Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation - The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and with prevailing practices within the banking and securities industries. In preparing such financial statements, management is required to make certain estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting periods. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change relate to the determination of the allowance for loan and lease losses (“ALLL”), the valuation of other real estate owned (“OREO”), and fair value measurements. Certain amounts for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current financial statement presentation. The results of reclassifications are not considered material and have no effect on previously reported net income. As indicated in Note 25, Discontinued Operations, in these Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company’s results discussed in the Consolidated Financial Statements reflect results from continuing operations unless otherwise noted.

Principles of Consolidation - The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Holding Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had two wholly-owned trusts (“Trusts”) formed in 2003 and 2005 to issue trust preferred securities and related common securities. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company redeemed $5.2 million of junior subordinated debentures from Bank of Commerce Holdings Trust for net cash payment of $4.6 million resulting in a gain on extinguishment of debt recorded in other income of $406 thousand and a reduction of the common stock investment in trusts of $155 thousand. Accordingly, as of December 31, 2014, the Company had one wholly-owned trust

The Trusts were formed to issue trust preferred securities and related common securities of the Trusts. The Company has not consolidated the accounts of the Trusts in its Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“FASB”) ASC 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”). As a result, the junior subordinated debentures issued by the Company to the Trusts are reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Subsequent events – The Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to December 31, 2014 for potential recognition or disclosure.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include amounts due from correspondent banks, including interest bearing deposits in correspondent banks, and the Federal Reserve Bank, and federal funds sold. Generally, federal funds sold are for a one-day period and securities purchased under agreements to resell are for no more than a 90-day period. Balances held in federal funds sold may exceed FDIC insurance limits.

Investment Securities – Debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity if the Company has both the intent and ability to hold those securities to maturity regardless of changes in market conditions, liquidity needs or changes in general economic conditions. These securities are carried at cost adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount, computed by the effective interest method over their contractual lives.

Securities are classified as available-for-sale if the Company intends and has the ability to hold those securities for an indefinite period of time, but not necessarily to maturity. Any decision to sell a security classified as available-for-sale would be based on various factors, including significant movements in interest rates, changes in the maturity mix of assets and liabilities, liquidity needs, regulatory capital considerations and other similar factors. Securities available-for-sale are carried at fair value. Unrealized holding gains or losses are included in other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, net of tax. Realized gains or losses, determined on the basis of the cost of specific securities sold, are included in earnings. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related investment security as an adjustment to yield using the effective interest method. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.

Transfers of securities from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity are accounted for at fair value as of the date of the transfer. The difference between the fair value and the amortized cost at the date of transfer is considered a premium or discount and is accounted for accordingly. Any unrealized gain or loss at the date of the transfer is reported in other comprehensive income (loss), and is amortized over the remaining life of the security as an adjustment of yield in a manner consistent with the amortization of any premium or discount, and will offset or mitigate the effect on interest income of the amortization of the premium or discount for that held-to-maturity security.

