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Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments, Commitments and Contingencies and Concentrations of Risks
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]  
Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments, Commitments and Contingencies and Concentrations of Risks

Note 12. Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments, Commitments and Contingencies and Concentrations of Risks

Commitments to Extend Credit

In the ordinary course of business, the Company makes various commitments and incurs certain contingent liabilities to fulfill the financing needs of its customers. These commitments and contingent liabilities include commitments to extend credit and issue standby letters of credit. They involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheets. The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of those instruments. At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, commitments related to unused lines of credit were $44,358,972 and $50,242,705, respectively, and standby letters of credit were $2,860,480 and $2,855,480, respectively. The fair value of such commitments is not materially different than stated values. As some of these commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company applies the same credit policies and standards as it does in the lending process when making these commitments. The collateral obtained is based upon the assessed credit worthiness of the borrower. Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, crops, livestock, inventory, property and equipment, residential real estate and income-producing commercial properties.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company is principally engaged in providing short-term and medium-term installment, commercial and agricultural loans with interest rates that are fixed or fluctuate with the prime lending rate. These assets are primarily funded through short-term demand deposits and long-term certificates of deposit with variable and fixed rates. Accordingly, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk because in changing interest rate environments interest rate adjustments on assets and liabilities may not occur at the same time or in the same amount. The Company manages the overall rate sensitivity and mix of its asset and liability portfolio and attempts to minimize the effects that interest rate fluctuations will have on its net interest margin.

Legal Proceedings

The Company is party to lawsuits and other claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. The lawsuits assert claims related to the general business activities of the Company. The cases are being vigorously contested. In the regular course of business, management evaluates estimated losses or costs related to litigation, and provision is made for anticipated losses whenever management believes that such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. While management believes that the final resolution of pending legal proceedings will not have a material impact on the Company’s business, prospects, financial position or results of operations, the final resolution of such proceedings could have a material adverse effect.

Concentration of Risk

The Company makes agricultural, agribusiness, commercial, residential and consumer loans primarily in eastern central and southern Mississippi. A substantial portion of the customers’ abilities to honor their contracts is dependent on their business and the agricultural economy in the area.

Although the Company’s loan portfolio is diversified, there is a relationship in this region between the agricultural economy and the economic performance of loans made to nonagricultural customers. The Company’s lending policies for agricultural and nonagricultural customers require loans to be well-collateralized and supported by cash flows. Collateral for agricultural loans includes equipment, crops, livestock, and land. Credit losses from loans related to the agricultural economy are consistent with credit losses experienced in the portfolio as a whole. The concentration of credit in the regional agricultural economy is taken into consideration by management in determining the allowance for loan losses. See Note 5 for a summary of loans by type.