SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

OR

¨

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

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission file number 0-26128

 

NorthWest Indiana Bancorp

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Indiana 35-1927981
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)  

 

9204 Columbia Avenue 46321
Munster, Indiana (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)  

 

(219) 836-4400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, without par value

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer: ¨    Accelerated filer: ¨    Non-Accelerated filer: ¨     Smaller reporting company x

(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 ¨ No x

 

Based on the average bid and ask prices for the registrant’s Common Stock at June 30, 2014, at that date, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant (assuming solely for the purposes of this calculation that all directors and executive officers of the registrant are “affiliates”) was $58,419,717.

 

There were 2,851,417 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, without par value, outstanding at February 20, 2015.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the following documents have been incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

 

1. Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. (Part III)

 

 
 

 

NorthWest Indiana Bancorp

Index

 

  Page
  Number
PART I.  
   
Item 1. Business 3
   
Item 1A. Risk Factors 29
   
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 29
   
Item 2. Properties 30
   
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 31
   
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 31
   
Item 4.5 Executive Officers of the Bancorp 31
   
PART II.  
   
Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 33
   
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 34
   
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 35
   
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 42
   
Item 8. Financial Statements 43
   
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 83
   
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 83
   
Item 9B. Other Information 84
   
PART III.  
   
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 85
   
Item 11. Executive Compensation 85
   
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 85
   
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 85
   
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 85
   
PART IV.  
   
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 86
   
SIGNATURES 88
   
EXHIBIT INDEX 90

 

Page 2 of 90
 

 

PART I

 

Item 1. Business

 

General

 

NorthWest Indiana Bancorp, an Indiana corporation (the “Bancorp”), was incorporated on January 31, 1994, and is the holding company for Peoples Bank SB, an Indiana savings bank (the “Bank”). The Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bancorp. The Bancorp has no other business activity other than being the holding company for the Bank and the Bank's wholly owned subsidiaries.

 

The Bank is primarily engaged in the business of attracting deposits from the general public and the origination of loans, mostly upon the security of single family residences and commercial real estate, as well as, construction loans and various types of consumer loans, commercial business loans and municipal loans, within its primary market area of Lake and Porter Counties, in northwest Indiana. In addition, the Bancorp's Wealth Management Group provides estate and retirement planning, guardianships, land trusts, profit sharing and 401(k) retirement plans, IRA and Keogh accounts, investment agency accounts, and serves as the personal representative of estates and acts as trustee for revocable and irrevocable trusts.

 

The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”), which is administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), an agency of the federal government. As the holding company for the Bank, the Bancorp is subject to comprehensive examination, supervision and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”), while the Bank is subject to comprehensive examination, supervision and regulation by both the FDIC and the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (“DFI”). The Bank is also subject to regulation by the FRB governing reserves required to be maintained against certain deposits and other matters. The Bank is also a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Indianapolis, which is one of the twelve regional banks comprising the system of Federal Home Loan Banks.

 

The Bancorp maintains its corporate office at 9204 Columbia Avenue, Munster, Indiana, from which it oversees the operation of its fourteen branch locations. For further information, see “Properties.”

 

Recent Developments

 

Regulatory Environment. In 2010 and 2011, in response to the financial crisis and recession that began in 2008, significant regulatory and legislative changes resulted in broad reform and increased regulation impacting financial institutions. In this regard, the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") created a significant shift in the way financial institutions operate, including several provisions that profoundly affect the regulation of community banks, thrifts, and small bank and thrift holding companies, such as the Bancorp. The Dodd-Frank Act also established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB"), which has broad authority to regulate consumer financial products and services and entities offering such products and services, including banks.

 

The full impact of these regulatory changes will not be known until final implementing regulations are written and adopted. Regulatory actions could require us to limit or change our business practices, limit our ability to pursue business opportunities, limit our product offerings, require continued investment of management time and resources in compliance efforts, limit fees we can charge for services, require us to meet more stringent capital, liquidity, and leverage ratio requirements (including those under Basel III, as discussed below), increase costs, impact the value of our assets, or otherwise adversely affect our business. We are unable to predict the nature, extent or impact of any additional changes to statutes or regulations, including the interpretation, implementation or enforcement thereof, that may occur in the future. The additional expense, time, and resources needed to comply with ongoing regulatory requirements may impact our business and results of operations.

 

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Regulatory Capital Rules. On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve approved final rules that substantially amend the regulatory risk-based capital rules applicable to the Bancorp and the Bank. The FDIC and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) have subsequently approved these rules. The final rules were adopted following the issuance of proposed rules by the Federal Reserve in June 2012, and implement the “Basel III” regulatory capital reforms and changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act. “Basel III” refers to two consultative documents released by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2009, the rules text released in December 2010, and loss absorbency rules issued in January 2011, which include significant changes to bank capital, leverage and liquidity requirements.

 

The rules include new risk-based capital and leverage ratios, which will be phased in from 2015 to 2019, and refine the definition of what constitutes “capital” for purposes of calculating those ratios. The new minimum capital level requirements applicable to the Bancorp and the Bank under the final rules will be: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6% (increased from 4%); (iii) a total capital ratio of 8% (unchanged from current rules); and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4% for all institutions. The final rules also establish a “capital conservation buffer” above the new regulatory minimum capital requirements, which must consist entirely of common equity Tier 1 capital. The capital conservation buffer will be phased-in over four years beginning on January 1, 2016, as follows: the maximum buffer will be 0.625% of risk-weighted assets for 2016, 1.25% for 2017, 1.875% for 2018, and 2.5% for 2019 and thereafter. This will result in the following minimum ratios beginning in 2019: (i) a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 7.0%, (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5%, and (iii) a total capital ratio of 10.5%. Under the final rules, institutions are subject to limitations on paying dividends, engaging in share repurchases, and paying discretionary bonuses if its capital level falls below the buffer amount. These limitations establish a maximum percentage of eligible retained income that could be utilized for such actions.

 

Basel III provided discretion for regulators to impose an additional buffer, the “countercyclical buffer,” of up to 2.5% of common equity Tier 1 capital to take into account the macro-financial environment and periods of excessive credit growth. However, the final rules permit the countercyclical buffer to be applied only to “advanced approach banks” (i.e., banks with $250 billion or more in total assets or $10 billion or more in total foreign exposures), which currently excludes the Bancorp and the Bank. The final rules also implement revisions and clarifications consistent with Basel III regarding the various components of Tier 1 capital, including common equity, unrealized gains and losses, as well as certain instruments that will no longer qualify as Tier 1 capital, some of which will be phased out over time. However, the final rules provide that small depository institution holding companies with less than $15 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2009 (which includes the Bancorp) will be able to permanently include non-qualifying instruments that were issued and included in Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital prior to May 19, 2010 in additional Tier 1 or Tier 2 capital until they redeem such instruments or until the instruments mature.

 

The final rules also contain revisions to the prompt corrective action framework, which is designed to place restrictions on insured depository institutions, including the Bank, if their capital levels begin to show signs of weakness. These revisions took effect on January 1, 2015. Under the prompt corrective action requirements, which are designed to complement the capital conservation buffer, insured depository institutions are now required to meet the following increased capital level requirements in order to qualify as “well capitalized:” (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.5%; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 8% (increased from 6%); (iii) a total capital ratio of 10% (unchanged from current rules); and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5% (increased from 4%).

 

The final rules set forth certain changes for the calculation of risk-weighted assets, which we are now required to utilize as of January 1, 2015. The standardized approach final rule utilizes an increased number of credit risk exposure categories and risk weights, and also addresses: (i) an alternative standard of creditworthiness consistent with Section 939A of the Dodd-Frank Act; (ii) revisions to recognition of credit risk mitigation; (iii) rules for risk weighting of equity exposures and past due loans; (iv) revised capital treatment for derivatives and repo-style transactions; and (v) disclosure requirements for top-tier banking organizations with $50 billion or more in total assets that are not subject to the “advance approach rules” that apply to banks with greater than $250 billion in consolidated assets. Based on our current capital composition and levels, we believe we are in compliance with the requirements as set forth in the final rules.

 

Page 4 of 90
 

 

Volcker Rule. In December 2013, five federal agencies adopted a final regulation implementing the Volcker Rule provision of the Dodd-Frank Act (the “Volcker Rule”). The Volcker Rule places limits on the trading activity of insured depository institutions and entities affiliated with a depository institution, subject to certain exceptions. In this regard, the final Volcker Rule prohibits banking entities from (i) engaging in short-term proprietary trading for their own accounts, and (ii) having certain ownership interests in and relationships with hedge funds or private equity funds. The final rule is intended to provide greater clarity with respect to both the extent of those primary prohibitions and of the related exemptions and exclusions. The Volcker Rule also requires each regulated entity to establish an internal compliance program that is consistent with the extent to which it engages in activities covered by the rule, which must include (for the largest entities) making regular reports about those activities to regulators. Although the final Volcker Rule provides some tiering of compliance and reporting obligations based on size, the fundamental prohibitions of the rule apply to banking entities of any size, including the Bancorp and the Bank. The final rule became effective April 1, 2014, but the conformance period has been extended from its statutory end date of July 21, 2014 until July 21, 2015. The Bancorp continues to evaluate the implications of the final Volcker Rule on its investments and does not expect any material financial implications.

 

Under the final Volcker Rule, banking entities would have been prohibited from owning certain collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) backed by trust preferred securities (“TruPS”) as of July 21, 2015, which could have forced banking entities to recognize unrealized market losses based on the inability to hold any such investments to maturity. However, on January 14, 2014, the federal bank regulatory agencies issued an interim rule, effective April 1, 2014, exempting TruPS CDOs from the Volcker Rule if (i) the CDO was established prior to May 19, 2010, (ii) the banking entity reasonably believes that the offering proceeds of the CDO were used to invest primarily in TruPS issued by banks with less than $15 billion in assets, and (iii) the banking entity acquired the CDO on or before December 10, 2013. The Bancorp currently does not have any impermissible holdings of TruPS CDOs under the interim rule, and therefore, will not be required to divest any such investments or change their accounting treatment.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Statements contained in this filing on Form 10-K that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words or phrases “would be,” “will allow,” “intends to,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions are also intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. The Bancorp cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Bancorp’s future business prospects, interest income and expense, net income, liquidity, and capital needs are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those set forth above in “Recent Developments” and below in “Regulation and Supervision” of this Form 10-K.

 

Lending Activities

 

General. The Bancorp’s product offerings include residential mortgage loans, construction loans, commercial real estate loans, consumer loans, commercial business loans and loans to municipalities. The Bancorp’s lending strategy stresses quality growth, product diversification, and competitive and profitable pricing. While lending efforts include both fixed and adjustable rate products, the focus has been on products with adjustable rates and/or shorter terms to maturity. It is management’s goal that all programs are marketed effectively to our primary market area.

 

The Bancorp is primarily a portfolio lender. Mortgage banking activities are limited to the sale of fixed rate mortgage loans with contractual maturities generally exceeding fifteen years and greater. These loans are sold, on a case-by-case basis, in the secondary market as part of the Bancorp’s efforts to manage interest rate risk. All loan sales are made to Freddie Mac or to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. All loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of cost or market value.

 

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Under Indiana Law, an Indiana stock savings bank generally may not make any loan to a borrower or its related entities if the total of all such loans by the savings bank exceeds 15% of its unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus (plus up to an additional 10% of unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus, in the case of loans fully collateralized by readily marketable collateral); provided, however, that certain specified types of loans are exempted from these limitations or subject to different limitations. The maximum amount that the Bank could have loaned to one borrower and the borrower’s related entities at December 31, 2014, under the 15% of capital and surplus limitation was approximately $11,703,000. At December 31, 2014, the Bank had no loans that exceeded the regulatory limitations.

 

At December 31, 2014, there were no concentrations of loans in any type of industry that exceeded 10% of total loans that were not otherwise disclosed as a loan category.

 

Loan Portfolio. The following table sets forth selected data relating to the composition of the Bancorp’s loan portfolio by type of loan and type of collateral at the end of each of the last five years. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Type of loan:                         
Conventional real estate loans:                         
Construction and development loans  $25,733   $21,462   $23,984   $21,143   $46,371 
Loans on existing properties (1)   377,247    336,823    334,452    307,850    298,993 
Consumer loans   357    232    347    472    763 
Commercial business   58,682    57,716    69,329    63,293    61,726 
Government and other (2)   26,134    21,588    8,869    8,643    10,380 
Loans receivable (3)  $488,153   $437,821   $436,981   $401,401   $418,233 
Type of collateral:                         
Real estate:                         
1-to-4 family  $189,529   $161,663   $154,627   $154,135   $152,881 
Other dwelling units, land and commercial real estate   213,451    196,622    203,809    174,859    192,482 
Consumer loans   357    232    347    472    763 
Commercial business   58,682    57,716    69,329    63,293    60,232 
Government   26,019    21,470    8,740    8,526    10,269 
Loans receivable (4)  $488,038   $437,703   $436,852   $401,285   $416,627 
                          
Average loans outstanding during the period (3)  $480,404   $436,430   $423,567   $409,787   $446,551 

 

(1)Includes residential and commercial construction loans converted to permanent term loans and commercial real estate loans.
(2)Includes overdrafts to deposit accounts.
(3)Net of unearned income and net deferred loan fees.
(4)Net of unearned income and net deferred loan fees. Does not include unsecured loans.

 

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Loan Originations, Purchases and Sales. Set forth on the following table loan originations, purchases and sales activity for each of the last three years are shown. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

 

   2014   2013   2012 
Loans originated:               
Conventional real estate loans:               
Construction and development loans  $5,545   $5,740   $2,128 
Loans on existing property   53,309    38,560    44,171 
Loans refinanced   8,935    11,089    15,697 
Total conventional real estate loans originated   67,789    55,389    61,996 
Commercial business loans   154,509    161,434    162,170 
Consumer loans   310    144    383 
Total loans originated  $222,608   $216,967   $224,549 
                
Whole loans and participations purchased  $27,973   $857   $14,475 
Whole loans and participations sold  $28,321   $22,116   $38,472 

 

 

Loan Maturity Schedule. The following table sets forth certain information at December 31, 2014 regarding the dollar amount of loans in the Bancorp’s portfolio based on their contractual terms to maturity. Demand loans, loans having no schedule of repayments and no stated maturity, and overdrafts are reported as due in one year or less. Contractual principal repayments of loans do not necessarily reflect the actual term of the loan portfolio. The average life of mortgage loans is substantially less than their contractual terms because of loan prepayments and because of enforcement of due-on-sale clauses, which give the Bancorp the right to declare a loan immediately due and payable in the event, among other things, that the borrower sells the property subject to the mortgage. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

 

   Maturing   After one         
   Within   but within   After     
   one year   five years   five years   Total 
Real estate loans  $33,280   $63,941   $305,759   $402,980 
Consumer loans   113    244    -    357 
Commercial business, other loans   29,562    38,174    17,080    84,816 
Total loans receivable  $62,955   $102,359   $322,839   $488,153 

 

The following table sets forth the dollar amount of all loans due after one year from December 31, 2014, which have predetermined interest rates or have floating or adjustable interest rates. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

 

   Predetermined   Floating or     
   rates   adjustable rates   Total 
Real estate loans  $142,448   $227,252   $369,700 
Consumer loans   244    -    244 
Commercial business, other loans   45,912    9,342    55,254 
Total loans receivable  $188,604   $236,594   $425,198 

 

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Lending Area. The primary lending area of the Bancorp encompasses all of Lake and Porter Counties in northwest Indiana, where a majority of loan activity is concentrated. To a lesser extent, the Bancorp also has lending activity in LaPorte, Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana, and Lake, Cook and Will counties in Illinois. The communities of Munster, Crown Point, Dyer, St. John, Merrillville, Schererville, and Cedar Lake have experienced consistent growth and, therefore, have provided the greatest lending opportunities.

 

Loan Origination Fees. All loan origination and commitment fees, as well as incremental direct loan origination costs, are deferred and amortized into income as yield adjustments over the contractual lives of the related loans.

 

Loan Origination Procedure. The primary sources for loan originations are referrals from commercial customers, real estate brokers and builders, solicitations by the Bancorp’s lending and retail staff, and advertising of loan programs and rates. The Bancorp employs no staff appraisers. All appraisals are performed by fee appraisers that have been approved by the Board of Directors and who meet all federal guidelines and state licensing and certification requirements.

 

Designated officers have authorities, established by the Board of Directors, to approve loans. Loans up to $2,000,000 are approved by the loan officers’ loan committee. Loans from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 are approved by the senior officers’ loan committee. All loans in excess of $3,000,000, up to the legal lending limit of the Bank, must be approved by the Bank’s Board of Directors or its Executive Committee. (All members of the Bank’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee are also members of the Bancorp’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, respectively.)

The maximum in-house legal lending limit as set by the Board of Directors is $6,000,000. Requests that exceed this amount will be considered on a case-by-case basis, after taking into consideration the legal lending limit, by specific Board action. Peoples Bank will not extend credit to any of its executive officers, directors, or principal shareholders or to any related interest of that person, except in compliance with the insider lending restrictions of Regulation O under the Federal Reserve Act and in an amount that, when aggregated with all other extensions of credit to that person, exceeds $500,000 unless: (1) the extension of credit has been approved in advance by a majority of the entire Board of Directors of the Bank, and (2) the interested party has abstained from participating directly or indirectly in the voting.

 

All loans secured by personal property must be covered by insurance in an amount sufficient to cover the full amount of the loan. All loans secured by real estate must be covered by insurance in an amount sufficient to cover the full amount of the loan or restore the property to its original state. First mortgage loans must be covered by a lender’s title insurance policy in the amount of the loan.

