UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

or

 

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

For the transition period from _______________ to _________________________.

 

Commission file number: 000-16084

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

PENNSYLVANIA	23-2451943
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)

 

90-92 MAIN STREET, WELLSBORO, PA 16901

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

570-724-3411

(Registrant's telephone number including area code)

  

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 Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T 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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x 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 Exchange Act).

Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock ($1.00 par value)

12,198,511 Shares Outstanding on May 4, 2015

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION

Index

 

Part I.  Financial Information
Item 1.  Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) – March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	Page    3
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014	Page    4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income  (Unaudited) – Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014	Page    5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) –  Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014	Page    6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited) - Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014	Page    7
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	Pages 8 – 33
Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	Pages 34 – 50
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	Pages 51 – 53
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures	Page  53
Part II.  Other Information	Pages  54 – 55
Signatures	Page  56
Exhibit 31.1.  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Chief Executive Officer	Page  57
Exhibit 31.2.  Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification - Chief Financial Officer	Page  58
Exhibit 32.  Section 1350 Certifications	Page  59

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share and Per Share Data) (Unaudited)		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
ASSETS
Cash and due from banks:
Noninterest-bearing		$17,568		$14,812
Interest-bearing		18,862		21,235
Total cash and due from banks		36,430		36,047
Available-for-sale securities, at fair value		527,814		516,807
Loans held for sale		214		0
Loans receivable		628,345		630,545
Allowance for loan losses		(7,134)		(7,336)
Loans, net		621,211		623,209
Bank-owned life insurance		22,216		22,119
Accrued interest receivable		4,021		3,908
Bank premises and equipment, net		16,154		16,256
Foreclosed assets held for sale		1,583		1,189
Deferred tax asset, net		0		1,668
Intangible asset - Core deposit intangibles		47		52
Intangible asset - Goodwill		11,942		11,942
Other assets		10,326		8,766
TOTAL ASSETS		$1,251,958		$1,241,963
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest-bearing		$223,596		$212,439
Interest-bearing		753,038		755,550
Total deposits		976,634		967,989
Short-term borrowings		5,840		5,537
Long-term borrowings		72,988		73,060
Deferred tax liability, net		14		0
Accrued interest and other liabilities		7,379		7,015
TOTAL LIABILITIES		1,062,855		1,053,601
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, $1,000 par value; authorized 30,000 shares; $1,000 liquidation preference per share; no shares issued at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014		0		0
Common stock, par value $1.00 per share; authorized 20,000,000 shares in 2015 and 2014; issued 12,655,171 at March 31, 2015 and  December 31, 2014		12,655		12,655
Paid-in capital		71,074		71,541
Retained earnings		106,201		105,550
Treasury stock, at cost; 461,987 shares at March 31, 2015 and 375,191 shares at December 31, 2014		(8,493)		(6,744)
Sub-total		181,437		183,002
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities		7,654		5,281
Defined benefit plans gain		12		79
Total accumulated other comprehensive income		7,666		5,360
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		189,103		188,362
TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY		$1,251,958		$1,241,963

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

Consolidated Statements of Income		3 Months Ended
(In Thousands Except Per Share Data) (Unaudited)		March 31,		March 31,
		2015		2014
INTEREST INCOME
Interest and fees on loans		$7,709		$7,998
Interest on balances with depository institutions		26		30
Interest on loans to political subdivisions		349		373
Interest on mortgages held for sale		2		3
Income from available-for-sale securities:
Taxable		1,974		1,802
Tax-exempt		1,016		1,111
Dividends		87		89
Total interest and dividend income		11,163		11,406
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest on deposits		486		554
Interest on short-term borrowings		1		5
Interest on long-term borrowings		726		729
Total interest expense		1,213		1,288
Net interest income		9,950		10,118
Provision (credit)  for loan losses		3		(311)
Net interest income after provision (credit)  for loan losses		9,947		10,429
OTHER INCOME
Service charges on deposit accounts		1,022		1,223
Service charges and fees		113		127
Trust and financial management revenue		1,114		1,047
Brokerage revenue		219		227
Insurance commissions, fees and premiums		40		32
Interchange revenue from debit card transactions		474		453
Net gains from sale of loans		147		151
(Decrease) increase in fair value of servicing rights		(117)		105
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance		97		88
Other operating income		378		298
Sub-total		3,487		3,751
Realized gains on available-for-sale securities, net		74		31
Total other income		3,561		3,782
OTHER EXPENSES
Salaries and wages		3,487		3,565
Pensions and other employee benefits		1,385		1,319
Occupancy expense, net		722		715
Furniture and equipment expense		454		472
FDIC Assessments		151		147
Pennsylvania shares tax		249		341
Professional fees		122		148
Automated teller machine and interchange expense		246		211
Software subscriptions		197		190
Other operating expense		1,451		1,416
Total other expenses		8,464		8,524
Income before income tax provision		5,044		5,687
Income tax provision		1,229		1,399
NET INCOME		$3,815		$4,288
NET INCOME PER SHARE - BASIC		$0.31		$0.35
NET INCOME PER SHARE - DILUTED		$0.31		$0.34

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In Thousands) (Unaudited)

 

		3 Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
Net income		$3,815		$4,288
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities		3,725		5,334
Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in income		(74)		(31)
Other comprehensive gain on available-for-sale securities		3,651		5,303
Unfunded pension and postretirement obligations:
Changes from plan amendments and actuarial gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) gain		(100)		141
Amortization of net transition obligation, prior service cost and net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost		(3)		(4)
Other comprehensive (loss) gain on unfunded retirement obligations		(103)		137
Other comprehensive income before income tax		3,548		5,440
Income tax related to other comprehensive income		(1,242)		(1,905)
Net other comprehensive income		2,306		3,535
Comprehensive income		$6,121		$7,823

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS		3 Months Ended
(In Thousands) (Unaudited)		March 31,		March 31,
		2015		2014
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income		$3,815		$4,288
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision (credit) for loan losses		3		(311)
Realized gains on available-for-sale securities, net		(74)		(31)
Realized loss on foreclosed assets		13		31
Depreciation expense		469		498
Accretion and amortization on securities, net		383		356
Accretion and amortization on loans and deposits, net		(5)		(7)
Decrease (increase) in fair value of servicing rights		117		(105)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance		(97)		(88)
Stock-based compensation		150		212
Amortization of core deposit intangibles		5		9
Deferred income taxes		440		621
Gains on sales of loans, net		(147)		(151)
Origination of loans for sale		(4,150)		(4,773)
Proceeds from sales of loans		4,052		4,805
Increase in accrued interest receivable and other assets		(1,752)		(864)
Increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities		487		1,961
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities		3,709		6,451
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from maturities of certificates of deposit		0		240
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities		861		27,514
Proceeds from calls and maturities of available-for-sale securities		19,400		13,848
Purchase of available-for-sale securities		(28,152)		(36,004)
Redemption of Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh stock		485		955
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh stock		(546)		(120)
Net decrease in loans		1,402		17,753
Purchase of premises and equipment		(367)		(90)
Return of principal on limited liability entity investments		54		42
Proceeds from sale of foreclosed assets		191		270
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities		(6,672)		24,408
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net increase in deposits		8,645		7,317
Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings		303		(18,655)
Repayments of long-term borrowings		(72)		(68)
Purchase of treasury stock		(3,022)		0
Sale of treasury stock		279		62
Tax benefit from compensation plans		42		40
Common dividends paid		(2,829)		(2,847)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities		3,346		(14,151)
INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		383		16,708
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR		31,619		38,591
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR		$32,002		$55,299
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Assets acquired through foreclosure of real estate loans		$598		$730
Accrued purchase of available-for-sale securities		$0		$1,736
Interest paid		$1,201		$1,290
Income taxes paid		$175		$270

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
(In Thousands Except Share and Per Share Data)												Accumulated
(Unaudited)												Other
												Comprehensive
		Common		Treasury		Common		Paid-in		Retained		Income		Treasury
		Shares		Shares		Stock		Capital		Earnings		(Loss)		Stock		Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
Balance, December 31, 2014		12,655,171		375,191		$12,655		$71,541		$105,550		$5,360		($6,744)		$188,362
Net income										3,815						3,815
Other comprehensive income, net												2,306				2,306
Cash dividends declared on common stock, $.26 per share										(3,201)						(3,201)
Shares issued for dividend reinvestment plan				(19,239)										372		372
Treasury stock purchased				155,800										(3,022)		(3,022)
Shares issued from treasury related to exercise of stock options				(16,908)				(28)						307		279
Restricted stock granted				(34,800)				(627)						627		0
Forfeiture of restricted stock				1,943				33						(33)		0
Stock-based compensation expense								150								150
Tax benefit from dividends on restricted stock								5								5
Tax benefit from employee benefit plan										37						37
Balance, March 31, 2015		12,655,171		461,987		$12,655		$71,074		$106,201		$7,666		($8,493)		$189,103
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014:
Balance, December 31, 2013		12,596,540		206,477		$12,596		$70,105		$101,216		($993)		($3,452)		$179,472
Net income										4,288						4,288
Other comprehensive income, net												3,535				3,535
Cash dividends declared on common stock, $0.26 per share										(3,227)						(3,227)
Shares issued for dividend reinvestment plan		19,519				20		360								380
Shares issued from treasury related to exercise of stock options				(4,095)				(6)						68		62
Restricted stock granted				(16,711)				(279)						279		0
Forfeiture of restricted stock				1,388				23						(23)		0
Stock-based compensation expense								212								212
Tax effect of stock option exercises								1								1
Tax benefit from dividends on restricted stock								5								5
Tax benefit from employee benefit plan										34						34
Balance, March 31, 2014		12,616,059		187,059		$12,616		$70,421		$102,311		$2,542		($3,128)		$184,762

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1. BASIS OF INTERIM PRESENTATION

 

The consolidated financial information included herein, with the exception of the consolidated balance sheet dated December 31, 2014, is unaudited. Such information reflects all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity for the interim periods; however, the information does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for a complete set of financial statements.

 

Operating results reported for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 might not be indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2015. The Corporation evaluates subsequent events through the date of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2. PER SHARE DATA

 

Net income per share is based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding. The following data show the amounts used in computing basic and diluted net income per share. As shown in the table that follows, diluted earnings per share is computed using weighted average common shares outstanding, plus weighted-average common shares available from the exercise of all dilutive stock options, less the number of shares that could be repurchased with the proceeds of stock option exercises based on the average share price of the Corporation's common stock during the period.

 

				Weighted-
				Average		Earnings
		Net		Common		Per
		Income		Shares		Share
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Earnings per share – basic		$3,815,000		12,268,306		$0.31
Dilutive effect of potential common stock arising from stock options:
Exercise of outstanding stock options				181,385
Hypothetical share repurchase at $19.78				(160,552)
Earnings per share – diluted		$3,815,000		12,289,139		$0.31
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Earnings per share – basic		$4,288,000		12,417,627		$0.35
Dilutive effect of potential common stock arising from stock options:
Exercise of outstanding stock options				240,960
Hypothetical share repurchase at $19.71				(213,790)
Earnings per share – diluted		$4,288,000		12,444,797		$0.34

 

Stock options that were anti-dilutive were excluded from net income per share calculations. Weighted-average common shares available from anti-dilutive instruments totaled 103,104 shares in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 and 138,643 shares in the three-month period ended March 31, 2014.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

3. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Comprehensive income is the total of (1) net income, and (2) all other changes in equity from non-stockholder sources, which are referred to as other comprehensive income. The components of other comprehensive income, and the related tax effects, are as follows:

 

(In Thousands)		Before-Tax		Income Tax		Net-of-Tax
		Amount		Effect		Amount
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities		$3,725		($1,304)		$2,421
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) realized in income		(74)		26		(48)
Other comprehensive income on available-for-sale securities		3,651		(1,278)		2,373
Unfunded pension and postretirement obligations:
Changes from plan amendments and actuarial gains and losses included in other comprehensive income		(100)		35		(65)
Amortization of net transition obligation, prior service cost and net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost		(3)		1		(2)
Other comprehensive loss on unfunded retirement obligations		(103)		36		(67)
Total other comprehensive income		$3,548		($1,242)		$2,306

 

