10-K 1 v402863_10k.htm FORM 10K

 

UNITED STATES  

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

  

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

 

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

 

Commission file number: 0-20293

 

 

 

UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION

 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

  

VIRGINIA 54-1598552

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1051 East Cary Street, Suite 1200, Richmond, Virginia 23219

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code is (804) 633-5031

 

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

  

Title of each class

 

Name of exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $1.33 per share   The NASDAQ Global Select Market

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 29.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer ¨
       
Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).   Yes  ¨    No  x

 

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2014 was approximately $1,151,422,323 based on the closing share price on that date of $25.65 per share.

 

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of February 20, 2015 was 45,054,738.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be used in conjunction with the registrant’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 
 

 

UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION

 FORM 10-K

INDEX

 

ITEM   PAGE
  PART I  
Item 1. Business 2
Item 1A. Risk Factors 13
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 21
Item 2. Properties 21
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 21
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 21
     
  PART II  
     
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 22
Item 6. Selected Financial Data 25
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 26
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 57
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 58
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 129
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 129
Item 9B. Other Information 129
     
  PART III  
     
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 130
Item 11. Executive Compensation 131
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters 131
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence 132
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 132
     
  PART IV  
     
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules 132
  Signatures 135

  

ii
 

  

Glossary of Acronyms
     
ALCO Asset Liability Committee
ALL Allowance for loan losses
ASC Accounting Standards Codification
ASU Accounting Standards Update
ATM Automated teller machine
the Bank or the Subsidiary Bank Union Bank & Trust
BHCA Bank Holding Company Act of 1956
CDARS Certificates of Deposit Account Registry Service
CFPB Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
bps Basis points
the Company Union Bankshares Corporation, formerly known as Union First Market Bank
COSO Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
CRA Community Reinvestment Act of 1977
DIF Deposit Insurance Fund
Dodd-Frank Act Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010
EPS Earnings per share
ESOP Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Exchange Act Securities Exchange Act of 1934
FASB Financial Accounting Standards Board
Federal Reserve Bank Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
FDIA Federal Deposit Insurance Act
FDIC Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FDICIA Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act
FHLB Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta
FICO Financing Corporation
FMB First Market Bank, FSB
FRB or Federal Reserve Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
FTE Fully taxable equivalent
GAAP Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
HELOC Home equity line of credit
LIBOR London Interbank Offered Rate
NPA Nonperforming assets
OREO Other real estate owned
OTTI Other than temporary impairment
PCA Prompt Corrective Action
PCI Purchased credit impaired
SCC Virginia State Corporation Commission
SEC Securities and Exchange Commission
StellarOne StellarOne Corporation
TDR Troubled debt restructuring
Treasury U.S. Department of the Treasury
UIG Union Insurance Group, LLC
UISI Union Investment Services, Inc.
UMG Union Mortgage Group, Inc.
VFG Virginia Financial Group, Inc.

 

 
 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Certain statements in this report may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that include projections, predictions, expectations, or beliefs about future events or results or otherwise and are not statements of historical fact.  Such statements are often characterized by the use of qualified words (and their derivatives) such as “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “will,” or words of similar meaning or other statements concerning opinions or judgment of the Company and its management about future events.  Although the Company believes that its expectations with respect to forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its existing knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company will not differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those anticipated depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the effects of and changes in: general economic and bank industry conditions, the interest rate environment, legislative and regulatory requirements, competitive pressures, new products and delivery systems, inflation, stock and bond markets, accounting standards or interpretations of existing standards, mergers and acquisitions, technology, and consumer spending and savings habits.  More information is available on the Company’s website, http://investors.bankatunion.com and on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The information on the Company’s website is not a part of this Form 10-K. The Company does not intend or assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company.

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. - BUSINESS.

 

GENERAL

 

The Company is a financial holding company and a bank holding company organized under Virginia law and registered under the BHCA. The Company, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia is committed to the delivery of financial services through its community bank subsidiary Union Bank & Trust and three non-bank financial services affiliates. The Company’s bank subsidiary and non-bank financial services affiliates are:

  

Community Bank
Union Bank & Trust Richmond, Virginia
   
Financial Services Affiliates
Union Mortgage Group, Inc. Glen Allen, Virginia
Union Investment Services, Inc. Richmond, Virginia
Union Insurance Group, LLC Richmond, Virginia

 

Effective April 25, 2014, the Company changed its corporate name from “Union First Market Bankshares Corporation” to “Union Bankshares Corporation.” The name change was approved at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held April 22, 2014. Effective February 16, 2015, the Company changed its subsidiary bank’s name from “Union First Market Bank” to “Union Bank & Trust.”

 

History

 

The Company was formed in connection with the July 1993 merger of Northern Neck Bankshares Corporation and Union Bancorp, Inc. Although the Company was formed in 1993, certain of the community banks that were acquired and ultimately merged to form what is now Union Bank & Trust were among the oldest in Virginia at the time they were acquired.

 

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The table below indicates the year each community bank was formed, acquired by the Company and merged into what is now Union Bank & Trust.

 

    Formed   Acquired   Merged
Union Bank & Trust Company   1902   n/a   2010
Northern Neck State Bank   1909   1993   2010
King George State Bank   1974   1996   1999
Rappahannock National Bank   1902   1998   2010
Bay Community Bank   1999   de novo bank   2008
Guaranty Bank   1981   2004   2004
Prosperity Bank & Trust Company   1986   2006   2008
First Market Bank, FSB   2000   2010   2010
StellarOne Bank   1900   2014   2014

 

On January 1, 2014, the Company acquired StellarOne, a bank holding company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, in an all-stock transaction pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of June 9, 2013, between the Company and StellarOne, and a related Plan of Merger (together, the “StellarOne Merger Agreement”). As a result of the transaction, StellarOne’s former bank subsidiary, StellarOne Bank, became a wholly owned bank subsidiary of the Company. The Company operated StellarOne Bank as a separate wholly-owned bank subsidiary until May 2014 at which time StellarOne Bank was merged with and into the Bank.

 

The Company’s operations center is located in Ruther Glen, Virginia.

 

The Company elected to be treated as a financial holding company by the Federal Reserve in September 2013.

 

Product Offerings and Market Distribution

 

The Company is the largest community banking organization headquartered in Virginia in terms of asset size, and provides full service banking and other financial services to the Northern, Central, Rappahannock, Roanoke Valley, Shenandoah, Tidewater, and Northern Neck regions of Virginia. As of December 31, 2014, the Subsidiary Bank operates 131 locations in the counties of Albemarle, Augusta, Bedford, Caroline, Chesterfield, Culpeper, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Floyd, Fluvanna, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Hanover, Henrico, James City, King George, King William, Lancaster, Loudoun, Madison, Montgomery, Nelson, Northumberland, Orange, Pulaski, Rappahannock, Richmond, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Warren, Westmoreland, Wythe, and York, and the independent cities of Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Colonial Heights, Covington, Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Newport News, Radford, Richmond, Roanoke, Salem, Staunton, Virginia Beach, and Waynesboro.

 

The Subsidiary Bank is a full service community bank offering consumers and businesses a wide range of banking and related financial services, including checking, savings, certificates of deposit, and other depository services, as well as loans for commercial, industrial, residential mortgage, and consumer purposes. The Subsidiary Bank issues credit cards and delivers ATM services through the use of reciprocally shared ATMs in the major ATM networks as well as remote ATMs for the convenience of customers and other consumers. The Subsidiary Bank also offers internet banking services and online bill payment for all customers, whether retail or commercial. The Subsidiary Bank also offers private banking and trust services to individuals and corporations through its Wealth Management Group, a division of the Subsidiary Bank.

  

UISI has provided securities, brokerage, and investment advisory services since its formation in February 1993. UISI gained 9 locations and opened 1 in connection with the StellarOne acquisition. It now has 19 offices within the Bank’s trade area and is a full service investment company handling all aspects of wealth management including stocks, bonds, annuities, mutual funds, and financial planning. Securities are offered through a third party contractual arrangement with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., an independent broker dealer.

 

As of December 31, 2014, UMG has offices in Virginia (16), Maryland (1), North Carolina (1), and South Carolina (1). UMG is also licensed to do business in selected states throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, as well as Washington, D.C.  It provides a variety of mortgage products to customers in those areas. The mortgage loans originated by UMG generally are sold in the secondary market through purchase agreements with institutional investors with servicing released.

 

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UIG, an insurance agency, is owned by the Bank and UMG. This agency operates in a joint venture with Bankers Insurance, LLC, a large insurance agency owned by community banks across Virginia and managed by the Virginia Bankers Association. UIG generates revenue through sales of various insurance products, including long-term care insurance and business owner policies.

 

SEGMENTS

 

The Company has two reportable segments: its traditional full service community banking business and its mortgage loan origination business. For more financial data and other information about each of the Company’s operating segments, refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections, “Segment Information – Community Bank Segment” and “Segment Information – Mortgage Segment,” and to Note 17 “Segment Reporting Disclosures” in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

 

EXPANSION AND STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS

 

The Company expands its market area and increases its market share through organic growth (internal growth and de novo expansion) and strategic acquisitions. Strategic acquisitions by the Company to date have included whole bank acquisitions, branch and deposit acquisitions, and purchases of existing branches from other banks. The Company generally considers acquisitions of companies in strong growth markets or with unique products or services that will benefit the entire organization. Targeted acquisitions are priced to be economically feasible with expected minimal short-term drag to achieve positive long-term benefits. These acquisitions may be paid for in the form of cash, stock, debt, or a combination thereof. The amount and type of consideration and deal charges paid could have a short-term dilutive effect on the Company’s earnings per share or book value. However, cost savings and revenue enhancements in such transactions are anticipated to provide long-term economic benefit to the Company.

 

On January 1, 2014, the Company acquired StellarOne in an all-stock transaction pursuant to the terms and conditions of the StellarOne Merger Agreement. Pursuant to the StellarOne Merger Agreement, StellarOne’s common shareholders received 0.9739 shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for each share of StellarOne’s common stock, resulting in the Company issuing 22,147,874 shares of common stock. The Company operated StellarOne Bank as a separate wholly-owned bank subsidiary until May 2014, at which time StellarOne Bank was merged with and into the Bank. As part of the acquisition plan and cost control efforts, the Company consolidated 13 overlapping bank branches into nearby locations during 2014.

 

On February 1, 2010, the Company acquired First Market Bank, FSB, a privately held federally chartered savings bank based in Richmond, Virginia, in an all-stock transaction. Upon the acquisition, FMB became a state chartered commercial bank subsidiary of the Company until it merged with Union Bank & Trust Company (former name of Union Bank & Trust) in March 2010 and the combined bank began to operate under the name Union First Market Bank.

 

The Bank currently operates in-store bank branches in 27 MARTIN’S Food Markets, one Fas Mart location, and one Walmart location. A significant majority of branches in the MARTIN’s Food Markets stores were acquired in connection with the Company’s acquisition of FMB.

 

Excluding the StellarOne acquisition, the Company’s new construction expansion during the last five years consisted of opening two new bank branches in Virginia:

 

Three James Center, Union Bank & Trust branch located in the city of Richmond, Virginia (November 2011)

 

Berea Marketplace, Union Bank & Trust branch located in Stafford County, Virginia (March 2011)

 

EMPLOYEES

 

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had approximately 1,471 full-time equivalent employees, including executive officers, loan and other banking officers, branch personnel, and operations and other support personnel. Of this total, 129 were mortgage segment personnel. None of the Company’s employees are represented by a union or covered under a collective bargaining agreement. The Company provides employees with a comprehensive employee benefit program which includes the following: group life, health and dental insurance, paid time off, educational opportunities, a cash incentive plan, a stock purchase plan, stock incentive plans, deferred compensation plans for officers and key employees, an ESOP, and a 401(k) plan with employer match.

 

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COMPETITION

 

The financial services industry remains highly competitive and is constantly evolving. The Company experiences strong competition in all aspects of its business. In its market areas, the Company competes with large national and regional financial institutions, credit unions, other independent community banks, as well as consumer finance companies, mortgage companies, loan production offices, mutual funds and life insurance companies. Competition for deposits and loans is affected by various factors including interest rates offered, the number and location of branches and types of products offered, and the reputation of the institution. Credit unions increasingly have been allowed to expand their membership definitions, and because they enjoy a favorable tax status, they have been able to offer more attractive loan and deposit pricing. The Company’s non-bank affiliates also operate in highly competitive environments. The Company believes its community bank framework and philosophy provide a competitive advantage, particularly with regard to larger national and regional institutions, allowing the Company to compete effectively. The Company’s community bank segment generally has strong market shares within the markets it serves. The Company’s deposit market share in Virginia was 3.38% of total bank deposits as of June 30, 2014.

 

ECONOMY

 

The economies in the Company’s market areas are widely diverse and include local and federal government, military, agriculture, and manufacturing. Although the Company believes Virginia has weathered the recession better than most other states over the last several years, continued weakness in employment, a protracted low interest rate environment, and the burden of regulatory requirements enacted in response to the recent financial crisis made for a challenging 2014 for the Company and for community banks in general. Virginia’s housing industry and unemployment indicators were mixed in 2014 compared to the rest of the country, as the effect of federal sequestration and spending cuts dampened economic growth and employment in defense-related professional and business services sectors. Job growth also remained sluggish for the state’s businesses that were dependent on consumer spending. Progress in the near future for the state’s employment and the housing industry is uncertain given the prospect for higher long-term interest rates. Despite this uncertainty, Virginia ranked third in Forbes’ 2014 list of the Best States for Business, and ranked first in the regulatory category because of its strong incentive offerings and business-friendly government policies. The Company’s management continues to consider future economic events and their impact on the Company’s performance while focusing attention on managing nonperforming assets and controlling costs, and working with borrowers to mitigate and protect against risk of loss.

 

SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

 

The Company and the Subsidiary Bank are extensively regulated under both federal and state laws. The following description briefly addresses certain historic and current provisions of federal and state laws and certain regulations, proposed regulations, and the potential impacts on the Company and the Subsidiary Bank. To the extent statutory or regulatory provisions or proposals are described in this report, the description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory or regulatory provisions or proposals.

 

Regulatory Reform – The Dodd-Frank Act

 

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Act. The Dodd-Frank Act significantly restructured the financial regulatory regime in the United States and has a broad impact on the financial services industry. The Dodd-Frank Act provides for new and stronger capital standards and permanently raises deposit insurance levels to $250,000. Pursuant to modifications under the Dodd-Frank Act, deposit insurance assessments are now calculated based on an insured depository institution’s assets rather than its insured deposits, and the minimum reserve ratio of the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC was raised to 1.35%. The Dodd-Frank Act also established the CFPB as an independent bureau of the Federal Reserve. The CFPB has the exclusive authority to prescribe rules governing the provision of consumer financial products and services, which in the case of the Subsidiary Bank will be enforced by the Federal Reserve.

 

Although a significant number of the rules and regulations mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act have been finalized, certain of the act’s requirements have yet to be implemented. Given the uncertainty associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the federal bank regulatory agencies in the future, the full extent of the impact such requirements will have on the operations of the Company and the Subsidiary Bank is unclear. The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act may affect the profitability of business activities, require changes to certain business practices, impose more stringent regulatory requirements or otherwise adversely affect the business and financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiary Bank. These changes may also require the Company to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make necessary changes to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements.

 

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The Company

 

General. As a financial holding company and a bank holding company registered under the BHCA, the Company is subject to supervision, regulation, and examination by the Federal Reserve. The Company elected to be treated as financial holding company by the Federal Reserve in September 2013. The Company is also registered under the bank holding company laws of Virginia and is subject to supervision, regulation, and examination by the SCC.

 

Permitted Activities. The permitted activities of a bank holding company are limited to managing or controlling banks, furnishing services to or performing services for its subsidiaries, and engaging in other activities that the Federal Reserve determines by regulation or order to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. In addition, bank holding companies that qualify and elect to be financial holding companies, such as the Company, may engage in any activity, or acquire and retain the shares of a company engaged in any activity, that is either (i) financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity (as determined by the Federal Reserve in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury) or (ii) complementary to a financial activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally (as solely determined by the Federal Reserve), without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. Activities that are financial in nature include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance underwriting, and making merchant banking investments.

 

To maintain financial holding company status, a financial holding company and all of its depository institution subsidiaries must be “well capitalized” and “well managed.” A depository institution subsidiary is considered to be “well capitalized” if it satisfies the requirements for this status under applicable Federal Reserve capital requirements. A depository institution subsidiary is considered “well managed” if it received a composite rating and management rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination. A financial holding company’s status will also depend upon it maintaining its status as “well capitalized” and “well managed” under applicable Federal Reserve regulations. If a financial holding company ceases to meet these capital and management requirements, the Federal Reserve’s regulations provide that the financial holding company must enter into an agreement with the Federal Reserve to comply with all applicable capital and management requirements. Until the financial holding company returns to compliance, the Federal Reserve may impose limitations or conditions on the conduct of its activities, and the company may not commence any of the broader financial activities permissible for financial holding companies or acquire a company engaged in such financial activities without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. If the company does not return to compliance within 180 days, the Federal Reserve may require divestiture of the financial holding company’s depository institutions.

 

In order for a financial holding company to commence any new activity permitted by the BHCA or to acquire a company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHCA, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must have received a rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination under the CRA. See below under “The Subsidiary Bank – Community Reinvestment Act.”

 

Despite prior approval, the Federal Reserve may order a bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any activity or to terminate ownership or control of any subsidiary when the Federal Reserve has reasonable cause to believe that a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness or stability of any bank subsidiary of that bank holding company may result from such an activity.

 

Banking Acquisitions; Changes in Control. The BHCA requires, among other things, the prior approval of the Federal Reserve in any case where a bank holding company proposes to (i) acquire direct or indirect ownership or control of more than 5% of the outstanding voting stock of any bank or bank holding company (unless it already owns a majority of such voting shares), (ii) acquire all or substantially all of the assets of another bank or bank holding company, or (iii) merge or consolidate with any other bank holding company. In determining whether to approve a proposed bank acquisition, the Federal Reserve will consider, among other factors, the effect of the acquisition on competition, the public benefits expected to be received from the acquisition, the projected capital ratios and levels on a post-acquisition basis, and the acquiring institution’s performance under the CRA and its compliance with fair housing and other consumer protection laws.

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the BHCA and the Change in Bank Control Act, together with the applicable regulations, require Federal Reserve approval (or, depending on the circumstances, no notice of disapproval) prior to any person or company’s acquiring “control” of a bank or bank holding company. A conclusive presumption of control exists if an individual or company acquires the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of an insured depository institution or to vote 25% or more of any class of voting securities of any insured depository institution. A rebuttable presumption of control exists if a person or company acquires 10% or more but less than 25% of any class of voting securities of an insured depository institution and either the institution has registered its securities with the SEC under Section 12 of the Exchange Act or no other person will own a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after the acquisition. The Company’s common stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

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In addition, Virginia law requires the prior approval of the SCC for (i) the acquisition of more than 5% of the voting shares of a Virginia bank or any holding company that controls a Virginia bank, or (ii) the acquisition by a Virginia bank holding company of a bank or its holding company domiciled outside Virginia.

 

Source of Strength. Federal Reserve policy has historically required bank holding companies to act as a source of financial and managerial strength to their subsidiary banks. The Dodd-Frank Act codified this policy as a statutory requirement. Under this requirement, the Company is expected to commit resources to support the Subsidiary Bank, including times when the Company may not be in a financial position to provide such resources. Any capital loans by a bank holding company to any of its subsidiary banks are subordinate in right of payment to depositors and to certain other indebtedness of such subsidiary banks. In the event of a bank holding company’s bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a subsidiary bank will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to priority of payment.

 

Safety and Soundness. There are a number of obligations and restrictions imposed on bank holding companies and their subsidiary banks by law and regulatory policy that are designed to minimize potential loss to the depositors of such depository institutions and the FDIC insurance fund in the event of a depository institution default. For example, under the FDICIA, to avoid receivership of an insured depository institution subsidiary, a bank holding company is required to guarantee the compliance of any subsidiary bank that may become “undercapitalized” with the terms of any capital restoration plan filed by such subsidiary with its appropriate federal bank regulatory agency up to the lesser of (i) an amount equal to 5% of the institution’s total assets at the time the institution became undercapitalized, or (ii) the amount that is necessary (or would have been necessary) to bring the institution into compliance with all applicable capital standards as of the time the institution fails to comply with such capital restoration plan.

 

Under the FDIA, the federal bank regulatory agencies have adopted guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards. These guidelines establish general standards relating to internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth and compensation, fees, and benefits. In general, the guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risk and exposures specified in the guidelines.

 

Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve imposes certain capital requirements on bank holding companies under the BHCA, including a minimum leverage ratio and a minimum ratio of “qualifying” capital to risk-weighted assets. These requirements are described below under “The Subsidiary Bank – Capital Requirements”. Subject to its capital requirements and certain other restrictions, the Company is able to borrow money to make a capital contribution to the Subsidiary Bank, and such loans may be repaid from dividends paid by the Subsidiary Bank to the Company.

 

Limits on Dividends and Other Payments. The Company is a legal entity, separate and distinct from its subsidiaries. A significant portion of the revenues of the Company result from dividends paid to it by the Subsidiary Bank. There are various legal limitations applicable to the payment of dividends by the Subsidiary Bank to the Company and to the payment of dividends by the Company to its shareholders. The Subsidiary Bank is subject to various statutory restrictions on its ability to pay dividends to the Company. Under current regulations, prior approval from the Federal Reserve is required if cash dividends declared in any given year exceed net income for that year, plus retained net profits of the two preceding years. The payment of dividends by the Subsidiary Bank or the Company may be limited by other factors, such as requirements to maintain capital above regulatory guidelines. Bank regulatory agencies have the authority to prohibit the Subsidiary Bank or the Company from engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting its respective business. The payment of dividends, depending on the financial condition of the Subsidiary Bank, or the Company, could be deemed to constitute such an unsafe or unsound practice.

 

Under the FDIA, insured depository institutions such as the Subsidiary Bank, are prohibited from making capital distributions, including the payment of dividends, if, after making such distributions, the institution would become “undercapitalized” (as such term is used in the statute). Based on the Subsidiary Bank’s current financial condition, the Company does not expect that this provision will have any impact on its ability to receive dividends from the Subsidiary Bank. The Company’s non-bank subsidiaries pay dividends to the Company periodically on a non-regulated basis.

 

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In addition to dividends it receives from the Subsidiary Bank, the Company receives management fees from its affiliated companies for expenses incurred related to external financial reporting and audit fees, investor relations expenses, Board of Directors fees, and legal fees related to corporate actions. These fees are charged to each subsidiary based upon various specific allocation methods measuring the estimated usage of such services by that subsidiary. The fees are eliminated from the financial statements in the consolidation process.

 

The Subsidiary Bank

 

General. The Subsidiary Bank is supervised and regularly examined by the Federal Reserve and the SCC. The various laws and regulations administered by the bank regulatory agencies affect corporate practices, such as the payment of dividends, incurrence of debt, and acquisition of financial institutions and other companies; they also affect business practices, such as the payment of interest on deposits, the charging of interest on loans, types of business conducted, and location of offices. Certain of these law and regulations are referenced above under “The Company.”

 

2014 Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve and the other federal banking agencies have issued risk-based and leverage capital guidelines applicable to U.S. banking organizations. Those regulatory agencies may from time to time require that a banking organization maintain capital above the minimum levels because of its financial condition or actual or anticipated growth. Under the risk-based capital requirements of the Federal Reserve that were effective through December 31, 2014, the Company and the Subsidiary Bank were required to maintain a minimum ratio of total capital (which was defined as core capital and supplementary capital less certain specified deductions from total capital such as reciprocal holdings of depository institution capital instruments and equity investments) to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%. In determining the amount of risk-weighted assets, all assets, including certain off-balance sheet activities, recourse obligations, residual interests and direct credit substitutes, were multiplied by a risk-weight factor of 0% to 1,250%, assigned by the capital regulation based on the risks believed inherent in the type of asset. At least half of the total capital was required to be “Tier 1 capital,” which consisted principally of common and certain qualifying preferred shareholders’ equity (including grandfathered trust preferred securities), less certain intangibles and other adjustments. The remainder (“Tier 2 capital”) consisted of cumulative preferred stock, long-term perpetual preferred stock, a limited amount of subordinated and other qualifying debt (including certain hybrid capital instruments), and a limited amount of the general loan loss allowance. The Tier 1 and total capital to risk-weighted asset ratios of the Company were 12.77% and 13.40%, respectively, as of December 31, 2014, thus exceeding the minimum requirements. The Tier 1 and total capital to risk-weighted asset ratios of the Subsidiary Bank were 12.37% and 13.00%, respectively, as of December 31, 2014, also exceeding the minimum requirements.

 

Each of the federal bank regulatory agencies also has established a minimum leverage capital ratio of Tier 1 capital to average adjusted assets (“Tier 1 leverage ratio”) that was effective through December 31, 2014. The guidelines required a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 3.0% for financial holding companies and banking organizations with the highest supervisory rating. All other banking organizations were required to maintain a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0% unless a different minimum was specified by an appropriate regulatory authority. In addition, for a depository institution to have been considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, its Tier 1 leverage ratio must have been at least 5.0%. Under the guidelines, banking organizations that experienced internal growth or made acquisitions were expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels without significant reliance on intangible assets. The Federal Reserve did not advise the Company or the Subsidiary Bank of any specific minimum leverage ratio applicable to either entity. As of December 31, 2014, the Tier 1 leverage ratios of the Company and the Subsidiary Bank were 10.63% and 10.30%, respectively, well above the minimum requirements.

 

New Capital Requirements. On June 7, 2012, the Federal Reserve issued a series of proposed rules that intended to revise and strengthen its risk-based and leverage capital requirements and its method for calculating risk-weighted assets. The rules were proposed to implement the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act. On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve approved certain revisions to the proposals and finalized new capital requirements for banking organizations.

 

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Effective January 1, 2015, the final rules require the Company and the Subsidiary Bank to comply with the following new minimum capital ratios: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5% of risk-weighted assets; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0% of risk-weighted assets (increased from the prior requirement of 4.0%); (iii) a total capital ratio of 8.0% of risk-weighted assets (unchanged from the prior requirement); and (iv) a leverage ratio of 4.0% of total assets (unchanged from the prior requirement). These are the initial capital requirements, which will be phased in over a four-year period. When fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the rules will require the Company and the Subsidiary Bank to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” (which is added to the 4.5% common equity Tier 1 ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0% upon full implementation); (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 6.0% Tier 1 capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5% upon full implementation); (iii) a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 8.0% total capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5% upon full implementation); and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets.

 

The capital conservation buffer requirement will be phased in beginning January 1, 2016, at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets, increasing by the same amount each year until fully implemented at 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases, and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.

 

With respect to the Subsidiary Bank, the Federal Reserve’s final rules also revised the “prompt corrective action” regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the FDIA by (i) introducing a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio requirement at each level (other than critically undercapitalized), with the required ratio being 6.5% for well-capitalized status; (ii) increasing the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement for each category, with the minimum ratio for well-capitalized status being 8.0% (as compared to the prior ratio of 6.0%); and (iii) eliminating the provision that provides that a bank with a composite supervisory rating of 1 may have a 3.0% Tier 1 leverage ratio and still be well-capitalized. These new thresholds were effective for the Subsidiary Bank as of January 1, 2015. The minimum total capital to risk-weighted assets ratio (10.0%) and minimum leverage ratio (5.0%) for well-capitalized status were unchanged by the final rules.

 

The new capital requirements also include changes in the risk weights of assets to better reflect credit risk and other risk exposures. These include a 150% risk weight (up from 100%) for certain high volatility commercial real estate acquisition, development, and construction loans and nonresidential mortgage loans that are 90 days past due or otherwise on nonaccrual status, a 20% (up from 0%) credit conversion factor for the unused portion of a commitment with an original maturity of one year or less that is not unconditionally cancellable, a 250% risk weight (up from 100%) for mortgage servicing rights and deferred tax assets that are not deducted from capital, and increased risk-weights (from 0% to up to 600%) for equity exposures.

 

If the new minimum capital ratios described above had been effective as of December 31, 2014, based on management’s interpretation and understanding of the new rules, the Company would have remained “well capitalized” as of such date.

 

Deposit Insurance. The deposits of the Subsidiary Bank are insured up to applicable limits by the DIF of the FDIC and are subject to deposit insurance assessments to maintain the DIF. On April 1, 2011, the deposit insurance assessment base changed from total deposits to average total assets minus average tangible equity, pursuant to a rule issued by the FDIC as required by the Dodd-Frank Act.

 

The FDIA, as amended by the Federal Deposit Insurance Reform Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, requires the FDIC to set a ratio of deposit insurance reserves to estimated insured deposits of at least 1.35%. The FDIC utilizes a risk-based assessment system that imposes insurance premiums based upon a risk matrix that takes into account a bank’s capital level and supervisory rating. On February 27, 2009, the FDIC introduced three possible adjustments to an institution’s initial base assessment rate: (i) a decrease of up to five basis points for long-term unsecured debt, including senior unsecured debt (other than debt guaranteed under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program) and subordinated debt and, for small institutions, a portion of Tier 1 capital; (ii) an increase not to exceed 50% of an institution’s assessment rate before the increase for secured liabilities in excess of 25% of domestic deposits; and (iii) for non-Risk Category I institutions, an increase not to exceed 10 basis points for brokered deposits in excess of 10% of domestic deposits. In 2014 and 2013, the Company paid only the base assessment rate for “well capitalized” institutions, which totaled $5.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively, in regular deposit insurance assessments.

 

In addition, all FDIC insured institutions are required to pay assessments to the FDIC at an annual rate of approximately one basis point of insured deposits to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, an agency of the federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the Savings Association Insurance Fund. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds mature in 2017 through 2019.

 

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Transactions with Affiliates. Pursuant to Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W, the authority of the Subsidiary Bank to engage in transactions with related parties or “affiliates” or to make loans to insiders is limited. Loan transactions with an affiliate generally must be collateralized and certain transactions between the Subsidiary Bank and its affiliates, including the sale of assets, the payment of money or the provision of services, must be on terms and conditions that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the Subsidiary Bank, as those prevailing for comparable nonaffiliated transactions. In addition, the Subsidiary Bank generally may not purchase securities issued or underwritten by affiliates.

 

Loans to executive officers, directors or to any person who directly or indirectly, or acting through or in concert with one or more persons, owns, controls or has the power to vote more than 10% of any class of voting securities of a bank (“10% Shareholders”), are subject to Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and their corresponding regulations (Regulation O) and Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act relating to the prohibition on personal loans to executives (which exempts financial institutions in compliance with the insider lending restrictions of Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act). Among other things, these loans must be made on terms substantially the same as those prevailing on transactions made to unaffiliated individuals and certain extensions of credit to those persons must first be approved in advance by a disinterested majority of the entire Board of Directors. Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act prohibits loans to any of those individuals where the aggregate amount exceeds an amount equal to 15% of an institution’s unimpaired capital and surplus plus an additional 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus in the case of loans that are fully secured by readily marketable collateral, or when the aggregate amount on all of the extensions of credit outstanding to all of these persons would exceed the Subsidiary Bank’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. Section 22(g) of the Federal Reserve Act identifies limited circumstances in which the Subsidiary Bank is permitted to extend credit to executive officers.

 

Prompt Corrective Action. Federal banking regulators are authorized and, under certain circumstances, required to take certain actions against banks that fail to meet their capital requirements. The federal bank regulatory agencies have additional enforcement authority with respect to undercapitalized depository institutions. “Well capitalized” institutions may generally operate without supervisory restriction. With respect to “adequately capitalized” institutions, such banks cannot normally pay dividends or make any capital contributions that would leave it undercapitalized, they cannot pay a management fee to a controlling person if, after paying the fee, it would be undercapitalized, and they cannot accept, renew, or roll over any brokered deposit unless the bank has applied for and been granted a waiver by the FDIC.

 

Immediately upon becoming “undercapitalized,” a depository institution becomes subject to the provisions of Section 38 of the FDIA, which: (i) restrict payment of capital distributions and management fees; (ii) require that the appropriate federal banking agency monitor the condition of the institution and its efforts to restore its capital; (iii) require submission of a capital restoration plan; (iv) restrict the growth of the institution’s assets; and (v) require prior approval of certain expansion proposals. The appropriate federal banking agency for an undercapitalized institution also may take any number of discretionary supervisory actions if the agency determines that any of these actions is necessary to resolve the problems of the institution at the least possible long-term cost to the DIF, subject in certain cases to specified procedures. These discretionary supervisory actions include: (i) requiring the institution to raise additional capital; (ii) restricting transactions with affiliates; (iii) requiring divestiture of the institution or the sale of the institution to a willing purchaser; and (iv) any other supervisory action that the agency deems appropriate. These and additional mandatory and permissive supervisory actions may be taken with respect to significantly undercapitalized and critically undercapitalized institutions. The Subsidiary Bank met the definition of being “well capitalized” as of December 31, 2014.

 

As described above in “The Subsidiary Bank – New Capital Requirements,” the new capital requirement rules issued by the Federal Reserve incorporate new requirements into the prompt corrective action framework.

 

Community Reinvestment Act. The Subsidiary Bank is subject to the requirements of the CRA. The CRA imposes on financial institutions an affirmative and ongoing obligation to meet the credit needs of the local communities, including low and moderate income neighborhoods. If the Subsidiary Bank receives a rating from the Federal Reserve of less than “satisfactory” under the CRA, restrictions on operating activities would be imposed. In addition, in order for a financial holding company, like the Company, to commence any new activity permitted by the BHCA, or to acquire any company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHCA, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must have received a rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination under the CRA. The Subsidiary Bank received a “satisfactory” CRA rating in its most recent examination.

 

Privacy Legislation. Several recent laws, including amendments to the Dodd-Frank Act, and related regulations issued by the federal bank regulatory agencies, provide new protections against the transfer and use of customer information by financial institutions. A financial institution must provide to its customers information regarding its policies and procedures with respect to the handling of customers’ personal information. Each institution must conduct an internal risk assessment of its ability to protect customer information. These privacy provisions generally prohibit a financial institution from providing a customer’s personal financial information to unaffiliated parties without prior notice and approval from the customer.

 

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USA Patriot Act of 2001. In October 2001, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 (“Patriot Act”) was enacted in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Northern Virginia. The Patriot Act is intended to strengthen U.S. law enforcement and the intelligence communities’ abilities to work cohesively to combat terrorism. The continuing impact on financial institutions of the Patriot Act and related regulations and policies is significant and wide ranging. The Patriot Act contains sweeping anti-money laundering and financial transparency laws, and imposes various regulations, including standards for verifying customer identification at account opening, and rules to promote cooperation among financial institutions, regulators, and law enforcement entities to identify persons who may be involved in terrorism or money laundering.

 

Volcker Rule. The Dodd-Frank Act prohibits insured depository institutions and their holding companies from engaging in proprietary trading except in limited circumstances, and prohibits them from owning equity interests in excess of 3% of Tier 1 capital in private equity and hedge funds (known as the “Volcker Rule”). On December 10, 2013, the federal bank regulatory agencies adopted final rules implementing the Volcker Rule. These final rules prohibit banking entities from (i) engaging in short-term proprietary trading for their own accounts, and (ii) having certain ownership interests in and relationships with hedge funds or private equity funds. The final rules are intended to provide greater clarity with respect to both the extent of those primary prohibitions and of the related exemptions and exclusions. The final rules also require each regulated entity to establish an internal compliance program that is consistent with the extent to which it engages in activities covered by the Volcker Rule, which must include (for the largest entities) making regular reports about those activities to regulators. Although the final rules provide some tiering of compliance and reporting obligations based on size, the fundamental prohibitions of the Volcker Rule apply to banking entities of any size, including the Company and the Subsidiary Bank. The final rules were effective April 1, 2014, with full compliance being phased in over a period which will end on July 21, 2016. The Company has evaluated the implications of the final rules on its investments and does not expect any material financial implications at this time.

 

Under rules implementing the Volcker Rule, banking entities would have been prohibited from owning certain collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) backed by trust preferred securities (“TruPS”) as of July 21, 2015, which could have forced banking entities to recognize unrealized market losses based on the inability to hold any such investments to maturity. However, on January 14, 2014, the federal bank regulatory agencies issued an interim final rule, effective April 1, 2014, exempting TruPS CDOs from the Volcker Rule if (i) the CDO was established prior to May 19, 2010, (ii) the banking entity reasonably believes that the offering proceeds of the CDO were used to invest primarily in TruPS issued by banks with less than $15 billion in assets, and (iii) the banking entity acquired the CDO on or before December 10, 2013. The regulators solicited comments on the interim final rule, and this exemption could change prior to its effective date. The Company currently does not have any impermissible holdings of TruPS CDOs under the interim final rule and, therefore, will not be required to divest any of such investments or change their accounting treatment. The Company is continuously reviewing its investments to ensure compliance as the various provisions of the Volcker Rule regulations become effective.

 

Ability-to-Repay and Qualified Mortgage Rule. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB issued a final rule on January 10, 2013 (effective on January 10, 2014), amending Regulation Z as implemented by the Truth in Lending Act, requiring creditors to make a reasonable and good faith determination based on verified and documented information that a consumer applying for a mortgage loan has a reasonable ability to repay the loan according to its terms. Creditors are required to determine consumers’ ability to repay in one of two ways. The first alternative requires the creditor to consider the following eight underwriting factors when making the credit decision: (i) current or reasonably expected income or assets; (ii) current employment status; (iii) the monthly payment on the covered transaction; (iv) the monthly payment on any simultaneous loan; (v) the monthly payment for mortgage-related obligations; (vi) current debt obligations, alimony, and child support; (vii) the monthly debt-to-income ratio or residual income; and (viii) credit history. Alternatively, the creditor can originate “qualified mortgages,” which are entitled to a presumption that the creditor making the loan satisfied the ability-to-repay requirements. In general, a “qualified mortgage” is a mortgage loan without negative amortization, interest-only payments, balloon payments, or terms exceeding 30 years. In addition, to be a qualified mortgage the points and fees paid by a consumer cannot exceed 3% of the total loan amount. Qualified mortgages that are “higher-priced” (e.g. subprime loans) garner a rebuttable presumption of compliance with the ability-to-repay rules, while qualified mortgages that are not “higher-priced” (e.g. prime loans) are given a safe harbor of compliance. To meet the mortgage credit needs of a broader customer base, the Company is predominantly an originator of mortgages that are intended to be in compliance with the ability-to-pay requirements.

 

Consumer Laws and Regulations. The Subsidiary Bank is also subject to certain consumer laws and regulations issued thereunder that are designed to protect consumers in transactions with banks. These laws include the Truth in Lending Act, the Truth in Savings Act, the Electronic Funds Transfer Act, the Expedited Funds Availability Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Fair Housing Act and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, among others. The laws and related regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions transact business with customers. The Subsidiary Bank must comply with the applicable provisions of these consumer protection laws and regulations as part of their ongoing customer relations.

 

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Incentive Compensation. In June 2010, the federal bank regulatory agencies issued comprehensive final guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of financial institutions do not undermine the safety and soundness of such institutions by encouraging excessive risk-taking. The Interagency Guidance on Sound Incentive Compensation Policies, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of financial institutions, either individually or as part of a group, is based upon the key principles that a financial institution’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the institution’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks; (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management; and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the financial institution’s Board of Directors.

 

The Federal Reserve will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of financial institutions, such as the Company and the Subsidiary Bank, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” These reviews will be tailored to each financial institution based on the scope and complexity of the institution’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the institution’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the institution’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a financial institution if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the institution’s safety and soundness and the financial institution is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies. At December 31, 2014, the Company and the Subsidiary Bank have not been made aware of any instances of non-compliance with the final guidance.

 

Effect of Governmental Monetary Policies

 

The Company’s operations are affected not only by general economic conditions but also by the policies of various regulatory authorities. In particular, the Federal Reserve regulates money and credit conditions and interest rates to influence general economic conditions. These policies have a significant impact on overall growth and distribution of loans, investments, and deposits; they affect interest rates charged on loans or paid for time and savings deposits. Federal Reserve monetary policies have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks, including the Company, in the past and are expected to do so in the future.

 

Filings with the SEC

 

The Company files annual, quarterly, and other reports under the Exchange Act with the SEC. These reports and this Form 10-K are posted and available at no cost on the Company’s investor relations website, http://investors.bankatunion.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company files such documents with the SEC. The information contained on the Company’s website is not a part of this Form 10-K. The Company’s filings are also available through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

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ITEM 1A. - RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in the Company’s securities involves risks. In addition to the other information set forth in this report, investors in the Company’s securities should carefully consider the factors discussed below. These factors could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and capital position, and could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from its historical results or the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this report, in which case the trading price of the Company’s securities could decline.

