Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 1: Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of United Bancorp, Inc. (“United” or “the Company”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Citizens Savings Bank of Martins Ferry, Ohio (“the Bank” or “Citizens”). The Bank operates in two divisions, The Community Bank, a division of The Citizens Savings Bank and the Citizens Bank, a division of The Citizens Savings Bank. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Nature of Operations

The Company’s revenues, operating income and assets are almost exclusively derived from banking. Accordingly, all of the Company’s banking operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable operating segment. Customers are mainly located in Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Fairfield, Harrison, Hocking, Jefferson and Tuscarawas Counties and the surrounding localities in northeastern, east-central and southeastern Ohio and include a wide range of individuals, businesses and other organizations. The Citizens Bank division conducts its business through its main office in Martins Ferry, Ohio and branches in Bridgeport, Colerain, Dellroy, Dillonvale, Dover, Jewett, New Philadelphia, St. Clairsville East, Saint Clairsville West, Sherrodsville, Strasburg and Tiltonsville, Ohio. The Community Bank division conducts its business through its main office in Lancaster, Ohio and branches in Amesville, Glouster, Lancaster and Nelsonville, Ohio.

The Company’s primary deposit products are checking, savings and term certificate accounts and its primary lending products are residential mortgage, commercial and installment loans. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including business assets, consumer assets and real estate. Commercial loans are expected to be repaid from cash flow from operations of businesses. Real estate loans are secured by both residential and commercial real estate. Net interest income is affected by the relative amount of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities and the interest received or paid on these balances. The level of interest rates paid or received by the Company can be significantly influenced by a number of environmental factors, such as governmental monetary policy, that are outside of management’s control.

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 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 and the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans. In connection with the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the valuation of foreclosed assets held for sale, management obtains independent appraisals for significant properties.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, cash equivalents consisted primarily of due from accounts with the Federal Reserve and other correspondent Banks.

Currently, the FDIC’s insurance limits are $250,000. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, none of the Company’s interest-bearing cash accounts exceeded the federally insured limit of $250,000.

All noninterest-bearing accounts were fully insured through December 31, 2012 at all FDIC institutions. Beginning January 1, 2013, non-interest bearing transaction accounts are subject to the $250,000 limit on FDIC insurance per covered institution.

Securities

Certain debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and recorded at amortized cost. Securities not classified as held to maturity, including equity securities with readily determinable fair values, are classified as “available for sale” and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

For debt securities with fair value below amortized cost, when the Company does not intend to sell a debt security, and it is more likely than not the Company will not have to sell the security before recovery of its cost basis, it recognizes the credit component of an other-than-temporary impairment of a debt security in earnings and the remaining portion in other comprehensive income. For held-to-maturity debt securities, the amount of an other-than-temporary impairment recorded in other comprehensive income for the noncredit portion of a previous other-than-temporary impairment is amortized prospectively over the remaining life of the security on the basis of the timing of future estimated cash flows of the security.

Loans Held for Sale

Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or fair value in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company did not have any loans held for sale.

Loans

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoffs are reported at their outstanding principal balances adjusted for unearned income, charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, any unamortized deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.

For loans amortized at cost, interest income is accrued based on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, as well as premiums and discounts, are deferred and amortized as a level yield adjustment over the respective term of the loan.

For all loan classes, the accrual of interest is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. For all loan classes, the entire balance of the loan is considered past due if the minimum payment contractually required to be paid is not received by the contractual due date. For all loan classes, loans are placed on nonaccrual or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

Management’s general practice is to proactively charge down loans individually evaluated for impairment to the fair value of the underlying collateral. Consistent with regulatory guidance, charge-offs on all loan segments are taken when specific loans, or portions thereof, are considered uncollectible. The Company’s policy is to promptly charge these loans off in the period the uncollectible loss is reasonably determined.

