10-K 1 tv515888_10k.htm 10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

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

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-50400

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

NORTH CAROLINA	20-0218264
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

700 W. Cumberland Street, Dunn, North Carolina	28334
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone number, including area code: (910) 892-7080

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share		The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

NONE

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

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

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.

x Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). x Yes ¨ 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, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨		Accelerated filer x

Non-accelerated filer ¨		Smaller reporting company ¨

		Emerging growth company ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

¨ Yes x No

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $163,572,298.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of Common Stock as of the latest practicable date: 19,327,085 shares outstanding as of March 11, 2019.

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.

FORM 10-K CROSS-REFERENCE INDEX

	form 10-k	Proxy statement
part i

Item 1 – Business	3
Item 1A – Risk Factors	19
Item 1B – Unresolved Staff Comments	36
Item 2 – Properties	37
Item 3 – Legal Proceedings	38
Item 4 – Mine Safety Disclosures	38

PART II

Item 5 – Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	39
Item 6 – Selected Financial Data	42
Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	45
Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	70
Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	72
Item 9 – Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	142
Item 9A – Controls and Procedures	142
Item 9B – Other Information	143

PART III

Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance		143
Item 11 – Executive Compensation		143
Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters		144
Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence		144
Item 14 – Principal Accounting Fees and Services		144

PART IV

Item 15 – Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules	145

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Part I

Item 1 –Business

General

Select Bancorp, Inc. (the “Registrant” or the “Company”) (formerly New Century Bancorp, Inc.) was incorporated under the laws of the State of North Carolina on May 14, 2003, at the direction of the Board of Directors of Select Bank & Trust Company (formerly New Century Bank), for the purpose of serving as the bank holding company for Select Bank & Trust Company (“Select Bank” or the “Bank”) and became the holding company for the Bank on September 19, 2003. On July 25, 2014, New Century Bancorp, Inc. and New Century Bank changed their names to Select Bancorp, Inc. and Select Bank & Trust Company, respectively. This was in conjunction with the merger with “Legacy” Select Bancorp, Inc. and Select Bank & Trust Company of Greenville, NC. On December 15, 2017, the Registrant acquired Premara Financial, Inc. (“Premara”) and its banking subsidiary Carolina Premier Bank (“Carolina Premier”) of Charlotte, North Carolina. Under the terms of that acquisition, Premara was merged with and into the Registrant, Carolina Premier was merged with and into the Bank, and shareholders of Premara received 1.0463 shares of the Registrant’s common stock or $12.65 in cash for each outstanding share of Premara common stock, with approximately 70% of such shares being exchanged for shares of the Registrant’s common stock and 30% being exchanged for cash.

The Registrant operates for the primary purpose of serving as the holding company for its subsidiary depository institution, Select Bank & Trust Company. The Registrant’s headquarters is located at 700 West Cumberland Street, Dunn, North Carolina 28334.

The Bank was incorporated on May 19, 2000 as a North Carolina-chartered commercial bank, opened for business on May 24, 2000, and has its main office located at 700 West Cumberland Street, Dunn, North Carolina.

The Bank operates for the primary purpose of serving the banking needs of individuals and small to medium-sized businesses in its market area. The Bank offers a range of banking services including checking and savings accounts, commercial, consumer, mortgage and personal loans, and other associated financial services.

Primary Market Area

The Registrant’s market area consists of portions of central and eastern North Carolina which includes Alamance, Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Cumberland, Harnett, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Pasquotank, Pitt, Robeson, Sampson, Wake and Wayne counties and portions of northwestern South Carolina in Cherokee, Pickens and York counties. The Bank’s main office is in Dunn, North Carolina, and it has branch offices in Burlington, Charlotte, Clinton, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Greenville, Leland, Lillington, Lumberton, Morehead City, Raleigh, Washington and Wilmington, North Carolina. The Bank’s South Carolina branch offices are located in Rock Hill, Blacksburg and Six Mile, South Carolina. The Registrant’s market area has a population of over 3.7 million with an average household income of over $47,000.

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Total deposits in the Registrant’s market area exceeded $243 billion at June 30, 2018. The leading economic components of Alamance County, North Carolina, are healthcare and education with the largest employers being LabCorp, the public school system, the Alamance Regional Medical Center and Elon University. In Beaufort County, North Carolina, the top employers are the Beaufort County Schools, PCS Phosphate Company, Vidant Medical Center and other manufacturing facilities and public administration. Brunswick County North Carolina’s leading industries are education, public administration with the County of Brunswick, and Progress Energy. In Carteret County, North Carolina, public services are the leading economic factors such as education, health services and public administration (the leading employers) followed by major retailers including Wal-Mart, Lowes Home Improvement, Food Lion and Big Rock Sports LLC, an outdoor sporting goods distributor. Cumberland County, North Carolina’s leading sector is the Department of Defense with extensions of the Army, Navy and Air Force located there, followed by Cumberland County School System, Cape Fear Valley Health Systems, a Wal-Mart distribution Center, county and city administration and Goodyear Tire manufacturing facility. The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs and Fayetteville Technical Community College also employ over 1,000 in Cumberland County. In Harnett County, North Carolina, a top economic sector is education including top employers Harnett County Schools, Campbell University then also other large employers like Food Lion distribution center, public administration, Betsy Johnson Memorial Hospital and a Carlie C’s Operation center. In Mecklenburg County, education, financial activities and health services are leading industries. The Atrium Healthcare (FKA Carolinas Health Care) and school systems are top employers along with Wells Fargo and Bank of America. Transportation is also a leading industry in Mecklenburg County with American Airlines as a top employer. In New Hanover County, North Carolina, education, health services and government offices are leaders in the economy. New Hanover Regional Medical Center, the school system and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington are the largest employers along with PPD Development, a pharmaceutical company. In Pasquotank County, North Carolina, education (including the local school system and Elizabeth City State University), health services (specifically top employer Sentara Internal Medicine) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the U.S. Coast Guard base in Elizabeth City are top employers. Pitt County, North Carolina, has a mix of education and health services employers and still relies heavily on manufacturing with over 2,000 jobs attributable to NACCO Materials Handling Group and Patheon Manufacturing Services as well as being home to East Carolina University and Vidant Medical Center. In Robeson County, North Carolina, leading sectors include education, health services, and manufacturing with Mountaire Farms of N.C. employing over 1,000 citizens. Robeson County is also home to UNC Pembroke and the Campbell Soup Supply Company. In Sampson County, North Carolina, leading sectors include education, manufacturing, agriculture and natural resources with top employers including Smithfield Foods, Prestage Farms and Hog Slat. In Wake County, North Carolina, leading sectors include government, education, healthcare, and technology with education leading the pack with the top employers being Wake County Public Schools, NC State University, and 3 teaching hospitals in the area. Wayne County North Carolina’s leading areas are education, healthcare and retail trade including employers the local school system and Wayne Memorial Hospital. In South Carolina’s Cherokee County education, local government and manufacturing are leading industries. The local school system, Timken and Nestle are among the largest employers. In Pickens County, South Carolina, state government and education are leading the economy with both the state government offices and Clemson University among the largest employers. In York County, South Carolina, the financer industry, retail and healthcare are leading economic components Including LPL Financial, Wells Fargo Mortgage, Piedmont Medical Center and Ross Stores Distribution center.

Competition

Commercial banking in the North Carolina and South Carolina markets in which the Bank operates is extremely competitive. The Registrant competes in its market areas with some of the largest banking organizations in the state and country as well as other financial institutions, such as federally and state-chartered savings and loan institutions and credit unions. It also competes against consumer finance companies, mortgage companies and other lenders engaged in the business of extending credit. Many of the Registrant’s competitors have broader geographic markets and higher lending limits than the Registrant and are also able to provide more services and make greater use of advertising. As of June 30, 2018, data provided by the FDIC Deposit Market Share Report indicated that, within the Registrant’s market area, there were 943 offices of insured depository institutions (39 in Alamance County, 14 in Beaufort County, 37 in Brunswick County, 24 in Carteret County, 56 in Cumberland County, 23 in Harnett County, 232 in Mecklenburg County, 66 in New Hanover, 12 in Pasquotank County, 41 in Pitt County, 28 in Robeson County, 14 in Sampson County, 251 in Wake County and 25 in Wayne County, all in North Carolina and 10 in Cherokee County, 28 in Pickens County and 43 in York County, South Carolina), including offices of the Bank.

Many out-of-state commercial banks have recently acquired a number of North Carolina and South Carolina banks and further heightened the competition among banks in the markets served.

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Despite the competition in its market areas, the Registrant believes that it has certain competitive advantages that distinguish it from its competition. The Registrant believes that its primary competitive advantages are its strong local identity and affiliation within the community and its emphasis on providing specialized services to small and medium-sized business enterprises as well as professional and upper-income individuals. The Registrant offers customers modern, high-tech banking without forsaking community values such as prompt, personal service and friendliness. The Registrant offers many personalized services and intends to attract customers by being responsive and sensitive to their individualized needs. The Registrant also relies on goodwill and referrals from shareholders and satisfied customers as well as traditional marketing media to attract new customers. To enhance a positive image in the community the Registrant supports and participates in local events and its officers and directors serve on boards of local civic and charitable organizations.

Employees

As of December 31, 2018, the Registrant employed 205 full time equivalent employees. None of the Registrant’s employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement. The Registrant believes relations with its employees to be good.

Where to Find Additional Information About the Company

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and through the “Investor Relations” section of our website (www.selectbank.com).

Regulation

Regulation of the Bank

General. The Bank is a North Carolina chartered commercial bank and its deposit accounts are insured by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Bank is subject to supervision, examination and regulation by the North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks (“Commissioner”) and the FDIC. It is subject to North Carolina and federal statutory and regulatory provisions governing such matters as capital standards, dividends, mergers, subsidiary investments and establishment of branch offices. The Bank is required to file reports with the Commissioner and the FDIC concerning its activities and financial condition and is required to obtain regulatory approval prior to entering into certain transactions, including mergers with, or acquisitions of, other depository institutions.

As a federally insured depository institution, the Bank is subject to various regulations promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve Board”) or (“FRB”), including Regulation B (Equal Credit Opportunity), Regulation D (Reserve Requirements), Regulation E (Electronic Fund Transfers), Regulation O (Loans to Insiders), Regulation W (Transactions with Affiliates), Regulation Z (Truth in Lending), Regulation CC (Availability of Funds and Collection of Checks) and Regulation DD (Truth in Savings).

The system of regulation and supervision applicable to the Bank establishes a comprehensive framework for the operations of the Bank, and is intended primarily for the protection of the FDIC and the depositors of the Bank, rather than shareholders. Changes in the regulatory framework could have a material effect on the Bank that in turn, could have a material effect on the Registrant. This discussion does not purport to be a complete explanation of all such laws and regulations.

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State Law. The Bank is subject to extensive supervision and regulation by the Commissioner. The Commissioner oversees state laws that set specific requirements for bank capital and deposits in, and loans and investments by, banks, including the amounts, types, and in some cases, rates. The Commissioner supervises and performs periodic examinations of North Carolina-chartered banks to assure compliance with state banking statutes and regulations, and the Bank is required to make regular reports to the Commissioner describing in detail its resources, assets, liabilities and financial condition. Among other things, the Commissioner regulates mergers and consolidations of state-chartered banks, the payment of dividends, loans to officers and directors, record keeping, types and amounts of loans and investments, and the establishment of branches. The primary state banking laws to which the Bank is subject are set forth in Chapters 53C and 53 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Certain provisions of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act are also applicable to the Bank, as a North Carolina banking corporation.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. In 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) was signed into law. This law significantly changed the bank regulatory structure and affected the lending, deposit, investment, trading, and operating activities of financial institutions and their holding companies. The Dodd-Frank Act required various federal agencies to adopt a broad range of rules and regulations, and to prepare numerous studies and reports for Congress. The Dodd-Frank Act included, among other things:

the creation of a Financial Stability Oversight Council to identify emerging systemic risks posed by financial firms, activities and practices, and to improve cooperation between federal agencies;

the creation of a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection authorized to promulgate and enforce consumer protection regulations relating to financial products, which affects both banks and non-bank financial companies;

the establishment of strengthened capital and prudential standards for banks and bank holding companies;

enhanced regulation of financial markets, including derivatives and securitization markets;

the elimination of certain trading activities by banks;

a permanent increase of FDIC deposit insurance to $250,000 per depository category and an increase in the minimum deposit insurance fund reserve requirement from 1.15% to 1.35%, with assessments to be based on assets as opposed to deposits;

amendments to the Truth in Lending Act aimed at improving consumer protections with respect to mortgage originations, including originator compensation, minimum repayment standards, and prepayment considerations; and

disclosure and other requirements relating to executive compensation and corporate governance.

Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. On May 24, 2018, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (“EGRRCPA”) was signed into law, which amended provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act and was intended to ease, and better tailor, regulation, particularly with respect to smaller-sized institutions such as the Registrant. EGRRCPA’s highlights include, among other things: (i) exempts banks with less than $10 billion in assets from the ability-to-repay requirements for certain qualified residential mortgage loans held in portfolio; (ii) not requiring appraisals for certain transactions valued at less than $400,000 in rural areas; (iii) clarifies that, subject to various conditions, reciprocal deposits of another depository institution obtained using a deposit broker through a deposit placement network for purposes of obtaining maximum deposit insurance would not be considered brokered deposits subject to the FDIC’s brokered-deposit regulations; (iv) raises eligibility for the 18-month exam cycle from $1 billion to banks with $3 billion in assets; and (v) simplifies capital calculations by requiring regulators to establish for institutions under $10 billion in assets a community bank leverage ratio (tangible equity to average consolidated assets) at a percentage not less than 8% and not greater than 10% that such institutions may elect to replace the general applicable risk-based capital requirements for determining well capitalized status. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board was required to raise the asset threshold under its Small Bank Holding Company Policy Statement from $1 billion to $3 billion for bank or savings and loan holding companies that are exempt from consolidated capital requirements, provided that such companies meet certain other conditions such as not engaging in significant nonbanking activities and not having a material amount of debt or equity securities outstanding (other than trust preferred securities) that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Consistent with EGRRCPA, the Federal Reserve passed an interim final rule that became effective on August 30, 2018, to increase the asset threshold to $3 billion for qualifying for such policy statement.

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2017 Executive Order. On February 3, 2017, the President of the United States issued an executive order identifying “core principles” for the administration’s financial services regulatory policy and directing the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the heads of other financial regulatory agencies, to evaluate how the current regulatory framework promotes or inhibits the principles and what actions have been, and are being, taken to promote the principles. In response to the executive order, on June 12, 2017, October 6, 2017, October 26, 2017, and July 31, 2018, respectively, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued four separate reports recommending a number of comprehensive changes in the current regulatory system for U.S. depository institutions, the U.S. capital markets, the U.S. asset management and insurance industries, and nonbank financial institutions. The extent to which this executive order may ultimately result in changes to financial services laws, regulations, and policies applicable to us is not currently known.

Deposit Insurance. The Bank’s deposits are insured up to limits set by the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”) of the FDIC. The standard FDIC insurance coverage amount is $250,000 per depositor. The DIF was formed on March 31, 2006, upon the merger of the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Insurance Fund in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act of 2005 (the “Reform Act”). The primary purposes of the DIF are: (1) to insure the deposits and protect the depositors of insured banks and (2) to resolve failed banks. The DIF is funded mainly through quarterly assessments on insured banks, but also receives interest income on its securities. The DIF is reduced by loss provisions associated with failed banks and by FDIC operating expenses. The Reform Act established a range of 1.15% to 1.50% within which the FDIC may set the Designated Reserve Ratio (the “reserve ratio” or “DRR”). The DRR is expressed as a percentage of insured deposits. The Dodd-Frank Act gave the FDIC greater discretion to manage the DIF, raised the minimum DIF reserve ratio to 1.35%, and removed the upper limit of 1.50%. In October 2010, the FDIC adopted a restoration plan to ensure that the DIF reserve ratio reaches 1.35% by September 30, 2020, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The FDIC also proposed a comprehensive, long-range plan for management of the DIF. As part of this comprehensive plan, the FDIC has adopted a final rule to set the DRR at 2.0%, which acts as a floor rather than a ceiling on the DRR.

The FDIC imposes a risk-based deposit insurance premium assessment on member institutions in order to maintain the DIF. This assessment system was amended by the Reform Act and further amended by the Dodd-Frank Act. Under this system, as amended, the assessment rates for an insured depository institution vary according to the level of risk incurred in its activities, which for established small institutions like the Bank (i.e., those institutions with less than $10 billion in assets and insured for five years or more), is generally determined by reference to the institution’s supervisory ratings. The assessment rate schedule can change from time to time, at the discretion of the FDIC, subject to certain limits. The Dodd-Frank Act changed the methodology for calculating deposit insurance assessments from the amount of an insured institution’s domestic deposits to its total assets minus tangible capital. On February 7, 2011, the FDIC issued a new regulation implementing these revisions to the assessment system. The regulation went into effect April 1, 2011.

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

Insurance of deposits may be terminated by the FDIC upon a finding that an insured institution has engaged in unsafe or unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC. Management of the Bank is not aware of any practice, condition or violation that might lead to termination of its FDIC deposit insurance.

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Capital Requirements. The federal banking regulators have adopted certain risk-based capital guidelines to assist in the assessment of the capital adequacy of a banking organization’s operations for both transactions reported on the balance sheet as assets and transactions, such as letters of credit, and recourse arrangements, which are recorded as off balance sheet items. Under these guidelines, nominal dollar amounts of assets and credit equivalent amounts of off balance sheet items are multiplied by one of several risk adjustment percentages which range from 0% for assets with low credit risk, such as certain U.S. Treasury securities, to 1,250% for certain assets with high credit risk, such as securitization exposures.

A banking organization’s risk-based capital ratios are obtained by dividing its qualifying capital by its total risk adjusted assets. The regulators measure risk-adjusted assets, which include off balance sheet items, against both total qualifying capital (the sum of Common Equity Tier 1 capital and limited amounts of Tier 2 capital) and Tier 1 capital. “Common Equity Tier 1,” or core capital, includes common equity, qualifying noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and minority interests in equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill and other intangibles, subject to certain exceptions. “Additional Tier 1 Capital” includes noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, tier 1 minority interests, grandfathered Trust preferred securities, and Troubled Asset Relief Program instruments less applicable regulatory adjustments and deductions. “Tier 2,” or supplementary capital, includes among other things, limited-life preferred stock, hybrid capital instruments, mandatory convertible securities, qualifying subordinated debt, and the allowance for loan and lease losses, subject to certain limitations and less required deductions. The inclusion of elements of Tier 2 capital is subject to certain other requirements and limitations of the federal banking agencies. Banks and bank holding companies subject to the risk-based capital guidelines are required to maintain a ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 5% and a ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 10% to meet well capitalized thresholds. The appropriate regulatory authority may set higher capital requirements when particular circumstances warrant.

The federal banking agencies have adopted regulations specifying that they will include, in their evaluations of a bank’s capital adequacy, an assessment of the bank’s interest rate risk exposure. The standards for measuring the adequacy and effectiveness of a banking organization’s interest rate risk management include a measurement of board of director and senior management oversight, and a determination of whether a banking organization’s procedures for comprehensive risk management are appropriate for the circumstances of the specific banking organization.

Failure to meet applicable capital guidelines could subject a banking organization to a variety of enforcement actions, including limitations on its ability to pay dividends or expand with new branch offices or through acquisitions, the issuance by the applicable regulatory authority of a capital directive to increase capital and, in the case of depository institutions, the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC, as well as the measures described under the “Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991” below, as applicable to undercapitalized institutions. In addition, future changes in regulations or practices could further reduce the amount of capital recognized for purposes of capital adequacy. Such a change could affect the ability of the Bank to grow and could restrict the amount of profits, if any, available for the payment of dividends to the Registrant and its shareholders.

On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve approved a final rule that establishes an integrated regulatory capital framework that addresses shortcomings in certain capital requirements. The FDIC adopted a substantially similar interim final rule on July 9, 2013. The capital rule implements in the United States the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain changes required by the Dodd-Frank Act.

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The major provisions of the rule applicable to us are:

The rule implemented higher minimum capital requirements, including a new common equity Tier1 capital requirement, and established criteria that instruments must meet in order to be considered Common Equity Tier 1 capital, additional Tier 1 capital, or Tier 2 capital. The minimum capital to risk-weighted assets (“RWA”) requirements under the rule are a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5% and a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0%, which is an increase from 4.0%, and a total capital ratio that remains at 8.0%. The minimum leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital to total assets) is 4.0%. The rule maintains the general structure of the current prompt corrective action, or PCA, framework while incorporating these increased minimum requirements.

The rule implemented changes to the definition of capital, including stricter eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments that disallows the inclusion of instruments such as trust preferred securities in Tier 1 capital going forward (subject to certain exceptions discussed below), and new constraints on the inclusion of minority interests, mortgage-servicing assets (“MSAs”), deferred tax assets (“DTAs”), and certain investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions.

Under the rule, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers, a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer composed of common equity Tier 1 capital above its minimum risk-based capital requirements. This buffer is intended to help ensure that banking organizations conserve capital when it is most needed, allowing them to better weather periods of economic stress. The buffer is measured relative to RWA. A banking organization with a buffer greater than 2.5% would not be subject to limits on capital distributions or discretionary bonus payments; however, a banking organization with a buffer of less than 2.5% would be subject to increasingly stringent limitations as the buffer approaches zero. The rule also prohibits a banking organization from making distributions or discretionary bonus payments during any quarter if its eligible retained income is negative in that quarter and its capital conservation buffer ratio was less than 2.5% at the beginning of the quarter. The minimum capital requirements plus the capital conservation buffer exceed the PCA well capitalized thresholds (discussed below).

The rule also increased the risk weights for past-due loans, certain commercial real estate loans, and some equity exposures, and made selected other changes in risk weights and credit conversion factors.

The Bank was required to comply with the new rule beginning on January 1, 2015. Compliance by the Registrant and the Bank with these capital requirements affects their respective operations by increasing the amount of capital required to conduct operations.

In October 2017, the federal banking agencies issued a notice of proposed rulemaking on simplifications to the final rules, a majority of which would apply solely to banking organizations that are not subject to the advanced approaches capital rule. Under the proposed rulemaking, non-advanced approaches banking organizations, such as the Registrant, would apply a simpler regulatory capital treatment for mortgage servicing assets (“MSAs”); certain deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) arising from temporary differences; investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions; and capital issued by a consolidated subsidiary of a banking organization and held by third parties.

Specifically, the proposed rulemaking would eliminate: (i) the capital rule’s 10 percent common equity tier 1 capital deduction threshold that applies individually to MSAs, temporary difference DTAs, and significant investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions in the form of common stock; (ii) the aggregate 15 percent common equity tier 1 capital deduction threshold that subsequently applies on a collective basis across such items; (iii) the 10 percent common equity tier 1 capital deduction threshold for non-significant investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions; and (iv) the deduction treatment for significant investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions not in the form of common stock. The capital rule would no longer have distinct treatments for significant and non-significant investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions, but instead would require that non-advanced approaches banking organizations deduct from common equity tier 1 capital any amount of MSAs, temporary difference DTAs, and investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions that individually exceeds 25 percent of common equity tier 1 capital. The proposed rulemaking also includes revisions to the treatment of certain acquisition, development, or construction exposures that are designed to address comments regarding the current definition of high volatility commercial real estate exposure under the capital rule’s standardized approach.

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In November 2017, the federal banking agencies adopted a final rule to extend the regulatory capital treatment applicable during 2017 under the capital rules for certain items, including regulatory capital deductions, risk weights, and certain minority interest limitations. The relief provided under the final rule applies to banking organizations that are not subject to the capital rules’ advanced approaches, such as the Registrant. Specifically, the final rule extends the current regulatory capital treatment of mortgage servicing assets, deferred tax assets arising from temporary differences that could not be realized through net operating loss carrybacks, significant investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions in the form of common stock, non-significant investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions, significant investments in the capital of unconsolidated financial institutions that are not in the form of common stock, and common equity tier 1 minority interest, tier 1 minority interest, and total capital minority interest exceeding the capital rules’ minority interest limitations.

Community Bank Leverage Ratio. As discussed above, in May 2018, EGRRCPA became law, which directs the federal banking agencies (which includes the FDIC, Federal Reserve Board, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, or OCC) to develop a community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”) of not less than 8 percent and not more than 10 percent for qualifying community banking organizations. EGRRCPA defines a qualifying community banking organization as a depository institution or depository institution holding company with total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion, which would include the Registrant and its banking subsidiary. A qualifying community banking organization that exceeds the CBLR level established by the agencies is considered to have met: (i) the generally applicable leverage and risk-based capital requirements under the agencies’ capital rule (see discussion above under “Regulation of the Bank – Capital Requirements”); (ii) the capital ratio requirements in order to be considered well capitalized under the agencies’ PCA framework (in the case of insured depository institutions) (see discussion below under subheading, “Prompt Corrective Action”); and (iii) any other applicable capital or leverage requirements. Section 201 of EGRRCPA defines the CBLR as the ratio of a banking organization’s CBLR tangible equity to its average total consolidated assets, both as reported on the banking organization’s applicable regulatory filing.

In November 2018, the agencies issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would establish the CBLR at 9 percent. Under the proposal, a qualifying community banking organization may elect to use the CBLR framework if its CBLR is greater than 9 percent. A qualifying community banking organization that has chosen the proposed framework would not be required to calculate the existing risk-based and leverage capital requirements. A bank would also be considered to have met the capital ratio requirements to be well capitalized for the agencies' prompt corrective action rules provided it has a CBLR greater than 9 percent. The Registrant will continue to evaluate the CBLR capital framework as the proposed rule makes its way through the agency rulemaking process.

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Prompt Corrective Action. Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (“FDICIA”), the federal banking regulators are required to take prompt corrective action if an insured depository institution fails to satisfy certain minimum capital requirements, including a leverage limit, a risk-based capital requirement, and any other measure deemed appropriate by the federal banking regulators for measuring the capital adequacy of an insured depository institution. All institutions, regardless of their capital levels, are restricted from making any capital distribution or paying any management fees if the institution would thereafter fail to satisfy the minimum levels for any of its capital requirements. An institution that fails to meet the minimum level for any relevant capital measure (an “undercapitalized institution”) may be: (i) subject to increased monitoring by the appropriate federal banking regulator; (ii) required to submit an acceptable capital restoration plan within 45 days; (iii) subject to asset growth limits; and (iv) required to obtain prior regulatory approval for acquisitions, branching and new lines of business. The capital restoration plan must include a guarantee by the institution’s holding company that the institution will comply with the plan until it has been adequately capitalized on average for four consecutive quarters, under which the holding company would be liable up to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s total assets or the amount necessary to bring the institution into capital compliance as of the date it failed to comply with its capital restoration plan. A “significantly undercapitalized” institution, as well as any undercapitalized institution that does not submit an acceptable capital restoration plan, may be subject to regulatory demands for recapitalization, broader application of restrictions on transactions with affiliates, limitations on interest rates paid on deposits, asset growth and other activities, possible replacement of directors and officers, and restrictions on capital distributions by any bank holding company controlling the institution. Any company controlling the institution may also be required to divest the institution or the institution could be required to divest subsidiaries. The senior executive officers of a significantly undercapitalized institution may not receive bonuses or increases in compensation without prior regulatory approval and the institution is prohibited from making payments of principal or interest on its subordinated debt. In their discretion, the federal banking regulators may also impose the foregoing sanctions on an undercapitalized institution if the regulators determine that such actions are necessary to carry out the purposes of the prompt corrective action provisions. If an institution’s ratio of tangible capital to total assets falls below the “critical capital level” established by the appropriate federal banking regulator, the institution will be subject to conservatorship or receivership within specified time periods.

As discussed above, on July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve Board, and on July 9, 2013, the FDIC, adopted a final rule that implemented the Basel III changes to the international regulatory capital framework, referred to as the “Basel III Rules.” The Basel III Rules apply to both depository institutions and (subject to certain exceptions not applicable to the Registrant) their holding companies.

The Basel III Rules include new risk-based and leverage capital ratio requirements which refine the definition of what constitutes “capital” for purposes of calculating those ratios. The minimum capital level requirements applicable to the Registrant and the Bank under the Basel III Rules are: (i) a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 4.5 percent; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6 percent (increased from 4 percent); (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio of 8 percent (unchanged from prior rules); and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4 percent for all institutions. Common equity Tier 1 capital consists of retained earnings and common stock instruments, subject to certain adjustments.

The Basel III Rules also established a “capital conservation buffer” of 2.5 percent above the new regulatory minimum risk-based capital requirements. The conservation buffer, when added to the capital requirements, result in the following minimum ratios: (i) a common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 7.0 percent, (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.5 percent, and (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.5 percent. An institution is subject to limitations on certain activities including payment of dividends, share repurchases and discretionary bonuses to executive officers if its capital level is below the buffer amount.

The Basel III Rules also revised the prompt corrective action framework, which is designed to place restrictions on insured depository institutions, including the Bank, if their capital levels do not meet certain thresholds. These revisions became effective on January 1, 2015. The prompt corrective action rules were modified to include a common equity Tier 1 capital component and to increase certain other capital requirements for the various thresholds. For example, under the prompt corrective action rules, insured depository institutions are required to meet the following capital levels in order to qualify as “well capitalized:” (i) a new common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 6.5 percent; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8 percent (increased from 6 percent); (iii) a total risk-based capital ratio of 10 percent (unchanged from prior rules); and (iv) a Tier 1 leverage ratio of 5 percent (unchanged from prior rules).

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The Basel III Rules set forth certain changes in the methods of calculating certain risk-weighted assets, which in turn affect the calculation of risk based ratios. Under the Basel III Rules, higher or more sensitive risk weights would be assigned to various categories of assets, including certain credit facilities that finance the acquisition, development or construction of real property, certain exposures or credits that are 90 days past due or on nonaccrual, foreign exposures and certain corporate exposures. In addition, the Basel III Rules include (i) alternative standards of creditworthiness consistent with the Dodd-Frank Act; (ii) greater recognition of collateral and guarantees; and (iii) revised capital treatment for derivatives and repo-style transactions.

In addition, the final rule includes certain exemptions to address concerns about the regulatory burden on community banks. For example, banking organizations with less than $15 billion in consolidated assets as of December 31, 2009 are permitted to include in Tier 1 capital trust preferred securities and cumulative perpetual preferred stock issued and included in Tier 1 capital prior to May 19, 2010 on a permanent basis, without any phase out. The Bank has opted out of the requirement to include most accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) components in the calculation of CET1 capital and, in effect, retain the AOCI treatment under the prior capital rules and exclude accumulated other comprehensive income from capital.

Under the implementing regulations, the federal banking regulators, including the FDIC, generally measure an institution’s capital adequacy on the basis of its total risk-based capital ratio (the ratio of its total capital to risk-weighted assets), Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio (the ratio of its core capital to risk-weighted assets) and leverage ratio (the ratio of its core capital to adjusted total assets).

The following table shows the Bank’s actual capital ratios and the required capital ratios for the various prompt corrective action categories as of December 31, 2018.

Regulatory

Adequately

Significantly

Minimum

Actual

Well Capitalized

Capitalized

Undercapitalized

Requirement

Total risk-based capital ratio

15.45

10.0% or more

8.0% or more

Less than 8.0%

Less than 6.0%

11.50% or more

Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

14.63

8.0% or more

6.0% or more

Less than 6.0%

Less than 4.0%

8.00% or more

Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio

14.63

6.5% or more

4.5% or more

Less than 4.50%

Less than 3.0%

8.00% or more

Leverage ratio

12.42

5.0% or more

4.0% or more *

Less than 4.0% *

Less than 3.0%

8.00% or more

* 3.0% if institution has the highest regulatory rating and meets certain other criteria.

A “critically undercapitalized” institution is defined as an institution that has a ratio of “tangible equity” to total assets of less than 2.0%. Tangible equity is defined as core capital plus cumulative perpetual preferred stock (and related surplus) less all intangibles other than qualifying supervisory goodwill and certain purchased mortgage servicing rights. The FDIC may reclassify a well capitalized institution as adequately capitalized and may require an adequately capitalized or undercapitalized institution to comply with the supervisory actions applicable to institutions in the next lower capital category (but may not reclassify a significantly undercapitalized institution as critically undercapitalized) if the FDIC determines, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, that the institution is in an unsafe or unsound condition or that the institution has received and not corrected a less-than-satisfactory rating for any CAMELS rating category. See Note M of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion of regulatory capital.

Safety and Soundness Guidelines. Under FDICIA, as amended by the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 (the “CDRI Act”), each federal banking agency was required to establish safety and soundness standards for institutions under its authority. The interagency guidelines require depository institutions to maintain internal controls and information systems and internal audit systems that are appropriate for the size, nature and scope of the institution’s business. The guidelines also establish certain basic standards for the documentation of loans, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, and information security. The guidelines further provide that depository institutions should maintain safeguards to prevent the payment of compensation, fees and benefits that are excessive or that could lead to material financial loss, and should take into account factors such as comparable compensation practices at comparable institutions. If the appropriate federal banking agency determines that a depository institution is not in compliance with the safety and soundness guidelines, it may require the institution to submit an acceptable plan to achieve compliance with the guidelines. A depository institution must submit an acceptable compliance plan to its primary federal regulator within 30 days of receipt of a request for such a plan. Failure to submit or implement a compliance plan may subject the institution to regulatory sanctions.

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International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001. On October 26, 2001, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 was enacted. This act contains the International Money Laundering Abatement and Financial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2001, which sets forth anti-money laundering measures affecting insured depository institutions, broker-dealers and other financial institutions. The Act requires U.S. financial institutions to adopt new policies and procedures to combat money laundering and grants the Secretary of the Treasury broad authority to establish regulations and to impose requirements and restrictions on the operations of financial institutions. The Bank's loan and deposit operations are both subject to the Bank Secrecy Act, which governs how banks and other financial institutions report certain currency transactions and maintain appropriate safeguards against “money laundering” activities, including customer due diligence processes.

Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulation. The United States has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. These are typically known as the “OFAC” rules based on their administration by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The OFAC-administered sanctions targeting countries take many different forms. Generally, however, they contain one or more of the following elements: (i) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions against direct or indirect imports from and exports to a sanctioned country and prohibitions on “U.S. persons” engaging in financial transactions relating to making investments in, or providing investment-related advice or assistance to, a sanctioned country; and (ii) a blocking of assets in which the government or specially designated nationals of the sanctioned country have an interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including property in the possession or control of U.S. persons). Blocked assets (e.g., property and bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC. Failure of a financial institution to comply with these sanctions could result in legal consequences for the institution.

Privacy. Financial institutions are required by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 to disclose their policies for collecting and protecting confidential customer information. Customers generally may prevent financial institutions from sharing personal financial information with nonaffiliated third parties except for third parties that market the institutions’ own products and services. Additionally, financial institutions generally may not disclose consumer account numbers to any nonaffiliated third party for use in telemarketing, direct mail marketing or other marketing through electronic mail to consumers. The Bank has established a privacy policy that it believes promotes compliance with these federal requirements.

Community Reinvestment Act. The Bank, like other financial institutions, is subject to the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”). The purpose of the CRA is to encourage financial institutions to help meet the credit needs of their entire communities, including the needs of low-and moderate-income neighborhoods.

The federal banking agencies have implemented an evaluation system that rates an institution based on its asset size and actual performance in meeting community credit needs. Under these regulations, the institution is first evaluated and rated under two categories: a lending test and a community development test. For each of these tests, the institution is given a rating of either “outstanding,” “high satisfactory,” “low satisfactory,” “needs to improve,” or “substantial non-compliance.” A set of criteria for each rating has been developed and is included in the regulation. If an institution disagrees with a particular rating, the institution has the burden of rebutting the presumption by clearly establishing that the quantitative measures do not accurately present its actual performance, or that demographics, competitive conditions or economic or legal limitations peculiar to its service area should be considered. The ratings received under the three tests will be used to determine the overall composite CRA rating. The composite ratings currently given are: “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial non-compliance.”