 

The Current Lending Programs

 

Residential Mortgage Loans. The primary lending activity of the Bancorp has been the granting of conventional mortgage loans to enable borrowers to purchase existing homes, refinance existing homes, or construct new homes. Conventional loans are made up to a maximum of 95% of the purchase price or appraised value, whichever is less. For loans made in excess of 80% of value, private mortgage insurance is generally required in an amount sufficient to reduce the Bancorp’s exposure to 80% or less of the appraised value of the property. Loans insured by private mortgage insurance companies can be made for up to 95% of value. During 2014, 76% of mortgage loans closed were conventional loans with borrowers having 20% or more equity in the property. This type of loan does not require private mortgage insurance because of the borrower’s level of equity investment.

 

Fixed-rate loans currently originated generally conform to Freddie Mac guidelines for loans purchased under the one-to-four family program. Loan interest rates are determined based on secondary market yield requirements and local market conditions. Fixed rate mortgage loans with contractual maturities generally exceeding fifteen years and greater may be sold and/or classified as held for sale to control exposure to interest rate risk.

 

The 15-year mortgage loan program has gained wide acceptance in the Bancorp’s primary market area. As a result of the shortened maturity of these loans, this product has been priced below the comparable 20 and 30 year loan offerings. Mortgage applicants for 15 year loans tend to have a larger than normal down payment; this, coupled with the larger principal and interest payment amount, has caused the 15 year mortgage loan portfolio to consist, to a significant extent, of second time home buyers whose underwriting qualifications tend to be above average.

 

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The Bancorp’s Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loans (“ARMs”) include offerings that reprice annually or are “Mini-Fixed.” The “Mini-Fixed” mortgage reprices annually after a one, three, five or seven year period. ARM originations totaled $4.7 million for 2014 and $5.3 million for 2013. During 2014, ARMs represented 10.6% of total mortgage loan originations. The ability of the Bancorp to successfully market ARM’s depends upon loan demand, prevailing interest rates, volatility of interest rates, public acceptance of such loans and terms offered by competitors.

 

Construction Loans. Construction loans on residential properties are made primarily to individuals and contractors who are under contract with individual purchasers. These loans are personally guaranteed by the borrower. The maximum loan-to-value ratio is 80% of either the current appraised value or the cost of construction, whichever is less. Residential construction loans are typically made for periods of six months to one year.

 

Loans are also made for the construction of commercial properties. All such loans are made in accordance with well-defined underwriting standards. Generally if the loans are not owner occupied, these types of loans require proof of intent to lease and a confirmed end-loan takeout. In general, loans made do not exceed 80% of the appraised value of the property. Commercial construction loans are typically made for periods not to exceed two years or date of occupancy, whichever is less.

 

Commercial Real Estate Loans. Commercial real estate loans are typically made to a maximum of 80% of the appraised value. Such loans are generally made on an adjustable rate basis. These loans are typically made for terms of 15 to 20 years. Loans with an amortizing term exceeding 15 years normally have a balloon feature calling for a full repayment within seven to ten years from the date of the loan. The balloon feature affords the Bancorp the opportunity to restructure the loan if economic conditions so warrant. Commercial real estate loans include loans secured by commercial rental units, apartments, condominium developments, small shopping centers, owner occupied commercial/industrial properties, hospitality units and other retail and commercial developments.

 

While commercial real estate lending is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk than single-family residential lending due to the concentration of principal in a limited number of loans and the effects of general economic conditions on real estate developers and managers, the Bancorp has endeavored to reduce this risk in several ways. In originating commercial real estate loans, the Bancorp considers the feasibility of the project, the financial strength of the borrowers and lessees, the managerial ability of the borrowers, the location of the project and the economic environment. Management evaluates the debt coverage ratio and analyzes the reliability of cash flows, as well as the quality of earnings. All such loans are made in accordance with well-defined underwriting standards and are generally supported by personal guarantees, which represent a secondary source of repayment.

 

Loans for the construction of commercial properties are generally located within an area permitting physical inspection and regular review of business records. Projects financed outside of the Bancorp’s primary lending area generally involve borrowers and guarantors who are or were previous customers of the Bancorp or projects that are underwritten according to the Bank’s underwriting standards.

 

Consumer Loans. The Bancorp offers consumer loans to individuals for personal, household or family purposes. Consumer loans are either secured by adequate collateral, or unsecured. Unsecured loans are based on the strength of the applicant’s financial condition. All borrowers must meet current underwriting standards. The consumer loan program includes both fixed and variable rate products. On a limited basis, the Bancorp purchases indirect dealer paper from various well-established businesses in its immediate banking area.

 

Home Equity Line of Credit. The Bancorp offers a fixed and variable rate revolving line of credit secured by the equity in the borrower’s home. Both products offer an interest only option where the borrower pays interest only on the outstanding balance each month. Equity lines will typically require a second mortgage appraisal and a second mortgage lender’s title insurance policy. Loans are generally made up to a maximum of 80% of the appraised value of the property less any outstanding liens.

 

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Home Improvement Loans and Equity Loans—Fixed Term. Home improvement and equity loans are made up to a maximum of 80% of the appraised value of the improved property, less any outstanding liens. These loans are offered on both a fixed and variable rate basis with a maximum term of 120 months. All home equity loans are made on a direct basis to borrowers.

 

Commercial Business Loans. Although the Bancorp’s priority in extending various types of commercial business loans changes from time to time, the basic considerations in determining the makeup of the commercial business loan portfolio are economic factors, regulatory requirements and money market conditions. The Bancorp seeks commercial loan relationships from the local business community and from its present customers. Conservative lending policies based upon sound credit analysis governs the extension of commercial credit. The following loans, although not inclusive, are considered preferable for the Bancorp’s commercial loan portfolio: loans collateralized by liquid assets; loans secured by general use machinery and equipment; secured short-term working capital loans to established businesses secured by business assets; short-term loans with established sources of repayment and secured by sufficient equity and real estate; and unsecured loans to customers whose character and capacity to repay are firmly established.

 

Government Loans. The Bancorp is permitted to purchase non-rated municipal securities, tax anticipation notes and warrants within the local market area.

 

Non-Performing Assets, Asset Classification and Provision for Loan Losses

 

Loans are reviewed on a regular basis and are generally placed on a non-accrual status when, in the opinion of management, serious doubt exists as to the collectability of a loan. Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when either principal or interest is 90 days or more past due. Consumer non-residential loans are generally charged off when the loan becomes over 120 days delinquent. Interest accrued and unpaid at the time a loan is placed on non-accrual status is charged against interest income. Subsequent payments are either applied to the outstanding principal balance, tax and insurance reserve or recorded as interest income, depending on the assessment of the ultimate collectability of the loan.

 

The Bancorp’s mortgage loan collection procedures provide that, when a mortgage loan is 15 days or more delinquent, the borrower will be contacted by mail and payment requested. If the delinquency continues, subsequent efforts will be made to contact the delinquent borrower. In certain instances, the Bancorp will recast the loan or grant a limited moratorium on loan payments to enable the borrower to reorganize his, her or its financial affairs. If the loan continues in a delinquent status for 120 days, the Bancorp will generally initiate foreclosure proceedings. Any property acquired as the result of foreclosure or by voluntary transfer of property made to avoid foreclosure is classified as foreclosed real estate until such time as it is sold or otherwise disposed of by the Bancorp. Foreclosed real estate is recorded at fair value at the date of foreclosure. At foreclosure, any write-down of the property is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Costs relating to improvement of property are capitalized, whereas holding costs are expensed. Valuations are periodically performed by management, and a valuation allowance is established by a charge to operations if the carrying value of a property exceeds its estimated fair value less selling costs. Subsequent gains or losses on disposition, including expenses incurred in connection with the disposition, are charged to operations. Collection procedures for consumer loans provide that when a consumer loan becomes ten days delinquent, the borrower will be contacted by mail and payment requested. If the delinquency continues, subsequent efforts will be made to contact the delinquent borrower. In certain instances, the Bancorp may grant a payment deferral. If a loan continues to be delinquent after 60 days and all collection efforts have been exhausted, the Bancorp will initiate legal proceedings. Collection procedures for commercial business loans provide that when a commercial loan becomes ten days delinquent, the borrower will be contacted by mail and payment requested. If the delinquency continues, subsequent efforts will be made to contact the delinquent borrower pursuant to the commercial loan collection policy. In certain instances, the Bancorp may grant a payment deferral or restructure the loan. Once it has been determined that collection efforts are unsuccessful, the Bancorp will initiate legal proceedings.

 

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At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp classified six loans totaling $6.4 million as troubled debt restructurings, which involves modifying the terms of a loan to forego a portion of interest or principal or reducing the interest rate on the loan to a rate materially less than market rates, or materially extending the maturity date of a loan. The Bancorp’s troubled debt restructurings include one commercial real estate hotel loan in the amount of $4.6 million, for which significant deferrals of principal repayments were granted; one commercial real estate loan in the amount of $1.1 million for which a significant deferral of principal and interest repayment was granted; one commercial real estate loan in the amount of $524 thousand for which a significant deferral of principal and interest repayment was granted by the Bank as required by a bankruptcy plan; two commercial business loans totaling $90 thousand for which a reduction in principal was granted; and one mortgage loan totaling $97 thousand, for which the maturity date was materially extended. At December 31, 2014, $4.7 million of the Bancorp’s loans classified as troubled debt restructurings are accruing loans. The valuation basis for the Bancorp’s troubled debt restructurings is based on the present value of cash flows, unless consistent cash flows are not present, then the fair value of the collateral securing the loan is the basis for valuation.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding the Bancorp’s non-performing assets as of December 31 for each period indicated. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis:                         
Real estate:                         
Residential  $2,443   $2,526   $1,846   $2,481   $2,843 
Commercial   1,918    807    7,753    10,603    20,642 
Commercial business   238    447    1,644    926    482 
Consumer   -    -    10    -    - 
Total  $4,599   $3,780   $11,253   $14,010   $23,967 
                          
Accruing loans which are contractually past due 90 days or more:                         
Real estate:                         
Residential  $941   $174   $-   $279   $145 
Commercial   -    -    -    -    - 
Commercial business   -    -    229    -    - 
Consumer   -    -    -    -    3 
Total  $941   $174   $229   $279   $148 
                          
Loans that qualify as troubled debt restructurings and accruing:                         
Real estate:                         
Residential  $-   $491   $534   $1,123   $- 
Commercial   4,597    7,657    9,113    7,373    5,016 
Commercial business   90    -    88    -    - 
Consumer   -    -    -    -    - 
Total  $4,687   $8,148   $9,735   $8,496   $5,016 
                          
Total of non-accrual, 90 days past due, and restructurings  $10,227   $12,102   $21,217   $22,785   $29,131 
                          
Ratio of non-performing loans to total assets   0.71%   0.57%   1.66%   2.19%   3.82%
Ratio of non-performing loans to total loans   1.10%   0.90%   2.63%   3.56%   5.77%
                          
Foreclosed real estate  $1,745   $1,084   $425   $2,457   $3,298 
Ratio of foreclosed real estate to total assets   0.23%   0.16%   0.06%   0.38%   0.52%

 

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During 2014, gross interest income of $316,000 would have been recorded on loans accounted for on a non-accrual basis if the loans had been current throughout the period. Interest on such loans included in income during the period amounted to $65,000.

 

Federal regulations require savings banks to classify their own loans and to establish appropriate general and specific allowances, subject to regulatory review. These regulations are designed to encourage management to evaluate loans on a case-by-case basis and to discourage automatic classifications. Loans classified as substandard or doubtful must be evaluated by management to determine loan loss reserves. Loans classified as loss must either be written off or reserved for by a specific allowance. Amounts reported in the general loan loss reserve are included in the calculation of the Bancorp’s total risk-based capital requirement (to the extent that the amount does not exceed 1.25% of total risk-based assets), but are not included in Tier 1 leverage ratio calculations and Tier 1 risk-based capital requirements. Loans internally classified as substandard totaled $9.5 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $12.2 million at December 31, 2013. No loans are internally classified as doubtful at December 31, 2014 or 2013. No loans were classified as loss at either December 31, 2014 or 2013. Substandard loans include non-performing loans and potential problem loans, where information about possible credit issues or other conditions causes management to question the ability of such borrowers to comply with loan covenants or repayment terms. In addition to identifying and monitoring non-performing and other classified loans, management maintains a list of watch loans. Watch loans represent loans management is closely monitoring due to one or more factors that may cause the loan to become classified. Watch loans totaled $14.5 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $7.5 million at December 31, 2013.

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a borrower will be unable to pay all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. At December 31, 2014, impaired loans totaled $7.3 million, compared to $9.9 million at December 31, 2013 a decrease of $2.6 million or 26.3%. The December 31, 2014, impaired loan balances consist of ten commercial real estate and commercial business loans totaling $6.7 million that are secured by business assets and real estate, and are personally guaranteed by the owners of the businesses. In addition, one mortgage loan totaling $97 thousand which is also a troubled debt restructuring, along with thirteen purchased credit impaired mortgage loans totaling $588 thousand, have also been classified as impaired. The December 31, 2014 allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) contained $426 thousand million in specific allowances for collateral deficiencies, compared to $1.7 million at December 31, 2013. Typically, management does not individually classify smaller-balance homogeneous loans, such as residential mortgages or consumer loans, as impaired, unless they are troubled debt restructurings.

 

At December 31, 2014, management is of the opinion that there are no loans, except those discussed above, where known information about possible credit problems of borrowers causes management to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan repayment terms and which will imminently result in disclosure of such loans as non-accrual, past due or restructured loans. Management does not presently anticipate that any of the non-performing loans or classified loans would materially impact future operations, liquidity or capital resources.

 

For 2014, $875 thousand in provisions to the ALL were required, compared to $450 thousand for 2013 an increase of $425 thousand or 94.4%. The ALL provision increase is primarily a result of increased originations and overall loan portfolio growth. For 2014, charge-offs, net of recoveries, totaled $1.7 million, compared to $1.7 million for 2013. The net loan charge-offs for 2014 were comprised of $1.4 million in commercial real estate loans, $291 thousand in residential real estate loans, and $31 thousand in consumer loans; with a net loan recoveries of $2 thousand in commercial real estate participation loans and $21 thousand in commercial business loans. The ALL provisions take into consideration management’s current judgments about the credit quality of the loan portfolio, loan portfolio balances, changes in the portfolio mix and local economic conditions. In determining the provision for loan losses for the current period, management has given consideration to historically elevated risks associated with the local economy, changes in loan balances and mix, and asset quality.

 

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The ALL to total loans was 1.30% at December 31, 2014, compared to 1.64% at December 31, 2013. The ALL to non-performing loans (coverage ratio) was 114.83% at December 31, 2014, compared to 181.81% at December 31, 2013. The December 31, 2014 balance in the ALL account of $6.4 million is considered adequate by management after evaluation of the loan portfolio, past experience and current economic and market conditions. While management may periodically allocate portions of the allowance for specific problem loans, the whole allowance is available for any loan charge offs that occur. The allocation of the ALL reflects performance and growth trends within the various loan categories, as well as consideration of the facts and circumstances that affect the repayment of individual loans, and loans which have been pooled as of the evaluation date, with particular attention given to non-performing loans and loans which have been classified as substandard, doubtful or loss. Management has allocated reserves to both performing and non-performing loans based on current information available.

 

The table that follows sets forth the allowance for loan losses and related ratios for the periods indicated. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Balance at beginning of period  $7,189   $8,421   $8,005   $9,121   $6,114 
Loans charged-off:                         
Real estate - residential   (311)   (153)   (336)   (470)   (764)
Commercial real estate   (1,421)   (788)   (256)   (880)   (900)
Commercial real estate participations   -    (333)   (873)   (3,366)   (987)
Commercial business   -    (567)   (619)   (163)   (182)
Consumer   (32)   (16)   (17)   (55)   (35)
Total charge-offs   (1,764)   (1,857)   (2,101)   (4,934)   (2,868)
Recoveries:                         
Residential real estate   20    1    4    112    38 
Commercial real estate   17    9    13    182    - 
Commercial real estate participations   2    137    108    -    248 
Commercial business   21    23    37    3    10 
Consumer   1    5    5    11    9 
Total recoveries   61    175    167    308    305 
Net (charge-offs) / recoveries   (1,703)   (1,682)   (1,934)   (4,626)   (2,563)
Provision for loan losses   875    450    2,350    3,510    5,570 
Balance at end of period  $6,361   $7,189   $8,421   $8,005   $9,121 
                          
ALL to loans outstanding   1.30%   1.64%   1.93%   1.99%   2.18%
ALL to nonperforming loans   114.83%   181.81%   73.34%   56.03%   37.82%
Net charge-offs / recoveries to average loans outstanding during the period   -0.35%   -0.39%   -0.46%   -1.13%   -0.57%

 

The following table shows the allocation of the allowance for loan losses at December 31, for the dates indicated. The dollar amounts are stated in thousands (000’s). The percent columns represent the percentage of loans in each category to total loans.

 

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
   $   %   $   %   $   %   $   %   $   % 
Real estate loans:                                                  
Residential   1,877    29.5    1,444    36.9    1,024    35.4    1,161    38.4    994    36.6 
Commercial and other dwelling   3,658    57.5    4,820    44.9    6,158    46.6    5,728    43.5    7,477    45.9 
Consumer loans   18    0.3    12    0.1    19    0.1    15    0.1    30    0.2 
Commercial business and other   808    12.7    913    18.1    1,220    17.9    1,101    18.0    620    17.3 
Total   6,361    100.0    7,189    100.0    8,421    100.0    8,005    100.0    9,121    100.0 

 

Page 13 of 90
 

 

Investment Activities

 

The primary objective of the investment portfolio is to provide for the liquidity needs of the Bancorp and to contribute to profitability by providing a stable flow of dependable earnings. Securities can be classified as either held-to-maturity (HTM) or available-for-sale (AFS) at the time of purchase. No securities are classified as trading or as held-to-maturity. AFS securities are those the Bancorp may decide to sell if needed for liquidity, asset-liability management or other reasons. During 2014, the Bancorp did not hold as investments any derivative instruments and was not involved in hedging activities as defined by Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 Derivatives and Hedging. It has been the policy of the Bancorp to invest its excess cash in U.S. government agency securities, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and municipal securities. In addition, short-term funds are generally invested as interest-bearing balances in financial institutions and federal funds. At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp’s investment portfolio totaled $220.1 million. In addition, the Bancorp had $8.0 million of federal funds sold, and $3.7 million in FHLB stock.