For all loan portfolio segments except residential and consumer loans, the Company promptly charges-off loans, or portions thereof, when available information confirms that specific loans are uncollectible based on information that includes, but is not limited to, (1) the deteriorating financial condition of the borrower, (2) declining collateral values, and/or (3) legal action, including bankruptcy, that impairs the borrower’s ability to adequately meet its obligations. For impaired loans that are considered to be solely collateral dependent, a partial charge-off is recorded when a loss has been confirmed by an updated appraisal or other appropriate valuation of the collateral.

The Company charges-off residential and consumer loans when the Company reasonably determines the amount of the loss. The Company adheres to timeframes established by applicable regulatory guidance which provides for the charge-down of 1-4 family first and junior lien mortgages to the net realizable value less costs to sell when the loan is 120 days past due, charge-off of unsecured open-end loans when the loan is 120 days past due, and charge down to the net realizable value when other secured loans are 120 days past due. Loans at these respective delinquency thresholds for which the Company can clearly document that the loan is both well-secured and in the process of collection, such that collection will occur regardless of delinquency status, need not be charged off.

For all classes, all interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual or charged off are reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. Nonaccrual loans are returned to accrual status when, in the opinion of management, the financial position of the borrower indicates there is no longer any reasonable doubt as to the timely collection of interest or principal. The Company requires a period of satisfactory performance of not less than six months before returning a nonaccrual loan to accrual status.

When cash payments are received on impaired loans in each loan class, the Company records the payment as interest income unless collection of the remaining recorded principal amount is doubtful, at which time payments are used to reduce the principal balance of the loan. Troubled debt restructured loans recognize interest income on an accrual basis at the renegotiated rate if the loan is in compliance with the modified terms, no principal reduction has been granted and the loan has demonstrated the ability to perform in accordance with the renegotiated terms for a period of at least six months.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to income. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a monthly basis by Bank management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of allocated and general components. The allocated component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For those loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical charge-off experience by segment. The historical loss experience is determined by portfolio segment and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Company over the prior three years. Management believes the three year historical loss experience methodology is appropriate in the current economic environment.Other adjustments (qualitative/environmental considerations) for each segment may be added to the allowance for each loan segment after an assessment of internal or external influences on credit quality that are not fully reflected in the historical loss or risk rating data.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due based on the loan’s current payment status and the borrower’s financial condition including available sources of cash flows. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired.

Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for non-homogenous type loans such as commercial, non-owner residential and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. For impaired loans where the Company utilizes the discounted cash flows to determine the level of impairment, the Company includes the entire change in the present value of cash flows as bad debt expense.

The fair values of collateral dependent impaired loans are based on independent appraisals of the collateral. In general, the Company acquires an updated appraisal upon identification of impairment and annually thereafter for commercial, commercial real estate and multi-family loans. If the most recent appraisal is over a year old, and a new appraisal is not performed, due to lack of comparable values or other reasons, the existing appraisal is utilized and discounted generally 10% -35% based on the age of the appraisal, condition of the subject property, and overall economic conditions. After determining the collateral value as described, the fair value is calculated based on the determined collateral value less selling expenses. The potential for outdated appraisal values is considered in our determination of the allowance for loan losses through our analysis of various trends and conditions including the local economy, trends in charge-offs and delinquencies, etc. and the related qualitative adjustments assigned by the Company.

Segments of loans with similar risk characteristics are collectively evaluated for impairment based on the segment’s historical loss experience adjusted for changes in trends, conditions and other relevant factors that affect repayment of the loans. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment measurements, unless such loans are the subject of a restructuring agreement due to financial difficulties of the borrower.