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The Bank’s CRA rating would be a factor to be considered by the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC in considering applications submitted by the Bank to acquire branches or to acquire or combine with other financial institutions and take other actions and, if such rating was less than “satisfactory,” could result in the denial of such applications. During the Bank’s last compliance examination, the Bank received a satisfactory rating with respect to CRA compliance.

Federal Home Loan Bank System. The FHLB System consists of 12 district FHLBs subject to supervision and regulation by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”). The FHLBs provide a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. As a member of the FHLB of Atlanta, the Bank is required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLB of Atlanta. The Bank was in compliance with this requirement with investment in FHLB of Atlanta stock of $3.3 million at December 31, 2018. The FHLB of Atlanta serves as a reserve or central bank for its member institutions within its assigned district. It is funded primarily from proceeds derived from the sale of consolidated obligations of the FHLB System. It offers advances to members in accordance with policies and procedures established by the FHFA and the Board of Directors of the FHLB of Atlanta. Long-term advances may only be made for the purpose of providing funds for residential housing finance, small businesses, small farms and small agribusinesses.

Reserves. Pursuant to regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, the Bank must maintain average daily reserves equal to 3% on transaction accounts of $15.2 million up to $110.2 million, plus 10% on the remainder. This percentage is subject to adjustment by the Federal Reserve Board. Because required reserves must be maintained in the form of vault cash or in a noninterest bearing account at a Federal Reserve Bank, the effect of the reserve requirement is to reduce the amount of the institution’s interest-earning assets. As of December 31, 2018, the Bank met its reserve requirements.

The Bank is also subject to the reserve requirements of North Carolina commercial banks. North Carolina law requires state nonmember banks to maintain, at all times, a reserve fund in an amount set by the Commissioner.

Liquidity Requirements. FDIC policy requires that banks maintain an average daily balance of liquid assets (cash, certain time deposits, mortgage-backed securities, loans available for sale and specified United States government, state, or federal agency obligations) in an amount which it deems adequate to protect the safety and soundness of the Bank. The FDIC currently has no specific level which it requires. The Bank maintains its liquidity position under policy guidelines based on liquid assets in relationship to deposits and short-term borrowings. Based on its policy calculation guidelines, the Bank’s calculated liquidity ratio was 17.86% of total deposits and short-term borrowings at December 31, 2018, which management believes is adequate.

Dividend Restrictions. Under FDIC regulations, the Bank may not pay a dividend if, after the payment of the dividend, the Bank would be undercapitalized pursuant to the agencies’ prompt corrective action (PCA) regulations. Moreover, institutions that are poorly rated or subject to written supervisory actions often are specifically directed not to pay dividends in order to ensure adequate capital exists to support their risk profile. The Bank would also be subject to restrictions on paying dividends it its capital conservation buffer fell below 2.5%.

Limits on Loans to One Borrower. The Bank generally is subject to both FDIC regulations and North Carolina law regarding loans to any one borrower, including related entities. Under applicable law, with certain limited exceptions, loans and extensions of credit by a state chartered nonmember bank to a person outstanding at one time and not fully secured by collateral having a market value at least equal to the amount of the loan or extension of credit shall not exceed 15% of the unimpaired capital of the Bank. In addition, the Bank has an internal policy that loans and extensions of credit fully secured by readily marketable collateral having a market value at least equal to the amount of the loan or extension of credit shall not exceed 10% of the unimpaired capital fund of the Bank. Under the internal policy, the Bank’s loans to one borrower were limited to $10.5 million at December 31, 2018.

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Transactions with Related Parties. Transactions between the Bank and any affiliate are governed by Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act. An affiliate of the Bank is any company or entity which controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Bank. In a holding company context, the parent holding company of a bank (such as the Registrant) and any companies which are controlled by such parent holding company are affiliates of the bank. Generally, Sections 23A and 23B (i) limit the extent to which an institution or its subsidiaries may engage in “covered transactions” with any one affiliate to an amount equal to 10% of such institution’s capital stock and surplus, and contain an aggregate limit on all such transactions with all affiliates to an amount equal to 20% of such capital stock and surplus and (ii) require that all such transactions be on terms substantially the same, or at least as favorable, to the institution or subsidiary as those provided to a non-affiliate. The term “covered transaction” includes the making of loans, purchase of assets, issuance of a guarantee and similar other types of transactions.

Loans to Directors, Executive Officers and Principal Stockholders. The Bank is subject to the restrictions contained in Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and the applicable regulations thereunder (“Regulation O”) on loans to executive officers, directors and principal stockholders. Under Section 22(h), loans to a director, executive officer and to a greater than 10% stockholder of a state nonmember bank and certain affiliated interests of such persons, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such person and related interests, the institution’s loans-to-one-borrower limit and all loans to such persons may not exceed the institution’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. Section 22(h) also prohibits loans above amounts prescribed by the appropriate federal banking agency to directors, executive officers and greater than 10% stockholders of a depository institution, and their respective affiliates, unless such loan is approved in advance by a majority of the board of directors of the institution with any “interested” director not participating in the voting. Regulation O prescribes the loan amount (which includes all other outstanding loans to such person) as to which such prior board of directors approval is required as being the greater of $25,000 or 5% of capital and surplus (or any loans aggregating $500,000 or more). Further, Section 22(h) requires that loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders generally be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to other persons. Section 22(h) also generally prohibits a depository institution from paying the overdrafts of any of its executive officers or directors.

The Bank is also subject to the additional requirements and restrictions of Regulation O on loans to executive officers. Section 22(g) of the Federal Reserve Act requires approval by the board of directors of a depository institution for such extensions of credit and imposes reporting requirements for and additional restrictions on the type, amount and terms of credits to such officers. In addition, Section 106 of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”) prohibits extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, and greater than 10% stockholders of a depository institution by any other institution which has a correspondent banking relationship with the institution, unless such extension of credit is on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons and does not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavorable features.

The Volcker Rule. Under provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act referred to as the “Volcker Rule,” certain limitations are placed on the ability of bank holding companies and their affiliates to engage in sponsoring, investing in and transacting with certain investment funds, including hedge funds and private equity funds. The Volcker Rule also places restrictions on proprietary trading, which could impact certain hedging activities. The Volcker Rule, which became fully effective in July 2015, has not had a material impact on the Bank or the Registrant. Further, pursuant to EGRRCPA enacted in May 2018, community banks are excluded from the restrictions of the Volcker Rule if (i) the community bank, and every entity that controls it, has total consolidated assets equal to or less than $10 billion and (ii) trading assets and liabilities of the community bank, and every entity that controls it, are equal to or less than five percent of its total consolidated assets.

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Restrictions on Certain Activities. State chartered nonmember banks with deposits insured by the FDIC are generally prohibited from engaging in equity investments that are not permissible for a national bank. The foregoing limitation, however, does not prohibit FDIC-insured state banks from acquiring or retaining an equity investment in a subsidiary in which the bank is a majority owner. State chartered banks are also prohibited from engaging as a principal in any type of activity that is not permissible for a national bank and, subject to certain exceptions, subsidiaries of state chartered FDIC-insured banks may not engage as a principal in any type of activity that is not permissible for a subsidiary of a national bank, unless in either case, the FDIC determines that the activity would pose no significant risk to the DIF and the bank is, and continues to be, in compliance with applicable capital standards.

The Registrant cannot predict what legislation might be enacted or what regulations might be adopted in the future, or if enacted or adopted, the effect thereof on the Bank’s operations.

Regulation of the Registrant

Federal Regulation. The Registrant is a registered bank holding company subject to examination, regulation and periodic reporting under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as administered by the Federal Reserve Board. The Federal Reserve Board has adopted capital adequacy guidelines for bank holding companies on a consolidated basis.

The status of the Registrant as a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act does not exempt it from certain federal and state laws and regulations applicable to corporations generally, including, without limitation, certain provisions of the federal securities laws.

The Registrant is required to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve Board to acquire all, or substantially all, of the assets of any bank or bank holding company. Prior Federal Reserve Board approval is required for the Registrant to acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of any voting securities of any bank or bank holding company if, after giving effect to such acquisition, it would, directly or indirectly, own or control more than five percent of any class of voting shares of such bank or bank holding company.

In addition, in certain such cases, an application to, and the prior approval of, the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks may also be required.

The Registrant is required to give the Federal Reserve Board prior written notice of any purchase or redemption of its outstanding equity securities if the gross consideration for the purchase or redemption, when combined with the net consideration paid for all such purchases or redemptions during the preceding 12 months, is equal to 10% or more of the Registrant’s consolidated net worth. The Federal Reserve Board may disapprove such a purchase or redemption if it determines that the proposal would constitute an unsafe and unsound practice, or would violate any law, regulation, Federal Reserve Board order or directive, or any condition imposed by, or written agreement with, the Federal Reserve Board. Such notice and approval is not required for a bank holding company that would be treated as “well capitalized” and “well managed” under applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, that has received a composite “1” or “2” rating at its most recent bank holding company inspection by the Federal Reserve Board, and that is not the subject of any unresolved supervisory issues.

In addition, a bank holding company is prohibited generally from engaging in, or acquiring five percent or more of any class of voting securities of any company engaged in, non-banking activities. One of the principal exceptions to this prohibition is for activities found by the Federal Reserve Board to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. Some of the principal activities that the Federal Reserve Board has determined by regulation to be so closely related to banking as to be a proper incident thereto are:

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making or servicing loans;

performing certain data processing services;

providing discount brokerage services;

acting as fiduciary, investment or financial advisor;

leasing personal or real property;

making investments in corporations or projects designed primarily to promote community welfare; and

acquiring a savings and loan association.

In evaluating a written notice of such an acquisition, the Federal Reserve Board will consider various factors, including among others the financial and managerial resources of the notifying bank holding company and the relative public benefits and adverse effects which may be expected to result from the performance of the activity by an affiliate of such company. The Federal Reserve Board may apply different standards to activities proposed to be commenced de novo and activities commenced by acquisition, in whole or in part, of a going concern. The required notice period may be extended by the Federal Reserve Board under certain circumstances, including a notice for acquisition of a company engaged in activities not previously approved by regulation of the Federal Reserve Board. If such a proposed acquisition is not disapproved or subjected to conditions by the Federal Reserve Board within the applicable notice period, it is deemed approved by the Federal Reserve Board.

However, with the passage of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999, which became effective on March 11, 2000, the types of activities in which a bank holding company may engage were significantly expanded. Subject to various limitations, the Modernization Act generally permits a bank holding company to elect to become a “financial holding company.” A financial holding company may affiliate with securities firms and insurance companies and engage in other activities that are “financial in nature.” Among the activities that are deemed “financial in nature” are, in addition to traditional lending activities, securities underwriting, dealing in or making a market in securities, sponsoring mutual funds and investment companies, insurance underwriting and agency activities, certain merchant banking activities and activities that the Federal Reserve Board considers to be closely related to banking.

A bank holding company may become a financial holding company under the Modernization Act if each of its subsidiary banks is “well capitalized” under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act prompt corrective action provisions, is well managed and has at least a satisfactory rating under the Community Reinvestment Act. In addition, the bank holding company must file a declaration with the Federal Reserve Board that the bank holding company wishes to become a financial holding company. A bank holding company that falls out of compliance with these requirements may be required to cease engaging in some of its activities. The Registrant has not yet elected to become a financial holding company.

Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Federal Reserve Board serves as the primary “umbrella” regulator of financial holding companies, with supervisory authority over each parent company and limited authority over its subsidiaries. Expanded financial activities of financial holding companies generally will be regulated according to the type of such financial activity: banking activities by banking regulators, securities activities by securities regulators and insurance activities by insurance regulators. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act also imposes additional restrictions and heightened data privacy and disclosure requirements regarding non-public information collected by financial institutions.

Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve Board uses capital adequacy guidelines in its examination and regulation of bank holding companies. If capital falls below minimum guidelines, a bank holding company may, among other things, be denied approval to acquire or establish additional banks or non-bank businesses.

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The Federal Reserve Board’s capital guidelines establish the following minimum regulatory capital requirements for bank holding companies:

leverage capital requirement expressed as a percentage of adjusted total assets;

common equity Tier 1 expressed as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets;

risk-based requirement expressed as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets; and

Tier 1 leverage requirement expressed as a percentage of adjusted total assets.

The leverage capital requirement consists of a minimum ratio of total capital to total assets of 4.0%, with an expressed expectation that banking organizations generally should operate above such minimum level. The risk-based requirement consists of a minimum ratio of total capital to total risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, of which at least one-half must be Tier 1 capital (which consists principally of shareholders’ equity). The Tier 1 leverage requirement consists of a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets of 3.0% for the most highly-rated companies, with minimum requirements of 4.0% to 5.0% for all others.

The risk-based and leverage standards presently used by the Federal Reserve Board are minimum requirements, and higher capital levels will be required if warranted by the particular circumstances or risk profiles of individual banking organizations. Further, any banking organization experiencing or anticipating significant growth would be expected to maintain capital ratios, including tangible capital positions (i.e., Tier 1 capital less all intangible assets), well above the minimum levels.

Source of Strength for Subsidiaries. Bank holding companies are required to serve as a source of financial strength for their depository institution subsidiaries, and, if their depository institution subsidiaries become undercapitalized, bank holding companies may be required to guarantee the subsidiaries’ compliance with capital restoration plans filed with their bank regulators, subject to certain limits.

Dividends. As a bank holding company that does not, as an entity, currently engage in separate business activities of a material nature, the Registrant’s ability to pay cash dividends depends upon the cash dividends the Registrant receives from the Bank. At present, the Registrant’s only source of income is dividends paid by the Bank and interest earned on any investment securities the Registrant holds. The Registrant must pay all of its operating expenses from funds it receives from the Bank. Therefore, shareholders may receive dividends from the Registrant only to the extent that funds are available after payment of our operating expenses and the board decides to declare a dividend. In addition, the Federal Reserve Board generally prohibits bank holding companies from paying dividends except out of operating earnings where the prospective rate of earnings retention appears consistent with the bank holding company’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition.

Cross Guaranty Liability. Under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, or FIRREA, depository institutions are liable to the FDIC for losses suffered or anticipated by the FDIC in connection with the default of a commonly controlled depository institution or any assistance provided by the FDIC to such an institution in danger of default.

Transactions with Affiliates.

Subsidiary banks of a bank holding company are subject to certain quantitative and qualitative restrictions imposed by the Federal Reserve Act on any extension of credit to, or purchase of assets from, or letter of credit on behalf of, the bank holding company or its subsidiaries, and on the investment in or acceptance of stocks or securities of such holding company or its subsidiaries as collateral for loans. In addition, provisions of the Federal Reserve Act and Federal Reserve Board regulations limit the amounts of, and establish required procedures and credit standards with respect to, loans and other extensions of credit to officers, directors and principal shareholders of the Bank, the Registrant, any subsidiary of the Registrant and related interests of such persons. Moreover, subsidiaries of bank holding companies are prohibited from engaging in certain tying arrangements (with the holding company or any of its subsidiaries) in connection with any extension of credit, lease or sale of property or furnishing of services.

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Any loans by a bank holding company to a subsidiary bank are subordinate in right of payment to deposits and to certain other indebtedness of the subsidiary bank. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank would be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment. This priority would also apply to guarantees of capital plans under the FDIC Improvement Act.

Incentive Compensation Policies and Restrictions. In July 2010, the federal banking agencies issued guidance which applies to all banking organizations supervised by the agencies. Pursuant to the guidance, to be consistent with safety and soundness principles, a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should: (1) provide employees with incentives that appropriately balance risk and reward; (2) be compatible with effective controls and risk management; and (3) be supported by strong corporate governance including active and effective oversight by the banking organization’s board of directors. Monitoring methods and processes used by a banking organization should be commensurate with the size and complexity of the organization and its use of incentive compensation. While the Dodd-Frank Act contemplated additional regulatory action to be taken related to incentive compensation, the administrative agencies have not yet adopted the contemplated regulations.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law. The Tax Act includes a number of provisions that impact the Registrant, including the following:

Tax Rate. The Tax Act replaces the graduated corporate tax rates applicable under prior law, which imposed a maximum tax rate of 35%, with a reduced 21% flat tax rate.

Employee Compensation. A “publicly held corporation” is not permitted to deduct compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid to certain employees. The Tax Act eliminates certain exceptions to the $1 million limit applicable under prior to law related to performance-based compensation, such as equity grants and cash bonuses that are paid only on the attainment of performance goals.

Business Asset Expensing. The Tax Act allows taxpayers immediately to expense the entire cost (instead of only 50%, as under prior law) of certain depreciable tangible property and real property improvements acquired and placed in service after September 27, 2017 and before January 1, 2023 (with an additional year for certain property). This 100% “bonus” depreciation is phased out proportionately for property placed in service on or after January 1, 2023 and before January 1, 2027 (with an additional year for certain property).

Interest Expense. The Tax Act limits a taxpayer’s annual deduction of business interest expense to the sum of (i) business interest income and (ii) 30% of “adjusted taxable income,” defined as a business’s taxable income without taking into account business interest income or expense, net operating losses, and, for 2018 through 2021, depreciation, amortization and depletion.

Future Legislation

The Registrant cannot predict what legislation might be enacted or what regulations might be adopted, or if enacted or adopted, the effect thereof on the Registrant’s operations.

Item 1A – RISK FACTORS

An investment in the Registrant’s common stock involves certain risks. The following discussion highlights the risks that management believes are material for the Registrant, but does not necessarily include all the risks that we may face. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known or that management does not currently deem material could also have a material adverse impact on our business, results of our operations and financial condition. As a result, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose some or all of your investment. You should carefully consider the risk factors and uncertainties described below and elsewhere in this Report in evaluating an investment in the Registrant’s common stock.

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Risks Related to Our Business

We may experience unexpected credit losses in connection with the loans we make, which could have a material adverse effect on our capital, financial condition, and results of operations.

As a lender, we face the risk that our borrowers will not repay their loans and guarantors or other related parties will also fail to perform in accordance with the loan terms. A borrower’s failure to repay us is usually preceded by missed monthly payments. In some instances, however, a borrower may declare bankruptcy prior to missing payments, and, following a borrower filing bankruptcy, a lender’s recovery of the credit extended is often limited. Since many of our loans are secured by collateral, we may attempt to seize the collateral if and when a borrower defaults on a loan. However, the value of the collateral might not equal the amount of the unpaid loan, and we may be unsuccessful in recovering the remaining balance from our borrower. The resolution of nonperforming assets, including the initiation of foreclosure proceedings, requires significant commitments of time from management, which can be detrimental to the performance of their other responsibilities, and which expose us to additional legal costs. Elevated levels of loan delinquencies and bankruptcies in our market areas, generally, and among our borrowers specifically, can be precursors of future charge-offs and may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses. Higher charge-off rates, delays in the foreclosure process or in obtaining judgments against defaulting borrowers or an increase in our allowance for loan losses may negatively impact our overall financial performance, may increase our cost of funds, and could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our allowance for loan losses may be insufficient and significant loan losses could require us to increase our allowance for loan losses through a charge to earnings.

To account for the risk that our borrowers will not repay their loans, we maintain an allowance for loan losses, which is a reserve established through a charge to earnings. The level of the allowance reflects management’s continuing evaluation of industry concentrations; specific credit risks; loan loss experience; current loan portfolio quality and trends; present economic, political, and regulatory conditions and unidentified losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. The determination of the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. We might underestimate the loan losses inherent in our loan portfolio and have loan losses in excess of the amount recorded in our allowance for loan losses. Changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside our control, may require an increase in the allowance for loan losses. There may be a significant increase in the number of borrowers who are unable or unwilling to repay their loans, resulting in our charging off more loans and increasing our allowance. Furthermore, when real estate values decline, the potential severity of loss on a real estate-secured loan can increase significantly, especially in the case of loans with high combined loan-to-value ratios. Downturns in the national economy and the local economies of the areas in which our loans are concentrated could result in an increase in loan delinquencies, foreclosures or repossessions resulting in increased charge-off amounts and the need for additional loan loss provisions in future periods. If charge-offs in future periods exceed the allowance for probable loan losses; we will need additional provisions to increase the allowance for loan losses. Any increases in the allowance for loan losses will result in a decrease in net income and, possibly, capital, and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

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In addition, our determination as to the amount of our allowance for loan losses is subject to review by our primary regulators, the FDIC and the Commissioner, as part of their examination process, which may result in the establishment of an additional allowance based upon the judgment of either of these regulators after a review of the information available at the time of their examination. Our allowance for loan losses amounted to $8.7 million and $8.8 million, or 0.88% and 0.90% of total loans outstanding and 75% and 127% of nonperforming loans, at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. See Item 7 of Part II, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Note E to our consolidated financial statements presented under Item 8 of Part II of this Form 10-K, for further discussion related to our process for determining the appropriate level of the allowance for probable loan losses.

An increase in our nonperforming assets will negatively affect our earnings.

Our nonperforming assets adversely affect our net income in various ways. We do not record interest income on non-accrual loans or other real estate owned. We must reserve for probable losses, which is established through a current period charge to the provision for loan losses, and, from time to time as appropriate, write down the value of properties in our other real estate owned portfolio to reflect changing market values. Additionally, there are legal fees associated with the resolution of problem assets as well as carrying costs such as taxes, insurance and maintenance related to our other real estate owned. Further, the resolution of nonperforming assets requires the active involvement of management, which can distract them from other responsibilities. Finally, if our estimate for the recorded allowance for loan losses proves to be incorrect and our allowance is inadequate, we will have to increase the allowance accordingly, which would decrease our net income and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The geographic concentration of our loan portfolio and lending activities makes us vulnerable to a downturn in the local economy.

Nearly all of our loans are secured by real estate or made to businesses in our market area, which includes portions of central and eastern North Carolina and northwestern South Carolina. As a result of this geographic concentration, our results may correlate to the economic conditions in these areas. Declines in these markets’ economic conditions may adversely affect the quality of our loan portfolio and the demand for our products and services, and accordingly, our results of operations. Adverse conditions in the local economy such as inflation, unemployment, recession or other factors beyond our control could impact the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, which could impact our financial condition and results of operations.

A decline in local economic conditions could adversely affect the values of real property used as collateral for our loans. Consequently, a decline in local economic conditions may have a greater effect on our earnings and capital than on the earnings and capital of larger financial institutions whose real estate loan portfolios are more geographically diverse. At December 31, 2018, approximately 91.3% of the Bank’s loans had real estate as a primary or secondary component of collateral. The real estate collateral in each case provides an alternate source of repayment in the event of default by the borrower and may deteriorate in value during the time the credit is extended. If the value of real estate in our market area were to decline materially, a significant portion of our loan portfolio could become under collateralized and/or cause us to realize a loss in the event of a foreclosure. If we are required to liquidate the collateral securing a loan to satisfy the debt during a period of reduced real estate values, our earnings and capital could be adversely affected.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio consists of loans for commercial real estate and construction, which carry greater historical credit risk than residential mortgage loans.

We originate commercial real estate loans and commercial and industrial loans, most often secured by commercial properties and construction loans primarily within our market area. These loans tend to involve larger loan balances to a single borrower or groups of related borrowers, more complex underlying collateral, and are most susceptible to a risk of loss during a downturn in the business cycle. These loans also have historically had greater credit risk than residential real estate loans for the following reasons:

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Commercial Real Estate Loans. Repayment is dependent on income being generated in amounts sufficient to cover operating expenses and debt service. These loans also involve greater risk because they are generally not fully amortizing over a loan period, but rather have a balloon payment due at maturity. A borrower’s ability to make a balloon payment typically will depend on being able to either refinance the loan or timely sell the underlying property. As of December 31, 2018, commercial real estate loans were approximately 46.4% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio.

Construction Loans. Repayment is dependent on completion of the project and the subsequent financing of the completed project as a commercial real estate or residential real estate loan, and in some instances on the rent or sale of the underlying project. The risk of loss is largely dependent on our initial estimate of whether the property’s value at completion equals or exceeds the cost of property construction and the availability of take-out financing. During the construction phase, a number of factors can result in delays or cost overruns. If our estimate is inaccurate or if actual construction costs exceed estimates, the value of the property securing our loan may be insufficient to ensure full repayment when completed through a permanent loan, sale of the property, or by seizure of collateral. As of December 31, 2018, construction loans were approximately 17.3% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio.

Commercial and Industrial Loans. Repayment is generally dependent upon the successful operation of the borrower’s business. In addition, the collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, be difficult to appraise, be more difficult to liquidate than residential real estate, or fluctuate in value based on the success of the business. As of December 31, 2018, commercial and industrial loans were approximately 7.6% of the Bank’s total loan portfolio.

Our commercial real estate loans include both owner and non-owner occupied properties. Non-owner occupied properties expose us to a greater risk of non-payment and loss than loans secured by owner-occupied properties because repayment of such loans depends primarily on the tenant’s continuing ability to pay rent to the property owner, who is our borrower, or, if the property owner is unable to find a tenant, the property owner’s ability to repay the loan without the benefit of a rental income stream, or other events beyond the borrower’s control. In addition, the physical condition of non-owner-occupied properties is often below that of owner-occupied properties due to lax property maintenance standards, which has a negative impact on the value of the collateral properties. Furthermore, some of our non-owner-occupied borrowers have more than one loan outstanding with us, which may expose us to a greater risk of loss compared to residential and commercial borrowers with only one loan.

We are exposed to risks in connection with residential mortgage loans.

We originate fixed and adjustable rate loans secured by one-to-four family residential real estate. As of December 31, 2018, we had $159.6 million in residential mortgage loans, which represented 16.2% of our total loan portfolio. The residential loans in our loan portfolio are sensitive to regional and local economic conditions that significantly impact the ability of borrowers to meet their loan payment obligations, making loss levels difficult to predict. Residential loans with high combined loan-to-value ratios generally are more sensitive and may experience a higher incidence of default and severity of losses. In addition, if the borrowers sell their homes, the borrowers may be unable to repay their loans in full from the sale proceeds. As a result, these loans may experience higher rates of delinquencies, defaults and losses, which could in turn adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

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We depend on the accuracy and completeness of information about clients and counterparties.

In deciding whether to extend credit or enter into other transactions with clients and counterparties, we may rely on information furnished to us by or on behalf of clients and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information. We also may rely on representations of clients and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. For example, in deciding whether to extend credit to clients, we may assume that a customer’s audited financial statements conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the customer. Our earnings are significantly affected by our ability to properly originate, underwrite and service loans. Our financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted to the extent we incorrectly assess the creditworthiness of our borrowers, fail to detect or respond to deterioration in asset quality in a timely manner, or rely on financial statements that do not comply with GAAP or are materially misleading.

We may be forced to foreclose on the collateral property securing our loans and own the underlying real estate, which may subject us to the increased risks and costs associated with the ownership of real property.

We originate loans secured by real estate and from time to time are forced to foreclose on the collateral property to protect our investment and may thereafter own and operate such property, which exposes us to the inherent risks of real property ownership. The amount that we, as a lender, may realize after a default is dependent upon factors outside of our control, including, but not limited to:

general or local economic conditions;

environmental cleanup liability;

neighborhood values;

interest rates;

real estate tax rates;

operating expenses of the mortgaged properties;

supply of and demand for rental units or properties;

ability to obtain and maintain adequate occupancy of the properties;

zoning laws;

governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies; and

natural or other disasters.

Certain expenditures associated with the ownership of real estate, principally real estate taxes and maintenance costs, may adversely affect the income from the real estate. Therefore, the cost of operating real property may exceed the rental income earned from such property, and we may have to advance funds in order to protect our investment or we may be required to dispose of the real property at a loss. This may result in reduced net income, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our expansion strategy may expose us to additional risks related to our acquisition of other financial institutions.

Our acquisition of other financial institutions, or parts of other institutions, such as with branch acquisitions, involves a number of risks, including the risk that:

we may incur substantial costs in identifying and evaluating potential acquisitions and merger partners, or in evaluating new markets, hiring experienced, local managers, and opening new offices;

our estimates and judgments used to evaluate credit, operations, management and market risks relating to target institutions may not be accurate;

the institutions we acquire may have distressed assets and there can be no assurance that we will be able to realize the value we predict from those assets or that we will make sufficient provisions or have sufficient capital for future losses;

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we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment, or other charges related to the institutions we acquire that could have a significant negative effect on our financial condition and results of operations;

there may be substantial lag-time between completing an acquisition and generating sufficient assets and deposits to support costs of the expansion;

our management’s attention in negotiating a transaction and integrating the operations and personnel of the combining businesses may be diverted from our existing business and we may not be able to successfully integrate such operations and personnel;

we may enter new markets where we lack local experience or that introduce new risks to our operations, or that otherwise result in adverse effects on our results of operations;

we may introduce new products and services we are not equipped to manage or that introduce new risks to our operations, or that otherwise result in adverse effects on our results of operations;

we may incur intangible assets in connection with an acquisition, or the intangible assets we incur may become impaired, which could result in adverse short-term effects on our results of operations;

we may assume liabilities in connection with an acquisition, including unrecorded liabilities that are not discovered at the time of the transaction, and the repayment of those liabilities may have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and stock price; or

we may lose key employees and customers that were part of the reason we pursued an acquisition.

We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully integrate any banks or banking offices that we acquire into our operations or retain the customers that we acquire in any acquisition. If any of these risks occur in connection with our expansion efforts, it may have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We face additional risk of litigation due to our acquisition strategy.

In addition to the ordinary risk of litigation that we face in connection with our day-to-day banking activities, we also face litigation risk in connection with our strategy to grow through acquisition of other financial institutions. The Company, as well as our directors and officers and the companies we seek to acquire, may face claims from shareholders related to transaction disclosures or alleged breaches of fiduciary duties in connection with entering into such acquisition transactions. The defense or settlement of any such lawsuit or claims, or the delay that any such lawsuit may cause on the strategic acquisitions that we pursue, may adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We may be subject to environmental liability associated with our lending activities.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. During the ordinary course of business, we may foreclose on and take title to properties securing certain loans. In doing so, there is a risk that hazardous or toxic substances could be found on these properties. If hazardous or toxic substances are found, we may be liable for remediation costs, as well as for personal injury and property damage. Environmental laws may require us to incur substantial expenses and may materially reduce the affected property’s value or limit our ability to use or sell the affected property. In addition, future laws or more stringent interpretations or enforcement policies with respect to existing laws may increase our exposure to environmental liability. Although we have policies and procedures to perform an environmental review before initiating any foreclosure action on nonresidential real property, these reviews may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards. The remediation costs and any other financial liabilities associated with an environmental hazard could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

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Changes in interest rates affect our profitability and the value of our interest-earning assets.

The Bank derives its income primarily from the difference or “spread” between the interest earned on loans, securities and other interest-earning assets, and interest paid on deposits, borrowed funds and other interest-bearing liabilities. In general, the larger the spread, the more the Bank earns. When market rates of interest change, the interest the Bank receives on its assets and the interest the Bank pays on its liabilities will fluctuate. Changes in market interest rates could adversely affect our interest rate spread and, as a result, our net interest income. Although the yield we earn on our assets and our funding costs tend to move in the same direction in response to changes in interest rates, one can rise or fall faster than the other, causing our interest rate spread to expand or contract. Our liabilities are shorter in duration than our assets, so they will adjust faster in response to changes in interest rates. As a result, when interest rates rise, our funding costs generally will rise faster than the yield we earn on our assets, causing our interest rate spread to contract until the yield catches up. Changes in the slope of the “yield curve”—or the spread between short-term and long-term interest rates—will also reduce our interest rate spread. Normally, the yield curve is upward sloping, meaning short-term rates are lower than long-term rates. Because our liabilities are shorter in duration than our assets, when the yield curve flattens or even inverts, we will experience pressure on our interest rate spread as our cost of funds increases relative to the yield we can earn on our assets. In addition, our mortgage banking income is sensitive to changes in interest rates. During periods of rising and relatively higher interest rates, mortgage originations for purchased homes can decline considerably and refinanced mortgage activity can severely decrease. During periods of falling and relatively lower interest rates, the opposite effects can occur.

Changes in market interest rates could reduce the value of the Bank’s financial assets. Fixed-rate investments, mortgage-backed and related securities and mortgage loans generally decrease in value as interest rates rise. In addition, interest rates affect how much money the Bank lends. For example, when interest rates rise, the cost of borrowing increases and the loan originations tend to decrease.

Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors that are beyond our control, including general economic conditions and policies of various governmental and regulatory agencies and, in particular, the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve Board. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, could influence not only the interest we receive on loans and securities and the amount of interest we pay on deposits and borrowings, but such changes could also affect our ability to originate loans and obtain deposits. The Federal Reserve has started to gradually increase rates after maintaining rates at historically low levels during the financial crisis and its aftermath. If the Bank is unsuccessful in managing the effects of changes in interest rates, the financial condition and results of operations could suffer. Any substantial, unexpected, prolonged change in market interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Hurricanes or other adverse weather events could disrupt our operations, which could have an adverse effect on our business or results of operations.

North Carolina’s coastal region and inland areas of eastern North Carolina are affected, from time to time, by adverse weather events, particularly hurricanes. We cannot predict whether, or to what extent, damage caused by future hurricanes or other weather events will affect our operations. Weather events could cause a disruption in our day-to-day business activities and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to extensive regulation that could restrict our activities, have an adverse impact on our operations, and impose financial requirements or limitations on the conduct of our business.

We operate in a highly regulated industry and are subject to examination, supervision, and comprehensive regulation by various regulatory agencies. The Company is subject to Federal Reserve Board regulation, and the Bank is subject to extensive regulation, supervision, and examination by the FDIC and the Commissioner. In addition, as a member of the FHLB of Atlanta, the Bank must comply with applicable regulations of the Federal Housing Finance Board and the FHLB. The Bank’s activities are also regulated under consumer protection laws applicable to our lending, deposit, and other activities. A claim against us under these laws could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

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Regulation by these agencies is intended primarily for the protection of our depositors and the deposit insurance fund and not for the benefit of our shareholders. Federal and state regulators have the ability to impose substantial sanctions, restrictions, and requirements on us if they identify violations of laws with which we must comply or weaknesses or failures with respect to general standards of safety and soundness. Such enforcement may be formal or informal and can include directors’ resolutions, memoranda of understanding, written supervisory agreements, cease-and-desist orders, civil money penalties and termination of deposit insurance and bank closures. Enforcement actions may be taken regardless of the capital levels of the institutions, and regardless of prior examination findings. Any of these consequences could damage our reputation, restrict our ability to expand our business or could require us to raise additional capital or sell assets on terms that are not advantageous to us or our shareholders and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. While we have policies and procedures designed to prevent any such violations, such violations may occur despite our best efforts.

Changes in laws and regulations and the cost of regulatory compliance with new laws and regulations may adversely affect our operations.

Congress and federal regulatory agencies continually review banking laws, regulations and policies for possible changes. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, enacted in July 2010, instituted major changes to the banking and financial institutions regulatory regimes and is one example of how legislative changes can greatly impact our business. Changes to statutes, regulations or regulatory policies or supervisory guidance, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations, policies or supervisory guidance, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways, including, among other things, subjecting us to increased capital requirements, liquidity and risk management requirements, creating additional costs, limiting the types of financial services and products we may offer and/or increasing the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products. While we cannot predict the extent to which additional legislation will be enacted or the extent we will become subject to increased regulatory scrutiny by any of these regulatory agencies, any regulatory changes or scrutiny could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand our permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, and other institutions.

We face a risk of noncompliance and enforcement action with the Bank Secrecy Act and other anti-money laundering statutes and regulations.

The federal Bank Secrecy Act, the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the “Patriot Act”) and other laws and regulations require financial institutions, among other duties, to institute and maintain effective anti-money laundering programs, conduct enhanced customer due diligence, and file suspicious activity and currency transaction reports as appropriate. The federal Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, established by the U.S. Treasury Department to administer the Bank Secrecy Act, is authorized to impose significant civil money penalties for violations of those requirements and has recently engaged in coordinated enforcement efforts with the individual federal banking regulators, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service. There is also increased scrutiny of compliance with the rules enforced by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. Federal and state bank regulators also focus on compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering regulations. If our policies, procedures and systems are deemed deficient or the policies, procedures and systems of the financial institutions that we have already acquired or may acquire in the future are deficient, we would be subject to liability, including fines and regulatory actions such as restrictions on our ability to proceed with certain aspects of our business plan, including our acquisition plans, which would negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. Failure to maintain and implement adequate programs to combat money laundering and terrorist financing could also have serious reputational consequences for us.