 

Risks Related To The Company’s Business

 

The Company’s business may be adversely affected by conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions generally.

 

The community banking industry is directly affected by national, regional, and local economic conditions. The economies in the Company’s market areas improved during 2014, though growth remained sluggish. Management allocates significant resources to mitigate and respond to risks associated with the current economic conditions, however, such conditions cannot be predicted or controlled. Therefore, such conditions, including a reduction in federal government spending, a flatter yield curve, and extended low interest rates, could adversely affect the credit quality of the Company’s loans, and/or the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. The Company’s financial performance is dependent on the business environment in the markets where the Company operates, in particular, the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, as well as demand for loans and other products and services the Company offers. In addition, the Company holds securities which can be significantly affected by various factors including credit ratings assigned by third parties, and an adverse credit rating in securities held by the Company could result in a reduction of the fair value of its securities portfolio and have an adverse impact on its financial condition. While general economic conditions in Virginia and the U.S. continued to improve in 2014, there can be no assurance that this improvement will continue.

 

The inability of the Company to successfully manage its growth or implement its growth strategy may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial conditions.

 

The Company may not be able to successfully implement its growth strategy if it is unable to identify attractive markets, locations, or opportunities to expand in the future. In addition, the ability to manage growth successfully depends on whether the Company can maintain adequate capital levels, maintain cost controls, effectively manage asset quality, and successfully integrate any businesses acquired into the organization.

 

As the Company continues to implement its growth strategy by opening new branches or acquiring branches or banks, it expects to incur increased personnel, occupancy, and other operating expenses. In the case of new branches, the Company must absorb those higher expenses while it begins to generate new deposits; there is also further time lag involved in redeploying new deposits into attractively priced loans and other higher yielding earning assets. Thus, the Company’s plans to expand could depress earnings in the short run, even if it efficiently executes a branching strategy leading to long-term financial benefits.

 

Difficulties in combining the operations of acquired entities with the Company’s own operations may prevent the Company from achieving the expected benefits from acquisitions.

 

The Company may not be able to achieve fully the strategic objectives and operating efficiencies expected in an acquisition. Inherent uncertainties exist in integrating the operations of an acquired entity. In addition, the markets and industries in which the Company and its potential acquisition targets operate are highly competitive. The Company may lose customers or the customers of acquired entities as a result of an acquisition; the Company may lose key personnel, either from the acquired entity or from itself; and the Company may not be able to control the incremental increase in noninterest expense arising from an acquisition in a manner that improves its overall operating efficiencies. These factors could contribute to the Company’s not achieving the expected benefits from its acquisitions within desired time frames, if at all. Future business acquisitions could be material to the Company and it may issue additional shares of common stock to pay for those acquisitions, which would dilute current shareholders’ ownership interests. Acquisitions also could require the Company to use substantial cash or other liquid assets or to incur debt; the Company could therefore become more susceptible to economic downturns and competitive pressures.

 

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Changes in interest rates could adversely affect the Company’s income and cash flows.

 

The Company’s income and cash flows depend to a great extent on the difference between the interest rates earned on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and the interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. These rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond the Company’s control, including general economic conditions and the policies of the Federal Reserve and other governmental and regulatory agencies. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, will influence the origination of loans, the prepayment of loans, the purchase of investments, the generation of deposits, and the rates received on loans and investment securities and paid on deposits or other sources of funding. The impact of these changes may be magnified if the Company does not effectively manage the relative sensitivity of its assets and liabilities to changes in market interest rates. In addition, the Company’s ability to reflect such interest rate changes in pricing its products is influenced by competitive pressures. Fluctuations in these areas may adversely affect the Company and its shareholders. The Subsidiary Bank is often at a competitive disadvantage in managing its costs of funds compared to the large regional, super-regional, or national banks that have access to the national and international capital markets.

 

The Company generally seeks to maintain a neutral position in terms of the volume of assets and liabilities that mature or re-price during any period so that it may reasonably maintain its net interest margin; however, interest rate fluctuations, loan prepayments, loan production, deposit flows, and competitive pressures are constantly changing and influence the ability to maintain a neutral position. Generally, the Company’s earnings will be more sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates depending upon the variance in volume of assets and liabilities that mature and re-price in any period. The extent and duration of the sensitivity will depend on the cumulative variance over time, the velocity and direction of changes in interest rates, shape and slope of the yield curve, and whether the Company is more asset sensitive or liability sensitive. Accordingly, the Company may not be successful in maintaining a neutral position and, as a result, the Company’s net interest margin may be affected.

 

The Company’s mortgage revenue is cyclical and is sensitive to the level of interest rates, changes in economic conditions, decreased economic activity, and slowdowns in the housing market, any of which could adversely impact the Company’s profits.

 

The success of the Company’s mortgage business is dependent upon its ability to originate loans and sell them to investors at or near current volumes. Loan production levels are sensitive to changes in the level of interest rates and changes in economic conditions. Loan production levels may suffer if the Company experiences a slowdown in the local housing market or tightening credit conditions. Any sustained period of decreased activity caused by fewer refinancing transactions, higher interest rates, housing price pressure or loan underwriting restrictions would adversely affect the Company’s mortgage originations and, consequently, could significantly reduce its income from mortgage activities. As a result, these conditions would also adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

 

Deteriorating economic conditions may also cause home buyers to default on their mortgages. In certain cases where the Company has originated loans and sold them to investors, the Company may be required to repurchase loans or provide a financial settlement to investors if it is proven that the borrower failed to provide full and accurate information on, or related to, their loan application, if appraisals for such properties have not been acceptable or when the loan was not underwritten in accordance with the loan program specified by the loan investor. Such repurchases or settlements would adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

 

The Company’s allowance for loan losses may prove to be insufficient to absorb losses in its loan portfolio.

 

Like all financial institutions, the Company maintains an allowance for loan losses to provide for loans that its borrowers may not repay in their entirety. The Company believes that it maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the corresponding balance sheet date and in compliance with applicable accounting and regulatory guidance. However, the allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover actual loan losses and future provisions for loan losses could materially and adversely affect the Company’s operating results. Accounting measurements related to impairment and the loan loss allowance require significant estimates that are subject to uncertainty and changes relating to new information and changing circumstances. The significant uncertainties surrounding the ability of the Company’s borrowers to execute their business models successfully through changing economic environments, competitive challenges, and other factors complicate the Company’s estimates of the risk of loss and amount of loss on any loan. Because of the degree of uncertainty and susceptibility of these factors to change, the actual losses may vary from current estimates. The Company expects fluctuations in the loan loss provisions due to the uncertain economic conditions.

 

The Company’s banking regulators, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance for loan losses and may require the Company to increase its allowance for loan losses by recognizing additional provisions for loan losses charged to expense, or to decrease the allowance for loan losses by recognizing loan charge-offs, net of recoveries. Any such required additional provisions for loan losses or charge-offs could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

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The Bank’s concentration in loans secured by real estate may adversely affect earnings due to changes in the real estate markets.

 

The Bank offers a variety of secured loans, including commercial lines of credit, commercial term loans, real estate, construction, home equity, consumer, and other loans. Many of the Bank’s loans are secured by real estate (both residential and commercial) in the Bank’s market areas. A major change in the real estate markets, resulting in deterioration in the value of this collateral, or in the local or national economy, could adversely affect borrowers’ ability to pay these loans, which in turn could negatively affect the Bank. Risks of loan defaults and foreclosures are unavoidable in the banking industry; the Bank tries to limit its exposure to these risks by monitoring extensions of credit carefully. The Bank cannot fully eliminate credit risk; thus, credit losses will occur in the future. Additionally, changes in the real estate market also affect the value of foreclosed assets, and therefore, additional losses may occur when management determines it is appropriate to sell the assets.

 

The Bank has a significant concentration of credit exposure in commercial real estate, and loans with this type of collateral are viewed as having more risk of default.

 

The Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio consists primarily of owner-operated properties and other commercial properties. These types of loans are generally viewed as having more risk of default than residential real estate loans. They are also typically larger than residential real estate loans and consumer loans and depend on cash flows from the owner’s business or the property to service the debt. Cash flows may be affected significantly by general economic conditions, and a downturn in the local economy or in occupancy rates in the local economy where the property is located could increase the likelihood of default. Because the Bank’s loan portfolio contains a number of commercial real estate loans with relatively large balances, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in the percentage of non-performing loans. An increase in non-performing loans could result in a loss of earnings from these loans, an increase in the provision for loan losses and an increase in charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition.

 

The Bank’s banking regulators generally give commercial real estate lending greater scrutiny and may require banks with higher levels of commercial real estate loans to implement improved underwriting, internal controls, risk management policies, and portfolio stress testing, as well as possibly higher levels of allowances for losses and capital levels as a result of commercial real estate lending growth and exposures, which could have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s results of operations.

 

The Bank’s loan portfolio contains construction and development loans, and a decline in real estate values and economic conditions would adversely affect the value of the collateral securing the loans and have an adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition.

 

Although most of the Bank’s construction and development loans are secured by real estate, the Bank believes that, in the case of the majority of these loans, the real estate collateral by itself may not be a sufficient source for repayment of the loan if real estate values decline. If the Bank is required to liquidate the collateral securing a construction and development loan to satisfy the debt, its earnings and capital may be adversely affected. A period of reduced real estate values may continue for some time, resulting in potential adverse effects on the Bank’s earnings and capital.

 

The Company’s credit standards and its on-going credit assessment processes might not protect it from significant credit losses.

 

The Company assumes credit risk by virtue of making loans and extending loan commitments and letters of credit. The Company manages credit risk through a program of underwriting standards, the review of certain credit decisions and a continuous quality assessment process of credit already extended. The Company’s exposure to credit risk is managed through the use of consistent underwriting standards that emphasize local lending while avoiding highly leveraged transactions as well as excessive industry and other concentrations. The Company’s credit administration function employs risk management techniques to help ensure that problem loans are promptly identified. While these procedures are designed to provide the Company with the information needed to implement policy adjustments where necessary and to take appropriate corrective actions, there can be no assurance that such measures will be effective in avoiding undue credit risk.

 

The Company’s focus on lending to small to mid-sized community-based businesses may increase its credit risk.

 

Most of the Company’s commercial business and commercial real estate loans are made to small business or middle market customers. These businesses generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities and have a heightened vulnerability to economic conditions. If general economic conditions in the market areas in which the Company operates negatively impact this important customer sector, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected. Moreover, a portion of these loans have been made by the Company in recent years and the borrowers may not have experienced a complete business or economic cycle. Any deterioration of the borrowers’ businesses may hinder their ability to repay their loans with the Company, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

- 15 -
 

 

Nonperforming assets take significant time to resolve and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

The Company’s nonperforming assets adversely affect its net income in various ways. The Company does not record interest income on nonaccrual loans, which adversely affects its income and increases loan administration costs. When the Company receives collateral through foreclosures and similar proceedings, it is required to mark the related loan to the then fair market value of the collateral less estimated selling costs, which may result in a loss. An increase in the level of nonperforming assets also increases the Company’s risk profile and may affect the capital levels regulators believe are appropriate in light of such risks. The Company utilizes various techniques such as workouts, restructurings, and loan sales to manage problem assets. Increases in or negative adjustments in the value of these problem assets, the underlying collateral, or in the borrowers’ performance or financial condition, could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, the resolution of nonperforming assets requires significant commitments of time from management and staff, which can be detrimental to the performance of their other responsibilities, including origination of new loans. There can be no assurance that the Company will avoid further increases in nonperforming loans in the future.

 

The Company faces substantial competition that could adversely affect the Company’s growth and/or operating results.

 

The Company operates in a competitive market for financial services and faces intense competition from other financial institutions both in making loans and attracting deposits which can greatly affect pricing for its products and services. The Company’s primary competitors include community, regional, and national banks as well as credit unions and mortgage companies. Many of these financial institutions have been in business for many years, are significantly larger, have established customer bases and have greater financial resources and higher lending limits. In addition, credit unions are exempt from corporate income taxes, providing a significant competitive pricing advantage. Accordingly, some of the Company’s competitors in its market have the ability to offer products and services that it is unable to offer or to offer at more competitive rates.

 

The carrying value of goodwill may be adversely affected.

 

When the Company completes an acquisition, often times, goodwill is recorded on the date of acquisition as an asset. Current accounting guidance requires goodwill to be tested for impairment; the Company performs such impairment analysis at least annually. A significant adverse change in expected future cash flows or sustained adverse change in the Company’s common stock could require the asset to become impaired. If impaired, the Company would incur a charge to earnings that would have a significant impact on the results of operations. The Company’s carrying value of goodwill was approximately $293.5 million at December 31, 2014, which included goodwill recorded with the Company’s acquisition of StellarOne.

 

The Company’s exposure to operational, technological, and organizational risk may adversely affect the Company.

 

Similar to other financial institutions, the Company is exposed to many types of operational and technological risk, including reputation, legal, and compliance risk. The Company’s ability to grow and compete is dependent on its ability to build or acquire the necessary operational and technological infrastructure and to manage the cost of that infrastructure while it expands and integrates acquired businesses. Operational risk can manifest itself in many ways, such as errors related to failed or inadequate processes, faulty or disabled computer systems, fraud by employees or persons outside of the Company, and exposure to external events. The Company is dependent on its operational infrastructure to help manage these risks. From time to time, it may need to change or upgrade its technology infrastructure. The Company may experience disruption, and it may face additional exposure to these risks during the course of making such changes. As the Company acquires other financial institutions, it faces additional challenges when integrating different operational platforms. Such integration efforts may be more disruptive to the business and/or more costly than anticipated.

 

The Company’s operations may be adversely affected by cyber security risks.

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company collects and stores sensitive data, including proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of its customers and employees in systems and on networks. The secure processing, maintenance, and use of this information is critical to operations and the Company’s business strategy. The Company has invested in accepted technologies, and continually reviews processes and practices that are designed to protect its networks, computers, and data from damage or unauthorized access. Despite these security measures, the Company’s computer systems and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance, or other disruptions. A breach of any kind could compromise systems and the information stored there could be accessed, damaged or disclosed. A breach in security could result in legal claims, regulatory penalties, disruption in operations, and damage to the Company’s reputation, which could adversely affect its business. Furthermore, as cyber threats continue to evolve and increase, the Company may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify or enhance its protective measures, or to investigate and remediate any identified information security vulnerabilities.

 

- 16 -
 

 

The operational functions of business counterparties over which the Company may have limited or no control may experience disruptions that could adversely impact the Company.

 

Multiple major U.S. retailers have recently experienced data systems incursions reportedly resulting in the thefts of credit and debit card information, online account information, and other financial data of tens of millions of the retailers’ customers. Retailer incursions affect cards issued and deposit accounts maintained by many banks, including the Subsidiary Bank. Although neither the Company’s nor the Subsidiary Bank’s systems are breached in retailer incursions, these events can cause the Subsidiary Bank to reissue a significant number of cards and take other costly steps to avoid significant theft loss to the Subsidiary Bank and its customers. In some cases, the Subsidiary Bank may be required to reimburse customers for the losses they incur. Other possible points of intrusion or disruption not within the Company’s nor the Subsidiary Bank’s control include internet service providers, electronic mail portal providers, social media portals, distant-server (“cloud”) service providers, electronic data security providers, telecommunications companies, and smart phone manufacturers.

 

Current and proposed regulation addressing consumer privacy and data use and security could increase the Company’s costs and impact its reputation.

 

The Company is subject to a number of laws concerning consumer privacy and data use and security, including information safeguard rules under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. These rules require that financial institutions develop, implement, and maintain a written, comprehensive information security program containing safeguards that are appropriate to the financial institution’s size and complexity, the nature and scope of the financial institution’s activities, and the sensitivity of any customer information at issue. The United States has experienced a heightened legislative and regulatory focus on privacy and data security, including requiring consumer notification in the event of a data breach. In addition, most states have enacted security breach legislation requiring varying levels of consumer notification in the event of certain types of security breaches. New regulations in these areas may increase compliance costs, which could negatively impact earnings. In addition, failure to comply with the privacy and data use and security laws and regulations to which the Company is subject, including by reason of inadvertent disclosure of confidential information, could result in fines, sanctions, penalties, or other adverse consequences and loss of consumer confidence, which could materially adversely affect our results of operations, overall business, and reputation.

 

The Company’s dependency on its management team and the unexpected loss of any of those personnel could adversely affect operations.

 

The Company is a customer-focused and relationship-driven organization. Future growth is expected to be driven in large part by the relationships maintained with customers. While the Company has assembled an experienced management team, is building the depth of that team, and has management development plans in place, the unexpected loss of key employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and may result in lower revenues or greater expenses.

 

Legislative or regulatory changes or actions, or significant litigation, could adversely affect the Company or the businesses in which the Company is engaged.

 

The Company is subject to extensive state and federal regulation, supervision, and legislation that govern almost all aspects of its operations. Laws and regulations change from time to time and are primarily intended for the protection of consumers, depositors, and the FDIC’s DIF. The impact of any changes to laws and regulations or other actions by regulatory agencies may negatively affect the Company or its ability to increase the value of its business. Such changes include higher capital requirements, and could include increased insurance premiums, increased compliance costs, reductions of noninterest income, and limitations on services that can be provided. Actions by regulatory agencies or significant litigation against the Company could cause it to devote significant time and resources to defend itself and may lead to liability or penalties that materially affect the Company and its shareholders. Future changes in the laws or regulations or their interpretations or enforcement could be materially adverse to the Company and its shareholders.

 

- 17 -
 

 

The Dodd-Frank Act substantially changes the regulation of the financial services industry and it could have a material adverse effect upon the Company.

 

The Dodd-Frank Act provides wide-ranging changes in the way banks and financial services firms generally are regulated and affects the way the Company and its customers and counterparties do business with each other. Among other things, it requires increased capital and regulatory oversight for banks and their holding companies, changes the deposit insurance assessment system, changes responsibilities among regulators, establishes the CFPB, and makes various changes in the securities laws and corporate governance that affect public companies, including the Company. The Dodd-Frank Act also requires numerous studies and regulations related to its implementation. The Company is continually evaluating the effects of the Dodd-Frank Act, together with implementing the regulations that have been proposed and adopted. The ultimate effects of the Dodd-Frank Act and the resulting rulemaking cannot be predicted at this time, but it has increased the Company’s operating and compliance costs in the short-term, and it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operation and financial condition.

 

The Company is subject to more stringent capital and liquidity requirements as a result of the Basel III regulatory capital reforms and the Dodd-Frank Act, the short-term and long-term impact of which is uncertain.

 

The Company and the Subsidiary Bank are each subject to capital adequacy guidelines and other regulatory requirements specifying minimum amounts and types of capital which each must maintain. From time to time, regulators implement changes to these regulatory capital adequacy guidelines. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the federal banking agencies have established stricter capital requirements and leverage limits for banks and bank holding companies that are based on the Basel III regulatory capital reforms. These stricter capital requirements will be phased-in over a four-year period, which began on January 1, 2015, until they are fully-implemented on January 1, 2019. See “Business − Supervision and Regulation − New Capital Requirements” for further information about the requirements. If the Company and the Subsidiary Bank fail to meet these minimum capital guidelines and/or other regulatory requirements, the Company’s financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.

 

Recent regulations issued by the CFPB could adversely impact the Company’s earnings.

 

The CFPB has broad rulemaking authority to administer and carry out the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act with respect to financial institutions that offer covered financial products and services to consumers. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB issued a final rule effective January 10, 2014, requiring mortgage lenders to make a reasonable and good faith determination based on verified and documented information that a consumer applying for a mortgage loan has a reasonable ability to repay the loan according to its terms, or to originate “qualified mortgages” that meet specific requirements with respect to terms, pricing, and fees. The rule also contains additional disclosure requirements at mortgage loan origination and in monthly statements. These requirements could limit the Company’s ability to make certain types of loans or loans to certain borrowers, or could make it more expensive and/or time consuming to make these loans, which could adversely impact the Company’s profitability.

 

The Subsidiary Bank relies upon independent appraisals to determine the value of the real estate which secures a significant portion of its loans, and the values indicated by such appraisals may not be realizable if the Subsidiary Bank is forced to foreclose upon such loans.

 

A significant portion of the Subsidiary Bank’s loan portfolio consists of loans secured by real estate. The Subsidiary Bank relies upon independent appraisers to estimate the value of such real estate. Appraisals are only estimates of value and the independent appraisers may make mistakes of fact or judgment that adversely affect the reliability of their appraisals. In addition, events occurring after the initial appraisal may cause the value of the real estate to increase or decrease. As a result of any of these factors, the real estate securing some of the Subsidiary Bank’s loans may be more or less valuable than anticipated at the time the loans were made. If a default occurs on a loan secured by real estate that is less valuable than originally estimated, the Subsidiary Bank may not be able to recover the outstanding balance of the loan.  

 

The Company and the Subsidiary Bank rely on other companies to provide key components of their business infrastructure.

 

Third parties provide key components of the Company’s (and the Subsidiary Bank’s) business operations such as data processing, recording and monitoring transactions, online banking interfaces and services, internet connections, and network access. While the Company has selected these third party vendors carefully, it does not control their actions. Any problem caused by these third parties, including poor performance of services, failure to provide services, disruptions in communication services provided by a vendor and failure to handle current or higher volumes, could adversely affect the Company’s ability to deliver products and services to its customers and otherwise conduct its business, and may harm its reputation. Financial or operational difficulties of a third party vendor could also hurt the Company’s operations if those difficulties affect the vendor’s ability to serve the Company. Replacing these third party vendors could also create significant delay and expense. Accordingly, use of such third parties creates an unavoidable inherent risk to the Company’s business operations.

 

- 18 -
 

 

The Company depends on the accuracy and completeness of information about clients and counterparties, and its financial condition could be adversely affected if it relies on misleading information.

 

In deciding whether to extend credit or to enter into other transactions with clients and counterparties, the Company may rely on information furnished to it by or on behalf of clients and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information, which the Company does not independently verify. The Company also may rely on representations of clients and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. For example, in deciding whether to extend credit to clients, the Company may assume that a customer’s audited financial statements conform to GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the customer. The Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted to the extent it relies on financial statements that do not comply with GAAP or are materially misleading.

 

Changes in accounting standards could impact reported earnings.

 

The authorities that promulgate accounting standards, including the FASB, SEC, and other regulatory authorities, periodically change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. These changes are difficult to predict and can materially impact how the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, the Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in the restatement of financial statements for prior periods. Such changes could also require the Company to incur additional personnel or technology costs.

 

Failure to maintain effective systems of internal and disclosure control could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operation and financial condition.

 

Effective internal and disclosure controls are necessary for the Company to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud, and to operate successfully as a public company. If the Company cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, its reputation and operating results would be harmed. As part of the Company’s ongoing monitoring of internal control, it may discover material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in its internal control that require remediation. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

 

The Company has in the past discovered, and may in the future discover, areas of its internal controls that need improvement. Even so, the Company is continuing to work to improve its internal controls. The Company cannot be certain that these measures will ensure that it implements and maintains adequate controls over its financial processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain effective controls or to timely implement any necessary improvement of the Company’s internal and disclosure controls could, among other things, result in losses from fraud or error, harm the Company’s reputation, or cause investors to lose confidence in the Company’s reported financial information, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operation and financial condition.

 

Limited availability of financing or inability to raise capital could adversely impact the Company.

 

The amount, type, source, and cost of the Company’s funding directly impacts the ability to grow assets. The ability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, and other sources could become more difficult, more expensive, or altogether unavailable. A number of factors could make such financing more difficult, more expensive or unavailable including: the financial condition of the Company at any given time; rate disruptions in the capital markets; the reputation for soundness and security of the financial services industry as a whole; and, competition for funding from other banks or similar financial service companies, some of which could be substantially larger or be more favorably rated.

 

Consumers may increasingly decide not to use the Subsidiary Bank to complete their financial transactions, which would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and operations.

 

Technology and other changes are allowing parties to complete financial transactions through alternative methods that historically have involved banks. For example, consumers can now maintain funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts, mutual funds or general-purpose reloadable prepaid cards. Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries, known as “disintermediation,” could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. The loss of these revenue streams and the lower cost of deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

- 19 -
 

 

The Company is subject to claims and litigation pertaining to fiduciary responsibility.

 

From time to time, customers make claims and take legal action pertaining to the performance of the Company’s fiduciary responsibilities. Whether customer claims and legal action related to the performance of the Company’s fiduciary responsibilities are founded or unfounded, if such claims and legal actions are not resolved in a manner favorable to the Company, they may result in significant financial liability and/or adversely affect the market perception of the Company and its products and services, as well as impact customer demand for those products and services. Any financial liability or reputation damage could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, which, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

The Company is a defendant in a variety of litigation and other actions, which may have a material adverse effect on its financial condition and results of operation.

 

The Company may be involved from time to time in a variety of litigation arising out of its business. The Company’s insurance may not cover all claims that may be asserted against it, and any claims asserted against it, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, may harm the Company’s reputation. Should the ultimate judgments or settlements in any litigation exceed the Company’s insurance coverage, they could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operation for any period. In addition, the Company may not be able to obtain appropriate types or levels of insurance in the future, nor may the Company be able to obtain adequate replacement policies with acceptable terms, if at all.

 

Risks Related To The Company’s Securities

 

The Company’s ability to pay dividends depends upon the results of operations of its subsidiaries.

 

The Company is a financial holding company and a bank holding company that conducts substantially all of its operations through the Subsidiary Bank and other subsidiaries. As a result, the Company’s ability to make dividend payments on its common stock depends primarily on certain federal regulatory considerations and the receipt of dividends and other distributions from its subsidiaries. There are various regulatory restrictions on the ability of the Subsidiary Bank to pay dividends or make other payments to the Company. Although the Company has historically paid a cash dividend to the holders of its common stock, holders of the common stock are not entitled to receive dividends, and regulatory or economic factors may cause the Company’s Board of Directors to consider, among other things, the reduction of dividends paid on the Company’s common stock.

 

While the Company’s common stock is currently traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, it has less liquidity than stocks for larger companies quoted on a national securities exchange.

 

The trading volume in the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market has been relatively low when compared with larger companies listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or other stock exchanges. There is no assurance that a more active and liquid trading market for the common stock will exist in the future. Consequently, shareholders may not be able to sell a substantial number of shares for the same price at which shareholders could sell a smaller number of shares. In addition, the Company cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales of the its common stock in the market, or the availability of shares of common stock for sale in the market, will have on the market price of the common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the market, or the potential for large amounts of sales in the market, could cause the price of the Company’s common stock to decline, or reduce the Company’s ability to raise capital through future sales of common stock.

 

Future issuances of the Company’s common stock could adversely affect the market price of the common stock and could be dilutive.

 

The Company is not restricted from issuing additional shares of common stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, shares of common stock. Issuances of a substantial number of shares of common stock, or the expectation that such issuances might occur, including in connection with acquisitions by the Company, could materially adversely affect the market price of the shares of common stock and could be dilutive to shareholders. Because the Company’s decision to issue common stock in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors, it cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, or nature of possible future issuances of its common stock. Accordingly, the Company’s shareholders bear the risk that future issuances will reduce the market price of the common stock and dilute their stock holdings in the Company.

 

- 20 -
 

 

The Company’s governing documents and Virginia law contain anti-takeover provisions that could negatively affect its shareholders.

 

The Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and the Virginia Stock Corporation Act contain certain provisions designed to enhance the ability of the Company’s Board of Directors to deal with attempts to acquire control of the Company. These provisions and the ability to set the voting rights, preferences, and other terms of any series of preferred stock that may be issued, may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may discourage takeovers (which certain shareholders may deem to be in their best interest). To the extent that such takeover attempts are discouraged, temporary fluctuations in the market price of the Company’s common stock resulting from actual or rumored takeover attempts may be inhibited. These provisions also could discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest, even though such transactions may be favorable to the interests of shareholders, and could potentially adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock.

 

The current economic conditions may cause volatility in the Company’s common stock value.

 

In the current economic environment, the value of publicly traded stocks in the financial services sector has been volatile. However, even in a more stable economic environment the value of the Company’s common stock can be affected by a variety of factors such as expected results of operations, actual results of operations, actions taken by shareholders, news or expectations based on the performance of others in the financial services industry, and expected impacts of a changing regulatory environment. These factors not only impact the value of the Company’s common stock but could also affect the liquidity of the stock given the Company’s size, geographical footprint, and industry.

 

ITEM 1B. - UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

 

The Company does not have any unresolved staff comments to report for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

ITEM 2. - PROPERTIES.

 

The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns or leases buildings that are used in the normal course of business. The Company’s corporate headquarters is located at 1051 East Cary Street, Suite 1200, Richmond, Virginia. The Company’s subsidiaries own or lease various other offices in the counties and cities in which they operate. At December 31, 2014, the Bank operated 131 branches throughout Virginia. All of the offices of UMG are leased, either from a third party or as a result of being within a Bank branch. The vast majority of the offices of UISI are located within Bank branch properties. The Company’s operations center is in Ruther Glen, Virginia. See the Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 5 “Bank Premises and Equipment” in the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information with respect to the amounts at which Bank premises and equipment are carried and commitments under long-term leases.

 

ITEM 3. - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

In the ordinary course of its operations, the Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various legal proceedings. Based on the information presently available, and after consultation with legal counsel, management believes that the ultimate outcome in such proceedings, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the business or the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

 

ITEM 4. - MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

 

None.

 

- 21 -
 

  

PART II

 

ITEM 5. - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

 

The following performance graph does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates the performance graph by reference therein.

 

Five-Year Stock Performance Graph

 

The following chart compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative shareholder return on the Company’s common stock during the five years ended December 31, 2014, with (1) the Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Composite and (2) the Total Return Index for NASDAQ Bank. This comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2009 in the Company’s common stock and the comparison groups and assumes the reinvestment of all cash dividends prior to any tax effect and retention of all stock dividends.

 

Union Bankshares Corporation

 

 

   Period Ending 
Index  12/31/09   12/31/10   12/31/11   12/31/12   12/31/13   12/31/14 
Union Bankshares Corporation   100.00    121.52    111.87    136.21    219.89    218.59 
NASDAQ Composite   100.00    118.15    117.22    138.02    193.47    222.16 
NASDAQ Bank   100.00    114.16    102.17    121.26    171.86    180.31 

 

Source: SNL Financial Corporation LC, Charlottesville, VA (2015)

 

- 22 -
 

 

Information on Common Stock, Market Prices and Dividends

 

The Company’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and is traded under the symbol “UBSH.” There were 45,162,853 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding at the close of business on December 31, 2014, which were held by 4,680 shareholders of record. The closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2014 was $24.08 per share compared to $24.81 on December 31, 2013.

 

The following table summarizes the high and low sales prices and dividends declared for quarterly periods during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

                   Dividends 
   Sales Prices   Declared 
   2014   2013   2014   2013 
   High   Low   High   Low         
First Quarter  $26.72   $22.57   $20.25   $15.87   $0.14   $0.13 
Second Quarter   26.42    23.86    21.40    18.01   $0.14   $0.13 
Third Quarter   26.23    21.86    23.54    20.48   $0.15   $0.14 
Fourth Quarter   24.99    20.78    26.29    22.99   $0.15   $0.14 
                       $0.58   $0.54 

 

Regulatory restrictions on the ability of the Bank to transfer funds to the Company at December 31, 2014 are set forth in Note 19, “Parent Company Financial Information,” contained in the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. A discussion of certain limitations on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to the Company and the ability of the Company to pay dividends on its common stock, is set forth in Part I., Item 1 - Business, of this Form 10-K under the headings “Supervision and Regulation – The Company - Limits on Dividends and Other Payments.”

 

It is anticipated that dividends will continue to be paid on a quarterly basis. In making its decision on the payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock, the Board of Directors considers operating results, financial condition, capital adequacy, regulatory requirements, shareholder returns, and other factors.

 

Stock Repurchase Program

 

In March 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase 500,000 shares of its common stock from Markel Corporation, at that time the Company’s largest shareholder, for an aggregate purchase price of $9,500,000, or $19.00 per share. Steven A. Markel was a director of the Company and Vice Chairman of Markel Corporation at that time. The repurchase was funded with cash on hand and the shares were retired. The Company’s authorization to repurchase an additional 250,000 shares under its current repurchase program authorization expired December 31, 2013.

 

The following information describes the Company’s common stock repurchases for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

Period  Total number of
shares
purchased (1)
   Average price
paid per share
($)
   Total number of
shares purchased as
part of publicly
announced plan
   Approximate value
of shares that may
yet be purchased
under the plan ($)
 
February 26 - February 28, 2014   206,886    25.01    206,886    59,826,000 
March 1 - March 31, 2014   303,629    25.62    303,629    52,047,000 
April 1 - April 30, 2014   390,818    25.14    390,818    42,222,000 
May 1 - May 30, 2014   251,642    24.93    251,642    35,948,000 
June 1 - June 30, 2014   189,100    25.47    189,100    31,131,000 
July 1 - July 31, 2014   242,350    25.06    242,350    25,058,000 
August 1 - August 31, 2014   62,600    23.95    62,600    23,559,000 
September 1 - September 30, 2014   84,000    23.65    84,000    21,572,000 
October 1 - October 31, 2014   65,739    22.94    65,739    20,064,000 
November 1 - November 30, 2014   195,000    22.89    195,000    15,601,000 
December 1 - December 31, 2014   133,500    23.53    133,500    12,460,000 
   Total   2,125,264    24.72    2,125,264    12,460,000 

 

(1)On January 31, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to purchase up to $65.0 million worth of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase program is authorized through December 31, 2015. The Company intends to continue to repurchase shares under this program.

 

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Director Stock Retainer

 

Beginning in the third quarter of 2014, non-employee members of the Company’s Board of Directors may elect to receive, on a quarterly basis, either cash or Company common stock in lieu of an annual stock retainer for services as a director. During the third and fourth quarter of 2014, certain shares were issued to non-employee directors of the Company’s Board of Directors and the boards of certain affiliates of the Company from authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s common stock as compensation to such directors for their services to the applicable board. Such shares are considered exempt from registration as they were issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. The shares were also issued in a transaction that meets the requirements of Rule 16b-3(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

In 2014, the Company issued the following stock retainer awards including shares exempt from registration as set forth above:

 

   Issue Date  Total number
of shares
issued
   Price per
share ($)
   Valuation
($)
 
Union Bankshares Corporation Board of Directors (1)                  
  July 31, 2014   10,580    24.22    256,248 
   September 3, 2014   4,483    23.70    106,247 
   December 4, 2014   4,224    23.68    100,024 
Bank and UMG Boards of Directors (2)                  
   December 1, 2014   10,770    23.30    250,938 
      Total   30,057         713,457 

 

(1)The price per share is based on the per share closing sale price of the Company’s common stock on the date prior to the issue date.

 

(2)The price per share is based on the five-day moving average closing sale price of the Company’s common stock on the date prior to the issue date.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014 the aggregate amount of Director services received by the company for the stock issuances was $713,457.

  

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ITEM 6. - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

 

The following table sets forth selected financial data for the Company over each of the past five years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Results of Operations (1)                         
Interest and dividend income  $274,945   $172,127   $181,863   $189,073   $189,821 
Interest expense   19,927    20,501    27,508    32,713    38,245 
Net interest income   255,018    151,626    154,355    156,360    151,576 
Provision for loan losses   7,800    6,056    12,200    16,800    24,368 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   247,218    145,570    142,155    139,560    127,208 
Noninterest income   61,287    38,728    41,068    32,964    34,217 
Noninterest expenses   238,552    137,289    133,479    130,815    129,920 
Income before income taxes   69,953    47,009    49,744    41,709    31,505 
Income tax expense   17,362    12,513    14,333    11,264    8,583 
Net income  $52,591   $34,496   $35,411   $30,445   $22,922 
                          
Financial Condition                         
Assets  $7,359,171   $4,176,571   $4,095,865   $3,907,087   $3,837,247 
Loans, net of unearned income   5,345,996    3,039,368    2,966,847    2,818,583    2,837,253 
Deposits   5,638,770    3,236,842    3,297,767    3,175,105    3,070,059 
Stockholders' equity   978,025    438,239    435,863    421,639    428,085 
                          
Ratios                         
Return on average assets (1)   0.73%   0.85%   0.89%   0.79%   0.61%
Return on average equity (1)   5.34%   7.91%   8.13%   6.90%   5.50%
Return on average tangible common equity (1)   8.08%   9.51%   9.89%   9.34%   7.68%
Efficiency ratio (FTE) (1)   73.53%   70.19%   66.86%   67.55%   68.19%
Efficiency ratio - community bank segment (FTE) (1)   70.92%   65.81%   65.88%   66.84%   68.59%
Efficiency ratio - mortgage bank segment (FTE)   148.71%   130.58%   77.66%   79.20%   64.22%
Common equity to total assets   13.29%   10.49%   10.64%   10.79%   10.26%
Tangible common equity / tangible assets   9.28%   8.94%   8.97%   8.91%   8.22%
                          
Asset Quality                         
Allowance for loan losses  $32,384   $30,135   $34,916   $39,470   $38,406 
Nonaccrual loans  $19,255   $15,035   $26,206   $44,834   $61,716 
Other real estate owned  $28,118   $34,116   $32,834   $32,263   $36,122 
ALL / total outstanding loans   0.61%   0.99%   1.18%   1.40%   1.35%
ALL / total outstanding loans, adjusted for acquisition accounting (1)   1.08%   1.10%   1.35%   1.71%   1.82%
ALL / nonperforming loans   168.19%   200.43%   133.24%   88.04%   62.23%
NPAs / total outstanding loans   0.89%   1.62%   1.99%   2.74%   3.45%
Net charge-offs / total outstanding loans   0.10%   0.36%   0.56%   0.56%   0.58%
Provision / total outstanding loans   0.15%   0.20%   0.41%   0.60%   0.86%
                          
Per Share Data                         
Earnings per share, basic (1)  $1.14   $1.38   $1.37   $1.07   $0.83 
Earnings per share, diluted (1)   1.14    1.38    1.37    1.07    0.83 
Cash dividends paid   0.58    0.54    0.37    0.28    0.25 
Market value per share   24.08    24.81    15.77    13.29    14.78 
Book value per common share   21.75    17.56    17.30    16.17    15.16 
Price to earnings ratio, diluted   21.12    17.98    11.51    12.42    17.81 
Price to book value ratio   1.11    1.41    0.91    0.82    0.98 
Dividend payout ratio   50.88%   39.13%   27.01%   26.17%   30.12%
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic   46,036,023    24,975,077    25,872,316    25,981,222    25,222,565 
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted   46,130,895    25,030,711    25,900,863    26,009,839    25,268,216 

 

(1) The metrics presented here are presented on a GAAP basis; however, there are related supplemental non-GAAP performance measures that the Company believes may be useful to investors as they exclude non-operating adjustments resulting from acquisitions and allow investors to see the combined economic results of the organization. These measures are a supplement to GAAP used to prepare the Company’s financial statements and should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP measures. In addition, the Company’s non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to non-GAAP measures of other companies.  Refer to "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", section "Non GAAP Measures" for operating metrics, which exclude acquisition-related costs, including operating earnings, return on average assets, return on average equity, return on average tangible common equity, efficiency ratio, and earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 only.                                        

 

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ITEM 7. - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

The following discussion and analysis provides information about the major components of the results of operations and financial condition, liquidity, and capital resources of the Company and its subsidiaries. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the “Consolidated Financial Statements” and the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” presented in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” contained in this Form 10-K.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

General

 

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries are in accordance with GAAP and conform to general practices within the banking industry. The Company’s financial position and results of operations are affected by management’s application of accounting policies, including estimates, assumptions, and judgments made to arrive at the carrying value of assets and liabilities and amounts reported for revenues, expenses, and related disclosures. Different assumptions in the application of these policies could result in material changes in the Company’s consolidated financial position and/or results of operations.

 

The more critical accounting and reporting policies include the Company’s accounting for the allowance for loan losses, mergers and acquisitions, and goodwill and intangible assets. The Company’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding the Company’s consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations. Accordingly, the Company’s significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s critical accounting policies that are highly dependent on estimates, assumptions, and judgments.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The provision for loan losses charged to operations is an amount sufficient to bring the allowance for loan losses to an estimated balance that management considers adequate to absorb potential losses in the portfolio. Loans are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of the principal is unlikely. Recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are credited to the allowance. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on an evaluation of the composition of the loan portfolio, the value and adequacy of collateral, current economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, and other risk factors. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, particularly those affecting real estate values. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to make adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

 

The Company performs regular credit reviews of the loan portfolio to review the credit quality and adherence to its underwriting standards. The credit reviews consist of reviews by its Loan Review group and reviews performed by an independent third party. Upon origination, each commercial loan is assigned a risk rating ranging from one to nine, with loans closer to one having less risk. This risk rating scale is the Company’s primary credit quality indicator. Consumer loans are generally not risk rated; the primary credit quality indicator for this portfolio segment is delinquency status. The Company has various committees that review and ensure that the allowance for loan losses methodology is in accordance with GAAP and loss factors used appropriately reflect the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio.

