cmtv_10q.htm


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC  20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2015

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

For the transition period from                to                 

Commission File Number 000-16435


Vermont
03-0284070
(State of Incorporation)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
 
4811 US Route 5, Derby, Vermont
05829
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(zip code)
 
Registrant's Telephone Number: (802) 334-7915
 
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 for such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ No o

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

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o  
Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company þ  
(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 Exchange Act). YES o NO þ

At November 4, 2015, there were 4,979,458 shares outstanding of the Corporation's common stock.
 


 
 
 
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
Index
 
   
Page
PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
3
     
28
     
47
     
47
     
PART II   OTHER INFORMATION  
     
48
     
48
     
48
     
 
49
 
 
 
2

 
 
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

The following are the unaudited consolidated financial statements for Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary, "the Company".
 
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
2015
   
2014
   
2014
 
   
(Unaudited)
         
(Unaudited)
 
Assets
                 
  Cash and due from banks
  $ 11,300,856     $ 11,935,993     $ 10,834,783  
  Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
    3,438,242       13,026,181       17,584  
     Total cash and cash equivalents
    14,739,098       24,962,174       10,852,367  
  Securities held-to-maturity (fair value $48,011,000 at 09/30/15,
                       
   $42,234,000 at 12/31/14 and $48,472,000 at 09/30/14)
    47,657,894       41,810,945       48,069,627  
  Securities available-for-sale
    30,385,242       32,946,894       29,167,525  
  Restricted equity securities, at cost
    3,332,450       3,332,450       3,332,450  
  Loans held-for-sale
    1,198,633       26,250       326,400  
  Loans
    455,418,132       447,804,955       443,988,630  
    Allowance for loan losses
    (5,015,987 )     (4,905,874 )     (4,885,791 )
    Deferred net loan costs
    308,189       303,394       288,898  
        Net loans
    450,710,334       443,202,475       439,391,737  
  Bank premises and equipment, net
    11,291,015       11,488,948       11,628,750  
  Accrued interest receivable
    1,687,483       1,698,448       1,688,893  
  Bank owned life insurance (BOLI)
    4,493,676       4,413,574       4,385,812  
  Core deposit intangible
    613,556       818,081       886,257  
  Goodwill
    11,574,269       11,574,269       11,574,269  
  Other real estate owned (OREO)
    1,058,475       1,238,320       1,097,820  
  Other assets
    10,218,014       9,198,216       9,816,035  
        Total assets
  $ 588,960,139     $ 586,711,044     $ 572,217,942  
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
                       
 Liabilities
                       
  Deposits:
                       
    Demand, non-interest bearing
  $ 91,124,547     $ 88,758,469     $ 87,206,528  
    Interest-bearing transaction accounts
    113,669,795       125,388,872       109,045,395  
    Money market funds
    89,103,792       88,820,124       83,523,024  
    Savings
    81,550,091       77,029,722       77,402,718  
    Time deposits, $100,000 and over
    42,626,875       45,284,645       46,713,827  
    Other time deposits
    60,933,391       67,737,631       70,486,316  
        Total deposits
    479,008,491       493,019,463       474,377,808  
  Federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    20,000,000       0       10,175,000  
  Repurchase agreements
    21,977,315       28,542,961       23,360,011  
  Capital lease obligations
    579,277       639,544       658,838  
  Junior subordinated debentures
    12,887,000       12,887,000       12,887,000  
  Accrued interest and other liabilities
    3,550,476       2,626,874       2,658,685  
        Total liabilities
    538,002,559       537,715,842       524,117,342  
 Shareholders' Equity
                       
  Preferred stock, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 25 shares issued
                       
    and outstanding ($100,000 liquidation value)
    2,500,000       2,500,000       2,500,000  
  Common stock - $2.50 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized
                       
   5,189,705 shares issued at 09/30/15, 5,142,475 shares issued
                       
   at 12/31/14 and 5,125,869 shares issued at 09/30/14
    12,974,263       12,856,188       12,814,673  
  Additional paid-in capital
    29,908,987       29,359,300       29,164,252  
  Retained earnings
    8,100,897       6,909,934       6,325,058  
  Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    96,210       (7,443 )     (80,606 )
  Less: treasury stock, at cost; 210,101 shares at 09/30/15,
                       
    12/31/14 and 09/30/14
    (2,622,777 )     (2,622,777 )     (2,622,777 )
        Total shareholders' equity
    50,957,580       48,995,202       48,100,600  
        Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 588,960,139     $ 586,711,044     $ 572,217,942  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
3

 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
2015
   
2014
 
(Unaudited)
           
Interest income
           
   Interest and fees on loans
  $ 5,503,166     $ 5,410,445  
   Interest on debt securities
               
     Taxable
    119,977       103,101  
     Tax-exempt
    279,041       289,661  
   Dividends
    34,365       22,327  
   Interest on federal funds sold and overnight deposits
    3,186       3,507  
        Total interest income
    5,939,735       5,829,041  
                 
Interest expense
               
   Interest on deposits
    484,278       622,762  
   Interest on federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    28,229       23,603  
   Interest on repurchase agreements
    16,689       14,292  
   Interest on junior subordinated debentures
    103,274       100,352  
        Total interest expense
    632,470       761,009  
                 
     Net interest income
    5,307,265       5,068,032  
 Provision for loan losses
    75,000       135,000  
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    5,232,265       4,933,032  
                 
Non-interest income
               
   Service fees
    657,949       666,851  
   Income from sold loans
    239,724       226,279  
   Other income from loans
    223,465       149,444  
   Net realized gain on sale of securities available-for-sale
    0       6,010  
   Other income
    178,857       196,096  
        Total non-interest income
    1,299,995       1,244,680  
                 
Non-interest expense
               
   Salaries and wages
    1,650,000       1,575,000  
   Employee benefits
    575,129       481,523  
   Occupancy expenses, net
    676,559       591,665  
   Other expenses
    1,630,186       1,652,282  
        Total non-interest expense
    4,531,874       4,300,470  
                 
    Income before income taxes
    2,000,386       1,877,242  
 Income tax expense
    560,564       500,053  
        Net income
  $ 1,439,822     $ 1,377,189  
                 
 Earnings per common share
  $ 0.29     $ 0.28  
 Weighted average number of common shares
               
  used in computing earnings per share
    4,969,425       4,905,055  
 Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.16     $ 0.16  
 Book value per common share outstanding at September 30,
  $ 9.73     $ 9.28  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
4

 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
2015
   
2014
 
(Unaudited)
           
Interest income
           
   Interest and fees on loans
  $ 16,314,191     $ 16,055,124  
   Interest on debt securities
               
     Taxable
    327,624       242,485  
     Tax-exempt
    826,421       787,631  
   Dividends
    82,036       68,637  
   Interest on federal funds sold and overnight deposits
    7,446       7,587  
        Total interest income
    17,557,718       17,161,464  
                 
Interest expense
               
   Interest on deposits
    1,605,916       1,922,736  
   Interest on federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds
    66,505       62,739  
   Interest on repurchase agreements
    54,259       45,275  
   Interest on junior subordinated debentures
    305,607       301,545  
        Total interest expense
    2,032,287       2,332,295  
                 
     Net interest income
    15,525,431       14,829,169  
 Provision for loan losses
    375,000       405,000  
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    15,150,431       14,424,169  
                 
Non-interest income
               
   Service fees
    1,932,367       1,972,636  
   Income from sold loans
    687,964       735,739  
   Other income from loans
    544,097       415,910  
   Net realized gain on sale of securities available-for-sale
    2,723       27,838  
   Other income
    650,110       743,280  
        Total non-interest income
    3,817,261       3,895,403  
                 
Non-interest expense
               
   Salaries and wages
    4,988,352       4,875,000  
   Employee benefits
    1,911,809       1,686,221  
   Occupancy expenses, net
    1,976,226       1,899,706  
   Other expenses
    5,132,055       4,818,229  
        Total non-interest expense
    14,008,442       13,279,156  
                 
    Income before income taxes
    4,959,250       5,040,416  
 Income tax expense
    1,331,884       1,307,276  
        Net income
  $ 3,627,366     $ 3,733,140  
                 
 Earnings per common share
  $ 0.72     $ 0.75  
 Weighted average number of common shares
               
  used in computing earnings per share
    4,954,381       4,889,086  
 Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.48     $ 0.48  
 Book value per common share outstanding at September 30,
  $ 9.73     $ 9.28  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
5

 
 
           
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
           
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Net income
  $ 1,439,822     $ 1,377,189  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
               
  Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
               
    arising during the period
    145,989       (131,794 )
  Reclassification adjustment for gain realized in income
    0       (6,010 )
     Net change in unrealized gain (loss)
    145,989       (137,804 )
  Tax effect
    (49,636 )     46,853  
  Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    96,353       (90,951 )
          Total comprehensive income
  $ 1,536,175     $ 1,286,238  
                 
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
             
Net income
  $ 3,627,366     $ 3,733,140  
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
               
  Unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
               
    arising during the period
    159,775       (22,374 )
  Reclassification adjustment for gain realized in income
    (2,723 )     (27,838 )
     Net change in unrealized gain (loss)
    157,052       (50,212 )
  Tax effect
    (53,399 )     17,072  
  Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    103,653       (33,140 )
          Total comprehensive income
  $ 3,731,019     $ 3,700,000  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
6

 
 
           
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
           
(Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
  Net income
  $ 3,627,366     $ 3,733,140  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
               
   operating activities:
               
    Depreciation and amortization, bank premises and equipment
    728,753       736,587  
    Provision for loan losses
    375,000       405,000  
    Deferred income tax
    (261,012 )     (112,439 )
    Gain on sale of securities available-for-sale
    (2,723 )     (27,838 )
    Gain on sale of loans
    (301,910 )     (341,687 )
    Loss on sale of bank premises and equipment
    87,278       0  
    Loss on sale of OREO
    5,384       1,840  
    Gain on Trust LLC
    (269,313 )     (224,749 )
    Amortization of bond premium, net
    130,432       193,303  
    Write down of OREO
    45,320       0  
    Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
    18,395,365       15,779,107  
    Originations of loans held for sale
    (19,265,838 )     (15,554,320 )
    Increase in taxes payable
    251,897       1,321,462  
    Decrease in interest receivable
    10,965       89,412  
    Decrease in mortgage servicing rights
    15,716       2,536  
    (Increase) decrease in other assets
    (258,984 )     210,344  
    Increase in cash surrender value of BOLI
    (80,102 )     (82,505 )
    Amortization of core deposit intangible
    204,525       204,525  
    Amortization of limited partnerships
    423,999       443,340  
    (Increase) decrease in unamortized loan costs
    (4,795 )     11,531  
    Decrease in interest payable
    (13,022 )     (9,932 )
    Decrease in accrued expenses
    (52,429 )     (113,790 )
    Decrease in other liabilities
    (9,752 )     (12,892 )
       Net cash provided by operating activities
    3,782,120       6,651,975  
                 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
  Investments - held-to-maturity
               
    Maturities and pay downs
    28,218,911       28,095,563  
    Purchases
    (34,065,859 )     (38,228,279 )
  Investments - available-for-sale
               
    Maturities, calls, pay downs and sales
    11,081,823       18,516,920  
    Purchases
    (8,490,830 )     (12,711,520 )
  Proceeds from redemption of restricted equity securities
    0       300,400  
  Increase in limited partnership contributions payable
    975,000       0  
  Investments in limited partnerships
    (975,500 )     0  
  Increase in loans, net
    (8,035,374 )     (4,784,999 )
  Capital expenditures of bank premises and equipment
    (618,097 )     (641,869 )
  Proceeds from sales of OREO
    210,616       288,865  
  Recoveries of loans charged off
    75,835       48,171  
       Net cash used in investing activities
    (11,623,475 )     (9,116,748 )
 
 
7

 
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
           
  Net decrease in demand and interest-bearing transaction accounts
    (9,352,999 )     (12,482,283 )
  Net increase in money market and savings accounts
    4,804,037       9,058,918  
  Net decrease in time deposits
    (9,462,010 )     (3,751,396 )
  Net decrease in repurchase agreements
    (6,565,646 )     (6,284,604 )
  Net increase in short-term borrowings
    20,000,000       10,175,000  
  Proceeds from long-term borrowings
    0       6,000,000  
  Repayments on long-term borrowings
    0       (6,000,000 )
  Decrease in capital lease obligations
    (60,267 )     (52,204 )
  Dividends paid on preferred stock
    (60,938 )     (60,938 )
  Dividends paid on common stock
    (1,683,898 )     (1,615,342 )
       Net cash used in financing activities
    (2,381,721 )     (5,012,849 )
                 
       Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (10,223,076 )     (7,477,622 )
  Cash and cash equivalents:
               
          Beginning
    24,962,174       18,329,989  
          Ending
  $ 14,739,098     $ 10,852,367  
                 
Supplemental Schedule of Cash Paid During the Period:
               
  Interest
  $ 2,045,309     $ 2,342,227  
                 
  Income taxes, net of refunds
  $ 917,000     $ (345,087 )
                 
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
               
  Change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities available-for-sale
  $ 157,052     $ (50,212 )
                 
  Loans transferred to OREO
  $ 81,475     $ 283,000  
                 
Common Shares Dividends Paid:
               
  Dividends declared
  $ 2,375,465     $ 2,344,289  
  Increase in dividends payable attributable to dividends declared
    (23,805 )     (59,097 )
  Dividends reinvested
    (667,762 )     (669,850 )
    $ 1,683,898     $ 1,615,342  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
 
 
8

 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The interim consolidated financial statements of Community Bancorp. and Subsidiary are unaudited.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company contained herein have been made.  The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2014 contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full annual period ending December 31, 2015, or for any other interim period.

Certain amounts in the 2014 unaudited consolidated income statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.  Reclassifications had no effect on prior period net income or shareholders’ equity.

Note 2.  Recent Accounting Developments

There are no recently issued accounting developments applicable to the Company as of the date of this current report.

Note 3.  Earnings per Common Share

Earnings per common share amounts are computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock issued during the period (retroactively adjusted for stock splits and stock dividends, if any), including Dividend Reinvestment Plan shares issuable upon reinvestment of dividends declared, and reduced for shares held in treasury.

The following tables illustrate the calculation of earnings per common share for the periods presented, as adjusted for the cash dividends declared on the preferred stock:

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Net income, as reported
  $ 1,439,822     $ 1,377,189  
Less: dividends to preferred shareholders
    20,313       20,313  
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 1,419,509     $ 1,356,876  
Weighted average number of common shares
               
   used in calculating earnings per share
    4,969,425       4,905,055  
Earnings per common share
  $ 0.29     $ 0.28  
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Net income, as reported
  $ 3,627,366     $ 3,733,140  
Less: dividends to preferred shareholders
    60,938       60,938  
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 3,566,428     $ 3,672,202  
Weighted average number of common shares
               
   used in calculating earnings per share
    4,954,381       4,889,086  
Earnings per common share
  $ 0.72     $ 0.75  
 
 
9

 

Note 4.  Investment Securities

Securities available-for-sale (AFS) and held-to-maturity (HTM) as of the balance sheet dates consisted of the following:

         
Gross
   
Gross
       
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
Securities AFS
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value
 
                         
September 30, 2015
                       
U.S. Government sponsored enterprise (GSE) debt securities
  $ 13,846,756     $ 100,714     $ 0     $ 13,947,470  
U.S. Government securities
    2,988,369       14,600       0       3,002,969  
Agency mortgage-backed securities (Agency MBS)
    11,175,344       31,719       8,702       11,198,361  
Other investments
    2,229,000       8,040       598       2,236,442  
    $ 30,239,469     $ 155,073     $ 9,300     $ 30,385,242  
                                 
December 31, 2014
                               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 19,929,061     $ 50,378     $ 72,289     $ 19,907,150  
U.S. Government securities
    3,997,451       3,486       0       4,000,937  
Agency MBS
    9,031,661       19,472       12,326       9,038,807  
    $ 32,958,173     $ 73,336     $ 84,615     $ 32,946,894  
                                 
September 30, 2014
                               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 15,923,726     $ 49,645     $ 87,490     $ 15,885,881  
U.S. Government securities
    4,000,608       5,379       3,487       4,002,500  
Agency MBS
    9,365,322       0       86,178       9,279,144  
    $ 29,289,656     $ 55,024     $ 177,155     $ 29,167,525  
 
           
Gross
   
Gross
         
   
Amortized
   
Unrealized
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
 
Securities HTM
 
Cost
   
Gains
   
Losses
   
Value*
 
                                 
September 30, 2015
                               
States and political subdivisions
  $ 47,657,894     $ 353,106     $ 0     $ 48,011,000  
                                 
December 31, 2014
                               
States and political subdivisions
  $ 41,810,945     $ 423,055     $ 0     $ 42,234,000  
                                 
September 30, 2014
                               
States and political subdivisions
  $ 48,069,627     $ 402,373     $ 0     $ 48,472,000  

*Method used to determine fair value of HTM securities rounds values to nearest thousand.

