customers generated by referrals from real estate brokers, building contractors, attorneys, accountants, corporate and advisory board members, existing customers and the Bank’s website.  The Bank offers a variety of loans although historically most of our lending has focused on real estate loans including residential, commercial, agricultural, and construction loans.  As of December 31, 2015, approximately 74.0% of our loan portfolio consisted of real estate loans.  All lending is governed by a lending policy that is developed and administered by management and approved by the Board of Directors.
 
The Bank primarily offers fixed rate residential mortgage loans with terms of up to 25 years and adjustable rate mortgage loans (with amortization schedules based up to 30 years) with interest rates and payments that adjust based on one, three, and five year fixed periods.  Loan to value ratios are usually 80% or less with exceptions for individuals with excellent credit and low debt to income and/or high net worth. Adjustable rate mortgages are tied to a margin above the comparable Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh borrowing rate.  Home equity loans are written with terms of up to 15 years at fixed rates.  Home equity lines of credit are variable rate loans tied to the Prime Rate generally with a ten year draw period followed by a ten year repayment period. Home equity loans are typically written with a maximum 80% loan to value.
 
Commercial real estate loan terms are generally 20 years or less, with one to five year adjustable interest rates.  The adjustable rates are typically tied to a margin above the comparable Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh borrowing rate with a maximum loan to value ratio of 80%. Where feasible, the Bank works with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed loan programs to offset risk and to further promote economic growth in our market area.  During 2015, we originated $5.5 million in USDA and SBA guaranteed commercial real estate loans.
 
Agriculture, and particularly dairy farming, is an important industry in our market area. Therefore, the Bank has developed an agriculture lending team with significant experience that has a thorough understanding of this industry. Agricultural loans focus on character, cash flow and collateral, while also taking into account the particular risks of the industry.  Loan terms are generally 20 years or less, with one to five year adjustable interest rates.  The adjustable rates are typically tied to a margin above the comparable Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh borrowing rate with a maximum loan to value of 80%. The Bank is a preferred lender under the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and participates in the FSA guaranteed loan program.
 
The Bank, as part of its commitment to the communities it serves, is an active lender for projects by our local municipalities and school districts. These loans range from short term bridge financing to 20 year term loans for specific projects. These loans are typically written at rates that adjust at least every five years. Due to the size of certain municipal loans, we have developed participation lending relationships with other community banks that allow us to meet regulatory compliance issues, while meeting the needs of the customer. At December 31, 2015, the aggregate balance of our participation loans with other lenders totaled $86.3 million.
 
Activity associated with exploration for natural gas significantly decreased in 2015 due to the low price of natural gas produced in our area. While the Bank has loaned to companies that service the exploration activities, the Bank did not originate any loans to Companies performing the actual drilling and exploration activities. Loans made by the Company were to service industry customers which included trucking companies, stone quarries and other support businesses. We also originated loans to businesses and individuals for restaurants, hotels and apartment rentals that were developed and expanded to meet the housing and living needs of the gas workers. Due to our understanding of the industry and its cyclical nature, the loans made for natural gas-related activities were originated in a prudent and cautious manner and were subject to specific policies and procedures for lending to these entities, which included lower loan to value thresholds, shortened amortization periods, and expansion of our monitoring of loan concentrations associated with this activity.
 
 
32

 
 
The following table shows the year-end composition of the loan portfolio for the five years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
 
Amount
%
Amount
%
Amount
%
Amount
%
Amount
%
Real estate:
                   
  Residential
 $ 203,407
29.3
 $ 185,438
33.5
 $ 187,101
34.6
 $  178,080
35.4
$ 184,034
37.7
  Commercial
237,542
34.2
     190,945
34.5
    193,087
35.7
     176,710
35.2
165,826
34.0
  Agricultural
57,822
8.3
       24,639
4.4
      22,001
4.1
       18,015
3.6
19,224
3.9
  Construction
15,011
2.2
         6,353
1.1
        8,937
1.7
       12,011
2.4
8,481
1.7
Consumer
11,543
1.7
         8,497
1.5
       9,563
1.7
      10,559
2.1
10,746
2.2
Other commercial and agricultural loans
71,206
10.2
      58,516
10.6
      54,029
10.0
       47,880
9.5
44,299
9.1
State & political subdivision loans
98,500
14.1
       79,717
14.4
      65,894
12.2
       59,208
11.8
54,899
11.4
Total loans
695,031
100.0
     554,105
100.0
    540,612
100.0
     502,463
100.0
487,509
100.0
Less allowance for loan losses
7,106
 
         6,815
 
        7,098
 
         6,784
 
6,487
 
Net loans
 $ 687,925
 
 $ 547,290
 
 $ 533,514
 
 $  495,679
 
 $ 481,022
 
 
         
 
 2015/2014
 2014/2013
 
Change
Change
 
Amount
%
Amount
%
Real estate:
       
  Residential
 $   17,969
9.7
 $   (1,663)
 (0.9)
  Commercial
46,597
24.4
 (2,142)
 (1.1)
  Agricultural
33,183
134.7
         2,638
12.0
  Construction
       8,658
136.3
 (2,584)
(28.9)
Consumer
3,046
35.8
      (1,066)
(11.1)
Other commercial and agricultural loans
12,690
21.7
        4,487
8.3
State & political subdivision loans
18,783
23.6
      13,823
21.0
Total loans
 $ 140,926
25.4
 $    13,493
2.5

2015
 
Total loans grew $140.9 million in 2015 from $554.1 million at the end of 2014 to $695.0 million at the end of 2015. The primary driver of the increase was $115.2 million in loans acquired from the acquisition of FNB as of December 11, 2015. The remaining growth was the result of our continued emphasis on growing commercial, agricultural and municipal relationships through well collateralized loans to meet our customers’ needs.
 
During 2015, exclusive of the FNB acquisition, the Company experienced growth in agricultural real estate loans of $13.1 million, state and political subdivision loans of $8.9 million, construction loans of $5.8 million, other commercial and agricultural loans of $5.7 million and commercial real estate loans of $2.1 million. The increase in agricultural real estate, state and political loans, other commercial and agricultural loans and commercial real estate loans is attributable to the Company’s experienced lenders and their ability to identify and meet the needs of our customers while providing growth opportunities for the Company’s loan portfolio. We work closely with local municipalities and school districts to meet their needs that otherwise would be provided by the municipal bond market. We also look at commercial relationships as a way to obtain deposits from farmers, small businesses and municipalities throughout our market area. Commercial loan demand is subject to significant competitive pressures, the yield curve, and the strength of the overall national, regional and local economies. The opening of the Mill Hall branch resulted in loan growth of $13.1 million and was the primary contributor to the increase in agricultural loans independent of the acquisition of FNB. Commercial loan demand is subject to significant competitive pressures, the yield curve, the strength of the overall regional and national economy and the local economy.
 
Excluding the FNB acquisition, residential real estate loans experienced a decrease of $9.6 million during 2015. This decrease is attributable to an increase in loan demand for conforming mortgages, which the Company typically sells on the secondary market. During 2015, $18.9 million of loans were originated for sale on the secondary market, which compares to $11.1 million for 2014.  In addition to the loans originated for sale, the Company added in 2015 $2.0 million to its residential real estate portfolio in 2015 of certain 15 year mortgage loans that met secondary market standards. During 2014, the Company did not sell $5.1 million of residential mortgages that met secondary market standards. For loans sold on the secondary market, the Company recognizes fee income for servicing these sold loans, which is included in non-interest income.  Management continues to build technologies which make it easier and more efficient for customers to choose the Company for their mortgage needs.
 
 
33

 
 
2014
 
Total loans grew $13.5 million in 2014 from a balance of $540.6 million at the end of 2013 to $554.1 million at the end of 2014.  Total loans grew 2.5% in 2014 compared with a 7.6% loan growth rate in 2013.
 
During 2014, the Company experienced growth in state and political subdivision loans, which increased $13.8 million or 21.0%, other commercial and agricultural loans which increased $4.5 million or 8.3% and agricultural real estate loans which increased $2.6 million or 12.0%. The Company did have several large commercial real estate loans payoff during 2014, which resulted in a decrease of $2.1 million, or 1.1%.
 
Residential real estate loans decreased $1.7 million during 2014. Loan demand for conforming mortgages slowed during 2014 when compared to 2013. During 2014, $11.1 million of loans were originated and sold on the secondary market, which compares to $20.2 million for 2013. Due to the decline in demand for non-conforming mortgages and the difficult investment environment, the Company decided that certain 15 year mortgage loans that met secondary market standards would not be sold on the secondary market, but would instead be held as part of the Bank’s residential real estate portfolio. During 2014, the Company did not sell $5.1 million of residential mortgages that met secondary market standards. In 2013, the Company did not sell $7.5 million of loans, which met secondary market standards.
 
The decrease in construction loans of $2.6 million is attributable to transfers out of construction at completion to commercial, state and political subdivision loans and residential real estate during 2014.
The following table shows the maturity of commercial business and agricultural, state and political subdivision loans,  commercial real estate loans, and construction loans as of December 31, 2015, classified according to the sensitivity to changes in interest rates within various time intervals (in thousands).  The table does not include any estimate of prepayments which significantly shorten the average life of all loans and may cause our actual repayment experience to differ from that shown below.  Demand loans having no stated schedule of repayments and no stated maturity are reported as due in one year or less.

 
Commercial,
   
 
municipal,
Real estate
 
 
agricultural
construction
Total
Maturity of loans:
     
  One year or less
 $           22,265
 $             2,208
 $           24,473
  Over one year through five years
              61,325
                4,937
              66,262
  Over five years
            381,480
                7,866
            389,346
Total
 $         465,070
 $           15,011
 $         480,081
Sensitivity of loans to changes in interest
     
   rates - loans due after December 31, 2016:
     
  Predetermined interest rate
 $           96,839
 $             6,178
 $         103,017
  Floating or adjustable interest rate
            345,966
                6,625
            352,591
Total
 $         442,805
 $           12,803
 $         455,608
 
Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality Risk
 
The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level which, in management’s judgment, is adequate to absorb probable future loan losses inherent in the loan portfolio.  The provision for loan losses is charged against current income.  Loans deemed not collectable are charged-off against the allowance while subsequent recoveries increase the allowance.  The following table presents an analysis of the change in the allowance for loan losses and a summary of our non-performing assets for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011. All non-accruing troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) are also included the non-accruing loans totals.
 
 
34

 
 
 
December 31,
 
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
Balance
         
  at beginning of period
 $          6,815
 $          7,098
 $          6,784
 $          6,487
 $          5,915
Charge-offs:
         
  Real estate:
         
     Residential
                  66
                  97
                  17
                  95
                101
     Commercial
                  84
                516
                  62
                    2
                  29
     Agricultural
                     -
                     -
                     -
                     -
                     -
  Consumer
                  47
                  47
                  54
                  54
                  71
  Other commercial and agricultural loans
                  41
                250
                    1
                  21
                    6
Total loans charged-off
                238
                910
                134
                172
                207
Recoveries:
         
  Real estate:
         
     Residential
                     -
                     -
                    5
                     -
                     -
     Commercial
                  14
                  15
                    5
                    9
                  15
     Agricultural
                     -
                     -
                     -
                     -
                     -
  Consumer
                  33
                  27
                  33
                  33
                  57
  Other commercial and agricultural loans
                    2
                     -
                     -
                    7
                  32
Total loans recovered
                  49
                  42
                  43
                  49
                104
           
Net loans charged-off
                189
                868
                  91
                123
                103
Provision charged to expense
                480
                585
                405
                420
                675
Balance at end of year
 $          7,106
 $          6,815
 $          7,098
 $          6,784
 $          6,487
           
Loans outstanding at end of period
 $      695,031
 $      554,105
 $      540,612
 $      502,463
 $      487,509
Average loans outstanding, net
 $      577,992
 $      540,541
 $      516,748
 $      496,822
 $      474,972
Non-performing assets:
         
    Non-accruing loans
 $          6,531
 $          6,599
 $          8,097
 $          8,067
 $          9,165
    Accrual loans - 90 days or more past due
                623
                836
                697
                506
                275
      Total non-performing loans
 $          7,154
 $          7,435
 $          8,794
 $          8,573
 $          9,440
    Foreclosed assets held for sale
             1,354
             1,792
             1,360
                616
                860
      Total non-performing assets
 $          8,508
 $          9,227
 $        10,154
 $          9,189
 $        10,300
           
Troubled debt restructurings (TDR)
         
    Non-accruing TDRs
 $          3,397
 $          3,654
 $          4,701
 $          4,834
 $          5,490
    Accrual TDRs
             2,243
             2,502
             2,510
                193
                123
      Total troubled debt restructurings
 $          5,640
 $          6,156
 $          7,211
 $          5,027
 $          5,613
Net charge-offs to average loans
0.03%
0.16%
0.02%
0.02%
0.02%
Allowance to total loans
1.02%
1.23%
1.31%
1.35%
1.33%
Allowance to total non-performing loans
99.33%
91.66%
80.71%
79.13%
68.72%
Non-performing loans as a percent of loans
         
   net of unearned income
1.03%
1.34%
1.63%
1.71%
1.94%
Non-performing assets as a percent of loans
       
  net of unearned income
1.22%
1.67%
1.88%
1.83%
2.11%
 
The Company utilizes a disciplined and thorough loan review process based upon our internal loan policy approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.  The purpose of the review is to assess loan quality, analyze delinquencies, identify problem loans, evaluate potential charge-offs and recoveries, and assess general overall economic conditions in the markets served.  An external independent loan review is performed on our commercial portfolio semi-annually for the Company.  The external consultant is engaged to 1) review a minimum of 55% (60% of loans prior to 2013) of the dollar volume of the commercial loan portfolio on an annual basis, 2) new loans originated for over $1.0 million in the last year, 3) a majority of borrowers with commitments greater than or equal to $1.0 million,  4) review selected loan relationships over $750,000 which are over 30 days past due, or classified Special Mention, Substandard, Doubtful, or Loss, and 5) such other loans which management or the consultant deems appropriate. As part of this review, our underwriting process and loan grading system is evaluated.
 
 
35

 
 
Management believes it uses the best information available to make such determinations and that the allowance for loan losses is adequate as of December 31, 2015.  However, future adjustments could be required if circumstances differ substantially from assumptions and estimates used in making the initial determination.  A prolonged downturn in the economy, high unemployment rates, significant changes in the value of collateral and delays in receiving financial information from borrowers could result in increased levels of non-performing assets, charge-offs, loan loss provisions and reduction in income.  Additionally, bank regulatory agencies periodically examine the Bank’s allowance for loan losses.  The banking agencies could require the recognition of additions to the allowance for loan losses based upon their judgment of information available to them at the time of their examination.
 
On a monthly basis, problem loans are identified and updated primarily using internally prepared past due reports.  Based on data surrounding the collection process of each identified loan, the loan may be added or deleted from the monthly watch list.  The watch list includes loans graded special mention, substandard, doubtful, and loss, as well as additional loans that management may choose to include.  Watch list loans are continually monitored going forward until satisfactory conditions exist that allow management to upgrade and remove the loan from the watchlist.  In certain cases, loans may be placed on non-accrual status or charged-off based upon management’s evaluation of the borrower’s ability to pay.  All commercial loans, which include commercial real estate, agricultural real estate, state and political subdivision loans and commercial business loans, on non-accrual are evaluated quarterly for impairment.
 
The adequacy of the allowance for loan losses is subject to a formal, quarterly analysis by management of the Company.  In order to better analyze the risks associated with the loan portfolio, the entire portfolio is divided into several categories.  As stated above, loans on non-accrual status are specifically reviewed for impairment and given a specific reserve, if appropriate.  Loans evaluated and not found to be impaired are included with other performing loans, by category, by their respective homogenous pools.  Three year average historical loss factors were calculated for each pool and applied to the performing portion of the loan category for each year presented. The historical loss factors for both reviewed and homogeneous pools are adjusted based upon the following qualitative factors:
 
·  
Level of and trends in delinquencies, impaired/classified loans
 
Change in volume and severity of past due loans
 
Volume of non-accrual loans
 
Volume and severity of classified, adversely or graded loans
·  
Level of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries
·  
Trends in volume, terms and nature of the loan portfolio
·  
Effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards and any other changes in lending and recovery policies, procedures and practices
·  
Changes in the quality of the Bank’s loan review system
·  
Experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff
·  
National, state, regional and local economic trends and business conditions
 
General economic conditions
 
Unemployment rates
 
Inflation / CPI
 
Changes in values of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans
·  
Industry conditions including the effects of external factors such as competition, legal, and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses.
·  
Existence and effect of any credit concentrations, and changes in the level of such concentrations
·  
Any change in the level of board oversight

 
36

 
 
See also “Note 4 – Loans and Related Allowance for Loan Losses” to the consolidated financial statements.
 
The allowance for loan losses was $7,106,000 or 1.02% of total loans as of December 31, 2015 as compared to $6,815,000 or 1.23% of loans as of December 31, 2014.  The $291,000 increase is a result of a $480,000 provision for loan losses less net charge-offs of $189,000. The decrease as a percent of loans is attributable to the increase in loans as part of the acquisition of FNB and the associated purchase accounting adjustments that were applied to the FNB loan portfolio. The following table shows the distribution of the allowance for loan losses and the percentage of loans compared to total loans by loan category (dollars in thousands) as of December 31:
 
 
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
 
Amount
%
Amount
%
Amount
%
Amount
%
Amount
%
Real estate loans:
                   
  Residential
 $         905
29.3
 $    878
33.5
 $       946
      34.6
 $     875
      35.4
 $      805
      37.7
  Commercial, agricultural
         3,785
42.5
3,870
38.9
       4,558
      39.8
4,437
      38.8
4,132
      37.9
  Construction
              24
2.2
26
1.1
            50
        1.7
38
        2.4
15
        1.7
Consumer
            102
1.7
84
1.5
          105
        1.7
119
        2.1
111
        2.2
Other commercial and agricultural loans
         1,305
10.2
1,224
10.6
          942
      10.0
728
        9.5
674
        9.1
State & political subdivision loans
            593
14.1
545
14.4
          330
      12.2
271
      11.8
235
      11.4
Unallocated
            392
 N/A
188
 N/A
         167
 N/A
316
 N/A
515
 N/A
Total allowance for loan losses
 $      7,106
100.0
 $  6,815
100.0
 $    7,098
    100.0
 $  6,784
    100.0
 $   6,487
    100.0
 
As a result of previous loss experiences and other the risk factors utilized in determining the allowance, the Bank’s allocation of the allowance does not directly correspond to the actual balances of the loan portfolio. While commercial and agricultural real estate loans total 42.5% of the loan portfolio, 53.3% of the allowance is assigned to this segment of the loan portfolio as these loans have more inherent risks than residential real estate or loans to state and political subdivisions. Residential real estate loans comprise 29.3% of the loan portfolio as of December 31, 2015 and 12.7% of the allowance is assigned to this segment as generally there are less inherent risks then commercial and agricultural loans.
 
The following table identifies amounts of loans contractually past due 30 to 90 days and non-performing loans by loan category, as well as the change from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015 in non-performing loans (dollars in thousands).  Non-performing loans include those loans that are contractually past due 90 days or more and non-accrual loans.  Interest does not accrue on non-accrual loans.  Subsequent cash payments received are applied to the outstanding principal balance or recorded as interest income, depending upon management's assessment of its ultimate ability to collect principal and interest.
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
   
Non-Performing Loans
   
Non-Performing Loans
 
30 - 90 Days
90 Days Past
Non-
Total Non-
 
30 - 90 Days
90 Days Past
Non-
Total Non-
 
Past Due
Due Accruing
accrual
Performing
 
Past Due
Due Accruing
accrual
Performing
Real estate:
                 
  Residential
 $             1,273
 $               394
 $ 1,008
 $         1,402
 
 $         1,089
 $             346
 $    828
 $      1,174
  Commercial
                  859
60
4,422
4,482
 
147
                310
5,010
5,320
  Agricultural
                  344
                       -
34
34
 
-
                    -
-
                 -
  Construction
                      -
                       -
-
-
 
-
                    -
-
                 -
Consumer
                  262
9
55
64
 
75
                   6
47
53
Other commercial and agricultural loans
                  319
160
1,012
1,172
 
761
                174
714
888
Total nonperforming loans
 $             3,057
 $               623
 $ 6,531
 $         7,154
 
 $         2,072
 $             836
 $ 6,599
 $      7,435
 
 
37

 

 
 
Change in Non-Performing Loans
 
 2015 / 2014
 
Amount
%
Real estate:
   
  Residential
 $               228
                  19.4
  Commercial
                 (838)
                 (15.8)
  Agricultural
                    34
NA
  Construction
                      -
 -
Consumer
                    11
                  20.8
Other commercial and agricultural loans
                  284
                  32.0
Total nonperforming loans
 $              (281)
                   (3.8)
 
The following table shows the distribution of non-performing loans by loan category (dollars in thousands) for the past five years as of December 31:
 
 
Non-Performing Loans
 
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
Real estate:
         
  Residential
 $        1,402
 $        1,174
 $        1,037
 $           995
 $           653
  Commercial
           4,482
           5,320
           7,591
           7,194
           8,270
  Agricultural
               34
                 -
                 -
                 -
                 -
  Construction
                 -
                 -
                 -
                 -
                 -
Consumer
               64
               53
               16
                 4
                 -
Other commercial and agricultural loans
           1,172
             888
             150
             380
             517
State & political subdivision loans
                 -
                 -
                 -
                 -
                 -
Total nonperforming loans
           7,154
           7,435
           8,794
           8,573
           9,440
 
For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded a provision for loan losses of $480,000 which compares to $585,000 for the same period in 2014, a decrease of $105,000. The decrease is primarily attributable to the decrease in net charged off loans during 2015 of $679,000. While charge-offs in 2014 were historically high for the Company, they were still low relative to peer and were primarily driven by two customers, which experienced charge-offs of $463,000 and $175,000. Additionally, it should be noted that non-performing loans decreased $281,000 or 3.78%, from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2015, approximately 59.4% of the Bank’s non-performing loans are associated with the following three customer relationships:
 
·  
A commercial customer with a total loan relationship of $3.3 million secured by approximately 160 residential properties was on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2015. In the first quarter of 2011, the Company and borrower entered into a forbearance agreement to restructure the debt. In July of 2013, the customer filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 and a Trustee was appointed in January of 2014. In 2015, the Trustee decreased the loan payments below what was agreed to in the forbearance agreement. This decrease is currently being litigated in bankruptcy court. As a result of the decrease, the relationship has become more than 90 days past due. In the second quarter of 2015, 25 appraisals were completed and management observed an additional 20 properties. The appraisals and observations did not note any significant change in collateral values. We continue to monitor the bankruptcy proceedings to identify potential changes in the customer’s operations and the impact these would have on the loan payments for our loans to the customer and the underlying collateral that supports these loans. As of December 31, 2015, there is no specific reserve for this relationship.
·  
A commercial customer with a relationship of approximately $435,000 after a charge-off of $463,000 during the second quarter of 2014, secured by real estate was on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2015. The current economic conditions have significantly impacted the cash flows from the customer’s activities. Management reviewed the collateral and in the second quarter of 2014 charged-off of a portion of the balance associated with this customer, which was based on the appraised value of collateral and as a result there is no specific reserve as of December 31, 2015.
·  
A commercial customer with a relationship of approximately $550,000 secured by real estate, equipment and accounts receivable was on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2015. The slowdown in the exploration for natural gas has significantly impacted the cash flows of the customer. Management reviewed the collateral value  and determined that a specific reserve of $125,000 was required as of December 31, 2015.
 