During August of 2012, the Company transferred certain available-for-sale securities to the held-to-maturity category. Management determined that it had the positive intent to hold these securities for an indefinite period of time, due to their relatively higher yields, relatively lower coupons, longer maturities and, in some instances, their community reinvestment act qualifications. The securities transferred had a total amortized cost of $18.0 million, fair value of $18.8 million and unrealized gross gains of $874 thousand and unrealized gross losses of $35 thousand at the time of transfer. The net unrealized gain of $839 thousand which was recorded in other comprehensive income net of tax is amortized over the life of the securities as an adjustment to yield. The Company did not have any transfers in or out of the various securities classifications for the year ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Management reviews investment securities on an ongoing basis for the presence of other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) or permanent impairment, taking into consideration current market conditions, fair value in relationship to cost, extent and nature of the change in fair value, issuer rating changes and trends, whether we intend to sell a security or if it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of our amortized cost basis of the investment, which may be maturity, and other factors. For debt securities, if we intend to sell the security or it is more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovering its cost basis, the entire impairment loss would be recognized in earnings as an OTTI. If we do not intend to sell the security and it is more likely than not we will not be required to sell the security but we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security, only the portion of the impairment loss representing credit losses would be recognized in earnings. The credit loss on a security is measured as the difference between the amortized cost basis and the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected. Projected cash flows are discounted by the original or current effective interest rate depending on the nature of the security being measured for potential OTTI. The remaining impairment related to all other factors, the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and fair value, is recognized as a charge to other comprehensive income (loss). Impairment losses related to all other factors are presented as separate categories within other comprehensive income (loss). For investment securities held-to-maturity, this amount is accreted over the remaining life of the debt security prospectively based on the amount and timing of future estimated cash flows. The accretion of the OTTI amount recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) will increase the carrying value of the investment, and would not affect earnings. If there is an indication of additional credit losses the security is re-evaluated according to the procedures described above. For the year ended December 31, 2014 the Company recognized an impairment of $22 thousand for three securities that were sold in January of 2015. The fair values for the securities are classified as Level 1 fair value measurement in Note 22, Fair Value Measurements in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. For the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2012, the Company did not recognize impairment losses.

Loans – Loans are stated at the principal amounts outstanding, net of deferred loan fees, deferred loan costs, and the ALLL. Interest on loans is accrued daily based on the principal outstanding. Loan origination and commitment fees and certain origination costs are deferred and the net amount is amortized over the contractual life of the loans as an adjustment of their yield.

A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, management believes it is probable that the Company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original contractual terms of the loan agreement. Impairment is measured based upon the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective rate, the loan’s observable market price, or the fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Interest on impaired loans is recognized on a cash basis, and only when the principal is not considered impaired.

The Company’s practice is to place an asset on nonaccrual status when one of the following events occurs: (1) any installment of principal or interest is 90 days or more past due (unless in management’s opinion the loan is well-secured and in the process of collection), (2) management determines the ultimate collection of the original principal or interest to be unlikely or, (3) the terms of the loan have been renegotiated due to a serious weakening of the borrower’s financial condition. Nonperforming loans are loans which may be on nonaccrual, 90 days past due and still accruing, or have been restructured. Accruals are resumed on loans only when they are brought fully current with respect to interest and principal and when the loan is estimated to be fully collectible. Restructured loans are those loans where concessions in terms have been granted because of the borrower’s financial or legal difficulties. Interest is generally accrued on such loans in accordance with the new terms, after a period of sustained performance by the borrower.

One exception to the 90 days past due policy for nonaccruals is the Bank’s pool of home equity loans and lines that were purchased from a private equity firm. For this specific home equity loan pool, the Bank will charge off any loans that go more than 90 days past due. Management believes that at the time these loans become 90 days past due, it is likely that the Company will not collect the remaining principal balance on the loan. In accordance with this policy, management does not expect to classify any of the loans from this pool as nonaccrual.

Purchased Loans -Purchased loans are recorded at their fair value at the acquisition date. Credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value; therefore, an ALLL is not recorded at the acquisition date.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses – The adequacy of the ALLL is monitored on a regular basis and is based on management’s evaluation of numerous factors. These factors include the quality of the current loan portfolio; the trend in the loan portfolio’s risk ratings; current economic conditions; loan concentrations; loan growth rates; past-due and non-performing trends; evaluation of specific loss estimates for all impaired loans; historical charge off and recovery experience; and other pertinent information.

The Bank performs regular credit reviews of the loan portfolio to determine the credit quality of the portfolio and the adherence to underwriting standards. When loans are originated, they are assigned a risk rating that is reassessed periodically during the term of the loan through the credit review process. The Company’s risk rating methodology assigns risk ratings ranging from 1 to 8, where a higher rating represents higher risk. The 8 risk rating categories are a primary factor in determining an appropriate amount for the ALLL. The Bank’s Chief Credit Officer (CCO) is responsible for, regularly reviewing the ALLL methodology, including loss factors, and ensuring that it is designed and applied in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Board of Directors reviews and approves the ALLL quarterly. The CCO reviews and approves loans recommended for impaired status. The CCO also approves removing loans from impaired status.