 
10

 

The scheduled maturities of debt securities AFS were as follows:

   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value
 
September 30, 2015
           
Due in one year or less
  $ 5,095,683     $ 5,111,128  
Due from one to five years
    13,723,442       13,828,303  
Due from five to ten years
    245,000       247,450  
Agency MBS
    11,175,344       11,198,361  
    $ 30,239,469     $ 30,385,242  
                 
December 31, 2014
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 5,027,864     $ 5,034,248  
Due from one to five years
    18,898,648       18,873,839  
Agency MBS
    9,031,661       9,038,807  
    $ 32,958,173     $ 32,946,894  
                 
September 30, 2014
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 3,021,863     $ 3,033,016  
Due from one to five years
    16,902,471       16,855,365  
Agency MBS
    9,365,322       9,279,144  
    $ 29,289,656     $ 29,167,525  

Because the actual maturities of Agency MBS usually differ from their contractual maturities due to the right of borrowers to prepay the underlying mortgage loans, usually without penalty, those securities are not presented in the table by contractual maturity date.
 
The scheduled maturities of debt securities HTM were as follows:

   
Amortized
   
Fair
 
   
Cost
   
Value*
 
September 30, 2015
           
Due in one year or less
  $ 34,954,587     $ 34,955,000  
Due from one to five years
    4,436,462       4,524,000  
Due from five to ten years
    1,856,522       1,945,000  
Due after ten years
    6,410,323       6,587,000  
    $ 47,657,894     $ 48,011,000  
                 
December 31, 2014
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 28,158,718     $ 28,159,000  
Due from one to five years
    4,637,913       4,744,000  
Due from five to ten years
    2,305,353       2,411,000  
Due after ten years
    6,708,961       6,920,000  
    $ 41,810,945     $ 42,234,000  
                 
September 30, 2014
               
Due in one year or less
  $ 37,097,781     $ 37,098,000  
Due from one to five years
    4,483,933       4,585,000  
Due from five to ten years
    2,460,860       2,561,000  
Due after ten years
    4,027,053       4,228,000  
    $ 48,069,627     $ 48,472,000  

*Method used to determine fair value of HTM securities rounds values to nearest thousand.

 
11

 
 
There were no debt securities HTM in an unrealized loss position as of the balance sheet dates.  Debt securities AFS with unrealized losses as of the balance sheet dates are presented in the table below.

   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or more
   
Total
 
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
   
Fair
   
Unrealized
 
   
Value
   
Loss
   
Value
   
Loss
   
Value
   
Loss
 
September 30, 2015
                                   
Agency MBS
  $ 4,191,984     $ 8,702     $ 0     $ 0     $ 4,191,984     $ 8,702  
Other investments
    495,402       598       0       0       495,402       598  
    $ 4,687,386     $ 9,300     $ 0     $ 0     $ 4,687,386     $ 9,300  
                                                 
December 31, 2014
                                               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 6,023,946     $ 8,548     $ 5,186,258     $ 63,741     $ 11,210,204     $ 72,289  
Agency MBS
    3,206,389       12,326       0       0       3,206,389       12,326  
    $ 9,230,335     $ 20,874     $ 5,186,258     $ 63,741     $ 14,416,593     $ 84,615  
                                                 
September 30, 2014
                                               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 3,484,256     $ 3,768     $ 5,166,278     $ 83,722     $ 8,650,534     $ 87,490  
U.S. Government securities
    974,375       3,487       0       0       974,375       3,487  
Agency MBS
    9,279,144       86,178       0       0       9,279,144       86,178  
    $ 13,737,775     $ 93,433     $ 5,166,278     $ 83,722     $ 18,904,053     $ 177,155  
 
Debt securities in the table above consisted of five Agency MBS securities and two certificates of deposit carried under the heading of “Other investments” at September 30, 2015, ten U.S. GSE debt securities and four Agency MBS securities at December 31, 2014, and seven U.S. GSE debt securities, one U.S. Government security and nine Agency MBS securities at September 30, 2014.  The unrealized losses for all periods presented were principally attributable to changes in prevailing interest rates for similar types of securities and not deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions, or adverse developments relating to the issuer, warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the carrying value, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.  In analyzing an issuer's financial condition, management considers whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies or other adverse developments in the status of the securities have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuer's financial condition.  As of September 30, 2015, there were no declines in the fair value of any of the securities reflected in the table above that were deemed by management to be other than temporary.

Note 5.  Loans, Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality

The composition of net loans as of the balance sheet dates was as follows:
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2014
 
                   
Commercial & industrial
  $ 68,970,374     $ 64,390,220     $ 63,959,230  
Commercial real estate
    171,636,701       166,611,830       162,275,498  
Residential real estate - 1st lien
    161,763,468       163,966,124       165,662,426  
Residential real estate - Jr lien
    45,237,294       44,801,483       44,147,861  
Consumer
    7,810,295       8,035,298       7,943,615  
      455,418,132       447,804,955       443,988,630  
Deduct (add):
                       
Allowance for loan losses
    5,015,987       4,905,874       4,885,791  
Deferred net loan costs
    (308,189 )     (303,394 )     (288,898 )
      4,707,798       4,602,480       4,596,893  
     Net Loans
  $ 450,710,334     $ 443,202,475     $ 439,391,737  
 
 
12

 
 
The following is an age analysis of past due loans (including non-accrual), by portfolio segment:

                                       
90 Days or
 
         
90 Days
   
Total
               
Non-Accrual
   
More
 
September 30, 2015
 
30-89 Days
   
or More
   
Past Due
   
Current
   
Total Loans
   
Loans
   
and Accruing
 
                                           
Commercial & industrial
  $ 98,272     $ 254,837     $ 353,109     $ 68,617,265     $ 68,970,374     $ 631,247     $ 0  
Commercial real estate
    666,897       515,083       1,181,980       170,454,721       171,636,701       2,377,232       0  
Residential real estate -
    1st lien
    1,873,326       1,062,526       2,935,852       158,827,616       161,763,468       2,240,524       348,353  
Residential real estate -
    Jr lien
    248,648       111,849       360,497       44,876,797       45,237,294       351,805       67,811  
Consumer
    53,090       1,791       54,881       7,755,414       7,810,295       0       1,791  
     Total
  $ 2,940,233     $ 1,946,086     $ 4,886,319     $ 450,531,813     $ 455,418,132     $ 5,600,808     $ 417,955  
 
                                       
90 Days or
 
         
90 Days
   
Total
               
Non-Accrual
   
More
 
December 31, 2014
 
30-89 Days
   
or More
   
Past Due
   
Current
   
Total Loans
   
Loans
   
and Accruing
 
                                           
Commercial & industrial
  $ 439,151     $ 299,095     $ 738,246     $ 63,651,974     $ 64,390,220     $ 552,386     $ 23,579  
Commercial real estate
    988,924       5,313       994,237       165,617,593       166,611,830       1,934,096       5,313  
Residential real estate -
    1st lien
    4,446,138       1,484,334       5,930,472       158,035,652       163,966,124       1,263,046       980,138  
Residential real estate -
    Jr lien
    637,917       179,920       817,837       43,983,646       44,801,483       404,061       115,852  
Consumer
    56,392       0       56,392       7,978,906       8,035,298       0       0  
     Total
  $ 6,568,522     $ 1,968,662     $ 8,537,184     $ 439,267,771     $ 447,804,955     $ 4,153,589     $ 1,124,882  
 
                                       
90 Days or
 
         
90 Days
   
Total
               
Non-Accrual
   
More
 
September 30, 2014
 
30-89 Days
   
or More
   
Past Due
   
Current
   
Total Loans
   
Loans
   
and Accruing
 
                                           
Commercial & industrial
  $ 450,811     $ 612,822     $ 1,063,633     $ 62,895,597     $ 63,959,230     $ 1,068,390     $ 0  
Commercial real estate
    1,137,779       48,520       1,186,299       161,089,199       162,275,498       1,754,002       5,313  
Residential real estate -
    1st lien
    2,230,067       1,239,799       3,469,866       162,192,560       165,662,426       1,740,509       554,327  
Residential real estate -
    Jr lien
    256,212       76,089       332,301       43,815,560       44,147,861       410,187       57,385  
Consumer
    55,034       8,859       63,893       7,879,722       7,943,615       0       8,859  
     Total
  $ 4,129,903     $ 1,986,089     $ 6,115,992     $ 437,872,638     $ 443,988,630     $ 4,973,088     $ 625,884  
 
For all loan segments, loans over 30 days past due are considered delinquent.
As of September 30, 2015, there were four residential mortgage loans in process of foreclosure totaling $370,413.

Allowance for loan losses

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is probable. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

Unsecured loans, primarily consumer loans, are charged off when they become uncollectible and no later than 120 days past due.  Unsecured loans to customers who subsequently file bankruptcy are charged off within 30 days of receipt of the notification of filing or by the end of the month in which the loans become 120 days past due, whichever occurs first.  For secured loans, both residential and commercial, the potential loss on impaired loans is carried as a loan loss reserve specific allocation; the loss portion is charged off when collection of the full loan appears unlikely.  The unsecured portion of a real estate loan is that portion of the loan exceeding the "fair value" of the collateral less the estimated cost to sell. Value of the collateral is determined in accordance with the Company’s appraisal policy.  The unsecured portion of an impaired real estate secured loan is charged off by the end of the month in which the loan becomes 180 days past due.

As described below, the allowance consists of general, specific and unallocated components.  However, the entire allowance is available to absorb losses in the loan portfolio, regardless of specific, general and unallocated components considered in determining the amount of the allowance.

 
13

 
 
General component

The general component of the allowance for loan losses is based on historical loss experience, adjusted for qualitative factors and stratified by the following loan segments: commercial and industrial, commercial real estate, residential real estate first (“1st”) lien, residential real estate junior (“Jr”) lien and consumer loans. The Company does not disaggregate its portfolio segments further into classes.  Loss ratios are calculated by loan segment for one year, two year, three year, four year and five year look back periods.  The highest loss ratio among these look-back periods is then applied against the respective segment.  Management uses an average of historical losses based on a time frame appropriate to capture relevant loss data for each loan segment. This historical loss factor is adjusted for the following qualitative factors: levels of and trends in delinquencies and non-performing loans, levels of and trends in loan risk groups, trends in volumes and terms of loans, effects of any changes in loan related policies, experience, ability and the depth of management, documentation and credit data exception levels, national and local economic trends, external factors such as competition and regulation and lastly, concentrations of credit risk in a variety of areas, including portfolio product mix, the level of loans to individual borrowers and their related interests, loans to industry segments, and the geographic distribution of commercial real estate loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to revision as more information becomes available.

The reserve methodology was modified during the quarter ended June 30, 2015 to eliminate using the higher of the 1999-2001 losses as compared to current losses, by eliminating the use of the 1999-2001 period.  The 1999-2001 information has become dated and the Bank’s credit portfolio management has evolved during that time.  The revised methodology now considers the highest annual loss rates for the most recent one to five year look back periods for each segment of the portfolio. This change resulted in a reduction to required reserves of $529,234 at June 30, 2015.  Adjustments were made to the commercial & industrial and commercial real estate qualitative factors to adjust for the impact of the change in methodology, principally in the area of loan growth, loan policy, and delinquency factors.  The commercial & industrial and commercial real estate factors were each increased a total of 10 basis points, amounting to increases of $171,000 and $70,000, respectively at June 30, 2015.

The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. The Company has policies, procedures and internal controls that management believes are commensurate with the risk profile of each of these segments.  Major risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:

Commercial & Industrial – Loans in this segment include commercial and industrial loans and to a lesser extent loans to finance agricultural production. Commercial loans are made to businesses and are generally secured by assets of the business, including trade assets and equipment. While not the primary collateral, in many cases these loans may also be secured by the real estate of the business. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, soft consumer spending, unfavorable foreign trade conditions and the rising cost of labor or raw materials are examples of issues that can impact the credit quality in this segment.

Commercial Real Estate – Loans in this segment are principally made to businesses and are generally secured by either owner-occupied, or non-owner occupied commercial real estate. A relatively small portion of this segment includes farm loans secured by farm land and buildings.  As with commercial and industrial loans, repayment of owner-occupied commercial real estate loans is expected from the cash flows of the business and the segment would be impacted by the same risk factors as commercial and industrial loans. The non-owner occupied commercial real estate portion includes both residential and commercial construction loans, vacant land and real estate development loans, multi-family dwelling loans and commercial rental property loans. Repayment of construction loans is expected from permanent financing takeout; the Company generally requires a commitment or eligibility for the take-out financing prior to construction loan origination. Real estate development loans are generally repaid from the sale of the subject real property as the project progresses. Construction and development lending entail additional risks, including the project exceeding budget, not being constructed according to plans, not receiving permits, or the pre-leasing or occupancy rate not meeting expectations. Repayment of multi-family loans and commercial rental property loans is expected from the cash flow generated by rental payments received from the individuals or businesses occupying the real estate. Commercial real estate loans are impacted by factors such as competitive market forces, vacancy rates, cap rates, net operating incomes, lease renewals and overall economic demand. In addition, loans in the recreational and tourism sector can be affected by weather conditions, such as unseasonably low winter snowfalls. Commercial real estate lending also carries a higher degree of environmental risk than other real estate lending.

Residential Real Estate - 1st Lien – All loans in this segment are collateralized by first mortgages on 1 – 4 family owner-occupied residential real estate and repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.

Residential Real Estate – Jr Lien – All loans in this segment are collateralized by junior lien mortgages on 1 – 4 family residential real estate and repayment is primarily dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.
 
 
14

 
 
Consumer – Loans in this segment are made to individuals for consumer and household purposes.  This segment includes both loans secured by automobiles and other consumer goods, as well as loans that are unsecured.  This segment also includes overdrafts, which are extensions of credit made to both individuals and businesses to cover temporary shortages in their deposit accounts and are generally unsecured.  The Company maintains policies restricting the size and term of these extensions of credit.  The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates, has an impact on the credit quality of this segment.

Specific component

The specific component of the allowance for loan losses relates to loans that are impaired.  Impaired loans are loan(s) to a borrower that in the aggregate are greater than $100,000 and that are in non-accrual status or are troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”) regardless of amount.  A specific allowance is established for an impaired loan when its estimated impaired basis is less than the carrying value of the loan.  For all loan segments, except consumer loans, a loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, in management’s estimation it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant or temporary payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management evaluates the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length and frequency of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis, by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

Impaired loans also include troubled loans that are restructured. A TDR occurs when the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that would otherwise not be granted. TDRs may include the transfer of assets to the Company in partial satisfaction of a troubled loan, a modification of a loan’s terms, or a combination of the two.

Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer loans for impairment evaluation, unless such loans are subject to a restructuring agreement.

Unallocated component

An unallocated component of the allowance for loan losses is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component reflects management’s estimate of the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.  While unallocated reserves have increased, they are considered by management to be appropriate in light of the Company’s continued growth strategy and shift in the portfolio from residential loans to commercial and commercial real estate loans and the risk associated with the relatively new, unseasoned loans in those portfolios.

