10-K 1 a1231201410-k.htm 10-K 12.31.2014 10-K
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014
Commission file number 0-13203
LNB Bancorp, Inc.
(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)
Ohio
 
34-1406303
(State of Incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
457 Broadway, Lorain, Ohio
 
44052-1769
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(440) 244-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Shares,
par value $1.00 per share
Preferred Share Purchase Rights
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market
The NASDAQ Stock Market
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
None
 
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ¨        No  þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    Yes  ¨        No  þ
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  þ        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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  þ        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. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer  o
  
Accelerated filer  þ
  
Non-accelerated filer  o
  
Smaller reporting company   o
 
  
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨        No  þ
As of June 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of the registrant's Common Shares held by non-affiliates was approximately $102,906,810 based upon the closing price as reported on The NASDAQ Global Select Market. For this purpose, executive officers and directors of the registrant are considered affiliates.
The number of common shares of the registrant outstanding on March 5, 2015 was 9,654,905

Except as otherwise stated, the information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K is as of December 31, 2014.
 


TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
PART I
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
PART II
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
 
 
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
 
PART III
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
 
PART IV
Item 15.


PART I

Item 1.
Business
LNB Bancorp, Inc. (the “Corporation”) is a diversified banking services company headquartered in Lorain, Ohio. It is organized as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”). Its predecessor, The Lorain Banking Company, was a state chartered bank founded in 1905. It merged with the National Bank of Lorain in 1961, and in 1984 became a wholly-owned subsidiary of LNB Bancorp, Inc.
The Corporation engages in lending and depository services, investment services, and other traditional banking services. These services are generally offered through the Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiary, The Lorain National Bank (the “Bank”).
The primary business of the Bank is providing personal, mortgage and commercial banking products, along with investment management and trust services. The Lorain National Bank operates through 20 retail-banking locations and 28 automated teller machines (“ATM's”) in Lorain, Erie, Cuyahoga and Summit counties in the Ohio communities of Lorain, Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, LaGrange, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Olmsted Township, Vermilion, Westlake and Hudson, as well as a business development office in Cuyahoga County. The Bank also operates an office in Columbus, Ohio that specializes in originating Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to specific industries on a broad geographic basis.
Services
Commercial Lending.    The Bank's commercial lending activities consist of commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, construction and equipment loans, letters of credit, revolving lines of credit, Small Business Administration loans and government guaranteed loans. The Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary, North Coast Community Development Corporation, offers commercial loans with preferred interest rates on projects that meet the standards for the federal government's New Markets Tax Credit Program.
Residential, Installment and Personal Lending.    The Bank's residential mortgage lending activities consist of loans for the purchase of personal residences, originated for portfolio or to be sold in the secondary markets. The Bank's installment lending activities consist of traditional forms of financing for automobile and personal loans, indirect automobile loans, second mortgages, and home equity lines of credit. The Bank provides indirect lending services to new and used automobile dealerships located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia. Through this program, the Bank has generated high-quality short-term assets that have been placed in its own portfolio or sold to several investor banks.
Deposit Services.    The Bank's deposit services include traditional transaction and time deposit accounts, as well as cash management services for corporate and municipal customers. The Bank has occasionally supplemented local deposit generation with time deposits generated through a broker relationship. Deposits of the Bank are insured by the Bank Insurance Fund administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”).
Other Services.    Other bank services offered include safe deposit boxes, night depository, U.S. savings bonds, money orders, cashier's checks, ATM's, debit cards, wire transfers, electronic funds transfers, foreign drafts, foreign currency, electronic banking by phone or through the internet, lockbox and other services tailored for both individuals and businesses.
Competition and Market Information
The Corporation competes primarily with 17 other financial institutions with operations in Lorain County, Ohio, which have Lorain County-based deposits ranging in size from approximately $1.1 million to over $1.0 billion. These competitors, as well as credit unions and financial intermediaries, compete for Lorain County deposits of approximately $4.1 billion.
 The Bank's market share of total deposits in Lorain County was 21.55% in 2014 and 22.11% in 2013, and the Bank ranked number two in market share in Lorain County in 2014 and 2013.
The Corporation's Morgan Bank division operates from one location in Hudson, Ohio. The Morgan Bank division competes primarily with 9 other financial institutions for $740 million in deposits in the City of Hudson, and holds a market share of 19.75%.
The Bank has a limited presence in Cuyahoga County, competing primarily with 25 other financial institutions. Cuyahoga County deposits as of June 30, 2014 totaled $42.9 billion. The Bank's market share of deposits in Cuyahoga County was 0.06% in 2014 and 0.07% in 2013 based on the FDIC Summary of Deposits for specific market areas dated June 30, 2014.



1


Business Strategy and Recent Developments
The Bank seeks to compete with larger financial institutions by providing exceptional local service that emphasizes direct customer access to the Bank's officers and compete with smaller local banks by providing more convenient distribution channels and a wider array of products. The Bank endeavors to provide informed and courteous personal services. The Corporation's management team (“Management”) believes that the Bank is well-positioned to compete successfully in its market area. Competition among financial institutions is based largely upon interest rates offered on deposit accounts, interest rates charged on loans, the relative level of service charges, the quality and scope of the services rendered, the convenience of the banking centers and, in the case of loans to commercial borrowers, relative lending limits. Management believes that the commitment of the Bank to provide quality personal service and its local community involvement give the Bank a competitive advantage over other financial institutions operating in its markets.
Pending Merger
On December 15, 2014, the Corporation entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Northwest Bancshares, Inc. ("Northwest Bancshares"), a Maryland corporation, pursuant to which the Corporation will merge with and into Northwest Bancshares, whereupon the separate corporate existence of the Corporation will cease and Northwest Bancshares will survive (the "Merger"). In connection with the Merger, the Bank will be merged with and into Northwest Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northwest Bancshares, with Northwest Bank as the surviving bank. Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, 50% of the Corporation’s common shares will be converted into Northwest Bancshares common stock and the remaining 50% will be exchanged for cash. The Corporation’s shareholders will have the option to elect to receive either 1.461 shares of Northwest Bancshares common stock or $18.70 in cash for each Corporation common share, subject to proration to ensure that, in the aggregate, 50% of the Corporation’s common shares will be converted into Northwest Bancshares stock.
The Merger is expected to close in the third quarter of 2015. The transaction remains subject to approval by the Corporation’s shareholders and approval by federal and state regulatory authorities, as well as the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions provided in the Merger Agreement. A further description and copy of the Merger Agreement were included in the Current Report on Form 8-K previously filed by the Corporation with the Securities Exchange Commission on December 16, 2014.
Supervision and Regulation
The Corporation is subject to the supervision and examination of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”). The BHC Act requires prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board before acquiring or holding more than a 5% voting interest in any bank. It also restricts interstate banking activities.
The Bank is subject to extensive regulation, supervision and examination by applicable federal banking agencies, including the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) and the Federal Reserve Board. Because domestic deposits in the Bank are insured (up to applicable limits) and certain deposits of the Bank and debt obligations of the Bank are temporarily guaranteed (up to applicable limits) by the FDIC, the FDIC also has certain regulatory and supervisory authority over the Bank under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the “FDIA”).
Regulatory Capital Standards and Related Matters
Bank holding companies are required to comply with the Federal Reserve Board's risk-based capital guidelines. The FDIC and the OCC have adopted risk-based capital ratio guidelines to which depository institutions under their respective supervision, such as the Bank, are subject. The guidelines establish a systematic analytical framework that makes regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banking organizations. Risk-based capital ratios are determined by allocating assets and specified off-balance sheet commitments to four risk-weighted categories, with higher levels of capital being required for the categories perceived as representing greater risk. The Corporation and the Bank met all risk-based capital requirements of the Federal Reserve Board, FDIC and OCC as of December 31, 2014.
Both federal and state 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. To the extent statutory or regulatory provisions are described in this section, such descriptions are qualified in their entirety by reference to the particular statutory or regulatory provisions.
The Corporation and the Bank are subject to the Federal Reserve Act, which restricts financial transactions between banks and affiliated companies. The statute limits credit transactions between banks, affiliated companies and its executive officers and its affiliates. The statute prescribes terms and conditions for bank affiliate transactions deemed to be consistent with safe and sound banking practices, and restrict the types of collateral security permitted in connection with a bank's extension of credit to an affiliate.


2

Additionally, all transactions with an affiliate must be on terms substantially the same or at least as favorable to the institution as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with nonaffiliated parties.
Dodd-Frank Act
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) significantly changed the regulation of financial institutions and the financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Act, together with the related regulations that have been or are to be implemented, includes provisions affecting large and small financial institutions alike, including several provisions that affect how community banks, thrifts, and small bank and thrift holding companies are, and will be, regulated.
The Dodd-Frank Act, among other things, imposed enhanced capital requirements on bank holding companies; changed the base for FDIC insurance assessments to a bank's average consolidated total assets minus average tangible equity, rather than upon its deposit base, and permanently raised the standard deposit insurance limit to $250,000; and expanded the FDIC's authority to raise insurance premiums. The legislation also calls for the FDIC to raise the ratio of reserves to deposits from 1.15% to 1.35% for deposit insurance purposes by September 30, 2020 and to “offset the effect” of increased assessments on insured depository institutions with assets of less than $10 billion. The Dodd-Frank Act also limits interchange fees payable on debit card transactions, established the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection as an independent entity within the Federal Reserve, which has broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement authority over consumer financial products and services, including deposit products, residential mortgages, home equity loans and credit cards, and contains provisions on mortgage-related matters such as steering incentives, determinations as to a borrower's ability to repay and prepayment penalties. The Dodd-Frank Act also includes provisions that affect corporate governance and executive compensation at all publicly-traded companies. The law also restricts proprietary trading, places restrictions on the owning or sponsoring of hedge and private equity funds, and regulates the derivatives activities of banks and their affiliates. In addition, the law restricts the amount of trust preferred securities that may be considered Tier 1 capital. For depository institution holding companies with total assets of less than $15 billion, such as the Corporation, trust preferred securities issued before May 19, 2010 may continue to be included in Tier 1 capital, but issuances of trust preferred securities after that date will no longer be eligible for treatment as Tier 1 capital.
Because many aspects of this legislation have been implemented relatively recently, or continue to be subject to intensive agency rulemaking and subsequent public comment prior to implementation, which may occur over the next 12 months or more, it is difficult to predict at this time the ultimate effect of the Dodd-Frank Act on the Corporation.
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA)
Deposit Insurance Coverage Limits. The FDIC standard maximum depositor insurance coverage limit is $250,000.
Deposit Insurance Assessments.    Substantially all of the Bank's domestic deposits are insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC. Accordingly, the Bank is subject to deposit insurance premium assessments by the FDIC. The FDIC uses an assessment base for deposit insurance premiums from one based on domestic deposits to one based on average consolidated total assets minus average Tier 1 capital.
FICO Assessments.    Since 1997, all FDIC-insured depository institutions have been required through assessments collected by the FDIC to service the annual interest on 30-year noncallable bonds issued by the Financing Corporation (“FICO”) in the late 1980s to fund losses incurred by the former Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation. FICO assessments are separate from and in addition to deposit insurance assessments, are adjusted quarterly and, unlike deposit insurance assessments, are assessed uniformly without regard to an institution's risk category.
Conservatorship and Receivership of Institutions.    If any insured depository institution becomes insolvent and the FDIC is appointed its conservator or receiver, the FDIC may, under federal law, disaffirm or repudiate any contract to which such institution is a party, if the FDIC determines that performance of the contract would be burdensome, and that disaffirmance or repudiation of the contract would promote the orderly administration of the institution's affairs. Such disaffirmance or repudiation would result in a claim by its holder against the receivership or conservatorship. The amount paid upon such claim would depend upon, among other factors, the amount of receivership assets available for the payment of such claim and its priority relative to the priority of others. In addition, the FDIC as conservator or receiver may enforce most contracts entered into by the institution notwithstanding any provision providing for termination, default, acceleration, or exercise of rights upon or solely by reason of insolvency of the institution, appointment of a conservator or receiver for the institution, or exercise of rights or powers by a conservator or receiver for the institution. The FDIC as conservator or receiver also may transfer any asset or liability of the institution without obtaining any approval or consent of the institution's shareholders or creditors.
Depositor Preference.    The FDIA provides that, in the event of the liquidation or other resolution of an insured depository institution, the claims of its depositors (including claims by the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors) and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as receiver would be afforded a priority over other general unsecured claims against such an


3

institution. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors along with the FDIC will be placed ahead of unsecured, nondeposit creditors, including a parent holding company and subordinated creditors, in order of priority of payment.
Prompt Corrective Action.    The “prompt corrective action” provisions of the FDIA create a statutory framework that applies a system of both discretionary and mandatory supervisory actions indexed to the capital level of FDIC-insured depository institutions. These provisions impose progressively more restrictive constraints on operations, management, and capital distributions of the institution as its regulatory capital decreases, or in some cases, based on supervisory information other than the institution's capital level. This framework and the authority it confers on the federal banking agencies supplement other existing authority vested in such agencies to initiate supervisory actions to address capital deficiencies. Moreover, other provisions of law and regulation employ regulatory capital level designations the same as or similar to those established by the prompt corrective action provisions both in imposing certain restrictions and limitations and in conferring certain economic and other benefits upon institutions. These include restrictions on brokered deposits, limits on exposure to interbank liabilities, determination of risk-based FDIC deposit insurance premium assessments, and action upon regulatory applications.
Basel III
Internationally, both the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the Financial Stability Board (established in April 2009 by the Group of Twenty (“G-20”) Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to take action to strengthen regulation and supervision of the financial system with greater international consistency, cooperation and transparency) have committed to raise capital standards and liquidity buffers within the banking system (“Basel III”). In July of 2013 the respective U.S. federal banking agencies issued final rules implementing Basel III and the Dodd-Frank Act capital requirements to be fully phased in on a global basis on January 1, 2019. The regulations established a tangible common equity capital requirement, increased the minimum requirement for the current Tier 1 risk-weighted asset (“RWA”) ratio, phased out certain kinds of intangibles treated as capital and certain types of instruments and changed the risk weightings of certain assets used to determine required capital ratios. The common equity Tier 1 capital component requires capital of the highest quality - predominantly composed of retained earnings and common stock instruments. For community banks such as the Bank, a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio 4.5% became effective on January 1, 2015. The capital rules also increase the current minimum Tier 1 capital ratio from 4.0% to 6.0% beginning on January 1, 2015. In addition, institutions that seek the freedom to make capital distributions and pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers without restriction must also maintain greater than 2.5% in common equity attributable to a capital conservation buffer to be phased in from January 1, 2016 until January 1, 2019. The rules also increase the risk weights for several categories of assets, including an increase from 100% to 150% for certain acquisition, development and construction loans and more than 90-day past due exposures. The capital rules maintain the general structure of the prompt corrective action rules, but incorporate the new common equity Tier 1 capital requirement and the increased Tier 1 RWA requirement into the prompt corrective action framework.
Volcker Rule
On December 10, 2013, five financial regulatory agencies, including the Corporation’s primary federal regulators the Federal Reserve Board and the OCC, adopted final rules (the “Final Rules”) implementing the so-called Volcker Rule embodied in Section 13 of the Bank Holding Company Act, which was added by Section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Act. The Final Rules complete the process begun in October of 2011 when the agencies introduced proposed implementing rules for comment. The Final Rules prohibit banking entities from (1) engaging in short-term proprietary trading for their own accounts, and (2) having certain ownership interests in and relationships with hedge funds or private equity funds (“covered funds”). The Final Rules are intended to provide greater clarity with respect to both the extent of those primary prohibitions and of the related exemptions and exclusions. The Final Rules also require each regulated entity to establish an internal compliance program that is consistent with the extent to which it engages in activities covered by the Volcker Rule, which must include (for the largest entities) making regular reports about those activities to regulators. Community and small banks are afforded some relief under the Final Rules. If such banks are engaged only in exempted proprietary trading, such as trading in U.S. government, agency, state and municipal obligations, they are exempt entirely from compliance program requirements. Moreover, even if a community or small bank engages in proprietary trading or covered fund activities under the rule, they need only incorporate references to the Volcker Rule into their existing policies and procedures. The Final Rules became effective as of April 1, 2014, but the conformance period has been extended from its statutory end date of July 21, 2014 until July 21, 2015. Beginning June 30, 2014, banking entities with $50 billion or more in trading assets and liabilities were required to report quantitative metrics; on April 30, 2016, banking entities with at least $25 billion but less than $50 billion must report; and on December 31, 2016, banking entities with at least $10 billion but less than $25 billion must report. The Corporation continues to evaluate the Final Rules, but does not at this time expect the Final Rules to have a material impact on its operations.
USA PATRIOT Act
The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “USA PATRIOT Act”) and the federal regulations issued pursuant to it substantially broaden previously existing anti-


4

money laundering law and regulation, increase compliance, due diligence and reporting obligations for financial institutions, create new crimes and penalties, and require the federal banking agencies, in reviewing merger and other acquisition transactions, to consider the effectiveness of the parties in combating money laundering activities.
Employees
As of December 31, 2014, the Corporation employed 272 full-time equivalent employees. The Corporation is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement. Management considers its relationship with its employees to be good. Employee benefits programs are considered by the Corporation to be competitive with benefits programs provided by other financial institutions and major employers within the current market area.
Industry Segments
The Corporation and the Bank are engaged in one line of business, which is banking services. See Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for financial information regarding the Corporation's business.
Available Information
LNB Bancorp, Inc.'s internet website is www.4LNB.com. Copies of the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are made available through this website free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after submitting them to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Such materials are also accessible directly through the SEC’s website which is www.sec.gov.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “Safe Harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Terms such as “will,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “expect,” “continue,” “believe,” “anticipate” and “seek,” as well as similar comments, are forward-looking in nature. Actual results and events may differ materially from those expressed or anticipated as a result of risks and uncertainties which include but are not limited to:
•
a worsening of economic conditions or slowing of any economic recovery, which could negatively impact, among other things, business activity and consumer spending and could lead to a lack of liquidity in the credit markets;
•
changes in the interest rate environment which could reduce anticipated or actual margins;
•
increases in interest rates or weakening of economic conditions that could constrain borrowers' ability to repay outstanding loans or diminish the value of the collateral securing those loans;
•
market conditions or other events that could negatively affect the level or cost of funding, affecting the Corporation's ongoing ability to accommodate liability maturities and deposit withdrawals, meet contractual obligations, and fund asset growth, and new business transactions at a reasonable cost, in a timely manner and without adverse consequences;
•
changes in political conditions or the legislative or regulatory environment, including new or heightened legal standards and regulatory requirements, practices or expectations, which may impede profitability or affect the Corporation's financial condition (such as, for example, the Dodd-Frank Act and rules and regulations that have been or may be promulgated under the Act);
•
persisting volatility and limited credit availability in the financial markets, particularly if market conditions limit the Corporation's ability to raise funding to the extent required by banking regulators or otherwise;
•
limitations on the Corporation's ability to return capital to shareholders, including the ability to pay dividends;
•
significant increases in competitive pressure in the banking and financial services industries, particularly in the geographic or business areas in which the Corporation conducts its operations;
•
adverse effects on the Corporation's ability to engage in routine funding transactions as a result of the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions;
•
general economic conditions becoming less favorable than expected, continued disruption in the housing markets and/or asset price deterioration, which have had and may continue to have a negative effect on the valuation of certain asset categories represented on the Corporation's balance sheet;


5

•
increases in deposit insurance premiums or assessments imposed on the Corporation by the FDIC;
•
a failure of the Corporation's operating systems or infrastructure, or those of its third-party vendors, that could disrupt its business;
•
risks that are not effectively identified or mitigated by the Corporation's risk management framework; and
•
difficulty attracting and/or retaining key executives and/or relationship managers at compensation levels necessary to maintain a competitive market position; as well as the risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the Corporation's reports as filed with the SEC.
In addition, expected cost savings, synergies and other financial benefits from the proposed Merger with Northwest Bancshares might not be realized within the expected time frame and costs or difficulties relating to integration matters and completion of the Merger might be greater than expected. The Corporation may have difficulty retaining key employees during the pendency of the Merger. The requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals for the proposed Merger might not be obtained.
The Corporation undertakes no obligation to update or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors
As a competitor in the banking and financial services industries, the Corporation and its business, operations and financial condition are subject to various risks and uncertainties. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Corporation's other filings with the SEC, before making any investment decision with respect to the Corporation's securities. In particular, you should consider the discussion contained in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which contains Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The risks and uncertainties described below may not be the only ones the Corporation faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known by the Corporation or that the Corporation currently deems immaterial may also affect the Corporation's business. If any of these known or unknown risks or uncertainties actually occur or develop, the Corporation's business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects could change. Under those circumstances, the trading prices of the Corporation's securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Economic trends have adversely affected the Corporation's industry and business and may continue to do so.
Difficult economic conditions over the last several years led to dramatic declines in the housing market that resulted in decreased home prices and increased delinquencies and foreclosures which negatively impacted the credit performance of mortgage and construction loans and resulted in significant write-downs of assets by many financial institutions. In addition, the values of real estate collateral supporting many loans declined and may not recover. These general economic trends, the reduced availability of commercial credit and relatively high rates of unemployment all negatively impacted the credit performance of commercial and consumer credit and resulted in significant write-downs. Concerns over the stability of the financial markets and the economy resulted in decreased lending by financial institutions to their customers and to each other. This market uncertainty and tightening of credit has led to increased commercial and consumer deficiencies, lack of customer confidence, increased market volatility and widespread reduction in general business activity. The resulting economic pressure on consumers and businesses and the lack of confidence in the financial markets adversely affected the Corporation's business, financial condition, results of operations and share price and, while the Corporation’s business has recovered to some extent, these economic and business conditions may still adversely affect us. Also, the Corporation's ability to assess the creditworthiness of customers and to estimate the probable incurred losses in its credit exposure is made more complex by these difficult market and economic conditions. Business activity across a wide range of industries and regions has been slow to recover and local governments and many companies continue to be adversely affected by a relative lack of consumer spending and liquidity in the credit markets. Any worsening of current conditions would have an adverse effect on the Corporation, its customers and the other financial institutions in its market. As a result, the Corporation may experience increases in foreclosures, delinquencies and customer bankruptcies.
Changes in interest rates could adversely affect the Corporation's earnings and financial condition.
The Corporation's earnings and cash flows depend substantially upon its net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income earned on interest-earnings assets, such as loans and investment securities, and interest expense paid on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowed funds. Interest rates are sensitive to many factors that are beyond


6

the Corporation's control, including general economic conditions, competition and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the policies of the Federal Reserve Board. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest the Corporation receives on loans and investment securities and the amount of interest it pays on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect: (1) the Corporation's ability to originate loans and obtain deposits; (2) the fair value of the Corporation's financial assets and liabilities, including its securities portfolio; and (3) the average duration of the Corporation's interest-earning assets. This also includes the risk that interest-earning assets may be more responsive to changes in interest rates than interest-bearing liabilities, or vice versa (repricing risk), the risk that the individual interest rates or rates indices underlying various interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities may not change in the same degree over a given time period (basis risk), and the risk of changing interest rate relationships across the spectrum of interest-earning asset and interest-bearing liability maturities (yield curve risk), including a prolonged flat or inverted yield curve environment. Any substantial, unexpected, prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's financial condition and results of operations.
The Corporation's allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to cover actual future losses.
The Corporation maintains an allowance for loan losses to cover probable and incurred loan losses. Every loan the Corporation makes carries a certain risk of non-repayment, and the Corporation makes various assumptions and judgments about the collectability of its loan portfolio including the creditworthiness of its borrowers and the value of the real estate and other assets serving as collateral for the repayment of loans. Through a periodic review and consideration of the loan portfolio, Management determines the amount of the allowance for loan losses by considering general market conditions, credit quality of the loan portfolio, the collateral supporting the loans and performance of customers relative to their financial obligations with the Corporation. The amount of future losses is susceptible to changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including changes in interest rates, which may be beyond the Corporation's control, and these losses may exceed current estimates. The Corporation cannot fully predict the amount or timing of losses or whether the loss allowance will be adequate in the future. If the Corporation's assumptions prove to be incorrect, its allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover probable incurred losses in its loan portfolio, resulting in additions to the allowance. Excessive loan losses and significant additions to the Corporation's allowance for loan losses could have a material adverse impact on its financial condition and results of operations.
Federal regulators, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our allowance for loan losses and could require us to increase our allowance for loan losses by recognizing additional provisions for loan losses charged to expense, or to decrease our allowance for loan losses by recognizing loan charge-offs.  Any such additional provisions for loan losses or charge-offs, as required by these regulatory agencies, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in economic and political conditions could adversely affect the Corporation's earnings.
The Corporation's success depends, to a certain extent, upon economic and political conditions, local and national, as well as governmental monetary policies. Conditions such as inflation, recession, unemployment, changes in interest rates, money supply and other factors beyond the Corporation's control may adversely affect its asset quality, deposit levels and loan demand and, therefore, its earnings. Because the Corporation has a significant amount of real estate loans, decreases in real estate values could adversely affect the value of property used as collateral and the Corporation's ability to sell the collateral upon foreclosure. Adverse changes in the economy may also have a negative effect on the ability of the Corporation's borrowers to make timely repayments of their loans, which would have an adverse impact on the Corporation's earnings. If during a period of reduced real estate values the Corporation is required to liquidate the collateral securing a loan to satisfy the debt or to increase its allowance for loan losses, it could materially reduce the Corporation's profitability and adversely affect its financial condition. The substantial majority of the Corporation's loans are to individuals and businesses in Ohio. Consequently, significant declines in the economy in Ohio could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, future earnings are susceptible to declining credit conditions in the markets in which the Corporation operates.
Certain industries, including the financial services industry, are disproportionately affected by certain economic indicators such as unemployment and real estate asset values. Should the improvement of these economic indicators lag the improvement of the overall economy, the Corporation could be adversely affected.
Should the stabilization of the U.S. economy continue, and lead to a further general economic recovery, the improvement of certain economic indicators, such as unemployment and real estate asset values and rents, may nevertheless continue to lag behind the overall economy. These economic indicators typically affect certain industries, such as real estate and financial services, more significantly. Furthermore, financial services companies with a substantial lending business are dependent upon the ability of their borrowers to make debt service payments on loans. Should unemployment or real estate asset values fail to recover for an extended period of time, the Corporation's results of operations could be negatively affected.
Strong competition may reduce the Corporation's ability to generate loans and deposits in its market.


7

The Corporation competes in a consolidating industry. A large part of the Corporation's competition continues to be large regional companies which have the capital resources to substantially impact such things as loan and deposit pricing, delivery channels and products. This may allow those companies to offer what may be perceived in the market as better pricing, better products and better convenience relative to smaller competitors like the Corporation, which could impact the Corporation's ability to grow its assets and earnings.
The Corporation's earnings and reputation may be adversely affected if credit risk is not properly managed.
Originating and underwriting loans is critical to the success of the Corporation. This activity exposes the Corporation to credit risk, which is the risk of losing principal and interest income because the borrower cannot repay the loan in full. The Corporation depends on collateral in underwriting loans, and the value of this collateral is impacted by interest rates and economic conditions.
The Corporation's earnings may be adversely affected if Management does not understand and properly manage loan concentrations. The Corporation's commercial loan portfolio is concentrated in commercial real estate. This includes significant commercial and residential development customers. This means that the Corporation's credit risk profile is dependent upon, not only the general economic conditions in the market, but also the health of the local real estate market. Certain of these loans are not fully amortized over the loan period, but have a balloon payment due at maturity. The borrower's ability to make a balloon payment typically will depend on being able to refinance the loan or to sell the underlying collateral. This factor, combined with others, including the Corporation's geographic concentration, can lead to unexpected credit deterioration and higher provisions for loan losses.
The Corporation is subject to liquidity risk.
Market conditions or other events could negatively affect the level or cost of funding, affecting the Corporation's ongoing ability to accommodate liability maturities and deposit withdrawals, meet contractual obligations, and fund asset growth and new business transactions at a reasonable cost, in a timely manner and without adverse consequences. Although Management has implemented strategies to maintain sufficient sources of funding to accommodate planned as well as unanticipated changes in assets and liabilities under both normal and adverse conditions, any substantial, unexpected and/or prolonged change in the level or cost of liquidity could adversely affect the Corporation's business, financial condition and results of operations.
As a result of the Dodd-Frank Act and international accords, financial institutions are subject to new and increased capital and liquidity requirements. In light of these new requirements, it is possible that the Corporation could be required to increase its capital levels in the future above the levels in its current financial plans. These new requirements could have a negative impact on the Corporation's ability to lend, or grow deposit balances and on its ability to make capital distributions in the form of dividends or share repurchases. Higher capital levels could also lower the Corporation's return on equity.
Legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or significant litigation, could adversely impact the Corporation or the businesses in which it is engaged.
The financial services industry is extensively regulated. The Corporation is subject to extensive state and federal regulation, supervision and legislation that govern almost all aspects of its operations. Laws and regulations may change from time to time and are primarily intended for the protection of consumers, depositors and the deposit insurance funds, and not to benefit the Corporation's shareholders. The impact of any changes to laws and regulations or other actions by regulatory agencies may negatively impact the Corporation or its ability to increase the value of its business.
The US government has undertaken major reform of the financial services industry, including new efforts to protect consumers and investors from financial abuse. The Corporation expects to face further increased regulation of its industry as a result of current and future initiatives intended to provide economic stimulus, financial market stability and enhanced regulation of financial services companies and to enhance the liquidity and solvency of financial institutions and markets. The Corporation also expects in many cases more aggressive enforcement of regulations on both the federal and state levels. Regulatory authorities have extensive discretion in connection with their supervisory and enforcement activities, including the imposition of restrictions on the operation of an institution, the classification of assets by the institution and the adequacy of an institution's allowance for loan losses. Additionally, actions by regulatory agencies or significant litigation against the Corporation could require it to devote significant time and resources to defending its business and may lead to penalties that materially affect the Corporation and its shareholders.
In July 2013, final rules were released regarding implementation of the Basel III regulatory capital rules for U.S. banking organizations. The rules substantially increased the complexity of capital calculations and the amount of required capital to be maintained. Specifically, the rules reduced the items that count as capital, established higher capital ratios for all banks and increased risk weighting of a number of asset classes a bank holds. The potential impact of these rules includes, but is not limited to, reduced


8

lending and negative pressure on profitability and return on equity due to the higher capital requirements. The cost of implementation and ongoing compliance with these rules may also negatively impact operating costs.
The Dodd-Frank Act may adversely affect the Corporation's business, financial conditions and results of operations.
The Dodd-Frank Act, which became law in July 2010, imposes significant restrictions and an expanded framework of regulatory oversight for financial institutions, including depository institutions. Because the Dodd-Frank Act requires various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of regulations with significant discretion, the effects of the Act on the Corporation's business will depend largely on the implementation of the Act by those agencies, and many of the details of the law have been only recently implemented, or remain in the process of being implemented and the effects they will have on the Corporation are difficult to predict.
Many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act apply directly only to institutions much larger than the Corporation, and some will affect only institutions that engage in activities in which the Corporation does not engage. Among the changes to occur pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act that can be expected to have an effect on the Corporation are the following:
•
The OTS has been merged into the OCC and the authority of the other remaining bank regulatory agencies restructured;
•
An independent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been established within the Federal Reserve Board, empowered to exercise broad regulatory, supervisory and enforcement authority with respect to both new and existing consumer financial protection laws;
•
New trust preferred securities will no longer count toward Tier 1 capital;
•
The standard maximum amount of deposit insurance per customer is permanently increased to $250,000;
•
The deposit insurance assessment base calculation has been expanded to equal a depository institution's total assets minus the sum of its average tangible equity during the assessment period;
•
Corporate governance requirements applicable generally to all public companies in all industries have required or will require new compensation practices, including, but not limited to, requiring companies to “claw back” incentive compensation under certain circumstances, to provide shareholders the opportunity to cast a non-binding vote on executive compensation, to consider the independence of compensation advisors and new executive compensation disclosure requirements;
•
Establish new rules and restrictions regarding the origination of mortgages;
•
Permit the Federal Reserve to prescribe regulations regarding interchange transaction fees, and limit them to an amount reasonable and proportional to the cost incurred by the issuer for the transaction in question.
Many provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act remain subject to implementation and will require interpretation and rule making by federal regulators. The Corporation is closely monitoring all relevant sections of the Dodd-Frank Act to ensure continued compliance with laws and regulations. While the ultimate effect of the Dodd-Frank Act on the Corporation cannot be determined yet, the law is likely to result in increased compliance costs and fees paid to regulators, along with possible restrictions on the Corporation's operations.
The Corporation may be adversely impacted by weakness in the local economies it serves.
The Corporation's business activities are geographically concentrated in Northeast Ohio and, in particular, Lorain County, Ohio, where commercial activity previously deteriorated at a greater rate than in other parts of Ohio and in the national economy. The Corporation is less able than a larger institution to spread the risks of unfavorable local economic conditions across a large number of diversified economies. This has led to and may lead to further unexpected deterioration in loan quality, slower asset and deposit growth, which may adversely affect the Corporation's operating results. Moreover, the Corporation cannot give any further assurance that it will benefit from any market growth or favorable economic conditions in its primary market areas if they do occur.
Future FDIC premiums could be substantially higher and would have an unfavorable effect on earnings.
Higher levels of bank failures over the last few years have dramatically increased resolution costs of the FDIC and depleted the deposit insurance fund. In addition, the FDIC now insures deposit accounts up to $250,000 per customer (up from $100,000). These programs have placed additional stress on the deposit insurance fund. In order to maintain a strong funding position and restore reserve ratios of the deposit insurance fund, the FDIC has increased assessment rates of insured institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act also imposes additional assessments and costs with respect to deposits, requiring the FDIC to impose deposit insurance


9

assessments based on total assets rather than total deposits. These announced increases, legislative and regulatory changes and any future increases or required prepayments of FDIC insurance premiums may adversely impact the Corporation's earnings and financial condition. If there are additional bank or financial institution failures, or the cost of resolving prior failures exceeds expectations, the Corporation may be required to pay even higher FDIC premiums than the recently increased levels.
The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect the Corporation.
The Corporation's ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty or other relationships. The Corporation has exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and it routinely executes transactions with counterparties in the financial industry. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, have led to market-wide liquidity problems and could lead to losses or defaults by the Corporation or by other institutions. Many of these transactions expose the Corporation to credit risk in the event of default of the Corporation's counterparty or client. In addition, the Corporation's credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by it cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the loan or derivative exposure due the Corporation. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely affect the Corporation's results of operations.
A failure of the Corporation's operating systems or infrastructure, or those of its third-party vendors, could disrupt its business.
The Corporation's business is dependent on its ability to process and monitor large numbers of daily transactions in compliance with legal and regulatory standards and the Corporation's product specifications, which it changes to reflect its business needs. As processing demands change and the Corporation's loan portfolios grow in both volume and differing terms and conditions, developing and maintaining the Corporation's operating systems and infrastructure becomes increasingly challenging and there is no assurance that the Corporation can adequately or efficiently develop and maintain such systems. The Corporation's loan originations and conversions and the servicing, financial, accounting, data processing or other operating systems and facilities that support them may fail to operate properly or become disabled as a result of events that are beyond the Corporation's control, adversely affecting its ability to process these transactions. Any such failure could adversely affect the Corporation's ability to service its customers, result in financial loss or liability to its customers, disrupt its business, and result in regulatory action or cause reputational damage. Despite the plans and facilities the Corporation has in place, its ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by a disruption in the infrastructure that supports its businesses. This may include a disruption involving electrical, communications, internet, transportation or other services used by the Corporation or third parties with which it conducts business. Notwithstanding the Corporation's efforts to maintain business continuity, a disruptive event impacting its processing locations could adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations. The Corporation's operations rely on the secure processing, storage and transmission of personal, confidential and other information in its computer systems and networks. Although the Corporation takes protective measures, its computer systems, software and networks may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, malicious attacks and other events that could have a security impact beyond the Corporation's control. If one or more of such events occur, personal, confidential and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, the Corporation's computer systems and networks, could be jeopardized or otherwise interruptions or malfunctions in its operations could result in significant losses or reputational damage. The Corporation also routinely transmits and receives personal, confidential and proprietary information, some through third parties. The Corporation has put in place secure transmission capability, and works to ensure third parties follow similar procedures. An interception, misuse or mishandling of personal, confidential or proprietary information being sent to or received from a customer or third party could result in legal liability, regulatory action and reputational harm. In the event personal, confidential or other information is jeopardized, intercepted, misused or mishandled, the Corporation may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify its protective measures or to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures, and it may be subject to fines, penalties, litigation costs and settlements and financial losses that are either not insured against or not fully covered through any insurance maintained by it. If one or more of such events occur, the Corporation's business, financial condition or results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected.
The Corporation is subject to risk from the failure of third party vendors.
The Corporation relies on other companies to provide components of the Corporation's business infrastructure. Third party vendors provide certain components of the Corporation's business infrastructure, such as the Bank's processing and electronic banking systems, item processing and Internet connections. While the Corporation has selected these third party vendors carefully, it does not control their actions. Any problems caused by these third parties not providing the Corporation their services for any reason or their performing their services poorly, could adversely affect the Corporation's ability to deliver products and services to the Corporation's operations directly through interference with communications, including the interruption or loss of the Corporation's websites, which could adversely affect the Corporation's business, financial condition and results of operations.


10

The Corporation is subject to losses due to the errors or fraudulent behavior of employees or third parties.
The Corporation is exposed to many types of operational risk, including the risk of fraud by employees and outsiders, clerical recordkeeping errors and transactional errors. The Corporation’s business is dependent on its employees as well as third-party service providers to process a large number of increasingly complex transactions. The Corporation could be materially adversely affected if one of its employees causes a significant operational breakdown or failure, either as a result of human error or where an individual purposefully sabotages or fraudulently manipulates the Corporation’s operations or systems. When the Corporation originates loans, it relies upon information supplied by loan applicants and third parties, including the information contained in the loan application, property appraisal and title information, if applicable, and employment and income documentation provided by third parties. If any of this information is misrepresented and such misrepresentation is not detected prior to loan funding, the Corporation generally bears the risk of loss associated with the misrepresentation. Any of these occurrences could result in a diminished ability of the Corporation to operate its business, potential liability to customers, reputational damage and regulatory intervention, which could negatively impact the Corporation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The potential for fraud in the card payment industry is significant.
Issuers of prepaid and credit cards have suffered significant losses in recent years with respect to the theft of cardholder data that has been illegally exploited for personal gain. The theft of such information is regularly reported and affects not only individuals but businesses as well (albeit to a lesser degree). Many types of credit card fraud exist, including the counterfeiting of cards and “skimming.” “Skimming” is the term for a specialized type of credit card information theft whereby, typically, an employee of a merchant will copy the cardholder’s number and security code (either by handwriting the information onto a piece of paper, entering such information into a keypad or other device, or using a handheld device which “reads” and then stores the card information embedded in the magnetic strip). Once a credit card number and security code has been skimmed, the skimmer can use such information for purchases until the unauthorized use is detected either by the cardholder or the card issuer. Losses from fraud have been substantial for certain card industry participants. Although fraud has not had a material impact on the profitability of the Bank, it is possible that such activity could impact the Corporation at some time in the future.
The Corporation may have fewer resources than many of its competitors to invest in technological improvements.
The financial services industry is undergoing rapid technological changes, with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services.  The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs.  The Corporation's future success will depend, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience, as well as to create additional efficiencies in its operations.  Many of the Corporation's competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. The Corporation may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to its customers.
Changes in accounting standards could materially impact the Corporation's financial statements.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) may change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Corporation's financial statements. These changes can be difficult to predict and can materially impact how the Corporation records and reports it financial condition and results of operations.
The Corporation may not be able to attract and retain skilled people.
The Corporation's success depends, in large part, on its ability to attract and retain key people. Competition for the best people in most activities in which the Corporation is engaged can be intense, and the Corporation may not be able to retain or hire the people it wants and/or needs. In order to attract and retain qualified employees, the Corporation must compensate its employees at market levels. If the Corporation is unable to continue to attract and retain qualified employees, or do so at rates necessary to maintain its competitive position, the Corporation's performance, including its competitive position, could suffer, and, in turn, adversely affect the Corporation's business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Corporation's ability to pay dividends is subject to limitations.
Holders of the Corporation's common shares are only entitled to receive such dividends as the Board of Directors may declare out of funds legally available for such payments. Furthermore, the Corporation's common shareholders are subject to the prior dividend rights of holders of its preferred stock, to the extent any preferred stock is issued and outstanding, and any increase in the dividend is subject to Board approval and dependent upon numerous considerations relating to the capital position and needs of the corporation.
In September 2009, the Corporation reduced its quarterly dividend on its common shares to $0.01 per share. The Corporation could determine to eliminate its common shares dividend altogether. This could adversely affect the market price of the Corporation's


11

common shares. Also, the Corporation is a bank holding company and its ability to declare and pay dividends is dependent on certain federal regulatory considerations, including the guidelines of the Federal Reserve Board regarding capital adequacy and dividends.
In addition, the terms of the Corporation's outstanding trust preferred securities prohibit it from declaring or paying any dividends or distributions on its capital stock, including its common shares, if an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the applicable indenture or if the Corporation has given notice of its election to defer interest payments but the related deferral period has not yet commenced or a deferral period is continuing.
Further, the Merger Agreement between the Corporation and Northwest contains certain restrictions related to the Corporation’s ability to declare and pay dividends. See “Market Information; Equity Holders; Dividends” contained in Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.   
Additional capital may not be available to the Corporation if and when it is needed.
The Corporation and the Bank are subject to capital-based regulatory requirements. The ability of the Corporation and the Bank to meet capital requirements is dependent upon a number of factors, including results of operations, level of nonperforming assets, interest rate risk, future economic conditions, future changes in regulatory and accounting policies and capital requirements, and the ability to raise additional capital if and when it is needed. Certain circumstances, such as a reduction of capital due to losses from nonperforming assets or otherwise, could cause the Corporation or the Bank to become unable to meet applicable regulatory capital requirements, which may materially and adversely affect the Corporation's financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. In such an event, additional capital may be required to meet requirements. The Corporation's ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time which are outside its control, and on the Corporation's financial performance. Accordingly, additional capital, if needed, may not be available on terms acceptable to the Corporation. Furthermore, if any such additional capital is raised through the offering of equity securities, it may dilute the holdings of the Corporation's existing shareholders or reduce the market price of the Corporation's common shares, or both.
The Corporation's risk management framework may not effectively identify or mitigate its risks.
The Corporation's risk management framework seeks to mitigate risk and appropriately balance risk and return. The Corporation has established processes and procedures intended to identify, measure, monitor and report the types of risk to which it is subject, including credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, legal and compliance risk, and strategic risk. The Corporation seeks to monitor and control its risk exposure through a framework of policies, procedures and reporting requirements. Management of the Corporation's risks in some cases depends upon the use of analytical and/or forecasting models. If the models that the Corporation uses to mitigate these risks are inadequate, the Corporation may incur increased losses. In addition, there may be risks that exist, or that develop in the future, that the Corporation has not appropriately anticipated, identified or mitigated. If the Corporation's risk management framework does not effectively identify or mitigate its risks, it could suffer unexpected losses and could be materially adversely affected.
If the Corporation is required to write down goodwill recorded in connection with its acquisitions, the Corporation's profitability would be negatively impacted.
Applicable accounting standards require the Corporation to use the purchase method of accounting for all business combinations. Under purchase accounting, if the purchase price of an acquired company exceeds the fair value of the acquired company's net assets, the excess is carried on the acquirer's balance sheet as goodwill. At December 31, 2014, the Corporation had approximately $21.6 million of goodwill on its balance sheet. Goodwill must be evaluated for impairment at least annually. Write downs of the amount of any impairment, if necessary, are to be charged to the results of operations in the period in which the impairment occurs. There can be no assurance that future evaluations of goodwill will not result in findings of impairment and related write downs, which would have an adverse effect on the Corporation's financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to the Corporation’s Pending Merger with Northwest Bancshares, Inc.
Regulatory approvals may not be received, may take longer than expected or may impose conditions that are not presently anticipated or cannot be met.
Before the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement may be completed, various approvals must be obtained from the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC and state regulators. These governmental entities may impose conditions on the completion of the Merger or require changes to the terms of the Merger Agreement. Although Northwest Bancshares and the Corporation do not currently expect that any such conditions or changes would be imposed, there can be no assurance that they will not be, and such conditions or changes could have the effect of delaying completion of the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement or imposing additional costs on or limiting Northwest Bancshares's revenues, any of which might have a material adverse effect


12

on Northwest Bancshares following the Merger. There can be no assurance as to whether the regulatory approvals will be received, the timing of those approvals, or whether any conditions will be imposed.
The Merger Agreement may be terminated in accordance with its terms and the Merger may not be completed, which could have a negative impact on the Corporation.
The Merger Agreement with Northwest Bancshares is subject to a number of conditions which must be fulfilled in order to close. Those conditions include: approval by the Corporation’s shareholders, regulatory approvals, the continued accuracy of certain representations and warranties by both parties and the performance by both parties of certain covenants and agreements.
In addition, certain circumstances exist where the Corporation may choose to terminate the Merger Agreement, including the acceptance of a superior proposal. There can be no assurance that the conditions to closing the Merger will be fulfilled or that the Merger will be completed.
If the Merger Agreement is terminated, there may be various consequences to the Corporation, including:
•
the Corporation's business may have been adversely impacted by the failure to pursue other beneficial opportunities due to the focus of management on the Merger, without realizing any of the anticipated benefits of completing the Merger;
•
the Corporation may have incurred substantial expenses in connection with the Merger, without realizing any of the anticipated benefits of completing the Merger; and
•
the market price of the Corporation’s common stock might decline to the extent that its market price following announcement of the Merger reflects a market assumption that the Merger will be completed.
If the Merger Agreement is terminated and the Corporation's board of directors seeks another merger or business combination, under certain circumstances the Corporation may be required to pay Northwest Bancshares a $7,300,000 termination fee. The Corporation’s shareholders cannot be certain that the Corporation would be able to find a party willing to pay an equivalent or more attractive price than the price Northwest Bancshares has agreed to pay in the Merger.
Northwest Bancshares may be unable to successfully integrate the Corporation's operations and retain the Corporation's employees.
The Corporation will be merged with and into Northwest Bancshares immediately following the closing of the Merger. The difficulties of merging the operations of the Corporation with Northwest Bancshares include:
•
integrating personnel with diverse business backgrounds;
•
combining different corporate cultures; and
•
retaining key employees.
The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of Northwest Bancshares or the Corporation, and the loss of key personnel. The integration of the Corporation with Northwest Bancshares will require the experience and expertise of certain key employees of the Corporation who are expected to be retained by Northwest Bancshares. However, there can be no assurance that Northwest Bancshares will be successful in retaining these employees for the time period necessary to successfully integrate the Corporation into Northwest Bancshares. The diversion of management's attention and any delays or difficulties encountered in connection with the Merger and integration of the Corporation into Northwest Bancshares could have an adverse effect on the business and results of operation of Northwest Bancshares.
Each party is subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the proposed merger is pending, which could adversely affect each party's business and operations.
In connection with the pendency of the Merger, it is possible that some customers and other persons with whom Northwest or the Corporation has a business relationship may delay or defer certain business decisions or might seek to terminate, change, or renegotiate their relationships with Northwest or the Corporation, as in the case may be, as a result of the Merger, which could negatively affect Northwest's or the Corporation's respective revenues, earnings, and cash flows, as well as the market price of Northwest's or the Corporation's common stock, regardless of whether the Merger is completed.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Corporation is subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of its business prior to completing the Merger, which may adversely affect its ability to execute certain of its business strategies, including the


13

ability in certain cases to enter into or amend contracts, acquire or dispose of assets, incur indebtedness or incur capital expenditures. Such limitations could negatively affect the Corporation's businesses and operations prior to the completion of the Merger.
Litigation may be filed against the Corporation and its board of directors that could prevent or delay the consummation of the Merger or result in the payment of damages following completion of the Merger.
In connection with the Merger, it is possible that the Corporation's shareholders may file putative shareholder class action lawsuits against the Corporation and its board of directors. Among other remedies, the plaintiffs may seek to enjoin the Merger. The outcome of any such litigation is uncertain. If a dismissal is not granted or a settlement is not reached, such potential lawsuits could prevent or delay completion of the Merger and result in substantial costs to the Corporation, including any costs associated with indemnification. The defense or settlement of any lawsuit or claim that remains unresolved at the time the Merger is consummated may adversely affect the combined company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and market price.

Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 2.
Properties
The Corporation's corporate offices are located at 457 Broadway, Lorain, Ohio. As of December 31, 2014, the Corporation and its subsidiaries operated a total of 26 facilities, including its banking centers, loan production offices, corporate offices, and maintenance, purchasing, operations and professional development centers, which are located in Lorain, western Cuyahoga and Summit counties of Ohio, and its SBA-related loan origination office in Columbus, Ohio. Of these facilities, 13 were owned, including the corporate offices. The other 13 facilities were leased from unaffiliated third parties on varying lease terms. See Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8, “Financial Statement and Supplementary Data.”
The 26 facilities and their addresses are listed in the following table:
Main Banking Center & Corporate Offices
457 Broadway, Lorain
Vermilion
4455 East Liberty Avenue, Vermilion
Amherst
1175 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst
Lake Avenue
42935 North Ridge Road, Elyria Township
Avon
2100 Center Road, Avon
Avon Lake
32960 Walker Road, Avon Lake
Pearl Avenue
2850 Pearl Avenue, Lorain
Oberlin
49 South Main Street, Oberlin
Ely Square
124 Middle Avenue, Elyria
Oberlin Avenue
3660 Oberlin Avenue, Lorain
Olmsted Township
27095 Bagley Road, Olmsted Township
Kendal at Oberlin
600 Kendal Drive, Oberlin
The Renaissance
26376 John Road, Olmsted Township
Chestnut Commons
105 Chestnut Commons Drive, Elyria
North Ridgeville
34085 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville
Village of LaGrange
546 North Center Street, LaGrange
Westlake Village
28550 Westlake Village Drive, Westlake
Wesleyan Village
807 West Avenue, Elyria
Morgan Bank
178 West Streetsboro Street, Hudson
Cuyahoga Loan Production Office
2 Summit Park Drive, Independence
Operations Center
2130 West Park Drive, Lorain
Maintenance Center
2140 West Park Drive, Lorain
Purchasing Center
2150 West Park Drive, Lorain
Professional Development Center
521 Broadway, Lorain
Sixth Street Drive-In
200 West 6th Street, Lorain
Columbus Loan Production Office
1890 Northwest Boulevard, Columbus
The Corporation also owns and leases equipment for use in its business. The Corporate headquarters at 457 Broadway is currently 75% occupied. The Corporation considers all its facilities to be in good condition, well-maintained and more than adequate to conduct the business of banking.


14

Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
The Corporation and Bank are subject to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of Management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to any such pending actions will not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s financial position or results of operations.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.


15

PART II

Item 5.
Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information; Equity Holders; Dividends.    LNB Bancorp, Inc. common shares, par value $1.00 per share, are traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market® under the ticker symbol “LNBB”. The prices below represent the high and low sales prices reported on The NASDAQ Stock Market for each specified period. All prices reflect inter-dealer prices without markup, markdown or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
LNB Bancorp, Inc. has paid a cash dividend to shareholders each year since becoming a holding company in 1984. At present, the Corporation expects to pay cash dividends to shareholders in an amount equal to $0.03 per share if approved by the Board of Directors. Under the Merger Agreement with Northwest, the Corporation may pay a regular quarterly cash dividend of no more than $0.03 per share with payment and record dates consistent with past practice. The terms of the Corporation's outstanding trust preferred securities prohibit it from declaring or paying any dividends or distributions on its capital stock, including its common shares, if an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the applicable indenture or if the Corporation has given notice of its election to defer interest payments but the related deferral period has not yet commenced or a deferral period is continuing.
The common shares of LNB Bancorp, Inc. are usually listed in publications as “LNB Bancorp”. LNB Bancorp, Inc.’s common stock CUSIP is 502100100.
As of March 5, 2015, LNB Bancorp, Inc. had 1,631 shareholders of record and the closing price per share of the Corporation’s common shares was $17.75.
Common Stock Trading Ranges and Cash Dividends Declared
 
 
2014
 
High
 
Low
 
Cash
Dividends
Declared
Per Share
First Quarter
$
11.70

 
$
9.90

 
$
0.01

Second Quarter
12.39

 
10.74

 
0.01

Third Quarter
14.50

 
11.69

 
0.01

Fourth Quarter
18.18

 
12.90

 
0.03

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
High
 
Low
 
Cash
Dividends
Declared
Per Share
First Quarter
$
8.65

 
$
5.90

 
$
0.01

Second Quarter
9.87

 
8.02

 
0.01

Third Quarter
10.00

 
8.53

 
0.01

Fourth Quarter
10.60

 
9.07

 
0.01




16

The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total returns for LNB Bancorp, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index© and the Nasdaq Bank Index.
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among LNB Bancorp, Inc., The S&P 500 Index
And The NASDAQ Bank Index
 

*
*$100 invested on 12/31/09 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31
The graph shown above is based on the following data points:
 
 
12/09
 
12/10
 
12/11
 
12/12
 
12/13
 
12/14
LNB Bancorp, Inc. 
$100.00
 
$116.29
 
$110.87
 
$140.10
 
$239.21
 
$431.85
S&P 500 Index
100.00
 
115.06
 
117.49
 
136.30
 
180.44
 
205.14
NASDAQ Bank Index
100.00
 
115.72
 
104.50
 
122.51
 
173.89
 
182.21


17

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table summarizes common share repurchase activity for the quarter ended December 31, 2014:
 
Period
Total Number of
Shares  (or Units)
Purchased
 
Average Price Paid
Per  Share (or Unit)
 
Total Number of
Shares  (or Units)
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
 
Maximum
Number of
Shares (or Units)
that may yet be
Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs (1)
October 1, 2014 — October 31, 2014
—

 
n/a
 
—

 
129,500

November 1, 2014 — November 30, 2014
—

 
n/a
 
—

 
129,500

December 1, 2014 — December 31, 2014
—

 
n/a
 
—

 
129,500

Total
—

 
n/a
 
—

 
129,500


(1) On July 28, 2005, the Corporation announced a share repurchase program of up to 5 percent, or about 332,000, of its common shares outstanding. Repurchased shares can be used for a number of corporate purposes, including the Corporation’s stock option and employee benefit plans. The share repurchase program provides that share repurchases are to be made primarily on the open market from time-to-time until the 5 percent maximum is repurchased or the earlier termination of the repurchase program by the Board of Directors, at the discretion of management based upon market, business, legal and other factors. As of December 31, 2014, the Corporation had repurchased an aggregate of 202,500 shares under this program. No shares were repurchased under this program during 2014.



18

Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts and ratios)
Total interest income
$
42,003

 
$
41,679

 
$
45,948

 
$
49,349

 
$
51,372

Total interest expense
5,552

 
6,156

 
7,509

 
10,108

 
12,764

Net interest income
36,451

 
35,523

 
38,439

 
39,241

 
38,608

Provision for Loan Losses
3,113

 
4,375

 
7,242

 
10,353

 
10,225

Other income
9,289

 
9,616

 
10,075

 
9,987

 
10,290

Net gain on sale of assets
3,626

 
2,510

 
1,672

 
1,428

 
1,277

Gain on extinguishment of debt
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
2,210

Other expenses
36,382

 
35,187

 
34,903

 
34,144

 
35,569

Income before income taxes
9,871

 
8,087

 
8,041

 
6,159

 
6,591

Income tax expense
2,654

 
1,926

 
1,934

 
1,156

 
1,226

Net income
7,217

 
6,161

 
6,107

 
5,003

 
5,365

Preferred stock dividend and accretion
35

 
646

 
1,266

 
1,276

 
1,276

Net income available to common shareholders
$
7,182

 
$
5,515

 
$
4,841

 
$
3,727

 
$
4,089

Cash dividend declared
$
580

 
$
359

 
$
317

 
$
315

 
$
304

Per Common Share(1)


 

 

 

 

Basic earnings
$
0.74

 
$
0.61

 
$
0.61

 
$
0.47

 
$
0.55

Diluted earnings
0.74

 
0.61

 
0.61

 
0.47

 
0.55

Cash dividend declared
0.06

 
0.04

 
0.04

 
0.04

 
0.04

Book value per share
$
11.93

 
$
10.73

 
$
11.50

 
$
11.18

 
$
10.75

Financial Ratios

 

 

 

 

Return on average assets
0.59
%
 
0.51
%
 
0.51
%
 
0.43
%
 
0.46
%
Return on average common equity
6.55

 
5.62

 
5.29

 
4.47

 
4.97

Net interest margin (FTE)(2)
3.21

 
3.19

 
3.49

 
3.67

 
3.60

Efficiency ratio
72.77

 
72.88

 
68.71

 
66.69

 
70.18

Period end loans to period end deposits
89.86

 
86.30

 
88.29

 
85.07

 
83.04

Dividend payout
8.08

 
6.56

 
6.56

 
8.46

 
7.28

Average shareholders’ equity to average assets
8.94

 
9.02

 
9.65

 
9.58

 
9.32

Net charge-offs to average loans
0.35

 
0.51

 
0.77

 
1.14

 
1.62

Allowance for loan losses to period end total loans
1.87

 
1.94

 
2.00

 
2.02

 
1.99

Nonperforming loans to period end total loans
1.78

 
2.44

 
3.15

 
4.09

 
5.15

Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans
105.05

 
79.62

 
63.45

 
49.50

 
38.57

At Year End

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
24,142

 
$
52,272

 
$
30,659

 
$
40,647

 
$
48,220

Securities and interest-bearing deposits
217,572

 
216,122

 
203,763

 
226,012

 
222,073

Restricted stock
5,741

 
5,741

 
5,741

 
5,741

 
5,741

Loans held for sale
10,483

 
4,483

 
7,634

 
3,448

 
5,105

Gross loans
930,025

 
902,299

 
882,548

 
843,088

 
812,579

Allowance for loan losses
17,416

 
17,505

 
17,637

 
17,063

 
16,136

Net loans
912,609

 
884,794

 
864,911

 
826,025

 
796,443

Other assets
66,080

 
66,845

 
65,546

 
66,549

 
74,955

Total assets
1,236,627

 
1,230,257

 
1,178,254

 
1,168,422

 
1,152,537

Total deposits
1,034,925

 
1,045,589

 
999,592

 
991,080

 
978,526

Other borrowings
81,170

 
67,522

 
63,861

 
58,962

 
59,671

Other liabilities
5,193

 
5,690

 
4,657

 
5,106

 
4,876

Total liabilities
1,121,288

 
1,118,801

 
1,068,110

 
1,055,148

 
1,043,073

Total shareholders’ equity
115,339

 
111,456

 
110,144

 
113,274

 
109,464

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
1,236,627

 
$
1,230,257

 
$
1,178,254

 
$
1,168,422

 
$
1,152,537

(1)
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during each year.
(2)
Tax exempt income was converted to a fully taxable equivalent basis at a 34% statutory Federal income tax rate for years presented.



19

Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following commentary presents a discussion and analysis of the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations by its management. The review highlights the principal factors affecting earnings for 2014, 2013 and 2012 and significant changes in the balance sheet for 2014 and 2013. Financial information for the prior five years is presented where appropriate. The objective of this financial review is to enhance the reader’s understanding of the accompanying tables and charts, the consolidated financial statements, notes to the financial statements and financial statistics appearing elsewhere in the report. Where applicable, this discussion also reflects management’s insights of known events and trends that have or may reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the Corporation’s operations and financial condition.
Summary of Significant Transactions and Events
The following is a summary of transactions or events that have impacted the Corporation's results of operations or financial condition during the 2014 fiscal year:
◦
On December 15, 2014, the Corporation entered into the Merger Agreement by and between Northwest Bancshares and the Corporation. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Corporation will merge with and into Northwest Bancshares, with Northwest Bancshares as the surviving entity. The transaction is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, the Merger is expected to close in the third quarter of 2015.
◦
In the first quarter of 2014, the Corporation implemented a new relationship checking account product which offers rewards as the customer's relationship with the Bank grows. The benefits of the relationship checking include interest paid on all balances, free debit card, free online banking, unlimited check writing, and free mobile banking.
◦
On January 17, 2014, the Corporation completed the retirement of its remaining outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock. The Corporation repurchased 1,458 of such shares in a private transaction in December, 2013, and redeemed the remaining 7,689 shares of Series B Preferred Stock on January 17, 2014. As of January 17, 2014, the Corporation no longer had Series B Preferred Stock issued or outstanding.
◦
In 2014, to expand its presence, the Corporation began the construction of a new branch located in Stow, Ohio. The branch opened in January 2015. The full service branch is the Corporations 21st retail-banking location and operates under the Morgan Bank franchise.
Executive Overview (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income available to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $7,153, compared to $5,460 in 2013 and $4,758 in 2012, representing earnings per diluted common share of $0.74, $0.61 and $0.61, respectively. The increase in earnings in 2014 was largely due to lower provision for loan losses compared to prior periods and an increase on the gain on the sale of loans.
The Corporation recorded a loan loss provision of $3,113 in 2014 compared to $4,375 in 2013, and $7,242 in 2012, as asset quality has improved over the last few years. At December 31, 2014, nonperforming loans were $16,578 compared to $21,986 in 2013 and $27,796 in 2012. This is a decrease of 24.6% year over year and 40.4% from 2012. Net charge-offs were $3,202 at December 31, 2014 compared to $4,507 in 2013, and $6,668 in 2012. This represents a decrease of 29.0% from 2013 and 52.0% from 2012. The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2014 was $17,416 compared to $17,505 in 2013 and $17,637 in 2012.
Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $36,451 compared to $35,523 in 2013 and $38,439 in 2012. The Corporation continues to experience net interest margin pressure due to the historically low interest rate environment coupled with increased competition in the Corporation's markets. The net interest margin on a fully tax-equivalent (FTE) basis increased to 3.21% at December 31, 2014 compared to 3.19% in 2013 and 3.49% in 2012.
Total noninterest income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $12,915, an increase of 6.5% from $12,126 in 2013 and an increase of 9.9% from $11,747 in 2012. Deposit and other service charges and fees decreased by $465 or 6.9% year over year and were $6,323 and $6,788 for 2014 and 2013. The most prominent growth occurred in the gain on the sale of loans. Gain on the sale of loans for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $3,612 compared to $2,324 in 2013, and $1,575 in 2012. The increase is primarily due to the Corporation’s SBA loan origination initiative implemented in late 2013.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, total noninterest expense was $36,382, compared to $35,187 and $34,903 in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The year over year increase in noninterest expense was primarily attributable to a 4.1% increase in salaries and employee benefits. On December 15, 2014, LNB entered into the Merger Agreement with Northwest Bancshares.


20

In connection with the negotiation, execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Corporation incurred merger-related expenses of $757 or $567 after tax.
Total assets were $1,236,627 at December 31, 2014, an increase of $6,370 or 0.5%, as compared to $1,230,257 at December 31, 2013. The growth was primarily attributable to increases in portfolio loans. Portfolio loans increased year over year by $27,726, or 3.1%. Comparing December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2013, the portfolio loan growth occurred largely in commercial real estate, which increased by 6.0% to $425,392 from $401,591; indirect loans which increased by $9,876, or 4.8%, to $216,199, and home equity loans which increased by $2,853 or 2.3% to $125,929. Total investment securities remained flat year over year, and at December 31, 2014 were $217,572, an increase of 0.7%, from $216,122 at December 31, 2013.
At December 31, 2014, total liabilities increased 0.2% to $1,121,288 from $1,118,801 at December 31, 2013, primarily as a result of an increase in short-term borrowings. Total deposits decreased by $10,664 to $1,034,925 at December 31, 2014 compared to $1,045,589 at December 31, 2013. Demand and other noninterest-bearing accounts increased by $9,515 or 6.4% year over year to $158,476 from $148,961 and savings, money market and interest-bearing demand increased by $42,493 or 10.8% to $436,271 from $393,778. Time deposits decreased by $62,672 or 12.5% to $440,178 from $502,850. The decrease in time deposits is largely the result of less emphasis on renewing maturing certificate of deposit accounts and an increased emphasis on growing checking, money market and savings account products. Short-term borrowings increased to $10,611 at December 31, 2014 compared to $4,576 at year-end 2013, primarily due to the funding of portfolio loans at year-end.
Total shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2014 was $115,339, an increase of 3.5% from $111,456 at year-end 2013. There was no Series B Preferred Stock equity due to the retirement of the remaining shares of Series B Preferred Stock early in 2014. Common stock, par value $1 per share, remained unchanged year over year at $10,002. The Corporation improved its tangible common equity to assets ratio year over year. At December 31, 2014 the tangible common equity to assets ratio was 7.69% compared to 6.77% at December 31, 2013. The common cash dividend per share paid in the fourth quarter 2014 was $0.03 and $0.06 for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in the dividend was the result of better over financial performance of the Corporation and the opportunity to continue to build shareholder value.


21

Table 1: Condensed Consolidated Average Balance Sheets
Interest, Rate, and Rate/ Volume differentials are stated on a Fully-Tax Equivalent (FTE) Basis.
Table 1 presents the condensed consolidated average balance sheets for the three years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
 
Average
Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Govt agencies and
corporations
$
185,015

 
$
4,147

 
2.24
%
 
$
185,003

 
$
3,774

 
2.04
%
 
$
194,967

 
$
4,677

 
2.40
%
State and political subdivisions
34,637

 
1,766

 
5.10

 
32,879

 
1,705

 
5.19

 
31,859

 
1,656

 
5.20

Federal funds sold and short-term investments
11,008

 
34

 
0.31

 
15,759

 
28

 
0.18

 
11,422

 
35

 
0.31

Restricted stock
5,613

 
268

 
4.77

 
5,741

 
277

 
4.82

 
5,741

 
285

 
4.96

Commercial loans
499,092

 
21,983

 
4.40

 
490,218

 
21,900

 
4.47

 
481,875

 
23,421

 
4.86

Residential real estate loans
46,561

 
2,410

 
5.18

 
50,801

 
2,597

 
5.11

 
56,412

 
3,007

 
5.33

Home equity lines of credit
112,459

 
4,268

 
3.80

 
107,812

 
4,113

 
3.81

 
108,125

 
4,280

 
3.96

Installment loans
259,910

 
7,759

 
2.99

 
244,301

 
7,918

 
3.24

 
227,086

 
9,198

 
4.05

Total Earning Assets
$
1,154,295

 
$
42,635

 
3.69
%
 
$
1,132,514

 
$
42,312

 
3.74
%
 
$
1,117,487

 
$
46,559

 
4.17
%
Allowance for loan loss
(17,492
)
 
 
 
 
 
(17,789
)
 
 
 
 
 
(17,461
)
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
30,261

 
 
 
 
 
35,942

 
 
 
 
 
29,951

 
 
 
 
Bank owned life insurance
19,670

 
 
 
 
 
18,934

 
 
 
 
 
18,180

 
 
 
 
Other assets
46,454

 
 
 
 
 
46,627

 
 
 
 
 
47,846

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
1,233,188

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,216,228

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,196,003

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer time deposits
$
390,606

 
$
3,226

 
0.83
%
 
$
434,771

 
$
4,033

 
0.93
%
 
$
429,928

 
$
5,050

 
1.17
%
Public time deposits
78,219

 
549

 
0.70

 
67,080

 
490

 
0.73

 
65,188

 
419

 
0.64

Savings deposits
128,121

 
46

 
0.04

 
123,179

 
49

 
0.04

 
110,936

 
98

 
0.09

Money market accounts
130,123

 
256

 
0.20

 
104,758

 
175

 
0.17

 
105,951

 
201

 
0.19

Interest-bearing demand
167,007

 
82

 
0.05

 
165,846

 
91

 
0.05

 
162,431

 
176

 
0.11

Short-term borrowings
3,950

 
86

 
2.18

 
1,807

 
7

 
0.39

 
942

 
1

 
0.11

FHLB advances
46,859

 
627

 
1.34

 
46,609

 
628

 
1.35

 
47,828

 
865

 
1.81

Trust preferred securities
16,326

 
680

 
4.17

 
16,322

 
683

 
4.18

 
16,315

 
699

 
4.28

Total Interest-Bearing Liabilities
$
961,211

 
$
5,552

 
0.58
%
 
$
960,372

 
$
6,156

 
0.64
%
 
$
939,519

 
$
7,509

 
0.80
%
Noninterest-bearing deposits
156,840

 
 
 
 
 
141,639

 
 
 
 
 
137,077

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
4,905

 
 
 
 
 
4,505

 
 
 
 
 
3,984

 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ Equity
110,232

 
 
 
 
 
109,712

 
 
 
 
 
115,423

 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
$
1,233,188

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,216,228

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,196,003

 
 
 
 
Net interest Income (FTE)
 
 
$
37,083

 
3.21
%
 
 
 
$
36,156

 
3.19
%
 
 
 
$
39,050

 
3.49
%
Taxable Equivalent Adjustment
 
 
(632
)
 
(0.05
)
 
 
 
(633
)
 
(0.05
)
 
 
 
(611
)
 
(0.05
)
Net Interest Income Per Financial Statements
 
 
$
36,451

 
 
 
 
 
$
35,523

 
 
 
 
 
$
38,439

 
 
Net Yield on Earning Assets
 
 
 
 
3.16
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.14
%
 
 
 
 
 
3.44
%
Note: Interest income on tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully-taxable equivalent basis. Nonaccrual loans have been included in the average balances.



22

Results of Operations (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
2014 versus 2013 Net Interest Income Comparison
Net interest income, the Corporation’s principal source of earnings, is the difference between interest income generated by earning assets (primarily loans and investment securities) and interest paid on interest-bearing funds (namely customer deposits and borrowings). Net interest income is affected by multiple factors including: market interest rates on both earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities; the level of earning assets being funded by interest-bearing liabilities; noninterest-bearing liabilities; the mix of funding between interest-bearing liabilities, noninterest-bearing liabilities and equity and the growth in earning assets.
Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $36,451 compared to $35,523 for the year ended 2013. Total interest income was $42,003 for 2014 compared to $41,679 for 2013, an increase of $324. The increase in total interest income is primarily due to higher level of earning assets with a more favorable funding mix and higher yields on the investment portfolio. The extended period of low interest rates has generally resulted in less premium amortization which increases interest income on investment securities. Total interest expense decreased by $604 for the year ended December 31, 2014, from $6,156 for 2013 to $5,552 for 2014. Lower total interest expense is due primarily to the extended low interest rate environment and a favorable mix of lower-cost deposits. Overall, this resulted in an increase in net interest income of $928 or 2.6% for 2014.
For purposes of the discussion below, net interest income is presented on a FTE basis to provide a comparison among all types of interest earning assets. Accordingly, interest on tax-free securities and tax-exempt loans has been restated as if such interest were taxed at the statutory Federal income tax rate of 34% adjusted for the non-deductible portion of interest expense incurred to acquire the tax-free assets. Net interest income presented on a FTE basis is a non-GAAP financial measure widely used by financial services corporations. The FTE adjustment for full year December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $632, which has been included as the Corporation considers it an important metric with which to analyze and evaluate the Corporation’s results of operations.
Table 2 summarizes net interest income and the net interest margin for the three years ended December 31, 2014.
Table 2: Net Interest Income
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net interest income
$
36,451

 
$
35,523

 
$
38,439

Tax equivalent adjustments
632

 
633

 
611

Net interest income (FTE)
$
37,083

 
$
36,156

 
$
39,050

Net interest margin
3.16
%
 
3.14
%
 
3.44
%
Tax equivalent adjustments
0.05
%
 
0.05
%
 
0.05
%
Net interest margin (FTE)
3.21
%
 
3.19
%
 
3.49
%
The Corporation’s net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis was $37,083 in 2014, compared to $36,156 in 2013. This follows a decrease of $2,894, or 7.4%, between 2013 and 2012. The net interest margin (FTE), which is determined by dividing tax equivalent net interest income by average earning assets, was 3.21% in 2014, an increase of 2 basis points from 2013 of 3.19%. This follows a decrease of 30 basis points for 2013 compared to 2012.
Interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis totaled $42,635 for 2014 compared to $42,312 in 2013, an increase of $323, or 0.8%. Net interest margin pressure was primarily a result of the continued lower interest rate environment as new loans are made at low rates due to competitive pressures and a flat yield curve. Average earning assets increased $21,781, or 1.9%, to $1,154,295 in 2014 as compared to $1,132,514 in 2013. Deposits generally have had a shorter average life and have repriced more quickly than loans, as evidenced by the decrease in interest expense which ended 2014 at $5,552 compared to $6,156 in 2013. The cost of funds dropped by 6 basis points from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014.

Average loans increased $24,890, or 2.8%, to $918,022 in 2014 as compared to $893,132 in 2013. The increase in average loans was mainly attributable to growth in the installment and commercial loan portfolios which increased $15,609 and $8,874, respectively. Offsetting these increases was a decline in the real estate mortgage portfolio of $4,240. Average home equity loans increased $4,647, or 4.3%, from 2013. Investment securities, both taxable and tax-free, increased $1,770, to


23

$219,652 in 2014 compared to $217,882 in 2013. Federal funds sold and other short-term investments decreased $4,751 over the same period.
Average interest-bearing deposits decreased by $1,558, or 0.2%, and average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $15,201, or 10.7%, during 2014, resulting in an increase in total average deposits of $13,643, or 1.3%, compared to 2013. The decrease in average interest-bearing deposits was mainly a result of a decrease in average consumer time deposit accounts of $44,165 or 10.2%. Throughout the 2014 year the Corporation emphasized growth in lower cost deposit products and decreased its reliance on certificates of deposit accounts to support balance sheet growth. Average money market accounts increased year over year by 24.2%, as the Corporation focused on growing relationship transaction accounts. The Corporation uses FHLB advances as an alternative wholesale funding source. The use of FHLB advances as an alternative funding source remained relatively constant during 2014 in comparison to 2013. The Corporation may also use from time to time brokered time deposits as they are a comparably priced substitute for FHLB advances. Brokered deposits require no collateralization compared to FHLB advances which require collateral in the form of real estate mortgage loans and securities. At the end of 2014 and 2013, there were no outstanding brokered time deposits.
Net interest income may also be analyzed by segregating the volume and rate components of interest income and interest expense. Table 3 presents an analysis of increases and decreases in interest income and expense due to changes in volume (changes in the balance sheet) and rate (changes in interest rates) during the two years ended December 31, 2014. Changes that are not due solely to either a change in volume or a change in rate have been allocated proportionally to both changes due to volume and rate. The table is presented on a tax-equivalent basis.
Table 3: Rate/Volume Analysis of Net Interest Income (FTE)
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease) in Interest
Income/Expense in 2014 over 2013
 
Increase (Decrease) in Interest
Income/Expense in 2013 over 2012
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Total
 
Volume
 
Rate
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. Govt agencies and corporations
$
1

 
$
372

 
$
373

 
$
(203
)
 
$
(700
)
 
$
(903
)
State and political subdivisions
90

 
(29
)
 
61

 
53

 
(4
)
 
49

Federal funds sold and short-term investments
(15
)
 
22

 
7

 
8

 
(15
)
 
(7
)
Restricted stock
(6
)
 
(3
)
 
(9
)
 
—

 
(8
)
 
(8
)
Commercial loans
391

 
(308
)
 
83

 
373

 
(1,894
)
 
(1,521
)
Residential real estate loans
(219
)
 
32

 
(187
)
 
(287
)
 
(123
)
 
(410
)
Home equity lines of credit
176

 
(21
)
 
155

 
(12
)
 
(155
)
 
(167
)
Installment loans
466

 
(625
)
 
(159
)
 
558

 
(1,838
)
 
(1,280
)
Total Interest Income
884

 
(560
)
 
324

 
490

 
(4,737
)
 
(4,247
)
Consumer time deposits
(365
)
 
(441
)
 
(806
)
 
45

 
(1,062
)
 
(1,017
)
Public time deposits
78

 
(19
)
 
59

 
14

 
57

 
71

Savings deposits
2

 
(5
)
 
(3
)
 
5

 
(54
)
 
(49
)
Money market accounts
50

 
31

 
81

 
(2
)
 
(24
)
 
(26
)
Interest-bearing demand
1

 
(10
)
 
(9
)
 
2

 
(87
)
 
(85
)
Short-term borrowings
46

 
32

 
78

 
3

 
3

 
6

FHLB advances
3

 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(16
)
 
(221
)
 
(237
)
Trust preferred securities
—

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
—

 
(16
)
 
(16
)
Total Interest Expense
(185
)
 
(419
)
 
(604
)
 
51

 
(1,404
)
 
(1,353
)
Net Interest Income (FTE)
$
1,069

 
$
(141
)
 
$
928

 
$
439

 
$
(3,333
)
 
$
(2,894
)

Total interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis was $42,635 in 2014 as compared to $42,312 in 2013, an increase of $323, or 0.8%. The increase was attributable to an increase in volume of $884 and a decrease of $560 in rate, when comparing 2014 to 2013. Of the $884 increase due to volume, installment and commercial loans increased by $466 and $391, respectively and were offset by a $219 decrease in residential real estate loans. The increase of $373 in U.S. Govt agencies and corporations is due to lower prepayment speeds with an increase of $372 due to rate and $1 due to volume.


24

As a result of the continued lower interest rate environment and the competitive nature of indirect lending, installment loans accounted for $625 of the decrease in interest income due to rate. Commercial loans by their structure are also sensitive to interest rates, accounting for $308 of the decline in interest income due to rate. Total interest expense on a fully tax equivalent basis was $5,552 in 2014 compared to $6,156 in 2013. This is a decrease of $604, or 9.8%. The decrease is the result of a better overall funding mix at the Corporation. The decrease was attributable to a decrease in volume of $185 and a decrease of $419 in rate, when comparing 2014 to 2013. Of the $419 decrease due to rate, consumer time deposits decreased $441 year over year. This is a reflection of the low interest rate environment as the Corporation’s cost of funds decreased from 0.64% to 0.58% year over year.
Although difficult to isolate, changing customer preferences and competition impact the rate and volume factors. Due to the current lower interest rate environment, loans and investments continued to reprice at lower interest rates resulting in a decrease in net interest income due to rate of $141. The effect of changes in both rate and volume was an increase of $928 in net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis during 2014.

2013 versus 2012 Net Interest Income Comparison

Net interest income for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $35,523 compared to $38,439 for the year ended 2012. Total interest income was $41,679 for 2013 compared to $45,948 for 2012, a decrease of $4,269. Total interest expense decreased $1,353 for the year-ended December 31, 2013, from $7,509 for 2012 to $6,156 for 2013. This resulted in a decrease in net interest income of $2,916 or 7.6% for 2013.

For purposes of the discussion below, net interest income is presented on a FTE basis to provide a comparison among all types of interest earning assets. Accordingly, interest on tax-free securities and tax-exempt loans has been restated as if such interest were taxed at the statutory Federal income tax rate of 34% adjusted for the non-deductible portion of interest expense incurred to acquire the tax-free assets. Net interest income presented on a FTE basis is a non-GAAP financial measure widely used by financial services corporations. The FTE adjustment for full year December 31, 2013 was $633 compared with $611 in 2012, which has been included as the Corporation considers it an important metric with which to analyze and evaluate the Corporation’s results of operations.

The Corporation’s net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis was $36,156 in 2013, compared to $39,050 in 2012. This follows a decrease of $735, or 1.8%, between 2012 and 2011. The net interest margin (FTE), which is determined by dividing tax equivalent net interest income by average earning assets, was 3.19% in 2013, a decrease of 30 basis points from 2012. This follows a decrease of 18 basis points for 2012 compared to 2011.

Interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis totaled $42,312 for 2013 compared to $46,559 in 2012, a decline of $4,247, or 9.1%. The decline in interest income was primarily a result of the continued lower interest rate environment and its impact on increased cash flow and reinvestment opportunities especially in the investment securities and indirect loan portfolios. Both portfolios have relatively short average lives and the lower interest rates led to increased prepayments and lower reinvestment opportunities. Conversely, the shorter average lives would be expected to benefit the Corporation in a rising interest rate environment. Overall, average earning assets increased $15,027, or 1.3%, to $1,132,514 in 2013 as compared to $1,117,487 in 2012. Deposits generally have a shorter average life and have repriced more quickly than loans, as evidenced by the decrease in interest expense which ended 2013 at $6,156 compared to $7,509 in 2012. The cost of funds dropped by 16 basis points from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2012.

Average loans increased $19,634, or 2.2%, to $893,132 in 2013 as compared to $873,498 in 2012. The increase in average loans was mainly attributable to growth in the installment and commercial loan portfolios which increased $17,215 and $8,343, respectively. Offsetting these increases was a decline in the real estate mortgage portfolio of $5,611. Average home equity loans decreased $313, or 0.29%, from 2012. Investment securities, both taxable and tax-free, decreased $8,944, to $217,882 in 2013 compared to $226,826 in 2012. Federal funds sold and other short-term investments increased $4,337 over the same period.

Average interest-bearing deposits increased by $21,200, or 2.4%, and average noninterest-bearing deposits increased $4,562, or 3.3%, during 2013, resulting in an increase in total average deposits of $25,762, or 2.5%, compared to 2012. The increase in average interest-bearing deposits was mainly a result of an increase in average savings deposit accounts of $12,243 or 11.0%. Average consumer time deposits, public time deposits, and interest-bearing demand accounts increased year over year by 1.1%, 2.9%, and 2.1%, respectively. The Corporation uses FHLB advances as an alternative wholesale funding source. The use of FHLB advances as an alternative funding source remained relatively constant during 2013 in comparison to 2012. The Corporation may also use from time to time brokered time deposits as they are a comparably priced substitute for FHLB


25

advances. Brokered deposits require no collateralization compared to FHLB advances which require collateral in the form of real estate mortgage loans and securities. At the end of 2013 and 2012, there were no outstanding brokered time deposits.
Total interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis was $42,312 in 2013 as compared to $46,559 in 2012, a decrease of $4,247, or 9.1%. The decrease was attributable to an increase in volume of $490 and a decrease of $4,737 attributable to rate, when comparing 2013 to 2012. Of the $490 increase due to volume, installment and commercial increased by $558 and $373, respectively. Given the continued lower interest rate environment and the competitive nature of indirect lending, installment loans accounted for $1,838 of the decrease in interest income due to rate. Commercial loans by their structure are also sensitive to interest rates, accounting for $1,894 of the decline in interest income due to rate.
Total interest expense on a fully tax equivalent basis was $6,156 in 2013 compared to $7,509 in 2012. This is a decrease of $1,353, or 18.0%. The decrease was attributable to an increase in volume of $51 and a decrease of $1,404 attributable to rate, when comparing 2013 to 2012. Of the $1,404 decrease due to rate, consumer time deposits decreased $1,062 year over year due to rate. This is a reflection of the low interest rate environment as the Corporation’s cost of funds decreased from 0.80% to 0.64% year over year.
Although difficult to isolate, changing customer preferences and competition impact the rate and volume factors. Due to the current lower interest rate environment, loans and investments continued to reprice at lower interest rates resulting in a decrease in net interest income due to rate of $3,333. The effect of changes in both rate and volume was a decrease of $2,894 in net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis during 2013.
Noninterest Income
Table 4: Details of Noninterest Income
 
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014 versus
2013
 
2013 versus
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Investment and trust services
$
1,685

 
$
1,555

 
$
1,563

 
8.4
 %
 
(0.5
)%
Deposit service charges
3,309

 
3,509

 
3,811

 
(5.7
)%
 
(7.9
)%
Other service charges and fees
3,014

 
3,279

 
3,082

 
(8.1
)%
 
6.4
 %
Income from bank owned life insurance
888

 
752

 
742

 
18.1
 %
 
1.3
 %
Other income
393

 
521

 
877

 
(24.6
)%
 
(40.6
)%
Total fees and other income
9,289

 
9,616

 
10,075

 
(3.4
)%
 
(4.6
)%
Securities gains (loss), net
(5
)
 
178

 
189

 
(102.8
)%
 
(5.8
)%
Gain on sale of loans
3,612

 
2,324

 
1,575

 
55.4
 %
 
47.6
 %
Gain (Loss) on sale of other assets, net
19

 
8

 
(92
)
 
137.5
 %
 
(108.7
)%
Total noninterest income
$
12,915

 
$
12,126

 
$
11,747

 
6.5
 %
 
3.2
 %
2014 versus 2013 Noninterest Income Comparison
Amidst the low interest rate environment that prevailed through 2014, total noninterest income increased 6.5% for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to 2013. Noninterest income was driven primarily from total fees and other income of $9,289, which was down 3.4% year over year, and the gain (loss) on the sale of assets which increased 44.5% year over year to $3,626.
Total fees and other income consists of five primary groups: investment and trust services, deposit service charges, other service charges and fees, income from bank owned life insurance and other income.
Investment and trust service income was $1,685, which improved year over year, as commissions increased by 8.4%.
Deposit service charges decreased by 5.7%, in 2014 to $3,309 from $3,509 in 2013. Service charges on deposit accounts are dependent on customer activity and behavior. Management reviews deposit account fee plans periodically to maintain fairness and competitiveness in its markets.
Total other service charges and fees, which consists of servicing fee income, bank card service charges and ATM service charges, decreased by 8.1% in 2014 to $3,014 from $3,279 in 2013. A decrease year over was in net servicing fee income which


26

was $387 in 2014, compared to $404 in 2013, a decrease of 4.2%. The Corporation retains the servicing rights for both sold mortgage loans and indirect auto loans.
Income from bank owned life insurance experienced an increase of 18.1%, to $888 during 2014 compared to $752 in 2013. The increase is the result of higher insurance income received from non-recurring death benefit proceeds received in the fourth quarter of 2014.
Other income, which includes mortgage banking activities, commercial swap fee income, safe deposit box fees and miscellaneous income decreased by 24.6% year over year to $393 in 2014 from $521 in 2013. The decrease year over year was driven by a reduction in mortgage banking income due primarily to lower mortgage origination volumes and a decline in mortgage refinancing activity. There were no commercial swap transactions entered into in 2014.
Gain (loss) on the sale of assets is comprised of the sale of securities, loans and other assets. Net loss on the sale of securities was $5 in 2014 compared to a gain of $178 in 2013. A gain of $19 was recognized on the sale of other assets during 2014 compared to a gain of $8 during 2013.
The following table details the Corporations gain on the sale of loans for the years ended December 31:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014 versus
2013
 
2013 versus
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Gain on sale of mortgage loans
$
677

 
$
1,457

 
$
1,287

 
(53.5
)%
 
13.2
%
Gain on sale of indirect auto loans
479

 
336

 
288

 
42.6
 %
 
16.7
%
Gain on sale of SBA loans
2,456

 
531

 
—

 
362.5
 %
 
100.0
%
 
$
3,612

 
$
2,324

 
$
1,575

 
55.4
 %
 
47.6
%
The most notable increase in noninterest income was the gain on the sale of loans of $3,612 compared to $2,324 in 2013, an increase of 55.4%. The mortgage and refinance business did not provide the substantial gain in 2014 as it had over the prior two years on the sale of mortgage loans. Gain on the sale of mortgage loans for 2014 was $677, a decrease of 53.5% from $1,457 in 2013. This decrease was recognized by the Corporation, primarily the result of a gradual decrease in loan sales due to the rising interest rate environment that was experienced in 2014. In 2014 and 2013, the Corporation sold a total of residential mortgage loans with unpaid principal balances totaling $24,227 and $59,680, respectively, and recognized pretax gains of $677 and $1,457, respectively. In 2014 the increase in interest rates resulted in a drying-up of demand for mortgage refinancing. Without this demand, mortgage originations fell sharply, and mortgage revenue declined.
The Corporation originates indirect auto loans in a niche market of high quality borrowers. A portion of these loans were booked to the Corporation’s portfolio and the remainder were sold to a number of other financial institutions with servicing retained by the Corporation. In 2014 and 2013, the Corporation sold indirect auto loans with unpaid principal balances totaling $62,255 and $45,046, respectively. The gain on the sale of indirect auto loans was $479 for 2014, compared to $336 for 2013. The Corporation continued to see gains from the SBA lending team that was established in the fourth quarter of 2013. The Corporation originates SBA loans and sells the guaranteed portion in the secondary market. For 2014, a gain on the sale of SBA guaranteed loans of $2,456 was recognized compared to $531 in 2013. The increase year over year of the sale of SBA guaranteed loans is primarily due to a full year of operation for the SBA lending team. During 2014 and 2013, the Corporation sold SBA guaranteed loans with unpaid principal balances of $24,068 and $4,948. SBA loan sales are dependent upon the volume of loans originated as well as the liquidity needs of the Corporation.
2013 versus 2012 Noninterest Income Comparison

Amidst the low interest rate environment in 2013, total noninterest income increased 3.2% for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to 2012. Noninterest income was driven primarily from total fees and other income of $9,616, which was down 4.6% year over year, and the gain (loss) on the sale of assets which increased 50.1% year over year to $2,510.

Total fees and other income consists of five primary groups: investment and trust services, deposit service charges, other service charges and fees, income from bank owned life insurance and other income.

Investment and trust service income was $1,555, which was relatively consistent year over year, as commissions
decreased slightly by 0.5%.



27

Deposit service charges decreased 7.9%, in 2013 to $3,509 from $3,811 in 2012. Service charges on deposit accounts are dependent on customer activity and behavior. Management reviews deposit account fee plans periodically to maintain consistency with competitors.

Total other service charges and fees, which consists of servicing fee income, bank card service charges and ATM service charges, increased by 6.4% in 2013 to $3,279 from $3,082 in 2012. The most prominent increase year over was in net servicing fee income which was $404 in 2013, compared to $272 in 2012, an increase of 48.5%. The Corporation retains the servicing rights for both sold mortgage loans and indirect auto loans.