 

The table below shows the carrying values of the components of the investment securities portfolio at December 31, on the dates indicated. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

 

   2014   2013   2012 
Money market fund   6,453    1,336    - 
U.S. government agencies:               
Available-for-sale   12,869    18,360    23,096 
Mortgage-backed securities (1):               
Available-for-sale   49,176    41,003    36,068 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (1):               
Available-for-sale   68,398    59,312    63,846 
Municipal Securities:               
Available-for-sale   80,725    73,653    63,073 
Trust Preferred Securities:               
Available-for-sale   2,432    1,968    1,392 
Totals  $220,053   $195,632   $187,475 

 

 

(1) Mortgage-backed securities and Collateralized Mortgage Obligations are U.S. government agency and sponsored securities.

 

The contractual maturities and weighted average yields for the U.S. government securities, agency securities, municipal securities, and trust preferred securities at December 31, 2014, are summarized in the table below. Securities not due at a single maturity date, such as mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are not included in the following table. The carrying values are stated in thousands (000’s).

 

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Yields presented are not on a tax-equivalent basis.

 

   Within 1 Year   1 - 5 Years   5 - 10 Years   After 10 Years 
   Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield   Amount   Yield 
Money market fund:   6,453    0.01%   -    0.00%   -    0.00%   -    0.00%
U.S. government Agencies:                                        
AFS   -    0.00%   12,869    1.15%   -    0.00%   -    0.00%
Municipal Securities:                                        
AFS   2,431    4.29%   5,157    4.15%   22,064    4.23%   51,073    3.49%
Trust Preferred Securities:                                        
AFS   -    0.00%   -    0.00%   -    0.00%   2,432    0.99%
Totals  $8,884    4.32%  $18,026    2.01%  $22,064    4.23%  $53,505    3.38%

 

The Bancorp currently holds four trust preferred securities of which three of the securities’ quarterly interest payments have been placed in “payment in kind” status. Payment in kind status results in a temporary delay in the payment of interest. As a result of a delay in the collection of the interest payments, management placed these securities in non-accrual status. At December 31, 2014, the cost basis of the three trust preferred securities in non-accrual status totaled $3.8 million. Current estimates indicate that the interest payment delays may continue through 2019. One trust preferred security with a cost basis of $1.3 million remains in accrual status.

 

Sources of Funds

 

General. Deposits are the major source of the Bancorp’s funds for lending and other investment purposes. In addition to deposits, the Bancorp derives funds from maturing investment securities and certificates of deposit, dividend receipts from the investment portfolio, loan principal repayments, repurchase agreements, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLB) and other borrowings. Loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, while deposit inflows and outflows are significantly influenced by general interest rates and money market conditions. Borrowings may be used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in the availability of other sources of funds. They may also be used on a longer-term basis for general business purposes. The Bancorp uses repurchase agreements, as well as a line-of-credit and advances from the FHLB for borrowings. At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp had $17.5 million in repurchase agreements. Other borrowings totaled $36.4 million, of which $36.1 million represents FHLB advances.

 

Deposits. Retail and commercial deposits are attracted principally from within the Bancorp’s primary market area. The Bancorp offers a broad selection of deposit instruments including non-interest bearing demand accounts, interest bearing demand accounts, savings accounts, money market deposit accounts, certificate accounts and retirement savings plans. Deposit accounts vary as to terms, with the principal differences being the minimum balance required, the time period the funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate. Certificate accounts typically range in maturity from ten days to 42 months. The deregulation of federal controls on insured deposits has allowed the Bancorp to be more competitive in obtaining funds and to be flexible in meeting the threat of net deposit outflows. The Bancorp does not obtain funds through brokers.

 

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The following table presents the average daily amount of deposits bearing interest and average rates paid on such deposits for the years indicated. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

 

   2014   2013   2012 
   Amount   Rate %   Amount   Rate %   Amount   Rate % 
Noninterest bearing demand deposits  $83,430    -   $73,834    -   $62,746    - 
Interest bearing demand deposits   119,772    0.08    110,831    0.06    97,735    0.09 
MMDA accounts   148,633    0.18    132,794    0.17    125,035    0.21 
Savings accounts   89,565    0.05    83,340    0.05    75,541    0.07 
Certificates of deposit   181,406    0.47    162,264    0.50    177,523    0.66 
Total deposits  $622,806    0.20   $563,063    0.20   $538,580    0.29 

 

Maturities of time certificates of deposit and other time deposits of $100,000 or more at December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

 

3 months or less  $15,887 
Over 3 months through 6 months   18,173 
Over 6 months through 12 months   33,989 
Over 12 months   17,597 
Total  $85,646 

 

Borrowings. Borrowed money is used on a short-term basis to compensate for reductions in the availability of other sources of funds and is generally accomplished through repurchase agreements, as well as, through a line of credit and advances from the FHLB. Repurchase agreements generally mature within one year and are generally secured by U.S. government securities or U.S. agency securities, under the Bancorp’s control. FHLB advances with maturities ranging from one year to five years are used to fund securities and loans of comparable duration, as well as to reduce the impact that movements in short-term interest rates have on the Bancorp’s overall cost of funds. Fixed rate advances are payable at maturity, with a prepayment penalty. Putable advances are fixed for a period of one to five years and then may adjust annually to the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) until maturity. Once the putable advance interest rate adjusts, the Bancorp has the option to prepay the advance on specified annual interest rate reset dates without prepayment penalty.

 

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The following tables set forth certain information regarding borrowing and repurchase agreements by the Bancorp at the end of and during the periods indicated. The amounts are stated in thousands (000’s).

 

   At December 31, 
  2014   2013   2012 
Repurchase agreements:            
Balance  $17,525   $14,031   $16,298 
Securities underlying the agreements:               
Ending carrying amount   103,754    23,729    28,002 
Ending fair value   103,754    23,729    28,002 
Weighted average rate (1)   0.35%   0.38%   0.31%

 

   For year ended December 31, 
   2014   2013   2012 
Highest month-end balance  $25,540   $21,652   $25,278 
Average outstanding balance   18,029    18,016    20,561 
Weighted average rate on securities sold under agreements to repurchase (2)   0.37%   0.38%   0.38%

 

 

   At December 31, 
   2014   2013   2012 
Fixed rate short-term advances from the FHLB  $8,000   $8,000   $14,000 
Fixed rate long-term advances from the FHLB   28,100    22,100    14,000 
Putable advances from the FHLB   -    -    5,000 
Variable advances from the FHLB   -    -    - 
FHLB line-of-credit   -    714    - 
Limited partnership obligation   -    -    - 
Overdrawn due from other financial institutions   281    84    207 
Total borrowings  $36,381   $30,898   $33,207 

 

 

(1) The weighted average rate for each period is calculated by weighting the principal balances outstanding for the various interest rates.

(2) The weighted average rate is calculated by dividing the interest expense for the period by the average daily balances of securities sold under agreements to repurchase for the period.

 

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Wealth Management Group

 

The activities of the Bancorp's Wealth Management Group provides estate and retirement planning, guardianships, land trusts, profit sharing and 401(k) retirement plans, IRA and Keogh accounts, investment agency accounts, and serves as personal representative of estates and acts as trustee for revocable and irrevocable trusts. At December 31, 2014, the market value of the Wealth Management Group’s assets totaled $275.7 million, an increase of $8.8 million, compared to December 31, 2013.

 

Analysis of Profitability and Key Operating Ratios

 

Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity; Interest Rates and Interest Differential.

 

The net earnings of the Bancorp depend primarily upon the “spread” (difference) between (a) the income it receives from its loan portfolio and other investments, and (b) its cost of money, consisting principally of the interest paid on deposit accounts and on other borrowings.

 

The following table presents the weighted average yields on loans and securities, the weighted average cost of interest-bearing deposits and other borrowings, and the interest rate spread for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Weighted average yield:     
Securities   2.72%
Loans receivable   4.42%
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   3.69%
Total interest-earning assets   3.82%
      
Weighted average cost:     
Deposit accounts   0.20%
Borrowed funds   0.98%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   0.27%
      
Interest rate spread:     
Weighted average yield on interest-earning     
assets minus the weighted average cost of     
interest-bearing funds   3.55%

 

Financial Ratios and the Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income.

 

The tables below set forth certain financial ratios of the Bancorp for the periods indicated:

 

   Year ended December 31, 
   2014   2013   2012 
Return on average assets   0.97%   1.03%   1.02%
Return on average equity   10.14%   10.17%   10.27%
Average equity-to-average assets ratio   9.58%   10.12%   9.95%
Dividend payout ratio   37.30%   33.90%   29.83%

 

   At December 31, 
   2014   2013   2012 
Total stockholders’ equity to total assets   9.83%   9.63%   9.78%

 

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The average balance sheet amounts, the related interest income or expense, and average rates earned or paid are presented in the following table.

The amounts are stated in thousands (000's).

 

   Year ended December 31, 2014   Year ended December 31, 2013   Year ended December 31, 2012 
       Interest           Interest           Interest     
   Average   Income/   Average   Average   Income/   Average   Average   Income/   Average 
   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate   Balance   Expense   Rate 
Assets:                                             
                                              
Interest bearing balances in financial institutions  $13,122   $33    0.25%  $15,638   $40    0.26%  $8,715   $22    0.25%
Federal funds sold   346    1    0.29    4,961    1    0.02    7,460    1    0.01 
Securities   217,226    5,917    2.72    191,680    5,225    2.73    190,101    5,387    2.83 
Total investments   230,694    5,951    2.58    212,279    5,266    2.48    206,276    5,410    2.62 
Loans:*                                             
Real estate mortgage loans   392,687    17,941    4.57    358,003    17,772    4.96    348,169    17,167    4.93 
Commercial business loans   87,337    3,272    3.75    78,152    3,101    3.97    74,916    3,466    4.63 
Consumer loans   380    19    5.00    274    18    6.57    482    31    6.43 
Total loans   480,404    21,232    4.42    436,429    20,891    4.79    423,567    20,664    4.88 
Total interest-earning assets   711,098    27,183    3.82    648,708    26,157    4.03    629,843    26,074    4.14 
Allowance for loan losses   (6,800)             (7,899)             (8,334)          
Cash and due from banks   11,779              9,893              8,795           
Premises and equipment   17,741              17,402              17,963           
Other assets   27,613              22,986              22,812           
Total assets  $761,431             $691,090             $671,079           
                                              
Liabilities:                                             
                                              
Demand deposit  $83,430    -    - %   $73,834    -    - %   $62,746    -    - % 
NOW accounts   119,772    94    0.08    110,831    72    0.06    97,735    86    0.09 
Money market demand accounts   148,633    269    0.18    132,794    226    0.17    125,035    268    0.21 
Savings accounts   89,565    45    0.05    83,340    42    0.05    75,541    54    0.07 
Certificates of deposit   181,406    845    0.47    162,264    804    0.50    177,523    1,167    0.66 
Total interest-bearing deposits   622,806    1,253    0.20    563,063    1,144    0.20    538,580    1,575    0.29 
Borrowed funds   57,908    567    0.98    51,056    586    1.15    58,688    773    1.32 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   680,714    1,820    0.27    614,119    1,730    0.28    597,268    2,348    0.39 
                                              
Other liabilities   7,774              7,005              7,069           
Total liabilities   688,488              621,124              604,337           
                                              
Stockholders' equity   72,943              69,966              66,742           
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $761,431             $691,090             $671,079           
Net interest income       $25,363             $24,427             $23,726      
Net interest spread             3.56%             3.75%             3.75%
Net interest margin**             3.57%             3.77%             3.77%

 

* Non-accruing loans have been included in the average balances.

** Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.

 

Page 19 of 90
 

 

The table below sets forth certain information regarding changes in interest income and interest expense of the Bancorp for the periods indicated. For each category of interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability, information is provided on changes attributable to: (1) changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by old rate) and (2) changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by old volume). Changes attributable to both rate and volume which cannot be segregated have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate. The amounts are stated in thousands (000's).

 

   Year Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31, 
   2014   vs.   2013   2013   vs.   2012 
   Increase / (Decrease)   Increase / (Decrease) 
   Due To   Due To 
   Volume   Rate   Total   Volume   Rate   Total 
                         
Interest income:                              
Loans receivable  $2,013   $(1,672)  $341   $620   $(393)  $227 
Securities   696    (4)   692    44    (206)   (162)
Other interest-earning assets   (16)   9    (7)   7    11    18 
Total interest-earning assets   2,693    (1,667)   1,026    671    (588)   83 
                               
Interest Expense:                              
Deposits   120    (11)   109    69    (500)   (431)
                               
Borrowed Funds   73    (92)   (19)   (94)   (93)   (187)
Total interest-bearing liabilities   193    (103)   90    (25)   (593)   (618)
                               
Net change in net interest income/(expense)  $2,500   $(1,564)  $936   $696   $5   $701 

 

Page 20 of 90
 

 

 

 

Bank Subsidiary Activities

 

Peoples Service Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank was incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana. The subsidiary currently provides insurance and annuity investments to the Bank’s wealth management customers. At December 31, 2014, the Bank had an investment balance of $171 thousand in Peoples Service Corporation.

 

NWIN, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank. NWIN, LLC was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada as an investment subsidiary. The investment subsidiary currently holds Bank security investments, which are managed by a professional portfolio manager. In addition, the investment subsidiary is the parent of a real estate investment trust, NWIN Funding, Inc., that invests in real estate loans originated by the Bank. At December 31, 2014, the Bank had an investment balance of 252.0 million in NWIN, LLC. The investment balance represents an increase of $13.5 million, as a result of additional capital contributions made during 2014.

 

NWIN Funding, Inc. is a subsidiary of NWIN, LLC, and was formed as an Indiana Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). The formation of NWIN Funding, Inc. provides the Bancorp with a vehicle that may be used to raise capital utilizing portfolio mortgages as collateral, without diluting stock ownership. In addition, NWIN Funding, Inc. will receive favorable state tax treatment for income generated by its operations. At December 31, 2014, the REIT held assets of $28.1 million in real estate loans.

 

Columbia Development Company, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana. The subsidiary holds real estate properties that the Bank has acquired through the foreclosure process. At December 31, 2014, the Bank had an investment balance of $3.5 million in Columbia Development Company, LLC.

 

The consolidated financial statements include NorthWest Indiana Bancorp (the Bancorp), its wholly owned subsidiary, Peoples Bank SB (the Bank), and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Peoples Service Corporation, NWIN, LLC and Columbia Development Company, LLC. The Bancorp has no other business activity other than being a holding company for the Bank. The Bancorp’s earnings are dependent upon the earnings of the Bank. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Competition

 

The Bancorp’s primary market area for deposits, loans and financial services encompasses Lake and Porter Counties, in northwest Indiana, where all of its offices are located. Ninety-five percent of the Bancorp’s business activities are within this area.

 

The Bancorp faces strong competition in its primary market area for the attraction and retention of deposits and in the origination of loans. The Bancorp’s most direct competition for deposits has historically come from commercial banks, savings associations, and credit unions located in its primary market area. Particularly in times of high interest rates, the Bancorp has had significant competition from mutual funds and other firms offering financial services. The Bancorp’s competition for loans comes principally from savings associations, commercial banks, mortgage banking companies, credit unions, insurance companies, and other institutional lenders.

 

The Bancorp competes for loans principally through the interest rates and loan fees it charges and the efficiency and quality of the services it provides borrowers and other third-party sources. It competes for deposits by offering depositors a wide variety of savings accounts, checking accounts, competitive interest rates, convenient banking center locations, drive-up facilities, automatic teller machines, tax deferred retirement programs, electronic banking, and other miscellaneous services.

 

The activities of the Bancorp and the Bank in the geographic market served involve competition with other banks as well as with other financial institutions and enterprises, many of which have substantially greater resources than those available to the Bancorp. In addition, non-bank financial services companies with which the Bancorp and Bank compete, while subject to regulation by the CFPB, are generally not subject to the same type of extensive regulation by the federal and state banking agencies applicable to the Bancorp and the Bank.

 

Page 21 of 90
 

 

Personnel

 

As of December 31, 2014, the Bank had 166 full-time and 29 part-time employees. The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining agreement. Management believes its employee relations are good. The Bancorp has five officers (listed below under Item 4.5 “Executive Officers of the Bancorp”), but has no other employees. The Bancorp’s officers also are full-time employees of the Bank, and are compensated by the Bank.

 

Regulation and Supervision

 

Bank Holding Company Regulation. As a registered bank holding company for the Bank, the Bancorp is subject to the regulation and supervision of the FRB under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA"). Bank holding companies are required to file periodic reports with and are subject to periodic examination by the FRB.

 

Under the BHCA, without the prior approval of the FRB, the Bancorp may not acquire direct or indirect control of more than 5% of the voting stock or substantially all of the assets of any company, including a bank, and may not merge or consolidate with another bank holding company. In addition, the Bancorp is generally prohibited by the BHCA from engaging in any nonbanking business unless such business is determined by the FRB to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto. Under the BHCA, the FRB has the authority to require a bank holding company to terminate any activity or relinquish control of a nonbank subsidiary (other than a nonbank subsidiary of a bank) upon the FRB's determination that such activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness and stability of any bank subsidiary of the bank holding company.