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Federal, state and local consumer lending laws may restrict our ability to originate certain mortgage loans or increase our risk of liability with respect to such loans and could increase our cost of doing business.

Federal, state and local laws have been adopted that are intended to eliminate certain lending practices considered “predatory.” These laws prohibit practices such as steering borrowers away from more affordable products, selling unnecessary insurance to borrowers, repeatedly refinancing loans and making loans without a reasonable expectation that the borrowers will be able to repay the loans irrespective of the value of the underlying property. Loans with certain terms and conditions and that otherwise meet the definition of a “qualified mortgage” may be protected from liability to a borrower for failing to make the necessary determinations. It is our policy not to make predatory loans and to determine borrowers’ ability to repay in accordance with regulatory standards, but the law and related rules create the potential for increased liability with respect to our lending and loan investment activities. They increase our cost of doing business and, ultimately, may prevent us from making certain loans and impact the cost and pricing of loans that we make.

We are subject to federal and state fair lending laws, and failure to comply with these laws could lead to material penalties.

Federal and state fair lending laws and regulations, such as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair Housing Act, impose nondiscriminatory lending requirements on financial institutions. The Department of Justice, CFPB and other federal and state agencies are responsible for enforcing these laws and regulations. Private parties may also have the ability to challenge an institution’s performance under fair lending laws in private class action litigation. A successful challenge to our performance under the fair lending laws and regulations could adversely impact our rating under the Community Reinvestment Act and result in a wide variety of sanctions, including the required payment of damages and civil money penalties, injunctive relief, imposition of restrictions on merger and acquisition activity and restrictions on expansion activity, which could negatively impact our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Federal Reserve Board may require us to commit capital resources to support the Bank.

The Federal Reserve Board requires a bank holding company to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to a subsidiary bank and to commit resources to support such subsidiary bank. Under the “source of strength” doctrine, the Federal Reserve Board may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank and may charge the bank holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices for failure to commit resources to such a subsidiary bank. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act directs the federal bank regulators to require that all companies that directly or indirectly control an insured depository institution serve as a source of strength for the institution. Under these requirements, in the future, we could be required to provide financial assistance to our Bank if the Bank experiences financial distress.

A capital injection may be required at times when we do not have the resources to provide it, and therefore we may be required to borrow the funds. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, the bankruptcy trustee will assume any commitment by the holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank. Moreover, bankruptcy law provides that claims based on any such commitment will be entitled to a priority of payment over the claims of the holding company’s general unsecured creditors, including the holders of its note obligations. Thus, any borrowing that must be done by the holding company in order to make the required capital injection becomes more difficult and expensive and will adversely impact the holding company’s cash flows, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

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If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results. As a result, current and potential shareholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our securities.

If we identify material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting or are otherwise required to restate our financial statements, we could be required to implement expensive and time-consuming remedial measures and could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports. We may also face regulatory enforcement or other actions, including the potential delisting of our securities from NASDAQ. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, and could subject us to litigation.

Changes in accounting standards and management’s selection of accounting methods, including assumptions and estimates, could materially impact our financial statements.

We are subject to the accounting rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”). From time to time, the SEC and the FASB update accounting principles generally accepted in the United States that govern the preparation of our financial statements. These updates may require extraordinary efforts or additional costs to implement. Any of these rules or regulations may be modified or changed from time to time, and there can be no assurance that such modifications or changes will not adversely affect us. These changes can be hard to predict and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in changes to previously reported financial results, or a cumulative charge to retained earnings. In addition, management is required to use certain assumptions and estimates in preparing our financial statements, including determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities, among other items. If the assumptions or estimates are incorrect, we may experience unexpected material adverse consequences that could negatively affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The FASB has issued an accounting standard update that will result in a significant change in how we recognize credit losses and may have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

In June 2016, the FASB issued an accounting standard update, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which replaces the current “incurred loss” model for recognizing credit losses with an “expected loss” model referred to as the Current Expected Credit Loss (“CECL”) model. Under the CECL model, we will be required to present certain financial assets carried at amortized cost, such as loans held for investment and held-to-maturity debt securities, at the net amount expected to be collected over the contractual life of the financial instrument. The measurement of expected credit losses is to be based on information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. This measurement will take place at the time the financial asset is first added to the balance sheet and periodically thereafter. This differs significantly from the “incurred loss” model required under current GAAP, which delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. Accordingly, we expect that the adoption of the CECL model will materially affect how we determine our allowance for loan losses and could require us to significantly increase our allowance. Moreover, the CECL model may create more volatility in the level of our allowance for loan losses. If we are required to materially increase our level of allowance for loan losses for any reason, such increase could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The new CECL standard will become effective for us on January 1, 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact the CECL model will have on our accounting, but we expect to recognize a one-time cumulative-effect adjustment to our allowance for loan losses as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the new standard is effective, consistent with regulatory expectations set forth in interagency guidance issued at the end of 2016. Since the magnitude of the anticipated change in the allowance for loan losses will be impacted by economic conditions and trends in the loan portfolio at the time of adoption, we cannot yet reasonably determine the magnitude of any such one-time cumulative adjustment or of the overall impact of the new standard on our financial condition or results of operations.

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We may be required to raise additional capital in the future, including to comply with minimum capital thresholds established by our regulators, but that capital may not be available when it is needed and could be dilutive to our existing shareholders, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Bank holding companies and federally insured banks are required to maintain minimum levels of regulatory capital. Compliance by the Registrant and the Bank with these capital requirements affects our business by increasing the amount of capital required to conduct operations. In order to support the operations at the Bank, we may need to raise capital in the future. Our ability to raise capital will depend in part on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control. Accordingly, we may be unable to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we cannot raise capital when needed, our ability to operate or further expand our operations could be materially impaired. In addition, if we decide to raise equity capital under such conditions, the interests of our shareholders could be diluted.

We may need additional access to capital, which we may be unable to obtain on attractive terms or at all.

We may need to incur additional debt or equity financing in the future to make strategic acquisitions or investments, for future growth, to fund losses or additional provisions for loan losses in the future, or to strengthen our capital ratios. Our ability to raise additional capital, if needed, will depend in part on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside our control, and on our financial performance. Accordingly, we may be unable to raise additional capital, if and when needed, on terms acceptable to us, or at all. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth and acquisitions could be materially impaired and our stock price could be negatively affected. In addition, if we decide to raise additional equity capital, our current shareholders’ interests could be diluted.

We are subject to liquidity risk that may affect our ability to meet our obligations and fund our operations.

The primary sources of our Bank’s funds are client deposits and loan repayments. While scheduled loan repayments are a relatively stable source of funds, they are subject to the ability of borrowers to repay the loans. The ability of borrowers to repay loans can be adversely affected by a number of factors, including changes in economic conditions, adverse trends or events affecting business industry groups, reductions in real estate values or markets, business closings or lay-offs, inclement weather, natural disasters, and international instability. Additionally, deposit levels may be affected by a number of factors, including rates paid by competitors, general interest rate levels, regulatory capital requirements, returns available to clients on alternative investments and general economic conditions.

Accordingly, we may be required from time to time to rely on secondary sources of liquidity to meet withdrawal demands or otherwise fund operations. Such sources include FHLB advances, sales of securities and loans, and federal funds lines of credit from correspondent banks, as well as out-of-market time deposits. While we believe that these sources are currently adequate, there can be no assurance they will be sufficient to meet future liquidity demands, particularly if we continue to grow and experience increasing loan demand. We may be required to slow or discontinue loan growth, capital expenditures or other investments or liquidate assets should such sources not be adequate, which could have a material adverse effect on our earnings and financial condition.

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Increases in FDIC insurance premiums may adversely affect our net income and profitability.

The last economic recession caused a high level of bank failures, which dramatically increased FDIC resolution costs and led to a significant reduction in the balance of the Deposit Insurance Fund. As a result, the FDIC significantly increased the initial base assessment rates paid by financial institutions for deposit insurance. We are generally unable to control the amount of premiums that the Bank is required to pay for FDIC insurance. If there are bank or financial institution failures that exceed the FDIC’s expectations, the Bank may be required to pay higher FDIC premiums than those currently in force. Any future increases or required prepayments of FDIC insurance premiums may adversely impact our earnings and financial condition.

We rely on other companies to provide key components of our business infrastructure.

Third-party vendors provide key components of our business infrastructure such as internet connections, network access, core application processing, and operational software. While we have selected these third-party vendors carefully, we do not control their actions. Any problems caused by these third parties, including as a result of their not providing us their services for any reason or their performing their services poorly, could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to our customers and otherwise to conduct our business. Any such failures could damage our reputation, which could negatively affect our operating results. Replacing these third-party vendors could also entail significant delay and expense.

Security breaches and other information system disruptions, such as cyber-attacks, could compromise our information and expose us to liability, which would cause our business and reputation to suffer.

The banking industry has experienced increasing efforts on the part of third parties, including through cyber-attacks, to breach data security at financial institutions or with respect to financial transactions. There have been several recent instances involving financial services and consumer-based companies reporting the unauthorized disclosure of client or customer information or the destruction or theft of corporate data. In addition, because the techniques used to cause such security breaches change frequently, often are not recognized until launched against a target and may originate from less regulated and remote areas around the world, we may be unable to proactively address these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. The ability of our customers to bank remotely, including online and through mobile devices, requires secure transmission of confidential information and increases the risk of data security breaches.

In the ordinary course of our business, we collect and store sensitive data, including our proprietary business information and that of our customers, and personally identifiable information of our customers and employees, on our networks. The secure processing, maintenance and transmission of this information is critical to our operations. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any failure, interruption, or breach in security or operational integrity of these systems could compromise our networks and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability under laws that protect the privacy of personal information, and regulatory penalties, disrupt our operations and the services we provide to customers, damage our reputation, and cause a loss of confidence in our products and services, which could adversely affect our financial condition, revenues and competitive position.

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Regulations relating to privacy, information security and data protection could increase our costs, affect or limit how we collect and use personal information and adversely affect our business opportunities.

We are subject to various privacy, information security and data protection laws, including requirements concerning security breach notification, and we could be negatively impacted by these laws. For example, our business is subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act which, among other things: (i) imposes certain limitations on our ability to share non-public personal information about our customers with non-affiliated third parties; (ii) requires that we provide certain disclosures to customers about our information collection, sharing and security practices and afford customers the right to “opt out” of any information sharing by us with non-affiliated third parties (with certain exceptions) and (iii) requires we develop, implement and maintain a written comprehensive information security program containing appropriate safeguards based on our size and complexity, the nature and scope of our activities, and the sensitivity of customer information we process, as well as plans for responding to data security breaches. Various state and federal banking regulators and states have also enacted data security breach notification requirements with varying levels of individual, consumer, regulatory or law enforcement notification in certain circumstances in the event of a security breach. Moreover, legislators and regulators in the United States are increasingly adopting or revising privacy, information security and data protection laws that potentially could have a significant impact on our current and planned privacy, data protection and information security-related practices, our collection, use, sharing, retention and safeguarding of consumer or employee information, and some of our current or planned business activities. This could also increase our costs of compliance and business operations and could reduce income from certain business initiatives. This includes increased privacy-related enforcement activity at the federal level, by the Federal Trade Commission, as well as at the state level, such as with regard to mobile applications.

Compliance with current or future privacy, data protection and information security laws (including those regarding security breach notification) affecting customer or employee data to which we are subject could result in higher compliance and technology costs and could restrict our ability to provide certain products and services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditions or results of operations. Our failure to comply with privacy, data protection and information security laws could result in potentially significant regulatory or governmental investigations or actions, litigation, fines, sanctions and damage to our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Failure to keep pace with technological change could adversely affect our business.

The banking industry undergoes frequent technological changes with introductions of new technology-driven products and services. In addition to improving customer services, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations. Many of our competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in continuous technological improvements than we do. We may not be able to quickly deploy these new products and services or be successful in marketing these products and services to our customers. Additionally, the implementation of changes and maintenance to current systems may cause service interruptions, transaction processing errors and system conversion delays. Failure to successfully keep pace with technological change affecting the banking industry while avoiding interruptions, errors and delays could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We generally outsource a portion of the operational and technological modifications and improvements we make to third parties, and they may experience errors or disruptions that could adversely impact us and over which we may have limited control. In addition, these third parties could also be the source of an attack on, or breach of, our operational systems, data or infrastructure. We also face risk from the integration of new infrastructure platforms and/or new third-party providers of such platforms into our existing businesses.

We may not be able to realize the remaining benefit of our deferred tax assets.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had a net deferred tax asset of $3.7 million and $4.5 million, respectively. A deferred tax asset is reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of the evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the total deferred tax asset will not be realized. In assessing the future ability of the Company to realize the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company will continue to monitor its deferred tax assets closely to evaluate whether we will be able to realize the full benefit of our net deferred tax asset or whether there is any need for a valuation allowance. Significant negative trends in credit quality, losses from operations, or other factors could impact the realization of the deferred tax asset in the future. If we are unable to realize the full benefit of the deferred tax assets, it could negatively impact our results of operations.

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If our goodwill becomes impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings.

We have goodwill recorded on our balance sheet as an asset with a carrying value as of December 31, 2018 of $24.6 million. Under GAAP, goodwill is required to be tested for impairment at least annually and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The test for goodwill impairment involves comparing the fair value of a company’s reporting units to their respective carrying values. The Bank is our only reporting unit. The price of our common stock is one of several factors available for estimating the fair value of our reporting units. Although the price of our common stock is currently trading above book value, it has traded below book value in the past and may do so again in the future. Subject to the results of other valuation techniques, if this situation were to return and persist, it could indicate that a portion of our goodwill is impaired. Accordingly, for this reason or other reasons that indicate that the goodwill at any of our reporting units is impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill is determined, which could have a negative impact on our results of operations.

We may not be able to effectively compete with larger financial institutions for business.

Commercial banking in North Carolina and South Carolina is extremely competitive. The Bank competes with some of the largest banking organizations in the state and the country and other financial institutions, such as federally and state-chartered savings and loan institutions and credit unions, as well as consumer finance companies, mortgage companies and other lenders engaged in the business of extending credit. Many of these competitors have broader geographic markets, higher lending limits, more services, and more media advertising than we do. We may not be able to compete effectively in our markets, and our results of operations could be adversely affected by the nature or pace of change in competition.

Consumers may decide not to use banks to complete their financial transactions.

Technology and other changes are allowing parties to complete financial transactions that historically have involved banks through alternative methods. For example, consumers can now maintain funds that historically would have been held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts or mutual funds. Consumers can also complete transactions such as peer-to-peer payments, paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits resulting in reduced liquidity and loss of income generated from those deposits. Additionally, our customer base of consumers and small businesses has increasing non-bank options for credit. Now that credit is available through the Internet, competition for small balance loans is expected to increase. The loss of these revenue streams and the lower cost deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may not be able to attract and retain skilled people and the lack of sufficient talent could adversely impact our operations.

Our success depends in part on our ability to retain key executives and to attract and retain additional qualified management personnel who have experience both in sophisticated banking matters and in operating a small- to mid-size bank. Competition for such personnel is strong in the banking industry and we may not be successful in attracting or retaining the personnel we require. Consequently the loss of one or more members of our executive management team may have a material adverse effect on our operations.

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Our business reputation is important and any damage to it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our reputation is very important to sustain our business, as we rely on our relationships with our current, former and potential customers and shareholders, and the industries that we serve. Any damage to our reputation, whether arising from legal, regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions, matters affecting our financial reporting or compliance with SEC and exchange listing requirements, negative publicity, the conduct of our business or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Risks Related to an Investment in Our Common Stock

The relatively low trading volume in our common stock may adversely affect your ability to resell shares at prices that you find attractive or at all.

Our common stock is listed for quotation on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol “SLCT”. The average daily trading volume for our common stock is less than that of larger financial institutions. Due to its relatively low trading volume, sales of our common stock may place significant downward pressure on the market price of our common stock. Furthermore, it may be difficult for holders to resell their shares at prices they find attractive, or at all.

The market price of our common stock may be volatile and subject to fluctuations in response to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed in other risk factors and the following:

actual or anticipated fluctuation in our operating results;

changes in interest rates;

changes in the legal or regulatory environment in which we operate;

press releases, announcements or publicity relating to us or our competitors or relating to trends in our industry;

changes in expectations as to our future financial performance, including financial estimates or recommendations by securities analysts and investors;

future sales of our common stock;

changes in economic conditions in our market, general conditions in the U.S. economy, financial markets or the banking industry; and

other developments affecting our competitors or us.

These factors may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance, and could prevent a shareholder from selling common stock at or above the current market price. These factors may also adversely affect our ability to raise capital in the open market if needed. In addition, we cannot say with any certainty that a more active and liquid trading market for its common stock will develop.

Additional issuances of common stock or securities convertible into common stock may dilute holders of our common stock.

We may, in the future, determine that it is advisable, or we may encounter circumstances where it is determined that it is necessary, to issue additional shares of common stock, securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent an interest in common stock, or common stock-equivalent securities to fund strategic initiatives or other business needs or to build additional capital. Our board of directors is authorized to cause us to issue additional shares of common stock from time to time for adequate consideration without any additional action on the part of our shareholders in some cases. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of other offerings, as well as other sales of a large block of common stock or the perception that such sales could occur.

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Our ability to pay cash dividends on our securities is limited and we may be unable to pay future dividends.

We have not historically paid cash dividends on our common stock, and we may not declare or pay dividends on our securities, including our common stock, in the future. Any future determination relating to dividend policy will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on a number of factors, including our future earnings, capital requirements, financial condition, future prospects, regulatory restrictions, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. The holders of our capital stock are entitled to receive dividends when, and if, declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. As part of our consideration of whether to pay cash dividends, we intend to retain adequate funds from future earnings to support the development and growth of our business. In addition, our ability to pay dividends is restricted by federal policies and regulations. It is the current policy of the Federal Reserve that bank holding companies should pay cash dividends on capital stock only out of net income available over the past year and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition. Further, our principal source of funds to pay dividends is cash dividends that we receive from the Bank, which, in turn, will be highly dependent upon the Bank’s historical and projected results of operations, liquidity, cash flows and financial condition, as well as various legal and regulatory prohibitions and other restrictions on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends, extend credit or otherwise transfer funds to us.

Our stock price might fluctuate significantly, which could cause the value of your investment in our common stock to decline, and you might not be able to resell your shares at a price at or above the public offering price.

Since January 1, 2016, the price of our common stock, as reported by NASDAQ Global Market, has ranged from a low closing sale price of $7.70 on January 5, 2016, to a high closing sale price of $14.05 on July 9, 2018. In addition, securities markets worldwide have experienced, and are likely to continue to experience, significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility, as well as general economic, market or political conditions, could reduce the market price of our common stock regardless of our results of operations. Factors that impact the market for our stock include:

our operating performance and the operating performance of similar companies;

the overall performance of the equity markets;

prevailing interest rates;

economic, financial, geopolitical, regulatory or judicial events affecting us or the financial markets generally;

the market for similar securities;

announcements by us or our competitors of acquisitions, business plans, or commercial relationships;

threatened or actual litigation;

changes in the composition of our board of directors or management;

publication of research reports or news stories about us, our competitors, or our industry, or positive or negative recommendations or withdrawal of research coverage by securities analysts;

whether we declare dividends on our common stock from time to time;

our creditworthiness;

the ratings given to our securities by credit rating agencies, if any;

large volumes of sales of our shares of common stock by existing shareholders; and

general political and economic conditions.

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In addition, the stock market in general, and the market for banks and financial services companies in particular, has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. During the financial crisis of 2008–2009, financial institution stocks saw significant loss of value, with some stocks losing all their value due to the failure or bankruptcy of the issuer. Securities class action litigation has often been instituted against companies following periods of volatility in the overall market and in the market price of a company’s securities. This litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs, divert our management’s attention and resources, and harm our business, operating results, and financial condition.

We are subject to extensive regulation, and ownership of our common stock may have regulatory implications for holders thereof.

We are subject to extensive federal and state banking laws, including the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHCA”), and federal and state banking regulations, that will impact the rights and obligations of owners of our common stock, including, for example, our ability to declare and pay dividends on our common stock. Shares of our common stock are voting securities for purposes of the BHCA and any bank holding company or foreign bank that is subject to the BHCA may need approval to acquire or retain more than 5% of the then-outstanding shares of our common stock, and any holder (or group of holders deemed to be acting in concert) may need regulatory approval to acquire or retain 10% or more of the shares of our common stock. A holder or group of holders may also be deemed to control us if they own 25% or more of our total equity. Under certain limited circumstances, a holder or group of holders acting in concert may exceed the 25% percent threshold and not be deemed to control us until they own 33% percent or more of our total equity. The amount of total equity owned by a holder or group of holders acting in concert is calculated by aggregating all shares held by the holder or group, whether as a combination of voting or non-voting shares or through other positions treated as equity for regulatory or accounting purposes and meeting certain other conditions. Holders of our common stock should consult their own counsel with regard to regulatory implications of acquiring shares of our common stock.

Holders should not expect us to redeem outstanding shares of our common stock.

Our common stock is a perpetual equity security. This means that it has no maturity or mandatory redemption date and will not be redeemable at the option of the holders. Any decision we may make at any time to propose the repurchase or redemption of shares of our common stock will depend upon, among other things, our evaluation of our capital position, the composition of our shareholders’ equity, general market conditions at that time and other factors we deem relevant. Our ability to redeem shares of our common stock is subject to regulatory restrictions and limitations, including those of the Federal Reserve.

We may issue shares of preferred stock in the future, which could make it difficult for another company to acquire us or could otherwise adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock, which could depress the price of our common stock.

Our articles of incorporation authorize us to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of one or more series of preferred stock. Our board of directors, in its sole discretion, has the authority to determine the preferences, limitations and relative rights of shares of preferred stock and to fix the number of shares constituting any series, the designation of such series, and the dividend rate for each series, without any further vote or action by our shareholders. Our preferred stock may be issued with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to the rights of our common stock. The potential issuance of preferred stock may delay or prevent a change in control of us, discouraging bids for our common stock at a premium over the market price, and materially adversely affect the market price and the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock.

Offerings of debt, which would rank senior to our common stock upon liquidation, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

We may attempt to increase our capital resources or, if regulatory capital ratios fall below the required minimums, we could be forced to raise additional capital by making additional offerings of debt or equity securities, senior or subordinated notes, preferred stock and common stock. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive distributions of available assets prior to the holders of our common stock.

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Anti-takeover provisions could adversely affect our shareholders.

In some cases, shareholders would receive a premium for their shares if we were acquired by another company. However, state and federal law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws make it difficult for anyone to acquire us without approval of our board of directors. For example, our articles of incorporation require a supermajority vote of two-thirds of our outstanding common stock in order to effect a sale or merger of the Company in certain circumstances. Consequently, a takeover attempt may prove difficult, and shareholders may not realize the highest possible price for their securities.

An investment in our common stock is not an insured deposit and may lose value.

Shares of our common stock are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any depository institution and are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other governmental agency or instrumentality, any other deposit insurance fund or by any other public or private entity. An investment in our common stock is inherently risky for the reasons described in this “Risk Factors” section. As a result, if you acquire shares of our common stock, you may lose some or all of your investment.

Item 1B – UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

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Item 2 - Properties

The following table sets forth the location of the main office, branch offices, and operation centers of the Registrant’s subsidiary depository institution, Select Bank & Trust Company, as well as certain information relating to these offices.

Office Location	Year Opened		Approximate Square Footage		Owned or Leased

Select Bank & Trust Main Office 700 West Cumberland Street Dunn, NC 28334		2001		12,600	Owned

Blacksburg Office 203 W Cherokee Street Blacksburg, SC 29702		2017		2,898	Owned

Burlington Office 3158 South Church Street Burlington, NC 27217		2015		5,056	Owned

Charlotte Office 13024 Ballantyne Corporate Place Charlotte, NC 28277		2017		15,191	Leased

Clinton Office 111 Northeast Boulevard Clinton, NC 28328		2008		3,100	Owned

Elizabeth City Office 416 Hughes Boulevard Elizabeth City, NC 27909		2014		3,229	Owned

Fayetteville Office 2818 Raeford Road Fayetteville, NC 28303		2004		10,000	Owned

Goldsboro Office 431 North Spence Avenue Goldsboro, NC 27534		2005		6,300	Owned

Greenville Charles Blvd Office 3600 Charles Blvd. Greenville, NC 27858		2014		6,860	Owned

Leland Office 1101 New Pointe Boulevard Leland, NC 28451		2015		3,731	Owned

Lillington Office 818 McKinney Parkway Lillington, NC 27546		2007		4,500	Owned

Lumberton Office 4400 Fayetteville Road Lumberton, NC 28358		2006		3,500	Owned

Morehead City Office 168 N.C. 24 Morehead City, NC 28577		2015		3,731	Leased

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Raleigh Office 4505 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite #100 Raleigh, NC 27609	2016	6,538	Leased

Rock Hill Office 201 Oakland Avenue Rock Hill, SC 29730	2017	2,030	Leased

Six Mile Office 115 N Main Street Six Mile, SC 29682	2017	700	Leased

Washington Office 155 North Market Street, Suite 103 Washington, NC 27889	2014	1,126	Leased

Wilmington Office 1001 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 100 Wilmington, NC 28405	2017	8,500	Leased

Operations Center 861 Tilghman Drive Dunn, NC 28335	2010	7,500	Owned

Operations Center - Annex 863 Tilghman Drive Dunn, NC 28335	2010	5,000	Owned

Item 3 – Legal Proceedings

In the ordinary course of operations, the Registrant and the Bank are at times involved in legal proceedings. In the opinion of management, as of December 31, 2018, there were no material pending legal proceedings to which the Registrant, or any of its subsidiaries, was a party, or of which any of their property was the subject.

Item 4 – mine safety disclosureS

Not applicable.

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Part II

Item 5 - Market for registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Registrant’s common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the trading symbol “SLCT.” At March 11, 2019, there were 19,327,085 shares of common stock issued and outstanding, which were held by 1,102 shareholders of record.

The Registrant did not declare or pay common stock cash dividends during 2018 and 2017, and it is not currently anticipated that cash dividends will be declared and paid to common shareholders at any time in the foreseeable future.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

See Item 12 of this report for disclosure regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K.

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	Period Ending
Index	12/31/13		12/31/14		12/31/15		12/31/16		12/31/17		12/31/18
Select Bancorp, Inc.		100.00		110.48		121.27		147.65		189.48		185.58
Russell 2000 Index		100.00		104.89		100.26		121.63		139.44		124.09
SNL Southeast Bank Index		100.00		112.63		110.87		147.18		182.06		150.42

Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table sets forth information regarding the Registrant’s repurchases of its common stock. There were no share repurchases during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this annual report.

Period	Total number of shares purchased		Average price paid per share		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs⁽¹⁾		Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs⁽¹⁾

October 2017 Beginning Date: 10/1 Ending Date: 10/31		—	$	—		—		581,518

November 2017 Beginning Date: 11/1 Ending Date: 11/30		—		—		—		581,518

December 2017 Beginning Date: 12/1 Ending Date: 12/31		—		—		—		581,518

(1) On August 31, 2016, the Registrant announced that its board of directors had authorized a repurchase plan under which the Registrant may repurchase up 581,518 shares of its common stock through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions. The Registrant’s purchase plan has no time limit.

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ITEM 6 – SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

	At or for the year ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
	(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Operating Data:
Total interest income	$	56,835		$	39,617		$	34,709		$	33,341		$	26,104
Total interest expense		9,450			5,106			3,733			3,542			4,519
Net interest income		47,385			34,511			30,976			29,799			21,585
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		(156	)		1,367			1,516			890			(194	)
Net interest income after provision (recovery) for loan losses		47,541			33,144			29,460			28,909			21,779
Total non-interest income		4,701			3,072			3,222			3,292			2,675
Merger related expenses		1,826			2,166			-			378			1,941
Other non-interest expense		32,724			25,153			22,281			21,852			18,719
Income before income taxes		17,692			8,897			10,401			9,971			3,794
Provision for income taxes		3,910			5,712			3,647			3,418			1,437
Net Income		13,782			3,185			6,754			6,553			2,357
Dividends on Preferred Stock		-			-			4			77			38
Net income available to common Shareholders	$	13,782		$	3,185		$	6,750		$	6,476		$	2,319

Per Share Data:
Earnings per share - basic	$	0.87		$	0.27		$	0.58		$	0.56		$	0.26
Earnings per share - diluted		0.87			0.27			0.58			0.56			0.26
Market Price
High		14.05			12.70			10.48			8.47			10.78
Low		11.73			9.71			7.70			6.62			6.25
Close		12.38			12.64			9.85			8.09			7.37
Book value		10.85			9.72			8.95			8.38			8.59
Tangible book value ⁽⁵⁾		9.47			7.72			8.29			7.67			7.82
Selected Year-End Balance Sheet Data:
Loans, gross of allowance	$	986,040		$	982,626		$	677,195		$	617,398		$	552,038
Allowance for loan losses		8,669			8,835			8,411			7,021			6,844
Other interest-earning assets		133,304			89,531			93,093			134,368			138,198
Goodwill		24,579			24,904			6,931			6,931			6,931
Core deposit intangible		2,085			3,101			810			1,241			1,625
Total assets		1,258,525			1,194,135			846,640			817,015			766,121
Deposits		980,427			995,044			679,661			651,161			618,902
Borrowings		64,372			47,651			60,129			58,376			46,324
Shareholders’ equity		209,611			136,115			104,273			104,702			97,685
Selected Average Balances:
Total assets	$	1,228,576		$	898,943		$	829,315		$	765,274		$	631,905
Loans, gross of allowance		987,634			732,089			639,412			578,759			430,571
Total interest-earning assets		1,119,344			813,773			744,024			686,663			565,264
Goodwill		24,656			7,719			9,931			9,931			2,946
Core deposit intangible		2,547			640			1,020			1,330			884
Deposits		989,838			738,310			665,764			607,214			523,954
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,060,588			787,073			723,111			659,676			554,405
Shareholders’ equity		161,953			108,709			102,110			102,068			73,660
Selected Performance Ratios:
Return on average assets		1.12	%		0.35	%		0.81	%		0.86	%		0.37	%
Return on average equity		8.51	%		2.93	%		6.61	%		6.42	%		3.12	%
Net interest margin ⁽⁴⁾		4.19	%		4.14	%		4.06	%		4.34	%		3.88	%
Net interest spread ⁽⁴⁾		3.98	%		4.09	%		4.04	%		4.18	%		3.60	%
Efficiency ratio⁽¹⁾		62.83	%		72.69	%		65.15	%		67.18	%		77.16	%

Asset Quality Ratios:
Nonperforming loans to period-end loans ⁽²⁾		1.18	%		0.71	%		1.02	%		1.41	%		2.15	%
Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans ⁽³⁾		0.88	%		0.90	%		1.24	%		1.14	%		1.24	%
Net loan charge-offs (recoveries) to average loans		0.00	%		0.13	%		0.02	%		0.12	%		(0.03	)%

- 42 -

	At or for the year ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
	(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Capital Ratios:
Total risk-based capital		19.26	%		11.86	%		15.12	%		16.01	%		17.70	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital		18.44	%		11.04	%		14.03	%		15.04	%		16.56	%
Common equity Tier 1 Capital		17.30	%		9.94	%		12.48	%		12.33	%		-
Leverage ratio		15.65	%		12.64	%		12.99	%		13.81	%		13.10	%
Tangible equity to assets		14.54	%		9.05	%		11.40	%		10.88	%		11.65	%
Equity to assets ratio		16.66	%		11.40	%		12.57	%		13.68	%		15.46	%

Additional Information:
Loans, nonperforming		10,424			3,591			6,334			6,777			9,168
Interest income that would be recorded using original terms of nonperforming loans		737			251			410			446			613
Actual interest income recorded on restructured and nonperforming loans		451			308			217			164			395


Other Data:
Number of banking offices		18			18			13			14			14
Number of full time equivalent employees		205			202			150			153			154

(1)

Efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expenses divided by the sum of net interest income and non-interest income.

(2)

Nonperforming loans consist of non-accrual loans and restructured loans.

(3)

Allowance for loan losses to period-end loans ratio excludes loans held for sale.

(4)

Fully taxable equivalent basis.

(5)

Tangible book value per share (a non-GAAP financial measure) is equal to total shareholders’ equity less goodwill, preferred stock and core deposit intangibles, divided by the number of outstanding shares of our common stock at the end of the relevant period. Please refer to the table below for a reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Tangible book value per share is a non-GAAP financial measure generally used by financial analysts, investment bankers, and other investors to evaluate financial institutions. For tangible book value per share, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP is the Registrant’s book value per common share. A reconciliation of tangible book value per share to book value per share is included below. The Registrant believes that this measure is important to many investors in the marketplace who are interested in changes from period to period in book value per common share exclusive of changes in intangible assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets have the effect of increasing total book value while not increasing the Company’s tangible book value.

Any non-GAAP financial measures presented in this Report should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most directly comparable or other financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, the manner in which the Registrant calculates a non-GAAP financial measure may differ from that of other companies reporting measures with similar names. You should understand how such other banking organizations calculate their financial measures similar or with names similar to the non-GAAP financial measures that the Registrant has discussed or disclosed in this Report when comparing such non-GAAP financial measures.

Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Measures

($ in thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)

	December 31, 2018		December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Tangible common equity
Total shareholders’ equity	$	209,611	$	136,115	$	104,273	$	104,702	$	97,685
Adjustments:
Goodwill		24,579		24,904		6,931		6,931		6,931
Core deposit intangibles		2,085		3,101		810		1,241		1,625
Tangible common equity	$	182,947	$	108,110	$	96,532	$	96,530	$	89,129
Common shares outstanding⁽¹⁾		19,311,505		14,009,137		11,645,413		11,583,011		11,377,980
Book value per common share⁽²⁾	$	10.85	$	9.72	$	8.95	$	9.04	$	8.58

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December 31,

2018

December 31,

2017

December 31,

2016

December 31,

2015

December 31,

2014

Tangible book value per common share⁽³⁾

9.47

7.72

8.29

8.33

7.83

(1)

Excludes the dilutive effect of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options. The number of exercisable options outstanding was 113,013 as of December 31, 2018; 63,927 as of December 31, 2017; 44,406 as of December 31, 2016; 65,011 as of December 31, 2015 and 104,270 as of December 31, 2014.

(2)

We calculate book value per common share as shareholders’ equity less preferred stock at the end of the relevant period divided by the outstanding number of shares of our common stock at the end of the relevant period.

(3)

We calculate tangible book value per common share as total shareholders’ equity less goodwill, preferred stock and core deposit intangibles, divided by the number of outstanding shares of our common stock at the end of the relevant period.

- 44 -

Item 7 – ManageMent’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationS

The following presents management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this annual report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Readers are directed to the “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” that appears at the end of this discussion. The following discussion is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of Select Bancorp, Inc. Because Select Bancorp, Inc. has no material operations and conducts no business on its own other than owning its consolidated subsidiary, Select Bank & Trust Company, and its unconsolidated subsidiary, New Century Statutory Trust I, the discussion contained in this Management's Discussion and Analysis concerns primarily the business of the bank subsidiary. However, for ease of reading and because the financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis, Select Bancorp, Inc. and Select Bank & Trust are collectively referred to herein as the Company unless otherwise noted.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

The Company is a commercial bank holding company that was incorporated on May 14, 2003 and has one wholly owned banking subsidiary, Select Bank & Trust Company (referred to as the “Bank”), which became a subsidiary of the Company as part of a holding company reorganization. In September 2004, the Company formed New Century Statutory Trust I, which issued trust preferred securities to provide additional capital for general corporate purposes, including the expansion of the Bank. New Century Statutory Trust I is not a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. The Company’s only business activity is the ownership of the Bank. Accordingly, this discussion focuses primarily on the financial condition and operating results of the Bank.