Income from bank owned life insurance experienced a slight increase of 1.3%, to $752 during 2013 compared to $742 in 2012.

Other income, which includes mortgage banking activities, commercial swap fee income, safe deposit box fees and miscellaneous income decreased by 40.6% year over year to $521 in 2013 from $877 in 2012. Mortgage banking business declined in the second half of 2013, primarily due to higher interest rates and the fair value of the Corporation’s interest rate lock decreased substantially. Off-setting this decrease was $188 in commercial swap fee income recognized in 2013. No such income was recognized in 2012, as this product was not offered.

Gain (loss) on the sale of assets is comprised of the sale of securities, loans and other assets. Net gain on the sale of securities was $178 in 2013 compared to $189 in 2012. A gain of $8 was recognized on the sale of other assets during 2013 compared to a loss of $92 during 2012. The Corporation decreased the number of other real estate owned properties managed year over year.

The most notable increase in noninterest income was the gain on the sale of loans of $2,324 compared to $1,575 in 2012, an increase of 47.6%. Gain on the sale of mortgage loans for 2013 was $1,457, an increase of 13.2% from $1,287 in 2012. This increase was recognized by the Corporation, despite a gradual decrease in loan sales due to the rising interest rate environment in the second half of 2013. The Corporation originates indirect auto loans in a niche market of high quality borrowers. A portion of these loans were booked to the Corporation’s portfolio and the remainder were sold to a number of other financial institutions with servicing retained by the Corporation. The gain on the sale of indirect auto loans was $336 for 2013, compared to $288 for 2012. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Corporation established its SBA lending team, with the intent to originate to sell and generate revenue growth. For 2013, a gain on the sale of SBA loans of $531 was recognized.
Noninterest Expense
Table 5: Details on Noninterest Expense

 
Year ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014 versus
2013
 
2013 versus
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Salaries and employee benefits
$
18,800

 
$
18,058

 
$
16,768

 
4.1
 %
 
7.7
 %
Furniture and equipment
4,715

 
4,234

 
4,782

 
11.4
 %
 
(11.5
)%
Net occupancy
2,339

 
2,310

 
2,207

 
1.3
 %
 
4.7
 %
Professional fees
2,563

 
1,870

 
2,034

 
37.1
 %
 
(8.1
)%
Marketing and public relations
1,425

 
1,216

 
1,231

 
17.2
 %
 
(1.2
)%
Supplies, postage and freight
946

 
1,045

 
1,091

 
(9.5
)%
 
(4.2
)%
Telecommunications
640

 
669

 
731

 
(4.3
)%
 
(8.5
)%
Ohio Financial Institutions Tax
800

 
1,213

 
1,232

 
(34.0
)%
 
(1.5
)%
FDIC assessments
979

 
1,039

 
1,304

 
(5.8
)%
 
(20.3
)%
Other real estate owned
110

 
382

 
570

 
(71.2
)%
 
(33.0
)%
Loan and collection expense
1,399

 
1,427

 
1,150

 
(2.0
)%
 
24.1
 %
Other expense
1,666

 
1,724

 
1,803

 
(3.4
)%
 
(4.4
)%
Total noninterest expense
$
36,382

 
$
35,187

 
$
34,903

 
3.4
 %
 
0.8
 %



28


2014 versus 2013 Noninterest Expense Comparison
Noninterest expense was $36,382 in 2014, compared to $35,187 in 2013, an increase of $1,195 or 3.4%. Expense management continued to be a major area of focus for the Corporation. Salaries and employee benefit costs represented the Corporation's largest noninterest expense, accounting for 51.7% of total noninterest expense, which is inherent in a service based industry such as financial services. Salaries and employee benefits increased $742 or 4.1%. The increase in salaries and employee benefits is due to merit increases, rising health care cost and the compensation related to the SBA lending team. Furniture and equipment cost increased $481, or 11.4%, primarily due to an increase in internet-based banking cost with customers completing a larger percentage of their transactions using debit cards and internet banking services. Marketing and public relations expense increased $209 or 17.2% year over year. The increase was primarily due to the Corporation's communication and advertising for mobile banking, the SBA lending program and the implementation of a relationship checking account product that offers rewards as the customer's relationship with the Bank grows. Loan and collection and other real estate owned expenses improved year over year as management continued to work diligently to control costs incurred on foreclosed assets.

Professional fees increased $693 or 37.1%, primarily due to the expenses associated with the proposed merger with Northwest Bancshares. On December 15, 2014, the Corporation, Inc. entered into the Merger Agreement with Northwest Bancshares. The Corporation incurred merger related expenses of $757 or $566 after tax. Other operating expenses were generally controlled as FDIC insurance costs decreased by $60, or 5.8%, and other real estate owned expenses decreased by $272 or 71.2%. The Corporation's franchise tax decreased by $413 due to the State of Ohio's newly enacted Financial Institution Tax which resulted in lowered taxes compared to the previous Ohio corporate franchise tax.

2013 versus 2012 Noninterest Expense Comparison

Noninterest expense was $35,187 in 2013, compared to $34,903 in 2012, an increase of $284 or 0.8%. Expense management continued to be a major area of focus for the Corporation. Salaries and employee benefit costs represented the Corporation's largest noninterest expense, accounting for 51.3% of total noninterest expense, which is inherent in a service based industry such as financial services. Salaries and employee benefits increased $1,290 or 7.7%. During 2013, the Corporation recognized a $712 expense due to the establishment of the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, $153 in settlement charges due to the aggregate amount of lump sum distributions to participants in the Corporation's defined benefit pension plan and increases associated with the launch of the Corporation's SBA lending team. Other operating expenses were generally controlled as FDIC insurance costs decreased by $265, or 20.3%, and other real estate owned expenses decreased 33.0% which helped to offset the salary and employee benefits increase.
Income Taxes
2014 versus 2013 Income taxes
The Corporation recognized tax expense of $2,654 during 2014 compared to $1,926 for 2013. The Corporation’s effective tax rate was 26.9% for 2014 compared to 23.8% for 2013. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an overall improvement in operating performance coupled with lower pre-tax income derived from tax-exempt sources and the decrease in tax benefits from investments in tax credit funds. Included in net income for 2014 was $2,179 of nontaxable income, including $758 related to life insurance policies and $1,421 of tax-exempt investment and loan interest income. The tax-exempt income, together with the Corporation’s relatively small amount of nondeductible expenses, led to income subject to tax that was significantly less than the Corporation’s income before income tax expense. The new market tax credit generated by North Coast Community Development Corporation (NCCDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, also had a significant impact on income tax expense and contributes to a lower effective tax rate for the Corporation. NCCDC’s new market tax credit award was granted on December 29, 2003 and will remain in effect through 2020. Over the remaining seven years of the award, it is expected that projects will be financed through NCCDC with the intent of improving the overall economic conditions in Lorain County and generating additional interest income through the funding of qualified loans for these projects and tax credits for the Corporation. The Corporation had total qualified investments in NCCDC of $9,000 at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, generating a tax credit of $23 and $58, respectively.
2013 versus 2012 Income taxes

The Corporation recognized tax expense of $1,926 during 2013 compared to $1,934 for 2012. The Corporation’s effective tax rate was 23.8% for 2013. Included in net income for 2013 was $2,044 of nontaxable income, including $624 related to life insurance policies and $1,420 of tax-exempt investment and loan interest income. The tax-exempt income, together with the


29

Corporation’s relatively small amount of nondeductible expenses, led to income subject to tax that was significantly less than the Corporation’s income before income tax expense. The new market tax credit generated by North Coast Community Development Corporation (NCCDC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank, also had a significant impact on income tax expense and contributes to a lower effective tax rate for the Corporation. NCCDC’s new market tax credit award was granted on December 29, 2003 and will remain in effect through 2020. Over the remaining seven years of the award, it is expected that projects will be financed through NCCDC with the intent of improving the overall economic conditions in Lorain County and generating additional interest income through the funding of qualified loans for these projects and tax credits for the Corporation. The Corporation had total qualified investments in NCCDC of $9,000 at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, generating a tax credit of $58 and $208, respectively.

Financial Condition
Overview
The Corporation’s total assets at December 31, 2014 were $1,236,627 compared to $1,230,257 at December 31, 2013. This was an increase of $6,370, or 0.5%. Total securities available for sale increased $1,450, or 0.7%, over December 31, 2013. Portfolio loans increased by $27,726, or 3.1%, from December 31, 2013. Total deposits at December 31, 2014 were $1,034,925 compared to $1,045,589 at December 31, 2013. Total interest-bearing liabilities were $1,116,095 at December 31, 2014 compared to $1,113,111 at December 31, 2013.
Securities
The distribution of the Corporation’s securities portfolio at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is presented in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained within this Form 10-K. The Corporation continued to deploy the securities portfolio to manage the Corporation’s interest rate risk and liquidity needs. At December 31, 2014, the entire portfolio consisted of available for sale securities comprised of 28.0% U.S. Government agencies, 42.8% U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, 13.1% U.S. collateralized mortgage obligations and 16.1% municipal securities. This compares to 30.3% U.S. Government agencies, 43.6% U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities, 8.6% U.S. collateralized mortgage obligations 15.3% municipal securities and 2.2% of preferred securities as of December 31, 2013.

The yield on an available for sale security depends on the purchase price in relation to the interest rate and the length of time the investor's principal remains outstanding. Mortgage-backed security yields are often quoted in relation to yields on treasury securities with maturities closest to the mortgage security's estimated average life. The estimated yield on a mortgage security reflects its estimated average life based on the assumed prepayment rates for the underlying mortgage loans. If actual prepayment rates are faster or slower than anticipated, the investor holding the mortgage security until maturity may realize a different yield.
At December 31, 2014, the available for sale securities portfolio had unrealized gains of $3,001 and unrealized losses of $1,464. The unrealized losses represent 0.7% of the total amortized cost of the Corporation’s available for sale securities. Available for sale securities with an unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer totaled $1,345 and available for sale securities with an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months totaled $119 at December 31, 2014. The unrealized gains and losses at December 31, 2013 were $2,754 and $8,651, respectively. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.
Tables 6 and 7 present the maturity distribution of securities and the weighted average yield for each maturity range for the year ended December 31.
Table 6: Maturity Distribution of Available for Sale Securities at Amortized Cost
 
Within 1 Year
 
From 1 to 5 Years
 
From 5 to 10 Years
 
After 10 Years
 
At December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies and corporations
$
19,499

 
$
21,834

 
$
20,000

 
$
—

 
$
61,333

 
$
71,851

 
$
36,868

Mortgage-backed securities
19,208

 
45,994

 
21,500

 
5,754

 
92,456

 
94,313

 
109,440

Collateralized mortgage obligations
6,900

 
14,121

 
6,739

 
857

 
28,617

 
18,650

 
22,483

State and political subdivisions
4,014

 
15,911

 
8,109

 
5,595

 
33,629

 
32,521

 
29,980

Preferred securities
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,684

 
—

Total securities available for sale
$
49,621

 
$
97,860

 
$
56,348

 
$
12,206

 
$
216,035

 
$
222,019

 
$
198,771



30

Although the above table indicates that a portion of the Corporation’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2014 matures after ten years, the actual average life and duration of the investment portfolio at December 31, 2014 was effectively much shorter due to imbedded redemption features of several U.S. government agencies as well as monthly cash flows received from U.S. mortgage-backed securities and U.S. collateralized mortgage obligations.

Table 7: The Weighted Average Yield for Each Range of Maturities of Securities

 
Within 1 Year
 
From 1 to 5 Years
 
From 5 to 10 Years
 
After 10 Years
 
At December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies and corporations
2.02
%
 
2.23
%
 
1.99
%
 
—
%
 
2.08
%
 
1.87
%
 
1.30
%
Mortgage-backed securities
2.58

 
2.48

 
2.27

 
2.16

 
2.43

 
2.45

 
2.75

Collateralized mortgage obligations
2.41

 
2.25

 
2.09

 
2.16

 
2.25

 
2.68

 
2.73

State and political subdivisions (1)
3.66

 
3.56

 
3.74

 
3.73

 
3.64

 
3.74

 
3.87

Total securities available for sale
2.42
%
 
2.57
%
 
2.37
%
 
2.89
%
 
2.50
%
 
2.50
%
 
2.65
%
____________________________
(1)
Yields on tax-exempt obligations are computed on a tax equivalent basis based upon a 34% statutory Federal income tax rate.
Loans
The detail of loan balances are presented in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained within this Form 10-K.
Total portfolio loans at December 31, 2014 were $930,025. This was an increase of $27,726, or 3.1 %, over December 31, 2013. The Corporation believes that its loan portfolio was well-diversified at December 31, 2014. Commercial and commercial real estate loans represented 54.1%, indirect loans represented 23.3%, home equity loans comprised of 13.5%, residential real estate mortgage loans represented 7.7% and consumer loans comprised of 1.4% of total portfolio loans.
Loan balances and loan mix are presented by type for the five years ended December 31, in Table 8 below.
Table 8: Loan Portfolio Distribution
 
At December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate
$
425,392

 
$
401,591

 
$
414,005

 
$
381,852

 
$
375,803

Commercial
77,525

 
88,646

 
68,705

 
76,570

 
65,662

Residential real estate
71,496

 
66,507

 
64,983

 
64,524

 
74,685

Home equity loans
125,929

 
123,076

 
122,830

 
126,958

 
132,536

Indirect
216,199

 
206,323

 
199,924

 
180,089

 
150,031

Consumer
13,484

 
16,156

 
12,101

 
13,095

 
13,862

Total Loans
930,025

 
902,299

 
882,548

 
843,088

 
812,579

Allowance for loan losses
(17,416
)
 
(17,505
)
 
(17,637
)
 
(17,063
)
 
(16,136
)
Net Loans
$
912,609

 
$
884,794

 
$
864,911

 
$
826,025

 
$
796,443

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
Loan Mix Percent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
45.7
%
 
44.5
%
 
46.9
%
 
45.3
%
 
46.2
%
Commercial
8.4
%
 
9.8
%
 
7.8
%
 
9.1
%
 
8.1
%
Residential real estate
7.7
%
 
7.4
%
 
7.4
%
 
7.6
%
 
9.2
%
Home equity loans
13.5
%
 
13.6
%
 
13.9
%
 
15.1
%
 
16.3
%
Indirect
23.3
%
 
22.9
%
 
22.6
%
 
21.4
%
 
18.5
%
Consumer
1.4
%
 
1.8
%
 
1.4
%
 
1.5
%
 
1.7
%
Total Loans
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

Commercial loans and commercial real estate loans totaled $502,917 at December 31, 2014. This was an increase of $12,680, or 2.6%, over December 31, 2013 and reflected the Corporation’s continued commitment to support commercial lending activities in its local and regional markets. Commercial real estate loans are loans secured by commercial real estate


31

properties. Commercial loans are primarily lines-of-credit as well as loans secured by property other than commercial real estate, generally equipment or other business assets.
Real estate mortgages are primarily adjustable rate 1-4 family mortgage loans and construction loans made to individuals. The Corporation generally requires a loan-to-value ratio of 80% or private mortgage insurance for loan-to-value ratios in excess of 80% for real estate mortgages. Residential real estate mortgages totaled $71,496 of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2014. Residential real estate mortgages increased $4,989, or 7.5%, in comparison to December 31, 2013. The Corporation continued to sell most of its new loan production during 2014. During 2014, the increase in interest rates resulted in a decrease in the demand for mortgage loans.
Indirect auto loans at December 31, 2014 increased $9,876, or 4.8%, compared to December 31, 2013. A portion of these loans were booked to the Corporation’s portfolio and the remainder were sold to a number of other financial institutions with servicing retained by the Corporation. A total of $62,255 of indirect consumer loans were sold during 2014 compared to $45,046 for 2013. Home equity loans increased $2,853, or 2.3%, when compared to December 31, 2013. Consumer loans decreased $2,672, or 16.5%, in comparison to December 31, 2013.
Loans held for sale were not included in portfolio loans, and as of December 31, 2014, total loans classified as held for sale were $10,483. SBA guaranteed loans held for sale represented $6,837 or 65.3% residential real estate mortgage loans represented $110, or 1.0%, and indirect loans represented $3,536, or 33.7%, of loans held for sale.
Table 9 shows the amount of portfolio loans outstanding as of December 31, 2014 based on the remaining scheduled principal payments or principal amounts repricing in the periods indicated. All loans that, by their terms, are due after one year, but which are subject to more frequent repricing have been classified as due in one year or less for purposes of the table.
Table 9: Loan Maturity and Repricing Analysis
 
December 31, 2014
Due in one year or less
$
191,192

Due after one year but within five years
461,219

Due after five years
277,614

Totals
$
930,025

Due after one year with a predetermined fixed interest rate
$
537,429

Due after one year with a floating interest rate
201,404

Totals
$
738,833

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is maintained by the Corporation at a level considered by management to be adequate to cover probable incurred credit losses in the loan portfolio. The amount of the provision for loan losses charged to operating expenses is the amount necessary, in the estimation of management, to maintain the allowance for loan losses at an adequate level. Management determines the adequacy of the allowance based upon past experience, changes in portfolio size and mix, relative quality of the loan portfolio and the rate of loan growth, assessments of current and future economic conditions and information about specific borrower situations, including their financial position and collateral values, and other factors, which are subject to change over time. While management’s periodic analysis of the allowance for loan losses may dictate portions of the allowance be allocated to specific problem loans, the entire amount is available for any loan charge-offs that may occur.
At the end of 2009, the Corporation implemented a more robust process in order to assess and improve asset quality going forward. This process which includes executive management, finance, credit, lending and legal is charged with monitoring problem loans on a regular basis to insure proper grading of the loans, identifying loans as “troubled debt restructured”, adequate allowances and timely resolution of problem credits. In addition, the Corporation's bank subsidiary has a Loan and Credit Review Committee of its Board of Directors which provides board oversight in areas such as underwriting, concentrations, delinquencies, production goals and performance trends.
While the Corporation uses a historical loss methodology in determining the level of allowances for various loan segments, in 2011 it began tracking data to implement a methodology which estimates expected losses for commercial loans based on a history of loans migrating through the various loan grades. Management believes this methodology will supplement and complement its current approach.
The effect of these initiatives has resulted in an improvement in asset quality as measured by the level of nonperforming loans as well as criticized loans. The use of a historical loss methodology tends to have a lag effect when estimating the


32

adequacy of the allowance as specific reserves related to impaired loans are replaced with general reserves related to the various pools of loans.
While the local economy in the Corporation's markets has improved, it remains fragile in certain respects, as do the real estate and valuations in those markets. With the Corporation's exposure to commercial real estate loans, including construction and development loans, and consumer real estate in the form of home equity loans, Management continued to monitor the performance of those loans due to the past and recent volatility in real estate valuations.
Table 10 presents the detailed activity in the allowance for loan losses and related charge-off activity for the five years ended December 31, 2014.
Table 10: Analysis of Allowance for Loan Losses
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year
$
17,505

 
$
17,637

 
$
17,063

 
$
16,136

 
$
18,792

Charge-offs:

 

 

 

 

Commercial real estate
(1,407
)
 
(2,325
)
 
(3,199
)
 
(5,195
)
 
(8,508
)
Commercial
(35
)
 
(121
)
 
(213
)
 
(262
)
 
(1,507
)
Residential real estate
(340
)
 
(754
)
 
(1,430
)
 
(1,664
)
 
(1,491
)
Home equity loans
(1,382
)
 
(1,775
)
 
(1,372
)
 
(1,895
)
 
(1,091
)
Indirect
(399
)
 
(678
)
 
(963
)
 
(695
)
 
(455
)
Consumer
(261
)
 
(366
)
 
(401
)
 
(398
)
 
(573
)
Total charge-offs
(3,824
)
 
(6,019
)
 
(7,578
)
 
(10,109
)
 
(13,625
)
Recoveries:

 

 

 

 

Commercial real estate
261

 
697

 
388

 
280

 
87

Commercial
33

 
8

 
45

 
42

 
157

Residential real estate
7

 
350

 
96

 
22

 
30

Home equity loans
76

 
66

 
35

 
62

 
39

Indirect
214

 
335

 
288

 
209

 
293

Consumer
31

 
56

 
58

 
68

 
138

Total Recoveries
622

 
1,512

 
910

 
683

 
744

Net Charge-offs
(3,202
)
 
(4,507
)
 
(6,668
)
 
(9,426
)
 
(12,881
)
Provision for loan losses
3,113

 
4,375

 
7,242

 
10,353

 
10,225

Balance at end of year
$
17,416

 
$
17,505

 
$
17,637

 
$
17,063

 
$
16,136

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Portfolio loans outstanding
$
914,137

 
$
887,865

 
$
869,454

 
$
823,962

 
$
796,849

Ratio to average loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Charge-offs
0.35
%
 
0.51
%
 
0.77
%
 
1.14
%
 
1.62
%
Provision for loan losses
0.34
%
 
0.49
%

0.83
%

1.26
%

1.28
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans outstanding at end of year
$
930,025

 
$
902,299

 
$
882,548

 
$
843,088

 
$
812,579

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As a percent of loans at end of year
1.87
%
 
1.94
%

2.00
%

2.02
%

1.99
%
As a multiple of net charge-offs
5.44

 
3.88


2.65


1.81


1.25

The allowance for loan losses at December 31, 2014 was $17,416, or 1.87%, of outstanding loans, compared to $17,505, or 1.94%, of outstanding loans at December 31, 2013. The allowance for loan losses was 105.05% and 79.62% of nonperforming loans at December 31, 2014 and 2013 respectively.
Net charge-offs for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $3,202, compared to $4,507 for the year ended December 31, 2013. Net charge-offs as a percent of average loans was 0.35% for 2014 and 0.51% for 2013. Net charge-offs on commercial and commercial real estate loans are primarily a result of loans that are collateral dependent and deemed uncollectible. As a


33

result, the loans are written down to their net realizable value which is current appraised value less costs to sell. The provision charged to expense was $3,113 for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $4,375 for 2013. Over all of the periods presented in table 10, the Corporation’s credit quality improved, which has led to lower net charge-offs and a decrease in the provision for loan losses.
The allowance for loan losses is, in the opinion of management, sufficient given its analysis of the information available about the portfolio at December 31, 2014. Management continues to work toward prompt resolution of nonperforming loan situations and to adjust underwriting standards as conditions warrant.
The following table sets forth the allocation of the allowance for loan losses by loan category as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as well as the percentage of loans in each category to total loans.  This allocation was based on management's assessment, as of a given point in time, of the risk characteristics of each of the component parts of the total loan portfolio and is subject to changes when the risk factors of each component part change.  The allocation is not indicative of either the specific amounts of the loan categories in which future charge-offs may be taken, nor should it be taken as an indicator of future loss trends.  The allocation of the allowance to each category does not restrict the use of the allowance to be applied to losses in any category.

Allocation of the Allowance for Loan Losses by Loan Type
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Allowance
 
Percent of loans
in each category
to total loans
 
Allowance
 
Percent of loans
in each category to total loans
Commercial real estate
$
8,446

 
45.7
%
 
$
10,122

 
44.5
%
Commercial
874

 
8.4
%
 
497

 
9.8
%
Residential real estate
2,127

 
7.7
%
 
1,411

 
7.4
%
Home equity loans
3,130

 
13.5
%
 
3,484

 
13.6
%
Indirect
2,459

 
23.3
%
 
1,593

 
22.9
%
Consumer
380

 
1.4
%
 
398

 
1.8
%
Total
$
17,416

 
100.0
%
 
$
17,505

 
100.0
%
The balance in the allowance for loan losses is determined based on management's review and evaluation of the loan portfolio in relation to past loss experience, the size and composition of the portfolio, current economic events and conditions, and other pertinent factors, including management's assumptions as to future delinquencies, recoveries and losses. Increases to the allowance for loan and lease losses are made by charges to the provision for loan losses. Credit exposures deemed to be uncollectible are charged against the allowance for loan losses. Recoveries of previously charged-off amounts are credited to the allowance for loan losses.
Changes in the allowance for loan losses for all categories of the loan portfolio reflect the net effect of changes in historical net loss rates by risk grade for commercial real estate and commercial loans and for the total of other categories, changes in loan balances for each category or by risk grade, the level of nonperforming and other impaired loans, and management’s judgment with respect to economic and other relevant factors. Additional information regarding the allowance for loan losses is included in Note 7 (Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses) in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Funding Sources
  The primary source of funds continued to be the generation of deposit accounts within the Corporation's primary market. In order to achieve deposit account growth, the Corporation offered retail and business customers a full line of deposit products that included interest and noninterest-bearing checking accounts, savings accounts and time deposits. The Corporation also generated funds through local borrowings generated by a business sweep product. Wholesale funding sources included lines of credit with correspondent banks, advances through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and a secured line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. The Corporation from time to time utilized brokered time deposits to provide term funding at rates comparable to other wholesale funding sources. Table 11 highlights the average balances and the average rates paid on these sources of funds for the three years ended December 31, 2014.


34

The following table shows the various sources of funding for the Corporation.

Table 11: Funding Sources
 
Average Balances Outstanding
 
Average Rates Paid
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Noninterest-bearing checking
$
156,840

 
$
141,639

 
$
137,077

 
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
Interest-bearing checking
167,007

 
165,846

 
162,431

 
0.05
%
 
0.05
%
 
0.11
%
Savings deposits
128,121

 
123,179

 
110,936

 
0.04
%
 
0.04
%
 
0.09
%
Money market accounts
130,123

 
104,758

 
105,951

 
0.20
%
 
0.17
%
 
0.19
%
Consumer time deposits
390,606

 
434,771

 
429,928

 
0.83
%
 
0.93
%
 
1.18
%
Public time deposits
78,219

 
67,080

 
65,188

 
0.70
%
 
0.73
%
 
0.64
%
Total Deposits
$
1,050,916

 
$
1,037,273

 
$
1,011,511

 
0.40
%
 
0.54
%
 
0.59
%
Short-term borrowings
3,950

 
1,807

 
942

 
2.15
%
 
0.40
%
 
0.07
%
FHLB borrowings
46,859

 
46,609

 
47,828

 
1.34
%
 
1.35
%
 
1.81
%
Junior subordinated debentures
16,326

 
16,322

 
16,315

 
4.17
%
 
4.19
%
 
4.28
%
Total borrowings
$
67,135

 
$
64,738

 
$
65,085

 
2.24
%
 
2.04
%
 
2.40
%
Total funding
$
1,118,051

 
$
1,102,011

 
$
1,076,596

 
0.58
%
 
0.64
%
 
0.80
%
Average deposit balances increased 1.3% in 2014 and 2.5% in 2013. Low-cost deposits, namely checking, savings and money market accounts, accounted for 55.4% of total deposits at December 31, 2014. The improved mix and the extended lower interest rate environment has contributed to the Corporation's lower funding cost. These low-cost funds had an average yield of 0.40% in 2014 compared to 0.54% in 2013 and 0.59% in 2012. Included in these funds are money market accounts which carried an average yield of 0.20% in 2014 compared to 0.17% in 2013. Time deposits over the last three years to total average deposits were 44.6% in 2014, 48.4% in 2013 and 48.9% in 2012. Average time deposits were $468,825 in 2014 compared to $501,851 in 2013. This was a decrease of $33,026, or 6.6%. Public fund time deposits represented 16.7% and 13.4% of total average time deposits during 2014 and 2013, respectively. At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Corporation had no brokered time deposit balances.
Borrowings
The Corporation utilizes both short-term and long-term borrowings to assist in the growth of earning assets. For the Corporation, short-term borrowings include Federal funds purchased, other short-term borrowings and repurchase agreements. Short-term borrowings increased during 2014 to $10,611 at December 31, 2014 compared to $4,576 at December 31, 2013. At year end 2014, to fund portfolio loan growth, the Corporation purchased $10,000 in Federal funds. As of December 31, 2013 there were no Federal funds purchased.
Long-term borrowings by the Corporation consist of Federal Home Loan Bank advances of $54,321 and junior subordinated debentures of $16,238 at December 31, 2014. Federal Home Loan Bank advances were $46,708 at December 31, 2013. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Corporation prepaid $27,500 of fixed rate FHLB advances with a contractual average interest rate 2.47% and a weighted average remaining term to maturity of 1.63 years. The transaction was accomplished by extending the maturity date of the advances and rolling the net present value of the advances into the funding cost of the new structure. As a result of the restructure, the Corporation was required to pay a prepayment penalty of $1,017 to the FHLB. In accordance with ASC 470-50, Debt - Modification and Exchanges, the new advances were considered a minor modification. The prepayment penalty was deferred and will be recognized in interest expense over the life of the new advances. Maturities of Federal Home Loan Bank advances are presented in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained within this Form 10-K.
During 2007, the Corporation completed a private offering of trust preferred securities, as described in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained within this Form 10-K. The securities were issued in two $10 million tranches, one of which pays dividends at a fixed rate of 6.64% per annum and the other of which pays dividends at LIBOR plus 1.48% per annum. In August 2010, the Corporation entered into an agreement with certain holders of its non-pooled trust preferred securities and exchanged $2,125 in principal amount of the securities issued by Trust I and $2,125 in principal amount of the securities issued by Trust II for 462,234 newly issued shares of the Corporation’s common stock at a volume-weighted average price of $4.41 per share. At December 31, 2014, the balance of the subordinated notes payable to Trust I and Trust II was $8,119 each.


35


Capital Resources
At December 31, 2014, the Corporation’s total market capitalization was $174,267 compared to $97,025 at December 31, 2013. The Bank is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), including a risk-based capital measure. The risk-based capital guidelines include both a definition of capital and a framework for calculating risk-weighted assets by assigning balance sheet assets and off-balance sheet items to broad risk categories. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Bank exceeded all of its regulatory capital requirements and was considered “well-capitalized” under regulatory guidelines.
 
Actual
 
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
 
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
December 31, 2014
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
$
122,374

 
12.51
%
 
$
78,232

 
8.0
%
 
$
97,790

 
10.0
%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
110,086

 
11.26

 
39,116

 
4.0

 
58,674

 
6.0

Tier 1 Leverage Capital (to Adjusted Total Assets)
110,086

 
9.10

 
48,406

 
4.0

 
60,507

 
5.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
 
For Capital
Adequacy Purposes
 
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
December 31, 2013
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
Total Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
$
122,795

 
12.89
%
 
$
76,230

 
8.0
%
 
$
95,290

 
10.0
%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk Weighted Assets)
110,815

 
11.63

 
38,116

 
4.0

 
57,174

 
6.0

Tier 1 Leverage Capital (to Adjusted Total Assets)
110,815

 
9.22

 
48,086

 
4.0

 
60,108

 
5.0

Total shareholders' equity was $115,339 at December 31, 2014 compared to $111,456 at December 31, 2013. This is an increase of 3.5%, or $3,883 from 2013. Total equity increased primarily due to net income of $7,217. The increase was offset by a $7,689 decrease in fixed rate cumulative preferred stock, due to the redemption, and the declaration of preferred and common shareholder dividends totaling $596 for the year ended December 31, 2014.
On July 28, 2005, the Corporation announced a share repurchase program of up to 5 percent, or about 332,000, of its common shares outstanding. Repurchased shares can be used for a number of corporate purposes, including the Corporation’s stock option and employee benefit plans. The share repurchase program provides that share repurchases are to be made primarily on the open market from time-to-time until the 5 percent maximum is repurchased or the earlier termination of the repurchase program by the Board of Directors, at the discretion of management based upon market, business, legal and other factors. At December 31, 2013 the Corporation held 328,194 shares of common stock as treasury stock at a cost of $6,092. During 2014, 8,551 shares were surrendered to the Corporation by employees to cover tax withholding in conjunction with vesting of restricted stock, as treasury stock at a cost of $85. At December 31, 2014 the Corporation held 336,745 shares of common stock as treasury stock at a cost of $6,177.
On December 12, 2008, the Corporation issued 25,223 shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, and $1,000 per share liquidation preference (“Series B Preferred Stock”) to the U.S. Treasury in the TARP Capital Purchase Program for a purchase price of approximately $25,223. In connection with that issuance, the Corporation also issued a warrant to the U.S. Treasury to purchase 561,343 common shares of the Corporation at an exercise price of $6.74 per share (the “Warrant”).
On June 19, 2012, the Treasury completed the offer and sale of all 25,223 shares of the Series B Preferred Stock. The underwriters in the offering purchased the Series B Preferred Stock from Treasury at a price of $856.13 per share, and sold the Series B Preferred Stock to the public through a modified Dutch auction at an initial public offering price of $869.17 per share. The Corporation did not bid nor receive any of the proceeds from the offering.
On July 18, 2012, the Corporation repurchased the Warrant from the Treasury at a mutually agreed upon price of $860, of which $146 represented the value of the warrant on the Corporation's books and a decrease in equity of $714 was subsequently recognized by the Corporation. Following settlement of the Warrant repurchase, the Treasury had no remaining investment in the Corporation.


36

In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Corporation completed the repurchase of 6,343 shares of Series B Preferred Stock from private investors, representing $6.3 million in face liquidation amount of the shares, or approximately 25% of the outstanding shares, of the Series B Preferred Stock in exchange for cash at an average price per share of $970.84, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The transaction was funded by cash from accumulated earnings and excess capital. As a result of the discount on the purchase price, the Corporation recognized an increase to retained earnings of $141.
On March 15, 2013, the Corporation completed the exchange (the “Exchange”) of newly issued common shares, $1.00 par value per share, (“Common Shares”) for shares of its Series B Preferred Stock with certain institutional and private investors (the "Sellers"). In the Exchange, the Corporation issued an aggregate of 1,359,348 Common Shares at a price of $7.16 per share to the Sellers in exchange for an aggregate of 9,733 shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a price of 100% of the per share liquidation preference, or $1,000 per share. The Corporation also delivered cash to the Sellers in lieu of fractional Common Shares and cash in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid dividends due on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock.
On December 12, 2013, the Corporation entered into a common shares purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors party thereto (the “Investors”), which included certain third-party investors and certain directors of the Corporation. The transactions were approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Corporation and by the Corporation’s Audit and Finance Committee. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Corporation sold to the Investors an aggregate of 367,321 Common Shares at a purchase price of $9.9087 per share (except that Investors who are directors of the Corporation or are related thereto paid $10.30 per share), for an aggregate purchase price of $3.68 million. The Purchase Agreement, among other things, provided the Investors with certain registration rights, pursuant to which the Corporation filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the SEC, which was declared effective on January 16, 2014.
Following the completion of the issuance and sale of Common Shares pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, on December 17, 2013, the Corporation issued a notice of redemption of all 9,147 remaining shares of Series B Preferred Stock, to be funded with the proceeds of the sale of Common Shares along with cash from $3,000,000 in borrowings under the Corporation’s line of credit with an unaffiliated financial institution and from the Corporation’s accumulated earnings and excess capital. On January 17, 2014, the Corporation completed the retirement of the remaining shares of Series B Preferred Stock for an aggregate price of $9,147,000, the face liquidation amount of the shares, plus approximately $74,000 of accrued but unpaid dividends. The Corporation repurchased 1,458 of such shares in a private transaction in December 2013 and redeemed the remaining 7,689 shares of Series B Preferred Stock on January 17, 2014. The Corporation completed the retirement of the remaining shares of Series B Preferred Stock. As of January 17, 2014, the Corporation no longer had Series B Preferred Stock issued or outstanding.
The Board of Directors reviews the Corporation’s capital requirements on a regular basis. The Federal Reserve Board has established risk-based capital guidelines that must be observed by financial holding companies and banks. The Corporation has consistently maintained the regulatory capital ratios of the Corporation and its bank subsidiary, The Lorain National Bank, above “well-capitalized” levels. For further information on capital ratios see Notes 1 and 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the normal course of business, the Corporation enters into commitments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These arrangements include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit involve elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Corporation uses the same credit policies in making commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.
The Corporation’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the commitment is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. Interest rate risk on commitments to extend credit results from the possibility that interest rates may have moved unfavorably from the position of the Corporation since the time the commitment was made.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates of 30 to 120 days or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since some of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Most of these arrangements mature within two years and are expected to expire without being drawn upon. Standby letters of credit generally are contingent upon the failure of the customer to perform according to the terms of the underlying contract with the third party.


37

The Corporation evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained by the Corporation upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the applicant. Collateral held is generally single-family residential real estate and commercial real estate. Substantially all of the obligations to extend credit are variable rate.
The Corporation does not believe that off-balance sheet arrangements will have a material impact on its liquidity or capital resources. See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.
Table 12: Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Contractual obligations and commitments of the Corporation at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
 
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
More Than
5 Years
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Short-term borrowings
$
10,611

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
10,611

FHLB advances
27,400

 
24,596

 
2,325

 
—

 
54,321

Operating leases
915

 
1,252

 
721

 
462

 
3,350

Trust preferred securities
—

 
—

 
—

 
16,238

 
16,238

Benefit payments
381

 
734

 
733

 
2,000

 
3,848

Total
$
39,307

 
$
26,582

 
$
3,779

 
$
18,700

 
$
88,368

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Corporation’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Corporation follows general practices within the banking industry and application of these principles requires management to make assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the financial statements and accompanying notes. These assumptions, estimates and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements.
The most significant accounting policies followed by the Corporation are presented in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. These policies are fundamental to the understanding of results of operation and financial conditions.
The accounting policies considered to be critical by management are as follows:

•
Allowance for loan losses
The allowance for loan losses is an amount that management believes will be adequate to absorb probable incurred credit losses in the loan portfolio taking into consideration such factors as past loss experience, changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio, overall portfolio quality, loan concentrations, specific problem loans and current economic conditions that affect the borrower’s ability to pay. Determination of the allowance is subjective in nature. Loan losses are charged off against the allowance when management believes that the full collectability of the loan is unlikely. Recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are credited to the allowance.
A loan is impaired when based on current information and events it is probable the Corporation will be unable to collect the scheduled payment of principal and interest when due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impairment is evaluated in total for smaller-balance loans of similar nature such as real estate mortgages and installment loans, and on an individual loan basis for commercial loans that are graded substandard or below. 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. If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance may be allocated so that the loan is reported, net, using either the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the loans effective interest rate, the loan's observable market value or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.
The Corporation maintains the allowance for loan losses at a level adequate to absorb management’s estimate of probable incurred credit losses in the loan portfolio. The allowance is comprised of a general allowance, a specific allowance for identified problem loans and an unallocated allowance representing estimations pursuant to either Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ASC 450, “Accounting for Contingencies,” or ASC 310-10-45, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan.”


38

The general allowance is determined by applying estimated loss factors to the credit exposures from outstanding loans. For commercial and commercial real estate loans the Corporation uses historical loss experience along with factors that are considered when loan grades are assigned to individual loans such as current and past delinquency, financial statements of the borrower, current net realizable value of collateral and the general economic environment and specific economic trends affecting the portfolio. For residential real estate, installment and other loans, loss factors are applied on a portfolio basis. Loss factors are based on the Corporation’s historical loss experience and are reviewed for appropriateness on a quarterly basis, along with other factors affecting the collectability of the loan portfolio.
Specific allowances are established for all loans when management has determined that, due to identified significant conditions, it is probable that a loss has been incurred that exceeds the general allowance loss factor from these loans. These conditions are reviewed quarterly by management and include general economic conditions, credit quality trends and internal loan review and regulatory examination findings.
Management believes that it uses the best information available to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. However, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary and the results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the determinations.

•
Income Taxes
The Corporation’s income tax expense and related current and deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented as prescribed in ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. The accounting requires the periodic review and adjustment of tax assets and liabilities based on many assumptions. These assumptions include predictions as to the Corporation’s future profitability, as well as potential changes in tax laws that could impact the deductibility of certain income and expense items. Since financial results could be significantly different than these estimates, future adjustments may be necessary to tax expense and related balance sheet accounts.

•
Goodwill
During 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. This ASU gives an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount (impairment). If the entity finds after the qualitative assessment that it is more likely than not (impairment indicators) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the entity is then required to perform a full impairment test. The full impairment test is a two-step process that requires management to make judgments in determining what assumptions to use in the calculation. The first step in impairment testing is to estimate the fair value based on valuation techniques including a discounted cash flow model with revenue and profit forecasts and comparing those estimated fair values with the carrying values, which includes the allocated goodwill. If the carrying value exceeds its fair value, goodwill impairment may be indicated and a second step is performed to compute the amount of the impairment by determining an “implied fair value” of goodwill. The determination of an “implied fair value” of goodwill requires the Corporation to allocate fair value to the assets and liabilities. Any unallocated fair value represents the “implied fair value” of goodwill, which is compared to its corresponding carrying value. An impairment loss would be recognized as a charge to earnings to the extent the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill. The Corporation early adopted the ASU for 2011. Based upon the qualitative assessment the Corporation determined that there is no likelihood of goodwill impairment therefore no impairment charge was recognized as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

•
New Accounting Pronouncements
Management is not aware of any proposed regulations or current recommendations by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or by regulatory authorities, which, if they were implemented, would have a material effect on the liquidity, capital resources, or operations of the Corporation.