The following tables summarize changes in the allowance for loan losses and select loan information, by portfolio segment, for the periods indicated:

As of or for the three months ended September 30, 2015
 
               
Residential
   
Residential
                   
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
                   
   
& Industrial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
Beginning balance
  $ 881,094     $ 1,984,559     $ 1,358,504     $ 352,125     $ 63,813     $ 455,117     $ 5,095,212  
  Charge-offs
    (70,000 )     (14,783 )     (17,473 )     (35,194 )     (25,334 )     0       (162,784 )
  Recoveries
    997       0       0       60       7,502       0       8,559  
  Provision (credit)
    (91,246 )     45,039       57,167       106,934       23,350       (66,244 )     75,000  
Ending balance
  $ 720,845     $ 2,014,815     $ 1,398,198     $ 423,925     $ 69,331     $ 388,873     $ 5,015,987  
 
 
15

 
 
As of or for the nine months ended September 30, 2015
 
               
Residential
   
Residential
                   
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
                   
   
& Industrial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
Beginning balance
  $ 646,719     $ 2,311,936     $ 1,270,766     $ 321,099     $ 118,819     $ 236,535     $ 4,905,874  
  Charge-offs
    (105,059 )     (14,783 )     (112,047 )     (55,393 )     (53,440 )     0       (340,722 )
  Recoveries
    43,909       0       6,042       180       25,704       0       75,835  
  Provision (credit)
    135,276       (282,338 )     233,437       158,039       (21,752 )     152,338       375,000  
Ending balance
  $ 720,845     $ 2,014,815     $ 1,398,198     $ 423,925     $ 69,331     $ 388,873     $ 5,015,987  
                                                         
Allowance for loan losses
 
Evaluated for impairment
                                                       
  Individually
  $ 0     $ 0     $ 71,800     $ 115,000     $ 0     $ 0     $ 186,800  
  Collectively
    720,845       2,014,815       1,326,398       308,925       69,331       388,873       4,829,187  
     Total
  $ 720,845     $ 2,014,815     $ 1,398,198     $ 423,925     $ 69,331     $ 388,873     $ 5,015,987  
   
Loans evaluated for impairment
                                         
  Individually
  $ 446,928     $ 2,526,797     $ 1,701,790     $ 236,301     $ 0             $ 4,911,816  
  Collectively
    68,523,446       169,109,904       160,061,678       45,000,993       7,810,295               450,506,316  
     Total
  $ 68,970,374     $ 171,636,701     $ 161,763,468     $ 45,237,294     $ 7,810,295             $ 455,418,132  
 
As of or for the year ended December 31, 2014
 
               
Residential
   
Residential
                   
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
                   
   
& Industrial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
Beginning balance
  $ 516,382     $ 2,143,398     $ 1,452,184     $ 366,471     $ 105,279     $ 271,201     $ 4,854,915  
  Charge-offs
    (153,329 )     (167,841 )     (58,904 )     (51,389 )     (112,376 )     0       (543,839 )
  Recoveries
    6,249       0       14,543       240       33,766       0       54,798  
  Provision (credit)
    277,417       336,379       (137,057 )     5,777       92,150       (34,666 )     540,000  
Ending balance
  $ 646,719     $ 2,311,936     $ 1,270,766     $ 321,099     $ 118,819     $ 236,535     $ 4,905,874  
                                                         
Allowance for loan losses
 
Evaluated for impairment
                                                       
  Individually
  $ 0     $ 34,400     $ 43,400     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 77,800  
  Collectively
    646,719       2,277,536       1,227,366       321,099       118,819       236,535       4,828,074  
     Total
  $ 646,719     $ 2,311,936     $ 1,270,766     $ 321,099     $ 118,819     $ 236,535     $ 4,905,874  
   
Loans evaluated for impairment
 
  Individually
  $ 390,605     $ 1,930,993     $ 721,241     $ 328,889     $ 0             $ 3,371,728  
  Collectively
    63,999,615       164,680,837       163,244,883       44,472,594       8,035,298               444,433,227  
     Total
  $ 64,390,220     $ 166,611,830     $ 163,966,124     $ 44,801,483     $ 8,035,298             $ 447,804,955  
 
 
16

 
 
As of or for the three months ended September 30, 2014
 
               
Residential
   
Residential
                   
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
                   
   
& Industrial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
Beginning balance
  $ 687,416     $ 2,155,738     $ 1,337,011     $ 294,614     $ 84,115     $ 317,922     $ 4,876,816  
  Charge-offs
    (27,881 )     (24,100 )     (28,382 )     (33,875 )     (24,255 )     0       (138,493 )
  Recoveries
    3,028       0       1,725       60       7,655       0       12,468  
  Provision (credit)
    11,893       118,614       (22,894 )     23,329       23,252       (19,194 )     135,000  
Ending balance
  $ 674,456     $ 2,250,252     $ 1,287,460     $ 284,128     $ 90,767     $ 298,728     $ 4,885,791  
 
As of or for the nine months ended September 30, 2014
 
               
Residential
   
Residential
                   
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
                   
   
& Industrial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
Allowance for loan losses
 
Beginning balance
  $ 516,382     $ 2,143,398     $ 1,452,184     $ 366,471     $ 105,279     $ 271,201     $ 4,854,915  
  Charge-offs
    (115,095 )     (154,919 )     (28,382 )     (33,875 )     (90,024 )     0       (422,295 )
  Recoveries
    5,265       0       12,823       180       29,903       0       48,171  
  Provision (credit)
    267,904       261,773       (149,165 )     (48,648 )     45,609       27,527       405,000  
Ending balance
  $ 674,456     $ 2,250,252     $ 1,287,460     $ 284,128     $ 90,767     $ 298,728     $ 4,885,791  
                                                         
Allowance for loan losses
 
Evaluated for impairment
                                                       
  Individually
  $ 21,200     $ 62,000     $ 45,400     $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 128,600  
  Collectively
    653,256       2,188,252       1,242,060       284,128       90,767       298,728       4,757,191  
     Total
  $ 674,456     $ 2,250,252     $ 1,287,460     $ 284,128     $ 90,767     $ 298,728     $ 4,885,791  
   
Loans evaluated for impairment
 
  Individually
  $ 983,044     $ 1,728,772     $ 947,329     $ 334,926     $ 0             $ 3,994,071  
  Collectively
    62,976,186       160,546,726       164,715,097       43,812,935       7,943,615               439,994,559  
     Total
  $ 63,959,230     $ 162,275,498     $ 165,662,426     $ 44,147,861     $ 7,943,615             $ 443,988,630  
 
Impaired loans, by portfolio segment, were as follows:
 
   
As of September 30, 2015
             
         
Unpaid
         
Average
   
Average
 
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
   
Recorded
 
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment(1)
   
Investment(2)
 
                               
With an allowance recorded
                             
   Commercial & industrial
  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 93,398     $ 37,359  
   Commercial real estate
    0       0       0       0       40,902  
   Residential real estate - 1st lien
    246,594       283,363       71,800       302,937       193,515  
   Residential real estate - Jr lien
    236,301       284,202       115,000       152,865       108,406  
      482,895       567,565       186,800       549,200       380,182  
                                         
With no related allowance recorded
                                       
   Commercial & industrial
    446,929       512,552       --       555,057       389,530  
   Commercial real estate
    2,526,797       2,741,550       --       1,976,769       1,641,363  
   Residential real estate - 1st lien
    1,455,195       1,658,402       --       780,255       724,368  
   Residential real estate - Jr lien
    0       0       --       120,465       113,964  
      4,428,921       4,912,504       --       3,432,546       2,869,225  
                                         
     Total
  $ 4,911,816     $ 5,480,069     $ 186,800     $ 3,981,746     $ 3,249,407  
 
(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2015
 
(2) For the nine months ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
17

 
 
   
As of December 31, 2014
   
2014
 
         
Unpaid
         
Average
 
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
 
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment
 
                         
With an allowance recorded
                       
   Commercial & industrial
  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 158,690  
   Commercial real estate
    204,511       220,981       34,400       280,104  
   Residential real estate - 1st lien
    115,108       144,708       43,400       294,807  
   Residential real estate - Jr lien
    0       0       0       149,772  
      319,619       365,689       77,800       883,373  
                                 
With no related allowance recorded
                               
   Commercial & industrial
    390,605       424,598       --       507,232  
   Commercial real estate
    1,726,482       1,689,772       --       1,294,710  
   Residential real estate - 1st lien
    606,133       875,841       --       971,542  
   Residential real estate - Jr lien
    328,889       390,260       --       238,826  
      3,052,109       3,380,471       --       3,012,310  
                                 
     Total
  $ 3,371,728     $ 3,746,160     $ 77,800     $ 3,895,683  
 
   
As of September 30, 2014
             
         
Unpaid
         
Average
   
Average
 
   
Recorded
   
Principal
   
Related
   
Recorded
   
Recorded
 
   
Investment
   
Balance
   
Allowance
   
Investment(1)
   
Investment(2)
 
                               
With an allowance recorded
                             
   Commercial & industrial
  $ 256,356     $ 294,950     $ 21,200     $ 335,613     $ 198,362  
   Commercial real estate
    423,569       439,630       62,000       322,093       299,003  
   Residential real estate - 1st lien
    134,720       163,115       45,400       338,782       339,732  
   Residential real estate - Jr lien
    89,260       0       0       95,062       209,531  
      903,905       897,695       128,600       1,091,550       1,046,628  
                                         
With no related allowance recorded
 
   Commercial & industrial
    726,688       772,605       --       772,852       536,388  
   Commercial real estate
    1,305,203       1,414,604       --       1,321,387       1,186,767  
   Residential real estate - 1st lien
    812,609       903,309       --       822,309       1,062,894  
   Residential real estate - Jr lien
    245,666       391,644       --       257,789       193,995  
      3,090,166       3,482,162       --       3,174,337       2,980,044  
                                         
     Total
  $ 3,994,071     $ 4,379,857     $ 128,600     $ 4,265,887     $ 4,026,672  
 
(1) For the three months ended September 30, 2014
(2) For the nine months ended September 30, 2014
 
Interest income recognized on impaired loans was immaterial for all periods presented.

For all loan segments, the accrual of interest is discontinued when a loan is specifically determined to be impaired or when the loan is delinquent 90 days and management believes, after considering collection efforts and other factors, that the borrower's financial condition is such that collection of interest is considered by management to be doubtful.  Any unpaid interest previously accrued on those loans is reversed from income.  Interest income is generally not recognized on specific impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is considered by management to be remote.  Interest payments received on impaired loans are generally applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance.  Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are considered by management to be reasonably assured.

As of the balance sheet dates, the Company was not contractually committed to lend additional funds to debtors with impaired, non-accrual or restructured loans.

 
18

 
 
Credit Quality Grouping
 
In developing the allowance for loan losses, management uses credit quality grouping to help evaluate trends in credit quality. The Company groups credit risk into Groups A, B and C. The manner the Company utilizes to assign risk grouping is driven by loan purpose. Commercial purpose loans are individually risk graded while the retail portion of the portfolio is generally grouped by delinquency pool.
 
Group A loans - Acceptable Risk – are loans that are expected to perform as agreed under their respective terms.  Such loans carry a normal level of risk that does not require management attention beyond that warranted by the loan or loan relationship characteristics, such as loan size or relationship size. Group A loans include commercial purpose loans that are individually risk rated and retail loans that are rated by pool. Group A retail loans include both performing consumer and residential real estate loans. Residential real estate loans are loans to individuals secured by 1-4 family homes, including first mortgages, home equity and home improvement loans. Loan balances fully secured by deposit accounts or that are fully guaranteed by the Federal Government are considered acceptable risk.
 
Group B loans – Management Involved - are loans that require greater attention than the acceptable loans in Group A. Characteristics of such loans may include, but are not limited to, borrowers that are experiencing negative operating trends such as reduced sales or margins, borrowers that have exposure to adverse market conditions such as increased competition or regulatory burden, or borrowers that have had unexpected or adverse changes in management. These loans have a greater likelihood of migrating to an unacceptable risk level if these characteristics are left unchecked. Group B is limited to commercial purpose loans that are individually risk rated.
 
Group C loans – Unacceptable Risk – are loans that have distinct shortcomings that require a greater degree of management attention.  Examples of these shortcomings include a borrower's inadequate capacity to service debt, poor operating performance, or insolvency.  These loans are more likely to result in repayment through collateral liquidation. Group C loans range from those that are likely to sustain some loss if the shortcomings are not corrected, to those for which loss is imminent and non-accrual treatment is warranted. Group C loans include individually rated commercial purpose loans, and retail loans adversely rated in accordance with the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council’s Uniform Retail Credit Classification Policy. Group C retail loans include 1-4 family residential real estate loans and home equity loans past due 90 days or more with loan-to-value ratios greater than 60%, home equity loans 90 days or more past due where the bank does not hold first mortgage, irrespective of loan-to-value, loans in bankruptcy where repayment is likely but not yet established, and lastly consumer loans that are 90 days or more past due.
 
Commercial purpose loan ratings are assigned by the commercial account officer; for larger and more complex commercial loans, the credit rating is a collaborative assignment by the lender and the credit analyst. The credit risk rating is based on the borrower's expected performance, i.e., the likelihood that the borrower will be able to service its obligations in accordance with the loan terms. Credit risk ratings are meant to measure risk versus simply record history.  Assessment of expected future payment performance requires consideration of numerous factors.  While past performance is part of the overall evaluation, expected performance is based on an analysis of the borrower's financial strength, and historical and projected factors such as size and financing alternatives, capacity and cash flow, balance sheet and income statement trends, the quality and timeliness of financial reporting, and the quality of the borrower’s management.  Other factors influencing the credit risk rating to a lesser degree include collateral coverage and control, guarantor strength and commitment, documentation, structure and covenants and industry conditions.  There are uncertainties inherent in this process.
 
Credit risk ratings are dynamic and require updating whenever relevant information is received.  The risk ratings of larger or more complex loans, and Group B and C rated loans, are assessed at the time of their respective annual reviews, during quarterly updates, in action plans or at any other time that relevant information warrants update. Lenders are required to make immediate disclosure to the Chief Credit Officer of any known increase in loan risk, even if considered temporary in nature.

 
19

 

The risk ratings within the loan portfolio, by segment, as of the balance sheet dates were as follows:

As of September 30, 2015
 
               
Residential
   
Residential
             
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
             
   
& Industrial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
                                     
Group A
  $ 65,623,508     $ 161,009,553     $ 158,003,285     $ 44,587,285     $ 7,808,505     $ 437,032,136  
Group B
    2,023,893       4,415,932       178,938       224,090       0       6,842,853  
Group C
    1,322,973       6,211,216       3,581,245       425,919       1,790       11,543,143  
     Total
  $ 68,970,374     $ 171,636,701     $ 161,763,468     $ 45,237,294     $ 7,810,295     $ 455,418,132  


As of December 31, 2014
 
               
Residential
   
Residential
             
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
             
   
& Industrial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
                                     
Group A
  $ 61,201,586     $ 157,767,641     $ 160,912,689     $ 44,018,956     $ 8,035,298     $ 431,936,170  
Group B
    2,316,908       3,280,904       228,148       251,822       0       6,077,782  
Group C
    871,726       5,563,285       2,825,287       530,705       0       9,791,003  
     Total
  $ 64,390,220     $ 166,611,830     $ 163,966,124     $ 44,801,483     $ 8,035,298     $ 447,804,955  


As of September 30, 2014
 
               
Residential
   
Residential
             
   
Commercial
   
Commercial
   
Real Estate
   
Real Estate
             
   
& Industrial
   
Real Estate
   
1st Lien
   
Jr Lien
   
Consumer
   
Total
 
                                     
Group A
  $ 60,077,761     $ 153,398,713     $ 162,739,339     $ 43,546,848     $ 7,934,756     $ 427,697,417  
Group B
    2,717,261       3,447,445       205,415       163,910       0       6,534,031  
Group C
    1,164,208       5,429,340       2,717,672       437,103       8,859       9,757,182  
     Total
  $ 63,959,230     $ 162,275,498     $ 165,662,426     $ 44,147,861     $ 7,943,615     $ 443,988,630  
 
Modifications of Loans and TDRs

A loan is classified as a TDR if, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider.

The Company is deemed to have granted such a concession if it has modified a troubled loan in any of the following ways:
 
  Reduced accrued interest;
  Reduced the original contractual interest rate to a rate that is below the current market rate for the borrower;
  Converted a variable-rate loan to a fixed-rate loan;
  Extended the term of the loan beyond an insignificant delay;
  Deferred or forgiven principal in an amount greater than three months of payments; or
  Performed a refinancing and deferred or forgiven principal on the original loan.
 
An insignificant delay or insignificant shortfall in the amount of payments typically would not require the loan to be accounted for as a TDR.  However, pursuant to regulatory guidance, any payment delay longer than three months is generally not considered insignificant. Management’s assessment of whether a concession has been granted also takes into account payments expected to be received from third parties, including third-party guarantors, provided that the third party has the ability to perform on the guarantee.

 
20

 

The Company’s TDRs are principally a result of extending loan repayment terms to relieve cash flow difficulties. The Company has only, on a limited basis, reduced interest rates for borrowers below the current market rate for the borrower.  The Company has not forgiven principal or reduced accrued interest within the terms of original restructurings, nor has it converted variable rate terms to fixed rate terms.  However, the Company evaluates each TDR situation on its own merits and does not foreclose the granting of any particular type of concession.

TDRs, by portfolio segment, for the periods presented were as follows:

   
Three months ended September 30, 2015
   
Nine months ended September 30, 2015
 
         
Pre-
   
Post-
         
Pre-
   
Post-
 
         
Modification
   
Modification
         
Modification
   
Modification
 
         
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
         
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
 
   
Number of
   
Recorded
   
Recorded
   
Number of
   
Recorded
   
Recorded
 
   
Contracts
   
Investment
   
Investment
   
Contracts
   
Investment
   
Investment
 
Commercial & industrial
    0     $ 0     $ 0       3     $ 198,999     $ 198,829  
Commercial real estate
    2       340,960       366,048       2       340,960       366,048  
Residential real estate
                                               
 - 1st lien
    3       207,979       219,335       11       1,170,625       1,240,437  
 - Jr lien
    0       0       0       2       117,745       121,672  
          Total
    5     $ 548,939     $ 585,383       18     $ 1,828,329     $ 1,926,986  
 
   
Year ended December 31, 2014
 
         
Pre-
   
Post-
 
         
Modification
   
Modification
 
         
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
 
   
Number of
   
Recorded
   
Recorded
 
   
Contracts
   
Investment
   
Investment
 
Commercial real estate
    1     $ 301,823     $ 301,823  
Residential real estate - 1st lien
    11       1,294,709       1,332,336  
          Total
    12     $ 1,596,532     $ 1,634,159  
 
   
Three months ended September 30, 2014
   
Nine months ended September 30, 2014
 
         
Pre-
   
Post-
         
Pre-
   
Post-
 
         
Modification
   
Modification
         
Modification
   
Modification
 
         
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
         
Outstanding
   
Outstanding
 
   
Number of
   
Recorded
   
Recorded
   
Number of
   
Recorded
   
Recorded
 
   
Contracts
   
Investment
   
Investment
   
Contracts
   
Investment
   
Investment
 
Residential real estate
                                               
 - 1st lien
    2     $ 432,573     $ 436,963       8     $ 913,471     $ 947,700  

 
 
21

 

The TDR’s for which there was a payment default during the twelve month periods presented were as follows:

Twelve months ended September 30, 2015
           
   
Number of
   
Recorded
 
   
Contracts
   
Investment
 
             
Commercial
    2     $ 21,890  
Residential real estate - 1st lien
    3       256,348  
          Total
    5     $ 278,238  
 
Year ended December 31, 2014
 
   
Number of
   
Recorded
 
   
Contracts
   
Investment
 
             
Residential real estate - 1st lien
    2     $ 137,830  
 
Twelve months ended September 30, 2014
           
   
Number of
   
Recorded
 
   
Contracts
   
Investment
 
             
Residential real estate – 1st lien
    5     $ 438,428  
 
TDRs are treated as other impaired loans and carry individual specific reserves with respect to the calculation of the allowance for loan losses.  These loans are categorized as non-performing, may be past due, and are generally adversely risk rated. The TDRs that have defaulted under their restructured terms are generally in collection status and their reserve is typically calculated using the fair value of collateral method. At September 30, 2014, the specific allocation related to TDRs was approximately $6,600.  There was no specific allowance related to TDRs at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company is contractually committed to lend up to $450,000 in additional funds to one debtor with an impaired SBA 75% guaranteed cap line of credit,  This debtor’s loan relationship is expected to strengthen as a result of a prior troubled debt restructuring.  With this exception, as of the balance sheet dates, the Company was not contractually committed to lend additional funds to debtors with impaired, non-accrual or modified loans.

