SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the 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. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, business combinations and the valuation of other real estate owned.

Business Combinations

Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, “Business Combinations.” Under the acquisition method, the acquiring entity in a business combination recognizes all of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets and other identifiable intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. To the extent the fair value of net assets acquired, including identified intangible assets, exceeds the purchase price, a bargain purchase gain is recognized.

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed from contingencies must also be recognized at fair value if the fair value can be determined during the measurement period. Results of operations of an acquired business are included in the statement of earnings from the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related costs, including conversion and restructuring charges, are expensed as incurred.

The acquired assets and assumed liabilities are recorded at estimated fair values. Management makes significant estimates and exercises significant judgment in accounting for business combinations. Management judgmentally assigns risk ratings to loans based on credit quality, appraisals and estimated collateral values, and estimated expected cash flows to measure fair values for loans. Real estate acquired in settlement of loans is valued based upon pending sales contracts and appraised values, adjusted for current market conditions. Core deposit intangibles are valued based on a weighted combination of the income and market approach where the income approach converts anticipated economic benefits to a present value and the market approach evaluates the market in which the asset is traded to find an indication of prices from actual transactions. Management uses quoted or current market prices to determine the fair value of investment securities. Fair values of deposits and borrowings are based on current market interest rates and are inclusive of any applicable prepayment penalties.

Cash and Due from Banks, Interest-Earning Deposits in Other Banks and Federal Funds Sold

For the purpose of presentation in the statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents are defined as those amounts included in the balance sheet captions “Cash and due from banks,” “Interest-earning deposits in other banks,” and “Federal funds sold.”

Certificates of Deposits

 

Certificates of deposits are cash instruments that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity and are reported at cost.

Investment Securities Available for Sale

Investment securities available for sale are reported at fair value and consist of debt instruments that are not classified as either trading securities or as held to maturity securities. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of deferred income tax, on available for sale securities are reported as a net amount in accumulated other comprehensive income. Gains and losses on the sale of investment securities available for sale are determined using the specific-identification method.  

Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity are reported at their outstanding principal balance adjusted for any charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are capitalized and recognized as an adjustment of the yield of the related loan. The accrual of interest on impaired loans is discontinued when, in management’s opinion, the borrower may be unable to meet payment obligations as they become due. When interest accrual is discontinued, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Interest income is subsequently recognized only to the extent cash payments are received in excess of principal due. Loans are returned to accrual status when all of the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

The acquired loans are segregated between those considered to be performing (“acquired performing”) and those with evidence of credit deterioration based on such factors as past due status, nonaccrual status and credit risk ratings.

In determining the acquisition date fair value of purchased credit-impaired (“PCI”) loans, and in subsequent accounting, the Company generally aggregates purchased loans into pools of loans with common risk characteristics within the following loan categories: 1-to-4 family residential loans other than junior liens, 1-to-4 family residential junior liens, construction and land development, farm land, commercial real estate (nonowner-occupied), commercial real estate (owner-occupied), commercial and industrial, and all other loan categories. Expected cash flows at the acquisition date in excess of the fair value of loans are referred to as the “accretable yield” and recorded as interest income over the life of the loans using a level yield method if the timing and amount of the future cash flows of the pool is reasonably estimable. Subsequent to the acquisition date, significant increases in cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date are recognized as interest income prospectively. Accordingly, such loans are not classified as nonaccrual and they are considered to be accruing because their interest income relates to the accretable yield recognized under accounting for PCI loans and not to contractual interest payments. The difference between the contractually required payments and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition, considering the impact of prepayments, is referred to as the nonaccretable difference.

The difference between the fair value of an acquired performing loan pool and the contractual amounts due at the acquisition date (the “fair value discount”) is accreted into income over the estimated life of the pool. The Company’s policy for determining when to discontinue accruing interest on acquired performing loans and the subsequent accounting for such loans is essentially the same as the policy for originated loans described earlier.