(In Thousands)		Before-Tax		Income Tax		Net-of-Tax
		Amount		Effect		Amount
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014:
Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities		$5,334		($1,868)		$3,466
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) realized in income		(31)		11		(20)
Other comprehensive income on available-for-sale securities		5,303		(1,857)		3,446
Unfunded pension and postretirement obligations:
Changes from plan amendments and actuarial gains and losses included in other comprehensive income		141		(49)		92
Amortization of net transition obligation, prior service cost and net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost		(4)		1		(3)
Other comprehensive income on unfunded retirement obligations		137		(48)		89
Total other comprehensive income		$5,440		($1,905)		$3,535

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows and are presented net of tax:

 

(In Thousands)		Unrealized		Unfunded		Accumulated
		Holding Gains		Pension and		Other
		(Losses)		Postretirement		Comprehensive
		on Securities		Obligations		Income
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Balance, beginning of period		$5,281		$79		$5,360
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		2,421		(65)		2,356
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(48)		(2)		(50)
Other comprehensive income		2,373		(67)		2,306
Balance, end of period		$7,654		$12		$7,666
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Balance, beginning of period		($1,004)		$11		($993)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		3,466		92		3,558
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		(20)		(3)		(23)
Other comprehensive income		3,446		89		3,535
Balance, end of period		$2,442		$100		$2,542

 

Items reclassified out of each component of other comprehensive income are as follows:

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(In Thousands)
		Reclassified from
Details about Accumulated Other		Accumulated Other		Affected Line Item in the Consolidated
Comprehensive Income Components		Comprehensive Income		Statements of Income
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale
securities		($74)		Realized gains on available-for-sale securities, net
		26		Income tax provision
		(48)		Net of tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension and postretirement items
Prior service cost		(7)		Pensions and other employee benefits
Actuarial loss		4		Pensions and other employee benefits
		(3)		Total before tax
		1		Income tax provision
		(2)		Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period		($50)

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(In Thousands)
		Reclassified from
Details about Accumulated Other		Accumulated Other		Affected Line Item in the Consolidated
Comprehensive Income Components		Comprehensive Income		Statements of Income
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale
securities		($31)		Total before tax
		11		Income tax provision
		(20)		Net of tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension and postretirement items
Prior service cost		(8)		Pensions and other employee benefits
Actuarial loss		4		Pensions and other employee benefits
		(4)		Total before tax
		1		Income tax provision
		(3)		Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period		($23)

 

4. CASH AND DUE FROM BANKS

 

Cash and due from banks at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 include the following:

 

(In thousands)		March 31,		Dec. 31,
		2015		2014
Cash and cash equivalents		$32,002		$31,619
Certificates of deposit		4,428		4,428
Total cash and due from banks		$36,430		$36,047

 

Certificates of deposit are issues by U.S. banks with original maturities greater than three months. Each certificate of deposit is fully FDIC-insured. The Corporation maintains cash and cash equivalents with certain financial institutions in excess of the FDIC insurance limit.

 

The Corporation is required to maintain reserves against deposit liabilities in the form of cash and balances with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The reserves are based on deposit levels, account activity, and other services provided by the Federal Reserve Bank. Required reserves were $15,542,000 at March 31, 2015 and $16,853,000 at December 31, 2014.

 

5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

 

The Corporation measures certain assets at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” establishes a framework for measuring fair value that includes a hierarchy used to classify the inputs used in measuring fair value. The hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in determining valuations into three levels. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

Level 1 – Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible to the Corporation for identical assets. These generally provide the most reliable evidence and are used to measure fair value whenever available.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

Level 2 – Fair value is based on significant inputs, other than Level 1 inputs, that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset through corroboration with observable market data. Level 2 inputs

include quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets, quoted market prices in markets that are not active for identical or similar assets and other observable inputs.

 

Level 3 – Fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs. Examples of valuation methodologies that would result in Level 3 classification include option pricing models, discounted cash flows and other similar techniques.

 

The Corporation monitors and evaluates available data relating to fair value measurements on an ongoing basis and recognizes transfers among the levels of the fair value hierarchy as of the date of an event or change in circumstances that affects the valuation method chosen. Examples of such changes may include the market for a particular asset becoming active or inactive, changes in the availability of quoted prices, or changes in the availability of other market data.

 

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, assets measured at fair value and the valuation methods used are as follows:

 

				March 31, 2015
		Quoted Prices		Other
		in Active		Observable		Unobservable		Total
		Markets		Inputs		Inputs		Fair
(In Thousands)		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Value
Recurring fair value measurements
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES:
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies		$0		$27,025		$0		$27,025
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
Tax-exempt		0		122,502		0		122,502
Taxable		0		37,417		0		37,417
Mortgage-backed securities		0		92,088		0		92,088
Collateralized mortgage obligations, Issued by U.S. Government agencies		0		240,077		0		240,077
Collateralized debt obligations		0		34		0		34
Total debt securities		0		519,143		0		519,143
Marketable equity securities		8,671		0		0		8,671
Total available-for-sale securities		8,671		519,143		0		527,814
Servicing rights		0		0		1,195		1,195
Total recurring fair value measurements		$8,671		$519,143		$1,195		$529,009
Nonrecurring fair value measurements
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance		$0		$0		$4,312		$4,312
Valuation allowance		0		0		(700)		(700)
Impaired loans, net		0		0		3,612		3,612
Foreclosed assets held for sale		0		0		1,583		1,583
Total nonrecurring fair value measurements		$0		$0		$5,195		$5,195

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

				December 31, 2014
		Quoted Prices		Other
		in Active		Observable		Unobservable		Total
		Markets		Inputs		Inputs		Fair
(In Thousands)		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)		Value
Recurring fair value measurements
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES:
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies		$0		$26,676		$0		$26,676
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
Tax-exempt		0		124,839		0		124,839
Taxable		0		33,878		0		33,878
Mortgage-backed securities		0		83,903		0		83,903
Collateralized mortgage obligations, Issued by U.S. Government agencies		0		238,823		0		238,823
Collateralized debt obligations		0		34		0		34
Total debt securities		0		508,153		0		508,153
Marketable equity securities		8,654		0		0		8,654
Total available-for-sale securities		8,654		508,153		0		516,807
Servicing rights		0		0		1,281		1,281
Total recurring fair value measurements		$8,654		$508,153		$1,281		$518,088
Nonrecurring fair value measurements
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance		$0		$0		$3,241		$3,241
Valuation allowance		0		0		(769)		(769)
Impaired loans, net		0		0		2,472		2,472
Foreclosed assets held for sale		0		0		1,189		1,189
Total nonrecurring fair value measurements		$0		$0		$3,661		$3,661

 

Loans are classified as impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Foreclosed assets held for sale consist of real estate acquired by foreclosure. For impaired commercial loans secured by real estate and foreclosed assets held for sale, estimated fair values are determined primarily using values from third-party appraisals less estimated selling costs.

 

Management’s evaluation and selection of valuation techniques and the unobservable inputs used in determining the fair values of assets valued using Level 3 methodologies include sensitive assumptions. Other market participants might use substantially different assumptions, which could result in calculations of fair values that would be substantially different than the amount calculated by management. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, quantitative information regarding significant techniques and inputs used for assets measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3 methodologies) are as follows:

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

		Fair Value at
		3/31/15		Valuation		Unobservable				Method or Value As of
Asset		(In Thousands)		Technique		Input(s)				3/31/15
Servicing rights		$1,195		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		10.00%		Rate used through modeling period
						Loan prepayment speeds		178.00%		Weighted-average PSA
						Servicing fees		0.25%		of loan balances
								4.00%		of payments are late
								5.00%		late fees assessed
								$1.94		Miscellaneous fees per account per month
						Servicing costs		$6.00		Monthly servicing cost per account
								$24.00		Additional monthly servicing cost per loan on loans more than 30 days delinquent
								1.50%		of loans more than 30 days delinquent
								3.00%		annual increase in servicing costs

 

		Fair Value at
		12/31/14		Valuation		Unobservable				Method or Value As of
Asset		(In Thousands)		Technique		Input(s)				12/31/14
Servicing rights		$1,281		Discounted cash flow		Discount rate		10.00%		Rate used through modeling period
						Loan prepayment speeds		156.00%		Weighted-average PSA
						Servicing fees		0.25%		of loan balances
								4.00%		of payments are late
								5.00%		late fees assessed
								$1.94		Miscellaneous fees per account per month
						Servicing costs		$6.00		Monthly servicing cost per account
								$24.00		Additional monthly servicing cost per loan on loans more than 30 days delinquent
								1.50%		of loans more than 30 days delinquent
								3.00%		annual increase in servicing costs

 

The fair value of servicing rights is affected by expected future interest rates. Increases (decreases) in future expected interest rates tend to increase (decrease) the fair value of the Corporation’s servicing rights because of changes in expected prepayment behavior by the borrowers on the underlying loans.

 

Following is a reconciliation of activity for Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

(In Thousands)		3 Months Ended
		March 31,		March 31,
		2015		2014
Servicing rights balance, beginning of period		$1,281		$1,123
Issuances of servicing rights		31		40
Unrealized (losses) gains included in earnings		(117)		105
Service rights balance, end of period		$1,195		$1,268

 

Certain of the Corporation’s financial instruments are not measured at fair value in the consolidated financial statements. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments are excluded from disclosure requirements. Therefore, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not represent the underlying fair value of the Corporation.

 

The Corporation used the following methods and assumptions in estimating fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values.

 

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT - Fair values for certificates of deposit, included in cash and due from banks in the consolidated balance sheet, are based on quoted market prices for certificates of similar remaining maturities.

 

SECURITIES - Fair values for securities, excluding restricted equity securities, are based on quoted market prices or other methods as described above. The carrying value of restricted equity securities approximates fair value based on applicable redemption provisions.

 

LOANS HELD FOR SALE - Fair values of loans held for sale are determined based on applicable sale prices available under the Federal Home Loan Banks’ MPF Original or Xtra program.

 

LOANS - Fair values are estimated for portfolios of loans with similar financial characteristics. Loans are segregated by type such as commercial, commercial real estate, residential mortgage and other consumer. Each loan category is further segmented into fixed and adjustable rate interest terms and by performing and nonperforming categories. The fair value of performing loans is calculated by discounting contractual cash flows, adjusted for estimated prepayments based on historical experience, using estimated market discount rates that reflect the credit and interest rate risk inherent in the loans. Fair value of nonperforming loans is based on recent appraisals or estimates prepared by the Corporation’s lending officers.

 

SERVICING RIGHTS - The fair value of servicing rights, included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet, is determined through a discounted cash flow valuation. Significant inputs include expected net servicing income, the discount rate and the expected prepayment speeds of the underlying loans.

 

DEPOSITS - The fair value of deposits with no stated maturity, such as noninterest-bearing demand deposits, savings, money market and interest checking accounts, is (by definition) equal to the amount payable on demand at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The fair value of time deposits, such as certificates of deposit and Individual Retirement Accounts, is based on the discounted value of contractual cash flows. The discount rate is estimated using the rates currently offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities. The fair value estimates of deposits do not include the benefit that results from the low-cost funding provided by the deposit liabilities compared to the cost of borrowing funds in the market, commonly referred to as the core deposit intangible.

 

BORROWED FUNDS - The fair value of borrowings is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on rates currently available to the Corporation for similar types of borrowing arrangements.