Note 6.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

As a result of the merger with LyndonBank on December 31, 2007, the Company recorded goodwill amounting to $11,574,269.  The goodwill is not amortizable and is not deductible for tax purposes.

The Company also recorded $4,161,000 of acquired identified intangible assets representing the core deposit intangible which is subject to amortization as a non-interest expense over a ten year period.  The accumulated amortization expense was $3,547,444 and $3,274,744 as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Amortization expense for the core deposit intangible for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014 was $204,525.  As of September 30, 2015, the remaining annual amortization expense related to the core deposit intangible, absent any future impairment, is expected to be as follows:

2015
  $ 68,170  
2016
    272,695  
2017
    272,691  
Total remaining core deposit intangible
  $ 613,556  

Management evaluates goodwill for impairment annually and the core deposit intangible for impairment if conditions warrant.  As of the date of the most recent evaluation (December 31, 2014), management concluded that no impairment existed in either category.

 
22

 
 
Note 7.  Fair Value

Certain assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value to provide additional insight into the Company’s quality of earnings. The fair values of some of these assets and liabilities are measured on a recurring basis while others are measured on a non-recurring basis, with the determination based upon applicable existing accounting pronouncements. For example, securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Other assets, such as mortgage servicing rights, loans held-for-sale, impaired loans, and OREO are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis using the lower of cost or market methodology to determine impairment of individual assets. The Company groups assets and liabilities which are recorded at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. The level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement (with Level 1 considered highest and Level 3 considered lowest). A brief description of each level follows.

Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.  Level 1 assets and liabilities include debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded in an active exchange market, as well as U.S. Treasury, other U.S. Government debt securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.

Level 2
Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.  Level 2 assets and liabilities include debt securities with quoted prices that are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments and derivative contracts whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.  This category generally includes mortgage servicing rights, impaired loans and OREO.
 
Level 3
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.  Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
 
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value measurements and disclosures:
 
  Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair values. As such, the Company classifies these financial instruments as Level 1.
   
  Securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity: Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices for similar assets, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using matrix pricing models, or other model-based valuation techniques requiring observable inputs other than quoted prices such as yield curves, prepayment speeds and default rates. Level 1 securities would include U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets. Level 2 securities include federal agency securities and securities of local municipalities.
   
  Restricted equity securities: Restricted equity securities are comprised of Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (FRBB) stock and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) stock. These securities are carried at cost, which is believed to approximate fair value, based on the redemption provisions of the FRBB and the FHLBB. The stock is nonmarketable, and redeemable at par value, subject to certain conditions. As such the Company classifies these securities as Level 2.
   
  Loans and loans held-for-sale: For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying amounts. The fair values for other loans (for example, fixed rate residential, commercial real estate, and rental property mortgage loans, and commercial and industrial loans) are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. Loan fair value estimates include judgments regarding future expected loss experience and risk characteristics. Loan impairment is deemed to exist when full repayment of principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan is no longer probable. Impaired loans are reported based on one of three measures: the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate; the loan’s observable market price; or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. If the fair value is less than an impaired loan’s recorded investment, an impairment loss is recognized as part of the allowance for loan losses. Accordingly, certain impaired loans may be subject to measurement at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Management has estimated the fair values of these assets using Level 2 inputs, such as the fair value of collateral based on independent third-party appraisals for collateral-dependent loans. All other loans are valued using Level 3 inputs.
 
 
23

 

 
The fair value of loans held-for-sale is based upon an actual purchase and sale agreement between the Company and an independent market participant. The sale is executed within a reasonable period following quarter end at the stated fair value.
   
 
Mortgage servicing rights: Mortgage servicing rights represent the value associated with servicing residential mortgage loans. Servicing assets and servicing liabilities are reported using the amortization method and compared to fair value for impairment. In evaluating the carrying values of mortgage servicing rights, the Company obtains third party valuations based on loan level data including note rate, and the type and term of the underlying loans. As such, the Company classifies mortgage servicing rights as non-recurring Level 2.
   
 
OREO: Real estate acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure and bank properties no longer used as bank premises are initially recorded at fair value. The fair value of OREO is based on property appraisals and an analysis of similar properties currently available. As such, the Company records OREO as non-recurring Level 2.
   
 
Deposits, federal funds purchased and borrowed funds: The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (for example, checking accounts, savings accounts and repurchase agreements) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (that is, their carrying amounts). The fair values for certificates of deposit and borrowed funds are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates and indebtedness to a schedule of aggregated contractual maturities on such time deposits and indebtedness. As such the Company classifies deposits, federal funds purchased and borrowed funds as Level 2.
   
  Capital lease obligations: Fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow calculation using current rates. Based on current rates, carrying value approximates fair value. As such the Company classifies these obligations as Level 2.
   
  Junior subordinated debentures: Fair value is estimated using current rates for debentures of similar maturity. As such the Company classifies these instruments as Level 2.
   
  Accrued interest: The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate their fair values. As such the Company classifies accrued interest as Level 2.
   
  Off-balance-sheet credit related instruments: Commitments to extend credit are evaluated and fair value is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present credit-worthiness of the counterparties. For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates.
 
FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 825 “Financial Instruments”, requires disclosures of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the balance sheet, if the fair values can be reasonably determined. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques using observable inputs when available. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. Topic 825 excludes certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at the dates presented, segregated by fair value hierarchy, are summarized below:

September 30, 2015
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
 
Assets: (market approach)
           
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 0     $ 13,947,470  
U.S. Government securities
    3,002,969       0  
Agency MBS
    0       11,198,361  
Other investments
    0       2,236,442  
  Total
  $ 3,002,969     $ 27,382,273  
 
 
24

 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
 
Assets: (market approach)
           
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 0     $ 19,907,150  
U.S. Government securities
    4,000,937       0  
Agency MBS
    0       9,038,807  
  Total
  $ 4,000,937     $ 28,945,957  
                 
September 30, 2014
               
Assets: (market approach)
               
U.S. GSE debt securities
  $ 0     $ 15,885,881  
U.S. Government securities
    4,002,500       0  
Agency MBS
    0       9,279,144  
  Total
  $ 4,002,500     $ 25,165,025  
 
There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 for the periods presented.  There were no Level 3 assets or liabilities measured on a recurring basis as of the balance sheet dates presented.
 
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

The following table includes assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis that have had a fair value adjustment since their initial recognition. Impaired loans measured at fair value only include impaired loans with a related specific allowance for loan losses and are presented net of specific allowances as disclosed in Note 5.

Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at the dates presented, segregated by fair value hierarchy, are summarized below:
 
September 30, 2015
 
Level 2
 
Assets: (market approach)
     
Residential mortgage servicing rights
  $ 1,296,249  
Impaired loans, net of related allowance
    296,095  
OREO
    1,058,475  
         
December 31, 2014
       
Assets: (market approach)
       
Residential mortgage servicing rights
  $ 1,311,965  
Impaired loans, net of related allowance
    241,819  
OREO
    1,238,320  
         
September 30, 2014
       
Assets: (market approach)
       
Residential mortgage servicing rights
  $ 1,326,543  
Impaired loans, net of related allowance
    775,305  
OREO
    1,097,820  
 
There were no Level 1 or Level 3 assets or liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis as of the balance sheet dates presented.
 
 
25

 
 
The estimated fair values of commitments to extend credit and letters of credit were immaterial as of the dates presented in the tables below.  The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments were as follows:

September 30, 2015
       
Fair
   
Fair
   
Fair
   
Fair
 
   
Carrying
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
 
   
Amount
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Financial assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 14,739     $ 14,739     $ 0     $ 0     $ 14,739  
Securities held-to-maturity
    47,658       0       48,011       0       48,011  
Securities available-for-sale
    30,385       3,003       27,382       0       30,385  
Restricted equity securities
    3,332       0       3,332       0       3,332  
Loans and loans held-for-sale
                                       
  Commercial & industrial
    68,190       0       447       69,224       69,671  
  Commercial real estate
    169,476       0       2,527       172,871       175,398  
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    161,427       0       1,630       164,495       166,125  
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
    44,774       0       121       45,526       45,647  
  Consumer
    7,734       0       0       8,090       8,090  
Mortgage servicing rights
    1,296       0       1,474       0       1,474  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,687       0       1,687       0       1,687  
                                         
Financial liabilities:
                                       
Deposits
                                       
  Other deposits
    458,674       0       458,796       0       458,796  
  Brokered deposits
    20,334       0       20,349       0       20,349  
Federal funds purchased and short-term borrowings
    20,000       0       20,000       0       20,000  
Repurchase agreements
    21,977       0       21,977       0       21,977  
Capital lease obligations
    579       0       579       0       579  
Subordinated debentures
    12,887       0       12,857       0       12,857  
Accrued interest payable
    51       0       51       0       51  
 
December 31, 2014
       
Fair
   
Fair
   
Fair
   
Fair
 
   
Carrying
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
 
   
Amount
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Financial assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 24,962     $ 24,962     $ 0     $ 0     $ 24,962  
Securities held-to-maturity
    41,811       0       42,234       0       42,234  
Securities available-for-sale
    32,947       4,001       28,946       0       32,947  
Restricted equity securities
    3,332       0       3,332       0       3,332  
Loans and loans held-for-sale
                                       
  Commercial & industrial
    63,709       0       391       64,800       65,191  
  Commercial real estate
    164,212       0       1,897       167,961       169,858  
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    162,635       0       678       166,171       166,849  
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
    44,457       0       329       45,113       45,442  
  Consumer
    7,912       0       0       8,315       8,315  
Mortgage servicing rights
    1,312       0       1,528       0       1,528  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,698       0       1,698       0       1,698  
                                         
Financial liabilities:
                                       
Deposits
                                       
  Other deposits
    472,966       0       473,100       0       473,100  
  Brokered deposits
    20,053       0       20,054       0       20,054  
Repurchase agreements
    28,543       0       28,543       0       28,543  
Capital lease obligations
    640       0       640       0       640  
Subordinated debentures
    12,887       0       12,867       0       12,867  
Accrued interest payable
    64       0       64       0       64  
 
 
26

 
 
September 30, 2014
       
Fair
   
Fair
   
Fair
   
Fair
 
   
Carrying
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
   
Value
 
   
Amount
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Financial assets:
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 10,852     $ 10,852     $ 0     $ 0     $ 10,852  
Securities held-to-maturity
    48,070       0       48,472       0       48,472  
Securities available-for-sale
    29,168       4,003       25,165       0       29,168  
Restricted equity securities
    3,332       0       3,332       0       3,332  
Loans and loans held-for-sale
                                       
  Commercial & industrial
    63,242       0       962       63,697       64,659  
  Commercial real estate
    159,916       0       1,667       163,360       165,027  
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    164,589       0       901       168,133       169,034  
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
    43,834       0       335       44,446       44,781  
  Consumer
    7,848       0       0       8,239       8,239  
Mortgage servicing rights
    1,327       0       1,561       0       1,561  
Accrued interest receivable
    1,689       0       1,689       0       1,689  
                                         
Financial liabilities:
                                       
Deposits
                                       
  Other deposits
    454,629       0       455,002       0       455,002  
  Brokered deposits
    19,749       0       19,751       0       19,751  
Federal funds purchased and short-term borrowings
    10,175       0       10,175       0       10,175  
Repurchase agreements
    23,360       0       23,360       0       23,360  
Capital lease obligations
    659       0       659       0       659  
Subordinated debentures
    12,887       0       12,870       0       12,870  
Accrued interest payable
    65       0       65       0       65  
 
Note 8.  Loan Servicing

The following table shows the changes in the carrying amount of the mortgage servicing rights, included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, for the periods indicated:

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2014
 
                   
Balance at beginning of year
  $ 1,311,965     $ 1,329,079     $ 1,329,079  
   Mortgage servicing rights capitalized
    177,090       209,713       166,295  
   Mortgage servicing rights amortized
    (195,363 )     (250,955 )     (186,441 )
   Change in valuation allowance
    2,557       24,128       17,610  
Balance at end of period
  $ 1,296,249     $ 1,311,965     $ 1,326,543  
 
Note 9.  Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiary are involved in litigation that is considered incidental to their business.  Management does not expect that any such litigation will be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Note 10.  Subsequent Event

The Company has evaluated events and transactions through the date that the financial statements were issued for potential recognition or disclosure in these financial statements, as required by GAAP.  On September 21, 2015, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.16 per common share payable November 1, 2015 to shareholders of record as of October 15, 2015.  This dividend, amounting to $794,320, was accrued at September 30, 2015.

 
27

 
 
ITEM 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Period Ended September 30, 2015

The following discussion analyzes the consolidated financial condition of Community Bancorp. (the Company) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Community National Bank (the Bank), as of September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, and its consolidated results of operations for the two interim periods presented.  The Company is considered a “smaller reporting company” under applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is therefore eligible for relief from certain disclosure requirements.  In accordance with such provisions, the Company has elected to provide its interim consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, and cash flows for two, rather than three, years.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in its 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains certain forward-looking statements about the results of operations, financial condition and business of the Company and its subsidiary. Words used in the discussion below such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "plans," "predicts," or similar expressions, indicate that management of the Company is making forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.  They necessarily involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Future results of the Company may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements.  Examples of forward looking statements included in this discussion include, but are not limited to, estimated contingent liability related to assumptions made within the asset/liability management process, management's expectations as to the future interest rate environment and the Company's related liquidity level, credit risk expectations relating to the Company's loan portfolio and its participation in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) Mortgage Partnership Finance (MPF) program, and management's general outlook for the future performance of the Company or the local or national economy. Although forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and estimates, many of the factors that could influence or determine actual results are unpredictable and not within the Company's control.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements as they speak only as of the date they are made.  The Company does not undertake, and disclaims any obligation, to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence or anticipated occurrence of events or circumstances after the date of this Report, except as required by applicable law.  The Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements include, among others, the following possibilities: (1) general economic conditions, either nationally, regionally or locally continue to deteriorate, resulting in a decline in credit quality or a diminished demand for the Company's products and services; (2) competitive pressures increase among financial service providers in the Company's northern New England market area or in the financial services industry generally, including competitive pressures from non-bank financial service providers, from increasing consolidation and integration of financial service providers, and from changes in technology and delivery systems; (3) interest rates change in such a way as to reduce the Company's margins;  (4) changes in laws or government rules, including the rules of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, or the way in which courts or government agencies interpret or implement those laws or rules, increase our costs of doing business causing us to limit or change our product offerings or pricing, or otherwise adversely affect the Company's business; (5) changes in federal or state tax policy; (6) changes in the level of nonperforming assets and charge-offs; (7) changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon relevant regulatory and accounting requirements; (8) changes in consumer and business spending, borrowing and savings habits; (9) the effect of changes to the calculation of the Company’s regulatory capital ratios under the recently adopted Basel III capital framework which, among other things, requires additional regulatory capital, and change the framework for risk-weighting of certain assets; (10) the effect of and changes in the United States monetary and fiscal policies, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) and its regulation of the money supply; and (11) adverse changes in the credit rating of U.S. government debt.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Under SEC Regulation G, public companies making disclosures containing financial measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (US GAAP or GAAP) must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as a statement of the company’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure.  The SEC has exempted from the definition of non-GAAP financial measures certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP.  However, three non-GAAP financial measures commonly used by financial institutions, namely tax-equivalent net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest margin (as presented in the tables in the section labeled Interest Income Versus Interest Expense (Net Interest Income)) and core earnings (as defined and discussed in the Results of Operations section) , have not been specifically exempted by the SEC, and may therefore constitute non-GAAP financial measures under Regulation G.  We are unable to state with certainty whether the SEC would regard those measures as subject to Regulation G.

 
28

 
 
Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s financial performance and facilitate comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions.  However, that information should be considered supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

OVERVIEW

The Company’s consolidated assets on September 30, 2015 were $588,960,139, an increase of $2,249,095 or 0.4% from December 31, 2014 and an increase of $16,742,197, or 2.9%, from September 30, 2014.  Net loans increased $7,507,859, or 1.7%, since December 31, 2014 and $11,318,597, or 2.6%, since September 30, 2014; this increase is attributable to solid growth in commercial loans.  The loan growth has been funded primarily through short-term borrowings, totaling $20,000,000 at September 30, 2015 compared with no borrowings at December 31, 2014, and $10,175,000 in short-term borrowings at September 30, 2014.  The year-to-date increase in loans does not translate to a significant increase in total assets due to the impact of a seasonal fluctuation (decrease) in cash in the bank.  The decrease in cash of $10,223,076 during the first nine months of the year is primarily attributable to a cyclical decrease in municipal deposits during that time.