The Bank has divided the loan portfolio into sub-categories of similar type loans. Each category is assigned an historical loss factor and additional qualitative factors. The sub-categories are also further segmented by risk rating. Each risk rating is assigned an additional loss factor to account for the additional risk in those loans with higher risk levels.

Regular credit reviews of the portfolio also identify loans that are considered potentially impaired. Potentially impaired loans are referred to the CCO who reviews and approves designated loans as impaired. A loan is considered impaired when based on current information and events, we determine that it is probable that we will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original loan contract, including scheduled interest payments. When we identify a loan as impaired, we measure the impairment using discounted cash flows, except when the sole remaining source of the repayment for the loan is the liquidation of the collateral. In these cases, we use the current fair value of the collateral, less selling costs, instead of discounted cash flows. If we determine that the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan when using the cash flow method, we recognize this impairment reserve as a specific component to be provided for in the ALLL. If the value of the impaired loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan when using the collateral dependent method, or we charge off the impaired balance. The combination of the risk rating-based allowance component and the impairment reserve allowance component lead to an allocated ALLL.

The Bank may also maintain an unallocated allowance amount to provide for other credit losses inherent in a loan and lease portfolio that may not have been contemplated in the credit loss factors. This unallocated amount generally comprises less than 5% of the allowance, but may be maintained at higher levels during times of economic conditions characterized by unstable real estate values. The unallocated amount is reviewed periodically based on trends in credit losses, the results of credit reviews and overall economic trends.

As adjustments to the ALLL become necessary, they are reported in earnings in the periods in which they become known as a charge to the provision for loan and lease losses. Loans, or portions thereof, deemed uncollectible are charged to the ALLL. Recoveries on loans previously charged-off, are added to the ALLL.

Management believes that the ALLL was adequate as of December 31, 2014. There is, however, no assurance that future loan and lease losses will not exceed the levels provided for in the ALLL and could possibly result in additional charges to the provision for loan and lease losses. In addition, bank regulatory authorities, as part of their periodic examination of the Bank, may require additional charges to the provision for loan and lease losses in future periods if warranted as a result of their review. Approximately 71% of our loan portfolio is secured by real estate, and a significant decline in real estate market values may require an increase in the ALLL. Repercussions from the recent economic recession have negatively impacted aspects of our loan portfolio, and have led to increased levels of nonperforming loans, charge offs, and the ALLL. While real estate market conditions are generally improving, a prolonged delay in economic recovery in our markets may adversely affect our loan portfolio and may lead to additional charges to the provision for loan and lease losses.

Reserve for Unfunded Commitments – A reserve for unfunded commitments is maintained at a level that, in the opinion of management, is adequate to absorb probable losses associated with the Bank’s commitment to lend funds under existing agreements such as letters or lines of credit. Management determines the adequacy of the reserve for unfunded commitments based upon the category of loan, current economic conditions, the risk characteristics of the various categories of commitments and other relevant factors. The reserve is based on estimates, and ultimate losses may vary from the current estimates.

These estimates are evaluated on a regular basis and, as adjustments become necessary, they are reported in earnings in the periods in which they become known. Draws on unfunded commitments that are considered uncollectible at the time funds are advanced are charged to the reserve for unfunded commitments. Provisions for unfunded commitment losses, and recoveries on loan commitments previously charged off, are added to the reserve for unfunded commitments, which is included in the Other Liabilities line item of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 15, Commitment and Contingencies in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional disclosures on the reserve for unfunded commitments.