39

ITEM 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
RISK ELEMENTS
Risk management is an essential aspect in operating a financial services company successfully and effectively. The most prominent risk exposures, for a financial services company, are credit, operational, interest rate, market and liquidity risk. Credit risk involves the risk of uncollectible interest and principal balance on a loan when it is due. Fraud, legal and compliance issues, processing errors, technology and the related disaster recovery and breaches in business continuation and internal controls are types of operational risks. Changes in interest rates affecting net interest income are considered interest rate risks. Market risk is the risk that a financial institution’s earnings and capital or its ability to meet its business objectives are adversely affected by movements in market rates or prices. Such movements include fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, equity prices that affect the changes in value of available-for-sale securities, credit spreads and commodity prices. The inability to fund obligations due to investors, borrowers or depositors is liquidity risk. For the Corporation, the dominant risks are market, credit and liquidity risk.
Credit Risk Management
Uniform underwriting criteria, ongoing risk monitoring and review processes, and well-defined, centralized credit policies dictate the management of credit risk for the Corporation. As such, credit risk is managed through the Bank’s allowance for loan loss policy which requires the loan officer, lending officers and the loan review committee to manage loan quality. The Corporation’s credit policies are reviewed and modified on an ongoing basis in order to remain suitable for the management of credit risks within the loan portfolio as conditions change. The Corporation uses a loan rating system to properly classify and assess the credit quality of individual commercial loan transactions. The loan rating system is used to determine the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses for financial reporting purposes and to assist in the determination of the frequency of review for credit exposures.
Most of the Corporation’s business activity is with customers located within the Corporation’s defined market area. As of December 31, 2014 the Corporation had concentrations of credit risk in its loan portfolio for the following loan categories: non-farm, non-residential real estate loans, home equity loans and indirect consumer loans. A concentration is defined as greater than 10% of outstanding loans.
Nonperforming Assets
Total nonperforming assets consist of nonperforming loans, loans which have been restructured and other foreclosed assets. As such, a loan is considered nonperforming if it is 90 days past due and/or in management’s estimation the collection of interest on the loan is doubtful. Nonperforming loans no longer accrue interest and are accounted for on a cash basis. The classification of restructured loans involves the deterioration of a borrower’s financial ability leading to original terms being favorably modified or either principal or interest being forgiven.
Table 13 sets forth nonperforming assets for the five years ended December 31, 2014.
Table 13: Nonperforming Assets
 
At December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate
$
7,884

 
$
11,241

 
$
16,349

 
$
21,512

 
$
25,941

Commercial
189

 
289

 
472

 
1,072

 
1,333

Residential real estate
3,803

 
5,231

 
5,622

 
6,551

 
10,287

Home equity loans
3,900

 
4,464

 
4,293

 
4,365

 
3,137

Indirect
475

 
443

 
711

 
711

 
667

Consumer
327

 
318

 
349

 
260

 
466

Total nonperforming loans
16,578

 
21,986

 
27,796

 
34,471

 
41,831

Other foreclosed assets
772

 
579

 
1,366

 
1,687

 
3,119

Total nonperforming assets
$
17,350

 
$
22,565

 
$
29,162

 
$
36,158

 
$
44,950

Loans 90 days past due accruing interest
$
—

 
$
158

 
$
184

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total nonperforming loans as a percent of total loans
1.78
%
 
2.44
%
 
3.15
%
 
4.09
%
 
5.15
%
Total nonperforming assets as a percent of total assets
1.40
%
 
1.83
%
 
2.48
%
 
3.09
%
 
3.90
%
Allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans
105.05
%
 
79.62
%
 
63.45
%
 
49.50
%
 
38.57
%


40

The Corporation continued to aggressively manage credit quality and has made great progress managing problem loans over the last few years. Nonperforming loans at December 31, 2014 were $16,578 compared to $21,986 at December 31, 2013, a decrease of $5,408. Nonperforming commercial real estate loans decreased to $7,884 for December 31, 2014 compared to $11,241 at December 31, 2013. These loans were primarily secured by real estate and, in some cases, by SBA guarantees, and were either charged-down to their realizable value or were subject to a specific reserve established for any collateral short-fall. All nonperforming loans are being actively managed and monitored.
Management monitors delinquency and potential problem loans. Bank-wide delinquency at December 31, 2014 was 1.52% of total loans. Total 30-59 day delinquency and 60-89 day delinquency was 0.49% and 0.06% of total loans at December 31, 2014, respectively.
Other foreclosed assets were $772 as of December 31, 2014, compared to $579 from December 31, 2013. The $772 was comprised of two commercial properties totaling $228 and seven residential properties, totaling $544. This compares to three commercial properties totaling $304 and seven residential properties, totaling $275 as of December 31, 2013.
Liquidity
Management of liquidity is a continual process in the banking industry. The liquidity of the Bank reflects its ability to meet loan demand, the possible outflow of deposits and its ability to take advantage of market opportunities made possible by potential rate environments. Assuring adequate liquidity requires the management of the cash flow characteristics of the assets the Bank originates and the availability of alternative funding sources. The Bank monitors liquidity according to limits established in its liquidity policy. The policy establishes minimums for the ratio of cash and cash equivalents to total assets and the loan to deposit ratio. At December 31, 2014, the Bank’s liquidity was within its policy limits.
In addition to maintaining a stable source of core deposits, the Bank manages liquidity by seeking continual cash flow in its securities portfolio. At December 31, 2014, the Corporation expected the securities portfolio to generate cash flow in the following 12 months of $63,062 and $116,644 in the following 36 months.
The Bank maintains borrowing capacity at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland and Federal Fund lines with correspondent banks. The Corporation has a $6,000 line of credit through an unaffiliated financial institution. The term of the line is one year, with principal due at maturity and is subject to renewal on an annual basis. The interest rate on the line of credit is the unaffiliated financial institution’s prime rate. Table 14 highlights the liquidity position of the Bank and the Corporation including total borrowing capacity and current unused capacity for each borrowing arrangement at December 31, 2014.
Table 14: Liquidity
 
Borrowing
Capacity
 
Unused
Capacity
 
(Dollars in thousands)
FHLB Cincinnati
$
64,724

 
$
8,024

FRB Cleveland
46,641

 
46,641

Federal Funds Lines
31,000

 
21,000

Unaffiliated Financial Institutions
6,000

 
6,000

Total
$
148,365

 
$
81,665

Liquidity is also provided by unencumbered, or unpledged investment securities that totaled $40,512 at December 31, 2014.
The Corporation is the bank holding company of the Bank and conducts no operations. The Corporation’s primary ongoing needs for liquidity are the payment of the quarterly shareholder dividend if declared and miscellaneous expenses related to the regulatory and reporting requirements of a publicly traded corporation. The holding company’s main source of operating liquidity is the dividend that it receives from the Bank. Dividends from the Bank are subject to restrictions by banking regulators. The holding company from time-to-time has access to additional sources of liquidity through correspondent lines of credit as of December 31, 2014.
Market Risk Management
The Corporation manages market risk through its Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) at the Bank level governed by policies set forth and established by the Board of Directors. This committee assesses interest rate risk exposure through two primary measures: rate sensitive assets divided by rate sensitive liabilities and earnings-at-risk simulation of net


41

interest income over the one year planning cycle and the longer term strategic horizon in order to provide a stable and steadily increasing flow of net interest income.
The difference between a financial institution’s interest rate sensitive assets and interest rate sensitive liabilities is referred to as the interest rate gap. An institution that has more interest rate sensitive assets than interest rate sensitive liabilities in a given period is said to be asset sensitive or has a positive gap. This means that if interest rates rise a corporation’s net interest income may rise and if interest rates fall its net interest income may decline. If interest sensitive liabilities exceed interest sensitive assets then the opposite impact on net interest income may occur. The usefulness of the gap measure is limited. It is important to know the gross dollars of assets and liabilities that may re-price in various time horizons, but without knowing the frequency and basis of the potential rate changes the predictive power of the gap measure is limited.
Two more useful tools in managing market risk are earnings-at-risk simulation and economic value of equity simulation. An earnings-at-risk analysis is a modeling approach that combines the repricing information from gap analysis, with forecasts of balance sheet growth and changes in future interest rates. The result of this simulation provides management with a range of possible net interest margin outcomes. Trends that are identified in earnings-at-risk simulation can help identify product and pricing decisions that can be made currently to assure stable net interest income performance in the future. At December 31, 2014, a “shock” treatment of the balance sheet, in which a parallel shift in the yield curve occurs and all rates increase immediately, indicates that in a +200 basis point shock, net interest income would decrease marginally by $1,717 or 4.65%, and in a -200 basis point shock, net interest income would decrease $4,628 or 12.54%. The reason for the lack of symmetry in these results is the implied floors in many of the Corporation’s core funding which limits their downward adjustment from current offering rates. This analysis is done to describe a best or worst case scenario. Factors such as non-parallel yield curve shifts, management pricing changes, customer preferences and other factors are likely to produce different results.
The economic value of equity approach measures the change in the value of the Corporation’s equity as the value of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet change with interest rates. At December 31, 2014, this analysis indicated that a +200 basis point change in rates would reduce the value of the Corporation’s equity by 11.41% while a -200 basis point change in rates would decrease the value of the Corporation’s equity by 16.54%.
The Asset/Liability Management Committee reviews and takes appropriate action if earnings-at-risk simulation and economic value of equity simulation analysis indicates that the Corporation is not within policy. As of December 31, 2014 the Corporation's economic value of equity and earnings-at-risk results were within policy guidelines.


42

Table 15: GAP Analysis:  The following analysis divides interest bearing assets and liabilities into maturity categories and measures the "GAP" between maturing assets and liabilities in each category. GAP analysis is a static measure of risk that is commonly associated with net interest income margin targeting. As noted in the below table, with respect to estimated repricing activity within three months and within one year, the Corporation was in an liability sensitive position at December 31, 2014:
 
At December 31, 2014
 
Under 3 Months
 
3 to 12 Months
 
1 to 3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
After 5 Years
 
Total
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Earning Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities and short-term investments
$
24,379

 
$
34,057

 
$
65,174

 
$
49,195

 
$
56,723

 
$
229,528

Loans
432,127

 
150,339

 
219,154

 
82,625

 
45,780

 
930,025

Total earning assets
$
456,506

 
$
184,396

 
$
284,328

 
$
131,820

 
$
102,503

 
$
1,159,553

Interest-bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer time deposits
$
120,621

 
$
147,585

 
$
158,267

 
$
13,702

 
$
3

 
$
440,178

Savings and money market deposits
400,177

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
36,094

 
436,271

FHLB advance borrowings
26,821

 
—

 
25,000

 
2,500

 


 
54,321

Long-term debt
8,113

 
—

 
—

 
8,125

 
—

 
16,238

Fed Funds, Repos, Other
10,611

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
10,611

Total interest-bearing liabilities
$
566,343

 
$
147,585

 
$
183,267

 
$
24,327

 
$
36,097

 
$
957,619

Cumulative interest rate gap
$
(109,837
)
 
$
36,811

 
$
101,061

 
$
107,493

 
$
66,406

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2013
 
Under 3 Months
 
3 to 12 Months
 
1 to 3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
After 5 Years
 
Total
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Earning Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities and short-term investments
$
24,724

 
$
16,816

 
$
38,701

 
$
33,162

 
$
124,015

 
$
237,418

Loans
122,566

 
171,361

 
289,145

 
142,020

 
177,207

 
902,299

Total earning assets
$
147,290

 
$
188,177

 
$
327,846

 
$
175,182

 
$
301,222

 
$
1,139,717

Interest-bearing liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer time deposits
$
165,646

 
$
192,501

 
$
137,667

 
$
6,945

 
$
91

 
$
502,850

Savings and money market deposits
126,754

 
46,439

 
139,317

 
81,268

 
—

 
393,778

FHLB advance borrowings
—

 
—

 
29,208

 
17,500

 
—

 
46,708

Long-term debt
8,049

 
—

 
—

 
8,189

 
—

 
16,238

Fed Funds, Repos, Other
4,576

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
4,576

Total interest-bearing liabilities
$
305,025

 
$
238,940

 
$
306,192

 
$
113,902

 
$
91

 
$
964,150

Cumulative interest rate gap
$
(157,735
)
 
$
(50,763
)
 
$
21,654

 
$
61,280

 
$
301,131

 
 


43

Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Table of Contents



44

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Corporation's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Corporation; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Corporation are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Corporation; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Corporation’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in the 2013 Internal control - Integrated Framework. Based on such assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based upon those criteria.

The effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by Crowe Horwath LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Corporation’s financial statements, as stated in their report which is located in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.


/s/ Daniel E. Klimas
 
/s/ James H. Nicholson
Daniel E. Klimas
 
James H. Nicholson
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer




45

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
LNB Bancorp, Inc.
Lorain, Ohio

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of LNB Bancorp, Inc. as of December 31, 2014 and the related consolidated statement of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. We also have audited LNB Bancorp, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). LNB Bancorp, Inc.’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

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 financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of LNB Bancorp, Inc. as of December 31, 2014, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, LNB Bancorp, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the COSO.
/s/ Crowe Horwath LLP

Cleveland, Ohio
March 6, 2015




46

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
LNB Bancorp, Inc.
Lorain, Ohio

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of LNB Bancorp, Inc. (the Corporation) as of December 31, 2013 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Corporation is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit 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 Corporation’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 financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of LNB Bancorp, Inc. as of December 31, 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Plante & Moran, PLLC

Auburn Hills, Michigan
February 27, 2014





47

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
(Dollars in thousands
except share amounts)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
17,927

 
$
36,717

Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in banks
6,215

 
15,555

Cash and cash equivalents
24,142

 
52,272

Securities available for sale, at fair value
217,572

 
216,122

Restricted stock, at cost
5,741

 
5,741

Loans held for sale
10,483

 
4,483

Loans:
 
 
 
Portfolio loans
930,025

 
902,299

Allowance for loan losses
(17,416
)
 
(17,505
)
Net loans
912,609

 
884,794

Bank premises and equipment, net
9,173

 
8,198

Other real estate owned, net
772

 
579

Bank owned life insurance
19,757

 
19,362

Goodwill, net
21,582

 
21,582

Intangible assets, net
321

 
457

Accrued interest receivable
3,635

 
3,621

Other assets
10,840

 
13,046

Total Assets
$
1,236,627

 
$
1,230,257

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
Demand and other noninterest-bearing
$
158,476

 
$
148,961

Savings, money market and interest-bearing demand
436,271

 
393,778

Time deposits
440,178

 
502,850

Total deposits
1,034,925

 
1,045,589

Short-term borrowings
10,611

 
4,576

Federal Home Loan Bank advances 
54,321

 
46,708

Junior subordinated debentures
16,238

 
16,238

Accrued interest payable
596

 
789

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
4,597

 
4,901

Total Liabilities
1,121,288

 
1,118,801

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 20)
—

 
—

Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock, Series A Voting, no par value, authorized 150,000 shares, none issued at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
—

 
—

Fixed rate cumulative preferred stock, Series B, no par value, $1,000 liquidation value, no shares were issued at December 31, 2014 and 7,689 shares at December 31, 2013
—

 
7,689

Discount on Series B preferred stock
—

 
(19
)
Common stock, par value $1 per share, authorized 15,000,000 shares, issued 10,002,139 shares at December 31, 2014 and 10,001,717 at December 31, 2013
10,002

 
10,002

Additional paid-in capital
51,441

 
51,098

Retained earnings
60,568

 
53,966

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(495
)
 
(5,188
)
Treasury shares at cost, 336,745 shares at December 31, 2014 and 328,194 shares at December 31, 2013
(6,177
)
 
(6,092
)
Total Shareholders’ Equity
115,339

 
111,456

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
$
1,236,627

 
$
1,230,257

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


48

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts)
Interest and Dividend Income
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
$
36,319

 
$
36,409

 
$
39,794

Securities:
 
 
 
 
 
Taxable securities
4,415

 
4,051

 
4,962

Tax-exempt securities
1,235

 
1,191

 
1,157

Federal funds sold and short-term investments
34

 
28

 
35

Total interest income
42,003

 
41,679

 
45,948

Interest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
4,159

 
4,838

 
5,944

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
627

 
628

 
865

Short-term borrowings
86

 
7

 
1

Junior subordinated debentures
680

 
683

 
699

Total interest expense
5,552

 
6,156

 
7,509

Net Interest Income
36,451

 
35,523

 
38,439

Provision for Loan Losses (Note 7)
3,113

 
4,375

 
7,242

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
33,338

 
31,148

 
31,197

Noninterest Income
 
 
 
 
 
Investment and trust services
1,685

 
1,555

 
1,563

Deposit service charges
3,309

 
3,509

 
3,811

Other service charges and fees
3,014

 
3,279

 
3,082

Income from bank owned life insurance
888

 
752

 
742

Other income
393

 
521

 
877

Total fees and other income
9,289

 
9,616

 
10,075

Securities gains (loss), net (Note 5)
(5
)
 
178

 
189

Gains on sale of loans
3,612

 
2,324

 
1,575

Gain (loss) on sale of other assets, net
19

 
8

 
(92
)
Total noninterest income
12,915

 
12,126

 
11,747

Noninterest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits (Notes 17,18 & 19)
18,800

 
18,058

 
16,768

Furniture and equipment
4,715

 
4,234

 
4,782

Net occupancy (Note 8)
2,339

 
2,310

 
2,207

Professional fees
2,563

 
1,870

 
2,034

Marketing and public relations
1,425

 
1,216

 
1,231

Supplies, postage and freight
946

 
1,045

 
1,091

Telecommunications
640

 
669

 
731

Ohio Financial Institutions Tax
800

 
1,213

 
1,232

 Intangible asset amortization
136

 
137

 
137

FDIC assessments
979

 
1,039

 
1,304

Other real estate owned
110

 
382

 
570

Loan and collection expense
1,399

 
1,427

 
1,150

Other expense
1,530

 
1,587

 
1,666

Total noninterest expense
36,382

 
35,187

 
34,903

Income before income tax expense
9,871

 
8,087

 
8,041

Income tax expense (Note 13)
2,654

 
1,926

 
1,934

Net Income
$
7,217

 
$
6,161


$
6,107

Less: Net income allocated to participating shareholders
29

 
55

 
83

Dividends and accretion on preferred stock
35

 
646

 
1,266

Net income allocated to common shareholders
$
7,153

 
$
5,460

 
$
4,758

Net income used in diluted EPS calculation
$
7,153

 
$
5,460

 
$
4,758

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
9,623,772

 
8,953,815

 
7,790,410

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
9,656,774

 
8,966,088

 
7,790,671

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Per Common Share (Note 2)
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.74

 
$
0.61

 
$
0.61

Diluted
$
0.74

 
$
0.61

 
$
0.61

Dividend per common share
$
0.06

 
$
0.04

 
$
0.04

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


49

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2013
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
 
$
7,217

 
$
6,161

 
$
6,107

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of taxes during the period
 
(212
)
 
759

 
(237
)
Changes in unrealized securities' holding gain (loss), net of taxes
 
4,902

 
(7,070
)
 
(598
)
Reclassification adjustments for securities' gains realized in net income, net of taxes
 
3

 
(117
)
 
(126
)
Other comprehensive (loss)
 
$
4,693

 
$
(6,428
)
 
$
(961
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
11,910

 
$
(267
)
 
$
5,146

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


50

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Preferred
Stock
(net of
discount)
 
Warrant to
Purchase
Common
Stock
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts)
Balance, December 31, 2011
$
25,122

 
$
146

 
$
8,210

 
$
39,607

 
$
44,080

 
$
2,201

 
$
(6,092
)
 
$
113,274

Net Income

 

 

 

 
6,107

 

 

 
6,107

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 
(961
)
 

 
(961
)
Share-based compensation

 

 

 
311

 

 

 

 
311

Restricted shares granted (62,105 shares)


 

 
63

 
(63
)
 


 

 

 
—

Repurchase of warrants


 
(146
)
 

 
(714
)
 


 

 

 
(860
)
Redemption of Fixed-Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (6,343 shares)
(6,322
)
 

 

 

 
163

 
 
 
 
 
(6,159
)
Preferred dividends and accretion of discount
15

 

 

 

 
(1,266
)
 

 

 
(1,251
)
Common dividends declared, $.04 per share

 

 

 

 
(317
)
 
—

 

 
(317
)
Balance, December 31, 2012
$
18,815

 
$
—

 
$
8,273

 
$
39,141

 
$
48,767

 
$
1,240

 
$
(6,092
)
 
$
110,144

Net Income

 

 

 


 
6,161

 

 

 
6,161

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 
(6,428
)
 

 
(6,428
)
Share-based compensation

 

 

 
271

 

 

 

 
271

Issuance of common stock (1,726,669 shares)

 

 
1,726

 
11,689

 

 

 

 
13,415

Restricted shares granted (62,105 shares)

 

 
3

 
(3
)
 

 

 

 
—

Redemption of Fixed-Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (11,191 shares)
(11,155
)
 

 


 


 
43

 

 

 
(11,112
)
Preferred dividends and accretion of discount
10

 

 

 

 
(646
)
 

 

 
(636
)
Common dividends declared, $.04 per share
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(359
)
 
—

 
—

 
(359
)
Balance, December 31, 2013
$
7,670

 
$
—

 
$
10,002

 
$
51,098

 
$
53,966

 
$
(5,188
)
 
$
(6,092
)
 
$
111,456

Net Income

 

 

 

 
7,217

 

 

 
7,217

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 
4,693

 

 
4,693

Share-based compensation

 


 


 
343

 

 

 

 
343

Purchase of treasury stock (8,551)

 


 


 


 

 

 
(85
)
 
(85
)
Redemption of Fixed-Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock (7,689 shares)
(7,689
)
 


 

 


 


 

 

 
(7,689
)
Preferred dividends and accretion of discount
19

 

 

 

 
(35
)
 

 

 
(16
)
Common dividends declared, $.06 per share


 


 


 


 
(580
)
 


 

 
(580
)
Balance, December 31, 2014
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
10,002

 
$
51,441

 
$
60,568

 
$
(495
)
 
$
(6,177
)
 
$
115,339

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


51

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
7,217

 
$
6,161

 
$
6,107

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

 

 

Provision for loan losses
3,113

 
4,375

 
7,242

Depreciation and amortization
847

 
1,014

 
1,147

Amortization of premiums and discounts
1,766

 
2,237

 
2,738

Amortization of intangibles
136

 
137

 
137

Amortization of loan servicing rights
364

 
206

 
304

Amortization of deferred loan fees
(136
)
 
(54
)
 
(294
)
Federal deferred income tax expense (benefit)
(302
)
 
856

 
372

Securities (gains) losses, net
5

 
(178
)
 
(189
)
Share-based compensation expense
343

 
271

 
310

Income from cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies
(888
)
 
(751
)
 
(743
)
Loans originated for sale
(116,550
)
 
(106,524
)
 
(90,475
)
Proceeds from sales of loan originations
114,162

 
111,998

 
87,864

Net gain from loan sales
(3,612
)
 
(2,324
)
 
(1,575
)
Net loss (gain) on sale of other assets
(19
)
 
(8
)
 
92

Net decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable and other assets
(343
)
 
654

 
(243
)
Net increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable, taxes and other liabilities
(765
)
 
1,861

 
295

Net cash provided by operating activities
5,338

 
19,931

 
13,089

Investing Activities
 
 

 

Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities
2,327

 
2,272

 
25,462

Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities
44,766

 
65,022

 
122,244

Purchase of available-for-sale securities
(42,880
)
 
(92,610
)
 
(129,101
)
Net increase in loans made to customers
(31,908
)
 
(24,586
)
 
(46,676
)
Proceeds from the sale of other real estate owned
939

 
1,172

 
1,070

Proceeds from BOLI death benefits
493

 
—

 
—

Purchase of bank premises and equipment
(1,820
)
 
(508
)
 
(900
)
Proceeds from sale of bank premises and equipment
—

 
22

 
—

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(28,083
)
 
(49,216
)
 
(27,901
)
Financing Activities
 
 

 

Net increase in demand and other noninterest-bearing
9,515

 
9,067

 
13,181

Net increase in savings, money market and interest-bearing demand
42,493

 
16,491

 
17,310

Net increase (decrease) in certificates of deposit
(62,672
)
 
20,439

 
(21,979
)
Net increase in short-term borrowings
6,035

 
3,461

 
888

Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances
15,400

 
—

 
57,500

Payment of Federal Home Loan Bank advances
(8,000
)
 
(14
)
 
(52,472
)
Deferred payment of FHLB prepayment penalty
214

 
214

 
(1,017
)
Cash in lieu - exchange on Preferred Shares
—

 
—

 
—

Repurchase of warrants
—

 
—

 
(860
)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
—

 
3,682

 
—

Redemption of Fixed-Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred stock
(7,689
)
 
(1,467
)
 
(6,159
)
Purchase of treasury shares
(85
)
 
—

 
—

Dividends paid on common and preferred
(596
)
 
(975
)
 
(1,568
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(5,385
)
 
50,898

 
4,824

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(28,130
)
 
21,613

 
(9,988
)
Cash and cash equivalents, January 1
52,272

 
30,659

 
40,647

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31
$
24,142

 
$
52,272

 
$
30,659

Supplemental cash flow information
 
 

 

Interest paid
$
5,745

 
$
6,249

 
$
7,745

Income taxes paid
1,990

 
2,325

 
2,006

Transfer of loans to other real estate owned
1,116

 
633

 
1,173

Exchange of Preferred shares for Common Shares
—

 
9,701

 
—

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


52

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands except per share amounts)

(1)    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Agreement and Plan of Merger
On December 15, 2014, LNB Bancorp, Inc. (the “Corporation” or “LNB Bancorp”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and between Northwest Bancshares, Inc. (“Northwest Bancshares”) and the Corporation. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Corporation will merge with and into Northwest Bancshares, with Northwest Bancshares as the surviving entity. Immediately thereafter, The Lorain National Bank (the “Bank”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation, will merge with and into Northwest Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Northwest Bancshares, with Northwest Bank as the surviving entity.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, 50% of the Corporation’s common shares will be converted into Northwest Bancshares common stock and the remaining 50% will be exchanged for cash. The Corporation’s shareholders will have the option to elect to receive either 1.461 shares of Northwest Bancshares’ common stock or $18.70 in cash for each Corporation common share, subject to proration to ensure that, in the aggregate, 50% of the Corporation’s common shares will be converted into Northwest Bancshares stock. The Merger Agreement also provides that all options to purchase the Corporation’s stock which are outstanding and unexercised immediately prior to the closing shall be settled in cash based on a value of $18.70 less the applicable exercise price of the option, to the extent the difference is positive. Due to the Merger Agreement the Corporation incurred merger related expenses of $752 or $567 after tax.
The transaction has been approved by the Boards of Directors of the Corporation and Northwest Bancshares. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the approval of the Corporation’s shareholders.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank. The consolidated financial statements also include the accounts of North Coast Community Development Corporation which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank. The Bank's wholly-owned subsidiary, North Coast Community Development Corporation, offers commercial loans with preferred interest rates on projects that meet the standards for the federal government's New Markets Tax Credit Program. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain reclassifications of prior years' amounts have been made to conform to current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on prior year net income or shareholders' equity.
Use of Estimates
LNB Bancorp, Inc. prepares its financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which requires the Corporation’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segment Information
The Corporation’s activities are considered to be a single industry segment for financial reporting purposes. LNB Bancorp, Inc. is a financial holding company engaged in the business of commercial and retail banking, investment management and trust services, title insurance, and insurance with operations conducted through its main office and banking centers located throughout Lorain, Cuyahoga, Summit, and Franklin counties of Ohio. This market provides the source for substantially all of the Bank’s deposit and loan and trust activities. The majority of the Bank’s income is derived from a diverse base of commercial, mortgage and retail lending activities and investments.
Statement of Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents include cash, deposits with other financial institutions with maturities fewer than 90 days, and federal funds sold. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, interest bearing deposits in other financial institutions, and federal funds purchased and repurchase agreements.


53

Securities
Securities that are bought and held for the sole purpose of being sold in the near term are deemed trading securities with any related unrealized gains and losses reported in earnings. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Corporation did not hold any trading securities. Securities that the Corporation has a positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, LNB Bancorp, Inc. did not hold any securities classified as held to maturity. Securities that are not classified as trading or held to maturity are classified as available for sale. Securities classified as available for sale are carried at their fair value with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Interest and dividends on securities, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts using the effective interest method over the period to maturity or call, are included in interest income. Gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the specific identification method.
Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. When evaluating investment securities consideration is given to the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, whether the market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions and whether the Corporation has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery. In analyzing an issuer’s financial condition, the Corporation may consider whether the securities are issued by the federal government or its agencies, or U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, whether downgrades by bond rating agencies have occurred, and the results of reviews of the issuer’s financial condition. The assessment of whether an other-than-temporary decline exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to management at a point in time.
When OTTI occurs, the amount of the OTTI recognized in earnings depends on whether an entity intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If an entity intends to sell or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, the OTTI shall be recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. The previous amortized cost basis less the OTTI recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment. If a security is determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, but the entity does not intend to sell the security, only the credit portion of the estimated loss is recognized in earnings, with the other portion of the loss recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax.
Restricted Stock
The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (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. The Bank is also a member of and owns stock in the Federal Reserve Bank. The Corporation also owns stock in Bankers Bancshares Inc., an institution that provides correspondent banking services to community banks. Stock in these institutions is classified as restricted stock and is recorded at redemption value which approximates fair value. The Corporation periodically evaluates the restricted stock for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income.
Mortgage banking
Commitments to fund mortgage loans (interest rate locks) to be sold into the secondary market and forward commitments for the future delivery of these mortgage loans are accounted for as free standing derivatives. The fair value of the interest rate lock is recorded at the time the commitment to fund the mortgage loan is executed and is adjusted for the expected exercise of the commitment before the loan is funded. In order to hedge the change in interest rates resulting from its commitments to fund the loans, the Corporation enters into forward commitments for the future delivery of mortgage loans when interest rate locks are entered into. Fair values of these mortgage derivatives are estimated based on changes in mortgage interest rates from the date the interest on the loan is locked. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives are included in net gains on sales of loans.
Loans Held for Sale
Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value, as determined by outstanding commitments from investors. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded as a valuation allowance and charged to earnings. Loans held for sale are generally sold with servicing rights retained. The carrying value of loans sold is reduced by the amount allocated to the servicing right. Gains and losses on sales of loans are based on the difference between the selling price and the carrying value of the related loan sold.



54

Indirect Lending
The Corporation’s indirect auto lending program originates new and used automobile loans to highly-qualified borrowers, generated through a network of automobile dealers located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana and North Carolina. In addition to generating interest and fee income, the Corporation sells certain loans generated through this program as a means to manage the Bank’s balance sheet as well as maintain and build relationships with a network of investors that purchase the indirect auto loans from the Corporation. The indirect loans that are held for sale are carried at lower of aggregate cost or fair value and are typically sold to investors for a premium. The Corporation sells the indirect auto loans on terms that are determined on a deal by deal basis, with servicing retained by the Corporation.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Corporation uses interest rate swaps, interest rate lock commitments and forward contracts sold to hedge interest rate risk for asset and liability management purposes. All derivatives are accounted for in accordance with ASC-815, Derivatives and Hedging, and are recorded as either other assets or other liabilities at fair value. The Corporation engages in an interest rate program to mitigate its exposure to rising interest rates. The interest rate program provides that a customer receives a fixed interest rate commercial loan and the Corporation subsequently converts that fixed rate loan to a variable rate instrument over the term of the loan by entering into an interest rate swap with a dealer counterparty based on a London Inter-Bank Offered Rate index. The Corporation then receives a fixed rate payment from the customer on the loan and pays the equivalent amount to the dealer counterparty on the swap in exchange for a variable rate payment stream. Based upon accounting guidance each swap is accounted for as a stand-alone derivative and designated as a fair value hedge with any changes in fair value presented in current earnings. Additional information regarding fair value measurement is included in Note 20 (Financial Instruments with Off Balance Sheet Risk and Contingencies) in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Loans
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income and premiums and discounts. Loans acquired through business combinations are valued at fair market value on or near the date of acquisition. The difference between the principal amount outstanding and the fair market valuation is amortized over the aggregate average life of each class of loan. Unearned income includes deferred fees, net of deferred direct incremental loan origination costs. Unearned income is amortized to interest income, over the contractual life of the loan, using the interest method. Direct loan origination fees and costs are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to interest income over the contractual life of the loan, using the interest method.
Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when they are 90 days past due for interest or principal or when the full and timely collection of interest or principal becomes uncertain. When a loan has been placed on nonaccrual status, the accrued and unpaid interest receivable is reversed against interest income. Generally, a loan is returned to accrual status when all delinquent interest and principal becomes current under the terms of the loan agreement and when the collectability is no longer doubtful.
A loan is impaired when based on current information and events it is probable the Corporation will be unable to collect the scheduled payment of principal and interest when due under the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impairment is evaluated in total for smaller-balance loans of similar nature such as real estate mortgages and installment loans, and on an individual loan basis for commercial loans that are graded substandard or worse. 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. If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance may be allocated so that the loan is reported, net, using either the present value of estimated future cash flows discounted at the loans effective interest rate, the loan's observable market value or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.
A description of each segment of the loan portfolio, along with the risk characteristics of each segment, is included below:
Commercial real estate (“CRE”) loans consist of nonfarm, nonresidential loans secured by owner-occupied and nonowner occupied commercial real estate as well as commercial construction loans. The Corporation includes in CRE construction loans as both commercial construction loans and residential construction loans where the loan proceeds are used exclusively for the improvement of real estate as to which a mortgage is held. These types of loans may be in the form of a permanent loan or short-term construction loan, depending on the needs of the individual borrower. Construction financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk of loss than long-term financing on improved, occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan depends largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property’s value at completion of construction and the estimated cost (including interest) of construction. If the estimate of construction cost proves to be inaccurate, the


55

Corporation may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed to permit completion of the project. Additional risk exists with respect to loans made to developers who do not have a buyer for the property, as the developer may lack funds to pay the loan if the property is not sold upon completion. The Corporation attempts to reduce such risks on loans to developers by requiring personal guarantees and reviewing current personal financial statements and tax returns as well as other projects undertaken by the developer. The Corporation's lending policy for CRE loans is designed to address the unique risk attributes of CRE lending. The collateral for these CRE loans is the underlying commercial real estate.
Commercial loans consist of commercial and industrial loans for commercial purposes to individuals, corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships, and other businesses. Commercial and industrial loans are generally secured by business assets such as equipment, accounts receivable, inventory, or any other assets excluding real estate and generally made to finance capital expenditures or expand operations. The Corporation’s risk exposure is related to the borrower's operating leverage and the deterioration in the value of collateral securing the loan should a foreclosure process be deemed necessary. Generally, assets used or produced in business do not maintain their value in a foreclosure proceeding, which may require the Corporation to write-down the value of the collateral in order to dispose of the property.
Residential real estate loans consist of loans to individuals for the purchase of 1-4 family primary residence with repayment primarily through wage or other income sources of the individual borrower. The Corporation defines residential real estate loans as first mortgages on owner occupied and nonowner occupied loans for purchase of 1-4 family primary residences. Credit approval for residential real estate loans requires demonstration of sufficient income to repay the principal and interest and the real estate taxes and insurance, stability of employment, an established credit record and an appropriately appraised value of the real estate securing the loan. The Corporation's credit and loss exposure is dependent upon the local market conditions for residential properties as loan amounts are determined, in part, by the fair value of the property at origination.
Home equity loans consist of loans and lines of credit to in which the borrower uses the equity of their home as collateral. The Corporation defines home equity loans as both home equity loans and home equity line of credits (HELOC). Home equity loans is generally used to finance major expenses such as home repairs, medical bills, or college education. A home equity loan creates a lien against the borrower's house and reduces actual home equity. Risk factors included in this loan segment include the borrower’s income and debt levels, their credit score, and credit history, the loan size, collateral value, lien position, and property type and location.
Indirect loans at the Corporation consists of consumer loans for purchase of autos, boats, recreational vehicles and motorcycles through a third party, typically a reputable dealer of these consumer goods. The Corporation primarily funds consumer purchases of automobiles. The Corporation uses auto lending program that originates new and used automobile loans to highly-qualified borrowers, generated through a network of automobile dealers located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, Indiana and North Carolina. The Corporation requires the dealers adhere to a credit metrics to ensure that loans originated through the dealer meet the bank’s underwriting criteria before origination or purchase. The credit and underwriting decisions are made by the Corporation and a monitoring program is outlined with performance parameters for each dealer.
Consumer loans consists of direct consumer loans, primarily installment loans and overdraft lines of credit to customers in its primary market areas. Credit approval for consumer loans requires income sufficient to repay principal and interest due, stability of employment, an established credit record and sufficient collateral for secured loans. Consumer loans typically have shorter terms and lower balances with higher yields as compared to real estate mortgage loans, but generally carry higher risks of default. Consumer loan collections are dependent on the borrower’s financial stability, and thus are more likely to be affected by adverse personal circumstances.
Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management deems that the available information confirms that a loan balance is uncollectible. 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.
The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) and classified as impaired.


56

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 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.
Nonaccrual commercial and commercial real estate loans over are individually evaluated for impairment. If a loan is impaired, a portion of the allowance is allocated so that the loan is reported, net, at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s existing rate or at the fair value of collateral if repayment is expected solely from the collateral.
Troubled debt restructurings are individually evaluated for impairment and included in the separately identified impairment disclosures. TDRs are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective rate at inception. If a TDR is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral. For TDRs that subsequently default, the Corporation determines the amount of the allowance on that loan in accordance with the accounting policy for the allowance for loan losses on loans individually identified as impaired. The Corporation incorporates recent historical experience related to TDRs including the performance of TDRs that subsequently default into the calculation of the allowance by loan portfolio segment.
The general component covers loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as consumer and residential real estate loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment, and accordingly, they are not included in the separately identified impairment disclosures. The general allowance component also includes loans that are not individually identified for impairment evaluation, such as commercial loans below the individual evaluation threshold, as well as those loans that are individually evaluated but are not considered impaired. The general component is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current factors. The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio segment and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Corporation. This actual loss experience is supplemented with other economic factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment. These economic factors include consideration of the following: levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans (including TDRs); levels of and trends in charge-offs and recoveries; migration of loans to the classification of special mention, substandard, or doubtful; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of any changes in risk selection and underwriting standards; other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices; experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; national and local economic trends and conditions; industry conditions; and effects of changes in credit concentration. Due to the added risks associated with loans which are graded as special mention or substandard that are not classified as impaired, an additional analysis is performed to determine whether an allowance is needed that is not fully captured by the historical loss experience.
Small Business Administration Lending
The Corporation is approved to originate loans under the Small Business Administration (SBA) which are sometimes sold in the secondary market. The SBA’s program affords the Corporation a higher level of delegated credit autonomy, translating to a significantly shorter turnaround time from application to funding. The Corporation retains the unguaranteed portion of these loans and sells the guaranteed portion of these loans. The guaranteed portion of these loans is readily marketable on a servicing-retained basis in an active national secondary market. In general, the SBA guarantees 75% up to 85% of the loan amount depending on loan size. The Corporation continues to service these loans after sale and is required under the SBA programs to retain specified amounts. The servicing spread is 1% on the majority of loans. In calculating gain on the sale of SBA loans, the Corporation performs an allocation based on the relative fair values of the sold portion and retained portion of the loan. The Corporation's assumptions are validated by reference to external market information.
Servicing
Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through sale of financial assets. Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into noninterest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets. Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment on a quarterly basis based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights by predominant characteristics, such as interest rates and terms. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual stratum, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the stratum.
Servicing fee income, which is reported on the income statement as other service charges and fees, is recorded for fees earned for servicing loans. The fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal; or a fixed amount per loan and are recorded as income when earned. The amortization of servicing rights is netted against loan servicing fee income.


57

Servicing fees totaled $312, $444 and $272 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Late fees and ancillary fees related to loan servicing are not material.
Bank Premises and Equipment
Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed generally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings and related components are depreciated using the straight-line method with useful lives ranging from 5 to 39 years. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line (or accelerated) method with useful lives ranging from 5 to 7 years. Upon the sale or other disposition of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are retired and the resulting gain or loss is recognized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while renewals and improvements are capitalized. Software costs related to externally developed systems are capitalized at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life.
Fair Value Measurement
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 items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect these estimates.
Goodwill and Core Deposit Intangibles
Intangible assets arise from acquisitions and include goodwill and core deposit intangibles. Goodwill is the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identified net assets in acquisitions. Core deposit intangibles represent the value of depositor relationships purchased. Goodwill is evaluated at least annually for impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Corporation evaluates goodwill impairment annually as of November 30th of each year. Core deposit intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over ten years and are subject to annual impairment testing.
To simplify the process of testing goodwill for impairment for both public and nonpublic entities, on September 15, 2011 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-08, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. ASU 2011-08 gives an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount (impairment). If the entity finds after the qualitative assessment that it is more likely than not (impairment indicators) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the entity is then required to perform a full impairment test. Prior to the update, entities were required to test goodwill for impairment on at least an annual basis. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Corporation's balance sheet.
Other Real Estate Owned
Other real estate owned (OREO) is comprised of property acquired through or instead of a loan foreclosure proceeding or acceptance of a deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, and loans classified as in-substance foreclosure. Other real estate owned is recorded at the lower of the recorded investment in the loan at the time of acquisition or the fair value of the underlying property collateral, less estimated selling costs, establishing a new cost basis. Any write-down in the carrying value of a property at the time of acquisition is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Any subsequent write-downs to reflect current fair market value, as well as gains and losses on disposition and revenues and expenses incurred in maintaining such properties, are treated as period costs.
Transfer of Financial Assets
Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Corporation, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
Bank Owned Life Insurance
Bank owned life insurance policies are stated at the current cash surrender value of the policy, or the policy death proceeds less any obligation to provide a death benefit to an insured's beneficiaries if that value is less than the cash surrender value. Increases in the asset value are recorded as earnings in other income.


58

Split-Dollar Life Insurance
The Corporation recognizes a liability and related compensation costs for endorsement split-dollar life insurance policies that provide a benefit to certain employees extending to postretirement periods. Based on the present value of expected future cash flows, the liability is recognized based on the substantive agreement with the employee. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Corporation's liability associated with the life insurance policies was $831 and $807, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation
The Corporation’s stock based compensation plans are described in detail in Note 18 (Share-Based Compensation). Compensation expense is recognized for stock awards issued to employees, based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options, while the market price of the Corporation’s common shares at the date of grant is used to estimate the fair value of unvested (restricted) stock awards.
Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period for stock awards. Certain of the Corporation’s share-based awards contain terms that provide for a graded vesting schedule whereby portions of the award vest in increments over the requisite service period.
Investment and Trust Services Assets and Income
Property held by the Corporation in fiduciary or agency capacity for its customers is not included in the Corporation’s financial statements as such items are not assets of the Corporation. Income from the Investment and Trust Services Division is reported on an accrual basis.
Off Balance Sheet Instruments
In the ordinary course of business, the Corporation has entered into commitments to extend credit, including commitments under credit card arrangements, commercial letters of credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. Additional information regarding Off Balance Sheet Instruments is included in Note 20 (Commitments and Contingencies) in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes
The Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary file an annual consolidated Federal income tax return. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be removed or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are deemed more likely than not to be realized.
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.
A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is more likely than not that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the more likely than not test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Corporation recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
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 changes in the funded status of the Corporation's pension plan, which are also recognized as separate components of shareholders’ equity. Unrealized gains on the Corporation’s available-for-sale securities (after applicable income tax expense) totaling $1,013 and unrealized losses of $3,892 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and the minimum pension liability adjustment (after applicable income tax benefit) totaling $1,508 and $1,296 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income.




59

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. All outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends are considered participating securities for this calculation. Diluted earnings per common share includes the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares issuable under stock options. Earnings and dividends per share are restated for all stock splits and stock dividends through the date of issuance of the financial statements
Retirement Plans
Pension expense is the net of service and interest cost, return on plan assets and amortization of gains and losses not immediately recognized. Employee 401(k) and profit sharing plan expense is the amount of matching contributions. Deferred compensation and supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service.
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 there now are such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements.
Recent Financial Accounting Pronouncements
On January 17, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans Upon Foreclosure. The ASU addresses the timing of the transfer of property to other real estate (ORE) of the collateral securing a consumer mortgage loan. The standard clarifies 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 (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) 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. In other words, an asset would be transferred to ORE only when the lender has obtained legal title or when a deed in lieu of foreclosure (or other legal agreement) has been completed. In addition, the standard requires interim and annual disclosure of both the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial statements.
FASB ASU 2014-14, Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force. The objective of this update is to reduce diversity in practice by addressing the classification of certain foreclosed mortgage loans held by creditors that are either fully or partially guaranteed under government programs. The amendments in this update require that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: 1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure; 2) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim; and 3) at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The ASU is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. The amendments can be adopted using either a prospective transition method or a modified retrospective transition method. The adoption of this accounting guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Corporation's financial position or results of operations.
FASB ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this update supersede virtually all existing GAAP revenue recognition guidance, including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance. ASU 2014-09 creates a single, principle-based revenue recognition framework and will require entities to apply significantly more judgment and expanded disclosures surrounding revenue recognition. The core principle requires an entity to recognize revenue in a manner that depicts the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 applies to contracts with customers to provide goods and services, with certain exclusions such as lease contracts, financing arrangements, and financial instruments. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments can be adopted using either the full retrospective approach or a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is prohibited. The Corporation is in process of assessing the potential impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.


60

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, to improve the transparency of reporting these reclassifications. The ASU does not amend any existing requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements but requires an entity to disaggregate the total change of each component of other comprehensive income and separately present reclassification adjustments and current period other comprehensive income. The provisions of this ASU also require that entities present either in a single note or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements, the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive income based on its source and the income statement line item affected by the reclassification. If a component is not required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety, entities would instead cross reference to the related note to the financial statements for additional information. Note 23 contains additional information regarding reclassifications out of AOCI and into net income.

(2)    Earnings Per Common Share

The Corporation calculates earnings per common share (EPS) using the two-class method. The two-class method allocates net income to each class of common stock and participating security according to the common dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Participating securities consist of unvested stock-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends. The Corporation also uses the treasury stock method to calculate dilutive EPS. The treasury stock method assumes that the Corporation uses the proceeds from a hypothetical exercise of options to repurchase common stock at the average market price during the period. The reconciliation between basic and diluted earnings per share is presented as follows:

 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Basic EPS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income
$
7,217

 
$
6,161

 
$
6,107

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock dividend and accretion
35

 
646

 
1,266

Income allocated to participating securities
29

 
55

 
83

Net income allocated to common shareholders
$
7,153

 
$
5,460

 
$
4,758

 
 
 
 
 
 
Average common shares outstanding
9,665,928

 
9,050,901

 
7,939,433

Less: participating shares included in average common shares outstanding
42,156

 
97,086

 
149,023

Average common shares outstanding used in basic EPS
9,623,772

 
8,953,815

 
7,790,410

Basic net income per common share
$
0.74

 
$
0.61

 
$
0.61

 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted EPS:
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income allocated to common shareholders
$
7,153

 
$
5,460

 
$
4,758

 
 
 
 
 
 
Average common shares outstanding
9,623,772

 
8,953,815

 
7,790,410

Add: Common Stock equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
Stock Options
33,002

 
12,273

 
261

Weighted average common stock equivalent shares outstanding
9,656,774

 
8,966,088

 
7,790,671

Diluted net income per common share
$
0.74

 
$
0.61

 
$
0.61


Stock options totaling 179,334, 224,000 and 229,500 shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share in the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, because they were considered antidilutive.



61

(3)    Cash and Due from Banks
Federal Reserve Board regulations require the Bank to maintain reserve balances on deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. The required ending reserve balance was $1,607 on December 31, 2014 and $271 on December 31, 2013.