Total deposits declined $14,010,972, or 2.8%, since December 31, 2014 due primarily to the seasonal runoff of municipal deposits.  In the year over year comparison, deposits increased $4,630,683, or 1.0%.  Core deposits saw increases in all areas except time deposits, which continue to shift into non-maturity deposits as they mature.  The decrease in retail time deposits is a trend that has been prevalent for several years while rates have been at historic lows. Management believes that the low interest rates being paid on certificates of deposit and other investment products is likely causing some depositors to place their money in non-maturity products such as demand and savings accounts while awaiting an improvement in interest rates and market conditions.

Interest rates remain at historically low levels, causing continued pressure on yields as earning assets re-price at lower rates, although the rate of decline has slowed in 2015 as rates have stabilized at this lower base.  Growth of the commercial loan portfolio, which typically carries higher yields than consumer loans, has helped to maintain a stable level of interest income.  This shift in asset mix is in line with the Company’s strategic plan to increase its concentration in commercial loans while maintaining a sizeable residential loan portfolio.  While commercial loans inherently carry more risk, the Company has dedicated significant resources in the credit administration department to mitigate the additional risk.  The opportunities for growth continue to be primarily in the Central Vermont market where economic activity is more robust than in the Company’s Orleans and Caledonia county markets, and where the Company is increasing its presence and market share.  The shift of a portion of the investment portfolio to higher yielding mortgage backed securities at the end of the second quarter of 2014 has also improved overall asset yields year to year.

Interest income increased $110,694, or 1.9%, for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. Interest expense declined $128,539, or 16.9%, due to the continued decrease in interest rates paid on deposits and borrowings.  The decrease in interest paid on deposits is largely attributable to a shift of customer funds out of higher yielding CDs to lower yielding demand and savings accounts.  Rates paid on non-maturity deposits have also been adjusted downward when necessary to account for changes in market rates.

Net interest income after the provision for loan losses improved by $299,233, or 6.1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and $726,262 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the same periods in 2014.  The charge to income for the provision for loan losses decreased $60,000, or 44.4% and $30,000, or 7.4% for each comparison period due to a modification to the methodology used in the calculation of the allowance for loan losses that utilizes more up-to-date historical net loss factors, partially offset by the impact of increased loan volume on the allowance for loan losses.  Please refer to the Allowance for loan losses and provisions discussion in the Credit Risk section for more information.

Net income for the third quarter of 2015 was $1,439,822, an increase of $62,633, or 4.6%, compared with the same period in 2014.  Net income for the first nine months of 2015 was $3,627,366, a decrease of $105,774 or 2.8% compared to the same period in 2014. While net interest income contributed significantly to earnings during both periods, and total non-interest income increased $55,315, or 4.4%, during the third quarter of 2015 compared to 2014, a decrease of $78,142 in non-interest income is noted in the nine month comparison period.  For several years, the Federal Reserve’s efforts to stimulate the real estate market by keeping mortgage interest rates low provided for several refinancing cycles.  Residential mortgage lending activity slowed during 2014, resulting in decreases in the Company’s fee income from the sale of residential loans in the secondary market.  In 2015, this trend has started to turn with new mortgage originations totaling $40,772,304 for the first nine months of 2015.  Of those originations, during the first nine months of 2015 secondary market sales totaled $19,265,838, compared to $15,554,320 for the first nine months of 2014, providing points and premiums from the sales of these mortgages of $274,669 and $318,724, respectively, a decline of 13.8%, despite the higher volume.  Mirroring trends in the mortgage banking industry, as mortgage rates decreased to spur higher volume, margins declined to keep mortgage rates competitive, resulting in the decline between periods in points and premiums from the sale of mortgages on the secondary market.  The remainder of the loans originated were held in portfolio.  Total operating expenses increased by $729,286, or 5.5%, for the first nine months of 2015 when compared to the same period in 2014, including non-recurring charges associated with the mandated replacement of customer debit cards with computer chip enhanced cards and costs associated with the closure of two branch offices in July.  Please refer to the Non-interest Income and Expense sections for more information.

 
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The regulatory environment continues to increase operating costs and place extensive burdens on personnel resources to comply with a myriad of legal requirements, including those under the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, and the numerous rulemakings it has spawned, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the USA Patriot Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and the Truth in Lending Act, as well as the new Basel III capital framework.  It is unlikely that these administrative costs and burdens will moderate in the future.

On September 21, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per common share, payable on November 1, 2015 to shareholders of record on October 15, 2015.  The Company is focused on increasing the profitability of the balance sheet, and prudently managing operating expenses and risk, particularly credit risk, in order to remain a well-capitalized bank in this challenging economic environment.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company’s significant accounting policies, which are described in Note 1 (Significant Accounting Policies) to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements in its 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, are fundamental to understanding the Company’s results of operations and financial condition because they require management to use estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of the Company’s assets or liabilities and financial results.  These policies are considered by management to be critical because they require subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions.  The Company’s critical accounting policies govern:
 
  the allowance for loan losses;
  other real estate owned (OREO);
  valuation of residential mortgage servicing rights (MSRs);
  other than temporary impairment of investment securities; and
  the carrying value of goodwill.

These policies are described further in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies” and in Note 1 (Significant Accounting Policies) to the audited consolidated financial statements.  Except for certain changes to the methodology for calculating the allowance for loan losses as described below under “RISK MANAGEMENT – Allowance for loan losses and provisions”, there have been no material changes in the critical accounting policies described in the 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net income for the third quarter of 2015 was $1,439,822, an increase of $62,633, or 4.6%, compared with the same period in 2014.  This resulted in earnings per share of $0.29 for the third quarter of 2015, compared with $0.28 for the third quarter 2014.  Net income for the first nine months of 2015 was $3,627,366 or $0.72 per common share, compared to $3,733,140 or $0.75 per common share for the same period in 2014. Core earnings (net interest income before the provision for loan losses) for the third quarter of 2015 increased $239,233, or 6.1%, compared to the third quarter of 2014.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, core earnings increased $696,262, or 4.7% compared to the prior year.  In light of the continued pressure on net interest margin and spread in this persistently low interest rate environment, the Company is pleased with these increases.  To help offset this pressure, the Company shifted assets from lower yielding taxable investments to loans, and shifted a portion of the investment portfolio to higher yielding agency mortgage-backed securities (Agency MBS) within its available-for-sale portfolio during the second quarter of 2014.  The Company has continued to maintain that overall mix of investments.  During 2015, the loan mix has continued to shift in favor of higher yielding commercial loans, while the deposit mix is shifting to lower cost non-maturity deposits, both of which have benefitted the Company’s net interest income.  Interest paid on deposits, which is the major component of total interest expense, decreased $138,484, or 22.2%, in the third quarter 2015 compared to the same period of 2014.  The Company recorded a provision for loan losses of $75,000 for the third quarter of 2015, compared to $135,000 for the same period of 2014.  Non-interest income increased $55,315, or 4.4%, for the third quarter of 2015 compared to 2014, due to an increase in residential mortgage loan sales, which generate fee income, and an increase in the collection of documentation fees on all loan types. Non-interest expense increased $231,404, or 5.4%, for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the prior year with increases in salaries & benefits as well as other non-interest expenses including collection and OREO write-down expense. Non-interest expenses for the third quarter of 2015 also included expenses totaling approximately $146,000 related to the closing of two branches.  The section below labeled Non-Interest Income and Non-Interest Expense provides a more detailed discussion on the significant components of these two items.
 
Return on average assets, which is net income divided by average total assets, measures how effectively a corporation uses its assets to produce earnings.  Return on average equity, which is net income divided by average shareholders' equity, measures how effectively a corporation uses its equity capital to produce earnings.

The following table shows these ratios annualized for the comparison periods.

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Return on Average Assets
    0.97 %     0.94 %
Return on Average Equity
    11.31 %     11.43 %
                 
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Return on Average Assets
    0.83 %     0.87 %
Return on Average Equity
    9.68 %     10.59 %

 
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The following table summarizes the earnings performance and certain balance sheet data of the Company for the periods presented.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
 
         
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
2014
 
                   
Balance Sheet Data
                 
Net loans
  $ 450,710,334     $ 443,202,475     $ 439,391,737  
Total assets
    588,960,139       586,711,044       572,217,942  
Total deposits
    479,008,491       493,019,463       474,377,808  
Borrowed funds
    20,000,000       0       10,175,000  
Total liabilities
    538,002,559       537,715,842       524,117,342  
Total shareholders' equity
    50,957,580       48,995,202       48,100,600  
                         
 
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Operating Data
           
Total interest income
  $ 17,557,718     $ 17,161,464  
Total interest expense
    2,032,287       2,332,295  
     Net interest income
    15,525,431       14,829,169  
                 
Provision for loan losses
    375,000       405,000  
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses
    15,150,431       14,424,169  
                 
Non-interest income
    3,817,261       3,895,403  
Non-interest expense
    14,008,442       13,279,156  
     Income before income taxes
    4,959,250       5,040,416  
Applicable income tax expense(1)
    1,331,884       1,307,276  
                 
     Net Income
  $ 3,627,366     $ 3,733,140  
                 
Per Common Share Data
               
                 
Earnings per common share (2)
  $ 0.72     $ 0.75  
Dividends declared per common share
  $ 0.48     $ 0.48  
Book value per common share outstanding, period end
  $ 9.73     $ 9.28  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    4,954,381       4,889,086  
Number of common shares outstanding, period end
    4,979,604       4,915,768  
 
(1) Applicable income tax expense assumes a 34% tax rate.
(2) Computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented.
 
INTEREST INCOME VERSUS INTEREST EXPENSE (NET INTEREST INCOME)

The largest component of the Company’s operating income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on loans and investments versus the interest paid on deposits and other sources of funds (i.e. other borrowings).  The Company’s level of net interest income can fluctuate over time due to changes in the level and mix of earning assets, and sources of funds (volume) and from changes in the yield earned and costs of funds (rate).  A portion of the Company’s income from municipal investments is not subject to income taxes.  Because the proportion of tax-exempt items in the Company's portfolio varies from year-to-year, to improve comparability of information, the non-taxable income shown in the tables below has been converted to a tax equivalent basis. Because the Company’s corporate tax rate is 34%, to equalize tax-free and taxable income in the comparison, we divide the tax-free income by 66%, with the result that every tax-free dollar is equivalent to $1.52 in taxable income.
 
 
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The Company’s tax-exempt interest income is derived from municipal investments, which comprised the entire held-to-maturity portfolio of $47,657,894 at September 30, 2015, and $48,069,627 at September 30, 2014.

The following table shows the reconciliation between reported net interest income and tax equivalent, net interest income for the quarterly comparison periods presented.

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Net interest income as presented
  $ 5,307,265     $ 5,068,032  
Effect of tax-exempt income
    143,748       149,219  
   Net interest income, tax equivalent
  $ 5,451,013     $ 5,217,251  
 
The following table presents average earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities supporting earning assets.  Interest income (excluding interest on non-accrual loans) and interest expense are both expressed on a tax equivalent basis, both in dollars and as a rate/yield for the comparison periods presented.
 
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
    2015     2014  
               
Average
               
Average
 
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Rate/
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Rate/
 
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Yield
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Yield
 
Interest-Earning Assets
                                   
 Loans (1)
  $ 457,159,007     $ 5,503,166       4.78 %   $ 447,188,920     $ 5,410,445       4.80 %
 Taxable investment securities
    30,904,468       119,977       1.54 %     30,549,280       103,101       1.34 %
 Tax-exempt investment securities
    44,473,621       422,789       3.77 %     46,454,074       438,880       3.75 %
 Sweep and interest-earning accounts
    4,763,144       3,186       0.27 %     5,309,459       3,507       0.26 %
 Other investments (2)
    3,719,450       34,365       3.67 %     3,719,450       22,327       2.38 %
     Total
  $ 541,019,690     $ 6,083,483       4.46 %   $ 533,221,183     $ 5,978,260       4.45 %
                                                 
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
                                               
 Interest-bearing transaction accounts
  $ 108,843,456     $ 51,047       0.19 %   $ 105,433,025     $ 52,569       0.20 %
 Money market accounts
    87,144,276       208,754       0.95 %     83,269,715       208,247       0.99 %
 Savings deposits
    82,773,683       25,111       0.12 %     76,551,055       24,104       0.12 %
 Time deposits
    104,759,903       199,366       0.76 %     126,577,310       337,842       1.06 %
 Federal funds purchased and
                                               
  other borrowed funds
    24,389,727       16,285       0.26 %     17,175,217       10,077       0.23 %
 Repurchase agreements
    23,257,898       16,689       0.28 %     23,589,412       14,292       0.24 %
 Capital lease obligations
    586,362       11,944       8.15 %     665,582       13,526       8.13 %
 Junior subordinated debentures
    12,887,000       103,274       3.18 %     12,887,000       100,352       3.09 %
     Total
  $ 444,642,305     $ 632,470       0.56 %   $ 446,148,316     $ 761,009       0.68 %
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 5,451,013                     $ 5,217,251          
Net interest spread (3)
                    3.90 %                     3.77 %
Net interest margin (4)
                    4.00 %                     3.88 %
 
(1) Included in gross loans are non-accrual loans with an average balance of $5,395,931 and $5,234,217 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Loans are stated before deduction of unearned discount and allowance for loan losses, less loans held-for-sale.
(2) Included in other investments is the Company’s FHLBB Stock with an average balance of $2,744,300 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and dividend payout rates of approximately 3.28% and 1.48%, respectively, per quarter.
(3) Net interest spread is the difference between the average yield on average interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities.
(4) Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average earning assets.
 
 
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The average volume of interest-earning assets for the third quarter of 2015 increased $7,798,507, or 1.5% compared to the same period of 2014, and the average yield increased one basis point to 4.46% for the third quarter of 2015 compared to 4.45% for the same quarter of 2014.  The average volume of loans increased $9,970,087, or 2.2%, and the average yield declined by two basis points.  Interest earned on the loan portfolio equaled approximately 90.5% of total interest income for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014.  The average volume of the taxable investment portfolio (classified as available-for-sale) increased $355,188, or 1.2%, for the same period, while the average yield increased 20 basis points due in part to the shift to higher yielding mortgage backed securities late in the second quarter of 2014 and the purchase of investment CDs during the second and third quarter of 2015 totaling $2,229,000.  The rate earned on these CDs range from 2.1% to 2.5%.  The average volume of the tax-exempt investment portfolio (classified as held-to-maturity) decreased $1,980,453, or 4.3%, between periods, while the average tax equivalent yield increased two basis points year over year.  The average volume of sweep and interest-earning accounts, which is primarily made up of the interest-earning deposit account at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (FRBB), decreased $546,315, or 10.3%.  The balance of these funds has remained relatively low as all excess cash has been used to fund loan growth.

In comparison, the average volume of interest-bearing liabilities for the third quarter of 2015 decreased $1,506,011, or 0.3% over the 2014 comparison period, and the average rate paid on these liabilities decreased 12 basis points.  The average volume of money market funds increased $3,874,561, or 4.7%, while the average rate paid decreased four basis points.  The increase in money market funds is due primarily to approximately $8,000,000 of construction related escrow accounts opened in the fourth quarter of 2014, which are expected to remain in place into 2016.  The average volume of savings accounts increased $6,222,628 or 8.1% for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 due to the continued shift in product mix from time deposits to savings accounts as consumers anticipate higher rates in the near future.  The average total volume of time deposits, both retail and wholesale, decreased $21,817,407, or 17.2%.  The average volume of federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds increased $7,214,510, or 42.0%, as short term advances were largely used in place of overnight funds in 2015.  The Company drew down short-term FHLBB advances totaling $30,000,000 in the second quarter of 2015 to fund loan growth and offset the seasonal runoff of municipal deposits and renewed $20,000,000 of those advances during the third quarter of 2015.  A decrease of 30 basis points is noted in the average rate paid on time deposits while an increase of three basis points is noted on the average rate paid on federal funds purchased and other borrowed funds.

The prolonged low interest rate environment has resulted in continued pressure on the Company’s net interest spread and margin.  The Company’s earning assets are being both replaced with, and repricing to, lower interest rates, while the opportunity to reduce rates further on non-maturing interest-bearing deposits is limited given the already low rates paid on deposits.  For the third quarter comparison periods of 2015 and 2014 the average yield on interest-earning assets stayed relatively flat, while the average rate paid on interest-bearing liabilities decreased 12 basis points.  Net interest margin for the third quarter was 4.00% for 2015, up from 3.88% the prior year.

The following table shows the reconciliation between reported net interest income and tax equivalent, net interest income for the year to date comparison periods presented.

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Net interest income as presented
  $ 15,525,431     $ 14,829,169  
Effect of tax-exempt income
    425,732       405,749  
   Net interest income, tax equivalent
  $ 15,951,163     $ 15,234,918  
 
 
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The following table presents average earning assets and average interest-bearing liabilities supporting earning assets.  Interest income (excluding interest on non-accrual loans) and interest expense are both expressed on a tax equivalent basis, both in dollars and as a rate/yield for the comparison periods presented.