Loans are deemed uncollectible at the discretion of the Chief Credit Officer, based on a variety of credit, collateral, documentation and other issues. In the case where a loan is unsecured and in default it is fully charged off.

Non-accrual Loans

Loans are placed on non-accrual basis when it has been determined that all contractual principal and interest will not be received. Any payments received on these loans are applied to principal first and then to interest only after all principal has been collected. Impaired loans include all loans in non-accrual status, all troubled debt restructures, all substandard loans that are deemed to be collateral dependent, and other loans that management determines require impairment. In the case of an impaired loan that is still on accrual basis, payments are applied to both principal and interest.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses is based upon management’s estimate of the amount needed to maintain the allowance for loan losses at an adequate level in light of the risk inherent in the loan portfolio. In making the evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses, management gives consideration to current economic conditions, statutory examinations of the loan portfolio by regulatory agencies, delinquency information and management’s internal review of the loan portfolio. Loans are considered impaired when it is probable that all amounts due will not be collected in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. The measurement of impaired loans is generally based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the historical effective interest rate, or upon the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent. If the recorded investment in the loan exceeds the measure of fair value, a valuation allowance is established as a component of the allowance for loan losses. Interest payments on impaired loans are typically applied to principal unless collectability of the principal amount is reasonably assured, in which case, interest is recognized on a cash basis. Impaired loans, or portions thereof, are charged off when deemed uncollectible. While management uses the best information available to make evaluations, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary if conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used in making the evaluations. In addition, regulatory examiners may require the Company to recognize adjustments to the allowance for loan losses based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

 

Decreases in expected cash flows of PCI loans after the acquisition date are recognized by recording an allowance for credit loss. In pools where impairment has already been recognized, an increase in cash flows will result in a reversal of prior impairment. Management analyzes these acquired loan pools using various assessments of risk to determine and calculate an expected loss. The expected loss is derived using an estimate of a loss given default based upon the collateral type and/or specific review by loan officers. Trends are reviewed in terms of traditional credit metrics such as accrual status, past due status, and weighted average risk grade of the loans within each of the accounting pools. In addition, the relationship between the change in the unpaid principal balance and change in the fair value mark is assessed to correlate the directional consistency of the expected loss for each pool.

Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta

As a requirement for membership, the Bank invests in stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”). This investment is carried at cost at December 31, 2014 and 2013. The Company continually monitors the financial strength of the FHLB and evaluates the investment for potential impairment. There can be no assurance that the impact of recent or future legislation on the Federal Home Loan Banks will not cause a decrease in the value of the Bank’s investment in FHLB stock.

Other Non-Marketable Securities

Other non-marketable securities are equity instruments that are reported at cost.

Foreclosed Real Estate

Real estate acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure is recorded at the lower of cost or net realizable value, less the estimated cost to sell, at the date of foreclosure. After foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations of the property and adjusts the value down when the carrying value of the property exceeds the estimated net realizable value. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in other non-interest expense.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives are 40 years for buildings and 3 to 10 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is improvements to premises and equipment are capitalized. Upon sale or retirement, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gains or losses are reflected in current operations.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for operating loss carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will not be realized.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI") is carried at its cash surrender value on the balance sheet and is classified as a non-interest-earning asset. Death benefit proceeds received in excess of the policy's cash surrender value are recognized to income. Returns on the BOLI assets are added to the carrying value and included as non-interest income in the consolidated statement of operations. Any receipt of benefit proceeds is recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of the BOLI asset. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company held no loans against its BOLI cash surrender values.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the cost in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired (including identifiable intangibles) in transactions accounted for as business combinations. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is evaluated for impairment annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. The goodwill impairment analysis is a two-step test. The first, used to identify potential impairment, involves comparing each reporting unit’s estimated fair value to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is considered not to be impaired. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment and the second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment.