 

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, a bank holding company is expected to serve as a source of financial and managerial strength to its subsidiary banks. Pursuant to this requirement, a bank holding company should stand ready to use its resources to provide adequate capital funds to its subsidiary banks during periods of financial stress or adversity. This support may be required by the FRB at times when the Bancorp may not have the resources to provide it or, for other reasons, would not be inclined to provide it. Additionally, under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvements Act of 1991 ("FDICIA"), a bank holding company is required to provide limited guarantee of the compliance by any insured depository institution subsidiary that may become "undercapitalized" (as defined in the statute) with the terms of any capital restoration plan filed by such subsidiary with its appropriate federal banking agency.

 

Savings Bank Regulation. As an Indiana stock savings bank, the Bank is subject to federal regulation and supervision by the FDIC and to state regulation and supervision by the DFI. The Bank's deposit accounts are insured by DIF, which is administered by the FDIC. The Bank is not a member of the Federal Reserve System.

 

Both federal and Indiana law extensively regulate various aspects of the banking business such as reserve requirements, truth-in-lending and truth-in-savings disclosures, equal credit opportunity, fair credit reporting, trading in securities and other aspects of banking operations. Current federal law also requires savings banks, among other things, to make deposited funds available within specified time periods.

 

Under FDICIA, insured state chartered banks are prohibited from engaging as principal in activities that are not permitted for national banks, unless: (i) the FDIC determines that the activity would pose no significant risk to the appropriate deposit insurance fund, and (ii) the bank is, and continues to be, in compliance with all applicable capital standards.

 

Branches and Acquisitions. Branching by the Bank requires the approval of the Federal Reserve and the DFI. Under current law, Indiana chartered banks may establish branches throughout the state and in other states, subject to certain limitations. Congress authorized interstate branching, with certain limitations, beginning in 1997. Indiana law authorizes an Indiana bank to establish one or more branches in states other than Indiana through interstate merger transactions and to establish one or more interstate branches through de novo branching or the acquisition of a branch. The Dodd-Frank Act permits the establishment of de novo branches in states where such branches could be opened by a state bank chartered by that state. The consent of the state is no longer required.

 

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Transactions with Affiliates. Under Indiana law, the Bank is subject to Sections 22(h), 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, which restrict financial transactions between banks and affiliated companies, such as the Bancorp. The statute limits credit transactions between a bank and its executive officers and its affiliates, prescribes terms and conditions for bank affiliate transactions deemed to be consistent with safe and sound banking practices, and restricts the types of collateral security permitted in connection with a bank's extension of credit to an affiliate.

 

Capital Requirements. The FRB and the FDIC have issued substantially similar risk-based and leverage capital guidelines that are applicable to the Bancorp and the Bank. The guidelines applicable in 2014 required a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets (including certain off-balance sheet activities such as standby letters of credit) of 8%. At least half of the total required capital was required to be "Tier 1 capital," consisting principally of common stockholders' equity, noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, a limited amount of cumulative perpetual preferred stock and minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less certain goodwill items. The remainder ("Tier 2 capital") may consist of a limited amount of subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred stock, certain hybrid capital instruments and other debt securities, cumulative perpetual preferred stock, and a limited amount of the allowance for loan losses.

 

In addition to the risk-based capital guidelines, the Bancorp and the Bank are subject to a Tier 1 (leverage) capital ratio which, through 2014, required a minimum level of Tier 1 capital to adjusted average assets of 3% in the case of financial institutions that had the highest regulatory examination ratings and were not contemplating significant growth or expansion. All other institutions were expected to maintain a ratio of at least 1% to 2% above the stated minimum.

 

The Dodd-Frank Act requires the FRB to set minimum capital levels for bank holding companies that are as stringent as those required for insured depository subsidiaries; provided, however, that bank holding companies with less than $1 billion in assets are exempt from these capital requirements. The legislation also established a floor for capital of insured depository institutions that cannot be lower than the standards in effect today, and directs the federal banking regulators to implement new leverage and capital requirements within 18 months that take into account off-balance sheet activities and risks, including risks related to securitized products and derivatives.

 

FDICIA requires, among other things, federal bank regulatory authorities to take "prompt corrective action" with respect to banks that do not meet minimum capital requirements. The FDIC has adopted regulations to implement the prompt corrective action provisions of FDICIA, which, among other things, define the relevant capital measures for five capital categories. Through 2014, an institution was deemed to be "well capitalized" if it had a total risk-based capital ratio of 10% or greater, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6% or greater, and a leverage ratio of 5% or greater, and was not subject to a regulatory order, agreement or directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. Effective January 1, 2015, these ratios have been revised. See “Recent Developments – Regulatory Capital Rules” above.

 

Page 23 of 90
 

 

The following table shows that, at December 31, 2014, the Bancorp’s capital exceeded all regulatory capital requirements. At December 31, 2014 the Bancorp’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios were substantially the same. At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp and the Bank were categorized as well capitalized. The dollar amounts are stated in millions.

 

       Required for   To be well 
   Actual   adequate capital   capitalized 
   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
Total capital to risk weighted assets  $78.4    14.8%  $42.3    8.0%  $52.8    10.0%
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets  $72.0    13.6%  $21.1    4.0%  $31.7    6.0%
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average assets  $72.0    9.2%  $23.5    3.0%  $39.2    5.0%

 

The Bancorp and the Bank will become subject to the new capital requirements mandated under Basel III, which will be phased in from 2015 to 2019. See “Recent Developments” – Regulatory Capital Rules” above. Banking regulators may change these requirements from time to time, depending on the economic outlook generally and the outlook for the banking industry. The Bancorp is unable to predict whether and when any such further capital requirements would be imposed and, if so, to what levels and on what schedule.

 

Dividend Limitations. The Bancorp is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. The primary source of the Bancorp’s cash flow, including cash flow to pay dividends on the Bancorp’s Common Stock, is the payment of dividends to the Bancorp by the Bank. Under Indiana law, the Bank may pay dividends of so much of its undivided profits (generally, earnings less losses, bad debts, taxes and other operating expenses) as is considered expedient by the Bank’s Board of Directors. However, the Bank must obtain the approval of the DFI for the payment of a dividend if the total of all dividends declared by the Bank during the current year, including the proposed dividend, would exceed the sum of retained net income for the year to date plus its retained net income for the previous two years. For this purpose, “retained net income” means net income as calculated for call report purposes, less all dividends declared for the applicable period. An exemption from DFI approval would require that the Bank have been assigned a composite uniform financial institutions rating of 1 or 2 as a result of the most recent federal or state examination; the proposed dividend would not result in a Tier 1 leverage ratio below 7.5%; and that the Bank not be subject to any corrective action, supervisory order, supervisory agreement, or board approved operating agreement.

 

The FDIC has the authority to prohibit the Bank from paying dividends if, in its opinion, the payment of dividends would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice in light of the financial condition of the Bank. In addition, under FRB supervisory policy, a bank holding company generally should not maintain its existing rate of cash dividends on common shares unless (i) the organization’s net income available to common shareholders over the past year has been sufficient to fully fund the dividends and (ii) the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the organization’s capital needs, assets, quality, and overall financial condition. The FRB issued a letter dated February 24, 2009, to bank holding companies providing that it expects banks holding companies to consult with it in advance of declaring dividends that could raise safety and soundness concerns (i.e., such as when the dividend is not supported by earnings or involves a material increase in the dividend rate) and in advance of repurchasing shares of common preferred stock.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance. Deposits in the Bank are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC up to a maximum amount, which is generally $250,000 per depositor, subject to aggregation rules. There is no unlimited insurance coverage for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts. Rather, deposits held in noninterest-bearing transaction accounts are aggregated with interest-bearing deposits the owner may hold in the same ownership category, and the combined insured up to at least $250,000. The Bank is subject to deposit insurance assessments by the FDIC pursuant to its regulations establishing a risk-related deposit insurance assessment system, based on the institution’s capital levels and risk profile. Under the FDIC’s risk-based assessment system, insured institutions are assigned to one of four risk-weighted categories based on supervisory evaluations, regulatory capital levels, and certain other factors with less risky institutions paying lower assessments. An institution’s initial assessment rate depends upon the category to which it is assigned. There are also adjustments to a bank’s initial assessment rates based on levels of long-term unsecured debt, secured liabilities in excess of 25% of domestic deposits and, for certain institutions, brokered deposit levels. Pursuant to FDIC rules adopted under the Dodd-Frank Act (described below), initial assessments ranged from 5 to 35 basis points of the institution’s total assets minus its tangible equity. The Bank paid deposit insurance assessments of $466 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2014. For 2014, the deposit insurance assessment rate before applying one time credits was approximately 0.076% of insured deposits. No institution may pay a dividend if it is in default of the federal deposit insurance assessment.

 

Page 24 of 90
 

 

The Bank is also subject to assessment for the Financing Corporation (FICO) to service the interest on its bond obligations. The amount assessed on individual institutions, including the Bank, by FICO is in addition to the amount paid for deposit insurance according to the risk-related assessment rate schedule. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds are repaid between 2017 and 2019. During 2014, the FICO assessment rate ranged between 0.60 and 0.62 basis points for each $100 of insured deposits per quarter. The Bank paid interest payment assessments of $41 thousand during the year ended December 31, 2014. Future increases in deposit insurance premiums or changes in risk classification would increase the Bank’s deposit related costs.

 

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC is authorized to set the reserve ratio for the Deposit Insurance Fund at no less than 1.35%, and must achieve the 1.35% designated reserve ratio by September 30, 2020. The FDIC must offset the effect of the increase in the minimum designated reserve ratio from 1.15% to 1.35% on insured depository institutions of less than $10 billion, and may declare dividends to depository institutions when the reserve ratio at the end of a calendar quarter is at least 1.5%, although the FDIC has the authority to suspend or limit such permitted dividend declarations. In December 2010, the FDIC adopted a final rule setting the designated reserve ratio for the deposit insurance fund at 2% of estimated insured deposits.

 

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the assessment base for deposit insurance premiums changed from adjusted domestic deposits to average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity. Tangible equity for this purpose means Tier 1 capital. These changes went into effect in April 2011. The rate schedule set forth in the rule are scaled to the increase in the assessment base, including schedules that will go into effect when the reserve ratio reaches 1.15%, 2%, and 2.5%.

 

The schedules reduce the initial base assessment rate in each of the four risk-based pricing categories.

 

·For small Risk category I banks, the rates range from 5-9 basis points.

 

·The rates for small institutions in Risk Categories II, III and IV are 14, 23 and 35 basis points, respectively.

 

·For large institutions and large, highly complex institutions, the rate schedule ranges from 5 to 35 basis points.

 

There are also adjustments made to the initial assessment rates based on long-term unsecured debt, depository institution debt, and brokered deposits. The FDIC also revised the assessment system for large depository institutions with over $10 billion in assets.

 

The FDIC has the authority to increase insurance assessments. A significant increase in insurance premiums would likely have an adverse effect on the operating expenses and results of operations of the Bank. Management cannot predict what insurance assessment rates will be in the future.

 

The FDIC may terminate the deposit insurance of any insured depository institution if the FDIC determines, after a hearing, that the institution has engaged or is engaging in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe and unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, order or any condition imposed in writing by, or written agreement with, the FDIC. The FDIC may also suspend deposit insurance temporarily during the hearing process for a permanent termination of insurance if the institution has no tangible capital.

 

Page 25 of 90
 

 

Federal Home Loan Bank System. The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, which is one of 12 regional Federal Home Loan Banks. Each Federal Home Loan Bank serves as a reserve or central bank for its members within its assigned region. It is funded primarily from funds deposited by member institutions and proceeds from the sale of consolidated obligations of the Federal Home Loan Bank system. It makes loans to members (i.e., advances) in accordance with policies and procedures established by the board of trustees of the Federal Home Loan Bank. As a member, the Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis in an amount equal to the greater of 1% of its aggregate unpaid residential mortgage loans, home purchase contracts or similar obligations at the beginning of each year or 5% of our outstanding advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank. At December 31, 2014, the Bank was in compliance with this requirement.

 

At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp owned $3.68 million of stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (“FHLBI”) and had outstanding borrowings of $36.1 million from the FHLBI. The FHLBI stock entitles the Bancorp to dividends from the FHLBI. The Bancorp recognized dividend income of approximately $154 thousand in 2014. At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp’s excess borrowing capacity based on collateral from the FHLBI was $67.3 million. Generally, the loan terms from the FHLBI are better than the terms the Bancorp can receive from other sources making it cheaper to borrow money from the FHLBI.

 

Federal Reserve System. Under regulations of the FRB, the Bank is required to maintain reserves against its transaction accounts (primarily checking accounts) and non-personal money market deposit accounts. The effect of these reserve requirements is to increase the Bank’s cost of funds. The Bank is in compliance with its reserve requirements.

 

Community Reinvestment Act. Under the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”), the Bank has a continuing and affirmative obligation consistent with its safe and sound operation to help meet the credit needs of its entire community, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. The CRA does not establish specific lending requirements or programs for financial institutions nor does it limit an institution’s discretion to develop the types of products and services that it believes are best suited to its particular community, consistent with the CRA. The CRA requires the FDIC in connection with its examination of the Bank, to assess its record of meeting the credit needs of its community and to take that record into account in its evaluation of certain applications by the Bank. For example, the regulations specify that a bank’s CRA performance will be considered in its expansion (e.g., branching) proposals and may be the basis for approving, denying or conditioning the approval of an application. As of the date of its most recent regulatory examination, the Bank was rated “satisfactory” with respect to its CRA compliance.

 

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ("Gramm-Leach"), bank holding companies are permitted to offer their customers virtually any type of financial service, including banking, securities underwriting, insurance (both agency and underwriting) and merchant banking. In order to engage in these new financial activities, a bank holding company must qualify and register with the FRB as a "financial holding company" by demonstrating that each of its bank subsidiaries is well capitalized, well managed and has at least a satisfactory rating under the CRA. The Bancorp has no current intention to elect to become a financial holding company under Gramm-Leach.

 

Gramm-Leach established a system of functional regulation, under which the federal banking agencies regulate the banking activities of financial holding companies, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulates their securities activities and state insurance regulators regulate their insurance activities.

 

Under Gramm-Leach, federal banking regulators adopted rules limiting the ability of banks and other financial institutions to disclose nonpublic information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. The rules require disclosure of privacy policies to consumers and, in some circumstances, allow consumers to prevent disclosure of certain personal information to nonaffiliated third parties. The privacy provisions of Gramm-Leach affect how consumer information is transmitted through diversified financial services companies and conveyed to outside vendors.

 

Page 26 of 90
 

 

The Bancorp does not disclose any nonpublic information about any current or former customers to anyone except as permitted by law and subject to contractual confidentiality provisions which restrict the release and use of such information.

 

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Dodd-Frank Act established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) within the Federal Reserve, which is granted broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement powers under various federal consumer financial protection laws, including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Truth in Lending Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Act, the Consumer Financial Privacy provisions of Gramm-Leach and certain other statutes. Many of the consumer financial protection functions formerly assigned to the federal banking and other designated agencies are now performed by the CFPB. The CFPB has a large budget and staff, and has the authority to implement regulations under federal consumer protection laws and enforce those laws against, and examine, financial institutions. The CFPB has examination and primary enforcement authority with respect to depository institutions with $10 billion or more in assets. Smaller institutions are subject to rules promulgated by the CFPB but continue to be examined and supervised by the federal banking regulators for consumer compliance purposes. The CFPB has the authority to prevent unfair, deceptive or abusive practice in connection with the offering of consumer financial products. Additionally, this bureau is authorized to collect fines and provide consumer restitution in the event of violations, engage in consumer financial education, track consumer complaints, request data, and promote the availability of financial services to underserved consumers and communities.

 

Moreover, the Dodd-Frank Act authorizes the CFPB to establish certain minimum standards for the origination of residential mortgages including a determination of the borrower’s ability to repay. In addition, the CFPB has published several final regulations impacting the mortgage industry, including rules related to ability-to-pay, mortgage servicing, and mortgage loan originator compensation. The ability-to-repay rule makes lenders liable if they fail to assess ability to repay under a prescribed test, but also creates a safe harbor for so-called “qualified mortgages.” Failure to comply with the ability-to-repay rule may result in possible CFPB enforcement action and special statutory damages plus actual, class action, and attorneys’ fees damages, all of which a borrower may claim in defense of a foreclosure action at any time. The Dodd-Frank Act also permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and standards that are more stringent than those adopted at the federal level and, in certain circumstances, permits state attorneys general to enforce compliance with both the state and federal laws and regulations. Federal preemption of state consumer protection law requirements, traditionally an attribute of the federal savings association charter, has also been modified by the Dodd-Frank Act and now requires a case-by-case determination of preemption by the OCC and eliminates preemption for subsidiaries of a bank. Depending on the implementation of this revised federal preemption standard, the operations of the Bank could become subject to additional compliance burdens in the states in which it operates. There continues to be significant uncertainty as to how the CFPB’s regulatory, supervisory, examination, and enforcement strategies and priorities will impact the Bancorp’s business.

 

Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending. Title XIV of the Dodd-Frank Act, the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act, includes a series of amendments to the Truth In Lending Act with respect to mortgage loan origination standards affecting, among other things, originator compensation, minimum repayment standards and pre-payments. With respect to mortgage loan originator compensation, except in limited circumstances, an originator is prohibited from receiving compensation that varies based on the terms of the loan (other than the principal amount). The amendments to the Truth In Lending Act also prohibit a creditor from making a residential mortgage loan unless it determines, based on verified and documented information of the consumer’s financial resources, that the consumer has a reasonable ability to repay the loan. The amendments also prohibit certain pre-payment penalties and require creditors offering a consumer a mortgage loan with a pre-payment penalty to offer the consumer the option of a mortgage loan without such a penalty. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act expands the definition of a “high-cost mortgage” under the Truth In Lending Act, and imposes new requirements on high-cost mortgages and new disclosure, reporting and notice requirements for residential mortgage loans, as well as new requirements with respect to escrows and appraisal practices.