 

ACCRUED INTEREST - The carrying amounts of accrued interest receivable and payable approximate fair values.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET COMMITMENTS - The Corporation has commitments to extend credit and has issued standby letters of credit. Standby letters of credit are conditional guarantees of performance by a customer to a third party. Estimates of the fair value of these off-balance sheet items were not made because of the short-term nature of these arrangements and the credit standing of the counterparties.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

The estimated fair values, and related carrying amounts, of the Corporation’s financial instruments are as follows:

 

(In Thousands)		Valuation		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Method(s)		Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
		Used		Amount		Value		Amount		Value
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		Level 1		$32,002		$32,002		$31,619		$31,619
Certificates of deposit		Level 2		4,428		4,448		4,428		4,443
Available-for-sale securities		See Above		527,814		527,814		516,807		516,807
Restricted equity securities (included in Other Assets)		Level 2		1,645		1,645		1,584		1,584
Loans held for sale		Level 2		214		214		0		0
Loans, net		Level 3		621,211		631,385		623,209		629,267
Accrued interest receivable		Level 2		4,021		4,021		3,908		3,908
Servicing rights		Level 3		1,195		1,195		1,281		1,281
Financial liabilities:
Deposits with no stated maturity		Level 2		742,650		742,650		729,052		729,052
Time deposits		Level 2		233,984		234,823		238,937		239,712
Short-term borrowings		Level 2		5,840		5,775		5,537		5,473
Long-term borrowings		Level 2		72,988		78,872		73,060		78,866
Accrued interest payable		Level 2		116		116		104		104

 

6. SECURITIES

 

Amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:

 

				March 31, 2015
				Gross		Gross
				Unrealized		Unrealized
		Amortized		Holding		Holding		Fair
(In Thousands)		Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies		$27,205		$41		($221)		$27,025
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
Tax-exempt		117,378		5,243		(119)		122,502
Taxable		36,861		620		(64)		37,417
Mortgage-backed securities		90,130		2,002		(44)		92,088
Collateralized mortgage obligations, Issued by U.S. Government agencies		238,794		2,256		(973)		240,077
Collateralized debt obligations		34		0		0		34
Total debt securities		510,402		10,162		(1,421)		519,143
Marketable equity securities		5,636		3,041		(6)		8,671
Total		$516,038		$13,203		($1,427)		$527,814

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

				December 31, 2014
				Gross		Gross
				Unrealized		Unrealized
		Amortized		Holding		Holding		Fair
(In Thousands)		Cost		Gains		Losses		Value
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies		$27,221		$38		($583)		$26,676
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
Tax-exempt		120,086		5,134		(381)		124,839
Taxable		33,637		415		(174)		33,878
Mortgage-backed securities		82,479		1,493		(69 )		83,903
Collateralized mortgage obligations, Issued by U.S. Government agencies		239,620		1,239		(2,036)		238,823
Collateralized debt obligations:		34		0		0		34
Total debt securities		503,077		8,319		(3,243)		508,153
Marketable equity securities		5,605		3,058		(9)		8,654
Total		$508,682		$11,377		($3,252)		$516,807

 

The following table presents gross unrealized losses and fair value of available-for-sale securities with unrealized loss positions that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, aggregated by length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

March 31, 2015		Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
(In Thousands)		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
		Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies		$10,063		($38)		$14,302		($183)		$24,365		($221)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
Tax-exempt		9,894		(102)		753		(17)		10,647		(119)
Taxable		3,451		(16)		4,797		(48)		8,248		(64)
Mortgage-backed securities		0		0		4,021		(44)		4,021		(44)
Collateralized mortgage obligations, Issued by U.S. Government agencies		9,927		(42)		56,761		(931)		66,688		(973)
Total debt securities		33,335		(198)		80,634		(1,223)		113,969		(1,421)
Marketable equity securities		138		(6)		0		0		138		(6)
Total temporarily impaired available-for-sale securities		$33,473		($204)		$80,634		($1,223)		$114,107		($1,427)

 

December 31, 2014		Less Than 12 Months				12 Months or More				Total
(In Thousands)		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
		Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses
Obligations of U.S. Government agencies		$0		$0		$24,020		($583)		$24,020		($583)
Obligations of states and political subdivisions:
Tax-exempt		11,898		(289)		6,991		(92)		18,889		(381)
Taxable		4,240		(22)		9,159		(152)		13,399		(174)
Mortgage-backed securities		0		0		4,160		(69)		4,160		(69)
Collateralized mortgage obligations, Issued by U.S. Government agencies		58,812		(396)		60,897		(1,640)		119,709		(2,036)
Total debt securities		74,950		(707)		105,227		(2,536)		180,177		(3,243)
Marketable equity securities		134		(9)		0		0		134		(9)
Total temporarily impaired available-for-sale securities		$75,084		($716)		$105,227		($2,536)		$180,311		($3,252)

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

Gross realized gains and losses from available-for-sale securities were as follows:

(In Thousands)		3 Months Ended
		March 31,		March 31,
		2015		2014
Gross realized gains from sales		$74		$202
Gross realized losses from sales		0		(171)
Net realized gains		$74		$31
Income tax provision related to net realized gains		$26		$11

 

The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities by contractual maturity are shown in the following table as of March 31, 2015. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because counterparties may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

 

		Amortized		Fair
(In Thousands)		Cost		Value
Due in one year or less		$10,363		$10,504
Due from one year through five years		59,183		59,881
Due from five years through ten years		63,377		64,609
Due after ten years		48,555		51,984
Subtotal		181,478		186,978
Mortgage-backed securities		90,130		92,088
Collateralized mortgage obligations, Issued by U.S. Government agencies		238,794		240,077
Total		$510,402		$519,143

 

The Corporation’s mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations have stated maturities that may differ from actual maturities due to borrowers’ ability to prepay obligations. Cash flows from such investments are dependent upon the performance of the underlying mortgage loans and are generally influenced by the level of interest rates. In the table above, mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations are shown in one period.

 

Investment securities carried at $386,936,000 at March 31, 2015 and $369,945,000 at December 31, 2014 were pledged as collateral for public deposits, trusts and certain other deposits as provided by law. See Note 8 for information concerning securities pledged to secure borrowing arrangements.

 

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) whether the Corporation intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery.

 

A summary of information management considered in evaluating debt and equity securities for OTTI at March 31, 2015 is provided below.

 

Debt Securities

 

At March 31, 2015, management performed an assessment for possible OTTI of the Corporation’s debt securities on an issue-by-issue basis, relying on information obtained from various sources, including publicly available financial data, ratings by external agencies, brokers and other sources. The extent of individual analysis applied to each security depended on the size of the Corporation’s investment, as well as management’s perception of the credit risk associated with each security. Based on the results of the assessment, management believes impairment of debt securities, including municipal bonds with no external ratings, at March 31, 2015 to be temporary.

 

The credit rating agencies have withdrawn their ratings on numerous municipal bonds held by the Corporation. At March 31, 2015, the total amortized cost basis of municipal bonds with no external credit ratings was $15,704,000, with an aggregate unrealized gain of $185,000. At the time of purchase, each of these bonds was considered investment grade and had been rated by at least one credit rating agency. Most of the bonds for which credit rating agencies have

withdrawn their ratings were insured by an entity that has reported significant financial problems and declines in its regulatory capital ratios, and most of the ratings were removed in the fourth quarter 2009. However, the insurance remains in effect on the bonds. In the third quarter 2013, a credit rating agency withdrew its ratings on several bonds due to changes in its rating methodology related to credit enhancement programs provided by issuers’ state governments. However, the credit enhancement remains in effect on the bonds. None of the unrated municipal bonds has failed to make a scheduled payment.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

Equity Securities

 

The Corporation’s marketable equity securities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted exclusively of stocks of banking companies. The Corporation had no realized gains or losses from the sale of equity securities in the first quarter of 2015 or the first quarter of 2014. At March 31, 2015, the Corporation held three stocks with an unrealized loss of $6,000 for which management determined an OTTI charge was not required.

 

C&N Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLB-Pittsburgh). As a member, C&N Bank is required to purchase and maintain stock in FHLB-Pittsburgh. There is no active market for FHLB-Pittsburgh stock, and it must ordinarily be redeemed by FHLB-Pittsburgh in order to be liquidated. C&N Bank’s investment in FHLB-Pittsburgh stock, included in Other Assets in the consolidated balance sheet, was $1,515,000 at March 31, 2015 and $1,454,000 at December 31, 2014. The Corporation evaluated its holding of FHLB-Pittsburgh stock for impairment and deemed the stock to not be impaired at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. In making this determination, management concluded that recovery of total outstanding par value, which equals the carrying value, is expected. The decision was based on review of financial information that FHLB-Pittsburgh has made publicly available.

 

7. LOANS

 

The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into residential mortgage, commercial and consumer loans. The residential mortgage segment includes the following classes: first and junior lien residential mortgages, home equity lines of credit and residential construction loans. The most significant classes of commercial loans are commercial loans secured by real estate, non-real estate secured commercial and industrial loans, loans to political subdivisions, commercial construction and land loans, and loans secured by farmland.

 

Loans outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are summarized as follows:

 

Summary of Loans by Type
(In Thousands)		Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,
		2015		2014
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens		$291,612		$291,882
Residential mortgage loans - junior liens		20,896		21,166
Home equity lines of credit		37,049		36,629
1-4 Family residential construction		16,217		16,739
Total residential mortgage		365,774		366,416
Commercial:
Commercial loans secured by real estate		140,851		145,878
Commercial and industrial		51,563		50,157
Political subdivisions		19,479		17,534
Commercial construction and land		7,249		6,938
Loans secured by farmland		7,789		7,916
Multi-family (5 or more) residential		8,673		8,917
Agricultural loans		3,158		3,221
Other commercial loans		13,187		13,334
Total commercial		251,949		253,895
Consumer		10,622		10,234
Total		628,345		630,545
Less: allowance for loan losses		(7,134)		(7,336)
Loans, net		$621,211		$623,209

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

The Corporation grants loans to individuals as well as commercial and tax-exempt entities. Commercial, residential and personal loans are made to customers geographically concentrated in the Pennsylvania and New York counties that comprise the market serviced by Citizens & Northern Bank. Although the Corporation has a diversified loan portfolio, a significant portion of its debtors’ ability to honor their contracts is dependent on the local economic conditions within the region. There is no concentration of loans to borrowers engaged in similar businesses or activities that exceed 10% of total loans at either March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

 

The Corporation maintains an allowance for loan losses that represents management’s estimate of the losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date and recorded as a reduction of the investment in loans. The allowance for loan losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for losses that can be reasonably anticipated. Management performs a quarterly evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance. The allowance is based on the Corporation’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates that may be susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. In the process of evaluating the loan portfolio, management also considers the Corporation’s exposure to losses from unfunded loan commitments. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, management determined that no allowance for credit losses related to unfunded loan commitments was required.

 

Transactions within the allowance for loan losses, summarized by segment and class, for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015		December 31,								March 31,
(In Thousands)		2014 Balance		Charge-offs		Recoveries		Provision (Credit)		2015 Balance
Allowance for Loan Losses:
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens		$2,941		($79)		$1		($89)		$2,774
Residential mortgage loans - junior liens		176		0		0		24		200
Home equity lines of credit		322		0		0		0		322
1-4 Family residential construction		214		0		0		(7)		207
Total residential mortgage		3,653		(79)		1		(72)		3,503
Commercial:
Commercial loans secured by real estate		1,758		(115)		0		93		1,736
Commercial and industrial		688		(10)		1		5		684
Political subdivisions		0		0		0		0		0
Commercial construction and land		283		0		0		3		286
Loans secured by farmland		165		0		0		(6)		159
Multi-family (5 or more) residential		87		0		0		(6)		81
Agricultural loans		31		0		0		(2)		29
Other commercial loans		131		0		0		(8)		123
Total commercial		3,143		(125)		1		79		3,098
Consumer		145		(18)		15		(3)		139
Unallocated		395		0		0		(1)		394
Total Allowance for Loan Losses		$7,336		($222)		$17		$3		$7,134

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014		December 31,								March 31,
(In Thousands)		2013 Balance		Charge-offs		Recoveries		Provision (Credit)		2014 Balance
Allowance for Loan Losses:
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens		$2,974		($19)		$0		($92)		$2,863
Residential mortgage loans - junior liens		294		0		0		(14)		$280
Home equity lines of credit		269		0		0		2		$271
1-4 Family residential construction		168		0		0		(15)		$153
Total residential mortgage		3,705		(19)		0		(119)		3,567
Commercial:
Commercial loans secured by real estate		3,123		(35)		250		(257)		3,081
Commercial and industrial		591		(24)		1		(13)		555
Political subdivisions		0		0		0		0		0
Commercial construction and land		267		(170)		0		150		247
Loans secured by farmland		115		0		0		(17)		98
Multi-family (5 or more) residential		103		0		0		2		105
Agricultural loans		30		0		0		0		30
Other commercial loans		138		0		0		0		138
Total commercial		4,367		(229)		251		(135)		4,254
Consumer		193		(26)		14		(53)		128
Unallocated		398		0		0		(4)		394
Total Allowance for Loan Losses		$8,663		($274)		$265		($311)		$8,343

 