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the related assets using the straight-line method for financial statement purposes. The Company uses other depreciation methods (generally accelerated depreciation methods) for tax purposes where appropriate. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the remaining lease term or the estimated useful lives of the improvements. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Expenditures that increase the value or productive capacity of assets are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the asset’s carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recorded in other noninterest income or other noninterest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, respectively.

Other Real Estate Owned –represents real estate which the Bank has taken control of in partial or full satisfaction of loans. At the time of foreclosure, OREO is recorded at fair value less costs to sell, which becomes the property’s new basis. Any write-downs based on the asset’s fair value at the date of acquisition are charged to the ALLL. After foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations and the property is carried at the lower of the cost or fair value less expected selling costs.

Subsequent valuation adjustments are recognized under the line item write down of other real estate owned in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Revenue and expenses incurred from OREO property are recorded in noninterest income or noninterest expense, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, respectively. In some instances, the Bank may make loans to facilitate the sale of OREO. Management reviews all sales for which it is the lending institution for compliance with sales treatment under provisions established within FASB ASC 360-20, Real Estate Sales. Any gains related to sales of OREO may be deferred until the buyer has a sufficient initial and continuing investment in the property.

Income Taxes – Income taxes reported in the financial statements are computed based on an asset and liability approach. We recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year, and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. We record net deferred tax assets to the extent it is more likely than not that they will be realized. In evaluating our ability to recover the deferred tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations.

In projecting future taxable income, management develops assumptions including the amount of future state and federal pre-tax operating income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require significant judgment about the forecasts of future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates being used to manage the underlying business. The Company files consolidated federal and combined state income tax returns.

We recognize the financial statement effect of a tax position when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination. For tax positions that meet the more likely than not threshold, we may recognize only the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority. Management believes that all of our tax positions taken meet the more likely than not recognition threshold. To the extent tax authorities disagree with these tax positions, our effective tax rates could be materially affected in the period of settlement with the taxing authorities. See Note 23, Income Taxes in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on income taxes.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities – The Company uses derivative instruments for risk management purposes. Presently, all of the Company’s derivative instruments are designated in qualifying hedge accounting relationships, however at certain times, the Company has maintained derivative instruments that have not qualified for hedge accounting or were not elected to be designated in a qualifying hedging relationship. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, all derivative financial instruments, whether designated for hedge accounting or not, are required to be recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. Additionally, we generally report derivative financial instruments on a gross basis. However, in certain instances we report our position on a net basis where we have asset and liability derivative positions with a single counterparty, we have a legally enforceable right of offset, and we intend to settle the position on a net basis. For additional detail on derivative instruments and hedging activities, refer to Note 21, Derivatives in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

At the inception of a hedging relationship, we designate each qualifying derivative financial instrument as either a hedge of the fair value of a specifically identified asset or liability (fair value hedge) or; as a hedge of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items and risk management objectives for undertaking various hedge transactions. Both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, we formally assess whether the derivatives that are used in hedging relationships are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges along with the gain or loss on the hedged asset or liability attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in the current period earnings. For qualifying cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative financial instruments is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), as a component of equity, and recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when the hedged cash flows affect earnings. The ineffective portions of fair value and cash flow hedges are immediately recognized in earnings, along with the portion of the change in fair value that is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, if any.

The hedge accounting treatment described herein is no longer applied if a derivative financial instrument is terminated or the hedge designation is removed or is assessed to be no longer highly effective. For these terminated fair value hedges, any changes to the hedged asset or liability remain as part of the basis of the asset or liability and are recognized into income over the remaining life of the asset or liability. For terminated cash flow hedges, unless it is probable that the forecasted cash flows will not occur within a specified period, any changes in fair value of the derivative financial instrument previously recognized remain in other comprehensive income, as a component of equity, and are reclassified into earnings in the same period that the hedged cash flows affect earnings.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments held for risk management purposes that are not designated as hedges under GAAP are reported in current period earnings.