 

Page 27 of 90
 

 

Interchange Fees for Debit Cards. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, interchange fees for debit card transactions must be reasonable and proportional to the issuer’s incremental cost incurred with respect to the transaction plus certain fraud related costs. Although institutions with total assets of less than $10 billion are exempt from this requirement, competitive pressures are likely to require smaller depository institutions to reduce fees with respect to these debit card transactions. The Federal Reserve issued final implementing regulations on these statutory requirements in 2011, which were then challenged by certain retailers and merchant associations in a federal lawsuit. In July 2013, the court issued its ruling in that case, finding for the retailers and holding that the Federal Reserve did not appropriately implement the statutory requirements. In particular, the court ruled that the Federal Reserve included impermissible costs in the cap on interchange fees (i.e., set the cap too high), and did not sufficiently implement the statute’s prohibition against issuers and payment card networks restricting merchant electronic debit transaction routing options to a single network or multiple affiliated networks. The Federal Reserve appealed the decision and, in March 2014 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed the District Court and upheld both the interchange fee cap and the network exclusivity prohibition as promulgated by the Federal Reserve. In January 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case, leaving the Court of Appeals’ ruling in place. As a result, the Federal Reserve’s regulations on interchange fees will continue in effect.

 

Federal Securities Law. The shares of Common Stock of the Bancorp have been registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act (the “1934 Act”). The Bancorp is subject to the information, proxy solicitation, insider trading restrictions and other requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules of the SEC there under. If the Bancorp has fewer than 300 shareholders, it may deregister its shares under the 1934 Act and cease to be subject to the foregoing requirements.

 

Shares of Common Stock held by persons who are affiliates of the Bancorp may not be resold without registration unless sold in accordance with the resale restrictions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. If the Bancorp meets the current public information requirements under Rule 144, each affiliate of the Bancorp who complies with the other conditions of Rule 144 (including those that require the affiliate’s sale to be aggregated with those of certain other persons) would be able to sell in the public market, without registration, a number of shares not to exceed, in any three-month period, the greater of (i) 1% of the outstanding shares of the Bancorp or (ii) the average weekly volume of trading in such shares during the preceding four calendar weeks.

 

Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Bancorp is required to provide its shareholders an opportunity to vote on the executive compensation payable to its named executive officers and on golden parachute payments in connection with mergers and acquisitions. These votes are non-binding and advisory. At least once every six years, the Bancorp must also permit shareholders to determine on an advisory basis whether such votes should be held every one, two, or three years.

 

Other Future Legislation and Change in Regulations. Various other legislation, including proposals to expand or contract the powers of banking institutions and bank holding companies, is from time to time introduced. This legislation may change banking statutes and the operating environment of the Bancorp and the Bank in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions and other financial institutions. The Bancorp cannot accurately predict whether any of this potential legislation will ultimately be enacted, and, if enacted, the ultimate effect that it, or implementing regulations, would have upon the financial condition or results of operations of the Bancorp or the Bank.

 

Federal Taxation

 

For federal income tax purposes, the Bank reports its income and expenses on the accrual method of accounting. The Bancorp and the Bank file a consolidated federal income tax return for each fiscal year ending December 31. In the last five years, the Bank’s federal income returns have not been subject to any examination by a taxing authority.

 

State Taxation

 

The Bank is subject to Indiana’s Financial Institutions Tax (“FIT”), which is imposed at a flat rate of 7.5% on “adjusted gross income” for the taxable year beginning January 1, 2015. This rate is scheduled to decrease over the succeeding years as follows: to 7.0% for the taxable year beginning January 1, 2016, to 6.5% for 2017 and 2018, to 6.25% for 2019, to 6.0% for 2020, to 5.5% for 2021, to 5.0% for 2022, and to 4.9% for 2023 and thereafter. “Adjusted gross income,” for purposes of FIT, begins with taxable income as defined by Section 63 of the Code and, thus, incorporates federal tax law to the extent that it affects the computation of taxable income. Federal taxable income is then adjusted by several Indiana modifications. Other applicable state taxes include generally applicable sales and use taxes plus real and personal property taxes.

 

Page 28 of 90
 

 

During 2010, the Bank’s state income tax returns were subject to an examination by the Indiana Department of Revenue for the years 2007, 2008, and 2009. No improper tax positions were identified during examination. In the last five years, the Bank’s state income returns have not been subject to any other examination by a taxing authority.

 

Accounting for Income Taxes

 

At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp’s consolidated total deferred tax assets were $4.1 million and the consolidated total deferred tax liabilities were $2.8 million, resulting in a consolidated net deferred tax asset of $1.4 million, net of a $257,000 valuation allowance. The valuation allowance of $257,000 was provided for the state net operating loss and state tax credit, as management does not believe these amounts will be fully utilized before statutory expiration.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

Not applicable.

 

Page 29 of 90
 

 

Item 2. Properties

 

The Bancorp maintains its corporate office at 9204 Columbia Avenue, Munster, Indiana, from which it oversees the operation of the Bank’s twelve banking locations. The Bancorp owns all of its office properties.

 

The following table sets forth additional information with respect to the Bank’s offices as of December 31, 2014. Net book value and total investment figures are for land, buildings, furniture and fixtures.

 

Office location  Year
facility
opened
   Net book
value
   Approximate
square
footage
   Total cost 
9204 Columbia Avenue
Munster, IN 46321-3517
   1985   $629,686    11,640   $3,262,993 
141 W. Lincoln Highway
Schererville, IN 46375-1851
   1990    654,551    9,444    2,191,476 
7120 Indianapolis Blvd.
Hammond, IN 46324-2221
   1979    108,718    2,600    952,073 
1300 Sheffield
Dyer, IN 46311-1548
   1976    123,228    2,100    897,398 
7915 Taft
Merrillville, IN 46410-5242
   1968    54,060    2,750    809,409 
8600 Broadway
Merrillville, IN 46410-7034
   1996    1,045,601    4,400    2,463,817 
4901 Indianapolis Blvd.
East Chicago, IN 46312-3604
   1995    705,612    4,300    1,668,103 
1501 Lake Park Avenue
Hobart, IN 46342-6637
   2000    1,618,178    6,992    2,944,860 
9204 Columbia Avenue
Corporate Center Building
Munster, IN 46321-3517
   2003    5,170,506    36,685    12,479,877 
855 Stillwater Parkway
Crown Point, IN 46307-5361
   2007    1,686,229    3,945    2,452,128 
1801 W. 25th Avenue
Gary, IN 46404-3546
   2008    1,441,695    2,700    1,928,668 
2905 Calumet Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383-2645
   2009    1,876,132    2,790    2,305,582 
9903 Wicker Avenue
Saint John, IN 46373-9402
   2010    1,504,319    2,980    2,161,400 
130 Rimbach Street
Hammond, IN 46320-1710
   2014    942,439    5,230    1,137,758 
9030 Cline Avenue
Highland, IN 46322-2204
   2014    163,378    3,660    317,779 

 

The Bank outsources its core processing activities to Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., or FIS Corporation located in Jacksonville, Florida. FIS provides real time services for loans, deposits, retail delivery systems, card solutions and electronic banking. Additionally, the Bank utilizes Accutech in Muncie, Indiana for its Wealth Management operations.

 

The net book value of the Bank’s property, premises and equipment totaled $17.7 million at December 31, 2014.

 

Page 30 of 90
 

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

Not applicable

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable

 

Item 4.5 Executive Officers of the Bancorp

 

Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the following information is included as an unnumbered item in this Part I in lieu of being included in the Bancorp’s Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:

 

The executive officers of the Bancorp are as follows:

 

Executive Officer  

Age at

December 31, 2014

  Position
David A. Bochnowski   69   Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
Benjamin J. Bochnowski     34   President, Chief Operating Officer
John J. Diederich   62   Executive Vice President
Robert T. Lowry             53   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Leane E. Cerven             56   Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary

 

The following is a description of the principal occupation and employment of the executive officers of the Bancorp during at least the past five years:

 

David A. Bochnowski is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, of the Bancorp and the Bank, and is accountable to the Board of Directors, customers, shareholders, employees and stakeholders for the operation of the company. He has been the Chief Executive Officer since 1981 and became the Chairman in 1995. He has been a director since 1977 and was the Bank’s legal counsel from 1977 to 1981. Mr. Bochnowski is a past Chairman of America’s Community Bankers (ACB), now known as the new American Bankers Association (ABA) a national bank trade association. He is a member of the Security and Exchange Commission’s Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies. He is a trustee and treasurer of the Munster Community Hospital, a director of the Community Healthcare System, a former chairman of the Legacy Foundation of Lake County, a Director of One Region, and a trustee and Vice Chairman of Calumet College. He is a former Chairman of the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions; former Chairman of the Indiana League of Savings Institutions, now known as the Indiana Bankers Association; former director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis; and, a former member of the Federal Reserve Thrift Institutions Advisory Committee. Before joining the Bank, Mr. Bochnowski was an attorney, self-employed in private practice. He holds an undergraduate Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctorate degrees from Georgetown University and a Master’s Degree from Howard University. He served as an officer in the United States Army and is a Vietnam veteran. Mr. Bochnowski is the father of Benjamin Bochnowski, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Bancorp and Bank.

 

Benjamin J. Bochnowski has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Northwest Indiana Bancorp and Peoples Bank, SB (“Peoples”) since January 2015. Since joining Peoples in 2010, Mr. Bochnowski has had bank-wide responsibility for strategic planning and execution, and enterprise risk management. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Bochnowski held the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer; he had also held positions overseeing risk management and strategic planning. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, followed by an MBA from ESADE business school in Barcelona, Spain. He speaks Spanish, and is a graduate of the American Bankers Association’s Stonier Graduate School of Banking with a Leadership Certificate from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Bochnowski volunteers with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program for low-income individuals. He is a Board Member at the Legacy Foundation, the Dunes National Park Association, and is a mentor for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans at Purdue University. Mr. Bochnowski is the son of David A. Bochnowski, the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of the Bancorp and the Bank.

 

Page 31 of 90
 

 

John J. Diederich is Executive Vice President of the Bancorp and the Bank. Mr. Diederich has responsibility for coordinating the daily activities of retail banking and for the solicitation of new customers for the Bank’s commercial lending, wealth management, municipal, and retail areas. Prior to joining the Bank in 2009, Mr. Diederich spent 35 years with JP Morgan Chase where his most recent responsibilities were as Regional President in Northwest Indiana. Mr. Diederich is involved in many community service organizations including serving as past Chairman of the Board of the Northwest Indiana Forum, the Crisis Center, Inc., the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Company and the Northwest Indiana Boys and Girls Clubs. He has also been a Director of the Crown Point Community Foundation, the Valparaiso Family YMCA, and the Adult Education Alliance. Mr. Diederich is currently a trustee of the John W. Anderson Foundation, a Managing Director of the Northwest Indiana Forum, and is on the Finance Committee for the Diocese of Gary. Mr. Diederich holds a B.S. Degree in Finance from St. Joseph’s College and a B.S. Degree in Accounting from Calumet College.

 

Robert T. Lowry is Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Bancorp and the Bank. He is responsible for finance, accounting, financial reporting, and risk management activities. Mr. Lowry has been with the Bank since 1985 and has previously served as the Bank’s Assistant Controller, Internal Auditor and Controller. Mr. Lowry is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Mr. Lowry holds a Masters of Business Administration Degree from Indiana University and is a graduate of America’s Community Bankers National School of Banking. Mr. Lowry is an instructor for the American Bankers Association online banking courses. Mr. Lowry is currently serving on the board of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana as board treasurer and chairman of the finance committee. In addition, Mr. Lowry is a volunteer for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Indiana CPA Society and the Financial Managers Society. 

 

Leane E. Cerven is Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of the Bancorp and the Bank. Ms. Cerven joined the Bancorp and the Bank in May of 2010. Prior to joining the Bancorp and Bank, she practiced law for sixteen years in Chicago, first as an Associate Attorney with Mayer, Brown & Platt where she practiced primarily in the banking area, which included transactions involving the Resolution Trust Corporation/FDIC, corporate, international, bankruptcy, and litigation practice areas, and then as Vice President and Legal Counsel for Bank One where she practiced primarily in the commercial finance area, including secured and unsecured transactions, mergers and acquisitions, workouts, purchase of assets out of bankruptcy, international and multicurrency transactions, syndications, ESOP financings, and capital regulations. She is licensed to practice law in Indiana and Illinois. Ms. Cerven holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Valparaiso University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. She is a 2014 graduate of the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking and successfully completed The Wharton School Leadership Certificate. Ms. Cerven is actively involved in community service and serves on the Bioethics Committees for St. Catherine’s Hospital, East Chicago, and St. Mary’s Hospital, Hobart. She is a Master Fellow of the Indiana Bar Foundation and a member of the Women Lawyers Association, the Lake County Bar Association, the Indiana State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, and the American Bar Association.

 

Page 32 of 90
 

 

PART II

 

Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

The Bancorp’s Common Stock is traded in the over-the-counter market and quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board. The Bancorp’s stock is not actively traded. As of February 20, 2015, the Bancorp had 2,851,417 shares of common stock outstanding and 407 stockholders of record. This does not reflect the number of persons or entities who may hold their stock in nominee or “street” name through brokerage firms. Set forth below are the high and low bid prices during each quarter for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The bid prices reflect inter-dealer prices without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. Also set forth is information concerning the dividends declared by the Bancorp during the periods reported. Note 11 to the Financial Statements describes regulatory limits on the Bancorp’s ability to pay dividends.

 

          Dividends 
      Per Share Prices   Declared Per 
      High   Low   Common Share 
Year Ended December 31, 2014  1st Quarter  $27.95   $25.00   $0.22 
   2nd Quarter   26.90    24.88    0.25 
   3rd Quarter   27.10    25.75    0.25 
   4th Quarter   26.50    25.16    0.25 
                   
Year Ended December 31, 2013  1st Quarter  $25.30   $19.10   $0.19 
   2nd Quarter   25.00    22.00    0.22 
   3rd Quarter   25.00    23.00    0.22 
   4th Quarter   25.20    23.25    0.22 

 

Page 33 of 90
 

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

 

   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
Fiscal Year Ended  2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Statement of Income:                         
                          
Total interest income  $27,183   $26,157   $26,075   $26,986   $30,086 
Total interest expense   1,820    1,730    2,348    3,231    4,989 
Net interest income   25,363    24,427    23,727    23,755    25,097 
Provision for loan losses   875    450    2,350    3,510    5,570 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   24,488    23,977    21,377    20,245    19,527 
Noninterest income   6,074    5,359    7,536    6,247    5,790 
Noninterest expense   21,015    19,821    20,119    19,928    19,341 
Net noninterest expense   14,941    14,462    12,583    13,681    13,551 
Income tax expenses/(benefit)   2,153    2,397    1,941    1,179    797 
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting   -    -    -    -    - 
Net income  $7,394   $7,118   $6,853   $5,385   $5,179 
                          
Basic earnings per common share  $2.60   $2.50   $2.41   $1.90   $1.83 
Diluted earnings per common share  $2.60   $2.50   $2.41   $1.90   $1.83 
Cash dividends declared per common share  $0.97   $0.85   $0.72   $0.60   $0.72 

 

   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Balance Sheet:                         
                          
Total assets  $775,044   $693,453   $691,845   $651,758   $631,053 
Loans receivable   488,153    437,821    436,981    401,401    418,233 
Investment securities   213,600    194,296    187,475    186,962    160,452 
Deposits   633,946    572,893    566,409    526,881    520,271 
Borrowed funds   53,906    44,929    49,505    52,013    48,618 
Total stockholders' equity   76,165    66,761    67,651    62,960    56,089 

 

   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Interest Rate Spread During Period:                         
                          
Average effective yield on loans and investment securities   3.82%   4.03%   4.14%   4.50%   4.84%
Average effective cost of deposits and borrowings   0.27%   0.28%   0.39%   0.56%   0.82%
Interest rate spread   3.55%   3.75%   3.75%   3.94%   4.02%
                          
Net interest margin   3.57%   3.77%   3.77%   3.96%   4.04%
Return on average assets   0.97%   1.03%   1.02%   0.84%   0.77%
Return on average equity   10.14%   10.17%   10.27%   8.90%   9.03%

 

   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
                          
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets   14.8%   15.6%   14.6%   14.3%   12.9%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets   13.6%   14.3%   13.4%   13.1%   11.7%
Tier 1 capital leverage ratio   9.2%   10.0%   9.4%   9.2%   8.5%
                          
Allowance for loan losses to total loans   1.30%   1.64%   1.93%   1.99%   2.18%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans   114.83%   181.81%   73.34%   56.03%   37.82%
Non-performing loans to total loans   1.10%   0.90%   2.63%   3.56%   5.77%
                          
Total loan accounts   5,140    4,472    4,416    4,567    4,594 
Total deposit accounts   28,955    29,861    27,790    28,303    28,912 
Total branches (all full service)   14    12    12    12    12 

Page 34 of 90
 

 

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

General

 

The Bancorp's earnings are dependent upon the earnings of the Bank. The Bank's earnings are primarily dependent upon net interest margin. The net interest margin is the difference between interest income earned on loans and investments and interest expense paid on deposits and borrowings stated as a percentage of average interest earning assets. The net interest margin is perhaps the clearest indicator of a financial institution's ability to generate core earnings. Fees and service charges, wealth management operations income, gains and losses from the sale of assets, provisions for loan losses, income taxes and operating expenses also affect the Bancorp's profitability.