In the evaluation of the loan portfolio, management determines two major components for the allowance for loan losses – (1) a specific component based on an assessment of certain larger relationships, mainly commercial purpose loans, on a loan-by-loan basis; and (2) a general component for the remainder of the portfolio based on a collective evaluation of pools of loans with similar risk characteristics. The general component is assigned to each pool of loans based on both historical net charge-off experience, and an evaluation of certain qualitative factors. An unallocated component is maintained 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 above methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

 

In determining the larger loan relationships for detailed assessment under the specific allowance component, the Corporation uses an internal risk rating system. Under the risk rating system, the Corporation classifies problem or potential problem loans as “Special Mention,” “Substandard,” or “Doubtful” on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values. Substandard loans include those characterized by the distinct possibility that the Corporation will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. Loans classified as Doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses present make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable. Loans that do not currently expose the Corporation to sufficient risk to warrant classification as Substandard or Doubtful, but possess weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention, are deemed to be Special Mention. Risk ratings are updated any time that conditions or the situation warrants. Loans not classified are included in the “Pass” column in the table below.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

The following tables summarize the aggregate credit quality classification of outstanding loans by risk rating as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

March 31, 2015:				Special
(In Thousands)		Pass		Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Residential Mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens		$280,299		$1,161		$10,077		$75		$291,612
Residential mortgage loans - junior liens		20,236		89		571		0		20,896
Home equity lines of credit		35,259		1,426		364		0		37,049
1-4 Family residential construction		16,198		19		0		0		16,217
Total residential mortgage		351,992		2,695		11,012		75		365,774
Commercial:
Commercial loans secured by real estate		128,097		3,434		9,320		0		140,851
Commercial and Industrial		43,887		6,769		789		118		51,563
Political subdivisions		19,479		0		0		0		19,479
Commercial construction and land		5,153		177		1,919		0		7,249
Loans secured by farmland		5,879		427		1,460		23		7,789
Multi-family (5 or more) residential		8,392		281		0		0		8,673
Agricultural loans		3,135		0		23		0		3,158
Other commercial loans		13,104		83		0		0		13,187
Total commercial		227,126		11,171		13,511		141		251,949
Consumer		10,425		23		174		0		10,622
Totals		$589,543		$13,889		$24,697		$216		$628,345

 

December 31, 2014:				Special
(In Thousands)		Pass		Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total
Residential Mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens		$280,094		$1,246		$10,464		$78		$291,882
Residential mortgage loans - junior liens		20,502		112		552		0		21,166
Home equity lines of credit		35,935		294		400		0		36,629
1-4 Family residential construction		16,719		20		0		0		16,739
Total residential mortgage		353,250		1,672		11,416		78		366,416
Commercial:
Commercial loans secured by real estate		133,204		2,775		9,899		0		145,878
Commercial and Industrial		41,751		7,246		1,042		118		50,157
Political subdivisions		17,534		0		0		0		17,534
Commercial construction and land		4,650		266		2,022		0		6,938
Loans secured by farmland		5,990		433		1,468		25		7,916
Multi-family (5 or more) residential		8,629		288		0		0		8,917
Agricultural loans		3,196		0		25		0		3,221
Other commercial loans		13,248		86		0		0		13,334
Total commercial		228,202		11,094		14,456		143		253,895
Consumer		10,095		22		117		0		10,234
Totals		$591,547		$12,788		$25,989		$221		$630,545

  

The general component of the allowance for loan losses covers pools of loans including commercial loans not considered individually impaired, as well as smaller balance homogeneous classes of loans, such as residential real estate, home equity lines of credit and other consumer loans. Accordingly, the Corporation generally does not separately identify individual consumer and residential loans for impairment disclosures, unless such loans are subject to a restructuring agreement. The pools of loans are evaluated for loss exposure based upon three-year average historical net charge-off rates for each loan class, adjusted for qualitative factors. Qualitative risk factors (described in the following paragraph) are evaluated for the impact on each of the three segments (residential mortgage, commercial and consumer) within the loan portfolio. Each qualitative factor is assigned a value to reflect improving, stable or declining conditions based on management’s judgment using relevant information available at the time of the evaluation. The adjustment for qualitative factors is applied as an increase or decrease to the three-year average net charge-off rate to each loan class within each segment.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

The qualitative factors used in the general component calculations are designed to address credit risk characteristics associated with each segment. The Corporation’s credit risk associated with all of the segments is significantly impacted by these factors, which include economic conditions within its market area, the Corporation’s lending policies, changes or trends in the portfolio, risk profile, competition, regulatory requirements and other factors. Further, the residential mortgage segment is significantly affected by the values of residential real estate that provide collateral for the loans. The majority of the Corporation’s commercial segment loans (approximately 65% at March 31, 2015) is secured by real estate, and accordingly, the Corporation’s risk for the commercial segment is significantly affected by commercial real estate values. The consumer segment includes a wide mix of loans for different purposes, primarily secured loans, including loans secured by motor vehicles, manufactured housing and other types of collateral

 

Loans are classified as impaired, when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation 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. 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 shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial loans, by the fair value of the collateral (if the loan is collateral dependent), by future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective rate or by the loan’s observable market price.

 

The scope of loans evaluated individually for impairment include all loan relationships greater than $200,000 for which there is at least one extension of credit graded Special Mention, Substandard or Doubtful. Also, all loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (discussed in more detail below) and all loan relationships less than $200,000 in the aggregate, but with an estimated loss of $100,000 or more, are individually evaluated for impairment. Loans that are individually evaluated for impairment, but which are not determined to be impaired, are combined with all remaining loans that are not reviewed on a specific basis, and such loans are included within larger pools of loans based on similar risk and loss characteristics for purposes of determining the general component of the allowance. The loans that have been individually evaluated, but which have not been determined to be impaired, are included in the “Collectively Evaluated” column in the tables summarizing the allowance and associated loan balances as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

The following tables present a summary of loan balances and the related allowance for loan losses summarized by portfolio segment and class for each impairment method used as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

March 31, 2015		Loans:						Allowance for Loan Losses:
(In Thousands)
		Individually		Collectively				Individually		Collectively
		Evaluated		Evaluated		Totals		Evaluated		Evaluated		Totals
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens		$2,551		$289,061		$291,612		$229		$2,545		$2,774
Residential mortgage loans - junior liens		78		20,818		20,896		0		200		200
Home equity lines of credit		0		37,049		37,049		0		322		322
1-4 Family residential construction		0		16,217		16,217		0		207		207
Total residential mortgage		2,629		363,145		365,774		229		3,274		3,503
Commercial:
Commercial loans secured by real estate		6,669		134,182		140,851		85		1,651		1,736
Commercial and industrial		544		51,019		51,563		75		609		684
Political subdivisions		0		19,479		19,479		0		0		0
Commercial construction and land		1,840		5,409		7,249		211		75		286
Loans secured by farmland		1,458		6,331		7,789		100		59		159
Multi-family (5 or more) residential		0		8,673		8,673		0		81		81
Agricultural loans		23		3,135		3,158		0		29		29
Other commercial loans		0		13,187		13,187		0		123		123
Total commercial		10,534		241,415		251,949		471		2,627		3,098
Consumer		0		10,622		10,622		0		139		139
Unallocated												394
Total		$13,163		$615,182		$628,345		$700		$6,040		$7,134

 

December 31, 2014		Loans:						Allowance for Loan Losses:
(In Thousands)
		Individually		Collectively				Individually		Collectively
		Evaluated		Evaluated		Totals		Evaluated		Evaluated		Totals
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens		$1,665		$290,217		$291,882		$358		$2,583		$2,941
Residential mortgage loans - junior liens		17		21,149		21,166		0		176		176
Home equity lines of credit		0		36,629		36,629		0		322		322
1-4 Family residential construction		0		16,739		16,739		0		214		214
Total residential mortgage		1,682		364,734		366,416		358		3,295		3,653
Commercial:
Commercial loans secured by real estate		6,537		139,341		145,878		16		1,742		1,758
Commercial and industrial		663		49,494		50,157		82		606		688
Political subdivisions		0		17,534		17,534		0		0		0
Commercial construction and land		1,939		4,999		6,938		211		72		283
Loans secured by farmland		1,470		6,446		7,916		102		63		165
Multi-family (5 or more) residential		0		8,917		8,917		0		87		87
Agricultural loans		25		3,196		3,221		0		31		31
Other commercial loans		0		13,334		13,334		0		131		131
Total commercial		10,634		243,261		253,895		411		2,732		3,143
Consumer		0		10,234		10,234		0		145		145
Unallocated												395
Total		$12,316		$618,229		$630,545		$769		$6,172		$7,336

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

The average balance of impaired loans and interest income recognized on impaired loans is as follows:

 

(In Thousands)	3 Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015	2014
Average investment in impaired loans	$12,740	$15,663
Interest income recognized on impaired loans	185	163
Interest income recognized on a cash basis on impaired loans	185	163

 

Loans are placed on nonaccrual status for all classes of loans when, in the opinion of management, collection of interest is doubtful. Any unpaid interest previously accrued on those loans is reversed from income. Interest income is not recognized on specific impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is remote. Interest payments received on loans for which the risk of further loss is greater than remote are applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance. Interest income on other nonaccrual loans is recognized only to the extent of interest payments received. Generally, loans are restored to accrual status when the obligation is brought current, has performed in accordance with the contractual terms for a reasonable period of time (generally six months) and the ultimate collectability of the total contractual principal and interest is no longer in doubt. The past due status of all classes of loans receivable is determined based on contractual due dates for loan payments. Also, the amortization of deferred loan fees is discontinued when a loan is placed on nonaccrual status.

 

The breakdown by portfolio segment and class of nonaccrual loans and loans past due ninety days or more and still accruing is as follows:

 

(In Thousands)		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Past Due				Past Due
		90+ Days and				90+ Days and
		Accruing		Nonaccrual		Accruing		Nonaccrual
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens		$2,192		$2,882		$1,989		$3,440
Residential mortgage loans - junior liens		90		50		82		50
Home equity lines of credit		107		21		49		22
1-4 Family residential construction		0		0		0		0
Total residential mortgage		2,389		2,953		2,120		3,512
Commercial:
Commercial loans secured by real estate		587		5,820		653		5,804
Commercial and industrial		5		368		5		379
Commercial construction and land		60		1,815		35		1,915
Loans secured by farmland		0		941		0		951
Agricultural loans		0		23		0		25
Total commercial		652		8,967		693		9,074
Consumer		45		24		30		24
Totals		$3,086		$11,944		$2,843		$12,610

 

The amounts shown in the table immediately above include loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (described in more detail below), if such loans are past due ninety days or more or nonaccrual.