Discontinued Operations – The results of discontinued operations, less applicable income taxes, are reported as a separate component of income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Adjustments to amounts previously reported in discontinued operations that are directly related to the disposal of a component of an entity in a prior period would be classified separately in the current period in discontinued operations. In addition, the nature and amount of such adjustments would be disclosed. The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are presented separately in the other asset and other liability line items, respectively, of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 25, Discontinued Operations in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further disclosures regarding discontinued operations.

Operating Segments – Public enterprises are required to report certain information about their operating segments in a complete set of financial statements to shareholders. They are also required to report certain enterprise-wide information about the Company’s products and services, its activities in different geographic areas, and its reliance on major customers. The basis for determining the Company’s operating segments is the manner in which management operates the business. As of December 31, 2014, the Company operated under one primary business segment: Commercial Banking.

Share Based Payments – The Company has one active stock-based compensation plan that provides for the granting of stock options and restricted stock to eligible employees and directors. The 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (“the Plan”) was approved by the Company’s shareholders on May 15, 2010.

The Plan provides for awards of incentive and nonqualified stock options and restricted stock, which may constitute incentive stock options (“Incentive Options”) under Section 422(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), non-statutory stock options (“NSOs”), or restricted stock to key personnel of the Company, including directors. The Plan provides that Incentive Options under the Plan may not be granted at less than 100% of fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant. Nonqualified stock options must have an exercise price of no less than 85% of the fair market value of the stock at the date of the grant and for a term of no more than ten years, and generally become exercisable over five years from the date of the grant. Additional disclosure of the payment activity and shares available for future grants is available in Note 18, Shareholders’ Equity, in these Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In accordance with FASB ASC 718, Stock Compensation, we recognize in the Consolidated Statements of Operations the grant-date fair value of stock options, restricted stock and other equity-based forms of compensation issued to employees over the employees’ requisite service period (generally the vesting period). The requisite service period may be subject to performance conditions.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following assumptions:

● Volatility represents the historical volatility in the Company’s common stock price, for a period consistent with the expected life of the option.

● Risk free rate was derived from the U.S. Treasury rate at the time of the grant, which coincides with the expected life of the option.

● Expected dividend yield is based on dividend trends and the market value of the Company’s common stock at the time of grant.

● Annual dividend rate is the ratio of the expected annual dividends to the Company’s common stock price on the grant date.

● Assumed forfeiture rate is derived from historical data for option forfeiture rates within the valuation model.

● Expected life is estimated based on the history of the Company’s stock option holders and expectations regarding future forfeitures giving consideration to the contractual terms and vesting schedules, and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding.

The following weighted average assumptions were used to determine the fair value of stock option grants as of the grant date to determine compensation cost for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. There were no new option grants for the year ended December 31, 2012.

	2014			2013
Volatility		27.37	%		26.65	%
Risk free interest rate		1.68	%		1.40	%
Expected dividends	$	0.14		$	—
Annual dividend rate		2.22	%		—	%
Assumed forfeiture rate		—			—
Expected life		7			7

Earnings per Share - Earnings per share is an important measure of the Company’s performance for investors and other users of financial statements. Certain of our securities, such as preferred stock, restricted stock and stock options, permit the holders to become common shareholders or add to the number of shares of common stock already held. Because there is potential reduction, called dilution, of earnings per share figures inherent in the Company’s capital structure, we are required to present a dual presentation of earnings per share - basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share.

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding unvested restricted stock awards which do not have voting rights or share in dividends. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company. The computation of diluted earnings per share does not assume conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities that would have an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share.

The Company presents both basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations and discontinued operations on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, detailed presentation of the earnings per share calculation is provided in Note 26, Earnings Per Common Share in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Advertising Costs – For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, advertising costs were $90 thousand, $110 thousand, and $157 thousand respectively. Advertising costs were expensed as incurred.

