Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of DCB Financial Corp (“DCB”) and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, The Delaware County Bank and Trust Company (the “Bank”), DCB Title Services, LLC, DCB Insurance Services, Inc., DataTasx LLC, ORECO, Inc. and 110 Riverbend, LLC. (collectively referred to hereinafter as the “Company”). All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

Nature of Operations

The Company provides financial services in Delaware and Franklin counties in Ohio, as well as nearby counties, through its eight full-service and six limited-service banking locations. Its primary deposit products are checking, savings, and term certificate accounts and its primary lending products are residential mortgage, commercial and installment loans. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including business assets, consumer assets, and real estate. Commercial loans are expected to be repaid from cash flow from operations of businesses. Real estate loans are secured by both residential and commercial real estate. The Bank also operates a trust department and engages in other personal wealth management activities, including brokerage services and private banking.

Business Segments

While the Company’s management monitors the revenue streams of the various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the Company’s operations are considered by management to be aggregated into one operating segment.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management has identified the allowance for loan losses, income taxes, and the fair value of financial instruments to be the accounting areas that require the most subjective and complex judgments, and as such could be the most subject to revision as new information becomes available. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, federal funds sold and deposits with other financial institutions with original maturities of less than 90 days. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, federal funds purchased and other short-term borrowings.

Securities

Securities are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at adjusted amortized cost when management has the positive intent and ability to hold them to maturity. Securities classified as available-for-sale might be sold before maturity. Securities classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value, with temporary unrealized holding gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a component of other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses on sale of securities are recognized using the specific identification method. The Company does not engage in securities trading activities. Interest income includes premium amortization and accretion of discounts on securities.

For securities with unrealized losses, management considers, in determining whether other-than-temporary impairment exists, (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value.

For securities with other-than-temporary impairment, further analysis is required to determine the appropriate accounting. If management neither intends to sell the impaired security nor expects it will be required to sell the security prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of the other-than-temporary impairment is recognized in earnings while the non-credit loss is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss component recognized in earnings is identified as the principal cash flows not expected to be received over the remaining term of the security as projected based on cash flow projections.

Loans

Loans are classified as held for investment when management has both the intent and ability to hold the loan for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff. Management’s intent and view of the foreseeable future may change based on changes in business strategies, the economic environment, market conditions and the availability of government programs. Loans that are held for investment are reported at the principal balance outstanding, net of unearned interest, unamortized deferred loan fees and costs and the allowance for loan losses. Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value, determined on an aggregate basis for each type of loan. Net unrealized losses are recognized by charges to income.

Interest income is accrued based on the unpaid principal balance and includes amortization of net deferred loan fees and costs over the loan term. Interest income on mortgage and commercial loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the credit is well secured and in process of collection. In all cases, loans are placed on non-accrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on non-accrual status is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

When loans are reclassified from held for investment to held for sale, specific reserves and allocated pooled reserves included in the allowance for loan and losses are reclassified to reduce the basis of the loans to the lower of cost or estimated fair value less cost to sell. Reclassifications of loans from held for sale to held for investment are made at fair value.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable but unconfirmed credit losses, increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by charge-offs net of recoveries. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the required allowance balance based on past loan loss experience, augmented by additional estimates related to the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations, estimated collateral values, economic conditions and other factors.

The allowance consists of both specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For those loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the collateral value, or value of expected discounted cash flows of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical charge-off experience and expected loss given default derived from the Bank’s internal risk rating process. Management utilizes an average of a three year historical loss period. Management has the ability to adjust these loss rates by utilizing risk ratings based on current period trends. If current period trends differ either positively or negatively from the given weighted historical loss rates, adjustments can be made. Other adjustments may be made to the allowance for pools of loans after an assessment of internal or external influences on credit quality that are not fully reflected in the historical loss or risking rating data.

Management also utilizes its assessment of general economic conditions, and other localized economic data to more fully support its loan loss estimates. General economic data may include: inflation rates, savings rates and national unemployment rates. Local data may include: unemployment rates, housing starts, real estate valuations, and other economic data specific to the Company’s market area. Though not specific to individual loans, these economic trends can have an impact on portfolio performance as a whole.

Management also analyzes certain broader, non-portfolio specific factors in assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, such as the allowance as a percentage of total loans, the allowance as a percentage of non-performing loans and the provision expense as a percentage of net charge-offs. This portion of the allowance, when applicable, is reported as an “unallocated” component of the allowance for loan losses in the Company’s financial statements

Uncollectibility is usually determined based on a pre-determined number of days delinquent in the case of consumer loans, or, in the case of commercial loans, is based on a combination of factors including delinquency, collateral and other legal considerations. Consumer loans are charged-off prior to 120 days of delinquency, but could be charged off earlier, depending on the individual circumstances. Mortgage loans are charged down prior to 120 days of delinquency, but could be charged off sooner, again, depending upon individual circumstance. Typically, loans collateralized by residential real estate are partially charged down to the estimated liquidation value, which is generally based on appraisal less costs to hold and liquidate. Commercial and commercial real estate loans are evaluated for impairment and typically reserved based on the results of the analysis, then subsequently charged down to a recoverable value when loan repayment is deemed to be collateral dependent. Loans can be partially charged down depending on a number of factors including: the remaining strength of the borrower and guarantor; the type and value of the collateral, and the ease of liquidating collateral; and whether or not collateral is brought onto the bank’s balance sheet via repossession. In the case of commercial and commercial real estate loans, charge-offs, partial or whole, take place when management determines that full collectability of principal balance is unlikely to occur. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management’s policies for determining impairment, reserves and charge-offs are reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors on an annual basis, and were not materially changed in 2015.