 
38

 
 
Management believes that the allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2015 was adequate at that date, which was based on the following factors:
 
·  
One loan relationship comprises 47.8% of the non-performing loan balance, whose debt was well collateralized as of December 31, 2015.
·  
Net and gross charge-offs have returned to their low historical rate of .03% on an annualized basis in 2015.
·  
Real estate values in the Bank’s primary market areas have only decreased slightly with the decrease in the market price for natural gas.

Bank Owned Life Insurance
 
The Company holds bank owned life insurance policies to offset future employee benefit costs. These policies provide the Bank with an asset that generates earnings to partially offset the current costs of benefits, and eventually (at the death of the insureds) provide partial recovery of cash outflows associated with the benefits.  As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the cash surrender value of the life insurance was $25.5 million and $20.3 million, respectively.  The primary cause of the increase was related to the acquisition of FNB, which increased the balance by $4.6 million. The change in cash surrender value, net of purchases and amounts acquired through acquisitions, is recognized in the results of operations.  The amounts recorded as non-interest income totaled $628,000, $507,000 and $502,000 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The Company evaluates annually the risks associated with the life insurance policies, including limits on the amount of coverage and an evaluation of the various carriers’ credit ratings.
 
Effective January 1, 2015, the Company restructured its agreements so that any death benefits received from a policy while the insured person is an active employee of the Bank will be split with the beneficiary of the policy.  Under the restructured agreements, the employee’s beneficiary will be entitled to receive 50% of the net amount at risk from the proceeds.  The net amount at risk is the total death benefit payable less the cash surrender value of the policy as of the date of death. The policies acquired as part of the acquisition of FNB, provide a fixed dollar benefit for the beneficiaries estate, which is dependent on several factors including whether the covered individual was a Director of FNB or an employee of FNB and their salary level.

Other Assets
 
2015
 
Other assets increased $5.4 million in 2015 to $12.1 million from $6.7 million in 2014. As a result of the decrease in the market value of the Company’s investment portfolio and the acquisition of FNB, net deferred taxes changed from a liability of $28,000 as of December 31, 2014 to an asset of $3.5 million as of December 31, 2015. As a result of the acquisition of FNB, regulatory stock increased $1.4 million.
 
2014
 
Other assets decreased $4.3 million in 2014 to $6.7 million from $11.0 million in 2013. As a result of the decrease in the market value of the Company’s investment portfolio, net deferred taxes changed from an asset of $1,477,000 as of December 31, 2013 to a liability of $28,000. Due to actuarial changes in the pension plan, the funded status of the plan changed from an asset of $780,000 as of December 31, 2013 to a liability of $738,000. As a result of a decrease in FHLB borrowings regulatory stock decreased $1.9 million.
 
Deposits
The following table shows the breakdown of deposits by deposit type (dollars in thousands):
 
 
39

 
 
 
2015
2014
2013
 
Amount
%
Amount
%
Amount
%
Non-interest-bearing deposits
 $           150,960
     15.3
 $       95,526
     12.3
 $       85,585
     11.4
NOW accounts
              279,655
     28.3
        226,038
     29.2
        215,656
     28.8
Savings deposits
              170,277
     17.2
        108,252
     14.0
          95,678
     12.8
Money market deposit accounts
              105,229
     10.7
          95,350
     12.3
          85,038
     11.4
Certificates of deposit
              281,910
     28.5
        248,767
     32.2
        266,359
     35.6
Total
 $           988,031
   100.0
 $     773,933
   100.0
 $     748,316
   100.0
 
         
 
 2015/2014
 2014/2013
 
Change
Change
 
Amount
%
Amount
%
Non-interest-bearing deposits
 $             55,434
     58.0
 $         9,941
     11.6
NOW accounts
                53,617
     23.7
          10,382
       4.8
Savings deposits
                62,025
     57.3
          12,574
     13.1
Money market deposit accounts
                  9,879
     10.4
          10,312
     12.1
Certificates of deposit
                33,143
     13.3
        (17,592)
     (6.6)
Total
 $           214,098
     27.7
 $       25,617
       3.4

2015
 
Total deposits increased $214.1 million in 2015, or 27.7%.  The primary driver of the increase was the acquisition of FNB, which resulted in an increase in deposits of $225.2 million. Excluding the acquisition, deposits decreased $11.1 million with the largest driver of the decrease being a decrease in public deposits. This was due to the fact that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania had not passed a budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year and as a result was not passing funds through to local public governments who maintain their deposit accounts with the Company. As a result, to fund operations, these entities were experiencing significant decreases in their deposit balances. In January, Pennsylvania did pass funds through to the entities to ease funding issues temporarily until a final budget is approved.
 
Excluding the acquisition, non-interest bearing deposits increased $6.9 million in 2015.  As a percentage of total deposits, non-interest bearing deposits totaled 15.3% as of the end of 2015, which compares to 12.3% at the end of 2014 with the increase being driven by the acquisition of FNB. In order to manage our overall cost of funds, the Company continues to focus on adding low cost deposits by having several checking products available for retail customers as well as being the primary checking account for commercial customers who also have loans with the Company.
 
Excluding the acquisition, NOW accounts decreased by $16.4 million, money market deposit accounts decreased by $2.7 million and savings deposits increased $10.7 million since the end of 2014.  The primary cause of the decrease in NOW accounts and money market accounts was the Pennsylvania budget stalemate described previously. The increase in savings accounts was primarily driven by our Wellsville office.
Excluding the impact of the acquisition, certificates of deposits decreased in 2015 by a total of $9.5 million. During 2015 the Company continued to pay historically low rates on certificates of deposits which are less attractive to the Company’s customers. Certain customers who typically utilize certificate of deposits as a means of generating income or as a longer term investment option, were moving funds into money market and savings accounts that still paid interest in order to maintain flexibility for potentially rising interest rates. The rates paid on certificates of deposit by the Company remain competitive with rates paid by our competition.

2014
 
Total deposits increased $25.6 million in 2014, or 3.4%.  Non-interest bearing deposits increased $9.9 million, or 11.6% in 2014.  As a percentage of total deposits, non-interest bearing deposits totaled 12.3% as of the end of 2014, which compared to 11.4% at the end of 2013.
 
 
40

 
 
NOW accounts increased by $10.4 million, or 4.8%, money market deposit accounts increased by $10.3 million or 12.1% and savings deposits decreased $12.6 million, or 13.1%, since the end of 2013.  A portion of the increase in NOW accounts, money market accounts and savings deposits was offset by the decrease in certificates of deposits of $17.6 million from 2013 to 2014. The largest part of the remaining increase was attributable to Pennsylvania Act 13 impact fees paid to local governments, who have been impacted by the exploration activities for natural gas. As in 2013, during 2014 the Company continued to lower rates paid on certificates of deposits, including long term CD rates, which were less attractive to the Company’s customers.
Remaining maturities of certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
2015
2014
2013
3 months or less
 $              17,475
 $                 13,036
 $            13,699
Over 3 months through 6 months
                 11,804
                    13,908
               11,118
Over 6 months through 12 months
                 27,226
                    28,042
               37,289
Over 12 months
                 69,875
                    57,211
               55,836
Total
 $            126,380
 $               112,197
 $          117,942
As a percent of total
     
  certificates of deposit
44.83%
45.10%
44.28%
 
Interest expense on certificates of deposit of $100,000 or more amounted to $1,406,000, $1,379,000 and $1,516,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.
 
Deposits by type of depositor are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
2015
2014
2013
 
Amount
%
Amount
%
Amount
%
Individuals
 $        634,109
       64.2
 $    468,595
      60.5
 $    462,268
      61.8
Businesses and other organizations
           193,527
       19.6
       149,983
      19.4
       143,082
      19.1
United States government
                       -
            -
                  -
          -
                  -
          -
State & political subdivisions
           160,395
       16.2
       155,355
      20.1
       142,966
      19.1
Total
 $        988,031
     100.0
 $    773,933
    100.0
 $    748,316
    100.0
 
Borrowed Funds
 
2015
 
Borrowed funds decreased $168,000 during 2015. The decrease was associated with a decrease of $15.0 million of short term borrowings from the FHLB, which was offset by an increase of $10.1 in repurchase agreements and a $4.7 million increase in long term borrowings. Term loans increased from $11.8 million as of December 31, 2014 to $16.5 million as of December 31, 2015 (see Note 9 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information).  Due to the rate environment in 2015, and as a strategy to manage interest rate risk against the potential for rising rates in future years, the Company borrowed $4.7 million of long term loans at favorable rates. Management will continue to monitor interest rates and to minimize interest rate risk in future years may extend some of the short term borrowings via term notes. Short term borrowings from the FHLB were $1.6 million as of December 21, 2015 compared to $16.6 million as of December 31, 2014.
 
2014
 
Borrowed funds decreased $25.1 million during 2014, or 37.6%. The decrease was associated with a decrease of $26.4 million of short term borrowings from the FHLB and a decrease of $1.4 in repurchase agreements. Long term borrowings increased $2.6 million during 2014. Term loans increased from $9.2 million as of December 31, 2013 to $11.8 million as of December 31, 2014 (see Note 9 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information).  Due to the rate environment in 2014, and as a strategy to manage interest rate risk against the potential for rising rates in future years, the Company borrowed $6.8 million of long term loans. Short term borrowings from the FHLB were $16.6 million as of December 21, 2014 compared to $43.0 million as of December 31, 2013.
 
Other Liabilities
 
 
41

 
 
2015
 
Other liabilities increased $4.8 million during 2015, or 59.7%. The primary driver of this increase was the acquisition of FNB, which resulted in an increase in pension liabilities of $2.3 million, other post-retirement benefits of $1.3 million and other liabilities of approximately $1.0 million.
 
2014
 
Other liabilities increased $1,297,000 during 2014, or 19.3%. The primary driver of this increase was due to actuarial changes in the pension plan in 2014, which resulted in the funded status of the pension plan changing from an asset of $780,000 as of December 31, 2013 to a liability of $738,000.
 
Stockholders’ Equity
 
We evaluate stockholders’ equity in relation to total assets and the risk associated with those assets. The greater our capital resources, the greater the likelihood of meeting our cash obligations and absorbing unforeseen losses.  For these reasons, capital adequacy has been, and will continue to be, of paramount importance.  Due to its importance, we develop a capital plan and stress test capital levels using various techniques and assumptions annually to ensure that in the event of unforeseen circumstances, we would remain in compliance with our capital plan approved by the Board of Directors and regulatory requirement levels.
 
Our Board of Directors determines our dividend rate after considering our capital requirements, current and projected net income, and other factors. In 2015 and 2014, the Company paid out 46.0% and 49.3% of net income in dividends, respectively. The dividends paid in 2015 and 2014 included special dividends of $0.10 and $0.60 per share, respectively, which were paid in the third quarter of each year.
 
As of December 31, 2015, the total number of common shares outstanding was 3,335,875. As part of the acquisition of FNB, we issued 336,515 shares at a value of $47.50 per share. During 2015, we purchased 49,465 shares of treasury stock at a weighted average cost of $49.62 per share. The Company awarded 4,996 shares of restricted stock to employees and 1,206 shares to the Board of Directors under equity incentive programs.
 
For 2015, there are four federal regulatory measures of capital adequacy, which compares to three measures in 2014. The Company’s ratios meet the regulatory standards for well capitalized for 2015 and 2014, as detailed in Note 14 of the consolidated financial statements.
 
2015
 
Stockholders’ equity increased 19.1% in 2015 to $119.8 million.  Excluding accumulated other comprehensive income, which is the after-tax effect of unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities and additional pension obligation, stockholders’ equity increased $20.2 million, or 20.3%.  This increase is due to issuing 336,515 shares with a value of $16.0 million for the FNB acquisition, net income of $11.6 million, offset by net cash dividends of $5.2 million and the purchase of treasury stock of $2.5 million. All of the Company’s investment securities are classified as available-for-sale, making this portion of the Company’s balance sheet more sensitive to the changing market value of investments. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) decreased $1,003,000 from December 31, 2014 primarily as result of the decrease in the fair market value of the investment portfolio. Total equity was approximately 10.30% of total assets as of December 31, 2015, compared to 10.87% of total assets as of December 31, 2014.
 
2014
 
Stockholders’ equity increased 9.2% in 2014 to $100.5 million from the end of 2013. Excluding accumulated other comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity increased $6.5 million, or 7.0%.  This increase was due to net income of $13,385,000, offset by net cash dividends of $6,121,000 and the purchase of treasury stock of $814,000. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) increased $1,992,000 from December 31, 2013 primarily as result of the increase in the fair market value of the investment portfolio. Total equity was approximately 10.87% of total assets as of December 31, 2014, compared to 10.06% of total assets as of December 31, 2013.
 
 
42

 
 
LIQUIDITY
 
Liquidity is a measure of the Company’s ability to efficiently meet normal cash flow requirements of both borrowers and depositors. Liquidity is needed to meet depositors’ withdrawal demands, extend credit to meet borrowers’ needs, provide funds for normal operating expenses and cash dividends, and fund future capital expenditures.
 
To maintain proper liquidity, we use funds management policies along with our investment and asset liability policies to assure we can meet our financial obligations to depositors, credit customers and stockholders.  Management monitors liquidity by reviewing loan demand, investment opportunities, deposit pricing and the cost and availability of borrowing funds. Additionally, the bank has established various limits and ratios to monitor liquidity. On a quarterly basis, we stress test our liquidity position to ensure that the Bank has the capability of meeting its cash flow requirements in the event of unforeseen circumstances. The Company’s historical activity in this area can be seen in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows from investing and financing activities.
 
Cash generated by operating activities, investing activities and financing activities influences liquidity management. The most important source of funds is the deposits that are primarily core deposits (deposits from customers with other relationships). Short-term debt from the Federal Home Loan Bank supplements the Company’s availability of funds as well as a line of credit arrangement with a corresponding bank.  Other sources of short-term funds include brokered CDs and the sale of loans, if needed.
 
The Company’s use of funds is shown in the investing activity section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, where the net loan activity is detailed. Other significant uses of funds are capital expenditures, purchase of loans and acquisition premiums. Surplus funds are then invested in investment securities.
 
Capital expenditures in 2015 totaled $776,000, which included:
 
 
Completion of the Mill Hall branch construction and equipment for the branch totaling $488,000
 
Signage for buildings acquired in the acquisition of $30,700
 
Computer and copier upgrades totaling $62,900
 
Bank vehicle replacement of $24,500
 
Card pinning machines for various branches totaling $27,200
 
ATM upgrades totaling $20,000
 
Capital expenditures in 2014 totaled $1,309,000, which included:
 
 
Construction of a new branch in the Mill Hall market totaling $1,113,000
 
Upgraded software totaling $42,600
 
Computer and copier upgrades totaling $29,400
 
Bank by phone system upgrade of $28,300

We expect these expenditures will allow us to support our growth initiatives over the next decade, create greater operating efficiency and provide the customer with higher quality banking services.  
 
In addition, to the Bank’s cash balances, the Bank achieves additional liquidity primarily from its investment in the FHLB of Pittsburgh and the resulting borrowing capacity obtained through this investment, investments that mature in less than one year and expected principal repayments from mortgage backed securities.  The Bank has a maximum borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of approximately $254.3 million, inclusive of any outstanding amounts, as a source of liquidity.  The Bank also has a federal funds line with a third party provider in the amount of $10.0 million as of December 31, 2015, which is unsecured and a borrower in custody agreement was established with the FRB in the amount of $7.9 million, which is collateralized by $16.1 million of municipal loans.
 
 
43

 
 
The Company is a separate legal entity from the Bank and must provide for its own liquidity.  In addition to its operating expenses, the Company is responsible for paying any dividends declared to its shareholders.  The Company also has repurchased shares of its common stock.  The Company’s primary source of income is dividends received from the Bank.  The Bank may not declare a dividend without approval of the FRB, unless the dividend to be declared by the Bank’s Board of Directors does not exceed the total of:  (i) the Bank’s net profits for the current year to date, plus (ii) its retained net profits for the preceding two current years, less any required transfers to surplus.  In addition, the Bank can only pay dividends to the extent that its retained net profits (including the portion transferred to surplus) exceed its bad debts.  The FRB, the OCC, the PDB and the FDIC have formal and informal policies which provide that insured banks and bank holding companies should generally pay dividends only out of current operating earnings, with some exceptions.  The Prompt Corrective Action Rules, described above, further limit the ability of banks to pay dividends, because banks which are not classified as well capitalized or adequately capitalized may not pay dividends and no dividend may be paid which would make the Bank undercapitalized after the dividend.  At December 31, 2015, the Company (unconsolidated basis) had liquid assets of $4.6 million.
 
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
 
The Company has various financial obligations, including contractual obligations which may require cash payments. The following table presents as of December 31, 2015, significant fixed and determinable contractual obligations to third parties by payment date. Further discussion of the obligations can be found in Notes 8, 9 and 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
One year
One to
Three to
Over Five
 
Contractual Obligations
or Less
Three Years
Five Years
Years
Total
Deposits without a stated maturity
 $           706,121
 $                      -
 $                      -
 $                      -
 $           706,121
Time deposits
              128,954
                99,848
                43,355
                  9,753
              281,910
FHLB Advances
                  1,598
                         -
                         -
                         -
                  1,598
Long-term borrowings - FHLB
                         -
                  3,000
                  2,000
11,525
                16,525
Note Payable
7,500
                         -
                         -
                         -
                  7,500
Repurchase agreements
15,448
                     560
                         -
                         -
                16,008
Operating leases
254
                     379
                     275
                     185
                  1,093
Total    
 $           859,875
 $           103,787
 $             45,630
 $             21,463
 $        1,029,662
 
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
 
In the normal course of operations, we engage in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles are not recorded in our financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used primarily to manage customers’ requests for funding and take the form of loan commitments, unused lines of credit and letters of credit. For information about our loan commitments, unused lines of credit and letters of credit, see Note 15 of the notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2015, we did not engage in any off-balance sheet transactions reasonably likely to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
INTEREST RATE AND MARKET RISK MANAGEMENT
 
The objective of interest rate sensitivity management is to maintain an appropriate balance between the stable growth of income and the risks associated with maximizing income through interest sensitivity imbalances and the market value risk of assets and liabilities.
 
Because of the nature of our operations, we are not subject to foreign currency exchange or commodity price risk and, since the Company has no trading portfolio, it is not subject to trading risk.
 
At December 31, 2015, the Company had equity securities that represent only 0.7% of our investment portfolio, and therefore equity risk is not significant.
 
 
44

 
 
The primary factors that make assets interest-sensitive include adjustable-rate features on loans and investments, loan repayments, investment maturities and money market investments. The primary components of interest-sensitive liabilities include maturing certificates of deposit, IRA certificates of deposit, repurchase agreements and short-term borrowings. Savings deposits, NOW accounts and money market investor accounts, with the exception of top interest tier money market and NOW accounts, are considered core deposits and are not short-term interest sensitive and therefore are included in the table below in the over five year column.  Top interest tier money market and NOW accounts are included in the table below in the within three month column.
 
The following table shows the cumulative static gap (at amortized cost) for various time intervals (dollars in thousands):
 
Maturity or Re-pricing of Company Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2015
 
Within
Four to
One to
Two to
Three to
Over
 
 
Three
Twelve
Two
Three
Five
Five
 
 
Months
Months
Years
Years
Years
Years
Total
Interest-earning assets:
             
Interest-bearing deposits at banks
 $    10,296
 $        742
 $        743
 $     2,480
 $     3,731
 $                -
 $      17,992
Investment securities
10,326
41,184
88,860
78,412
122,093
13,523
354,398
Residential mortgage loans
32,136
48,470
45,384
32,019
32,923
12,475
203,407
Construction loans
2,284
7,466
5,261
-
-
-
15,011
Commercial and farm loans
133,705
53,744
55,758
56,234
53,248
13,881
366,570
Loans to state & political subdivisions
    4,273.00
3,252
17,851
19,375
11,846
41,903
98,500
Other loans
2,512
2,639
2,416
1,360
951
1,665
11,543
Total interest-earning assets
 $  195,532
 $ 157,497
 $ 216,273
 $ 189,880
 $ 224,792
 $      83,447
 $ 1,067,421
Interest-bearing liabilities:
             
NOW accounts
 $  153,248
 $             -
 $             -
 $             -
 $             -
 $    126,407
 $    279,655
Savings accounts
-
-
-
-
-
170,277
       170,277
Money Market accounts
89,830
-
-
-
-
15,399
       105,229
Certificates of deposit
41,643
87,311
61,608
38,240
43,355
9,753
       281,910
Short-term borrowing
16,512
-
-
-
-
-
         16,512
Long-term borrowing
7,500
534
2,000
1,000
2,560
11,525
         25,119
Total interest-bearing liabilities
 $  308,733
 $   87,845
 $   63,608
 $   39,240
 $   45,915
 $    333,361
 $    878,702
Excess interest-earning
             
  assets (liabilities)
 $ (113,201)
 $   69,652
 $ 152,665
 $ 150,640
 $ 178,877
 $  (249,914)
 
Cumulative interest-earning assets
 $  195,532
 $ 353,029
 $ 569,302
 $ 759,182
 $ 983,974
 $ 1,067,421
 
Cumulative interest-bearing liabilities
     308,733
    396,578
    460,186
    499,426
    545,341
       878,702
 
Cumulative gap
 $ (113,201)
 $ (43,549)
 $ 109,116
 $ 259,756
 $ 438,633
 $    188,719
 
Cumulative interest rate
             
  sensitivity ratio (1)
           0.63
          0.89
          1.24
          1.52
          1.80
             1.21
 
               
(1) Cumulative interest-earning assets divided by interest-bearing liabilities.
       
 
The previous table and the simulation models discussed below are presented assuming money market investment accounts and NOW accounts in the top interest rate tier are re-priced within the first three months. The loan amounts reflect the principal balances expected to be re-priced as a result of contractual amortization and anticipated early payoffs.
 