(4)    Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The Corporation has goodwill of $21,582 primarily from the acquisition of Morgan Bancorp, Inc. completed in 2007. The Corporation assesses goodwill for impairment annually and more frequently in certain circumstances. In September 2011, FASB issued an update on the testing of goodwill for impairment under ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. ASC 350 requires a corporation to test goodwill for impairment, on at least an annual basis, by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The overall objective of the update is to simplify how entities, both public and private, test goodwill for impairment. Simplification has resulted in an entity having the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence or circumstances lead to a determination that it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Corporation evaluates goodwill impairment annually as of November 30th of each year. For 2014 the Corporation determined the Bank was one reporting unit and assessed the following qualitative factors to determine if there is likelihood that goodwill is impaired: (a) industry and market considerations such as a deterioration in the environment in which the Corporation operates; (b) overall financial performance such as negative or declining cash flows or a decline in actual or planned revenue or earnings compared with actual and projected results of relevant prior periods; (c) events affecting a reporting unit such as a change in the composition or carrying amount of the Corporation’s assets unit; (d) share price — considered in both absolute terms and relative to peers; (e) nonperforming loans and allowance for loans losses; and (f) bank capital analysis. Based upon this assessment the Corporation determined that there is no likelihood of goodwill impairment therefore no impairment charge was recognized as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
The Corporation cannot predict the occurrences of certain future events that might adversely affect the reported value of goodwill. Such events include, but are not limited to, strategic decisions in response to economic and competitive conditions, the effect of the economic environment on the Corporation’s customer base or a material negative change in the relationship with significant customers.
Core deposit intangibles are amortized over their estimated useful life of 10 years. A summary of core deposit intangible assets follows:
 
At December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Core deposit intangibles
$
1,367

 
$
1,367

Less: accumulated amortization
1,046

 
910

Carrying value of core deposit intangibles
$
321

 
$
457

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $136 for the year ended December 31, 2014. Amortization expense for intangible assets was $137 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The following table shows the estimated future amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets based on existing asset balances and the interest rate environment as of December 31, 2014. The Corporation’s actual amortization expense in any given period may be significantly different from the estimated amounts depending upon the addition of new intangible assets, changes in underlying deposits and market conditions.
Core Deposits Intangibles
  
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
$
136

2016
136

2017
49



62

(5)    Securities
The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and fair values of securities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:
 
At December 31, 2014
 
Amortized 
Cost
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies and corporations
$
61,333

 
$
63

 
$
(634
)
 
$
60,762

Mortgage-backed securities: residential
92,456

 
1,243

 
(479
)
 
93,220

Residential collateralized mortgage obligations
28,617

 
138

 
(220
)
 
28,535

State and political subdivisions
33,629

 
1,557

 
(131
)
 
35,055

Total Securities
$
216,035

 
$
3,001

 
$
(1,464
)
 
$
217,572

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2013
 
Amortized 
Cost
 
Unrealized Gains
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies and corporations
$
71,851

 
$
—

 
$
(6,463
)
 
$
65,388

Mortgage-backed securities: residential
94,313

 
1,362

 
(1,245
)
 
94,430

Residential collateralized mortgage obligations
18,650

 
255

 
(250
)
 
18,655

State and political subdivisions
32,521

 
1,137

 
(693
)
 
32,965

Preferred securities
4,684

 
—

 
—

 
4,684

Total Securities
$
222,019

 
$
2,754

 
$
(8,651
)
 
$
216,122

U.S. Government agencies and corporations include callable and bullet agency issues and agency-backed mortgage-backed securities.
The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale debt securities by contractual maturity date at December 31, 2014 is provided in the following table. Mortgage-backed securities are not due at a single maturity date and are therefore shown separately.
 
At December 31, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
Due in one year or less
$
23,513

 
$
23,375

Due from one year to five years
37,745

 
38,468

Due from five years to ten years
28,109

 
28,138

Due after ten years
5,595

 
5,836

Mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations
121,073

 
121,755

 
$
216,035

 
$
217,572

The following table shows the proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities for each of the three years ended December 31. The gross realized gains and losses on those sales that have been included in earnings. Gains or losses on the sales of available-for-sale securities are recognized upon sale and are determined using the specific identification method.


63

 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Gross realized gains
$
—

 
$
178

 
$
189

Gross realized losses
(5
)
 
—

 
—

Net Securities Gains
$
(5
)
 
$
178

 
$
189

Proceeds from the sale of available for sale securities
$
2,327

 
$
2,272

 
$
25,462

The cost of investment securities sold, and any resulting gain or loss, was based on the specific identification method and recognized as of the trade date. The tax benefit and provision related to these net realized gains and losses was $2, $61, and $64, respectively.
The carrying value of securities pledged to secure trust deposits, public deposits, line of credit, and for other purposes required by law amounted to $177,060 and $154,479 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The following is a summary of securities that had unrealized losses at December 31, 2014 and 2013. The information is presented for securities that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months and for more than 12 months. At December 31, 2014, the Corporation held 38 securities with unrealized losses totaling $1,464. At December 31, 2013 there were 53 securities with unrealized losses totaling $8,651. Securities may be valued at less than amortized cost if the current levels of interest rates as compared to the coupons on the securities held by the Corporation are higher and impairment is not due to credit deterioration. The Corporation believes there is no OTTI and does not have the intent to sell these securities and it is likely that it will not be required to sell the securities before their anticipated recovery. The issuers continues to make timely principal and interest payments on the investment securities.
 
At December 31, 2014
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government agencies and corporations
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
43,865

 
$
(634
)
 
$
43,865

 
$
(634
)
Mortgage-backed securities: residential
9,472

 
(30
)
 
26,493

 
(449
)
 
35,965

 
(479
)
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations
18,414

 
(81
)
 
3,899

 
(139
)
 
22,313

 
(220
)
State and political subdivisions
1,377

 
(8
)
 
4,095

 
(123
)
 
5,472

 
(131
)
Total
$
29,263

 
$
(119
)
 
$
78,352

 
$
(1,345
)
 
$
107,615

 
$
(1,464
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2013
 
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or longer
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses
 
(Dollars in thousands)
U.S. Government agencies and corporations
$
65,388

 
$
(6,463
)
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
65,388

 
$
(6,463
)
Mortgage-backed securities: residential
28,603

 
(566
)
 
31,051

 
(679
)
 
59,654

 
(1,245
)
Residential collateralized mortgage obligations
5,079

 
(59
)
 
4,411

 
(191
)
 
9,490

 
(250
)
State and political subdivisions
9,188

 
(602
)
 
447

 
(91
)
 
9,635

 
(693
)
Total
$
108,258

 
$
(7,690
)
 
$
35,909

 
$
(961
)
 
$
144,167

 
$
(8,651
)
At year-end 2014 and 2013, there were no holdings of securities of any one issuer, other than the U.S. Government and its agencies, in an amount greater than 10% of shareholders’ equity.


64

On a quarterly basis, the Corporation performs a comprehensive security-level impairment assessment on all securities in an unrealized loss position to determine if other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") exists. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than its amortized cost basis. For debt securities, an OTTI loss must be recognized for a debt security in an unrealized loss position if the Corporation intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. In this situation, the amount of loss recognized in income is equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the individual security. If the Corporation does not expect to sell the security, the Corporation must evaluate the expected cash flows to be received to determine if a credit loss has occurred. If a credit loss is present, only the amount of impairment associated with the credit loss is recognized in income. The portion of the unrealized loss relating to other factors, such as liquidity conditions in the market or changes in market interest rates, is recorded in other comprehensive income, net of taxes.
The security-level assessment is performed on each security, regardless of the classification of the security as available for sale or held to maturity. The assessments are based on the nature of the securities, the financial condition of the issuer, the extent and duration of the securities, the extent and duration of the loss and the intent and whether Management intends to sell or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell a security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may be maturity. For those securities for which the assessment shows the Corporation will recover the entire cost basis, Management does not intend to sell these securities and it is not more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell them before the anticipated recovery of the amortized cost basis, the gross unrealized losses are recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax.
Management does not believe that the investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2014 represent an other-than-temporary impairment. Total gross unrealized losses were primarily attributable to changes in interest rates, relative to when the investment securities were purchased, and not due to the credit quality of the investment securities. The Corporation does not intend to sell the investment securities that were in an unrealized loss position and it is not more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the investment securities before recovery of their amortized cost bases, which may be at maturity.

(6)    Transactions with Related Parties
The Corporation, through its subsidiary Bank, makes loans to its officers, directors and their affiliates. A comparison of loans outstanding to related parties follows:
 
At December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Amount at beginning of year
$
16,380

 
$
16,255

New loans
16,594

 
2,399

Repayments
(6,676
)
 
(2,512
)
Changes in directors and officers and /or affiliations, net
(1,998
)
 
238

Amount at end of year
$
24,300

 
$
16,380

The Corporation, through its subsidiary Bank, maintains deposit accounts for officers, directors and their affiliates. The balances of deposit accounts for related parties were $9,094 and $10,589, respectively at December 31, 2014 and 2013.



65

(7)    Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses
The allowance for loan losses is maintained by the Corporation at a level considered by Management to be adequate to cover probable incurred credit losses in the loan portfolio. The amount of the provision for loan losses charged to operating expenses is the amount necessary, in the estimation of Management, to maintain the allowance for loan losses at an adequate level. While management’s periodic analysis of the allowance for loan losses may dictate portions of the allowance be allocated to specific problem loans, the entire amount is available for any loan charge-offs that may occur. Loan losses are charged off against the allowance when management believes that the full collectability of the loan is unlikely. Recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are credited to the allowance.
The allowance is comprised of a general allowance and a specific allowance for identified problem loans. The general allowance is determined by applying estimated loss factors to the credit exposures from outstanding loans. For residential real estate, installment and other loans, loss factors are applied on a portfolio basis. Loss factors are based on the Corporation’s historical loss experience and are reviewed for appropriateness on a quarterly basis, along with other factors affecting the collectability of the loan portfolio. These other factors include but are not limited to; changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices; changes in national and local economic and business conditions, including the condition of various market segments; changes in the nature and volume of the portfolio; changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and staff; changes in the volume and severity of past due and classified loans, the volume of nonaccrual loans, troubled debt restructurings and other loan modifications; the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations; and the effect of external factors, such as legal and regulatory requirements, on the level of estimated credit losses in the Corporation’s current portfolio. Specific allowances are established for all impaired loans when Management has determined that, due to identified significant conditions, it is probable that a loss will be incurred.

Activity in the allowance for loan losses by loan segment for 2014, 2013 and 2012 is summarized as follows:
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Commercial
 
Residential
Real Estate
 
Home
Equity
Loans
 
Indirect
 
Consumer
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
10,122

 
$
497

 
$
1,411

 
$
3,484

 
$
1,593

 
$
398

 
$
17,505

Losses charged off
(1,407
)
 
(35
)
 
(340
)
 
(1,382
)
 
(399
)
 
(261
)
 
(3,824
)
Recoveries
261

 
33

 
7

 
76

 
214

 
31

 
622

Provision charged to expense
(530
)
 
379

 
1,049

 
952

 
1,051

 
212

 
3,113

Balance, end of year
$
8,446

 
$
874

 
$
2,127

 
$
3,130

 
$
2,459

 
$
380

 
$
17,416

Ending allowance balance attributable to loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually evaluated for impairment
$
742

 
$
51

 
$
223

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,016

Collectively evaluated for impairment
7,704

 
823

 
1,904

 
3,130

 
2,459

 
380

 
16,400

Total ending allowance balance
$
8,446

 
$
874

 
$
2,127

 
$
3,130

 
$
2,459

 
$
380

 
$
17,416

Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually evaluated for impairment
$
13,828

 
$
201

 
$
1,688

 
$
711

 
$
127

 
$
63

 
$
16,618

Collectively evaluated for impairment
411,564

 
77,324

 
69,808

 
125,218

 
216,072

 
13,421

 
913,407

Total ending loans balance
$
425,392

 
$
77,525

 
$
71,496

 
$
125,929

 
$
216,199

 
$
13,484

 
$
930,025

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


66

Year Ended December 31, 2013
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Commercial
 
Residential
Real Estate
 
Home
Equity
Loans
 
Indirect
 
Consumer
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
11,386

 
$
835

 
$
1,559

 
$
2,357

 
$
1,230

 
$
270

 
$
17,637

Losses charged off
(2,325
)
 
(121
)
 
(754
)
 
(1,775
)
 
(678
)
 
(366
)
 
(6,019
)
Recoveries
697

 
8

 
350

 
66

 
335

 
56

 
1,512

Provision charged to expense
364

 
(225
)
 
256

 
2,836

 
706

 
438

 
4,375

Balance, end of year
$
10,122

 
$
497

 
$
1,411

 
$
3,484

 
$
1,593

 
$
398

 
$
17,505

Ending allowance balance attributable to loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually evaluated for impairment
$
865

 
$
73

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
938

Collectively evaluated for impairment
9,257

 
424

 
1,411

 
3,484

 
1,593

 
398

 
16,567

Total ending allowance balance
$
10,122

 
$
497

 
$
1,411

 
$
3,484

 
$
1,593

 
$
398

 
$
17,505

Loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Individually evaluated for impairment
$
17,842

 
$
472

 
$
1,731

 
$
1,111

 
$
195

 
$
160

 
$
21,511

Collectively evaluated for impairment
383,749

 
88,174

 
64,776

 
121,965

 
206,128

 
15,996

 
880,788

Total ending loans balance
$
401,591

 
$
88,646

 
$
66,507

 
$
123,076

 
$
206,323

 
$
16,156

 
$
902,299

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2012
 
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Commercial
 
Residential
Real Estate
 
Home
Equity
Loans
 
Indirect
 
Consumer
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of year
$
10,714

 
$
1,409

 
$
1,331

 
$
2,289

 
$
891

 
$
429

 
$
17,063

Losses charged off
(3,199
)
 
(213
)
 
(1,430
)
 
(1,372
)
 
(963
)
 
(401
)
 
(7,578
)
Recoveries
388

 
45

 
96

 
35

 
288

 
58

 
910

Provision charged to expense
3,483

 
(406
)
 
1,562

 
1,405

 
1,014

 
184

 
7,242

Balance, end of year
$
11,386

 
$
835

 
$
1,559

 
$
2,357

 
$
1,230

 
$
270

 
$
17,637

Ending allowance balance attributable to loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
1,449

 
$
209

 
$
15

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,673

Collectively evaluated for impairment
9,937

 
626

 
1,544

 
2,357

 
1,230

 
270

 
15,964

Total ending allowance balance
$
11,386

 
$
835

 
$
1,559

 
$
2,357

 
$
1,230

 
$
270

 
$
17,637

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$
23,321

 
$
597

 
$
1,790

 
$
398

 
$
—

 
$
61

 
$
26,167

Collectively evaluated for impairment
390,684

 
68,108

 
63,193

 
122,432

 
199,924

 
12,040

 
856,381

Total ending loans balance
$
414,005

 
$
68,705

 
$
64,983

 
$
122,830

 
$
199,924

 
$
12,101

 
$
882,548





67



Delinquencies
Age Analysis of Past Due Loans as of December 31, 2014
(Dollars in thousands)
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
Greater than
90 Days
 
Total Past Due
 
Current
 
Total Loans
 
Recorded
Investment
>
90 Days
and
Accruing
Commercial real estate
$
3,026

 
$
5

 
$
5,857

 
$
8,888

 
$
416,504

 
$
425,392

 
$
—

Commercial
10

 
94

 
97

 
201

 
77,324

 
77,525

 
—

Residential real estate
431

 
37

 
1,481

 
1,949

 
69,547

 
71,496

 
—

Home equity loans
530

 
315

 
1,242

 
2,087

 
123,842

 
125,929

 
—

Indirect
287

 
92

 
130

 
509

 
215,690

 
216,199

 
—

Consumer
235

 
22

 
248

 
505

 
12,979

 
13,484

 
—

Total
$
4,519

 
$
565

 
$
9,055

 
$
14,139

 
$
915,886

 
$
930,025

 
$
—

Age Analysis of Past Due Loans as of December 31, 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
30-59 Days
Past Due
 
60-89 Days
Past Due
 
Greater than
90 Days
 
Total Past Due
 
Current
 
Total Loans
 
Recorded
Investment
>
90 Days
and
Accruing
Commercial real estate
$
525

 
$
4

 
$
7,401

 
$
7,930

 
$
393,661

 
$
401,591

 
$
—

Commercial
—

 
18

 
219

 
237

 
88,409

 
88,646

 
—

Residential real estate
347

 
960

 
2,252

 
3,559

 
62,948

 
66,507

 
158

Home equity loans
932

 
707

 
1,078

 
2,717

 
120,359

 
123,076

 
43

Indirect
332

 
30

 
23

 
385

 
205,938

 
206,323

 
—

Consumer
183

 
25

 
191

 
399

 
15,757

 
16,156

 
—

Total
$
2,319

 
$
1,744

 
$
11,164

 
$
15,227

 
$
887,072

 
$
902,299

 
$
201


Impaired Loans
A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that not all principal and interest amounts will be collected according to the loan contract. Residential mortgage, installment and other consumer loans are evaluated collectively for impairment. Individual commercial loans are evaluated for impairment. Impaired loans are written down by the establishment of a specific allowance where necessary. Interest income recognized on impaired loans while the loan was considered impaired was immaterial for all periods.


68

Impaired loans for the Period Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2014
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average Recorded
Balance
 
(Dollars in thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
$
11,578

 
$
16,320

 
$
—

 
$
12,650

Commercial
74

 
391

 
—

 
445

Residential real estate
1,316

 
1,457

 
—

 
1,241

Home equity loans
711

 
1,408

 
—

 
874

Indirect
127

 
235

 
—

 
158

Consumer
63

 
63

 
—

 
64

With allowance recorded:

 

 

 

Commercial real estate
2,250

 
2,256

 
742

 
2,903

Commercial
127

 
127

 
51

 
169

Residential real estate
372

 
372

 
223

 
148

Home equity loans
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Indirect
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Consumer
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total
$
16,618

 
$
22,629

 
$
1,016

 
$
18,652

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2013
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average Recorded
Balance
 
(Dollars in thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
$
15,530

 
$
20,438

 
$
—

 
$
16,705

Commercial
214

 
267

 
—

 
186

Residential real estate
1,731

 
1,940

 
—

 
1,832

Home equity loans
1,111

 
1,623

 
—

 
847

Indirect
195

 
268

 
—

 
178

Consumer
160

 
204

 
—

 
111

With allowance recorded:

 

 

 

Commercial real estate
2,312

 
2,319

 
865

 
4,374

Commercial
258

 
258

 
73

 
346

Residential real estate
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Home equity loans
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Indirect
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Consumer
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total
$
21,511

 
$
27,317

 
$
938

 
$
24,579

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


69

 
 
 
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2012
 
Recorded
Investment
 
Unpaid Principal
Balance
 
Related
Allowance
 
Average Recorded
Balance
 
(Dollars in thousands)
With no related allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
$
15,378

 
$
20,086

 
$
—

 
$
9,945

Commercial
138

 
138

 
—

 
207

Residential real estate
1,610

 
1,686

 
—

 
1,187

Home equity loans
398

 
398

 
—

 
100

Indirect
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Consumer
61

 
61

 
—

 
15

With allowance recorded:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
7,942

 
9,876

 
1,449

 
16,571

Commercial
459

 
459

 
209

 
251

Residential real estate
181

 
1,452

 
15

 
106

Home equity loans
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Indirect
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Consumer
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total
$
26,167

 
$
34,156

 
$
1,673

 
$
28,382

*impaired loans shown in the tables above included loans that were classified as troubled debt restructurings ("TDRs"). The restructuring of a loan is considered a TDR if both (i) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties and (ii) the creditor has granted a concession. The recorded investment in loans excludes accrued interest receivable and loan origination fees, net due to immateriality of these items.
Troubled Debt Restructuring
A restructuring of debt constitutes a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) if the creditor, for economic or legal reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would not otherwise consider. That concession either stems from an agreement between the creditor and the debtor or is imposed by law or a court. The Corporation adheres to ASC 310-40, Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors, to determine whether a troubled debt restructuring applies in a particular instance. Prior to loans being modified and classified as a TDR, specific reserves are generally assessed, as most these loans have been specifically allocated for as part of the Corporation's normal loan loss provisioning methodology. The Corporation allocated no reserves for the TDR loans at December 31, 2014.
The following table summarizes the loans that were modified as a TDR during the period ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
At December 31, 2014

Number of Contracts
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate
2
 
$265
 
$172
Residential real estate
1
 
$160
 
$160


70

The troubled debt restructurings described above did not increase the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2014.
There were no loans modified in a TDR during 2014 that subsequently defaulted (i.e., 90 days or more past due following a modification).
At December 31, 2013

Number of Contracts
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate
3
 
$93
 
$93
Residential real estate
3
 
$236
 
$236
Home equity loans
15
 
$774
 
$774
Indirect Loans
25
 
$195
 
$195
Consumer Loans
3
 
$34
 
$34

At December 31, 2012
 
Number of Contracts
 
Pre-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
 
Post-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate
7
 
$5,595
 
$5,114
Residential real estate
11
 
$1,167
 
$1,167
Home equity loans
8
 
$398
 
$398
Consumer Loans
1
 
$61
 
$61
The troubled debt restructurings described above had had no reserves allocated for TDR loans ending December 31, 2013. The Corporation had allocated reserves of $392 for TDR loans at December 31, 2012.
A modification of a loan constitutes a TDR when a borrower is experiencing financial difficulty and the modification constitutes a concession. The Corporation offers various types of concessions when modifying a loan, however, forgiveness of principal is rarely granted. Commercial loans modified in a TDR often involve temporary interest-only payments, term extensions, and converting revolving credit lines to term loans. Additional collateral, a co-borrower, or a guarantor may be requested. Commercial mortgage and construction loans modified in a TDR often involve reducing the interest rate for the remaining term of the loan, extending the maturity date at an interest rate lower than the current market rate for new debt with similar risk, or substituting or adding a new borrower or guarantor. Construction loans modified in a TDR may also involve extending the interest-only payment period. Land loans are also included in the class of commercial real estate loans. Land loans are typically structured as interest-only monthly payments with a balloon payment due at maturity. Land loans modified in a TDR typically involve extending the balloon payment by one to three years and changing the monthly payments from interest-only to principal and interest, while leaving the interest rate unchanged.
Loans modified in a TDR are typically already on nonaccrual status and partial charge-offs have in some cases already been taken against the outstanding loan balance. As a result, loans modified in a TDR for the Corporation may have the financial effect of increasing the specific allowance associated with the loan. The allowance for impaired loans that have been modified in a TDR is measured based on the estimated fair value of the collateral, less any selling costs, if the loan is collateral dependent or on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. Management exercises significant judgment in developing these estimates.
The regulatory guidance requires loans to be accounted for as collateral-dependent loans when borrowers have filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the debt has been discharged and the borrower has not reaffirmed the debt, regardless of the delinquency


71

status of the loan. The filing of bankruptcy by the borrower is evidence of financial difficulty and the discharge of the obligation by the bankruptcy court is deemed to be a concession granted to the borrower.
At December 31, 2014 the Corporation had approximately $632 of additional commitments to lend additional funds to the related debtors whose terms have been modified in a TDR.
Nonaccrual Loans
Nonaccrual loan balances at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows:
Loans On Non-Accrual Status
December 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commercial real estate
$
7,884

 
$
11,241

Commercial
189

 
289

Residential real estate
3,803

 
5,231

Home equity loans
3,900

 
4,464

Indirect
475

 
443

Consumer
327

 
318

Total Nonaccrual Loans
$
16,578

 
$
21,986

Credit Risk Grading
Sound credit systems, practices and procedures such as credit risk grading systems; effective credit review and examination processes; effective loan monitoring, problem identification, and resolution processes; and a conservative loss recognition process and charge-off policy are integral to management’s proper assessment of the adequacy of the allowance. Many factors are considered when grades are assigned to individual loans such as current and historic delinquency, financial statements of the borrower, current net realizable value of collateral and the general economic environment and specific economic trends affecting the portfolio. Commercial, commercial real estate and residential construction loans are assigned internal credit risk grades. The loan’s internal credit risk grade is reviewed on at least an annual basis and more frequently if needed based on specific borrower circumstances. Credit quality indicators used in management’s periodic analysis of the adequacy of the allowance include the Corporation’s internal credit risk grades which are described below and are included in the table below for December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
•
Grades 1 -5: defined as “Pass” credits — loans which are protected by the borrower’s current net worth and paying capacity or by the value of the underlying collateral. Pass credits are current or have not displayed a significant past due history.
•
Grade 6: defined as “Special Mention” credits — loans where a potential weakness or risk exists, which could cause a more serious problem if not monitored. Loans listed for special mention generally demonstrate a history of repeated delinquencies, which may indicate a deterioration of the repayment abilities of the borrower.
•
Grade 7: defined as “Substandard” credits — loans that have a well-defined weakness based on objective evidence and are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Corporation will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
•
Grade 8: defined as “Doubtful” credits — loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in a substandard asset. In addition, these weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full highly questionable and improbable.
•
Grade 9: defined as “Loss” credits — loans classified as a loss are considered uncollectible, or of such value that continuance as an asset is not warranted.
For the residential real estate segment, the Corporation monitors credit quality using a combination of the delinquency status of the loan and/or the Corporation’s internal credit risk grades as indicated above.


72

The following table presents the recorded investment of commercial real estate, commercial and residential real estate loans by internal credit risk grade and the recorded investment of residential real estate, home equity, indirect and consumer loans based on delinquency status as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
Commercial
Credit Exposure
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Commercial
 
Residential
Real
Estate*
 
Home
Equity
Loans
 
Indirect
 
Consumer
 
Total
December 31, 2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Loans graded by internal credit risk grade:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Grade 1 — Minimal
$
—

 
$
66

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
66

Grade 2 — Modest
600

 
4,521

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5,121

Grade 3 — Better than average
8,576

 
117

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
8,693

Grade 4 — Average
301,225

 
60,074

 
3,249

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
364,548

Grade 5 — Acceptable
94,536

 
8,395

 
2,007

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
104,938

Total Pass Credits
404,937

 
73,173

 
5,256

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
483,366

Grade 6 — Special mention
2,365

 
4,163

 
26

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
6,554

Grade 7 — Substandard
18,090

 
189

 
1,067

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
19,346

Grade 8 — Doubtful
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Grade 9 — Loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total loans internally credit risk graded
425,392

 
77,525

 
6,349

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
509,266

Loans not monitored by internal risk grade:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current loans not internally risk graded
—

 
—

 
63,643

 
123,842

 
215,690

 
12,979

 
416,154

30-59 days past due loans not internally risk graded
—

 
—

 
230

 
530

 
287

 
235

 
1,282

60-89 days past due loans not internally risk graded
—

 
—

 
37

 
315

 
92

 
22

 
466

90+ days past due loans not internally risk graded
—

 
—

 
1,237

 
1,242

 
130

 
248

 
2,857

Total loans not internally credit risk graded
—

 
—

 
65,147

 
125,929

 
216,199

 
13,484

 
420,759

Total loans internally and not internally credit risk graded
$
425,392

 
$
77,525

 
$
71,496

 
$
125,929

 
$
216,199

 
$
13,484

 
$
930,025

*
Residential loans with an internal commercial credit risk grade include loans that are secured by non-owner occupied 1-4 family residential properties and conventional 1-4 family residential properties.



73

Commercial
Credit Exposure
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Commercial
 
Residential
Real
Estate*
 
Home
Equity
Loans
 
Indirect
 
Consumer
 
Total
December 31, 2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Loans graded by internal credit risk grade:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grade 1 — Minimal
$
—

 
$
52

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
52

Grade 2 — Modest
—

 
37

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
37

Grade 3 — Better than average
857

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
857

Grade 4 — Average
22,580

 
271

 
613

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
23,464

Grade 5 — Acceptable
352,781

 
84,979

 
5,589

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
443,349

Total Pass Credits
376,218

 
85,339

 
6,202

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
467,759

Grade 6 — Special mention
2,146

 
2,891

 
35

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
5,072

Grade 7 — Substandard
23,227

 
416

 
625

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
24,268

Grade 8 — Doubtful
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Grade 9 — Loss
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total loans internally credit risk graded
401,591

 
88,646

 
6,862

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
497,099

Loans not monitored by internal risk grade:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current loans not internally risk graded
—

 
—

 
56,390

 
120,359

 
205,938

 
15,757

 
398,444

30-59 days past due loans not internally risk graded
—

 
—

 
64

 
932

 
332

 
183

 
1,511

60-89 days past due loans not internally risk graded
—

 
—

 
960

 
707

 
30

 
25

 
1,722

90+ days past due loans not internally risk graded
—

 
—

 
2,231

 
1,078

 
23

 
191

 
3,523

Total loans not internally credit risk graded
—

 
—

 
59,645

 
123,076

 
206,323

 
16,156

 
405,200

Total loans internally and not internally credit risk graded
$
401,591

 
$
88,646

 
$
66,507

 
$
123,076

 
$
206,323

 
$
16,156

 
$
902,299

 * Residential loans with an internal commercial credit risk grade include loans that are secured by non-owner occupied 1-4 family residential properties and conventional 1-4 family residential properties.
The Corporation adheres to underwriting standards consistent with its Loan Policy for indirect and consumer loans. Final approval of a consumer credit depends on the repayment ability of the borrower. Repayment ability generally requires the determination of the borrower’s capacity to meet current and proposed debt service requirements. A borrower’s repayment ability is monitored based on delinquency, generally for time periods of 30 to 59 days past due, 60 to 89 days past due and greater than 90 days past due. This information is provided in the above past due loans table.

(8)    Bank Premises, Equipment and Leases
Bank premises and equipment are summarized as follows:
 
At December 31
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Land
$
2,452

 
$
2,452

Buildings
12,478

 
11,422

Equipment
15,527

 
14,990

Purchased software
4,693

 
4,739

Leasehold improvements
1,264

 
1,088

Total cost
$
36,414

 
$
34,691

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
27,241

 
26,493

Net bank premises and equipment
$
9,173

 
$
8,198



74

Depreciation of Bank premises and equipment charged to noninterest expense amounted to $730 in 2014, $845 in 2013 and $887 in 2012. Amortization of purchased software charged to noninterest expense amounted to $147 in 2014, $169 in 2013 and $260 in 2012.
The Bank is obligated under various non-cancelable operating leases on certain Bank premises and equipment. Minimum future payments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
 
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
$
915

2016
752

2017
500

2018
477

2019
244

2020 and thereafter
462

Total
$
3,350

Rentals paid under leases on Corporation premises and equipment amounted to $1,003 in 2014, $1,000 in 2013 and $1,040 in 2012.

(9)    Deposits
Deposit balances are summarized as follows:
 
At December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Demand and other noninterest-bearing
$
158,476

 
$
148,961

Interest checking
171,312

 
164,662

Savings
128,383

 
125,582

Money market accounts
136,576

 
103,534

Consumer time deposits
337,670

 
382,137

Public time deposits
102,508

 
120,713

Total deposits
$
1,034,925

 
$
1,045,589

The aggregate amount of certificates of deposit that meet or exceed the FDIC Insurance limit in denominations of $250,000 or more amounted to $83,516 and $91,296 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The maturity distribution of time deposits as of December 31, 2014 follows:
 
December 31, 2014
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
$
222,324

2016
148,619

2017
54,097

2018
10,130

2019
5,008

Total
$
440,178




75

(10)    Short-Term Borrowings
The Bank has a line of credit for advances and discounts with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. The amount of this line of credit varies on a monthly basis. The credit available under the line is equal to 50% of the balances of qualified home equity lines of credit that are pledged as collateral. At December 31, 2014, the Bank had pledged approximately $93,282 in qualifying home equity lines of credit, resulting in an available line of credit of approximately $46,641. No amounts were outstanding under the line of credit at December 31, 2014 or December 31, 2013. The Corporation has a $6,000 line of credit with an unaffiliated financial institution of which no amounts were outstanding as of December 31, 2014.
Short-term borrowings include securities sold under repurchase agreements and Federal funds purchased from correspondent banks. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are secured primarily by mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of approximately $1,940 at December 31, 2014 and $2,722 at December 31, 2013.
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the outstanding balance of securities sold under repurchase agreements totaled $611 and $1,576, respectively. There was $10,000 in federal funds that were purchased as of December 31, 2014 and no amounts were outstanding as of 2013.
The following table presents the components of federal funds purchased, securities sold under agreements to repurchase and short-term borrowings:
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Federal funds purchased
 
$
10,000

 
$
—

 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
 
611

 
1,576

 
Line of credit with an unaffiliated financial institution
 
—

 
3,000

 
Total short-term borrowings
 
$
10,611

 
$
4,576

 
Selected financial statement information pertaining to short-term borrowings is as follows:
Short-term borrowings
 
As of December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
Average balance during the year
 
$
3,886

 
$
1,803

 
Weighted-average annual interest rate during the year
 
0.59
%
 
0.10
%
 
Maximum month-end balance
 
$
10,611

 
$
4,576

 

(11)    Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
Federal Home Loan Bank advances amounted to $54,321 and $46,708 at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 respectively. All advances were bullet maturities with no call features. At December 31, 2014, collateral pledged for FHLB advances consisted of qualified multi-family and residential real estate mortgage loans and investment securities of $94,920 and $10,758, respectively. The maximum borrowing capacity of the Bank at December 31, 2014 was $64,724. The Bank maintains a $40,000 cash management line of credit (CMA) with the FHLB. There was $20,000 outstanding under the CMA line of credit at December 31, 2014 and there were no amounts outstanding at December 31, 2013.
Maturities of FHLB advances outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
 
December 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Maturity January 2014 with fixed rate 3.55%
$
—

 
$
1

Maturity January 2015 with fixed rate 0.80%
20,000

 
20,000

Maturity March 2015 with fixed rate 0.24%
7,400

 
—

Maturity December 2016 with fixed rate 0.79%
10,000

 
10,000

Maturities June 2017 through December 2017, with fixed rates ranging from 0.89% to 0.99%
15,000

 
15,000

Maturity June 2018 fixed rate 1.24%
2,500

 
2,500

Restructuring prepayment penalty
(579
)
 
(793
)
Total FHLB advances
$
54,321

 
$
46,708



76

In 2012, the Corporation prepaid $27,500 of fixed rate FHLB advances with a contractual average interest rate of 2.47% and a remaining maturity of 12 to 31 months. The prepaid FHLB advances were replaced with $27,500 of fixed rate FHLB advances with a contractual average interest rate of 0.88% and terms of 49 to 67 months. In accordance with the restructure, the Corporation was required to pay a prepayment penalty of $1,017 to the FHLB. The present value of the cash flows under the terms of the new FHLB advances (including the prepayment penalties) were not more than 10% different from the present value of the cash flows under the terms of the prepaid FHLB advances and therefore the new advances were not considered to be substantially different from the original advances in accordance with ASC 470-50, Debt – Modifications and Exchanges. As a result, the prepayment penalties have been treated as a discount on the new debt and are being amortized over the life of the new advances as an adjustment to yield. The prepayment penalty effectively increases the interest rate on the new advances over the lives of the new advances at the time of the transaction. The benefit of prepaying these advances was an immediate decrease in interest expense and a decrease in interest rate sensitivity as the maturity of each of the refinanced FHLB advances was extended at a lower rate.
At December 31, 2014, the advances were structured to contractually pay down as follows:
 
Balance
 
Weighted Average Rate
2015
$
27,400

 
0.65%
2016
10,000

 
0.79
2017
15,000

 
0.96
2018
2,500

 
1.24
Thereafter
—

 
—
Total
$
54,900

 
0.79%
Restructuring prepayment penalty
(579
)
 
 
Total
$
54,321

 
 

(12)    Trust Preferred Securities
In May 2007, LNB Trust I (“Trust I”) and LNB Trust II (“Trust II”) each sold $10.0 million of preferred securities to outside investors and invested the proceeds in junior subordinated debentures issued by the Corporation. The Corporation’s obligations under the transaction documents, taken together, have the effect of providing a full guarantee by the Corporation, on a subordinated basis, of the payment obligation of the Trusts.
In August 2010, the Corporation entered into an agreement with certain holders of its non-pooled trust preferred securities and those holders exchanged $2,125 in principal amount of the securities issued by Trust I and $2,125 in principal amount of the securities issued by Trust II for 462,234 newly issued shares of the Corporation’s common stock at a volume weighted average price of $4.41 per share. The Corporation recorded a gain of $2,210 in connection with the exchange, which is included in the consolidated statements of income as “Gain on extinguishment of debt”. At December 31, 2014 the balance of the subordinated notes payable to Trust I and Trust II was $8,119 each.
The subordinated notes mature in 2037. Trust I bears a floating interest rate (current three-month LIBOR plus 148 basis points). Trust II bears a fixed rate of 6.64% through June 15, 2017, and then becomes a floating interest rate (current three-month LIBOR plus 148 basis points). Interest on the notes is payable quarterly. The interest rates in effect as of the last determination date in 2014 were 1.72% and 6.64% for Trust I and Trust II, respectively. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, accrued interest payable for Trust I was $6 and $6 and for Trust II was $22 and $22, respectively.
The subordinated notes are redeemable in whole or in part, without penalty, at the Corporation’s option on or after June 15, 2012, in the case of Trust I subordinated notes, and June 15, 2017, in the case of Trust II subordinated notes, and mature on June 15, 2037. In addition, the terms of the Corporation's outstanding trust preferred securities prohibit it from declaring or paying any dividends or distributions on its capital stock, including its common shares, if an event of default has occurred and is continuing under the applicable indenture or if the Corporation has given notice of its election to defer interest payments but the related deferral period has not yet commenced or a deferral period is continuing. The notes are junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness of the Corporation, whether outstanding at the date of the indenture governing the notes or thereafter incurred.





77

(13)    Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal current expense
$
2,956

 
$
1,070

 
$
1,562

Federal deferred expense (benefit)
(302
)
 
856

 
372

Total Income Tax expense
$
2,654

 
$
1,926

 
$
1,934

The following presents a reconciliation of income taxes as shown on the Consolidated Statements of Income with that which would be computed by applying the statutory Federal tax rate of 34% to income (loss) before taxes in 2014, 2013 and 2012.
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Computed “expected” tax expense
$
3,356

 
$
2,750

 
$
2,734

Increase (reduction) in income taxes resulting from:

 

 

Tax exempt interest on obligations of state and political subdivisions
(494
)
 
(483
)
 
(451
)
Tax exempt earnings on bank owned life insurance
(258
)
 
(212
)
 
(210
)
New markets tax credit
(23
)
 
(59
)
 
(208
)
Other, net
73

 
(70
)
 
69

Total Income Tax Expense
$
2,654

 
$
1,926

 
$
1,934

Management monitors changes in tax statutes and regulations and the issuance of judicial decisions to identify the potential uncertain income tax positions. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Corporation had no unrecognized tax benefits recorded related to uncertain tax positions. The Corporation does not expect the amount of unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change within the next twelve months.
Net deferred federal tax assets are included in other assets on the consolidated Balance Sheets. Management believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred federal tax assets will be realized. At December 31, 2014 and 2013 there was no valuation allowance required. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred federal tax assets and deferred federal tax liabilities are presented below. There were no amounts of interest and penalties recorded in the income statement for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.


78

 
At December 31
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred federal tax assets:
 
 
 
Allowance for loan losses
$
5,921

 
$
5,952

Deferred compensation
550

 
729

Minimum pension liability
777

 
668

Equity based compensation
257

 
225

Deferred loan fees and costs
249

 
295

Non-accrual loan interest
1,104

 
884

Net unrealized loss on securities available for sale
—

 
2,005

Other deferred tax assets
225

 
252

Total deferred federal tax assets
9,083

 
11,010

Deferred federal tax liabilities:

 

Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale
(522
)
 
—

FHLB stock dividends
(254
)
 
(254
)
Intangible asset amortization
(1,039
)
 
(1,079
)
Accretion
(112
)
 
(250
)
Deferred charges
(121
)
 
(213
)
FHLB restructure
(197
)
 
(270
)
Loan servicing rights
(619
)
 
(435
)
Prepaid pension
(832
)
 
(901
)
Other deferred tax liabilities
—

 
(105
)
Total deferred federal tax liabilities
(3,696
)
 
(3,507
)
Net deferred federal tax assets
$
5,387

 
$
7,503

The Corporation’s income tax returns are subject to review and examination by the federal taxing authorities. The Corporation is no longer subject to examination by the federal taxing authority for years prior to 2011. Tax years 2011 and later remain open to examination by the federal taxing authority.

(14)    Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred Stock
The Corporation is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of Voting Preferred Stock, no par value. The Board of Directors of the Corporation is authorized to provide for the issuance of one or more series of Voting Preferred Stock and establish the dividend rate, dividend dates, whether dividends are cumulative, liquidation prices, redemption rights and prices, sinking fund requirements, conversion rights, and restrictions on the issuance of any series of Voting Preferred Stock. The Voting Preferred Stock may rank prior to the common stock in dividends, liquidation preferences, or both. The Corporation has authorized 150,000 Series A Voting Preferred Shares, none of which have been issued. As of December 31, 2014 there were no Preferred Shares held and as of December 31, 2013 there were 7,689 shares of the Corporation’s Series B Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.
On December 12, 2008, the Corporation issued 25,223 shares of its Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, $1,000 per share liquidation preference (“Series B Preferred Stock”) to the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the "Treasury")in the TARP Capital Purchase Program for a purchase price of approximately $25,223. Holders of the shares of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive if, as and when declared by the Corporation's Board of Directors or duly authorized committee of the Board, out of assets legally available for payment, cumulative cash dividends at a rate per annum of 5% per share on liquidation preference of $1,000 per share of Series B Preferred Stock with respect to each dividend period. After February 15, 2014, holders of Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate per annum of 9% per share on a liquidation preference of $1,000 per Series B Preferred Stock. In connection with that issuance, the Corporation also issued a warrant to the Treasury to purchase 561,343 common shares of the Corporation at an exercise price of $6.74 per share (the “Warrant”).
Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on each February 15th, May 15th, August 15th and November 15th on shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Dividends payable during any dividend period are computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends payable with respect to the Series B Preferred Stock are payable to holders of record of shares of Series B Preferred Stock on the date that is 15 calendar days immediately preceding the applicable dividend payment date or such other record date as the board of directors or any duly authorized committee of the board determines, so long as such record date is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to the applicable dividend payment date.