 

  

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

The table below presents a summary of the contractual aging of loans as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

		As of March 31, 2015								As of December 31, 2014
		Current &								Current &
(In Thousands)		Past Due		Past Due		Past Due				Past Due		Past Due		Past Due
		Less than		30-89		90+				Less than		30-89		90+
		30 Days		Days		Days		Total		30 Days		Days		Days		Total
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens		$283,134		$5,229		$3,249		$291,612		$282,766		$5,443		$3,673		$291,882
Residential mortgage loans - junior liens		20,622		142		132		20,896		20,853		190		123		21,166
Home equity lines of credit		36,852		91		106		37,049		36,300		258		71		36,629
1-4 Family residential construction		16,217		0		0		16,217		16,739		0		0		16,739
Total residential mortgage		356,825		5,462		3,487		365,774		356,658		5,891		3,867		366,416
Commercial:
Commercial loans secured by real estate		139,552		517		782		140,851		143,713		883		1,282		145,878
Commercial and industrial		51,408		35		120		51,563		49,994		43		120		50,157
Political subdivisions		19,479		0		0		19,479		17,534		0		0		17,534
Commercial construction and land		5,344		30		1,875		7,249		4,897		91		1,950		6,938
Loans secured by farmland		6,717		228		844		7,789		6,811		254		851		7,916
Multi-family (5 or more) residential		8,579		94		0		8,673		8,720		197		0		8,917
Agricultural loans		2,997		138		23		3,158		3,105		91		25		3,221
Other commercial loans		13,187		0		0		13,187		13,334		0		0		13,334
Total commercial		247,263		1,042		3,644		251,949		248,108		1,559		4,228		253,895
Consumer		10,517		60		45		10,622		10,164		40		30		10,234
Totals		$614,605		$6,564		$7,176		$628,345		$614,930		$7,490		$8,125		$630,545

 

Nonaccrual loans are included in the contractual aging in the immediately preceding table. A summary of the contractual aging of nonaccrual loans at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

	Current &
(In Thousands)	Past Due		Past Due		Past Due
	Less than		30-89		90+
	30 Days		Days		Days		Total
March 31, 2015 Nonaccrual Totals	$7,012		$842		$4,090		$11,944
December 31, 2014 Nonaccrual Totals	$6,959		$369		$5,282		$12,610

 

Loans whose terms are modified are classified as Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs) if the Corporation grants such borrowers concessions, and it is deemed that those borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. Loans classified as TDRs are designated as impaired. The outstanding balance of loans subject to TDRs, as well as contractual aging information at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows:

 

Troubled Debt Restructurings (TDRs):
	Current &
(In Thousands)	Past Due		Past Due		Past Due
	Less than		30-89		90+
	30 Days		Days		Days		Nonaccrual		Total
March 31, 2015 Totals	$1,872		$0		$0		$5,252		$7,124
December 31, 2014 Totals	$1,725		$82		$0		$5,388		$7,195

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

TDRs that occurred during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015			Pre-		Post-
(Balances in Thousands)			Modification		Modification
	Number		Outstanding		Outstanding
	of		Recorded		Recorded
	Contracts		Investment		Investment
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens	1		$56		$56
Residential mortgage loans - junior liens	1		32		32
Consumer	1		30		30

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014			Pre-		Post-
(Balances in Thousands)			Modification		Modification
	Number		Outstanding		Outstanding
	of		Recorded		Recorded
	Contracts		Investment		Investment
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens	1		$83		$83

 

The TDRs in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 included an extended maturity date and a reduction in interest rate on a residential mortgage – first lien loan, a lowered interest rate and reduced payment amount on a residential mortgage – junior lien loan and a lowered interest rate and reduced payment amount on the consumer loan. There was no allowance for loan losses on these loans at March 31, 2015, and no change in the allowance for loan losses resulting from these TDRs.

 

The TDR in the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 reflected a reduction in interest rate and payment amount required on a residential mortgage loan. There was no allowance for loan losses on this loan at March 31, 2014, and no change in the allowance for loan losses resulting from this TDR.

 

In the first quarter 2015, defaults on loans for which modifications considered to be TDRs were entered into within the previous 12 months were as follows:

 

	Number
	of		Recorded
	Contracts		Investment
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
(Balances in Thousands)
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens	2		$115
Commercial:
Commercial loans secured by real estate	1		407
Commercial construction and land	1		25

 

	Number
	of		Recorded
	Contracts		Investment
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
(Balances in Thousands)
Residential mortgage,
Residential mortgage loans - first liens	1		$140
Commercial,
Loans secured by farmland	4		490

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

The events of default in the table listed above resulted from the borrowers’ failure to make timely payments under the following circumstances: (1) for one customer relationship included in the Residential first lien mortgage class, payment

was missed after the interest rate and monthly payment amount had been reduced; (2) for the other customer relationship included in the Residential first lien mortgage class, monthly payments were missed after reducing the monthly payments to interest only payments; (3) for the Commercial loan secured by real estate, monthly payments were missed after reducing the monthly payments to interest only; and (4) for the Commercial construction and land loan, monthly payments were missed after extending the term of maturity. There were no allowances for loan losses recorded on these loans at March 31, 2015.

 

The events of default in 2014 in the table above resulted from one borrower’s failure to make interest only monthly payments. There were no allowances for loan losses recorded on these loans at March 31, 2014.

 

At March 31, 2015, the carrying amount of foreclosed residential real estate properties held as a result of obtaining physical possession (included in Foreclosed assets held for sale in the unaudited consolidated balance sheet) was $761,000.

 

At March 31, 2015, the recorded investment of consumer mortgage loans secured by residential real estate properties for which formal foreclosure proceedings are in process was $1,366,000.

 

8. BORROWED FUNDS

 

SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

 

Short-term borrowings include the following:

 

(In Thousands)	Mar. 31,		Dec. 31
	2015		2014
FHLB-Pittsburgh borrowings	$0		$0
Customer repurchase agreements	5,840		5,537
Total short-term borrowings	$5,840		$5,537

 

The FHLB-Pittsburgh loan facilities are collateralized by qualifying loans secured by real estate with a book value totaling $441,803,000 at March 31, 2015 and $446,780,000 at December 31, 2014. Also, the FHLB-Pittsburgh loan facilities require the Corporation to invest in established amounts of FHLB-Pittsburgh stock. The carrying values of the Corporation’s holdings of FHLB-Pittsburgh stock (included in Other Assets) were $1,515,000 at March 31, 2015 and $1,454,000 at December 31, 2014.

 

The Corporation engages in repurchase agreements with certain commercial customers. These agreements provide that the Corporation sells specified investment securities to the customers on an overnight basis and repurchases them on the following business day. The weighted average rate paid by the Corporation on customer repurchase agreements was 0.10% at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The carrying value of the underlying securities was $5,890,000 at March 31, 2015 and $5,590,000 at December 31, 2014.

 

LONG-TERM BORROWINGS

 

Long-term borrowings are as follows:

(In Thousands)	Mar. 31,		Dec. 31
	2015		2014
FHLB-Pittsburgh borrowings	$11,988		$12,060
Repurchase agreements	61,000		61,000
Total long-term borrowings	$72,988		$73,060

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

Long-term borrowings from FHLB - Pittsburgh are as follows:
(In Thousands)	Mar. 31,		Dec. 31
	2015		2014
Loan maturing in 2016 with a rate of 6.86%	$95		$107
Loan maturing in 2017 with a rate of 6.83%	15		16
Loan maturing in 2017 with a rate of 3.81%	10,000		10,000
Loan maturing in 2020 with a rate of 4.79%	946		987
Loan maturing in 2025 with a rate of 4.91%	932		950
Total long-term FHLB-Pittsburgh borrowings	$11,988		$12,060

 

Repurchase agreements included in long-term borrowings are as follows:

(In Thousands)	Mar. 31,		Dec. 31
	2015		2014
Agreement maturing in 2017 with a rate of 3.595%	$27,000		$27,000
Agreement maturing in 2017 with a rate of 4.265%	34,000		34,000
Total long-term repurchase agreements	$61,000		$61,000

 

Each of these borrowings is putable by the issuer at quarterly intervals.

 

Securities sold under repurchase agreements were delivered to the broker-dealer who is the counter-party to the transactions. The broker-dealer may have sold, loaned or otherwise disposed of such securities to other parties in the normal course of their operations, and has agreed to resell to the Corporation substantially identical securities at the maturities of the agreements. The Master Repurchase Agreement between the Corporation and the broker-dealer provides that the Agreement constitutes a “netting contract,” as defined; however, the Corporation and the broker-dealer have no other obligations to one another and accordingly, no netting has occurred. The carrying value of the underlying securities was $68,159,000 at March 31, 2015 and $70,982,000 at December 31, 2014.

 

9. DEFINED BENEFIT PLANS

 

The Corporation sponsors a defined benefit health care plan that provides postretirement medical benefits and life insurance to employees who meet certain age and length of service requirements. Full-time employees no longer accrue service time toward the Corporation-subsidized portion of the medical benefits. This plan contains a cost-sharing feature, which causes participants to pay for all future increases in costs related to benefit coverage. Accordingly, actuarial assumptions related to health care cost trend rates do not significantly affect the liability balance at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and are not expected to significantly affect the Corporation's future expenses. The Corporation uses a December 31 measurement date for the postretirement plan.

 

In an acquisition in 2007, the Corporation assumed the Citizens Trust Company Retirement Plan, a defined benefit pension plan. This plan covers certain employees who were employed by Citizens Trust Company on December 31, 2002, when the plan was amended to discontinue admittance of any future participant and to freeze benefit accruals. Information related to the Citizens Trust Company Retirement Plan has been included in the tables that follow. The Corporation uses a December 31 measurement date for this plan.

 

The components of net periodic benefit costs from these defined benefit plans are as follows:

 

Defined Benefit Plans
(In Thousands)	Pension				Postretirement
	Three Months Ended				Three Months Ended
	March 31,				March 31,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Service cost	$0		$0		$10		$9
Interest cost	9		18		13		14
Expected return on plan assets	(11)		(22)		0		0
Amortization of prior service cost	0		0		(7)		(8)
Recognized net actuarial loss	4		4		0		0
Net periodic benefit cost	$2		$0		$16		$15

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

In the first three months of 2015, the Corporation funded postretirement contributions totaling $18,000, with estimated annual postretirement contributions of $65,000 expected in 2015 for the full year. Based upon the related actuarial reports, no defined benefit pension contributions are required in 2015, though the Corporation may make discretionary contributions.

 

10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

 

The Corporation has a Stock Incentive Plan for a selected group of officers. Also, the Corporation has an Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plan. In the first quarter 2015, the Corporation issued restricted stock under each of the Plans. In the first quarter 2014, the Corporation issued stock options and restricted stock under each of the Plans.

 

In the first quarter 2015, the Corporation awarded a total of 34,800 shares of restricted stock under the Stock Incentive and Independent Directors Stock Incentive Plans. In the first quarter 2014, a total of 16,711 shares of restricted stock were awarded under the Plans. Restricted stock awards in the first quarter 2015 included the following: (1) a total of 20,298 shares to employees, vesting over a four-year term, with vesting contingent upon the Corporation meeting an annual return on average equity (“ROAE”) performance ratio, as defined; (2) a total of 2,198 shares to employees, vesting over a four-year term, with vesting dependent on satisfactory performance; (3) an award to the Chief Executive Officer of 5,174 shares, vesting over a three-year term, with vesting dependent on satisfactory performance; and (4) a total of 7,130 shares under the Independent Directors Incentive Plan, vesting over a term of one year.

 

Compensation cost related to restricted stock is recognized based on the market price of the stock at the grant date over the vesting period. Management has estimated restricted stock expense in the first quarter 2015 based on an assumption that the ROAE target for 2015 will be met.

 

In January 2014, the Corporation granted options to purchase a total of 39,027 shares of common stock. The exercise price for the 2014 awards is $20.45 per share, based on the market price as of the date of grant. Stock option expense is recognized over the vesting period of each option.

 

The Corporation records stock option expense based on estimated fair value calculated using an option valuation model. In calculating the 2014 fair value, the Corporation utilized the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The calculated fair value of each option granted, and significant assumptions used in the calculations, were as follows:

 

	2014
Fair value of each option granted	$5.50
Volatility	39%
Expected option lives	8 Years
Risk-free interest rate	2.85%
Dividend yield	4.33%

 

In calculating the estimated fair value of stock option awards, management based its estimates of volatility and dividend yield on the Corporation’s experience over the immediately prior period of time consistent with the estimated lives of the options. The risk-free interest rate was based on the published yield of zero-coupon U.S. Treasury strips with an applicable maturity as of the grant dates. The expected option lives were based on management’s estimates of the average term for all options issued under both plans. In 2014, management assumed a 34% forfeiture rate for options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan, and a 3% forfeiture rate for the Directors Stock Incentive Plan. These estimated forfeiture rates were determined based on the Corporation’s historical experience.

 

Total stock-based compensation expense is as follows:

 

(In Thousands)	3 Months Ended
	March 31,		March 31,
	2015		2014
Stock options	$0		$95
Restricted stock	150		117
Total	$150		$212

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

11. INCOME TAXES

 

The net deferred tax (liability) asset at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 represents the following temporary difference components:

 

	March 31,		December 31,
(In Thousands)	2015		2014
Deferred tax assets:
Net realized losses on securities	$144		$144
Allowance for loan losses	2,497		2,568
Credit for alternative minimum tax paid	420		537
Other deferred tax assets	2,263		2,595
Total deferred tax assets	5,324		5,844
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unrealized holding gains on securities	4,122		2,844
Defined benefit plans - ASC 835	7		43
Bank premises and equipment	1,061		1,134
Core deposit intangibles	16		18
Other deferred tax liabilities	132		137
Total deferred tax liabilities	5,338		4,176
Deferred tax (liability) asset, net	($14)		$1,668

 

The provision for income tax for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is based on the Corporation’s estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. The effective tax rates for the Corporation are as follows:

 

	Three Months Ended
(In thousands)	March 31,
	2015		2014
Income before income tax provision	$5,044		$5,687
Income tax provision	1,229		1,399
Effective tax rate	24.37%		24.60%

 

The effective tax rate for each period presented differs from the statutory rate of 35% principally because of the effects of tax-exempt interest income.