Gap analysis, one of the methods used by us to analyze interest rate risk, does not necessarily show the precise impact of specific interest rate movements on the Bank’s net interest income because the re-pricing of certain assets and liabilities is discretionary and is subject to competition and other pressures. In addition, assets and liabilities within the same period may, in fact, be repaid at different times and at different rate levels. We have not experienced the kind of earnings volatility that might be indicated from gap analysis.
 
The Bank currently uses a computer simulation model to better measure the impact of interest rate changes on net interest income. We use the model as part of our risk management and asset liability management processes that we believe will effectively identify, measure, and monitor the Bank’s risk exposure.  In this analysis, the Bank examines the results of movements in interest rates with additional assumptions made concerning the timing of interest rate changes, prepayment speeds on mortgage loans and mortgage securities.   Shock scenarios, which assume a parallel shift in interest rates and is instantaneous, typically have the greatest impact on net interest income. The following is a rate shock analysis and the impact on net interest income as of December 31, 2015 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
45

 
 
       
Change In
 % Change In
   
 Prospective One-Year
 
 Prospective
 Prospective
Changes in Rates
 
 Net Interest Income
 
Net Interest Income
 Net Interest Income
-100 Shock
 
 $                        35,687
 
 $                        (799)
                        (2.19)
Base
 
                           36,486
     
+100 Shock
 
                           35,989
 
                           (497)
                        (1.36)
+200 Shock
 
                           35,599
 
                           (887)
                        (2.43)
+300 Shock
 
                           35,026
 
                        (1,460)
                        (4.00)
+400 Shock
 
                           34,453
 
                        (2,033)
                        (5.57)
 
The model makes estimates, at each level of interest rate change, regarding cash flows from principal repayments on loans and mortgage backed securities, call activity of other investment securities, and deposit selection, re-pricing and maturity structure.  Because of these assumptions, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates which would result in significant differences in the calculated projected change on net interest income. Additionally, the changes above do not necessarily represent the level of change under which management would undertake specific measures to realign its portfolio in order to reduce the projected level of change. The projections above utilize a static balance sheet and does not include any changes that may result from the growth of the Bank. Management has developed policy limits for acceptable changes in net interest income for multiple scenarios, including shock scenarios. As of December 31, 2015, changes in net interest income projected for all scenarios, including the shock scenarios noted above are in line with Bank policy limits for interest rate risk.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The Company’s accounting policies are integral to understanding the results reported.  The accounting policies are described in detail in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements.  Our most complex accounting policies require management’s judgment to ascertain the valuation of assets, liabilities, commitments and contingencies.  We have established detailed policies and control procedures that are intended to ensure valuation methods are well controlled and applied consistently from period to period.   In addition, the policies and procedures are intended to ensure that the process for changing methodologies occurs in an appropriate manner.  The following is a brief description of our current accounting policies involving significant management valuation judgments.
 
Other than Temporary Impairment
 
All securities are evaluated periodically to determine whether a decline in their value is other than temporary and is a matter of judgment.  For debt securities, management considers whether the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are less than the security’s amortized cost basis (the difference defined as the credit loss), the magnitude and duration of the decline, the reasons underlying the decline and the Company’s intent to sell the security or whether it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery in market value, to determine whether the loss in value is other than temporary. Once a decline in value is determined to be other than temporary, if the Company does not intend to sell the security, and it is more-likely-than-not that it will not be required to sell the security, before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis, the charge to earnings is limited to the amount of credit loss. Any remaining difference between fair value and amortized cost (the difference defined as the non-credit portion) is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Otherwise, the entire difference between fair value and amortized cost is charged to earnings. For equity securities where the fair value has been significantly below cost for one year, the Company’s policy is to recognize an impairment loss unless sufficient evidence is available that the decline is not other than temporary and a recovery period can be predicted.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
 
Arriving at an appropriate level of allowance for loan losses involves a high degree of judgment.  The Company’s allowance for loan losses provides for probable losses based upon evaluations of known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio.
 
 
46

 
 
Management uses historical information to assess the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses as well as the prevailing business environment; as it is affected by changing economic conditions and various external factors, which may impact the portfolio in ways currently unforeseen.  This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires significant estimates that may be susceptible to significant change, subjecting the Bank to volatility of earnings.  The allowance is increased by provisions for loan losses and by recoveries of loans previously charged-off and reduced by loans charged-off.  For a full discussion of the Company’s methodology of assessing the adequacy of the reserve for loan losses, refer to Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements.
 
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
 
As discussed in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements, the Company must assess goodwill and other intangible assets each year for impairment.  This assessment involves estimating the fair value of the Company’s reporting units.  If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value including goodwill, we would be required to take a charge against earnings to write down the assets to the lower value.
 
Pension Benefits
 
Pension costs and liabilities are dependent on assumptions used in calculating such amounts.  These assumptions include discount rates, benefits earned, interest costs, expected return on plan assets, mortality rates, and other factors.  In accordance with GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect recognized expense and the recorded obligation of future periods.  While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect the Company’s pension obligations and future expense.  Our pension benefits are described further in Note 10 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”
 
Deferred Tax Assets
 
We use an estimate of future earnings to support our position that the benefit of our deferred tax assets will be realized. If future income should prove non-existent or less than the amount of the deferred tax assets within the tax years to which they may be applied, the asset may not be realized and our net income will be reduced. Management also evaluates deferred tax assets to determine if it is more likely than not that the deferred tax benefit will be utilized in future periods.  If not, a valuation allowance is recorded.  Our deferred tax assets are described further in Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements.
 
ITEM 7A – QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
 
This information is included under Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Interest Rate and Market Risk Management”, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
47

 

 
ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
 
Citizens Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheet
   
December 31,
(in thousands, except share data)
2015
2014
ASSETS:
   
Cash and cash equivalents:
   
 
Noninterest-bearing
 $               14,088
 $               10,091
 
Interest-bearing
                  10,296
                    1,332
Total cash and cash equivalents
                  24,384
                  11,423
Interest bearing time deposits with other banks
                    7,696
                    5,960
Available-for-sale securities
                359,737
                306,146
Loans held for sale
                       603
                       497
Loans (net of allowance for loan losses:
   
 
2015, $7,106;  2014, $6,815)
                687,925
                547,290
Premises and equipment
                  17,263
                  12,357
Accrued interest receivable
                    4,211
                    3,644
Goodwill
                  21,089
                  10,256
Bank owned life insurance
                  25,535
                  20,309
Other intangibles
                    2,437
                       473
Other assets
                  12,104
                    6,693
TOTAL ASSETS
 $          1,162,984
 $             925,048
LIABILITIES:
   
Deposits:
   
 
Noninterest-bearing
 $             150,960
 $               95,526
 
Interest-bearing
                837,071
                678,407
Total deposits
                988,031
                773,933
Borrowed funds
                  41,631
                  41,799
Accrued interest payable
                       734
                       756
Other liabilities
                  12,828
                    8,032
TOTAL LIABILITIES
             1,043,224
                824,520
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
   
Preferred Stock $1.00 par value; authorized 3,000,000 shares
   
   2015 and 2014;  none issued in 2015 or 2014
                            -
                            -
Common Stock
   
 
$1.00 par value; authorized 15,000,000 shares 2015 and 2014;
   
 
issued 3,671,751 and 3,335,236 shares in 2015 and 2014,
   
 
respectively
                    3,672
                    3,335
Additional paid-in capital
                  40,715
                  25,150
Retained earnings
                  85,790
                  79,512
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
                     (236)
                       767
Treasury stock, at cost:
   
 
335,876 and 296,280 shares for 2015 and 2014, respectively
                (10,181)
                  (8,236)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                119,760
                100,528
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 $          1,162,984
 $             925,048
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
   
 
 
48

 

Citizens Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Income
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
2015
2014
2013
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME:
     
Interest and fees on loans
 $            29,039
 $           28,324
 $           28,982
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
                    142
                     82
                     40
Investment securities:
     
 
Taxable
                 3,102
                3,337
                3,721
 
Nontaxable
                 3,152
                3,354
                3,405
 
Dividends
                    218
                   194
                     86
TOTAL INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME
               35,653
              35,291
              36,234
INTEREST EXPENSE:
     
Deposits
                 4,113
                4,347
                5,107
Borrowed funds
                    707
                   606
                1,208
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
                 4,820
                4,953
                6,315
NET INTEREST INCOME
               30,833
              30,338
              29,919
Provision for loan losses
                    480
                   585
                   405
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR
     
 
LOAN LOSSES
               30,353
              29,753
              29,514
NON-INTEREST INCOME:
     
Service charges
                 4,126
                4,297
                4,453
Trust
                    673
                   688
                   694
Brokerage and insurance
                    720
                   567
                   444
Investment securities gains, net
                    429
                   616
                   441
Gains on loans sold
                    404
                   236
                   443
Earnings on bank owned life insurance
                    628
                   507
                   502
Other
                    443
                   445
                   446
TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME
                 7,423
                7,356
                7,423
NON-INTEREST EXPENSES:
     
Salaries and employee benefits
               12,504
              11,505
              11,392
Occupancy
                 1,424
                1,287
                1,271
Furniture and equipment
                    506
                   362
                   492
Professional fees
                    846
                   820
                   781
Federal depository insurance
                    464
                   461
                   450
Pennsylvania shares tax
                    713
                   686
                   640
Merger and acquisition
                 1,103
                   237
                     55
ORE expenses
                    969
                   299
                   191
Other
                 4,900
                4,508
                4,538
TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSES
               23,429
              20,165
              19,810
Income before provision for income taxes
               14,347
              16,944
              17,127
Provision for income taxes
                 2,721
                3,559
                3,752
NET INCOME
 $            11,626
 $           13,385
 $           13,375
PER COMMON SHARE DATA:
     
NET INCOME - BASIC
 $                3.84
 $               4.41
 $               4.38
NET INCOME - DILUTED
 $                3.83
 $               4.40
 $               4.38
CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE
 $                1.73
 $               2.17
 $               1.21
         
Number of shares used in computation - basic
        3,031,282
         3,038,298
         3,055,034
Number of shares used in computation - diluted
        3,032,642
         3,039,593
         3,056,204
         
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
   
 
 
49

 
 
Citizens Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
Year Ended December 31,
       
(in thousands)
 2015
 2014
 2013
Net Income
 $            11,626
 $      13,385
 $        13,375
       
Other Comprehensive income (loss)
     
  Securities available for sale
     
       Net unrealized gain (loss) during the period
(920)
5,465
(9,955)
       Income tax expense (benefit)
(314)
1,857
(3,384)
 
(606)
3,608
(6,571)
       Reclassification adjustment for gains
     
             included in income
(429)
(616)
(441)
       Income tax (benefit)
(146)
(209)
(150)
 
(283)
(407)
(291)
       
    Unrealized gain on interest rate swap
                         -
                  -
200
       Income tax expense
                         -
                  -
68
  Other comprehensive gain on interest rate swap
                         -
                  -
132
       
  Change in unrecognized pension costs
(172)
(1,832)
1,325
       Income tax (benefit) expense
(58)
(623)
451
 
(114)
(1,209)
874
       
Net other comprehensive income (loss)
(1,003)
1,992
(5,856)
Comprehensive income
 $            10,623
 $      15,377
 $          7,519
       
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
     
 
 
50

 

Citizens Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
         
Accumulated
   
     
Additional
 
Other
   
 
Common Stock
Paid-in
Retained
Comprehensive
Treasury
 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Shares
Amount
Capital
Earnings
Income (Loss)
Stock
Total
Balance, December 31, 2012
3,161,324
 $      3,161
 $          16,468
 $        71,813
 $             4,631
 $       (6,598)
 $     89,475
               
Net income
     
           13,375
   
        13,375
Net other comprehensive loss
       
(5,856)
 
        (5,856)
Stock dividend
144,193
145
               7,022
           (7,167)
   
                -
Purchase of treasury stock (31,092 shares)
         
          (1,483)
        (1,483)
Restricted stock and Board of Director awards
   
                (149)
   
               34
           (115)
Restricted stock vesting
   
                 218
     
            218
Forfeited restricted stock (55 shares)
   
                     2
   
                (2)
                -
Cash dividend reinvestment paid from treasury stock (2,877 shares)
   
                     1
              (138)
 
              137
                -
Cash dividends, $1.21 per share
     
           (3,558)
   
        (3,558)
Balance, December 31, 2013
3,305,517
3,306
             23,562
           74,325
               (1,225)
          (7,912)
        92,056
               
Net income
     
           13,385
   
        13,385
Net other comprehensive income
       
1,992
 
         1,992
Stock dividend
29,719
29
               1,568
           (1,597)
   
                -
Purchase of treasury stock (15,474 shares)
         
             (814)
           (814)
Restricted stock and Board of Director awards
   
                (189)
   
               19
           (170)
Restricted stock vesting
   
                 200
     
            200
Cash dividend reinvestment paid from treasury stock (9,277 shares)
   
                     9
              (480)
 
              471
                -
Cash dividends, $2.17 per share
     
           (6,121)
   
        (6,121)
Balance, December 31, 2014
3,335,236
3,335
             25,150
           79,512
                   767
          (8,236)
      100,528
               
Net income
     
           11,626
   
        11,626
Net other comprehensive loss
       
(1,003)
 
        (1,003)
Stock issued for acquisition
336,515
337
             15,647
                   -
   
        15,984
Purchase of treasury stock (49,465 shares)
         
          (2,455)
        (2,455)
Restricted stock and Board of Director awards
   
                (256)
   
              308
              52
Restricted stock vesting
   
                 179
     
            179
Forfeited restricted stock (139 shares)
   
                     7
   
                (7)
                -
Cash dividend reinvestment paid from treasury stock (3,956 shares)
   
                  (12)
              (197)
 
              209
                -
Cash dividends, $1.73 per share
     
           (5,151)
   
        (5,151)
Balance, December 31, 2015
3,671,751
 $      3,672
 $          40,715
 $        85,790
 $               (236)
 $      (10,181)
 $   119,760
               
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
             
 
 
51

 
 
Citizens Financial Services, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2015
2014
2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
     
  Net income
 $        11,626
 $        13,385
 $        13,375
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     
    cash provided by operating activities:
     
      Provision for loan losses
                480
                585
                405
      Depreciation and amortization
                464
                472
                428
      Amortization and accretion on investment securities
             2,057
             2,133
             2,427
      Deferred income taxes
                (192)
                478
                670
      Investment securities gains, net
              (429)
              (616)
              (441)
      Earnings on bank owned life insurance
              (628)
              (507)
              (502)
      Stock awards
                179
                200
                218
      Originations of loans held for sale
         (18,945)
         (11,129)
         (20,239)
      Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
           19,243
           11,146
           21,862
      Realized gains on loans sold
              (404)
              (236)
              (443)
      (Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable
              (285)
                  84
                  88
      Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable
                (36)
              (139)
              (248)
      Other, net
              (319)
                322
                217
      Net cash provided by operating activities
           12,811
           16,178
           17,817
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
     
  Available-for-sale securities:
     
    Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
           30,464
           28,989
           25,461
    Proceeds from maturity and principal repayments of securities
           48,103
           41,756
           78,596
    Purchase of securities
       (111,304)
         (56,257)
       (123,488)
  Proceeds from redemption of Regulatory Stock
             4,476
             4,706
             1,634
  Purchase of Regulatory Stock
           (3,879)
           (2,815)
           (1,997)
  Net increase in loans
         (25,981)
         (15,331)
         (38,620)
  Purchase of interest bearing time deposits
              (500)
           (3,480)
           (2,480)
  Purchase of bank owned life insurance
                    -
           (5,123)
                    -
  Purchase of premises, equipment and software
              (776)
           (1,309)
              (328)
  Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets held for sale
                565
                647
                285
  Acquisition, net of cash paid
           77,895
                    -
                    -
      Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
           19,063
           (8,217)
         (60,937)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
     
  Net (decrease) increase in deposits
         (11,132)
           25,617
           11,220
  Proceeds from long-term borrowings
             5,291
             6,820
                    -
  Repayments of long-term borrowings
              (700)
           (4,200)
         (20,781)
  Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowed funds
           (4,759)
         (27,753)
           41,587
  Purchase of treasury stock
           (2,455)
              (814)
           (1,483)
  Purchase of restricted stock
                  (7)
              (170)
              (115)
  Dividends paid
           (5,151)
           (6,121)
           (3,558)
      Net cash (used in) provided by  financing activities
         (18,913)
           (6,621)
           26,870
          Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
           12,961
             1,340
         (16,250)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
           11,423
           10,083
           26,333
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year
 $        24,384
 $        11,423
 $        10,083
       
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
     
 
 
52

 
 
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
     
      Interest paid
 $          4,841
 $          5,092
 $          6,563
      Income taxes paid
 $          3,375
 $          2,835
 $          3,245
      Non-cash activities:
     
        Real estate acquired in settlement of loans
 $             323
 $          1,095
 $          1,051
        Real estate transferred from other assets
 $                 -
 $             549
 $                 -
       
Acquisition of The First National Bank of Fredericksburg
     
      Non-cash assets acquired
     
            Available-for-sale securities
           23,831
   
            Interest bearing time deposits with other banks
             1,236
   
            Loans
         115,211
   
            Premises and equipment
             4,743
   
            Accrued interest receivable
                282
   
            Bank owned life insurance
             4,598
   
            Intangibles
             1,981
   
            Deferred tax asset
             2,979
   
            Other assets
             2,332
   
            Goodwill
           10,833
   
 
168,026
   
       
      Liabilities assumed
     
           Noninterest-bearing deposits
           71,971
   
           Interest-bearing deposits
         153,259
   
           Accrued interest payable
                  14
   
           Other liabilities
             4,693
   
 
         229,937
   
      Net non-cash liabilities acquired
         (61,911)
   
      Cash and cash equivalents acquired
 $        83,514
   
       
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
     
 
 
53

 
 
CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Business and Organization
 
Citizens Financial Services, Inc. (individually and collectively, the “Company”) is headquartered in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, and provides a full range of banking and related services through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Citizens Community  Bank (the “Bank”), and its wholly owned subsidiary, First Citizens Insurance Agency, Inc.  On December 11, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of The First National Bank of Fredericksburg (FNB). As of December 31, 2015, the Bank operates twenty five full-service banking branches in Potter, Tioga, Bradford, Clinton, Lebanon, Berks and Schuylkill counties, Pennsylvania and Allegany County, New York. The Bank also provides trust services, including the administration of trusts and estates, retirement plans, and other employee benefit plans, along with a brokerage division that provides a comprehensive menu of investment services. The Bank serves individual and corporate customers and is subject to competition from other financial institutions and intermediaries with respect to these services.  The Company and Bank are supervised by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, while the Bank is subject to additional regulation and supervision by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking.
 
A summary of significant accounting and reporting policies applied in the presentation of the accompanying financial statements follows:
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The financial statements are consolidated to include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary, First Citizens Community Bank, and its subsidiary, First Citizens Insurance Agency, Inc.  These statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
 
Use of Estimates
 
In preparing the financial statements, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the period.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to determination of the allowance for loan losses and deferred tax assets and liabilities.
 
Operating Segments
 
An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise that engages in business activities that generates revenue and incurs expense, and the operating results of which are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in the determination of resource allocation and performance.  While the Company’s chief decision makers monitor the revenue streams of the various Company’s products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis.  Consistent with our internal reporting, the Company’s business activities are reported as one segment, which is community banking.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits in banks and interest-earning deposits.  Interest-earning deposits with original maturities of 90 days or less are considered cash equivalents. Net cash flows are reported for loan, deposits and short term borrowing transactions.
 
 
54

 
 
Interest bearing time deposits with other banks are not included with cash and cash equivalents as the original maturities were greater than 90 days.
 
Investment Securities
 
Investment securities at the time of purchase are classified as one of the three following types:
 
Held-to-Maturity Securities - Includes securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity. These securities are reported at amortized cost. The Company had no held-to-maturity securities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
Trading Securities - Includes debt and equity securities bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Such securities are reported at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses included in earnings. The Company had no trading securities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
Available-for-Sale Securities - Includes debt and equity securities not classified as held-to-maturity or trading securities that will be held for indefinite periods of time. These securities may be sold in response to changes in market interest or prepayment rates, needs for liquidity and changes in the availability of and yield of alternative investments.  Such securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of estimated income tax effect.
 
The amortized cost of investment in debt securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, computed by a method that results in a level yield. Gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are computed on the basis of specific identification of the adjusted cost of each security.
 
Securities are periodically reviewed for other-than-temporary impairment. For debt securities, management considers whether the present value of future cash flows expected to be collected are less than the security’s amortized cost basis (the difference defined as the credit loss), the magnitude and duration of the decline, the reasons underlying the decline and the Company’s intent to sell the security or whether it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery in market value, to determine whether the loss in value is other than temporary. Once a decline in value is determined to be other than temporary, if the Company does not intend to sell the security, and it is more-likely-than-not that it will not be required to sell the security, before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis, the charge to earnings is limited to the amount of credit loss. Any remaining difference between fair value and amortized cost (the difference defined as the non-credit portion) is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Otherwise, the entire difference between fair value and amortized cost is charged to earnings. For equity securities where the fair value has been significantly below cost for one year, the Company’s policy is to recognize an impairment loss unless sufficient evidence is available that the decline is not other than temporary and a recovery period can be predicted. A decline in value that is considered to be other-than-temporary is recorded as a loss within non-interest income in the Consolidated Statement of Income.
 
Common stock of the Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB) and correspondent banks represent ownership in institutions which are wholly owned by other financial institutions. These equity securities are accounted for at cost and are classified as other assets.
 
The fair value of investments, except certain state and municipal securities, is based on bid prices published in financial newspapers or bid quotations received from securities dealers. The fair value of certain state and municipal securities is not readily available through market sources other than dealer quotations, so fair value is based on quoted market prices of similar instruments, adjusted for differences between the quoted instruments and the instruments being valued.
 
Loans Held for Sale
 
Certain newly originated fixed-rate residential mortgage loans are classified as held for sale, because it is management’s intent to sell these residential mortgage loans. The residential mortgage loans held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or market value.
 
 
55

 
 
Loans
 
Interest on all loans is recognized on the accrual basis based upon the principal amount outstanding. The accrual of interest income on loans is discontinued when, in the opinion of management, doubt exists as to the ability to collect such interest. Payments received on non-accrual loans are applied to the outstanding principal balance or recorded as interest income, depending upon our assessment of our ultimate ability to collect principal and interest.  Loans are returned to the accrual status when factors indicating doubtful collectability cease to exist.
 
The Company recognizes nonrefundable loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs over the life of the related loan as an adjustment of loan yield using the interest method.
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The allowance for loan losses represents the amount which management estimates is adequate to provide for probable losses inherent in its loan portfolio. The allowance method is used in providing for loan losses. Accordingly, all loan losses are charged to the allowance and all recoveries are credited to it. The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses which is charged to operations. The provision is based upon management’s periodic evaluation of individual loans, the overall risk characteristics of the various portfolio segments, past experience with losses, the impact of economic conditions on borrowers, and other relevant factors. The estimates used in determining the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term.
 