The Bank’s lending activities are oriented to the consumer/retail customer as well as to the small-to-medium sized businesses located in central and eastern North Carolina, as well as the Charlotte, North Carolina area and northwest South Carolina. The Bank offers the standard complement of commercial, consumer, and mortgage lending products, as well as the ability to structure products to fit specialized needs. The deposit services offered by the Bank include small business and personal checking, savings accounts and certificates of deposit. The Bank concentrates on customer relationships in building its customer deposit base and competes aggressively in the area of transaction accounts.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

Overview

Total assets at December 31, 2018 were $1.3 billion, which represents an increase of $64.4 million or 5.4% from December 31, 2017. Interest earning assets at December 31, 2018 totaled $1.1 billion and consisted of $977.4 million in net loans, $51.5 million in investment securities, and $122.3 million in overnight investments and interest-bearing deposits in other banks. Total deposits and shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2018 were $980.4 million and $209.6 million, respectively.

On December 15, 2017 the Company acquired Premara Financial, Inc. through the merger of Premara with and into the Company. Immediately following the parent merger, Premara’s wholly owned subsidiary, Carolina Premier Bank, was merged with and into the Bank. As a result of the mergers, the Company acquired a branch in Charlotte, North Carolina and branches in Rock Hill, Blacksburg and Six Mile, South Carolina. The Company also added additional assets of $278.8 million, net loans of $198.4 million and $226.3 million in deposits through the acquisition. The Company now operates 18 full-service offices in two states, having also added a full-service branch in Wilmington, North Carolina during 2017 and a branch in Raleigh, North Carolina during 2016.

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Investment Securities

Investment securities decreased to $51.5 million at December 31, 2018 from $63.8 million at December 31, 2017. The Company’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2018, which consisted of U.S. government sponsored entities agency securities (GSE’s), mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds and bank-qualified municipal securities, aggregated $51.5 million with a weighted average taxable equivalent yield of 3.11%. The Company also holds an investment of $3.3 million in Federal Home Loan Bank Stock with a weighted average yield of 6.14%. The investment portfolio decreased $12.7 million in 2018 as a result of $1.4 million of maturities and $9.7 million of principal payments, as well as a decrease in unrealized gains and losses of $596,000 in the market value of securities available for sale and net accretion of investment discounts of $560,000.

The following table summarizes the securities portfolio by major classification as of December 31, 2018:

Securities Portfolio Composition

(dollars in thousands)

					Tax
	Amortized		Fair		Equivalent
	Cost		Value		Yield
U. S. government agency securities - GSE’s:
Due within one year	$	173	$	174		3.03	%
Due after one but within five years		7,676		7,647		2.84	%
Due after five but within ten years		1,900		1,910		3.87	%
Due after ten years		103		106		3.91	%
		9,852		9,837		3.04	%
Mortgage-backed securities:
Due within one year		726		732		3.78	%
Due after one but within five years		19,762		19,604		2.52	%
Due after five but within ten years		2,662		2,647		2.87	%
Due after ten years		-		-		-%
		23,150		22,983		2.60	%
Corporate bonds:
Due within one year		-		-		-%
Due after one but within five years		441		448		8.56	%
Due after five but within ten years		1,256		1,274		6.48	%
Due after ten years		-		-		-%
		1,697		1,722		7.03	%
State and local governments:
Due within one year		2,376		2,382		3.01	%
Due after one but within five years		4,983		5,007		2.93	%
Due after five but within ten years		733		739		4.79	%
Due after ten years		8,818		8,863		3.88	%
		16,910		16,991		3.52	%
Total securities available for sale:
Due within one year		3,275		3,288		2.90	%
Due after one but within five years		32,862		32,706		2.74	%
Due after five but within ten years		6,551		6,570		4.51	%
Due after ten years		8,921		8,969		3.88	%
	$	51,609	$	51,533		3.11	%

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Loans Receivable

The loan portfolio at December 31, 2018 totaled $986.0 million, which was a $3.4 million, or 3.5%, increase from December 31, 2017. At December 31, 2018, the portfolio was composed of $900.8 million in real estate loans, $74.2 million in commercial and industrial loans, and $12.8 million in loans to individuals. Also included in loans outstanding is $1.7 million in net deferred loan fees. The increase in loans outstanding during 2017 was due primarily to loan growth and the acquisition of Carolina Premier, which acquisition accounted for $198.4 million of net loans at December 31, 2017.

The following table describes the Company’s loan portfolio composition by category at the dates indicated:

	At December 31,
	2018						2017						2016						2015						2014
				% of						% of						% of						% of						% of
				Total						Total						Total						Total						Total
	Amount			Loans			Amount			Loans			Amount			Loans			Amount			Loans			Amount			Loans
	(dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans:
1-to-4 family residential	$	159,597			16.2	%	$	156,901			16.0	%	$	97,978			14.5	%	$	87,955			14.2	%	$	90,903			16.5	%
Commercial real estate		457,611			46.4	%		403,100			41.0	%		281,723			41.6	%		259,259			42.0	%		233,630			42.3	%
Multi-family residential		63,459			6.4	%		76,983			7.8	%		56,119			8.3	%		40,738			6.6	%		42,224			7.6	%
Construction		170,404			17.3	%		177,933			18.1	%		100,911			14.9	%		107,688			17.4	%		83,593			15.1	%
Home equity lines of credit		49,713			5.0	%		52,606			5.3	%		41,158			6.1	%		42,002			6.8	%		38,093			6.9	%
Total real estate loans		900,784			91.3	%		867,523			88.2	%		577,889			85.4	%		537,642			87.0	%		488,443			88.4	%
Other loans:
Commercial and industrial		74,181			7.6	%		106,164			10.8	%		90,678			13.4	%		73,491			11.9	%		58,217			10.6	%
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		12,814			1.3	%		10,244			1.1	%		9,827			1.4	%		7,255			1.2	%		6,017			1.1	%
Total other loans		86,995			8.9	%		116,408			11.9	%		100,505			14.8	%		80,746			13.1	%		64,234			11.7	%
Less:
Deferred loan origination (fees) cost, net		(1,739	)		(0.2	)%		(1,305	)		(0.1	)%		(1,199	)		(0.2	)%		(990	)		(0.1	)%		(639	)		(0.1	)%
Total loans		986,040			100.0	%		982,626			100.0	%		677,195			100.0	%		617,398			100.0	%		552,038			100.0	%
Allowance for loan losses		(8,669	)					(8,835	)					(8,411	)					(7,021	)					(6,844	)
Total loans, net	$	977,371					$	973,791					$	668,784					$	610,377					$	545,194

The majority of the Company’s loan portfolio is comprised of real estate loans. This category, which includes both commercial and consumer loan balances, increased from 88.2% of the loan portfolio at December 31, 2017 to 91.3% at December 31, 2018. There was a $54.5 million increase in commercial real estate loans, a $2.7 million increase in 1-to-4 family residential loans, a $2.9 million decrease in HELOC loans, a $7.5 million decrease in construction loans, and a $13.5 million decrease in multi-family residential loans.

Management monitors trends in the loan portfolio that may indicate more than normal risk. A discussion of certain risk factors follows. Some loans or groups of loans may contain one or more of these individual loan risk factors. Therefore, an accumulation of the amounts or percentages of the individual loan risk factors may not necessarily be an indication of the cumulative risk in the total loan portfolio.

- 47 -

Acquisition, Development and Construction Loans

The Company originates construction loans for the purpose of acquisition, development, and construction (“ADC”)of both residential and commercial properties.

	Acquisition, Development and Construction Loans As of December 31, 2018 (dollars in thousands)

	Construction			Land and Land Development			Total
Total ADC loans	$	145,736		$	24,668		$	170,404

Average Loan Size	$	267		$	308

Percentage of total loans		14.78	%		2.50	%		17.28	%

Non-accrual loans	$	587		$	-		$	587

Management closely monitors the ADC portfolio as to collateral value, funding based on project completeness, and the performance of similar loans in the Company’s market area.

Included in ADC loans and residential real estate loans as of December 31, 2018 were certain loans that exceeded regulatory loan to value (“LTV”) guidelines. As of that date, the Company had $27.7 million in non-1-to-4 family residential loans that exceeded the regulatory LTV limits and $10.0 million of 1-to-4 family residential loans that exceeded the regulatory LTV limits. The banking regulators recognize that it may be appropriate in individual cases to originate or purchase loans with LTV ratios in excess of regulatory limits based on the support provided by other credit factors. The Bank has established a review and approval procedure for such loans. Under applicable guidance, the total amount of all loans in excess of regulatory LTV limits should not exceed 100% of total capital. The total amount of these loans represented 23.2% of total risk-based capital as of December 31, 2018, which is less than the 100% maximum specified in regulatory guidance. These loans may present more than ordinary risk to the Company if the real estate market softens for both market activity and collateral valuations. Similar information with respect to the Company’s ADC portfolio at December 31, 2017 is set forth below:

	Acquisition, Development and Construction Loans As of December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands)

				Land and Land
	Construction			Development			Total
Total ADC loans	$	149,856		$	28,077		$	177,933

Average Loan Size	$	262		$	265

Percentage of total loans		15.25	%		2.86	%		18.11	%

Non-accrual loans	$	384		$	-		$	384

Included in ADC loans and residential real estate loans as of December 31, 2017 were certain loans that exceeded regulatory loan to value (“LTV”) guidelines. As of that date, the Company had $24.6 million in non-1-to-4 family residential loans that exceeded the regulatory LTV limits and $13.8 million of 1-to-4 family residential loans that exceeded the regulatory LTV limits. The total amount of these loans represented 31.2% of total risk-based capital as of December 31, 2017, which is less than the 100% maximum specified in regulatory guidance.

- 48 -

Business Sector Concentrations

Loan concentrations in certain business sectors impacted by lower than normal retail sales, higher unemployment, higher vacancy rates, and weakened real estate market values may also pose additional risk to the Company’s capital position. The Company has established an internal commercial real estate guideline of 40% of Risk-Based Capital for any single product type.

At December 31, 2018, the Company did not exceed the 40% guideline in any product types. All commercial and residential real estate product types were under the 40% threshold.

At December 31, 2017, the Company exceeded the 40% guideline in five product types. The 1-to-4 Family Residential Rental category represented 52% of Risk-Based Capital or $64.4 million, Real Estate Commercial Construction represented 51% of Risk-Based Capital or $62.3 million, Real Estate Construction Spec & Presold represented 42% or $51.6 million, Office Building category represented 56% or $68.8 million, and the Multi-family Residential category represented 61% of Risk-Based Capital or $74.6 million. All other commercial real estate product types were under the 40% threshold. These product types exceeded established guidelines as a result of loans acquired in the merger with Carolina Premier and recent loan growth.

Geographic Concentrations

Certain risks exist arising from the geographic location of specific types of higher than normal risk real estate loans. Below is a table showing geographic concentrations for ADC and home equity lines of credit (“HELOC”) loans at December 31, 2018.

	ADC Loans		Percent			HELOC		Percent
			(dollars in thousands)
Harnett County	$	5,389		3.16	%	$	5,367		10.80	%
Alamance County		740		0.43	%		1,350		2.72	%
Beaufort County		908		0.53	%		1,113		2.24	%
Brunswick County		8,440		4.95	%		1,492		3.00	%
Carteret County		1,544		0.91	%		2,676		5.38	%
Craven County		1,060		0.62	%		319		0.64	%
Cherokee County		-		-%			52		0.11	%
Cumberland County		21,019		12.34	%		3,116		6.27	%
Mecklenburg County		24,853		14.59	%		3,635		7.31	%
New Hanover County		23,396		13.73	%		2,721		5.47	%
Pasquotank County		1,145		0.67	%		1,915		3.85	%
Pickens County		-		-%			99		0.20	%
Pitt County		10,574		6.21	%		6,334		12.74	%
Robeson County		1,076		0.63	%		3,505		7.05	%
Sampson County		149		0.09	%		1,835		3.69	%
Wake County		18,528		10.87	%		1,744		3.51	%
Wayne County		2,212		1.30	%		3,457		6.95	%
Wilson County		392		0.23	%		73		0.15	%
York County		124		0.07	%		1,053		2.12	%
All other locations		48,855		28.67	%		7,857		15.80	%

Total	$	170,404		100.00	%	$	49,713		100.00	%

- 49 -

For comparative purposes, below is a table showing geographic concentrations for ADC and “HELOC” loans at December 31, 2017.

	ADC Loans		Percent			HELOC		Percent
	(dollars in thousands)

Harnett County	$	5,076		2.85	%	$	5,365		10.20	%
Alamance County		1,727		0.97	%		1,075		2.04	%
Beaufort County		147		0.08	%		1,649		3.13	%
Brunswick County		8,509		4.78	%		1,696		3.22	%
Carteret County		3,279		1.84	%		2,795		5.31	%
Craven County		923		0.52	%		578		1.10	%
Cherokee County		-		-	%		59		0.11	%
Cumberland County		23,105		12.99	%		4,196		7.98	%
Mecklenburg County		10,826		6.08	%		3,249		6.18	%
New Hanover County		19,445		10.93	%		2,136		4.06	%
Pasquotank County		1,115		0.63	%		1,730		3.29	%
Pickens County		-		-	%		72		0.14	%
Pitt County		17,421		9.79	%		6,727		12.79	%
Robeson County		837		0.47	%		3,606		6.86	%
Sampson County		26		0.01	%		1,694		3.22	%
Wake County		25,785		14.49	%		1,281		2.43	%
Wayne County		10,475		5.89	%		4,185		7.96	%
Wilson County		85		0.05	%		71		0.13	%
York County		408		0.23	%		1,454		2.76	%
All other locations		48,744		27.40	%		8,988		17.09	%

Total	$	177,933		100.00	%	$	52,606		100.00	%

Interest Only Payments

Another risk factor that exists in the total loan portfolio pertains to loans with interest only payment terms. At December 31, 2018, the Company had $224.6 million in loans that had terms permitting interest only payments. This represented 22.77% of the total loan portfolio. At December 31, 2017, the Company had $291.8 million in loans that had terms permitting interest only payments. This represented 29.70% of the total loan portfolio at that time. In light of the risk inherent with interest only loans, it is customary and general industry practice that loans in the ADC portfolio are interest only payments during the acquisition, development, and construction phases of such projects but then convert to amortizing term loans with scheduled payments of principal and interest.

Large Dollar Concentrations

Concentrations of high dollar loans or large customer relationships may pose additional risk in the total loan portfolio. The Company’s ten largest loans or lines of credit concentrations totaled $70.6 million or 7.2% of total loans at December 31, 2018 compared to $66.7 million or 6.8% of total loans at December 31, 2017. The Company’s ten largest customer loan relationship concentrations totaled $106.8 million, or 10.8% of total loans, at December 31, 2018 compared to $90.0 million, or 9.2% of total loans at December 31, 2017. Deterioration or loss in any one or more of these high dollar loan or customer concentrations could have a material adverse impact on the capital position of the Company and on our results of operations.

- 50 -

Maturities and Sensitivities of Loans to Interest Rates

The following table presents the maturity distribution of the Company’s loans at December 31, 2018. The table also presents the portion of loans that have fixed interest rates or variable interest rates that fluctuate over the life of the loans in accordance with changes in an interest rate index such as the prime rate:

	At December 31, 2018
			Due after one
	Due within		year but within		Due after
	one year		five years		five years		Total
	(dollars in thousands)
Fixed rate loans:
1-to-4 family residential	$	8,816	$	105,300	$	22,312	$	136,428
Commercial real estate		39,832		293,866		75,130		408,828
Multi-family residential		4,145		39,172		8,992		52,309
Construction		15,274		47,523		10,729		73,526
Home equity lines of credit		-		1,414		53		1,467
Commercial and industrial		5,684		32,365		4,275		42,324
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		1,291		7,647		1,876		10,814
Total at fixed rates		75,042		527,287		123,367		725,696

Variable rate loans:
1-to-4 family residential		2,648		8,363		11,773		22,784
Commercial real estate		12,854		24,756		10,100		47,710
Multi-family residential		1,797		6,882		2,471		11,150
Construction		63,207		29,666		3,418		96,291
Home equity lines of credit		2,335		17,225		27,644		47,204
Commercial and industrial		18,277		5,507		3,903		27,687
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		1,304		230		466		2,000
Total at variable rates		102,422		92,629		59,775		254,826

Subtotal		177,464		619,916		183,142		980,522

Non-accrual loans		3,324		1,579		2,354		7,257

Gross loans	$	180,788	$	621,495	$	185,496	$	987,779

Deferred loan origination (fees) costs, net								(1,739	)

Total loans							$	986,040

The Company may renew loans at maturity when requested by a customer whose financial strength appears to support such renewal or when such renewal appears to be in the Company’s best interest. In such instances, the Company generally requires payment of accrued interest and may require a principal reduction or modify other terms of the loan at the time of renewal.

Past Due Loans and Nonperforming Assets

At December 31, 2018, the Company had $5.1 million in loans that were 30 days or more past due. This represented 0.51% of gross loans outstanding on that date. This is a decrease from December 31, 2017 when there were $6.2 million in loans that were past due 30 days or more, or 0.63% of gross loans outstanding. Non-accrual loans increased to $7.3 million at December 31, 2018 from $2.1 million at December 31, 2017. This increase was the result the deterioration of several acquired commercial loans from Carolina Premier Bank and agriculture loans impacted from the flooding associated with Hurricane Florence. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had thirty-six loans totaling $6.9 million that were considered to be troubled debt restructurings, of which twenty loans totaling $4.4 million were still accruing interest. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had thirty-six loans totaling $5.8 million that were considered to be troubled debt restructurings, of which twenty-two loans totaling $4.9 million were still accruing interest. There were eleven loans in the aggregate amount of $3.2 million greater than 90 days past due and still accruing interest at December 31, 2018 and there were eleven loans in the amount of $1.5 million greater than 90 days past due and still accruing interest at December 31, 2017. Tables included in Note E of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 of this report present an age analysis of past due loans, including acquired credit-impaired loans, or PCI Loans, segregated by class of loans as of December 31, 2018.

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The table below sets forth, for the periods indicated, information about the Company’s non-accrual loans, loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest, total non-performing loans (non-accrual loans plus restructured loans), and total non-performing assets.

	As December 31,
	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
	(dollars in thousands)

Non-accrual loans	$	7,257		$	2,115		$	5,805		$	6,635		$	6,938
Restructured loans		4,378			4,863			3,625			2,077			4,938
Total non-performing loans		11,635			6,978			9,430			8,712			11,876
Foreclosed real estate		1,088			1,258			599			1,401			1,585
Total non-performing assets	$	12,723		$	8,236		$	10,029		$	10,113		$	13,461

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more	$	3,167		$	1,476		$	529		$	142		$	2,230
Allowance for loan losses	$	8,669		$	8,835		$	8,411		$	7,021		$	6,844

Non-performing loans to period end loans		1.18	%		0.71	%		1.39	%		1.41	%		2.15	%
Non-performing loans and accruing loans past due 90 days or more to period end loans		1.50	%		0.86	%		1.47	%		1.43	%		2.56	%
Allowance for loan losses to period end loans		0.88	%		0.90	%		1.24	%		1.14	%		1.24	%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans		75	%		127	%		89	%		81	%		58	%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets		68	%		107	%		84	%		69	%		51	%
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing assets and accruing loans past due 90 days or more		55	%		91	%		80	%		68	%		44	%
Non-performing assets to total assets		1.01	%		0.69	%		1.18	%		1.24	%		1.76	%
Non-performing assets and accruing loans past due 90 days or more to total assets		1.26	%		0.81	%		1.25	%		1.26	%		2.05	%

In addition to the above, the Company had $4.4 million in loans that were considered to be impaired for reasons other than their past due, accrual or restructured status. In total, there were $11.7 million in loans that were considered to be impaired at December 31, 2018, which is a $3.7 million increase from the $8.0 million that was impaired at December 31, 2017. Impaired loans have been evaluated by management in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 310 and $87,000 has been included in the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2018 for these loans. All troubled debt restructurings and other non-performing loans are included within impaired loans as of December 31, 2018.

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Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through provisions for loan losses charged to expense and represents management’s best estimate of probable loan losses that will be incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated losses and risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology is based on historical loss experience by type of credit and internal risk grade, specific homogeneous risk pools and specific loss allocations, with adjustments for current events and conditions. The Company’s process for determining the appropriate level of reserves is designed to account for changes in credit quality as they occur. The provision for loan losses reflects loan quality trends, including the levels of and trends related to past due loans and economic conditions at the local and national levels. It also considers the quality and risk characteristics of the Company’s loan origination and servicing policies and practices. Individual reserves are calculated according to ASC 310-10-35 against loans evaluated individually and deemed to most likely be impaired. 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 reserves.

The following table presents the Company’s allowance for loan losses by loan type as well as each loan type as a percentage of total loans at December 31 for the years indicated.

	At December 31,
			% of					% of					% of					% of					% of
			Total					Total					Total					Total					Total
	2018		loans			2017		loans			2016		loans			2015		loans			2014		loans
	(dollars in thousands)
1-to-4 family residential	$	1,667		16.19	%	$	1,058		11.98	%	$	846		10.05	%	$	605		14.25	%	$	628		16.47	%
Commercial real estate		3,409		46.41	%		3,370		38.15	%		3,448		41.12	%		3,005		41.99	%		2,938		42.32	%
Multi-family residential		471		6.44	%		791		8.95	%		628		7.48	%		393		6.60	%		279		7.65	%
Construction		1,385		17.28	%		1,955		22.13	%		1,301		15.47	%		1,386		17.44	%		1,103		15.14	%
Home equity lines of credit		555		5.04	%		549		6.21	%		623		7.42	%		573		6.80	%		985		6.90	%
Commercial and industrial		976		7.52	%		807		9.13	%		1,248		14.84	%		922		11.90	%		726		10.55	%
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		206		1.30	%		305		3.60	%		317		3.76	%		137		1.18	%		185		1.09	%
Deferred loan origination (fees) cost, net		-		(0.18	)%		-		(0.15	)%		-		(0.14	)%		-		(0.16	)%		-		(0.12	)%

Total	$	8,669				$	8,835				$	8,411				$	7,021				$	6,844

The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of gross loans outstanding decreased by 0.02% during 2018 to 0.88% of gross loans at December 31, 2018. The change in the allowance during 2018 resulted from net charge-offs of $10,000 and a negative provision of $156,000. General reserves totaled $8.7 million or 0.88% of gross loans outstanding as of December 31, 2018, as compared to year-end 2017 when they totaled $8.8 million or 0.90% of loans outstanding. At December 31, 2018, specific reserves on impaired loans constituted $87,000 or 0.03% of gross loans outstanding compared to $61,000 or 0.01% of loans outstanding as of December 31, 2017. The loans that were acquired from Premara are included in the gross loan number used in the calculations above. The acquired loans are accounted for under ASC 310-20 and ASC 310-30 which results in initial credit marks for the inherent loss risk for those loans being established as part of the initial fair value mark and is not included in the Allowance for Loan Losses. Total acquired loans represent $273.0 million of the gross loan total at December 31, 2017 of which $23.3 million are purchased credit impaired loans compared to total acquired loans represent $190.1 million of the gross loan total at December 31, 2018 of which $19.3 million are purchased credit impaired loans.

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The following table presents information regarding changes in the allowance for loan losses in detail for the years indicated:

	As of December 31,
	2018			2017			2016			2015			2014
	(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for loan losses at beginning of year	$	8,835		$	8,411		$	7,021		$	6,844		$	7,054
Provision (recovery) for loan losses		(156	)		1,367			1,516			890			(194	)
		8,679			9,778			8,537			7,734			6,860
Loans charged off:
Commercial and industrial		(196	)		(73	)		(182	)		(141	)		(63	)
Construction		-			(17	)		(2	)		(79	)		(4	)
Commercial real estate		(2	)		(914	)		(189	)		(663	)		(150	)
Multi-family residential		-			-			-			(5	)		-
Home equity lines of credit		(68	)		(179	)		(205	)		(115	)		(327	)
1-to-4 family residential		(12	)		(22	)		(7	)		(70	)		(26	)
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		(191	)		(101	)		(90	)		(54	)		(98	)
Total charge-offs		(469	)		(1,306	)		(675	)		(1,127	)		(668	)

Recoveries of loans previously charged off:
Commercial and industrial		239			211			22			48			32
Construction		6			29			22			29			63
Multi-family residential		-			2			-			106			-
Commercial real estate		48			16			151			84			364
Home equity lines of credit		43			25			35			21			78
1-to-4 family residential		32			46			299			102			92
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		91			34			20			24			23
Total recoveries		459			363			549			414			652

Net recoveries (charge-offs)		(10	)		(943	)		(126	)		(713	)		(16	)

Allowance for loan losses at end of year	$	8,669		$	8,835		$	8,411		$	7,021		$	6,844

Ratios:
Net charge-offs (recoveries) as a percent of average loans		0.00	%		0.13	%		0.02	%		0.12	%		0.00	%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of loans at end of year		0.88	%		0.90	%		1.24	%		1.14	%		1.24	%

While the Company believes that it uses the best information available to establish the allowance for loan losses, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary and results of operations could be adversely affected if circumstances differ substantially from the assumptions used in making determinations regarding the allowance.

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The table below presents information detailing the allowance for loan losses for originated and purchased credit impaired acquired loans:

Analysis of Allowance for Credit Losses

(dollars in thousands)

	Beginning		Charge								Ending
	Balance		Offs			Recoveries		Provision			Balance
Year ended December 31, 2018
Total loans
Commercial and Industrial	$	807	$	(196	)	$	239	$	126		$	976

Construction		1,955		-			6		(576	)		1,385
Commercial real estate		3,370		(2	)		48		(7	)		3,409
Multi-family residential		791		-			-		(320	)		471
Home Equity Lines of credit		549		(68	)		43		31			555
1-to-4 family residential		1,058		(12	)		32		589			1,667
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		305		(191	)		91		1			206
Total	$	8,835	$	(469	)	$	459	$	(156	)	$	8,669

PCI loans
Commercial and Industrial	$	65	$	-		$	-	$	149		$	214
Construction		-		-			-		-			-
Commercial real estate		66		-			-		319			385
Multi-family residential		-		-			-		-			-
Home Equity Lines of credit		-		-			-		-			-
1-to-4 family residential		-		-			-		4			4
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		-		-			-		-			-
Total	$	131	$	-		$	-	$	472		$	603

Loans – excluding PCI
Commercial and Industrial	$	742	$	(196	)	$	239	$	(23	)	$	762
Construction		1,955		-			6		(576	)		1,385
Commercial real estate		3,304		(2	)		48		(326	)		3,024
Multi-family residential		791		-			-		(320	)		471
Home Equity Lines of credit		549		(68	)		43		31			555
1-to-4 family residential		1,058		(12	)		32		585			1,663
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		305		(191	)		91		1			206
Total	$	8,704	$	(469	)	$	459	$	(628	)	$	8,066

Determining the fair value of PCI loans at acquisition required the Company to estimate cash flows expected to result from those loans and to discount those cash flows at appropriate rates of interest. For such loans, the excess of cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is recognized as interest income over the remaining lives of the loans and is called the accretable yield. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition reflects the impact of estimated credit losses and is called the nonaccretable difference. In accordance with GAAP, there was no carry-over of previously established allowance for credit losses from the acquired company.

Management believes the level of the allowance for loan losses as of December 31, 2018 is appropriate in light of the risk inherent within the Company’s loan portfolio.

Other Assets

At December 31, 2018, non-earning assets totaled $73.6 million, a decrease of $4.8 million from $78.4 million at December 31, 2017. Non-earning assets at December 31, 2018 consisted of: cash and due from banks of $17.1 million, premises and equipment totaling $17.9 million, foreclosed real estate totaling $1.1 million, accrued interest receivable of $3.9 million, goodwill of $24.6 million and other assets totaling $9.0 million, including net deferred taxes of $3.7 million.

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The Company had an investment in bank owned life insurance of $29.1 million at December 31, 2018, as compared to $28.4 million at December 31, 2017. The increase in BOLI in 2018 was from earnings of $685,000. Since the income on this investment is included in non-interest income, the asset is not included in the Company’s calculation of earning assets.

Deposits

Total deposits at December 31, 2018 were $980.4 million and consisted of $247.0 million in non-interest-bearing demand deposits, $254.5 million in money market and NOW accounts, $51.8 million in savings accounts, and $427.1 million in time deposits. Total deposits decreased by $14.6 million from $995.0 million as of December 31, 2017. Non-interest-bearing demand deposits increased by $19.9 million from $227.1 million as of December 31, 2017. Money market deposit accounts and NOW accounts increased by $3.6 million from $250.9 million as of December 31, 2017. Savings accounts decreased by $17.7 million from $69.5 million as of December 31, 2017. Time deposits decreased by $20.5 million during 2018. The reduction in deposits during 2018 was primarily due to the decrease in wholesale time deposits. The deposit growth of $315.4 million in 2017 was primarily due to the Carolina Premier acquisition which represented $226.3 million plus organic generation of $89.1 million. The increase in deposits during 2016 was due to organic deposit growth of $28.5 million.

The following table shows historical information regarding the average balances outstanding and average interest rates for each major category of deposits:

	For the Period Ended December 31,
	2018					2017					2016					2015					2014
	Average		Average			Average		Average			Average		Average			Average		Average			Average		Average
	Amount		Rate			Amount		Rate			Amount		Rate			Amount		Rate			Amount		Rate
											(dollars in thousands)

Savings, NOW and money market deposits	$	315,849		0.42	%	$	220,249		0.25	%	$	209,769		0.19	%	$	205,792		0.19	%	$	170,183		0.19	%
Time deposits > $100,000		321,387		1.50	%		258,141		1.09	%		204,120		0.82	%		158,704		0.85	%		137,911		1.52	%
Other time deposits		115,603		1.28	%		94,420		1.03	%		91,573		1.08	%		104,388		1.19	%		112,990		1.50	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		752,839		1.01	%		572,810		0.76	%		505,462		0.60	%		468,884		0.64	%		421,084		0.98	%

Noninterest-bearing deposits		236,999		-			173,608		-			160,302		-			138,330		-			102,870		-

Total deposits	$	989,838		0.77	%	$	746,418		0.58	%	$	665,764		0.46	%	$	607,214		0.49	%	$	523,954		0.79	%

Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had $57.4 million of debt, of which $7.0 million was short-term debt and $45.0 million in long-term debt of FHLB advances, plus $12.4 million in junior subordinated debentures issued to New Century Statutory Trust I in connection with the Company’s 2004 issuance of trust preferred securities. The Company acquired $29.0 million in FHLB advances with the December 2017 acquisition of Carolina Premier Bank. However, the Company was still able to reduce outstanding short-term debt by $21.3 million and increased long-term debt by $38.0 million compared to the prior year end, which allowed the Company to lock in interest rates to mitigate rising rate interest rates.

Shareholders’ Equity

Total shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2018 was $209.6 million, an increase of $73.5 million from $136.1 million as of December 31, 2017. Changes in shareholders’ equity included $13.8 million in net income, $178,000 in stock based compensation, proceeds of $187,000 from stock option exercises, other comprehensive income of $457,000 related to the decrease in the unrealized gain in the Company’s available for sale investment security portfolio and net proceeds of approximately $59.8 million from a follow-on public offering. In addition, the December 15, 2017 merger with Premara resulted in a $28.3 million increase in shareholders’ equity in the prior year.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017

Overview

During 2018, the Company had net income of $13.8 million compared to net income of $3.2 million for 2017. Both basic and diluted net income per share for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $0.87, compared with basic and diluted net income per share of $0.27 for 2017.

Embedded in the Company's net income numbers for the year ended December 31, 2018, are net after tax merger expenses of $1.4 million, related to the acquisition of Carolina Premier. During 2017, due to the Tax Act that was signed into law on December 22, 2017, the Company was required to calculate a "tax re-measurement" for the associated rate change for its deferred taxes. This tax re-calculation resulted in an increase of approximately $2.6 million of income tax expense for the year, which directly impacted the Company's reported GAAP results for 2017.

Net Interest Income

Like most financial institutions, the primary component of earnings for the Company is net interest income. Net interest income is the difference between interest income, principally from loans and investment securities portfolios, and interest expense, principally on customer deposits and borrowings. Changes in net interest income result from changes in volume, spread and margin. For this purpose, volume refers to the average dollar level of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, spread refers to the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities, and margin refers to net interest income divided by the average interest-earning assets. Margin is influenced by the level and relative mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as by the levels of non-interest bearing liabilities and capital.

Net interest income increased by $12.9 million to $47.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company’s total interest income was impacted by an increase in interest earning assets and a rising interest rate environment in 2018. Average total interest-earning assets were $1.1 billion in 2018 compared with $835.6 million in 2017. The yield on those assets increased by 25 basis points from 4.77% in 2017 to 5.02% in 2018 because of increasing investment yields of 11 basis points, increasing loan yields of 33 basis points and increased yield on other interest earning assets of 55 basis points. Meanwhile, average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $200.1 million from $622.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 to $823.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Cost of these funds increased by 33 basis points in 2018 to 1.15% from 0.82% in 2017, which was primarily due to an increase of 25 basis points on larger time deposits and 101 basis points on borrowings. In 2018, the Company’s net interest margin was 4.19% and net interest spread was 3.98%. In 2017, net interest margin was 4.16% and net interest spread was 3.95%.

Provision for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through provisions for loan losses charged to income and represents management’s best estimate of probable loan losses that have been incurred within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated losses and risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology is based on historical loss experience by type of credit and internal risk grade, specific homogeneous risk pools and specific loss allocations, with adjustments for current events and conditions. The Company’s process for determining the appropriate level of reserves is designed to account for changes in credit quality as they occur. The provision for loan losses reflects loan quality trends, including the levels of and trends related to past due loans and economic conditions at the local and national levels. It also considers the quality and risk characteristics of the Company’s loan origination and servicing policies and practices.

- 57 -

The Company recorded a $156,000 reverse provision for loan losses in 2018 compared to a provision of $1.4 million recorded in 2017. The decrease in provision was due to improving regulatory concentration levels and was offset by loan growth. For more information on changes in the allowance for loan losses, refer to Note E of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in the section titled Allowance for Loan Losses.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2018 was $4.7 million, an increase of $1.6 million from $3.1 million for the comparative 2017 period partly due to the start-up of a mortgage department. Contributing to the increase was an increase in deposit service charges of $225,000 due to a higher number of deposits accounts from the Premara acquisition, an increase in fees on sale of mortgages of $497,000 and an increase in other non-interest income of $908,000 primarily due to an increased number of debit cards and pin replacements from the acquisition.

Non-Interest Expenses

Non-interest expenses increased by $7.2 million or 26.5% to $34.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, from $27.3 million for the same period in 2017. The following are highlights of the significant changes in non-interest expenses from 2017 to 2018.

Personnel expenses increased $3.8 million to $18.3 million primarily due to additional staff costs from the acquisition of Carolina Premier Bank, cost of living increases, the expansion of the mortgage department and starting a SBA loan department.

Occupancy and equipment expenses increased $1.5 million to $3.7 million primarily due to additional branches from the Carolina Premier Bank acquisition and increases in repairs and maintenance.

Information systems increased $1.1 million to $3.4 million from $2.3 million in 2017 due largely to the increase in security related applications and increased number of accounts from the acquisition.

Professional fees increased to $1.4 million in 2018 from $1.2 million in 2017, a 18.0% increase due to legal fees and consulting fees.

Merger /acquisition related expenses recognized were $1.8 million in 2018 compared to $2.2 million in 2017.

Other operating expense increased $586,000 primarily due to additional sundry expenses associated with acquisition of Carolina Premier Bank.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate in 2018 was 22.1%, compared to 64.2% in 2017. Included in the effective tax rate for 2017 is the effect of the tax law legislation change enacted December 22, 2017. The tax law change required a re-measurement of the deferred taxes of the Company that resulted in a corresponding increase in income tax expense of $2.6 million. For further discussion pertaining to the Company’s tax position, refer to Note L of the consolidated financial statements.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017 AND 2016

Overview

During 2017, the Company had net income of $3.2 million compared to net income of $6.8 million for 2016. Both basic and diluted net income per share for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $0.27, compared with basic and diluted net income per share of $0.58 for 2016.

