NOTE 1 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies of Mackinac Financial Corporation (the “Corporation”) and Subsidiaries conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and prevailing practices within the banking industry. Significant accounting policies are summarized below.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries, mBank (the “Bank”) and other minor subsidiaries, after elimination of intercompany transactions and accounts.

Nature of Operations

The Corporation’s and the Bank’s revenues and assets are derived primarily from banking activities. The Bank’s primary market area is the Upper Peninsula, the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, and Oakland County in Lower Michigan. The Bank provides to its customers commercial, real estate, agricultural, and consumer loans, as well as a variety of traditional deposit products. A portion, less than 1.0% of the Bank’s commercial loan portfolio consists of leases to commercial and governmental entities, which are secured by various types of equipment. These leases are dispersed geographically throughout the country. Less than 1.0% of the Corporation’s business activity is with Canadian customers and denominated in Canadian dollars.

While the Corporation’s chief decision makers monitor the revenue streams of the various Corporation products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Corporation-wide basis. Accordingly, all of the Corporation’s banking operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment.

Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of investment securities, the valuation of foreclosed real estate, deferred tax assets, and mortgage servicing rights.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, noninterest-bearing deposits in correspondent banks, and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds are purchased and sold for one-day periods.

Securities

The Corporation’s securities are classified and accounted for as securities available for sale. These securities are stated at fair value. Premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the period to maturity. Unrealized holding gains and losses on securities available for sale are reported as accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity until realized. When it is determined that securities or other investments are impaired and the impairment is other than temporary, an impairment loss is recognized in earnings and a new basis in the affected security is established. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific-identification method.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) system, the Bank is required to hold stock in the FHLB based on the anticipated level of borrowings to be advanced. This stock is recorded at cost, which approximates fair value. Transfer of the stock is substantially restricted.

Interest Income and Fees on Loans

Interest income on loans is reported on the level-yield method and includes amortization of deferred loan fees and costs over the loan term. Net loan commitment fees or costs for commitment periods greater than one year are deferred and amortized into fee income or other expense on a straight-line basis over the commitment period. The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when, in the opinion of management, it is probable that the borrower may be unable to meet payments as they become due as well as when required by regulatory provisions. Upon such discontinuance, all unpaid accrued interest is reversed. Loans are returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Interest income on impaired and nonaccrual loans is recorded on a cash basis.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Servicing assets are recognized as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets. Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into noninterest income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets. Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based on the fair value of the rights compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, such as interest rates and terms. Fair value is determined by using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics, when available, or based on discounted cash flows using market-based assumptions. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual stratum, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the stratum.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses includes specific allowances related to commercial loans which have been judged to be impaired. A loan is impaired when, based on current information, it is probable that the Corporation will not collect all amounts due in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement. These specific allowances are based on discounted cash flows of expected future payments using the loan’s initial effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.

The Corporation also has a general allowance for loan losses for loans not considered impaired. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level which management believes is adequate to provide for probable loan losses. Management periodically evaluates the adequacy of the allowance using the Corporation’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, composition of the portfolio, current economic conditions, and other factors. The allowance does not include the effects of expected losses related to future events or future changes in economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective since it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant change. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes the collectability of the principal is unlikely. In addition, various regulatory agencies periodically review the allowance for loan losses. These agencies may require additions to the allowance for loan losses based on their judgments of collectability.

In management’s opinion, the allowance for loan losses is adequate to cover probable losses relating to specifically identified loans, as well as probable losses inherent in the balance of the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date.

Troubled Debt Restructuring

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

Other Real Estate Held for Sale

Other real estate held for sale consists of assets acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure and other long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale, whether previously held and used or newly acquired. Other real estate held for sale is initially recorded at the lower of cost or fair value, less costs to sell, establishing a new cost basis. Valuations are periodically performed by management, and the assets’ carrying values are adjusted to the lower of cost basis or fair value less costs to sell. Impairment losses are recognized for any initial or subsequent write-downs. Net revenue and expenses from operations of other real estate held for sale are included in other expense.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. Gains or losses on disposition of premises and equipment are reflected in income. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Stock Compensation Plans

On May 22, 2012, the Company’s shareholders approved the Mackinac Financial Corporation 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan, under which current and prospective employees, non-employee directors and consultants may be awarded incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, shares of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), or stock appreciation rights. The aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock issuable under the plan is 757,848.