Fair Value Measurements – FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. FASB ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of assets and liabilities recorded at fair value. The classification of assets and liabilities within the hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to the valuation methodology used for measurement are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market-derived or market-based information obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our estimates about market data. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets that the Company has the ability to access. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. The FASB issued this ASU as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards. The objective of the simplification initiative is to identify, evaluate, and improve areas of U.S. GAAP for which cost and complexity can be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to the users of financial statements. This ASU eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. Subtopic 225-20, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items, required that an entity separately classify, present, and disclose extraordinary events and transactions. Presently, an event or transaction is presumed to be an ordinary and usual activity of the reporting entity unless evidence clearly supports its classification as an extraordinary item. If an event or transaction meets the criteria for extraordinary classification, an entity is required to segregate the extraordinary item from the results of ordinary operations and show the item separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. The entity also is required to disclose applicable income taxes and either present or disclose earnings-per-share data applicable to the extraordinary item. This ASU will also align more closely U.S. GAAP income statement presentation guidance with IAS 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, which prohibits the presentation and disclosure of extraordinary items. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively. A reporting entity also may apply the amendments retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The effective date is the same for both public business entities and all other entities. The Company does not expect the ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share Is More Akin to Debt or to Equity. For hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share, an entity (an issuer or an investor) should determine the nature of the host contract by considering all stated and implied substantive terms and features of the hybrid financial instrument, weighing each term and feature on the basis of relevant facts and circumstances. That is, an entity should determine the nature of the host contract by considering the economic characteristics and risks of the entire hybrid financial instrument, including the embedded derivative feature that is being evaluated for separate accounting from the host contract. In evaluating the stated and implied substantive terms and features, the existence or omission of any single term or feature does not necessarily determine the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract. Although an individual term or feature may weigh more heavily in the evaluation on the basis of facts and circumstances, an entity should use judgment based on an evaluation of all the relevant terms and features. For example, the presence of a fixed-price, noncontingent redemption option held by the investor in a convertible preferred stock contract is not, in and of itself, determinative in the evaluation of whether the nature of the host contract is more akin to a debt instrument or more akin to an equity instrument. Rather, the nature of the host contract depends on the economic characteristics and risks of the entire hybrid financial instrument. The effects of initially adopting the amendments in this Update should be applied on a modified retrospective basis to existing hybrid financial instruments issued in the form of a share as of the beginning of the fiscal year for which the amendments are effective. Retrospective application is permitted to all relevant prior periods. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, is permitted. If an entity early adopts the amendments in an interim period, any adjustments shall be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Company does not expect the ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The amendments in the ASU are intended to define management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Currently, GAAP lacks guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the organization’s ability to continue as a going concern or to provide related footnote disclosures. This ASU provides guidance to an organization’s management, with principles and definitions that are intended to reduce diversity in the timing and content of disclosures that are commonly provided by organizations today in the financial statement footnotes. The amendments are effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. The Company does not expect the ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2014 the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. The amendments in the ASU require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period is treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing stock compensation guidance, as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. The performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. Entities may apply the amendments in this ASU either: (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date; or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. If retrospective transition is adopted, the cumulative effect of applying this ASU as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements should be recognized as an adjustment to the opening retained earnings balance at that date. In addition, if retrospective transition is adopted, an entity may use hindsight in measuring and recognizing the compensation cost. The Company does not expect the ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which creates Topic 606 and supersedes Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. The core principle of Topic 606 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In general, the new guidance requires companies to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. The standard is effective for public entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016; early adoption is not permitted. For financial reporting purposes, the standard allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or modified retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of the ASU to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04, Receivables—Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. The amendments in this Update clarify that an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either (1) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. Additionally, the amendments require interim and annual disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by the creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. The amendments are effective annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted update using either a modified retrospective transition method or a prospective transition method. The Company does not expect the ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-01, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. The amendments in this Update permit reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met. Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of income tax expense (benefit). The amendments in this Update should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The amendments in this Update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has implemented the proportional amortization method according to the guidance and the impact has been immaterial.