 

The Company’s ALL consists of specific, general, and unallocated components.

 

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Specific Reserve Component - The specific reserve component relates to impaired loans. 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. Upon being identified as impaired, for loans not considered to be collateral dependent, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows of the impaired loan are lower than the carrying value of that loan. Nonaccrual loans under $100,000 and other impaired loans under $500,000 are aggregated based on similar risk characteristics. The level of credit impairment within the pool(s) is determined based on historical loss factors for loans with similar risk characteristics, taking into consideration environmental factors specifically related to the underlying pool. The impairment of collateral dependent loans is measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral (based on independent appraisals), less selling costs, compared to the carrying value of the loan. If the Company determines that the value of an impaired collateral dependent loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, it either recognizes an impairment reserve as a specific component to be provided for in the allowance for loan losses or charges off the deficiency if it is determined that such amount represents a confirmed loss. Typically, a loss is confirmed when the Company is moving towards foreclosure (or final disposition) of the underlying collateral, the collateral deficiency has not improved for two consecutive quarters, or when there is a payment default of 180 days, whichever occurs first.

 

The Company obtains independent appraisals from a pre-approved list of independent, third party appraisal firms located in the market in which the collateral is located. The Company’s approved appraiser list is continuously maintained to ensure the list only includes such appraisers that have the experience, reputation, character, and knowledge of the respective real estate market. At a minimum, it is ascertained that the appraiser is currently licensed in the state in which the property is located, experienced in the appraisal of properties similar to the property being appraised, has knowledge of current real estate market conditions and financing trends, and is reputable. The Company’s internal Real Estate Valuation Group, which reports to the Risk and Compliance Group, performs either a technical or administrative review of all appraisals obtained. A technical review will ensure the overall quality of the appraisal, while an administrative review ensures that all of the required components of an appraisal are present. Generally, independent appraisals are updated every 12 to 24 months or as necessary. The Company’s impairment analysis documents the date of the appraisal used in the analysis, whether the officer preparing the report deems it current, and, if not, allows for internal valuation adjustments with justification. Adjustments to appraisals generally include discounts for continued market deterioration subsequent to the appraisal date. Any adjustments from the appraised value to carrying value are documented in the impairment analysis, which is reviewed and approved by senior credit administration officers and the Special Assets Loan Committee. External appraisals are the primary source to value collateral dependent loans; however, the Company may also utilize values obtained through broker price opinions or other valuations sources. These alternative sources of value are used only if deemed to be more representative of value based on updated information regarding collateral resolution. Impairment analyses are updated, reviewed, and approved on a quarterly basis at or near the end of each reporting period.

 

General Reserve Component - The general reserve component covers non-impaired loans and is derived from an estimate of credit losses adjusted for various environmental factors applicable to both commercial and consumer loan segments. The estimate of credit losses is a function of the product of net charge-off historical loss experience to the loan balance of the loan portfolio averaged during the preceding twelve quarters, as management has determined this to adequately reflect the losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The environmental factors consist of national, local, and portfolio characteristics and are applied to both the commercial and consumer segments. The following table shows the types of environmental factors management considers:

 

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Portfolio   National   Local
Experience and ability of lending team   Interest rates   Level of economic activity
Depth of lending team   Inflation   Unemployment
Pace of loan growth   Unemployment   Competition
Franchise expansion   Gross domestic product   Military/government impact
Execution of loan risk rating process   General market risk and other concerns    
Degree of oversight / underwriting standards   Legislative and regulatory environment    
Value of real estate serving as collateral        
Delinquency levels in portfolio        
Charge-off levels in portfolio        

Credit concentrations / nature and volume of the portfolio

       

 

Unallocated Component – This component may be used to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio. Together, the specific, general, and any unallocated allowance for loan loss represents management’s estimate of losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. Though provisions for loan losses may be based on specific loans, the entire allowance for loan losses is available for any loan management deems necessary to charge-off. At December 31, 2014, there were no material amounts considered unallocated as part of the allowance for loan losses.

 

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Impaired Loans

 

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. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. A loan that is classified substandard or worse is considered 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 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. The impaired loan policy is the same for each of the seven classes within the commercial portfolio segment.

 

For the consumer loan portfolio segment, large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. This evaluation subjects each of the Company’s homogenous pools to a historical loss factor derived from net charge-offs experienced over the preceding twelve quarters. The Company applies payments received on impaired loans to principal and interest based on the contractual terms until they are placed on nonaccrual status. All payments received are then applied to reduce the principal balance and recognition of interest income is terminated.

 

Business Combinations and Acquired Loans

 

The Company’s merger and acquisition strategy focuses on high-growth areas with strong market demographics and targets organizations that have a comparable corporate culture, strong performance, and good asset quality, among other factors.

  

Business combinations are accounted for under ASC 805, Business Combinations, using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the acquisition date measured at their fair values as of that date. To determine the fair values, the Company will continue to rely on third party valuations, such as appraisals, or internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analyses or other valuation techniques. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company will identify the acquirer and the closing date and apply applicable recognition principles and conditions. If they are necessary to implement its plan to exit an activity of an acquiree, costs that the Company expects, but is not obligated, to incur in the future are not liabilities at the acquisition date, nor are costs to terminate the employment of or relocate an acquiree’s employees. The Company does not recognize these costs as part of applying the acquisition method. Instead, the Company recognizes these costs as expenses in its post-combination financial statements in accordance with other applicable GAAP.

 

Acquisition-related costs are costs the Company incurs to effect a business combination. Those costs include advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees. Some other examples of acquisition-related costs to the Company include systems conversions, integration planning consultants, and advertising costs. The Company will account for acquisition-related costs as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received, with one exception. The costs to issue debt or equity securities will be recognized in accordance with other applicable GAAP. These acquisition-related costs are included within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income classified within the noninterest expense caption.

 

Loans acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value on the date of the acquisition. Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality are accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30, Receivables – Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality, and are initially measured at fair value, which includes estimated future credit losses expected to be incurred over the life of the loans. Loans acquired in business combinations with evidence of credit deterioration are not considered to be impaired unless they deteriorate further subsequent to the acquisition. Certain acquired loans, including performing loans and revolving lines of credit (consumer and commercial), are accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs, where the discount is accreted through earnings based on estimated cash flows over the estimate life of the loan.

 

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

The Company follows ASC 350, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, which prescribes the accounting for goodwill and intangible assets subsequent to initial recognition. Goodwill resulting from business combinations prior to January 1, 2009 represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations after January 1, 2009, is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances exists that indicate that a goodwill impairment test should be performed. The Company has selected April 30, 2014 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 4 to 14 years, to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Long-lived assets, including purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, such as the core deposit intangible asset, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. Management concluded that no circumstances indicating an impairment of these assets existed as of the balance sheet date.

 

The Company performed its annual impairment testing on April 30 and determined that there was no impairment to its goodwill or intangible assets. Subsequently, the Company determined that an additional evaluation was necessary at year-end due to potential indicators based on the net losses recorded at the mortgage company during 2014. Based on this additional testing, the Company confirmed that no impairment charges to date for goodwill or intangible assets were necessary. If the Company’s mortgage segment does not show improvement in subsequent periods, the Company may be required to perform a step two impairment analysis.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Executive Overview

 

·The Company reported net income of $52.6 million and earnings per share of $1.14 for its year ended December 31, 2014. Excluding after-tax acquisition-related costs of $13.7 million, operating earnings(1) for the year were $66.3 million and operating earnings per share(1) was $1.44. The annual results represent an increase of $29.8 million, or 81.5%, in operating earnings and a decrease of $0.02 per share, or 1.4%, from 2013 levels. The 2014 financial results include the full-year financial results of StellarOne, which the Company acquired on January 1, 2014.

·The Company’s community banking segment reported operating earnings of $69.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, an increase of $30.6 million from the prior year, and operating earnings per share of $1.52, a decrease of $0.05 per share from the prior year. The Company’s mortgage segment reported a net loss of $3.5 million, an increased loss of $839,000, from a net loss of $2.7 million in the prior year.

·The Company experienced continued improvement in asset quality. Nonperforming assets, net charge-offs, and loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest as a percentage of total loans outstanding, declined from December 31, 2013.

·On January 31, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to purchase up to $65.0 million worth of the Company’s common stock. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 2.1 million shares of common stock had been repurchased, with approximately $12.5 million remaining available under the repurchase program.

·The Company successfully integrated StellarOne, achieving cost savings targets and experiencing lower than expected customer attrition.

·Average loans increased approximately $2.2 billion from December 31, 2013 and average deposits increased approximately $2.4 billion, primarily due to the acquisition of StellarOne.

·Cash dividends per common share increased from $0.54 per common share during 2013 to $0.58 during 2014.

 

(1)For a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures operating earnings and EPS, see “NON-GAAP MEASURES” included in this Item 7.

 

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Net Income

 

2014 compared to 2013 

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2014 increased $18.1 million, or 52.4%, from $34.5 million to $52.6 million and represented earnings per share of $1.14 compared to $1.38 for the prior year. The $18.1 million increase in net income included the full-year impact of the StellarOne acquisition. Net interest income increased $103.4 million from 2013, largely a result of an increase of $2.7 billion in average interest-earning assets and $2.1 billion in average interest-bearing liabilities resulting from the StellarOne acquisition. The provision for loan losses increased $1.7 million from $6.1 million in 2013 to $7.8 million in 2014 due to increases in specific reserves on impaired loans and loan growth in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

Noninterest income increased $22.6 million from $38.7 million in 2013 to $61.3 million in 2014. The majority of the increase was driven by customer-related noninterest income (services charges on deposit accounts, debit card and ATM interchange income, and income from fiduciary and asset management services) and is primarily due to the acquisition of StellarOne. Additionally, income related to bank owned life insurance policies increased $2.3 million and gains on sale of securities increased $1.7 million from 2013. Offsetting these increases, gains on sales of mortgage loans, net of commissions, declined $2.2 million, a result of a decline in origination volume of $264.0 million, or 28.0%, to $677.4 million from $941.4 million during the prior year. The significant decline in origination volume was primarily driven by lower refinance volume as well as lower purchased volume.

 

Noninterest expense increased $101.3 million, or 73.8%, from $137.3 in 2013 to $238.6 million in 2014, and included the full-year impact of the StellarOne acquisition. Salaries and benefits expenses increased $37.4 million driven by the net addition of approximately 450 branch and management personnel; acquisition-related expenses increased $18.2 million from $2.1 million during 2013; occupancy expenses increased $8.6 million driven by the added rent expense and depreciation on acquired branches; OREO and credit-related expenses increased $5.3 million driven by a $6.2 million valuation adjustment recorded in the third quarter of 2014. Amortization expense increased $6.0 million due to purchase accounting amortization on acquired deposits. Other increases included higher telephone, technology, and data processing costs of $6.9 million related to additional personnel and transaction processing, higher FDIC and liability insurance costs of $3.0 million, and higher marketing and advertising expense of $2.1 million related to public relations and brand awareness campaigns of the combined banks after the StellarOne integration.

 

Excluding after-tax acquisition-related expenses of $13.7 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, operating earnings were $66.3 million and $36.5 million. Operating earnings per share was $1.44 for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $1.46 for the year ended December 31, 2013. Return on average tangible common equity for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 8.08% compared to 9.51% for the prior year, while return on average assets was 0.73% compared to 0.85% for the prior year. Operating return on average tangible common equity (which excludes after-tax acquisition-related expenses) for the year ended December 31, 2014 was 10.19% compared to 10.07% for the prior year, while operating return on average assets was 0.91% compared to 0.90% for the prior year.

 

2013 compared to 2012 

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2013 decreased $915,000, or 2.6%, from $35.4 million to $34.5 million and represented earnings per share of $1.38 compared to $1.37 for 2012. The $915,000 decrease in net income was principally a result of a decrease in net interest income of $2.7 million related to a decline in the yield on interest-earning assets that outpaced the reduction in the cost of funds, a decrease in noninterest income of $2.4 million largely due to lower gains on sales of mortgage loans, net of commission expenses, of $4.8 million, and higher noninterest expenses of $3.8 million primarily driven by StellarOne merger-related expenses. These items were partially offset by a $6.1 million decrease in provision for loan losses due to continued improvement in asset quality.

 

Excluding after-tax acquisition-related expenses of $2.0 million, operating earnings for 2013 were $36.5 million and operating earnings per share was $1.46 compared to $35.4 million and $1.37 for 2012. Return on average equity for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 7.91% compared to 8.13% for 2012, while return on average assets was 0.85% compared to 0.89% for 2012; operating return on average equity for the year ended December 31, 2013 was 8.38% compared to 8.13% for 2012 while operating return on average assets was 0.90% compared to 0.89% for 2012.

 

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Net Interest Income

 

Net interest income, which represents the principal source of revenue for the Company, is the amount by which interest income exceeds interest expense. The net interest margin is net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. Changes in the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as their respective yields and rates, have a significant impact on the level of net interest income, the net interest margin, and net income.

 

The decline in the general level of interest rates over the last several years has placed downward pressure on the Company’s earning asset yields and related interest income. The decline in earning asset yields, however, has been partially offset by the re-pricing of money market deposit accounts and certificates of deposits and lower borrowing costs. The Company believes that its net interest margin will continue to decline modestly as decreases in earning asset yields are projected to outpace declines in rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities.

 

The following table shows interest income on earning assets and related average yields, as well as interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and related average rates paid for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

 

   For the Year Ended     
   December 31,     
   2014   2013   Change 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Average interest-earning assets  $6,437,681   $3,716,849   $2,720,832 
Interest income (FTE)  $283,072   $177,383   $105,689 
Yield on interest-earning assets   4.40%   4.77%   (37)bps
Average interest-bearing liabilities  $5,047,550   $2,914,139   $2,133,411 
Interest expense  $19,927   $20,501   $(574)
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities   0.39%   0.70%   (31)bps
Cost of funds   0.31%   0.55%   (24)bps
Net Interest Income (FTE)  $263,145   $156,882   $106,263 
Net Interest Margin (FTE)   4.09%   4.22%   (13)bps
Core Net Interest Margin (FTE) (1)   3.93%   4.18%   (25)bps

 

(1)  Core net interest margin (FTE) excludes the impact of acquisition accounting accretion and amortization adjustments in net interest income.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, tax-equivalent net interest income was $263.1 million, an increase of $106.3 million, or 67.7%, when compared to the prior year, a result of a $2.7 billion increase in average interest-earning assets and a $2.1 billion increase in average interest-bearing liabilities from the impact of the StellarOne acquisition. The tax-equivalent net interest margin decreased by 13 basis points to 4.09% from 4.22% in the prior year. Core tax-equivalent net interest margin (which excludes the 16 basis points impact of acquisition accounting accretion) decreased by 25 basis points. The decline in the core net interest margin was principally due to a decrease in interest-earning asset yields (-33 basis points), outpacing the decline in cost of funds (+8 basis points). The decline in interest-earning asset yields was primarily driven by reinvestment of excess cash flows at lower rates during the year and lower loan yields, as new and renewed loans were originated and re-priced at lower rates. In addition, the declines in net interest margin and earning asset yields in 2014 were driven by the impact of the StellarOne acquisition in the current year as StellarOne’s net interest margin and earning asset yields were lower than that of the Company’s prior to acquisition.

 

- 31 -
 

 

   For the Year Ended     
   December 31,     
   2013   2012   Change 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Average interest-earning assets  $3,716,849   $3,649,865   $66,984 
Interest income (FTE)  $177,383   $186,085   $(8,702)
Yield on interest-earning assets   4.77%   5.10%   (33)bps
Average interest-bearing liabilities  $2,914,139   $2,922,373   $(8,234)
Interest expense  $20,501   $27,508   $(7,007)
Cost of interest-bearing liabilities   0.70%   0.94%   (24)bps
Cost of funds   0.55%   0.76%   (21)bps
Net Interest Income (FTE)  $156,882   $158,577   $(1,695)
Net Interest Margin (FTE)   4.22%   4.34%   (12)bps
Core Net Interest Margin (FTE) (1)   4.18%   4.24%   (6)bps

 

(1)  Core net interest margin (FTE) excludes the impact of acquisition accounting accretion and amortization adjustments in net interest income.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013, tax-equivalent net interest income was $156.9 million, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 1.1%, when compared to 2012. The tax-equivalent net interest margin decreased by 12 basis points to 4.22% from 4.34% in 2012. The decline in the net interest margin was principally due to the continued decline in accretion on the acquired net earning assets (-6 bps) and a decline in the yield on interest-earning assets that outpaced the reduction in the cost of funds (-6 bps). The decline in interest-earning asset yields was primarily driven by reinvestment of excess cash flows at lower rates during 2013 and lower loan yields, as new and renewed loans were originated and re-priced at lower rates.

  

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The following table shows interest income on interest-earning assets and related average yields as well as interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and related average rates paid for the years indicated (dollars in thousands):

 

AVERAGE BALANCES, INCOME AND EXPENSES, YIELDS AND RATES (TAXABLE EQUIVALENT BASIS)

 

   For the Year Ended December 31, 
   2014   2013   2012 
   Average
Balance
   Interest
Income /
Expense
   Yield /
Rate (1)
   Average
Balance
   Interest
Income /
Expense
   Yield /
Rate (1)
   Average
Balance
   Interest
Income /
Expense
   Yield /
Rate (1)
 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Assets:                                             
Securities:                                             
Taxable  $722,600   $15,226    2.11%  $391,804   $8,202    2.09%  $462,996   $11,912    2.57%
Tax-exempt   402,402    20,451    5.08%   223,054    12,862    5.77%   179,977    11,155    6.20%
Total securities (2)   1,125,002    35,677    3.17%   614,858    21,064    3.43%   642,973    23,067    3.59%
Loans, net (3) (4)   5,235,471    245,529    4.69%   2,985,733    152,868    5.12%   2,875,916    159,682    5.55%
Loans held for sale   46,917    1,805    3.85%   105,450    3,433    3.26%   104,632    3,273    3.13%
Federal funds sold   694    1    0.19%   421    1    0.22%   365    1    0.24%
Money market investments   1    -    0.00%   1    -    0.00%   -    -    0.00%
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks   29,596    60    0.20%   10,386    17    0.17%   25,979    62    0.24%
Total earning assets   6,437,681   $283,072    4.40%   3,716,849   $177,383    4.77%   3,649,865   $186,085    5.10%
Allowance for loan losses   (31,288)             (34,533)             (40,460)          
Total non-earning assets   844,629              369,752              365,820           
Total assets  $7,251,022             $4,052,068             $3,975,225           
                                              
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:                                             
Interest-bearing deposits:                                             
Transaction and money market accounts  $2,568,425   $4,714    0.18%  $1,403,721   $2,696    0.19%  $1,328,958   $3,769    0.28%
Regular savings   552,756    1,063    0.19%   226,343    680    0.30%   197,228    662    0.34%
Time deposits (5)   1,390,308    5,257    0.38%   961,359    10,721    1.12%   1,099,252    15,015    1.37%
Total interest-bearing deposits   4,511,489    11,034    0.24%   2,591,423    14,097    0.54%   2,625,438    19,446    0.74%
Other borrowings (6)   536,061    8,893    1.66%   322,716    6,404    1.98%   296,935    8,062    2.72%
Total interest-bearing liabilities   5,047,550   $19,927    0.39%   2,914,139   $20,501    0.70%   2,922,373   $27,508    0.94%
                                              
Noninterest-bearing liabilities:                                             
Demand deposits   1,164,032              664,203              577,740           
Other liabilities   54,857              37,662              39,338           
Total liabilities   6,266,439              3,616,004              3,539,451           
Stockholders' equity   984,583              436,064              435,774           
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $7,251,022             $4,052,068             $3,975,225           
                                              
Net interest income       $263,145             $156,882             $158,577      
                                              
Interest rate spread (7)             4.01%             4.07%             4.16%
Interest expense as a percent of average earning assets           0.31            0.55                0.76 %
Net interest margin (8)             4.09%             4.22%             4.34%

 

(1) Rates and yields are annualized and calculated from actual, not rounded amounts in thousands, which appear above.
(2) Interest income on securities includes $0, $15,000, and $201,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, in accretion of the fair market value adjustments.
(3) Nonaccrual loans are included in average loans outstanding.
(4) Interest income on loans includes $586,000, $2.1 million, and $3.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, in accretion of the fair market value adjustments related to acquisitions.
(5) Interest expense on certificates of deposits includes $8.9 million, $7,000, and $233,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, in accretion of the fair market value adjustments related to acquisitions.
(6) Interest expense on borrowings includes $550,000, $489,000, and $489,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively in amortization of the fair market value adjustments related to acquisitions.
(7) Income and yields are reported on a taxable equivalent basis using the statutory federal corporate tax rate of 35%.
(8) Core net interest margin excludes purchase accounting adjustments and was 3.93%, 4.18%, and 4.24% for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

 

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The Volume Rate Analysis table below presents changes in interest income and interest expense and distinguishes between the changes related to increases or decreases in average outstanding balances of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities (volume), and the changes related to increases or decreases in average interest rates on such assets and liabilities (rate). Changes attributable to both volume and rate have been allocated proportionally. Results, on a taxable equivalent basis, are as follows in this Volume Rate Analysis table for the years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014 vs. 2013   2013 vs. 2012 
   Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in:   Increase (Decrease) Due to Change in: 
   Volume   Rate   Total   Volume   Rate   Total 
Earning Assets:                              
Securities:                              
Taxable  $6,947   $77   $7,024   $(1,675)  $(2,035)  $(3,710)
Tax-exempt   9,281    (1,692)   7,589    2,523    (816)   1,707 
Total securities   16,228    (1,615)   14,613    848    (2,851)   (2,003)
Loans, net   106,471    (13,810)   92,661    5,908    (12,722)   (6,814)
Loans held for sale   (2,165)   537    (1,628)   25    135    160 
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks   40    3    43    (31)   (14)   (45)
Total earning assets  $120,574   $(14,885)  $105,689   $6,750   $(15,452)  $(8,702)
                               
Interest-Bearing Liabilities:                              
Interest-bearing deposits:                              
Transaction and money market accounts  $2,191   $(173)  $2,018   $162   $(1,235)  $(1,073)
Regular savings   700    (317)   383    97    (79)   18 
Time deposits   3,500    (8,964)   (5,464)   (1,766)   (2,528)   (4,294)
Total interest-bearing deposits   6,391    (9,454)   (3,063)   (1,507)   (3,842)   (5,349)
Other borrowings   3,660    (1,171)   2,489    662    (2,320)   (1,658)
Total interest-bearing liabilities   10,051    (10,625)   (574)   (845)   (6,162)   (7,007)
                               
Change in net interest income  $110,523   $(4,260)  $106,263   $7,595   $(9,290)  $(1,695)

 

The Company’s fully taxable equivalent net interest margin includes the impact of acquisition accounting fair value adjustments. The 2014 and remaining estimated discount/premium and net accretion impact are reflected in the following table (dollars in thousands):

 

   Accretion   Amortization     
   Loan   Certificates
of Deposit
   Borrowings   Total 
                 
For the year ended December 31, 2014  $586   $8,914   $550   $10,050 
For the years ending:                    
2015   1,792    1,843    175    3,810 
2016   2,525    -    271    2,796 
2017   2,898    -    170    3,068 
2018   2,594    -    (143)   2,451 
2019   2,035    -    (286)   1,749 
Thereafter   12,473    -    (5,923)   6,550 

 

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Noninterest Income

 

   For the Year Ended     
   December 31,   Change 
   2014   2013   $   % 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Noninterest income:                    
Service charges on deposit accounts  $17,721   $9,492   $8,229    86.7%
Other service charges, commissions and fees   14,983    8,607    6,376    74.1%
Fiduciary and asset management fees   9,036    5,183    3,853    74.3%
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net of commissions   9,707    11,900    (2,193)   -18.4%
Gains on securities transactions, net   1,695    21    1,674    NM 
Losses on bank premises, net   (184)   (340)   156    -45.9%
Bank owned life insurance income   4,648    2,311    2,337    101.1%
Other operating income   3,681    1,554    2,127    136.9%
Total noninterest income  $61,287   $38,728   $22,559    58.2%
                     
Mortgage segment operations  $(10,091)  $(11,906)  $1,815    -15.2%
Intercompany eliminations   682    670    12    1.8%
Community Bank segment  $51,878   $27,492   $24,386    88.7%
                     

  NM - Not Meaningful

             

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, noninterest income increased $22.6 million, or 58.2%, to $61.3 million, from $38.7 million a year ago, largely a result of the StellarOne acquisition. Excluding mortgage segment operations, noninterest income increased $24.4 million, or 88.7%, from last year. Service charges on deposit accounts and other account service charges and fees increased $14.6 million due to higher volume in all product and service lines, a result of the addition of StellarOne’s deposit accounts. Fiduciary and asset management fees increased $3.9 million, a result of the contribution of the StellarOne’s wealth management and trust operations. Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net of commissions, decreased $2.2 million driven by lower loan origination volume and lower gain on sale margins in 2014. Mortgage loan originations decreased by $264.0 million, or 28.0%, to $677.4 million in 2014 compared to $941.4 million in 2013. Of the loan originations in 2014, 29.9% were refinances compared to 38.9% in 2013.

 

   For the Year Ended     
   December 31,   Change 
   2013   2012   $   % 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Noninterest income:                    
Service charges on deposit accounts  $9,492   $9,033   $459    5.1%
Other service charges, commissions and fees   8,607    7,890    717    9.1%
Fiduciary and asset management fees   5,183    4,324    859    19.9%
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net of commissions   11,900    16,651    (4,751)   -28.5%
Gains on securities transactions, net   21    190    (169)   NM 
(Losses) gains on bank premises, net   (340)   2    (342)   NM 
Bank owned life insurance income   2,311    1,950    361    18.5%
Other operating income   1,554    1,028    526    51.2%
Total noninterest income  $38,728   $41,068   $(2,340)   -5.7%
                     
Mortgage segment operations  $(11,906)  $(16,660)  $4,754    -28.5%
Intercompany eliminations   670    468    202    43.2%
Community Bank segment  $27,492   $24,876   $2,616    10.5%
                     
NM - Not Meaningful              

 

- 35 -
 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013, noninterest income decreased $2.4 million, or 5.7%, to $38.7 million, from $41.1 million in 2012. Excluding mortgage segment operations, noninterest income increased $2.6 million, or 10.5%, from 2012. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $459,000 primarily related to higher overdraft and returned check fees as well as service charges on savings accounts. Other account service charges and fees increased $717,000 due to higher net interchange fee income, revenue on retail investment products, and fees on letters of credit. Other income increases were related to increased income on bank owned life insurance of $361,000, fiduciary and asset management fees of $859,000, and other operating income of $526,000, which was primarily related to other insurance-related revenues. Conversely, gains on bank premises decreased $342,000 as the Company recorded a loss in 2013 on the closure of bank premises coupled with net gains in 2012 related to sale of bank premises. Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net of commissions, decreased $4.8 million driven by lower loan origination volume and lower gain on sale margins in 2013. Mortgage loan originations decreased by $154.8 million, or 14.1%, to $941.4 million in 2013 compared to $1.1 billion in 2012. Of the loan originations in 2013, 38.9% were refinances compared to 54.3% in 2012. Lower gain on sale margins were also partly due to reductions resulting from valuation reserves of $363,000 related to aged mortgage loans held-for-sale as well as a non-recurring charge of $966,000 for contractual indemnifications related to prior period errors in mortgage insurance premium calculations in certain mortgage loans.

 

Noninterest expense

 

   For the Year Ended         
   December 31,   Change 
   2014   2013   $   % 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Noninterest expense:                    
Salaries and benefits  $107,804   $70,369   $37,435    53.2%
Occupancy expenses   20,136    11,543    8,593    74.4%
Furniture and equipment expenses   11,872    6,884    4,988    72.5%
OREO and credit-related expenses (1)   10,164    4,880    5,284    108.3%
Acquisition-related expenses   20,345    2,132    18,213    854.3%
Other operating expenses   68,231    41,481    26,750    64.5%
Total noninterest expense  $238,552   $137,289   $101,263    73.8%
                     
Mortgage segment operations  $(16,587)  $(17,703)  $1,116    -6.3%
Intercompany eliminations   682    670    12    1.8%
Community Bank segment  $222,647   $120,256   $102,391    85.1%
  
  NM - Not Meaningful 

 

 (1) OREO related costs include foreclosure related expenses, gains/losses on the sale of OREO, valuation reserves, and asset resolution related legal expenses.

  

For the year ended December 31, 2014, noninterest expense increased $101.3 million, or 73.8%, to $238.6 million, from $137.3 million a year ago, largely a result of the StellarOne acquisition. Excluding acquisition-related costs of $2.1 million and $20.3 million incurred in 2013 and 2014, respectively, noninterest expense increased $83.1 million, or 61.5%, compared to 2013. Salaries and benefits expense increased $37.4 million due to the net addition of approximately 450 employees associated with the acquisition. Occupancy expenses increased $8.6 million in 2014, a result of additional rent, utilities, and depreciation on acquired branches and service centers, partially offset by cost savings associated with the closure of 13 overlapping bank branches into nearby locations.  Furniture and equipment expenses increased $5.0 million due to additional acquisition-related depreciation expense and equipment maintenance. OREO and credit-related expenses increased $5.3 million mainly related to valuation adjustments of $6.2 million recorded on OREO property in third quarter of 2014, as the Company’s management shifted its strategy to more aggressively market OREO properties in inactive rural markets that have continued to struggle coming out of the economic downturn and for which transaction volume for comparable sales has been slow or nonexistent. The higher valuation adjustments were partially offset by gains on sales of property. Other operating expenses, including amortization on the acquired core deposit portfolio, communication and technology expenses for additional internet, telephone, and data processing services for the combined companies, additional marketing expenses related to building brand awareness of the combined companies, and additional FDIC insurance expenses increased $26.8 million, due to the acquisition of StellarOne.

 

- 36 -
 

 

   For the Year Ended         
   December 31,   Change 
   2013   2012   $   % 
   (Dollars in thousands) 
Noninterest expense:                    
Salaries and benefits  $70,369   $68,648   $1,721    2.5%
Occupancy expenses   11,543    12,150    (607)   -5.0%
Furniture and equipment expenses   6,884    7,251    (367)   -5.1%
OREO and credit-related expenses (1)   4,880    4,639    241    5.2%
Acquisition-related expenses   2,132    -    2,132    NM 
Other operating expenses   41,481    40,791    690    1.7%
Total noninterest expense  $137,289   $133,479   $3,810    2.9%
                     
Mortgage segment operations  $(17,703)  $(13,971)  $(3,732)   26.7%
Intercompany eliminations   670    468    202    43.2%
Community Bank segment  $120,256   $119,976   $280    0.2%
                     
  NM - Not Meaningful       

 

 (1) OREO related costs include foreclosure related expenses, gains/losses on the sale of OREO, valuation reserves, and asset resolution related legal expenses. 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2013, noninterest expense increased $3.8 million, or 2.9%, to $137.3 million, from $133.5 million in 2012. Excluding mortgage segment operations and acquisition-related costs of $2.1 million incurred in 2013, noninterest expense declined $1.8 million, or 1.5%, compared to 2012. Salaries and benefits expense increased $1.7 million due to costs associated with strategic investments in mortgage segment personnel in 2012 and 2013 and severance expense recorded in 2013 related to the relocation of Union Mortgage Group, Inc.’s headquarters to Glen Allen, Virginia. Occupancy expenses decreased $607,000 and furniture and equipment expenses declined $367,000, primarily due to branch closures in 2012. OREO and credit-related expenses increased $241,000, or 5.2%, mainly related to valuation adjustments on OREO property in 2013. Other operating expenses increased $690,000, or 1.7%, due to increases in legal and litigation-related expenses of $1.2 million and FDIC insurance expenses of $672,000, partially offset by lower amortization expenses of $1.5 million.

 

SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

Community Bank Segment

 

2014 compared to 2013

For the year ended December 31, 2014, which included the full-year impact of the StellarOne acquisition, the community bank’s net income increased $18.9 million, or 51.0%, to $56.1 million when compared to the prior year. Excluding after-tax acquisition-related costs of $13.7 million and $2.0 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively, net income increased $30.6 million, or 78.1%. Net interest income increased $104.0 million from 2013, largely a result of an increase of $2.7 billion in average interest-earning assets and $2.1 billion in average interest-bearing liabilities resulting from the StellarOne acquisition. The provision for loan losses increased $1.7 million from $6.1 million in 2013 to $7.8 million in 2014 due to increases in specific reserves on impaired loans and loan growth in the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

Noninterest income increased $24.4 million from $27.5 million in 2013 to $51.9 million in 2014. The majority of the increase was driven by customer-related noninterest income (services charges on deposit accounts, debit card and ATM interchange income, and income from fiduciary and asset management services) and is primarily due to the acquisition of StellarOne. Additionally, income related to bank owned life insurance policies increased $2.3 million and gains of sale of securities increased $1.7 million from the prior year.

 

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Noninterest expense increased $102.4 million, or 85.1%, from $120.2 in 2013 to $222.6 million in 2014, and included the full-year impact of the StellarOne acquisition. Excluding current and prior year acquisition-related costs of $20.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively, noninterest expense increased $84.2 million, or 71.3% compared to 2013. Salaries and benefits expenses increased $37.5 million driven by the net addition of 492 branch and management personnel; occupancy expenses increased $8.8 million driven by the added rent expense and depreciation on acquired branches; OREO and credit-related expenses increased $5.3 million driven by a $6.2 million valuation adjustment taken in the third quarter. Amortization expense increased $6.0 million due to purchase accounting amortization on acquired deposits. Other increases included higher telephone, technology, and data processing costs of $6.7 million related to additional personnel and transaction processing, higher FDIC and liability insurance costs of $3.0 million, and higher marketing and advertising expense of $2.2 million related to public relations and brand awareness of the combined banks after the StellarOne integration.

 

2013 compared to 2012

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the community bank segment’s net income increased $4.3 million, or 13.0%, to $37.2 million when compared to 2012; excluding after-tax acquisition-related costs of $2.0 million in 2013, net income increased $6.3 million, or 19.3%. Net interest income decreased $3.0 million, or 2.0%, to $150.0 million when compared to 2012 due to declines in the net interest margin partially offset by loan growth. In addition, the Company’s provision for loan losses was $6.1 million lower than 2012 due to continued improvement in asset quality.

 

Noninterest income increased $2.6 million, or 10.5%, to $27.5 million from $24.9 million last year. Service charges on deposit accounts increased $459,000 primarily related to higher overdraft and returned check fees as well as service charges on savings accounts. Other account service charges and fees increased $718,000 due to higher net interchange fee income, revenue on retail investment products, and fees on letters of credit. Other income increased $2.0 million related to increased income on bank owned life insurance of $361,000, fiduciary and asset management fees of $859,000, and other operating income of $732,000, primarily related to other insurance-related revenues. Partially offsetting these increases were decreases in gains on sale of bank premises of $342,000, as a loss was recognized in 2013 compared to gains in 2012, and lower net gains on securities of $169,000.

 

Noninterest expense increased $280,000, or 0.2%, to $120.3 million in 2013 from $120.0 million in 2012. Excluding acquisition-related costs of $2.1 million in 2013, noninterest expense decreased $1.8 million, or 1.5%, from 2012. Salaries and benefits declined $475,000 related to lower equity based compensation expense. Occupancy expenses and furniture and equipment expenses declined $1.2 million and $367,000, respectively, largely due to branch closures that occurred in 2012.

 

Mortgage Segment

 

2014 compared to 2013

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the mortgage segment reported a net loss of $3.5 million compared to a loss of $2.7 million for the prior year, representing an increased loss of $839,000, or 31.6%. Noninterest income declined $1.8 million during the year due to lower gains on sales of mortgage loans, net of commissions, driven by a decline in origination volume of $264.0 million, or 28.0%, to $677.4 million from $941.4 million during 2013. The significant decline in origination volume was primarily driven by lower refinance volume as well as lower purchased volume. Of the loan originations in the current year, 29.9% were refinances compared to 38.9% in 2013.

 

Noninterest expenses decreased $1.1 million, or 6.2%, from $17.7 million in 2013 to $16.6 million, primarily related to declines in professional fees, occupancy expense, and lower loan related fees due to lower origination volume. Included in noninterest expense is approximately $350,000 of nonrecurring costs related to severance and lease terminations, as the Company continues to streamline the mortgage segment’s processes and cost structure to align with the overall lower mortgage origination levels. 

 

2013 compared to 2012

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the mortgage segment incurred a net loss of $2.7 million compared to net income of $2.5 million during 2012, representing a decline of $5.2 million. Mortgage loan originations decreased by $154.8 million, or 14.1%, to $941.4 million from $1.1 billion during 2012. Loan origination volume, particularly refinance volume, is highly sensitive to changes in interest rates, and was negatively affected by the higher interest rate environment in the second half of 2013 compared to the lower interest rate environment for the full year 2012. As a result, of the loan originations in the current year, 38.9% were refinances compared to 54.3% in 2012. 

 

Related to the decline in origination volume, gains on sales of mortgage loans, net of commission expenses, decreased 28.5%, or $4.8 million. The decrease included reductions from valuation reserves of $363,000 related to aged mortgage loans held-for-sale and the non-recurring $966,000 charge for indemnification claims. Excluding this accrual, net gains on sales of loans decreased $3.8 million, or 22.7%, driven by the 14.1% drop in mortgage loan originations and lower margins. The year to year comparative decline in net income was affected not only by the impact of the rising interest rate environment, but also the full year impact of the additional mortgage loan officers in 2013, added in the first half of 2012.

 

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Expenses increased by $3.7 million, or 26.7%, over 2012 primarily due to increases in salary and benefit expenses of $2.2 million related to the addition of personnel to support mortgage loan originators in 2012, investments made in 2013 to enhance the mortgage segment’s operating capabilities, and severance related to the relocation of the mortgage segment’s headquarters to Richmond, Virginia. In addition, increases in expenses included higher rent expense of $563,000 related to annual rent increases, lease termination costs, and the headquarters relocation, loan-related expenses of $236,000, primarily related to appraisal and credit reporting expenses, and professional fees of $200,000.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

The provision for income taxes is based upon the results of operations, adjusted for the effect of certain tax-exempt income and non-deductible expenses. In addition, certain items of income and expense are reported in different periods for financial reporting and tax return purposes. The tax effects of these temporary differences are recognized currently in the deferred income tax provision or benefit. Deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed based on the difference between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using the applicable enacted marginal tax rate.

 

In assessing the ability to realize deferred tax assets, management considers the scheduled reversal of temporary differences, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies. Management continues to believe that it is not likely that the Company will realize its deferred tax asset related to net operating losses generated at the state level and accordingly has established a valuation allowance. The Company’s bank subsidiary is not subject to a state income tax in its primary place of business (Virginia). The Company’s other subsidiaries are subject to state income taxes and have generated losses for state income tax purposes which the Company is currently unable to utilize. State net operating loss carryovers will begin to expire after 2026.

 

The effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was 24.8%, 26.6%, and 28.8%, respectively. The decline in the effective tax rate is primarily related to tax-exempt interest income on the investment portfolio and tax-exempt bank-owned life insurance income being a larger percentage of pre-tax income during 2014 due to elevated merger-related costs included in pre-tax income.

 

BALANCE SHEET

 

At December 31, 2014, total assets were $7.4 billion, an increase of $3.2 billion from December 31, 2013, reflecting the impact of the January 1, 2014 StellarOne acquisition. The fair value of total assets acquired equaled $3.0 billion.

 

·Total cash and cash equivalents were $133.3 million at December 31, 2014, an increase of $60.2 million from December 31, 2013. The fair value of cash acquired was $50.0 million. As a percentage of total assets, cash and cash equivalents remained fairly constant at 1.8% and 1.7% for the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

·Investment in securities increased $424.8 million, or 62.7%, from $677.3 million at December 31, 2013 to $1.1 billion at December 31, 2014. The fair value of investment in securities acquired was $460.9 million.

·Mortgage loans held for sale were $42.5 million, a decrease of $10.7 million from December 31, 2013, a result of lower origination volume.