 

The Corporation has investments in three limited partnerships that manage affordable housing projects that have qualified for the federal low-income housing tax credit. The Corporation’s expected return from these investments is based on the receipt of tax credits and tax benefits from deductions of operating losses. The Corporation uses the effective yield method to account for these investments, with the benefits recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes. For two of the three limited partnership investments, the tax credits have been received in full in prior years, and the Corporation has fully realized the benefits of the credits and amortized its initial investments in the partnerships. The most recent affordable housing project was completed in 2013, and the Corporation received tax credits in 2013 and 2014 and expects to continue to receive tax credits annually through 2022. The carrying amount of the Corporation’s investment is $884,000 at March 31, 2015 and $906,000 at December 31, 2014 (included in Other Assets in the consolidated balance sheets). For the year ending December 31, 2015, the estimated amount of tax credits and other tax benefits to be received is $158,000 and the estimated amount to be recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes is $80,000. For the year ended December 31, 2014, tax credits and other tax benefits totaled $159,000 and the amount recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes for 2014 was $83,000. In the first quarters 2015 and 2014, the total reduction in the provision for income taxes resulting from this investment is $20,000 and $21,000, respectively.

 

The Corporation has no unrecognized tax benefits, nor pending examination issues related to tax positions taken in preparation of its income tax returns. With limited exceptions, the Corporation is no longer subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for years prior to 2010.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

12. CONTINGENCIES

 

In the normal course of business, the Corporation may be subject to pending and threatened lawsuits in which claims for monetary damages could be asserted. In management’s opinion, the Corporation’s financial position and results of operations would not be materially affected by the outcome of these legal proceedings.

 

13. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

The FASB issues Accounting Standards Updates (ASUs) to the FASB ASC. This section provides a summary description of recent ASUs that have significant implications (elected or required) within the consolidated financial statements, or that management expects may have a significant impact on financial statements issued in the near future.

 

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-01, Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects. This Update provides guidance on accounting for investments in flow-through limited liability entities that qualify for the federal low-income housing tax credit. Currently, under U.S. GAAP, a reporting entity that invests in a qualified affordable housing project may elect to account for that investment using the effective yield method if certain conditions are met, or alternatively, the investment would be accounted for under either the equity method or the cost method. Generally, investors in qualified affordable housing project investments expect to receive all of their return through the receipt of tax credits and tax deductions from operating losses, and use of the effective yield method results in recognition of the return as a reduction of income tax expense over the period of the investment. The amendments in this Update modify the conditions that a reporting entity must meet to be eligible to use a method other than the equity or cost methods to account for investments in qualified affordable housing projects. Additionally, the amendments introduce new recurring disclosure requirements about investments in qualified affordable housing projects. The amendments in this Update became effective for the Corporation for annual and interim periods beginning in the first quarter 2015, and are to be applied retrospectively. Information concerning the Corporation’s investments in qualified affordable housing projects is provided in Note 11 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure. The objective of the amendments in this Update is to reduce diversity among reporting entities by clarifying when an in substance foreclosure occurs. The amendments in this Update clarify that an in substance foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real 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 the requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. An entity can elect to adopt the amendments in this Update using either a modified retrospective transition method or a prospective transition method. Under the modified retrospective transition method, an entity would record a cumulative-effect adjustment to residential consumer mortgage loans and foreclosed residential real estate properties existing as of the beginning of the annual period for which the amendments are effective. For prospective transition, an entity would apply the amendments to all instances of an entity receiving physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing consumer mortgage loans that occur after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this Update became effective for the Corporation for annual and interim periods beginning in the first quarter 2015. The Corporation has applied the amendments to its accounting and reporting practices prospectively in the first quarter 2015. Disclosures required by the Update are provided in Note 7 to these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides a principles-based framework for revenue recognition that supersedes virtually all previously issued revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. Additionally, the ASU requires improved disclosures to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The core principle of the five-step revenue recognition framework 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. ASU 2014-09 would be effective for all annual and interim periods beginning in the first quarter 2017; however, in April 2015 the FASB issued an Exposure Draft that (if issued after the FASB’s deliberation) would defer the effective date for the Corporation until the first quarter 2018. The amendments in the ASU should be applied either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this ASU recognized at the date of initial application. The Corporation is in the process of evaluating the potential impact of adopting this ASU, including determining which transition method to apply.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. In addition to various other amendments that will affect accounting and disclosures for transactions in which the Corporation has not engaged to date, this Update requires expanded disclosures for repurchase agreements that are accounted for as secured borrowings, including: (1) a disaggregation of the gross obligation by the class of collateral pledged, (2) the remaining contractual tenor of the agreements and (3) a discussion of the potential risks associated with the agreements and the related collateral pledged, including obligations arising from a decline in the fair value of the collateral pledged and how those risks are managed. The expanded disclosure requirements associated with repurchase agreements are effective for the Corporation for annual and interim periods beginning in the second quarter 2015. Information concerning the Corporation’s repurchase agreements is provided in Note 8 to these consolidated financial statements.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-14, Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructuring by Creditors, which requires that a mortgage loan be derecognized and that a separate other receivable be recognized upon foreclosure if the following conditions are met: (1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before 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 the 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. The amendments in this Update became effective for the Corporation for annual and interim periods beginning in the first quarter 2015, and the impact of the amendment was not significant to the Corporation.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Certain statements in this section and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements. Citizens & Northern Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the Corporation) intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts, are based on certain assumptions and describe future plans, business objectives and expectations, and are generally identifiable by the use of words such as, "should", “likely”, "expect", “plan”, "anticipate", “target”, “forecast”, and “goal”. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, may be beyond management’s control and could cause results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors which could have a material, adverse impact on the operations and future prospects of the Corporation include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

·

changes in monetary and fiscal policies of the Federal Reserve Board and the U. S. Government, particularly related to changes in interest rates

·

changes in general economic conditions

·

legislative or regulatory changes

·

downturn in demand for loan, deposit and other financial services in the Corporation’s market area

·

increased competition from other banks and non-bank providers of financial services

·

technological changes and increased technology-related costs

·

changes in accounting principles, or the application of generally accepted accounting principles.

 

These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.

 

EARNINGS OVERVIEW

 

Net income in the first quarter 2015 totaled $3,815,000, or $0.31 per basic and diluted share. Net income for the first quarter 2015 was down from $0.35 per basic share and $0.34 per diluted share in the first quarter 2014. First quarter 2015 earnings reflected an annualized return on average assets of 1.23% and an annualized return on average equity of 8.08%.

 

Some of the more significant fluctuations in the components of earnings between the first quarter 2015 and the first quarter 2014 are as follows:

 

·

Net interest income totaled $9,950,000 in the first quarter 2015, down 1.7% from $10,118,000 in the first quarter 2014. Over the course of 2014 and in the first quarter 2015, yields earned on securities and loans have fallen by more than interest rates paid on deposits and borrowings. Also, the average balance of loans outstanding was

$10.8 million (1.7%) lower in the first quarter 2015 than in the first quarter 2014. The net interest margin was 3.74% in the first quarter 2015 as compared to 3.89% in the first quarter 2014.

 

·

The Corporation recorded a provision for loan losses of $3,000 in the first quarter 2015 as compared to a credit for loan losses (reduction of expense) of ($311,000) in the first quarter 2014. The credit for loan losses in the first quarter 2014 included the effects of a net reduction in specific allowances required on impaired loans of $143,000, and also included a reduction in the collectively determined portion of the allowance resulting from a decrease in loan balances outstanding.

 

·

Noninterest revenue of $3,487,000 in the first quarter 2015 was $264,000 lower than in the first quarter 2014. Included in noninterest revenue in the first quarter 2015 was an $117,000 decrease in the fair value of servicing rights from residential mortgage loans; in comparison, the fair value of servicing rights increased $105,000 in the first quarter 2014. Service charges on deposit accounts fell $201,000 (16.4%) in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the first quarter 2014, primarily as a result of lower net overdraft fees. The Corporation received $83,000 in dividends on FHLB stock in 2015 compared to receiving $19,000 during the same period in 2014.

 

·

Realized gains from available-for-sale securities totaled $74,000 in the first quarter 2015, up from $31,000 in the first quarter 2014.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

·

Noninterest expense totaled $8,464,000 in the first quarter 2015, down slightly from $8,524,000 in the first quarter 2014. Salaries and wages expense decreased $78,000, including a reduction in stock-based compensation for employees of $55,000 that reflects a longer vesting period associated with awards to executives. Pennsylvania shares tax expense decreased $92,000 in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the first quarter 2014, mainly as a result of an increase in tax credits associated with charitable contributions. Other operating expense increased $35,000 in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the first quarter 2014, including an increase in charitable contributions expense of $86,000.

 

·

More detailed information concerning fluctuations in the Corporation’s earnings results are provided in other sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

 

TABLE I - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
(In Thousands) (Unaudited)
	Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,		Sept. 30,		June 30,		Mar. 31,
	2015		2014		2014		2014		2014
Interest income	$11,163		$11,468		$11,572		$11,563		$11,406
Interest expense	1,213		1,257		1,287		1,290		1,288
Net interest income	9,950		10,211		10,285		10,273		10,118
Provision (credit) for loan losses	3		123		218		446		(311)
Net interest income after provision (credit) for loan losses	9,947		10,088		10,067		9,827		10,429
Other income	3,487		3,802		3,887		3,980		3,751
Net gains on available-for-sale securities	74		210		760		103		31
Other expenses	8,464		8,250		9,036		8,347		8,524
Income before income tax provision	5,044		5,850		5,678		5,563		5,687
Income tax provision	1,229		1,482		1,411		1,400		1,399
Net income	$3,815		$4,368		$4,267		$4,163		$4,288
Net income per share – basic	$0.31		$0.36		$0.34		$0.33		$0.35
Net income per share – diluted	$0.31		$0.35		$0.34		$0.33		$0.34

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The presentation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect many of the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change is the determination of the allowance for loan losses. Management believes the allowance for loan losses is adequate and reasonable. Analytical information related to the Corporation’s aggregate loans and the related allowance for loan losses is summarized by loan segment and classes of loans in Note 7 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements. Additional discussion of the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses is provided in a separate section later in Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Given the very subjective nature of identifying and valuing loan losses, it is likely that well-informed individuals could make materially different assumptions, and could, therefore calculate a materially different allowance value. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, changes in economic conditions may necessitate revisions in future years. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Corporation to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination.

 

Another material estimate is the calculation of fair values of the Corporation’s debt securities. For most of the Corporation’s debt securities, the Corporation receives estimated fair values of debt securities from an independent valuation service, or from brokers. In developing fair values, the valuation service and the brokers use estimates of cash flows, based on historical performance of similar instruments in similar interest rate environments. Based on experience, management is aware that estimated fair values of debt securities tend to vary among brokers and other valuation services.

 

As described in Note 6 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements, management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI). In making that evaluation, consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) whether the Corporation intends to sell the security or more likely than not will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. Management’s assessments of the likelihood and potential for recovery in value of securities are subjective and based on sensitive assumptions.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

NET INTEREST INCOME

 

The Corporation’s primary source of operating income is net interest income, which is equal to the difference between the amounts of interest income and interest expense. Tables II, III and IV include information regarding the Corporation’s net interest income for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014. In each of these tables, the amounts of interest income earned on tax-exempt securities and loans have been adjusted to a fully taxable-equivalent basis. Accordingly, the net interest income amounts reflected in these tables exceed the amounts presented in the consolidated financial statements. The discussion that follows is based on amounts in the related Tables.

 

For the three-month periods, fully taxable equivalent net interest income was $10,668,000 in 2015, $229,000 (2.1%) lower than in 2014. As shown in Table IV, interest rate changes had the effect of decreasing net interest income $234,000 and changes in volume had the effect of increasing net interest income $5,000 in 2015 compared to 2014. The most significant components of the rate-related change in net interest income in 2015 were a decrease in interest income of $184,000 attributable to lower rates earned on loans receivable and a decrease in interest income of $89,000 attributable to lower rates earned on available-for-sale securities, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense of $38,000 due to lower rates paid on interest-bearing deposits. The most significant components of the volume-related change in net interest income in 2014 were a decrease in interest income of $142,000 attributable to a decline in the balance of loans receivable, partially offset by an increase in interest income of $116,000 from an increase in available-for-sale securities and a decrease in interest expense of $30,000 attributable to a reduction in the balance of interest-bearing deposits (primarily certificates of deposit). As presented in Table III, the “Interest Rate Spread” (excess of average rate of return on earning assets over average cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities) was 3.57% in 2015, as compared to 3.72% in 2014.