Impaired loans are other commercial and agricultural, municipal, agricultural real estate, commercial real estate loans and certain residential mortgages cross collateralized with commercial relationships for which it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company individually evaluates such loans for impairment and does not aggregate loans by major risk classifications. The definition of “impaired loans” is not the same as the definition of “non-accrual loans,” although the two categories overlap. The Company may choose to place a loan on non-accrual status due to payment delinquency or uncertain collectability, while not classifying the loan as impaired if the loan is not a commercial, agricultural, municipal or commercial real estate loan. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status and collateral value. The amount of impairment for these types of impaired loans is determined by the difference between the present value of the expected cash flows related to the loan, using the original interest rate, and its recorded value; or, as a practical expedient in the case of a collateral dependent loan, the difference between the fair value of the collateral and the recorded amount of the loans.
 
Mortgage loans on one to four family properties and all consumer loans are large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans and are measured for impairment collectively. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays, which is defined as 90 days or less, generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.
 
The Company allocates the allowance based on the factors described below, which conform to the Company’s loan classification policy. In reviewing risk within the Bank’s loan portfolio, management has determined there to be several different risk categories within the loan portfolio. The allowance for loan losses consists of amounts applicable to: (i) residential real estate loans; (ii) commercial and agricultural real estate loans; (iii) construction; (iv) consumer loans; (v) other commercial and agricultural loans and (vi) state and political subdivision loans. Factors considered in this process include general loan terms, collateral, and availability of historical data to support the analysis. Historical loss percentages for each risk category are calculated and used as the basis for calculating allowance allocations. Certain qualitative factors are evaluated to determine additional inherent risks in the loan portfolio, which are not necessarily reflected in the historical loss percentages. These factors are then added to the historical allocation percentage to get the adjusted factor to be applied to non classified loans. The following qualitative factors are analyzed:
 
 
56

 
 
·  
Level of and trends in delinquencies, impaired/classified loans
 
Change in volume and severity of past due loans
 
Volume of non-accrual loans
 
Volume and severity of classified, adversely or graded loans
·  
Level of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries
·  
Trends in volume, terms and nature of the loan portfolio
·  
Effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards and any other changes in lending and recovery policies, procedures and practices
·  
Changes in the quality of the Bank’s loan review system
·  
Experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff
·  
National, state, regional and local economic trends and business conditions
 
General economic conditions
 
Unemployment rates
 
Inflation / CPI
 
Changes in values of underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans
·  
Industry conditions including the effects of external factors such as competition, legal, and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses.
·  
Existence and effect of any credit concentrations, and changes in the level of such concentrations
·  
Any change in the level of board oversight
 
The Company also maintains an unallocated allowance to account for any factors or conditions that may cause a potential loss but are not specifically addressed in the process described above. The Company analyzes its loan portfolio each quarter to determine the appropriateness of its allowance for loan losses.
 
Loan Charge-off Policies
 
Consumer loans are generally fully or partially charged down to the fair value of collateral securing the asset when the loan is 180 days past due for open-end loans or 120 days past due for closed-end loans unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. All other loans are generally charged down to the net realizable value when the loan is 90 days past due.
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings
 
In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower's financial difficulties, management may grant a concession for other than an insignificant period of time to the borrower that would not otherwise be considered, the related loan is classified as a Troubled Debt Restructuring (TDR). Management strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. These modified terms may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, payment forbearance and other actions intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. In cases where borrowers are granted new terms that provide for a reduction of either interest or principal, management measures any impairment on the restructuring as noted above for impaired loans. In addition to the allowance for the pooled portfolios, management has developed a separate allowance for loans that are identified as impaired through a TDR. TDRs are excluded from pooled loss forecasts and a separate reserve is provided under the accounting guidance for loan impairment.
 
Purchased Credit Impaired Loans
 
The Company purchased loans in connection with its acquisition of FNB in 2015, some of which have shown evidence of credit deterioration since origination. These purchased credit impaired (PCI) loans are recorded at the amount paid, such that there is no carryover of the seller’s allowance for loan losses. After acquisition, losses are recognized by an increase in the allowance for loan losses. Over the life of the loan, expected cash flows continue to be estimated. If this subsequent estimated indicated that the present value of expected cash flows is less than the carrying amount, a charge to the allowance for loan loss is made through a provision. If the estimate indicates that the present value of the expected cash flows is greater than the carrying amount, it is recognized as part of future interest income.
 
 
57

 
 
Such purchased credit impaired loans are accounted for individually, and the Company estimates the amount and timing of expected cash flows for each loan. The expected cash flows in excess of the amount paid is recorded as interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield). The excess of the loan’s contractual principal and interest over expected cash flows is not amortized over the remaining life of the loan (nonaccretable difference).
 
For loans purchased that did not show evidence of credit deterioration, the difference between the fair value of the loan at the acquisition date and the loan’s face value is being amortized as a yield adjustment over the estimated remaining life of the loan using the effective interest method.
 
Foreclosed Assets Held For Sale
 
Foreclosed assets acquired in settlement of loans are carried at fair value less estimated costs to sell. Prior to foreclosure, the value of the underlying loan is written down to fair market value of the real estate or other assets to be acquired by a charge to the allowance for loan losses, if necessary. Any subsequent write-downs are charged against operating expenses. Operating expenses of such properties, net of related income and losses on disposition, are included in other expenses and gains and losses are included in other non-interest income or other non-interest expense.
 
Premises and Equipment
 
Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed on straight line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 15 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment and 5 to 40 years for building premises. Repair and maintenance expenditures which extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized and other repair expenditures are expensed as incurred.
 
When premises or equipment are retired or sold, the remaining cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is credited to income or charged to expense, respectively.
 
Intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets include core deposit intangibles, covenants not to compete and mortgage servicing rights (MSRs). Core deposit intangibles are a measure of the value of consumer demand and savings deposits acquired in business combinations accounted for as purchases. Covenants not to compete are payments made to former employees as compensation for agreeing not to work for competitors. The core deposit intangibles are being amortized over 10 years using the sum-of-the-years digits method of amortization, while the covenant not to compete is being amortized over four years on a straight line basis.
 
MSR’s arose from the Company originating certain loans for the express purpose of selling such loans in the secondary market.  The Company maintains all servicing rights for these loans.  The loans held for sale are carried at lower of cost or market.  Originated MSRs are recorded by allocating total costs incurred between the loan and servicing rights based on their relative fair values.  MSRs are amortized in proportion to the estimated servicing income over the estimated life of the servicing portfolio and measured annually for impairment.
 
The recoverability of the carrying value of intangible assets is evaluated on an ongoing basis, and permanent declines in value, if any, are charged to expense.
 
Goodwill
 
The Company utilizes a two-step process for testing the impairment of goodwill on at least an annual basis.  This approach could cause more volatility in the Company’s reported net income because impairment losses, if any, could occur irregularly and in varying amounts.  The Company performs an annual impairment analysis of goodwill.  Based on the fair value of the reporting unit, no impairment of goodwill was recognized in 2015, 2014 or 2013.
 
Bank Owned Life Insurance
 
 
58

 
 
The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain employees. As of December 31, 2014, the Company was the owner and sole beneficiary of the policies. Effective January 1, 2015, the insurance policies were restructured so that any death benefits received from a policy while the insured person is an active employee of the Bank will be split with the beneficiary of the policy.  Under these restructured agreements, the Bank receives the cash surrender value of the policy plus 50% of the benefit in excess of the cash surrender value and the remaining amount of the payout will be given to the beneficiary of the policy. Additionally, as a result of the acquisition of FNB, the Company acquired life insurance policies on former FNB employees and directors. The policies obtained as part of the acquisition provide a fixed dollar benefit to the former employee or director beneficiaries, whether or not the insured person is affiliated with the Company at the time of his or her death. Bank owned life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value, or the amount that can be realized.  Increases in the cash surrender value are recognized as other non-interest income.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company and the Bank file a consolidated federal income tax return.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are computed based on the difference between the financial statement basis and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted marginal tax rates.  Deferred income tax expenses or benefits are based on the changes in the net deferred tax asset or liability from period to period.
 
Employee Benefit Plans
 
The Company has noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering employees hired before January 1, 2007 and employees acquired as part of the FNB acquisition. It is the Company’s policy to fund pension costs on a current basis to the extent deductible under existing tax regulations. Such contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date, but also for those expected to be earned in the future.
 
The Company has a defined contribution, 401(k) plan covering eligible employees. The employee may also contribute to the plan on a voluntary basis, up to a maximum percentage allowable not to exceed the limits of Code Sections 401(k).   Under the plan, the Company also makes contributions on behalf of eligible employees, which vest immediately. For employees hired after January 1, 2007, in lieu of the pension plan, an additional annual discretionary 401(k) plan contribution is made and is  equal to a percentage of an employee’s base compensation.
 
The Company also has a profit-sharing plan for employees which provide tax-deferred salary savings to plan participants.  The Company has a deferred compensation plan for directors who have elected to defer all or portions of their fees until their retirement or termination from service.
 
The Company has a restricted stock plan which covers eligible employees and non-employee corporate directors.  Under the plan, awards are granted based upon performance related requirements and are subject to certain vesting criteria.  Compensation cost related to restricted stock is recognized based on the market price of the stock at the grant date over the vesting period.
 
The Company maintains a non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) for certain executives to compensate those executive participants in the Company’s noncontributory defined benefit pension plan whose benefits are limited by compensation limitations under current tax law.  The SERP is considered an unfunded plan for tax and ERISA purposes and all obligations arising under the SERP are payable from the general assets of the Company.  Expenses under the SERP are recognized as earned over the expected years of service.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The Company entered into an interest rate swap derivative to convert floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. This derivative matured in 2013 and was not replaced. The Company's interest rate swap agreement involved an agreement to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate, at specified intervals, calculated on an agreed-upon notional amount. The Company's objective in entering into this interest rate financial instrument was to mitigate its exposure to significant unplanned fluctuations in earnings caused by volatility in interest rates. As of December 31, 2012, the derivative instrument entered into was designated as a hedge of underlying exposures. The Company did not use this instrument for trading or speculative purposes.  Derivative instruments used by the Company involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk, in the event a counter party should default, and market risk, as the instruments are subject to interest rate fluctuations. Credit risk is managed through the use of counterparty diversification and monitoring of counterparty financial condition.
 
 
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All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value. The derivative entered into by the Company qualified for and was designated as a cash flow hedge. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective, and that is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge to the extent that the hedge is effective, are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows of the hedged transaction (e.g. until periodic settlements of a variable asset or liability are recorded in earnings). Any hedge ineffectiveness (which represents the amount by which the changes in the fair value of the derivative exceed the variability in the cash flows of the forecasted transaction) is recorded in current-period earnings. There was no net gain or loss recognized in earnings related to our derivative instruments during the year ended December 31, 2013.
 
Advertising Costs
 
Advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred.
 
Comprehensive Income
 
The Company is required to present comprehensive income in a full set of general purpose financial statements for all periods presented. Other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of unrealized holding gains (losses) on the available-for-sale securities portfolio, unrecognized pension costs, and unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swap.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (a new revenue recognition standard). The Update’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, this update specifies the accounting for certain costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and expands disclosure requirements for revenue recognition. This Update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting Update.
 
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40).  The amendments in this Update provide guidance in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures.  The amendments in this Update are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted.  This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810). The amendments in this Update affect reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. Specifically, the amendments (1) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (“VIEs”) or voting interest entities; (2) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; (3) affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related-party relationships; and (4) provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds.  The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015.  For all other entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017.  This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
 
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In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards.  To simplify presentation of debt issuance costs, the amendments in this Update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this Update.  For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  For all other entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016.  An entity should apply the new guidance on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial.
 
In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-08, Business Combinations – Pushdown Accounting – Amendment to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115. This Update was issued to amend various SEC paragraphs pursuant to the issuance of Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 115.  This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
In June 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-10, Technical Corrections and Improvements. The amendments in this Update represent changes to clarify the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”), correct unintended application of guidance, or make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant administrative cost to most entities. Transition guidance varies based on the amendments in this Update. The amendments in this Update that require transition guidance are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. All other amendments will be effective upon the issuance of this Update.  This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contract with Customers (Topic 606). The amendments in this Update defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for all entities by one year.  Public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans should apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.  All other entities should apply the guidance in ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company is evaluating the effect of adopting this new accounting Update.
 
In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting.  This Update adds SEC paragraphs pursuant to the SEC Staff Announcement at the June 18, 2015 Emerging Issues Task Force meeting about the presentation and subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements.  This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805).  The amendments in this Update require that an acquirer recognizes adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments in this Update require that the acquirer record, in the same period's financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date.  The amendments in this Update require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date.  For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  For all other entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the standard will have on the Company’s statements.
 
 
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In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.  The amendments in this Update require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The amendments in this Update apply to all entities that present a classified statement of financial position.  For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. For all other entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018.  Earlier application is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period.  The amendments in this Update may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. This Update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements.
 
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10):  Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.  This Update applies to all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities and is intended to provide more useful information on the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments.  Among other things, this Update (a) requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; (b) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; (c) eliminates the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for entities that are not public business entities; (d) eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet; (e) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (f) requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments; (g) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; and (h) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets.  For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  For all other entities including not-for-profit entities and employee benefit plans within the scope of Topics 960 through 965 on plan accounting, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. All entities that are not public business entities may adopt the amendments in this Update earlier as of the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the standard will have on the Company’s financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842).  The standard requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on the balance sheet.  A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term.  A short-term lease id defined as one in which: (a) the lease term is 12 months or less, and (b) there is not an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise.  For short-term leases, lessees may elect to recognize lease payments over the lease term on a straight-line basis.  For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years.  For all other entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020.  The amendments should be applied at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the standard will have on the Company’s financial statements.
Treasury Stock
 
The purchase of the Company’s common stock is recorded at cost.  At the date of subsequent reissue, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock on a last-in-first-out basis.
 
Cash Flows
 
The Company utilizes the net reporting of cash receipts and cash payments for deposit, short-term borrowing and lending activities.  The Company considers amounts due from banks and interest-bearing deposits in banks as cash equivalents.
 
 
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Trust Assets and Income
 
Assets held by the Company in a fiduciary or agency capacity for its customers are not included in the consolidated financial statements since such items are not assets of the Company.  In accordance with industry practice, fees are recorded on the cash basis and approximate the fees which would have been recognized on the accrual basis.
 
Earnings Per Share
 
The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share.  Earnings per share calculations give retroactive effect to stock dividends declared by the Company.
 
 
2015
2014
2013
Basic earnings per share computation:
     
Net income applicable to common stock
$11,626,000
$13,385,000
$13,375,000
Weighted average common shares outstanding
                  3,031,282
                  3,038,298
          3,055,034
Earnings per share - basic
$3.84
$4.41
$4.38
       
Diluted earnings per share computation:
     
Net income applicable to common stock
$11,626,000
$13,385,000
$13,375,000
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share
                  3,031,282
                  3,038,298
          3,055,034
Add: Dilutive effects of restricted stock
                         1,360
                         1,295
                 1,170
Weighted average common shares outstanding for dilutive earnings per share
                  3,032,642
                  3,039,593
          3,056,204
Earnings per share - dilutive
$3.83
$4.40
$4.38
 
Nonvested shares of restricted stock totaling 2,105, 2,248 and 2,555 were outstanding during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would be anti-dilutive. These anti-dilutive shares had prices ranging from $50.15-$53.15, $37.10-$50.50 and $34.70-$44.50 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
Reclassification
 
Certain of the prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net income or stockholders’ equity.
 
2. RESTRICTIONS ON CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS
 
The Bank is required to maintain reserves, in the form of cash balances with the Federal Reserve Bank, against its deposit liabilities.  The amount of such reserves was $1,646,000 and $1,526,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
Non-retirement account deposits with one financial institution are insured up to $250,000. At times, the Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with other financial institutions in excess of the insured amount.
 
3. INVESTMENT SECURITIES
 
The amortized cost and fair value of investment securities at December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
63

 

   
Gross
Gross
 
 
Amortized
Unrealized
Unrealized
Fair
December 31, 2015
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Available-for-sale securities:
       
  U.S. Agency securities
 $   199,749
 $               369
 $       (527)
 $            199,591
  U.S. Treasuries
        10,103
-
 (21)
                 10,082
  Obligations of state and
       
    political subdivisions
        99,856
3,080
 (73)
               102,863
  Corporate obligations
        14,583
68
 (86)
                 14,565
  Mortgage-backed securities in
       
    government sponsored entities
        30,107
186
 (89)
                 30,204
  Equity securities in financial institutions
          2,001
436
 (5)
                   2,432
Total available-for-sale securities
 $   356,399
 $            4,139
 $       (801)
 $            359,737
         
December 31, 2014
Cost
Gains
Losses
Value
Available-for-sale securities:
       
  U.S. Agency securities
 $   150,847
 $               638
 $       (600)
 $            150,885
  U.S. Treasuries
          4,944
-
 (95)
                   4,849
  Obligations of state and
       
    political subdivisions
      101,281
3,854
 (99)
               105,036
  Corporate obligations
        13,853
190
 (85)
                 13,958
  Mortgage-backed securities in
       
    government sponsored entities
        29,397
368
 (37)
                 29,728
  Equity securities in financial institutions
          1,137
553
-
                   1,690
Total available-for-sale securities
 $   301,459
 $            5,603
 $       (916)
 $            306,146
 
The following table shows the Company’s gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time, that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands).  As of December 31, 2015, the Company owned 91 securities whose fair value was less than their cost basis.
 
   
Less than Twelve Months
Twelve Months or Greater
Total
     
Gross
 
Gross
 
Gross
   
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
Fair
Unrealized
2015
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
Value
Losses
U.S. agency securities
 $       123,591
 $           (527)
 $                 -
 $                  -
 $      123,591
 $          (527)
U.S. Treasuries
            10,082
                (21)
                    -
                     -
           10,082
               (21)
Obligations of states and
           
     political subdivisions
              7,023
                (57)
             2,914
                 (16)
             9,937
               (73)
Corporate obligations
              5,822
                (61)
             2,138
                 (25)
             7,960
               (86)
Mortgage-backed securities in
           
     government sponsored entities
              9,830
                (77)
                227
                 (12)
           10,057
               (89)
Equity securities in financial institutions
                 106
                  (5)
                    -
                     -
                106
                 (5)
    Total securities
 $       156,454
 $           (748)
 $          5,279
 $              (53)
 $      161,733
 $          (801)
               
2014
             
U.S. agency securities
 $         27,382
 $           (110)
 $        43,642
 $            (490)
 $        71,024
 $          (600)
U.S. Treasuries
                      -
                    -
             4,849
                 (95)
             4,849
               (95)
Obligations of states and
           
     political subdivisions
              3,596
                (19)
             8,584
                 (80)
           12,180
               (99)
Corporate obligations
                 505
                  (1)
             7,707
                 (84)
             8,212
               (85)
Mortgage-backed securities in
           
     government sponsored entities
              5,025
                  (4)
             2,229
                 (33)
             7,254
               (37)
    Total securities
 $         36,508
 $           (134)
 $        67,011
 $            (782)
 $      103,519
 $          (916)
 
 
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As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s investment securities portfolio contained unrealized losses on agency securities issued or backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government or are generally viewed as having the implied guarantee of the U.S. government, U.S treasury notes, obligations of states and political subdivisions, corporate obligations, mortgage backed securities in government sponsored entities and equity securities in financial institutions. For fixed maturity investments management considers whether the present value of cash flows expected to be collected are less than the security’s amortized cost basis (the difference defined as the credit loss), the magnitude and duration of the decline, the reasons underlying the decline and the Company’s intent to sell the security or whether it is more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery in market value, to determine whether the loss in value is other than temporary. Once a decline in value is determined to be other than temporary, if the Company does not intend to sell the security, and it is more-likely-than-not that it will not be required to sell the security, before recovery of the security’s amortized cost basis, the charge to earnings is limited to the amount of credit loss. Any remaining difference between fair value and amortized cost (the difference defined as the non-credit portion) is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. Otherwise, the entire difference between fair value and amortized cost is charged to earnings. For equity securities where the fair value has been significantly below cost for one year, the Company’s policy is to recognize an impairment loss unless sufficient evidence is available that the decline is not other than temporary and a recovery period can be predicted.  As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had concluded that any impairment of its investment securities portfolio outlined in the above table is not other than temporary and is the result of interest rate changes, sector credit rating changes, or company-specific rating changes that are not expected to result in the non-collection of principal and interest during the period.
 
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale during 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $30,464,000, $28,989,000 and $25,461,000, respectively. The gross gains realized during 2015 consisted of $196,000, $69,000, $99,000 and $76,000 from the sales of five agency securities, five mortgage backed securities, seven municipal securities and an entire equity security position, respectively. The gross loss of $11,000 was made from the sale of one US treasury security. The gross gains realized during 2014 consisted of $177,000, $197,000, $172,000 and $101,000 from the sales eight agency securities, seven mortgage backed securities, one municipal security and a portion of one equity security, respectively. The gross loss of $31,000 was made from the sale of two US treasury securities The gross gains realized during 2013 consisted of realized gains of $86,000, $356,000, $296,000, $87,000 and $2,000 from the sale of seven agency securities, nine mortgage backed securities, portions of three equity securities, four municipal securities and one corporate security, respectively. The gross losses incurred during 2013 were made up of realized losses of $246,000 and $140,000 from the sale of a corporate security and two mortgage backed securities, respectively. Gross gains and gross losses were realized as follows (in thousands):
 
 
2015
2014
2013
Gross gains
 $          440
 $                        647
 $                   827
Gross losses
             (11)
                           (31)
                     (386)
Net gains
 $          429
 $                        616
 $                   441
 
Investment securities with an approximate carrying value of $203,769,000 and $186,388,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, were pledged to secure public funds and certain other deposits as provided by law and certain borrowing arrangements of the Company.
 