·Loans net of unearned income were $5.3 billion at December 31, 2014, an increase of $2.3 billion, or 75.9%, from December 31, 2013. Gross loans acquired equaled $2.283 billion with a fair value of $2.239 billion. Average loans outstanding increased $2.2 billion, or 75.3%, from December 31, 2013.

·Total goodwill arising from the acquisition of StellarOne equaled $234.1 million.

  

At December 31, 2014, total liabilities were $6.4 billion, an increase of $2.6 billion from December 31, 2013, reflecting the impact of the January 1, 2014 StellarOne acquisition. The fair value of total liabilities assumed equaled $2.6 billion.

 

·Total deposits at December 31, 2014 were $5.6 billion, an increase of $2.4 billion, or 74.2%, when compared to December 31, 2013. Total deposits assumed equaled $2.469 billion with a fair value of $2.480 billion.

·Net other short-term borrowings were $343.0 million, an increase of $131.5 million from December 31, 2013. The fair value of short-term borrowings assumed was $49.2 million. The majority of the increase from December 31, 2013 relates to advances from the FHLB.

·Long-term borrowings were $299.5 million at December 31, 2014, an increase of $100.2 million from December 31, 2013. The fair value of long-term borrowings assumed was $98.7 million.

 

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On January 31, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to purchase up to $65.0 million worth of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase program is authorized through December 31, 2015. For the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately 2.1 million shares of common stock have been repurchased and approximately $12.5 million remains available under the repurchase program.

 

Securities

 

At December 31, 2014, the Company had total investments in the amount of $1.2 billion, or 15.7% of total assets, as compared to $703.4 million, or 16.8% of total assets, at December 31, 2013. The Company seeks to diversify its portfolio to minimize risk. It focuses on purchasing mortgage-backed securities for cash flow and reinvestment opportunities and securities issued by states and political subdivisions due to the tax benefits and the higher yield offered from these securities. All of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities are investment grade. The investment portfolio has a high percentage of municipals and mortgage-backed securities; therefore a higher taxable equivalent yield exists on the portfolio compared to its peers. The Company does not engage in structured derivative or hedging activities within the investment portfolio.

 

The table below sets forth a summary of the securities available for sale and restricted stock, at fair value for the following periods (dollars in thousands):

  

   2014   2013 
U.S. government and agency securities  $8,454   $2,153 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   445,647    254,830 
Corporate and other bonds   78,680    9,434 
Mortgage-backed securities   559,329    407,362 
Other securities   10,004    3,569 
Total securities available for sale, at fair value   1,102,114    677,348 
           
Federal Reserve Bank stock   23,834    6,734 
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   31,020    19,302 
Total restricted stock   54,854    26,036 
Total investments  $1,156,968   $703,384 

 

During each quarter and at year end, the Company conducts an assessment of the securities portfolio for OTTI consideration. The Company determined that a single issuer trust preferred security incurred credit-related OTTI of $400,000 during the year ended December 31, 2011. During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the trust preferred security was called at a premium.  As a result, the Company recognized a gain on the call of the previously written down security of $400,000 in the second quarter of 2014. No OTTI was recognized in 2012, 2013, or 2014. The Company monitors the portfolio, which is subject to liquidity needs, market rate changes, and credit risk changes, to determine whether adjustments are needed. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

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The following table summarizes the contractual maturity of securities available for sale at fair value and their weighted average yields as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

  

   1 Year or Less   1 - 5 Years   5 - 10 Years   Over 10 Years   Total 
U.S. government and agency securities:                         
Amortized cost  $1,214   $-   $7,080   $19   $8,313 
Fair value   1,237    -    7,055    162    8,454 
Weighted average yield (1)   2.87    -    1.99    -    2.12 
                          
Mortgage backed securities:                         
Amortized cost   97    18,277    143,771    388,571    550,716 
Fair value   103    18,661    145,868    394,697    559,329 
Weighted average yield (1)   4.60    2.36    1.77    1.90    1.88 
                          
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:                         
Amortized cost   6,224    23,176    129,462    268,621    427,483 
Fair value   6,247    24,316    134,463    280,621    445,647 
Weighted average yield (1)   1.95    4.06    4.71    4.92    4.77 
                          
Corporate bonds and other securities:                         
Amortized cost   11,810    92    26,587    50,234    88,723 
Fair value   11,847    93    26,658    50,086    88,684 
Weighted average yield (1)   2.00    4.51    2.80    1.89    2.18 
                          
Total securities available for sale:                         
Amortized cost   19,345    41,545    306,900    707,445    1,075,235 
Fair value   19,434    43,070    314,044    725,566    1,102,114 
Weighted average yield (1)   2.05    3.32    3.10    3.04    3.05 
                          
(1) Yields on tax-exempt securities have been computed on a tax-equivalent basis.      

 

As of December 31, 2014, the Company maintained a diversified municipal bond portfolio with approximately 75% of its holdings in general obligation issues and the remainder backed by revenue bonds. Issuances within the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Washington both represented 10% and issuances within the State of Texas represented 15% of the municipal portfolio; no other state had a concentration above 10%. Approximately 95% of municipal holdings are considered investment grade by Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s rating services. The non-investment grade securities are principally insured Texas municipalities with no underlying rating. When purchasing municipal securities, the Company focuses on strong underlying ratings for general obligation issuers or bonds backed by essential service revenues.

 

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Loan Portfolio

 

Loans, net of unearned income, were $5.3 billion and $3.0 billion at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Loans secured by real estate continue to represent the Company’s largest category, comprising 84.9% of the total loan portfolio at December 31, 2014.

 

The following table presents the Company’s composition of loans, net of unearned income, in dollar amounts and as a percentage of total gross loans as of December 31, (dollars in thousands):

  

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Loans secured by real estate:                                                  
Residential 1-4 family   $925,371    17.3%   $475,688    15.7%   $472,985    15.9%   $447,544    15.9%  $431,614    15.2%
Commercial   2,051,943    38.3%   1,094,451    36.0%   1,044,396    35.2%   985,934    34.9%   924,548    32.6%
Construction, land development and other land loans   656,418    12.3%   470,684    15.5%   470,638    15.9%   444,739    15.8%   489,601    17.3%
Second mortgages   57,650    1.1%   34,891    1.1%   39,925    1.3%   55,630    2.0%   64,534    2.3%
Equity lines of credit   523,808    9.8%   302,965    10.0%   307,668    10.4%   304,320    10.8%   305,741    10.8%
Multifamily   297,289    5.6%   146,433    4.8%   140,038    4.7%   108,260    3.8%   91,397    3.2%
Farm land   26,043    0.5%   20,769    0.7%   22,776    0.8%   26,962    1.0%   26,787    0.9%
Total real estate loans   4,538,522    84.9%   2,545,881    83.8%   2,498,426    84.2%   2,373,389    84.2%   2,334,222    82.3%
                                                   
Commercial Loans   374,080    7.0%   194,809    6.4%   186,528    6.3%   169,695    6.0%   180,840    6.4%
                                                   
Consumer installment loans                                                  
Personal   333,126    6.2%   238,368    7.8%   222,812    7.5%   241,753    8.6%   277,184    9.8%
Credit cards   24,225    0.5%   23,211    0.8%   21,968    0.7%   19,006    0.7%   19,308    0.6%
Total consumer installment loans   357,351    6.7%   261,579    8.6%   244,780    8.2%   260,759    9.3%   296,492    10.4%
                                                   
All other loans   76,043    1.4%   37,099    1.2%   37,113    1.3%   14,740    0.5%   25,699    0.9%
Gross loans   $5,345,996    100.0%  $3,039,368    100.0%   $2,966,847   100.0%   $2,818,583    100.0%   $2,837,253    100.0%

  

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The following table presents the remaining maturities, based on contractual maturity, by loan type and by rate type (variable or fixed), as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

           Variable Rate   Fixed Rate 
   Total Maturities   Less than 1
year
   Total   1-5 years   More than 5
years
   Total   1-5 years   More than
5 years
 
Loans secured by real estate:                                        
Residential 1-4 family  $925,371   $77,832   $348,961   $22,688   $326,273   $498,578   $279,880   $218,698 
Commercial   2,051,943    193,880    647,796    226,045    421,751    1,210,267    972,972    237,295 
Construction, land development and other land loans   656,418    410,920    164,070    145,009    19,061    81,428    70,598    10,830 
Second mortgages   57,650    6,449    9,716    3,676    6,040    41,485    17,051    24,434 
Equity lines of credit   523,808    35,765    487,046    68,415    418,631    997    918    79 
Multifamily   297,289    35,991    85,012    34,465    50,547    176,286    145,545    30,741 
Farm land   26,043    9,651    7,890    3,179    4,711    8,502    7,704    798 
Total real estate loans   4,538,522    770,488    1,750,491    503,477    1,247,014    2,017,543    1,494,668    522,875 
                                         
Commercial Loans   374,080    129,591    98,605    93,572    5,033    145,884    123,169    22,715 
                                         
Consumer installment loans                                        
Personal   333,126    61,463    1,791    1,584    207    269,872    182,982    86,890 
Credit cards   24,225    24,225    -    -    -    -    -    - 
Total consumer installment loans   357,351    85,688    1,791    1,584    207    269,872    182,982    86,890 
                                         
All other loans   76,043    11,417    17,627    4,737    12,890    46,999    15,703    31,296 
Gross loans  $5,345,996   $997,184   $1,868,514   $603,370   $1,265,144   $2,480,298   $1,816,522   $663,776 

  

While the current economic environment is challenging, the Company remains committed to originating soundly underwritten loans to qualifying borrowers within its markets. The Company is focused on providing community-based financial services and discourages the origination of portfolio loans outside of its principal trade areas. As reflected in the loan table, at December 31, 2014, the largest component of the Company’s loan portfolio consisted of real estate loans, concentrated in commercial, construction, and residential 1-4 family. The risks attributable to these concentrations are mitigated by the Company’s credit underwriting and monitoring processes, including oversight by a centralized credit administration function and credit policy and risk management committee, as well as seasoned bankers focusing their lending to borrowers with proven track records in markets with which the Company is familiar. UMG serves as a mortgage brokerage operation, selling the majority of its loan production in the secondary market or selling loans to meet the Bank’s current asset/liability management needs.

 

Asset Quality

 

Overview

 

The Company’s continued proactive efforts to effectively manage its loan portfolio have contributed to the improvement in asset quality. Efforts include identifying existing problem credits as well as generating new business relationships. Through early identification and diligent monitoring of specific problem credits where the uncertainty has been realized, or conversely, has been reduced or eliminated, the Company’s management has been able to quantify the credit risk in its loan portfolio, adjust collateral dependent credits to appropriate reserve levels, and further identify those credits not recoverable. The Company continues to refrain from originating or purchasing loans from foreign entities or loans classified by regulators as highly leveraged transactions. The Company’s loan portfolio generally does not include exposure to option adjustable rate mortgage products, high loan-to-value ratio mortgages, interest only mortgage loans, subprime mortgage loans or mortgage loans with initial teaser rates, which are all considered higher risk instruments.

 

During 2014, the Company continued to see improvement in asset quality with reduced levels of nonperforming assets, OREO balances, and net charge-offs from the prior year. The decline in OREO balances has been mostly attributable to sales of closed bank premises and foreclosed commercial real estate property. The provision increased from the prior year primarily driven by an increase in loan balances and increased reserves for impaired loans. Both the allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio and allowance for loan losses to total loans ratio, adjusted for acquisition accounting, were down from the prior year. The magnitude of any change in the real estate market and its impact on the Company is still largely dependent upon continued recovery of residential housing and commercial real estate and the pace at which the local economies in the Company’s operating markets improve.

 

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Troubled Debt Restructurings

 

A modification of a loan’s terms constitutes a TDR if the creditor grants a concession that it would not otherwise consider to the borrower for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties. The Company generally does not provide concession on interest rates, with the primary concession being an extension of the term of the loan from the original maturity date. Restructured loans for which there was no rate concession, and therefore made at a market rate of interest, may be eligible to be removed from TDR status in periods subsequent to the restructuring depending on the performance of the loan. The Company reviews previously restructured loans quarterly in order to determine whether any has performed, subsequent to the restructure, at a level that would allow for it to be removed from TDR status. The Company generally would consider a change in this classification if the loan has performed under the restructured terms for a consecutive twelve month period.

 

The total recorded investment in TDRs as of December 31, 2014 was $26.8 million, a decrease of $15.0 million, or 35.9%, from $41.8 million at December 31, 2013. Of the $26.8 million of TDRs at December 31, 2014, $22.8 million, or 85.1%, were considered performing while the remaining $4.0 million were considered nonperforming. Of the $41.8 million of TDRs at December 31, 2013, $34.5 million, or 82.5%, were considered performing while the remaining $7.3 million were considered nonperforming. The decline in the TDR balance from the prior year is attributable to $9.0 million being removed from TDR status, $5.1 million in net payments, and $3.1 million in charge-offs, partially offset by $1.4 million in additions and $849,000 in acquired TDRs. The TDRs acquired in the StellarOne acquisition were related to loans with a revolving feature and, therefore, excluded from being classified as PCI in accordance with ASC 310-30. Loans removed from TDR status represent restructured loans with a market rate of interest at the time of the restructuring. These loans have performed in accordance with their modified terms for twelve consecutive months and were no longer considered impaired based on a current evaluation by Special Asset Loan Committee. Loans removed from TDR status are collectively evaluated for impairment; due to the significant improvement in the expected future cash flows, these loans are grouped based on their primary risk characteristics, typically using the Company’s internal risk rating system as its primary credit quality indicator. Impairment is measured based on historical loss experience taking into consideration environmental factors. The significant majority of these loans have been subject to new credit decisions due to the improvement in the expected future cash flows, the financial condition of the borrower, and other factors considered during re-underwriting. The TDR activity during the quarter did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan losses, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

Nonperforming Assets

 

At December 31, 2014, nonperforming assets totaled $47.4 million, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 3.6%, from December 31, 2013. In addition, NPAs as a percentage of total outstanding loans declined 73 basis points to 0.89% from 1.62% at the end of the prior year. All metrics discussed below exclude PCI loans, which aggregated $105.8 million (net of fair value mark) at December 31, 2014.

 

The following table shows a summary of assets quality balances and related ratios as of and for the years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Nonaccrual loans, excluding PCI loans  $19,255   $15,035   $26,206   $44,834   $61,716 
Foreclosed properties   23,058    34,116    32,834    31,243    35,102 
Former bank premises   5,060    -    -    1,020    1,020 
Total nonperforming assets   47,373    49,151    59,040    77,097    97,838 
Loans past due 90 days and accruing interest   10,047    6,746    8,843    19,911    15,332 
Total nonperforming assets and loans past due 90 days and accruing interest  $57,420   $55,897   $67,883   $97,008   $113,170 
                          
Performing Restructurings  $22,829   $34,520   $51,468   $98,834   $13,086 
                          
Balances                         
Allowance for loan losses  $32,384   $30,135   $34,916   $39,470   $38,406 
Average loans, net of unearned income   5,235,471    2,985,733    2,875,916    2,818,022    2,750,756 
Loans, net of unearned income   5,345,996    3,039,368    2,966,847    2,818,583    2,837,253 
                          
Ratios                         
NPAs to total loans   0.89%   1.62%   1.99%   2.74%   3.45%
NPAs & loans 90 days past due to total loans   1.07%   1.84%   2.29%   3.44%   3.99%
NPAs to total loans & OREO   0.88%   1.60%   1.97%   2.70%   3.40%
NPAs & loans 90 days past due to total loans & OREO   1.07%   1.82%   2.26%   3.40%   3.94%
ALL to nonaccrual loans   168.18%   200.43%   133.24%   88.04%   62.23%
ALL to nonaccrual loans & loans 90 days past due   110.52%   138.35%   99.62%   60.96%   49.85%

 

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Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2014 included $19.3 million in nonaccrual loans (excluding PCI loans), a net increase of $4.2 million, or 28.1%, from the prior year. Nonaccrual loans as a percentage of total outstanding loans declined 13 basis points to 0.36% from 0.49% at the end of the prior year. The following table shows the activity in nonaccrual loans for the years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Beginning Balance  $15,035   $26,206   $44,834   $61,716   $22,348 
Net customer payments   (8,053)   (12,393)   (13,624)   (18,661)   (8,985)
Additions   20,961    16,725    10,265    19,905    75,099 
Charge-offs   (2,732)   (8,743)   (8,510)   (8,716)   (10,005)
Loans returning to accruing status   (3,492)   (2,718)   (3,455)   (3,607)   (1,017)
Transfers to OREO   (2,464)   (4,042)   (3,304)   (5,803)   (15,724)
Ending Balance  $19,255   $15,035   $26,206   $44,834   $61,716 

 

The following table presents the composition of nonaccrual loans (excluding PCI loans) and the coverage ratio, which is the allowance for loan losses expressed as a percentage of nonaccrual loans, at the years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Raw Land and Lots  $2,359   $2,560   $8,760   $13,322   $22,546 
Commercial Construction   968    1,596    5,781    10,276    11,410 
Commercial Real Estate   6,962    2,212    3,018    7,993    10,157 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   2,070    1,689    3,420    5,048    10,226 
Commercial and Industrial   3,286    3,848    2,036    5,297    4,797 
Other Commercial   74    126    193    238    458 
Consumer   3,536    3,004    2,998    2,660    2,122 
Total  $19,255   $15,035   $26,206   $44,834   $61,716 
                          
Coverage Ratio   168.18%   200.43%   133.24%   88.04%   62.23%

 

Nonperforming assets at December 31, 2014 also included $28.1 million in OREO, a decrease of $6.0 million, or 17.6%, from the prior year. The following table shows the activity in OREO for the years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Beginning Balance  $34,116   $32,834   $32,263   $36,122   $22,509 
Additions   20,872    9,542    14,274    11,625    24,792 
Capitalized Improvements   686    561    381    528    404 
Valuation Adjustments   (7,646)   (791)   (301)   (707)   (43)
Proceeds from sales   (21,291)   (7,569)   (13,152)   (14,240)   (11,747)
Gains (losses) from sales   1,381    (461)   (631)   (1,065)   207 
Ending Balance  $28,118   $34,116   $32,834   $32,263   $36,122 

 

Of the $20.9 million in additions to OREO in 2014, $4.3 million were acquired foreclosed property from StellarOne and $10.9 million related to bank premises no longer used in operations related to the StellarOne acquisition. During 2014, the majority of sales of OREO were primarily related to closed bank premises and commercial real estate. OREO is evaluated for impairment at least quarterly by the Company’s Special Asset Loan Committee and any necessary write downs to fair values are recorded as impairment and included as a component of noninterest expense. During the third quarter of 2014, the Company reevaluated its OREO sales strategies in light of limited progress in selling properties in inactive rural markets that have continued to struggle coming out of the economic downturn and for which transaction volume for comparable sales has been slow or nonexistent. With the shift in strategy to more aggressively market this OREO, the Company obtained appraisals that reflect the newly determined highest and best use of the underlying assets. As a result, the Company recorded valuation adjustments of $6.2 million during the third quarter of 2014. These valuation adjustments will allow the Company to be more aggressive in disposing of long-held OREO properties and reducing the ongoing expenses associated with managing these properties. Valuation adjustments for the full year ended December 31, 2014 totaled $7.6 million.

 

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The following table presents the composition of the OREO portfolio at the years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Land  $8,726   $10,310   $8,657   $6,327   $7,689 
Land Development   7,162    10,904    10,886    11,309    11,233 
Residential Real Estate   5,736    7,379    7,939    11,024    13,402 
Commercial Real Estate   1,434    5,523    5,352    2,583    2,778 
Former Bank Premises (1)   5,060    -    -    1,020    1,020 
Total  $28,118   $34,116   $32,834   $32,263   $36,122 
(1) Includes closed branch property and land previously held for branch sites.      

 

Past Due Loans

 

At December 31, 2014, total accruing past due loans, excluding PCI loans, were $48.1 million, or 0.90% of total loans, an increase from $26.5 million, or 0.87% of total loans, a year ago. At December 31, 2014, loans past due 90 days or more and accruing interest totaled $10.0 million, or 0.19% of total loans, compared to $6.7 million, or 0.22%, at December 31, 2013.

 

Charge-offs

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, net charge-offs of loans were $5.6 million, or 0.10%, compared to $10.8 million, or 0.36%, for the prior year. The higher level of charge-offs in 2013 mainly related to loans that were previously considered impaired and specifically reserved for in prior periods.

 

Provision

 

The provision for loan losses for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $7.8 million, an increase of $1.7 million, or 28.8%, from the prior year. The increase in provision for loan losses for the current year compared to the prior year was driven by an increase in loan balances and increased reserves for impaired loans.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The allowance for loan losses increased $2.3 million from December 31, 2013 to $32.4 million at December 31, 2014. The ALL as a percentage of the total loan portfolio, adjusted for acquisition accounting (non-GAAP), was 1.08% at December 31, 2014, a decrease from 1.10% at December 31, 2013. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of the total loan portfolio, unadjusted for acquisition accounting, was 0.61% at December 31, 2014, compared to 0.99% at December 31, 2013. The decrease in the allowance ratios was primarily attributable to improving credit quality metrics (as a percentage of total loans) and the acquisition of StellarOne. In acquisition accounting, there is no carryover of previously established allowance for loan losses.

  

The nonaccrual loan coverage ratio was 168.2% at December 31, 2014, compared to 200.4% at December 31, 2013. The current level of the allowance for loan losses reflects specific reserves related to nonperforming loans, current risk ratings on loans, net charge-off activity, loan growth, delinquency trends, and other credit risk factors that the Company considers important in assessing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

 

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The following table summarizes activity in the allowance for loan losses during the years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
Balance, beginning of year  $30,135   $34,916   $39,470   $38,406   $30,484 
Loans charged-off:                         
Commercial   1,557    3,080    1,439    2,183    2,205 
Real estate   5,855    8,596    14,127    12,669    12,581 
Consumer   1,608    1,942    2,899    3,014    3,763 
Total loans charged-off   9,020    13,618    18,465    17,866    18,549 
Recoveries:                         
Commercial   316    746    207    413    551 
Real estate   2,314    1,125    465    571    628 
Consumer   839    910    1,039    1,146    924 
Total recoveries   3,469    2,781    1,711    2,130    2,103 
Net charge-offs   5,551    10,837    16,754    15,736    16,446 
Provision for loan losses   7,800    6,056    12,200    16,800    24,368 
Balance, end of year  $32,384   $30,135   $34,916   $39,470   $38,406 
                          
ALL to loans   0.61%   0.99%   1.18%   1.40%   1.35%
ALL to loans, adjusted for acquisition accounting (Non-GAAP)   1.08%   1.10%   1.35%   1.71%   1.82%
Net charge-offs to total loans   0.10%   0.36%   0.56%   0.56%   0.58%
Provision to total loans   0.15%   0.20%   0.41%   0.60%   0.86%

 

The following table shows both an allocation of the allowance for loan losses among loan categories based upon the loan portfolio’s composition and the ratio of the related outstanding loan balances to total loans as of December 31, (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010 
   $   %(1)   $   %(1)   $   %(1)   $   %(1)   $   %(1) 
Commercial  $2,266    7.0%  $1,932    6.4%  $2,195    6.3%  $2,376    6.0%  $2,448    6.4%
Real estate   27,493    84.9%   25,242    83.8%   29,403    84.2%   33,236    84.2%   31,597    82.3%
Consumer   2,625    8.1%   2,961    9.8%   3,318    9.5%   3,858    9.8%   4,361    11.3%
Total  $32,384    100.0%  $30,135    100.0%  $34,916    100.0%  $39,470    100.0%  $38,406    100.0%

 

(1) The percent represents the loan balance divided by total loans.

 

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Deposits

 

As of December 31, 2014, total deposits were $5.6 billion, an increase of $2.4 billion, or 74.2%, compared to December 31, 2013, due to the addition of the deposit accounts acquired through the StellarOne acquisition. Total interest-bearing deposits consist of NOW, money market, savings, and time deposit account balances. Total time deposit balances of $1.3 billion accounted for 29.2% of total interest-bearing deposits at December 31, 2014. The Company continues to experience a shift from time deposits into lower cost transaction accounts, particularly in NOW and savings accounts. This shift is driven by the Company’s focus on acquiring low cost deposits and customer preference for liquidity in a historically low interest rate environment.

 

The following table presents the deposit balances by major category as of December 31:

 

   2014   2013 
Deposits:  Amount   % of total
deposits
   Amount   % of total
deposits
 
Non-interest bearing  $1,199,378    21.3%  $691,674    21.4%
NOW accounts   1,332,029    23.6%   498,068    15.4%
Money market accounts   1,261,520    22.4%   940,215    29.0%
Savings accounts   548,526    9.7%   235,034    7.3%
Time deposits of $100,000 and over   550,842    9.8%   427,597    13.2%
Other time deposits   746,475    13.2%   444,254    13.7%
Total Deposits  $5,638,770    100.0%  $3,236,842    100.0%

 

The Company may also borrow additional funds by purchasing certificates of deposit through a nationally recognized network of financial institutions. The Company utilizes this funding source when rates are more favorable than other funding sources. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were $0 and $13.7 million, respectively, of purchased certificates of deposits and included in certificates of deposit on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Maturities of time deposits as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

  

   Within 3
Months
   3 - 12
Months
   Over 12
Months
   Total 
Maturities of time deposits of $100,000 and over  $72,561   $190,952   $287,329   $550,842 
Maturities of other time deposits   103,282    295,545    347,648    746,475 
Total time deposits  $175,843   $486,497   $634,977   $1,297,317 

 

Capital Resources

 

Capital resources represent funds, earned or obtained, over which financial institutions can exercise greater or longer control in comparison with deposits and borrowed funds. The adequacy of the Company’s capital is reviewed by management on an ongoing basis with reference to size, composition, and quality of the Company’s resources and consistency with regulatory requirements and industry standards. Management seeks to maintain a capital structure that will assure an adequate level of capital to support anticipated asset growth and to absorb potential losses, yet allow management to effectively leverage its capital to maximize return to shareholders.

 

As in effect at December 31, 2014, the FRB and the FDIC adopted capital guidelines to supplement the existing definitions of capital for regulatory purposes and to establish minimum capital standards. Specifically, the guidelines categorize assets and off-balance sheet items into four risk-weighted categories. The minimum ratio of qualifying total assets is 8.0%, of which 4.0% must be Tier 1 capital, principally consisting of common equity, retained earnings, and a limited amount of perpetual preferred stock, less certain intangible items. The table below shows the Company exceeded the definition of “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes at December 31, 2014.

 

Prior to the StellarOne acquisition and in connection with two bank acquisitions prior to 2006, the Company issued trust preferred capital notes to fund the cash portion of those acquisitions, collectively totaling $58.5 million. In connection with the

 

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StellarOne acquisition, the Company acquired $32.0 million in trust preferred securities issued by StellarOne’s finance subsidiaries. These trust preferred capital notes currently qualify for Tier 1 capital of the Company for regulatory purposes.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s regulatory capital and related ratios over the past three years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013   2012 
Tier 1 Capital:               
Common Stock - par value  $59,795   $33,020   $33,510 
Surplus   643,443    170,770    176,635 
Retained Earnings   262,532    236,639    215,634 
Total Equity   965,770    440,429    425,779 
Plus: qualifying trust preferred capital notes   90,500    58,500    58,500 
Less: disallowed intangibles   325,277    71,380    75,211 
Plus: goodwill deferred tax liability   4,618    940    810 
Total Tier 1 Capital  $735,611   $428,489   $409,878 
                
Tier 2 Capital:               
Net unrealized gain/loss on equity securities  $76   $191   $128 
Subordinated debt   3,370    6,544    9,522 
Allowance for loan losses   32,384    30,135    34,916 
Total Tier 2 Capital  $35,830   $36,870   $44,566 
Total risk-based capital  $771,441   $465,359   $454,444 
                
Risk-weighted assets  $5,758,599   $3,284,430   $3,119,063 
                
Capital ratios:               
Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio   12.77%   13.05%   13.14%
Total risk-based capital ratio   13.40%   14.17%   14.57%
Leverage ratio (Tier 1 capital to average adjusted assets)   10.63%   10.70%   10.52%
Common equity to total assets   13.29%   10.49%   10.64%
Tangible common equity to tangible assets   9.28%   8.94%   8.97%

 

In July 2013, the FRB issued revised final rules that make technical changes to its market risk capital rules to align it with the Basel III regulatory capital framework and meet certain requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. Effective January 1, 2015, the final rules require the Company and the Subsidiary Bank to comply with the following new minimum capital ratios: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5% of risk-weighted assets; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0% of risk-weighted assets (increased from the prior requirement of 4.0%); (iii) a total capital ratio of 8.0% of risk-weighted assets (unchanged from the prior requirement); and (iv) a leverage ratio of 4.0% of total assets (unchanged from the prior requirement). These are the initial capital requirements, which will be phased in over a four-year period. When fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the rules will require the Company and the Subsidiary Bank to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” (which is added to the 4.5% common equity Tier 1 ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0% upon full implementation), (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 6.0% Tier 1 capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5% upon full implementation), (iii) a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 8.0% total capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5% upon full implementation), and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets.

 

The capital conservation buffer requirement will be phased in beginning January 1, 2016, at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets, increasing by the same amount each year until fully implemented at 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases, and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.

 

Had the new minimum capital ratios described above been effective as of December 31, 2014, based on management’s interpretation and understanding of the new rules, the Company and the Bank would have remained “well capitalized” as of such date.

 

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Commitments and off-balance sheet obligations

 

In the normal course of business, the Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk to meet the financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The contractual amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of the Company’s involvement in particular classes of financial instruments. For more information pertaining to these commitments, reference Note 9 “Commitments and Contingencies” in the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

 

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit written is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Unless noted otherwise, the Company does not require collateral or other security to support off-balance sheet financial instruments with credit risk.

 

UMG, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, uses rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts during the origination process and for loans held for sale. These best efforts contracts are designed to mitigate UMG’s exposure to fluctuations in interest rates in connection with rate lock commitments and loans held for sale.

 

The following table represents the Company’s other commitments with balance sheet or off-balance sheet risk as of December 31, (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013 
Commitments with off-balance sheet risk:          
Commitments to extend credit (1)  $1,601,287   $891,680 
Standby letters of credit   117,988    48,107 
Mortgage loan rate lock commitments   49,552    54,834 
Total commitments with off-balance sheet risk  $1,768,827   $994,621 
Commitments with balance sheet risk:          
Loans held for sale  $42,519   $53,185 
Total other commitments  $1,811,346   $1,047,806 
           
(1) Includes unfunded overdraft protection.          

 

The following table presents the Company’s contractual obligations and scheduled payment amounts due at the various intervals over the next five years and beyond as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

   Total   Less than 1
year
   1-3 years   4-5 years   More than 5
years
 
Long-term debt  $206,241   $-   $77,500   $10,000   $118,741 
Trust preferred capital notes   93,301    -    -    -    93,301 
Operating leases   45,326    7,711    13,621    11,466    12,528 
Other short-term borrowings   343,000    343,000    -    -    - 
Repurchase agreements   44,393    44,393    -    -    - 
Total contractual obligations  $732,261   $395,104   $91,121   $21,466   $224,570 

 

For more information pertaining to the previous table, reference Note 5 “Bank Premise and Equipment” and Note 8 “Borrowings” in the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in Item 8 of the Form 10-K.

 

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MARKET RISK

 

Interest Sensitivity

 

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in the fair value of financial instruments due to changes in interest rates, exchange rates, and equity prices. The Company’s market risk is composed primarily of interest rate risk. The ALCO of the Company is responsible for reviewing the interest rate sensitivity position of the Company and establishing policies to monitor and limit exposure to this risk. The Company’s Board of Directors reviews and approves the guidelines established by ALCO.

 

Interest rate risk is monitored through the use of three complementary modeling tools: static gap analysis, earnings simulation modeling, and economic value simulation (net present value estimation). Each of these models measures changes in a variety of interest rate scenarios. While each of the interest rate risk models has limitations, taken together they represent a reasonably comprehensive view of the magnitude of interest rate risk in the Company, the distribution of risk along the yield curve, the level of risk through time, and the amount of exposure to changes in certain interest rate relationships. Static gap, which measures aggregate re-pricing values, is less utilized because it does not effectively measure the options risk impact on the Company and is not addressed here. Earnings simulation and economic value models, which more effectively measure the cash flow and optionality impacts, are utilized by management on a regular basis and are explained below.

 

The Company determines the overall magnitude of interest sensitivity risk and then formulates policies and practices governing asset generation and pricing, funding sources and pricing, and off-balance sheet commitments. These decisions are based on management’s expectations regarding future interest rate movements, the states of the national, regional and local economies, and other financial and business risk factors. The Company uses computer simulation modeling to measure and monitor the effect of various interest rate scenarios and business strategies on net interest income. This modeling reflects interest rate changes and the related impact on net interest income and net income over specified time horizons.

 

Earnings Simulation Analysis

 

Management uses simulation analysis to measure the sensitivity of net interest income to changes in interest rates. The model calculates an earnings estimate based on current and projected balances and rates. This method is subject to the accuracy of the assumptions that underlie the process, but it provides a better analysis of the sensitivity of earnings to changes in interest rates than other analyses, such as the static gap analysis discussed above.

 

Assumptions used in the model are derived from historical trends and management’s outlook and include loan and deposit growth rates and projected yields and rates. These assumptions may not materialize and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur. The model also does not take into account any future actions of management to mitigate the impact of interest rate changes. Such assumptions are monitored by management and periodically adjusted as appropriate. All maturities, calls, and prepayments in the securities portfolio are assumed to be reinvested in like instruments. Mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities prepayment assumptions are based on industry estimates of prepayment speeds for portfolios with similar coupon ranges and seasoning. Different interest rate scenarios and yield curves are used to measure the sensitivity of earnings to changing interest rates. Interest rates on different asset and liability accounts move differently when the prime rate changes and are reflected in the different rate scenarios.

 

The Company uses its simulation model to estimate earnings in rate environments where rates are instantaneously shocked up or down around a “most likely” rate scenario, based on implied forward rates. The analysis assesses the impact on net interest income over a 12 month time horizon after an immediate increase or “shock” in rates, of 100 basis points up to 300 basis points. The shock down 200 or 300 basis points analysis is not as meaningful as interest rates across most of the yield curve are at historic lows and cannot decrease another 200 or 300 basis points. The model, under all scenarios, does not drop the index below zero.

 

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The following table represents the interest rate sensitivity on net interest income for the Company across the rate paths modeled for balances ended December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

   Change In Net Interest Income 
   2014   2013 
   %   $   %   $ 
Change in Yield Curve:                    
+300 basis points   4.72    12,439    (2.01)   (3,274)
+200 basis points   3.30    8,689    (1.16)   (1,896)
+100 basis points   1.38    3,635    (0.86)   (1,405)
Most likely rate scenario   -    -    -    - 
-100 basis points   (1.66)   (4,378)   (1.91)   (3,118)
-200 basis points   (4.33)   (11,406)   (5.85)   (9,546)
-300 basis points   (4.59)   (12,087)   (7.34)   (11,980)

 

Asset sensitivity indicates that in a rising interest rate environment the Company's net interest income would increase and in decreasing interest rate environment the Company's net interest income would decrease. Liability sensitivity indicates that in a rising interest rate environment the Company's net interest income would decrease and in a decreasing interest rate environment the Company's net interest income would increase.

 

During 2014, the Company became asset sensitive when compared to 2013 due to changes in the composition of the balance sheet, primarily due to the acquisition of StellarOne which was asset sensitive. In becoming “asset sensitive”, the Company expects net interest income to increase as market rates increase. In the decreasing interest rate environments the Company shows a decline in net interest income as interest earning assets re-price lower and interest bearing deposits remain at or near their floors. It should be noted that although net interest income simulation results are presented through the down 300 basis points interest rate environments, the Company does not believe the down 200 and 300 basis point scenarios are plausible given the current level of interest rates.

 

Economic Value Simulation

 

Economic value simulation is used to calculate the estimated fair value of assets and liabilities over different interest rate environments. Economic values are calculated based on discounted cash flow analysis. The net economic value of equity is the economic value of all assets minus the economic value of all liabilities. The change in net economic value over different rate environments is an indication of the longer-term earnings capability of the balance sheet. The same assumptions are used in the economic value simulation as in the earnings simulation. The economic value simulation uses instantaneous rate shocks to the balance sheet.

 

The following chart reflects the estimated change in net economic value over different rate environments using economic value simulation for the balances at the period ended December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

   Change In Economic Value of Equity 
   2014   2013 
   %   $   %   $ 
Change in Yield Curve:                    
+300 basis points   (1.23)   (15,859)   (11.84)   (75,364)
+200 basis points   0.26    3,402    (7.28)   (46,371)
+100 basis points   0.80    10,300    (3.30)   (21,002)
Most likely rate scenario   -    -    -    - 
-100 basis points   (3.20)   (41,243)   0.35    2,217 
-200 basis points   (8.16)   (105,144)   (2.48)   (15,794)
-300 basis points   (7.29)   (93,942)   (2.84)   (18,103)

  

- 52 -
 

 

As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s economic value of equity model projects that a sudden increase in market interest rates would result in a small change in the Company’s estimated economic value of equity. The Company has become less sensitive to market interest rate increases while becoming more sensitive to market interest rate declines as of December 31, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013. The shock down 200 or 300 basis points analysis is not as meaningful since interest rates across most of the yield curve are at historic lows and cannot decrease another 200 or 300 basis points.  While management considers this scenario highly unlikely, the natural floor increases the Company’s sensitivity in rates down scenarios. 

 

Liquidity

 

Liquidity represents an institution’s ability to meet present and future financial obligations through either the sale or maturity of existing assets or the acquisition of additional funds through liability management. Liquid assets include cash, interest-bearing deposits with banks, money market investments, federal funds sold, securities available for sale, loans held for sale, and loans maturing or re-pricing within one year. Additional sources of liquidity available to the Company include its capacity to borrow additional funds when necessary through federal funds lines with several correspondent banks, a line of credit with the FHLB, the purchase of brokered certificates of deposit, and a corporate line of credit with a large correspondent bank. Management considers the Company’s overall liquidity to be sufficient to satisfy its depositors’ requirements and to meet its customers’ credit needs.

 

At December 31, 2014, cash and cash equivalents, restricted stock, and securities classified as available for sale comprised 17.5% of total assets, compared to 18.6% at December 31, 2013. Asset liquidity is also provided by managing loan and securities maturities and cash flows.

 

Additional sources of liquidity available to the Company include its capacity to borrow additional funds when necessary. The community bank segment maintains federal funds lines with several regional banks totaling $150.0 million as of December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, there were no borrowings outstanding on these federal funds lines. The Company had outstanding borrowings pursuant to securities sold under agreements to repurchase transactions with a maturity of one day of $44.4 million as of December 31, 2014 compared to $52.5 million as of December 31, 2013. In addition, the Company has an unsecured line of credit with a correspondent bank for up to $25.0 million. There was $8.0 million outstanding under this line at December 31, 2014 compared to zero outstanding at December 31, 2013. Lastly, the Company had a collateral dependent line of credit with the FHLB for up to $1.4 billion. Based on the underlying collateralized loans, the Company has $742.0 million available as of December 31, 2014. There was approximately $548.2 million outstanding under this line at December 31, 2014 compared to $320.0 million as of December 31, 2013.

 

The community bank segment may also borrow additional funds by purchasing certificates of deposit through a nationally recognized network of financial institutions. The Bank utilizes this funding source when rates are more favorable than other funding sources. As of December 31, 2014, there were no borrowed funds included in certificates of deposit on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

As of December 31, 2014, the liquid assets that mature within one year totaled $1.8 billion, or 27.4% of total earning assets. As of December 31, 2014, approximately $1.6 billion, or 29.6% of total loans, are scheduled to mature within one year based on contractual maturity, adjusted for expected prepayments.

 

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

 

The Company’s financial statements included in Item 8 below have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires the financial position and operating results to be measured principally in terms of historic dollars without considering the change in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. Inflation affects the Company’s results of operations mainly through increased operating costs, but since nearly all the Company’s assets and liabilities of the Company are monetary in nature, changes in interest rates affect the financial condition of the Company to a greater degree than changes in the rate of inflation. Although interest rates are greatly influenced by changes in the inflation rate, they do not necessarily change at the same rate or in the same magnitude as the inflation rate. The Company’s management reviews pricing of its products and services, in light of current and expected costs due to inflation, to mitigate the inflationary impact on financial performance.

 

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NON-GAAP MEASURES

 

In reporting the results of December 31, 2014, the Company has provided supplemental performance measures on an operating or tangible basis. Operating measures exclude acquisition costs unrelated to the Company’s normal operations. The Company believes these measures are useful to investors as they exclude non-operating adjustments resulting from acquisition activity and allow investors to see the combined economic results of the organization. Tangible common equity is used in the calculation of certain capital and per share ratios. The Company believes tangible common equity and the related ratios are meaningful measures of capital adequacy because they provide a meaningful base for period-to-period and company-to-company comparisons, which the Company believes will assist investors in assessing the capital of the Company and its ability to absorb potential losses.