79

As part of the Treasury’s strategy for winding down its remaining investment in the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), particularly in community banks, the Treasury conducted various public auctions of TARP preferred stock in 2012. On June 19, 2012 the Treasury completed the offer and sale of all 25,223 shares of the Corporation's Series B Preferred Stock. The underwriters in the offering purchased the Series B Preferred Stock from the U.S. Department of Treasury at a price of $856.13 per share. The shares were subsequently sold to the public through a modified Dutch auction at an initial public offering price of $869.17 per share. The Corporation did not receive any of the proceeds from the offering.
During the third quarter 2012, the Corporation entered into a Warrant Repurchase Agreement to purchase the Warrant issued. The Warrant was immediately exercisable for 561,343 shares of the Corporation's common shares at an exercise price of $6.74 per common share. The Warrant was transferrable and could be exercised at any time on or before July 2, 2012. The Corporation negotiated a repurchase of Warrants at a mutually agreed upon price of $1.53 per share, or $860 with the Treasury. The repurchase of the Warrant occurred in July 2012 and reduced equity by the amount of the purchase price. Following settlement of the Warrant repurchase, the Treasury had no remaining investment in the Corporation.
In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Corporation completed the repurchase of $6,343 in face liquidation amount, or approximately 25% of the outstanding shares, of its Series B Preferred Stock in exchange for cash at a price representing a discount to par value. The transaction was funded by cash from accumulated earnings and excess capital. As a result of the discount on the purchase price, the Corporation recognized an increase to retained earnings of $163. As of December 31, 2012, 18,880 shares of the Corporation’s Series B Preferred Stock remained issued and outstanding.
On March 15, 2013, the Corporation completed the exchange (the “Exchange”) of newly issued Common Shares, $1.00 par value per share, of the Company (“Common Shares”) for shares of the Company’s Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B, $1,000 per share liquidation preference (“Series B Preferred Stock”) with certain institutional and private investors (the "Sellers"). In the Exchange, the Corporation issued an aggregate of 1,359,348 Common Shares at a price of $7.16 per share to the Sellers in exchange for an aggregate of 9,733 shares of Series B Preferred Stock at a price of 100% of the per share liquidation preference, or $1,000 per share. The Corporation also delivered cash to the Sellers in lieu of fractional Common Shares and cash in an amount equal to the accrued and unpaid dividends due on the shares of Series B Preferred Stock. Following the completion of the Exchange, an aggregate of 9,147 shares of the Series B Preferred Stock remained outstanding.
On December 12, 2013, the Corporation entered into a common shares purchase agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with certain investors party thereto (the “Investors”), which included certain third-party investors and certain directors of the Corporation. The transactions were approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Corporation and by the Corporation’s Audit and Finance Committee. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Corporation sold to the Investors an aggregate of 367,321 Common Shares at a purchase price of $9.9087 per share (except that Investors who are directors of the Corporation or are related thereto paid $10.30 per share), for an aggregate purchase price of $3.68 million. The Purchase Agreement, among other things, provided the Investors with certain registration rights, pursuant to which the Corporation filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the SEC, which was declared effective on January 16, 2014.
Following the completion of the issuance and sale of Common Shares pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, on December 17, 2013, the Corporation issued a notice of redemption of all 9,147 remaining shares of Series B Preferred Stock, to be funded with the proceeds of the sale of Common Shares along with cash from $3,000,000 in borrowings under the Corporation’s line of credit with an unaffiliated financial institution and from the Corporation’s accumulated earnings and excess capital. On January 17, 2014, the Corporation completed the retirement of the remaining shares of Series B Preferred Stock for an aggregate price of $9,147,000, the face liquidation amount of the shares, plus approximately $74,000 of accrued but unpaid dividends. The Corporation repurchased 1,458 of such shares in a private transaction in December 2013 and redeemed the remaining 7,689 shares of Series B Preferred Stock on the January 17, 2014 redemption date.
Common Stock
The Corporation is authorized to issue up to 15,000,000 common shares. Common shares issued were 10,002,139 at December 31, 2014 and 10,001,717 at December 31, 2013. Common shares outstanding were 9,665,394 and 9,673,523 at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Common Shares Repurchase Plan and Treasury Shares
On July 28, 2005, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 5% of the outstanding common shares of the Corporation, or approximately 332,000 shares. The repurchased shares are expected to be used primarily for qualified employee benefit plans, incentive stock option plans, stock dividends and other corporate purposes. At December 31, 2014 the Corporation held 336,745 common shares as treasury shares under this plan at a total cost of $6,177 compared to 328,194 at a


80

total cost of $6,092 at December 31, 2013. During 2014, 8,551 shares were surrendered to the Corporation by employees to cover tax withholding in conjunction with vesting of restricted stock, as treasury stock at a cost of $85.
Shareholder Rights Plan
On October 25, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Corporation adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan which replaced the Corporation’s original rights plan, which was adopted October 24, 2000 and expired in October 2010. The rights plan is intended to discourage a potential acquirer from exceeding a prescribed ownership level in the Corporation, without prior approval of the Board of Directors. If the prescribed level is exceeded, the rights become exercisable and, following a limited period for the Board of Directors to redeem the rights, allow shareholders, other than the potential acquirer that triggered the exercise of the rights, to purchase Preferred Share Units of the Corporation having characteristics comparable to the Corporation’s common shares, at 50% of market value. This would dilute the potential acquirer’s ownership level and voting power, potentially making an acquisition of the Corporation without prior Board approval expensive.
The Shareholder Rights Plan provided for the distribution of one Preferred Share Purchase Right as a dividend on each outstanding Common Share of the Corporation held as of the close of business on November 5, 2010. One Preferred Share Purchase Right will also be distributed for each common share issued after November 5, 2010. Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Corporation units of a new series of Voting Preferred Shares, no par value, at 50% of market value, if a person or group acquires 10% or more of the Corporation’s Common Shares. Each Unit of the new Preferred Shares has terms intended to make it the economic equivalent of one Common share.
LNBB Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan
The Board of Directors adopted the LNBB Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Plan) effective June 2001, replacing the former LNB Bancorp, Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan. The Plan authorized the sale of 500,000 shares of the Corporation’s common shares to shareholders who choose to invest all or a portion of their cash dividends plus additional cash payments for the Corporation’s common stock. The Corporation did not issue shares pursuant to the Plan in 2014.
Dividend Restrictions
Dividends paid by the Bank are the primary source of funds available to the Corporation for payment of dividends to shareholders and for other working capital needs. The payment of dividends by the Bank to the Corporation is subject to restrictions by the Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC). These restrictions generally limit dividends to the current and prior two years’ retained net profits. In addition to these restrictions, as a practical matter, dividend payments cannot reduce regulatory capital levels below the Corporation’s regulatory capital requirements and minimum regulatory guidelines. Dividends declared and paid in 2014 were not required to be approved by the OCC prior to declaration and payment. At December 31, 2014, the Bank could, without prior approval of the OCC, declare dividends of approximately $5,152.
The Corporation is subject to various regulatory policies and requirements relating to the payment of dividends, including requirements to maintain adequate capital above regulatory minimums. The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or the Federal Reserve Board, is authorized to determine, under certain circumstances relating to the financial condition of a bank holding company, such as us, that the payment of dividends would be an unsafe or unsound practice and to prohibit payment thereof. In addition, the Corporation is subject to Ohio state laws relating to the payment of dividends.

(15)    Regulatory Capital
The Corporation and the Bank are subject to risk-based capital guidelines issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board and the Office of Comptroller of Currency. These guidelines are used to evaluate capital adequacy and include required minimums as discussed below. The Corporation and the Bank are subject to the FDIC Improvement Act. The FDIC Improvement Act established five capital categories ranging from “well capitalized” to “critically undercapitalized.” These five capital categories are used by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to determine prompt corrective action and an institution’s semi-annual FDIC deposit insurance premium assessments.
Capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action regulations involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Capital amounts and classifications are also subject to qualitative judgments by regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors and the regulators can lower classifications in certain cases. Failure to meet various capital requirements can initiate regulatory action that could have a direct material effect on the consolidated financial statements.


81

The prompt corrective action regulations provide for five categories which in declining order are: “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized,” and “critically under-capitalized.” To be considered “well capitalized”, an institution must generally have a leverage capital ratio of at least five percent, a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of at least six percent, and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least ten percent.
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the capital ratios for the Corporation and the Bank exceeded the ratios required to be “well capitalized.” The “well capitalized” status affords the Bank the ability to operate with the greatest flexibility under current laws and regulations. The Comptroller of the Currency’s most recent notification categorized the Bank as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. Management believes that there are no conditions or events that have arisen since that notification that have changed the Bank’s category. Analysis of the Corporation’s and the Bank’s Regulatory Capital and Regulatory Capital Requirements follows:
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
Amount
 
Ratio
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Total capital (risk weighted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated
$
122,374

 
12.51
%
 
$
122,795

 
12.89
%
Bank
119,772

 
12.26

 
116,064

 
12.19

Tier 1 capital (risk weighted)

 

 

 

Consolidated
110,086

 
11.26

 
110,815

 
11.63

Bank
107,498

 
11.00

 
104,090

 
10.93

Tier 1 capital (average assets)

 

 

 

Consolidated
110,086

 
9.10

 
110,815

 
9.22

Bank
107,498

 
8.88

 
104,090

 
8.66

Well Capitalized:

 

 

 

Total capital (risk weighted)

 

 

 

Consolidated
$
97,790

 
10.00
%
 
$
95,290

 
10.00
%
Bank
97,692

 
10.00

 
95,236

 
10.00

Tier 1 capital (risk weighted)

 

 

 

Consolidated
58,674

 
6.00

 
57,174

 
6.00

Bank
58,615

 
6.00

 
57,142

 
6.00

Tier 1 capital (average assets)

 

 

 

Consolidated
60,507

 
5.00

 
60,108

 
5.00

Bank
60,506

 
5.00

 
60,068

 
5.00

Minimum Required:

 

 

 

Total capital (risk weighted)

 

 

 

Consolidated
$
78,232

 
8.00
%
 
$
76,232

 
8.00
%
Bank
78,153

 
8.00

 
76,189

 
8.00

Tier 1 capital (risk weighted)

 

 

 

Consolidated
39,116

 
4.00

 
38,116

 
4.00

Bank
39,077

 
4.00

 
38,094

 
4.00

Tier 1 capital (average assets)

 

 

 

Consolidated
48,406

 
4.00

 
48,086

 
4.00

Bank
48,405

 
4.00

 
48,054

 
4.00


(16)    Parent Company Financial Information
LNB Bancorp, Inc.’s (parent company only) condensed balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the condensed statements of income and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:


82

 
Year ended December 31,
Condensed Balance Sheets
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
Cash
$
1,831

 
$
9,320

Investment in The Lorain National Bank
128,989

 
120,969

Other assets
947

 
531

Total Assets
$
131,767

 
$
130,820

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

Junior subordinated debentures
$
16,238

 
$
16,238

Short Term borrowing
—

 
3,000

Other liabilities
190

 
126

Shareholders’ equity
115,339

 
111,456

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
$
131,767

 
$
130,820

 
Year ended December 31,
Condensed Statements of Income
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Income
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

Cash dividend from The Lorain National Bank
5,300

 
3,875

 
7,650

Other income
20

 
20

 
21

Total Income
5,320

 
3,895

 
7,671

Expenses

 

 

Interest expense
763

 
689

 
699

Other expenses
1,392

 
843

 
752

Total Expense
2,155

 
1,532

 
1,451

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary
3,165

 
2,363

 
6,220

Income tax benefit
(726
)
 
(514
)
 
(486
)
Equity in undistributed net income of subsidiary
3,326

 
3,284

 
(599
)
Net Income
$
7,217

 
$
6,161

 
$
6,107

 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
11,910

 
$
(267
)
 
$
5,146

 
Year ended December 31,
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net Income
$
7,217

 
$
6,161

 
$
6,107

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

 

 

Equity in undistributed net (income) loss of subsidiary
(3,326
)
 
(3,284
)
 
599

Share-based compensation expense
343

 
271

 
311

Net change in other assets and liabilities
(353
)
 
(61
)
 
883

Net cash provided by operating activities
3,881

 
3,087

 
7,900

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

Payments from The Lorain National Bank for subordinated debt instrument
—

 
—

 
—

Net cash provided by investing activities
—

 
—

 
—

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

Net change in purchased funds and other borrowings
(3,000
)
 
3,000

 
—

Repurchase common stock Warrant
—

 
—

 
(860
)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
—

 
3,644

 
—

Redemption of Fixed-Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred stock
(7,689
)
 
(1,467
)
 
(6,159
)
Purchase of treasury shares
(85
)
 
—

 
—

Dividends paid
(596
)
 
(945
)
 
(1,568
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(11,370
)
 
4,232

 
(8,587
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash equivalents
(7,489
)
 
7,319

 
(687
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
9,320

 
2,001

 
2,688

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$
1,831

 
$
9,320

 
$
2,001



83


(17)    Retirement Pension Plans
The Corporation’s non-contributory defined benefit pension plan (the Plan) covers a portion of its employees. In general, benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s level of compensation. The Corporation’s funding policy is to contribute annually an actuarially determined amount to cover current service cost plus amortization of prior service costs. Effective December 31, 2002, the benefits under the Pension Plan were frozen and no additional benefits have been accrued under the Pension Plan after December 31, 2002. There is no pension contribution expected in 2015.
The net pension costs charged to expense amounted to $203 in 2014, $198 in 2013 and $16 in 2012. The following table sets forth the defined benefit pension plan’s Change in Projected Benefit Obligation, Change in Plan Assets and Funded Status, including the Prepaid Asset or Accrued Liability for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Change in projected benefit obligation
 
 

 

Projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year
$
5,051

 
$
5,944

 
$
5,641

Interest Cost
262

 
232

 
254

Actuarial gain (loss)
742

 
(279
)
 
359

Benefits and settlements paid
(771
)
 
(846
)
 
(310
)
Projected benefit obligation at the end of the year
$
5,284

 
$
5,051

 
$
5,944

Change in plan assets
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
$
5,736

 
$
5,678

 
$
5,251

Actual gain on plan assets
481

 
904

 
237

Employer contributions
—

 
—

 
500

Benefits and settlements paid
(771
)
 
(846
)
 
(310
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
$
5,446

 
$
5,736

 
$
5,678

Funded status (included in accrued liabilities or prepaid assets)
$
161

 
$
685

 
$
(265
)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31 consist of:
 
2014
 
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net actuarial loss (gain)
$
2,286

 
$
1,964

Prior service cost (credit)
—

 
—

 
$
2,286

 
$
1,964

The accumulated benefit obligation was $5,284 and $5,051 at year-end 2014 and 2013.
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net Periodic Pension Cost
 
 
 
 
 
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
$
(262
)
 
$
(232
)
 
$
(254
)
Expected return on plan benefits
419

 
414

 
383

Amortization of loss
(161
)
 
(227
)
 
(145
)
Net Periodic Pension Cost
$
(4
)
 
$
(45
)
 
$
(16
)
Settlements
(199
)
 
(153
)
 
—

Total Benefit Cost
$
(203
)
 
$
(198
)
 
$
(16
)
Pension liability adjustments recognized in other comprehensive income include:


84

 
Year ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Amortization of unrecognized actuarial gain
$
(161
)
 
$
(227
)
 
$
(145
)
Settlements and changes in net loss (gain), net
483

 
(923
)
 
504

Pension liability adjustments recognized in comprehensive income (loss)
322

 
(1,150
)
 
359

Tax effect
(109
)
 
391

 
(122
)
Net pension liability adjustments
$
213

 
$
(759
)
 
$
237

The estimated net loss and prior service costs for the defined benefit pension plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost over the next year is $157.
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine pension benefit obligations at year-end December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Weighted average discount rate
4.02
%
 
5.00
%
 
4.00
%
Rate of compensation increase
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Weighted average discount rate
5.00
%
 
4.00
%
 
4.50
%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
7.50
%
 
7.50
%
 
7.50
%
Rate of compensation increase
—
%
 
—
%
 
—
%
The actuarial assumptions used in the pension plan valuation are reviewed annually. The plan reviews Moody’s Aaa and Aa corporate bond yields as of each plan year-end to determine the appropriate discount rate to calculate the year-end benefit plan obligation and the following year’s net periodic pension cost.
Plan Assets
The Bank’s Retirement Pension Plan’s weighted-average assets allocations at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 by asset category are as follows:
 
Plan Assets at December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Asset Category:
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities
62.7
%
 
73.5
%
 
70.1
%
Debt securities
33.6
%
 
25.0
%
 
27.6
%
Cash and cash equivalents
3.7
%
 
1.5
%
 
2.3
%
Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
The allocation of assets in the Bank’s Retirement Pension Plan is an important determinant of their investment performance. In general, the investment strategy for 2015 will concentrate on allocating funds traditionally with a 60% equity security position and a 40% debt security position. This strategy will be employed in order to position more assets to benefit from the anticipated increase in the equities market in the future.
Fair Value of Plan Assets
The Corporation used the following valuation methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value of assets held by the plan: Equity securities and mutual funds: The fair values for equity securities and mutual funds are determined by quoted market prices, if available (Level 1). For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities (Level 2).
Debt securities


85

Certain debt securities are valued at the closing price reported in the active market in which the bond is traded (Level 1 inputs). Other debt securities are valued based upon recent bid prices or the average of recent bid and asked prices when available (Level 2 inputs) and, if not available, they are valued through matrix pricing models developed by sources considered by management to be reliable. Matrix pricing, which is a mathematical technique commonly used to price debt securities that are not actively traded, values 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 (Level 2 inputs). For securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators (Level 3). Discounted cash flows are calculated using spread to swap and LIBOR curves that are updated to incorporate loss severities, volatility, credit spread and optionality. During times when trading is more liquid, broker quotes are used (if available) to validate the model. Rating agency and industry research reports as well as defaults and deferrals on individual securities are reviewed and incorporated into the calculations.
The fair value of the plan assets at December 31, 2014, by asset class, is as follows:
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 Using:
 
 
Total
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
Asset Class
 
Assets at Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
$
199

 
$
199

 
$
—

 
$
—

Equity securities
 
3,805

 
3,805

 
—

 
—

Corporate debt securities
 
1,442

 
—

 
1,442

 
—

Total defined benefit pension plan assets
 
$
5,446

 
$
4,004

 
$
1,442

 
$
—

The following estimated future benefit payments, which reflect no expected future service cost as the plan is frozen, are expected to be paid as follows:
 
Amount
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
$
296

2016
285

2017
279

2018
288

2019
275

2020 and thereafter
1,191

Supplemental executive retirement plans
In 2013, the Corporation established a supplemental retirement plan (“SERP”) for the Chief Executive Officer. The Corporation has established and funded a Rabbi Trust to accumulate funds in order to satisfy the contractual liability of these supplemental retirement plan benefits. These agreements provide for the Corporation to pay all benefits from its general assets, and the establishment of these trust funds does not reduce nor otherwise affect the Corporation's continuing liability to pay benefits from such assets except that the Corporation's liability shall be offset by actual benefit payments made from the trusts. The SERP is an unfunded benefit plan. The Corporation does not expect to make benefit payments or contributions in the next fiscal year. SERP expense was and $31 in 2014 and $712 in 2013.
The Corporation has not determined if any contributions will be made to the SERP in 2015; however, actual contributions are made at the discretion of the Corporation's Board of Directors.
Deferred Compensation Plan: A deferred compensation plan can be structured to cover certain directors and executive officers. Under the plan, the Corporation pays each participant, or their beneficiary, the amount of fees deferred plus interest over 15 years, beginning with the individual’s termination of service. A liability is accrued for the obligation under these plans. The expense incurred for the deferred compensation for each of the last three years was $86, $751 and $459 resulting in a deferred compensation liability of $1,618 and $1,552 as of year-end 2014 and 2013.



86

(18)    Share-Based Compensation
A broad-based stock incentive plan, the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2006 Plan"), was adopted by the Corporation’s shareholders on April 18, 2006 and was amended and restated May 2, 2012. Awards granted under the 2006 Plan as of December 31, 2014 were stock options granted in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014 and long-term restricted shares issued in 2010, 2011, and 2012. In addition, the Corporation has nonqualified stock option agreements outside of the 2006 Plan. Grants under the nonqualified stock option agreements were made from 2005 to 2007.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there was $523 and $480, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the 2006 Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.10 years as of December 31, 2014. The total fair value of shares vested during the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $240 and $305, respectively.
Stock Options
During 2014, the Corporation granted 117,000 stock options to certain employees under the 2006 Plan. All outstanding stock options were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant. The maximum option term is ten years and the options generally vest over three years as follows: one-third after one year from the grant date, two-thirds after two years and completely after three years.
The Corporation recognizes compensation expense for awards with graded vesting schedule on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. The expense recorded for stock options was $195, $60 and $14 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The maximum option term is ten years and the options generally vest over three years as follows: one-third after one year from the grant date, two-thirds after two years and completely after three years.
The fair value of options granted was determined using the following weighted-average assumptions as of grant date.
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Dividend Yield
2.22
%
 
2.71
%
 
3.38
%
Expected stock price volatility
34.49
%
 
35.58
%
 
33.00
%
Risk-free interest rate
2.07
%
 
1.37
%
 
1.27
%
Expected term
6.50

 
6.50

 
6.50

The weighted-average fair value of options granted in 2014 was $3.24.
Options outstanding at December 31, 2014 were as follows:
 
Outstanding
 
Exercisable
 
Number
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)
 
Number
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Range of Exercise Prices
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$5.34-$5.39
37,500

 
6.91
 
25,833

 
$
5.39

$9.07-$9.56
127,530

 
8.41
 
41,066

 
9.19

$11.03
109,500

 
9.39
 
—

 
—

$12.12
7,500

 
9.57
 
—

 
—

$14.47
78,000

 
3.10
 
78,000

 
14.47

$16.00-$16.50
32,500

 
1.96
 
32,500

 
16.04

$19.10
30,000

 
1.09
 
30,000

 
19.10

$19.17
30,000

 
0.09
 
30,000

 
19.17

Outstanding at end of period
452,530

 
6.12
 
237,399

 
$
13.96

A summary of the status of stock options at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 and changes during the year then ended is presented in the table below:


87

 
2014
 
2013
 
Options
 
Weighted Average
Exercise
Price per Share
 
Options
 
Weighted Average
Exercise
Price per Share
Outstanding at beginning of period
337,696

 
$
12.43

 
232,000

 
$
14.50

Granted
117,000

 
11.10

 
137,363

 
9.18

Forfeited or expired
(1,500
)
 
14.47

 
(31,667
)
 
13.46

Exercised
(666
)
 
9.56

 
—

 
—

Outstanding at end of period
452,530

 
12.09

 
337,696

 
12.43

Exercisable at end of period
237,399

 
$
13.96

 
186,167

 
$
15.56

There were 666 options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2014 and the total intrinsic value of options exercised was $3. The total intrinsic value of all options outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $2,752.
Restricted Shares
There were no long-term restricted stock issued in 2014. In 2013, the Corporation issued 10,000 shares of long-term restricted stock, and 7,500 shares of long-term restricted stock were forfeited due to employee terminations. The market price of the Corporation’s common shares on the date of grant of the long-term restricted stock was $9.48 per share. In 2012, the Corporation issued 62,105 shares of long-term restricted stock. The market price of the Corporation’s common shares on the date of grant of the long-term restricted stock was $5.39 per share. Shares of long-term restricted stock generally vest in two equal installments on the second and third anniversaries of the date of grant, or upon the earlier death or disability of the recipient or a qualified change of control of the Corporation. The expense recorded for long-term restricted stock for December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $148, $201, and $296, respectively.
The market price of the Corporation’s common shares at the date of grant is used to estimate the fair value of restricted stock awards. A summary of the status of restricted shares at December 31, 2014 is presented in the table below:
 
Nonvested
Shares
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2014
83,355

 
$
5.86

Granted
—

 
—

Vested
(44,803
)
 
5.35

Forfeited or expired
—

 
—

Nonvested at December 31, 2014
38,552

 
$
6.45

Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARS”)
In 2006, the Corporation issued an aggregate of 30,000 SARS at $19.00 per share, 15,500 of which have expired due to employee terminations. The SARS are fully vested. Any unexercised portion of the SARS shall expire at the end of the stated term which is specified at the date of grant and shall not exceed ten years. The SARS issued in 2006 will expire in January 2016. There was no expense recorded for SARS for the year ended December 31, 2014. Compensation expenses recorded for SARS were $10 for 2013 and $4 for 2012.

(19)    Benefit Plans
The Bank adopted The Lorain National Bank 401(k) Plan (the 401(k) Plan) effective January 1, 2001. The 401(k) Plan allows for the purchase of up to 80,000 shares of LNB Bancorp, Inc. treasury shares. No shares related to these plans were purchased out of Treasury during 2014, 2013 or 2012.
Under provisions of the 401(k) Plan, a participant can contribute a percentage of their compensation to the 401(k) Plan. For plan years prior to January 1, 2008, the Bank made a non-discretionary 50% contribution to match each employee’s contribution, limited to the first six percent of an employee’s wage. Effective January 1, 2008, the Plan changed to a safe-harbor status with a 3% non-elective contribution for all employees. Effective January 1, 2001, the 401(k) Plan permits the investment of plan assets, contributed by employees as well as the Corporation, among different funds.


88

The Bank’s matching contributions are expensed in the year in which the associated participant contributions are made and totaled $525, $467, and $410, in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

(20)    Financial Instruments with Off Balance Sheet Risk and Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Bank enters into commitments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers. These instruments are currently limited to commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Commitments to extend credit involve elements of credit risk and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets. The Bank’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the commitment is represented by the contractual amount of the commitment. The Bank uses the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Interest rate risk on commitments to extend credit results from the possibility that interest rates may have moved unfavorably from the position of the Bank since the time the commitment was made.
Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates of 30 to 120 days or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since some of the commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
The Bank evaluates each customer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained by the Bank upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the applicant. Collateral held is generally single-family residential real estate and commercial real estate. Substantially all of the obligations to extend credit are variable rate. Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued to guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. Standby letters of credit generally are contingent upon the failure of the customer to perform according to the terms of the underlying contract with the third party. The loan commitments are generally for variable rates of interest.
A summary of the contractual amount of commitments at December 31, 2014 and 2013 follows:
 
December 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commitments to extend credit
$
104,982

 
$
84,283

Home equity lines of credit
94,443

 
89,331

Standby letters of credit
8,132

 
8,448

Total
$
207,557

 
$
182,062

The nature of the Corporation’s business may result in litigation. Management, after reviewing with counsel all actions and proceedings pending against or involving LNB Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries, considers that the aggregate liability or loss, if any, resulting from them will not be material to the Corporation’s financial position, results of operation or liquidity.
Interest Rate Swaps
In 2013 the Corporation implemented an interest rate program for commercial loan customers. The interest rate program, provides the customer with a fixed rate loan while creating a variable rate asset for the Corporation through the customer entering into an interest rate swap with the Corporation on terms that match the loan. The Corporation offsets its risk exposure by entering into an offsetting interest rate swap with an unaffiliated institution. These interest rate swaps do not qualify as designated hedges, therefore, each swap is accounted for as a standalone derivative with changes in fair value recorded in other operating income and expense on the income statement. The Corporation had interest rate swaps associated with commercial loans with a notional value of $11,273 and fair value of $152 at December 31, 2014 and notional values of $11,646 and fair value of $222 at December 31, 2013. These interest swaps did not have material impact on the Corporation's results of operation or financial condition.

(21)    Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments


89

The Corporation discloses estimated fair values for its financial instruments. Fair value estimates, methods and assumptions are set forth below for the Corporation’s financial instruments. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:
Limitations
Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.
The estimated fair values of the Corporation’s financial instruments at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are summarized as follows:
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying Value
Estimated
Fair Value
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks, Federal funds sold and interest
bearing deposits in other banks
$
24,142

$
24,142

$
24,142

$
—

$
—

Securities
217,572

217,572

—

217,572

—

Restricted stock
5,741

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Portfolio loans, net
912,609

913,844

—

—

913,844

Loans held for sale
10,483

11,164

—

11,164

—

Accrued interest receivable
3,635

3,635

—

921

2,714

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
Demand, savings and money market
594,747

579,825

—

579,825

—

Certificates of deposit
440,178

441,786

—

441,786

—

Short-term borrowings
10,611

10,611

—

10,611

—

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
54,321

54,847

—

54,847

—

Junior subordinated debentures
16,238

22,452

—

22,452

—

Accrued interest payable
596

596

—

—

596

 
December 31, 2013
 
Carrying Value
Estimated Fair Value
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks, Federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits in other banks
$
52,272

$
52,272

$
52,272

$
—

$
—

Securities
216,122

216,122

—

211,438

4,684

Restricted stock
5,741

5,741

—

5,741

—

Portfolio loans, net
884,794

884,211

—

—

884,211

Loans held for sale
4,483

4,487

—

4,487

—

Accrued interest receivable
3,621

3,621

—

—

3,621

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
Demand, savings and money market
542,739

542,739

—

542,739

—

Certificates of deposit
502,850

504,381

—

504,381

—

Short-term borrowings
4,576

4,576

—

4,576

—

Federal Home Loan Bank advances
46,708

46,923

—

46,923

—

Junior subordinated debentures
16,238

16,778

—

16,778

—

Accrued interest payable
789

789

—

—

789

Fair Value Measurements


90

The fair value of financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value is categorized in three levels. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. These levels are as follows:
•
Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.
•
Level 2 — Valuations of assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets. Valuations include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities traded in the same market; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. Valuations may be obtained from, or corroborated by, third-party pricing services.
•
Level 3 — Assets and liabilities with valuations that include methodologies and assumptions that may not be readily observable, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, yield curves and similar techniques. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets or liabilities, but in all cases are corroborated by external data, which may include third-party pricing services.
The Corporation used the following methods and significant assumptions to estimate fair value.
Cash and Cash Equivalents: The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values and are classified as either Level 1 or Level 2. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Cash and due from banks, Federal funds sold and interest bearing deposits in other banks were classified as Level 1.
Restricted stock: Federal Reserve Bank and Federal Home Loan Bank stock are classified as restricted investments, carried at cost and valued based on the ultimate recoverability of par value. Cash and stock dividends received on the stock are reported as interest income. There are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on these investments carried at cost. Furthermore, the Corporation has determined that it is not practical to determine the fair value of Restricted stock due to restrictions placed on its transferability.
Loans: Fair values of loans, excluding loans held for sale, are estimated as follows: For variable rate loans that re-price frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values, resulting in a Level 3 classification. Fair values for other loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, using interest rates then being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality, resulting in a Level 3 classification. Impaired loans are valued at the lower of cost or fair value. The methods utilized to estimate the fair value of loans do not necessarily represent an exit price. The fair value of loans held for sale is estimated based upon binding contracts and quotes from third party investors, resulting in a Level 2 classification.
Deposits: The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and non-interest checking, passbook savings, and certain types of money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amount), resulting in a Level 2 classification. The carrying amounts of variable rate, fixed-term money market accounts and certificates of deposit approximate their fair values at the reporting date, resulting in a Level 2 classification. Fair values for fixed rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flows calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits, resulting in a Level 2 classification.
Short-term Borrowings: The carrying amounts of federal funds purchased, borrowings under repurchase agreements, and other short-term borrowings, generally maturing within ninety days, approximate their fair values, resulting in a Level 2 classification.
Other Borrowings: The fair values of the Corporation's long-term borrowings are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on the then current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements, resulting in a Level 2 classification.
The fair values of the Corporation’s Junior Subordinated Debentures are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis based on the then current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements, resulting in a Level 2 classification.
Investment Securities: The fair values for investment securities are determined by quoted market prices, if available (Level 1). For securities where quoted prices are not available, fair values are calculated based on market prices of similar securities (Level 2), using matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique commonly used to price debt securities that are not actively traded, values debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for the specific securities but


91

rather by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted securities (Level 2 inputs). Fair value measurements of U.S. Government agencies and mortgage-backed securities use pricing models that vary and may consider various assumptions, including time value, yield curves, volatility factors, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severity, current market and contractual prices for the underlying financial instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Fair value of debt securities such as obligations of state and political may be determined by matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique that is used to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted prices for specific securities, but rather by relying on the securities relationship to other benchmark quoted prices. For securities where quoted prices or market prices of similar securities are not available, fair values are calculated using discounted cash flows or other market indicators (Level 3).
Derivatives: The Corporation's derivatives include interest rate swaps and written loan commitments and forward sales contracts related to residential mortgage loan origination activity. Valuations for interest rate swaps are derived from third-party models whose significant inputs are readily observable market parameters, primarily yield curves, with appropriate adjustments for liquidity and credit risk. These fair value measurements are classified as Level 2. The fair values of written loan commitments and forward sales contracts on the associated loans are based on quoted prices for similar loans in the secondary market, consistent with the valuation of residential mortgage loans held for sale. A written loan commitment does not bind the potential borrower to entering into the loan, nor does it guarantee that the Corporation will approve the potential borrower for the loan. Therefore, when determining fair value, the Corporation makes estimates of expected "fallout" (interest rate locked pipeline loans not expected to close), using models, which consider cumulative historical fallout rates and other factors. Fallout can occur for a variety of reasons including falling rate environments when a borrower will abandon a fixed rate loan commitment at one lender and enter into a new lower fixed rate loan commitment at another, when a borrower is not approved as an acceptable credit by the lender or for a variety of other non-economic reasons. Fallout is not a significant input to the fair value of the written loan commitments in their entirety. These measurements are classified as Level 2.
Impaired Loans: The fair value of impaired loans with specific allocations of the allowance for loan losses is generally based on recent real estate appraisals. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available for similar loans and collateral underlying such loans. Such adjustments were $1,016 for 2014 and $938 for 2013 primarily due to updated credit reviews, which can include updated appraisals. This results in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Non-real estate collateral may be valued using an appraisal, net book value per the borrower’s financial statements, or aging reports, adjusted or discounted based on management’s historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of the valuation, and management’s expertise and knowledge of the client and client’s business, resulting in a Level 3 fair value classification. Impaired commercial loans are evaluated on a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted in accordance with the allowance policy.
Real Estate Owned: Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals which are updated no less frequently than annually. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach with data from comparable properties. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value. Real estate owned properties are evaluated on an annual basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly. See below for additional discussions of Level 3 valuation methodologies and significant inputs.
Appraisals for both collateral-dependent impaired loans and real estate owned are performed by certified general appraisers for commercial properties or certified residential appraisers for residential properties whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Corporation. Once received, a member of the Corporation reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics. On an annual basis, the Corporation compares the actual selling price of collateral that has been sold to the most recent appraised value to determine what additional adjustment should be made to the appraisal value to arrive at fair value. Any adjustments made to collateral-dependent impaired loans and real estate owned properties were included in the charge-off to the allowance upon acquisition of the foreclosed property and or upon partial charge-off of the impaired loan. The most recent analysis of property appraisals including the appropriate discount rates are incorporated into the allowance methodology for the respective loan portfolio segments.
Loan Servicing Rights: On a quarterly basis, loan servicing rights are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to carrying amount. If the carrying amount of an individual tranche exceeds fair value, impairment is recorded on that tranche so that the servicing asset is carried at fair value. Fair value is determined at a tranche level, based on


92

market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts (Level 3), when available, or alternatively based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. The valuation model utilizes interest rate, prepayment speed, and default rate assumptions that market participants would use in estimating future net servicing income and that can be validated against available market data (Level 3).
Loans Held For Sale: Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or fair value, which is evaluated on a pool-level basis. The fair value of loans held for sale is determined using quoted prices for similar assets, adjusted for specific attributes of that loan or other observable market data, such as outstanding commitments from third party investors (Level 2).
There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. For the available for sale securities, the Corporation obtains fair value measurements from an independent third-party service or independent brokers.
The following table presents information about the Corporation’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the valuation techniques used by the Corporation to determine those fair values.
Description
Fair Value as of
December 31, 2014
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 (Dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:

 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies and corporations
$
60,762

 
$
—

 
$
60,762

 
$
—

Mortgage-backed securities: residential
93,220

 
—

 
93,220

 
—

Residential collateralized mortgage obligations
28,535

 
—

 
28,535

 
—

State and political subdivisions
35,055

 
—

 
35,055

 
—

Derivative interest rate swaps
152

 
—

 
152

 
—

Total
$
217,724

 
$
—

 
$
217,724

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description
Fair Value as of
December 31, 2013
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  (Dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government agencies and corporations
$
65,388

 
$
—

 
$
65,388

 
$
—

Mortgage-backed securities: residential
94,430

 
—

 
94,430

 
—

Residential collateralized mortgage obligations
18,655

 
—

 
18,655

 
—

Preferred securities
4,684

 
—

 
—

 
4,684

State and political subdivisions
32,965

 
—

 
32,965

 
—

Derivative interest rate swaps
222

 
—

 
222

 
—

Total
$
216,344

 
$
—

 
$
211,660

 
$
4,684



93

The table below is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Level 3 inputs for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, for financial instruments measured on a recurring basis and classified as Level 3:
Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Preferred securities
Balance at January 1, 2013
$
4,684

Total Gains/(Losses)
—

Included in earnings - realized
—

Included in earnings - unrealized
—

Included in other comprehensive income
—

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, other, net
(4,684
)
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
—

 
 
Balance at January 1, 2012
$
—

Total Gains/(Losses)
—

Included in earnings - realized
—

Included in earnings - unrealized
—

Included in other comprehensive income
—

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements, other, net
4,684

Balance at December 31, 2013
$
4,684

The Corporation has assets that, under certain conditions, are subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, such assets consist primarily of impaired loans and real estate owned property. The Corporation has estimated the fair values of these assets using Level 3 inputs.
The following table presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:
December 31, 2014
Quoted Market
Prices in Active
Markets (Level 1)
 
Internal Models with Significant Observable Market Parameters (Level 2)
 
Internal Models with Significant Unobservable Market Parameters (Level 3)
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Impaired Loans: Commercial Real Estate
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,508

 
$
1,508

Total assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,508

 
$
1,508

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2013
Quoted Market
Prices in Active
Markets (Level 1)
 
Internal Models with Significant Observable Market Parameters (Level 2)
 
Internal Models with Significant Unobservable Market Parameters (Level 3)
 
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Impaired Loans: Commercial Real Estate
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
1,449

 
$
1,449

Other real estate
—

 
—

 
579

 
579

Total assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
2,028

 
$
2,028

Impaired loans: Impaired loans that are measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a principal balance of $2,249, with a valuation allowance of $742 at December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2013, impaired loans measured for impairment using the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, had a principal balance of $2,312, with a valuation allowance of $865.
Appraisals for both collateral-dependent impaired loans and real estate owned are performed by certified general appraisers (for commercial properties) or certified residential appraisers (for residential properties) whose qualifications and licenses have been reviewed and verified by the Corporation. Once received, the Corporation reviews the assumptions and approaches utilized in the appraisal as well as the overall resulting fair value in comparison with independent data sources such as recent market data or industry-wide statistics. On a periodic basis, the Company compares the actual selling price of collateral that has been sold to the most recent appraised value to determine what additional adjustment should be made to the appraisal value to arrive at fair value.
Fair value adjustments for these items typically occur when there is evidence of impairment. Loans are designated as impaired when, in the judgment of management based on current information and events, it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected. The measurement of loss associated with


94

impaired loans can be based on either the observable market price of the loan or the fair market value of the collateral. The Corporation measures fair value based on the value of the collateral securing the loans. Collateral may be in the form of real estate or personal property including equipment and inventory. The vast majority of collateral is real estate. The value of the collateral is determined based on internal estimates as well as third party appraisals or non-binding broker quotes. These measurements were classified as Level 3.
Other Real Estate: Other real estate includes foreclosed assets and properties securing residential and commercial loans. Assets acquired through or instead of loan foreclosure are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. These assets are subsequently accounted for at lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value is commonly based on recent real estate appraisals which are updated no less frequently than annually. These appraisals may utilize a single valuation approach or a combination of approaches including comparable sales and the income approach. Adjustments are routinely made in the appraisal process by the independent appraisers to adjust for differences between the comparable sales and income data available. Such adjustments are usually significant and typically result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.
Foreclosed assets are adjusted to fair value less costs to sell upon transfer of the loans to foreclosed assets. Subsequently, foreclosed assets are carried at lower of carry value or fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is generally based upon internal estimates and third party appraisals or non-binding broker quotes and, accordingly, considered a Level 3 classification.
The following table presents additional quantitative information about assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for which the Corporation has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value (dollars in thousands).
Asset
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
Collateral dependent impaired loans

 
$1,508
 
Sales comparison approach

 
Adjustment for differences between the comparable sales with a 10% to 20% cost to sell adjustment
Changes in Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
There were no assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs that were transferred to Level 3 during 2014.


95

(22)    Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
 
First
 
Second
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Full Year
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amount)
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total interest income
$
10,393

 
$
10,612

 
$
10,350

 
$
10,648

 
$
42,003

Total interest expense
1,432

 
1,376

 
1,374

 
1,370

 
5,552

Net Interest income
8,961

 
9,236

 
8,976

 
9,278

 
36,451

Provision for loan losses
900

 
893

 
720

 
600

 
3,113

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
8,061

 
8,343

 
8,256

 
8,678

 
33,338

Noninterest income
2,912

 
3,251

 
3,361

 
3,391

 
12,915

Noninterest expense
8,859

 
8,798

 
8,818

 
9,907

 
36,382

Income tax expense
508

 
773

 
713

 
660

 
2,654

Net Income
1,606

 
2,023

 
2,086

 
1,502

 
7,217

Preferred Stock Dividend and Accretion
35

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
35

Net income allocated to common shareholders
1,571

 
2,023

 
2,086

 
1,473

 
7,153

Basic earnings per common share
0.16

 
0.21

 
0.22

 
0.16

 
0.74

Diluted earnings per common share
0.16

 
0.21

 
0.22

 
0.15

 
0.74

Dividends declared per common share
0.01

 
0.01

 
0.01

 
0.03

 
0.06

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First
 
Second
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Full Year
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amount)
2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total interest income
$
10,274

 
$
10,576

 
$
10,304

 
$
10,525

 
$
41,679

Total interest expense
1,570

 
1,567

 
1,529

 
1,490

 
6,156

Net Interest income
8,704

 
9,009

 
8,775

 
9,035

 
35,523

Provision for loan losses
1,350

 
1,050

 
950

 
1,025

 
4,375

Net interest income after provision for loan losses
7,354

 
7,959

 
7,825

 
8,010

 
31,148

Noninterest income
3,332

 
3,072

 
2,466

 
3,256

 
12,126

Noninterest expense
9,281

 
8,622

 
8,301

 
8,983

 
35,187

Income tax expense (benefit)
292

 
586

 
471

 
577

 
1,926

Net Income
1,113

 
1,823

 
1,519

 
1,706

 
6,161

Preferred Stock Dividend and Accretion
257

 
117

 
109

 
163

 
646

Net income allocated to common shareholders
856

 
1,706

 
1,410

 
1,488

 
5,460

Basic earnings per common share
0.10

 
0.18

 
0.15

 
0.18

 
0.61

Diluted earnings per common share
0.10

 
0.18

 
0.15

 
0.18

 
0.61

Dividends declared per common share
0.01

 
0.01

 
0.01

 
0.01

 
0.04




96

(23)    Changes and Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
The following table presents the changes in AOCI by component of comprehensive income, net of taxes for years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
Unrealized securities
 gains and losses
 
Pension and post- retirement costs
 
Total
 
Unrealized securities
 gains and losses
 
Pension and post- retirement costs
 
Total
 
Unrealized securities
gains and losses
 
Pension and post- retirement costs
 
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at the beginning of the period
 
$
(3,892
)
 
$
(1,296
)
 
$
(5,188
)
 
$
3,295

 
$
(2,055
)
 
$
1,240

 
$
4,019

 
$
(1,818
)
 
$
2,201

Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income,
net of taxes of $2,293, $3,227 and $430
 
4,902

 
(450
)
 
4,452

 
(7,070
)
 
508

 
(6,562
)
 
(598
)
 
(333
)
 
(931
)
Reclassified amounts out of accumulated other
comprehensive income, net of tax of $128, $60 and $65
 
3

 
238

 
241

 
(117
)
 
251

 
134

 
(126
)
 
96

 
(30
)
Balance at the end of the period
 
$
1,013

 
$
(1,508
)
 
$
(495
)
 
$
(3,892
)

$
(1,296
)
 
$
(5,188
)
 
$
3,295


$
(2,055
)

$
1,240

The following table presents current period reclassifications out of AOCI by component of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Income statement line item presentation
Realized gains (losses) on sale of securities
 
$
(5
)
 
$
178

 
$
189

 Investment securities (losses) gains, net
Tax (expense) benefit (34%)
 
2

 
(61
)
 
(63
)
Income tax (expense) benefit
Reclassified amount, net of tax
 
$
(3
)
 
$
117

 
$
126

 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
December 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Income statement line item presentation
Actuarial gains/(losses)
 
$
(360
)
 
$
(381
)
 
$
(145
)
Salaries and employee benefits
Total
 
(360
)
 
(381
)
 
(145
)
 
Tax benefit (34%)
 
122

 
130

 
49

Income tax expense
Reclassified amount, net of tax
 
$
(238
)
 
$
(251
)
 
$
(96
)
 



97

Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
None.
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
1.    Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Corporation maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Corporation's Exchange Act report is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Corporation's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
The Corporation's management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of LNB Bancorp, Inc.'s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of December 31, 2014, pursuant to the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Based upon that evaluation, management concluded as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that the Corporation's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2014.
2.    Internal Control over Financial Reporting
The Management of LNB Bancorp, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over its financial reporting. LNB Bancorp, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Corporation's financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
LNB Bancorp, Inc.'s management assessed the effectiveness of the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in “2013 Internal Control Integrated Framework.” Based on this assessment, management determined that at December 31, 2014, the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting was effective.
LNB Bancorp, Inc.’s independent registered public accounting firm, Crowe Horwath LLP, audited the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting and, based on that audit, issued an attestation report regarding the Corporations’ internal control over financial reporting, which is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K on pages 46.
3.    Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
No change in the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.
Other Information
None.



98

PART III

Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons of the Registrant
Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following individuals are the Corporation’s Executive Officers at the time of filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
Name

Age 

Principal Occupation For Past Five Years

Positions and
Offices
Held with
LNB Bancorp, Inc.