Embedded in the Company's net income numbers for the year ended December 31, 2017, are net after tax merger expenses of $1.4 million, related to the acquisition of Carolina Premier. In addition, due to the Tax Act that was signed into law on December 22, 2017, the Company was required to calculate a "tax re-measurement" for the associated rate change for its deferred taxes. This tax re-calculation resulted in an increase of approximately $2.5 million of income tax expense for the year, which directly impacted the Company's reported GAAP results.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income increased by $3.5 million to $34.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company’s total interest income was impacted by an increase in interest earning assets and a slow rising interest rate environment in 2017. Average total interest-earning assets were $835.6 million in 2017 compared with $744.0 million in 2016. The yield on those assets increased by 7 basis points from 4.70% in 2016 to 4.77% in 2017 primarily because of increasing investment yields of 31 basis points. Meanwhile, average interest-bearing liabilities increased by $59.9 million from $562.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 to $622.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Cost of these funds increased by 16 basis points in 2017 to 0.82% from 0.66% in 2016 which was primarily due to an increase of 25 basis points on larger time deposits and 38 basis points on borrowings. In 2017, the Company’s net interest margin was 4.16% and net interest spread was 3.95%. In 2016, net interest margin was 4.20% and net interest spread was 4.04%.

Provision for Loan Losses

The Company recorded a $1.4 million provision for loan losses in 2017 compared to a provision of $1.5 million recorded in 2016. The decrease in provision was due to improving asset quality and was offset by loan growth. For more information on changes in the allowance for loan losses, refer to Note E of the notes to the consolidated financial statements in the section titled Allowance for Loan Losses.

Non-Interest Income

Non-interest income for the year ended December 31, 2017 was $3.1 million down $150,000 from $3.2 million from 2016. Contributing to the decrease were a decrease in deposit service charges of $67,000 due to lower overdraft fee income, a decrease in gain on sale of securities of $21,000 and a decrease in other non-interest income of $62,000 primarily due to debit cards and pin replacements.

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Non-Interest Expenses

Non-interest expenses increased by $5.0 million or 22.6% to $27.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, from $22.3 million for the same period in 2016. The following are highlights of the significant changes in non-interest expenses from 2016 to 2017.

Personnel expenses increased $1.8 million to $15.6 million primarily due to cost of living increases and the Bank’s branch expansion plus starting a mortgage department.

Occupancy and equipment expenses decreased $112,000 to $2.2 million primarily due to lease maturities and reductions in repairs and maintenance.

Information systems increased $187,000 to $2.3 million from $2.1 million in 2016 due largely to the increase in security related applications.

Professional fees increased to $1.2 million in 2017 from $977,000 in 2016, a 21.0% increase due to legal fees and consulting fees.

No merger /acquisition related expenses were recognized in 2016 compared to $2.2 million in 2017.

Other operating expense increased primarily due to increased franchise taxes, dues and subscriptions, and other sundry expenses by $447,000 or 14.0%.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate in 2017 was 64.2%, compared to 35.1% in 2016. Included in the effective tax rate for 2017 is the effect of the tax law legislation change enacted December 22, 2017. The tax law change required a re-measurement of the deferred taxes of the Company that resulted in a corresponding increase in income tax expense of $2.6 million. For further discussion pertaining to the Company’s tax position, refer to Note L of the consolidated financial statements.

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NET INTEREST INCOME

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information with regard to average balances of assets and liabilities, as well as the total dollar amounts of interest income from interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, resultant yields or costs, net interest income, net interest spread, net interest margin and ratio of average interest-earning assets to average interest-bearing liabilities. Non-accrual loans have been included in determining average loans.

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2018								2017								2016
									(dollars in thousands)
	Average					Average			Average					Average			Average					Average
	balance			Interest		rate			balance			Interest		rate			balance			Interest		rate
INTEREST-EARNING ASSETS:
Loans, gross of allowance	$	978,499		$	53,822		5.50	%	$	732,289		$	37,853		5.17	%	$	631,791		$	33,062		5.23	%
Investment securities		57,505			1,545		2.69	%		59,082			1,523		2.58	%		72,244			1,638		2.27	%
Other interest-earning assets		98,460			1,618		1.64	%		44,204			480		1.09	%		39,989			257		0.64	%
Total interest-earning assets		1,134,464			56,985		5.02	%		835,575			39,856		4.77	%		744,024			34,957		4.70	%

Other assets		94,112								75,269								85,288

Total assets	$	1,228,576							$	910,844							$	829,312

INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES:
Deposits:
Savings, NOW and money market	$	315,849			1,339		0.42	%	$	220,249			547		0.25	%	$	209,769			390		0.19	%
Time deposits over $100,000		321,387			4,811		1.50	%		258,141			2,811		1.09	%		204,120			1,678		0.82	%
Other time deposits		115,603			1,482		1.28	%		94,420			968		1.03	%		91,573			986		1.08	%
Borrowings		70,750			1,818		2.57	%		49,891			780		1.56	%		57,348			679		1.18	%

Total interest-bearing liabilities		823,589			9,450		1.15	%		622,701			5,106		0.82	%		562,810			3,733		0.66	%

Non-interest-bearing deposits		236,999								173,608								160,302
Other liabilities		6,035								4,712								4,090
Shareholders' equity		161,953								109,823								102,110

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	1,228,576							$	910,844							$	829,312

Net interest income/interest rate spread (taxable-equivalent basis)				$	47,535		3.98	%				$	34,750		3.95	%				$	31,224		4.04	%

Net interest margin (taxable-equivalent basis)							4.19	%							4.16	%							4.20	%

Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities		135.91	%							134.19	%							132.20	%

Reported net interest income
Net interest income/net interest margin (taxable-equivalent basis)				$	47,685		4.19	%				$	34,750		4.00	%				$	31,224		4.00	%
Less:
taxable-equivalent adjustment					150								239								248

Net Interest Income				$	47,535							$	34,511							$	30,976

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RATE/VOLUME ANALYSIS

The following table analyzes the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for major components of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The table distinguishes between (i) changes attributable to volume (changes in volume multiplied by the prior period’s rate), (ii) changes attributable to rate (changes in rate multiplied by the prior period’s volume), and (iii) net change (the sum of the previous columns). The change attributable to both rate and volume (changes in rate multiplied by changes in volume) has been allocated equally to both the changes attributable to volume and the changes attributable to rate.

	Year Ended								Year Ended									Year Ended
	December 31, 2018 vs. 2017								December 31, 2017 vs. 2016									December 31, 2016 vs. 2015
	Increase (Decrease) Due to								Increase (Decrease) Due to									Increase (Decrease) Due to
	Volume			Rate		Total			Volume			Rate			Total			Volume			Rate			Total
									(dollars in thousands)
Interest income:
Loans	$	13,135		$	2,834	$	15,969		$	5,227		$	(436	)	$	4,791		$	2,834		$	(1,348	)	$	1,486
Investment securities		(42	)		64		22			(318	)		208			(110	)		(437	)		43			(394	)
Other interest-earning assets		740			398		1,138			36			187			223			129			57			186
Total interest income (taxable-equivalent basis)		13,833			3,296		17,129			4,945			(41	)		4,904			2,562			(1,248	)		1,278

Interest expense:
Deposits:
Savings, NOW and money market		321			471		792			23			134			157			7			(10	)		(3	)
Time deposits over $100,000		818			1,182		2,000			516			617			1,133			381			(59	)		322
Other time deposits		244			270		514			30			(48	)		(18	)		(145	)		(111	)		(256	)
Borrowings		431			607		1,038			(102	)		203			101			55			73			128

Total interest expense		1,814			2,530		4,344			466			906			1,373			298			(107	)		191

Net interest income
Increase/(decrease) (taxable-equivalent basis)	$	12,019		$	766		12,785		$	4,478		$	(947	)		3,531		$	2,228		$	(1,141	)		1,087

Less:
Taxable-equivalent adjustment							(88	)								(9	)								248
Net interest income Increase/(decrease)						$	12,873								$	3,540								$	1,335

During 2018, we experienced an increase in the interest rate component of our net interest income as a result of higher asset yields which were offset by increases in funding rate costs. In 2018 and 2017, increasing loan volume was the major contributor to increased net interest income. In 2018 interest rates increased for both interest income and interest expense. The volume component had a positive variance which also resulted in an overall increase in net interest income.

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LIQUIDITY

Market and public confidence in the Company’s financial strength and in the strength of financial institutions in general will largely determine the Company’s access to appropriate levels of liquidity. This confidence depends significantly on the Company’s ability to maintain sound asset quality and appropriate levels of capital resources. The term “liquidity” refers to the Company’s ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet current needs for funding loan originations, deposit withdrawals, maturities of borrowings and operating expenses. Management measures the Company’s liquidity position by giving consideration to both on and off-balance sheet sources of, and demands for, funds on a daily and weekly basis.

Liquid assets (consisting of cash and due from banks, interest-earning deposits with other banks, federal funds sold and investment securities classified as available for sale) comprised 15.2% and 10.6% of total assets at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Company has been a net seller of federal funds, maintaining liquidity sufficient to fund new loan demand. When the need arises, the Company has the ability to sell securities classified as available for sale, sell loan participations to other banks, or to borrow funds as necessary. The Company has established credit lines with other financial institutions to purchase up to $258.1 million in federal funds. Also, as a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”), the Company may obtain advances of up to 10% of assets, subject to our available collateral. A floating lien of $142.3 million on qualifying loans is pledged to FHLB to secure such borrowings. In addition, the Company may borrow at the Federal Reserve discount window and has pledged $1.0 million in securities for that purpose. As another source of short-term borrowings, the Company, from time to time, also utilizes securities sold under agreements to repurchase. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company has no borrowings outstanding under securities sold under agreements to repurchase.

At December 31, 2018, the Company’s outstanding commitments to extend credit totaled $232.4 million and consisted of loan commitments and undisbursed lines of credit of $229.8 million, and letters of credit of $2.6 million. The Company believes that its combined aggregate liquidity position from all sources is sufficient to meet the funding requirements of loan demand and deposit maturities and withdrawals in the near term.

Total deposits were $980.4 million and $995.0 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Time deposits, which are the only deposit accounts that have stated maturity dates, are generally considered to be rate sensitive. Time deposits represented 43.6% and 45.0% of total deposits at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Time deposits of more than $250,000 represented 12.3% and 9.7%, respectively, of the total deposits at December 31, 2018 and 2017. Management believes most other time deposits are relationship-oriented. While competitive rates will need to be paid to retain these deposits at their maturities, there are other subjective factors that will determine their continued retention. Based upon prior experience, management anticipates that a substantial portion of outstanding certificates of deposit will renew upon maturity.

Management believes that current sources of funds provide adequate liquidity for the Bank’s current cash flow needs. The Company maintains minimal cash balances. Management believes that the current cash balances plus taxes receivable will provide adequate liquidity for the Company’s current cash flow needs. Subject to certain regulatory dividend restrictions and maintenance of required capital levels, dividends paid by the Bank to the Company may also be a source of liquidity for the Company.

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CAPITAL

A significant measure of the strength of a financial institution is its capital base. Federal regulations have classified and defined capital into the following components: (1) Tier 1 capital, which includes common shareholders’ equity and qualifying preferred equity (including qualifying trust preferred securities), and (2) Tier 2 capital, which includes a portion of the allowance for loan losses, certain qualifying long-term debt and preferred stock which does not qualify as Tier 1 capital. Financial institutions and holding companies became subject to the Basel III capital requirements beginning on January 1, 2015. A relatively new part of the capital ratios profile is the Common Equity Tier 1 risk-based ratio, which does not include limited life components such as trust preferred securities. Minimum capital levels are regulated by risk-based capital adequacy guidelines that require a financial institution to maintain capital as a percent of its assets and certain off-balance sheet items adjusted for predefined credit risk factors (risk-adjusted assets). A financial institution is required to maintain, at a minimum, Tier 1 capital as a percentage of risk-adjusted assets of 6.0% and combined Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital as a percentage of risk-adjusted assets of 8.0%. In addition to the risk-based guidelines, federal regulations require that we maintain a minimum leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital as a percentage of tangible assets) of 4.0%. The new capital rules that took effect in 2015 require banks to hold Common Equity Tier 1 capital in excess of minimum risk-based capital ratios by at least 2.5 percent to avoid limits on capital distributions and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers and similar employees. The Company’s equity to assets ratio was 16.7% at December 31, 2018. As the following table indicates, at December 31, 2018, the Company and its bank subsidiary exceeded minimum regulatory capital requirements.

	At December 31, 2018
	Actual			Minimum
	Ratio			Requirement
Select Bancorp, Inc.

Total risk-based capital ratio		19.26	%		8.00	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio		18.44	%		6.00	%
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio		17.30	%		4.50	%
Leverage ratio		15.65	%		4.00	%

Select Bank & Trust

Total risk-based capital ratio		15.45	%		8.00	%
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio		14.63	%		6.00	%
Common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio		14.63	%		4.50	%
Leverage ratio		12.42	%		4.00	%

During 2004, the Company issued $12.4 million of junior subordinated debentures to a special purpose subsidiary, New Century Statutory Trust I, which in turn issued $12.0 million of trust preferred securities to investors. The proceeds provided additional capital for the expansion of the Bank. Under the current applicable regulatory guidelines, all of the trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 1 capital. Management expects that the Company and the Bank will remain “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes, although there can be no assurance that additional capital will not be required in the future.

The Company’s amended Articles of Incorporation, subject to certain limitations, authorize the Company’s board of directors from time to time by resolution and without further shareholder action, to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock, in one or more series, and to fix the preferences, limitations and relative rights of such shares of preferred stock. The Company previously had a series of preferred stock outstanding that it assumed in connection with its 2014 acquisition of Legacy Select Bancorp (Greenville, NC); all such preferred shares, however, were redeemed at par during January 2016.

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ASSET/LIABILITY MANAGEMENT

The Company’s results of operations depend substantially on its net interest income. Like most financial institutions, the Company’s interest income and cost of funds are affected by general economic conditions and by competition in the marketplace.

The purpose of asset/liability management is to provide stable net interest income growth by protecting the Company’s earnings from undue interest rate risk, which arises from volatile interest rates and changes in the balance sheet mix, and by managing the risk/return relationships between liquidity, interest rate risk, market risk, and capital adequacy. The Company maintains, and has complied with, a board approved asset/liability management policy that provides guidelines for controlling exposure to interest rate risk by utilizing the following ratios and trend analyses: liquidity, equity, volatile liability dependence, portfolio maturities, maturing assets and maturing liabilities. The Company’s policy is to control the exposure of its earnings to changing interest rates by generally endeavoring to maintain a position within a narrow range around an “earnings neutral position,” which is defined as the mix of assets and liabilities that generate a net interest margin that is least affected by interest rate changes.

When suitable lending opportunities are not sufficient to utilize available funds, the Company has generally invested such funds in securities, primarily securities issued by governmental agencies, mortgage-backed securities and municipal obligations. The securities portfolio contributes to the Company’s income and plays an important part in overall interest rate management. However, management of the securities portfolio alone cannot balance overall interest rate risk. The securities portfolio must be used in combination with other asset/liability techniques to actively manage the balance sheet. The primary objectives in the overall management of the securities portfolio are safety, liquidity, yield, asset/liability management (interest rate risk), and investing in securities that can be pledged for public deposits.

In reviewing the needs of the Company with regard to proper management of its asset/liability program, the Company’s management estimates its future needs, taking into consideration historical periods of high loan demand and low deposit balances, estimated loan and deposit increases (due to increased demand through marketing), and forecasted interest rate changes.

The analysis of an institution’s interest rate gap (the difference between the re-pricing of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities during a given period of time) is a standard tool for the measurement of exposure to interest rate risk. The following table sets forth the amounts of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities outstanding at December 31, 2018, of which are projected to re-price or mature in each of the future time periods shown. Except as stated below, the amounts of assets and liabilities shown which re-price or mature within a particular period were determined in accordance with the contractual terms of the assets or liabilities. Loans with adjustable rates are shown as being due at the end of the next upcoming adjustment period. Money market deposit accounts and negotiable order of withdrawal or other transaction accounts are assumed to be subject to immediate re-pricing and depositor availability and have been placed in the shortest period. In making the gap computations, none of the assumptions sometimes made regarding prepayment rates and deposit decay rates have been used for any interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities. In addition, the table does not reflect scheduled principal payments that will be received throughout the lives of the loans. The interest rate sensitivity of the Company’s assets and liabilities illustrated in the following table would vary substantially if different assumptions were used or if actual experience differs from that indicated by such assumptions.

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	Terms to Re-pricing at December 31, 2018
				More Than			More Than
	1 Year			1 Year to			3 Years to			More Than
	or Less			3 Years			5 Years			5 Years			Total
	(dollars in thousands)
Interest-earning assets:
Loans	$	318,214		$	191,525		$	348,096		$	128,205		$	986,040
Securities, available for sale		9,055			13,481			2,048			26,949			51,533
Interest-earning deposits in other banks		122,303			-			-			-			122,303
Federal funds sold		-			-			-			-			-
Stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta		3,283			-			-			-			3,283
Other non-marketable securities		762			-			-			-			762

Total interest-earning assets	$	453,617		$	205,006		$	350,144		$	155,154		$	1,163,921

Interest-bearing liabilities:
Deposits:
Savings, NOW and money market	$	306,293		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	306,293
Time		104,323			11,247			2,575			-			118,145
Time over $100,000		256,410			43,829			8,743			-			308,982
Short-term debt		7,000			-			-			-			7,000
Long-term debt		-			20,000			25,000			12,372			57,372

Total interest-bearing liabilities	$	674,026		$	75,076		$	36,318		$	12,372		$	797,792

Interest sensitivity gap per period	$	(220,409	)	$	129,930		$	313,826		$	142,782		$	366,129

Cumulative interest sensitivity gap	$	(220,409	)	$	(90,479	)	$	223,347		$	366,129		$	366,129

Cumulative gap as a percentage of total interest-earning assets		(48.59	)%		(13.74	)%		22.14	%		31.46	%		31.46	%

Cumulative interest-earning assets as a percentage of interest-bearing liabilities		67.30	%		87.92	%		128.44	%		145.89	%		145.89	%

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A critical accounting policy is one that is both very important to the portrayal of the Company's financial condition and results, and requires management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments. What makes these judgments difficult, subjective and/or complex is the need to make estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. The following is a summary of the Company’s most complex accounting policies: the allowance for loan losses, business combinations and deferred tax asset.

Asset Quality and the Allowance for Loan Losses

The financial statements are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting, including the recognition of interest income on the loan portfolio, unless a loan is placed on a non-accrual basis. Loans are placed on a non-accrual basis when there are serious doubts about the collectability of principal or interest. Amounts received on non-accrual loans generally are applied first to principal and then to interest only after all principal has been collected. Restructured loans are those for which concessions, including the reduction of interest rates below a rate otherwise available to that borrower or which the deferral of interest or principal have been granted due to the borrower’s weakened financial condition. Interest on restructured loans is accrued at the restructured rates when it is anticipated that no loss of original principal will occur. See the previous section titled “Past Due Loans and Nonperforming Assets” for a discussion on past due loans, non-performing assets and other impaired loans.

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The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered appropriate in light of the risk inherent within the Company’s loan portfolio, based on management’s assessment of various factors affecting the loan portfolio, including a review of problem loans, business conditions and loss experience and an overall evaluation of the quality of the underlying collateral. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to operations and reduced by loans charged off, net of recoveries. Additional information regarding the Company’s allowance for loan losses and loan loss experience is presented above in the discussion of the allowance for loan losses and in Note E to the accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

Business combinations and method of accounting for loans acquired

The Company accounts for acquisitions under FASB ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, which requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting. All identifiable assets acquired, including loans, and liabilities assumed, are recorded at fair value along with the identifiable intangible assets. The recognized net goodwill is associated with the difference from the fair value and the acquired book value of the assets and liabilities of the transaction. No allowance for credit losses related to the acquired loans is recorded on the acquisition date because the fair value of the loans acquired incorporates assumptions regarding credit risk.

The acquired loans were 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. Acquired credit-impaired loans (PCI loans) are accounted for under the accounting guidance for loans and debt securities acquired with deteriorated credit quality, found in FASB ASC Topic 310-30, Receivables—Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, formerly American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ("AICPA") Statement of Position (SOP) 03-3, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer, and initially measured at fair value, which includes estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the lives of the loans. Loans acquired in business combinations with evidence of credit deterioration are considered impaired. Loans acquired through business combinations that do not meet the specific criteria of FASB ASC Topic 310-30, but for which a discount is attributable, at least in part to credit quality, are also accounted for under this guidance. Certain acquired loans, such as acquired performing loans and lines of credit (consumer and commercial) are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 310-20, where the discount is accreted through earnings based on estimated cash flows over the estimated lives of the loans.

For further discussion of the Company's loan accounting and acquisitions, see Note B—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Note C— Business Combinations, and Note E—Loans of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Allowance for loan losses

The allowance for loan losses reflects the estimated losses that will result from the inability of the Bank's borrowers to make required loan payments. The allowance for loan losses is established for estimated credit losses through a provision for credit losses charged to earnings. Credit losses are charged against the allowance when management believes that the collectability of the principal is unlikely. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology incorporates several quantitative and qualitative risk factors used to establish an appropriate allowance for credit losses at each reporting date. Quantitative factors include our historical loss experience, delinquency and charge-off trends, collateral values, changes in the level of nonperforming loans and other factors. Qualitative factors include the economic condition of our operating markets, composition of the loan portfolio and the state of certain industries. Specific changes in the risk factors are based on actual loss experience, as well as perceived risk of similar groups of loans classified by collateral type, purpose and term. A three-year loss history is incorporated into the allowance calculation model. Due to the credit concentration of our loan portfolio in real estate secured loans, the value of collateral is heavily dependent on real estate values in North Carolina.

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Allowance for loan losses for acquired loans

Subsequent to the acquisition date, decreases in cash flows expected to be received on FASB ASC Topic 310-30 acquired loans from the Company's initial estimates are recognized as impairment through the provision for credit losses. Probable and significant increases in cash flows (in a loan pool where an allowance for acquired credit losses was previously recorded) reduces the remaining allowance for acquired credit losses before recalculating the amount of accretable yield percentage for the loan pool in accordance with ASC 310-30.

Acquired loans that are not subject to FASB ASC Topic 310-30 are accounted for in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 310-20, where the discount is accreted through earnings based on contractual cash flows over the estimated life of the loan. The allowance for these loans will be determined in a similar manner to the non-acquired credit losses.

Deferred Tax Asset

The Company’s net deferred tax asset was $3.7 million at December 31, 2018. In evaluating whether we will realize the full benefit of our net deferred tax asset, we consider both positive and negative evidence, including, among other things, recent earnings trends, projected earnings, and asset quality. As of December 31, 2018, management concluded that the Company’s net deferred tax assets were fully realizable. The Company will continue to monitor deferred tax assets closely to evaluate whether we will be able to realize the full benefit of our net deferred tax asset or whether there is any need for a valuation allowance. Significant negative trends in credit quality, losses from operations, tax law changes or other factors could impact the realization of the deferred tax asset in the future.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Information about the Company’s off-balance sheet risk exposure is presented in Note N to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. During 2004, the Company formed an unconsolidated subsidiary trust to which the Company issued $12.4 million of junior subordinated debentures (see Note K to the consolidated financial statements). Otherwise, as part of its ongoing business, the Company has not participated in, nor does it anticipate participating in, transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as special purpose entities, which generally are established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note B to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the respective expected dates of adoption and anticipated effects on results of operations and financial condition.

IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

A commercial bank has an asset and liability make-up that is distinctly different from that of a company with substantial investments in plant and inventory because the major portions of a commercial bank’s assets are monetary in nature. As a result, a bank’s performance may be significantly influenced by changes in interest rates. Although the banking industry is more affected by changes in interest rates than by inflation in the prices of goods and services, inflation is a factor that may influence interest rates. However, the frequency and magnitude of interest rate fluctuations do not necessarily coincide with changes in the general inflation rate. Inflation does affect operating expenses in that personnel expenses and the cost of supplies and outside services tend to increase more during periods of high inflation.

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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

In the normal course of business there are various outstanding contractual obligations of the Company that will require future cash outflows. In addition, there are commitments and contingent liabilities, such as commitments to extend credit that may or may not require future cash outflows. The following table reflects contractual obligations of the Company outstanding as of December 31, 2018.

	Payments Due by Period
			On Demand
			Or Within						After
Contractual Obligations	Total		1 Year		1-3 Years		4-5 Years		5 Years
	(dollars in thousands)
Short-term debt	$	7,000	$	7,000	$	-	$	-	$	-
Long-term debt		57,372		-		20,000		25,000		12,372
Lease obligations		4,045		1,272		1,626		1,010		137
Deposits		980,427		914,033		55,076		11,318		-

Total contractual cash obligations	$	1,048,844	$	922,305	$	76,702	$	37,328	$	12,509

The following table reflects other commitments outstanding as of December 31, 2018.

	Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
	(dollars in thousands)
	Total
	Amounts		Less than						After
Other Commitments	Committed		1 Year		1-3 Years		4-5 Years		5 Years

Undisbursed home equity credit lines	$	39,925	$	2,425	$	9,129	$	4,008	$	24,363
Other commitments and credit lines		51,006		35,696		5,014		5,909		4,387
Un-disbursed portion of constructions loans		139,124		95,923		20,308		11,317		11,576
Letters of credit		2,310		1,918		307		10		75

Total loan commitments	$	232,365	$	135,962	$	34,758	$	21,244	$	40,401

In addition, the Company has legally binding delayed equity commitments to private investment funds. These commitments are not currently expected to be called, and therefore, are not reflected in the financial statements. The amount of these commitments at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $525,000 and $525,000, respectively.

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking statements. Statements contained in this annual report, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those results currently anticipated. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “might,” “planned,” “estimated,” and “potential.” Factors that could cause results and outcomes to vary include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in general economic conditions; changes in interest rates, deposit flows, loan demand, real estate values, and competition; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in legislation or regulation; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory, and technological factors affecting the Company's operations, pricing, products and services. Additionally, any of the risks identified under Item 1A of this annual report could also cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the Company’s forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake a duty to update any forward-looking statements in this report, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

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ITEM 7A – Quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk

The Company intends to reach its strategic financial objectives through the effective management of market risk. Like many financial institutions, the Company’s most significant market risk exposure is interest rate risk. The Company's primary goal in managing interest rate risk is to minimize the effect that changes in market interest rates have on earnings and capital. This goal is accomplished through the active management of the balance sheet. The goal of these activities is to structure the maturity and repricing of assets and liabilities to produce stable net interest income despite changing interest rates. The Company's overall interest rate risk position is governed by policies approved by the Board of Directors and guidelines established and monitored by the Bank’s Asset/Liability Committee (“ALCO”).

To measure, monitor, and report on interest rate risk, the Company begins with two models: (1) net interest income ("NII") at risk, which measures the impact on NII over the next twelve and twenty-four months to immediate changes in interest rates and (2) net economic value of equity ("EVE"), which measures the impact on the present value of net assets to immediate changes in interest rates. NII at risk is designed to measure the potential short-term impact of changes in interest rates on NII. EVE is a long-term measure of interest rate risk to the Company's balance sheet, or equity. Gap analysis, which is the difference between the amount of balance sheet assets and liabilities repricing within a specified time period, is used as a secondary measure of the Company's interest rate risk position. All of these models are subject to ALCO guidelines and are monitored regularly.

In calculating NII at risk, the Company begins with a base amount of NII that is projected over the next twelve and twenty-four months, assuming that the balance sheet is static and the yield curve remains unchanged over the period. The current yield curve is then “shocked,” or moved immediately, ±1.0 percent, ±2.0 percent, ±3.0 percent and ±4.0 percent in a parallel fashion, or at all points along the yield curve. New twelve-month and twenty four-month NII projections are then developed using the same balance sheet but with the new yield curves and these results are compared to the base scenario. The Company also models other scenarios to evaluate potential NII at risk such as a gradual ramp in interest rates, a flattening yield curve, a steepening yield curve, and others that management deems appropriate.

EVE at risk is based on the change in the present value of all assets and liabilities under different interest rate scenarios. The present value of existing cash flows with the current yield curve serves as the base case. The Company then applies an immediate parallel shock to that yield curve of ±1.0 percent, ±2.0 percent, ±3.0 percent and ±4.0 percent and recalculates the cash flows and related present values.

Key assumptions used in the models described above include the timing of cash flows, the maturity and repricing of assets and liabilities, changes in market conditions, and interest-rate sensitivities of the Company's non-maturity deposits with respect to interest rates paid and the level of balances. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, the models cannot precisely calculate future NII or predict the impact of changes in interest rates on NII and EVE. Actual results could differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of changes in interest rates and market conditions, changes in spreads and management strategies, among other factors. Projections of NII are assessed as part of the Company's forecasting process.

- 70 -

NII and EVE Analysis. The following table presents the estimated exposure to NII for the next twelve months due to immediate changes in interest rates and the estimated exposure to EVE due to immediate changes in interest rates. All information is presented as of September 30, 2018.

	September 30, 2018
	Estimated			Estimated
	Effect on			Effect on
(Dollars in thousands)	NII			EVE

Immediate change in interest rates:
+ 4.0%		20.0	%		8.5	%
+ 3.0%		15.5			6.9
+ 2.0%		10.7			5.1
+ 1.0%		5.4			2.9
No change		-			-
- 1.0%		(5.1	)		(3.8	)

While the measures presented in the table above are not a prediction of future NII or EVE valuations, they do suggest that if all other variables remained constant, immediate increases in interest rates at all points on the yield curve may produce higher NII in the short term. Other important factors that impact the levels of NII are balance sheet size and mix, interest rate spreads, the slope of the yield curve, the speed of interest rates changes, and management actions taken in response to the preceding conditions.

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Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	2018
	Quarterly Periods Ended
	December 31			September 30			June 30		March 31
Selected Results of Operations
Total interest income	$	14,544		$	14,382		$	14,187	$	13,722
Total interest expense		2,644			2,530			2,258		2,018
Net interest income		11,900			11,852			11,929		11,704
Provision for (recovery of) loan losses		(395	)		(459	)		557		141
Net interest income after provision		12,295			12,311			11,372		11,563
Noninterest income		1,244			1,066			1,226		1,165
Merger/acquisition related expenses		-			-			-		1,826
Noninterest expense		7,864			7,800			8,602		8,458
Income before income taxes		5,675			5,577			3,996		2,444
Provision for income taxes (benefit)		1,221			1,256			886		547
Net income (loss)	$	4,454		$	4,321		$	3,110	$	1,897

Common Share Data
Basic earnings per share	$	0.23		$	0.27		$	0.22	$	0.14
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.23		$	0.27		$	0.22	$	0.13
Cash dividends declared per share	$	-		$	-		$	-	$	-

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic		19,302,263			15,858,455			14,019,273		14,011,707
Diluted		19,360,050			15,916,734			14,086,671		14,081,776

Market Data
High Sales Price		12.69			14.05			13.47		13.58
Low Sales Price		11.73			12.21			12.63		12.52
Period-end Closing		12.38			12.40			13.47		13.36
Average Daily Trading Volume		43,449			38,551			34,553		19,365

- 72 -

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

	2017
	Quarterly Periods Ended
	December 31			September 30		June 30		March 31
Selected Results of Operations
Total interest income	$	10,981		$	10,042	$	9,469	$	9,125
Total interest expense		1,505			1,357		1,197		1,047
Net interest income		9,476			8,685		8,272		8,078
Provision for (recovery of) loan losses		276			202		1,083		(194	)
Net interest income after provision		9,200			8,483		7,189		8,272
Noninterest income		786			778		778		730
Merger/acquisition related expenses		1,888			278		-		-
Noninterest expense		7,207			6,161		5,980		5,805
Income before income taxes		891			2,822		1,987		3,197
Provision for income taxes (benefit)		2,936			1,043		651		1,082
Net income (loss)	$	(2,045	)	$	1,779	$	1,336	$	2,115

Common Share Data
Basic earnings per share	$	(0.17	)	$	0.15	$	0.11	$	0.18
Diluted earnings per share	$	(0.17	)	$	0.15	$	0.11	$	0.18
Cash dividends declared per share	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	-

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic		12,071,392			11,662,580		11,662,117		11,652,612
Diluted		12,071,392			11,717,533		11,727,110		11,714,336

Market Data
High Sales Price		12.64			12.70		12.25		11.22
Low Sales Price		11.55			11.25		10.91		9.71
Period-end Closing		12.64			11.71		12.22		10.90
Average Daily Trading Volume		6,273			11,971		10,240		6,990

- 73 -

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors

Select Bancorp, Inc.

Dunn, North Carolina

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Select Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”)’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of Select Bancorp, Inc. for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and our report dated March 15, 2019, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company's management is responsible 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 Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

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.

- 74 -

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.

/s/ Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina

March 15, 2019

- 75 -

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors

Select Bancorp, Inc.

Dunn, North Carolina

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Select Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 15, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2000.

Raleigh, North Carolina

March 15, 2019

- 76 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 2018 and 2017

	2018			2017
	(In thousands, except share
	and per share data)
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks	$	17,059		$	16,554
Interest-earning deposits in other banks		121,303			37,996
Certificates of deposit		1,000			1,500
Federal funds sold		-			6,645
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value		51,533			63,774
Loans held for sale		580			98
Loans		986,040			982,626
Allowance for loan losses		(8,669	)		(8,835	)
NET LOANS		977,371			973,791

Accrued interest receivable		3,889			3,997
Stock in Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (“FHLB”), at cost		3,283			2,490
Other non-marketable securities		762			1,019
Foreclosed real estate		1,088			1,258
Premises and equipment, net		17,920			18,268
Bank owned life insurance		29,117			28,431
Goodwill		24,579			24,904
Core deposit intangible (“CDI”)		2,085			3,101
Assets held for sale		668			846
Other assets		6,288			9,463
TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,258,525		$	1,194,135

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits:
Demand	$	247,007		$	227,066
Savings		51,811			69,503
Money market and NOW		254,482			250,864
Time		427,127			447,611
TOTAL DEPOSITS		980,427			995,044

Short-term debt		7,000			28,279
Long-term debt		57,372			19,372
Accrued interest payable		667			427
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		3,448			14,898
TOTAL LIABILITIES		1,048,914			1,058,020
Shareholders’ Equity
Preferred stock, no par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no preferred shares were issued and outstanding		-			-
Common stock, $1 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized;
19,311,505 and 14,009,137 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively		19,312			14,009
Additional paid-in capital		150,718			95,850
Retained earnings		39,640			25,858
Common stock issued to deferred compensation trust, at cost; 303,239 and 291,964 shares outstanding at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively		(2,615	)		(2,518	)
Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan Rabbi Trust		2,615			2,518
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(59	)		398
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY		209,611			136,115
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	1,258,525		$	1,194,135

See accompanying notes.

- 77 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

	2018			2017		2016
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
INTEREST INCOME
Loans	$	53,796		$	37,849	$	33,058
Federal funds sold and interest-earning deposits in other banks		1,618			480		257
Investments		1,421			1,288		1,394

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME		56,835			39,617		34,709

INTEREST EXPENSE
Money market, NOW and savings deposits		1,339			547		390
Time deposits		6,293			3,779		2,664
Short-term debt		328			357		127
Long-term debt		1,490			423		552
TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE		9,450			5,106		3,733
NET INTEREST INCOME		47,385			34,511		30,976

PROVISION FOR (RECOVERY OF) LOAN LOSSES		(156	)		1,367		1,516

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR (RECOVERY OF) LOAN LOSSES		47,541			33,144		29,460

NON-INTEREST INCOME
Gain on the sale of securities		-			1		22
Service charges on deposit accounts		1,124			899		966
Fees from the sale of mortgages		497			-		-
Other fees and income		3,080			2,172		2,234

TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME		4,701			3,072		3,222

NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Personnel		18,304			14,552		12,711
Occupancy and equipment		3,666			2,192		2,304
Deposit insurance		628			357		393
Professional fees		1,394			1,181		977
Core deposit intangible amortization		1,016			409		431
Merger/acquisition related expenses		1,826			2,166		-
Information systems		3,372			2,257		2,070
Foreclosure-related expenses		115			562		199
Other		4,229			3,643		3,196

TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE		34,550			27,319		22,281
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX		17,692			8,897		10,401

INCOME TAX		3,910			5,712		3,647

NET INCOME		13,782			3,185		6,754
DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK		-			-		4
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS	$	13,782		$	3,185	$	6,750
Basic	$	0.87		$	0.27	$	0.58
Diluted	$	0.87		$	0.27	$	0.58
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic		15,812,585			11,763,050		11,610,705
Diluted		15,877,633			11,826,977		11,655,111

See accompanying notes.