 

These measures are a supplement to GAAP used to prepare the Company’s financial statements and should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP measures. In addition, the Company’s non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to non-GAAP measures of other companies.

 

- 54 -
 

 

The following table reconciles these non-GAAP measures from their respective GAAP basis measures for the years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

  

   2014   2013   2012 
Operating Earnings               
Net Income (GAAP)  $52,591   $34,496   $35,411 
Plus: Merger and conversion related expense, after tax   13,724    2,042    - 
Net operating earnings (loss) (non-GAAP)  $66,315   $36,538   $35,411 
Operating earnings per share - Basic  $1.44   $1.46   $1.37 
Operating earnings per share - Diluted   1.44    1.46    1.37 
Operating ROA   0.91%   0.90%   0.89%
Operating ROE   6.74%   8.38%   8.13%
Operating ROTCE   10.19%   10.07%   9.89%
                
Community Bank Segment Operating Earnings               
Net Income (GAAP)  $56,089   $37,155   $32,866 
Plus: Merger and conversion related expense, after tax   13,724    2,042    - 
Net operating earnings (loss) (non-GAAP)  $69,813   $39,197   $32,866 
Operating earnings per share - Basic  $1.52   $1.57   $1.27 
Operating earnings per share - Diluted   1.52    1.57    1.27 
Operating ROA   0.96%   0.97%   0.83%
Operating ROE   7.14%   9.18%   7.67%
Operating ROTCE   10.84%   11.08%   9.37%
                
Operating Efficiency Ratio FTE               
Net Interest Income (GAAP)  $255,018   $151,626   $154,355 
FTE adjustment   8,127    5,256    4,222 
Net Interest Income (FTE)  $263,145   $156,882   $158,577 
Noninterest Income (GAAP)   61,287    38,728    41,068 
Noninterest Expense (GAAP)  $238,552   $137,289   $133,479 
Merger and conversion related expense   20,345    2,132    - 
Noninterest Expense (Non-GAAP)  $218,207   $135,157   $133,479 
Operating Efficiency Ratio FTE (non-GAAP)   67.26%   69.10%   66.86%
                
Community Bank Segment Operating Efficiency Ratio FTE               
Net Interest Income (GAAP)  $253,956   $149,975   $153,024 
FTE adjustment   8,126    5,256    4,223 
Net Interest Income (FTE)  $262,082   $155,231   $157,247 
Noninterest Income (GAAP)   51,878    27,492    24,876 
Noninterest Expense (GAAP)  $222,647   $120,256   $119,976 
Merger and conversion related expense   20,345    2,132    - 
Noninterest Expense (Non-GAAP)  $202,302   $118,124   $119,976 
Operating Efficiency Ratio FTE (non-GAAP)   64.44%   64.65%   65.88%
                
Tangible Common Equity               
Ending equity  $978,025   $438,239   $435,863 
Less: Ending trademark intangible   -    -    33 
Less: Ending goodwill   293,522    59,400    59,400 
Less: Ending core deposit intangibles   31,755    11,980    15,778 
Ending tangible common equity  $652,748   $366,859   $360,652 
                
Average equity  $984,583   $436,064   $435,774 
Less: Average trademark intangible   -    1    231 
Less: Average goodwill   296,870    59,400    59,400 
Less: Average core deposit intangibles   36,625    13,804    18,159 
Average tangible common equity  $651,088   $362,859   $357,984 

 

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The allowance for loan losses ratio, adjusted for acquisition accounting (non-GAAP), includes an adjustment for the credit mark on acquired performing loans. The acquired performing loans are reported net of the related credit mark in loans, net of unearned income, on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet; therefore, the credit mark is added back to the balance to represent the total loan portfolio. The adjusted allowance for loan losses, including the credit mark, represents the total reserve on the Company’s loan portfolio. The PCI loans, net of the respective credit market, are removed from the loans, net of unearned income, as these loans are not covered by the allowance established by the Company unless changes in expected cash flows indicate that one of the PCI loan pools are impaired, at which time an allowance for PCI loans will be established. GAAP requires the acquired allowance for loan losses not be carried over in an acquisition or merger. The Company believes the presentation of the allowance for loan losses ratio, adjusted for acquisition accounting, is useful to investors because the acquired loans were purchased at a market discount with no allowance for loan losses carried over to the Company and the credit mark on the purchased performing loans represents the allowance associated with those purchased loans. The Company believes that this measure is a better reflection of the reserves on the Company’s loan portfolio. The following table shows the allowance for loan losses as a percentage of the total loan portfolio, adjusted for acquisition accounting, at December 31, (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013 
Allowance for loan losses  $32,384   $30,135 
Remaining credit and fair value marks on acquired performing loans   24,340    3,341 
Adjusted allowance for loan losses  $56,724   $33,476 
           
Loans, net of unearned income  $5,345,996   $3,039,368 
Remaining credit and fair value marks on acquired performing loans   24,340    3,341 
Less: PCI loans, net of credit mark   105,788    3,622 
Adjusted loans, net of unearned income  $5,264,548   $3,039,087 
           
Allowance for loan losses ratio   0.61%   0.99%
Allowance for loan losses ratio, adjusted for acquisition accounting   1.08%   1.10%

  

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QUARTERLY RESULTS

 

The following table presents the Company’s quarterly performance, as previously filed, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

   Quarter 
   First   Second   Third   Fourth 
For the Year 2014                    
Interest and dividend income  $68,208   $68,634   $69,591   $68,511 
Interest expense   4,450    4,919    5,112    5,446 
Net interest income   63,758    63,715    64,479    63,065 
Provision for loan losses   -    1,500    1,800    4,500 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   63,758    62,215    62,679    58,565 
Noninterest income   13,788    16,280    16,318    14,901 
Noninterest expenses   67,369    59,051    59,497    52,634 
Income before income taxes   10,177    19,444    19,500    20,832 
Income tax expense   2,362    4,664    4,576    5,760 
Net income  $7,815   $14,780   $14,924   $15,072 
                     
Earnings per share, basic  $0.17   $0.32   $0.33   $0.33 
Earnings per share, diluted  $0.17   $0.32   $0.33   $0.33 
                     
For the Year 2013                    
Interest and dividend income  $43,285   $42,686   $42,841   $43,315 
Interest expense   5,532    5,283    4,983    4,702 
Net interest income   37,753    37,403    37,858    38,613 
Provision for loan losses   2,050    1,000    1,800    1,206 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   35,703    36,403    36,058    37,407 
Noninterest income   9,835    11,299    9,216    8,379 
Noninterest expenses   33,501    34,283    34,132    35,375 
Income before income taxes   12,037    13,419    11,142    10,411 
Income tax expense   3,054    3,956    3,196    2,306 
Net income  $8,983   $9,463   $7,946   $8,105 
                     
Earnings per share, basic  $0.36   $0.38   $0.32   $0.32 
Earnings per share, diluted  $0.36   $0.38   $0.32   $0.32 

  

ITEM 7A. - QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

This information is incorporated herein by reference from Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-K.

 

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ITEM 8. - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Union Bankshares Corporation

Richmond, Virginia


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Union Bankshares Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Union Bankshares Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Union Bankshares Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013, and our report dated February 27, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of Union Bankshares Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.

Winchester, Virginia

February 27, 2015

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
Union Bankshares Corporation

Richmond, Virginia



We have audited Union Bankshares Corporation and subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013. Union Bankshares Corporation and subsidiaries' management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.


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

 

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (a) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (b) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (c) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.


Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


In our opinion, Union Bankshares Corporation and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 2013.

 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, change in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 of Union Bankshares Corporation and subsidiaries and our report dated February 27, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion.

/s/ Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.

Winchester, Virginia
February 27, 2015

 

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UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES        
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS        
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013        
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)        
   2014   2013 
ASSETS          
Cash and cash equivalents:          
Cash and due from banks  $112,752   $66,090 
Interest-bearing deposits in other banks   19,344    6,781 
Money market investments   1    1 
Federal funds sold   1,163    151 
Total cash and cash equivalents   133,260    73,023 
           
Securities available for sale, at fair value   1,102,114    677,348 
Restricted stock, at cost   54,854    26,036 
           
Loans held for sale   42,519    53,185 
           
Loans, net of unearned income   5,345,996    3,039,368 
Less allowance for loan losses   32,384    30,135 
Net loans   5,313,612    3,009,233 
           
Bank premises and equipment, net   135,247    82,815 
Other real estate owned, net of valuation allowance   28,118    34,116 
Core deposit intangibles, net   31,755    11,980 
Goodwill   293,522    59,400 
Bank owned life insurance   139,005    88,468 
Other assets   85,165    60,967 
Total assets  $7,359,171   $4,176,571 
           
LIABILITIES          
Noninterest-bearing demand deposits  $1,199,378   $691,674 
Interest-bearing deposits   4,439,392    2,545,168 
Total deposits   5,638,770    3,236,842 
           
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase   44,393    52,455 
Other short-term borrowings   343,000    211,500 
Long-term borrowings   299,542    199,359 
Other liabilities   55,441    38,176 
Total liabilities   6,381,146    3,738,332 
           
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)          
           
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Common stock, $1.33 par value, shares authorized 100,000,000 and 36,000,000, respectively; issued and outstanding, 45,162,853 shares and 24,976,434 shares, respectively.   59,795    33,020 
Surplus   643,443    170,770 
Retained earnings   262,532    236,639 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   12,255    (2,190)
Total stockholders' equity   978,025    438,239 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $7,359,171   $4,176,571 
           
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.          

 

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UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013, AND 2012

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                  

   2014   2013   2012 
             
Interest and dividend income:               
Interest and fees on loans  $246,365   $155,547   $162,637 
Interest on federal funds sold   1    1    1 
Interest on deposits in other banks   60    17    62 
Interest and dividends on securities:               
Taxable   15,226    8,202    11,912 
Nontaxable   13,293    8,360    7,251 
Total interest and dividend income   274,945    172,127    181,863 
                
Interest expense:               
Interest on deposits   11,034    14,097    19,446 
Interest on federal funds purchased   50    89    50 
Interest on short-term borrowings   516    265    234 
Interest on long-term borrowings   8,327    6,050    7,778 
Total interest expense   19,927    20,501    27,508 
                
Net interest income   255,018    151,626    154,355 
Provision for loan losses   7,800    6,056    12,200 
     Net interest income after provision for loan losses   247,218    145,570    142,155 
                
Noninterest income:               
Service charges on deposit accounts   17,721    9,492    9,033 
Other service charges, commissions and fees   14,983    8,607    7,890 
Fiduciary and asset management fees   9,036    5,183    4,324 
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net of commissions   9,707    11,900    16,651 
Gains on securities transactions, net   1,695    21    190 
Gains (losses) on sales of bank premises   (184)   (340)   2 
Bank owned life insurance income   4,648    2,311    1,950 
Other operating income   3,681    1,554    1,028 
Total noninterest income   61,287    38,728    41,068 
                
Noninterest expenses:               
Salaries and benefits   107,804    70,369    68,648 
Occupancy expenses   20,136    11,543    12,150 
Furniture and equipment expenses   11,872    6,884    7,251 
Printing, postage, and supplies   4,924    2,970    2,649 
Communications expense   4,902    2,681    3,070 
Technology and data processing   12,465    7,754    7,510 
Professional services   5,594    3,419    3,035 
Marketing and advertising expense   6,406    4,312    5,473 
FDIC assessment premiums and other insurance   6,125    3,110    2,373 
Other taxes   5,784    3,181    3,017 
Loan-related expenses   2,672    2,447    2,254 
OREO and credit-related expenses   10,164    4,880    4,639 
Amortization of intangible assets   9,795    3,831    5,336 
Acquisition and conversion costs   20,345    2,132    - 
Other expenses   9,564    7,776    6,074 
Total noninterest expenses   238,552    137,289    133,479 
                
Income before income taxes   69,953    47,009    49,744 
Income tax expense   17,362    12,513    14,333 
Net income  $52,591   $34,496   $35,411 
Earnings per common share, basic  $1.14   $1.38   $1.37 
Earnings per common share, diluted  $1.14   $1.38   $1.37 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.                        

  

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UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013, AND 2012

(Dollars in thousands)

                 

   2014   2013   2012 
             
Net income  $52,591   $34,496   $35,411 
Other comprehensive income (loss):               
Cash flow hedges:               
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges   (2,393)   583    (922)
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net income (net of taxes of $318, $281, and $391 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively)   591    524    726 
Unrealized (losses) gains on securities:               
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period (net of taxes of $9,202, $7,198, and $405 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively)   17,089    (13,367)   753 
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) included in net income (net of taxes of $453, $7, and $67 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively)   (842)   (14)   (123)
Other comprehensive income (loss)   14,445    (12,274)   434 
Comprehensive income  $67,036   $22,222   $35,845 
                
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013, AND 2012

(Dollars in thousands, except share amounts)

                              

   Common
Stock
   Surplus   Retained
Earnings
   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
   Total 
                     
Balance - December 31, 2011  $34,672   $187,493   $189,824   $9,650   $421,639 
Net income - 2012             35,411         35,411 
Other comprehensive income (net of taxes of $339)                  434    434 
Dividends on common stock ($.37 per share)             (8,969)        (8,969)
Stock purchased under stock repurchase program (970,265 shares)   (1,291)   (13,154)             (14,445)
Issuance of common stock under Dividend Reinvestment Plan (45,502 shares)   61    571    (632)        - 
Issuance of common stock under Equity Compensation Plans (2,376 shares)   3    28              31 
Issuance of common stock for services rendered (37,134 shares)   49    516              565 
Vesting of restricted stock under Equity Compensation Plans (15,492 shares)   21    (21)             - 
Net settle for taxes on Restricted Stock Awards (3,670 shares)   (5)   (50)             (55)
Stock-based compensation expense        1,252              1,252 
Balance - December 31, 2012   33,510    176,635    215,634    10,084    435,863 
Net income - 2013             34,496         34,496 
Other comprehensive loss (net of taxes of $7,205)                  (12,274)   (12,274)
Dividends on common stock ($.54 per share)             (12,535)        (12,535)
Stock purchased under stock repurchase program (500,000 shares)   (664)   (8,835)             (9,499)
Issuance of common stock under Dividend Reinvestment Plan (47,598 shares)   63    893    (956)        - 
Issuance of common stock under Equity Compensation Plans (50,119 shares)   67    860              927 
Issuance of common stock for services rendered (18,815 shares)   25    452              477 
Vesting of restricted stock under Equity Compensation Plans (19,763 shares)   26    (26)             - 
Net settle for taxes on Restricted Stock Awards (5,059 shares)   (7)   (98)             (105)
Stock-based compensation expense        889              889 
Balance - December 31, 2013   33,020    170,770    236,639    (2,190)   438,239 
Net income - 2014             52,591         52,591 
Other comprehensive income (net of taxes of $9,067)                  14,445    14,445 
Issuance of common stock in regard to acquisition (22,147,874 shares)   29,457    520,066              549,523 
Dividends on common stock ($.58 per share)             (25,494)        (25,494)
Stock purchased under stock repurchase program (2,125,264 shares)   (2,826)   (49,773)             (52,599)
Issuance of common stock under Dividend Reinvestment Plan (52,252 shares)   69    1,135    (1,204)        - 
Issuance of common stock under Equity Compensation Plans (75,282 shares)   100    1,130              1,230 
Issuance of common stock for services rendered (30,057 shares)   39    674              713 
Vesting of restricted stock under Equity Compensation Plans (16,582 shares)   22    (22)             - 
Net settle for taxes on Restricted Stock Awards (64,536 shares)   (86)   (1,516)             (1,602)
Stock-based compensation expense        979              979 
Balance - December 31, 2014  $59,795   $643,443   $262,532   $12,255   $978,025 

                                         

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.                        

 

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UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

(Dollars in thousands)                

 

   2014   2013   2012 
Operating activities:               
Net income  $52,591   $34,496   $35,411 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in) operating activities:               
Depreciation of bank premises and equipment   10,742    6,024    6,631 
Writedown of OREO   7,646    791    301 
Amortization, net   14,550    12,315    13,887 
(Accretion)/amortization related to acquisition, net   (255)   1,585    1,579 
Provision for loan losses   7,800    6,056    12,200 
Gains on securities transactions, net   (1,695)   (21)   (190)
Deferred tax (benefit) expense   2,644    262    (195)
Decrease (increase) in loans held for sale, net   21,530    114,513    (92,875)
(Gains) losses on sales of other real estate owned, net   (1,381)   461    631 
Losses (gains) on sales of bank premises, net   184    340    (2)
Stock-based compensation expenses   979    889    1,252 
Issuance of common stock for services   713    477    565 
Net decrease (increase) in other assets   4,938    (27,422)   (2,173)
Net (decrease) increase in other liabilities   4,198    6,263    987 
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in) operating activities   125,184    157,029    (21,991)
Investing activities:               
Purchases of securities available for sale   (411,916)   (300,324)   (160,751)
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale   289,389    43,354    18,944 
Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns of securities available for sale   143,656    129,942    168,078 
Net increase in loans   (74,753)   (91,911)   (178,639)
Net increase in bank premises and equipment   (7,124)   (4,759)   (2,102)
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned   17,808    7,569    13,152 
Improvements to other real estate owned   (686)   (561)   (381)
Cash paid for equity-method investments   (60)   (2,000)   - 
Cash acquired in bank acquisitions   49,989    -    - 
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in) investing activities   6,303    (218,690)   (141,699)
Financing activities:               
Net increase in noninterest-bearing deposits   95,664    45,773    111,366 
Net (decrease) increase in interest-bearing deposits   (164,696)   (106,698)   11,296 
Net increase in short-term borrowings   74,211    131,685    69,275 
Net increase (decrease) in long-term borrowings   2,036    2,234    (18,566)
Cash dividends paid - common stock   (25,494)   (12,535)   (8,969)
Repurchase of common stock   (52,599)   (9,499)   (14,445)
Issuance of common stock   1,230    927    31 
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards   (1,602)   (105)   (55)
Net cash and cash equivalents (used in) provided by financing activities   (71,250)   51,782    149,933 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   60,237    (9,879)   (13,757)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period   73,023    82,902    96,659 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period  $133,260   $73,023   $82,902 
                
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information               
Cash payments for:               
Interest  $28,394   $21,013   $27,960 
Income taxes   17,500    11,500    14,661 
                
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities               
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities available for sale  $24,996   $(20,586)  $968 
Changes in fair value of interest rate swap loss   (2,773)   1,107    (196)
Transfers between loans and other real estate owned   2,141    8,553    13,621 
Transfers from bank premises to other real estate owned   10,929    989    653 
Issuance of common stock in exchange for net assets in acquisition   549,523    -    - 
                
Transactions related to bank acquisition               
Assets acquired   2,957,521    -    - 
Liabilities assumed   2,642,120    -    - 
                
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013, AND 2012

 

1.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Effective April 25, 2014, the Company changed its corporate name from “Union First Market Bankshares Corporation” to “Union Bankshares Corporation.” The name change was approved at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held April 22, 2014. Effective February 16, 2015, the Company changed its subsidiary bank’s name from “Union First Market Bank” to “Union Bank & Trust.”

 

The accounting policies and practices of Union Bankshares Corporation and subsidiaries conform to GAAP and follow general practices within the banking industry. Major policies and practices are described below.

 

Nature of Operations - Union Bankshares Corporation is a financial holding company and a bank holding company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and committed to the delivery of financial services through its community bank subsidiary Union Bank & Trust and three non-bank financial services affiliates: Union Mortgage Group, Inc., providing a variety of mortgage products, Union Investment Services, Inc., providing securities, brokerage and investment advisory services, and Union Insurance Group, LLC, an insurance agency, which operates in a joint venture with Bankers Insurance, LLC, a large insurance agency owned by community banks across Virginia and managed by the Virginia Bankers Association.

 

Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, which is a financial holding company and a bank holding company that owns all of the outstanding common stock of its banking subsidiary, Union Bank & Trust and of Union Investment Services, Inc. The Company also owns a non-controlling interest in The Payments Company which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Union Mortgage Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Union Bank & Trust. Union Bank & Trust also has a non-controlling interest in Johnson Mortgage Company, L.L.C., which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s Statutory Trusts I and II, wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, were formed for the purpose of issuing redeemable trust preferred capital notes in connection with two of the Company’s acquisitions prior to 2006. ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, precludes the Company from consolidating Statutory Trusts I and II. The subordinated debts payable to the trusts are reported as liabilities of the Company. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Variable Interest Entities - Current accounting guidance states that if a business enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities, and results of the activities of the variable interest entity should be included in the consolidated financial statements of the business enterprise. This interpretation explains how to identify variable interest entities and how an enterprise assesses its interest in a variable interest entity to decide whether to consolidate the entity. It also requires existing unconsolidated variable interest entities to be consolidated by their primary beneficiaries if the entities do not effectively disperse risks among parties involved. Variable interest entities that effectively disperse risks will not be consolidated unless a single party holds an interest or combination of interests that effectively recombines risks that were previously dispersed. Management has evaluated the Company’s investment in variable interest entities. The Company’s primary exposure to variable interest entities are the trust preferred securities structures.

 

Currently, other than the impact described above from the deconsolidation of the trust preferred capital notes, this accounting guidance has not had a material impact on the financial condition or the operating results of the Company.

 

Use of Estimates - The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these 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 goodwill and intangible assets, other real estate owned, deferred tax assets and liabilities, other-than-temporary impairment of securities, and the fair value of financial instruments.

 

Business Combinations - Business combinations are accounted for under ASC 805, Business Combinations, using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method of accounting requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at the acquisition date measured at their fair values as of that date. To determine the fair values, the Company utilizes third party valuations, appraisals, and internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analyses or other valuation techniques. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company will identify the acquiree and the closing date and apply applicable recognition principles and conditions. If they are necessary to implement its plan to exit an activity of an acquiree, costs that the Company expects, but is not obligated, to incur in the future are not liabilities at the acquisition date, nor are costs to terminate the employment or relocate an acquiree’s employees. The Company does not recognize these costs as part of applying the acquisition method. Instead, the Company recognizes these costs as expenses in its post-combination financial statements in accordance with other applicable GAAP.

 

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Acquisition-related costs are costs the Company incurs to effect a business combination. Those costs include advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees. Some other examples of costs to the Company include systems conversions, integration planning consultants, and advertising costs. The Company will account for acquisition-related costs as expenses in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are received, with one exception. The costs to issue debt or equity securities will be recognized in accordance with other applicable accounting guidance. These acquisition-related costs are included within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income classified within the noninterest expense caption.

 

On January 1, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of StellarOne, a bank holding company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, in an all-stock transaction. Additional information on this acquisition is disclosed in Note 2, “Acquisitions.”

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents - For purposes of reporting cash flows, the Company defines cash and cash equivalents as cash, cash due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in other banks, money market investments, other interest-bearing deposits, and federal funds sold.

 

Investment Securities - Securities classified as available for sale are those debt and equity securities that management intends to hold for an indefinite period of time, including securities used as part of the Company’s asset/liability strategy, and that may be sold in response to changes in interest rates, liquidity needs, or other similar factors. Securities available for sale are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses, net of deferred taxes, included in accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity.

 

Debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held-to-maturity and reported at amortized cost. The Company has no securities in this category.

 

Securities classified as held for trading are those debt and equity securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. The Company has no securities in this category.

 

Purchased premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Declines in the fair value of held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost that are deemed to be other than temporary are reflected in earnings as realized losses. In estimating other-than-temporary impairment losses, an impairment is other-than-temporary if any of the following conditions exist: the entity intends to sell the security; it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or, the entity does not expect to recover the security’s entire amortized cost basis (even if the entity does not intend to sell). If a credit loss exists, but an entity does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and is not more likely than not to be required to sell before recovery, the impairment is other-than-temporary and should be separated into a credit portion to be recognized in earnings and the remaining amount relating to all other factors recognized as other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method.

 

Due to restrictions placed upon the Company’s common stock investments in the Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB, these securities have been classified as restricted equity securities and carried at cost. These restricted securities are not subject to the investment security classifications. The FHLB requires the Bank to maintain stock in an amount equal to 4.5% of outstanding borrowings and a specific percentage of the member’s total assets. The Federal Reserve Bank requires the Company to maintain stock with a par value equal to 6% of its outstanding capital.

 

Loans Held for Sale - Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are sold, servicing released, and carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value, which is determined in the aggregate based on sales commitments to permanent investors or on current market rates for loans of similar quality and type. In addition, the Company requires a firm purchase commitment from a permanent investor before a loan can be closed, thus limiting interest rate risk. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income.

 

Loans - The Company originates commercial and consumer loans to customers. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by commercial and residential real estate loans (including acquisition and development loans and residential construction loans) throughout its market area. The ability of the Company’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions in those markets.

 

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Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for any charge-offs, 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 has two loan portfolio level segments and fourteen loan class levels for reporting purposes. The two loan portfolio level segments are commercial and consumer.

 

Within the commercial loan portfolio segment there are seven loan classes for reporting purposes: commercial construction, commercial real estate – owner occupied, commercial real estate – non owner occupied, raw land and lots, single family investment real estate, commercial and industrial, and other commercial.

 

Commercial construction loans are generally made to commercial and residential builders for specific construction projects. The successful repayment of these types of loans is generally dependent upon (a) a pre-planned commitment for permanent financing from the Company or another lender, or (b) from the sale of the constructed property. These loans carry more risk than both types of commercial real estate term loans due to the dynamics of construction projects, changes in interest rates, the long-term financing market, and state and local government regulations. As in commercial real estate term lending, the Company manages risk by using specific underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans and by avoiding concentrations to any one business or industry.

 

Commercial real estate – owner occupied loans are term loans made to support owner occupied real estate properties that rely upon the successful operation of the business occupying the property for repayment. General market conditions and economic activity may affect these types of loans. In addition to using specific underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans, the Company manages risk by avoiding concentrations to any one business or industry.

 

Commercial real estate – non-owner occupied loans are term loans typically made to borrowers to support income producing properties that rely upon the successful operation of the property for repayment. General market conditions and economic activity may impact the performance of these types of loans. In addition to using specific underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans, the Company manages risk by diversifying the lending to various lines of businesses, such as retail, office, multi-family, office warehouse, and hotel as well as avoiding concentrations to any one business or industry.

 

Raw land and lot loans are loans generally made to residential home builders to support their land and lot inventory needs. Repayment relies upon the successful performance of the underlying residential real estate project. This type of lending carries a higher level of risk as compared to other commercial lending. This class of lending manages risks related to residential real estate market conditions, a functioning first and secondary market in which to sell residential properties, and the borrower’s ability to manage inventory and run projects. The Company manages this risk by lending to experienced builders and developers, by using specific underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans, and by avoiding concentrations with any particular customer or geographic region.

 

Single family investment real estate loans are term loans made to real estate investors to support permanent financing for single family residential income producing properties that rely on the successful operation of the property for repayment. This management mainly involves property maintenance and collection of rents due from tenants. This type of lending carries a lower level of risk as compared to other commercial lending. The Company manages this risk by avoiding concentrations with any particular customer or geographic region.

 

Commercial and industrial loans generally support our borrowers need for equipment/vehicle purchases and other short-term or seasonal cash flow needs. Repayment relies upon the successful operation of the business. This type of lending carries a lower level of commercial credit risk as compared to other commercial lending within this segment of lending. The Company manages this risk by using general underwriting policies and procedures for these types of loans and by avoiding concentrations to any one business or industry.

 

Other commercial loans generally support small business lines of credit and agricultural lending neither of which are a material source of business for the Company.

 

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The consumer loan portfolio segment is comprised of seven classes; mortgage, consumer construction, indirect auto, indirect marine, HELOCs, credit card, and other consumer. These are generally small loans spread across many borrowers, supported by computer-based loan approval systems and business line policies and procedures that aid in managing risk. The Company’s consumer portfolio consists principally of loans secured by real estate, followed by indirect auto lending and indirect marine lending.

 

The Company manages the unique risks related to consumer construction to acceptable levels through certain policies and procedures, such as limiting loan-to-value ratios at loan origination, requiring standards for appraisers, and not making subprime loans under any circumstances.

 

The indirect auto lending generally carries certain risks associated with the values of the collateral that management must mitigate. The Company focuses its indirect auto lending on one to two year old used vehicles where substantial depreciation has already occurred thereby minimizing the risk of significant loss of collateral values in the future. This type of lending places reliance on computer-based loan approval systems to supplement other underwriting standards.

 

The indirect marine lending is to borrowers that are well qualified with ample capacity to repay and typically lends against large marine vessels (i.e., yachts). Risks in this class of lending are generally related to the borrower’s ability to guard against the effects of economic downturns or sustained levels of unemployment. This type of lending places reliance on computer-based loan approval systems to supplement other underwriting standards.

 

The Company’s mortgage loan and HELOC portfolios carry risks associated with the creditworthiness of the borrower and changes in loan-to-value ratios. The Company manages these risks through policies and procedures such as limiting loan-to-value ratios at origination, experienced underwriting, requiring standards for appraisers, and not making subprime loans.

 

The credit card and other consumer portfolios carry risks associated with the creditworthiness of the borrower and changes in the economic environment. The Company manages these risks through policies and procedures such as experienced underwriting, maximum debt to income ratios, and minimum borrower credit scores.

 

Nonaccruals, Past Dues, and Charge-offs

 

The policy for placing commercial loans on nonaccrual status is generally when the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the credit is well secured and in process of collection but, in any event, no later than 180 days past due. Consumer loans are typically charged-off when management judges the loan to be uncollectible or the borrower files for bankruptcy but no later than 120 days past due and generally not placed on nonaccrual status prior to charge off. Commercial loans are typically written down to net realizable value when it is determined that the Company will be unable to collect the principal amount in full and the amount is a confirmed loss, in any event no later than 180 days past due. All classes of loans are considered past due or delinquent when a contractual payment has not been satisfied. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual status or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal and interest is considered doubtful and in accordance with regulatory requirements. The process for charge-offs of impaired collateral dependent loans is discussed in detail within the “Allowance for Loan Losses” section of this Note.

 

For both the commercial and consumer loan segments, all interest accrued but not collected for loans placed on nonaccrual status or charged-off is reversed against interest income and accrual of interest income is terminated. Payments and interest on these loans are accounted for using the cost-recovery method by applying all payments received as a reduction to the outstanding principal balance 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. The determination of future payments being reasonably assured varies depending on the circumstances present with the loan; however, the timely payment of contractual amounts owed for six consecutive months is a primary indicator. In addition, the return of a loan to accrual status is considered and approved by the Company’s Special Assets Loan Committee.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses

 

The provision for loan losses charged to operations is an amount sufficient to bring the allowance for loan losses to an estimated balance that management considers adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the portfolio. Loans are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of the principal is unlikely. Recoveries of amounts previously charged-off are credited to the allowance. Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on an evaluation of the composition of the loan portfolio, the value and adequacy of collateral, current economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, and other risk factors. Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, particularly those affecting real estate values. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

 

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The Company performs regular credit reviews of the loan portfolio to review the credit quality and adherence to its underwriting standards. The credit reviews consist of reviews by its Loan Review group and reviews performed by an independent third party. Upon origination, each commercial loan is assigned a risk rating ranging from one to nine, with loans closer to one having less risk. This risk rating scale is the Company’s primary credit quality indicator. Consumer loans are generally not risk rated; the primary credit quality indicator for this portfolio segment is delinquency status. The Company has various committees that review and ensure that the allowance for loan losses methodology is in accordance with GAAP and loss factors used appropriately reflect the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio.

 

The Company’s ALL consists of specific, general, and unallocated components.

 

Specific Reserve Component - The specific reserve component relates to impaired loans. 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. Upon being identified as impaired, for loans not considered to be collateral dependent, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows of the impaired loan are lower than the carrying value of that loan. Nonaccrual loans under $100,000 and other impaired loans under $500,000 are aggregated based on similar risk characteristics. The level of credit impairment within the pool(s) is determined based on historical loss factors for loans with similar risk characteristics, taking into consideration environmental factors specifically related to the underlying pool. The impairment of collateral dependent loans is measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral (based on independent appraisals), less selling costs, compared to the carrying value of the loan. If the Company determines that the value of an impaired collateral dependent loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, it either recognizes an impairment reserve as a specific component to be provided for in the allowance for loan losses or charges off the deficiency if it is determined that such amount represents a confirmed loss. Typically, a loss is confirmed when the Company is moving towards foreclosure (or final disposition) of the underlying collateral, the collateral deficiency has not improved for two consecutive quarters, or when there is a payment default of 180 days, whichever occurs first.

 

The Company obtains independent appraisals from a pre-approved list of independent, third party appraisal firms located in the market in which the collateral is located. The Company’s approved appraiser list is continuously maintained to ensure the list only includes such appraisers that have the experience, reputation, character, and knowledge of the respective real estate market. At a minimum, it is ascertained that the appraiser is currently licensed in the state in which the property is located, experienced in the appraisal of properties similar to the property being appraised, has knowledge of current real estate market conditions and financing trends, and is reputable. The Company’s internal Real Estate Valuation Group, which reports to the Risk and Compliance Group, performs either a technical or administrative review of all appraisals obtained. A technical review will ensure the overall quality of the appraisal, while an administrative review ensures that all of the required components of an appraisal are present. Generally, independent appraisals are updated every 12 to 24 months or as necessary. The Company’s impairment analysis documents the date of the appraisal used in the analysis, whether the officer preparing the report deems it current, and, if not, allows for internal valuation adjustments with justification. Adjustments to appraisals generally include discounts for continued market deterioration subsequent to the appraisal date. Any adjustments from the appraised value to carrying value are documented in the impairment analysis, which is reviewed and approved by senior credit administration officers and the Special Assets Loan Committee. External appraisals are the primary source to value collateral dependent loans; however, the Company may also utilize values obtained through broker price opinions or other valuation sources. These alternative sources of value are used only if deemed to be more representative of value based on updated information regarding collateral resolution. Impairment analyses are updated, reviewed, and approved on a quarterly basis at or near the end of each reporting period.

 

General Reserve Component - The general reserve component covers non-impaired loans and is derived from an estimate of credit losses adjusted for various environmental factors applicable to both commercial and consumer loan segments. The estimate of credit losses is a function of the product of net charge-off historical loss experience to the loan balance of the loan portfolio averaged during the preceding twelve quarters, as management has determined this to adequately reflect the losses inherent in the loan portfolio. The environmental factors consist of national, local, and portfolio characteristics and are applied to both the commercial and consumer segments.

 

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The following table shows the types of environmental factors management considers:

         
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Portfolio   National   Local
Experience and ability of lending team   Interest rates   Level of economic activity
Depth of lending team   Inflation   Unemployment
Pace of loan growth   Unemployment   Competition
Franchise expansion   Gross domestic product   Military/government impact
Execution of loan risk rating process   General market risk and other concerns    
Degree of oversight / underwriting standards   Legislative and regulatory environment    
Value of real estate serving as collateral        
Delinquency levels in portfolio        
Charge-off levels in portfolio        
Credit concentrations / nature and volume
of the portfolio
       

 

  

Unallocated Component - This component may be used to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio. Together, the specific, general, and any unallocated allowance for loan loss represents management’s estimate of losses inherent in the current loan portfolio. Though provisions for loan losses may be based on specific loans, the entire allowance for loan losses is available for any loan management deems necessary to charge-off. At December 31, 2014, there were no material amounts considered unallocated as part of the allowance for loan losses.

 

Impaired Loans

 

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. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. A loan that is classified substandard or worse is considered 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 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. The impairment loan policy is the same for each of the seven classes within the commercial portfolio segment.

 

For the consumer loan portfolio segment, large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. This evaluation subjects each of the Company’s homogenous pools to a historical loss factor derived from net charge-offs experienced over the preceding twelve quarters. The Company applies payments received on impaired loans to principal and interest based on the contractual terms until they are placed on nonaccrual status. All payments received are then applied to reduce the principal balance and recognition of interest income is terminated as previously discussed.

 

Acquired Loans – Acquired loans are recorded at their fair value at acquisition date without carryover of the acquiree’s previously established allowance for loan losses, as credit discounts are included in the determination of fair value. The fair value of the loans is determined using market participant assumptions in estimating the amount and timing of both principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected on the loans and then applying a market-based discount rate to those cash flows. During evaluation upon acquisition, acquired loans are also classified as either acquired impaired (or PCI) or acquired performing.

 

Acquired impaired loans reflect credit quality deterioration since origination; it is probable at acquisition that the Company will not be able to collect all contractually required payments. These PCI loans are accounted for under ASC 310-30, Receivables – Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality. The PCI loans are segregated into pools based on loan type and credit risk. Loan type is determined based on collateral type, purpose, and lien position. Credit risk characteristics include risk rating groups, nonaccrual status, and past due status. For valuation purposes, these pools are further disaggregated by maturity, pricing characteristic, and re-payment structure. PCI loans are written down at acquisition to fair value using an estimate of cash flows deemed to be collectible. Accordingly, such loans are no longer classified as nonaccrual even though they may be contractually past due because the Company expects to fully collect the new carrying values of such loans, which is the new cost basis arising from purchase accounting.

 

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 A loan will be removed from a pool (at its carrying value) only if the loan is sold, foreclosed, or assets are received in full satisfaction of the loan. For purposes of removing the loan from the pool, the carrying value is deemed to equal the amount of principal cash flows received in lieu of the loan balance. This treatment ensures that the percentage yield calculation used to recognize accretable yield on the pool of loans is not affected.

 

The future expected cash flows of PCI loans are periodically updated through reassessment of default rates, loss severity, and prepayment speed assumptions. The excess of the cash flows expected to be collected over a pool’s carrying value is considered to be the accretable yield and is recognized as interest income over the estimated life of the loan or pool using the effective yield method. The accretable yield may change due to changes in the timing and amounts of expected cash flows; these changes are disclosed in Note 4, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses.”

 

The excess of the undiscounted contractual balances due over the cash flows expected to be collected is considered to be the nonaccretable difference, which represents the estimate of credit losses expected to occur and was considered in determining the fair value of loan at the acquisition date. Any subsequent increases in expected cash flows over those expected at the acquisition date in excess of fair value are adjusted through an increase in the accretable yield on a prospective basis; any decrease in expected cash flows attributable to credit deterioration are recognized by recording a provision for loan losses.

 

The Company’s policy is to remove an individual loan from a pool based on comparing the amount received from its resolution with its contractual amount. Any difference between these amounts is absorbed by the nonaccretable difference for the entire pool. This removal method assumes that the amount received from resolution approximates pool performance expectations. The remaining accretable yield balance is unaffected and any material change in remaining effective yield caused by this removal method is addressed by the quarterly cash flow evaluation process for each pool. For loans that are resolved by payment in full, there is no release of the nonaccretable difference for the pool because there is no difference between the amount received at resolution and the contractual amount of the loan.

 

The PCI loans are and will continue to be subject to the Company’s internal and external credit review and monitoring. If further credit deterioration is experienced, such deterioration will be measured and the provision for loan losses will be increased.

 

At acquisition, loans with active revolving privileges are excluded from the PCI accounting. However, PCI loans do occasionally draw additional funds from the Company. These advances will increase the recorded investment of the PCI loan and will be accounted for with the other PCI loans.

 

Acquired performing loans are accounted for under ASC 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. The difference between the fair value and unpaid principal balance of the loan at acquisition date (premium or discount) is amortized or accreted into interest income over the life of the loans. If the acquired performing loan has revolving privileges, it is accounted for using the straight line method. Otherwise, the effective interest method is used.

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings - In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower’s financial condition, management may grant a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a TDR. Management strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify their loan to more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status. These modified terms may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, extension of terms that are considered to be below market, conversion to interest only, and other actions intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral. In cases where borrowers are granted new terms that provide for a reduction of either interest or principal, management measures any impairment on the restructuring as noted above for impaired loans. Restructured loans for which there was no rate concession, and therefore made at a market rate of interest, may subsequently be eligible to be removed from TDR status in periods subsequent to the restructuring depending on the performance of the loan. The Company reviews previously restructured loans quarterly in order to determine whether any have performed, subsequent to the restructure, at a level that would allow for them to be removed from TDR status. The Company generally would consider a change in this classification if the loan has performed under the restructured terms for a consecutive twelve month period and is no longer considered to be impaired.