 

INTEREST INCOME AND EARNING ASSETS

 

Interest income totaled $11,881,000 in 2015, a decrease of 2.5% from 2014. Interest and fees on loans receivable decreased $326,000, or 3.8%. The average balance of gross loans receivable decreased 1.7% to $624,423,000 in 2015 from $635,176,000 in 2014. The Corporation experienced contraction in the balance of loans receivable due to borrowers prepaying or refinancing existing loans combined with modest demand for new loans. The Corporation’s average rate of return on loans receivable declined to 5.35% in 2015 from 5.47% in 2014 as rates on new loans have decreased.

 

As indicated in Table III, average available-for-sale securities (at amortized cost) totaled $505,778,000 in 2015, an increase of $34,085,000 (7.2%) from 2014. The net increase in the Corporation’s available-for-sale securities portfolio was primarily made up of mortgage-backed securities and collateralized mortgage obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies. The Corporation’s yield on securities was lower in 2015 than in 2014, primarily because of lower market interest rates. The average rate of return on available-for-sale securities was 2.90% for 2015 and 3.08% in 2014.

 

INTEREST EXPENSE AND INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES

 

Interest expense fell $75,000, or 5.8%, to $1,213,000 in 2015 from $1,288,000 in 2014. Table III shows that the overall cost of funds on interest-bearing liabilities fell to 0.59% in 2015 from 0.63% in 2014.

 

Total average deposits (interest-bearing and noninterest-bearing) increased 2.2%, to $966,027,000 in 2015 from $945,178,000 in 2014. Increases in the average balances of interest checking, savings accounts and noninterest-bearing demand deposit accounts were partially offset by decreases in certificates of deposit, Individual Retirement Accounts, and money market accounts. Consistent with continuing low short-term market interest rate, the average rate incurred on certificates of deposit decreased in 2015 as compared to 2014.

 

Total average borrowed funds decreased $4,312,000 to $79,037,000 in 2015 from $83,349,000 in 2014.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE II - ANALYSIS OF INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE

 

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,				Increase/
(In Thousands)	2015		2014		(Decrease)
INTEREST INCOME
Available-for-sale securities:
Taxable	$2,061		$1,891		$170
Tax-exempt	1,551		1,694		(143)
Total available-for-sale securities	3,612		3,585		27
Interest-bearing due from banks	26		30		(4)
Loans held for sale	2		3		(1)
Loans receivable:
Taxable	7,709		7,998		(289)
Tax-exempt	532		569		(37)
Total loans receivable	8,241		8,567		(326)
Total Interest Income	11,881		12,185		(304)
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest-bearing deposits:
Interest checking	55		52		3
Money market	72		69		3
Savings	31		29		2
Certificates of deposit	215		289		(74)
Individual Retirement Accounts	113		115		(2)
Total interest-bearing deposits	486		554		(68)
Borrowed funds:
Short-term	1		5		(4)
Long-term	726		729		(3)
Total borrowed funds	727		734		(7)
Total Interest Expense	1,213		1,288		(75)
Net Interest Income	$10,668		$10,897		($229)

 

Note: Interest income from tax-exempt securities and loans has been adjusted to a fully tax-equivalent basis, using the Corporation’s marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE III - ANALYSIS OF AVERAGE DAILY BALANCES AND RATES

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

	3 Months				3 Months
	Ended		Rate of		Ended		Rate of
	3/31/2015		Return/		3/31/2014		Return/
	Average		Cost of		Average		Cost of
	Balance		Funds %		Balance		Funds %
EARNING ASSETS
Available-for-sale securities, at amortized cost:
Taxable	$388,104		2.15%		$345,663		2.22%
Tax-exempt	117,674		5.35%		126,030		5.45%
Total available-for-sale securities	505,778		2.90%		471,693		3.08%
Interest-bearing due from banks	26,994		0.39%		30,099		0.40%
Federal funds sold	0		0.00%		0		0.00%
Loans held for sale	89		9.11%		119		10.22%
Loans receivable:
Taxable	582,498		5.37%		595,514		5.45%
Tax-exempt	41,925		5.15%		39,662		5.82%
Total loans receivable	624,423		5.35%		635,176		5.47%
Total Earning Assets	1,157,284		4.16%		1,137,087		4.35%
Cash	16,127				16,299
Unrealized gain/loss on securities	10,626				2,752
Allowance for loan losses	(7,391)				(8,780)
Bank premises and equipment	16,252				17,283
Intangible Asset - Core Deposit Intangible	50				83
Intangible Asset - Goodwill	11,942				11,942
Other assets	37,135				42,326
Total Assets	$1,242,025				$1,218,992
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Interest-bearing deposits:
Interest checking	$191,705		0.12%		$179,617		0.12%
Money market	194,834		0.15%		195,596		0.14%
Savings	127,853		0.10%		118,529		0.10%
Certificates of deposit	122,007		0.71%		134,833		0.87%
Individual Retirement Accounts	113,806		0.40%		122,389		0.38%
Other time deposits	803		0.00%		812		0.00%
Total interest-bearing deposits	751,008		0.26%		751,776		0.30%
Borrowed funds:
Short-term	6,017		0.07%		10,049		0.20%
Long-term	73,020		4.03%		73,300		4.03%
Total borrowed funds	79,037		3.73%		83,349		3.57%
Total Interest-bearing Liabilities	830,045		0.59%		835,125		0.63%
Demand deposits	215,019				193,402
Other liabilities	8,120				8,158
Total Liabilities	1,053,184				1,036,685
Stockholders' equity, excluding other comprehensive income/loss	181,944				180,440
Other comprehensive income/loss	6,897				1,867
Total Stockholders' Equity	188,841				182,307
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$1,242,025				$1,218,992
Interest Rate Spread			3.57%				3.72%
Net Interest Income/Earning Assets			3.74%				3.89%
Total Deposits (Interest-bearing
and Demand)	$966,027				$945,178

 

(1) Rates of return on tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully taxable-equivalent basis, using the Corporation’s marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.

(2) Nonaccrual loans have been included with loans for the purpose of analyzing net interest earnings.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE IV - ANALYSIS OF VOLUME AND RATE CHANGES

(In Thousands)	3 Months Ended  3/31/15 vs. 3/31/14
	Change in		Change in		Total
	Volume		Rate		Change
EARNING ASSETS
Available-for-sale securities:
Taxable	$226		($56)		$170
Tax-exempt	(110)		(33)		(143)
Total available-for-sale securities	116		(89)		27
Interest-bearing due from banks	(3)		(1)		(4)
Loans held for sale	(1)		0		(1)
Loans receivable:
Taxable	(173)		(116)		(289)
Tax-exempt	31		(68)		(37)
Total loans receivable	(142)		(184)		(326)
Total Interest Income	(30)		(274)		(304)
INTEREST-BEARING LIABILITIES
Interest-bearing deposits:
Interest checking	3		0		3
Money market	0		3		3
Savings	2		0		2
Certificates of deposit	(26)		(48)		(74)
Individual Retirement Accounts	(9)		7		(2)
Total interest-bearing deposits	(30)		(38)		(68)
Borrowed funds:
Short-term	(2)		(2)		(4)
Long-term	(3)		0		(3)
Total borrowed funds	(5)		(2)		(7)
Total Interest Expense	(35)		(40)		(75)
Net Interest Income	$5		($234)		($229)

 

(1) Changes in income on tax-exempt securities and loans are presented on a fully tax-equivalent basis, using the Corporation’s marginal federal income tax rate of 35%.

 

(2) The change in interest due to both volume and rates has been allocated to volume and rate changes in proportion to the relationship of the absolute dollar amount of the change in each.

 

  

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE V - COMPARISON OF NONINTEREST INCOME      

(In Thousands)

 

		3 Months Ended
		March 31,				$		%
		2015		2014		Change		Change
Service charges on deposit accounts		$1,022		$1,223		($201)		(16.4)
Service charges and fees		113		127		(14)		(11.0)
Trust and financial management revenue		1,114		1,047		67		6.4
Brokerage revenue		219		227		(8)		(3.5)
Insurance commissions, fees and premiums		40		32		8		25.0
Interchange revenue from debit card transactions		474		453		21		4.6
Net gains from sales of loans		147		151		(4)		(2.6)
(Decrease) increase in fair value of servicing rights		(117)		105		(222)		(211.4)
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance		97		88		9		10.2
Other operating income		378		298		80		26.8
Total other operating income before realized gains on available-for-sale securities, net		$3,487		$3,751		($264)		(7.0)

 

Table V excludes realized gains on available-for-sale securities, which are discussed in the “Earnings Overview” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Total noninterest income shown in Table V decreased $264,000 or 7.0%, in the first three months of 2015 as compared to the first three months of 2014. The most significant variances include the following:

 

·

The fair value of servicing rights associated with residential mortgage loans decreased $117,000 in the first quarter 2015, as compared to an increase of $105,000 in the first quarter 2014. The decrease in fair value in 2015 resulted mainly from faster prepayment assumptions driven by market assumptions of lower interest rates.

 

·

Service charges on deposit accounts fell $201,000 (16.4%) in the first quarter 2015 compared to the first quarter 2014, primarily as a result of lower net overdraft fees.

 

·

Included in the “Other operating income” line item is a $63,000 increase in dividends on FHLB stock received in 2015.

 

TABLE VI - COMPARISON OF NONINTEREST EXPENSE
(In Thousands)
		3 Months Ended
		March 31,				$		%
		2015		2014		Change		Change
Salaries and wages		$3,487		$3,565		($78)		(2.2)
Pensions and other employee benefits		1,385		1,319		66		5.0
Occupancy expense, net		722		715		7		1.0
Furniture and equipment expense		454		472		(18)		(3.8)
FDIC Assessments		151		147		4		2.7
Pennsylvania shares tax		249		341		(92)		(27.0)
Professional fees		122		148		(26)		(17.6)
Automated teller machine and interchange expense		246		211		35		16.6
Software subscriptions		197		190		7		3.7
Other operating expense		1,451		1,416		35		2.5
Total Other Expense		$8,464		$8,524		($60)		(0.7)

 

As shown in Table VI, total noninterest expense decreased $60,000 or 0.7% in the first three months of 2015 as compared to the first three months of 2014. Significant variances include the following:

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

·

Pennsylvania shares tax expense decreased $92,000 in the first quarter 2015 as compared to the first quarter 2014, mainly as a result of an increase in tax credits associated with charitable contributions

 

·

Salaries and wages expense decreased $78,000, including a reduction in stock-based compensation for employees of $55,000 that reflects a longer vesting period associated with awards to executives.

 

·

Pensions and other employee benefits increased $66,000, or 5.0%. Health care expense increased $53,000, as the amount of claims incurred during the first quarter 2015 was higher than in the first quarter 2014. The Corporation is self-insured for health insurance, up to a cap for catastrophic levels of losses, which are insured by a third party.

 

·

Charitable contributions, included in the “Other operating expenses” line item, increased $86,000.

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

Significant changes in the average balances of the Corporation’s earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities are described in the “Net Interest Income” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis. Other significant balance sheet items, including the allowance for loan losses and stockholders’ equity, are discussed in separate sections of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

 

Management does not expect capital expenditures to have a material, detrimental effect on the Corporation’s financial condition in 2015.

 

PROVISION AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

 

The Corporation maintains an allowance for loan losses that represents management’s estimate of the losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date and recorded as a reduction of the investment in loans. Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements provides an overview of the process management uses for evaluating and determining the allowance for loan losses.

 

While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, changes in economic conditions may necessitate revisions in future years. In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Corporation’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Corporation to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on their judgments of information available to them at the time of their examination.