- 78 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

	2018			2017			2016
	(Amounts in thousands)

Net income	$	13,782		$	3,185		$	6,754

Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities-available for sale		(596	)		(41	)		(185	)
Tax effect		139			82			67
		(457	)		41			(118	)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income		-			(1	)		(22	)
Tax effect		-			-			8
		-			(1	)		(14	)

Total		(457	)		40			(132	)

Total comprehensive income	$	13,325		$	3,225		$	6,622

See accompanying notes.

- 79 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 (Amounts in thousands except share data)

																					Accumulated
																		Common Stock			Other
																		Issued			Compre-			Total
											Additional							to Deferred			hensive			Total
	Preferred Stock						Common Stock				paid-in		Retained			Deferred		Compensation			Income			Shareholders’
	Shares			Amount			Shares		Amount		Capital		Earnings			Comp Plan		Trust			(loss)			Equity
Balance at December 31, 2015		7,645			7,645			11,583,011		11,583		69,061		15,923			2,139		(2,139	)		490			104,702
Net income		-			-			-		-		-		6,754			-		-			-			6,754
Other comprehensive loss		-			-			-		-		-		-			-		-			(132	)		(132	)
Preferred stock dividends paid		-			-			-		-		-		(4	)		-		-			-			(4	)
Preferred stock redemption		(7,645	)		(7,645	)		-		-		-		-			-		-			-			(7,645	)
Stock option exercises		-			-			62,402		62		465		-			-		-			-			527
Stock based compensation		-			-			-		-		71		-			-		-			-			71
Director equity incentive plan, net		-			-			-		-		-		-			201		(201	)		-			-

Balance at December 31, 2016		-			-			11,645,413		11,645		69,597		22,673			2,340		(2,340	)		358			104,273
Net income		-			-			-		-		-		3,185			-		-			-			3,185
Other comprehensive income		-			-			-		-		-		-			-		-			40			40
Shares issued for Premara merger		-			-			2,334,999		2,335		26,001		-			-		-			-			28,336
Stock option exercises		-			-			28,725		29		137		-			-		-			-			166
Stock based compensation		-			-			-		-		115		-			-		-			-			115
Director equity incentive plan, net		-			-			-		-		-		-			178		(178	)		-			-

Balance at December 31, 2017		-		$	-			14,009,137	$	14,009	$	95,850	$	25,858		$	2,518	$	(2,518	)	$	398		$	136,115
Net income		-			-			-		-		-		13,782			-		-			-			13,782
Other comprehensive loss		-			-			-		-		-		-			-		-			(457	)		(457	)
Shares issued for capital raise, net		-			-			5,270,834		5,271		54,535		-			-		-			-			59,806
Stock option exercises		-			-			31,534		32		155		-			-		-			-			187
Stock based compensation		-			-			-		-		178		-			-		-			-			178
Director equity incentive plan, net		-			-			-		-		-		-			97		(97	)		-			-

Balance at December 31, 2018		-		$	-			19,311,505	$	19,312	$	150,718	$	39,640		$	2,615	$	(2,615	)	$	(59	)	$	209,611

See accompanying notes.

- 80 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

	2018			2017			2016
	(Amounts in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	13,782		$	3,185		$	6,754
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for (recovery of) loan losses		(156	)		1,367			1,516
Depreciation and amortization of premises and equipment		1,738			1,144			1,090
Amortization and accretion of investment securities		560			556			741
Amortization of deferred loan fees and costs		(744	)		(602	)		(485	)
Amortization of core deposit intangible		1,016			409			431
Amortization of acquisition premium on time deposits		(178	)		(292	)		(662	)
Amortization of acquisition premium on borrowings		(12	)		(89	)		(256	)
Deferred income taxes		1,061			2,325			151
Stock-based compensation		178			115			71
Accretion on acquired loans		(3,051	)		(1,061	)		(1,146	)
Proceeds from loans held for sale		22,726			-			-
Originations of loans held for sale		(22,711	)		(98	)		-
Gain on loans held for sale		(497	)		-			-
Gain on the sale of securities		-			(1	)		(22	)
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance		(686	)		(575	)		(591	)
Loss (gain) on sale of premises and equipment		62			(5	)		20
Loss on assets held for sale		178			-			-
Net loss on sale and write-downs of foreclosed real estate		71			442			158
Change in assets and liabilities:
Net change in accrued interest receivable		108			(432	)		(418	)
Net change in other assets		2,578			526			1,328
Net change in accrued expenses and other liabilities		(11,210	)		(356	)		(199	)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		4,813			6,558			8,481

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Redemption (purchase) of FHLB stock		(793	)		1,265			(139	)
Purchase of investment securities available for sale		-			(1,523	)		(2,016	)
Maturities of investment securities available for sale		1,400			4,255			10,693
Mortgage-backed securities pay-downs		9,685			6,015			8,223
Proceeds from sale of investment securities available for sale		-			21,972			624
Net change in loans outstanding		(247	)		(108,814	)		(59,711	)
Cash received from acquisition		-			28,513			-
Net change in other non-marketable securities		257			73			2
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed real estate		717			1,442			2,062
Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment		104			9			6
Proceeds from sale of assets held for sale		-			-			812
Purchases of premises and equipment		(1,556	)		(931	)		(781	)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES		9,567			(47,724	)		(40,225	)

See accompanying notes.

- 81 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

	2018			2017			2016
	(Amounts in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net change in deposits	$	(14,439	)	$	89,356		$	29,162
Proceeds from short-term debt		-			-			27,000
Proceeds from long-term debt		38,000			-			-
Repayments of short-term debt		(21,267	)		(26,722	)		(19,327	)
Repayments of long-term debt		-			(14,653	)		(5,664	)
Preferred stock dividends paid		-			-			(4	)
Redemption of preferred stock		-			-			(7,645	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		63,250			-			-
Direct expenses related to capital transactions		(3,444	)		-			-
Proceeds from stock options exercised		187			166			527

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES		62,287			48,147			24,049

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		76,667			6,981			(7,695	)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING		62,695			55,714			63,409

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, ENDING	$	139,362		$	62,695		$	55,714

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest paid	$	9,210		$	4,900		$	3,744
Income taxes paid		2,277			3,471			2,591
Non-cash transactions:
Change in fair value of investment securities available for sale, net of tax		457			(41	)		(132	)
Transfer from loans to foreclosed real estate		618			2,543			1,418
Transfer from premises and equipment to assets held for sale		-			-			781

Acquisition:
Assets acquired (excluding goodwill)		-			279,142			-
Liabilities assumed		-			256,422			-
Purchase price		-			40,693			-
Goodwill recorded		-			17,973			-

See accompanying notes.

- 82 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

NOTE A - ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

Select Bancorp, Inc. (“Company”) is a bank holding company whose principal business activity consists of ownership of Select Bank & Trust Company (referred to as the “Bank”). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. In 2004, the Company formed New Century Statutory Trust I, which issued trust preferred securities to provide additional capital for general corporate purposes, including the current and future expansion of the Company. New Century Statutory Trust I is not a consolidated subsidiary of the Company. The Company is subject to the rules and regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (the “Federal Reserve”) and the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks.

The Bank was originally incorporated as New Century Bank on May 19, 2000 and began banking operations on May 24, 2000. On July 25, 2014, the Company acquired Select Bank & Trust Company, Greenville, North Carolina, and changed the Bank’s legal name to Select Bank & Trust Company. On December 15, 2017, the Company acquired Premara Financial, Inc. and its subsidiary Carolina Premier Bank through the merger of Premara with and into the Company, followed immediately by the merger of Carolina Premier with and into the Bank. The Bank continues as the only banking subsidiary of the Company with its headquarters and operations center located in Dunn, NC. The Bank is engaged in general commercial and retail banking in central and eastern North Carolina, as well as now in Charlotte, North Carolina and northwest South Carolina. The Bank is subject to the supervision and regulation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks.

Reclassification

Certain items for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net income, total assets or shareholders’ equity as previously reported.

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, goodwill, deferred tax assets 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 Operations from the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related costs, including conversion and restructuring charges, are expensed as incurred.

- 83 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

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 uses its judgment to assign 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,” “Certificates of deposit” and “Federal funds sold.”

Certificates of Deposit

Certificates of deposit 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.

- 84 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

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 (“purchased credit-impaired loans”).

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 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 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.

- 85 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Decreases in expected cash flows of PCI loans after the acquisition date are recognized by recording an allowance for credit loss. For any significant increases in cash flows expected to be collected, the Company first adjusts any prior recorded allowance for loan and lease losses through a reversal of previously recognized allowance through provision expense, and then increases the amount of accretable yield to be recognized on a prospective basis over the pool’s remaining life. 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.

Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are classified as held for sale and are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Upon closing, these loans are sold to mortgage loan investors under pre-arranged terms. Origination fees are recognized upon the sale and are included in non-interest income. Related to the mortgage business, the Company enters into interest rate lock commitments and commitments to sell mortgages to investors. Interest rate lock commitments are used to manage interest rate risk associated with the fixed rate loan commitments, and forward sale commitments are entered into with investors to manage the interest rate risk associated with the customer interest rate lock commitments, both of which are considered derivative financial instruments. The period of time between the issuance of a loan commitment and the closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 10 to 60 days. Interest rate lock commitments and forward sale commitments are derivative instruments and are carried at fair value. These derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting. The fair value of interest rate lock commitments is based on current secondary market pricing and has been determined to be immaterial. The fair value of the forward sale commitments is based on changes in the value of the commitment, principally because of changes in interest rates, and is included on the consolidated balance sheets in other assets or other liabilities. Changes in fair value for these instruments are reflected in non-interest income on the income statement. Gains and losses from sales of the mortgage loans are recognized when the Company ultimately sells the loans, and such gains and losses are also recorded in non-interest income. The Company doesn’t retain servicing rights of the loans sold and has not included any servicing assets in other assets or recorded any expenses or revenue.

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 was carried at cost at December 31, 2018 and 2017. 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.

- 86 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Other Non-Marketable Securities

Other non-marketable securities are equity instruments that are reported at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same insurer.

Foreclosed Real Estate

Real estate acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure is recorded at fair value, less the estimated cost to sell, at the date of foreclosure. At foreclosure, any excess of the loan balance over the fair value of the property is charged off to the allowance for loan losses. 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 foreclosure-related 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 shorter.

Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to operations as incurred and additions and 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.

Public law No. 115-97, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act"), enacted on December 22, 2017, reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Also on December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for tax effects of the Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period of up to one year from the enactment date to complete the accounting. Any adjustments during this measurement period will be included in net earnings from continuing operations as an adjustment to income tax expense in the reporting period when such adjustments are determined. Based on the information available and current interpretation of the rules, the Company has made estimates of the impact of the reduction in the corporate tax rate and re-measurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities. The provisional amount recorded related to the re-measurement of the Company's deferred tax balance was $2.6 million for 2017. The measurement period expired prior to December 31, 2018. No additional amount related to the re-measurement of the Company's deferred tax balance was recorded prior to the expiration of the measurement period. See Note L Income Taxes for more information.

- 87 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

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, 2018 and 2017, 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. For the 2018 assessment, we performed a qualitative assessment to determine if it was more likely than not that the fair value of our single reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. We concluded that the fair value of our single reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount and that it was not necessary to perform the two-step test pursuant to ASC 350-20. Our qualitative assessment considered many factors including, but not limited to, our actual and projected operating performance and profitability, as well as consideration of recent bank merger and acquisition transaction metrics. No impairment was indicated in 2018, 2017 or 2016.

In January 2017, the FASB ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350):Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, was amended to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment for public business entities and other entities that have goodwill reported in their financial statements and have not elected the private company alternative for the subsequent measurement of goodwill. The amendment removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The effective date and transition requirements for the technical corrections will be effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.

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 over six years.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company utilizes interest rate lock commitments and forward sale commitments, which are considered derivative instruments, in its mortgage banking operations. As of December 31, 2018, the amount of interest rate lock commitments is less than $1,000 and is considered immaterial.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has certain stock-based employee compensation plans, described more fully in Note P. 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.

- 88 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

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.

Segment Information

The Company follows the provisions of 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:

	2018		2017		2016

Weighted average number of common shares used in computing basic net income per share		15,812,585		11,763,050		11,610,705

Effect of dilutive stock options		65,048		63,927		44,406

Weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares used in computing diluted net income per share		15,877,633		11,826,977		11,655,111

At December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, there were 122,300, 121,300 and 88,000 anti-dilutive options, respectively.

- 89 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

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

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU requires a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the newly enacted federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Act”), which was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Tax Act included a reduction to the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent effective January 1, 2018. The amount of the reclassification would be the difference between the historical corporate income tax rate and the newly enacted 21 percent corporate income tax rate.

The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company early adopted this pronouncement by retrospective application to each period in which the effect of the change in the tax rate under the Tax Act is recognized. The impact of the reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings of $67,000 was included in the Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2017.

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, ASU 2016-11, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting, ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and ASU 2017-05, Other Income - Gains and losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20) - Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets —The new guidance, which does not apply to financial instruments, provides that revenue should be recognized for the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount equal to the consideration it receives or expects to receive. The guidance also includes expanded disclosure requirements that provide comprehensive information about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and its related amendments on its required effective date of January 1, 2018 utilizing the modified retrospective approach. Since there was no net income impact upon adoption of the new guidance, a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings was not necessary, see Note V.

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 this ASU (i) require equity investments, with certain exceptions, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (ii) simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (iii) eliminate the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet, (iv) require public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, (v) require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments, (vi) require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements and (vii) clarify that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is prohibited except for the presentation in other comprehensive income of the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk which may be adopted early. The guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or disclosures.

- 90 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 applies a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record, for all leases with a lease term of more than 12 months, an asset representing its right to use the underlying asset and a liability to make lease payments. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a practical expedient is available whereby a lessee may elect, by class of underlying asset, not to recognize an ROU asset or lease liability. At inception, lessees must classify all leases as either finance or operating based on five criteria. Balance sheet recognition of finance and operating leases is similar, but the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement, as well as the effect on the statement of cash flows, differs depending on the lease classification. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company will adopt this standard during the first quarter of 2019. The impact will be an increase to the Consolidated Balance Sheets for right-of-use assets and associated lease liabilities, as well as resulting depreciation expense of the right-of-use assets and interest expense of the lease liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Income, for arrangements previously accounted for as operating leases. Additionally, adding these assets to the balance sheet will impact total risk-weighted assets used to determine the regulatory capital levels. The impact analysis on this change in accounting principle estimates an increase to the Consolidated Balance Sheets for total lease liability ranging between $9.0 million and $10.0 million, as the initial gross up of both assets and liabilities. Total risk-based capital is expected to be adversely impacted by an estimated 14 to 15 basis points.

In July 2018, the FASB amended the Leases Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification to make narrow amendments to clarify how to apply certain aspects of the new standard. The amendments are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, guidance to change the accounting for credit losses and modify the impairment model for certain debt securities. ASU 2016-13 requires an entity to utilize a new impairment model known as the current expected credit loss ("CECL") model to estimate its lifetime "expected credit loss" and record an allowance that, when deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, presents the net amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The CECL model is expected to result in earlier recognition of credit losses. ASU 2016-13 also requires new disclosures for financial assets measured at amortized cost, loans and available-for-sale debt securities. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Entities will apply the standard's provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. The Company has dedicated staff and resources in place evaluating the Company’s options including evaluating the appropriate model options and collecting and reviewing loan data for use in these models. The Company is still assessing the impact that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

- 91 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

In August 2016, the FASB amended ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classifications of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, of the Accounting Standards Codification to clarify how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The amendments were effective for the Company January 1, 2018 and did not have a material effect on its financial statements.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income – Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20) clarified the scope of the guidance on nonfinancial asset derecognition as well as the accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The amendments conform the derecognition guidance on nonfinancial assets with the model for transactions in the new revenue standard. The amendments were effective for the Company in January 2018 and did not have a material effect on its financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities amended the requirements in the Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification related to the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. The amendments shorten the amortization period for the premium to the earliest call date. The amendments will be effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, for public business entities early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-03, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities to clarify certain aspects of the guidance issued in ASU 2016-01. The amendments were effective for the third quarter of 2018 subsequent to adopting the amendments in ASU 2016-01. All entities may early adopt these amendments for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, as long as they have adopted ASU 2016-01. The amendments did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-4, Investments—Debt Securities (Topic 320) and Regulated Operations (Topic 980): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 117 and SEC Release No. 33-9273 which incorporate into the Accounting Standards Codification recent SEC guidance which was issued in order to make the relevant interpretive guidance consistent with current authoritative accounting and auditing guidance and SEC rules and regulations. The amendments were effective upon issuance. These amendments did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, – Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SEC Update), which updated the Income Taxes Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification. The amendments incorporate into the Accounting Standards Codification recent SEC guidance related to the income tax accounting implications of the Tax Act. The amendments were effective upon issuance. These amendments did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB amended ASU 2018-13 - Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement topic of the Accounting Standards Codification. The amendments remove, modify, and add certain fair value disclosure requirements based on the concepts in the FASB Concepts Statement, Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting—Chapter 8: Notes to Financial Statements. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. An entity is permitted to early adopt any removed or modified disclosures upon issuance of this ASU and delay adoption of the additional disclosures until their effective date. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.

- 92 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

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.

Note C – Business Combinations

On July 20, 2017, the Company executed a merger agreement with Premara Financial, Inc. (“Premara”), a bank holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, whose wholly owned subsidiary, Carolina Premier Bank, was a North Carolina state-chartered commercial bank. On December 15, 2017, the Company completed its previously announced acquisition of Premara and pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, Premara was merged with and into the Company, followed immediately by the merger of Carolina Premier Bank with and into the Bank. Carolina Premier had approximately $279.6 million in assets as of the merger date, December 15, 2017. The merger expanded the Bank’s North Carolina presence with a branch in Charlotte and marked the Bank’s initial entry into South Carolina with the acquisition of branches in Rock Hill, Blacksburg and Six Mile, South Carolina.

Premara had 3,179,808 shares of common stock outstanding as of the merger closing date. Under the terms of the merger agreement, 948,080 shares of Premara common stock (equivalent to 30% of Premara’s outstanding shares of common stock as of the date of the merger agreement) were converted to the $12.65 per share cash merger consideration, for aggregate cash consideration of $11,993,212 (exclusive of cash paid-in-lieu of fractional shares) which was paid out subsequent to year-end 2017. Pursuant to the merger agreement, each warrant or stock option to acquire shares of Premara common stock issued and outstanding as of the effective time of the merger was converted into the right to receive from the Company a cash payment equal to $12.65 less the exercise price of such warrant or option, as applicable and paid out prior to year-end 2017. The remaining 2,231,728 Premara common shares were converted into stock consideration at the merger exchange ratio of 1.0463 shares of Company common stock for each share of Premara common stock, resulting in the issuance of 2,334,999 new shares of Company common stock. The transaction was valued at approximately $40.6 million in the aggregate based on 3,179,808 shares of Premara common stock outstanding on December 15, 2017. The Premara common stock shares converted to Select common stock were valued at $12.14 per share, the low price of Select common stock on December 15, 2017.

The merger with Premara was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting with the Company as the legal and accounting acquirer and Premara as the legal and accounting acquiree. The assets and liabilities of Premara, as of the effective date of the acquisition, are recorded at their respective fair values. For the acquisition of Premara, estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on the information that is available, and the Company believes this information provides a reasonable basis for determining fair values.

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SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following table provides the carrying value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, as recorded by the Company, the fair value adjustments calculated at the time of the merger and the resulting fair value recorded by the Company.

	December 15, 2017
	As recorded by			Fair Value			As recorded by
	Premara			adjustments			the Company
(Dollars in thousands)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	28,513		$	-		$	28,513
Investment securities		32,939			(106	)		32,833
Loans		203,780			(5,340	)		198,440
Less: allowance for loan losses		(2,341	)		2,341			-
Premises and equipment		928			(233	)		695
Accrued interest receivable		853			(56	)		797
Bank owned life insurance		5,673			-			5,673
Goodwill		325			(325	)		-
Core deposit intangible		223			2,477			2,700
Other assets		8,701			790			9,491
Total assets acquired	$	279,594		$	(452	)	$	279,142

Liabilities
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing	$	55,617		$	-		$	55,617
Interest-bearing		170,873			171			171,044
Total deposits		226,490			171			226,661
Borrowings		29,000			14			29,014
Other liabilities		747			-			747
Total liabilities assumed	$	256,237		$	185		$	256,422
Fair value of net assets assumed								22,720
Value of common shares of Premara shareholders								40,693
Goodwill recorded for Premara							$	17,973

Goodwill recorded for Premara represents future revenues to be derived from the existing customer base, including efficiencies that will result from combining operations.

- 94 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

In determining the acquisition date fair value of purchased credit-impaired (“PCI”) loans, and in subsequent accounting, the Company generally aggregates loans into pools of loans with common risk characteristics. 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 prospectively.

PCI loans acquired totaled $8.6 million at estimated fair value and acquired performing loans totaling $189.6 million at estimated fair value. For PCI loans acquired from Premara, the contractually required payments including principal and interest, cash flows expected to be collected and fair values as of the closing date of the merger were:

(Dollars in thousands)	December 15, 2017

Contractually required payments	$	11,752
Nonaccretable difference		1,768
Cash flows expected to be collected		9,984
Accretable yield		1,392
Fair value at acquisition date	$	8,592

Merger-related expense in 2018 and 2017 totaled $ 1.8 million and $2.2 million, respectively which were recorded as noninterest expense as incurred.

The following tables reflect the pro forma total net interest income, noninterest income and net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 as though the acquisition of Premara had taken place on January 1, 2016. The pro forma results have not been adjusted to remove non-recurring acquisition-related expenses, and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred had the acquisition actually taken place on January 1, 2016, nor of future results of operations.

	Twelve Months Ended December 31
	2017		2016
	(Dollars in thousands, except per share)
Net interest income	$	44,248	$	42,329
Non-interest income		4,332		4,166
Net income available to common shareholders		5,530		8,665

Earnings per share, basic	$	0.44	$	0.58
Earnings per share, diluted	$	0.44	$	0.58

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic		13,995,692		13,945,704
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted		14,059,619		13,990,110

- 95 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

NOTE D - INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The amortized cost and fair value of available for sale (“AFS”) investments, with gross unrealized gains and losses, follow:

	December 31, 2018
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		unrealized		unrealized			Fair
	cost		gains		losses			value
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:
U.S. government agencies – GSE’s	$	9,852	$	36	$	(51	)	$	9,837
Mortgage-backed securities – GSE’s		23,150		62		(229	)		22,983
Corporate bonds		1,697		25		-			1,722
Municipal bonds		16,910		105		(24	)		16,991

	$	51,609	$	228	$	(304	)	$	51,533

	December 31, 2017
			Gross		Gross
	Amortized		unrealized		unrealized			Fair
	cost		gains		losses			value
			(dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:
U.S. government agencies – GSE’s	$	13,241	$	148	$	(25	)	$	13,364
Mortgage-backed securities – GSE’s		29,571		213		(100	)		29,684
Corporate bonds		1,858		44		(14	)		1,888
Municipal bonds		18,583		255		-			18,838

	$	63,253	$	660	$	(139	)	$	63,774

Securities with a carrying value of $6.4 million and $7.5 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, were pledged to secure public monies on deposit as required by law, customer repurchase agreements, and access to the Federal Reserve Discount Window.

- 96 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following tables show gross unrealized losses and fair value, aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.

	2018
	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
	Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
	value		losses			value		losses			value		losses
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:
U.S. government agencies – GSE’s	$	1,224	$	(6	)	$	4,086	$	(45	)	$	5,310	$	(51	)
Mortgage-backed securities – GSE’s		200		-			16,932		(229	)		17,132		(229	)
Corporate bonds		-		-			-		-			-		-
Municipal bonds		1,007		(2	)		1,740		(22	)		2,747		(24	)
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	2,431	$	(8	)	$	22,758	$	(296	)	$	25,189	$	(304	)

At December 31, 2018, the Company had twenty-four AFS mortgage-backed GSE’s, four municipals and six U.S Government agencies – GSE’s with an unrealized loss for twelve or more consecutive months totaling $296,000. The Company had six AFS securities with a loss for twelve months or less. Three U.S. government agency GSE’s, two municipals and one mortgage-backed GSE had unrealized losses for less than twelve months totaling $8,000 at December 31, 2018. All unrealized losses are attributable to the general trend of interest rates and the abnormal spreads of all debt instruments to U.S. Treasury securities. There were no sales of investment securities available for sale during 2018.

	2017
	Less Than 12 Months					12 Months or More					Total
	Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized			Fair		Unrealized
	value		losses			value		losses			value		losses
	(dollars in thousands)
Securities available for sale:
U.S. government agencies – GSE’s	$	1,651	$	(9	)	$	1,415	$	(16	)	$	3,066	$	(25	)
Mortgage-backed securities – GSE’s		8,137		(55	)		2,449		(45	)		10,586		(100	)
Corporate bonds		1,752		(14	)		-		-			1,752		(14	)
Municipal bonds		1,101		-			-		-			1,101		-
Total temporarily impaired securities	$	12,641	$	(78	)	$	3,864	$	(61	)	$	16,505	$	(139	)

At December 31, 2017, the Company had two AFS mortgage-backed GSE’s and two U.S Government agencies – GSE’s with an unrealized loss for twelve or more consecutive months totaling $61,000. The Company had 16 AFS securities with a loss for twelve months or less. Two U.S. government agency GSE’s, three municipals, two corporates and nine mortgage-backed GSE’s had unrealized losses for less than twelve months totaling $78,000 at December 31, 2017. All unrealized losses are attributable to the general trend of interest rates and the abnormal spreads of all debt instruments to U.S. Treasury securities. The Company did not incur a loss on any securities sold during 2017.

Since none of the unrealized losses relate to the liquidity of the securities or the issuer’s ability to honor redemption obligations and the Company has the intent and ability to hold these securities to recovery, no other than temporary impairments were identified for these investments having unrealized losses for the periods ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. In 2018, the Company did not sell any securities; in 2017 the Company realized gains of $1,000 on proceeds of $22.0 million related to the disposal of fifty one securities; and in 2016 the Company realized gains of $22,000 on proceeds of $624,000 related to the disposal of eleven securities.

- 97 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the amortized costs, carrying values and contractual maturities of the Company’s investment portfolio at December 31, 2018.

	Amortized		Fair
	Cost		Value
	(dollars in thousands)

Securities available for sale:
U.S. government agencies – GSE’s
Due within one year	$	173	$	174
Due after one but within five years		7,676		7,647
Due after five but within ten years		1,900		1,910
Due after ten years		103		106
		9,852		9,837
Mortgage-backed securities – GSE’s
Due within one year		726		732
Due after one but within five years		19,762		19,604
Due after five but within ten years		2,662		2,647
Due after ten years		-		-
		23,150		22,983
Corporate bonds
Due within one year		-		-
Due after one but within five years		441		448
Due after five but within ten years		1,256		1,274
Due after ten years		-		-
		1,697		1,722
Municipal bonds
Due within one year		2,376		2,382
Due after one but within five years		4,983		5,007
Due after five but within ten years		733		739
Due after ten years		8,818		8,863
		16,910		16,991
Total securities available for sale
Due within one year		3,275		3,288
Due after one but within five years		32,862		32,706
Due after five but within ten years		6,551		6,570
Due after ten years		8,921		8,969
	$	51,609	$	51,533

For purposes of the maturity table, mortgage-backed securities, which are not due at a single maturity date, have been allocated over maturity groupings based on the weighted-average contractual maturities of underlying collateral. The mortgage-backed securities may mature earlier than their weighted-average contractual maturities because of principal prepayments.

- 98 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

NOTE E - LOANS

The following is a summary of loans at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

	2018						2017
				Percent						Percent
	Amount			of total			Amount			of total
	(dollars in thousands)
Real estate loans:
1-to-4 family residential	$	159,597			16.19	%	$	156,901			15.97	%
Commercial real estate		457,611			46.41	%		403,100			41.02	%
Multi-family residential		63,459			6.44	%		76,983			7.83	%
Construction		170,404			17.28	%		177,933			18.11	%
Home equity lines of credit (“HELOC”)		49,713			5.04	%		52,606			5.35	%

Total real estate loans		900,784			91.36	%		867,523			88.28	%

Other loans:
Commercial and industrial		74,181			7.52	%		106,164			10.80	%
Loans to individuals		12,597			1.28	%		10,097			1.04	%
Overdrafts		217			0.02	%		147			0.01	%
Total other loans		86,995			8.82	%		116,408			11.85	%

Gross loans		987,779						983,931

Less deferred loan origination fees, net		(1,739	)		(.18	)%		(1,305	)		(.13	)%

Total loans		986,040			100.00	%		982,626			100.00	%

Allowance for loan losses		(8,669	)					(8,835	)

Total loans, net	$	977,371					$	973,791

Loans are primarily made in central and eastern North Carolina and northwest South Carolina. Real estate loans can be affected by the condition of the local real estate market and can be affected by the local economic conditions.

At December 31, 2018, the Company had pre-approved but unused lines and letters of credit totaling $181.1 million. In management’s opinion, these commitments, and undisbursed proceeds on loans reflected above, represent no more than normal lending risk to the Company and will be funded from normal sources of liquidity.

- 99 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

A description of the various loan products provided by the Bank is presented below.

Residential 1-to-4 Family Loans

Residential 1-to-4 family loans are mortgage loans that typically convert from construction loans into permanent financing and are secured by properties within the Bank’s market areas.

Commercial Real Estate Loans

Commercial real estate loans are underwritten based on the borrower’s ability to generate adequate cash flow to repay the subject debt within reasonable terms. Commercial real estate loans typically include both owner and non-owner occupied properties with higher principal loan amounts and the repayment of these loans is generally dependent on the successful management of the property. Commercial real estate loans are sensitive to market and general economic conditions. Repayment analysis must be performed and consists of an identified primary/cash flow source of repayment and a secondary/liquidation source of repayment. The primary source of repayment is cash flow from income generated from rental or lease of the property. However, the cash flow can be supplemented with the borrower's and guarantor's global cash flow position. Other credit issues such as the business fundamentals and financial strength of the borrower/guarantor can be considered in determining adequacy of repayment ability. The secondary source of repayment is liquidation of the collateral, supplemented by liquidation cushion provided by the financial assets of the borrower/guarantor. Management monitors and evaluates commercial real estate loans based on collateral, market area, and risk grade.

Multi-family Residential Loans

Multi-family residential loans are typically nonfarm properties with 5 or more dwelling units in structures which include apartment buildings used primarily to accommodate households on a more or less permanent basis. Successful performance of these types of loans is primarily dependent on occupancy rates, rental rates, and property management.

Construction Loans

Construction loans are non-revolving extensions of credit secured by real property of which the proceeds are used to acquire and develop land and to construct commercial or residential buildings. The primary source of repayment for these types of loans is the sale of the improved property or permanent financing in which case the property is expected to generate the cash flow necessary for repayment on a permanent loan basis. Property cash flow may be supplemented with financial support from the borrowers/guarantors. Proper underwriting of a construction loan consists of the initial process of obtaining, analyzing, and approving various aspects of information pertaining to: the analysis of the permanent financing source, creditworthiness of the borrower and guarantors, ability of contractor to perform under the terms of the contract, and the feasibility, marketability, and valuation of the project.

Also, consideration is given to the cost of the project and sources of funds needed to complete construction as well as identifying any sources of equity funding. Construction loans are traditionally considered to be higher risk loans involving technical and legal requirements inherently different from other types of loans; however with thorough credit underwriting, proper loan structure, and diligent loan servicing, these risks can be mitigated. Some examples of risks inherent in this type of lending include: underestimated costs, inflation of material and labor costs, site difficulties (i.e. rock, soil), project not built to plans, weather delays and natural disasters, borrower/contractor/subcontractor disputes which prompt liens, and interest rates increasing beyond budget.

- 100 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Home Equity Lines of Credit

Home equity lines of credit are consumer-purpose revolving extensions of credit which are secured by first or second liens on owner-occupied residential real estate. Appropriate risk management and compliance practices are exercised to ensure that loan-to-value, lien perfection, and compliance risks are addressed and managed within the Bank’s established guidelines. The degree of utilization of revolving commitments within this loan segment is reviewed periodically to identify changes in the behavior of this borrowing group.

Commercial and Industrial Loans

Commercial and industrial loans are underwritten after evaluating and understanding the borrower’s ability to generate positive cash flow, operate profitably and prudently expand its business. Underwriting standards are designed to promote relationships to include a full range of loan, deposit, and cash management services. Commercial and industrial loans are primarily made based on the identified cash flows of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral provided by the borrower and the guarantors. The cash flows of the borrower, however, may not be as expected and the collateral securing these loans may fluctuate in value. In the case of loans secured by accounts receivable, the availability of funds for repayment can be impacted by the borrower’s ability to collect amounts due from its customers.

Loans to Individuals

Consumer loans are approved using Bank policies and procedures established to evaluate each credit request. All lending decisions and credit risks are clearly documented. Several factors are considered in making these decisions such as credit score, adjusted net worth, liquidity, debt ratio, disposable income, credit history, and loan-to-value of the collateral. This process, combined with the relatively smaller loan amounts, spreads the risk among many individual borrowers.

Overdrafts

Overdrafts on customer accounts are classified as loans for reporting purposes.