In the course of working with borrowers, the Company may choose to restructure the contractual terms of certain loans. In this scenario, the Company attempts to work-out an alternative payment schedule with the borrower in order to optimize collectability of the loan. Any loans that are modified are reviewed by the Company to identify if a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”) has occurred, which is when, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial difficulties, the Company grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider. Terms may be modified to fit the ability of the borrower to repay in line with its current financial status and the restructuring of the loan may include the transfer of assets from the borrower to satisfy the debt, a modification of loan terms, or a combination of the two. If such efforts by the Company do not result in a satisfactory arrangement, the loan is referred to legal counsel, at which time foreclosure proceedings are initiated. At any time prior to a sale of the property at foreclosure, the Company may terminate foreclosure proceedings if the borrower is able to work-out a satisfactory payment plan.

It is the Company’s policy to have any restructured loans which are on nonaccrual status prior to being restructured remain on nonaccrual status until six months of satisfactory borrower performance at which time management would consider its return to accrual status. If a loan was accruing at the time of restructuring, the Company reviews the loan to determine if it is appropriate to continue the accrual of interest on the restructured loan.

With regard to determination of the amount of the allowance for credit losses, trouble debt restructured loans are considered to be impaired. As a result, the determination of the amount of impaired loans for each portfolio segment within troubled debt restructurings is the same as detailed previously.

Premises and Equipment

Depreciable assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to expense using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. An accelerated method is used for tax purposes.

Federal Home Loan Bank Stock

Federal Home Loan Bank stock is a required investment for institutions that are members of the Federal Home Loan Bank system. The required investment in the common stock is based on a predetermined formula, carried at cost and evaluated for impairment.

Foreclosed Assets Held for Sale

Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value, less costs to sell, at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net income or expense from foreclosed assets.

Bank-Owned Life Insurance

The Company and the Bank have purchased life insurance policies on certain key executives. Company and bank-owned life insurance is recorded at its cash surrender value, or the amount that can be realized.

Intangible Asset

In conjunction with an acquisition, the Company recorded a core deposit intangible asset of approximately $812,000. This asset was recorded at fair value and is being amortized over a seven year period using the straight line method. The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the core deposit intangible asset at December 31, 2012 and 2011 was:

	Gross Carrying Amount		2012 Accumulated Amortization		2011 Accumulated Amortization
	(In thousands)
Core deposits	$	812	$	507	$	388

Amortization expense was $119,000 for both the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. Estimated amortization expense for each of the following three years through 2014 is $119,000 per year and is $67,000 in 2015.

Treasury Stock

Common shares repurchased are recorded at cost. Cost of shares retired or reissued is determined using the weighted average cost.

Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards

The Company has a share-based employee compensation plan, which is described more fully in Note 14.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with income tax accounting guidance (ASC 740, Income Taxes). The income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur.

Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if based on the weight of evidence available it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Uncertain tax positions are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. At December 31, 2012, the Company had no uncertain tax positions.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

The Company files consolidated income tax returns with its subsidiary. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to the examination by tax authorities for years before 2010.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Directors have the option to defer all or a portion of fees for their services into a deferred stock compensation plan that invests in common shares of the Company. Officers of the Company have the option to defer up to 50% of their annual incentive award into this plan. The plan does not permit diversification and must be settled by the delivery of a fixed number of shares of the Company stock. The stock held in the plan is included in equity as deferred shares and is accounted for in a manner similar to treasury stock. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the Company’s stock are not recognized. The deferred compensation obligation is also classified as an equity instrument and changes in the fair value of the amount owed to the participant are not recognized.

Stockholders’ Equity and Dividend Restrictions

The Bank is subject to certain restrictions on the amount of dividends that it may declare without prior regulatory approval. Generally, the Bank’s payment of dividends is limited to net income for the current year plus the two preceding calendar years, less capital distributions paid over the comparable time period. Dividend payments to the stockholders may be legally paid from additional paid-in capital or retained earnings.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share represents income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share reflects additional potential 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 and restricted stock awards and are determined using the treasury stock method.

Treasury stock shares, deferred compensation shares and unearned ESOP shares are not deemed outstanding for earnings per share calculations.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes. Other comprehensive income includes unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities and changes in the funded status of the defined benefit pension plan.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.