 

A summary of the Bancorp’s significant accounting policies is detailed in Note 1 to the Bancorp’s consolidated financial statements included in this report. The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect our financial condition and operating results. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates associated with the allowance for loan losses, fair values of foreclosed real estate, financial instruments and status of contingencies are particularly susceptible to material change in the near term as further information becomes available and future events occur.

 

At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp had total assets of $775.0 million and total deposits of $633.2 million. The Bancorp's deposit accounts are insured up to applicable limits by the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) that is administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), an agency of the federal government. At December 31, 2014, stockholders' equity totaled $76.2 million, with book value per share at $26.78. Net income for 2014 was $7.4 million, or $2.60 basic and diluted earnings per common share. The return on average assets was 0.97%, while the return on average stockholders’ equity was 10.14%.

 

Financial Condition

 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, total assets increased by $81.6 million (11.8%), to $775.0 million, with interest-earning assets increasing by $84.0 million (13.0%). At December 31, 2014, interest-earning assets totaled $728.7 million and represented 94.0% of total assets. Loans totaled $488.2 million and represented 67.0% of interest-earning assets, 63.0% of total assets and 77.0% of total deposits. The loan portfolio, which is the Bancorp’s largest asset, is a significant source of both interest and fee income. The Bancorp’s lending strategy emphasizes quality growth, product diversification, and competitive and profitable pricing. The loan portfolio includes $189.5 million (38.8%) in residential real estate loans, $156.0 million (32.0%) in commercial real estate loans, $58.7 million (12.0%) in commercial business loans, $31.7 million (6.5%) in multifamily loans, $25.7 million (5.3%) in construction and land development loans, $26.1 million (5.3%) in government, and $357 thousand (0.1%) in consumer loans. Adjustable rate loans comprised 57.8% of total loans at year-end. During 2014, loan balances increased by $50.3 million (11.5%), with government, residential real estate, home equity line of credit balances, commercial business, commercial real estate, construction and land development, and multifamily increasing. The increase in loans during the year is the result of the First Federal acquisition and improving credit and economic conditions.

 

The Bancorp is primarily a portfolio lender. Mortgage banking activities historically have been limited to the sale of fixed rate mortgage loans with contractual maturities greater than 15 years. During 2014, the Bancorp sold $26.2 million in newly originated fixed rate mortgage loans, compared to $13.2 million during 2013. Net gains realized from the mortgage loan sales totaled $623 thousand for 2014, compared to $379 thousand for 2013. At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp had $2.9 million in loans that were classified as held for sale.

 

The allowance for loan losses (ALL) is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses, increased by the provision for loan losses, and decreased by charge-offs net of recoveries. A loan is charged off against the allowance by management as a loss when deemed uncollectible, although collection efforts continue and future recoveries may occur. The determination of the amounts of the ALL and provisions for loan losses is based on management’s current judgments about the credit quality of the loan portfolio with consideration given to all known relevant internal and external factors that affect loan collectability as of the reporting date. The appropriateness of the current period provision and the overall adequacy of the ALL are determined through a disciplined and consistently applied quarterly process that reviews the Bancorp’s current credit risk within the loan portfolio and identifies the required allowance for loan losses given the current risk estimates.

 

Page 35 of 90
 

 

Non-performing loans include those loans that are 90 days or more past due and those loans that have been placed on non-accrual status. Non-performing loans totaled $5.5 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $4.0 million at December 31, 2013, an increase of $1.5 million or 37.5%. The ratio of non-performing loans to total loans was 1.10% at December 31, 2014, compared to 0.90% at December 31, 2013. The ratio of non-performing loans to total assets was 0.71% at December 31, 2014, compared to 0.57% at December 31, 2013. The increase in non-performing loans for 2014 is primarily the result of the addition of two commercial real estate loans with an aggregate balance of $1.6 million and the addition of certain residential real estate loans. At December 31, 2014, all non-performing loans are also accounted for on a non-accrual basis, except for ten residential real estate loans totaling $941 thousand that were classified as accruing and 90 days past due.

 

Loans, internally classified as substandard, totaled $9.5 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $12.2 million at December 31, 2013 a decrease of $2.7 million or 22.1%. The current level of substandard loans is concentrated in one accruing commercial real estate hotel loan in the amount of $4.6 million which is the largest loan in this group. Substandard loans include non-performing loans and potential problem loans, where information about possible credit issues or other conditions causes management to question the ability of such borrowers to comply with loan covenants or repayment terms. No loans were internally classified as doubtful or loss at December 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013. In addition to identifying and monitoring non-performing and other classified loans, management maintains a list of watch loans. Watch loans represent loans management is closely monitoring due to one or more factors that may cause the loan to become classified as substandard. Watch loans totaled $14.5 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $7.5 million at December 31, 2013 an increase of $7.0 million or 93.3%. The increase in watch loans is related to the downgrades of residential and commercial loans.

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that a borrower will be unable to pay all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. At December 31, 2014, impaired loans totaled $7.4 million, compared to $9.9 million at December 31, 2013 a decrease of $2.6 million or 26.3%. The December 31, 2014, impaired loan balances consist of ten commercial real estate and commercial business loans totaling $6.7 million that are secured by business assets and real estate, and are personally guaranteed by the owners of the businesses. In addition, one mortgage loan totaling $97 thousand which is also a troubled debt restructuring, along with thirteen purchased credit impaired mortgage loans totaling $588 thousand, have also been classified as impaired. The December 31, 2014 ALL contained $426 thousand million in specific allowances for collateral deficiencies, compared to $1.7 million at December 31, 2013. Typically, management does not individually classify smaller-balance homogeneous loans, such as residential mortgages or consumer loans, as impaired, unless they are troubled debt restructurings.

 

At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp classified six loans totaling $6.4 million as troubled debt restructurings, which involves modifying the terms of a loan to forego a portion of interest or principal or reducing the interest rate on the loan to a rate materially less than market rates, or materially extending the maturity date of a loan. The Bancorp’s troubled debt restructurings includes one commercial real estate hotel loan in the amount of $4.6 million, for which significant deferrals of principal repayments were granted; one commercial real estate loan in the amount of $1.1 million for which a significant deferral of principal and interest repayment was granted; one commercial real estate loan in the amount of $524 thousand for which a significant deferral of principal and interest repayment was granted by the Bank as required by a bankruptcy plan; two commercial business loans totaling $90 thousand for which a reduction in principal was granted; and one mortgage loan totaling $96 thousand, for which maturity dates were materially extended. At December 31, 2014, $4.7 million of the Bancorp’s loans classified as troubled debt restructurings are accruing loans. The valuation basis for the Bancorp’s troubled debt restructurings is based on the present value of cash flows, unless consistent cash flows are not present, then the fair value of the collateral securing the loan is the basis for valuation.

 

At December 31, 2014, management is of the opinion that there are no loans, except those discussed above, where known information about possible credit problems of borrowers causes management to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to comply with the present loan repayment terms and which will imminently result in such loans being classified as past due, non-accrual or a troubled debt restructure. Management does not presently anticipate that any of the non-performing loans or classified loans would materially impact future operations, liquidity or capital resources.

 

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For 2014, $875 thousand in provisions to the ALL were required, compared to $450 thousand for 2013 an increase of $425 thousand or 94.4%. Purchased loans from the First Federal acquisition resulted in additional provisions for the year, however, the ALL provision increase is primarily a result of increased originations and overall loan portfolio growth. For 2014, charge-offs, net of recoveries, totaled $1.7 million, compared to $1.7 million for 2013. The net loan charge-offs for 2014 were comprised of $1.4 million in commercial real estate loans, $291 thousand in residential real estate loans, and $31 thousand in consumer loans; with net loan recoveries of $2 thousand in commercial real estate participation loans and $21 thousand in commercial business loans. The ALL provisions take into consideration management’s current judgments about the credit quality of the loan portfolio, loan portfolio balances, changes in the portfolio mix and local economic conditions. In determining the provision for loan losses for the current period, management has given consideration to historically elevated risks associated with the local economy, changes in loan balances and mix, and asset quality.

 

The ALL to total loans was 1.30% at December 31, 2014, compared to 1.64% at December 31, 2013. The decrease in the ratio was partially due to the acquisition of First Federal and the subsequent addition of purchased loans at fair value. The ALL to non-performing loans (coverage ratio) was 114.83% at December 31, 2014, compared to 181.82% at December 31, 2013. The December 31, 2014 balance in the ALL account of $6.4 million is considered adequate by management after evaluation of the loan portfolio, past experience and current economic and market conditions. While management may periodically allocate portions of the allowance for specific problem loans, the whole allowance is available for any loan charge-offs that occur. The allocation of the ALL reflects performance and growth trends within the various loan categories, as well as consideration of the facts and circumstances that affect the repayment of individual loans, and loans which have been pooled as of the evaluation date, with particular attention given to non-performing loans and loans which have been classified as substandard, doubtful or loss. Management has allocated reserves to both performing and non-performing loans based on current information available.

 

At December 31, 2014, foreclosed real estate totaled $1.7 million, which was comprised of fourteen properties, compared to $1.1 million and nine properties at December 31, 2013. During 2014, loans totaling $1.5 million were transferred into foreclosed real estate, while net sales of foreclosed real estate totaled $876 thousand. Net gains from the 2014 sales totaled $35 thousand. At the end of December 2014 all of the Bancorp’s foreclosed real estate is located within its primary market area.

 

At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp's investment portfolio totaled $213.6 million and was invested as follows: 55.1% in U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations, 37.8% in municipal securities, 6.0% in U.S. government agency debt securities, and 1.1% in trust preferred securities. During 2014, securities increased by $19.9 million (9.9%). In addition, at December 31, 2014, the Bancorp had $3.7 million in FHLB stock.

 

As of December 31, 2014, three of the Bancorp’s four investments in trust preferred securities are in “payment in kind” status. Payment in kind status results in a temporary delay in the payment of interest. As a result of a delay in the collection of the interest payments, management placed these securities on non-accrual status. At December 31, 2014, the cost basis of the three trust preferred securities on non-accrual status totaled $3.8 million. One trust preferred security with a cost basis of $1.3 million remains on accrual status.

 

Deposits are a fundamental and cost-effective source of funds for lending and other investment purposes. The Bancorp offers a variety of products designed to attract and retain customers, with the primary focus on building and expanding relationships. At December 31, 2014, deposits totaled $633.2 million. During 2014, deposits increased by $60.3 million (10.5%). The 2014 change in deposits was comprised of the following: certificates of deposit increased by $28.8 million (18.5%), checking accounts increased by $17.5 million (8.9%), savings accounts increased by $5.4 million (6.4%), and money market deposit accounts (MMDA’s) increased by $9.3 million (6.8%). During 2014, management continues to allow higher cost certificates of deposit to mature while relying on funding from checking, MMDA, and savings deposits. The increase in checking, savings, and MMDA balances is a result of customer preferences for liquid investments in the current low interest rate environment.

 

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The Bancorp’s borrowed funds are primarily comprised of repurchase agreements and FHLB advances that are used to fund asset growth not supported by deposit generation. At December 31, 2014, borrowed funds totaled $53.9 million compared to $44.9 million at December 31, 2013, an increase of $9.0 million (20.0%). During 2014, management reduced borrowed funds while relying more on low cost core deposits for funding. Retail repurchase agreements totaled $17.5 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $14.0 million at December 31, 2013, an increase of $3.5 million (24.9%). FHLB advances totaled $36.4 million, increasing $5.5 million or 17.8%. The Bancorp’s FHLB line of credit carried no balance at December 31, 2014 compared to a balance of $714 thousand at December 31, 2013. Other short-term borrowings totaled $281 thousand at December 31, 2014, compared to $84 thousand at December 31, 2013.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Bancorp’s primary goals for funds and liquidity management are to generate sufficient cash to fund current loan demand, meet deposit withdrawals, and pay dividends and operating expenses. Because profit and liquidity are often conflicting objectives, management attempts to maximize the Bank’s net interest margin by making adequate, but not excessive, liquidity provisions. Furthermore, funds are managed so that future profits will not be significantly impacted as funding costs increase.

 

Changes in the liquidity position result from operating, investing and financing activities. Cash flows from operating activities are generally the cash effects of transactions and other events that enter into the determination of net income. The primary investing activities include loan originations, loan repayments, investments in interest bearing balances in financial institutions, and the purchase, sale, and maturity of investment securities. Financing activities focus almost entirely on the generation of customer deposits. In addition, the Bancorp utilizes borrowings (i.e., repurchase agreements, FHLB advances and federal funds purchased) as a source of funds.

 

During 2014, cash and cash equivalents decreased $2.2 million compared to a decrease of $14.0 million for 2013. During 2014, the primary sources of cash and cash equivalents were from maturities and sales of securities, deposit originations, loan sales and repayments, an FHLB advance, and cash from operating activities. The primary uses of cash and cash equivalents were loan originations, purchases of securities, FHLB advance repayments, and the payment of common stock dividends. During 2014, cash from operating activities totaled $9.6 million, compared to $11.1 million for 2013. The 2014 decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily a result of originations of loans for sale. Cash outflows from investing activities totaled $35.0 million during 2014, compared to outflows of $24.5 million during 2013. The changes for the current year were related to increased loan originations, purchases of securities, and proceeds from maturities and pay downs of securities available-for-sale as detailed in the notes to the financial statements. Net cash inflows from financing activities totaled $27.6 thousand in 2014, compared to net cash outflows of $600 thousand in 2013. The change during 2014 was primarily due to an increase in FHLB advances and change in deposits as detailed in the notes to the financial statements. The Bancorp paid dividends on common stock on a cash basis of $2.7 million and $2.3 million during 2014 and 2013, respectively. During 2014, the Bancorp’s Board of Directors increased dividends as earnings and capital improved.

 

Management strongly believes that safety and soundness is enhanced by maintaining a high level of capital. Stockholders' equity totaled $76.2 million at December 31, 2014, compared to $66.8 million at December 31, 2013, an increase of $9.4 million (14.1%). The increase was primarily the result of $4.7 million change in other comprehensive income for 2014 related to increases in the values of available-for-sale securities. Items decreasing stockholders' equity were $31 thousand from the purchase of treasury stock, and the Bancorp’s declaration of $2.8 million in cash dividends. Increasing stockholders' equity was net income of $7.4 million. At December 31, 2014, book value per share was $26.78 compared to $23.50 for 2013.

 

The Bancorp is subject to risk-based capital guidelines adopted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the FRB), and the Bank is subject to risk-based capital guidelines adopted by the FDIC. As applied to the Bancorp and the Bank, the FRB and FDIC capital requirements are substantially the same. These regulations divide capital into two tiers. The first tier (Tier 1) includes common equity, certain non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill and certain other intangible assets. Supplementary (Tier 2) capital includes, among other things, cumulative perpetual and long-term limited-life preferred stock, mandatory convertible securities, certain hybrid capital instruments, term subordinated debt and the allowance for loan losses, subject to certain limitations, less required deductions. Through 2014, the Bancorp and the Bank were required to maintain a total risk-based capital ratio of 8%, of which 4% must be Tier 1 capital. In addition, the FRB and FDIC regulations provided for a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital to adjusted average assets) of 3% for financial institutions that meet certain specified criteria, including that they have the highest regulatory rating and are not experiencing or anticipating significant growth. All other financial institutions were required to maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 3% plus an additional cushion of at least one to two percent. Effective January 1, 2015, these ratios have been revised. See “Recent Developments – Regulatory Capital Rules” above.

 

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The following table shows that, at December 31, 2014, the Bancorp’s capital exceeded all regulatory capital requirements. At December 31, 2014, the Bancorp’s and the Bank’s regulatory capital ratios were substantially the same. The dollar amounts are in millions.

 

           Minimum 
           Required To Be 
           Well Capitalized 
       Minimum Required   Under Prompt 
       For Capital   Corrective 
   Actual   Adequacy Purposes   Action Regulations 
(Dollars in millions)  Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
2014                        
Total capital to risk-weighted assets  $78.4    14.8%  $42.3    8.0%  $52.8    10.0%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets  $72.0    13.6%  $21.1    4.0%  $31.7    6.0%
Tier 1 capital to adjusted average assets  $72.0    9.2%  $23.5    3.0%  $39.2    5.0%

 

The Bancorp’s ability to pay dividends to its shareholders is entirely dependent upon the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Bancorp. Under Indiana law, the Bank may pay dividends from its undivided profits (generally, earnings less losses, bad debts, taxes and other operating expenses) as is considered expedient by the Bank’s Board of Directors. However, the Bank must obtain the approval of the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) for the payment of a dividend if the total of all dividends declared by the Bank during the current year, including the proposed dividend, would exceed the sum of retained net income for the year to date plus its retained net income for the previous two years. For this purpose, “retained net income,” means net income as calculated for call report purposes, less all dividends declared for the applicable period. An exemption from DFI approval would require that the Bank have been assigned a composite uniform financial institutions rating of 1 or 2 as a result of the most recent federal or state examination; the proposed dividend would not result in a Tier 1 leverage ratio below 7.5%; and that the Bank not be subject to any corrective action, supervisory order, supervisory agreement, or board approved operating agreement. The aggregate amount of dividends that may be declared by the Bank in 2014, with prior DFI approval is $9.2 million plus 2015 net profits. Moreover, the FDIC and the Federal Reserve Board may prohibit the payment of dividends if it determines that the payment of dividends would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice in light of the financial condition of the Bank. On November 21, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Bancorp declared a fourth quarter dividend of $0.25 per share. The Bancorp’s fourth quarter dividend was paid to shareholders on January 2, 2015.