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.   The amortized cost and fair value of debt securities at December 31, 2015, by contractual maturity are shown below (in thousands). Municipal securities that have been refunded and will therefore pay-off on the call date are reflected in the table below utilizing the call date as the date of repayment as payment is guaranteed on that day:
 
 
Amortized
 
 
Cost
Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities:
   
  Due in one year or less
 $     19,839
 $                   19,878
  Due after one year through five years
      203,928
                    204,375
  Due after five years through ten years
        41,041
                      41,905
  Due after ten years
        89,590
                      91,147
Total
 $   354,398
 $                 357,305
 
 
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4. LOANS AND RELATED ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
 
The Company grants commercial, industrial, agricultural, residential, and consumer loans primarily to customers throughout north central and south central Pennsylvania and southern New York.  Although the Company has a diversified loan portfolio at December 31, 2015 and 2014, a substantial portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on the economic conditions within these regions. The following table summarizes the primary segments of the loan portfolio, as well as how those segments are analyzed within the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
2015
 
Total Loans
Individually
evaluated for
impairment
Loans acquired
with deteriorated  
credit quality
Collectively
evaluated for
impairment
Real estate loans:
         
     Residential
 
 $                 203,407
 $                        304
 $                          35
 $                 203,068
     Commercial and agricultural
 
                    295,364
                        6,235
                        2,908
                    286,221
     Construction
 
                      15,011
                                -
                                -
                      15,011
Consumer
 
                      11,543
                                -
                               9
                      11,534
Other commercial and agricultural loans
                      71,206
                        5,745
                           866
                      64,595
State and political subdivision loans
 
                      98,500
                                -
                                -
                      98,500
Total
 
                    695,031
                      12,284
                        3,818
                    678,929
Allowance for loan losses
 
                        7,106
                           355
                                -
                        6,751
Net loans
 
 $                 687,925
 $                   11,929
 $                     3,818
 $                 672,178
           
2014
 
Total Loans
Individually
evaluated for
impairment
Loans acquired
 with deteriorated  
credit quality
Collectively
evaluated for
impairment
Real estate loans:
         
     Residential
 
 $                 185,438
 $                        316
 $                             -
 $                 185,122
     Commercial and agricultural
 
                    215,584
                        6,112
                                -
                    209,472
     Construction
 
                        6,353
                                -
                                -
                        6,353
Consumer
 
                        8,497
                                -
                                -
                        8,497
Other commercial and agricultural loans
 
                      58,516
                        2,394
                                -
                      56,122
State and political subdivision loans
 
                      79,717
                                -
                                -
                      79,717
Total
 
                    554,105
                        8,822
                                -
                    545,283
Allowance for loan losses
 
                        6,815
                             98
                                -
                        6,717
Net loans
 
 $                 547,290
 $                     8,724
 $                             -
 $                 538,566
 
Purchased loans acquired are recorded at fair value on their purchase date without a carryover of the related allowance for loan losses.
 
Upon acquisition, the Company evaluated whether an acquired loan was within the scope of ASC 310-30, Receivables-Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. Purchased credit-impaired loans are loans that have evidence of credit deterioration since origination and it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Company will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. There were no material increases or decreases in the expected cash flows of these loans between December 11, 2015 (the “acquisition date”) and December 31, 2015. The fair value of purchased credit-impaired loans, on the acquisition date, was determined, primarily based on the fair value of loan collateral. The carrying value of purchased loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality was $3,818,000 at December 31, 2015.
 
On the acquisition date, the preliminary estimate of the unpaid principal balance for all loans evidencing credit impairment acquired in the FNB acquisition was $6,969,000 and the estimated fair value of the loans was $3,809,000. Total contractually required payments on these loans, including interest, at the acquisition date was $9,913,000. However, the Company’s preliminary estimate of expected cash flows was $4,474,000. At such date, the Company established a credit risk related non-accretable discount (a discount representing amounts which are not expected to be collected from the customer nor liquidation of collateral) of $5,439,000 relating to these impaired loans, reflected in the recorded net fair value. Such amount is reflected as a non-accretable fair value adjustment to loans. The Company further estimated the timing and amount of expected cash flows in excess of the estimated fair value and established an accretable discount of $665,000 on the acquisition date relating to these impaired loans.
 
 
66

 
 
The table below presents the components of the purchase accounting adjustments related to the purchased impaired loans acquired in the FNB Acquisition as of December 11, 2015:
 
(In Thousands)
 
December 11, 2015
Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition
 
 $                       9,913
Non-accretable  discount
 
 (5,439)
Expected cash flows
 
4,474
Accretable discount
 
 (665)
Estimated fair value
 
 $                      3,809
 
Changes in the amortizable yield for purchased credit-impaired loans were as follows for the month ended December 31, 2015:
 
(In Thousands)
 
December 31, 2015
Balance at beginning of period
 
 $                             665
Accretion
 
 (28)
Balance at end of period
 
 $                             637
 
The following table presents additional information regarding loans acquired with specific evidence of deterioration in credit quality under ASC 310-30:
 
(In Thousands)
 
December 11, 2015
   
December 31, 2015
Outstanding balance
 
 $                                    6,969
   
 $                                    6,950
Carrying amount
 
                                       3,809
   
                                       3,818
 
Real estate loans serviced for Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the FHLB, which are not included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, totaled $133,210,000 and $84,676,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Loans sold to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were sold without recourse and total $92,773,000 and $84,676,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Additionally, the Bank acquired a portfolio of loans sold to the FHLB during the acquisition of FNB, which were sold under the Mortgage Partnership Finance Program ("MPF"). The Bank is no longer an active participant in the MPF program. The MPF portfolio balance was $40,437,000 at December 31, 2015, respectively. The FHLB maintains a first-loss position for the MPF portfolio that totals $104,000. Should the FHLB exhaust its first-loss position, recourse to the Bank's credit enhancement would be up to the next $4,345,000 of losses. The Bank has not experienced any losses for the MPF portfolio.
 
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, net unamortized loan fees and costs of $1,170,000 and $1,173,000, respectively, were included in the carrying value of loans.
 
The segments of the Bank’s loan portfolio are disaggregated into classes to a level that allows management to monitor risk and performance. Residential real estate mortgages consists of 15 to 30 year first mortgages on residential real estate, while residential real estate home equities are consumer purpose installment loans or lines of credit  secured by a mortgage which is often a second lien on residential real estate with terms of 15 years or less. Commercial real estate are business purpose loans secured by a mortgage on commercial real estate. Agricultural real estate are loans secured by a mortgage on real estate used in agriculture production. Construction real estate are loans secured by residential or commercial real estate used during the construction phase of residential and commercial projects. Consumer loans are typically unsecured or primarily secured by collateral other than real estate and overdraft lines of credit connected with customer deposit accounts. Other commercial loans are loans for commercial purposes primarily secured by non-real estate collateral. Other agricultural loans are loans for agricultural purposes primarily secured by non real estate collateral. State and political subdivisions are loans for state and local municipalities for capital and operating expenses or tax free loans used to finance commercial development.
 
 
67

 
 
Management considers other commercial and agricultural  loans, commercial and agricultural real estate loans and state and political subdivision loans which are 90 days or more past due to be impaired. Certain residential mortgages, home equity and consumer loans that are cross collateralized with commercial relationships determined to be impaired may be classified as impaired as well. These loans are analyzed to determine if it is probable that all amounts will not be collected according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. If management determines that the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan (net of previous charge-offs, deferred loan fees or costs and unamortized premium or discount), impairment is recognized through an allowance allocation or a charge-off to the allowance.
 
The following table includes the recorded investment and unpaid principal balances for impaired loans by class, with the associated allowance amount as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, if applicable (in thousands):
 
   
Recorded
Recorded
   
 
Unpaid
Investment
Investment
Total
 
 
Principal
With No
With
Recorded
Related
 
Balance
Allowance
Allowance
Investment
Allowance
2015
         
Real estate loans:
         
     Mortgages
 $      281
 $          114
 $          129
 $          243
 $          26
     Home Equity
           61
                  -
               61
               61
             11
     Commercial
      8,654
          5,843
             225
          6,068
             62
     Agricultural
         167
             167
                  -
             167
                -
     Construction
              -
                  -
                  -
                  -
                -
Consumer
              -
                  -
                  -
                  -
                -
Other commercial loans
      5,535
          4,653
             987
          5,640
           256
Other agricultural loans
         105
             105
                  -
             105
                -
State and political
         
   subdivision loans
              -
                  -
                  -
                  -
                -
Total
 $ 14,803
 $     10,882
 $       1,402
 $     12,284
 $        355
           
2014
         
Real estate loans:
         
     Mortgages
 $      222
 $          125
 $            66
 $          191
 $          13
     Home Equity
         130
               60
               65
             125
             12
     Commercial
      8,433
          5,708
             404
          6,112
             72
     Agricultural
              -
                  -
                  -
                  -
                -
     Construction
              -
                  -
                  -
                  -
                -
Consumer
              -
                  -
                  -
                  -
                -
Other commercial loans
      2,480
          2,346
               48
          2,394
               1
Other agricultural loans
              -
                  -
                  -
                  -
                -
State and political
         
   subdivision loans
              -
                  -
                  -
                  -
                -
Total
 $ 11,265
 $       8,239
 $          583
 $       8,822
 $          98
 
The following table includes the average investment in impaired loans and the income recognized on impaired loans for 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
 
 
68

 
 
     
Interest
 
Average
Interest
Income
 
Recorded
Income
Recognized
2015
Investment
Recognized
Cash Basis
Real estate loans:
     
     Mortgages
 $      240
 $            12
 $               -
     Home Equity
           88
                 4
                  -
     Commercial
      5,683
               63
                 5
     Agricultural
           56
                 2
                  -
     Construction
              -
                  -
                  -
Consumer
              -
                  -
                  -
Other commercial loans
      2,700
               98
                 6
Other agricultural loans
           37
                 1
                  -
State and political subdivision loans
              -
                  -
                  -
Total
 $   8,804
 $          180
 $            11
       
2014
     
Real estate loans:
     
     Mortgages
 $      198
 $              9
 $               -
     Home Equity
         130
                 4
                  -
     Commercial
      7,270
               54
                  -
     Agricultural
              -
                  -
                  -
     Construction
              -
                  -
                  -
Consumer
           10
                  -
                  -
Other commercial loans
      2,031
               79
                  -
Other agricultural loans
              -
                  -
                  -
State and political subdivision loans
              -
                  -
                  -
Total
 $   9,639
 $          146
 $               -
       
2013
     
Real estate loans:
     
     Mortgages
 $      327
 $              7
 $               -
     Home Equity
         136
                 4
                  -
     Commercial
      8,499
             457
377
     Agricultural
              -
                  -
                  -
     Construction
              -
                  -
                  -
Consumer
             5
                  -
                  -
Other commercial loans
      1,761
               79
                  -
Other agricultural loans
              -
                  -
                  -
State and political subdivision loans
              -
                  -
                  -
Total
 $ 10,728
 $          547
 $          377
 
Credit Quality Information
 
For commercial real estate, agricultural real estate, construction, other commercial, other agricultural loans and state and political subdivision loans, management uses a nine point internal risk rating system to monitor the credit quality. The first five categories are considered not criticized and are aggregated as “Pass” rated. The criticized rating categories utilized by management generally follow bank regulatory definitions. The definitions of each rating are defined below:
 
·  
Pass (Grades 1-5) – These loans are to customers with credit quality ranging from an acceptable to very high quality and are protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or by the value of the underlying collateral.
 
·  
Special Mention (Grade 6) – This loan grade is in accordance with regulatory guidance and includes loans where a potential weakness or risk exists, which could cause a more serious problem if not corrected.
 
 
69

 
 
·  
Substandard (Grade 7) – This loan grade is in accordance with regulatory guidance and includes loans that have a well-defined weakness based on objective evidence and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
 
·  
Doubtful (Grade 8) – This loan grade is in accordance with regulatory guidance and includes loans that have all the weaknesses inherent in a substandard asset.  In addition, these weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable, based on existing circumstances.
 
·  
Loss (Grade 9) – This loan grade is in accordance with regulatory guidance and includes loans that are considered uncollectible, or of such value that continuance as an asset is not warranted.
 
To help ensure that risk ratings are accurate and reflect the present and future capacity of borrowers to repay the loan as agreed, the Bank’s loan rating process includes several layers of internal and external oversight. The Company’s loan officers are responsible for the timely and accurate risk rating of the loans in each of their portfolios at origination and on an ongoing basis under the supervision of management.  All commercial and agricultural loans are reviewed annually to ensure the appropriateness of the loan grade. In addition, the Bank engages an external consultant on at least an annual basis. The external consultant is engaged to 1) review a minimum of 55% of the dollar volume of the commercial loan portfolio on an annual basis, 2) review new loans originated for over $1.0 million in the last years, 3) review a majority of borrowers with commitments greater than or equal to $1.0 million,  4) review selected loan relationships over $750,000 which are over 30 days past due, or classified Special Mention, Substandard, Doubtful, or Loss, and 5) such other loans which management or the consultant deems appropriate.
 
The following tables represent credit exposures by internally assigned grades as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
 
Pass
Special Mention
Substandard
Doubtful
Loss
Ending Balance
2015
           
Real estate loans:
           
     Commercial
 $          217,544
 $                4,150
 $                  15,816
 $                32
 $              -
 $          237,542
     Agricultural
               53,695
                   2,865
                       1,262
                      -
                 -
               57,822
     Construction
               14,422
                      589
                              -
                      -
                 -
               15,011
Other commercial loans
               51,297
                      446
                       5,669
                 137
                 -
               57,549
Other agricultural loans
               13,318
                      234
                          105
                      -
                 -
               13,657
State and political
           
   subdivision loans
               98,500
                          -
                              -
                      -
                 -
               98,500
Total
 $          448,776
 $                8,284
 $                  22,852
 $              169
 $              -
 $          480,081
             
2014
           
Real estate loans:
           
     Commercial
 $          169,383
 $                8,948
 $                  12,614
 $                   -
 $              -
 $          190,945
     Agricultural
               19,575
                   3,394
                       1,670
                      -
                 -
               24,639
     Construction
                 6,353
                          -
                              -
                      -
                 -
                 6,353
Other commercial loans
               40,683
                   4,413
                       2,355
                      -
                 -
               47,451
Other agricultural loans
                 9,221
                      727
                       1,117
                      -
                 -
               11,065
State and political
           
   subdivision loans
               79,717
                          -
                              -
                      -
                 -
               79,717
Total
 $          324,932
 $              17,482
 $                  17,756
 $                   -
 $              -
 $          360,170
 
For residential real estate mortgages, home equities and consumer loans, credit quality is monitored based on whether the loan is performing or non-performing, which is typically based on the aging status of the loan and payment activity, unless a specific action, such as bankruptcy, repossession, death or significant delay in payment occurs to raise awareness of a possible credit event. Non-performing loans include those loans that are considered nonaccrual, described in more detail below and all loans past due 90 or more days. The following table presents the recorded investment in those loan classes based on payment activity as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
 
70

 

2015
Performing
Non-performing
PCI
Total
Real estate loans:
       
     Mortgages
 $          139,734
 $                1,270
 $           35
 $       141,039
     Home Equity
               62,236
                      132
-
            62,368
Consumer
               11,470
                        64
9
            11,543
Total
 $          213,440
 $                1,466
 $           44
 $       214,950
         
2014
Performing
Non-performing
PCI
Total
Real estate loans:
       
     Mortgages
 $          121,968
 $                   890
 $             -
 $       122,858
     Home Equity
               62,296
                      284
     -
            62,580
Consumer
                 8,444
                        53
     -
              8,497
Total
 $          192,708
 $                1,227
 $             -
 $       193,935
 
Aging Analysis of Past Due Loans by Class
 
Management further monitors the performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio by analyzing the age of the portfolio as determined by the length of time a recorded payment is past due. The following table includes an aging analysis of the recorded investment of past due loans as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
   
30-59 Days
60-89 Days
90 Days
Total Past
   
Total Financing
90 Days and
2015
Past Due
Past Due
Or Greater
Due
Current
PCI
Receivables
Accruing
Real estate loans:
               
     Mortgages
 $        487
 $        283
 $        687
 $     1,457
 $   139,547
 $       35
 $     141,039
 $         321
     Home Equity
           630
             15
           121
           766
        61,602
-
          62,368
              73
     Commercial
           824
             57
        4,139
        5,020
      230,352
2,170
        237,542
              60
     Agricultural
           177
           167
                -
           344
        56,740
738
          57,822
                -
     Construction
                -
                -
                -
                -
        15,011
-
          15,011
                -
Consumer
           239
             37
             49
           325
        11,209
9
          11,543
                9
Other commercial loans
           143
           214
        1,010
        1,367
        55,316
866
          57,549
            160
Other agricultural loans
               9
                -
                -
               9
        13,648
-
          13,657
                -
State and political
               
   subdivision loans
                -
                -
                -
                -
        98,500
-
          98,500
                -
 
Total
 $     2,509
 $        773
 $     6,006
 $     9,288
 $   681,925
 $  3,818
 $     695,031
 $         623
                   
Loans considered non-accrual
 $          54
 $        171
 $     5,383
 $     5,608
 $          923
 $          -
 $         6,531
 
Loans still accruing
        2,455
           602
           623
        3,680
      681,002
3,818
        688,500
 
 
Total
 $     2,509
 $        773
 $     6,006
 $     9,288
 $   681,925
 $  3,818
 $     695,031
 
 
 
71

 
 
   
30-59 Days
60-89 Days
90 Days
Total Past
   
Total Financing
90 Days and
2014 
 
Past Due
Past Due
Or Greater
Due
Current
PCI
Receivables
Accruing
Real estate loans:
               
     Mortgages
 $        318
 $        230
 $        675
 $     1,223
 $   121,635
 $             -
 $     122,858
 $         214
     Home Equity
           442
             99
           260
           801
        61,779
-
          62,580
            132
     Commercial
             97
           231
        1,432
        1,760
      189,185
-
        190,945
            310
     Agricultural
                -
                -
                -
                -
        24,639
-
          24,639
                -
     Construction
                -
                -
                -
                -
          6,353
-
            6,353
                -
Consumer
           119
               4
               7
           130
          8,367
-
            8,497
                6
Other commercial loans
           503
           258
           476
        1,237
        46,214
-
          47,451
            174
Other agricultural loans
                -
                -
                -
                -
        11,065
-
          11,065
                -
State and political
               
   subdivision loans
                -
                -
                -
                -
        79,717
-
          79,717
                -
 
Total
 $     1,479
 $        822
 $     2,850
 $     5,151
 $   548,954
 $             -
 $     554,105
 $         836
                   
Loans considered non-accrual
 $          48
 $        181
 $     2,014
 $     2,243
 $       4,356
 $             -
 $         6,599
 
Loans still accruing
        1,431
           641
           836
        2,908
      544,598
-
        547,506
 
 
Total
 $     1,479
 $        822
 $     2,850
 $     5,151
 $   548,954
 $             -
 $     554,105
 
 
Nonaccrual Loans
 
Loans are considered for nonaccrual status upon reaching 90 days delinquency, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection, although the Company may be receiving partial payments of interest and partial repayments of principal on such loans or if full payment of principal and interest is not expected.
 
The following table reflects the loans on nonaccrual status as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The balances are presented by class of loan (in thousands):
 
   
2015
 
2014
Real estate loans:
     
     Mortgages
 $                949
 
 $                   676
     Home Equity
                     59
 
                      152
     Commercial
                4,422
 
                   5,010
     Agricultural
                     34
 
                        -
     Construction
                      -
 
                        -
Consumer
                     55
 
                        47
Other commercial loans
                1,012
 
                      714
Other agricultural loans
                      -
 
                        -
State and political subdivision
                      -
 
                        -
   
 $             6,531
 
 $                6,599
 
Interest income on loans would have increased by approximately $463,000, $527,000 and, $632,000 during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, if these loans had performed in accordance with their terms.
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDR)
 
In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower's financial difficulties, management may grant a concession for other than an insignificant period of time to the borrower that would not otherwise be considered, the related loan is classified as a TDR. Management strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. These modified terms may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, payment forbearance and other actions intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. In cases where borrowers are granted new terms that provide for a reduction of either interest or principal, management measures any impairment on the restructuring by calculating the present value of the revised loan terms and comparing this balance to the Company’s investment in the loan prior to the restructuring. As these loans are individually evaluated, they are excluded from pooled portfolios when calculating the allowance for loan and lease losses and a separate allocation within the allowance for loan and lease losses is provided. Management continually evaluates loans that are considered TDRs, including payment history under the modified loan terms, the borrower’s ability to continue to repay the loan based on continued evaluation of their operating results and cash flows from operations.  Based on this evaluation management would no longer consider a loan to be a TDR when the relevant facts support such a conclusion. As of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, included within the allowance for loan losses are reserves of $37,000, $26,000 and $28,000, respectively, that are associated with loans modified as TDRs.
 
 
72

 
 
Loan modifications that are considered TDRs completed during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Number of contracts
Pre-modification Outstanding
Recorded Investment
Post-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Modification
Term
Modification
Interest
Modification
Term
Modification
Interest
Modification
Term
Modification
 2015
           
Real estate loans:
           
     Mortgages
                    1
                    1
 $               71
 $                19
 $               71
 $              19
Total
                    1
                    1
 $               71
 $                19
 $               71
 $              19
         
 2014
             
Real estate loans:
             
     Commercial
-
                          2
 $             -
 $                153
 $             -
 $             153
Total
                    -
2
 $             -
 $                153
 $             -
 $             153
               
 2013
             
Real estate loans:
             
     Mortgages
                    1
                          -
 $            72
 $                     -
 $               72
 $                 -
     Commercial
-
                          2
                 -
                1,365
                     -
             1,365
Other commercial loans
                  -
                          2
                 -
                1,530
                     -
             1,530
Total
                    1
                          4
 $            72
 $             2,895
 $               72
 $          2,895
 
Recidivism, or the borrower defaulting on its obligation pursuant to a modified loan, results in the loan once again becoming a non-accrual loan. Recidivism occurs at a notably higher rate than do defaults on new origination loans, so modified loans present a higher risk of loss than do new origination loans. The following table presents the recorded investment in loans that were modified as TDRs during each 12-month period prior to the current reporting periods, which begin January 1, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and that subsequently defaulted during these reporting periods (dollars in thousands):
 
 
2015
 2014
 2013
 
Number of
contracts
Recorded
investment
Number of
contracts
Recorded
investment
Number of
contracts
Recorded
investment
Real estate loans:
           
     Commercial
              -
 $                   -
                  1
 $                   50
               1
 $                 55
Other commercial loans
              -
-
              -
-
                  1
                      6
Total recidivism
              -
$                   -
                  1
 $                   50
2
 $                 61
 
Foreclosed Assets Held For Sale
 
Foreclosed assets acquired in settlement of loans are carried at fair value, less estimated costs to sell, and are included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 included with other assets are $1,354,000 and $1,792,000, respectively, of foreclosed assets. As of December 31, 2015, included within the foreclosed assets is $339,000 of consumer residential mortgages that were foreclosed on or received via a deed in lieu transaction prior to the period end. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has initiated formal foreclosure proceedings on $1,199,000 of consumer residential mortgages, which have not yet been transferred into foreclosed assets.
 
