Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Bankshares, Inc. (Bankshares) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the National Bank of Blacksburg (NBB), and National Bankshares Financial Services, Inc. (NBFS), (the Company). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and to general practices within the banking industry. The following is a summary of the more significant accounting policies.

Subsequent events have been considered through the date when the Form 10-K was issued.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and due from banks.

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. Trading securities are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value included in earnings. Securities not classified as held to maturity or trading, 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.

The Company follows the accounting guidance related to recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairment. The guidance specifies that if (a) an entity does not have the intent to sell a debt security prior to recovery and (b) it is more likely than not that the entity will not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery, the security would not be considered other-than-temporarily impaired, unless there is a credit loss. When criteria (a) and (b) are met, the entity will recognize 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.

For equity securities, when the Company has decided to sell an impaired available-for-sale security and the Company does not expect the fair value of the security to fully recover before the expected time of sale, the security is deemed other-than-temporarily impaired in the period in which the decision to sell is made. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the impairment is deemed other than temporary even if a decision to sell has not been made.

Loans Held for Sale

Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value on an individual loan basis. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income. Loans held for sale are sold with the mortgage servicing rights released by the Company.

Loans

The Company, through its banking subsidiary, provides mortgage, commercial, and consumer loans to customers. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by mortgage loans, particularly commercial mortgages. The ability of the Company’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions in the Company’s market area.

The Company’s loans are grouped into six segments: real estate construction, consumer real estate, commercial real estate, commercial non real estate, public sector and IDA, and consumer non real estate. Each segment is subject to certain risks that influence the establishment of pricing, loan structures, approval requirements, reserves, and ongoing credit management.

Real estate construction loans are subject to general risks from changing commercial building and housing market trends and economic conditions that may impact demand for completed properties and the costs of completion. Completed properties that do not sell or become leased within originally expected timeframes may impact the borrower’s ability to service the debt. These risks are measured by market-area unemployment rates, bankruptcy rates, housing and commercial building market trends, and interest rates. Risks specific to the borrower are also evaluated, including previous repayment history, debt service ability, and current and projected loan-to value ratios for the collateral.

The credit quality of consumer real estate is subject to risks associated with the borrower’s repayment ability and collateral value, measured generally by analyzing local unemployment and bankruptcy trends, and local housing market trends and interest rates. Risks specific to a borrower are determined by previous repayment history, loan-to-value ratios and debt-to-income ratios.

The commercial real estate segment includes loans secured by multifamily residential real estate, commercial real estate occupied by the owner/borrower, and commercial real estate leased to non-owners. Loans in the commercial real estate segment are impacted by economic risks from changing commercial real estate markets, rental markets for multi-family housing and commercial buildings, business bankruptcy rates, local unemployment and interest rate trends that would impact the businesses housed by the commercial real estate.

Commercial non real estate loans are secured by collateral other than real estate, or are unsecured. Credit risk for commercial non real estate loans is subject to economic conditions, generally monitored by local business bankruptcy trends, interest rates, and borrower repayment ability and collateral value (if secured).

Public sector and IDA loans are extended to municipalities and related entities. Credit risk is based upon the entity’s ability to repay through either a direct obligation or assignment of specific revenues from an enterprise or other economic activity, and interest rate trends.

Consumer non real estate includes credit cards, automobile and other consumer loans. Credit cards and certain other consumer loans are unsecured, while collateral is obtained for automobile loans and other consumer loans. Credit risk stems primarily from the borrower’s ability to repay. If the loan is secured, the company analyzes loan-to value ratios. All consumer non real estate loans are analyzed for debt-to-income ratios and previous credit history, as well as for general risks for the portfolio, including local unemployment, personal bankruptcy rates and interest rates.

Risks from delinquency trends and characteristics such as second-lien position and interest-only status, as well as historical charge-off rates, are analyzed for all segments.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future, or until maturity or payoff, generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for the allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method.

The Company considers multiple factors when determining whether to discontinue accrual of interest on individual loans. Generally loans are placed in nonaccrual status when collection of interest and/or full principal is considered doubtful. Interest accrual is discontinued at the time a commercial real estate loan or commercial non-real estate loan is 90 days delinquent unless the credit is well secured and in the process of collection. Loans within all loan classes that are not restructured but that are impaired and have an associated impairment loss are placed on nonaccrual unless the borrower is paying as agreed. Modified loans within all classes that allow the borrower to discontinue payments of principal or interest for more than 90 days are placed on nonaccrual unless the modification provides reasonable assurance of repayment performance and collateral value supports regular underwriting requirements. Restructured loans within all classes for which impairment measurement does not indicate a loss, and that maintain current status for at least six months may be returned to accrual status.