 

Results of Operations –

Comparison of 2014 to 2013

 

Net income for 2014 was $7.4 million, compared to $7.1 million for 2013, an increase of $276 thousand (3.9%). The increase in net income for 2014 was the result of higher net interest income and lower income tax expense. The earnings represent a return on average assets of 0.97% for 2014 compared to 1.03% for 2013. The return on average equity was 10.14% for 2014 compared to 10.17% for 2013.

 

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Net interest income for 2014 was $25.4 million, an increase of $936 thousand (3.8%) from $24.4 million for 2013. During the year, the Bancorp’s cost of funds continued to be positively impacted by the Federal Reserve’s actions in maintaining a low short-term interest rate environment, however, the Bancorp’s yield on interest earning assets is being negatively impacted by lower long-term interest rates. The weighted-average yield on interest-earning assets was 3.82% for 2014 compared to 4.03% for 2013. The weighted-average cost of funds was 0.27% for 2014 compared to 0.28% for 2013. The impact of the 3.82% return on interest earning assets and the 0.27% cost of funds resulted in a net interest spread of 3.55% for 2014, compared to 3.75% in 2013. During 2014, total interest income increased by $1.0 million (3.9%) while total interest expense decreased by $90 thousand (5.2%). The net interest margin was 3.57% for 2014, compared to 3.77% for 2013. The Bancorp’s tax equivalent net interest margin for 2014 was 3.81% compared to 3.98% for 2013.

 

During 2014, interest income from loans increased by $341 thousand (1.6%) compared to 2013. The weighted-average yield on loans outstanding was 4.42% for 2014 compared to 4.79% for 2013. Loan balances averaged $480.4 million for 2014, an increase of $44.0 million (10.1%) from $436.4 million for 2013. During 2014, interest income from securities and other interest earning assets increased by $685 thousand (13.0%) compared to 2013. The weighted-average yield on securities and other interest earning assets was 2.58% for 2014 compared to 2.48% for 2013. Securities and other interest earning assets averaged $230.7 million for 2014, up $18.4 million (8.7%) from $212.3 million for 2013.

 

Interest expense for deposits increased by $110 thousand (9.6%) during 2014 compared to 2013. The change was due to a decrease in the weighted-average rate paid on deposits. The weighted-average rate paid on deposits for 2014 was 0.20%, unchanged compared to 2013. Total deposit balances averaged $622.8 million for 2014, an increase of $59.5 million (10.6%) from $563.3 million for 2013. Interest expense for borrowed funds decreased by $20 thousand (3.4%) during 2014 compared to 2013. The change was due to higher average balances. The weighted-average cost of borrowed funds was 0.98% for 2014 compared to 1.15% for 2013. Borrowed funds averaged $57.9 million during 2014, an increase of $6.8 million (13.3%) from $51.1 million for 2013.

 

Noninterest income for 2014 was $6.1 million, an increase of $715 million (13.3%) from $5.4 million for 2013. During 2014, fees and service charges totaled $2.7 million, an increase of $201 thousand (7.9%) from $2.5 million for 2013. The increase in fees and service charges is the result of the Bancorp’s growing depository base. Fees from Wealth Management operations totaled $1.6 million for 2014, an increase of $208 thousand (14.9%) from $1.4 million for 2013. The increase in Wealth Management income is related to growth in assets under management and market value changes. Gains from the sale of securities totaled $541 thousand for the current year, a decrease of $89 thousand (14.1 %) from $630 thousand for 2013. Current market conditions continue to provide opportunities to manage securities cash flows, while recognizing gains from the sales of securities. Gains from loan sales totaled $623 thousand for the current year, an increase of $244 thousand (64.4%), compared to $379 thousand for 2013. The increase in gains from the sale of loans is a result of increased mortgage loan origination efforts, including increased originations generated by additional mortgage loan officers. For 2014, foreclosed real estate sales gains totaled $35 thousand, an increase of $18 thousand (105.9%) from gains of $17 thousand for 2013. In 2014, $417 thousand from the increase in the cash value of bank owned life insurance was recorded, an increase of $37 thousand (9.7%) compared to $380 thousand for 2013. During 2014, other noninterest income totaled $115 thousand, an increase of $96 thousand (505.3%) from $19 thousand for 2013.

 

Noninterest expense for 2014 was $21.0 million, up $1.2 million (6.0%) from $19.8 million for 2013. During 2014, compensation and benefits totaled $11.4 million, an increase of $817 thousand (7.7%) from $10.6 million for 2013. The increase in compensation and benefits is the result of the Bancorp’s ordinary course annual adjustments to salaries as well as adding sales staff. Occupancy and equipment expense totaled $3.2 million for 2014, an increase of $118 thousand (3.8%) compared to $3.1 million for 2013. The increase in occupancy and equipment expense is the result of slightly higher building operating expenses and the addition of two banking centers from the acquisition of First Federal. Data processing expense totaled $1.1 million for 2014, an increase of $118 thousand (11.6%) from $1.0 million for 2013. Data processing expense has increased as a result of increased system utilization. Federal deposit insurance premiums totaled $466 thousand for 2014, a decrease of $37 thousand (7.4%) from $503 thousand for 2013. The decrease was the result of lower FDIC assessment rates. Marketing expense related to banking products totaled $496 thousand for the year, a decrease of $13 thousand (2.6%) from $509 thousand for 2013. Statement and check processing expense totaled $333 thousand for the year, a decrease of $23 thousand (7.4%) from $310 thousand for 2013. Professional service expense totaled $260 thousand for the year, a decrease of $28 thousand (9.7%) from $288 thousand for 2013. Other expenses related to banking operations totaled $3.7 million for 2014, an increase of $196 thousand (5.6%) from $3.5 million for 2013. The Bancorp’s efficiency ratio for 2014 was 66.85% compared to 66.55% for 2013. The higher efficiency ratio is primarily the result of higher noninterest expense. The ratio is determined by dividing total noninterest expense by the sum of net interest income and total noninterest income for the period.

 

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The Bancorp had an income tax expense for 2014 of $2.2 million compared to income tax expense of $2.4 million for 2013, a decrease to expense of $244 thousand (10.2%). The combined effective federal and state tax rates for the Bancorp were 22.6% for 2014 and 25.2% for 2013. The Bancorp’s lower current period effective tax rate is a result of higher tax preferred income.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Critical accounting policies are those accounting policies that management believes are most important to the portrayal of the Bancorp’s financial condition and that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments. The Bancorp’s most critical accounting policies are summarized below. Other accounting policies, including those related to the fair values of financial instruments and the status of contingencies, are summarized in Note 1 to the Bancorp’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Valuation of Investment Securities – The fair values of securities available for sale are determined on a recurring basis by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges or pricing models utilizing significant observable inputs such as matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique widely used in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities. Different judgments and assumptions used in pricing could result in different estimates of value. In certain cases where market data is not readily available because of lack of market activity or little public disclosure, values may be based on unobservable inputs and classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

At the end of each reporting period securities held in the investment portfolio are evaluated on an individual security level for other-than-temporary impairment in accordance with the Investments – Debt and Equity Securities Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification. Significant judgments are required in determining impairment, which include making assumptions regarding the estimated prepayments, loss assumptions and the change in interest rates.

 

We consider the following factors when determining an other-than-temporary impairment for a security: The length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than amortized cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; the underlying fundamentals of the relevant market and the outlook for such market for the near future; and an assessment of whether the Bancorp has (1) the intent to sell the debt securities or (2) more likely than not will be required to sell the debt securities before its anticipated market recovery. If either of these conditions is met, management will recognize other-than-temporary impairment. If, in management’s judgment, an other-than-temporary impairment exists, the cost basis of the security will be written down for the credit loss, and the unrealized loss will be transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss as an immediate reduction of current earnings. Management will utilize an independent valuation specialist to value securities for other-than-temporary impairment.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses – The Bancorp maintains an Allowance for Loan Losses (ALL) to absorb probable incurred credit losses that arise from the loan portfolio. The ALL is increased by the provision for loan losses, and decreased by charge-offs net of recoveries. The determination of the amounts of the ALL and provisions for loan losses is based upon management’s current judgments about the credit quality of the loan portfolio with consideration given to all known relevant internal and external factors that affect loan collectability. The methodology used to determine the current year provision and the overall adequacy of the ALL includes a disciplined and consistently applied quarterly process that combines a review of the current position with a risk assessment worksheet. Factors that are taken into consideration in the analysis include an assessment of national and local economic trends, a review of current year loan portfolio growth and changes in portfolio mix, and an assessment of trends for loan delinquencies and loan charge-off activity. Particular attention is given to non-accruing loans and accruing loans past due 90 days or more, and loans that have been classified as substandard, doubtful, or loss. Changes in the provision are directionally consistent with changes in observable data.

 

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Commercial and industrial, and commercial real estate loans that exhibit credit weaknesses and loans that have been classified as impaired are subject to an individual review. Where appropriate, ALL allocations are made to these loans based on management’s assessment of financial position, current cash flows, collateral values, financial strength of guarantors, industry trends, and economic conditions. ALL allocations for homogeneous loans, such as residential mortgage loans and consumer loans, are based on historical charge-off activity and current delinquency trends. Management has allocated general reserves to both performing and non-performing loans based on historical data and current information available.

 

Risk factors for non-performing and internally classified loans are based on an analysis of either the projected discounted cash flows or the estimated collateral liquidation value for individual loans defined as substandard or doubtful. Estimated collateral liquidation values are based on established loan underwriting standards and adjusted for current mitigating factors on a loan-by-loan basis. Aggregate substandard loan collateral deficiencies are determined for residential, commercial real estate, commercial business, and consumer loan portfolios. These deficiencies are then stated as a percentage of the total substandard balances to determine the appropriate risk factors.

 

Risk factors for performing and non-classified loans are based on a weighted average of net charge-offs for the most recent three years, which are then stated as a percentage of average loans for the same period. Historical risk factors are calculated for residential, commercial real estate, commercial business, and consumer loans. The three year weighted average historical factors are then adjusted for current subjective risks attributable to: regional and national economic factors; loan growth and changes in loan composition; organizational structure; composition of loan staff; loan concentrations; policy changes and out of market lending activity.

 

The risk factors are applied to these types of loans to determine the appropriate level for the ALL. Adjustments may be made to these allocations that reflect management’s judgment on current conditions, delinquency trends, and charge-off activity. Based on the above discussion, management believes that the ALL is currently adequate, but not excessive, given the risk inherent in the loan portfolio.

 

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices The financial statements and related data presented herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollars, without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The primary assets and liabilities of the Bancorp are monetary in nature. As a result, interest rates have a more significant impact on the Bancorp’s performance than the effects of general levels of inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or magnitude as the prices of goods and services.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Statements contained in this report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words or phrases “would be,” “will allow,” “intends to,” “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions are also intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. The Bancorp cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation, those relating to the Bancorp’s future business prospects, interest income and expense, net income, liquidity, and capital needs are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, due to, among other things, factors identified in this report.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Not applicable.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements

 

Report of Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm

 

Board of Directors

NorthWest Indiana Bancorp and Subsidiary

Munster, Indiana

  

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NorthWest Indiana Bancorp and Subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. The consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of NorthWest Indiana Bancorp and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

  /s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC
   
  Plante & Moran, PLLC

 

Chicago, Illinois

February 23, 2015

 

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Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   December 31, 
(Dollars in thousands)  2014   2013 
         
ASSETS          
           
Cash and non-interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions  $8,057   $11,758 
Interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions   5,866    7,920 
Federal funds sold   8,040    110 
           
Total cash and cash equivalents   21,963    19,788 
           
Securities available-for-sale   220,053    195,632 
Loans held-for-sale   2,913    136 
Loans receivable   488,153    437,821 
Less: allowance for loan losses   (6,361)   (7,189)
Net loans receivable   481,792    430,632 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   3,681    3,086 
Accrued interest receivable   2,727    2,480 
Premises and equipment   17,724    17,260 
Foreclosed real estate   1,745    1,084 
Cash value of bank owned life insurance   16,814    16,396 
Goodwill   1,611    - 
Other assets   4,021    6,959 
           
Total assets  $775,044   $693,453 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
           
Deposits:          
Non-interest bearing  $80,352   $73,430 
Interest bearing   553,594    499,463 
Total   633,946    572,893 
Repurchase agreements   17,525    14,031 
Borrowed funds   36,381    30,898 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   11,027    8,870 
           
Total liabilities   698,879    626,692 
           
Stockholders' Equity:          
Preferred stock, no par or stated value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding   -    - 
Common stock, no par or stated value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued: December 31, 2014 - 2,900,205   361    361 
December 31, 2013 - 2,897,202          
shares outstanding:  December 31, 2014 - 2,844,167          
December 31, 2013 - 2,841,164          
Additional paid-in capital   4,062    4,032 
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)   1,588    (3,151)
Retained earnings   70,154    65,519 
           
Total stockholders' equity   76,165    66,761 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $775,044   $693,453 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

Page 44 of 90
 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income

  

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  Year Ended December 31, 
   2014   2013 
Interest income:          
Loans receivable          
Real estate loans  $17,941   $17,772 
Commercial loans   3,272    3,101 
Consumer loans   19    18 
Total loan interest   21,232    20,891 
Securities   5,917    5,225 
Other interest earning assets   34    41 
           
Total interest income   27,183    26,157 
           
Interest expense:          
Deposits   1,253    1,143 
Repurchase agreements   67    69 
Borrowed funds   500    518 
           
Total interest expense   1,820    1,730 
           
Net interest income   25,363    24,427 
Provision for loan losses   875    450 
           
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   24,488    23,977 
           
Noninterest income:          
Fees and service charges   2,738    2,537 
Wealth management operations   1,605    1,397 
Gain on sale of securities, net   541    630 
Increase in cash value of bank owned life insurance   418    380 
Gain on sale of loans held-for-sale, net   623    379 
Gain on sale of foreclosed real estate   35    17 
Other   114    19 
           
Total noninterest income   6,074    5,359 
           
Noninterest expense:          
Compensation and benefits   11,416    10,599 
Occupancy and equipment   3,238    3,120 
Data processing   1,139    1,021 
Marketing   496    509 
Federal deposit insurance premiums   466    503 
Statement and check processing   333    310 
Professional services   260    288 
Other   3,667    3,471 
           
Total noninterest expense   21,015    19,821 
           
Income before income tax expenses   9,547    9,515 
Income tax expenses   2,153    2,397 
           
Net income  $7,394   $7,118 
           
Earnings per common share:          
Basic  $2.60   $2.50 
Diluted  $2.60   $2.50 
           
Dividends declared per common share  $0.97   $0.85 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

Page 45 of 90
 

  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Year Ended December 31, 
   2014   2013 
         
Net income  $7,394   $7,118 
           
Net change in net unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale:          
Unrealized gains/(losses) arising during the period   7,752    (7,729)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income   (541)   (630)
Net securities gain during the period   7,211    (8,359)
Tax effect   (2,446)   2,866 
Net of tax amount   4,765    (5,493)
           
Net change in unrealized gain on postretirement benefit:          
Net (loss)/gain on post retirement benefit   (27)   8 
Amortization of net actuarial gain   6    (5)
Net (loss)/gain during the period   (21)   3 
Tax effect   (5)   - 
Net of tax amount   (26)   3 
Other comprehensive income(loss), net of tax   4,739    (5,490)
           
Comprehensive income, net of tax  $12,133   $1,628 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

Page 46 of 90
 

  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

 

           Accumulated         
       Additional   Other         
   Common   Paid-in   Comprehensive   Retained   Total 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  Stock   Capital   (Loss)/Income   Earnings   Equity 
                     
Balance at January 1, 2013  $361   $4,134   $2,339   $60,817   $67,651 
                          
Comprehensive income:                         
Net income   -    -    -    7,118    7,118 
Net unrealized loss on securities available-for-sale, net of reclassification and tax effects   -    -    (5,493)   -    (5,493)
Change in unrealized gain on post retirement benefit, net of reclassification and tax effects   -    -    3    -    3 
Comprehensive income                       1,628 
Stock-based compensation expense   -    40    -    -    40 
Purchase of treasury stock   -    (173)   -    -    (173)
Sale of treasury stock   -    31    -    (1)   30 
Cash dividends, $0.85 per share   -    -    -    (2,415)   (2,415)
                          
Balance at December 31, 2013  $361   $4,032   $(3,151)  $65,519   $66,761 
                          
Comprehensive income:                         
Net income   -    -    -    7,394    7,394 
Net unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale, net of reclassification and tax effects   -    -    4,765    -    4,765 
Change in unrealized gain on post retirement benefit, net of reclassification and tax effects   -    -    (26)   -    (26)
Comprehensive income                       12,133 
Stock-based compensation expense   -    61    -    -    61 
Purchase of treasury stock   -    (31)   -    -    (31)
Cash dividends, $0.97 per share   -    -    -    (2,759)   (2,759)
                          
Balance at December 31, 2014  $361   $4,062   $1,588   $70,154   $76,165 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