 
73

 
 
Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The following tables roll forward the balance of the allowance for loan and lease losses for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and is segregated into the amount required for loans individually evaluated for impairment and the amount required for loans collectively evaluated for impairment as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2014
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Provision
Balance at December 31, 2015
Individually evaluated for impairment
Collectively evaluated for impairment
Real estate loans:
             
     Residential
 $             878
 $           (66)
 $              -
 $          93
 $              905
 $             37
 $             868
     Commercial and agricultural
             3,870
              (84)
               14
 (15)
              3,785
                62
             3,723
     Construction
                  26
                  -
                 -
 (2)
                   24
                   -
                  24
Consumer
                  84
              (47)
               33
32
                 102
                   -
                102
Other commercial and agricultural loans
             1,224
              (41)
                 2
 120
              1,305
              256
             1,049
State and political
     
-
     
  subdivision loans
                545
                  -
                 -
48
                 593
                   -
                593
Unallocated
                188
                  -
                 -
204
                 392
                   -
                392
Total
 $          6,815
 $         (238)
 $            49
 $        480
 $           7,106
 $           355
 $          6,751
               
 
Balance at December 31, 2013
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Provision
Balance at December 31, 2014
Individually evaluated for impairment
Collectively evaluated for impairment
Real estate loans:
             
     Residential
 $             946
 $           (97)
 $              -
 $          29
 $              878
 $             25
 $             853
     Commercial and agricultural
              4,558
            (516)
               15
 (187)
              3,870
                72
             3,798
     Construction
                   50
                  -
                 -
 (24)
                   26
                   -
                  26
Consumer
                 105
              (47)
               27
 (1)
                   84
                   -
                  84
Other commercial and agricultural loans
                 942
            (250)
                 -
532
              1,224
                  1
             1,223
State and political
     
-
     
  subdivision loans
                 330
                  -
                 -
215
                 545
                   -
                545
Unallocated
                 167
                  -
                 -
21
                 188
                   -
                188
Total
 $          7,098
 $         (910)
 $            42
 $        585
 $           6,815
 $             98
 $          6,717
               
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
Charge-offs
Recoveries
Provision
Balance at December 31, 2013
Individually evaluated for impairment
Collectively evaluated for impairment
Real estate loans:
             
     Residential
 $             875
 $           (17)
 $              5
 $          83
 $              946
 $             27
 $             919
     Commercial and agricultural
              4,437
              (62)
                 5
178
              4,558
              305
             4,253
     Construction
                   38
                  -
                 -
12
                   50
                   -
                  50
Consumer
                 119
              (54)
               33
7
                 105
                   -
                105
Other commercial and agricultural loans
                 728
                (1)
                 -
215
                 942
                  1
                941
State and political
     
-
     
  subdivision loans
                 271
                  -
                 -
59
                 330
                   -
                330
Unallocated
                 316
                  -
                 -
 (149)
                 167
                   -
                167
Total
 $          6,784
 $         (134)
 $            43
 $        405
 $           7,098
 $           333
 $          6,765
 
As discussed in Footnote 1, management evaluates various qualitative factors on a quarterly basis. The following are factors that experienced changes during:
 
 
74

 
 
2015
 
·  
The qualitative factor for national, state, regional and local economic trends and business conditions was increased for all loan categories due to an increase in the unemployment rates in the local economy during 2015 and the reduction in natural gas exploration and extraction activity.
·  
The qualitative factors for changes in levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired/classified loans were decreased for commercial and agricultural real estate due to the decrease in the amount of loans classified as substandard, excluding loans acquired as part of the FNB acquisition. While there has been an increase in delinquencies of commercial and agricultural real estate loans, the qualitative factor was not increased. The increase in delinquencies is attributable to one relationship, which is classified as impaired and management does not believe that this delinquency is a reflection of a further decrease in the credit quality of the commercial and agricultural real estate loan portfolio.
·  
The qualitative factors for changes in levels of and trends in delinquencies, impaired/classified loans were increased for other commercial and agricultural loans due to an increase in the amount of loans classified as substandard.
·  
The qualitative factor for levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries was decreased for commercial and agricultural real estate and other commercial and agricultural loans due to the decrease in charge-offs compared to the prior year as charge-offs returned to historical norms for the Bank.
·  
The qualitative factor for experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff was decreased for commercial real estate, agricultural real estate, other commercial and other agricultural loans due to the length of time employees involved throughout the loan process have been in their positions.
·  
The qualitative factor for industry conditions, including the effects of external factors such as competition, legal, and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses was increased for commercial and agricultural related loans due to the decrease in the price received for product sold and the increase in feed costs that has occurred in 2015, which negatively affected customer earnings.
·  
The qualitative factor for levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries was increased for residential real estate loans due to the increase in charge-offs compared to historical norms for the Company.
·  
The qualitative factors for changes in levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired/classified loans was increased for residential mortgages due to increases in the amount of non-performing loans.
 
2014
 
·  
The qualitative factor for national, state, regional and local economic trends and business conditions was decreased for all loan categories due to a decrease in both local and state the unemployment rates.
·  
The qualitative factors for changes in levels of and trends in delinquencies, impaired/classified loans were decreased for commercial and agricultural real estate due to the decrease in the Company’s classified loans to its lowest level in three years and a decrease in the amount of loans past due. This was the primary cause of the negative provision of $187,000, as substandard loans decreased $11,168,000 from 2013 to 2014.
·  
The qualitative factors for changes in levels of and trends in delinquencies, impaired/classified loans were increased for other commercial loans due to an increase in classified loans and delinquency during 2014.
·  
The qualitative factor for levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries was increased for commercial real estate and other commercial loans due to the increase in charge-offs compared to historical norms for the Bank.
·  
The qualitative factor for experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff was decreased for all loan categories due to the length of time employees involved throughout the loan process have been in their positions.
·  
The qualitative factor for industry conditions, including the effects of external factors such as competition, legal, and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses was decreased for agricultural related loans due to the improvement in the agricultural economy as reflected by milk and commodity prices and our customers financial results.
 
2013
 
·  
The qualitative factor for national, state, regional and local economic trends and business conditions was increased for all loan categories due to rising unemployment rates in the local economy as a result of the slowdown in Marcellus shale natural gas exploration activities.
·  
The qualitative factor for trends in volume, terms and nature of the loan portfolio was increased for commercial and agricultural real estate, other commercial and agricultural loans and state and political subdivision loan categories due to the increase of the number of loans that are participations that were purchased from other banks and therefore subject to different underwriting standards.
 
 
75

 
 
5. PREMISES & EQUIPMENT
 
Premises and equipment at December 31, 2015 and 2014 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
 
December 31,
 
2015
2014
Land
 $           5,110
 $           3,295
Buildings
            17,349
            12,456
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
              6,636
              6,187
Construction in process
                   88
              1,836
 
            29,183
            23,774
Less: accumulated depreciation
            11,920
            11,417
Premises and equipment, net
 $         17,263
 $         12,357
 
Depreciation expense amounted to $608,000, $537,000 and $598,000 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
6. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
The following table provides the gross carrying value and accumulated amortization of intangible assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Gross carrying
value 
Accumulated amortization 
Net
carrying
value 
 
Gross carrying
value 
Accumulated amortization 
Net
 carrying
value
Amortized intangible assets (1):
             
MSRs
 $          1,336
 $           (638)
 $      698
 
 $      1,023
 $        (550)
 $         473
Core deposit intangibles
1,641
 (25)
      1,616
 
                 -
                 -
                 -
Covenant not to compete
125
 (2)
         123
 
                 -
                 -
                 -
Total amortized intangible assets
 $          3,102
 $           (665)
 $   2,437
 
 $      1,023
 $        (550)
 $         473
Unamortized intangible assets:
             
Goodwill
 $        21,089
     
 $    10,256
   
(1) Excludes fully amortized intangible assets
             
 
The following table provides the current year and estimated future amortization expense for amortized intangible assets. We based our projections of amortization expense shown below on existing asset balances at December 31, 2015. Future amortization expense may vary from these projections (in thousands):
 
 
MSRs
Core deposit intangibles
Covenant not
to compete
Total
Year ended December 31, 2015 (actual)
 $      129
 $          25
 $        2
 $      156
Estimate for year ended December 31,
       
2016
173
                  296
           31
            500
2017
142
                  266
           31
            439
2018
113
                  236
           31
            380
2019
88
                  206
           30
            324
2020
66
                  177
 —
            243
 
 
76

 

7. FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK (FHLB) STOCK
 
The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Pittsburgh and as such, is required to maintain a minimum investment in stock of the FHLB that varies with the level of advances outstanding with the FHLB. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Bank holds $2,800,000 and $1,761,000, respectively. The stock does not have a readily determinable fair value and as such is classified as restricted stock, carried at cost and evaluated by management.  The stock’s value is determined by the ultimate recoverability of the par value rather than by recognizing temporary declines. The determination of whether the par value will ultimately be recovered is influenced by criteria such as the following: (a) A significant decline in net assets of the FHLB as compared to the capital stock amount and the length of time this situation has persisted (b) commitments by the FHLB to make payments required by law or regulation and the level of such payments in relation to the operating performance (c) the impact of legislative and regulatory changes on the customer base of the FHLB and (d) the liquidity position of the FHLB. Management evaluated the stock and concluded that the stock was not impaired for the periods presented herein.  Management considered that the FHLB’s regulatory capital ratios have improved, liquidity appears adequate, new shares of FHLB stock continue to exchange hands at the $100 par value and the FHLB has repurchased shares of excess capital stock from its members and has paid a quarterly cash dividend.
 
8. DEPOSITS
 
The following table shows the breakdown of deposits as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, by deposit type (dollars in thousands):
 
 
2015
2014
Non-interest-bearing deposits
 $     150,960
 $            95,526
NOW accounts
279,655
226,038
Savings deposits
170,277
108,252
Money market deposit accounts
105,229
95,350
Certificates of deposit
281,910
248,767
Total
 $     988,031
 $          773,933
 
Certificates of deposit of $250,000 or more amounted to $51,818,000 and $47,310,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
Following are maturities of certificates of deposit as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
2016
 $      128,954
2017
          61,608
2018
  38,240
2019
  18,761
2020
  24,594
Thereafter
    9,753
Total certificates of deposit
 $      281,910
 
 
77

 

9. BORROWED FUNDS AND REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
The following table shows the breakdown of borrowed funds as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Securities
           
 
Sold Under
       
 
Total
 
Agreements to
FHLB
Federal Funds
FRB
Notes
Term
Borrowed
 
Repurchase(a)
Advances(b)
Line (c)
BIC Line (d)
Payable(e)
Loans(f)
Funds
2015
             
Balance at December 31
 $         16,008
 $         1,598
 $                  -
 $                  -
 $          7,500
 $     16,525
 $    41,631
Highest balance at any month-end
            16,008
26,996
                     -
                     -
             7,500
        20,569
       71,073
Average balance
              5,998
5,218
                     -
                     -
             7,500
        17,984
       36,700
Weighted average interest rate:
             
    Paid during the year
0.82%
0.35%
0.00%
0.77%
3.14%
2.25%
1.93%
    As of year-end
0.45%
0.43%
0.00%
0.00%
3.33%
2.44%
1.74%
2014
             
Balance at December 31
 $           5,906
 $       16,593
 $                 -
 $                  -
 $          7,500
 $     11,800
 $    41,799
Highest balance at any month-end
              7,277
39,902
                    -
                     -
             7,500
        18,200
       72,879
Average balance
              6,535
9,991
                    1
                    1
             7,500
        15,180
       39,208
Weighted average interest rate:
             
    Paid during the year
0.91%
0.27%
0.76%
0.75%
3.09%
1.89%
1.55%
    As of year-end
0.99%
0.24%
0.00%
0.00%
3.04%
2.54%
1.50%
2013
             
Balance at December 31
 $           7,278
 $       42,954
 $                 -
 $                  -
 $       7,500
 $       9,200
 $    66,932
Highest balance at any month-end
              8,923
42,954
                    -
                     -
7,500
        30,000
       89,377
Average balance
              7,821
4,871
                    -
                     -
7,500
        22,022
       42,214
Weighted average interest rate:
             
    Paid during the year
0.88%
0.25%
0.73%
0.75%
5.82%
3.13%
2.86%
    As of year-end
0.87%
0.25%
0.00%
0.00%
3.04%
2.78%
0.96%

(a) We utilize securities sold under agreements to repurchase to facilitate the needs of our customers and to facilitate secured short-term funding needs. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are stated at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction. We monitor collateral levels on a continuous basis. We may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying securities. Securities pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements are maintained with our safekeeping agents.
 
The collateral pledged on the repurchase agreements by the remaining contractual maturity of the repurchase agreements in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is presented in the following tables.
 
     
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
     
Overnight and
Up to
 
Greater than
 
2015
   
Continuous
30 Days
30 - 90 Days
90 days
Total
Repurchase Agreements:
             
U.S. agency securities
 
 $              18,144
 $                -
 $              -
 $        2,049
$        20,193
Total carrying value of collateral pledged
               18,144
                -
             -
        2,049
        20,193
Total liability recognized for repurchase agreements
       
        16,008
               
2014
   
Continuous
30 Days
30 - 90 Days
90 days
Total
Repurchase Agreements:
             
U.S. agency securities
 
 $              10,368
 $        1,015
 $                  -
 $        2,940
$        14,323
Total carrying value of collateral pledged
              10,368
        1,015
             -
        2,940
        14,323
Total liability recognized for repurchase agreements
       
   5,906
 
(b) FHLB Advances consist of an “Open RepoPlus” agreement with the FHLB of Pittsburgh. FHLB “Open RepoPlus” advances are short-term borrowings that bear interest based on the FHLB discount rate or Federal Funds rate, whichever is higher.  The Company has a borrowing limit of $254,270,000, inclusive of any outstanding advances. FHLB advances are secured by a blanket security agreement that includes the Company’s FHLB stock, as well as certain investment and mortgage-backed securities held in safekeeping at the FHLB and certain residential and commercial mortgage loans.
 
(c) The federal funds line consists of an unsecured line from a third party bank at market rates.  The Company has a borrowing limit of $10,000,000, inclusive of any outstanding balances.  No specific collateral is required to be pledged for these borrowings.
 
 
78

 
 
(d) The Federal Reserve Bank Borrower in Custody (FRB BIC) Line consists of a borrower in custody in agreement open in January 2010 with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia secured by municipal loans maintained in the Company's possession.  As of December 31, 2015, the Company has a borrowing limit of $7,949,000, inclusive of any outstanding advances. The approximate carrying value of the municipal loan collateral was $16,146,000 and $17,071,000 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
(e) In December 2003, the Company formed a special purpose entity (“Entity”) to issue $7,500,000 of floating rate obligated mandatory redeemable securities as part of a pooled offering.  The rate was determined quarterly and floated based on the 3 month LIBOR plus 2.80.   The Entity may redeem them, in whole or in part, at face value after December 17, 2008, and on a quarterly basis thereafter.  The Company borrowed the proceeds of the issuance from the Entity in December 2003 in the form of a $7,500,000 note payable.  Debt issue costs of $75,000 have been capitalized and fully amortized as of December 31, 2008.  Under current accounting rules, the Company’s minority interest in the Entity was recorded at the initial investment amount and is included in the other assets section of the balance sheet.  The Entity is not consolidated as part of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
(f) Term Loans consist of separate loans with the FHLB of Pittsburgh as follows (in thousands):
 
   
December 31,
December 31,
Interest Rate
Maturity
2015
2014
Fixed:
     
2.29%
October 2, 2017
             2,000
             2,000
2.72%
July 12, 2018
             1,000
             1,000
1.87%
February 4, 2019
             2,000
             2,000
2.61%
February 3, 2021
             2,000
             2,000
3.52%
July 12, 2021
             2,000
             2,000
2.37%
August 20, 2021
             2,800
             2,800
2.08%
January 6, 2022
             4,725
                     -
Total term loans
 $        16,525
 $        11,800
 
Following are maturities of borrowed funds as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
2016
 
 $                 24,546
2017
 
                      2,000
2018
 
                      1,000
2019
 
                      2,000
2020
 
                         560
Thereafter
 
                    11,525
Total borrowed funds
 
 $                 41,631
 
10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
Noncontributory Defined Benefit Pension Plan
 
The Bank sponsors a trusteed, noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all employees and officers hired prior to January 1, 2007. Additionally, the Bank assumed the noncontributory defined benefit pension plan of FNB when it was acquired during 2015. The FNB plan was frozen prior to the acquisition and therefore, no additional benefits will accrue for employees covered under that plan. These two plans are collectively referred to herein as “the Plans”.  The pension plans call for benefits to be paid to eligible employees at retirement based primarily upon years of service with the Bank and compensation rates during employment. Upon retirement or other termination of employment, employees can elect either an annuity benefit or a lump sum distribution of vested benefits in the pension plan. The Bank’s funding policy is to make annual contributions, if needed, based upon the funding formula developed by the pension plans’ actuary. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, contributions to the pension plans totaled $400,000, $300,000 and $1,000,000, respectively.
 
In lieu of the pension plan, employees with a hire date of January 1, 2007 or later are eligible to receive, after meeting length of service requirements, an annual discretionary 401(k) plan contribution from the Bank equal to a percentage of an employee’s base compensation.  The contribution amount is placed in a separate account within the 401(k) plan and is subject to a vesting requirement. Contributions by the Company totaled $61,000, $46,000 and $40,000 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
The following table sets forth the obligation and funded status as of December 31 (in thousands):
 
 
79

 
 
     
2015
 
2014
Change in benefit obligation
       
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$
          11,777
$
            9,739
Benefit obligation acquired as part of FNB acquisition
            6,377
 
-
Service cost
 
               352
 
               307
Interest cost
 
               424
 
               415
Actuarial (Gain) / Loss
 
             (456)
 
            1,645
Benefits paid
 
             (665)
 
             (329)
Benefit obligation at end of year
 
          17,809
 
          11,777
Change in plan assets
       
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
 
          11,039
 
          10,519
Fair value of plan assets at acquisition
 
            4,053
 
 -
Actual return (loss) on plan assets
 
               (41)
 
               549
Employer contribution
 
               400
 
               300
Benefits paid
 
             (665)
 
             (329)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
 
          14,786
 
          11,039
Funded status
$
          (3,023)
$
             (738)
 
Amounts not yet recognized as a component of net periodic pension cost (in thousands):
 
Amounts recognized in accumulated other
       
comprehensive loss consists of:
 
2015
 
2014
 
Net loss
$
            3,919
$
            3,795
 
Prior service cost
 
             (222)
 
             (270)
Total
$
            3,697
$
            3,525
 
The accumulated benefit obligation for the defined benefit pension plan was $17,809,000 and $11,777,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
The components of net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31 are as follows (in thousands):
 
     
2015
 
   2014
 
   2013
Service cost
$
               352
 $
               307
 $
           342
Interest cost
 
               424
 
               415
 
           363
Return on plan assets
 
             (791)
 
             (786)
 
          (673)
Net amortization and deferral
 
               205
 
                 51
 
           257
Net periodic benefit cost
$
               190
 $
               (13)
 $
           289
 
The estimated net loss and prior service cost that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into the net periodic benefit cost in 2016 is $288,000 and $(47,000), respectively.
 
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31, 2015 and 2014 is summarized in the following table. The change in the discount rate is the primary driver of the actuarial gain that occurred in 2015 of $456,000.
 
     
2015
 
2014
Discount rate
 
3.94%
 
3.50%
Rate of compensation increase
 
3.00%
 
3.00%
 
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost (income) for the year ended December 31:
 
     
2015
 
          2014
 
          2013
Discount rate
 
3.61%
 
4.30%
 
3.30%
Expected long-term return on plan assets
 
7.00%
 
7.50%
 
7.50%
Rate of compensation increase
 
3.00%
 
3.00%
 
3.00%
 
 
80

 
 
The long-term rate of return on plan assets gives consideration to returns currently being earned on plan assets as well as future rates expected to be earned.  The investment objective is to maximize total return consistent with the interests of the participants and beneficiaries, and prudent investment management.  The allocation of the pension plan assets is determined on the basis of sound economic principles and is continually reviewed in light of changes in market conditions.  Asset allocation favors equity securities, with a target allocation of 50-70%.  The target allocation for debt securities is 30-50%.  At December 31, 2015, the pension plan had a sufficient cash and money market position in order to re-allocate the equity portfolio for diversification purposes and reduce risk in the total portfolio.  The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy as defined in footnote 17, the Plan’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
2015
 
Level I
 
Level II
 
Level III
 
Total
Allocation
Assets
                 
     Cash and cash equivalents
 
 $         1,704
 
 $                -
 
 $             -
 
 $                 1,704
11.5%
     Equity Securities
                 
             U.S. Companies
 
            3,821
 
                   -
 
                -
 
                    3,821
25.8%
     Mutual Funds and ETF's
 
            6,085
 
                   -
 
                -
 
                    6,085
41.3%
     Corporate Bonds
 
                   -
 
            3,019
 
                -
 
                    3,019
20.4%
     Municipal Bonds
 
                   -
 
               107
 
                -
 
                       107
0.7%
     U.S. Agency Securities
 
                   -
 
                 50
 
                -
 
                         50
0.3%
     Total
 
 $       11,610
 
 $         3,176
 
 $             -
 
 $               14,786
100.0%

2014
 
Level I
 
Level II
 
Level III
 
Total
Allocation
Assets
                 
     Cash and cash equivalents
 
 $            516
 
 $                -
 
 $             -
 
 $                    516
4.7%
     Equity Securities
                 
             U.S. Companies
 
            3,761
 
                   -
 
                -
 
                    3,761
34.0%
     Mutual Funds and ETF's
 
            3,960
 
                   -
 
                -
 
                    3,960
35.9%
     Corporate Bonds
 
                   -
 
            2,604
 
                -
 
                    2,604
23.6%
     U.S. Agency Securities
 
                   -
 
               198
 
                -
 
                       198
1.8%
     Total
 
 $         8,237
 
 $         2,802
 
 $             -
 
 $               11,039
100.0%
 
Equity securities include the Company’s common stock in the amounts of $502,000 (3.4% of total plan assets) and $550,000 (5.0% of total plan assets) at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
The Bank expects to contribute $500,000 to its pension plans in 2016.  Expected future benefit payments that the Bank estimates from its pension plan are as follows (in thousands):
 
2016
 
 $            586
2017
 
               710
2018
 
               653
2019
 
            2,134
2020
 
            1,536
2021 - 2025
 
            6,573
 
Defined Contribution Plan
 
The Company sponsors a voluntary 401(k) savings plan which eligible employees can elect to contribute up to the maximum amount allowable not to exceed the limits of IRS Code Sections 401(k).  Under the plan, the Company also makes required contributions on behalf of the eligible employees.  The Company’s contributions vest immediately.  Contributions by the Company totaled $285,000, $267,000 and $255,000 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan
 
The Company’s directors may elect to defer all or portions of their fees until their retirement or termination from service.  Amounts deferred under the deferred compensation plan earn interest based upon the highest current rate offered to certificate of deposit customers.  Amounts deferred under the deferred compensation plan are not guaranteed and represent a general liability of the Company.  As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, an obligation of $958,000 and $969,000, respectively, was included in other liabilities for this plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Amounts included in interest expense on the deferred amounts totaled $22,000, $20,000 and $16,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
 
 
81

 
 
Restricted Stock Plan
 
The Company maintains a Restricted Stock Plan (the Plan) whereby employees and non-employee corporate directors are eligible to receive awards of restricted stock based upon performance related requirements.  Awards granted under the Plan are in the form of the Company’s common stock and are subject to certain vesting requirements including in the case of employees, continuous employment or service with the Company.  In total, 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock have been authorized under the Plan, which terminates April 18, 2016. As of December 31, 2015, 59,162 shares remain available to be issued under the Plan. The Plan assists the Company in attracting, retaining and motivating employees to make substantial contributions to the success of the Company and to increase the emphasis on the use of equity as a key component of compensation.
 