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
    2015     2014  
               
Average
               
Average
 
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Rate/
   
Average
   
Income/
   
Rate/
 
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Yield
   
Balance
   
Expense
   
Yield
 
Interest-Earning Assets
                                   
 Loans (1)
  $ 454,521,324     $ 16,314,191       4.80 %   $ 447,730,804     $ 16,055,124       4.79 %
 Taxable investment securities
    30,843,902       327,624       1.42 %     31,246,004       242,485       1.04 %
 Tax-exempt investment securities
    43,578,397       1,252,153       3.84 %     41,569,017       1,193,380       3.84 %
 Sweep and interest-earning accounts
    3,731,551       7,446       0.27 %     3,829,966       7,587       0.26 %
 Other investments (2)
    3,719,450       82,036       2.95 %     3,852,594       68,637       2.38 %
     Total
  $ 536,394,624     $ 17,983,450       4.48 %   $ 528,228,385     $ 17,567,213       4.45 %
                                                 
Interest-Bearing Liabilities
                                               
 Interest-bearing transaction accounts
  $ 112,745,577     $ 162,905       0.19 %   $ 110,824,012     $ 173,928       0.21 %
 Money market accounts
    88,802,752       655,299       0.99 %     83,043,872       629,478       1.01 %
 Savings deposits
    80,327,748       72,862       0.12 %     74,803,501       70,411       0.13 %
 Time deposits
    108,205,747       714,850       0.88 %     126,096,963       1,048,919       1.11 %
 Federal funds purchased and
                                               
  other borrowed funds
    14,849,578       29,456       0.27 %     12,457,161       21,126       0.23 %
 Repurchase agreements
    25,676,781       54,259       0.28 %     24,971,697       45,275       0.24 %
 Capital lease obligations
    606,362       37,049       8.15 %     682,818       41,613       8.13 %
 Junior subordinated debentures
    12,887,000       305,607       3.17 %     12,887,000       301,545       3.13 %
     Total
  $ 444,101,545     $ 2,032,287       0.61 %   $ 445,767,024     $ 2,332,295       0.70 %
                                                 
Net interest income
          $ 15,951,163                     $ 15,234,918          
Net interest spread (3)
                    3.87 %                     3.75 %
Net interest margin (4)
                    3.98 %                     3.86 %
 
(1) Included in gross loans are non-accrual loans with an average balance of $5,063,600 and $4,988,683 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Loans are stated before deduction of unearned discount and allowance for loan losses.
(2) Included in other investments is the Company’s FHLBB Stock with an average balance of $2,744,300 and $2,877,444, respectively, and dividend payout rates of approximately 2.26% and 1.54% for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(3) Net interest spread is the difference between the average yield on average interest-earning assets and the average rate paid on average interest-bearing liabilities.
(4) Net interest margin is net interest income divided by average earning assets.
 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, average interest-earning assets grew $8,166,239, or 1.6% compared with the same period in 2014, mostly due to growth in commercial loans.

Interest income increased by $416,237, or 2.4% between periods resulting in a corresponding increase in yield on average interest-earning assets of three basis points to 4.48%.  Contributing to the increase was a one-time recovery of non-accrual interest on loans during the first quarter of 2015 of approximately $200,000.

The investment portfolios also contributed to the year-to-date increase in interest income with an increase of $85,139, or 35.1% in interest income from taxable investment securities.  Despite flat average balances, average yields and income for the investment portfolio increased substantially year to date in 2015 compared to the prior year, due to the addition of mortgage backed securities as a portion of the portfolio.  The increased tax-exempt income in 2015 of $58,773, or 4.9%, is a result of a higher volume of non-arbitrage municipal loans compared to the same period last year.
 
 
34

 
 
The total cost of average interest-bearing liabilities declined by nine basis points for the first nine months of 2015 versus the first nine months of 2014, with the continued shift from time deposits to non-maturity products, and the repricing of the remaining time deposit balances to lower rates.

The resulting net interest spread and margin each improved by 12 basis points between the first nine months of 2015 and the same period a year earlier.

The following table summarizes the variances in interest income and interest expense on a fully tax-equivalent basis for the periods presented for 2015 and 2014 resulting from volume changes in average assets and average liabilities and fluctuations in average rates earned and paid.

Changes in Interest Income and Interest Expense
 
                                     
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
Variance
   
Variance
         
Variance
   
Variance
       
   
Due to
   
Due to
   
Total
   
Due to
   
Due to
   
Total
 
   
Rate (1)
   
Volume (1)
   
Variance
   
Rate (1)
   
Volume (1)
   
Variance
 
Average Interest-Earning Assets
                                   
 Loans
  $ (27,903 )   $ 120,624     $ 92,721     $ 15,786     $ 243,281     $ 259,067  
 Taxable investment securities
    15,676       1,200       16,876       89,410       (4,271 )     85,139  
 Tax-exempt investment securities
    2,728       (18,819 )     (16,091 )     1,061       57,712       58,773  
 Sweep and interest-earning accounts
    51       (372 )     (321 )     58       (199 )     (141 )
 Other investments
    12,038       0       12,038       16,337       (2,938 )     13,399  
     Total
  $ 2,590     $ 102,633     $ 105,223     $ 122,652     $ 293,585     $ 416,237  
                                                 
Average Interest-Bearing Liabilities
                                               
 Interest-bearing transaction accounts
  $ (3,241 )   $ 1,719     $ (1,522 )   $ (14,041 )   $ 3,018     $ (11,023 )
 Money market accounts
    (9,161 )     9,668       507       (17,683 )     43,504       25,821  
 Savings deposits
    (875 )     1,882       1,007       (2,920 )     5,371       2,451  
 Time deposits
    (96,682 )     (41,794 )     (138,476 )     (216,310 )     (117,759 )     (334,069 )
 Federal funds purchased and
                                               
  other borrowed funds
    2,026       4,182       6,208       4,214       4,116       8,330  
 Repurchase agreements
    2,631       (234 )     2,397       7,718       1,266       8,984  
 Capital lease obligations
    45       (1,627 )     (1,582 )     97       (4,661 )     (4,564 )
 Junior subordinated debentures
    2,922       0       2,922       4,062       0       4,062  
     Total
  $ (102,335 )   $ (26,204 )   $ (128,539 )   $ (234,863 )   $ (65,145 )   $ (300,008 )
                                                 
       Changes in net interest income
  $ 104,925     $ 128,837     $ 233,762     $ 357,515     $ 358,730     $ 716,245  
 
(1) Items which have shown a year-to-year increase in volume have variances allocated as follows:
          Variance due to rate = Change in rate x new volume
          Variance due to volume = Change in volume x old rate
     Items which have shown a year-to-year decrease in volume have variances allocated as follows:
          Variance due to rate = Change in rate x old volume
          Variances due to volume = Change in volume x new rate
 
 
35

 
 
NON-INTEREST INCOME AND NON-INTEREST EXPENSE

Non-interest Income

The components of non-interest income for the periods presented are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
               
Nine Months Ended
             
   
September 30,
   
Change
   
September 30,
   
Change
 
   
2015
   
2014
    $     %      2015      2014     $     %  
                                                         
Service fees
  $ 657,949     $ 666,851     $ (8,902 )     -1.33 %   $ 1,932,367     $ 1,972,636     $ (40,269 )     -2.04 %
Income from sold loans
    239,724       226,279       13,445       5.94 %     687,964       735,739       (47,775 )     -6.49 %
Other income from loans
    223,465       149,444       74,021       49.53 %     544,097       415,910       128,187       30.82 %
Net realized gain on sale of
                                                               
 securities available-for-sale
    0       6,010       (6,010 )     -100.00 %     2,723       27,838       (25,115 )     -90.22 %
Income from CFSG Partners
    94,122       61,488       32,634       53.07 %     269,313       224,748       44,565       19.83 %
Rental income on OREO properties
    6,893       2,926       3,967       135.58 %     43,414       52,733       (9,319 )     -17.67 %
Currency exchange income
    23,000       36,000       (13,000 )     -36.11 %     61,500       101,000       (39,500 )     -39.11 %
SERP fair value adjustment
    (44,522 )     (15,742 )     (28,780 )     182.82 %     (43,993 )     28,996       (72,989 )     -251.72 %
Other income
    99,364       111,424       (12,060 )     -10.82 %     319,876       335,803       (15,927 )     -4.74 %
     Total non-interest income
  $ 1,299,995     $ 1,244,680     $ 55,315       4.44 %   $ 3,817,261     $ 3,895,403     $ (78,142 )     -2.01 %
 
Total non-interest income increased $55,315 for the third quarter of 2015 versus the same quarter last year and decreased $78,142 for the first nine months of 2015 versus the same period in 2014, with significant changes noted in the following:
 
 
Service fees decreased $8,902 or 1.3% for the third quarter, and $40,269 or approximately 2.0%, year to date, due in part to a decrease in paper statement fees. The Company has seen an increase in customers switching to online statements in order to avoid the fee associated with receiving paper statements.
 
Income from sold loans increased $13,445 for the third quarter, or 5.9%, but decreased $47,775, or 6.5%, year to date. Although secondary market sales are higher year to date in 2015 compared to 2014, the first six months of 2015 were lower compared to the same period in 2014.
 
Other income from loans increased $74,021, or 49.5% for the third quarter 2015 and $128,187 or 30.8% year to date, as documentation fees on all loan types have improved compared with the same periods a year ago.
 
Income from CFSG Partners increased $32,634, or 53.1% for the third quarter of 2015 and $44,565, or 19.8%, year to date compared to the same periods in 2014 which is attributable to fees associated with an increase in assets under management.
 
Exchange income decreased $13,000, or 36.1%, for the third quarter, and $39,500, or 39.1%, for the nine month period year over year due to the weakening Canadian dollar during 2015.
  SERP fair value adjustment decreased $28,780, or 182.8% compared with the third quarter 2014 due to changes in equity markets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the net adjustment was more significant, with a decrease of $72,989, or 251.7%, compared with the same period in 2014.
 
 
36

 
 
Non-interest Expense

The components of non-interest expense for the periods presented are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
               
Nine Months Ended
             
   
September 30,
   
Change
   
September 30,
   
Change
 
   
2015
   
2014
   
$
   
%
   
2015
   
2014
   
$
   
%
 
                                                 
Salaries and wages
  $ 1,650,000     $ 1,575,000     $ 75,000       4.76 %   $ 4,988,352     $ 4,875,000     $ 113,352       2.33 %
Employee benefits
    575,129       481,523       93,606       19.44 %     1,911,809       1,686,221       225,588       13.38 %
Occupancy expenses, net
    676,559       591,665       84,894       14.35 %     1,976,226       1,899,706       76,520       4.03 %
Other expenses
                                                               
  Computer outsourcing
    151,291       103,792       47,499       45.76 %     394,160       313,380       80,780       25.78 %
  Service contracts - administrative
  89,790       104,324       (14,534 )     -13.93 %     245,457       330,052       (84,595 )     -25.63 %
  Telephone expense
    76,240       81,179       (4,939 )     -6.08 %     235,953       244,897       (8,944 )     -3.65 %
  Collection & non-accruing loan
                                                               
    expense
    11,500       46,500       (35,000 )     -75.27 %     64,505       41,674       22,831       54.78 %
  OREO expense
    17,005       30,000       (12,995 )     -43.32 %     97,291       80,403       16,888       21.00 %
  ATM fees
    92,902       86,746       6,156       7.10 %     275,680       272,815       2,865       1.05 %
  State deposit tax
    130,491       136,576       (6,085 )     -4.46 %     406,186       407,639       (1,453 )     -0.36 %
  Other miscellaneous expenses
    1,060,967       1,063,165       (2,198 )     -0.21 %     3,412,823       3,127,369       285,454       9.13 %
     Total non-interest expense
  $ 4,531,874     $ 4,300,470     $ 231,404       5.38 %   $ 14,008,442     $ 13,279,156     $ 729,286       5.49 %
 
Total non-interest expense increased $231,404, or 5.4%, for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter in 2014 and $729,286, or 5.5%, for the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 with significant changes noted in the following:
 
 
Salaries increased $75,000, or 4.8%, for the third quarter of 2015 and $113,352, or 2.3% year to date compared to the same periods in 2014, due in part to normal increases in salaries and as a result of severance cost accruals associated with the closure of two branch offices in July 2015.
 
Employee benefits increased $93,606, or 19.4%, quarter over quarter, due to group insurance premium increases of $44,542, and increased retirement account contributions of $32,874. Employee benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased $225,588, or 13.4% year over year with similar component increases.
 
Occupancy increased $84,894 during the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same period last year due to a one-time charge of $87,278 recorded from the sale of one of the bank branches that was closed during the quarter.
 
Computer outsourcing increased $47,499, or 45.8%, for the quarter and $80,780, or 25.8%, year to date with the continued addition of services being performed by a third party.
 
Service contracts – administrative decreased $14,534, or 13.9%, for the quarter and $84,595, or 25.6%, year to date compared with the prior year due to the increase in computer outsourcing which resulted in credits from the Bank’s core processor.
 
Collection & non-accruing loan expense decreased $35,000 or 75.3% for the third quarter of 2015, but increased $22,831, or 54.8%, during the first nine months of 2015 compared with the prior year, as the bank had substantial recoveries in 2014 which offset expenses, and this has not occurred in 2015.
  OREO expense in the third quarter of 2015 decreased $12,995 compared with the same period in 2014, but an increase of $16,888 is noted for the first nine months of 2015 due primarily to a write-down of $45,320 in the second quarter of 2015, with no write-down taken in the same period of the prior year.
  Other miscellaneous expenses decreased $2,198, or 0.2% for the third quarter of 2015, but an increase of $285,454, or 9.1%, is noted year over year. This increase is due primarily to an increase of $105,258 in printing & supplies expense associated with the mandatory re-issuance of customer debit cards with enhanced security chip technology. In addition, outside agency expenses, which include consultant services, audit fees and examination expenses, increased $48,539 or 7.1%, year over year. Charged off checks increased $53,749, or 1,134.4% during the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 as the result of two significant charge offs totaling $60,269.
 
 
37

 
 
APPLICABLE INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes increased $60,511, or 12.1% to $560,564 for the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014, due primarily to an increase in income before taxes of $123,144, or 6.6%.  Although income before income taxes decreased $81,166 or 1.6% for the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, the provision for income taxes increased $24,608, or 1.9%.  This increase was primarily due to a decrease in tax credits on limited partnerships.  Tax credits related to limited partnerships amounted to $107,928 and $128,130, respectively, for the third quarter of 2015 and 2014 and $323,784 and $384,390, respectively, for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014.

Pursuant to Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-01, Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects, effective December 15, 2014, losses related to limited partnership investments, are included as a component of tax expense and amounted to $100,860 and $110,958 for the third quarters of 2015 and 2014, respectively and $302,580 and $332,874 for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively.  These investments provide tax benefits, including tax credits, and are designed to provide an effective yield between 8% and 10%.

Losses relating to the Company’s New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) investment are recorded as a separate component of tax expense and for the third quarter of 2015 amounted to $40,473 compared to $36,822 for the third quarter of 2014 and for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014 amounted to $121,419 and $110,466, respectively.  The Company amortizes these investments under the effective yield method.

CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION

The following table reflects the composition of the Company's major categories of assets and liabilities as a percentage of total assets or liabilities and shareholders’ equity, as the case may be, as of the dates indicated:

   
September 30, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
   
September 30, 2014
 
Assets
                                   
 Loans
  $ 455,418,132       77.33 %   $ 447,804,955       76.32 %   $ 443,988,630       77.59 %
 Securities available-for-sale
    30,385,242       5.16 %     32,946,894       5.62 %     29,167,525       5.10 %
 Securities held-to-maturity
    47,657,894       8.09 %     41,810,945       7.13 %     48,069,627       8.40 %
                                                 
Liabilities
                                               
 Time deposits
  $ 103,560,266       17.58 %   $ 113,022,276       19.26 %   $ 117,200,143       20.48 %
 Savings deposits
    81,550,091       13.85 %     77,029,722       13.13 %     77,402,718       13.53 %
 Demand deposits
    91,124,547       15.47 %     88,758,469       15.13 %     87,206,528       15.24 %
 Interest-bearing transaction accounts
    113,669,795       19.30 %     125,388,872       21.37 %     109,045,395       19.06 %
 Money market accounts
    89,103,792       15.13 %     88,820,124       15.14 %     83,523,024       14.60 %
 Federal funds purchased
    0       0.00 %     0       0.00 %     2,175,000       0.38 %
 Short-term advances
    20,000,000       3.40 %     0       0.00 %     8,000,000       1.40 %
 
The Company's loan portfolio at September 30, 2015 increased $7,613,177, or 1.7%, from December 31, 2014 and $11,429,502, or 2.6%, year over year.  These increases reflect continued strong commercial loan growth during the first nine months of 2015 which has offset the continued decline in the residential loan portfolio.  These changes in the relative composition of the loan portfolio are consistent with the Company’s goal to increase its commercial loan portfolio, and reflect the efforts of a seasoned commercial lending team with a strong presence in the small business community.  Most of the growth in the commercial loan portfolio has occurred in the Company’s Washington County (Central Vermont) market.  Securities available-for-sale decreased $2,561,652 or 7.8% year to date, but noted an increase of $1,217,717, or 4.2% year over year.  Securities held-to-maturity increased $5,846,949, or 14.0%, at September 30, 2015, compared to December 31, 2014, and declined $411,733, or 0.9% compared to September 30, 2014.  Held-to-maturity securities are made up of investments from the Company’s municipal customers in its service areas.