The Corporation sponsors three stock option plans. One plan was approved during 2000 and applies to officers, employees, and nonemployee directors. This plan was amended as a part of the December 2004 stock offering and recapitalization. The amendment, approved by shareholders, increased the shares available under this plan by 428,587 shares from the original 25,000 (adjusted for the 1:20 reverse stock split), to a total authorized share balance of 453,587. The other two plans, one for officers and employees and the other for nonemployee directors, were approved in 1997. A total of 30,000 shares (adjusted for the 1:20 split), were made available for grant under these plans. Options under all of the plans are granted at the discretion of a committee of the Corporation’s Board of Directors. Options to purchase shares of the Corporation’s stock were granted at a price equal to the market price of the stock at the date of grant. The committee determined the vesting of the options when they were granted as established under the plan. No new options may be issued under the plans.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) is composed of unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, net of tax.

Earnings per Common Share

Earnings per share are based upon the weighted average number of shares outstanding. The issuance of shares as a result of stock options, restricted stock units and common stock warrants issued under the TARP Capital Purchase Program is shown in the table below. The common stock warrants were retired in December 2012.

The following shows the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010

Net income (loss)	$	7,087	$	2,218	$	(418	)
Preferred stock dividends and accretion of discount	629		766		742
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	6,458	$	1,452	$	(1,160	)

Weighted average shares outstanding	4,285,043		3,419,736		3,419,736
Effect of dilutive stock options, vesting of restricted stock units, and common stock warrants outstanding	—		80,468		60,161
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	4,285,043		3,500,204		3,479,897
Income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	1.51	$	.42	$	(.34	)
Diluted	$	1.51	$	.41	$	(.34	)

The effect of dilutive common stock warrants was not taken into account when calculating the loss per share in 2010, since it was anti-dilutive.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes have been provided under the liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured by the enacted tax rates which will be in effect when these differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax expense (benefit) is the result of changes in the deferred tax asset and liability. A valuation allowance is provided against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred asset will not be realized.

Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments

In the ordinary course of business, the Corporation has entered into off-balance-sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit, commitments under credit card arrangements, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit. For letters of credit, the Corporation recognizes a liability for the fair market value of the obligations it assumes under that guarantee.

Recent Developments

During 2012, the Corporation adopted new guidance related to the presentation of comprehensive income in the financial statements. Among other changes, the new guidance eliminated the option to only present comprehensive income in the statement of equity. The Corporation has elected to report comprehensive income in a separate statement of comprehensive income that begins with net income. The change in presentation has been applied retrospectively and the 2011 financial statements have been restated to conform to the new presentation method. Other than the change in presentation of comprehensive income and related disclosures, the new guidance did not have a material effect on the financial statements.

In 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-02, A Creditor’s Determination of Whether a Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring. This update applies to all creditors, both public and non-public, and was introduced to provide clarification surrounding troubled debt restructurings (“TDR”). The primary characteristics that previously caused a restructuring to qualify as a TDR still exist: (1) the restructuring constitutes a concession to the borrower and (2) the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties. The update provides additional details and examples to provide clarity surrounding these items. The update also prohibits the use of the effective interest rate test when determining whether the restructuring constitutes a concession. The update is effective for annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2012 (therefore, December 31, 2012, for the Corporation). Lastly, the disclosure requirements set forth by ASU 2010-20 regarding troubled debt restructurings, and later deferred by ASU 2011-1 until December 31, 2012 for the Corporation, are included in Note 4, “Loans”. Other than the additional disclosures, these updates did not have a significant impact on the financial statements.

In 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. This update to Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) results in common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The amendments in this update explain how to measure fair value. They do not require additional fair value measurements and are not intended to establish valuation standards or affect valuation practices outside of financial reporting. However, this update does require expanded disclosure related to the nature and significance of inputs that are used in estimating and measuring the fair value of financial instruments. The amendments in this update are to be applied prospectively and are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011 (therefore, December 31, 2012, for the Corporation). This update did not have a significant impact on the financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the 2011 and 2010 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2012 presentation.