 

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Loans removed from TDR status are collectively evaluated for impairment; due to the significant improvement in the expected future cash flows, these loans are grouped based on their primary risk characteristics, typically using the Company’s internal risk rating system as its primary credit quality indicator. Impairment is measured based on historical loss experience taking into consideration environmental factors. The significant majority of these loans have been subject to new credit decisions due to the improvement in the expected future cash flows, the financial condition of the borrower, and other factors considered during the re-underwriting. The TDR activity during the year did not have a material impact on the Company’s allowance for loan losses, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

Bank Premises and Equipment - Land is carried at cost. Bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method based on the type of asset involved. The Company’s policy is to capitalize additions and improvements and to depreciate the cost thereof over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 40 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the related lease or the estimated life of the related asset. Maintenance, repairs, and renewals are expensed as they are incurred.

 

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - The Company has an aggregate goodwill balance of $293.5 million associated with previous merger transactions. Goodwill is associated with the both the commercial banking and mortgage segments.

 

Goodwill resulting from business combinations prior to January 1, 2009 represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations after January 1, 2009, is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances exists that indicate that a goodwill impairment test should be performed. The Company has selected April 30 as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 4 to 14 years, to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Long-lived assets, including purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, such as the core deposit intangible asset, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. Management concluded that no circumstances indicating an impairment of these assets existed as of the balance sheet date.

 

The Company performed its annual impairment testing on April 30, 2014 and determined that there was no impairment to its goodwill or intangible assets. Subsequently, the Company determined that an additional evaluation was necessary at year-end due to potential indicators based on the net losses recorded at the mortgage company during 2014. Based on this additional testing, the Company confirmed that no impairment charges to date for goodwill or intangible assets were necessary. If the Company’s mortgage segment does not show improvement in subsequent periods, the Company may be required to perform a step two impairment analysis.

 

Other Real Estate Owned - Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less selling costs at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. When the carrying amount exceeds the acquisition date fair value less selling costs, the excess is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. 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, any valuation adjustments occurring from post-acquisition reviews are charged to expense as incurred. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in OREO and credit-related expenses, disclosed in a separate line item on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Transfers of Financial Assets - Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company – put presumptively beyond reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity or the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets.

 

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Bank Owned Life Insurance - The Company has purchased life insurance on certain key employees and directors. These policies are recorded at their cash surrender value and are included in a separate line item on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Income generated from polices is recorded as noninterest income. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Bank also had liabilities for post-retirement benefits payable to other partial beneficiaries under some of these life insurance policies of $3.8 million and $3.3 million, respectively. The Bank is exposed to credit risk to the extent an insurance company is unable to fulfill its financial obligations under a policy.

 

Derivatives - Derivatives are recognized as assets and liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and measured at fair value. The Company’s derivatives are interest rate swap agreements and interest rate lock commitments. The Company’s hedging policies permit the use of various derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk or to hedge specified assets and liabilities. All derivatives are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet. The Company may be required to recognize certain contracts and commitments as derivatives when the characteristics of those contracts and commitments meet the definition of a derivative. To qualify for hedge accounting, derivatives must be highly effective at reducing the risk associated with the exposure being hedged and must be designated as a hedge at the inception of the derivative contract. The Company considers a hedge to be highly effective if the change in fair value of the derivative hedging instrument is within 80% to 125% of the opposite change in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. If derivative instruments are designated as hedges of fair values, and such hedges are highly effective, both the change in the fair value of the hedge and the hedged item are included in current earnings. Fair value adjustments related to cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income and are reclassified to earnings when the hedged transaction is reflected in earnings. Ineffective portions of hedges are reflected in earnings as they occur. Actual cash receipts and/or payments and related accruals on derivatives related to hedges are recorded as adjustments to the interest income or interest expense associated with the hedged item. During the life of the hedge, the Company formally assesses whether derivatives designated as hedging instruments continue to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of hedged items. If it is determined that a hedge has ceased to be highly effective, the Company will discontinue hedge accounting prospectively. At such time, previous adjustments to the carrying value of the hedged item are reversed into current earnings and the derivative instrument is reclassified to a trading position recorded at fair value.

 

The Company enters into commitments to originate mortgage loans whereby 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, closing, and sale of the loan generally ranges from 30 to 120 days. The Company protects itself from changes in interest rates through the use of best efforts forward delivery commitments, whereby the Company commits 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 material losses and will not 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 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 efforts 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 change in the value of the underlying asset while taking into consideration the probability that the rate lock commitments will close. The fair value of rate lock commitments is included within “Other Assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Loan Fees - Fees collected and certain costs incurred related to loan originations are deferred and amortized as an adjustment to interest income over the life of the related loans. Deferred fees and costs are recorded as an adjustment to loans outstanding using a method that approximates a constant yield.

 

Stock Compensation Plan - The Company has adopted ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which requires the costs resulting from all stock-based payments to employees be recognized in the financial statements. For stock options, compensation cost is estimated at the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model for determining fair value of stock options. No options were granted in 2014. The market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant is used for nonvested stock awards. The Black–Scholes model employs the following assumptions:

 

Dividend yield - calculated as the ratio of historical dividends paid per share of common stock to the stock price on the date of grant;

 

Expected life (term of the option) - based on the average of the contractual life and vesting schedule for the respective option;

 

Expected volatility - based on the monthly historical volatility of the Company’s stock price over the expected life of the options; and

 

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Risk-free interest rate - based upon the Treasury bill yield curve, for periods within the contractual life of the option, in effect at the time of grant.

 

ASC 718 requires the Company to estimate forfeitures when recognizing compensation expense and that this estimate of forfeitures be adjusted over the requisite service period or vesting schedule based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ from such estimates. Changes in estimated forfeitures are recognized through a cumulative catch-up adjustment, which is recognized in the period of change, and also will affect the amount of estimated unamortized compensation expense to be recognized in future periods.

 

For more information and tables refer to Note 14, “Employee Benefits and Share Based Compensation.”

 

Income Taxes - Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the asset and liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws. Deferred taxes are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination.

 

Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as additional income taxes in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company did not record any material interest or penalties for the periods ending December 31, 2014, 2013, or 2012 related to tax positions taken. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no accruals for uncertain tax positions. The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries file a consolidated income tax return. Each entity provides for income taxes based on its contribution to income or loss of the consolidated group. The Internal Revenue Service has examined the Company’s 2010 and 2009 tax returns.

 

Advertising Costs - The Company follows a policy of charging the cost of advertising to expense as incurred. Advertising costs are disclosed in a separate line item on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Earnings Per Common Share – Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share reflect additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate solely to outstanding stock options and restricted stock and are determined using the treasury stock method.

 

Comprehensive Income - Comprehensive income represents all changes in equity that result from recognized transactions and other economic events of the period. Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains, and losses under GAAP that are included in comprehensive income but excluded from net income, such as unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities and interest rate swaps.

 

Off Balance Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments - In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. For more information and tables refer Note 9, “Commitments and Contingencies.”

 

Fair Value - The Company follows ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. This codification clarifies that fair value of certain assets and liabilities is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants.

 

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ASC 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 based on these two types of inputs are as follows: Level 1 valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; Level 2 valuation is based on observable inputs including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in less active markets, and model-based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions can be derived primarily from or corroborated by observable data in the markets; and Level 3 valuation is based on model-based techniques that use one or more significant inputs or assumptions that are unobservable in the market. These unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about what market participants would use and information that is reasonably available under the circumstances without undue cost and effort.

 

For more specific information on the valuation techniques used by the Company to measure certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the financial statements refer to Note 13, “Fair Value Measurements.”

 

Asset Prepayment Rates - The Company purchases amortizing loan pools and investment securities in which the underlying assets are residential mortgage loans subject to prepayments. The actual principal reduction on these assets varies from the expected contractual principal reduction due to principal prepayments resulting from the borrowers’ election to refinance the underlying mortgage based on market and other conditions. The purchase premiums and discounts associated with these assets are amortized or accreted to interest income over the estimated life of the related assets. The estimated life is calculated by projecting future prepayments and the resulting principal cash flows until maturity. Prepayment rate projections utilize actual prepayment speed experience and available market information on similar instruments. The prepayment rates form the basis for income recognition of premiums and discounts on the related assets. Changes in prepayment estimates may cause the earnings recognized on these assets to vary over the term that the assets are held, creating volatility in the net interest margin. Prepayment rate assumptions are monitored monthly and updated periodically to reflect actual activity and the most recent market projections.

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk - Most of the Company’s activities are with customers located in portions of Central, Southwest, and Tidewater Virginia. Securities available for sale, loans, and financial instruments with off balance sheet risk also represent concentrations of credit risk and are discussed in Note 3, “Securities,” Note 4, “Loans and Allowance for Loan Losses,” and Note 9, “Commitments and Contingencies,” respectively.

 

Reclassifications – The accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes reflect certain reclassifications in prior periods to conform to the current presentation.

 

The primary reclassification that occurred during 2014 related to the breakout of “Fiduciary and asset management fees” as a separate line item in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Trust income and fees were moved from the “Other operating income” line, and brokerage commissions were moved from the “Other service charges, commissions and fees” line. The results of the reclassification are not considered material and have no effect on reported noninterest income, net income, and earnings per share for prior years.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - 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 ASU 2012-02 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 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 ASU 2013-01 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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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 LIBOR. 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 ASU 2013-10 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 ASU 2013-11 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 finalizing its assessment of 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 finalizing its assessment of the impact that ASU 2014-04 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” The amendments in this ASU change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while enhancing disclosures in this area. Under the new guidance, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on the organization’s operations and financial results and include disposals of a major geographic area, a major line of business, or a major equity method investment. The new guidance requires expanded disclosures about discontinued operations that will provide financial statement users with more information about the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of discontinued operations. Additionally, the new guidance requires disclosure of the pre-tax income attributable to a disposal of a significant part of an organization that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The amendments in the ASU are effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-08 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606.” This ASU applies to any entity using U.S. GAAP that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. The guidance supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,, most industry-specific guidance, and some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, “Revenue Recognition—Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts.” The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize 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. To be in alignment with the core principle, an entity must apply a five step process including: identification of the contract(s) with a customer, identification of performance obligations in the contract(s), determination of the transaction price, allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations, and recognition of revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Additionally, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer have also been amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures.” This ASU aligns the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase agreements executed as a repurchase financing with the accounting for other typical repurchase agreements. The new guidance eliminates sale accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and supersedes the guidance under which a transfer of a financial asset and a contemporaneous repurchase financing could be accounted for on a combined basis as a forward agreement. The amendments in the ASU also require a new disclosure for transactions economically similar to repurchase agreements in which the transferor retains substantially all of the exposure to the economic return on the transferred financial assets throughout the term of the transaction. Additional disclosures will be required for the nature of collateral pledged in repurchase agreements and similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014; however, the disclosure for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings is required to be presented for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2014-11 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): 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 new guidance applies to reporting entities that grant employees share-based payments in which the terms of the award allow a performance target to 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 be treated as a performance condition. Existing guidance in “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718),” should be applied to account for these types of awards. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted and reporting entities may choose to apply the amendments in the ASU either on a prospective or retrospective basis. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2014-12 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-14, “Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure.” The amendments in this ASU apply to creditors that hold government-guaranteed mortgage loans and are intended to eliminate the diversity in practice related to the classification of these guaranteed loans upon foreclosure. The new guidance stipulates that a mortgage loan be derecognized and a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if (1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan prior to foreclosure, (2) at the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim, and (3) at the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed. Upon foreclosure, the other receivable should be measured on the amount of the loan balance (principal and interest) expected to be recovered from the guarantor. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Entities may adopt the amendments on a prospective basis or modified retrospective basis as of the beginning of the annual period of adoption; however, the entity must apply the same method of transition as elected under ASU 2014-04. Early adoption is permitted provided the entity has already adopted ASU 2014-04. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2014-14 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued 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.” This update is intended to provide guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Management is required under the new guidance to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued when preparing financial statements for each interim and annual reporting period. If conditions or events are identified, the ASU specifies the process that must be followed by management and also clarifies the timing and content of going concern footnote disclosures in order to reduce diversity in practice. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-15 to have a material impact on its 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.” The amendments in ASU do not change the current criteria in U.S. GAAP for determining when separation of certain embedded derivative features in a hybrid financial instrument is required. The amendments clarify how current U.S. GAAP should be interpreted in evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. Specifically, the amendments clarify that an entity should consider all relevant terms and features, including the embedded derivative feature being evaluated for bifurcation, in evaluating the nature of the host contract. Furthermore, the amendments clarify that no single term or feature would necessarily determine the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract. Rather, the nature of the host contract depends upon the economic characteristics and risks of the entire hybrid financial instrument. The amendments in this ASU also clarify that, in evaluating the nature of a host contract, an entity should assess the substance of the relevant terms and features (i.e., the relative strength of the debt-like or equity-like terms and features given the facts and circumstances) when considering how to weight those terms and features. The amendments in this ASU 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. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-16 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-17, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Pushdown Accounting.” The amendments in ASU provide an acquired entity with an option to apply pushdown accounting in its separate financial statements upon occurrence of an event in which an acquirer obtains control of the acquired entity. An acquired entity may elect the option to apply pushdown accounting in the reporting period in which the change-in-control event occurs. An acquired entity should determine whether to elect to apply pushdown accounting for each individual change-in-control event in which an acquirer obtains control of the acquired entity. If pushdown accounting is not applied in the reporting period in which the change-in-control event occurs, an acquired entity will have the option to elect to apply pushdown accounting in a subsequent reporting period to the acquired entity’s most recent change-in-control event. An election to apply pushdown accounting in a reporting period after the reporting period in which the change-in-control event occurred should be considered a change in accounting principle in accordance with Topic 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. If pushdown accounting is applied to an individual change-in-control event, that election is irrevocable. The amendments in this ASU are effective on November 18, 2014. After the effective date, an acquired entity can make an election to apply the guidance to future change-in-control events or to its most recent change-in-control event. However, if the financial statements for the period in which the most recent change-in-control event occurred already have been issued or made available to be issued, the application of this guidance would be a change in accounting principle. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-17 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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In January 2015, the FASB issued 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 amendments in this ASU eliminate 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 income statement, 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. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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2. ACQUISITIONS

 

On January 1, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of StellarOne, a bank holding company based in Charlottesville, Virginia, in an all-stock transaction. StellarOne’s common shareholders received 0.9739 shares of the Company’s common stock in exchange for each share of StellarOne’s common stock, resulting in the Company issuing 22,147,874 shares of common stock at a fair value of $549.5 million. As a result of the transaction, StellarOne’s former bank subsidiary, StellarOne Bank, became a wholly owned bank subsidiary of the Company. On May 9, 2014, StellarOne Bank was merged with and into Union Bank & Trust.

 

The transaction was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and consideration exchanged were recorded at estimated fair values on the acquisition date. Fair values are preliminary and subject to refinement for up to one year after the closing date of the acquisition. During the fourth quarter of 2014, goodwill decreased primarily due to finalizing estimates of fair value for bank premises and adjustments to deferred taxes. The following table provides an assessment of the assets purchased, liabilities assumed, and the consideration transferred (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

Statement of Net Assets Acquired (at fair value) and consideration transferred: 

     
Fair value of assets acquired:     
Cash and cash equivalents  $49,989 
Securities available for sale   460,892 
Loans held for sale   11,377 
Loans   2,238,981 
Bank premises and equipment   67,164 
OREO   4,319 
Core deposit intangible   29,570 
Other assets   95,229 
Total assets  $2,957,521 
      
Fair value of liabilities assumed:     
Deposits  $2,479,874 
Short-term borrowings   49,227 
Long-term borrowings   98,697 
Other liabilities   14,322 
Total liabilities  $2,642,120 
      
Net identifiable assets acquired  $315,401 
Goodwill (1)   234,122 
Net assets acquired  $549,523 
      
Consideration :     
Company's common shares issued   22,147,874 
Purchase price per share of the Company's common stock (2)  $24.81 
Value of Company common stock issued  $549,489 
Value of stock options outstanding   34 
Fair value of total consideration transferred  $549,523 

 

(1) - No goodwill is expected to be deductible for federal income tax purposes. The goodwill will be primarily allocated to the community bank segment.
 
(2) - The value of the shares of common stock exchanged with StellarOne shareholders was based upon the closing price of the Company's common stock at December 31, 2013, the last trading day prior to the date of acquisition.

 

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Fair values of the major categories of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were determined as follows:

 

Loans

 

The acquired loans were recorded at fair value at the acquisition date without carryover of StellarOne’s previously established allowance for loan losses. The fair value of the loans was determined using market participant assumptions in estimating the amount and timing of both principal and interest cash flows expected to be collected on the loans and then applying a market-based discount rate to those cash flows. In this regard, the acquired loans were segregated into pools based on loan type and credit risk. Loan type was determined based on collateral type, purpose, and lien position. Credit risk characteristics included risk rating groups (pass rated loans and adversely classified loans), nonaccrual status, and past due status. For valuation purposes, these pools were further disaggregated by maturity, pricing characteristics (e.g., fixed-rate, adjustable-rate), and re-payment structure (e.g., interest only, fully amortizing, balloon).

 

The acquired loans were divided into loans with evidence of credit quality deterioration which are accounted for under ASC 310-30, Receivables – Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality (acquired impaired or PCI) and loans that do not meet this criteria, which are accounted for under ASC 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (acquired performing). The fair values of the acquired performing loans were $2.1 billion and the fair values of the acquired impaired loans were $145.5 million. The gross contractually required principal and interest payments receivable for acquired performing loans was $2.5 billion. The best estimate of contractual cash flows not expected to be collected related to the acquired performing loans is $35.4 million.

 

The following table presents the acquired impaired loans receivable at the acquisition date (dollars in thousands):

  

Contractually required principal and interest payments  $214,803 
Nonaccretable difference   (34,696)
Cash flows expected to be collected   180,107 
Accretable difference   (34,653)
Fair value of loans acquired with a deterioration of credit quality  $145,454 

 

Bank Premises

 

The fair value of StellarOne’s premises, including land, buildings, and improvements, was determined based upon independent third party appraisals performed by licensed appraisers in the market in which the premises are located. These appraisals were based upon the highest and best use of the underlying asset(s) with final values determined based upon an analysis of the cost, sales comparison, and income capitalization approaches for each property appraised. The Company also engaged independent appraisers to value the leasehold interests. The fair value of the leasehold interest was not material to the consolidated financial statements. The fair value adjustment related to bank premises was $3.2 million.

 

Core Deposit Intangible

 

The fair value of the core deposit intangible was determined based on a blended market approach and discounted cash flow analysis using a discount rate commensurate with market participants. To calculate cash flows, deposit account servicing costs (net of deposit fee income) and interest expense on deposits were compared to the cost of alternative funding sources available through the FHLB. The life of the deposit base and projected deposit attrition rates were determined using StellarOne’s historical deposit data. The core deposit intangible will be amortized over eight years using the sum-of-years digits method.

 

Time Deposits

 

The fair value adjustment of time deposits represents a premium over the value of the contractual repayments of fixed-maturity deposits using prevailing market interest rates for similar-term time deposits. The time deposit premium of approximately $10.8 million is being accreted into income using the sum-of-years digits method over the weighted average remaining life (twenty months).

 

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Long-term Borrowings

 

The Company assumed long-term borrowings in the form of FHLB advances and trust preferred capital notes. The fair value of the trust preferred capital notes assumed was valued using an income approach with consideration of the market approach. The contractual cash flows were projected and discounted using a prevailing market rate. The market rate was developed using a third party broker opinion, implied market yields for recent subordinated debt sales, and new subordinated debt issuances for instruments with similar durations and pricing characteristics. The fair value of FHLB advances represents contractual repayments discounted using interest rates currently available on borrowings with similar characteristics and remaining maturities. The FHLB advances were valued at a premium of $3.2 million which is being accreted into income over fifty-five months using the effective interest method. The trust preferred capital notes were valued at discount of $7.5 million which is being amortized over twenty years using the effective interest method.

 

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

 

Deferred tax assets and liabilities were established for acquisition accounting fair value adjustments as the future amortization/accretion of these adjustments represent temporary differences between book income and taxable income.

 

The following table presents certain pro forma information as if StellarOne had been acquired on January 1, 2012. These results combine the historical results of StellarOne in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income and, while certain adjustments were made for the estimated impact of certain fair value adjustments and other acquisition-related activity, they are not indicative of what would have occurred had the acquisition taken place on January 1, 2012. In particular, no adjustments have been made to eliminate the amount of StellarOne’s provision for credit losses that would not have been necessary had the acquired loans been recorded at fair value as of January 1, 2012. The Company expects to achieve further operating cost savings and other business synergies, including branch closures, as a result of the acquisition which are not reflected in the pro forma amounts below (dollars in thousands):

  

   For the year ended
December 31,
 
   2013   2012 
         
Total revenues (net interest income plus noninterest income)  $321,739   $336,393 
Net income  $57,343   $44,015 

 

Acquisition-related expenses associated with the acquisition of StellarOne were $20.3 million and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Such costs include legal and accounting fees, lease and contract termination expenses, system conversion, operations integration, and employee severances, which have been expensed as incurred. 

 

A summary of acquisition-related expenses associated with the StellarOne acquisition included in the Consolidated Statements of Income is as follows (dollars in thousands): 

 

   For the year ended 
   December 31, 
   2014   2013 
         
Salaries and employee benefits  $7,875   $- 
Professional services   3,736    2,132 
Other costs of operations   8,734    - 
Total  $20,345   $2,132 

  

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The net effect of the amortization and accretion associated with the Company’s acquisition accounting adjustments had the following impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements during the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

   For the year ended 
   December 31, 
   2014   2013 
Loans  $586   $2,728 
Core deposit intangible   (9,795)   (3,831)
Borrowings   550    (489)
Time deposits   8,914    7 
Net impact to income before taxes  $255   $(1,585)

  

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3. SECURITIES

 

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and estimated fair values of securities available for sale as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are summarized as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

   Amortized   Gross Unrealized   Estimated 
   Cost   Gains   (Losses)   Fair Value 
December 31, 2014                    
U.S. government and agency securities  $8,313   $166   $(25)  $8,454 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   427,483    18,885    (721)   445,647 
Corporate and other bonds   78,744    244    (308)   78,680 
Mortgage-backed securities   550,716    9,411    (798)   559,329 
Other securities   9,979    31    (6)   10,004 
Total securities  $1,075,235   $28,737   $(1,858)  $1,102,114 
                     
December 31, 2013                    
U.S. government and agency securities  $1,654   $499   $-   $2,153 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   255,335    6,107    (6,612)   254,830 
Corporate and other bonds   9,479    115    (160)   9,434 
Mortgage-backed securities   405,389    4,954    (2,981)   407,362 
Other securities   3,617    26    (74)   3,569 
Total securities  $675,474   $11,701   $(9,827)  $677,348 

 

Due to restrictions placed upon the Bank’s common stock investment in the Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB, these securities have been classified as restricted equity securities and carried at cost. These restricted securities are not subject to the investment security classifications and are included as a separate line item on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. The FHLB requires the Bank to maintain stock in an amount equal to 4.5% of outstanding borrowings and a specific percentage of the Bank’s total assets. The Federal Reserve Bank requires the Bank to maintain stock with a par value equal to 6% of its outstanding capital. Restricted equity securities consist of Federal Reserve Bank stock in the amount of $23.8 million and $6.7 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and FHLB stock in the amount of $31.0 million and $19.3 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

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The following table shows the gross unrealized losses and fair value (in thousands) of the Company’s investments with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. These are aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position.

 

   Less than 12 months   More than 12 months   Total 
   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized   Fair   Unrealized 
   Value   Losses   Value   Losses   Value   Losses 
December 31, 2014                              
U.S. government and agency securities  $7,055   $(25)  $-   $-   $7,055   $(25)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   13,602    (93)   42,514    (628)   56,116    (721)
Mortgage-backed securities   60,151    (362)   49,581    (436)   109,732    (798)
Corporate bonds and other securities   43,923    (244)   4,309    (70)   48,232    (314)
Totals  $124,731   $(724)  $96,404   $(1,134)  $221,135   $(1,858)
                               
December 31, 2013                              
Obligations of states and political subdivisions  $80,368   $(5,504)  $8,886   $(1,108)  $89,254   $(6,612)
Mortgage-backed securities   168,297    (2,806)   24,254    (175)   192,551    (2,981)
Corporate bonds and other securities   6,804    (80)   1,720    (154)   8,524    (234)
Totals  $255,469   $(8,390)  $34,860   $(1,437)  $290,329   $(9,827)

 

As of December 31, 2014, there were $96.4 million, or 60 issues, of individual securities that had been in a continuous loss position for more than 12 months. Additionally, these securities had an unrealized loss of $1.1 million and consisted of municipal obligations, mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds, and other securities. As of December 31, 2013, there were $34.9 million, or 23 issues, of individual securities that had been in a continuous loss position for more than 12 months. Additionally, these securities had an unrealized loss of $1.4 million and consisted of municipal obligations, mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds, and other securities. The Company has determined that these securities are temporarily impaired at December 31, 2014 for the reasons set out below:

 

U.S. Government agencies and corporations. The unrealized losses in this category of investments were caused by interest rate fluctuations. The contractual terms of the investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the cost basis of each investment. Because the Company does not intend to sell any of the investments and the accounting standard of “more likely than not” has not been met for the Company to be required to sell any of these investments before recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

Mortgage backed securities. This category’s unrealized losses are primarily the result of interest rate fluctuations. Since the decline in market value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality, and because the Company does not intend to sell the investments and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider those investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

State and political subdivisions. This category’s unrealized losses are primarily the result of interest rate fluctuations and also a certain few ratings downgrades brought about by the impact of the economic downturn on states and political subdivisions. The contractual terms of the investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the cost basis of each investment. The Company does not intend to sell any of the investments and the accounting standard of “more likely than not” has not been met for the Company to be required to sell any of the investments before recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

Corporate debt securities. The Company’s unrealized losses in corporate debt securities are related to both interest rate fluctuations and ratings downgrades for a limited number of securities. The securities remain investment grade and the Company’s analysis did not indicate the existence of a credit loss. The contractual terms of the investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the cost basis of each investment. The Company does not intend to sell any of the investments before recovery of its amortized cost basis, which may be maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired.

 

- 85 -
 

 

The following table presents the amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, by contractual maturity (dollars in thousands). Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

   December 31, 2014   December 31, 2013 
   Amortized   Estimated   Amortized   Estimated 
   Cost   Fair Value   Cost   Fair Value 
Due in one year or less  $19,345   $19,434   $6,791   $6,796 
Due after one year through five years   41,545    43,070    21,666    22,497 
Due after five years through ten years   306,900    314,044    116,735    119,269 
Due after ten years   707,445    725,566    530,282    528,786 
Total securities available for sale  $1,075,235   $1,102,114   $675,474   $677,348 

 

Securities with a carrying value of $397.0 million and $188.2 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, were pledged to secure public deposits, repurchase agreements, and for other purposes.

 

During each quarter the Company conducts an assessment of the securities portfolio for OTTI consideration. The assessment considers factors such as external credit ratings, delinquency coverage ratios, market price, management’s judgment, expectations of future performance, and relevant industry research and analysis. An impairment is other-than-temporary if any of the following conditions exist: the entity intends to sell the security; it is more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or the entity does not expect to recover the security’s entire amortized cost basis (even if the entity does not intend to sell). If a credit loss exists, but an entity does not intend to sell the impaired debt security and is not more likely than not to be required to sell before recovery, the impairment is other-than-temporary and should be separated into a credit portion to be recognized in earnings and the remaining amount relating to all other factors recognized as other comprehensive loss. Based on the assessments during the year ended December 31, 2014, and in accordance with the guidance, no OTTI was recognized.

 

Based on the assessment for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and in accordance with the guidance, the Company determined that a single issuer trust preferred security incurred credit-related OTTI of $400,000, which was recognized in earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. During the quarter ended June 30, 2014, the trust preferred security was called at a premium.  As a result, the Company recognized a gain on the call of the previously written down security of $400,000 in the second quarter of 2014.

 

OTTI recognized for the periods presented is summarized as follow (dollars in thousands):

  

   OTTI Losses 
Cumulative credit losses on investment securities, through December 31, 2013  $400 
Reductions for securities sold during the period (realized)   (400)
Cumulative credit losses on investment securities, through December 31, 2014  $- 

  

- 86 -
 

  

4. LOANS AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

Loans are stated at their face amount, net of unearned income, and consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013 
Commercial:          
Commercial Construction  $341,280   $213,675 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   875,443    500,764 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   1,509,159    755,905 
Raw Land and Lots   211,225    187,529 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   412,494    237,640 
Commercial and Industrial   393,776    215,702 
Other Commercial   81,106    52,490 
Consumer:          
Mortgage   478,151    237,414 
Consumer Construction   74,168    48,984 
Indirect Auto   199,411    174,843 
Indirect Marine   43,190    38,633 
HELOCs   500,579    281,579 
Credit Card   24,225    23,211 
Other Consumer   201,789    70,999 
        Total  $5,345,996   $3,039,368 

 

The following table shows the aging of the Company’s recorded investment in the loan portfolio, by class, at December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

   30-59 Days
Past Due
   60-89 Days
Past Due
   Greater Than
90 Days and
still Accruing
   PCI   Nonaccrual   Current   Total Loans 
Commercial:                                   
Commercial Construction  $815   $-   $-   $3,782   $968   $335,715   $341,280 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   621    1,542    1,683    31,167    1,060    839,370    875,443 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   3,984    237    91    28,869    5,902    1,470,076    1,509,159 
Raw Land and Lots   145    44    194    7,427    2,359    201,056    211,225 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   2,825    338    734    16,879    2,070    389,648    412,494 
Commercial and Industrial   1,250    529    549    3,855    3,286    384,307    393,776 
Other Commercial   42    2    -    2,256    74    78,732    81,106 
Consumer:                                   
Mortgage   12,851    4,300    4,095    7,394    2,485    447,026    478,151 
Consumer Construction   120    -    844    516    -    72,688    74,168 
Indirect Auto   1,593    263    317    -    -    197,238    199,411 
Indirect Marine   150    -    -    -    201    42,839    43,190 
HELOCs   3,082    955    820    2,000    258    493,464    500,579 
Credit Card   232    108    219    -    -    23,666    24,225 
Other Consumer   1,587    412    501    1,643    592    197,054    201,789 
Total  $29,297   $8,730   $10,047   $105,788   $19,255   $5,172,879   $5,345,996 

 

- 87 -
 

 

The following table shows the aging of the Company’s recorded investment in the loan portfolio, by class, at December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

   30-59 Days
Past Due
   60-89 Days
Past Due
   Greater Than
90 Days and
still Accruing
   PCI   Nonaccrual   Current   Total Loans 
Commercial:                                   
Commercial Construction  $-   $-   $-   $-   $1,596   $212,079   $213,675 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   514    -    258    -    2,037    497,955    500,764 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   185    42    1,996    -    175    753,507    755,905 
Raw Land and Lots   922    545    -    2,457    2,560    181,045    187,529 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   1,783    277    563    275    1,689    233,053    237,640 
Commercial and Industrial   348    152    220    -    3,848    211,134    215,702 
Other Commercial   87    1    50    -    126    52,226    52,490 
Consumer:                                   
Mortgage   6,779    1,399    1,141    -    2,446    225,649    237,414 
Consumer Construction   -    -    208    -    -    48,776    48,984 
Indirect Auto   2,237    252    349    7    -    171,998    174,843 
Indirect Marine   459    -    -    -    288    37,886    38,633 
HELOCs   2,124    422    1,190    787    43    277,013    281,579 
Credit Card   105    133    281    -    -    22,692    23,211 
Other Consumer   888    124    490    96    227    69,174    70,999 
Total  $16,431   $3,347   $6,746   $3,622   $15,035   $2,994,187   $3,039,368 

 

Nonaccrual loans totaled $19.3 million, $15.0 million, and $26.2 million at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Had these loans performed in accordance with their original terms, interest income of approximately $795,000, $778,000, and $1.3 million would have been recorded in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. There were no nonaccrual loans excluded from impaired loan disclosure in 2014 or 2013.

 

The following table shows the recorded investment in the PCI commercial and consumer loan portfolios, by class and their delinquency status, at December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

  30-89 Days
Past Due
  Greater than
90 Days
  Current   Total
Commercial:                      
Commercial Construction $  -   $  652   $  3,130   $  3,782
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied    1,138      843      29,186      31,167
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied    523      1,255      27,091      28,869
Raw Land and Lots    522      -      6,905      7,427
Single Family Investment Real Estate    1,327      1,311      14,241      16,879
Commercial and Industrial    144      538      3,173      3,855
Other Commercial    107      1,133      1,016      2,256
Consumer:                      
Mortgage    1,975      2,866      2,553      7,394
Consumer Construction    -      516      -      516
HELOCs    356      728      916      2,000
Other Consumer    89      171      1,383      1,643
Total $  6,181   $  10,013   $  89,594   $  105,788

 

- 88 -
 

 

The following table shows the recorded investment in the PCI commercial and consumer loan portfolios, by class and their delinquency status, at December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

   30-89 Days
Past Due
   Greater than
90 Days
   Current   Total 
Commercial:                    
Raw Land and Lots  $-   $-   $2,457   $2,457 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   -    -    275    275 
Consumer:                    
Indirect Auto   -    -    7    7 
HELOCs   -    31    756    787 
Other Consumer   40    -    56    96 
Total  $40   $31   $3,551   $3,622 

 

The Company measures the amount of impairment by evaluating loans either in their collective homogeneous pools or individually. The following table shows the Company’s impaired loans, excluding PCI loans related to the StellarOne acquisition, by class, at December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

  

   Recorded
Investment
   Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   Related
Allowance
   YTD
Average
Investment
   Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Loans without a specific allowance                         
Commercial:                         
Commercial Construction  $5,281   $5,367   $-   $5,755   $165 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   15,722    16,430    -    16,774    737 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   22,917    22,917    -    23,209    1,116 
Raw Land and Lots   44,790    47,662    -    47,988    2,124 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   4,197    4,881    -    6,534    170 
Commercial and Industrial   4,453    7,933    -    5,070    121 
Other Commercial   1,536    1,538    -    1,624    90 
Consumer:                         
Mortgage   1,571    1,582    -    1,583    58 
Indirect Auto   -    6    -    4    - 
Indirect Marine   201    505    -    281    - 
HELOCs   559    699    -    573    8 
Other Consumer   89    208    -    107    - 
Total impaired loans without a specific allowance  $101,316   $109,728   $-   $109,502   $4,589 
                          
Loans with a specific allowance                         
Commercial:                         
Commercial Construction  $570   $570   $51   $506   $13 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   5,951    5,999    355    5,946    280 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   10,575    10,572    2,017    10,823    474 
Raw Land and Lots   1,343    1,373    98    1,472    59 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   4,125    4,144    562    4,293    159 
Commercial and Industrial   2,938    3,009    582    3,125    138 
Other Commercial   359    378    32    442    29 
Consumer:                         
Mortgage   3,323    3,375    481    3,381    60 
Consumer Construction   375    375    34    373    19 
Indirect Marine   192    192    5    199    15 
HELOCs   434    434    4    436    17 
Other Consumer   679    706    310    686    19 
Total impaired loans with a specific allowance  $30,864   $31,127   $4,531   $31,682   $1,282 
Total impaired loans  $132,180   $140,855   $4,531   $141,184   $5,871 

 

- 89 -
 

 

The following table shows the Company’s impaired loans, by class, at December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

   Recorded
Investment
   Unpaid
Principal
Balance
   Related
Allowance
   YTD
Average
Investment
   Interest
Income
Recognized
 
Loans without a specific allowance                         
Commercial:                         
Commercial Construction  $10,520   $10,523   $-   $9,073   $282 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   4,281    4,648    -    4,845    206 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   15,012    15,100    -    15,288    572 
Raw Land and Lots   52,259    52,551    -    61,606    2,024 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   5,520    6,021    -    6,396    261 
Commercial and Industrial   4,035    6,835    -    7,083    195 
Other Commercial   55    134    -    134    - 
Consumer:                         
Mortgage   1,361    1,361    -    1,374    60 
Indirect Auto   11    19    -    26    - 
Indirect Marine   495    874    -    887    42 
HELOCs   1,604    1,755    -    1,921    11 
Other Consumer   162    211    -    214    - 
Total impaired loans without a specific allowance  $95,315   $100,032   $-   $108,847   $3,653 
                          
Loans with a specific allowance                         
Commercial:                         
Commercial Construction  $357   $692   $135   $1,136   $9 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   3,797    3,937    284    4,000    181 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   549    597    76    616    40 
Raw Land and Lots   1,875    1,905    83    1,985    101 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   3,389    3,676    335    3,894    114 
Commercial and Industrial   2,722    3,086    204    3,214    84 
Other Commercial   255    269    35    254    6 
Consumer:                         
Mortgage   4,041    4,147    660    4,183    123 
Other Consumer   321    343    151    350    10 
Total impaired loans with a specific allowance  $17,306   $18,652   $1,963   $19,632   $668 
Total impaired loans  $112,621   $118,684   $1,963   $128,479   $4,321 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, the average investment in impaired loans was $141.2 million, $128.5 million, and $166.8 million, respectively. The interest income recorded on impaired loans was approximately $5.9 million, $4.3 million, and $6.6 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

 

The Company considers TDRs to be impaired loans. A modification of a loan’s terms constitutes a TDR if the creditor grants a concession that it would not otherwise consider to the borrower for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower’s financial difficulties. TDRs totaled $26.8 million and $41.8 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. All loans that are considered to be TDRs are evaluated for impairment in accordance with the Company’s allowance for loan loss methodology and are included in the preceding impaired loan tables. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the recorded investment in restructured loans prior to modifications was not materially impacted by the modification.

 

- 90 -
 

 

The following table provides a summary, by class, of modified loans that continue to accrue interest under the terms of the restructuring agreement, which are considered to be performing, and modified loans that have been placed in nonaccrual status, which are considered to be nonperforming, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013 
   No. of
Loans
   Recorded
Investment
   Outstanding
Commitment
   No. of
Loans
   Recorded
Investment
   Outstanding
Commitment
 
Performing                              
Commercial:                              
Commercial Construction   1   $707   $-    1   $684   $- 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   3    682    -    4    2,278    - 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   3    3,362    -    6    3,771    - 
Raw Land and Lots   9    14,777    -    15    20,741    - 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   6    1,046    -    13    3,497    - 
Commercial and Industrial   9    722    -    7    1,125    - 
Other Commercial   1    191    -    -    -    - 
Consumer:                              
Mortgage   7    1,244    -    10    2,318    - 
Other Consumer   3    98    -    3    106    - 
Total performing   42   $22,829   $-    59   $34,520   $- 
                               
Nonperforming                              
Commercial:                              
Commercial Construction   1   $253   $-    3   $947   $- 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   2    153    -    3    283    - 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   1    539    -    -    -    - 
Raw Land and Lots   2    1,053    -    2    3,973    - 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   1    433    -    1    50    - 
Commercial and Industrial   5    616    -    8    1,195    - 
Other Commercial   1    74    -    -    -    - 
Consumer:                              
Mortgage   2    770    -    2    794    - 
Other Consumer   1    57    -    1    62    - 
Total nonperforming   16   $3,948   $-    20   $7,304   $- 
                               
Total performing and nonperforming   58   $26,777   $-    79   $41,824   $- 

 

- 91 -
 

  

The Company considers a default of a restructured loan to occur when the borrower is 90 days past due following the restructure or a foreclosure and repossession of the applicable collateral occurs. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company identified one loan, totaling approximately $24,000, that went into default that had been restructured in the twelve-month period prior to the time of default. This loan was a mortgage loan which had a term modification at a market rate. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company identified one loan, totaling approximately $43,000, that went into default that had been restructured in the twelve-month period prior to the time of default. This loan was a raw land and lot loan which was modified to an interest only loan with a market rate of interest.