Core Deposit Intangible

The Company considers its core deposits to be intangible assets with finite lives. Core deposit intangibles are being amortized using the effective interest method.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has certain stock-based employee compensation plans, described more fully in Note N. Generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) require recognition of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments in the financial statements over the period the employee is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (usually the vesting period). GAAP also requires the compensation cost for all awards granted after the date of adoption and any unvested awards that remained outstanding as of the date of adoption to be measured based on the fair value of the award on the grant date.

Comprehensive Income

The Company reports as comprehensive income all changes in shareholders' equity during the year from sources other than shareholders. Other comprehensive income refers to all components (revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) of comprehensive income that are excluded from net income. The Company's only component of other comprehensive income is unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for sale.

 

Marketing

The Company focuses its marketing efforts on small to medium-sized businesses, professionals and retail clients, and on achieving certain strategic objectives, including increasing noninterest income and growing core deposits and loans. The Company promotes its brand through its traditional advertising and promotions, sponsorship of local events and other community-focused campaigns. The Bank also invests in bank-hosted events and client hospitality opportunities that foster relationship building and business development. The marketing and advertising charges for the Company are expensed as incurred.

Segment Information

The Company follows the provisions of accounting standards codification (“ASC”) 280, Segment Reporting, which specifies guidelines for determining an entity’s operating segments and the type and level of financial information to be disclosed. Based on these guidelines, management has determined that the Bank operates as a single business segment; the providing of general commercial and retail financial services to customers located in the Company’s market areas. The various products, as well as the methods used to distribute them, are those generally offered by community banks.

Net Income per Common Share and Common Shares Outstanding

Basic earnings per share represents income available to common shareholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock options. Basic and diluted net income per share have been computed based upon net income as presented in the accompanying statements of operations divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding or assumed to be outstanding as summarized below:

	2014	2013	2012
Weighted average number of common shares used in computing basic net income per share	8,870,114	6,918,814	6,898,147
Effect of dilutive stock options	104,270	946	230
Weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares used in computing diluted net income per share	8,974,384	6,919,760	6,898,377

At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there were 75,783, 277,480 and 360,931 anti-dilutive options, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The following summarizes recent accounting pronouncements and their expected impact on the Company: 

 

In November 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2014-17: Business Combinations (Topic 805): Pushdown Accounting (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). The amendments in this Update provide the option for acquired entities to apply pushdown accounting in their stand-alone financial statements when a change-in-control event takes place. This election may be made at each change-in-control event, and allows entities to apply pushdown accounting in a subsequent period if not applied in the period in which the change-in-control event took place. The amendments in this Update were effective upon issue on November 18, 2014, allowing entities to apply the provisions to future change-in-control events or to its most recent change-in-control event. Adoption of this Update did not have an impact 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). The amendments in this Update provide a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This Update 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. The amendments in this Update are effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. Adoption of this update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In June 2014 the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. Effective for public business entities for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. For all other entities, the accounting changes are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. An entity is required to present changes in accounting for transactions outstanding on the effective date as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Earlier application for a public business entity is prohibited; however, all other entities may elect to apply the requirements for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2014.

For public business entities, the disclosure for certain transactions accounted for as a sale is required to be presented for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and the disclosure for repurchase agreements, securities lending transactions, and repurchase-to-maturity transactions accounted for as secured borrowings is required to be presented for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. For all other entities, both new disclosures are required to be presented for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Adoption of this Update is not expected to have a material  impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-14, Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. The amendments in this Update require a reporting entity to derecognize a mortgage loan and recognize a separate other receivable upon foreclosure if certain conditions are met. Upon foreclosure, the separate other receivable should be measured based on the amount of the loan balance expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The amendments in this Update are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Adoption of this Update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

From time to time, the FASB issues exposure drafts for proposed statements of financial accounting standards. Such exposure drafts are subject to comment from the public, to revisions by the FASB and to final issuance by the FASB as statements of financial accounting standards. Management considers the effect of the proposed statements on the consolidated financial statements of the Company and monitors the status of changes to and proposed effective dates of exposure drafts.