- 101 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Non-Accrual and Past Due Loans

The following tables present as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 an age analysis of past due loans, segregated by class of loans:

	December 31, 2018
	30-59		60-89		90+		Non-		Total
	Days		Days		Days		Accrual		Past				Total
	Past Due		Past Due		Accruing		Loans		Due		Current		Loans
	(dollars in thousands)
Total loans
Commercial and industrial	$	27	$	203	$	1,665	$	4,170	$	6,065	$	68,116	$	74,181
Construction		-		-		69		587		656		169,748		170,404
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-		-		63,459		63,459
Commercial real estate		103		483		-		1,074		1,660		455,951		457,611
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		1		24		-		-		25		12,789		12,814
1-to-4 family residential		502		505		1,433		386		2,826		156,771		159,597
HELOC		-		43		-		1,040		1,083		48,630		49,713
Deferred loan (fees) cost, net		-		-		-		-		-		-		(1,739	)

	$	633	$	1,258	$	3,167	$	7,257	$	12,315	$	975,464	$	986,040

Loans- PCI
Commercial and industrial	$	-	$	-	$	1,665	$	-	$	1,665	$	99	$	1,764
Construction		-		-		69		-		69		682		751
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-		-		937		937
Commercial real estate		-		-		-		-		-		7,579		7,579
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
1-to-4 family residential		-		-		1,433		-		1,433		6,755		8,188
HELOC		-		-		-		-		-		49		49

	$	-	$	-	$	3,167	$	-	$	3,167	$	16,101	$	19,268

Loans- excluding PCI
Commercial and industrial	$	27	$	203	$	-	$	4,170	$	4,400	$	68,017	$	72,417
Construction		-		-		-		587		587		169,066		169,653
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-		-		62,522		62,522
Commercial real estate		103		483		-		1,074		1,660		448,372		450,032
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		1		24		-		-		25		12,789		12,814
1-to-4 family residential		502		505		-		386		1,393		150,016		151,409
HELOC		-		43		-		1,040		1,083		48,581		49,664
Deferred loan (fees) cost, net		-		-		-		-		-		-		(1,739	)

	$	633	$	1,258	$	-	$	7,257	$	9,148	$	959,363	$	966,772

- 102 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Non-Accrual and Past Due Loans

	December 31, 2017
	30-59		60-89		90+		Non-		Total
	Days		Days		Days		Accrual		Past				Total
	Past Due		Past Due		Accruing		Loans		Due		Current		Loans
	(dollars in thousands)
Total loans
Commercial and industrial	$	174	$	41	$	396	$	96	$	707	$	105,457	$	106,164
Construction		-		27		359		384		770		177,163		177,933
Multi-family residential		30		-		-		-		30		76,953		76,983
Commercial real estate		1,135		329		-		528		1,992		401,108		403,100
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		21		1		-		7		29		10,215		10,244
1-to-4 family residential		1,013		1,811		721		771		4,316		152,585		156,901
HELOC		103		-		-		329		432		52,174		52,606
Deferred loan (fees) cost, net		-		-		-		-		-		-		(1,305	)

	$	2,476	$	2,209	$	1,476	$	2,115	$	8,276	$	975,655	$	982,626

Loans- PCI
Commercial and industrial	$	-	$	-	$	396	$	-	$	396	$	2,537	$	2,933
Construction		-		-		359		-		359		710		1,069
Multi-family residential		-		-		-		-		-		971		971
Commercial real estate		-		-		-		-		-		9,056		9,056
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		-		-		-		-		-		67		67
1-to-4 family residential		-		-		721		-		721		8,398		9,119
HELOC		-		-		-		-		-		46		46

	$	-	$	-	$	1,476	$	-	$	1,476	$	19,126	$	23,261
Loans- excluding PCI

Commercial and industrial	$	174	$	41	$	-	$	96	$	311	$	102,920	$	103,231
Construction		-		27		-		384		411		176,453		176,864
Multi-family residential		30		-		-		-		30		75,982		76,012
Commercial real estate		1,135		329		-		528		1,992		392,052		394,044
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		21		1		-		7		29		10,148		10,177
1-to-4 family residential		1,013		1,811		-		771		3,595		144,187		147,782
HELOC		103		-		-		329		432		52,128		52,560
Deferred loan (fees) cost, net		-		-		-		-		-		-		(1,305	)

	$	2,476	$	2,209	$	-	$	2,115	$	6,800	$	953,870	$	959,365

There were seventeen loans in the aggregate amount of $3.2 million greater than 90 days past due and still accruing interest at December 31, 2018 and there were eleven loans in the aggregate amount of $1.5 million greater than 90 days past due and still accruing interest at December 31, 2017. All loans greater than 90 days past due and still accruing are acquired loans that are considered past due rather than non-accrual loans due to the accounting treatment of acquired loans. In accordance with the ASC 310-20 guidance, if the loan pays different than contractually required, then a discount / (premium) adjustment is made in order to maintain the same effective interest rate.

- 103 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Non-Accrual and Past Due Loans

Loans are placed on non-accrual status 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 reserves. In the case of an impaired loan that is still on accrual basis, payments are applied to both principal and interest.

Impaired Loans

The following tables present information on loans, excluding PCI loans and loans evaluated collectively as a homogenous group, that were considered to be impaired as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

							December 31, 2018
			Contractual				Year to Date
			Unpaid		Related		Average		Interest Income
	Recorded		Principal		Allowance		Recorded		Recognized on
	Investment		Balance		for Loan Losses		Investment		Impaired Loans
	(dollars in thousands)
2018:
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial and industrial	$	4,210	$	4,495	$	-	$	2,899	$	229
Construction		561		647		-		473		16
Commercial real estate		4,744		6,903		-		5,053		372
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		101		109		-		51		9
Multi-family residential		215		215		-		225		15
HELOC		1,040		1,204		-		884		50
1-to-4 family residential		572		732		-		1,169		79

Subtotal:		11,443		14,305		-		10,754		770
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial and industrial		127		325		51		234		13
Construction		27		27		14		13		-
Commercial real estate		-		-		-		-		-
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		-		-		-		-		-
Multi-family Residential		-		-		-		-		-
HELOC		-		-		-		-		-
1-to-4 family residential		137		555		22		374		23
Subtotal:		291		907		87		621		36
Totals:
Commercial		10,007		12,612		65		8,897		645
Consumer		101		109		-		51		9
Residential		1,626		2,491		22		2,427		152

Grand Total:	$	11,734	$	15,212	$	87	$	11,375	$	806

Impaired loans at December 31, 2018 were approximately $11.7 million and were comprised of $7.3 million in non-accrual loans and $4.4 million in loans still in accruing status. Recorded investment represents the current principal balance for the loan. Approximately $291,000 of the $11.7 million in impaired loans at December 31, 2018 had specific allowances aggregating $87,000 while the remaining $11.4 million had no specific allowances recorded. Of the $11.4 million with no allowance recorded, partial charge-offs through December 31, 2018 amounted to $3.5 million.

- 104 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

							December 31, 2017
			Contractual				Year to Date
			Unpaid		Related		Average		Interest Income
	Recorded		Principal		Allowance		Recorded		Recognized on
	Investment		Balance		for Loan Losses		Investment		Impaired Loans
	(dollars in thousands)
2017:
With no related allowance recorded:
Commercial and industrial	$	940	$	1,234	$	-	$	1,203	$	97
Construction		385		490		-		308		30
Commercial real estate		4,428		5,606		-		4,396		264
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		1		1		-		-		-
Multi-family residential		234		234		-		290		12
HELOC		602		926		-		887		44
1-to-4 family residential		1,077		1,209		-		842		54

Subtotal:		7,667		9,700		-		7,926		501
With an allowance recorded:
Commercial and industrial		142		142		50		72		8
Construction		-		-		-		-		-
Commercial real estate		-		-		-		-		-
Loans to individuals & overdrafts		-		-		-		-		-
Multi-family Residential		-		-		-		-		-
HELOC		202		202		11		249		12
1-to-4 family residential		-		-		-		-		-
Subtotal:		344		344		61		321		20
Totals:
Commercial		6,129		7,706		50		6,269		411
Consumer		1		1		-		-		-
Residential		1,881		2,337		11		1,978		110

Grand Total:	$	8,011	$	10,044	$	61	$	8,247	$	521

Impaired loans at December 31, 2017 were approximately $8.0 million and were comprised of $2.1 million in non-accrual loans and $5.9 million in loans still in accruing status. Recorded investment represents the current principal balance for the loan. Approximately $344,000 of the $8.0 million in impaired loans at December 31, 2017 had specific allowances aggregating $61,000 while the remaining $7.7 million had no specific allowances recorded. Of the $7.7 million with no allowance recorded, partial charge-offs through December 31, 2017 amounted to $2.0 million.

- 105 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Troubled Debt Restructurings

The following tables present loans that were modified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDRs”) within the previous twelve months with a breakdown of the types of concessions made by loan class during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018
			Pre-Modification		Post-Modification
	Number		Outstanding		Outstanding
	of		Recorded		Recorded
	loans		Investments		Investments
	(dollars in thousands)
Extended payment terms:
Commercial and industrial		6		1,579		1,517
Commercial real estate		3		1,283		895
1-to-4 family residential		1		409		389

Total		10	$	3,271	$	2,801

As noted in the tables above, there were ten loans that were considered TDRs during the year ended December 31, 2018, for reasons due to extended terms. These loans were renewed at terms that vary from those that the Company would enter into for new loans of this type.

	Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
			Pre-Modification		Post-Modification
	Number		Outstanding		Outstanding
	of		Recorded		Recorded
	loans		Investments		Investments
	(dollars in thousands)
Extended payment terms:
Commercial and industrial		4		602		598
Commercial real estate		3		845		839
1-to-4 family residential		2		86		82
HELOC		1		126		126

Total		10	$	1,659	$	1,645

As noted in the tables above, there were ten loans that were considered TDRs during the year ended December 31, 2017, for reasons due to extended terms. These loans were renewed at terms that vary from those that the Company would enter into for new loans of this type.

- 106 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following tables present loans that were modified as TDRs within the previous twelve months for which there was a payment default together with a breakdown of the types of concessions made by loan class during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

	Twelve months ended
	December 31, 2018
	Number		Recorded
	of loans		investment
	(dollars in thousands)
Extended payment terms:
Commercial and industrial		4		1,036
Commercial real estate		1		334

Total		5	$	1,370

	Twelve months ended
	December 31, 2017
	Number		Recorded
	of loans		investment
	(dollars in thousands)
Extended payment terms:
Commercial and industrial		1		37
1-to-4 family residential		1		13

Total		2	$	50

At December 31, 2018, the Company had thirty-six loans with an aggregate balance of $6.9 million that were considered to be troubled debt restructurings. Of those TDRs, twenty loans with a balance totaling $4.4 million were still accruing as of December 31, 2018. The remaining sixteen TDRs with a balance totaling $2.5 million were in non-accrual status. All TDRs are included in non-performing assets and impaired loans.

Credit Quality Indicators

As part of the on-going monitoring of the credit quality of the loan portfolio, management utilizes a risk grading matrix to assign a risk grade to each of the Company’s loans. All non-consumer loans are graded on a scale of 1 to 9. A description of the general characteristics of these nine different risk grades is as follows:

Risk Grade 1 (Superior) - Credits in this category are virtually risk-free and are well-collateralized by cash-equivalent instruments. The repayment program is well-defined and achievable. Repayment sources are numerous. No material documentation deficiencies or exceptions exist.

Risk Grade 2 (Very Good) - This grade is reserved for loans secured by readily marketable collateral, or loans within guidelines to borrowers with liquid financial statements. A liquid financial statement is a financial statement with substantial liquid assets relative to debts. These loans have excellent sources of repayment, with no significant identifiable risk of collection, and conform in all respects to Bank policy, guidelines, underwriting standards, and Federal and State regulations (no exceptions of any kind).

- 107 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Risk Grade 3 (Good) - These loans have excellent sources of repayment, with no significant identifiable risk of collection. Generally, loans assigned this risk grade will demonstrate the following characteristics:

Conformity in all respects with Bank policy, guidelines, underwriting standards, and Federal and State regulations (no exceptions of any kind).

Documented historical cash flow that meets or exceeds required minimum Bank guidelines, or that can be supplemented with verifiable cash flow from other sources.

Adequate secondary sources to liquidate the debt, including combinations of liquidity, liquidation of collateral, or liquidation value to the net worth of the borrower or guarantor.

Risk Grade 4 (Acceptable) - This grade is given to acceptable loans. These loans have adequate sources of repayment, with little identifiable risk of collection. Loans assigned this risk grade will demonstrate the following characteristics:

General conformity to the Bank's policy requirements, product guidelines and underwriting standards, with limited exceptions. Any exceptions that are identified during the underwriting and approval process have been adequately mitigated by other factors.

Documented historical cash flow that meets or exceeds required minimum Bank guidelines, or that can be supplemented with verifiable cash flow from other sources.

Adequate secondary sources to liquidate the debt, including combinations of liquidity, liquidation of collateral, or liquidation value to the net worth of the borrower or guarantor.

Risk Grade 5 (Acceptable With Care) - This grade is given to acceptable loans that show signs of weakness in either adequate sources of repayment or collateral, but have demonstrated mitigating factors that minimize the risk of delinquency or loss. Loans assigned this grade may demonstrate some or all of the following characteristics:

Additional exceptions to the Bank's policy requirements, product guidelines or underwriting standards that present a higher degree of risk to the Bank. Although the combination and/or severity of identified exceptions is greater, all exceptions have been properly mitigated by other factors.

Unproven, insufficient or marginal primary sources of repayment that appear sufficient to service the debt at this time. Repayment weaknesses may be due to minor operational issues, financial trends, or reliance on projected (not historic) performance.

Marginal or unproven secondary sources to liquidate the debt, including combinations of liquidation of collateral and liquidation value to the net worth of the borrower or guarantor.

Risk Grade 6 (Watch List or Special Mention) – Loans in this category can have the following characteristics:

Loans with underwriting guideline tolerances and/or exceptions and with no mitigating factors.

Extending loans that are currently performing satisfactorily but with potential weaknesses that may, if not corrected, weaken the asset or inadequately protect the Bank's position at some future date. Potential weaknesses are the result of deviations from prudent lending practices.

Loans where adverse economic conditions that develop subsequent to the loan origination that do not jeopardize liquidation of the debt but do substantially increase the level of risk may also warrant this rating.

- 108 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Risk Grade 7 (Substandard) - A Substandard loan is inadequately protected by the current sound net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified as Substandard must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt; they are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loans consistently not meeting the repayment schedule should be downgraded to substandard. Loans in this category are characterized by deterioration in quality exhibited by any number of well-defined weaknesses requiring corrective action.

Risk Grade 8 (Doubtful) - Loans classified Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified Substandard, plus the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values highly questionable and improbable. However, these loans are not yet rated as loss because certain events may occur which would salvage the debt.

Risk Grade 9 (Loss) - Loans classified as Loss are considered uncollectable and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather that it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off the loan even though partial recovery may be affected in the future.

Consumer loans are graded on a scale of 1 to 9. A description of the general characteristics of the 9 risk grades is as follows:

Risk Grades 1 – 5 (Pass) – The loans in this category range from loans secured by cash with no risk of principal deterioration (Risk Grade 1) to loans that show signs of weakness in either adequate sources of repayment or collateral but have demonstrated mitigating factors that minimize the risk of delinquency or loss (Risk Grade 5).

Risk Grade 6 (Watch List or Special Mention) - Watch list or Special Mention loans include the following characteristics:

Loans within guideline tolerances or with exceptions of any kind that have not been mitigated by other economic or credit factors.

Loans where adverse economic conditions that develop subsequent to the loan origination that don't jeopardize liquidation of the debt but do substantially increase the level of risk may also warrant this rating.

Risk Grade 9 (Loss) - Loans classified Loss are considered uncollectable and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted. This classification does not mean that the asset has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather that it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this worthless loan even though partial recovery may be affected in the future.

- 109 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following tables present information on risk ratings of the commercial and consumer loan portfolios, segregated by loan class as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

Total Loans:

December 31, 2018
Commercial
Credit
Exposure By	Commercial				Commercial
Internally	and				real		Multi-family
Assigned Grade	industrial		Construction		estate		residential
(dollars in thousands)

Superior	$	1,662	$	-	$	21	$	-
Very good		2,266		246		1,120		-
Good		5,773		12,106		47,959		5,116
Acceptable		22,332		30,897		263,017		37,832
Acceptable with care		34,626		125,788		139,484		20,296
Special mention		879		711		1,789		-
Substandard		6,643		656		4,221		215
Doubtful		-		-		-		-
Loss		-		-		-		-
	$	74,181	$	170,404	$	457,611	$	63,459

Consumer Credit
Exposure By
Internally	1-to-4 family
Assigned Grade	residential		HELOC

Pass	$	155,117	$	48,143
Special mention		900		88
Substandard		3,580		1,482
	$	159,597	$	49,713

Consumer Credit

Exposure Based

Loans to

On Payment

individuals &

Activity

overdrafts

Pass

10,891

Special mention

1,923

12,814

- 110 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Total Loans:

December 31, 2017
Commercial
Credit
Exposure By	Commercial				Commercial
Internally	and				real		Multi-family
Assigned Grade	industrial		Construction		estate		residential
(dollars in thousands)

Superior	$	1,207	$	-	$	-	$	-
Very good		2,454		111		420		-
Good		13,161		11,343		46,790		11,394
Acceptable		44,968		40,558		249,988		46,246
Acceptable with care		38,631		124,593		97,798		18,787
Special mention		3,172		583		3,771		322
Substandard		2,571		745		4,333		234
Doubtful		-		-		-		-
Loss		-		-		-		-
	$	106,164	$	177,933	$	403,100	$	76,983

Consumer Credit
Exposure By
Internally	1-to-4 family
Assigned Grade	residential		HELOC

Pass	$	149,767	$	51,326
Special mention		3,270		253
Substandard		3,864		1,027
	$	156,901	$	52,606

Consumer Credit

Exposure Based

Loans to

On Payment

individuals &

Activity

overdrafts

Pass

10,233

Special mention

10,244

The process of determining the allowance for loan losses is driven by the risk grade system and the loss experience on non-risk graded homogeneous types of loans. The Bank’s allowance for loan losses is calculated and determined, at a minimum, each fiscal quarter end. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of the appropriate level of reserve to provide for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. In determining the allowance for loan losses and any resulting provision to be charged against earnings, particular emphasis is placed on the results of the loan review process. Consideration is also given to a review of individual loans, historical loan loss experience, the value and adequacy of collateral and economic conditions in the Bank’s market areas. For loans determined to be impaired, the impairment is based on discounted expected cash flows using the loan’s initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral (less selling costs) for certain collateral dependent loans. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates, including the amounts and timing of future cash flows expected to be received on impaired loans that may be susceptible to significant change. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Bank’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize changes to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examinations. Loans are charged off when in the opinion of management, they are deemed to be uncollectible. Recognized losses are charged against the allowance, and subsequent recoveries are added to the allowance. The Credit Management Committee of the Board of Directors has responsibility for oversight.

- 111 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Management believes the allowance for loan losses of $8.7 million at December 31, 2018 is adequate to provide for inherent losses in the loan portfolio; however, assessing the adequacy of the allowance is a process that requires continuous evaluation and considerable judgment. Management’s judgments are based on numerous assumptions about current events which it believes to be reasonable, but which may or may not be valid. Thus, there can be no assurance that credit losses in future periods will not exceed the current allowance or that future increases in the allowance will not be required. No assurance can be given that management’s ongoing evaluation of the loan portfolio in light of changing economic conditions and other relevant circumstances will not require significant future additions to the allowance, thus adversely affecting future operating results of the Bank.

- 112 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

For PCI loans acquired from Legacy Select and Premara, the contractually required payments including principal and interest, cash flows expected to be collected and fair values as of the closing date of the merger and December 31, 2018 and 2017 were:

	December 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017
	(dollars in thousands)
Contractually required payments	$	24,823	$	29,285
Nonaccretable difference		1,962		2,717
Cash flows expected to be collected		22,861		26,568
Accretable yield		3,593		3,307
Fair value	$	19,268	$	23,261

The following table documents changes to the amount of the PCI accretable yield as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

	2018			2017
	(dollars in thousands)

Accretable yield, beginning of period	$	3,307		$	2,626
Additions		-			1,392
Accretion		(1,541	)		(1,043	)
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference		576			131
Other changes, net		1,251			201

Accretable yield, end of period	$	3,593		$	3,307

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is a reserve established through provisions for loan losses charged to income and represents management’s best estimate of probable loan losses inherent within the existing portfolio of loans. The allowance, in the judgment of management, is necessary to reserve for estimated losses and risk inherent in the loan portfolio. The Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology is based on historical loss experience by type of credit and internal risk grade, specific homogeneous risk pools and specific loss allocations, with adjustments for current events and conditions. The Company’s process for determining the appropriate level of reserves is designed to account for changes in credit quality as they occur. The provision for loan losses reflects loan quality trends, including the levels of, and trends related to, past due loans and economic conditions at the local and national levels. It also considers the quality and risk characteristics of the Company’s loan origination and servicing policies and practices.

Individual reserves are calculated according to ASC Section 310-10-35 against loans evaluated individually and deemed to most likely be impaired. 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 reserves.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses model calculates historical loss rates using a loss migration analysis associating losses to the risk-graded pool to which they relate for each of the previous twelve quarters. Then, using a twelve quarter look back period, loss factors are calculated for each risk-graded pool.

- 113 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The model incorporates various internal and external qualitative and environmental factors as described in the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses, dated December 2006. Input for these factors is determined on the basis of management observation, judgment, and experience. The factors utilized by the Company are as follows:

Internal Factors

Concentrations – Measures the increased risk derived from concentration of credit exposure in particular industry segments within the portfolio.

Policy exceptions – Measures the risk derived from granting terms outside of underwriting guidelines.

Compliance exceptions– Measures the risk derived from granting terms outside of regulatory guidelines.

Document exceptions– Measures the risk exposure resulting from the inability to collect due to improperly executed documents and collateral imperfections.

Financial information monitoring – Measures the risk associated with not having current borrower financial information.

Nonaccrual – Reflects increased risk of loans with characteristics that merit nonaccrual status.

Delinquency – Reflects the increased risk deriving from higher delinquency rates.

Personnel turnover – Reflects staff competence in various types of lending.

Portfolio growth – Measures the impact of growth and potential risk derived from new loan production.

External Factors

GDP growth rate – Impact of general economic factors that affect the portfolio.

North Carolina unemployment rate – Impact of local economic factors that affect the portfolio.

South Carolina unemployment rate – Impact of local economic factors that affect the portfolio.

Peer group delinquency rate – Measures risk associated with the credit requirements of competitors.

Prime rate change – Measures the effect on the portfolio in the event of changes in the prime lending rate.

Each pool is assigned an adjustment to the potential loss percentage by assessing its characteristics against each of the factors listed above.

Reserves are generally divided into three allocation segments:

Individual reserves. These are calculated according to ASC Section 310-10-35 against loans evaluated individually and deemed to most likely be impaired. All loans in non-accrual status and all substandard loans that are deemed to be collateral dependent are assessed for impairment. Loans are deemed uncollectible based on a variety of credit, collateral, documentation and other issues. In the case of uncollectible receivables, the collateral is considered unsecured and therefore fully charged off.

Formula reserves. Formula reserves are held against loans evaluated collectively. Loans are grouped by type or by risk grade, or some combination of the two. Loss estimates are based on historical loss rates for each respective loan group. Formula reserves represent the Company’s best estimate of losses that may be inherent, or embedded, within the group of loans, even if it is not apparent at this time which loans within any group or pool represent those embedded losses.

- 114 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Qualitative and external reserves. If individual reserves represent estimated losses tied to specific loans, and formula reserves represent estimated losses tied to a pool of loans but not yet to any specific loan, then these reserves represent an estimate of losses that are likely to be incurred, but are not yet tied to any loan or group of loans.

All information related to the calculation of the three segments, including data analysis, assumptions, and calculations are documented. Assigning specific individual reserve amounts, formula reserve factors, or unallocated amounts based on unsupported assumptions or conclusions is not permitted.

- 115 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following tables present a roll forward of the Company’s allowance for loan losses by loan segment for the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively (in thousands):

2018

	Commercial									1 to 4						Loans to			Multi-
	and						Commercial			family						individuals &			family
Allowance for loan losses	industrial			Construction			real estate			residential			HELOC			overdrafts			residential			Total

Loans – excluding PCI
Balance, beginning of period 01/01/2018	$	742		$	1,955		$	3,304		$	1,058		$	549		$	305		$	791		$	8,704
Provision for loan losses		(23	)		(576	)		(326	)		585			31			1			(320	)		(628	)
Loans charged-off		(196	)		-			(2	)		(12	)		(68	)		(191	)		-			(469	)
Recoveries		239			6			48			32			43			91			-			459
Balance, end of period 12/31/2018	$	762		$	1,385		$	3,024		$	1,663		$	555		$	206		$	471		$	8,066

PCI Loans
Balance, beginning of period 01/01/2018	$	65		$	-		$	66		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	131
Provision for loan losses		149			-			319			4			-			-			-			472
Loans charged-off		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-
Recoveries		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-
Balance, end of period 12/31/2018	$	214		$	-		$	385		$	4		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	603

Total Loans
Balance, beginning of period 01/01/2018	$	807		$	1,955		$	3,370		$	1,058		$	549		$	305		$	791		$	8,835
Provision for loan losses		126			(576	)		(7	)		589			31			1			(320	)		(156	)
Loans charged-off		(196	)		-			(2	)		(12	)		(68	)		(191	)		-			(469	)
Recoveries		239			6			48			32			43			91			-			459
Balance, end of period 12/31/2018	$	976		$	1,385		$	3,409		$	1,667		$	555		$	206		$	471		$	8,669

Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	51		$	14		$	-		$	22		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	87
Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	925		$	1,371		$	3,409		$	1,645		$	555		$	206		$	471		$	8,582

Loans:
Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment non PCI loans	$	68,891		$	169,065		$	444,354		$	150,700		$	48,747		$	12,713		$	62,307		$	956,777
Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment PCI loans	$	1,764		$	751		$	7,579		$	8,188		$	49		$	-		$	937		$	19,268
Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,526		$	588		$	5,678		$	709		$	917		$	101		$	215		$	11,734
Ending Balance	$	74,181		$	170,404		$	457,611		$	159,597		$	49,713		$	12,814		$	63,459		$	987,779

- 116 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

2017

	Commercial									1 to 4						Loans to			Multi-
	and						Commercial			family						individuals &			family
Allowance for loan losses	industrial			Construction			real estate			residential			HELOC			overdrafts			residential		Total

Loans – excluding PCI
Balance, beginning of period 01/01/2017	$	1,211		$	1,301		$	3,448		$	846		$	611		$	317		$	628	$	8,362
Provision for loan losses		(607	)		642			754			188			92			55			161		1,285
Loans charged-off		(73	)		(17	)		(914	)		(22	)		(179	)		(101	)		-		(1,306	)
Recoveries		211			29			16			46			25			34			2		363
Balance, end of period 12/31/2017	$	742		$	1,955		$	3,304		$	1,058		$	549		$	305		$	791	$	8,704

PCI Loans
Balance, beginning of period 01/01/2017	$	37		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	12		$	-		$	-	$	49
Provision for loan losses		28			-			66			-			(12	)		-			-		82
Loans charged-off		-			-			-			-			-			-			-		-
Recoveries		-			-			-			-			-			-			-		-
Balance, end of period 12/31/2017	$	65		$	-		$	66		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-	$	131

Total Loans
Balance, beginning of period 01/01/2017	$	1,248		$	1,301		$	3,448		$	846		$	623		$	317		$	628	$	8,411
Provision for loan losses		(579	)		642			820			188			80			55			161		1,367
Loans charged-off		(73	)		(17	)		(914	)		(22	)		(179	)		(101	)		-		(1,306	)
Recoveries		211			29			16			46			25			34			2		363
Balance, end of period 12/31/2017	$	807		$	1,955		$	3,370		$	1,058		$	549		$	305		$	791	$	8,835

Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	50		$	-		$	-		$	11		$	-		$	-		$	-	$	61
Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	757		$	1,955		$	3,370		$	1,047		$	549		$	305		$	791	$	8,774

Loans:
Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment non PCI loans	$	102,148		$	176,479		$	389,617		$	146,504		$	51,958		$	10,176		$	75,777	$	952,659
Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment PCI loans	$	2,933		$	1,069		$	9,056		$	9,119		$	46		$	67		$	971	$	23,261
Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	1,083		$	385		$	4,427		$	1,278		$	602		$	1		$	235	$	8,011

Ending Balance	$	106,164		$	177,933		$	403,100		$	156,901		$	52,606		$	10,244		$	76,983	$	983,931

- 117 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

2016

	Commercial									1 to 4						Loans to			Multi-
	and						Commercial			family						individuals &			family
Allowance for loan losses	industrial			Construction			real estate			residential			HELOC			overdrafts			residential		Total

Loans – excluding PCI
Balance, beginning of period 01/01/2016	$	922		$	1,386		$	3,005		$	605		$	564		$	137		$	393	$	7,012
Provision for loan losses		449			(105	)		481			(51	)		217			250			235		1,476
Loans charged-off		(182	)		(2	)		(189	)		(7	)		(205	)		(90	)		-		(675	)
Recoveries		22			22			151			299			35			20			-		549
Total	$	1,211		$	1,301		$	3,448		$	846		$	611		$	317		$	628	$	8,362

PCI Loans
Balance, beginning of period 01/01/2016	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	9		$	-		$	-	$	9
Provision for loan losses		37			-			-			-			3			-			-		40
Loans charged-off		-			-			-			-			-			-			-		-
Recoveries		-			-			-			-			-			-			-		-
Balance, end of period 12/31/2016	$	37		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	12		$	-		$	-	$	49

Total Loans
Balance, beginning of period 01/01/2016	$	922		$	1,386		$	3,005		$	605		$	573		$	137		$	393	$	7,021
Provision for loan losses		486			(105	)		481			(51	)		220			250			235		1,516
Loans charged-off		(182	)		(2	)		(189	)		(7	)		(205	)		(90	)		-		(675	)
Recoveries		22			22			151			299			35			20			-		549
Balance, end of period 12/31/2016	$	1,248		$	1,301		$	3,448		$	846		$	623		$	317		$	628	$	8,411

Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	-		$	-		$	80		$	17		$	19		$	1		$	-	$	117
Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	1,248		$	1,301		$	3,368		$	829		$	604		$	316		$	628	$	8,294

Loans:
Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment non PCI loans	$	90,413		$	99,748		$	266,689		$	89,253		$	39,886		$	8,587		$	55,104	$	649,680
Ending Balance: collectively evaluated for impairment PCI loans	$	219		$	932		$	8,174		$	7,429		$	197		$	100		$	669	$	17,720
Ending Balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	46		$	231		$	6,860		$	1,296		$	1,075		$	1,140		$	346	$	10,994

Ending Balance	$	90,678		$	100,911		$	281,723		$	97,978		$	41,158		$	9,827		$	56,119	$	678,394

- 118 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

NOTE F– OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

The following table explains changes in other real estate owned (“OREO”) during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 (dollars in thousands):

	December 31,			December 31,
	2018			2017
	(Dollars in thousands)

Beginning balance January 1	$	1,258		$	599
Sales		(717	)		(1,442	)
Write-downs and loss on sales		(71	)		(442	)
Transfers		618			2,543
Ending balance	$	1,088		$	1,258

At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, of foreclosed residential real estate property in OREO. The Company had 4 loans with recorded investment in the amount of $500,000 in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property in the process of foreclosure at December 31, 2018. The Company had 5 loans with recorded investment in the amount of $376,000 in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property in the process of foreclosure at December 31, 2017.

NOTE G - PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

The following is a summary of premises and equipment at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

	2018		2017
	(dollars in thousands)

Land	$	4,913	$	5,078
Buildings		14,878		14,671
Furniture and equipment		7,455		6,577
Leasehold improvements		562		453
Construction in progress		136		100
		27,944		26,879
Less accumulated depreciation		10,024		8,611
Total	$	17,920	$	18,268

Depreciation amounting to approximately $1.7 million, $1.1 million, and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, is included in occupancy and equipment expenses.

- 119 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The Company has operating leases for its corporate offices and branches that expire at various times through 2024. Future minimum lease payments under the leases for years subsequent to December 31, 2018 are as follows:

	Total Lease Payments
	(dollars in thousands)

2019	$	1,272
2020		811
2021		815
2022		646
2023		364
Years thereafter		137

	$	4,045

During 2018, 2017, and 2016, payments under operating leases were approximately $1.2 million, $408,000, and $370,000, respectively. Lease expense was accounted for on a straight line basis. Rental income earned on office space leased to third parties was $426,000, $148,000 and $182,000 for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

NOTE H – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The table below summarizes the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill and other intangibles (core deposit intangibles) for the periods presented.

				Core Deposit Intangible
						Accumulated
	Goodwill			Gross		Amortization			Net
	(dollars in thousands)

Balance at January 1, 2016	$	6,931		$	3,219	$	(1,978	)	$	1,241
Amortization expense		-			-		(431	)		(431	)
Balance at December 31, 2016		6,931			3,219		(2,409	)		810
Goodwill and core deposit intangible resulting from Premara merger		17,973			2,700		-			2,700
Amortization expense		-			-		(409	)		(409	)
Balance at December 31, 2017		24,904			5,919		(2,818	)		3,101
Adjustment of goodwill		(325	)		-		-			-
Amortization expense		-			-		(1,016	)		(1,016	)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	24,579		$	5,919	$	(3,834	)	$	2,085

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired net assets under the acquisition method of accounting. An adjustment to goodwill was made during 2018 as a result of a revision to the purchase accounting entry during the measurement period.

The value of acquired core deposit relationships was determined using the present value of the difference between a market participant's cost of obtaining alternative funds and the cost to maintain the acquired deposit base.

- 120 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The table below summarizes the remaining core deposit intangible amortization (dollars in thousands):

2019	$	791
2020		565
2021		379
2022		239
2023		105
Thereafter		6

	$	2,085

NOTE I – DEPOSITS

The scheduled maturities of time deposits at December 31, 2018 are as follows:

	Total Time Deposits
	(dollars in thousands)

2019	$	360,733
2020		39,051
2021		16,025
2022		4,781
2023		6,537
Thereafter		-
	$	427,127

Time deposits with balances of more than $250,000 were $120.8 million and $96.9 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

NOTE J – REVENUE RECOGNITION

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 606. As stated in Note B, Recent Accounting Pronouncements, the implementation of the new standard did not have a material impact on the measurement or recognition of revenue; as such, a cumulative effect adjustment to opening retained earnings was not deemed necessary. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with accounting policies employed under Topic 605.

Topic 606 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and securities. In addition, certain noninterest income streams such as fees associated with mortgage servicing rights, financial guarantees, derivatives, and certain credit card fees are also not in scope of the new guidance. Topic 606 is applicable to noninterest revenue streams such as trust and asset management income, deposit related fees, interchange fees, merchant income, and annuity and insurance commissions. However, the recognition of these revenue streams did not change significantly upon adoption of Topic 606. Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is generated from contracts with customers. Noninterest revenue streams in-scope of Topic 606 are discussed below.

- 121 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

Service charges on deposit accounts consist of insufficient funds fees, account analysis fees (i.e., net fees earned on analyzed business and public checking accounts), monthly service fees, check orders, and other deposit account related fees. The Company’s performance obligation for account analysis fees and monthly service fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, over the period in which the service is provided. Check orders and other deposit account related fees are largely transactional based, and therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied, and related revenue recognized, at a point in time. Payment for service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received immediately or in the following month through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.

Other Fees and Income

Other fees and income primarily consist of debit and credit card income, ATM fees, merchant services income, and other service charges. Debit and credit card income primarily consists of interchange fees earned whenever the Company’s debit and credit cards are processed through card payment networks such as Visa. ATM fees are primarily generated when a Company cardholder uses a non-Company ATM or a non-Company cardholder uses a Company ATM. Merchant services income mainly represents fees charged to merchants to process their debit and credit card transactions, in addition to account management fees. Other service charges include revenue from processing wire transfers, bill pay services, cashier’s checks, and other services. The Company’s performance obligation for fees, exchange, and other service charges are largely satisfied, and related revenue recognized, when the services are rendered or upon completion. Payment is typically received immediately or in the following month. Other fees and income also includes other recurring revenue streams such as safety deposit box rental fees and other miscellaneous revenue streams. Safe deposit box rental fees are charged to the customer on an annual basis and recognized upon receipt of payment. The Company determined that since rentals and renewals occur fairly consistently over time, revenue is recognized on a basis consistent with the duration of the performance obligation.

The following presents noninterest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of Topic 606, for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

	December 31,		December 31,		December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
	(dollars in thousands)

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts	$	1,124	$	899	$	966
Other		1,657		960		1,263
Noninterest Income (in-scope of Topic 606)		2,781		1,859		2,229
Noninterest Income (out-of-scope of Topic 606)		1,920		1,213		993

Total Non-interest Income	$	4,701	$	3,072	$	3,222

- 122 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Contract Balances

A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration (resulting in a contract receivable) or before payment is due (resulting in a contract asset). A contract liability balance is an entity’s obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the entity has already received payment (or payment is due) from the customer. The Company’s noninterest revenue streams are largely based on transactional activity. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly after the Company satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. The Company does not typically enter into long-term revenue contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company did not have any significant contract balances.

Contract Acquisition Costs

In connection with the adoption of Topic 606, an entity is required to capitalize, and subsequently amortize into expense, certain incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if these costs are expected to be recovered. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those costs that an entity incurs to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained (for example, sales commission). The Company utilizes the practical expedient which allows entities to immediately expense contract acquisition costs when the asset that would have resulted from capitalizing these costs would have been amortized in one year or less. Upon adoption of Topic 606, the Company did not capitalize any contract acquisition cost.