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

Investment in Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

The Company is required as a condition of membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (“FHLB”) to maintain an investment in FHLB common stock. The stock is redeemable at par and, therefore, its cost is equivalent to its redemption value. The Company’s ability to redeem FHLB shares is dependent on the redemption practices of the FHLB. The stock is carried at cost and evaluated for impairment.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed over the assets’ useful lives, estimated to be five to 39 years for buildings, improvements and leasehold improvements. The Company generally uses three to five years for the useful lives of furniture, fixtures, and equipment, using the straight line method, depending on the nature of the asset. Premises and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Maintenance and repairs are expensed and major improvements are capitalized.

Premises and equipment held for sale is carried at the lower of cost or fair value. The Company ceases recognition of depreciation expense at the time that premises and equipment is transferred to held for sale.

Foreclosed Assets

Assets acquired through foreclosure are initially recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less expected selling costs. Subsequent declines in fair value below the recorded amount are recorded as a direct write-down to expense. The Company generally evaluates fair market values of foreclosed assets on a quarterly basis, and adjusts accordingly. Holding costs after acquisition are expensed as incurred, but construction costs to improve a property’s value may be capitalized as part of the asset value.

Servicing Assets

Servicing assets represent the allocated value of retained servicing on loans sold. Servicing assets are expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, estimated net servicing revenues. Impairment is evaluated based on the fair value of the assets, using groupings of the underlying loans as to interest rates, and then secondarily as to geographic and prepayment characteristics. Fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based upon discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions. Any impairment of a grouping is reported as a valuation allowance.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives and directors. Bank owned life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with income tax accounting guidance (ASC 740, Income Taxes). The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes, if applicable, as a component of income tax expense. The Company files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiaries.

Financial Instruments

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

Earnings per Common Share

Earnings per common share is computed using the two-class method. Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income allocated to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period which excludes the participating securities. All outstanding unvested restricted stock awards containing rights to non-forfeitable dividends are considered participating securities for this calculation. Diluted earnings per common share includes the dilutive effect of additional potential common shares from stock compensation awards, but excludes awards considered participating securities.

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation cost is recognized for restricted stock awards issued to employees and directors based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. The market price of the Company’s common shares at the date of grant is used to determine the fair value for restricted stock awards. Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. For awards with graded vesting, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

The Company’s outstanding stock options may be settled for cash at the recipient’s discretion; therefore, liability accounting applies to the Company’s 2004 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan under which such stock options were granted. Compensation expense is recognized based on the fair value of these awards at the reporting date. A Black Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of stock options at the date of grant and subsequent re-measurement dates. Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. The Company’s stock option awards contain terms that provide for a graded vesting schedule whereby portions of the award vest in increments over the requisite service period. Changes in fair value of the options between the vesting date and option expiration date are also recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income, net of applicable income tax effects. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale securities and reclassification adjustments for gains and losses included in income. Accumulated comprehensive income at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consists solely of unrecognized gains on available for sale securities, net of tax, of $225,000 and $337,000, respectively.

Restrictions on Cash

Other deposits at the Federal Reserve Bank above the clearing balance requirements earn interest at an overnight rate, and are not restricted. In addition, $1.1 million is held in another institution and is under the control of a third party due to a contractual agreement.

Dividend Restrictions

Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the Bank to DCB or by DCB to shareholders.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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

Reclassification

Certain amounts in the prior year consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on prior year net income or shareholders’ equity.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ASU 2014-14, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. This guidance requires 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 upon the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. This guidance is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. This guidance should be applied using a prospective transition method or a modified retrospective transition method. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In January 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 amended guidance 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. The amended guidance also requires interim and annual disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. This guidance became effective January 1, 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). Among other things, in the amendments in ASU 2016-02, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date:

- A lease liability, which is a lessee‘s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and

- A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term.

Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvements were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years (i.e., January 1, 2019, for a calendar year entity). Early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in ASU 2016-01 supersede the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories (that is, trading or available-for-sale) and require equity securities (including other ownership interests, such as partnerships, unincorporated joint ventures, and limited liability companies) to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. The amendments allow equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values to be re-measured at fair value either upon the occurrence of an observable price change or upon identification of an impairment. The amendments also require enhanced disclosures about those investments. The amendments improve financial reporting by providing relevant information about an entity’s equity investments and reducing the number of items that are recognized in other comprehensive income. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014–12, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718) - Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period. The amended guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. This guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 31, 2015, with earlier adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This new guidance supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, and is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In April 2015, the FASB approved deferral of the effective date of this guidance, which is now effective prospectively for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.