All interest accrued but not collected for loans of all classes that are placed on nonaccrual or for loans charged off is reversed against interest income. Any interest payments received on nonaccrual loans of all classes are credited to the principal balance of the loan. Loans of all classes that have been designated nonaccrual are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are current; future payments are reasonably assured; and for loans that financed the sale of OREO property, loan-to-value thresholds are met. The Company reviews nonaccrual loans on an individual loan basis to determine whether future payments are reasonably assured. In order for this criteria to be satisfied, the Company’s evaluation must determine that the underlying cause of the original delinquency or weakness that indicated nonaccrual status has been resolved, such as receipt of new guarantees, increased cash flows that cover the debt service or other resolution.

A loan is considered past due when a payment of principal and/or interest is due but not paid. Credit card payments not received within 30 days after the statement date, real estate loan payments not received within the payment cycle; and all other non-real estate secured loans for which payment is not made within 30 days of the payment due date are considered 30 days past due. Management closely monitors past due loans in timeframes of 30-89 days past due and 90 or more days past due.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio. A provision for estimated losses is charged to earnings to establish and maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level reflective of the estimated credit risk. When management determines that a loan balance or portion of a loan balance is not collectible, the loss is charged against the allowance. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

Management evaluates the allowance each quarter through a methodology that estimates losses on individual impaired loans and evaluates the effect of numerous factors on the credit risk of groups of homogeneous loans.

Specific allowances are established for individually-evaluated impaired loans based on the excess of the loan balance relative to the fair value of the loan. Impaired loans are designated as such when current information indicates that it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect principal or interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loan relationships exceeding $250,000 in nonaccrual status or that are significantly past due, or for which a credit review identified weaknesses that indicate principal and interest will not be collected according to the loan terms, as well as all loans modified in a troubled debt restructuring, are designated impaired. This policy is applicable to all loan classes.

Fair value of impaired loans is estimated in one of three ways. These are (1) the estimated fair value (less selling costs) of the underlying collateral, (2) the present value of the loan’s expected future cash flows, or (3) the loan’s observable market value. The amount of recorded investment (unpaid principal, accrued interest and deferred fees and costs) in an impaired loan that exceeds the fair value is accrued as estimated loss in the allowance. Impaired loans for which collection of interest or principal is in doubt are placed in nonaccrual status.

General allowances are established for collectively-evaluated loans. Collectively-evaluated loans are grouped into classes based on similar characteristics. Factors considered in determining general allowances include net charge-off trends, internal risk ratings, delinquency and nonperforming rates, product mix, underwriting practices, industry trends and economic trends.

The Company’s charge-off policy meets or is more stringent than the minimum standards required by regulators. When available information confirms that a specific loan or a portion thereof, within any loan class, is uncollectible the amount is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. Additionally, losses on consumer real estate and consumer non-real estate loans are typically charged off no later than when the loans are 120-180 days past due, and losses on loans secured by residential real estate or by commercial real estate are charged off by the time the loans reach 180 days past due, in compliance with regulatory guidelines. Accordingly, secured loans may be charged down to the estimated value of the collateral, with previously accrued unpaid interest reversed. Subsequent charge-offs may be required as a result of changes in the market value of collateral or other repayment prospects.

Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDRs”)

In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial condition, management grants a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring (TDR). These modified terms may include reduction of the interest rate, extension of the maturity date at an interest rate lower than the current market rate for a new loan with similar risk, forgiveness of principal or accrued interest or other actions intended to minimize the economic loss. TDR loans are individually measured for impairment.

Rate Lock Commitments

The Company enters into commitments to originate mortgage loans in which the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (rate lock commitments). Rate lock commitments on mortgage loans that are intended to be sold are considered to be derivatives. The period of time between issuance of a loan commitment and closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 30 to 60 days. The Company protects itself from changes in interest rates through the use of best efforts forward delivery commitments, by committing to sell a loan at the time the borrower commits to an interest rate with the intent that the buyer has assumed interest rate risk on the loan. As a result, the Company is not exposed to losses nor will it realize significant gains related to its rate lock commitments due to changes in interest rates. The correlation between the rate lock commitments and the best efforts contracts is very high due to their similarity.

The market value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts is not readily ascertainable with precision because rate lock commitments and best effort contracts are not actively traded in stand-alone markets. The Company determines the fair value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts by measuring the changes in the value of the underlying assets while taking into consideration the probability that the rate lock commitments will close. Because of the high correlation between rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts, no gain or loss occurs on the rate lock commitments.

Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost. Premises and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to expense over the estimated useful lives of the assets on the straight-line basis. Depreciable lives include 40 years for premises, 3-10 years for furniture and equipment, and 3 years for computer software. Costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred and improvements are capitalized.

Other Real Estate

Real estate acquired through, or in lieu of, foreclosure is held for sale and is initially recorded at fair value less cost 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 other operating expenses.

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

The Company records as goodwill the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Impairment testing is performed annually, as well as when an event triggering impairment may have occurred. The Company performs its annual analysis during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Accounting guidance permits preliminary assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether more substantial impairment testing is required. The Company chose to bypass the preliminary assessment and utilized a two-step process for impairment testing of goodwill. The first step tests for impairment, while the second step, if necessary, measures the impairment. No indicators of impairment were identified during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Intangible assets include customer deposit intangibles. Such intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which are generally ten to twelve years.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan terminated on March 9, 2009. Incentive stock options, all of which are now vested, were granted in the early years of the Plan. The Company recognized the cost of employment services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the fair value of those awards on the date of grant. Compensation cost was recognized over the award’s required service period, which was the vesting period.

Pension Plan

The Company recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and recognizes changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. The funded status of a benefit plan is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation. The benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation.

Income Taxes

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 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. 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.

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

Trust Assets and Income

Assets (other than cash deposits) held by the Trust Department in a fiduciary or agency capacity for customers are not included in the consolidated financial statements since such items are not assets of the Company. Trust income is recognized on the accrual basis.

Earnings Per Common Share

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

The following shows the weighted average number of shares used in computing earnings per common share and the effect on the weighted average number of shares of dilutive potential common stock. Potential dilutive common stock had no effect on income available to common stockholders.

	2013		2012		2011
Average number of common shares outstanding		6,947,974		6,942,411		6,936,869
Effect of dilutive options		20,419		17,456		13,994
Average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per common share		6,968,393		6,959,867		6,950,863

The computation of diluted net income per common share excludes shares for stock options that would be anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive shares in 2013 or 2012, and in 2011 there were 5,750 anti-dilutive shares excluded from the computation.

Advertising

The Company practices the policy of charging advertising costs to expenses as incurred. In 2013, the Company charged $194 to expenses, and in 2012, $169 and in 2011, $184 was expensed.

Use of Estimates

In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet and 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 in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of foreclosed real estate and deferred tax assets, other-than-temporary impairments of securities, and pension obligations.

Changing economic conditions, adverse economic prospects for borrowers, as well as regulatory agency action as a result of examination, could cause NBB to recognize additions to the allowance for loan losses and may also affect the valuation of real estate acquired in connection with foreclosures or in satisfaction of loans.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period balances to conform to the current year provisions.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210) – Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” This ASU requires entities to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the balance sheet and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. An entity is required to apply the amendments for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. An entity should provide the disclosures required by those amendments retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.” The amendments in this ASU apply to all entities that have indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, reported in their financial statements. The amendments in this ASU provide an entity with the option to make a qualitative assessment about the likelihood that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired to determine whether it should perform a quantitative impairment test. The amendments also enhance the consistency of impairment testing guidance among long-lived asset categories by permitting an entity to assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to calculate the asset’s fair value when testing an indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment. The amendments are effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” The amendments in this ASU clarify the scope for derivatives accounted for in accordance with Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset or are subject to netting arrangements. An entity is required to apply the amendments for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The amendments in this ASU require an entity to present (either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes) the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. In addition, the amendments require a cross-reference to other disclosures currently required for other reclassification items to be reclassified directly to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period. Companies should apply these amendments for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2012. The Company has included the required disclosures from ASU 2013-02 in the consolidated financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-10, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes.” The amendments in this ASU permit the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (also referred to as the Overnight Index Swap Rate) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815, in addition to interest rates on direct Treasury obligations of the U.S. government and the London Interbank Offered Rate. The amendments also remove the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. The amendments apply to all entities that elect to apply hedge accounting of the benchmark interest rate under Topic 815. The amendments are effective prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.” The amendments in this ASU provide guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. An unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date. Retrospective application is permitted. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01, “Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” The amendments in this ASU 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 income statement as a component of income tax expense (benefit). The amendments in this ASU should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. A reporting entity that uses the effective yield method to account for its investments in qualified affordable housing projects before the date of adoption may continue to apply the effective yield method for those preexisting investments. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for annual periods and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2014-01 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, “Receivables—Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).” The amendments in this ASU 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 in this ASU are effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2014-04 will have on its consolidated financial statements.