 

The following table shows, by class and modification type, TDRs that occurred during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):

  

   2014   2013 
   No. of
Loans
   Recorded
Investment at
Period End
   No. of
Loans
   Recorded
Investment at
Period End
 
Modified to interest only, at a market rate                    
Commercial:                    
Raw Land and Lots   -    -    1   $43 
Consumer:                    
Mortgage   -    -    2    730 
        Total interest only at market rate of interest   -   $-    3   $773 
                     
Term modification, at a market rate                    
Commercial:                    
Commercial Construction   -   $-    2   $697 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   -    -    2    1,085 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   1    972    1    745 
Raw Land and Lots   -    -    3    378 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   1    109    7    2,488 
Commercial and Industrial   1    32    5    649 
Other Commercial   2    265    -    - 
Consumer:                    
Mortgage   -    -    3    707 
Other Consumer   -    -    1    34 
Total loan term extended at a market rate   5   $1,378    24   $6,783 
                     
Term modification, below market rate                    
Commercial:                    
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   -   $-    1   $115 
Commercial and Industrial   -    -    1    8 
Consumer:                    
Mortgage   -    -    1    154 
Total loan term extended at a below market rate   -   $-    3   $277 
                     
Total   5   $1,378    30   $7,833 

 

- 92 -
 

 

The following table shows the allowance for loan loss activity, balances for allowance for credit losses, and loans based on impairment methodology by portfolio segment for the year ended December 31, 2014. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories (dollars in thousands):

  

   Commercial   Consumer   Total 
Allowance for loan losses:               
Balance, beginning of the year  $19,908   $10,227   $30,135 
     Recoveries credited to allowance   1,963    1,506    3,469 
     Loans charged off   (4,635)   (4,385)   (9,020)
     Provision charged to operations   5,116    2,684    7,800 
Balance, end of period  $22,352   $10,032   $32,384 
                
Ending Balance, ALL:               
Loans individually evaluated for impairment  $3,697   $834   $4,531 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment   18,655    9,198    27,853 
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality   -    -    - 
     Total  $22,352   $10,032   $32,384 
                
Ending Balance, Loans:               
Loans individually evaluated for impairment  $123,171   $7,242   $130,413 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment   3,607,077    1,502,718    5,109,795 
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality   94,235    11,553    105,788 
     Total  $3,824,483   $1,521,513   $5,345,996 

  

The following table shows the allowance for loan loss activity, balances for allowance for credit losses, and loans based on impairment methodology by portfolio segment for the year ended December 31, 2013. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories (dollars in thousands):

  

   Commercial   Consumer   Total 
Allowance for loan losses:               
Balance, beginning of the year  $24,809   $10,107   $34,916 
     Recoveries credited to allowance   1,496    1,285    2,781 
     Loans charged off   (8,534)   (5,084)   (13,618)
     Provision charged to operations   2,137    3,919    6,056 
Balance, end of period  $19,908   $10,227   $30,135 
                
Ending Balance, ALL:               
Loans individually evaluated for impairment  $1,152   $811   $1,963 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment   18,756    9,416    28,172 
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality   -    -    - 
     Total  $19,908   $10,227   $30,135 
                
Ending Balance, Loans:               
Loans individually evaluated for impairment  $101,894   $7,105   $108,999 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment   2,059,079    867,668    2,926,747 
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality   2,732    890    3,622 
     Total  $2,163,705   $875,663   $3,039,368 

 

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The following table shows the allowance for loan loss activity, balances for allowance for credit losses, and loans based on impairment methodology by portfolio segment for the year ended December 31, 2012. Allocation of a portion of the allowance to one category of loans does not preclude its availability to absorb losses in other categories (dollars in thousands):

 

   Commercial   Consumer   Total 
Allowance for loan losses:               
Balance, beginning of the year  $27,972   $11,498   $39,470 
     Recoveries credited to allowance   589    1,122    1,711 
     Loans charged off   (12,852)   (5,613)   (18,465)
     Provision charged to operations   9,100    3,100    12,200 
Balance, end of period  $24,809   $10,107   $34,916 
                
Ending Balance, ALL:               
Loans individually evaluated for impairment  $6,626   $1,876   $8,502 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment   18,061    8,231    26,292 
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality   122    -    122 
     Total  $24,809   $10,107   $34,916 
                
Ending Balance, Loans:               
Loans individually evaluated for impairment  $143,330   $7,480   $150,810 
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment   1,956,184    855,288    2,811,472 
Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality   3,594    971    4,565 
     Total  $2,103,108   $863,739   $2,966,847 

  

The Company uses the past due status and delinquency trends as the primary credit quality indicator for the consumer loan portfolio segment while a risk rating system is utilized for commercial loans. Commercial loans are graded on a scale of 1 through 9. A general description of the characteristics of the risk grades follows:

 

·Risk rated 1 loans have little or no risk and are generally secured by cash or cash equivalents;

·Risk rated 2 loans have minimal risk to well qualified borrowers and no significant questions as to safety;

·Risk rated 3 loans are satisfactory loans with strong borrowers and secondary sources of repayment;

·Risk rated 4 loans are satisfactory loans with borrowers not as strong as risk rated 3 loans and may exhibit a greater degree of financial risk based on the type of business supporting the loan;

·Risk rated 5 loans are watch loans that warrant more than the normal level of supervision and have the possibility of an event occurring that may weaken the borrower’s ability to repay;

·Risk rated 6 loans have increasing potential weaknesses beyond those at which the loan originally was granted and if not addressed could lead to inadequately protecting the Company’s credit position;

·Risk rated 7 loans are substandard loans and are inadequately protected by the current sound worth or paying capacity of the obligor or the collateral pledged; these have well defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt with the distinct possibility the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected;

·Risk rated 8 loans are doubtful of collection and the possibility of loss is high but pending specific borrower plans for recovery, its classification as a loss is deferred until its more exact status is determined; and

·Risk rated 9 loans are loss loans which are considered uncollectable and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted.

 

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The following table shows the recorded investment in all loans, excluding PCI loans, in the commercial portfolio by class with their related risk rating current as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

   1-3   4  5   6   7   8   Total 
Commercial Construction  $22,512   $289,064   $11,932   $10,906   $3,084   $-   $337,498 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   185,789    620,587    15,003    7,688    15,209    -    844,276 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   356,263    1,041,515    22,358    28,388    31,766    -    1,480,290 
Raw Land and Lots   11,162    128,281    16,803    4,783    42,769    -    203,798 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   59,638    311,900    9,750    6,680    7,647    -    395,615 
Commercial and Industrial   138,973    230,084    9,392    4,383    7,089    -    389,921 
Other Commercial   31,571    40,913    3,818    844    1,704    -    78,850 
Total  $805,908   $2,662,344   $89,056   $63,672   $109,268   $-   $3,730,248 

 

The following table shows the recorded investment in all loans, excluding PCI loans, in the commercial portfolio by class with their related risk rating current as of December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

   1-3   4  5   6   7   8   Total 
Commercial Construction  $24,399   $148,251   $20,370   $13,772   $6,883   $-   $213,675 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   149,632    324,394    10,017    10,926    5,795    -    500,764 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   224,702    453,279    21,953    46,084    9,887    -    755,905 
Raw Land and Lots   8,648    98,927    14,132    16,439    46,926    -    185,072 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   38,327    168,564    12,302    11,522    6,650    -    237,365 
Commercial and Industrial   68,748    123,585    8,254    8,752    3,822    2,541    215,702 
Other Commercial   18,593    23,160    8,529    1,897    311    -    52,490 
Total  $533,049   $1,340,160   $95,557   $109,392   $80,274   $2,541   $2,160,973 

 

The following table shows the recorded investment in only PCI loans in the commercial portfolio by class with their related risk rating and credit quality indicator information current as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

  

   4   5   6   7   8    Total 
Commercial Construction  $-   $-   $3,130   $194   $458   $3,782 
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   1,525    3,546    10,880    15,216    -    31,167 
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   2,837    934    18,736    6,362    -    28,869 
Raw Land and Lots   1,564    189    3,148    2,526    -    7,427 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   2,807    1,253    6,462    6,357    -    16,879 
Commercial and Industrial   437    -    913    2,477    28    3,855 
Other Commercial   -    -    510    1,746    -    2,256 
Total  $9,170   $5,922   $43,779   $34,878   $486   $94,235 

 

The following table shows the recorded investment in only PCI loans in the commercial portfolio by class with their related risk rating and credit quality indicator information current as of December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

   4   5   6   7   8    Total 
Raw Land and Lots  $-   $653   $-   $1,804   $-   $2,457 
Single Family Investment Real Estate   275    -    -    -    -    275 
Total  $275   $653   $-   $1,804   $-   $2,732 

 

Loans acquired are originally recorded at fair value, with certain loans being identified as impaired at the date of purchase. The fair values were determined based on the credit quality of the portfolio, expected future cash flows, and timing of those expected future cash flows.

 

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The following shows changes in the Company’s PCI loan portfolio and accretable yield for loans accounted for under ASC 310-30 for the periods presented (dollars in thousands):

 

   For the year ended   For the year ended 
   December 31, 2014   December 31, 2013 
   Accretable Yield   Carrying Amount
of Loans
   Accretable Yield   Carrying Amount
of Loans
 
Balance at beginning of period  $2,980   $3,622   $3,147   $4,565 
Additions   34,653    145,454    -    - 
Accretion   (7,192)   -    (55)   - 
Reclass of nonaccretable difference due to improvement in expected cash flows   1,873    -    -    - 
Net reductions for payments, foreclosures, and accretion   -    (43,288)   -    (943)
Other, net   (3,358)   -    (112)   - 
Balance at end of period  $28,956   $105,788   $2,980   $3,622 

 

Loans in the Company’s acquired performing loan portfolio, accounted for under ASC 310-20, totaled $1.8 billion and $377.8 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively; the remaining discount on these loans totaled $24.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

 

5. BANK PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

 

Bank premises and equipment as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013 
Land  $31,072   $23,652 
Land improvements and buildings   98,259    62,329 
Leasehold improvements   7,950    5,313 
Furniture and equipment   47,350    36,133 
Equipment lease   -    62 
Construction in progress   9,385    9,323 
Total   194,016    136,812 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization   58,769    53,997 
Bank premises and equipment, net  $135,247   $82,815 

  

Depreciation expense for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $10.7 million, $6.0 million, and $6.6 million, respectively. Future minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases for bank premises that have initial or remaining terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2014 are as follows for the years ending (dollars in thousands):

  

2015  $7,711 
2016   6,962 
2017   6,659 
2018   6,142 
2019   5,324 
  Thereafter   12,528 
Total of future payments  $45,326 

  

The leases contain options to extend for periods up to 20 years. Rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 totaled $8.1 million, $5.7 million, and $5.9 million, respectively.

 

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6. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

The Company’s intangible assets consist of core deposits and goodwill arising from various acquisitions. The Company has determined that core deposit intangibles have finite lives and amortizes them over their estimated useful lives. Core deposit intangible assets are being amortized over the period of expected benefit, which ranges from 4 to 14 years, using an accelerated method. On January 1, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of StellarOne and acquired intangible assets of $29.6 million and recorded $234.1 million of goodwill. See Note 2 “Acquisitions” for additional information.

 

In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, the Company reviews the carrying value of indefinite lived intangible assets at least annually or more frequently if certain impairment indicators exist. The Company performed its annual impairment testing in the second quarter of 2014 and determined that there was no impairment to its goodwill or intangible assets. Subsequently, the Company determined that an additional evaluation was necessary at year-end due to potential indicators based on the net losses recorded at the mortgage company during 2014. Based on this additional testing, the Company confirmed that no impairment charges to date for goodwill or intangible assets were necessary. If the Company’s mortgage segment does not show improvement in subsequent periods, the Company may be required to perform a step two impairment analysis.

 

Information concerning intangible assets with a finite life is presented in the following table (dollars in thousands):

  

   Gross Carrying
Value
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net Carrying
Value
 
December 31, 2014               
Amortizable core deposit intangibles  $76,185   $44,430   $31,755 
                
December 31, 2013               
Amortizable core deposit intangibles  $46,615   $34,635   $11,980 
Trademark intangible   1,200    1,200    - 

 

Amortization expense of core deposit intangibles for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 totaled $9.8 million, $3.8 million, and $4.9 million, respectively. Amortization expense of the trademark intangibles for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 totaled $0, $33,000, and $400,000, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the estimated remaining amortization expense of core deposit intangibles is as follows (dollars in thousands):

  

2015  $8,444 
2016   6,932 
2017   5,590 
2018   4,144 
2019   3,093 
Thereafter   3,552 
Total estimated amortization expense  $31,755 

  

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7. DEPOSITS

 

The major types of interest-bearing deposits are as follows for the years ending (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013 
Interest-bearing deposits:          
NOW accounts  $1,332,029   $498,068 
Money market accounts   1,261,520    940,215 
Savings accounts   548,526    235,034 
Time deposits of $250,000 and over   175,933    153,209 
Other time deposits   1,121,384    718,642 
Total interest-bearing deposits  $4,439,392   $2,545,168 

 

As of December 31, 2014, the scheduled maturities of time deposits are as follows for the years ending (dollars in thousands):

 

2015  $667,626 
2016   322,156 
2017   132,285 
2018   117,084 
2019   58,166 
Total scheduled maturities of time deposits  $1,297,317 

  

The amount of time deposits held in CDARS accounts was $7.9 million and $32.0 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These deposits had a maturity of less than one year.

 

The Company classifies deposit overdrafts as other consumer loans. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, these deposits totaled $2.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

 

8.BORROWINGS

 

Short-term Borrowings

 

The Company classifies all borrowings that will mature within a year from the date on which the Company enters into them as short-term borrowings. Total short-term borrowings consist primarily of advances from the FHLB, federal funds purchased (which are secured overnight borrowings from other financial institutions), and other lines of credit. Also included in total short-term borrowings are securities sold under agreements to repurchase, which are secured transactions with customers and generally mature the day following the date sold. Total short-term borrowings consist of the following as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):

  

   2014   2013 
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase  $44,393   $52,455 
Other short-term borrowings   343,000    211,500 
Total short-term borrowings  $387,393   $263,955 
           
Maximum month-end outstanding balance  $387,393   $263,955 
Average outstanding balance during the period   237,896    119,433 
Average interest rate during the period   0.24%   0.30%
Average interest rate at end of period   0.31%   0.30%
           
Other short-term borrowings:          
Federal funds purchased  $-   $31,500 
FHLB   335,000    180,000 
Other lines of credit   8,000    - 

 

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The Bank maintains federal funds lines with several correspondent banks; the remaining available balance was $150.0 million and $93.5 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company has certain restrictive covenants related to certain asset quality, capital, and profitability metrics associated with these lines and is considered to be in compliance with these covenants. Additionally, the Company had a collateral dependent line of credit with the FHLB of up to $1.4 billion and $805.2 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Long-term Borrowings

 

In connection with two bank acquisitions prior to 2006, the Company issued trust preferred capital notes to fund the cash portion of those acquisitions, collectively totaling $58.5 million. In connection with the acquisition of StellarOne, the Company acquired trust preferred capital notes totaling $32.0 million with a remaining fair value discount of $7.2 million at December 31, 2014. The trust preferred capital notes currently qualify for Tier 1 capital of the Company for regulatory purposes.

 

   Principal   Investment(1)   Spread to
3-Month LIBOR
   Rate   Maturity
Trust Preferred Capital Note - Statutory Trust I  $22,500,000   $696,000    2.75%   3.01%  6/17/2034
Trust Preferred Capital Note - Statutory Trust II   36,000,000    1,114,000    1.40%   1.66%  6/15/2036
VFG Limited Liability Trust I Indenture   20,000,000    619,000    2.73%   2.99%  3/18/2034
FNB Statutory Trust II Indenture   12,000,000    372,000    3.10%   3.36%  6/26/2033
Total  $90,500,000   $2,801,000              

 

(1) reported as 'Other Assets' within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.  

 

As part of a prior acquisition, the Company assumed subordinated debt with terms of LIBOR plus 1.45% and a maturity date of April 2016. At December 31, 2014, the carrying value of the subordinated debt was $17.5 million, with a remaining fair value discount of $652,000.

 

On August 23, 2012, the Company modified its fixed rate FHLB advances to floating rate advances, which resulted in reducing the Company’s FHLB borrowing costs. In connection with this modification, the Company incurred a prepayment penalty of $19.6 million on the original advances, which is included as a component of long-term borrowings in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. In accordance with ASC 470-50, Modifications and Extinguishments, the Company will amortize this prepayment penalty over the term of the modified advances using the effective rate method. The amortization expense is included as a component of interest expense on long-term borrowings in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $1.8 million, $1.7 million, and $612,000, respectively.

 

In connection with the StellarOne acquisition, the Company assumed $70.0 million in long-term borrowings with the FHLB with a remaining fair value premium of $2.1 million at December 31, 2014.

 

As of December 31, 2014, the Company had advances from the FHLB consisting of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

Long-term Type  Spread to
3-Month LIBOR
   Interest Rate   Maturity Date  Advance Amount 
                
Adjustable Rate Credit   0.44%   0.70%  8/23/2022  $55,000 
Adjustable Rate Credit   0.45%   0.71%  11/23/2022   65,000 
Adjustable Rate Credit   0.45%   0.71%  11/23/2022   10,000 
Adjustable Rate Credit   0.45%   0.71%  11/23/2022   10,000 
Fixed Rate   -    3.62%  11/28/2017   10,000 
Fixed Rate   -    3.44%  7/28/2015   10,000 
Fixed Rate   -    3.75%  7/30/2018   5,000 
Fixed Rate   -    3.97%  7/30/2018   5,000 
Fixed Rate Hybrid   -    2.11%  10/5/2016   25,000 
Fixed Rate Hybrid   -    0.91%  7/25/2016   15,000 
                $210,000 

 

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As of December 31, 2013, the Company had advances from the FHLB consisting of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

Long-term Type  Spread to
3-Month LIBOR
   Interest Rate   Maturity Date  Advance Amount 
                
Adjustable Rate Credit   0.44%   0.69%  8/23/2022  $55,000 
Adjustable Rate Credit   0.45%   0.70%  11/23/2022   65,000 
Adjustable Rate Credit   0.45%   0.70%  11/23/2022   10,000 
Adjustable Rate Credit   0.45%   0.70%  11/23/2022   10,000 
                $140,000 

 

The carrying value of the loans and securities pledged as collateral for FHLB advances totaled $1.2 billion and $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2014, the contractual maturities of long-term debt are as follows for the years ending (dollars in thousands):

 

   Trust
Preferred
Capital Notes
   Subordinated
Debt
   FHLB
Advances
   Fair Value
Premium
(Discount)
   Prepayment
Penalty
   Total Long-term
Borrowings
 
2015  $-   $-   $10,000   $175   $(1,831)  $8,344 
2016   -    17,500    40,000    271    (1,882)   55,889 
2017   -    -    10,000    170    (1,923)   8,247 
2018   -    -    10,000    (143)   (1,970)   7,887 
2019   -    -    -    (286)   (2,018)   (2,304)
Thereafter   93,301    -    140,000    (5,923)   (5,899)   221,479 
Total long-term borrowings  $93,301   $17,500   $210,000   $(5,736)  $(15,523)  $299,542 

 

9.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Litigation Matters

 

In the ordinary course of its operations, the Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various legal proceedings. Based on the information presently available, and after consultation with legal counsel, management believes that the ultimate outcome in such proceedings, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the business, the financial condition, or results of operations of the Company.

 

Litigation Relating to the StellarOne Acquisition

 

In a press release issued on June 10, 2013, the Company announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement for the acquisition of StellarOne. The Company closed the acquisition of StellarOne on January 1, 2014. On June 14, 2013, in response to the initial announcement of the definitive merger agreement, Jaclyn Crescente, individually and on behalf of all other StellarOne shareholders, filed a class action complaint against StellarOne, its current directors, StellarOne Bank, and the Company, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Charlottesville Division (Case No. 3:13-cv-00021-NKM) (the “District Court”). The complaint alleged that the StellarOne directors breached their fiduciary duties by approving the merger with the Company and that the Company aided and abetted in such breaches of duty. The complaint sought, among other things, money damages. StellarOne and the Company believed that the claims were without merit; however, in order to eliminate the expense and uncertainties of further litigation, all the defendants entered into a memorandum of understanding with the plaintiffs in order to settle the litigation prior to the merger. Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, the plaintiffs agreed to settle the lawsuit and release the defendants from all claims, subject to approval by the District Court. On May 19, 2014, the District Court approved the memorandum of understanding and the class action settlement in the case.

 

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Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk

 

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers and to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The contractual amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of the Company’s involvement in particular classes of financial instruments.

 

The Company’s exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instruments for commitments to extend credit and letters of credit written is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments. Unless noted otherwise, the Company does not require collateral or other security to support off-balance sheet financial instruments with credit risk.

 

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to customers as long as there are no violations of any conditions established in the contracts. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee. Because many of the commitments may expire without being completely drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

 

Letters of credit are conditional commitments issued by the Company to guarantee the performance of customers to third parties. The credit risk involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loans to customers.

 

UMG, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank, uses rate lock commitments and best efforts contract during the origination process and for loans held for sale. These best efforts contracts are designed to mitigate UMG’s exposure to fluctuations in interest rates in connection with rate lock commitments and loans held for sale. The Company held approximately $2.6 million and $2.0 million in loans available for sale in which the related rate lock commitment had expired as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the reserves associated with these loans held for sale were $104,000 and $94,000, respectively, and are reflected on the balance sheet of the mortgage segment.

 

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The following table presents the balances of commitments and contingencies (dollars in thousands):

  

   2014   2013 
Commitments with off-balance sheet risk:          
Commitments to extend credit (1)  $1,601,287   $891,680 
Standby letters of credit   117,988    48,107 
Mortgage loan rate lock commitments   49,552    54,834 
Total commitments with off-balance sheet risk  $1,768,827   $994,621 
Commitments with balance sheet risk:          
Loans held for sale  $42,519   $53,185 
Total other commitments  $1,811,346   $1,047,806 
           
(1) Includes unfunded overdraft protection.    

 

The Company must maintain a reserve against its deposits in accordance with Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Act. For the final weekly reporting period in the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the aggregate amount of daily average required reserves was approximately $48.7 million and $16.0 million, respectively.

 

The Company has approximately $13.2 million in deposits in other financial institutions, of which $5.7 million serves as collateral for the trust swap further discussed in Note 10 “Derivatives.” The Company had approximately $6.5 million in deposits in other financial institutions that were uninsured at December 31, 2014. On an annual basis, the Company’s management evaluates the loss risk of its uninsured deposits in financial counter-parties.

 

For asset/liability management purposes, the Company uses interest rate swap agreements to hedge various exposures or to modify the interest rate characteristics of various balance sheet accounts. See Note 10 “Derivatives” for additional information.

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company records an indemnification reserve relating to mortgage loans previously sold based on historical statistics and loss rates; as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s indemnification reserve was $662,000 and $627,000, respectively and is included as a component of “Other Liabilities” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

10.DERIVATIVES

 

The Company is exposed to economic risks arising from its business operations and uses derivatives primarily to manage risk associated with changing interest rates, and to assist customers with their risk management objectives. The Company designates its derivatives either as hedging instruments in a qualifying hedge accounting relationship (cash flow or fair value hedge) or as a free standing derivative such as interest rate lock commitments (IRLC) that do not qualify for hedge accounting. The Company uses interest rate derivatives to manage its exposure to interest rate movements and add stability to interest income and expense. The Company also enters into back-to-back loan swaps to assist customers in managing changing interest rates.

 

Cash Flow Hedges

 

As part of its cash flow hedging strategy, the Company uses interest rate swap agreements to limit the variability of expected future cash flows (primarily associated with the Company’s variable rate borrowings) by exchanging a notional amount, equal to the principal amount of the borrowings, for fixed-rate interest based on benchmarked interest rates. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had 11 interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges with an aggregate notional amount of $263.0 million.

 

The Company entered into three interest rate swap agreements (the “trust swaps”) to mitigate the variable interest rate risk related to trust preferred capital notes further described in Note 8 “Borrowings.” The Company receives interest of LIBOR from a counterparty and pays a weighted average fixed rate of 2.77% to the same counterparty calculated on a notional amount of $68.0 million. The terms of the trust swaps range from three to six years.

 

 

 

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The Company entered into four interest rate swap agreements (the “prime loan swaps”) to mitigate the variable interest rate risks of certain prime commercial loans. The Company receives a fixed interest rate ranging from 4.71% to 5.20% from the counterparty and pays interest based on the Wall Street Journal prime index, with a spread of up to 0.49%, to the same counterparty calculated on a notional amount of $55.0 million. One of the four prime loan swaps contains a floor rate of 4.00%. The terms of the four prime loan swaps is six years with a fixed rate that started September 17, 2013.

 

The Company entered into four interest rate swap agreements (the “FHLB advance swaps”) to mitigate variable interest rate risk on certain designated variable rate FHLB borrowings. The Company receives an interest rate based on the three month LIBOR from the counterparty and pays an interest rate ranging from 3.16% to 3.46% to the same counterparty calculated on a notional amount of $140.0 million. The FHLB advance swaps are deferred starting swaps with terms of six years and five years and effective dates of February 23, 2017 and February 23, 2018, respectively.

 

All swaps were entered into with counterparties that met the Company’s credit standards and the agreement contains collateral provisions protecting the at-risk party. The Company believes that the credit risk inherent in the contract is not significant. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $5.7 million of cash pledged as collateral for the trust swaps and securities with a market value of $4.8 million pledged as collateral for the prime loan swaps and FHLB advance swaps.

 

Amounts receivable or payable are recognized as accrued under the terms of the agreements. In accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, the Company has designated the trust swaps, prime loan swaps, and FHLB advance swaps as cash flow hedges, with the effective portions of the derivatives’ unrealized gains or losses recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. The ineffective portions of the unrealized gains or losses, if any, would be recorded in interest income and interest expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company has assessed the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows on the designated hedged item. The Company’s cash flow hedges are deemed to be effective. At December 31, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s cash flow hedges was an unrealized loss of $7.9 million, the amount the Company would have expected to pay if the contract was terminated. The liability is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

 

Shown below is a summary of the derivatives designated as cash flow hedges at December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

       Notional           Receive   Pay   Life 
   Positions   Amount   Asset   Liability   Rate   Rate   (Years) 
As of December 31, 2014                                   
Pay fixed - receive floating interest rate swaps   7   $208,000   $-   $8,433    0.26%(1)   2.77%(1)   2.12(1)
Receive fixed - pay floating interest rate swaps   4   $55,000   $580   $-    4.93%   3.55%   4.72 

  

(1) Due to their deferred nature, the rates and the life exclude the four FHLB advance swaps.

 

       Notional           Receive   Pay   Life 
   Positions   Amount   Asset   Liability   Rate   Rate   (Years) 
As of December 31, 2013                                   
Pay fixed - receive floating interest rate swaps   1   $36,000   $-   $3,046    0.25%   3.51%   3.46 
Receive fixed - pay floating interest rate swaps   8   $100,000   $-   $516    5.17%   3.89%   5.72 

 

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Fair Value Hedge

 

During the normal course of business, the Company enters into interest rate swaps (the “traditional swap”) to convert certain long-term fixed-rate loans to floating rates to hedge the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk. The Company applies hedge accounting in accordance with ASC 815, and the fair value hedge and the underlying hedged item, attributable to the risk being hedged, are recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses being recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. The ineffective portions of the unrealized gains or losses, if any, would be recorded in interest income and interest expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company uses statistical regression analysis to assess hedge effectiveness, both at inception of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis. The regression analysis involves regressing the periodic change in fair value of the hedging instrument against the periodic changes in fair value of the asset being hedged due to changes in the hedged risk.

 

On December 30, 2014, the Company entered into a traditional swap whereby the Company pays a fixed interest rate of 3.42% to the counterparty and receives interest of one month LIBOR plus 1.93% from the same counterparty calculated on a notional amount of $38.3 million with a term of 15 years. The traditional swap is designated as a fair value hedge and had no material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets or Statements of Income during 2014.

 

Loan Swaps

 

During the normal course of business, the Company enters into interest rate swap loan relationships (“loan swaps”) with borrowers to meet their financing needs. Upon entering into the loan swaps, the Company enters into offsetting positions with counterparties in order to minimize interest rate risk. These back-to-back loan swaps qualify as financial derivatives with fair values reported in “Other assets” and “Other liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had securities with a market value of $3.4 million pledged as collateral for the loan swaps. Shown below is a summary regarding loan swap derivative activities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):

  

       Notional           Receive   Pay   Life 
   Positions   Amount   Asset   Liability   Rate   Rate   (Years) 
As of December 31, 2014                                   
Receive fixed - pay floating interest rate swaps   30   $122,793   $2,681   $-    4.29%   2.50%   7.14 
Pay fixed - receive floating interest rate swaps   30   $122,793   $-   $2,681    2.50%   4.29%   7.14 

 

       Notional           Receive   Pay   Life 
   Positions   Amount   Asset   Liability   Rate   Rate   (Years) 
As of December 31, 2013                                   
Receive fixed - pay floating interest rate swaps   1   $718   $33   $-    4.58%   2.92%   8.59 
Pay fixed - receive floating interest rate swaps   1   $718   $-   $33    2.92%   4.58%   8.59 

 

Interest Rate Lock Commitments

 

During the normal course of business, the Company enters into commitments to originate mortgage loans whereby 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, closing, and sale of the loan generally ranges from 30 to 120 days. The Company protects itself from changes in interest rates through the use of best efforts forward delivery commitments, whereby the Company commits 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. The correlation between the rate lock commitments and the best efforts contracts is high due to their similarity.

 

The market values of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts are not readily ascertainable with precision because rate lock commitments and best efforts 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 change in the value of the underlying asset while taking into consideration the probability that the rate lock commitments will close. 

 

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During the first quarter of 2014, and in connection with the acquisition of StellarOne, the Company began recording the rate lock commitments derivatives on its balance sheet at fair value. Because the amounts associated with the rate lock commitments were determined to be immaterial, the Company did not record the value of the rate locks in any period prior to January 1, 2014. While the rate lock commitment derivatives are still considered immaterial to the consolidated financial statements, the Company began recording these assets on its Consolidated Balance Sheet within “Other Assets” post-acquisition when integrating the acquired mortgage operations of StellarOne. The Company’s derivatives related to rate lock commitments had a notional amount of $49.6 million at December 31, 2014 with a fair value of $513,000. These derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting; as a result, changes in fair value are recognized in current period earnings as a component of “Gain on sale of mortgage loans, net of commissions.”

 

11.ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

The change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2014 is summarized as follows, net of tax (dollars in thousands):

  

   Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on
Securities
   Change in Fair
Value of Cash Flow
Hedges
   Total 
Balance - December 31, 2013  $1,192   $(3,382)  $(2,190)
                
Other comprehensive income (loss)   17,089    (2,393)   14,696 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income   (842)   591    (251)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)   16,247    (1,802)   14,445 
                
Balance - December 31, 2014  $17,439   $(5,184)  $12,255 

  

The change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2013 is summarized as follows, net of tax (dollars in thousands):

  

   Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on
Securities
   Change in Fair
Value of Cash Flow
Hedges
   Total 
Balance - December 31, 2012  $14,573   $(4,489)  $10,084 
                
Other comprehensive income (loss)   (13,367)   583    (12,784)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income   (14)   524    510 
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)   (13,381)   1,107    (12,274)
                
Balance - December 31, 2013  $1,192   $(3,382)  $(2,190)

 

The change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2012 is summarized as follows, net of tax (dollars in thousands):

 

   Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on
Securities
   Change in Fair
Value of Cash Flow
Hedges
   Total 
Balance - December 31, 2011  $13,943   $(4,293)  $9,650 
                
Other comprehensive income (loss)   753    (922)   (169)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income   (123)   726    603 
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)   630    (196)   434 
                
Balance - December 31, 2012  $14,573   $(4,489)  $10,084 

 

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Reclassifications of unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities are reported in the Company’s Consolidated Income Statement as “Gains on securities transactions, net” with the corresponding income tax effect being reflected as a component of income tax expense. Excluding the OTTI recovery of $400,000 in the second quarter of 2014, the Company reported gains of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 and gains of $21,000, and $190,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to gains/losses on the sale of securities. See Note 3 “Securities” for additional information on the OTTI recovery. The tax effect of these transactions during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $453,000, $7,000, and $67,000, respectively, which were included as a component of income tax expense.

 

Reclassifications of the change in fair value of cash flow hedges are reported in interest income and interest expense in the Company’s Consolidated Income Statement with the corresponding income tax effect being reflected as a component of income tax expense. The Company reported net interest expense of $909,000, $805,000, and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The tax effect of these transactions during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 were $318,000, $281,000, and $391,000, respectively, which were included as a component of income tax expense.

 

12.REGULATORY MATTERS AND CAPITAL

 

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on financial statements of the Company and the Bank. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for PCA, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors. PCA provisions are not applicable to financial holding companies and bank holding companies, but only to their bank subsidiaries.

 

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Company and Bank to maintain minimum amounts and ratios of total risk-weighted assets (as defined) and Tier 1 capital (as defined) to average assets (as defined) and risk-weighted assets.

 

As of December 31, 2014, the most recent notification from the Federal Reserve Bank categorized the Bank as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action. To be categorized as “well-capitalized,” an institution must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the following tables. There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category.

 

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The Company and the Bank’s capital amounts and ratios are also presented in the following table at December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):

  

   Actual   Required for Capital
Adequacy Purposes
   Required in Order to Be
Well Capitalized Under
PCA
 
   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio   Amount   Ratio 
As of December 31, 2014                              
Total capital to risk weighted assets:                              
Consolidated  $771,441    13.40%  $460,562    8.00%   NA    NA 
Union Bank & Trust   745,125    13.00%   458,538    8.00%  $573,173    10.00%
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets:                              
Consolidated   735,611    12.77%   230,418    4.00%   NA    NA 
Union Bank & Trust   709,309    12.37%   229,364    4.00%   344,046    6.00%
Tier 1 capital to average adjusted assets:                              
Consolidated   735,611    10.63%   276,806    4.00%   NA    NA 
Union Bank & Trust   709,309    10.30%   275,460    4.00%   344,325    5.00%
                               
As of December 31, 2013                              
Total capital to risk weighted assets:                              
Consolidated  $465,360    14.17%  $262,730    8.00%            NA    NA 
Union Bank & Trust   442,784    13.56%   261,229    8.00%  $326,537    10.00%
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets:                              
Consolidated   428,490    13.05%   131,338    4.00%            NA    NA 
Union Bank & Trust   405,925    12.43%   130,628    4.00%   195,941    6.00%
Tier 1 capital to average adjusted assets:                              
Consolidated   428,490    10.70%   160,183    4.00%             NA    NA 
Union Bank & Trust   405,925    10.19%   159,342    4.00%   199,178    5.00%

 

In July 2013, the FRB issued a final rule that makes technical changes to its market risk capital rule to align it with the Basel III regulatory capital framework and meet certain requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act. Effective January 1, 2015, the final rules require the Company and the Bank to comply with the following new minimum capital ratios: (i) a new common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5% of risk-weighted assets; (ii) a Tier 1 capital ratio of 6.0% of risk-weighted assets (increased from the prior requirement of 4.0%); (iii) a total capital ratio of 8.0% of risk-weighted assets (unchanged from prior requirement); and (iv) a leverage ratio of 4.0% of total assets (unchanged from the prior requirement). These are the initial capital requirements, which will be phased in over a four-year period. When fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the rules will require the Company and the Bank to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” (which is added to the 4.5% common equity Tier 1 ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0% upon full implementation), (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 6.0% Tier 1 capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5% upon full implementation), (iii) a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 8.0% total capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5% upon full implementation), and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets.

 

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The capital conservation buffer requirement will be phased in beginning January 1, 2016, at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets, increasing by the same amount each year until fully implemented at 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases, and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.

 

If the new capital ratios described above had been effective as of December 31, 2014, based on management’s interpretation and understanding of the new rules, the Company and the Bank would have remained “well capitalized” as of such date.

 

On January 30, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to purchase up to $65.0 million worth of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. For the year ended December 31, 2014, approximately 2.1 million shares of common stock have been repurchased with cash on hand and retired. Approximately $12.5 million remain available under the repurchase program. The repurchase program is authorized through December 31, 2015 and the Company intends to continue to repurchase shares under this program.

 

13.FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The Company follows ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. This codification clarifies that fair value of certain assets and liabilities is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants.

 

ASC 820 specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 based on these two types of inputs are as follows:

  

  Level 1     Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
       
  Level 2   Valuation is based on observable inputs including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in less active markets, and model-based valuation techniques for which significant assumptions can be derived primarily from or corroborated by observable data in the markets.
       
  Level 3     Valuation is based on model-based techniques that use one or more significant inputs or assumptions that are unobservable in the market. These unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about what market participants would use and information that is reasonably available under the circumstances without undue cost and effort.

 

The following describes the valuation techniques used by the Company to measure certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis in the financial statements.

 

Derivative instruments

 

As discussed in Note 10, “Derivatives,” the Company records derivative instruments at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company utilizes derivative instruments as part of the management of interest rate risk to modify the re-pricing characteristics of certain portions of the Company’s interest-bearing assets and liabilities. The Company has contracted with a third party vendor to provide valuations for derivatives using standard valuation techniques and therefore classifies such valuations as Level 2. Third party valuations are validated by the Company using Bloomberg Valuation Service’s derivative pricing functions. The Company has considered counterparty credit risk in the valuation of its derivative assets and has considered its own credit risk in the valuation of its derivative liabilities.

 

During the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into interest rate lock commitments related to the origination of mortgage loans held for sale that are recorded at estimated fair value based on the value of the underlying loan, which in turn is based on quoted prices for similar loans in the secondary market. However, this value is adjusted by a pull-through rate which considers the likelihood that the loan in a lock position will ultimately close. The pull-through rate is derived from the Company’s internal data and is adjusted using significant management judgment. The pull-through rate is largely dependent on the loan processing stage that a loan is currently in and the change in prevailing interest rates from the time of the rate lock. As such, interest rate lock commitments are classified as Level 3. The Company used a weighted average pull-through rate of approximately 90%. As of December 31, 2014, these derivatives are recorded as a component of “Other Assets” on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

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Securities available for sale

 

Securities available for sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurement is based upon quoted market prices, when available (Level 1). If quoted market prices are not available, fair values are measured utilizing independent valuation techniques of identical or similar securities for which significant assumptions are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable market data (Level 2). If the inputs used to provide the evaluation for certain securities are unobservable and/or there is little, if any, market activity then the security would fall to the lowest level of the hierarchy (Level 3).

 

The Company’s investment portfolio is primarily valued using fair value measurements that are considered to be Level 2. The Company has contracted with a third party portfolio accounting service vendor for valuation of its securities portfolio. The vendor’s primary source for security valuation is Interactive Data Corporation (“IDC”), which evaluates securities based on market data. IDC utilizes evaluated pricing models that vary by asset class and include available trade, bid, and other market information. Generally, the methodology includes broker quotes, proprietary models, vast descriptive terms and conditions databases, as well as extensive quality control programs.

 

The vendor utilizes proprietary valuation matrices for valuing all municipals securities. The initial curves for determining the price, movement, and yield relationships within the municipal matrices are derived from industry benchmark curves or sourced from a municipal trading desk. The securities are further broken down according to issuer, credit support, state of issuance, and rating to incorporate additional spreads to the industry benchmark curves.

 

The Company uses Bloomberg Valuation Service, an independent information source that draws on quantitative models and market data contributed from over 4,000 market participants, to validate third party valuations. Any material differences between valuation sources are researched by further analyzing the various inputs that are utilized by each pricing source. No material differences were identified during the validation as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

The carrying value of restricted Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of each entity and is therefore excluded from the following table.

 

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The following table presents the balances of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):

 

   Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 using 
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
     
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Balance 
ASSETS                    
Securities available for sale:                    
U.S. government and agency securities  $-   $8,454   $-   $8,454 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   -    445,647    -    445,647 
Corporate and other bonds   -    78,680    -    78,680 
Mortgage-backed securities   -    559,329    -    559,329 
Other securities   -    10,004    -    10,004 
Derivatives:                    
Interest rate swap   -    2,681    -    2,681 
Cash flow hedges   -    580    -    580 
Interest rate lock commitments   -    -    513    513 
                     
LIABILITIES                    
Derivatives:                    
Interest rate swap  $-   $2,681   $-   $2,681 
Cash flow hedges   -    8,433    -    8,433 

 

   Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 using 
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
     
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Balance 
ASSETS                    
Securities available for sale:                    
U.S. government and agency securities  $-   $2,153   $-   $2,153 
Obligations of states and political subdivisions   -    254,830    -    254,830 
Corporate and other bonds   -    9,434    -    9,434 
Mortgage-backed securities   -    407,362    -    407,362 
Other securities   -    3,569    -    3,569 
Derivatives:                    
Interest rate swap   -    33    -    33 
                     
LIABILITIES                    
Derivatives:                    
Interest rate swap  $-   $33   $-   $33 
Cash flow hedges   -    3,562    -    3,562 

 

Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in accordance with GAAP. Adjustments to the fair value of these assets usually result from the application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

 

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The following describes the valuation techniques used by the Company to measure certain assets recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the financial statements.