NOTE K – SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT

At December 31, 2018, the Company had $7.0 million in short-term debt and $57.4 million in long-term debt. Short-term debt consisted of $7.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank advances. Long-term debt consisted of $12.4 million in junior subordinated debentures and $45.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank advances. The Federal Home Loan Bank advances are collateralized by $142.3 million of loans as of December 31, 2018.

At December 31, 2017, the Company had $28.3 million in short-term debt and $19.4 million in long-term debt. Short-term debt consisted of $28.3 million in Federal Home Loan Bank advances. Long-term debt consisted of $12.4 million in junior subordinated debentures and $7.0 million in Federal Home Loan Bank advances. The Federal Home Loan Bank advances are collateralized by $117.4 million of loans as of December 31, 2017.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase generally mature within one to four days from the transaction date and are classified as short-term debt. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase are reflected at the amount of cash received in connection with the transaction. These repurchase agreements are collateralized by U. S. Government agency obligations and all are floating rate. During 2017 we terminated our repurchase agreement program. The following table presents certain information for securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

	2018		2017
	(Dollars in thousands)

Balance at December 31	$	-	$	-
Weighted average interest rate at December 31		-		-
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year	$	-	$	15,235
Average daily balance outstanding during the year	$	-	$	6,751
Average annual interest rate paid during the year		-		0.35	%

- 123 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

At December 31, 2018, the Company had $52.0 million in advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and no borrowings from the Federal Reserve Bank discount window. Advances consisted of the following at December 31, 2018:

	Amount		Rate			Maturity
	(dollars in thousands)
Advance type:
Fixed rate credit	$	3,000		1.51	%	6/28/2019
Fixed rate credit		4,000		1.52	%	6/28/2019
Fixed rate hybrid		20,000		2.53	%	2/2/2021
Fixed rate hybrid		10,000		2.89	%	4/12/2023
Fixed rate hybrid		5,000		2.94	%	5/30/2023
Fixed rate hybrid		10,000		2.97	%	6/28/2023

On September 20, 2004, $12.4 million of junior subordinated debentures were issued to New Century Statutory Trust I (“the Trust”) in exchange for the proceeds of trust preferred securities issued by the Trust. All of the Trust’s common equity is owned by the Company. The junior subordinated debentures are included in long-term debt and the Company’s equity interest in the Trust is included in other assets.

The Company pays interest on the junior subordinated debentures at an annual rate, reset quarterly, equal to 3 month LIBOR plus 2.15%. The debentures are redeemable on September 20, 2009 or afterwards in whole or in part, on any March 20, June 20, September 20 or December 20. Redemption is mandatory at September 20, 2034. The Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed repayment of the trust-preferred securities. The Company’s obligation under the guarantee is unsecured and subordinate to senior and subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory capital purposes subject to certain limitations, none of which were applicable at December 31, 2018.

Lines of credit amounted to $258.1 million with various correspondent banks with $52.0 million outstanding and $206.1 million available as of December 31, 2018. Some of the lines of credit are secured and others unsecured with a variety of rates and terms.

NOTE L - INCOME TAXES

The significant components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

	2018		2017			2016
	(dollars in thousands)
Current tax provision:
Federal	$	2,366	$	3,059		$	2,998
State		483		328			498
Total current tax provision		2,849		3,387			3,496

Deferred tax provision:
Federal		943		2,328			52
State		118		(3	)		99
Total deferred tax provision		1,061		2,325			151

Net income tax provision	$	3,910	$	5,712		$	3,647

- 124 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The difference between the provision for income taxes and the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% for 2018 and 34% for 2017 and 2016 to income before income taxes is summarized below:

	2018			2017			2016
	(dollars in thousands)

Income tax at federal statutory rate	$	3,715		$	3,025		$	3,536
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
State income taxes, net of federal tax effect		475			214			394
Tax-exempt interest income		(99	)		(128	)		(151	)
Income from life insurance		(144	)		(195	)		(201	)
Incentive stock option expense		(2	)		39			24
Merger expenses		20			209			-
Impact of changes in tax rates		-			2,591			-
Other permanent differences		(55	)		(43	)		45

Provision for income taxes	$	3,910		$	5,712		$	3,647

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of deferred taxes at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

	2018			2017
	(dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets relating to:
Allowance for loan losses	$	1,992		$	2,030
Deferred compensation		132			172
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities		(17	)		-
Net operating loss carryforwards		999			1,446
Acquisition accounting		1,107			1,738
Write-downs on foreclosed real estate		108			116
Other		269			143
Total deferred tax assets		4,590			5,645
Deferred tax liabilities relating to:
Premises and equipment		(721	)		(654	)
Deferred loan fees/costs		(67	)		(54	)
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities		-			(119	)
Core deposit intangible		(140	)		(319	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(928	)		(1,146	)

Net recorded deferred tax asset, included in other assets	$	3,662		$	4,499

Deferred income taxes are measured at the enacted tax rate for the period in which they are expected to reverse. In December 2017 the U.S. Congress passed and the President signed legislation which reduced the statutory federal corporate tax rate to 21% effective January 1, 2018 and for all taxable years ending after that date. North Carolina also enacted legislation to reduce its corporate tax rate from 3.0% to 2.5% effective January 1, 2019. Therefore, deferred income taxes as of December 31, 2018 have been measured using the tax rate enacted for subsequent years of 21% and 2.5%. The impact of this change in tax rate was an additional income tax expense of $2.6 million for 2017.

- 125 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The Company had $4.8 million of net operating losses which can be carried forward and applied against future taxable income. If unused, these net operating losses will expire in 2027 through 2036. The Company’s policy is to report interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2014. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company has no uncertain tax positions.

The Company’s net deferred tax asset was $3.7 million and $4.5 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017. In evaluating whether we will realize the full benefit of our net deferred tax asset, we consider both positive and negative evidence, including among other things recent earnings trends, projected earnings, and asset quality. As of December 31, 2018, management concluded that the Company’s net deferred tax assets were fully realizable. As a result of the reduction in the federal corporate tax rate in December 2017 deferred taxes were adjusted to reflect this change. The Company will continue to monitor deferred tax assets closely to evaluate whether we will be able to realize the full benefit of our net deferred tax asset or whether there is any need for a valuation allowance. Significant negative trends in credit quality, losses from operations or other factors could impact the realization of the deferred tax asset in the future.

NOTE M - REGULATORY MATTERS

The Company is subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal and state banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company to maintain minimum amounts and ratios, as set forth in the table below. Management believes, as of December 31, 2018, that the Company meets all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject. The Company’s significant assets are its investments in Select Bank & Trust Company and New Century Statutory Trust I.

Regulatory authorities may limit payment of dividends by any bank when it is determined that such a limitation is in the public interest and is necessary to ensure financial soundness of the bank. The North Carolina Commissioner of Banks and the FDIC are also authorized to prohibit the payment of dividends under certain other circumstances.

- 126 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

As the following tables indicate, at December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company and its Bank subsidiary both exceeded minimum regulatory capital requirements as specified below.

						Minimum for capital
	Actual					adequacy purposes
The Company:	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
December 31, 2018:	(dollars in thousands)

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)	$	202,675		19.26	%	$	84,179		8.00	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)		194,006		18.44	%		63,135		6.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 (to Risk-Weighted Assets)		182,006		17.30	%		47,351		4.50	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)		194,006		15.65	%		49,576		4.00	%

						Minimum for capital
	Actual					adequacy purposes
The Company:	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
December 31, 2017:	(dollars in thousands)

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)	$	129,168		11.86	%	$	87,163		8.00	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)		120,334		11.04	%		65,372		6.00	%
Common Equity Tier 1 (to Risk-Weighted Assets)		108,334		9.94	%		49,029		4.50	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)		120,334		12.64	%		38,086		4.00	%

Select Bank & Trust Company’s actual capital amounts and ratios are presented in the table below as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:

											Minimum to be well
						Minimum for capital					capitalized under prompt
	Actual					adequacy purposes					corrective action provisions
The Bank:	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
December 31, 2018:	(dollars in thousands)

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)	$	162,507		15.45	%	$	84,124		8.00	%		105,156		10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)		153,838		14.63	%		63,093		6.00	%		84,124		8.00	%
Common equity Tier 1 (to Risk-Weight Assets)		153,838		14.63	%		47,320		4.50	%		68,351		6.50	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)		153,838		12.42	%		49,557		4.00	%		61,947		5.00	%

											Minimum to be well
						Minimum for capital					capitalized under prompt
	Actual					adequacy purposes					corrective action provisions
The Bank:	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
December 31, 2017:	(dollars in thousands)

Total Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)	$	123,813		11.38	%	$	87,077		8.00	%		108,846		10.00	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Risk-Weighted Assets)		114,979		10.56	%		65,308		6.00	%		87,077		8.00	%
Common equity Tier 1 (to Risk-Weight Assets)		114,979		10.56	%		48,981		4.50	%		70,750		6.50	%
Tier 1 Capital (to Average Assets)		114,979		12.08	%		38,086		4.00	%		47,608		5.00	%

During 2004, the Company issued $12.4 million of junior subordinated debentures to a newly formed subsidiary, New Century Statutory Trust I, which in turn issued $12.0 million of trust preferred securities. The proceeds from the sale of the trust preferred securities provided additional capital for the growth and expansion of the Bank. Under the current applicable regulatory guidelines, all of the proceeds from the issuance of these trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 1 capital as of December 31, 2018.

- 127 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Management expects that the Bank will remain “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes, although there can be no assurance that additional capital will not be required in the future.

NOTE N - OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet credit risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and letters of credit. Those instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the balance sheet. The contract or notional amounts of those instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in particular classes of financial instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of conditions established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Since some of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.

The amount of collateral obtained, if deemed necessary by the Company, upon extension of credit is based on management’s credit evaluation of the borrower. Collateral obtained varies but may include real estate, stocks, bonds, and certificates of deposit.

A summary of the contract amount of the Company’s exposure to off-balance sheet credit risk as of December 31, 2018 is as follows:

Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent credit risk:	(In thousands)
Undisbursed commitments	$	232,365
Letters of credit		2,596

The Company has legally binding delayed equity commitments to private investment funds. These commitments are not expected to be called, and therefore, are not reflected in the financial statements. The amount of these commitments at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $425,000 and $525,000, respectively.

NOTE O – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 does not require any new fair value measurements, but clarifies and standardizes some divergent practices that have emerged since prior guidance was issued. ASC 820 creates a three-level hierarchy under which individual fair value estimates are to be ranked based on the relative reliability of the inputs used in the valuation.

Fair value estimates are made at a specific moment in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument.

- 128 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

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:

Fair Value Hierarchy

The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value. These levels are:

Level 1 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for identical instruments traded in active markets.

Level 2 – Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.

Level 3 – Valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market. These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flows models and similar techniques.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Investment Securities Available-for-Sale

Investment securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted prices, if available. If quoted prices are not available, fair values are measured using independent pricing models or other model-based valuation techniques such as the present value of future cash flows, adjusted for the security’s credit rating, prepayment assumptions and other factors such as credit loss assumptions. Level 1 securities include those traded on an active exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, U.S. Treasury securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active over-the-counter markets and money market funds. Level 2 securities include U.S. government agencies – GSE’s, mortgage-backed securities issued by GSE’s, corporate bonds and municipal bonds. Valuation techniques are consistent with methodologies used in prior periods.

- 129 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following tables summarize quantitative disclosures about the fair value measurement for each category of assets carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Investment securities available for sale December 31, 2018	Fair value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies – GSE's	$	9,837	$	-	$	9,837	$	-
Mortgage-backed securities – GSE’s		22,983		-		22,983		-
Corporate Bonds		1,722		-		1,722		-
Municipal bonds		16,991		-		16,991		-
Total investment held for sale	$	51,533	$	-	$	51,533	$	-

Investment securities available for sale December 31, 2017	Fair value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
U.S. government agencies – GSE's	$	13,364	$	-	$	13,364	$	-
Mortgage-backed securities – GSE’s		29,684		-		29,684		-
Corporate Bonds		1,888		-		1,888		-
Municipal bonds		18,838		-		18,838		-
Total investment held for sale	$	63,774	$	-	$	63,774	$	-

The following are descriptions of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

Loans

The Company does not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. However, from time to time, a loan is considered impaired and a specific reserve in the allowance for loan losses is established. Loans for which it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement are considered impaired. Once a loan is identified as individually impaired, management measures impairment in accordance with ASC 310, “Receivables”. The fair value of impaired loans is estimated using one of several methods, including collateral value, market value of similar debt, enterprise value, or liquidation value and discounted cash flows. Those impaired loans not requiring an allowance represent loans for which the fair value of the expected repayments or collateral exceed the recorded investments in such loans. At December 31, 2018, and 2017, substantially all of the total impaired loans were evaluated based on the fair value of the collateral. Impaired loans where a specific reserve is established based on the fair value of collateral require classification in the fair value hierarchy. When the fair value of the collateral is based on an observable market price or a current appraised value, the Company records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 2. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Company records the impaired loan as nonrecurring Level 3. There were no transfers between levels from prior reporting periods. Valuation techniques are consistent with prior periods.

- 130 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s impaired loans range between 5 – 50% and 6 – 56% discount from appraisals for expected liquidation and sales costs at December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Foreclosed Real Estate

Foreclosed real estate are properties recorded at estimated fair value, less the estimated costs to sell, at the date of foreclosure. Inputs include appraised values on the properties or recent sales activity for similar assets in the property’s market adjusted by discounts as determined by the Company. Therefore, foreclosed real estate is classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy. Valuation techniques are consistent with prior periods.

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s foreclosed real estate range between 6% – 10% discount from appraisals for expected liquidation and sales costs at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Assets held for sale

During 2015, a branch facility was taken out of service as part of the Company’s branch restructuring plan and reclassified as held for sale. The property is recorded at the remaining book balance of the asset or an estimated fair value less estimated selling costs, whichever is less. Inputs include appraised values on the properties or recent sales activity for similar assets in the property’s market. The significant unobservable input used is the discount applied to appraised values to account for expected liquidation and selling costs ranged between 1% and 25 % at December 31, 2018. There have been no changes in the valuation techniques.

The following tables summarize quantitative disclosures about the fair value measurement for each category of assets carried at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):

Asset Category December 31, 2018	Fair value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Impaired loans	$	7,257	$	-	$	-	$	7,257
Assets held for sale		668		-		-		668
Foreclosed real estate		1,088		-		-		1,088
Total	$	9,013	$	-	$	-	$	9,013

- 131 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Asset Category December 31, 2017	Fair value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Impaired loans	$	2,115	$	-	$	-	$	2,115
Assets held for sale		846		-		-		846
Foreclosed real estate		1,258		-		-		1,258
Total	$	4,219	$	-	$	-	$	4,219

As of December 31, 2018, the Bank identified $11.7 million in impaired loans, of which $7.3 million were carried at fair value on a non-recurring basis which included $291,000 in loans that required a specific reserve of $87,000, and an additional $595,000 in other loans without specific reserves that had partial charge-offs. As of December 31, 2017, the Bank identified $8.0 million in impaired loans, of which $2.1 million were carried at fair value on a non-recurring basis which included $344,000 in loans that required a specific reserve of $61,000, and an additional $1.7 million in other loans without specific reserves that had partial charge-offs.

Financial instruments include cash and due from banks, interest-earning deposits with banks, investments, loans, deposit accounts and borrowings. Due to the nature of the Company’s business, a significant portion of its assets and liabilities consist of financial instruments, the estimated values of which are disclosed. These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale at one time the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument. Because no active market readily exists for a portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and, therefore, cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

- 132 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The following table presents the carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

	December 31, 2018
	Carrying		Estimated
	Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
			(dollars in thousands)
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	17,059	$	17,059	$	17,059	$	-	$	-
Certificates of deposits		1,000		1,000		1,000		-		-
Interest-earning deposits in other banks		121,303		121,303		121,303		-		-
Investment securities available for sale		51,533		51,533		-		51,533		-
Loans held for sale		580		580		-		580		-
Loans, net		977,371		970,330		-		-		970,330
Accrued interest receivable		3,889		3,889		-		3,889		-
Stock in the FHLB		3,283		3,283		-		-		3,283
Other non-marketable securities		762		762		-		-		762
Assets held for sale		668		668		-		-		668

Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	980,427	$	979,570	$	-	$	979,570	$	-
Short-term debt		7,000		7,000		-		7,000		-
Long-term debt		57,372		55,504		-		55,504		-
Accrued interest payable		667		667		-		667		-

	December 31, 2017
	Carrying		Estimated
	Amount		Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
			(dollars in thousands)
Financial assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	16,554	$	16,554	$	16,554	$	-	$	-
Certificates of deposits		1,500		1,500		1,500		-		-
Interest-earning deposits in other banks		37,996		37,996		37,996		-		-
Federal funds sold		6,645		6,645		6,645		-		-
Investment securities available for sale		63,774		63,774		-		63,774		-
Loans held for sale		98		98		-		98		-
Loans, net		973,791		972,475		-		-		972,475
Accrued interest receivable		3,997		3,997		-		3,997		-
Stock in the FHLB		2,490		2,490		-		-		2,490
Other non-marketable securities		1,019		1,019		-		-		1,019
Assets held for sale		846		846		-		-		846

Financial liabilities:
Deposits	$	995,044	$	991,977	$	-	$	991,977	$	-
Short-term debt		28,279		28,279		-		28,279		-
Long-term debt		19,372		14,640		-		14,640		-
Accrued interest payable		427		427		-		427		-

- 133 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

NOTE P - EMPLOYEE AND DIRECTOR BENEFIT PLANS

401(k) Plan

The Company has a 401(k) Plan and substantially all employees participate in the plan. The Company matches 100% of the first 6% of an employee’s compensation contributed to the plan. Expenses attributable to the plan amounted to $639,000, $465,000, and $382,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Employment Agreements

The Company has entered into employment agreements with five executive officers to promote a stable and competent management base. These agreements provide for benefits as specified in the contracts and cannot be terminated by the Board of Directors, except for cause, without prejudicing the officer’s right to receive certain vested rights, including compensation. In the event of a change in control of the Company, as outlined in the agreements, the acquirer will generally be bound by the terms of those contracts.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans

The Company implemented a nonqualified supplemental executive retirement plan for the former Chief Executive Officer during 2003. Benefits accrue and vest during the period of employment, and will be paid in monthly benefit payments over the officer’s life after retirement. Provisions of $36,000, $53,000, and $22,000 were expensed for future benefits to be provided under this plan during 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In conjunction with the implementation of this plan, the Company has purchased life insurance on certain key officers to help offset plan accruals. The life insurance policies provide the payment of a death benefit in the event an insured officer dies prior to attainment of retirement age. The total liability under this plan at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $85,000 and $198,000, respectively.

As part of the acquisition of Progressive State Bank (“Progressive”), the Company assumed a liability for the supplemental early retirement plan for Progressive’s Chief Executive Officer. Provisions of $(35,000), $36,000, and $17,000 and were expensed in 2018, 2017 and 2016, resulting in a total liability of $194,000 and $308,000 as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Due to the plan having a tax gross up feature that was impacted by lower tax rates under the tax reform act under the tax reform act, the Company recorded a negative provision for 2018. Corresponding to this liability, Progressive had purchased a life insurance policy on a key officer to help offset the expense associated with future benefit payments. This policy was acquired by the Company upon its acquisition of Progressive.

Directors Deferred Compensation

The Company has instituted a Directors’ Deferral Plan (“Deferral Plan”) whereby individual directors may elect annually to defer receipt of all or a designated portion of their directors’ fees for the coming year. Amounts so deferred are used to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market by the administrator of the Deferral Plan or to issue shares from the Company’s authorized but unissued shares, with such deferred compensation disbursed in the future as specified by the director at the time of his or her deferral election. All deferral amounts and matching contributions, if any, are paid into a rabbi trust with a separate account for each participant under the plan. Net compensation and other expenses attributable to this plan for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 were $97,000, $178,000, and $201,000, respectively. The Directors’ Deferral Plan was amended and restated on September 22, 2015 to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and to provide that the eventual payment of compensation deferred under the plan may be made only in the form of the Registrant’s common stock. A liability of $2.6 million and $2.5 million related to this plan is included in shareholders’ equity for December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

- 134 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Equity-Based Compensation Plans

The Company utilizes equity-based awards as a component of its compensation of employees and directors. These equity-based awards may be in the form of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, or restricted stock unit awards. Awards are granted pursuant to the Company’s equity-based compensation plans. The Company’s shareholders approved all equity-based compensation plans. At December 31, 2018, the Company had awards outstanding under its 2004 Incentive Stock Option Plan, 2008 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2008 Omnibus Plan”), 2010 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2010 Omnibus Plan”), and 2018 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Omnibus Plan”).

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had awards covering 13,000 shares outstanding under the 2004 Incentive Stock Option Plan, awards covering 46,755 shares outstanding under the 2008 Omnibus Plan, awards covering 177,700 shares outstanding under the 2010 Omnibus Plan, and awards covering 2,500 shares outstanding under the 2018 Omnibus Plan.

The 2018 Omnibus Plan became effective upon the approval of shareholders on May 22, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, the 2018 Omnibus Plan was the only plan that had shares available for future grants, and there were 597,500 shares remaining available for grant. All other plans have been frozen as to new grants.

For years when stock options were granted the estimated weighted average fair market value of each option awarded, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, together with the assumptions used in estimating those weighted average fair values, are displayed below:

	2018			2017			2016

Estimated fair value of options granted	$	6.07		$	5.47		$	4.17

Assumptions in estimating average option values:
Risk-free interest rate		2.94	%		2.07	%		1.59	%
Dividend yield		-%			-%			-%
Volatility		36.67	%		42.42	%		46.09	%
Expected life (in years)		8.00			8.00			8.00

- 135 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

A summary of the Company’s option plans as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 is as follows:

				Outstanding Options					Exercisable Options
	Shares						Weighted					Weighted
	Available						Average					Average
	for Future			Number			Exercise		Number			Exercise
	Grants			Outstanding			Price		Outstanding			Price

At December 31, 2017		788,602			270,357		$	8.29		108,241		$	5.41

Options authorized		600,000			-			-		-			-
Options retired		(821,204	)		-			-		-			-
Options granted/vested		(2,500	)		2,500			6.07		36,456			6.07
Options exercised		31,534			(31,534	)		5.92		(31,534	)		5.92
Options expired		(150	)		(150	)		5.75		(150	)		5.75
Options forfeited		1,218			(1,218	)		11.35		-		$	-

At December 31, 2018		597,500			239,955		$	8.63		113,013		$	6.71

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $900,000 and $1.2 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $641,000 and $782,000, respectively. The unrecognized compensation expense for outstanding options at December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 was $642,000, $768,000, and $279,000, respectively. As of December 31, 2018, this cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.76 years.

- 136 -

SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

The weighted average remaining life of options outstanding and options exercisable as of December 31, 2018 was 6.57 years and 4.75 years, respectively. The weighted average remaining life of options outstanding and options exercisable as of December 31, 2017 was 6.8 years and 5.41 years, respectively. Information regarding the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2018 is summarized below:

	Number		Number
	of options		of options
Range of Exercise Prices	outstanding		exercisable

$2.25 - $7.07		86,655		76,653
$7.08 - $10.69		50,300		16,260
$10.70 - $12.99		103,000		20,100

Outstanding at end of year		239,955		113,013

A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested options as of December 31, 2018 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2018, is presented below:

				Weighted-Average
				Grant Date
Non-vested Options	Options			Fair Value

Non-vested at December 31, 2017		161,915		$	5.11
Granted		2,500			6.07
Vested		(36,255	)		1.70
Expired		-			-
Forfeited		(1,218	)		5.83
Non-vested at December 31, 2018		126,942			5.16

For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the intrinsic value of options exercised was $213,000, $197,000 and $333,000, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the grant-date fair value of options vested was $181,000, $66,000, and $43,000, respectively. In addition, there were no stock options acquired in the Premara merger. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, $79,000 and $93,000 in tax benefits were recognized from non-qualified stock option exercises.

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SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

NOTE Q - PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL DATA

Following are the condensed balance sheets of Select Bancorp as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the related condensed statements of operations and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2018:

Condensed Balance Sheets

December 31, 2018 and 2017

(dollars in thousands)

	2018			2017
Assets
Cash balances with Select Bank & Trust	$	34,949		$	12,617
Investment in Select Bank & Trust		181,442			142,762
Investment in New Century Statutory Trust I		580			564
Other assets		5,255			4,972
Total Assets	$	222,226		$	160,915

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Junior subordinated debentures	$	12,372		$	12,372
Accrued interest and other liabilities		243			12,428
Total Liabilities		12,615			24,800
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock		-			-
Common stock		19,312			14,009
Additional paid-in capital		150,718			95,850
Retained earnings		39,640			25,858
Common stock issued to deferred compensation trust		(2,615	)		(2,518	)
Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan Rabbi Trust		2,615			2,518
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(59	)		398
Total Shareholders’ Equity		209,611			136,115

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	222,226		$	160,915

Condensed Statements of Operations

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(dollars in thousands)

	2018			2017			2016
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries	$	39,153		$	(9,236	)	$	(788	)
Dividends received for subsidiary		(25,000	)		-			-
Dividends in excess of earnings		642			13,291			8,195
Operating expense		(1,275	)		(1,175	)		(793	)
Income tax benefit		262			305			140

Net income	$	13,782		$	3,185		$	6,754

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SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

(dollars in thousands)

	2018			2017			2016

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	13,782		$	3,185		$	6,754
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries		(39,153	)		9,236			788
Stock based compensation		178			115			71
Net change in other assets		(283	)		(315	)		(308	)
Net change in other liabilities		(12,185	)		12,066			5
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(37,661	)		24,287			7,310

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Cash received from acquisition		-			257			-
Investment in subsidiary		-			(12,407	)		-
Net cash used in investing activities		-			(12,150	)		-

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from stock option exercises		187			166			527
Redemption of preferred stock		-			-			(7,645	)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock		63,250			-			-
Direct expenses related to capital transaction		(3,444	)		-			-
Dividends		-			-			(4	)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		59,993			166			(7,122	)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		22,332			12,303			188

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		12,617			314			126

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	34,949		$	12,617		$	314

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SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

NOTE R - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Bank has had, and expects to have in the future, banking and other transactions in the ordinary course of business with certain of its current directors, nominees for director, executive officers and associates. All such transactions are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates, repayment terms and collateral, as those prevailing for comparable transactions with persons not related to the lender, and do not involve more than the normal risk of collection or present other unfavorable features.

The Bank has loan transactions with its directors and executive officers in the regular course of business. Such loans were made in the ordinary course of business and on substantially the same terms and collateral as those for comparable transactions prevailing at the time and did not involve more than the normal risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. The following table represents loan transactions for directors and executive officers who held that position as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. A summary of related party loan transactions, is as follows:

	2018			2017
	(dollars in thousands)

Balance at January 1	$	13,520		$	10,534
Exposure of directors/executive officers added		-			2,212
Borrowings		1,312			1,469
Directors/executive officers resigned or retired from board		-			(67	)
Loan repayments		(2,174	)		(628	)
Balance at December 31	$	12,658		$	13,520

At December 31, 2018, there was $4.5 million of unused lines of credit outstanding to directors and executive officers of the Company and its subsidiaries. Directors and executive officers had $38.6 million deposited with the Company.

NOTE S – CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS

Common Stock

On August 27, 2018, the Company and the Bank entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with FIG Partners, LLC, as the underwriter named therein (the “Underwriter”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Underwriter and the Underwriter agreed to purchase, subject to and upon the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, an aggregate of 4,583,334 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, at a public offering price of $12.00 per share less underwriting discounts and commissions in an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”). The Company granted the Underwriter an option for a period of 30 days after the date of the Underwriting Agreement to purchase up to an additional 687,500 shares of common stock at the public offering price. The Underwriter exercised its option in full resulting in a total of 5,270,834 shares of common stock being issued and sold in the Offering. The Offering closed on August 30, 2018. The net proceeds to the Company, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, were approximately $59.8 million.

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SELECT BANCORP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years Ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

In addition to the Offering, during 2017 the capital of the Company also increased due to the acquisition of Premara and its subsidiary bank, Carolina Premier Bank, on December 15, 2017. Premara had 3,179,808 shares of common stock outstanding as of the merger closing date. Under the terms of the merger agreement, 948,080 shares of Premara common stock (equivalent to 30% of Premara’s outstanding shares of common stock as of the date of the merger agreement) were converted to the $12.65 per share cash merger consideration, for aggregate cash consideration of $11,993,212 (exclusive of cash paid-in-lieu of fractional shares). The remaining 2,231,728 Premara common shares were converted into stock consideration at the merger exchange ratio of 1.0463 shares of Company common stock for each share of Premara common stock, resulting in the issuance of 2,334,999 new shares of Company common stock in the merger.

Preferred Stock

As part of the 2014 merger with Legacy Select, the Company issued 7,645 shares of a series A preferred stock in exchange for an equivalent number of shares that Legacy Select Bancorp had previously issued for $7.645 million to the U.S. Treasury as a condition to its participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) program. The U.S. Treasury was the sole holder of the Series A stock. All outstanding shares of the Series A stock held by the U.S. Treasury were redeemed on January 20, 2016, and the Company ceased to have any preferred stock outstanding.

NOTE T – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated for subsequent events through the date and time the financial statements were issued and has determined there are no reportable subsequent events.

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ITEM 9 – Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

ITEM 9A – CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

At the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.

Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective (1) to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and (2) to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for preparing the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Company's financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even systems that are deemed to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate due to changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management has made a comprehensive review, evaluation and assessment of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018. In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, Management used the criteria issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in Internal Control−Integrated Framework (2013) (the “2013 Framework”).

Based on this assessment, Management has concluded that that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 was effective based on those criteria.

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has been audited by Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears on Form 10-K herein.

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Date: March 15, 2019	/s/ William L. Hedgepeth II
	William L. Hedgepeth II
	President and Chief Executive Officer


Date: March 15, 2019	/s/ Mark A. Jeffries
	Mark A. Jeffries
	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company has evaluated, with the participation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a−15(f) and 15d−15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of 2018. Management has concluded that there have been no changes to the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred since the beginning of the Company’s fourth quarter of 2018 that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B – OTHER INFORMATION

None.

Part III

Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics for its directors as well as a code of ethics specifically for its senior financial officers. Each of these policies is posted in the “Investor Overview - Governance Documents” section of the “Investor Relations” page of the Registrant’s website: www.selectbank.com.

Item 11 - Executive Compensation

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

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Item 12 - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by Item 403 of Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Equity Compensation Plan Information. At December 31, 2018, the Registrant had awards outstanding under the following equity compensation plans:

•

2004 Incentive Stock Option Plan;

•

2008 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan, which plan was assumed in connection with Registrant’s 2014 acquisition of Select Bancorp, Inc., Greenville, NC;

•

2010 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long Term Incentive Plan; and

•

2018 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Omnibus Plan”).

The Registrant’s shareholders have approved all equity-based compensation plans. The 2018 Omnibus Plan became effective upon the approval of shareholders on May 22, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, the 2018 Omnibus Plan was the only plan that had shares of the Registrant’s common stock available for future grants. All other plans have been frozen as to new grants.

The following table contains aggregated plan information as of December 31, 2018, with respect to the Registrant’s equity compensation plans under which equity securities are authorized for issuance:

Number of securities

remaining available

Weighted-average

for future issuance

Number of securities

exercise price of

under equity

to be issued upon

outstanding

compensation plans

exercise of

options,

(excluding securities

Plan Category

outstanding options,

warrants and rights

reflected in column (a))

(a)

(b)

(c)

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

239,955

8.63

597,500

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

none

n/a

none

Total

239,955

8.63

597,500

Item 13 – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

ITEM 14 – PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

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PART IV

Item 15 – Exhibits, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)

The following documents are filed as part of this report:

Financial statements required to be filed by Item 8 of this Form:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial statement schedules required to be filed by Item 8 of this Form:

None

Exhibits: See below exhibit index.

- 145 -

		Incorporated by Reference (Unless Otherwise Indicated)
Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit	Form	Exhibit	Filing Date	SEC File No.

2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization by and among Registrant, Select Bank & Trust Company, Premara Financial, Inc., and Carolina Premier Bank dated as of July 20, 2017	8-K	2.1	07/26/17	000-50400

3.1	Articles of Incorporation	10-KSB	3.1	03/30/04	000-50400

3.2	Articles of Amendment	8-K	3.1	08/26/11	000-50400

3.3	Articles of Amendment	8-K	3.1	07/29/14	000-50400

3.4	Amendment to Articles (contained within plan of merger)	8-K	3.2	07/29/14	000-50400

3.5	Bylaws	8-K	3.1	05/19/15	000-50400

4.1	Form of Stock Certificate	S-8	4.1	10/01/14	333-199090

10.1	2004 Incentive Stock Option Plan (compensatory plan)	S-8	99.1	07/19/04	333-117476

10.2	2010 Omnibus Stock Ownership and Long-Term Incentive Plan (compensatory plan)	8-K	99.1	08/02/10	000-50400

10.3	2018 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (compensatory plan)	8-K	10.1	05/24/18	000-50400

10.4	Directors’ Deferral Plan, as amended and restated (compensatory plan)	10-K	10.10	03/16/18	000-50400

10.5	Employment Agreement with William L. Hedgepeth II (management contract)	10-K	10.7	03/31/08	000-50400

10.6	Employment Agreement of W. Keith Betts (management contract)	8-K	10.1	01/12/17	000-50400

10.7	Employment Agreement of Mark A. Jeffries (management contract)	10-K	10.12	03/31/15	000-50400

10.8	Employment Agreement of Lynn H. Johnson (management contract)	10-K	10.11	03/31/15	000-50400

10.9	First Amendment to Employment Agreement of Lynn H. Johnson (management contract)	8-K	10.1	02/26/18	000-50400

- 146 -

		Incorporated by Reference (Unless Otherwise Indicated)
Exhibit No.	Description of Exhibit	Form	Exhibit	Filing Date	SEC File No.

10.10	Employment Agreement of D. Richard Tobin, Jr. (management contract)	10-K	10.8	03/28/13	000-50400

21.1	Subsidiaries			Filed herewith

23.1	Consent of Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP			Filed herewith

31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act			Filed herewith

31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act			Filed herewith

32.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act			Furnished herewith

32.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act			Furnished herewith

101	The following financial information formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) includes: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016; (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text			Filed herewith

- 147 -

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.

	SELECT BANCORP, INC.
	Registrant

	By:	/s/ William L. Hedgepeth II
		William L. Hedgepeth, II
Date: March 15, 2019		President and Chief Executive Officer

- 148 -

Pursuant to 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/ William L. Hedgepeth, II	March 15, 2019
William L. Hedgepeth, II., President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director

/s/ Mark A. Jeffries	March 15, 2019
Mark A. Jeffries, Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ J. Gary Ciccone	March 15, 2019
J. Gary Ciccone, Director

/s/ Charles R. Davis	March 15, 2019
Charles R. Davis, Director

/s/ James H. Glen, Jr.	March 15, 2019
James H. Glen, Jr. Director

/s/ Oscar N. Harris	March 15, 2019
Oscar N. Harris, Director

/s/ Alicia S. Hawk	March 15, 2019
Alicia S. Hawk, Director

/s/ Gerald W. Hayes, Jr.	March 15, 2019
Gerald W. Hayes, Jr., Director

/s/ Ronald V. Jackson	March 15, 2019
Ronald V. Jackson, Director

/s/ John W. McCauley	March 15, 2019
John W. McCauley, Director

/s/ Carlie C. McLamb, Jr.	March 15, 2019
Carlie C. McLamb Jr., Director

/s/ V. Parker Overton	March 15, 2019
V. Parker Overton, Director

/s/ Anthony E. Rand	March 15, 2019
Anthony E. Rand, Director

- 149 -

/s/ Sharon L. Raynor	March 15, 2019
Sharon L. Raynor, Director

/s/ K. Clark Stallings	March 15, 2019
K. Clark Stallings, Director

/s/ W. Lyndo Tippett	March 15, 2019
W. Lyndo Tippett, Director

/s/ Seth M. Wilfong	March 15, 2019
Seth M. Wilfong, Director

- 150 -