Executive
Officer Since 

Daniel E. Klimas
56
President and Chief Executive Officer, LNB Bancorp, Inc., February 2005 to present. President, Northern Ohio Region, Huntington Bank from 2001 to February 2005.
President and Chief Executive
Officer
2005
 
 
 
 
 
James H. Nicholson
52
Chief Financial Officer, LNB Bancorp, Inc., from July 2014 to present. Financial Advisor for F.N.B. Corporation in Hermitage, Pennsylvania from 2013 to 2014. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PVF Capital Corp. in Solon, Ohio from 2009 to 2013. Regional President and Regional Operating Officer for Huntington National Bank from 2006 to 2009.
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
2014
 
 
 
 
 
Michael W. Bickerton

55
Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, LNB Bancorp, Inc., October 2013 to present. Executive Vice President, Credit & Risk Manager, Community Bank for KeyCorp from 2011 to 2013. Executive Vice President, Great Lakes Region Credit Executive for KeyCorp from 2006 to 2010. Executive Vice President, Credit Administration for KeyCorp from 2001 to 2006.
Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer
2013
 
 
 
 
 
Kevin W. Nelson
51
Senior Vice President, LNB Bancorp, Inc., from April 2009 to present. Director of Indirect Lending, The Lorain National Bank, from May 2007 to present. Senior Vice President, Bank Sales and Loan Originations, Morgan Bank (a division of the Bank), from September 2006 to May 2007. President, Nelson Marketing Group, LLC, from November 2005 to September 2006.
Senior Vice President and Director of Indirect Lending
2009
 
 
 
 
 
Frank A. Soltis
62
Senior Vice President, LNB Bancorp, Inc., July 2005 to present. Senior Vice President, Lakeland Financial Corporation, 1997 to 2005.
Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer

2005
 
 
 
 
 
Mary E. Miles
56
Senior Vice President, LNB Bancorp, Inc., April 2005 to present. President, Miles Consulting, Inc. from 2001 to 2005.
Senior Vice President and Director of Human Resources, Professional Development & Security
2005
 
 
 
 
 
Robert F. Heinrich
61
Senior Vice President, LNB Bancorp, Inc., from April 2009 to present. Corporate Secretary, LNB Bancorp, Inc., from February 2008 to Present. Director of Risk Management, LNB Bancorp, Inc., from 2005 to present. Controller, LNB Bancorp, Inc., from January 2004 to March 2005. Auditor, LNB Bancorp, Inc., from May 2003 to January 2004.
Senior Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Director of Risk Management
2009
 
 
 
 
 
Peter R. Catanese
58
Senior Vice President and Marketing Director, LNB Bancorp, Inc., from September 2005 to present. Vice President, Charter One Bank, May 1998 to September 2005.
Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing
2011


99

Directors of the Corporation
Robert M. Campana, 55, has been a director since 1997 and his current term expires in 2016. Since January 2000, Mr. Campana has been the owner of Campana Development, a real estate development company.
The Board concluded that Mr. Campana should serve as a director of the Corporation primarily due to his extensive experience in managing businesses and his significant experience in and knowledge of real estate development in the Corporation's markets. Mr. Campana is the former president of P.C. Campana Inc., owns and operates Campana Development, a real estate development company, and has been recognized in his community for his entrepreneurial skills. In addition, Mr. Campana has significant experience with the Corporation, having served on the Board for eighteen years. This background enables Mr. Campana to provide valuable insights to the Board, particularly in evaluating the business conditions in markets in which the Corporation operates, as well as in setting corporate strategy and compensating the Corporation's management.
Frederick D. DiSanto, 52, has been a director since 2013 and his current term expires in 2017. Since 2006, Mr. DiSanto has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Ancora Advisors, LLC, a registered investment advisor. In addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. DiSanto also became Chairman of Ancora Advisors, LLC in January 2015. Mr. DiSanto served as Executive Vice President and Manager of Fifth Third Bank’s Investment Advisors Division from 2000 to 2006, overseeing investment management, private banking, trust and banking services. From 1998 until 2000, Mr. DiSanto served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Maxus Investment Group and was responsible for its marketing, sales, financial and general operations. Prior to that, Mr. DiSanto served as managing partner of Gelfand Partners Asset Management from 1991 until its merger with Maxus Investment Group in 1997. Mr. DiSanto began his investment career in 1985 with McDonald Investments. Mr. DiSanto currently is a director of W.F. Hann & Sons, an HVAC company. Mr. DiSanto also serves as a trustee of Case Western Reserve University. Mr. DiSanto previously served as a director of PVF Capital Corp., a publicly-traded financial holding company, from July 2010 until it was acquired in October 2013.
The Board concluded that Mr. DiSanto should serve as a director of the Corporation primarily due to his extensive investment management experience. Mr. DiSanto’s long experience in this area, as well as his prior experience as a director of a publicly-traded financial company and his educational background, which includes a Masters in Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University, provides the Board with considerable insight and is of particular value to the Board in assessing and evaluating the Corporation’s financial performance and strategic goals.
J. Martin Erbaugh, 66, has been a director since 2007 and his current term expires in 2017. Since 1995, Mr. Erbaugh has been the President of JM Erbaugh Co., a private investment firm focusing on real estate development and service oriented start-ups. From 1978 to 1995, Mr. Erbaugh was the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Erbaugh Corp. (dba Lawnmark). Prior to that, he served as Director of Legal Affairs of Kent State University and was a General Manager of the Davey Tree Expert Company. Mr. Erbaugh was a founder and director of Morgan Bancorp, Inc. from 1990 to 2007, and served as Chairman of the Board from 2002 to 2007, prior to its acquisition by the Corporation in May 2007. Mr. Erbaugh served as a director of Lesco, Inc. from March 1995 to May 2007, including as Chairman of the Board from April 2002 to May 2007. Mr. Erbaugh currently serves as a Director of Newpoint Education Partners LLC, Vice President and Trustee of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation and Trustee of Denison University.
 The Board concluded that Mr. Erbaugh should serve as a director of the Corporation primarily due to his experience in managing and serving as a director of businesses in the banking and finance industry, as well as his extensive experience in leading a financial institution in the Hudson, Ohio and Summit County area, a market in which the Corporation has sought to grow its business. Mr. Erbaugh's industry experience, experience as a director of other publicly-traded companies and educational background, which includes a law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, enables Mr. Erbaugh to provide valuable contributions to the Board on a range of matters, including strategic direction, business operations and financial results, risk management and the compensation of management.
Terry D. Goode, 60, has been a director since 1997 and his current term expires in 2017. From 1987 until his retirement in December 2011, Mr. Goode was the Vice President of the Lawyers Title Insurance Corp. From 1987 to 2001, he served as Vice President of Lorain County Title Company.
The Board concluded that Mr. Goode should serve as a director of the Corporation primarily due to his significant knowledge of the Corporation, having served as a director of the Corporation for eighteen years, and experience in real estate development and finance in the markets in which the Corporation operates. Mr. Goode's knowledge and experience in the industry and the communities in which the Corporation operates allow him to serve a vital role on the Board in its assessment and evaluation of strategic direction and risk management, particularly with respect to the Corporation's management of credit risk.



100

James R. Herrick, 63, has been a director since 1999 and Chairman of Board since December 2004. His current term as a director expires in 2017. Since 1987, Mr. Herrick has been the President of the Liberty Auto Group, Inc., an automobile dealership organization.
The Board concluded that Mr. Herrick should serve as a director of the Corporation primarily due to his extensive executive leadership experience and significant knowledge of the Corporation, having served on the Board for sixteen years. Mr. Herrick's experience, as well as his leadership of businesses in the communities in which the Corporation operates, enables him to provide the Board with valuable insight and perspective on organizational management, risk assessment and management, local and regional business conditions and trends relating to consumers and borrowers in the markets in which the Corporation operates.
Lee C. Howley, 67, has been a director since 2001 and his current term expires in 2015. Since 2000, Mr. Howley has been the President of Howley Bread Group Ltd., a company that operates Panera Bread restaurant franchises. From 1996 to May 2007, Mr. Howley served as a director of Lesco, Inc. From 1996 to September 2006, Mr. Howley served as a director of Boykin Lodging Company.
The Board concluded that Mr. Howley should serve as a director of the Corporation, primarily due to his extensive executive leadership experience and financial and accounting expertise. Mr. Howley has substantial experience in managing businesses and serving on public company boards, and is a highly successful entrepreneur. Mr. Howley's background enables him to provide useful insight in evaluating the business conditions in markets in which the Corporation operates, as well as in setting corporate strategy and motivating the Corporation's management to achieve corporate goals. Mr. Howley's financial and accounting expertise is of particular value to the Board in evaluating and managing the Corporation's financial risk and internal controls in his role on the Audit and Finance Committee.
Daniel E. Klimas, 56, has been a director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and The Lorain National Bank since February 2005. His current term as a director expires in 2015. Mr. Klimas was the President of the Northern Ohio Region of Huntington Bank from 2001 until February 2005.
The Board concluded that Mr. Klimas should serve as a director of the Corporation largely due to his role as the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer. The Board believes that having a member of the Corporation's management team, who is intimately familiar with the Corporation's day-to-day business operations, serve as director provides the Board with invaluable insight into the Corporation. Mr. Klimas' role as Chief Executive Officer and extensive experience in leadership positions within the banking industry allows Mr. Klimas to provide the Board with the management perspective necessary to successfully oversee the Corporation and its business operations.
Daniel G. Merkel, 71, has been a director since 2008 and his current term expires in 2016. From 2001 to 2007, Mr. Merkel was the Regional President-Commercial Lending of Republic Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company. Following the acquisition of Republic Bancorp by Citizens Bancorp, Inc., Mr. Merkel served as a Senior Vice President of Citizens Bancorp until his retirement in 2008. From 1995 to 2001, Mr. Merkel was the Senior Vice President-Commercial Lending of Republic Bancorp, Inc., and from 1991 to 1995 he was President of Tech Built Manufacturing Company. Prior to that he held senior executive positions in banking and commercial mortgage lending in privately held and public companies.
The Board concluded that Mr. Merkel should serve as a director of the Corporation primarily due to his extensive experience in the banking industry and knowledge of banking operations and finance. Mr. Merkel's experience in a variety of positions with Republic Bancorp, Inc., as well as his educational background that includes a Masters in Business Administration from Cleveland State University, enables Mr. Merkel to provide valuable contributions to the Board. Mr. Merkel is also a retired senior officer with eight years of active duty and twenty-three years of reserve service to the U.S. Navy. This experience provides a unique perspective through which to evaluate the Corporation's management and organization.
Thomas P. Perciak, 67, has been a director since 2008 and his current term expires in 2016. Since 2004, Mr. Perciak has been the mayor of Strongsville, Ohio. From 1999 until 2004, Mr. Perciak was the Executive Vice President of Fifth Third Bank, Northeastern, Ohio. From 1985 to 1999, Mr. Perciak was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Strongsville Savings Bank.
The Board concluded that Mr. Perciak should serve as a director of the Corporation primarily due to his extensive banking industry and management and community leadership experience. Prior to serving as the mayor of one of Northeast Ohio's most vibrant suburbs, Mr. Perciak spent years leading successful local financial institutions. Mr. Perciak's substantial industry experience provides the Board with valuable perspectives on the Corporation's management, strategy and risks. Mr. Perciak's role as a community leader and philanthropist also allows him to provide beneficial insights to the Corporation in serving as a community bank.



101

John W. Schaeffer, M.D., 68, has been a director since 1999 and his current term expires in 2015. Dr. Schaeffer is a cardiologist and President of the North Ohio Heart Group of the Elyria Memorial Regional Health Center. In 1976, Dr. Schaeffer founded the North Ohio Heart Center, Inc. and served as its President until its merger with the Elyria Memorial Regional Health Center in September 2010.
The Board concluded that Dr. Schaeffer should serve as a director of the Corporation primarily due to his significant knowledge of the Corporation and its markets, and his strong ties to Corporation's primary market area, which provides the Board with perspective that is helpful to the Corporation in its role as a community bank. Dr. Schaeffer's experience and background as a physician and leader of a regional medical institution allow him to bring a perspective to the Board that is unique and different than many of the other members of the Board, which the Board finds valuable in its determination and evaluation of corporate goals, strategic direction and corporate governance structures.
Donald F. Zwilling, CPA, 69, has been a director since 2005 and his current term expires in 2016. Since 1976, Mr. Zwilling has been a partner, shareholder and director of Barnes Wendling CPAs, Inc., a regional accounting firm in Northern Ohio.
The Board concluded that Mr. Zwilling should serve as a director of the Corporation, primarily due to his extensive public accounting experience. Mr. Zwilling is a certified public accountant and accredited in business valuation with over four decades of experience working with businesses regarding tax and financial planning. Mr. Zwilling's experience is of particular value to the Board in assessing and evaluating the Corporation's financial performance, internal controls and management of financial risk.
Daniel G. Merkel and Thomas P. Perciak were appointed as directors by the Board of Directors on April 22, 2008 pursuant to a settlement agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”). Additional information regarding the Settlement Agreement is included in the Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2008. There are no other arrangements or understandings pursuant to which any of the persons listed above were selected as directors.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires LNB's executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareholders (“Insiders”) to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and LNB, reports regarding their ownership of and transactions in LNB's securities. Based upon written representations and copies of reports furnished to LNB by Insiders, all reports required to be filed by Insiders pursuant to Section 16 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 were made on a timely basis, except for (1) a purchase of 1,000 common shares by Daniel Merkel on February 3, 2014, which was reported on a Form 4 filed February 7, 2014 and (2) a sale of 1,188 common shares by Robert Heinrich on January 13, 2014, which was reported on a Form 4 filed July 7, 2014.
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
The Board of Directors has established a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct that applies to all directors, officers and employees, which may be found on the Corporation's website at www.4lnb.com. The information on the Corporation's website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Corporation intends to post on its website all disclosures that are required by law or Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. Shareholders may request a copy of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct by written request directed to LNB Bancorp, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 457 Broadway, Lorain, OH 44052.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Effective November 18, 2014, the Board of Directors adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines for the Corporation. The Corporate Governance Guidelines contain principles that, along with the charters of the standing committees of the Board of Directors, provide the framework for the Corporation’s corporate governance. Among other things, the Corporate Governance Guidelines establish principles relating to:
•
the composition of the Board of Directors, including independence and other qualification requirements, as well as selection, tenure and retirement policies applicable to directors;
•
responsibilities and functions of the Board of Directors, such as meeting, confidentiality, orientation and continuing education guidelines;
•
responsibilities of the Chairman of the Board, and responsibilities of management, including the Chief Executive Officer;
•
the establishment and functioning of Board of Directors committees;


102

•
executive sessions of non-management directors;
•
succession planning;
•
Board of Directors access to management, and evaluation of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer;
•
communication and interaction by the Board of Directors with shareholders and other interested parties;
•
related party transactions guidelines;
•
share ownership guidelines for directors; and
•
periodic self-assessment by the Board of Directors and each Board committee.
A copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines may be found on the Corporation’s website at www.4lnb.com. Shareholders may request a copy of the Corporate Governance Guidelines by written request directed to LNB Bancorp, Inc., Attention: Corporate Secretary, 457 Broadway, Lorain, OH 44052.
Committees of the Board
The Board of Directors of LNB Bancorp, Inc., has four standing committees: the Audit and Finance Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Governance Committee and the Executive Committee. Each Committee serves in a dual capacity as a Committee of the Corporation and The Lorain National Bank. All members of the Audit and Finance Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Governance Committee are independent in accordance with the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards. The members of the Audit and Finance Committee are Lee C. Howley, Chairman, Terry D. Goode and Donald F. Zwilling. The Board of Directors has determined that Lee C. Howley and Donald F. Zwilling are each an “audit committee financial expert” as that term is defined in Item 407(d) (5) of Regulation S-K.


103

Item 11.
Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Executive Summary
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the Corporation’s compensation programs and how they apply to the Corporation’s executives, including:
•
Daniel E. Klimas, President and Chief Executive Officer;
•
James H. Nicholson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer;
•
Michael W. Bickerton, Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer;
•
Frank A. Soltis, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer; and
•
Kevin W. Nelson, Senior Vice President and Director of Indirect Lending.
These five executive officers, together with Gary J. Elek, our former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, are referred to in this proxy statement as the “Named Executives” and they are included in the Summary Compensation Table.
The year 2014 was one of further progress at the Corporation. The Corporation continued to execute on its strategic plans under the leadership of Mr. Klimas and the other Named Executives. The Corporation’s financial results in 2014 reflect notable improvement in a number of key areas, which were largely driven by the Corporation’s strategic investments in its business lines and personnel over the past few years. The Corporation concluded the year by entering into a definitive merger agreement with Northwest Bancshares, Inc. with respect to a merger of the Corporation with and into Northwest. Highlights of the Corporation’s 2014 performance are set forth below:
•
31% increase in net income available to common shareholders;
•
3.1% increase in loan balances;
•
23% decrease in nonperforming assets; and
•
Improved asset quality and lower charge-offs, resulting in a reduced provision for loan losses.
All of this was achieved during a period in which financial institutions continued to face economic challenges, industry unpredictably and far-reaching regulatory changes. The work of the Named Executives has contributed greatly to these significant achievements. In light of this continued progress, the Compensation Committee believes that maintaining compensation and benefits at competitive levels, in order to motivate and retain the Corporation’s management team, remains important to the continued success of the Corporation.
Several significant developments are reflected in the compensation reported for 2014 for the Named Executives, including the following:
•
The Named Executives other than Mr. Klimas and Mr. Nicholson, who joined the Corporation as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on July 28, 2014, received merit increases in base salary ranging from 2-3% in recognition of their individual performance over the year;
•
The Corporation’s 2014 net income after tax was at 100% of the target, which resulted in cash bonuses to the Named Executives participating under the Corporation’s incentive plans in amounts equal to 100% of their respective target bonus opportunities, except that Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Elek received prorated amounts of their respective target bonus opportunities based on the portion of the year during which they each served as Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation; and
•
Named Executives were granted long-term equity compensation awards in the form of stock options, which the Compensation Committee views as performance-based and thus a reinforcement of the executives’ focus on increasing shareholder value.
Impact of Last Year’s Say on Pay Vote. At the Corporation’s 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, its shareholders approved the compensation of the Named Executives, with the holders of nearly 93% of the votes cast in favor of the proposal commonly known as “say on pay.”


104

The Compensation Committee considered the results of the 2014 vote to indicate that shareholders are generally supportive of the Corporation’s executive compensation program and the philosophy and objectives of the program. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee has sought to make executive compensation decisions and implement executive compensation policies that are consistent with the philosophy and objectives that the Corporation’s shareholders approved in 2014.
Objectives of the Compensation Program
The Corporation’s executive compensation is intended to attract and retain executive leadership necessary for the growth and success of the Corporation’s business and motivate executives to further the Corporation’s business goals and shareholder interests. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee seeks to:
•
link executive compensation with the Corporation’s financial performance while, at the same time, considering external market factors that affect such performance that are outside the control of the Corporation’s executives; and
•
maintain compensation and benefits at competitive levels in order to attract and retain talented executives.
In addition, the Compensation Committee considers how compensation arrangements may affect risk-taking by executives.
Design of the Compensation Program
The major components of the Corporation’s executive compensation program, the primary purpose of each component and the form of compensation of each component are described in the following table.
Component
Primary Purpose
Form of Compensation
 
 
 
Base Salary
Provides base compensation for day-to-day performance of job responsibilities; recognizes individual skills, competencies, experience and tenure.
Fixed, short-term cash compensation.
 
 
 
Annual Bonus
Incentivizes and rewards performance over the year based on achieving annual performance goals.
Variable or performance-based, short-term cash compensation.
 
 
 
Stock Options
Encourages improvement in the long-term performance of the Corporation, particularly share price appreciation, thereby aligning interests of executives with the interests of shareholders.
Variable or performance-based, long-term equity compensation.
 
 
 
Restricted Stock
Attracts and retains executives and further aligns interests of executives with the interests of shareholders.
Fixed, long-term equity compensation.
 
 
 
Other Employee and Executive Benefits
Employee retention, retirement and health; provides management continuity in the event of an actual or threatened change in control.
Employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements generally available to all employees; retirement programs; limited perquisites; severance and change in control benefits.
The executives are compensated principally by using a combination of fixed and performance-based compensation and annual and long-term compensation, which are delivered in cash and equity-based awards. The Compensation Committee has not established a specific formula for the mix between fixed and variable, short and long-term, and cash and equity compensation.
The Compensation Committee reviewed compensation data from pay surveys and from comparative groups, which is referred to as “market compensation” in this section, as well as input provided in previous years from the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant and input from the Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, to assist it in determining whether the Corporation’s compensation is competitive and reasonable. While the Compensation Committee considers market compensation practices, it strives to incorporate flexibility in the Corporation’s compensation programs and in the assessment process in order to respond to and adjust for, if appropriate, the evolving business and regulatory environment, including market conditions and regulatory changes which may be beyond the executive’s control.
Compensation in 2014
The Compensation Committee based its decisions on executive compensation in 2014 on its assessment of the performance and achievements of the executive and the executive’s present and potential future contribution to the Corporation’s success, its review of market compensation information, the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer regarding other executives, and previous input from the independent compensation consultant.


105

Annual Base Salary. Generally, the Compensation Committee seeks to establish an annual base salary level for each executive that falls at or near median market compensation levels.
In determining the Chief Executive Officer’s base salary for 2014, the Compensation Committee reviewed the market compensation information, and considered the Corporation’s performance in light of the prevailing economic and industry conditions, as well as the constantly changing regulatory environment. The Compensation Committee also considered the Chief Executive Officer’s individual experience, accountability, know-how, leadership and problem-solving abilities, and determined that his base salary was appropriate and, accordingly, it was not increased for 2014.
In establishing salary levels for each executive other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee considered market compensation information and the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee also considered whether each executive met key objectives, and considered each executive’s potential future contributions to the Corporation as well as components such as: knowledge and problem solving abilities required to meet the position requirements, span of control, accountability, educational requirements, years of experience, division sales and profit objectives and key departmental objectives. Operating objectives vary for each executive and typically change from year-to-year. Financial and operating objectives are considered in the aggregate by the Compensation Committee and are not specifically weighted in establishing base salaries. For 2014, the Compensation Committee determined to implement merit increases of between 2 and 3% of the base salaries for the Named Executives other than Mr. Klimas and other than Mr. Nicholson, who joined the Corporation as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on July 28, 2014.
CEO and Management Incentive Plans. Annual cash bonus opportunities for the Named Executives were intended to provide for total cash compensation opportunities that were at or around market median levels. The bonus opportunities were based on the achievement of business and/or financial objectives established in advance and which were intended to be reflective of the opportunities and challenges present in the Corporation’s industry.
Under the 2014 CEO Incentive Plan and the 2014 Management Incentive Plan for Key Employees, the Named Executives had opportunities to earn cash bonuses in amounts that were expressed as a percentage of the respective executive’s annual base salary.
Under the 2014 CEO Incentive Plan, Mr. Klimas’ target bonus opportunity was 50% of his annual base salary, the payment of half of which was based upon the Corporation’s net income after tax for 2014 relative to the goal established by the Compensation Committee, and half of which was based upon the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer’s overall performance. Under the 2014 Management Incentive Plan for Key Employees, the Named Executives other than Mr. Klimas and Mr. Nelson, who participated in a separate plan described below, had target bonus opportunities based on 20% of their respective annual base salaries, the payment of which was based upon the Corporation’s net income after tax for 2014 relative to the goal established by the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee used net income after tax as the primary performance criteria under the bonus programs. The Compensation Committee believes that net income after tax is useful in analyzing the Corporation’s performance, as a primary indicator of the Corporation’s overall financial performance. The target net income after tax goal was set at a level which the Compensation Committee believed was challenging but achievable. However, the Compensation Committee reserved the right to use its discretion in authorizing the payment of bonuses under the plans to reflect the realities imposed by unanticipated events and external market factors and its subjective evaluation of the Named Executive’s performance. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee determined to adjust the net income after tax target to exclude the effect of one-time expenses related to the Corporation’s negotiation and execution of a definitive merger agreement with Northwest Bancshares, Inc. during the year.
Under the incentive plans, the participating Named Executives were eligible to earn a bonus of up to 150% of their respective bonus opportunities, based on a graduated scale where:
•
if a threshold amount of 85% of target was met, the Named Executive would receive a payout of 25% of his target opportunity (which would amount to 5% of his base salary);
•
if 100% of target was met, the Named Executive would receive a payout of 100% of his target opportunity (which would amount to 20% of his base salary); and
•
if 125% or more of target was met, the Named Executive would receive a maximum payout of 150% of his target opportunity (which would amount to 30% of his base salary).
The Corporation’s net income after tax for 2014 was $7,217,000, which, after adjustment as described above, was at 100% of the target and resulted in the Named Executives earning payout amounts at 100% of their respective target opportunities.


106

Accordingly, the Compensation Committee approved bonus payments of $50,000 to Mr. Bickerton and $39,000 to Mr. Soltis. The Compensation Committee used its discretion to approve bonus payments to Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Elek in prorated amounts of their respective target bonus opportunities based on the portion of the year during which they each served as Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation. As a result, the Compensation Committee approved bonus payments of $18,000 to Mr. Nicholson and $30,000 to Mr. Elek. The Compensation Committee further used its discretion to approve an additional bonus payment of $10,000 to Mr. Nicholson, primarily in recognition of his efforts in connection with the negotiation and execution of the definitive merger agreement with Northwest Bancshares, Inc. during the year.
The Compensation Committee also approved a bonus payment of $200,000 to Mr. Klimas, $100,000 of which was based on him earning a payout amount at 100% of his target opportunity and $100,000 of which was based on the Compensation Committee’s evaluation of Mr. Klimas’ overall performance in 2014.
Indirect Loan Production Commission. In 2014, the Compensation Committee continued the use of a commission compensation program as part of the compensation of Mr. Nelson, the Senior Vice President of Indirect Lending. Under the program, Mr. Nelson had the opportunity to earn a commission based on the total amount of indirect automobile loans made by the Corporation during 2014 for which Mr. Nelson was responsible. The program provided Mr. Nelson with the opportunity to earn a commission equal to up to 20% of his base salary, based on a graduated scale of 4% to 25% of his base salary paid based on achievement from 80% to 100% of the goal of $164,400,000 in indirect loans for 2014. Mr. Nelson achieved loan production equal to 102% of the goal and, accordingly, was paid a commission of $38,000 for 2014.
Long-Term Equity Compensation Awards. In determining appropriate equity-based compensation awards for the Corporation’s executives, the Compensation Committee focuses on the current performance and achievements of the executive, market compensation information, and the executive’s present and potential future contribution to the Corporation’s success, and the recommendation of the Chief Executive Officer with respect to other executives.
In 2014, the Compensation Committee determined to grant equity-based compensation awards to the Named Executives in the form of stock options, which the Compensation Committee views as performance-based compensation that provides a further incentive to the Named Executives to increase shareholder value. To further align the Named Executives’ interests with the Corporation’s shareholders, and maintain the competitiveness of the Corporation’s total executive compensation, in May 2014, the Compensation Committee granted stock options to each of the Named Executives in the following amounts: Mr. Klimas: 35,000 stock options; Mr. Bickerton: 12,000 stock options; Mr. Soltis: 9,000 stock options; Mr. Nelson: 9,000 stock options; and Mr. Elek: 16,500 stock options. Mr. Nicholson was granted 7,500 stock options in July 2014 in connection with joining the Corporation as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. The material terms of the stock options are further described in this Proxy Statement under “Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan - Stock Options.”
Personal Benefits and Perquisites. The Corporation has established the Lorain National Bank Retirement Savings Plan, a qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan, to which the Corporation makes contributions on behalf of each of the Named Executives. Consistent with what is generally provided to all of its employees, the Corporation also maintains and pays premiums on behalf of each Named Executive under the Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plans of up to two times the Named Executive’s base salary on life and AD&D coverage and up to two-thirds of the Named Executive’s base salary on disability coverage, and provides partial payment of elected medical benefit premiums for the Named Executive.
The Corporation provided certain Named Executives certain perquisites in 2014, which the Compensation Committee believes are commensurate with the types of benefits and perquisites provided to similarly situated executives within other comparable companies, and are thus useful to the Corporation in attracting and retaining qualified executives. These perquisites include the payment of automobile expenses and club dues as described below under the Summary Compensation Table.
Severance Benefits. In 2005, the Corporation entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Klimas which provided for the payment of certain severance benefits upon termination of employment in certain circumstances, which arrangements are summarized below under Other Potential Post-Employment Compensation. The Compensation Committee believes that the severance arrangements provided for in an agreement such as this are vital to the attraction and retention of a talented Chief Executive Officer and, thus, to the long-term success of the Corporation.
Change of Control Benefits. Mr. Klimas’ agreement also provides for certain severance benefits upon termination of his employment upon a change of control of the Corporation, and thus addresses the Corporation’s interest in ensuring the continuity of corporate management and the continued dedication of the Chief Executive Officer during any period of uncertainty caused by the possible threat of a takeover. Mr. Klimas’ arrangements are summarized below under Other Potential Post-Employment Compensation.
Each other Named Executive has entered into an agreement with the Corporation that provides for certain benefits generally payable in the event of a termination following a change of control of the Corporation. As with Mr. Klimas’ agreement described


107

above, these agreements help retain executives and provide for management continuity in the event of an actual or threatened change of control. They also help ensure that management’s interests remain aligned with shareholders’ interests during a time when their continued employment may be in jeopardy. The foregoing agreements provide for a so-called “double-trigger” on the payment of benefits and do not provide for excise tax gross-ups. The terms of these agreements are summarized below under Other Potential Post-Employment Compensation.
CEO Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. In order to provide the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer with the opportunity to earn competitive retirement benefits, the Compensation Committee adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, or “SERP,” in which Mr. Klimas participates. The SERP supplements the other retirement benefits provided by the Corporation with the purpose of providing income security and recognizing Mr. Klimas’ contributions to the Corporation. The change in present value of the accumulated benefit obligation to Mr. Klimas is set forth in the Summary Compensation Table. The present value of the aggregate accumulated benefit obligation to Mr. Klimas under the SERP is included in the Pension Benefits for Fiscal Year 2014 Table, and the terms of the SERP are summarized following that table.
Policies and Practices Related to Compensation
Role of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is comprised of independent directors and is responsible for developing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the Corporation’s executive compensation policies and for the approval and administration of the Corporation’s existing and proposed executive compensation plans. You may learn more about the responsibilities of the Compensation Committee by reading the Compensation Committee’s charter, which is available on the Corporation’s website at www.4lnb.com by clicking on the “Investor Relations” tab and then the “Corporate Governance” link.
Independent Compensation Consultant. In 2012 and 2013, the Compensation Committee engaged Pay Governance, LLC to review the Corporation’s executive compensation program, assess the program’s competitiveness relative to market practices and suggest refinements and potential alternatives that could enhance the pay-for-performance elements and competitiveness of the program, which input the Compensation Committee considered in developing and implementing the Corporation’s executive compensation program.
Pay Governance, LLC is an independent compensation consulting firm and, when engaged by the Compensation Committee, did not provide the Corporation with any other services other than advising the Compensation Committee on the Corporation’s compensation programs. Pay Governance was engaged by, and reported directly to, the Compensation Committee, which has the sole authority to engage Pay Governance, LLC and to approve fee arrangements for work performed. Management had no role in selecting the Compensation Committee’s compensation consultant. The Compensation Committee authorized Pay Governance, LLC, during its engagement, to interact with management on behalf of the Compensation Committee, as needed in connection with advising the Compensation Committee.
During its engagement of Pay Governance, LLC, the Compensation Committee considered the independence of Pay Governance, LLC in light of SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards. In considering independence, the Compensation Committee requested and received a letter from Pay Governance, LLC addressing the independence of Pay Governance, LLC and the partner involved in the engagement, including the following factors: (1) other services provided to the Corporation by Pay Governance, LLC; (2) fees paid by the Corporation as a percentage of Pay Governance, LLC’s total revenue; (3) policies or procedures maintained by Pay Governance, LLC that are designed to prevent a conflict of interest; (4) any business or personal relationships between the partner and a member of the Compensation Committee; (5) any stock of the Corporation owned by the partner; and (6) any business or personal relationships between the Corporation’s executive officers and the partner. The Compensation Committee discussed these considerations and concluded that the work performed by Pay Governance, LLC did not raise any conflict of interest.
Role of Executives. The Chief Executive Officer and/or the Senior Vice President of Human Resources attend each meeting of the Compensation Committee for the purpose of providing insight into the Corporation’s performance and the performance of individual executives and the executive’s contribution to the Corporation’s performance, and to make recommendations as to the structure and implementation of elements of executive compensation. The Chief Executive Officer assesses the performance of each of the Corporation’s other executive officers and provides recommendations, with the assistance of the Senior Vice President of Human Resources, to the Compensation Committee as to the structure and amounts of compensation to be paid to those executive officers. The Chief Executive Officer and the Senior Vice President of Human Resources are not present during any discussions of their respective individual compensation by the Compensation Committee.
Market Compensation - Survey Data and Comparative Information. In order to gauge the competiveness of the Corporation’s executive compensation levels, the Compensation Committee retained the independent compensation consultant in 2012 and 2013 to identify the compensation paid to executives who are comparable to the Corporation’s executives. This information is referred


108

to in this section as “market compensation” and is comprised of a combination of survey data and comparative information from a group of peer banking companies, as described below.
The independent compensation consultant reviewed survey data from nationally recognized compensation and human resources consulting firms and identified compensation levels for executives in banking companies of similar size to the Corporation. In addition to survey data, the independent compensation consultant prepared comparative information regarding compensation levels for the executive officers of a peer group of 24 banking companies of similar size, based on assets and market capitalization, to the Corporation within the Corporation’s general geographic region. The peer group was comprised of the following companies, which had asset sizes ranging from $792 million to $2.9 billion and market capitalizations ranging from $94 million to $395 million:
First Financial Corp.
Lakeland Financial Corp.
Metro Bancorp, Inc.
Financial Institutions, Inc.
Independent Bank Corporation
German American Bancorp, Inc.
Peoples Bancorp, Inc.
Canandaigua National Corp.
Horizon Bancorp
Macatawa Bank Corp.
Firstbank Corporation
Summit Financial Group, Inc.
Mercantile Bank Corp.
Isabella Bank Corp.
Chemung Financial Corp.
Premier Financial Bancorp, Inc.
First Citizens Banc Corp.
Farmers National Banc Corp.
AmeriServ Financial, Inc.
United Bancorp, Inc.
Ohio Valley Banc Corp.
Community Bank Shares of Indiana
LCNB Corp.
CNB Financial Corp.
The companies in this group are regularly reviewed and changed from time to time to account for acquisitions, mergers and other business-related changes. In 2014, Canandaigua National Corp., Firstbank Corporation and United Bancorp, Inc. were removed from the peer group, as each of these were acquired and are no longer public companies. For further comparative information, the independent compensation consultant also prepared a secondary peer group of relatively high-performing banking companies of similar size to the Corporation.
Equity Grant Practices. Historically, the Compensation Committee had made annual grant determinations in January or February of each year. However, after exiting the TARP program in 2012, the Compensation Committee modified its practice in 2013 and since then has made its annual grant determinations in May of each year, so that the Compensation Committee’s consideration of long-term equity awards could be made separate from its determinations regarding short-term cash compensation earlier in the year. Equity awards also are made occasionally during the course of the year to new hires or to current employees in connection with a promotion.
Tax Matters. The Compensation Committee believes it is in the shareholders’ best interest to retain as much flexibility as possible in the design and administration of executive compensation plans. The Corporation recognizes, however, that Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code disallows a tax deduction for non-exempted compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid for any fiscal year to a corporation’s chief executive officer and four other most highly compensated executive officers. Because the statute exempts qualifying performance-based compensation from the deduction limit if certain requirements are met, the Compensation Committee intends generally to structure performance-based compensation to executive officers who may be subject to Section 162(m) in a manner that satisfies the requirements for this exemption whenever administratively and practically feasible. The Board and the Compensation Committee, however, could award non-deductible compensation in other circumstances, as they deem appropriate. Moreover, because of ambiguities in the application and interpretation of Section 162(m) and the regulations issued, there is no assurance that compensation intended to satisfy the requirements for deductibility under Section 162(m) actually will be deductible.
Derivatives Trading. As part of its policy relating to the trading of company securities by insiders, the Corporation prohibits an insider from trading in any interest or position relating to the future price of company securities, such as a put, call or short sale.
Risk Assessment
The Compensation Committee, with management’s assistance, conducted a risk assessment of the Company’s compensation policies and practices for its employees, including those related to the executive compensation programs discussed above. The Compensation Committee, in conducting the assessment, analyzed associated risks and considered mitigating factors. Based upon the assessment, the Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s compensation policies and practices do not encourage excessive or unnecessary risk-taking and are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with the Corporation's management. Based on that review and discussion, the Compensation Committee


109

recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Compensation Committee
 
Robert M. Campana, Chairman
J. Martin Erbaugh
Thomas P. Perciak
John W. Schaeffer, M.D.
The above Report of the Compensation Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed with the Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C (other than as provided in Item 407 of Regulation S-K) or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), except to the extent that the Corporation specifically requests that the information in this Report be treated as soliciting material or specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act. This Report is furnished in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act as a result of furnishing the disclosure in this manner.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During 2014, the Compensation Committee was comprised of Messrs. Campana, Erbaugh, Perciak, and Schaeffer, each of whom was an independent director.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents the total compensation to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers of the Corporation in 2014, 2013 and 2012. It also presents the total compensation of the Corporation’s former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, who stepped down as Chief Financial Officer effective as of July 28, 2014, and retired from employment with the Corporation effective January 31, 2015.
Name and Principal Position
 
Year
 
Salary
 
Bonus (1)
 
Stock
Awards
(2)
 
Option
Awards (2)
 
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
 
Change in
Pension Value
and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
(3)
All Other
Compensation (4)
 
Total
Daniel E. Klimas
 
2014
 
$
400,000

 
$200,000
 
$—
 
$112,700
 
$—
 
$31,000
$ 48,691(5)
 
$792,391
President and
 
2013
 
400,000

 
$160,800
 
—
 
80,479
 
—
 
640,362
51,171
 
$1,332,812
Chief Executive Officer
 
2012
 
400,000

 
75,000
 
199,996
 
—
 
—
 
—
25,085
 
$700,081
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
James H. Nicholson
 
2014
 
$
88,846

 
$28,000
 
$—
 
$26,925
 
$—
 
$—
$ 20,839(7)
 
$164,610
  Senior Vice President and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer(6)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michael W. Bickerton
 
2014
 
$
250,000

 
$50,000
 
$—
 
$38,640
 
$—
 
$—
$11,593 (8)
 
$350,233
  Senior Vice President and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Chief Credit Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Frank A. Soltis
 
2014
 
$
192,908

 
$39,000
 
$—
 
$28,980
 
$—
 
$—
$ 19,310(9)
 
$280,198
Senior Vice President -
 
2013
 
188,923

 
29,000
 
—
 
19,114
 
—
 
—
18,402
 
$255,439
  Chief Information Officer
 
2012
 
184,900

 
14,000
 
26,950
 
—
 
—
 
—
32,854
 
$258,704
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kevin W. Nelson
 
2014
 
$
182,495

 
$—
 
$—
 
$28,980
 
$38,000(10)
 
$—
$ 17,131(11)
 
$266,606
Senior Vice President -
 
2013
 
177,760

 
—
 
—
 
17,924
 
29,934
 
—
14,796
 
$240,414
Indirect Lending
 
2012
 
155,956

 
—
 
26,950
 
—
 
24,000
 
—
14,147
 
$221,053
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gary J. Elek
 
2014
 
$
258,635

 
$30,000
 
$—
 
$53,130
 
$—
 
$—
$40,385(13)

 
$382,150
Former Executive Vice President and
 
2013
 
246,653

 
45,000

 
—

 
34,786

 
—

 
—

46,331

 
$372,770
Chief Financial Officer (12)
 
2012
 
233,647

 
13,500

 
53,900

 
—

 
—

 
—

33,831

 
$334,878
________________


110

(1)
The amounts in this column represent cash bonus compensation paid under (1) the 2014 CEO Incentive Plan (for Mr. Klimas) and the 2014 Management Incentive Plan for Key Executives (for Messrs. Nicholson, Bickerton, Soltis and Elek) for the period from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014, (2) the 2013 CEO Incentive Plan (for Mr. Klimas) and the 2013 Management Incentive Plan for Key Executives (for Messrs. Elek and Soltis) for the period from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013 and (3) the cash bonus compensation paid under the 2012 CEO Incentive Plan (for Mr. Klimas) and the 2012 Management Incentive Plan for Key Executives (for Messrs. Elek and Soltis) for the period from July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. The cash bonus compensation paid to each of Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Elek represents a prorated portion of their respective cash bonus compensation opportunities, based on the portion of the year that each of them served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation. For a description of the bonus opportunities established under the 2014 plans, see the footnotes to the Grants of Plan-Based Awards for Fiscal Year 2014 table that follows. For a description of the bonuses paid under the 2014 plans, see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis.
(2)
The values reported in these columns represent the grant date fair value of the long-term restricted stock equity awards or stock option awards, as the case may be, granted to the Named Executive during the applicable fiscal year as determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a summary of the terms of these awards, see the section captioned “Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan”.
(3)
The amounts reported in this column represent the amounts accrued as an expense by the Corporation in 2014 in accordance with the requirements of ASC 715, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, as they relate to the change in present value of the accumulated benefit obligation to Mr. Klimas under the SERP. No above market or preferential earnings on nonqualified deferred compensation were earned by any officer in 2014. The amounts in this column represent the amounts credited under the SERP on behalf of Mr. Klimas during the fiscal year. For a further description of the terms of the SERP, see “Other Potential Post-Employment Compensation - Daniel Klimas Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement.”
(4)
For purposes of the disclosure in the Summary Compensation Table, perquisites are valued on the basis of the aggregate incremental cost to the Corporation of providing the perquisite to the applicable officer.
(5)
Compensation reported in this column includes (i) contributions made by the Corporation on behalf of Mr. Klimas to the Corporation's 401(k) Plan; (ii) premiums paid by the Corporation under the Corporation's life, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment plans on behalf of Mr. Klimas; (iii) payments made for a vehicle owned by the Corporation for use by Mr. Klimas; (iv) club dues; and (v) an executive wellness physical.
(6)
Mr. Nicholson was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation July 28, 2014.
(7)
Compensation reported in this column includes (i) contributions made by the Corporation on behalf of Mr. Nicholson to the Corporation’s 401(k) Plan; (ii) premiums paid by the Corporation under the Corporation’s life, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans on behalf of Mr. Nicholson; (iii) premiums paid by the Corporation under the Corporation’s health insurance plans on behalf of Mr. Nicholson; and (v) a car allowance.
(8)
Compensation reported in this column includes (i) contributions made by the Corporation on behalf of Mr. Bickerton to the Corporation's 401(k) Plan; (ii) premiums paid by the Corporation under the Corporation's life, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans on behalf of Mr. Bickerton and (iii) premiums paid by the Corporation under the Corporation's health insurance plans on behalf of Mr. Bickerton.
(9)
Compensation reported in this column includes (i) contributions made by the Corporation on behalf of Mr. Soltis to the Corporation's 401(k) Plan; (ii) premiums paid by the Corporation under the Corporation's life, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans on behalf of Mr. Soltis; and (iii) premiums paid by the Corporation under the Corporation's health insurance plans on behalf of Mr. Soltis.
(10)
Represents the amount of cash commission paid to Mr. Nelson under the Corporation's commission compensation program. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis - Indirect Loan Production Commission.”
(11)
Compensation reported in this column includes (i) contributions made by the Corporation on behalf of Mr. Nelson to the Corporation's 401(k) Plan; (ii) premiums paid by the Corporation under the Corporation's life, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans on behalf of Mr. Nelson; and (iii) premiums paid by the Corporation under the Corporation's health insurance plans on behalf of Mr. Nelson.
(12)
Mr. Elek served as Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation until July 28, 2014 and retired from his employment with the Corporation effective as of January 31, 2015.
(13)
Compensation reported in this column includes (i) contributions made by the Corporation on behalf of Mr. Elek to the Corporation's 401(k) Plan; (ii) premiums paid by the Corporation under the Corporation's life, long-term disability and


111

accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans on behalf of Mr. Elek; (iii) premiums paid by the Corporation under the Corporation's health insurance plans on behalf of Mr. Elek; and (iv) a car allowance.
Employment Agreement
Daniel E. Klimas
The Corporation has an employment agreement with Mr. Klimas which had an initial term of three years commencing February 1, 2005, and which provides that, unless the agreement is terminated by either party on or before November 1, 2006 and on or before each November 1 thereafter, the agreement term will automatically renew for one additional year, such that the agreement term (unless terminated prior to such automatic extension) shall not be less than fifteen (15) months, and after November 1, 2006 shall not be greater than twenty seven (27) months. The employment agreement, as amended, provides for an annual base salary of $400,000, an annual bonus opportunity of up to 50% of base salary based on the attainment by Mr. Klimas of performance levels determined by the Compensation Committee, and perquisites consistent with those available to the Corporation's other executives. The agreement contains non-disclosure and non-solicitation provisions that, among other things, prohibit Mr. Klimas from soliciting employees, customers or clients of the Corporation for a period of one year following the termination of his employment. The employment agreement also provides for certain severance and change of control benefits under certain circumstances that are further described below under “Other Potential Post- Employment Compensation.”
Grants of Plan-Based Awards For Fiscal Year 2014
The following table shows, for the Named Executives, plan-based awards to those officers during 2014, including stock option grants, as well as other incentive plan awards.
 