 

Loans held for sale

 

Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of cost or market value. These loans currently consist of residential loans originated for sale in the secondary market. Fair value is based on the price secondary markets are currently offering for similar loans using observable market data which is not materially different than cost due to the short duration between origination and sale (Level 2). As such, the Company records any fair value adjustments on a nonrecurring basis. Nonrecurring fair value adjustments of $286,000 and $363,000 were recorded on loans held for sale during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Gains and losses on the sale of loans are recorded within the mortgage segment and are reported on a separate line item in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Impaired loans

 

Loans are designated as impaired when, in the judgment of management based on current information and events, it is probable that all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreements will not be collected. The measurement of loss associated with impaired loans can be based on either the observable market price of the loan or the fair value of the collateral. Collateral dependent loans are reported at the fair value of the underlying collateral if repayment is solely from the underlying value of the collateral. Collateral may be in the form of real estate or business assets including equipment, inventory, and accounts receivable. The vast majority of the Company’s collateral is real estate. The value of real estate collateral is determined utilizing an income or market valuation approach based on an appraisal conducted by an independent, licensed appraiser using observable market data. When evaluating the fair value, management may discount the appraisal further if, based on their understanding of the market conditions, it is determined the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value (Level 3). The value of business equipment is based upon an outside appraisal, of one year or less, if deemed significant, or the net book value on the applicable business’s financial statements if not considered significant using observable market data. Likewise, values for inventory and accounts receivables collateral are based on financial statement balances or aging reports (Level 3). Collateral dependent impaired loans allocated to the allowance for loan losses are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Any fair value adjustments are recorded in the period incurred as provision for loan losses on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Other real estate owned

 

OREO is evaluated for impairment at least quarterly by the Bank’s Special Asset Loan Committee and any necessary write downs to fair values are recorded as impairment and included as a component of noninterest expense. Fair values of OREO are carried at fair value less selling costs. Fair value is based upon independent market prices, appraised values of the collateral, or management’s estimation of the value of the collateral. When an appraised value is not available or management determines the fair value of the collateral is further impaired below the appraised value and there is no observable market price, the Company records the foreclosed asset as Level 3 valuation.

 

Total valuation expenses related to OREO properties for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled $7.6 million and $791,000, respectively. During the third quarter of 2014, the Company reevaluated its OREO sales strategies in light of limited progress in selling properties in inactive rural markets that have continued to struggle coming out of the economic downturn and for which transaction volume for comparable sales has been slow or nonexistent. With the shift in strategy to more aggressively market this OREO, the Company obtained appraisals that reflect the newly determined highest and best use of the underlying assets.

 

- 111 -
 

 

The following tables summarize the Company’s financial assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis at December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):

  

   Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 using 
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
     
    Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Balance  
ASSETS                    
Loans held for sale  $-   $42,519   $-   $42,519 
Impaired loans   -    -    15,797    15,797 
Other real estate owned   -    -    28,118    28,118 

 

   Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 using 
   Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
     
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Balance 
ASSETS                    
Loans held for sale  $-   $53,185   $-   $53,185 
Impaired loans   -    -    7,985    7,985 
Other real estate owned   -    -    34,116    34,116 

 

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The following table displays quantitative information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements for December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

   Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 
   Fair Value   Valuation Technique(s)  Unobservable Inputs  Weighted
Average
 
ASSETS                
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   $3,304   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   34%
Commercial Real Estate - Non-Owner Occupied   7,828   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   1%
Raw Land and Lots   431   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   16%
Single Family Investment Real Estate   1,366   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   14%
Commercial and Industrial   339   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   45%
Other (2)   2,529   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   6%
Total Impaired Loans   15,797            
                 
Other real estate owned   28,118   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   32%
     Total  $43,915            

 

(1)  A discount percentage (in addition to expected selling costs) is applied based on the age of independent appraisals, current market conditions, and experience within the local market.

 

(2)  The "Other" category of the impaired loans section consists of Other Commercial, Mortgage, Consumer Construction, Indirect Marine, HELOCs, and Other Consumer.

 

The following table displays quantitative information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements for December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):

  

   Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 
   Fair Value   Valuation Technique(s)  Unobservable Inputs  Weighted
Average
 
ASSETS                
Commercial Construction   $219   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   0%
Commercial Real Estate - Owner Occupied   2,043   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   17%
Raw Land and Lots   908   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   10%
Single Family Investment Real Estate   1,332   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   0%
Commercial and Industrial   1,719   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   28%
Other (2)   1,764   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   0%
Total Impaired Loans   7,985            
                 
Other real estate owned   34,116   Market comparables  Discount applied to market comparables (1)   33%
     Total  $42,101            

 

(1)  A discount percentage (in addition to expected selling costs) is applied based on the age of independent appraisals, current market conditions, and experience within the local market.
(2)  The “Other” category of the impaired loans section consists of Other Commercial, Mortgage, Consumer Construction, HELOCs, and Other Consumer.

 

- 113 -
 

 

ASC 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure about fair value of financial instruments for interim periods and excludes certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments from its disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

For those short-term instruments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

 

Loans

 

The fair value of performing loans is estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using a yield curve that is constructed by adding a loan spread to a market yield curve. Loan spreads are based on spreads currently observed in the market for loans of similar type and structure. Fair value for impaired loans and their respective level within the fair value hierarchy, are described in the previous disclosure related to fair value measurements of assets that are measured on a nonrecurring basis.

 

Bank owned life insurance

 

The carrying value of bank owned life insurance approximates fair value. The Company records these policies at their cash surrender value, which is estimated using information provided by insurance carriers.

 

Deposits

 

The fair value of demand deposits, savings accounts, and certain money market deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of certificates of deposit is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

 

Borrowings

 

The carrying value of the Company’s repurchase agreements is a reasonable estimate of fair value. Other borrowings are discounted using the current yield curve for the same type of borrowing. For borrowings with embedded optionality, a third party source is used to value the instrument. The Company validates all third party valuations for borrowings with optionality using Bloomberg’s derivative pricing functions.

 

Accrued interest

 

The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate fair value.

 

Commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit

 

The fair value of commitments is estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. For fixed-rate loan commitments, fair value also considers the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates. The fair value of letters of credit is based on fees currently charged for similar agreements or on the estimated cost to terminate them or otherwise settle the obligations with the counterparties at the reporting date. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the fair value of loan commitments and standby letters of credit was immaterial.

 

- 114 -
 

 

The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

       Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014 using 
      Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Total Fair
Value
 
   Carrying Value   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Balance 
ASSETS                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $133,260   $133,260   $-   $-   $133,260 
Securities available for sale   1,102,114    -    1,102,114    -    1,102,114 
Restricted stock   54,854    -    54,854    -    54,854 
Loans held for sale   42,519    -    42,519    -    42,519 
Net loans   5,313,612    -    -    5,340,759    5,340,759 
Derivatives:                         
Interest rate lock commitments   513    -    -    513    513 
Interest rate swap   2,681    -    2,681    -    2,681 
Cash flow hedges   580    -    580    -    580 
Accrued interest receivable   21,775    -    21,775    -    21,775 
Bank owned life insurance   139,005    -    139,005    -    139,005 
                          
LIABILITIES                         
Deposits  $5,638,770   $-   $5,637,929   $-   $5,637,929 
Borrowings   686,935    -    666,224    -    666,224 
Accrued interest payable   1,899    -    1,899    -    1,899 
Derivatives:                         
Interest rate swap   2,681    -    2,681    -    2,681 
Cash flow hedges   8,433    -    8,433    -    8,433 

 

       Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013 using 
       Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical Assets
   Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
   Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Total Fair
Value
 
   Carrying Value   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Balance 
ASSETS                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $73,023   $73,023   $-   $-   $73,023 
Securities available for sale   677,348    -    677,348    -    677,348 
Restricted stock   26,036    -    26,036    -    26,036 
Loans held for sale   53,185    -    53,185    -    53,185 
Net loans   3,009,233    -    -    3,035,504    3,035,504 
Derivatives:                         
Interest rate swap   33    -    33    -    33 
Accrued interest receivable   15,000    -    15,000    -    15,000 
Bank owned life insurance   88,468    -    88,468    -    88,468 
                          
LIABILITIES                         
Deposits  $3,236,842   $-   $3,238,777   $-   $3,238,777 
Borrowings   463,314    -    443,237    -    443,237 
Accrued interest payable   902    -    902    -    902 
Derivatives:                         
Interest rate swap   33    -    33    -    33 
Cash flow hedges   3,562    -    3,562    -    3,562 

 

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The Company assumes interest rate risk (the risk that general interest rate levels will change) as a result of its normal operations. As a result, the fair values of the Company’s financial instruments will change when interest rate levels change and that change may be either favorable or unfavorable to the Company. Management attempts to match maturities of assets and liabilities to the extent believed necessary to minimize interest rate risk. However, borrowers with fixed rate obligations are less likely to prepay in a rising rate environment and more likely to prepay in a falling rate environment. Conversely, depositors who are receiving fixed rates are more likely to withdraw funds before maturity in a rising rate environment and less likely to do so in a falling rate environment. Management monitors rates and maturities of assets and liabilities and attempts to minimize interest rate risk by adjusting terms of new loans and deposits and by investing in securities with terms that mitigate the Company’s overall interest rate risk.

 

14.EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND SHARE BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company has a 401(k) Plan designed to qualify under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that allows employees to defer a portion of their salary compensation as savings for retirement. The 401(k) Plan provides for the Company to match employee contributions based on each employee’s contribution percentage. For each employee’s 1% through 3% dollar contributions, the Company will match 100% of such dollar contributions, and for each employee’s 4% through 5% dollar contributions, the Company will match 50% of such dollar contributions. All employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan after meeting minimum age and period of service requirements. The Bank also has an ESOP. All full and part-time employees of the Bank with 1,000 hours of service are eligible to participate in the ESOP. The Company makes discretionary profit sharing contributions into the 401(k) Plan, ESOP, and in cash. Company discretionary contributions to both the 401(k) Plan and the ESOP are allocated to participant accounts in proportion to each participant’s compensation and vest over five and six year periods, respectively. Employee contributions to the ESOP are not allowed.

 

StellarOne’s 401(k) plan covered substantially all of its employees and held $39.4 million in net assets available for benefit as of December 31, 2013. Pursuant to the StellarOne Merger Agreement, the StellarOne 401(k) plan was terminated by StellarOne immediately prior to its merger into the Company. All assets of the StellarOne 401(k) plan were transferred to the Company’s 401(k) Plan on May 1, 2014, and the Company assumed the administrative duties relating to StellarOne’s 401(k) plan at such time.

 

The following were payments made to the Company’s employees, in accordance with the plans described above, in 2014, 2013, and 2012 (dollars in thousands):

  

   2014   2013   2012 
   Bank   UMG   Bank   UMG   Bank   UMG 
401(k) Plan  $3,312   $403   $2,002   $569   $1,427   $588 
ESOP   3,440    -    1,774    -    1,896    - 
Cash   983    -    482    -    314    - 
Total  $7,735   $403   $4,258   $569   $3,637   $588 

  

The Company had an obligation under deferred compensation plans of $10.3 million and $7.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to employees and to certain current and former members of the Bank’s and StellarOne’s Boards of Directors. The Company owns life insurance policies on plan beneficiaries as an informal funding vehicle to meet future benefit obligations.

 

The Company’s Board of Directors has historically approved an annual short-term cash incentive compensation plan (the Management Incentive Plan, or “MIP”) as a means of attracting, rewarding, and retaining the Company’s key executives. Each annual MIP, as it may be amended from time to time, is based on both corporate and individual objectives established annually for each key executive. Each executive is evaluated within these two categories to determine eligibility and rate of incentive compensation based on performance. Salaries and benefits expense for incentive compensation under the MIP was $898,000, $939,000, and $835,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

 

The Company’s 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) provides for the granting of stock-based awards to key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries in the form of: (i) incentive stock options intended to comply with the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (“incentive stock options”); (ii) non-qualified stock options; (iii) restricted stock, and (iv) other stock-based awards. The Company issues new shares to satisfy stock-based awards, and the option price cannot be less than the fair market value of the stock on the grant date. The stock option’s maximum term is ten years from the date of grant. No stock options have been granted since February 2012, and restricted stock and other stock-based awards typically vest in varying annual installments over a three to five year vesting schedule. The 2011 Plan was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors with an effective date of January 1, 2011, subject to shareholder approval that was received at the annual meeting of shareholders held on April 26, 2011.

 

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The 2011 Plan replaced the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (“2003 SIP”) as the Company’s equity compensation plan. Awards made under the 2003 SIP prior to the plan’s termination date (April 26, 2011), and outstanding on that date, remain valid in accordance with their terms. The shares of common stock issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2003 SIP and the 2011 Plan have been registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to two registration statements on Form S-8 filed by the Company.

 

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of StellarOne, each outstanding option to acquire StellarOne common stock, whether or not exercisable, was assumed by the Company and converted into an option to acquire the same number of whole shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to adjustment based on the merger exchange ratio of 0.9739. The exercise price per share of each new option was equal to the exercise price per share under the original StellarOne option divided by the merger exchange ratio of 0.9739. Each converted StellarOne stock option has the same terms and conditions that were in effect prior to the completion of the acquisition. Restricted StellarOne stock awards, which were unvested and outstanding prior to the merger, were accelerated and vested immediately as shares of the Company’s outstanding stock on the same basis as stock options. Restricted common stock of the Company was issued from StellarOne equity compensation plans assumed in the acquisition, and subsequent awards from the Company will be issued from the 2011 Plan.

 

The following table summarizes the shares available in the 2011 Plan as of December 31, 2014:

 

   2011 Plan 
Beginning Authorization   1,000,000 
Granted   (519,227)
Remaining available for grant   480,773 

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense (included in salaries and benefits expense) (dollars in thousands, except per share data) as follows:

 

   Year Ended December 31, 
   2014   2013   2012 
Stock-based compensation expense  $979   $889   $1,252 
Reduction of income tax expense   234    181    309 
Per share compensation cost  $0.02   $0.04   $0.05 

  

- 117 -
 

 

Stock Options

 

The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the last three years:

  

   Stock Options
(shares)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Options
Exercisable
(shares)
   Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Balance, December 31, 2011  422,750   $17.70   184,985   $22.28 
Granted   131,657    14.40           
Exercised   (2,376)   12.11           
Forfeited   (51,453)   17.11           
Balance, December 31, 2012   500,578    16.92    218,825    20.59 
Granted   -    -           
Exercised   (50,119)   18.45           
Forfeited   (47,513)   19.04           
Balance, December 31, 2013   402,946    16.48    200,904    18.96 
Options converted upon StellarOne acquisition   124,217    20.88    124,217    20.88 
Granted   -    -           
Exercised   (75,282)   17.28           
Forfeited   (62,612)   23.00           
Balance, December 31, 2014   389,269    16.69    262,213    18.04 

 

A summary of the options outstanding at December 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

    Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
Range of Exercise
Prices
  Number
Outstanding
(shares)
    Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual
Life
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
    Number Exercisable
(shares)
    Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
$ 12.11     97,962       6.32 yrs   $ 12.11       54,787     $ 12.11  
$12.59 - $ 14.08     7,592       4.29     $ 13.21       7,192     $ 13.17  
$ 14.40     107,596       7.15     $ 14.40       41,016     $ 14.40  
$14.82 - $ 16.23     22,613       1.40     $ 16.08       22,413     $ 16.09  
$ 16.45     84,257       5.30     $ 16.45       65,857     $ 16.45  
$20.41 - $ 27.51     29,193       0.93     $ 24.13       29,193     $ 24.13  
$ 27.54     5,059       2.05     $ 27.54       5,059     $ 27.54  
$ 27.62     15,445       2.12     $ 27.62       15,445     $ 27.62  
$ 30.80     4,463       0.78     $ 30.80       4,463     $ 30.80  
$ 31.57     16,788       1.13     $ 31.57       16,788     $ 31.57  
$12.11 - $ 31.57     390,968       5.09 yrs   $ 16.69       262,213     $ 18.04  

 

The Company issues shares upon option exercise from the Company’s authorized but unissued shares. The Company expects to issue approximately 30,000 shares as a result of option exercises in 2015 as certain “in the money” options are set to expire over the next 15 months.

 

- 118 -
 

 

The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. No options have been granted since February 2012.

 

   2012 
Dividend yield(1)   2.47%
Expected life in years(2)   7.0 
Expected volatility(3)   41.53%
Risk-free interest rate(4)   1.24%
Weighted average fair value per option granted  $4.76 

  

(1) Calculated as the ratio of historical dividends paid per share of common stock to the stock price on the date of grant.

(2) Based on the average of the contractual life and vesting schedule for the respective option.

(3) Based on the monthly historical volatility of the Company’s common stock price over the expected life of the options.

(4) Based upon the Treasury bill yield curve, for periods within the contractual life of the option, in effect at the time of grant.

 

The following table summarizes information concerning stock options issued to the Company’s employees that are (i) vested or are expected to vest and (ii) stock options exercisable as of December 31, 2014:

 

   Stock Options
Vested or
Expected to Vest
   Exercisable 
Stock options (number of shares)   387,814    262,213 
Weighted average remaining contractual life in years   5.08    4.35 
Weighted average exercise price on shares above water  $14.87   $15.45 
Aggregate intrinsic value  $3,108,116   $1,832,534 

 

During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were 75,282 stock options exercised with a total intrinsic value (the amount by which the stock price exceeded the exercise price) and fair value of approximately $573,000 and $1.8 million, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the year ended December 31, 2014 was approximately $1.2 million, and the tax benefit realized from tax deductions associated with options exercised during the year was approximately $187,000.

 

The fair value of all stock options vested during 2014 was approximately $313,000 and the total intrinsic value of all stock options outstanding was $3.1 million as of December 31, 2014.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2013, there were 50,119 stock options exercised with a total intrinsic value (the amount by which the stock price exceeded the exercise price) and fair value of approximately $268,000 and $1.2 million, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the year ended December 31, 2013 was approximately $927,000, and the tax benefit realized from tax deductions associated with options exercised during the year was $54,000.

 

The fair value of all stock options vested during 2013 was approximately $335,000 and the total intrinsic value of all stock options outstanding was $3.5 million as of December 31, 2013.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2012, there were 2,376 stock options exercised with a total intrinsic value and fair value of approximately $7,400 and $36,000, respectively. Cash received from the exercise of stock options for the year ended December 31, 2012 was approximately $31,000, and the tax benefit realized from tax deductions associated with options exercised during the year was $2,600.

 

The fair value of all stock options vested during 2012 was approximately $279,000 and the total intrinsic value of all stock options outstanding was $623,000 as of December 31, 2012.

 

Restricted Stock

 

The 2011 Plan permits the granting of restricted stock awards but is limited to one-third of the aggregate number of total awards granted. This equity component of compensation is divided between restricted (time-based) stock grants and performance-based stock grants. Generally, the restricted stock vests 50% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries from the date of the grant. The performance-based stock is subject to vesting based on achieving certain performance metrics; the grant of performance-based stock is subject to approval by the Company’s Compensation Committee at its sole discretion. The value of the restricted stock awards was calculated by multiplying the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on grant date by the number of shares awarded. Employees have the right to vote the shares and to receive cash or stock dividends (restricted stock), if any, except for the nonvested stock under the performance-based component (performance stock). Nonvested shares of restricted stock are included in the computation of basic earnings per share.

 

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The following table summarizes the restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:

 

   Number of Shares of
Restricted Stock
   Weighted Average
Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Balance, December 31, 2013   260,763   $16.47 
Granted   136,931    24.28 
Net settle for taxes   (64,536)   24.82 
Vested   (23,091)   14.70 
Forfeited   (22,947)   20.73 
Balance, December 31, 2014   287,120    20.07 

 

The estimated unamortized compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to restricted stock and stock options issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2014 that will be recognized in future periods is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

  Stock Options   Restricted Stock   Total  
2015 $  233   $  1,380   $  1,613  
2016    130      1,139      1,269  
2017    15      450      465  
2018    -      55      55  
Total $  378   $  3,024   $  3,402  

 

At December 31, 2014, there was $3.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements granted under the 2011 Plan. The cost is expected to be recognized through 2018.

 

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15.INCOME TAXES

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Virginia, and other states. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2011.

 

Net deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following components as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):

  

   2014   2013 
Deferred tax assets:          
Allowance for loan losses  $11,335   $10,657 
Benefit plans   3,283    1,385 
Nonaccrual loans   534    983 
Acquisition accounting   17,071    2,252 
Stock grants   1,613    1,379 
Other real estate owned   3,232    3,282 
Securities available for sale   615    1,550 
Prime loan swap   1,753    180 
Investments in pass through entities   1,681    8 
Other   2,017    1,589 
Total deferred tax assets  $43,134   $23,265 
           
Deferred tax liabilities:          
Acquisition accounting  $20,916   $5,232 
Securities available for sale   9,543    649 
Other   2,746    747 
Total deferred tax liabilities   33,205    6,628 
Net deferred tax asset  $9,929   $16,637 

 

In assessing the ability to realize deferred tax assets, management considers the scheduled reversal of temporary differences, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies. At December 31, 2014, management continued to believe that it is not likely that the Company would realize its deferred tax asset related to net operating losses generated at the state level and accordingly maintained a valuation allowance of $1.4 million. The Bank is not subject to a state income tax in its primary place of business (Virginia). The Company’s other subsidiaries are subject to state income taxes and have generated losses for state income tax purposes for which the Company is currently not able to utilize. The primary driver in management’s estimate of the recoverability of the state net operating loss is related to the recent performance of the Company’s mortgage segment. State net operating loss carryovers will begin to expire after 2026.

 

The Company has analyzed the tax positions taken or expected to be taken in its tax returns and concluded it has no liability related to uncertain tax positions in accordance with applicable ASC 740, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, regulations.

 

The provision for income taxes charged to operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 consists of the following (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013   2012 
             
Current tax expense  $14,718   $12,251   $14,528 
Deferred tax expense (benefit)   2,644    262    (195)
Income tax expense  $17,362   $12,513   $14,333 

  

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The income tax expense differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate to pre-tax income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, due to the following (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013   2012 
             
Computed “expected” tax expense  $24,484   $16,453   $17,411 
(Decrease) in taxes resulting from:               
Tax-exempt interest income, net   (5,181)   (3,308)   (2,614)
Other, net   (1,941)   (632)   (464)
Income tax expense  $17,362   $12,513   $14,333 

  

The effective tax rates were 24.8%, 26.6%, and 28.8% for years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Tax credits totaled approximately $667,000, $306,000, and $217,000 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

 

16.EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Basic EPS was computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding attributable to stock awards.

 

There were 169,670 anti-dilutive options as of December 31, 2014, compared to 104,126 and 309,952 shares as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS.

 

The following is a reconciliation of the denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 (in thousands except per share data):

  

   Net Income
(Numerator)
   Weighted Average
Shares
(Denominator)
   Per Share
Amount
 
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014               
Basic EPS  $52,591    46,036   $1.14 
Effect of dilutive stock awards   -    95    - 
Diluted EPS  $52,591    46,131   $1.14 
                
For the Year Ended December 31, 2013               
Basic EPS  $34,496    24,975   $1.38 
Effect of dilutive stock awards   -    56    - 
Diluted EPS  $34,496    25,031   $1.38 
                
For the Year Ended December 31, 2012               
Basic EPS  $35,411    25,872   $1.37 
Effect of dilutive stock awards   -    29    - 
Diluted EPS  $35,411    25,901   $1.37 

 

 

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17.SEGMENT REPORTING DISCLOSURES

 

The Company has two reportable segments: a traditional full service community bank segment and a mortgage loan origination business segment. The community bank segment includes one subsidiary bank, which provides loan, deposit, investment, and trust services to retail and commercial customers throughout its 131 retail locations in Virginia. The mortgage segment includes UMG, which provides a variety of mortgage loan products principally in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and the Washington D.C. metro area. These loans are originated and sold primarily in the secondary market through purchase commitments from investors, which serves to mitigate the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk.

 

Profit and loss is measured by net income after taxes including realized gains and losses on the Company’s investment portfolio. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Inter-segment transactions are recorded at cost and eliminated as part of the consolidation process.

 

Both of the Company’s reportable segments are service-based. The mortgage business is a fee-based business while the bank is driven principally by net interest income. The bank segment provides a distribution and referral network through its customers for the mortgage loan origination business. The mortgage segment offers a more limited referral network for the bank segment.

 

The community bank segment provides the mortgage segment with the short-term funds needed to originate mortgage loans through a warehouse line of credit and charges the mortgage banking segment interest at the one month LIBOR rate plus 1.5% with no floor. These transactions are eliminated in the consolidation process. A management fee for operations and administrative support services is charged to all subsidiaries and eliminated in the consolidated totals.

 

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Information about reportable segments and reconciliation of such information to the consolidated financial statements for years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES                  
SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION                      
(Dollars in thousands)                      

 

   Community Bank   Mortgage   Eliminations   Consolidated 
Year Ended December 31, 2014                    
Net interest income  $253,956   $1,062   $-   $255,018 
Provision for loan losses   7,800    -    -    7,800 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   246,156    1,062    -    247,218 
Noninterest income   51,878    10,091    (682)   61,287 
Noninterest expenses   222,647    16,587    (682)   238,552 
Income (loss) before income taxes   75,387    (5,434)   -    69,953 
Income tax expense (benefit)   19,298    (1,936)   -    17,362 
Net income (loss)  $56,089   $(3,498)  $-   $52,591 
Total assets  $7,354,586   $51,485   $(46,900)  $7,359,171 
                     
Year Ended December 31, 2013                    
Net interest income  $149,975   $1,651   $-   $151,626 
Provision for loan losses   6,056    -    -    6,056 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   143,919    1,651    -    145,570 
Noninterest income   27,492    11,906    (670)   38,728 
Noninterest expenses   120,256    17,703    (670)   137,289 
Income (loss) before income taxes   51,155    (4,146)   -    47,009 
Income tax expense (benefit)   14,000    (1,487)   -    12,513 
Net income (loss)  $37,155   $(2,659)  $-   $34,496 
Total assets  $4,170,682   $63,715   $(57,826)  $4,176,571 
                     
Year Ended December 31, 2012                    
Net interest income  $153,024   $1,331   $-   $154,355 
Provision for loan losses   12,200    -    -    12,200 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses   140,824    1,331    -    142,155 
Noninterest income   24,876    16,660    (468)   41,068 
Noninterest expenses   119,976    13,971    (468)   133,479 
Income (loss) before income taxes   45,724    4,020    -    49,744 
Income tax expense (benefit)   12,858    1,475    -    14,333 
Net income (loss)  $32,866   $2,545   $-   $35,411 
Total assets  $4,081,544   $187,836   $(173,515)  $4,095,865 

 

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18.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Company, through its subsidiaries, has entered into loan transactions with its directors, principal officers, and affiliated companies in which they are principal stockholders. Such transactions were made in the ordinary course of business on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the same time for comparable transactions with other customers, and did not, in the opinion of management, involve more than normal credit risk or present other unfavorable features. There were no changes in terms or loan modifications from the preceding period. The following schedule summarizes the changes in loan amounts outstanding to these persons during the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

 

   2014   2013 
Loans outstanding at January 1  $34,883   $51,543 
New loans and advances   15,731    8,496 
Loan repayments   (18,932)   (7,440)
Reclassification (1) (2)   2,875    (17,716)
Balance at December 31  $34,557   $34,883 

 

(1)On January 1, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of StellarOne, increasing the Company’s Board of Directors by eight directors and adding principal officers and affiliated companies.

 

(2)Includes loans (i) to persons no longer affiliated with the Company and therefore not considered related party loans as of December 31, 2014 or (ii) that were not considered related party loans in 2013 that subsequently became related party loans in the current year. For 2013, loans in the aggregate of $17.5 million to two former directors who retired from the Company’s Board of Directors in April 2013 are included.

 

The Company, through its subsidiaries, has also entered into deposit transactions with its directors, principal officers, and affiliated companies in which they are principal stockholders, all of which are under the same terms as other customers. The aggregate amount of these deposit accounts was $14.7 million and $22.2 million, for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

In March 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase 500,000 shares of its common stock from Markel Corporation, at that time the Company’s largest shareholder, for an aggregate purchase price of $9,500,000, or $19.00 per share. Steven A. Markel was a director of the Company and Vice Chairman of Markel Corporation at that time. The repurchase was funded with cash on hand and the shares were retired.

 

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19.PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

The primary source of funds for the dividends paid by Union Bankshares Corporation (for this note only, the “Parent Company”) is dividends received from its subsidiaries. The payments of dividends by the Bank to the Parent Company are subject to certain statutory limitations which contemplate that the current year earnings and earnings retained for the two preceding years may be paid to the Parent Company without regulatory approval. As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate amount of unrestricted funds, which could be transferred from the Bank to the Parent Company, without prior regulatory approval, totaled approximately $7.4 million, or 0.75%, of the consolidated net assets.

 

Financial information for the Parent Company is as follows:

 

PARENT COMPANY
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014 and 2013
(Dollars in thousands)
         
   2014   2013 
ASSETS          
Cash  $9,692   $10,092 
Bank premises and equipment, net   12,275    12,673 
Other assets   9,498    6,662 
Investment in subsidiaries   1,054,345    486,168 
Total assets  $1,085,810   $515,595 
LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Short-term borrowings  $8,000   $- 
Long-term borrowings   8,125    8,750 
Trust preferred capital notes   86,077    60,310 
Other liabilities   5,583    8,296 
Total liabilities   107,785    77,356 
           
Total stockholders' equity   978,025    438,239 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $1,085,810   $515,595 

 

 

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PARENT COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012
(Dollars in thousands)
             
   2014   2013   2012 
Income:               
Interest and dividend income  $5   $6   $8 
Dividends received from subsidiaries   75,470    31,323    23,141 
Equity in (distributed) undistributed net income from subsidiaries   (15,482)   7,685    15,158 
Other operating income   1,393    1,155    1,155 
Total income   61,386    40,169    39,462 
Expenses:               
Interest expense  $4,581    3,060    3,152 
Occupancy expenses   573    583    586 
Furniture and equipment expenses   20    -    - 
Other operating expenses   3,621    2,030    313 
Total expenses   8,795    5,673    4,051 
Net income  $52,591   $34,496   $35,411 
                
Comprehensive income  $67,036   $22,222   $35,845 

 

 

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PARENT COMPANY
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012
(Dollars in thousands)
             
   2014   2013   2012 
Operating activities:               
Net income  $52,591   $34,496   $35,411 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:               
Equity in distributed (undistributed) net income of subsidiaries   15,482    (7,685)   (15,158)
Depreciation of bank premises and equipment   464    468    473 
Acquisition accounting amortization, net   224    -    - 
Issuance of common stock grants for services   713    477    565 
Net (increase) decrease in other assets   2,964    (2,069)   (756)
Net (decrease) increase in other liabilities   (7,286)   1,737    2,781 
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities   65,152    27,424    23,316 
Investing activities:               
Net decrease (increase) in bank premises and equipment   863    -    (23)
Payments for equity method investment   (60)   (2,000)   - 
Cash received in acquisitions   4,735    -    - 
Net cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in) investing activities   5,538    (2,000)   (23)
Financing activities:               
Advances on short-term borrowings   8,000    -    - 
Payments on long-term borrowings   (625)   (625)   (625)
Cash dividends paid   (25,494)   (12,535)   (8,969)
Net Issuance (repurchase) of common stock   (52,971)   (8,677)   (14,469)
Net cash and cash equivalents used in financing activities   (71,090)   (21,837)   (24,063)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (400)   3,587    (770)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period   10,092    6,505    7,275 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period  $9,692   $10,092   $6,505 
                
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing activities               
Issuance of common stock in exchange for net assets in acquisition  $549,523   $-   $- 
                
Transactions related to bank acquisition               
Assets acquired   2,957,521    -    - 
Liabilities assumed   2,642,120    -    - 

  

20.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On January 30, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to purchase up to $65.0 million worth of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase program is authorized through December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2014, $52.5 million in shares have been repurchased, and an additional 102,843 shares at an average price of $23.17 have been repurchased from January 1, 2015 through February 24, 2015.

 

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ITEM 9. - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A. - CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company maintains “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating its disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Additionally, in designing disclosure controls and procedures, management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

 

Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014.

 

On May 14, 2013, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) issued its updated Internal Control–Integrated Framework to supersede the original 1992 framework and be effective at the end of 2014. COSO’s original 1992 framework was recognized as the leading guidance for designing, implementing, and conducting internal control and assessing its effectiveness. The updated 2013 framework is expected to help design and implement internal control in light of many changes in business and operating environments since the issuance of the original framework, broaden the application of internal control in addressing and reporting objectives, and clarify the requirements for determining what constitutes effective internal control. Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting using the criteria in the updated 2013 framework as of December 31, 2014. Based on the assessment using those criteria, management concluded that the internal control over financial reporting was effective on December 31, 2014.

 

The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C., the independent registered public accounting firm which also audited the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.’s attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting appears on pages 58 through 59 hereof.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There was no change in the internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2014 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B. - OTHER INFORMATION.  

Not applicable.

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 10. - DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.

 

Information regarding directors, the Company’s audit committee and the audit committee financial expert is incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Company’s 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 21, 2015 (“Proxy Statement”), under the captions “Election of Six Class 1 Directors - Proposal 1” and “Corporate Governance, Board Leadership, and Board Diversity.” The executive officers of the Company, and their respective titles and principal occupations, are listed below:

 

Name (Age)   

Title and Principal Occupation

During at Least the Past Five Years 

     
G. William Beale (65)   Chief Executive Officer of the Company since February 1, 2010 and President of the Company since October 1, 2013; Chief Executive Officer of the Company from February 1, 2010 to October 31, 2013; President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 1993 to February 1, 2010; President and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank & Trust Company from 1991 to 2004.
     
Robert M. Gorman (56)   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since joining the Company in July 2012; previously with SunTrust Banks, Inc. as Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Support Services in 2011 and Senior Vice President and Strategic Financial Officer from 2002 until 2011.
     
John C. Neal (65)   President of Union Bank & Trust since March 2010; Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer of the Company from 2005 to 2012; President and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank & Trust Company from 2004 to March 22, 2010; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Union Bank & Trust Company from 1997 to 2004. Mr. Neal serves on the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.
     
D. Anthony Peay (55)   Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer of Union Bank & Trust since April 1, 2012; Chief Financial Officer of the Company from 1994 to July 2012; Executive Vice President of the Company since 2003.
     
Elizabeth M. Bentley (54)   Executive Vice President and Director of Retail Banking since 2007; Senior Vice President from 2005 to 2007; Vice President from 2002 to 2005; joined the Company in 1998 as an Assistant Vice President.

 

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Information on Section 16(a) beneficial ownership reporting compliance for the directors and executive officers of the Company is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement under the caption “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.”

 

The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees and directors. The Company has also adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers and Directors, which is applicable to those directors and senior officers who have financial responsibilities.  Both of these codes may be found at http://investors.bankatunion.com. In addition, a copy of either of the codes may be obtained without charge by written request to the Company’s Corporate Secretary.

 

ITEM 11. - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

 

This information is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement under the captions “Corporate Governance, Board Leadership, and Board Diversity,” “Named Executive Officers,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Report of the Compensation Committee,” “Executive Compensation,” and “Director Compensation.”

 

ITEM 12. - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

 

This information is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement under the captions “Ownership of Company Common Stock” and “Approval of the Union Bankshares Corporation Stock and Incentive Plan – Proposal 2 – Equity Compensation Plan Information,” and from Note 14 “Employee Benefits and Share Based Compensation” contained in the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

 

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ITEM 13. - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

 

This information is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement under the captions “Corporate Governance, Board Leadership, and Board Diversity” and “Interest of Directors and Officers in Certain Transactions.”

 

ITEM 14. - PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

 

This information is incorporated by reference from the Proxy Statement under the caption “Principal Accounting Fees.”

 

PART IV 

 
ITEM 15. - EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
The following documents are filed as part of this report:
 
(a)(1) Financial Statements
 
The following consolidated financial statements and reports of independent registered public accountants of the Company are in Part II, Item 8:
     ▪Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm;
     ▪Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2014 and 2013;
     ▪Consolidated Statements of Income - Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012;
     ▪Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012;
     ▪Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity - Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012;
     ▪Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012; and
     ▪Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
 
All schedules are omitted since they are not required, are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
 
(a)(3) Exhibits
 
The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-K and this list includes the Exhibit Index.

 

Exhibit No.   Description
2.01   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of June 9, 2013, between Union First Market Bankshares Corporation and StellarOne Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 12, 2013)
     
3.01   Articles of Incorporation of Union Bankshares Corporation, as amended April 25, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2014)
     
3.02   Bylaws of Union Bankshares Corporation, as amended June 26, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2014)
     
10.01   Amended and Restated Management Continuity Agreement of G. William Beale (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2009)
     
10.02   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of G. William Beale (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2009)
     
10.03   Amended and Restated Management Continuity Agreement of D. Anthony Peay (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.03 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2009)
     

 

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10.04   Amended and Restated Management Continuity of John C. Neal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.04 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2009)
     
10.05   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of John C. Neal (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.08 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2009)
     
10.06   Amended and Restated Employment Agreement of D. Anthony Peay (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.09 to Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 16, 2009)
     
10.07   Employment Agreement of Elizabeth M. Bentley (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2011)
     
10.08   Management Continuity Agreement of Elizabeth M. Bentley (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2011)
     
10.09   Amended and Restated Management Continuity Agreement of Robert M. Gorman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2012)
     
10.10   Employment Agreement of Robert M. Gorman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 20, 2012)
     
10.11   Union Bankshares Corporation 2003 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.0 to Form S-8 Registration Statement; SEC file no. 333-113839)
     
10.12   Union Bankshares Corporation 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Form S-8 Registration Statement; SEC file no. 333-175808)
     
10.13   Union Bankshares Corporation Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.0 to Form S-8 Registration Statement; SEC file no. 333-113842)
     
10.14   Supplemental Compensation Agreement between Union Bank & Trust and G. William Beale, as amended
     
10.15   Supplemental Compensation Agreement between Union Bank & Trust and Daniel I. Hansen
     
10.16   Supplemental Compensation Agreement between Union Bank & Trust and Ronald L. Hicks
     
10.17   Restated Virginia Bankers Association Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Executives of Union Bankshares Corporation
     
10.18   Restated Virginia Bankers Association Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of Union Bankshares Corporation
     
10.19   Registration Rights Agreement, dated February 1, 2010, by and among Union Bankshares Corporation and the shareholders of First Market Bank, FSB (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 5, 2010)
     
10.20   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2012, by and between Union Bankshares Corporation, and James E. Ukrop and the Third Amended and Restated James Edward Ukrop Revocable Trust Under Trust Agreement Dated as of September 24, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 6, 2012)
     
10.21   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2012, by and between Union Bankshares Corporation and Markel Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2012)

 

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10.22   Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2013, by and between Union Bankshares Corporation and Markel Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 8, 2013)
     
11.01   Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings (incorporated by reference to Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K)
     
12.01   Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends
     
21.01   Subsidiaries of the Registrant
     
23.01   Consent of Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.
     
31.01   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
31.02   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.01   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
101.00   Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (furnished herewith).
     

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Union Bankshares Corporation

 

By: /s/ G. William Beale   Date: February 27, 2015
 

G. William Beale

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

  

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 27, 2015.

 

Signature 

 

Title 

     
/s/ L. Bradford Armstrong   Director
L. Bradford Armstrong    
     
/s/ G. William Beale   President and Chief Executive Officer, and
G. William Beale   Director (principal executive officer)
     
/s/ Glen C. Combs   Director
Glen C. Combs    
     
/s/ Beverley E. Dalton   Director
Beverley E. Dalton    
     
/s/ Gregory L. Fisher   Director
Gregory L. Fisher    
     
/s/ Robert M. Gorman   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Robert M. Gorman   Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)
     
/s/ Daniel I. Hansen   Director
Daniel I. Hansen    
     
/s/ Ronald L. Hicks   Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
Ronald L. Hicks    
     
/s/ Jan S. Hoover   Director
Jan S. Hoover    
     
/s/ Patrick J. McCann   Director
Patrick J. McCann    

 

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Signature    Title 
     
     
/s/ W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr.   Director
W. Tayloe Murphy, Jr.    
     
/s/ Alan W. Myers   Director
Alan W. Myers    
     
/s/ Thomas P. Rohman   Director
Thomas P. Rohman    
     
/s/ Linda V. Schreiner   Director
Linda V. Schreiner    
     
/s/ Raymond L. Slaughter   Director
Raymond L. Slaughter    
     
/s/ Raymond D. Smoot   Chairman of the Board of Directors
Raymond D. Smoot    
     
/s/ Charles W. Steger   Director
Charles W. Steger    

 

/s/ Ronald L. Tillett   Director

Ronald L. Tillett

  

/s/ Keith L. Wampler   Director

Keith L. Wampler

 

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