Total deposits decreased $14,010,972, or 2.8%, from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015, with an increase of $4,630,683, or 1.0%, noted year over year.  The decrease compared with December 31, 2014 is primarily the result of municipal deposit runoff associated with the repayment of tax anticipation loans.  Time deposits decreased $9,462,010, or 8.4%, from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015 and $13,639,877, or 11.6%, year over year as retail customers continue to roll maturing funds into non-maturity deposits, and $10,000,000 of CDARS one way funds obtained in the first quarter of 2014 were not replaced at maturity.  As a result, savings deposits increased in both comparison periods, by $4,520,369 or 5.9% year to date, and $4,147,373, or 5.4%, year to year.  Demand deposits increased $2,366,078, or 2.7%, during the first nine months of 2015, and $3,918,019, or 4.5%, year to year.  Short-term advances from the FHLBB totaling $20,000,000 were reported at September 30, 2015 compared to no borrowings at December 31, 2014 and $10,175,000 in federal funds purchased and short-term advances at September 30, 2014.
 
 
38

 
 
Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management - Management actively monitors and manages the Company’s interest rate risk exposure and attempts to structure the balance sheet to maximize net interest income while controlling its exposure to interest rate risk.  The Company's Asset/Liability Management Committee (ALCO) is made up of the Executive Officers and certain Vice Presidents of the Bank.  The ALCO formulates strategies to manage interest rate risk by evaluating the impact on earnings and capital of such factors as current interest rate forecasts and economic indicators, potential changes in such forecasts and indicators, liquidity and various business strategies.  The ALCO meets at least quarterly to review financial statements, liquidity levels, yields and spreads to better understand, measure, monitor and control the Company’s interest rate risk.  In the ALCO process, the committee members apply policy limits set forth in the Asset Liability, Liquidity and Investment policies approved and periodically reviewed by the Company’s Board of Directors.  The ALCO's methods for evaluating interest rate risk include an analysis of the effects of interest rate changes on net interest income and an analysis of the Company's interest rate sensitivity "gap", which provides a static analysis of the maturity and repricing characteristics of the entire balance sheet.  The ALCO Policy also includes a contingency funding plan to help management prepare for unforeseen liquidity restrictions, including hypothetical severe liquidity crises.

Interest rate risk represents the sensitivity of earnings to changes in market interest rates.  As interest rates change, the interest income and expense streams associated with the Company’s financial instruments also change, thereby impacting net interest income (NII), the primary component of the Company’s earnings.  Fluctuations in interest rates can also have an impact on liquidity.  The ALCO uses an outside consultant to perform rate shock simulations to the Company's net interest income, as well as a variety of other analyses.  It is the ALCO’s function to provide the assumptions used in the modeling process.  Assumptions used in prior period simulation models are regularly tested by comparing projected NII with actual NII.  The ALCO utilizes the results of the simulation model to quantify the estimated exposure of NII and liquidity to sustained interest rate changes.  The simulation model captures the impact of changing interest rates on the interest income received and interest expense paid on all interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities reflected on the Company’s balance sheet.  The model also simulates the balance sheet’s sensitivity to a prolonged flat rate environment. All rate scenarios are simulated assuming a parallel shift of the yield curve; however further simulations are performed utilizing non-parallel changes in the yield curve.   The results of this sensitivity analysis are compared to the ALCO policy limits which specify a maximum tolerance level for NII exposure over a 1-year horizon, assuming no balance sheet growth, given a 200 basis point (bp) shift upward and a 100 bp shift downward in interest rates.

Under the Company’s rate sensitivity modeling, in the current flat rate environment, NII levels are projected to be flat as the downward pressure on asset yields is projected to slow down as cash flow is replaced at equal yields.  Funding costs are expected to provide slight relief as longer-term time deposits mature and are replaced at current rates.  In a rising rate environment, NII is expected to trend upward as the short-term asset base (cash and adjustable rate loans) quickly cycle upward while the retail funding base (deposits) lags the market.  If rates paid on deposits have to be increased more and/or more quickly than projected, the expected benefit to rising rates would be reduced.  In a falling rate environment, NII is expected to trend in-line with the current rate environment scenario for the first year of the simulation as asset yield erosion is offset by decreasing funding costs.  Thereafter, net interest income is projected to experience sustained downward pressure as funding costs reach their assumed floors and asset yields continue to reprice into the lower rate environment.

The following table summarizes the estimated impact on the Company's NII over a twelve month period, assuming a gradual parallel shift of the yield curve beginning September 30, 2015:

Rate Change
 
Percent Change in NII
 
       
Down 100 basis points
    -0.70 %
Up 200 basis points
    6.10 %

The amounts shown in the table are well within the ALCO Policy limits.  However, those amounts do not represent a forecast and should not be relied upon as indicative of future results.  While assumptions used in the ALCO process, including the interest rate simulation analyses, are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, and expected future conditions, the Company cannot provide any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions, including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.

Credit Risk - As a financial institution, one of the primary risks the Company manages is credit risk, the risk of loss stemming from borrowers’ failure to repay loans or inability to meet other contractual obligations.  The Company’s Board of Directors prescribes policies for managing credit risk, including Loan, Appraisal and Environmental policies.  These policies are supplemented by comprehensive underwriting standards and procedures.  The Company maintains a Credit Administration Department whose function includes credit analysis and monitoring of and reporting on the status of the loan portfolio, including delinquent and non-performing loan trends. The Company also monitors concentration of credit risk in a variety of areas, including portfolio mix, the level of loans to individual borrowers and their related interest, loans to industry segments, and the geographic distribution of commercial real estate loans. Loans are reviewed periodically by an independent loan review firm in order to assure accuracy of the Company's internal risk ratings and compliance with various internal policies and procedures and regulatory guidance.
 
 
39

 
 
As of September 30, 2015, the residential mortgage portfolio, consisting of first mortgages and junior liens, accounted for 45.5% of the Company’s loan portfolio, down from 47.3% a year ago, consistent with the Company’s strategy to grow the commercial loan portfolio.  The drop is also attributable to the late 2014 increase in long-term interest rates that brought to an end the large volume of refinance activity seen in recent years. Early 2015 saw mortgage rates decrease once again, spurring some refinance activity; home purchase activity is seeing a modest increase.  The Company originates and services a mortgage loan portfolio of traditional mortgage products and does not offer higher risk loan products such as option adjustable rate mortgage products, high loan-to-value products, interest only mortgages, subprime loans and products with deeply discounted teaser rates. Residential mortgages with loan-to-values exceeding 80% are generally covered by private mortgage insurance (PMI).  A 90% loan-to-value residential mortgage product without PMI is only available to borrowers with excellent credit and low debt-to-income ratios and has not been widely originated.  Junior lien home equity products make up approximately 22% of the residential mortgage portfolio with maximum loan-to-value ratios, including senior liens, of 80%.

The Company’s strategy is to continue growing the commercial & industrial and commercial real estate portfolios. Consistent with the strategic focus on commercial lending, both segments saw solid growth during 2014 that has continued into 2015.  Commercial and commercial real estate loans together comprised 51.0% of the Company’s loan portfolio at September 30, 2014, growing to 51.6% at December 31, 2014 and 52.8% at September 30, 2015.  The increase in the size of the commercial loan portfolio has also increased geographic diversification, with much of the growth in commercial loans occurring in central Vermont and in Chittenden County.

The following table reflects the composition of the Company's loan portfolio, by portfolio segment, as a percentage of total loans as of the dates indicated:

   
September 30, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
   
September 30, 2014
 
                                     
Commercial & industrial
  $ 68,970,374       15.14 %   $ 64,390,220       14.38 %   $ 63,959,230       14.41 %
Commercial real estate
    171,636,701       37.69 %     166,611,830       37.21 %     162,275,498       36.55 %
1 - 4 family residential - 1st lien
    161,763,468       35.52 %     163,966,124       36.62 %     165,662,426       37.31 %
1 - 4 family residential - Jr lien
    45,237,294       9.93 %     44,801,483       10.00 %     44,147,861       9.94 %
Consumer
    7,810,295       1.72 %     8,035,298       1.79 %     7,943,615       1.79 %
     Total loans
    455,418,132       100.00 %     447,804,955       100.00 %     443,988,630       100.00 %
Deduct (add):
                                               
Allowance for loan losses
    5,015,987               4,905,874               4,885,791          
Deferred net loan costs
    (308,189 )             (303,394 )             (288,898 )        
      4,707,798               4,602,480               4,596,893          
      Net loans
  $ 450,710,334             $ 443,202,475             $ 439,391,737          
 
Risk in the Company’s commercial & industrial and commercial real estate loan portfolios is mitigated in part by government guarantees issued by federal agencies such as the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development. At September 30, 2015, the Company had $27,550,093 in guaranteed loans with guaranteed balances of $21,617,082, compared to $27,410,531 in guaranteed loans with guaranteed balances of $21,585,884 at December 31, 2014 and $26,193,676 in guaranteed loans with guaranteed balances of $20,623,067 at September 30, 2014.

The Company works actively with customers early in the delinquency process to help them to avoid default and foreclosure. With the economic recovery continuing, the levels of both Group B (Management Involved) and Group C (Unacceptable Risk) loans (as defined in Note 5 to the Company’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements) showed gradual improvement throughout 2012 and into 2013 and thus the loan loss reserve factors for trends in delinquency and non-accrual loans and criticized and classified loans were gradually decreased. However, qualitative factors were increased principally to account for growth in the commercial & industrial and commercial real estate segments of the loan portfolio.  During 2013 and into 2014, lower loan losses were offset by strong commercial loan volume, the deterioration of several commercial & industrial and commercial real estate loans and the migration of some past due residential loans to later stage delinquency, resulting in increases in the associated loan loss reserve qualitative factors.  Continued growth in the level of the loan loss reserve is attributable to gradual increases in both Group B and C loans during the first nine months of 2015, as well as continued growth in the commercial & industrial and commercial real estate portfolios.

 
40

 
 
Commercial & industrial and commercial real estate loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when there is deterioration in the financial position of the borrower, payment in full of principal and interest is not expected, and/or principal or interest has been in default for 90 days or more. However, such a loan need not be placed on non-accrual status if it is both well secured and in the process of collection.  Residential mortgages and home equity loans are considered for non-accrual status at 90 days past due and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  The Company obtains current property appraisals or market value analyses and considers the cost to carry and sell collateral in order to assess the level of specific allocations required. Consumer loans are generally not placed in non-accrual but are charged off by the time they reach 120 days past due. When a loan is placed in non-accrual status, the Company's policy is to reverse the accrued interest against current period income and to discontinue the accrual of interest until the borrower clearly demonstrates the ability and intention to resume normal payments, typically demonstrated by regular timely payments for a period of not less than six months.  Interest payments received on non-accrual or impaired loans are generally applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance.

The Company’s non-performing assets increased $560,447 or 8.6% during the first nine months of 2015.  Several loans have moved from accruing to non-accrual status, with these additions exceeding the resolution of several other problem loans.  Claims receivable on related government guarantees were $73,394 at September 30, 2015 compared to $146,062 at September 30, 2014, with numerous USDA and SBA claims settled and paid throughout the year.  Non-performing loans as of September 30, 2015 carry USDA and SBA guarantees totaling $807,187.

The following table reflects the composition of the Company's non-performing assets, by portfolio segment, as a percentage of total non-performing assets as of the dates indicated:

   
September 30, 2015
   
December 31, 2014
   
September 30, 2014
 
                                     
Loans past due 90 days or more
                                   
 and still accruing
                                   
  Commercial & industrial
  $ 0       0.00 %   $ 23,579       0.36 %   $ 0       0.00 %
  Commercial real estate
    0       0.00 %     5,313       0.08 %     5,313       0.08 %
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    348,353       4.92 %     980,138       15.04 %     554,327       8.28 %
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
    67,811       0.96 %     115,852       1.78 %     57,385       0.86 %
  Consumer
    1,791       0.02 %     0       0.00 %     8,859       0.13 %
     Total
    417,955       5.90 %     1,124,882       17.26 %     625,884       9.35 %
                                                 
Non-accrual loans (1)
                                               
  Commercial & industrial
    631,247       8.92 %     552,386       8.48 %     1,068,390       15.95 %
  Commercial real estate
    2,377,232       33.59 %     1,934,096       29.68 %     1,754,002       26.19 %
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    2,240,524       31.66 %     1,263,046       19.38 %     1,740,509       25.99 %
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
    351,805       4.97 %     404,061       6.20 %     410,187       6.13 %
     Total
    5,600,808       79.14 %     4,153,589       63.74 %     4,973,088       74.26 %
                                                 
Other real estate owned
    1,058,475       14.96 %     1,238,320       19.00 %     1,097,820       16.39 %
                                                 
     Total
  $ 7,077,238       100.00 %   $ 6,516,791       100.00 %   $ 6,696,792       100.00 %

(1)  No consumer loans were in non-accrual status as of the consolidated balance sheet dates.  In accordance with Company policy, delinquent consumer loans are charged off at 120 days past due.
 
As of September 30, 2015, the Company is contractually committed to lend up to $450,000 in additional funds to one debtor with an impaired SBA 75%-guaranteed cap line of credit.  This debtor’s loan relationship is expected to strengthen as a result of a prior troubled debt restructuring.  With this exception, as of the balance sheet dates, the Company was not contractually committed to lend additional funds to debtors with impaired, non-accrual or modified loans.

The Company’s Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs) are principally a result of extending loan repayment terms to relieve cash flow difficulties. The Company has only infrequently reduced interest rates for borrowers below the current market rate. The Company has not forgiven principal or reduced accrued interest within the terms of original restructurings.  Management evaluates each TDR situation on its own merits and does not foreclose the granting of any particular type of concession. The Non-Performing Assets table above includes 23 TDRs totaling $2,605,037 that were past due 90 days or more or in non-accrual status as of September 30, 2015, compared to 12 TDRs totaling $1,777,463 as of December 31, 2014 and 15 TDRs totaling $1,848,277 as of September 30, 2014.  The remainder of the Company’s TDRs consist of 20 residential mortgage loans, one home equity loan, two commercial real estate loans and one commercial & industrial loan totaling $2,304,756 at September 30, 2015 compared to 18 residential mortgage loans and one commercial real estate loan totaling $1,740,246 at December 31, 2014 and 15 residential mortgage loans one home equity loan and one commercial real estate loan totaling $1,643,037 at September 30, 2014.
 
 
41

 
 
The Company’s OREO portfolio at September 30, 2015 consisted of three residential properties and one commercial property compared to four residential properties and one commercial property at December 31, 2014 and three residential properties and one commercial property at September 30, 2014.  All properties were acquired through the normal foreclosure process or by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.  The Company sold three residential properties with balances totaling $145,500 which were taken into the portfolio prior to 2015 and one residential property with a balance of $70,500 that the Company took control of during the first three months of 2015.  The Company recorded a write-down of $45,320 prior to the sale of one of the residential properties contributing to the decrease of $179,845 in its OREO portfolio, to end the first nine months of 2015 at $1,058,475.

Allowance for loan losses and provisions - The Company maintains an allowance for loan losses (allowance) at a level that management believes is appropriate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the measurement date (See Critical Accounting Policies). Although the Company, in establishing the allowance, considers the inherent losses in individual loans and pools of loans, the allowance is a general reserve available to absorb all credit losses in the loan portfolio.  No part of the allowance is segregated to absorb losses from any particular loan or segment of loans.

When establishing the allowance each quarter the Company applies a combination of historical loss factors and qualitative factors to loan segments, including residential first and junior lien mortgages, commercial real estate, commercial & industrial, and consumer loan portfolios.  The Company will shorten or lengthen its look back period for determining average portfolio historical loss rates as the economy either contracts or expands; during a period of economic contraction, a shortening of the look back period may more conservatively reflect the current economic climate. The highest loss rates experienced for the look back period are applied to the various segments in establishing the allowance.

The reserve methodology was modified during the quarter ended June 30, 2015 to eliminate using the higher of the 1999-2001 losses as compared to current losses, by eliminating use of the 1999-2001 period.  The 1999-2001 information has become dated and the bank’s credit portfolio management has evolved during that time.  The revised methodology now considers the highest annual loss rates for the most recent one to five year look back periods for each segment of the portfolio.  This change resulted in a reduction to required reserves of $529,234.

The Company applies numerous qualitative factors to each segment of the loan portfolio. Those factors include the levels of and trends in delinquencies and non-accrual loans, criticized and classified assets, volumes and terms of loans, and the impact of any loan policy changes. Experience, ability and depth of lending personnel, levels of policy and documentation exceptions, national and local economic trends, the competitive environment, and concentrations of credit are also factors considered.  During the second quarter of 2015, adjustments were made to the commercial and commercial real estate qualitative factors to adjust for the impact of the change in methodology, principally in the area of loan growth, loan policy, and delinquency factors.  The commercial and commercial real estate factors were each increased a total of 10 basis points, amounting to increases in the allowance for loan losses of $171,000 and $70,000, respectively at June 30, 2015.  While unallocated reserves have increased, they are considered by management to be appropriate in light of the Company’s continued growth strategy and shift in the portfolio from residential loans to commercial and commercial real estate loans and the risk associated with the relatively new, unseasoned loans in those portfolios.