 
 
 
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
All Other
Option Awards:
Number of
Securities Underlying Options (#)
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)
Grant
Date Fair
Value
of Stock and
Option
Awards
($)(1)
Name
 
Grant
Date
 
Threshold($)
 
Target($)
 
Maximum($)
 
Daniel E. Klimas
 
5/20/2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35,000(2)
$11.03
$112,700
 
 
3/25/2014(3)
 
$20,000(3)
 
$80,000(3)
 
$100,000(3)
 
 
 
 
James H. Nicholson
 
7/28/2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7,500(2)
12.12
$26,925
 
 
7/28/2014(4)
 
$11,000(4)
 
44,000(4)
 
66,000(4)
 
 
 
 
Michael W. Bickerton
 
5/20/2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12,000(2)
11.03
$38,640
 
 
1/9/2014(4)
 
$12,500(4)
 
50,000(4)
 
75,000(4)
 
 
 
 
Frank A. Soltis
 
5/20/2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9,000(2)
11.03
$28,980
 
 
1/9/2014(4)
 
$9,700(4)
 
38,800(4)
 
58,200(4)
 
 
 
 
Kevin W. Nelson
 
5/20/2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9,000(2)
11.03
$28,980
 
 
1/9/2014(5)
 
$7,600(5)
 
38,000(5)
 
47,500(5)
 
 
 
 
Gary J. Elek
 
5/20/2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16,500(2)
11.03
$53,130
 
 
1/9/2014(4)
 
$13,000(4)
 
52,000(4)
 
78,000(4)
 
 
 
 
________________
(1)
The values reported in this column represent the FASB ASC Topic 718 value of all stock options awarded to each officer during 2014.
(2)
Stock option award granted under the Corporation's Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, which vests in equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant and is subject to the terms and conditions described below under “Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan - Stock Options.”
(3)
On March 25, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved the terms of the 2014 CEO Incentive Plan for the period beginning January 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2014. Pursuant to the plan, Mr. Klimas had the opportunity to earn a bonus of up to 50% of his base pay. Half of his bonus opportunity, up to a maximum of $100,000 was based upon the Corporation’s achievement of threshold, target and maximum amounts in relation to a goal of $7,800,000 of net income after tax for 2014. The other half of his bonus opportunity, up to a maximum of $100,000, was based upon the Compensation Committee’s subjective evaluation of the Chief Executive Officer’s overall performance in 2014 and thus is not included in this table. Mr. Klimas received a bonus under the plan as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion in


112

the amount referenced in the “Bonus” column of the Summary Compensation Table. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis for a further description of the bonus.
(4)
On January 9, 2014, the Compensation Committee established the 2014 Management Incentive Plan for Key Employees and determined to include Messrs. Bickerton, Soltis and Elek as participants in the plan for the period beginning January 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2014. Mr. Nicholson became a participant in the plan after joining the Corporation as Chief Financial Officer on July 28, 2014. Pursuant to the plan, the participating Named Executives had the opportunity to earn their respective bonus amounts based upon the Corporation’s achievement of threshold, target and maximum amounts in relation to a goal of $7,800,000 of net income after tax for 2014. Messrs. Nicholson, Bickerton, Soltis and Elek received a bonus under the plan as determined by the Chief Executive Officer, and approved by the Compensation Committee in its discretion, in the amounts referenced in the “Bonus” column of the Summary Compensation Table. Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Elek received bonuses in amount representing the prorated portion of their respective cash bonus compensation opportunities, based on the portion of the year that each of them served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis for a further description of the bonuses.
(5)
Indirect loan commission program award, under which Mr. Nelson had the opportunity to earn a commission based on the total amount of indirect automobile loans made by the Corporation during 2014 for which Mr. Nelson is responsible. The program provided Mr. Nelson with the opportunity to earn a commission equal to up to 20% of his base salary, based on a graduated scale of 4% to 20% of his base salary paid based on achievement from 80% to 100% of the goal of $164,400,000 in indirect loans for 2014. Mr. Nelson achieved loan production equal to 102% of the goal and, accordingly, was paid a commission of $38,000 for 2014.
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2014
The following table shows, for the Named Executives, outstanding equity awards held by such officers at December 31, 2014.
 
 
Option Awards
 
Stock Awards
Name
 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
 
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
 
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
 
Option
Expiration
Date
 
Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
 
 
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)
Daniel E. Klimas
 
30,000
 
—
 
—
 
$19.17
 
2/1/2015
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
30,000
 
—
 
—
 
19.10
 
2/1/2016
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
30,000
 
—
 
—
 
16.00
 
2/1/2017
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
50,000
 
—
 
—
 
14.47
 
2/4/2018
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
11,111
 
22,222
 
—
 
9.07
 
5/9/2023
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
35,000
 
—
 
11.03
 
5/20/2024
 
18,553

 
(1)
 
$334,511
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
James H. Nicholson
 
—
 
7,500
 
—
 
12.12
 
7/28/2024
 
—

 
 
 
—
Michael W. Bickerton
 
—
 
12,000
 
—
 
11.03
 
5/20/2024
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
10,000

 
(2
)
 
$180,300
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Frank A. Soltis
 
2,500
 
—
 
—
 
16.50
 
6/27/2015
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
2,500
 
—
 
—
 
14.47
 
2/4/2018
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
2,639
 
5,278
 
—
 
9.07
 
5/9/2023
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
9,000
 
—
 
11.03
 
5/20/2024
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
2,500

 
(1)
 
$45,075
Kevin W. Nelson
 
2,500
 
—
 
—
 
14.47
 
2/4/2018
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
2,475
 
4,949
 
—
 
9.07
 
5/9/2023
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
9,000
 
—
 
11.03
 
5/20/2024
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
2,500

 
(1)
 
$45,075
Gary J. Elek (3)
 
2,500
 
—
 
—
 
5.34
 
5/14/2019
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
4,803
 
9,605
 
—
 
9.07
 
5/9/2023
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
16,500
 
—
 
11.03
 
5/20/2024
 
—

 
 
 
—
 
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
—
 
5,000

 
(1)
 
$90,150
________________


113

(1)
These shares of long-term restricted stock vest on January 30, 2015, and are subject to the other restrictions as described below under “Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan - Long Term Restricted Stock.”
(2)
These shares of long-term restricted stock vest in 50% increments on October 10, 2015 and 2016, and are subject to the other restrictions as described below under “Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan - Long Term Restricted Stock.”
(3)
Mr. Elek retired from employment with the Corporation as of January 31, 2015, by which time his restricted stock awards had fully vested. Upon his retirement, Mr. Elek’s outstanding stock options ceased vesting and his right to exercise such stock options will terminate 60 days after his retirement.
None of the Named Executives exercised stock options or stock appreciation rights during 2014.
Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan
In 2006, the Corporation established the LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, a shareholder-approved equity incentive plan which permits the Corporation to grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted shares and restricted share units to officers and other key employees of the Corporation who are eligible to participate in the plan as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. The 2006 Stock Incentive Plan was amended and restated and re-approved by the Corporation's shareholders in 2012 to, among other things, increase the total number of common shares authorized for issuance under the plan to 800,000 shares, up to 400,000 of which may be in the form of restricted shares or restricted share units. See the Compensation Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of awards under the Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan during 2014.
Long-Term Restricted Stock.     The terms and conditions of the long-term restricted stock granted under the Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan were intended to meet the requirements of the long-term restricted stock exception in the TARP Regulations. Accordingly, shares of long-term restricted stock generally vest in two equal installments on the second and third anniversaries of the date of grant, or upon the earlier death or disability of the recipient or a qualified change of control of the Company. During any period when the shares of restricted stock are forfeitable, the holder of the shares will have the right to vote such shares and to receive all regular cash dividends and to receive any stock dividends, and such other distributions as the Compensation Committee may designate in its sole discretion, that are paid or distributed on such shares of restricted stock. Any stock dividends declared on a share of restricted stock are treated as part of the award of restricted stock and will be forfeited or become nonforfeitable at the same time as the underlying shares with respect to which the stock dividend was declared.
Stock Options. Stock options granted under the Corporation’s Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan generally vest in three equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. The Compensation Committee has discretion to waive or accelerate vesting provisions in the event of a participant’s death, disability, or retirement or upon a change in control or other special circumstances. The stock options generally have a term of ten years from the date of grant. Any unexercised portion of a stock option will expire at the end of the term of the stock option. The exercise price of the stock options are equal to the closing sales price per share of the common shares of the Corporation on the date of grant, subject to equitable adjustment in limited cases, such as stock splits.
Stock Appreciation Rights Plan
The Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR) Plan permits the Compensation Committee to grant SARs, to be settled in cash only, to officers and other key employees of the Corporation who are eligible to participate in the SAR Plan as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion. The Compensation Committee may grant SARs for up to an aggregate of 50,000 common shares of the Corporation under the SAR Plan. SARs, when exercised, will entitle the holder thereof to a cash payment based on the appreciation in the fair market value of the common shares underlying the SAR, subject to the terms of the SAR Plan and such terms as may be specified by the Compensation Committee. The purpose of the SAR Plan is to provide long-term incentive compensation opportunities that are intended to help the Corporation attract and retain skilled employees, motivate participants to achieve long-term success and growth of the Corporation, and align the interests of the participating employees with those of the shareholders of the Corporation. The Compensation Committee has the authority to grant SARs under the SAR Plan.


114

Pension Benefits for Fiscal Year 2014
The following table sets forth information regarding benefits payable to Mr. Klimas under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement (“SERP”) at December 31, 2014. No other Named Executive has entered into a SERP agreement.
Name
 
Plan Name
 
Number of
Years Credited Service (1)
 
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit (2)
 
Payments During Last Fiscal Year
 
Daniel E. Klimas
 
SERP
 
0
 
$671,362
 
0
 
________________
(1)
Benefits under the SERP are determined based on retirement age and other considerations as further described below under “Other Potential Post-Employment Compensation Daniel Klimas Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement.”  The benefits received under the SERP are not based on Mr. Klimas’ total credited years of service; however, the amount of the retirement benefit is increased by 2% for each year of service following his normal retirement age of 65 and reduced in the case of an early retirement by 2% for each year preceding his normal retirement age.
(2)
The present value is calculated assuming Mr. Klimas retires at the normal retirement age of 65 and includes a cost-of-living adjustment increase of 3% per year during the payout period.
Other Potential Post-Employment Compensation
Daniel Klimas Employment Agreement
The Corporation entered into an employment agreement with Daniel E. Klimas that provides severance and/or change of control benefits upon termination of employment for certain reasons. See the discussion of Mr. Klimas' agreement included above with the Summary Compensation Table. The severance and change of control benefits payable to Mr. Klimas are addressed in the discussion below.
If Mr. Klimas terminates his employment with the Corporation as a result of a breach of his employment agreement by the Corporation or for good cause, or if the Corporation terminates his employment without cause, the Corporation shall continue to pay to Mr. Klimas his salary, and health and life insurance benefits, as in effect immediately prior to the termination, for the then remaining term of the agreement. In addition, Mr. Klimas shall be entitled to a pro rata portion of the annual incentive awards applicable to the year in which such termination occurs and annual incentive awards each equal to 50% of his salary as in effect immediately prior to termination for the then remaining term of the agreement. Mr. Klimas shall also be entitled to be immediately awarded any stock options provided for in the agreement but not then issued, and all such unvested stock options held by Mr. Klimas will become immediately exercisable in full. For purposes of the agreement, “good cause” means (i) a material adverse change in Mr. Klimas' position, responsibilities, duties, or status, or title or offices, with the Corporation, (ii) a reduction in Mr. Klimas' salary, (iii) a requirement that Mr. Klimas be based at a location more than 50 miles from his current residence, or (iv) failure of the Corporation to comply with the employee benefit provisions of the agreement.
In accordance with the terms described above, assuming that Mr. Klimas' employment with the Corporation was terminated by the Corporation without cause or by Mr. Klimas for good reason as of December 31, 2014, the amounts and/or values of the benefits he would be entitled to receive are as follows: (1) $800,000 in respect of his applicable base salary for the remainder of the term of the agreement; (2) $50,880 in respect of the continuation of his health and life insurance benefits as then in effect through the remainder of the term of the agreement; and (3) $400,000 in respect of his annual incentive award, for a total of $1,250,880.
Under Mr. Klimas' employment agreement, Mr. Klimas is entitled to continuing indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by Ohio law for actions against him by reason of his being or having been an officer of the Corporation.
Under Mr. Klimas' employment agreement, if, at any time within two years after the occurrence of a “change in control” (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Klimas' employment is terminated by the Corporation (except for cause) or Mr. Klimas terminates his employment for good reason, the Corporation will pay to Mr. Klimas a lump sum severance benefit equal to the sum of (a) Mr. Klimas' highest annual base salary as measured from the date of termination through the end of the term of the agreement (but not less than 24 months), (b) any bonuses earned but unpaid through the date of termination, (c) a pro-rated portion of Mr. Klimas' annual bonus amount for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, (d) any accrued and unpaid vacation pay, and (e) the annual incentive awards payable for each remaining year of the term of the agreement (but not less than 24 months) in an amount equal to 50% of Mr. Klimas' salary as in effect on the date of termination. Mr. Klimas shall also be entitled to be immediately awarded any stock options provided for in the agreement but not then issued, and all such unvested stock options


115

held by Mr. Klimas will become immediately exercisable in full. For purposes of the agreement, “good reason” means, at any time after a change in control, (i) a material adverse change in Mr. Klimas' position, responsibilities, duties, or status, or title or offices, with the Corporation from those in effect before the change of control, (ii) a reduction in Mr. Klimas' base salary or failure to pay an annual bonus equal to or greater than the annual bonus earned for the year prior to the change in control, (iii) a requirement that Mr. Klimas be based at a location more than 50 miles from where he was located prior to the change in control or a substantial increase in Mr. Klimas' business travel obligations as compared to such obligations prior to the change in control, and (iv) failure of the Corporation to continue any material employee benefit or compensation plan in which Mr. Klimas was participating prior to the change in control or provide Mr. Klimas with vacation in accordance with the policies in effect prior to the change in control. For purposes of the employment agreement, “cause” includes failure to perform duties as an employee, illegal conduct or gross misconduct, conviction of a felony, or breach of non-competition or non-disclosure obligations of the employee.
In accordance with the terms described above, assuming that a change of control of the Corporation occurred as of December 31, 2014 and Mr. Klimas' employment with the Corporation was terminated by the Corporation without cause or by Mr. Klimas for good reason immediately thereafter, the amounts and/or values of the benefits he would be entitled to receive are as follows: (1) $800,000 in respect of his applicable base salary through the end of the term of the agreement; (2) $50,880 in respect of the continuation of his health and life insurance benefits as then in effect through the end of the term of the agreement; and (3) $400,000 in respect of his annual incentive award, for a total of $1,250,880.
Daniel Klimas Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement
In March 2013, the Corporation entered into a supplemental executive retirement agreement (“SERP Agreement”) with Mr. Klimas to provide him with certain nonqualified pension benefits. Under the SERP Agreement, Mr. Klimas is entitled to a monthly retirement benefit upon his separation from service with the Corporation. The amount of his monthly retirement benefit will be $13,127 if his termination of employment, other than by reason of death, occurs (1) on or after he attains the age of 65, (2) as a result of his disability (as defined in the agreement), or (3) as a result of an involuntary termination by the Corporation. The amount of the retirement benefit is increased by 2% for each year of service following Mr. Klimas’ normal retirement age of 65 and, if Mr. Klimas retires prior to age 65, the retirement benefit will be reduced by 2% for each year preceding his normal retirement age of 65. Had Mr. Klimas retired at December 31, 2014, he would be entitled to receive a monthly benefit of $11,102 for 2015. Generally, the retirement benefits will be paid in monthly installments for a period of seven years and will be increased by 3% each year of payment as a cost-of-living adjustment. If Mr. Klimas dies prior to payment of the full amount of his retirement benefits, the present value of any remaining retirement benefits would be paid to his beneficiary in a lump sum. If Mr. Klimas had died on December 31, 2014, the payment to his beneficiary would have been $1,111,033.
In the event that Mr. Klimas is terminated within two years after a change in control (as defined in the agreement) or such change in control occurs after his termination of employment while his retirement benefits are being paid, Mr. Klimas shall be entitled to a lump sum payment in the amount equal to the unpaid present value of the retirement benefits.  Assuming that a change of control of the Corporation occurred as of December 31, 2014 and Mr. Klimas' employment with the Corporation was terminated immediately thereafter, he would have been entitled to receive a lump sum payment of $1,111,033 under the SERP Agreement.
The amount of the benefits contemplated under the agreement, as well as the timing of such benefits, are subject to adjustment based on various tax considerations.
Change in Control Supplemental Executive Compensation Agreements with Other Executives
In 2013, the Corporation entered into Change in Control Supplemental Executive Compensation Agreements with certain executive officers, including each of the Named Executives other than Mr. Klimas. Under the agreements, if, within the two years following a “change in control” of the Corporation (as defined in the agreement), the Named Executive’s employment with the Corporation is terminated by the Corporation other than for cause, or by the Named Executive for good reason, the Named Executive would be entitled to (1) under the agreements with Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Elek, (a) a cash lump sum payment equal to two times his highest annual base salary paid, plus two times his highest annual incentive bonus earned, during the Corporation’s last three fiscal years completed prior to the date of termination and (b) continuation of certain medical insurance benefits provided by the Corporation for a period of 24 months following the date of termination and (2) under the agreements with the other Named Executives, (a) a payment equal to 1.25 times his or her highest annual base salary paid, plus 1.25 times his or her highest annual incentive bonus earned, during the Corporation’s last three fiscal years completed prior to the date of termination and (b) continuation of certain medical insurance benefits provided by the Corporation for a period of 15 months following the date of termination. The agreements also contain confidentiality obligations, as well as customer and employee non-solicitation obligations of the Named Executive which apply both during the term of his or her employment with the Company and for a period of 24 months following termination of his employment under the agreements with Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Elek and for a period of 15 months following termination under the agreements with the other Named Executives. For purposes of the agreements, “cause” includes willful failure to perform duties as an employee, illegal conduct or gross misconduct, conviction of a felony, or breach of non-


116

competition or non-disclosure obligations of the employee. Furthermore, “good reason” means at any time after a change in control, (i) a material adverse change in the Named Executive’s position, responsibilities, duties, or status, or title or offices, with the Corporation from those in effect before the change of control, (ii) a reduction in the Named Executive's base salary or failure to pay an annual bonus for the year the change in control occurs, (iii) a requirement that the Named Executive be based at a location more than 50 miles from his residence prior to the change in control or a substantial increase in the Named Executive’s business travel obligations as compared to such obligations prior to the change in control, (iv) failure of the Corporation to continue any material employee benefit or compensation plan in which the Named Executive was participating prior to the change in control or taking any action which would materially and adversely affect the Named Executive’s participation in or reduce his benefits under any such plan, unless the Named Executive is permitted to participate in other plans providing him with substantially equivalent benefits in the aggregate, and (v) failure of the Corporation to obtain an assumption of obligations under the agreement from a successor entity under certain circumstances outlined therein.
In accordance with the terms described above, assuming that a change of control of the Corporation occurred as of December 31, 2014 and each Named Executive’s employment with the Corporation was terminated by the Corporation without cause or by the Named Executive for good reason immediately thereafter, the amounts and/or values of the benefits he would be entitled to receive from the Corporation are as follows:
•
For Mr. Nicholson, $440,000 in respect of his applicable base salary through the end of the term of the agreement; $30,000 in respect of the continuation of his medical insurance benefits as then in effect through the end of the term of the agreement; and $56,000 in respect of his annual incentive award, for a total of $526,000.
•
For Mr. Bickerton, $312,500 in respect of his applicable base salary through the end of the term of the agreement; $18,750 in respect of the continuation of his medical insurance benefits as then in effect through the end of the term of the agreement; and $62,500 in respect of his annual incentive award, for a total of $393,750.
•
For Mr. Soltis, $242,500 in respect of his applicable base salary through the end of the term of the agreement; $18,750 in respect of the continuation of his medical insurance benefits as then in effect through the end of the term of the agreement; and $48,750 in respect of his annual incentive award, for a total of $310,000.
•
For Mr. Nelson, $237,500 in respect of his applicable base salary through the end of the term of the agreement; $18,750 in respect of the continuation of his medical insurance benefits as then in effect through the end of the term of the agreement; and $47,500 in respect of his annual incentive award, for a total of $303,750.
•
For Mr. Elek, $520,000 in respect of his applicable base salary through the end of the term of the agreement; $30,000 in respect of the continuation of his medical insurance benefits as then in effect through the end of the term of the agreement; and $60,000 in respect of his annual incentive award, for a total of $610,000.
Equity Award Agreements
The award agreements underlying the stock options and long-term restricted stock held by the Named Executives provide for an acceleration of exercisability or vesting upon certain conditions. Any stock options or shares of long-term restricted stock that are unexercisable or unvested will become fully exercisable or vested upon the occurrence of a change in control of the Corporation, as defined in the applicable award agreement. In addition, any unvested shares of long-term restricted stock will become fully vested upon the holder's death or the holder's disability, as defined in the applicable award agreement.
Assuming the termination of each Named Executive's employment with the Corporation as of December 31, 2014 as a result of death or a qualifying disability or change in control of the Corporation, the potential value received by each Named Executive as a result of the acceleration of exercisability or vesting of the executive's stock options and long-term restricted stock, based upon the closing price of the Corporation's common shares effective for December 31, 2014 of $18.03, is as follows: Daniel E. Klimas $1,117,075; James H. Nicholson $44,325; Michael W. Bickerton $264,300; Frank A. Soltis $191,736; Kevin W. Nelson $183,494; and Gary J. Elek $366,471.
Director Compensation
Non-employee director compensation is determined annually by the Board of Directors acting upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee. Directors who are also employees of the Corporation receive no additional compensation for service as a director.
Each of the directors of the Corporation also serves as a director of The Lorain National Bank, the Corporation's wholly-owned bank subsidiary. Under the Corporate Governance Guidelines, each director is to invest in common shares of the Corporation in an amount equal to $100,000, based on the market value of the common shares as of the date such shares are acquired by the director. As of December 31, 2014, all of the Corporation's directors met these stock ownership guidelines.


117

In order to encourage further participation in the ownership of the Corporation by the Board of Directors, the Corporation has established a program under which each non-employee director may annually elect to use all or a portion of such director's cash retainer fee to periodically purchase common shares of the Corporation on the open market at prevailing market prices at such times and in such amounts as are specified in an applicable stock trading plan adopted by such director and intended to comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. During 2014, four of the directors participated in this program.
The following table shows the compensation paid to non-employee directors for service during 2014.
Director Compensation Table
Name
 
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash
($)(1)
Robert M. Campana
 
$
32,500

Frederick D. DiSanto
 
27,500

J. Martin Erbaugh
 
30,000

Terry D. Goode
 
27,500

James R. Herrick
 
47,500

Lee C. Howley
 
32,500

Daniel G. Merkel
 
32,500

Thomas P. Perciak
 
27,500

Jeffrey F. Riddell (2)
 
16,250

John W. Schaeffer, M.D.
 
27,500

Donald F. Zwilling
 
27,500

(1)
Director compensation consisted entirely of cash fees. The Corporation pays a base annual fee to each Director, other than the Chairman of the Board and each of the Committee Chairman, of $27,500. Each of the Committee Chairmen (Messrs. Campana, Howley and Erbaugh), as well as Mr. Merkel, who is Chairman of the Loan Review Committee of The Lorain National Bank, are paid a base annual fee of $32,500, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors (Mr. Herrick) is paid a base annual fee of $47,500.
(2)
Mr. Riddell served as a director of the Corporation until his resignation effective March 25, 2014. Total compensation paid represents amounts received for services performed as a member of the Board of Directors from January 1 until March 25, 2014.


118

Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table shows information about the Corporation's common shares that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants and rights under all of the Corporation's equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2014:
Equity Compensation Plan Table
Plan Category
Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights(1)
 
Weighted-
Average  Exercise
Price of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
 
Number of
Securities
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
under Equity
Compensation Plans
Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column
(a)
 
 
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
360,030

 
$
10.56

 
251,013

(2)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(3)
92,500

 
$
18.05

 
—

 
Total
452,530

 
$
12.09

 
251,013

 
____________________________
(1)
Consists of common shares of the Corporation issuable upon outstanding options.
(2)
Represents shares available for grant under the LNB Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. The LNB Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan allows for the granting of an aggregate of 800,000 common shares in the form of awards under the plan of which no more than 400,000 may be granted in the form of restricted shares.
(3)
All common shares included in equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders are covered by outstanding options awarded to two current officers under agreements having the same material terms. Each of these options is a nonqualified option, meaning a stock option that does not qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code for the special tax treatment available for qualified, or “incentive,” stock options. Daniel E. Klimas was granted stock options on February 1, 2005, February 1, 2006, and February 1, 2007 each to purchase 30,000 shares which vested in 10,000 share increments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant. Frank A. Soltis was granted an option to purchase 2,500 shares on June 27, 2005 which vested on the first year anniversary of the date of grant. Each option expires on the date that is 10 years from the date the option was granted, subject to earlier termination in the event of death, disability or other termination of the employment of the option holder. The option holder has up to 12 months following termination of employment due to death or disability to exercise the options. The options terminate three months after termination of employment for reasons other than death, disability or termination for cause, and immediately upon termination of employment if for cause. The exercise price and number of shares covered by the option are to be adjusted to reflect any share dividend, share split, merger or other recapitalization of the common shares of the Corporation. The options are not transferable other than by will or state inheritance laws. Exercise prices for these options are equal to fair market value of the common shares at the date of grant. The stock option for 30,000 shares awarded to Mr. Klimas on February 1, 2005 has an exercise price of $19.17 per share, the stock option for 30,000 shares awarded to Mr. Klimas on February 1, 2006 has an exercise price of $19.10 per share, the stock option for 30,000 shares awarded to Mr. Klimas on February 1, 2007 has an exercise price of $16.00 per share and the stock option for 2,500 shares awarded to Mr. Soltis has an exercise price of $16.50 per share.


119

OWNERSHIP OF VOTING SHARES
Security Ownership of Management and Principal Shareholders
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Corporation's common shares by each of the Corporation's directors and the Corporation's Named Executives, and the directors and executive officers as a group, as of March 6, 2015. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and includes generally voting power and/or investment power with respect to securities. Common shares that an individual has a right to acquire within 60 days after March 6, 2015, including pursuant to stock options to purchase common shares, are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage of beneficial ownership owned by the person holding such security, but are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage beneficially owned by any other person. Except as indicated by footnote, the Corporation believes that the persons named in this table, based on information provided by these persons, have sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities indicated. The address of each of the Corporation's directors and executive officers is care of LNB Bancorp, Inc., 457 Broadway, Lorain, Ohio 44052. As of March 5, 2015, a total of 9,654,905 common shares were outstanding.
Name of Beneficial Owner
 
Common
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
 
Percentage of
Class
Michael W. Bickerton
 
10,665 (2)
 
*
Robert M. Campana
 
28,717 (3)  
 
*
Frederick D. DiSanto
 
81,139 (4)
 
*
J. Martin Erbaugh
 
103,049
 
1.05%
Terry D. Goode
 
79,000 (5)  
 
*
James R. Herrick
 
148,557 (6)
 
1.51%
Lee C. Howley
 
38,647 (7)
 
*
Daniel E. Klimas
 
237,645 (8)
 
2.12%
Daniel G. Merkel
 
14,190 (9)  
 
*
James H. Nicholson
 
 1,048 (10)
 
*
Kevin W. Nelson
 
25,605 (11)
 
*
Thomas P. Perciak
 
20,166
 
*
John W. Schaeffer, M.D.
 
20,461 (12)
 
*
Frank A. Soltis
 
33,939 (13)
 
*
Donald F. Zwilling
 
12,587 (14)
 
*
All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (18 in group)
 
872,756 (15)
 
9.04%
________________
*Ownership is less than 1% of the class.
(1)
Except as otherwise noted, none of the named individuals shares with another person either voting or investment power as to the common shares reported.
(2)
Includes 665 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Bickerton which are held in the Corporation's 401(k) plan subject to shared voting and investment power.
(3)
Common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Campana which are subject to shared voting and investment power with his spouse.
(4)
Includes 6,000 common shares held by a trust for the benefit of Mr. DiSanto’s spouse and 8,290 common shares held by Pershing LLC Custodian FBO Frederick DiSanto IRA. Mr. DiSanto has voting and investment power over the shares held by his IRA.
(5)
Includes 24,947 common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Goode which are subject to shared voting and investment power with his spouse.
(6)
Includes 26,318 common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Herrick which are held in his company's 401(k) plan subject to shared voting and investment power, 68,986 common shares beneficially owned by Mikash Reinsurance Ltd. and 15,826 common shares beneficially owned by Liberty Investment Group, LLC. Mr. Herrick is the managing member of Mikash Reinsurance Ltd. and Liberty Investment Group, LLC and has voting and investment power over the shares held by those entities.


120

(7)
Includes 57,530 common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Howley which are held by a partnership of which Mr. Howley is a partner and which are subject to shared voting and investment power.
(8)
Includes 121,111 common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Klimas which are subject to unexercised stock options which are vested and exercisable and 11,532 shares which are held in the Corporation's 401(k) plan subject to shared voting and investment power.
(9)
Includes 13,690 common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Merkel which are subject to shared voting and investment power with his spouse and 500 common shares held by his spouse.
(10)
Includes 548 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Nicholson which are held in the Corporation's 401(k) plan subject to shared voting and investment power.
(11)
Includes 4,975 common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Nelson which are subject to unexercised stock options which are vested and exercisable and 5,630 shares which are held in the Corporation's 401(k) plan subject to shared voting and investment power.
(12)
Includes 7,403 common shares beneficially owned by Dr. Schaeffer which are held by his spouse and subject to shared voting and investment power.
(13)
Includes 7,639 common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Soltis which are subject to unexercised stock options which are vested and exercisable and 8,700 shares which are held in the Corporation's 401(k) plan subject to shared voting and investment power.
(14)
Includes 1,764 common shares beneficially owned by Mr. Zwilling which are held in a trust for the benefit of his spouse and subject to shared voting and investment power.
(15)
Includes 278,953 common shares which are subject to shared voting and investment power and 186,275 common shares which are subject to unexercised stock options which are vested and exercisable.
As of March 6, 2015, no person was known by the Corporation to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding common shares of the Corporation, except as follows:
Name and Address of
Beneficial Owner
 
Common  Shares
Beneficially
Owned
 
Percent of
Class
 
 
 
 
 
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP
 
612,265
 
6.33%
Palisades West, Building One
6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, Texas, 78746 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PL Capital Advisors, LLC
 
903,178
 
9.34%
47 E. Chicago Avenue, Suite 336
Naperville, Illinois 60540(3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Umberto P. Fedeli
 
714,348
 
7.39%
5005 Rockside Road, Fifth Floor
Independence, Ohio 44131(3)
 
 
 
 
(1)
Based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 5, 2015, which reports that Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (“DFA”) may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 612,265 common shares as a result of acting as investment adviser or sub-adviser to, or manager of, certain investment companies, trusts and accounts (collectively, the “DFA Funds”). The DFA Funds possess sole voting power over 598,993 common shares and sole dispositive power over 612,625 common shares. DFA disclaims beneficial ownership of such securities.
(2)
Based solely on a Schedule 13D/A filed on August 18, 2014 for the period ended December 31, 2014, which reports that PL Capital Advisors, LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “PL Capital”) may be deemed to be beneficial owners of 902,082 common shares. PL Capital possesses shared voting and dispositive power over such common shares.
(3)
Based solely on a Schedule 13D/A filed on September 28, 2012 by Umberto P. Fedeli, who has sole voting power and sole dispositive power over 714,348 of the shares.


121

Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Certain Transactions
Directors and executive officers of the Corporation and their associates were customers of, or had transactions with, the Corporation or the Corporation's banking or other subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business during 2014. Additional transactions may be expected to take place in the future. All outstanding loans to directors and executive officers and their associates, commitments and sales, purchases and placements of investment securities and other financial instruments included in such transactions were made in the ordinary course of business, on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral where applicable, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons, and did not involve greater than normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features.
Review of Certain Transactions
The Board of Directors has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines which contain a written policy regarding the review of transactions with related persons. The policy generally provides that the Audit and Finance Committee will review and approve or ratify any transaction or series of transactions where the aggregate amount involved will or may be expected to exceed $120,000 in any fiscal year, the Corporation is a participant and a related person has or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
When considering a request for approval or ratification of a transaction, the Audit and Finance Committee may consider, among other things: (a) the nature of the related person’s interest in the transaction; (b) whether the transaction involves arms-length bids or market prices and terms; (c) the materiality of the transaction to each party; (d) the availability of the product or service through other sources; (e) whether the Corporation’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics could be implicated or the Corporation’s reputation put at risk; (f) whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a director or executive officer to act in the best interest of the Corporation; (g) the acceptability of the transaction to the Corporation’s regulators; and (h) in the case of a non-employee director, whether the transaction would impair his or her independence.
The Board of Directors has determined that each of the following types of transactions does not create or involve a direct or indirect material interest on the part of the related person and therefore do not require review or approval under the policy:
•
Any financial services, including brokerage services, banking services, loans, insurance services and other financial services provided by the Corporation to any related person, provided that the services are (a) provided in the ordinary course of business, (b) on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable services provided to non-affiliates, and (c) in compliance with applicable law, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Regulation O of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board.
•
Transactions involving the purchase or sale of products or services not described in the bullet above in which the related person’s interest derives solely from his or her service as an executive officer or employee of another corporation or organization that is a party to the transaction, provided that payments from or to the Corporation for such products or services in any fiscal year do not exceed the greater of $1 million or 2% of the other entity’s consolidated gross revenues for the most recently ended fiscal year for which total revenue information is available.
•
Transactions in which the related person’s interest derives solely from his or her service as a director of, or his or her ownership of less than 10% of the equity interest (other than a general partnership interest) in, another corporation or organization that is a party to the transaction.
•
Transactions in which the related person’s interest derives solely from his or her ownership of a class of equity securities of the Corporation and all holders of that class of equity securities received the same benefit on a pro rata basis.
•
Transactions in which the related person’s interest derives solely from his or her service as a director, trustee or officer (or similar position) of a not-for-profit organization, foundation or university that receives donations from the Corporation, provided that such donations in any fiscal year do not exceed the greater of $1 million or 5% of the other entity’s consolidated gross revenues for the most recently ended fiscal year for which total revenue information is available.
•
Transactions where the rates or charges involved are determined by competitive bids, or involve the rendering of services as a common or contract carrier, or public utility, at rates or charges fixed in conformity with law or governmental authority.


122

•
Employment and compensation arrangements for any executive officer and compensation arrangements for any director, provided that such arrangements have been approved by the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors.
The related party transactions described above were approved in accordance with the Corporation’s policy.
Director Independence
In accordance with Nasdaq Stock Market rules, the Board of Directors determines the independence of each director and director nominee in accordance with the standards set forth in Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Stock Market listing rules. The Board of Directors has determined that all of the Corporation's directors who served during 2014 and who are currently serving as directors are independent in accordance with the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards, except for Mr. Klimas. All members of the Audit and Finance Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Governance Committee are independent in accordance with the Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards.

Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Principal Independent Registered Accounting Firm Fees
The Audit and Finance Committee appointed Crowe Horwath LLP as the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm and to audit the financial statements of the Corporation for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014. Plante & Moran, PLLC served this role for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed for services with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 by Crowe Horwath LLP and fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 by Plante & Moran, PLLC, the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firms for each of those fiscal years.
 
 
For the Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
Audit fees
 
$
330,000

 
$
268,275

Audit-related fees
 
—

 
—

Tax fees(a)
 
21,000

 
24,250

All other fees(b)
 
37,500

 
50,125

Total fees
 
$
388,500

 
$
342,650

________________
(a)
Includes fees for services related to tax compliance.
(b)
The Audit and Finance Committee has considered whether the provision of these services is compatible with maintaining the independent registered accounting firm’s independence and has determined that the provision of such services has not affected the independent registered accounting firm’s independence. In 2013, these fees included fees for services related to the Corporation’s benefit plan audits as well as to the Corporation’s filing of a resale registration statement on Form S‑3 with the SEC, audit procedures and filings with respect to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and fees associated with the transition of independent registered public accounting firms. In 2014, these fees included fees for services related to the Corporation’s benefit plan audits.
The Audit and Finance Committee is responsible for pre-approving all auditing services and permitted non-audit services to be performed by its independent registered public accounting firm, except as described below.
The Audit and Finance Committee has established general guidelines for the permissible scope and nature of any permitted non-audit services in connection with its annual review of the audit plan and reviewed such guidelines with the Board of Directors. Pre-approval may be granted by action of the Audit and Finance Committee Chairman, whose action shall be considered to be that of the entire committee. Pre-approval shall not be required for the provision of non-audit services if (1) the aggregate amount of all such non-audit services constitutes no more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid by the Corporation to the auditors during the fiscal year in which the non-audit services are provided, (2) such services that were not recognized by the Corporation at the time of engagement to be non-audit services are provided, and (3) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit and Finance Committee and approved prior to the completion of the audit. No services were provided by the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to these exceptions in 2014 or 2013.


123

PART IV

Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Consolidated Financial Statements   The following Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, together with the report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated March 6, 2015 are included under Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K:
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules.    Financial statement schedules are omitted as they are not required or are not applicable or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(a)(3) Exhibits.    The Exhibits that are filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K or that are incorporated by reference herein are set forth in the Exhibit Index hereto.
(b) The exhibits referenced on the Exhibit Index hereto are filed as part of this report.


124

Exhibit Index
S-K
Reference
Number 
Exhibit
 2(a)

Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 15, 2014 by and between Northwest Bancshares, Inc. and LNB Bancorp, Inc. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 2.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2014.
 
 
3(a)
LNB Bancorp, Inc. Second Amended Articles of Incorporation. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 3(a) of the Corporation's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
 
 
3(b)
Certificate of Amendment to the Amended Articles of Incorporation, filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on December 11, 2008. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 3.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2008.
 
 
3(c)
Certificate of Amendment to Amended Articles of Incorporation, filed with the Ohio Secretary of State on October 25, 2010. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 3.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2010.
 
 
3(d)
LNB Bancorp, Inc. Amended Code of Regulations. Incorporated by reference herein from Appendix A to the Corporation's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed March 16, 2007.
 
 
4(a)
Rights Agreement between LNB Bancorp, Inc. and Registrar and Transfer Company, as rights agent, dated October 25, 2010, including the Form of Right Certificate and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 4.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2010.
 
 
4(b)
Amendment, effective as of December 15, 2014, to the Rights Agreement, dated as of October 25, 2010, between LNB Bancorp, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor Rights Agent to Registrar and Transfer Company. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 4.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2014.
 
 
4(c)
Indenture, dated as of May 9, 2007, by and between LNB Bancorp, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, relating to floating rate Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Due June 15, 2037. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 4.1 of the Corporation's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007.
 
 
4(d)
Indenture, dated as of May 9, 2007, by and between LNB Bancorp, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, relating to fixed rate Junior Subordinated Debt Securities Due June 15, 2037. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 4.2 of the Corporation's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007.
 
 
4(e)
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of LNB Trust I, dated as of May 9, 2007. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 4.3 of the Corporation's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007.
 
 
4(f)
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of LNB Trust II, dated as of May 9, 2007. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 4.4 of the Corporation's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007.
 
 
4(g)
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of LNB Trust I, dated as of August 4, 2010. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 99.2 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2010.
 
 
4(h)
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 4, 2010, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 99.3 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2010.
 
 
4(i)
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of LNB Trust II, dated as of August 4, 2010. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 99.4 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2010.
 
 
4(j)
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 4, 2010, between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 99.5 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on August 6, 2010.


125

S-K
Reference
Number
Exhibit
10(a)*
Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed January 25, 2006.
 
 
10(b)*
LNB Bancorp, Inc. Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, as restated. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.2 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2009.
 
 
10(c)*
Stock Option Agreement, effective as of June 27, 2005, between the Corporation and Frank A. Soltis. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.2 to the Corporation's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.
 
 
10(d)*
Employment Agreement by and between Daniel E. Klimas and LNB Bancorp, Inc. dated January 28, 2005. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10(a) to the Corporation's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
 
 
10(e)*
Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between Daniel E. Klimas and LNB Bancorp, Inc. dated as of July 16, 2008. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on July 18, 2008.
 
 
10(f)*
Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between Daniel E. Klimas and LNB Bancorp, Inc. dated as of December 12, 2008. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10(f) to the Corporation's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008.
 
 
10(g)*
Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between Daniel E. Klimas and LNB Bancorp, Inc. dated as of December 15, 2009. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.3 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2009.
 
 
10(h)
The Lorain National Bank Retirement Pension Plan amended and restated effective December 31, 2002, dated November 19, 2002. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10 to the Corporation's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
 
 
10(i)
Lorain National Bank Group Term Carve Out Plan dated August 7, 2002. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10(a) to the Corporation's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.
 
 
10(j)
First Amendment to Lorain National Bank Group Term Carve Out Plan dated December 15, 2014.
 
 
10(k)
Supplemental Retirement Benefits Agreement by and between Gary C. Smith and LNB Bancorp, Inc. and The Lorain National Bank dated December 15, 2000. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10(n) of the Corporation's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
 
 
10(l)
Amendment to Supplemental Retirement Benefits Agreement by and between Gary C. Smith and LNB Bancorp, Inc. and The Lorain National Bank dated October 6, 2003. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit (10a) to the Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
 
 
10(m)
Agreement To Join In The Filing of Consolidated Federal Income Tax Returns between LNB Bancorp, Inc. and The Lorain National Bank dated February 27, 2004. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10(w) of the Corporation's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005.
 
 
10(n)*
LNB Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on May 3, 2012.


126

S-K
Reference
Number
Exhibit
10(o)
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2007, by and between LNB Bancorp, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, relating to securities of LNB Trust I. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10. 1 of the Corporation's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007.
 
 
10(p)
Guarantee Agreement, dated as of May 9, 2007, by and between LNB Bancorp, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, relating to securities of LNB Trust II. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.2 of the Corporation's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007.
 
 
10(q)*
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed February 6, 2008.
 
 
10(r)*
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed February 25, 2010.
 
 
10(s)*
LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2012 Management Incentive Plan for Key Executives. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed September 6, 2012.
 
 
10(t)*
LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2012 CEO Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed November 2, 2012.
 
 
10(u)*

LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2013 CEO Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed March 1, 2013.
 
 
10(v)*

LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2013 Management Incentive Plan for Key Executives. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.2 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed March 1, 2013.
 
 
10(w)

Form of Exchange Agreement. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed March 15, 2013.
 
 
10(x)*

Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2013, by and between LNB Bancorp, Inc. and Daniel E. Klimas. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed March 29, 2013.
 
 
10(y)

Rabbi Trust Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2013, by and between LNB Bancorp, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.2 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed March 29, 2013.
 
 
10(z)*

Change in Control Supplemental Executive Compensation Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2013, by and between LNB Bancorp, Inc. and Gary J. Elek. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.3 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed March 29, 2013.
 
 
10(aa)*

Form of Change in Control Supplemental Executive Compensation Agreement. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 of the Corporation's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013.
 
 
10(bb)

Common Shares Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2013, by and among LNB Bancorp, Inc. and the Investors named therein. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed October 16, 2013.
 
 
10(cc)*

LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2014 Management Incentive Plan for Key Employees. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed January 14, 2014.
 
 
10(dd)*

LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2014 Indirect Lending Commission Compensation Plan for the Senior Vice President of Indirect Lending. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.2 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed January 14, 2014.
 
 
10(ee)*
LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2014 CEO Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed March 26, 2014.
 
 
10(ff)*
Change in Control Supplemental Executive Compensation Agreement, dated as of July 28, 2014, by and between LNB Bancorp, Inc. and James H. Nicholson. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 of the Corporation's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2014.
 
 
10(gg)*
LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2015 CEO Incentive Plan. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.1 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed December 17, 2014.
 
 
10(hh)*
LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Management Incentive Plan for Key Employees. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.2 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed December 17, 2014
 
 
10(ii)*
LNB Bancorp, Inc. 2015 Indirect Lending Commission Compensation Plan for the Senior Vice President of Indirect Lending. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 10.3 to the Corporation's Form 8-K filed December 17, 2014


127

S-K
Reference
Number
Exhibit
21.1
Subsidiaries of LNB Bancorp, Inc.
 
 
23.1
Consent of Plante & Moran, PLLC.
 
 
23.2
Consent of Crowe Horwath LLP.
 
 
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15-d-14(a).
 
 
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15-d-14(a).
 
 
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Enacted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Enacted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
99.1
Form of Voting Agreement. Incorporated by reference herein from Exhibit 99.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2014
 
 
101
Financial statements from the annual report on Form 10-K of LNB Bancorp, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2014, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012; and (v) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
*
Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement


128

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
LNB BANCORP, INC.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
Date: March 6, 2015
 
By:
/s/    James H. Nicholson
 
 
 
James H. Nicholson
 
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
/s/    Daniel E. Klimas        
President and Chief Executive Officer and
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
March 6, 2015
        Daniel E. Klimas
 
 
 
/s/   James H. Nicholson
Senior Vice President Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
March 6, 2015
James H. Nicholson
 
 
 
/s/    James R. Herrick        
Chairman and Director
March 6, 2015
        James R. Herrick
 
 
 
/s/    Terry D. Goode        
Director
March 6, 2015
        Terry D. Goode
 
 
 
/s/    Robert M. Campana        
Director
March 6, 2015
        Robert M. Campana
 
 
 
/s/    Frederick D. DiSanto        
Director
March 6, 2015
        Frederick D. DiSanto
 
 
 
/s/    J. Martin Erbaugh        
Director
March 6, 2015
        J. Martin Erbaugh
 
 
 
/s/    Lee C. Howley        
Director
March 6, 2015
        Lee C. Howley
 
 
 
/s/    Daniel G. Merkel        
Director
March 6, 2015
        Daniel G. Merkel
 
 
 
   /s/   Thomas P. Perciak
Director
March 6, 2015
        Thomas P. Perciak
 
 
 
/s/    John W. Schaeffer, M.D.        
Director
March 6, 2015
        John W. Schaeffer, M.D.
 
 
 
/s/    Donald F. Zwilling        
Director
March 6, 2015
       Donald F. Zwilling


129