The following table details the vesting, awarding and forfeiting of restricted shares during 2015:
 
 
2015
   
Weighted
   
Average
 
Shares
Market Price
Outstanding, beginning of year
       6,971
 $          48.55
Granted
       4,996
             49.02
Forfeited
        (139)
             51.49
Vested
      (3,559)
             45.76
Outstanding, end of year
       8,269
 $          49.98
 
Compensation cost related to restricted stock is recognized based on the market price of the stock at the grant date over the vesting period.  Compensation expense related to restricted stock was $172,000, $157,000 and $155,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted shares granted during 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $49.02, $52.82 and $48.21, respectively.  At December 31, 2015 the total compensation cost related to nonvested awards that has not yet been recognized was $413,000, which is expected to be recognized over the next 3 years.
 
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
 
The Company maintains a non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) for certain executives to compensate those executive participants in the Company’s noncontributory defined benefit pension plan whose benefits are limited by compensation limitations under current tax law.  At December 31, 2015 and 2014, an obligation of $1,339,000 and $1,198,000, respectively, was included in other liabilities for the SERP in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  Expenses related to the SERP totaled $141,000, $152,000 and $145,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
 
Salary Continuation Plan
 
The Company maintains a salary continuation plan for certain employees acquired through the acquisition of the FNB.  At December 31 2015 an obligation of $710,000 was included in other liabilities for this plan in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  There were no expenses related to this plan during the year ended December 31, 2015.
 
Continuation of Life Insurance Plan
 
The Company, as part of the acquisition of FNB, has promised a continuation of life insurance coverage to certain persons post-retirement. GAAP requires the recording of post-retirement costs and a liability equal to the present value of the cost of post-retirement insurance during the person’s term of service. The estimated present value of future benefits to be paid totaled $574,000 at December 31, 2015, which is included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. There were no expenses related to this plan during the year ended December 31, 2015.
 
11. INCOME TAXES
 
 
82

 
 
The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
2014
2013
Currently payable
 $          2,913
 $          3,081
 $          3,082
Deferred taxes
                (192)
                478
                670
Provision for income taxes
 $          2,721
 $          3,559
 $          3,752
 
The following temporary differences gave rise to the net deferred tax asset and liabilities at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively (in thousands):
 
 
2015
2014
Deferred tax assets:
   
    Allowance for loan losses
 $          4,238
 $          2,317
    Deferred compensation
                772
                503
    Merger & acquisition costs
                  20
                  24
    Allowance for losses on available-for-sale securities
                436
                420
    Pension and other retirement obligation
             1,483
                658
    Interest on non-accrual loans
             1,001
                825
    Incentive plan accruals
                362
                352
    Other real estate owned
                136
                  24
    Low income housing tax credits
                  63
                  33
    NOL carry forward
                950
                     -
    AMT Credit Carryforward
                152
                     -
    Other
                157
                  78
          Total
 $          9,770
 $          5,234
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
   
    Premises and equipment
 $            (919)
 $            (306)
    Investment securities accretion
               (177)
               (302)
    Loan fees and costs
               (154)
               (166)
    Goodwill and core deposit intangibles
            (3,594)
            (2,734)
    Mortgage servicing rights
               (238)
               (161)
    Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities
            (1,135)
            (1,594)
    Other
                 (44)
                     -
           Total
            (6,261)
            (5,263)
Deferred tax asset (liability), net
 $          3,509
 $              (29)
 
No valuation allowance was established at December 31, 2015 and 2014, due to the Company’s ability to carryback to taxes paid in previous years and certain tax strategies, coupled with the anticipated future taxable income as evidenced by the Company’s earnings potential.
 
The total provision for income taxes is different from that computed at the statutory rates due to the following items (in thousands):
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
2014
2013
Provision at statutory rates on
     
  pre-tax income
 $          4,878
 $          5,761
 $          5,823
Effect of tax-exempt income
            (1,915)
            (1,865)
            (1,752)
Low income housing tax credits
               (198)
               (198)
               (198)
Bank owned life insurance
               (214)
               (172)
               (171)
Nondeductible interest
                  61
                  60
                  70
Nondeductible merger and acquisition expenses
                102
                     -
                     -
Other items
                  7
                 (27)
                 (20)
Provision for income taxes
 $          2,721
 $          3,559
 $          3,752
Statutory tax rates
34%
34%
34%
Effective tax rates
19.0%
21.0%
21.9%
 
 
83

 
 
The Company prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Benefits from tax positions should be recognized in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the appropriate taxing authority that would have full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. There is currently no liability for uncertain tax positions and no known unrecognized tax benefits. With limited exception, the Company’s federal and state income tax returns for taxable years through 2011 have been closed for purposes of examination by the federal and state taxing jurisdictions.
 
Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects
 
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company was invested in four partnerships that provide affordable housing. The balance of the investments, which is included within other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, was $959,000 and $1,218,000 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Investments purchased prior to January 1, 2015, are accounted for utilizing the effective yield method. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has $1,044,000 of tax credits remaining that will be recognized over seven years. Tax credits of $198,000 were recognized as a reduction of tax expense during 2015. Included within other expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Income was $259,000 of amortization of the investments in qualified affordable housing projects.
 
12. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of December 31, were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 2015
 2014
Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale
 $              3,339
 $        4,687
Tax effect
(1,135)
(1,594)
Net -of-tax amount
2,204
3,093
     
Unrecognized pension costs
(3,697)
(3,525)
Tax effect
1,257
1,199
Net -of-tax amount
(2,440)
(2,326)
     
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
 $                (236)
 $           767
 
The following tables present the changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component net of tax for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):
 
 
84

 
 
 
Unrealized gain
(loss) on
available for sale
securities (a)
Unrealized
gain (loss) on
interest rate
swap (a)
Defined Benefit
Pension Items
(a)
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2012
 $              6,754
 $         (132)
 $         (1,991)
 $        4,631
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (net of tax)
                (6,571)
              132
                704
         (5,735)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
       
     comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax)
                   (291)
                -
                170
            (121)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
                (6,862)
              132
                874
         (5,856)
Balance as of December 31, 2013
 $                (108)
 $             -
 $         (1,117)
 $      (1,225)
         
Balance as of December 31, 2013
 $                (108)
 $             -
 $         (1,117)
 $      (1,225)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (net of tax)
                 3,608
                -
            (1,243)
           2,365
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
       
     comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax)
                   (407)
                -
                  34
            (373)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
                 3,201
                -
            (1,209)
           1,992
Balance as of December 31, 2014
 $              3,093
 $             -
 $         (2,326)
 $           767
         
Balance as of December 31, 2014
 $              3,093
 $             -
 $         (2,326)
 $           767
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (net of tax)
                   (606)
                -
               (249)
            (855)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
       
     comprehensive loss (net of tax)
                   (283)
                -
                135
            (148)
Net current period other comprehensive loss
                   (889)
                -
               (114)
         (1,003)
Balance as of December 31, 2015
 $              2,204
 $             -
 $         (2,440)
 $         (236)
         
(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate debits
       
 
The following table presents the significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
 
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Amount reclassified from accumulated
comprehensive income (loss) (a)
 
Affected line item in the statement
where net Income is presented
 
December 31,
   
 
2015
2014
2013
   
Unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities
         
 
 $                 429
 $           616
 $            441
 
Investment securities gains, net
 
                   (146)
            (209)
 (150)
 
Provision for income taxes
 
 $                 283
 $           407
 $            291
 
Net of tax
           
Defined benefit pension items
         
 
 $                (205)
 $           (51)
 $          (257)
 
Salaries and employee benefits
 
                      70
                17
87
 
Provision for income taxes
 
 $                (135)
 $           (34)
 $          (170)
 
Net of tax
Total reclassifications
 $                 148
 $           373
 $            121
   
           
(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to profit/loss
         
 
13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
Certain executive officers and directors of the Company, or companies in which they have 10 percent or more beneficial ownership, were indebted to the Bank.  Such loans were made in the ordinary course of business at the Bank’s normal credit terms and do not present more than a normal risk of collection.  A summary of loan activity for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 with officers, directors, stockholders and associates of such persons is listed below (in thousands):
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
2014
Balance, beginning of year
 $                    4,314
 $            4,263
  New loans
                       5,828
               2,212
  Repayments
                     (4,799)
              (2,161)
Balance, end of year
 $                    5,343
 $            4,314
 
 
85

 
 
14. REGULATORY MATTERS
 
Dividend Restrictions:
 
The approval of the Federal Reserve Board is required for a bank to pay dividends up to the Company if the total of all dividends declared in any calendar year exceeds the Bank’s net income (as defined) for that year combined with its retained net income for the preceding two calendar years. Under this formula, the Bank can declare dividends in 2016 without approval of the FRB or PDB of approximately $6,340,000, plus the Bank’s 2016 year-to-date net income at the time of the dividend declaration.
 
Loans:
 
The Bank is subject to regulatory restrictions which limit its ability to loan funds to the Company.  At December 31, 2015, the Bank’s regulatory lending limit amounted to approximately $16,235,000.
 
Regulatory Capital Requirements:
 
Federal regulations require the Company and the Bank to maintain minimum amounts of capital. Specifically, each is required to maintain certain minimum dollar amounts and ratios of Total, Tier I and Common Equity Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets and of Tier I capital to average total assets.
 
In addition to the capital requirements, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA) established five capital categories ranging from “well capitalized” to “critically under-capitalized.” Should any institution fail to meet the requirements to be considered “adequately capitalized”, it would become subject to a series of increasingly restrictive regulatory actions.
 
As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the FRB categorized the Company and the Bank as well capitalized, under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  To be categorized as a well capitalized financial institution, Total risk-based, Tier I risk-based, Common Equity Tier I risk based and Tier I leverage capital ratios must be at least 10%, 8%, 6.5% and 5%, respectively.
 
The Company and Bank’s computed risk-based capital ratios are as follows as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (dollars in thousands):
 
 
Actual
For Capital Adequacy
Purposes
To Be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
2015
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Company
 $         114,886
16.23%
 $            56,630
8.00%
 $      70,787
10.00%
  Bank
 $         108,232
15.34%
 $            56,443
8.00%
 $      70,554
10.00%
             
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Company
 $         107,612
15.20%
 $            42,472
6.00%
 $      56,630
8.00%
  Bank
 $         100,958
14.31%
 $            42,332
6.00%
 $      56,443
8.00%
             
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Company
 $         100,112
14.14%
 $            31,854
4.50%
 $      46,012
6.50%
  Bank
 $         100,958
14.31%
 $            31,749
4.50%
 $      45,860
6.50%
             
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets):
Company
 $         107,612
11.01%
 $            39,083
4.00%
 $      48,854
5.00%
  Bank
 $         100,958
10.35%
 $            39,006
4.00%
 $      48,757
5.00%
             
 
 
86

 

 
Actual
For Capital Adequacy
Purposes
To Be Well Capitalized
Under Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
2014
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Company
 $         106,891
18.55%
 $            46,105
8.00%
 $      57,631
10.00%
  Bank
 $           97,498
16.97%
 $            45,969
8.00%
 $      57,462
10.00%
             
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Company
 $           99,692
17.30%
 $            23,053
4.00%
 $      34,579
6.00%
  Bank
 $           90,500
15.75%
 $            22,985
4.00%
 $      34,477
6.00%
             
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets):
Company
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
  Bank
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
             
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets):
Company
 $           99,692
10.99%
 $            36,272
4.00%
 $      45,341
5.00%
  Bank
 $           90,500
10.00%
 $            36,218
4.00%
 $      45,273
5.00%
 
This annual report has not been reviewed, or confirmed for accuracy or relevance, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
 
The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate or liquidity risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet.
 
Credit Extension Commitments
 
The Company’s exposure to credit loss from nonperformance by the other party to the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Financial instruments, whose contract amounts represent credit risk at December 31, 2015 and 2014, are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
2015
2014
Commitments to extend credit
$143,134
$108,951
Standby letters of credit
13,751
10,389
 
$156,885
$119,340
 
Commitments to extend credit are legally binding agreements to lend to customers. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of fees. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future liquidity requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained if deemed necessary by the Company on extension of credit is based on management’s credit assessment of the counter party.
 
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee a financial agreement between a customer and a third party.  Performance letters of credit represent conditional commitments issued by the Bank to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party.  These instruments are issued primarily to support bid or performance related contracts.  The coverage period for these instruments is typically a one-year period with an annual renewal option subject to prior approval by management.  Fees earned from the issuance of these letters are recognized during the coverage period.  For secured letters of credit, the collateral is typically Bank deposit instruments or customer business assets.
 
 
87

 
 
The Company also offers limited overdraft protection as a non-contractual courtesy which is available to demand deposit accounts in good standing for business, personal or household use.  The non-contractual amount of financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk at December 31, 2015 was $12,485,000.  The Company reserves the right to discontinue this service without prior notice.
 
Litigation Matters
 
The Company is subject to lawsuits and claims arising out of its business. There are no legal proceedings or claims currently pending or threatened other than those encountered during the normal course of business, which include various foreclosure proceedings. As a result of these proceedings, it is not unusual for customers to countersue the Bank, which are vigorously challenged by the Bank.
 
16. OPERATING LEASES
 
The following schedule shows future minimum rental payments under operating leases with noncancellable terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2015 (in thousands):
 
2016
 $             254
2017
                188
2018
                191
2019
                194
2020
                  81
Thereafter
                185
Total
 $          1,093
 
The Company’s operating lease obligations represent short and long-term lease and rental payments for facilities. Total rental expense for all operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $175,000, $171,000 and $162,000, respectively.
 
17. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
The Company established a hierarchal disclosure framework associated with the level of pricing observability utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair value. The three broad levels defined by this hierarchy are as follows:
 
Level I:
Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reported date.
Level II:
Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. The nature of these assets and liabilities include items for which quoted prices are available but traded less frequently, and items that are fair valued using other financial instruments, the parameters of which can be directly observed.
Level III:
Assets and liabilities that have little to no pricing observability as of the reported date. These items do not have two-way markets and are measured using management’s best estimate of fair value, where the inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.
 
 
 
A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.
 
In general, fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If such quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed models that primarily use, as inputs, observable market-based parameters. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments may include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality, the Company's creditworthiness, among other things, as well as unobservable parameters. Any such valuation adjustments are applied consistently over time. Our valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date. Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized on the actual date of the event or circumstances that caused the transfer, which generally coincides with the Company’s monthly and/or quarterly valuation process.
 
 
88

 
 
Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
 
The fair values of securities available for sale are determined by quoted prices in active markets, when available, and classified as Level I. If quoted market prices are not available, the fair value is determined by a matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique, widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities and classified as Level II. The fair values consider observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and conditions, among other things. In cases where significant credit valuation adjustments are incorporated into the estimation of fair value, reported amounts are classified as Level III inputs.
 
The following tables present the assets reported on the consolidated balance sheet at their fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands) by level within the fair value hierarchy. Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
 

 2015
 
Level I
 
Level II
 
Level III
   
Total
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis:
                 
Securities available for sale:
                 
     U.S. agency securities
 
 $                  -
 
 $           199,591
 
 $               -
   
 $         199,591
     U.S. treasuries securities
 
10,082
 
                    -
 
                    -
   
10,082
     Obligations of state and
                 
       political subdivisions
 
                    -
 
              102,863
 
                    -
   
102,863
     Corporate obligations
 
                    -
 
                14,565
 
                    -
   
14,565
     Mortgage-backed securities in
                 
       government sponsored entities
 
                    -
 
                30,204
 
                    -
   
30,204
     Equity securities in financial institutions
 
             2,432
 
                    -
 
                    -
   
2,432

2014
 
Level I
 
Level II
 
Level III
   
Total
Fair value measurements on a recurring basis:
                 
Securities available for sale:
                 
     U.S. agency securities
 
 $                  -
 
 $           150,885
 
 $               -
   
 $         150,885
     U.S. treasuries
 
4,849
 
                    -
 
                    -
   
                4,849
     Obligations of state and
                 
       political subdivisions
 
                    -
 
              105,036
 
                    -
   
            105,036
     Corporate obligations
 
                    -
 
                13,958
 
                    -
   
              13,958
     Mortgage-backed securities in
                 
       government sponsored entities
 
                    -
 
                29,728
 
                    -
   
              29,728
     Equity securities in financial institutions
 
             1,690
 
                    -
 
                    -
   
               1,690
 
Financial Instruments, Non-Financial Assets and Non-Financial Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
 
The Company may be required, from time to time, to measure certain financial assets, financial liabilities, non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These include assets that are measured at the lower of cost or market value that were recognized at fair value below cost at the end of the period. Certain non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include foreclosed assets (upon initial recognition or subsequent impairment), non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities measured at fair value in the second step of a goodwill impairment test, and intangible assets and other non-financial long-lived assets measured at fair value for impairment assessment. Non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis during 2015 and 2014 include certain foreclosed assets which, upon initial recognition, were remeasured and reported at fair value through a charge-off to the allowance for possible loan losses and certain foreclosed assets which, subsequent to their initial recognition, were remeasured at fair value through a write-down included in other non-interest expense.
 
 
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Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands) are included in the table below:
 
2015
 
Level I
 
Level II
 
Level III
 
Total
Impaired Loans
 
 $                  -
 
 $                      -
 
 $          894
 
 $                  894
Other real estate owned
 
                     -
 
                         -
 
          1,197
 
                  1,197
                 
2014
 
Level I
 
Level II
 
Level III
 
Total
Impaired Loans
 
 $                  -
 
 $                      -
 
 $          846
 
 $                  846
Other real estate owned
 
                     -
 
                         -
 
             893
 
                     893
 
·  
Impaired Loans - The Company has measured impairment on impaired loans generally based on the fair value of the loan’s collateral.  Fair value is generally determined based upon independent third-party appraisals of the properties. In some cases, management may adjust the appraised value due to the age of the appraisal, changes in market conditions, or observable deterioration of the property since the appraisal was completed.   Additionally, management makes estimates about expected costs to sell the property which are also included in the net realizable value.  If the fair value of the collateral dependent loan is less than the carrying amount of the loan a specific reserve for the loan is made in the allowance for loan losses or a charge-off is taken to reduce the loan to the fair value of the collateral (less estimated selling costs) and the loan is included in the table above as a Level III measurement.  If the fair value of the collateral exceeds the carrying amount of the loan, then the loan is not included in the table above as it is not current being carried at its fair value.
 
·  
Other Real Estate owned – OREO is carried at the lower of cost or fair value, which is measured at the date foreclosure.  If the fair value of the collateral exceeds the carrying amount of the loan, no charge-off or adjustment is necessary, the loan is not considered to be carried at fair value, and is therefore not included in the table above. If the fair value of the collateral is less than the carrying amount of the loan, management will charge the loan down to its estimated realizable value. The fair value of OREO is based on the appraised value of the property, which is generally unadjusted by management and is based on comparable sales for similar properties in the same geographic region as the subject property, and is included in the above table as a Level II measurement.  In some cases, management may adjust the appraised value due to the age of the appraisal, changes in market conditions, or observable deterioration of the property since the appraisal was completed.  In these cases, the loans are categorized in the above table as Level III measurement since these adjustments are considered to be unobservable inputs. Income and expenses from operations and further declines in the fair value of the collateral subsequent to foreclosure are included in net expenses from OREO.
 
The following table provides a listing of the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement process for items valued utilizing level III techniques.
 
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
2015
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique(s)
Unobservable input
Range
Weighted average
Impaired Loans
       894
 
Appraised Collateral Values
Discount for time since appraisal
0-70%
46.50%
       
Selling costs
4%-10%
7.75%
       
Holding period
0 - 12 months
10 months
             
Other real estate owned
    1,197
 
Appraised Collateral Values
Discount for time since appraisal
0-75%
25%
             
2014
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique(s)
Unobservable input
Range
Weighted average
Impaired Loans
       846
 
Appraised Collateral Values
Discount for time since appraisal
0-20%
2.00%
       
Selling costs
4%-10%
8.54%
       
Holding period
12 months
12 months
             
Other real estate owned
       893
 
Appraised Collateral Values
Discount for time since appraisal
0-20%
20%
 
 
90

 
 
The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Carrying
       
December 31, 2015
Amount
Fair Value
Level I
Level II
Level III
Financial assets:
         
Cash and due from banks
 $        24,384
 $     24,384
 $       24,384
 $              -
 $              -
Interest bearing time deposits with other banks
             7,696
7,705
                   -
                 -
         7,705
Available-for-sale securities
         359,737
359,737
           12,514
     347,223
                 -
Loans held for sale
                603
603
               603
   
Net loans
         687,925
712,524
                   -
                 -
     712,524
Bank owned life insurance
           25,535
25,535
          25,535
                 -
                 -
Regulatory stock
             3,459
    3,459
            3,459
                 -
                 -
Accrued interest receivable
             4,211
4,211
            4,211
                 -
                 -
           
Financial liabilities:
         
Deposits
 $      988,031
 $   987,542
 $     706,121
 $              -
 $  281,421
Borrowed funds
           41,631
38,863
            1,598
                 -
       37,265
Accrued interest payable
                734
734
734
                 -
                 -

 
Carrying
       
December 31, 2014
Amount
Fair Value
Level I
Level II
Level III
Financial assets:
         
Cash and due from banks
 $        11,423
 $     11,423
 $       11,423
 $              -
 $              -
Interest bearing time deposits with other banks
             5,960
5,969
                   -
                 -
         5,969
Available-for-sale securities
         306,146
306,146
            6,539
     299,607
                 -
Loans held for sale
                497
497
               497
   
Net loans
         547,290
564,944
                   -
                 -
     564,944
Bank owned life insurance
           20,309
20,309
          20,309
                 -
                 -
Regulatory stock
             2,035
2,035
            2,035
                 -
                 -
Accrued interest receivable
             3,644
3,644
            3,644
                 -
                 -
           
Financial liabilities:
         
Deposits
 $      773,933
 $   774,387
 $     525,166
 $              -
 $  249,221
Borrowed funds
           41,799
38,219
          16,593
                 -
       21,626
Accrued interest payable
                756
756
756
                 -
                 -
 
Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument.  These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument.  Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions can significantly affect the estimates.
 