The adequacy of the allowance is reviewed quarterly by the risk management committee of the Board of Directors and then presented to the full Board of Directors for approval.

 
42

 

The following table summarizes the Company's loan loss experience for the periods presented:

   
As of or Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Loans outstanding, end of period
  $ 455,418,132     $ 443,988,630  
Average loans outstanding during period
  $ 454,521,324     $ 447,730,804  
Non-accruing loans, end of period
  $ 5,600,808     $ 4,973,088  
Non-accruing loans, net of government guarantees
  $ 4,688,682     $ 4,197,699  
                 
Allowance, beginning of period
  $ 4,905,874     $ 4,854,915  
Loans charged off:
               
  Commercial & industrial
    (105,059 )     (115,094 )
  Commercial real estate
    (14,783 )     (154,919 )
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    (112,047 )     (28,382 )
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
    (55,393 )     (33,875 )
  Consumer loans
    (53,440 )     (90,025 )
       Total loans charged off
    (340,722 )     (422,295 )
Recoveries(1)
               
  Commercial & industrial
    43,909       5,265  
  Residential real estate - 1st lien
    6,042       12,823  
  Residential real estate - Jr lien
    180       180  
  Consumer loans
    25,704       29,903  
        Total recoveries
    75,835       48,171  
Net loans charged off
    (264,887 )     (374,124 )
Provision charged to income
    375,000       405,000  
Allowance, end of period
  $ 5,015,987     $ 4,885,791  
                 
Net charge offs to average loans outstanding
    0.058 %     0.084 %
Provision charged to income as a percent of average loans
    0.083 %     0.090 %
Allowance to average loans outstanding
    1.104 %     1.091 %
Allowance to non-accruing loans
    89.558 %     98.245 %
Allowance to non-accruing loans net of government guarantees
    104.639 %     116.392 %

(1)  No commercial real estate recoveries were recorded during the periods presented in the table above.

The Company increased its provision during the first six months of 2015, resulting in a provision of $300,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $270,000 for the same period in 2014, an increase of $30,000 or 11.1%.  The increase in the provision was principally related to loan portfolio growth and the strategic increase in commercial and commercial real estate lending.  The third quarter provision at $75,000 was less than the two prior quarters, with lower than anticipated net charge-offs and loan growth not as robust as expected as a result of a few sizable loan payoffs.  The Company’s allowance coverage of non-accruing loans as of the end of the first nine months of 2015 reflected a decrease year over year as did the coverage of non-accruing loans net of government guarantees; they remain within the historical ranges for their respective coverages.  The Company has an experienced collections department that continues to work actively with borrowers to resolve problem loans and manage the OREO portfolio, and management continues to monitor the loan portfolio closely.

Specific allocations to the allowance are made for certain impaired loans. Impaired loans include loans to a borrower that in aggregate are greater than $100,000 and that are in non-accrual status or are current year troubled debt restructurings. A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due, including interest and principal, according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The Company will review all the facts and circumstances surrounding non-accrual loans and on a case-by-case basis may consider loans below the threshold as impaired when such treatment is material to the financial statements.  See Note 5 to the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for information on the recorded investment in impaired loans and their related allocations.

The portion of the allowance termed "unallocated" is established to absorb inherent losses that exist as of the measurement date although not specifically identified through management's process for estimating credit losses.  While the allowance is described as consisting of separate allocated portions, the entire allowance is available to support loan losses, regardless of category.
 
 
43

 

Market Risk - In addition to credit risk in the Company’s loan portfolio and liquidity risk in its loan and deposit-taking operations, the Company’s business activities also generate market risk.  Market risk is the risk of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices.  Declining capital markets can result in fair value adjustments necessary to record decreases in the value of the investment portfolio for other-than-temporary-impairment.  The Company does not have any market risk sensitive instruments acquired for trading purposes.  The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending and deposit taking activities. During times of recessionary periods, a declining housing market can result in an increase in loan loss reserves or ultimately an increase in foreclosures.  Interest rate risk is directly related to the different maturities and repricing characteristics of interest-bearing assets and liabilities, as well as to loan prepayment risks, early withdrawal of time deposits, and the fact that the speed and magnitude of responses to interest rate changes vary by product.  The prolonged weak economy and disruption in the financial markets in recent years may heighten the Company’s market risk.  As discussed above under "Interest Rate Risk and Asset and Liability Management", the Company actively monitors and manages its interest rate risk through the ALCO process.

COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OFF-BALANCE-SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and risk-sharing commitments on certain sold loans.  Such instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet.  The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments. During the first nine months of 2015, the Company did not engage in any activity that created any additional types of off-balance sheet risk.

The Company generally requires collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk. The Company's financial instruments whose contract amount represents credit risk were as follows:
 
   
Contract or Notional Amount
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Unused portions of home equity lines of credit
  $ 24,932,882     $ 23,519,696  
Other commitments to extend credit
    68,811,975       59,558,700  
Residential construction lines of credit
    3,297,002       2,308,167  
Commercial real estate and other construction lines of credit
    15,534,195       15,894,462  
Standby letters of credit and commercial letters of credit
    1,830,359       1,714,382  
Recourse on sale of credit card portfolio
    254,100       265,650  
MPF credit enhancement obligation, net of liability recorded
    1,029,314       1,007,250  
 
Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The Company sold its credit card portfolio during the third quarter of 2007, but retained a partial recourse obligation under the terms of the sale, based on total lines, not balances outstanding.  Based on historical losses, the Company does not expect any significant losses from this commitment.

In connection with its 2007 trust preferred securities financing, the Company guaranteed the payment obligations under the $12,500,000 of capital securities of its subsidiary, CMTV Statutory Trust I.  The source of funds for payments by the Trust on its capital securities is payments made by the Company on its debentures issued to the Trust.  The Company's obligation under those debentures is fully reflected in the Company's balance sheet, in the gross amount of $12,887,000 for each of the comparison periods, of which $12,500,000 represents external financing through the issuance to investors of capital securities by CMTV Statutory Trust I.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Managing liquidity risk is essential to maintaining both depositor confidence and stability in earnings.  Liquidity management refers to the ability of the Company to adequately cover fluctuations in assets and liabilities.  Meeting loan demand (assets) and covering the withdrawal of deposit funds (liabilities) are two key components of the liquidity management process.  The Company’s principal sources of funds are deposits, amortization and prepayment of loans and securities, maturities of investment securities, sales of loans available-for-sale, and earnings and funds provided from operations.  Maintaining a relatively stable funding base, which is achieved by diversifying funding sources, competitively pricing deposit products, and extending the contractual maturity of liabilities, reduces the Company’s exposure to roll over risk on deposits and limits reliance on volatile short-term borrowed funds.  Short-term funding needs arise from declines in deposits or other funding sources and from funding requirements for loan commitments.  The Company’s strategy is to fund assets to the maximum extent possible with core deposits that provide a sizable source of relatively stable and low-cost funds.
 
 
44

 
 
The Company recognizes that, at times, when loan demand exceeds deposit growth or the Company has other liquidity demands, it may be desirable to utilize alternative sources of deposit funding to augment retail deposits and borrowings.  One-way deposits purchased through the CDARS program provide an alternative funding source when needed.  Such deposits are generally considered a form of brokered deposits.  At September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company did not have any one way CDARS outstanding, compared with $1,331,346 at September 30, 2014.  In addition, two-way CDARS deposits allow the Company to provide Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) deposit insurance to its customers in excess of account coverage limits by exchanging deposits with other CDARS members.  At September 30, 2015, the Company reported $2,771,356 in two-way CDARS deposits representing exchanged deposits with other CDARS participating banks, compared to $1,103,008 at December 31, 2014 and $1,107,608 at September 30, 2014.  The balance in insured cash sweep (ICS) reciprocal money market deposits was $11,787,181 at September 30, 2015, compared to $18,943,667 at December 31, 2014 and $17,309,810 at September 30, 2014.

The Company has a Borrower-in-Custody (BIC) arrangement with the FRBB secured by eligible commercial loans, commercial real estate loans and home equity loans, resulting in an available credit line of $76,725,365, $78,580,859, and $79,201,886, respectively, at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014.  Credit advances in this FRBB lending program are overnight advances with interest chargeable at the primary credit rate (generally referred to as the discount rate), currently 75 basis points.  The Company had no outstanding advances against this credit line during any of the periods presented.

The Company has an unsecured Federal Funds credit line with the FHLBB with an available balance of $500,000 and no outstanding advances at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014.  Interest is chargeable at a rate determined daily, approximately 25 basis points higher than the rate paid on federal funds sold.  In addition, at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, additional borrowing capacity of approximately $76,725,365, $67,136,178 and $67,179,563, respectively, was available through the FHLBB, secured by the Company's qualifying loan portfolio (generally, residential mortgage loans).

The Company has unsecured credit lines with two of its correspondent banks with available lines of $7,500,000 at September 30, 2015, December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014.  There were no outstanding advances against either of these lines during any of the respective comparison periods.

There were no outstanding FHLBB advances as of December 31, 2014.  The following table reflects the Company’s outstanding FHLBB advances against the respective lines as of the dates indicated:

   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
             
Short-Term Advances
           
FHLBB term advances, 0.32% and 0.22% fixed rate, due November 20,
  $ 10,000,000     $ 8,000,000  
  2015 and October 3, 2014, respectively
               
FHLBB term advance, 0.32% fixed rate, due November 25, 2015
    10,000,000       0  
      20,000,000       8,000,000  
Overnight Borrowings
               
Federal funds purchased (FHLBB), 0.3125%
    0       2,175,000  
                 
     Total Advances and Overnight Borrowings
  $ 20,000,000     $ 10,175,000  
 
The following table illustrates the changes in shareholders' equity from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015:

Balance at December 31, 2014 (book value $9.43 per common share)
  $ 48,995,202  
    Net income
    3,627,366  
    Issuance of stock through the Dividend Reinvestment Plan
    667,762  
    Dividends declared on common stock
    (2,375,465 )
    Dividends declared on preferred stock
    (60,938 )
    Change in unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
    103,653  
Balance at September 30, 2015 (book value $9.73 per common share)
  $ 50,957,580  
 
 
45

 
 
The primary objective of the Company’s capital planning process is to balance appropriately the retention of capital to support operations and future growth, with the goal of providing shareholders an attractive return on their investment.  To that end, management monitors capital retention and dividend policies on an ongoing basis.

As described in more detail in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K in Note 20 to the audited consolidated financial statements contained therein and under the caption “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of such report, the Company (on a consolidated basis) and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies pursuant to which they must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items.   Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

As of September 30, 2015, the Bank was considered well capitalized under the regulatory capital framework for Prompt Corrective Action and the Company exceeded all applicable consolidated regulatory capital guidelines.

The following table shows the Company’s actual capital ratios and those of its subsidiary, as well as applicable regulatory capital requirements, as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

                           
Minimum
 
               
Minimum
   
To Be Well
 
               
For Capital
   
Capitalized Under
 
               
Adequacy
   
Prompt Corrective
 
   
Actual
   
Purposes:
   
Action Provisions(1):
 
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
   
Amount
   
Ratio
 
   
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
September 30, 2015
 
   
Common equity tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
 
   Company
  $ 51,929       12.28 %   $ 19,032       4.50 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 51,304       12.15 %   $ 19,006       4.50 %   $ 27,453       6.50 %
                                                 
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                               
   Company
  $ 51,929       12.28 %   $ 25,375       6.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 51,304       12.15 %   $ 25,341       6.00 %   $ 33,788       8.00 %
                                                 
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                               
   Company
  $ 56,988       13.47 %   $ 33,834       8.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 56,364       13.35 %   $ 33,788       8.00 %   $ 42,235       10.00 %
                                                 
Tier I capital (to average assets)
                                               
   Company
  $ 51,929       9.02 %   $ 23,029       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 51,304       8.92 %   $ 23,008       4.00 %   $ 28,761       5.00 %
   
December 31, 2014:
 
   
Tier I capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                               
   Company
  $ 49,071       12.31 %   $ 15,949       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 48,952       12.30 %   $ 15,924       4.00 %   $ 23,886       6.00 %
                                                 
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)
                                               
   Company
  $ 54,447       13.66 %   $ 31,897       8.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 53,902       13.54 %   $ 31,847       8.00 %   $ 39,809       10.00 %
                                                 
Tier I capital (to average assets)
                                               
   Company
  $ 49,071       8.62 %   $ 22,768       4.00 %     N/A       N/A  
   Bank
  $ 48,952       8.61 %   $ 22,745       4.00 %   $ 28,431       5.00 %

(1)  Applicable to banks, but not bank holding companies.
 
 
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As disclosed in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K, rules adopted by the FRB and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to implement the Basel III regulatory capital framework revise minimum capital requirements and adjust prompt corrective action thresholds, including changes that revise the regulatory capital elements, add a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio, increase the minimum Tier 1 ratio requirements and implement a new capital conservation buffer.  The rules also permit certain banking organizations to retain, through a one-time election, the existing regulatory treatment for accumulated other comprehensive income.  The Company and the Bank have made the election to retain the existing regulatory treatment for accumulated other comprehensive income.  The Basel III Capital rules took effect for the Company and the Bank on January 1, 2015, subject to a transition period for certain parts of the rules.

The table above includes the new regulatory capital ratio requirements that became effective on January 1, 2015.  Beginning in 2016, an additional capital conservation buffer will be added to the minimum requirements for capital adequacy purposes, subject to a three year phase-in period.  The capital conservation buffer will be fully phased-in on January 1, 2019 at 2.5 percent.  A banking organization with a conservation buffer of less than 2.5 percent (or the required phase-in amount in years prior to 2019) will be subject to limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers.  As of September 30, 2015, on a pro forma basis both the Company and the Bank would be compliant with the fully phased-in capital conservation buffer requirement.

The Company's ability to pay dividends to its shareholders is largely dependent on the Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Company.  In general, a national bank may not pay dividends that exceed net income for the current and preceding two years regardless of statutory restrictions, as a matter of regulatory policy, banks and bank holding companies should pay dividends only out of current earnings and only if, after paying such dividends, they remain adequately capitalized.

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The Company's management of the credit, liquidity and market risk inherent in its business operations is discussed in Part 1, Item 2 of this report under the captions "CHANGES IN FINANCIAL CONDITION", “COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND OFF-BALANCE-SHEET ARRANGEMENTS” and “LIQUIDITY & CAPITAL RESOURCES”, which are incorporated herein by reference.  Management does not believe that there have been any material changes in the nature or categories of the Company's risk exposures from those disclosed in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).  As of September 30, 2015, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on that evaluation, management concluded that its disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2015 were effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed in the reports it files with the Commission under the Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis.

For this purpose, the term “disclosure controls and procedures” means controls and other procedures of the Company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78a et seq.) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiary are involved in litigation that is considered incidental to their business.  Management does not expect that any such litigation will be material to the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information as to purchases of the Company’s common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2015, by the Company and by any affiliated purchaser (as defined in SEC Rule 10b-18):

                     
Maximum Number of
 
               
Total Number of
   
Shares That May Yet
 
    Total Number of Shares     Average Price Paid    
Shares Purchased
   
Be Purchased Under
 
           
as Part of Publicly
   
the Plan at the End
 
For the period:
 
Purchased(1)(2)
   
Per Share
   
Announced Plan
   
of the Period
 
                         
July 1 - July 31
    0     $ 0.00       N/A       N/A  
August 1 - August 31
    1,353       14.40       N/A       N/A  
September 1 - September 30
    3,625       14.40       N/A       N/A  
     Total
    4,978     $ 14.40       N/A       N/A  
 
(1)  All 4,978 shares were purchased for the account of participants invested in the Company Stock Fund under the Company’s Retirement Savings Plan by or on behalf of the Plan Trustee, the Human Resources Committee of Community National Bank.  Such share purchases were facilitated through CFSG, which provides certain investment advisory services to the Plan.  Both the Plan Trustee and CFSG may be considered affiliates of the Company under Rule 10b-18.

(2)  Shares purchased during the period do not include fractional shares repurchased from time to time in connection with the participant's election to discontinue participation in the Company's Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

ITEM 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed with this report:

Exhibit 31.1 - Certification from the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 31.2 - Certification from the Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) of the Company pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32.1 - Certification from the Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
Exhibit 32.2 - Certification from the Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) of the Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*

Exhibit 101--
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets, (ii) the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three month and nine month interim periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, (iii) the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) related notes.

*  This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 
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SIGNATURES

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

COMMUNITY BANCORP.


DATED:  November 13, 2015
/s/ Stephen P. Marsh                    
 
 
Stephen P. Marsh, Chairman, President
 
 
& Chief Executive Officer
 
  (Principal Executive Officer)  
     
DATED:  November 13, 2015
/s/ Louise M. Bonvechio                
 
 
Louise M. Bonvechio,  Treasurer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 


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