Page 47 of 90
 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

(Dollars in thousands)  Year ended December 31, 
   2014   2013 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net income  $7,394   $7,118 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Origination of loans for sale   (28,321)   (12,675)
Sale of loans originated for sale   26,154    13,159 
Depreciation and amortization, net of accretion   1,955    1,986 
Deferred tax expense   316    509 
Amortization of mortgage servicing rights   76    144 
Stock based compensation expense   61    40 
Gain on sale of securities, net   (541)   (630)
Gain on sale of loans held-for-sale, net   (623)   (379)
Gain on sale of foreclosed real estate   (35)   (17)
Provision for loan losses   875    450 
Net change in:          
Interest receivable   (247)   3 
Other assets   281    760 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities   2,233    590 
Total adjustments   2,184    3,940 
Net cash - operating activities   9,578    11,058 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Proceeds from maturities and pay downs of securities available-for-sale   19,144    35,026 
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale   36,244    30,144 
Purchase of securities available-for-sale   (68,777)   (81,691)
Loan participations purchased   (1,070)   (857)
Net change in loans receivable   (22,678)   (2,676)
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank Stock   (456)   - 
Proceeds from sale of Federal Home Loan Bank stock   286    - 
Purchase of premises and equipment, net   (859)   (893)
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed real estate, net   911    369 
Change in cash value of bank owned life insurance   (418)   (380)
Purchase of bank owned life insurance   -    (3,500)
Cash and cash equivalents from acquisition activity   2,630    - 
Net cash - investing activities   (35,043)   (24,458)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Change in deposits   23,367    6,484 
Proceeds from FHLB advances   47,000    11,100 
Repayment of FHLB advances   (41,000)   (14,000)
Change in other borrowed funds   977    (1,676)
Proceeds from sale of treasury stock   -    30 
Treasury stock purchased   (31)   (173)
Dividends paid   (2,673)   (2,328)
Net cash - financing activities   27,640    (563)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents   2,175    (13,963)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   19,788    33,751 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $21,963   $19,788 
           
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:          
Cash paid during the period for:          
Interest  $1,818   $1,735 
Income taxes   1,402    2,070 
Acquisition activity:          
Fair value of assets acquired, including cash and cash equivalents  $37,906   $- 
Value of goodwill and other intangible assets   1,704    - 
Fair value of liabilities assumed   39,610    - 
Noncash activities:          
Transfers from loans to foreclosed real estate  $

1,191

   $1,566 
Transfers from other assets to foreclosed real estate   340    - 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Page 48 of 90
 

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

 

NOTE 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include NorthWest Indiana Bancorp (the “Bancorp”), its wholly owned subsidiary, Peoples Bank SB (the “Bank”), and the Bank’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Peoples Service Corporation, NWIN, LLC, and NWIN Funding, Incorporated, and Columbia Development Company, LLC. The Bancorp has no other business activity other than being a holding company for the Bank. The Bancorp’s earnings are dependent upon the earnings of the Bank. Peoples Service Corporation provides insurance and annuity investments to the Bank’s wealth management customers. NWIN, LLC is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and serves as the Bank’s investment subsidiary and parent of a real estate investment trust, NWIN Funding, Inc. NWIN Funding, Inc. was formed as an Indiana Real Estate Investment Trust. The formation of NWIN Funding, Inc. provides the Bancorp with a vehicle that may be used to raise capital utilizing portfolio mortgages as collateral, without diluting stock ownership. In addition, NWIN Funding, Inc. will receive favorable state tax treatment for income generated by its operations. Columbia Development Company is a limited liability company that serves to hold certain real estate properties that are acquired through foreclosure. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates – Preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period, as well as the disclosures provided. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates associated with the allowance for loan losses, fair values of foreclosed real estate, loan servicing rights, investment securities, deferred tax assets, goodwill, and the status of contingencies are particularly susceptible to material change in the near term.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk – The Bancorp grants residential, commercial real estate, commercial business and installment loans to customers primarily in Lake County, in northwest Indiana. The Bancorp is also an active lender in Porter County, and to a lesser extent, LaPorte, Newton, and Jasper counties in Indiana, and Lake, Cook and Will counties in Illinois. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including residences, commercial real estate, business assets, and consumer assets. 

 

Cash Flow Reporting – For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Bancorp considers cash on hand, noninterest bearing deposits in other financial institutions, all interest-bearing deposits in other financial institutions with original maturities of 90 days or less, and federal funds sold to be cash and cash equivalents. The Bancorp reports net cash flows for customer loan and deposit transactions and short-term borrowings with maturities of 90 days or less. 

 

Securities – The Bancorp classifies securities into held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading categories. Held-to-maturity securities are those which management has the positive intent and the Bancorp has the ability to hold to maturity, and are reported at amortized cost. Available-for-sale securities are those the Bancorp may decide to sell if needed for liquidity, asset-liability management or other reasons. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in other comprehensive income, net of tax. The Bancorp does not have a trading portfolio. Realized gains and losses resulting from the sale of securities recorded on the trade date are computed by the specific identification method. Interest and dividend income, adjusted by amortization of premiums or discounts on a level yield method, are included in earnings. Securities are reviewed for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. 

 

The Bancorp considers the following factors when determining an other-than-temporary impairment for a security: the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than amortized cost; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; the underlying fundamentals of the relevant market and the outlook for such market for the near future; and an assessment of whether the Bancorp has (1) the intent to sell the debt security or (2) it is more likely than not that the Bancorp will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated market recovery. If either of these conditions are met, management will recognize other-than-temporary impairment. If, in management’s judgment, an other-than-temporary impairment exists, the cost basis of the security will be written down for the credit loss, and the unrealized credit loss will be transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss as an immediate reduction of current earnings.

 

Page 49 of 90
 

  

Loans Held-for-Sale – Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair market value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings.

 

Mortgage loans held-for-sale can be sold with servicing rights retained or released. The carrying value of mortgage loans sold is reduced by the amount allocated to the servicing rights. Gains and losses on sales of mortgage loans are based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold.

 

Loans and Loan Income – Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of unearned interest, net deferred loan fees and costs, and an allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments. The accrual of interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well-secured and in process of collection. Consumer loans are typically charged-off no later than when they reach 120 days past due. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on non-accrual or charged-off status at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

 

Generally, interest accrued but not received for loans placed on non-accrual status is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses – The allowance for loan losses (allowance) is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions, and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged-off.

 

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bancorp 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 the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines 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 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 for commercial and construction loans 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. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Bancorp does not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment disclosures.

 

Troubled Debt Restructures – A troubled debt restructuring of a loan is undertaken to improve the likelihood that the loan will be repaid in full under the modified terms in accordance with a reasonable repayment schedule. All modified loans are evaluated to determine whether the loan should be reported as a troubled debt restructure (TDR). A loan is a TDR when the Bancorp, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower by modifying or renewing a loan under terms that the Bancorp would not otherwise consider. To make this determination, the Bancorp must determine whether (a) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (b) the Bancorp granted the borrower a concession. This determination requires consideration of all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the modification. An overall general decline in the economy or some level of deterioration in a borrower's financial condition does not inherently mean the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties.

 

Page 50 of 90
 

 

Some of the factors considered by management when determining whether a borrower is experiencing financial difficulties are: (1) is the borrower currently in default on any of its debts, (2) has the borrower declared or is the borrower in the process of declaring bankruptcy, and (3) absent the current modification, the borrower would likely default.

  

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock – The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors, and may invest in additional amounts. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.

 

Transfers of Financial Assets – Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Bancorp, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of the right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Bancorp does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. 

 

Premises and Equipment – Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Premises and related components are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 26 to 39 years. Furniture and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 2 to 10 years.

 

Foreclosed Real Estate – Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less estimated costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

 

Long-term Assets – Premises and equipment and other long-term assets are reviewed for impairment when events indicate their carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value. 

 

Bank Owned Life Insurance – The Bancorp has purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives. In accordance with accounting for split-dollar life insurance, Bank owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.

 

Goodwill and Intangibles – The Bancorp records the assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, and the liabilities assumed in acquisitions at their fair values. These fair values often involve estimates based on third-party valuations, such as appraisals, or internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analyses or other valuation techniques that may include estimates of attrition, inflation, asset growth rates or other relevant factors. In addition, the determination of the useful lives over which an intangible asset will be amortized is subjective. Under FASB ASC 350, goodwill and indefinite-lived assets recorded must be reviewed for impairment on an annual basis, as well as on an interim basis if events or changes indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss must be recognized for any excess of carrying value over fair value of the goodwill or the indefinite-lived intangible asset. 

 

Repurchase Agreements – Substantially, all repurchase agreement liabilities represent amounts advanced by various customers that are not covered by federal deposit insurance and are secured by securities owned by the Bancorp.

 

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions – The Bancorp sponsors a defined benefit postretirement plan that provides comprehensive major medical benefits to all eligible retirees. Postretirement benefits are accrued based on the expected cost of providing postretirement benefits to employees during the years the employees have rendered service to the Bancorp. 

 

Page 51 of 90
 

 

Income Taxes Income tax expense is the total of the current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are the expected future tax amounts for the temporary differences between carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, computed using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

  

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Bancorp evaluated tax positions taken for filing with the Internal Revenue Service and all state jurisdictions in which it operates. The Bancorp believes that income tax filing positions will be sustained under examination and does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material adverse effect on the Bancorp's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Accordingly, the Bancorp has not recorded any reserves or related accruals for interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2014 and 2013. The Bancorp is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service and the appropriate state income taxing authorities from 2011 to 2013.

 

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments – Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and standby letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

  

Earnings Per Common Share – Basic earnings per common share is net income divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share includes the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options.

 

Comprehensive Income – Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale and the unrecognized gains and losses on postretirement benefits.

 

Loss Contingencies – Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe such matters currently exist that will have a material effect on the financial statements. 

 

Restrictions on Cash – Cash on hand or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank of $827 thousand and $656 thousand was required to meet regulatory reserve and clearing requirements at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These balances do not earn interest.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in a separate note. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular instruments. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.

 

Operating Segments – While the Bancorp's executive management monitors the revenue streams of the various products and services, the identifiable segments are not material and operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the Bancorp's financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.

 

Reclassification – Certain amounts appearing in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2013, may have been reclassified to conform to the December 31, 2014 presentation.

 

Trust Assets – Assets of the Bancorp’s wealth management department, other than cash on deposit at the Bancorp, are not included in these consolidated financial statements because they are not assets of the Bancorp. 

 

Page 52 of 90
 

 

Acquisition Activity – On April 1, 2014, the Bank acquired First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Hammond ("First Federal"), a federal mutual savings association headquartered in Hammond, Indiana. First Federal operated two banking locations in Hammond and Highland, Indiana. The Bank acquired First Federal by merging First Federal with and into the Bank immediately following First Federal's voluntary supervisory conversion to stock form. The Bank was not required to issue or pay any shares, cash, or other consideration in the merger. The First Federal acquisition added assets with a fair value of $37.9 million, including securities with a fair value of $3.8 million, loans receivable with a fair value of $29.1 million, premises and equipment with a fair value of $967 thousand, and foreclosed real estate of $690 thousand. The First Federal acquisition also added liabilities with a fair value of $39.6 million, including core deposits with a fair value of $7.2 million and certificates of deposit with a fair value of $29.8 million. As a result of the differences in the fair value of assets and liabilities, goodwill of $1.6 million and intangible assets of $93 thousand were also added.

  

As part of the fair value of loans receivable, a net fair value discount was established for residential real estate, including home equity lines of credit, of $1.1 million that is being accreted over 55 months on a straight line basis. Approximately $318 thousand of accretion was taken into income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. It is estimated that $206 thousand of accretion will occur annually through to 2017, and accretion of $171 thousand will occur during 2018.

 

As part of the fair value of certificates of deposit, a fair value premium was established of $276 thousand that is being amortized over 17 months on a straight line basis. Approximately $150 thousand of amortization was taken as expense during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. It is estimated that $126 thousand of amortization will occur during 2015.

 

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements –

 

Update Number 2014-04 – Receivables—Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. This amendment is intended to clarify when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan should be derecognized and the real estate recognized. These amendments clarify that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either: (a) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure; or (b) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Additional disclosures are required. The amendments are effective for the Bancorp for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Management does not believe that this new accounting pronouncement will have a material impact on the Bancorp’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Update Number 2014-09 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This accounting standard update adopts a standardized approach for revenue recognition and was a joint effort with the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The new revenue recognition standard is based on a core principle of recognizing revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This update does not apply to financial instruments. The update is effective for public entities for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early implementation is not allowed for public companies. Management does not believe the adoption of this update will have a material effect on the Bancorp’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTE 2 – Securities

 

The estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities and the related gross unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:

 

   (Dollars in thousands) 
       Gross   Gross   Estimated 
   Cost   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair 
   Basis   Gains   Losses   Value 
December 31, 2014                
Money market fund  $6,453   $-   $-   $6,453 
U.S. government sponsored entities   13,000    2    (133)   12,869 
Collateralized mortgage obligations and residential mortgage-backed securities   116,088    1,870    (384)   117,574 
Municipal securities   76,989    3,749    (13)   80,725 
Collateralized debt obligations   5,141    -    (2,709)   2,432 
Total securities available-for-sale  $217,671   $5,621   $(3,239)  $220,053 

 

   (Dollars in thousands) 
       Gross   Gross   Estimated 
   Cost   Unrealized   Unrealized   Fair 
   Basis   Gains   Losses   Value 
December 31, 2013                
Money market fund  $1,336   $-   $-   $1,336 
U.S. government sponsored entities   18,997    -    (637)   18,360 
Collateralized mortgage obligations and residential mortgage-backed securities   101,056    1,181    (1,922)   100,315 
Municipal securities   73,864    1,499    (1,710)   73,653 
Collateralized debt obligations   5,208    -    (3,240)   1,968 
Total securities available-for-sale  $200,461   $2,680   $(7,509)  $195,632 

 

The estimated fair value of available-for-sale securities and carrying amount, if different, at December 31, 2014 by contractual maturity were as follows. Securities not due at a single maturity date, primarily mortgage-backed securities, are shown separately.

 

   (Dollars in thousands) 
   Available-for-sale 
   Estimated     
   Fair   Tax-Equivalent 
December 31, 2014  Value   Yield (%) 
Due in one year or less  $8,884    6.43 
Due from one to five years   17,956    2.56 
Due from five to ten years   22,135    6.11 
Due over ten years   53,504    4.65 
Collateralized mortgage obligations and residential mortgage-backed securities   117,574    2.64 
Total  $220,053    3.62 

 

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Sales of available-for-sale securities were as follows:

 

   (Dollars in thousands) 
   December 31,   December 31, 
   2014   2013 
         
Proceeds  $36,244   $30,144 
Gross gains   848    733 
Gross losses   (307)   (103)

 

The tax provisions related to these net realized gains were approximately $213 thousand for 2014 and $248 thousand for 2013.

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) balances, net of tax, related to available-for-sale securities, were as follows:

 

   (Dollars in thousands) 
   Unrealized
gain/(loss)
 
Beginning balance, December 31, 2013  $(3,209)
Current period change   4,765 
Ending balance, December 31, 2014  $1,556 

 

Securities with carrying values of approximately $34.2 million and $31.2 million were pledged as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as collateral for repurchase agreements, public funds, and for other purposes as permitted or required by law.

 

Securities with unrealized losses at December 31, 2014 and 2013 not recognized in income are as follows:

 

   (Dollars in thousands) 
   Less than 12 months   12 months or longer   Total 
   Estimated       Estimated       Estimated     
   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
   Value   Losses   Value   Losses   Value   Losses 
December 31, 2014                        
U.S. government sponsored entities  $1,496   $(4)  $10,371   $(129)  $11,867   $(133)
Collateralized mortgage obligations and residential mortgage-backed securities   8,169    (40)   14,486    (344)   22,655    (384)
Municipal securities   687    (3)   1,459    (10)   2,146    (13)
Collateralized debt obligations   -    -    2,432    (2,709)   2,432    (2,709)
Total temporarily impaired  $10,352   $(47)  $28,748   $(3,192)  $39,100   $(3,239)
Number of securities        9         29         38 

 

   (Dollars in thousands) 
   Less than 12 months   12 months or longer   Total 
   Estimated       Estimated       Estimated     
   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
   Value   Losses   Value   Losses   Value   Losses 
December 31, 2013                        
U.S. government sponsored entities  $18,360   $(637)  $-   $-   $18,360   $(637)
Collateralized mortgage obligations and residential mortgage-backed securities   62,748    (1,922)   -    -    62,748    (1,922)
Municipal securities   27,890    (1,571)   1,478    (139)   29,368    (1,710)
Collateralized debt obligations   -    -    1,968    (3,240)   1,968    (3,240)
Total temporarily impaired  $108,998   $(4,130)  $3,446   $(3,379)  $112,444   $(7,509)
Number of securities        117         8         125 

 

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Unrealized losses on securities have not been recognized into income because the securities are of high credit quality, have undisrupted cash flows, or have been independently evaluated for other-than-temporary impairment and appropriate write downs taken. Management has the intent and ability to hold the securities for the foreseeable future, and the decline in fair value is largely due to changes in interest rates and volatility in the securities markets. The fair values are expected to recover as the securities approach maturity.

 

NOTE 3 – Loans Receivable 

Year end loans are summarized below:

 

   (Dollars in thousands) 
   December 31, 2014   December 31, 2013 
Loans secured by real estate:          
Residential, including home equity  $189,743   $161,932 
Commercial real estate, construction & land development, and other dwellings   211,162    195,423 
Commercial participations purchased   2,289    1,273 
Total loans secured by real estate   403,194    358,628 
Consumer loans   358    237 
Commercial business   58,790    57,716 
Government loans   26,134    21,587 
Subtotal   488,476    438,168 
Less:          
Net deferred loan origination fees   (197)   (252)
Undisbursed loan funds   (126)   (95)
Loan receivables  $488,153   $437,821 

 

Page 56 of 90
 

 

           Commercial Real                 
           Estate,                 
           Construction &                 
           Land                 
   Residential Real       Development,   Commercial   Commercial         
   Estate, Including       and Other   Participations   Business   Government     
(Dollars in thousands)  Home Equity   Consumer Loans   Dwellings   Purchased   Loans   Loans   Total 
                             
The Bancorp's activity in the allowance for loan losses, by loan segment, is summarized below for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014: 
                                    
Allowance for loan losses:                                   
Beginning Balance  $1,444   $12   $4,789   $31   $859   $54   $7,189 
Charge-offs   (311)   (32)   (1,421)   -    -    -    (1,764)
Recoveries   20    1    17    2    21    -    61 
Provisions   725    36    260    (20)   (147)   21