Estimated fair values have been determined by the Company using historical data, as generally provided in the Company’s regulatory reports, and an estimation methodology suitable for each category of financial instruments. The Company’s fair value estimates, methods and assumptions are set forth below for the Company’s other financial instruments.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
 
The carrying amounts for cash and due from banks approximate fair value because they have original maturities of 90 days or less and do not present unanticipated credit concerns.
 
Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable:
 
The carrying amounts for accrued interest receivable and payable approximate fair value because they are generally received or paid in 90 days or less and do not present unanticipated credit concerns.
 
Interest bearing time deposits with other banks:
 
 
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The fair value of interest bearing time deposits with other banks is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
 
Available-For-Sale Securities:
 
The fair values of available-for-sale securities are based on quoted market prices as of the balance sheet date.  For certain instruments, fair value is estimated by obtaining quotes from independent dealers.
 
Loans:
 
Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics.  The fair value of performing loans has been estimated by discounting expected future cash flows. The discount rate used in these calculations is derived from the Treasury yield curve adjusted for credit quality, operating expense and prepayment option price, and is calculated by discounting scheduled cash flows through the estimated maturity using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loan. The estimate of maturity is based on the Company’s historical experience with repayments for each loan classification, modified as required by an estimate of the effect of current economic and lending conditions.
 
Fair value for significant nonperforming loans is based on recent external appraisals or estimated cash flows discounted using a rate commensurate with the risk associated with the estimated cash flows. Assumptions regarding credit risk, cash flows, and discount rates are judgmentally determined using available market information and specific borrower information.
 
Bank Owned Life Insurance:
 
The carrying value of bank owned life insurance approximates fair value based on applicable redemption provisions.
 
Regulatory Stock:
 
The carrying value of regulatory stock approximates fair value based on applicable redemption provisions.
 
Deposits:
 
The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings and NOW accounts, and money market accounts, is equal to the amount payable on demand. The fair value of certificates of deposit is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.
 
The deposits’ fair value estimates do not include the benefit that results from the low-cost funding provided by the deposit liabilities compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market, commonly referred to as the core deposit intangible.
 
Borrowed Funds:
 
The fair value of borrowed funds is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is the rates available to the Company for borrowed funds with similar terms and remaining maturities.
 
18. CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION - PARENT COMPANY ONLY
 
The following is condensed financial information for Citizens Financial Services, Inc.:
 
 
92

 
 

CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
CONDENSED  BALANCE SHEET
 
December 31,
(in thousands)
2015
2014
Assets:
   
  Cash
 $           4,593
 $          7,911
  Available-for-sale securities
              2,332
             1,556
  Investment in subsidiary:
   
    First Citizens Community Bank
          120,370
           98,542
  Other assets
                 557
                511
Total assets
 $       127,852
 $      108,520
     
Liabilities:
   
  Other liabilities
 $              592
 $             492
  Borrowed funds
              7,500
             7,500
Total liabilities
              8,092
             7,992
Stockholders' equity
          119,760
         100,528
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 $       127,852
 $      108,520
 
CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
CONDENSED  STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2015
2014
2013
Dividends from:
     
  Bank subsidiary
 $           5,582
 $        14,332
 $             4,142
  Available-for-sale securities
                   71
                  56
                     51
Total income
              5,653
           14,388
                4,193
Realized securities gains
                   76
                     -
                   183
Expenses
                 892
                555
                   638
Income before equity
     
  in undistributed earnings
     
  of subsidiary
              4,837
           13,833
                3,738
Equity in undistributed
     
  earnings - First Citizens Community Bank
              6,789
              (448)
                9,637
Net income
 $         11,626
 $        13,385
 $           13,375
Comprehensive income
 $         10,623
 $        15,377
 $             7,519
 
 
93

 
 
CITIZENS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
2015
2014
2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
     
  Net income
 $         11,626
 $        13,385
 $           13,375
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
     
      cash provided by operating activities:
     
        Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries
            (6,789)
                448
              (9,637)
        Investment securities gains, net
                 (76)
                     -
                 (183)
        Other, net
                 322
                174
                   309
          Net cash provided by operating activities
              5,083
           14,007
                3,864
Cash flows from investing activities:
     
  Purchases of available-for-sale securities
               (901)
              (602)
                     (1)
  Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities
                 113
                     -
                   538
          Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
               (788)
              (602)
                   537
Cash flows from financing activities:
     
  Cash dividends paid
            (5,151)
           (6,121)
              (3,558)
  Purchase of treasury stock
            (2,455)
              (814)
              (1,483)
  Purchase of restricted stock
                   (7)
              (170)
                 (115)
          Net cash used in financing activities
            (7,613)
           (7,105)
              (5,156)
          Net (decrease) increase in cash
            (3,318)
             6,300
                 (755)
Cash at beginning of year
              7,911
             1,611
                2,366
Cash at end of year
 $           4,593
 $          7,911
 $             1,611
 
19. CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
The following table presents summarized quarterly financial data for 2015 and 2014:
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended,
 
2015
Mar 31
June 30
Sep 30
Dec 31
Interest income
 $             8,771
 $             8,768
 $             8,863
 $             9,251
Interest expense
                1,184
                1,207
                1,218
                1,211
Net interest income
                7,587
                7,561
                7,645
                8,040
Provision for loan losses
                   120
                   120
                   120
                   120
Non-interest income
                1,602
                1,780
                1,736
                1,876
Investment securities gains (losses), net
                   126
                   175
                   129
                     (1)
Non-interest expenses
                5,335
                5,428
                5,852
                6,814
Income before provision for income taxes
                3,860
                3,968
                3,538
                2,981
Provision for income taxes
                   740
                   779
                   681
                   521
Net income
 $             3,120
 $             3,189
 $             2,857
 $             2,460
Earnings Per Share Basic
 $               1.03
 $               1.06
 $               0.95
 $               0.80
Earnings Per Share Diluted
 $               1.03
 $               1.06
 $               0.95
 $               0.79
 
   
Three Months Ended,
 
2014
Mar 31
June 30
Sep 30
Dec 31
Interest income
 $             8,781
 $             8,889
 $             8,808
 $             8,813
Interest expense
                1,269
                1,239
                1,234
                1,211
Net interest income
                7,512
                7,650
                7,574
                7,602
Provision for loan losses
                   180
                   150
                   150
                   105
Non-interest income
                1,616
                1,680
                1,682
                1,762
Investment securities gains, net
                   171
                     75
                   242
                   128
Non-interest expenses
                5,091
                5,000
                5,067
                5,007
Income before provision for income taxes
                4,028
                4,255
                4,281
                4,380
Provision for income taxes
                   852
                   890
                   913
                   904
Net income
 $             3,176
 $             3,365
 $             3,368
 $             3,476
Earnings Per Share Basic
 $               1.05
 $               1.11
 $               1.11
 $               1.14
Earnings Per Share Diluted
 $               1.04
 $               1.11
 $               1.11
 $               1.14
 
 
94

 
 
19. ACQUISITION OF FNB
 
In the second quarter of 2015, the Company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement to acquire 100% of the outstanding equity interest of FNB for $630 per share in cash and stock. FNB was a Pennsylvania bank that conducted its business from a main office in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania with four branches in Lebanon County, two branches in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, and one Branch in Berks County, Pennsylvania.
 
The transaction closed on December 11, 2015, with FNB having been merged into First Citizens Community Bank, with First Citizens Community Bank as the surviving entity. The acquisition established the Company’s presence in the Lebanon, Berks and Schuylkill Counties, Pennsylvania markets.
 
Under the terms of the merger agreement, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of FNB for a total purchase price of approximately $21,603,000.  As a result of the acquisition, the Company issued 336,515 common shares and $5.6 million in cash to the former shareholders of FNB. The shares were issued with a value of $47.50 per share, which was based on the close price of the Company’s stock on December 11, 2015.
 
The acquired assets and assumed liabilities were measured at estimated fair values. Management made significant estimates and exercised significant judgment in accounting for the acquisition.  Management measured loan fair values based on loan file reviews, appraised collateral values, expected cash flows, and historical loss factors of FNB.  Real estate acquired through foreclosure was primarily valued based on appraised collateral values.  The Company also recorded an identifiable intangible asset representing the core deposit base of FNB based on management’s evaluation of the cost of such deposits relative to alternative funding sources.  The Company also recorded an identifiable intangible asset representing a covenant not-to-compete with the former President of FNB. Management used significant estimates including the average lives of depository accounts, future interest rate levels, and the cost of servicing various depository products. Management used market quotations to determine the fair value of investment securities.
 
The business combination resulted in the acquisition of loans with and without evidence of credit quality deterioration. FNB’s loans were deemed to have credit impairment at the acquisition date if the Company did not expect to receive all contractually required cash flows due to concerns about credit quality.  Such loans were fair valued and the difference between contractually required payments at the acquisition date and cash flows expected to be collected was recorded as a non-accretable difference. At the acquisition date, the Company recorded $3,809,000 of purchased credit-impaired loans. The method of measuring carrying value of purchased loans differs from loans originated by the Company (originated loans), and as such, the Company identifies purchased loans and purchased loans with a credit quality discount and originated loans at amortized cost.
 
FNB’s loans without evidence of credit deterioration were fair valued by discounting both expected principal and interest cash flows using an observable discount rate for similar instruments that a market participant would consider in determining fair value.  Additionally, consideration was given to management’s best estimates of default rates and pre-payment speeds. 
 
The following table summarizes the purchase of FNB as of December 11, 2015: 
 
 
95

 
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
   
Purchase Price Consideration in Common Stock
   
Citizens Financial Services, Inc. shares issued
336,515
 
Value assigned to Citizens Financial Services, Inc. common share
 $         47.50
 
Purchase price assigned to FNB common shares exchanged for Citizens Financial Services, Inc.
 
 $    15,984
Purchase Price Consideration - Cash for Common Stock
   
Purchase price assigned to The First National Bank of Fredericksburg common shares exchanged for cash
 
         5,619
Total Purchase Price
 
       21,603
Net Assets Acquired:
   
The First National Bank of Fredericksburg shareholders’ equity
 $          12,298
 
Adjustments to reflect assets acquired at fair value:
   
Loans
   
Interest rate
                    31
 
General credit
             (1,362)
 
Specific credit - non-amortizing
             (2,495)
 
Specific credit - amortizing
                (665)
 
Core deposit intangible
               1,641
 
Covenant not to compete
                  125
 
Premises and equipment
               1,203
 
Leased premises contracts
                (359)
 
Other assets
                (358)
 
Deferred tax assets
                  785
 
Adjustments to reflect liabilities acquired at fair value:
   
Time deposits
                  (74)
 
   
       10,770
Goodwill resulting from merger
 
 $    10,833
 
The following condensed statement reflects the amounts recognized as of the acquisition date for each major class of asset acquired and liability assumed:
 
(In Thousands)
     
Total purchase price
     
 $       21,603
Assets (liabilities) acquired:
       
Cash and cash equivalents
 
 $     83,514
   
Interest bearing time deposits with other banks
 
          1,236
   
Securities available for sale
 
        23,831
   
Loans
 
      115,211
   
Premises and equipment, net
 
          4,743
   
Accrued interest receivable
 
             282
   
Bank-owned life insurance
 
          4,598
   
Intangibles
 
          1,981
   
Deferred tax asset
 
          2,979
   
Other assets
 
          2,332
   
Time deposits
 
      (42,675)
   
Deposits other than time deposits
 
    (182,555)
   
Accrued interest payable
 
             (14)
   
Other liabilities
 
        (4,693)
   
       
10,770
Goodwill resulting from the FNB merger
     
 $       10,833
 
The Company recorded goodwill and other intangibles associated with the purchase of FNB totaling $12,814,000.  Goodwill is not amortized, but is periodically evaluated for impairment.  The Company did not recognize any impairment from December 11, 2015 to December 31, 2015. None of the goodwill acquired is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
 
Identifiable intangibles are amortized to their estimated residual values over the expected useful lives. Such lives are also periodically reassessed to determine if any amortization period adjustments are required. For the period from December 11, 2015 to December 31, 2015, no such adjustments were recorded.  The identifiable intangible assets consist of a core deposit intangible, covenant not to compete intangible and MSRs which are being amortized on an accelerated basis over the useful life of such assets.  The gross carrying amount of the core deposit intangible, covenant not to compete and MSRs intangible at December 31, 2015 was $1,641,000, $125,000 and $215,000, respectively, with $25,000, $2,000 and $0 accumulated amortization, respectively, as of that date.
 
 
96

 
 
As of December 31, 2015, the current year and estimated future amortization expense for the core deposit, covenant not to compete intangible and MSRs was (in thousands):
 
2015
$                      27
2016
366
2017
                         332
2018
                         298
2019
                         264
2020
                         200
Thereafter
494
Total
 $                   1,981
 
Amounts recognized separately from the acquisition include primarily legal fees, investment banking fees, system conversion costs, severance costs and contract termination costs. These costs were included in merger and acquisition expenses within non-interest expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Income and amounted to approximately $1,103,000 for the year ended December 31, 2015.
 
Results of operations for FNB prior to the acquisition date are not included in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Due to the significant amount of fair value adjustments, historical results of FNB are not relevant to the Company’s results of operations.  Therefore, no pro forma information is presented.
 
The following table presents financial information regarding the former FNB operations included in our Consolidated Statement of Income from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2015 under the column “Actual from Acquisition Date through December 31, 2015”.  In addition, the following table presents unaudited pro forma information as if the acquisition of FNB had occurred on January 1, 2014 under the “Pro Forma” columns.  The table below has been prepared for comparative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the actual results that would have been attained had the acquisition occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented, nor is it indicative of future results. Furthermore, the unaudited proforma information does not reflect management’s estimate of any revenue-enhancing opportunities nor anticipated cost savings as a result of the integration and consolidation of the acquisition.  Merger and acquisition integration costs and amortization of fair value adjustments are included in the numbers below.
 
   
Pro Formas
 
Actual from Acquisition
Date Through 
December 31, 2015
 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
 
2015
2014
Net interest income
 $                                401
 
 $    37,736
 $    37,634
Non-interest income
                                     21
 
         8,576
         8,184
Net income
                                    (22)
 
         8,640
       14,019
Pro forma earnings per share:
       
Basic
   
 $        2.57
 $        4.15
Diluted
   
 $        2.57
 $        4.15

 
97

 
 
MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
A material weakness is a significant deficiency (as defined in Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 5), or a combination of significant deficiencies, that results in there being more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by management or employees in the normal course by management or employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions.
 
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015. Management’s assessment did not identify any material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework.  Because there were no material weaknesses discovered, management believes that, as of December 31, 2015, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
 
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements has issued an audit report on the effective operation of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, a copy of which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
 

/s/ Randall E. Black
By: Randall E. Black
Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Date: March 10, 2016
 
 

 
/s/ Mickey L. Jones
By: Mickey L. Jones
Treasurer
(Principal Financial & Accounting Officer)
 
Date: March 10, 2016
 
 
98

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
 
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Citizens Financial Services, Inc.
 
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Citizens Financial Services, Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. These consolidted financial statements are the responsibility of Citizens Financial Services, Inc.'s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidted financial statements based on our audits.
 
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Citizens Financial Services, Inc. and subsidiary as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Citizens Financial Services, Inc. and subsidiary's  internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013, and our report dated March 10, 2016, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
 
/s/S.R. Snodgrass, P.C.
Wexford, Pennsylvania
March 10, 2016

 
99

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
 
 
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Citizens Financial Services, Inc.
 
 
We have audited the Citizens Financial Services, Inc. and subsidiary internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO") in 2013.  Citizens Financial Services, Inc.'s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Citizens Fianncial Services, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
 
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (c) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
 
In our opinion, Citizens Financial Services, Inc. and subsidiary maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by COSO in 2013.
 
 
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015, of Citizens Financial Services, Inc. and subsidiary and our report dated March 10, 2016, expressed an unqualified opinion.
 
 
 
/s/S.R. Snodgrass, P.C.
Wexford, Pennsylvania
March 10, 2016
 
 
100

 
 
ITEM 9 – CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
 
None.
 
ITEM 9A – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
 
(a)  
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
The Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the “Exchange Act”).  Based upon their evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective for the purpose of ensuring that the information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (1) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
(b)  
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting and the attestation report of the independent registered public accounting firm are incorporated herein by reference to Item 8 - the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
(c)
Changes to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
ITEM 9B – OTHER INFORMATION.
 
None.
 
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PART III
 
ITEM 10 – DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
Directors
 
For information relating to the directors of the Company, the section captioned “Proposal 1. Election of Directors” in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2016 Proxy Statement”) is incorporated by reference.
 
Executive Officers
 
For information relating to officers of the Company, the section captioned “Proposal 1. Election of Directors” in the 2016 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
 
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
 
For information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, the section captioned “Other Information Relating to Directors and Executive Officers - Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company’s 2016 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
 
Disclosure of Code of Ethics
 
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to directors, officers and employees of the Company and the Bank.  A copy of the Code of Ethics is posted on the Company’s website at www.firstcitizensbank.com.  The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of its Code of Ethics by posting such information on its website.
 
Corporate Governance
 
For information regarding the audit committee and its composition and the audit committee financial expert, the section captioned “Corporate Governance – Committees of the Board of Directors” in the Company’s 2016 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
 
ITEM 11 – EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
Executive Compensation
 
For information regarding executive and director compensation, the sections captioned “Director Compensation”, “Executive Compensation”, “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Compensation Committee Report” in the Company’s 2016 Proxy Statement are incorporated by reference.
 
ITEM 12 – SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERS MATTERS
 
(a)  
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners Information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Stock Ownership” in the Company’s 2016 Proxy Statement.

(b)  
Security Ownership of Management Information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the section captioned “Stock Ownership” in the Company’s 2016 Proxy Statement.

(c)  
Changes in Control
 
Management of the Company knows of no arrangements, including any pledge by any person or securities of the Company, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the registrant.
 
 
102

 
 
(d)
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2015 about Company common stock that may be issued under the Company’s 2006 Restricted Stock Plan. The plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders.
 
Plan Category
 
Number of
securities to be
issued upon the
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 
Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in the first
column)
             
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
59,162
             
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
n/a
             
Total
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
59,162
 
ITEM 13 – CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
 
For information regarding certain relationships and related transactions, the section captioned “Other Information Relating to Directors and Executive Officers - Transactions with Related Persons” in the Company’s 2016 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
 
Director Independence
 
For information regarding director independence, the section captioned “Corporate Governance – Director Independence” in the Company’s 2016 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
 
ITEM 14 – PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
 
For information regarding the principal accountant fees and expenses the section captioned “Audit – Related Matters” in the Company’s 2016 Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference.
 

 
103

 
 
PART IV
 
ITEM 15 – EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
(a)  The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
 
1.  The following financial statements are incorporated by reference in Item 8:
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015 and 2014
Consolidated Statement of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2.  All financial statement schedules are omitted because the required information is either not applicable, not required or isshown in the respective financial statement or in the notes thereto, which are incorporated by reference at subsection (a)(1) of this item.
 
3. The following Exhibits are filed herewith, or incorporated by reference as a part of this report.
 
3.1
 
Articles of Incorporation of Citizens Financial Services, Inc., as amended(1)
 
3.2
 
Bylaws of Citizens Financial Services, Inc.(2)
 
4
 
Instrument defining the rights of security holders (3)
 
10.1
 
*Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement between Citizens Financial Services, Inc., First Citizens Community Bank and Randall E. Black(4)
 
10.2
 
*Citizens Financial Services, Inc. Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan(5)
 
10.3
 
*Citizens Financial Services, Inc. Directors’ Life Insurance Program(6)
 
10.4
 
*Citizens Financial Services, Inc. 2006 Restricted Stock Plan(7)
 
10.5
 
*Form of Award Agreement for Citizens Financial Services, Inc. 2006 Restricted Stock Plan(8)
 
10.6
 
*Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan(9)
 
10.7
 
*Change in Control Agreement, between First Citizens Community Bank, Citizens Financial Services, Inc. (as guarantor) and Terry B. Osborne (10)
 
10.8
 
*Change in Control Agreement, between First Citizens Community Bank, Citizens Financial Services, Inc. (as guarantor) and Mickey L. Jones (11)
 
10.9
 
*First Citizens Community Bank Annual Incentive Plan (12)
 
10.10
 
*First Citizens Community Bank Endorsement Split-Dollar Life Insurance Plan (13)
 
21
 
List of Subsidiaries
 
23
 
Consent of S.R. Snodgrass, P.C., Independent Registered Public Accountants
 
31.1
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
31.2
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
104

 
 
32.1
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
32.2
 
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
 
101
 
The following materials from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) The Consolidated Balance Sheet, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and (vi) related notes.
 
*Management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement
 
 (1)      Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, as filed with the Commission on May 12, 2010.
 
(2)      Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on December 24, 2009.
 
(3)      Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, as filed with the commission on March 14, 2006.
 
(4)      Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, as filed with the Commission on August 9, 2012.
 
(5)      Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, as filed with the Commission on March 6, 2014.
 
(6)      Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the Commission on March 14, 2005.
 
(7)      Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form S-8, as filed with the Commission on August 29, 2006.
 
(8)      Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, as filed with the Commission on August 9, 2012.
 
(9)      Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the Commission on March 7, 2013.
 
(10)    Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, as filed with the Commission on August 9, 2012.
 
(11)    Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, as filed with the Commission on August 9, 2012.
 
(12)    Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, as filed with the Commission on August 8, 2013.
 
(13)    Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the Commission on January 7, 2015.

 
105

 
 
SIGNATURES
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
 
Citizens Financial Services, Inc.
(Registrant)
/s/ Randall E. Black
By: Randall E. Black
Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Date: March 10, 2016                                                                                                
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
 Signature and Capacity
 
  Date
/s/ Randall E. Black
Randall E. Black, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 March 10, 2016
/s/ R. Lowell Coolidge
R. Lowell Coolidge, Director
 
 March 10, 2016
/s/ Rudolph J. van der Hiel
Rudolph J. van der Hiel, Director
 
 March 10, 2016
/s/ Robert W. Chappell
Robert W. Chappell, Director
 
 March 10, 2016
/s/ R. Joseph Landy
R. Joseph Landy, Director
 
 March 10, 2016
/s/ Roger C. Graham, Jr.
Roger C. Graham, Director
 
 March 10, 2016
/s/ E. Gene Kosa
E. Gene Kosa, Director
 
 March 10, 2016
/s/ Rinaldo A. DePaola
Rinaldo A. DePaola, Director
 
 March 10, 2016
/s/ Thomas E. Freeman
Thomas E. Freeman, Director
 
 March 10, 2016
/s/ Alletta M. Schadler
Alletta M. Schadler Director
 
 March 10, 2016
/s/ Mickey L. Jones
Mickey L. Jones, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial & Accounting Officer)
 March 10, 2016
 

 
106