 

The allowance for loan losses was $7,134,000 at March 31, 2015, down from $7,336,000 at December 31, 2014. As shown in Table VIII, the specific allowance on impaired loans totaled $700,000 at March 31, 2015, which was $69,000 lower than the total specific allowance at December 31, 2014. Table VIII also shows the collectively determined components of the allowance for residential, commercial and consumer loans were $132,000 lower at March 31, 2015 than at December 31, 2014. The collectively determined components of these segments decreased primarily because the qualitative factors used to determine a portion of the collectively determined allowance were lower at March 31, 2015 as compared to December 31, 2014. The management committee that evaluates qualitative factors each quarter determined that slight reductions in some of the factors were appropriate in light of perceived improvements in portfolio credit quality and in economic conditions in the Corporation’s market area.

 

The provision (credit) for loan losses by segment in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: 

(In Thousands)		3 Months Ended
		March 31,		March 31,
		2015		2014
Residential mortgage		($72)		($119)
Commercial		79		(135)
Consumer		(3)		(53)
Unallocated		(1)		(4)
Total		$3		($311)

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

The provision for loan losses in the first quarter 2015 includes the net effect of a decrease in qualitative factor percentages used in determining the collectively evaluated portions of the allowance for loan losses, lower loan balances and a reduction in the specific allowance on impaired loans of $69,000, which were partially offset by increases in net charge-off percentages used in determining the collectively evaluated portions of the allowance for loan losses. The credit for loan losses in the first quarter 2014 included the net effect of a reduction in specific allowances on impaired loans of $143,000, while net charge-offs totaled only $9,000. The $135,000 credit for the commercial segment in the first quarter 2014 included the effect of recoveries totaling $251,000 on previously charged-off loans.

 

Table IX presents information related to past due and impaired loans, and loans that have been modified under terms that are considered troubled debt restructurings (TDRs). Table IX shows total impaired loans of $13,163,000 at March 31, 2015, up from the corresponding amount at December 31, 2014 of $12,316,000. Table IX shows that total impaired loans at December 31, 2013 was significantly higher than the corresponding amounts from 2010-2012, and that the amount of impaired loans (as well as nonperforming loans as reflected in the table) has remained higher through March 31, 2015 as compared to the earlier years included in the table. The increase in impaired and nonperforming loans reflects the classification as nonperforming of two large commercial loans with outstanding balances totaling $6,960,000 at March 31, 2015, $6,995,000 at December 31, 2014 and $7,599,000 at December 31, 2013. The total of the specific allowance for loan losses on those two loans amounted to $211,000 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and $1,624,000 at December 31, 2013. As described in the following paragraph, during the second quarter 2014, a charge-off of $1,486,000 was made related to one of these commercial loan relationships resulting in the decrease in the specific allowance for these credits.

 

As shown in Table IX, loans classified as TDRs totaled $7,124,000 at March 31, 2015 down from $7,195,000 at December 31, 2014. The balance of TDRs at December 31, 2014 had increased from $4,175,000 at December 31, 2013, mainly due to a restructuring agreement with one commercial borrower. The Corporation entered into a forbearance agreement with this commercial borrower which includes a reduction in monthly payment amounts over a fifteen-month period. At the end of the fifteen-month period, the monthly payment amounts would revert to the original amounts, unless the forbearance agreement is extended or the payment requirements are otherwise modified. The Corporation recorded a charge-off of $1,486,000 in the second quarter 2014 as a result of these modifications, as the payment amounts based on the forbearance agreement are not sufficient to fully amortize the contractual amount of principal outstanding on the loans. The amount of the charge-off was determined based on the excess of the contractual principal due over the present value of the payment amounts provided for in the forbearance agreement, assuming the revised payment amounts would continue until maturity, at the contractual interest rates.

 

Table IX reflects a lower amount of total loans past due 30-89 days and still accruing interest at March 31, 2015 of $5,722,000 as compared to the December 31, 2014 total of $7,121,000, mainly due to a lower amount of past due residential mortgage loans as well as commercial loans secured by real estate. Total loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing interest was up at March 31, 2015 to $3,086,000 from $2,843,000. As part of its normal quarterly procedures, management reviewed loans past due 90 days or more at March 31, 2015, and determined the loans remaining in accrual status to be well secured and in the process of collection. Each period presented in Table IX includes a few large commercial relationships that have required significant monitoring and workout efforts. As a result, a limited number of relationships may significantly impact the total amount of allowance required on impaired loans, and may significantly impact the amount of total charge-offs reported in any one period.

 

Management believes it has been conservative in its decisions concerning identification of impaired loans, estimates of loss, and nonaccrual status; however, the actual losses realized from these relationships could vary materially from the allowances calculated as of March 31, 2015. Management continues to closely monitor its commercial loan relationships for possible credit losses, and will adjust its estimates of loss and decisions concerning nonaccrual status, if appropriate.

 

Tables VII through X present historical data related to loans and the allowance for loan losses.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE VII - ANALYSIS OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
(In Thousands)
	3 Months Ended
	March 31,		March 31,		Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
Balance, beginning of year	$7,336		$8,663		$8,663		$6,857		$7,705		$9,107		$8,265
Charge-offs:
Residential mortgage	(79)		(19)		(327)		(95)		(552)		(100)		(340)
Commercial	(125)		(229)		(1,715)		(459)		(498)		(1,189)		(91)
Consumer	(18)		(26)		(97)		(117)		(171)		(157)		(188)
Total charge-offs	(222)		(274)		(2,139)		(671)		(1,221)		(1,446)		(619)
Recoveries:
Residential mortgage	1		0		25		24		18		3		55
Commercial	1		251		264		348		8		255		113
Consumer	15		14		47		58		59		71		102
Total recoveries	17		265		336		430		85		329		270
Net charge-offs	(205)		(9)		(1,803)		(241)		(1,136)		(1,117)		(349)
Provision (credit) for loan losses	3		(311)		476		2,047		288		(285)		1,191
Balance, end of period	$7,134		$8,343		$7,336		$8,663		$6,857		$7,705		$9,107
Net charge-offs as a % of average loans	0.03%		0.00%		0.29%		0.04%		0.16%		0.16%		0.05%

 

TABLE VIII - COMPONENTS OF THE ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

(In Thousands)

 

		Mar. 31,		As of December 31,
		2015		2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
ASC 310 - Impaired loans		$700		$769		$2,333		$623		$1,126		$2,288
ASC 450 - Collective segments:
Commercial		2,627		2,732		2,583		2,594		2,811		3,047
Residential mortgage		3,274		3,295		3,156		3,011		3,130		3,227
Consumer		139		145		193		188		204		232
Unallocated		394		395		398		441		434		313
Total Allowance		$7,134		$7,336		$8,663		$6,857		$7,705		$9,107

 

The above allocation is based on estimates and subjective judgments and is not necessarily indicative of the specific amounts or loan categories in which losses may occur.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE IX - PAST DUE AND IMPAIRED LOANS, NONPERFORMING ASSETS

AND TROUBLED DEBT RESTRUCTURINGS (TDRs)

 

(In Thousands)		As of
		March 31,		As of December 31,
		2015		2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance		$4,312		$3,241		$9,889		$2,710		$3,433		$5,457
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance		8,851		9,075		6,432		4,719		4,431		3,191
Total impaired loans		$13,163		$12,316		$16,321		$7,429		$7,864		$8,648
Total loans past due 30-89 days and still accruing		$5,722		$7,121		$8,305		$7,756		$7,898		$7,125
Nonperforming assets:
Total nonaccrual loans		$11,944		$12,610		$14,934		$7,353		$7,197		$10,809
Total loans past due 90 days or more and still accruing		3,086		2,843		3,131		2,311		1,267		727
Total nonperforming loans		15,030		15,453		18,065		9,664		8,464		11,536
Foreclosed assets held for sale (real estate)		1,583		1,189		892		879		1,235		537
Total nonperforming assets		$16,613		$16,642		$18,957		$10,543		$9,699		$12,073
Loans subject to troubled debt restructurings (TDRs):
Performing		$1,872		$1,807		$3,267		$906		$1,064		$645
Nonperforming		5,252		5,388		908		1,155		2,413		0
Total TDRs		$7,124		$7,195		$4,175		$2,061		$3,477		$645
Total nonperforming loans as a % of loans		2.39%		2.45%		2.80%		1.41%		1.19%		1.58%
Total nonperforming assets as a % of assets		1.33%		1.34%		1.53%		0.82%		0.73%		0.92%
Allowance for loan losses as a % of total loans		1.14%		1.16%		1.34%		1.00%		1.09%		1.25%
Allowance for loan losses as a % of nonperforming loans		47.47%		47.47%		47.95%		70.95%		91.03%		78.94%

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE X - SUMMARY OF LOANS BY TYPE

Summary of Loans by Type

(In Thousands)		Mar. 31,		As of December 31,
		2015		2014		2013		2012		2011		2010
Residential mortgage:
Residential mortgage loans - first liens		$291,612		$291,882		$299,831		$311,627		$331,015		$333,012
Residential mortgage loans - junior liens		20,896		21,166		23,040		26,748		28,851		31,590
Home equity lines of credit		37,049		36,629		34,530		33,017		30,037		26,853
1-4 Family residential construction		16,217		16,739		13,909		12,842		9,959		14,379
Total residential mortgage		365,774		366,416		371,310		384,234		399,862		405,834
Commercial:
Commercial loans secured by real estate		140,851		145,878		147,215		158,413		156,388		167,094
Commercial and industrial		51,563		50,157		42,387		48,442		57,191		59,005
Political subdivisions		19,479		17,534		16,291		31,789		37,620		36,480
Commercial construction and land		7,249		6,938		17,003		28,200		23,518		24,004
Loans secured by farmland		7,789		7,916		10,468		11,403		10,949		11,353
Multi-family (5 or more) residential		8,673		8,917		10,985		6,745		6,583		7,781
Agricultural loans		3,158		3,221		3,251		3,053		2,987		3,472
Other commercial loans		13,187		13,334		14,631		362		552		392
Total commercial		251,949		253,895		262,231		288,407		295,788		309,581
Consumer		10,622		10,234		10,762		11,269		12,665		14,996
Total		628,345		630,545		644,303		683,910		708,315		730,411
Less: allowance for loan losses		(7,134)		(7,336)		(8,663)		(6,857)		(7,705)		(9,107)
Loans, net		$621,211		$623,209		$635,640		$677,053		$700,610		$721,304

   

LIQUIDITY

 

Liquidity is the ability to quickly raise cash at a reasonable cost. An adequate liquidity position permits the Corporation to pay creditors, compensate for unforeseen deposit fluctuations and fund unexpected loan demand. At March 31, 2015, the Corporation maintained overnight interest-bearing deposits with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and other correspondent banks totaling $14,434,000.

 

The Corporation maintains overnight borrowing facilities with several correspondent banks that provide a source of day-to-day liquidity. Also, the Corporation maintains borrowing facilities with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, secured by various mortgage loans.

 

The Corporation has a line of credit with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Discount Window. Management intends to use this line of credit as a contingency funding source. As collateral for the line, the Corporation has pledged available-for-sale securities with a carrying value of $25,114,000 at March 31, 2015.

 

The Corporation’s outstanding, available, and total credit facilities at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:

 

		Outstanding				Available				Total Credit
(In Thousands)		Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,		Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,		Mar. 31,		Dec. 31,
		2015		2014		2015		2014		2015		2014
Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh		$11,988		$12,060		$311,312		$311,007		$323,300		$323,067
Federal Reserve Bank Discount Window		0		0		25,114		25,367		25,114		25,367
Other correspondent banks		0		0		45,000		45,000		45,000		45,000
Total credit facilities		$11,988		$12,060		$381,426		$381,374		$393,414		$393,434

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

At March 31, 2015, the Corporation’s outstanding credit facilities with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh consisted of long-term borrowings with a total amount of $11,988,000. At December 31, 2014, the Corporation’s outstanding credit facilities with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh included long-term borrowings with a total amount of $12,060,000. Additional information regarding borrowed funds is included in Note 8 of the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

Additionally, the Corporation uses repurchase agreements placed with brokers to borrow funds secured by investment assets and “RepoSweep” arrangements to borrow funds from commercial banking customers on an overnight basis. If required to raise cash in an emergency situation, the Corporation could sell available-for-sale securities to meet its obligations. At March 31, 2015, the carrying value of available-for-sale securities in excess of amounts required to meet pledging or repurchase agreement obligations was $303,539,000.

 

Management believes the Corporation is well-positioned to meet its short-term and long-term obligations.

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND CAPITAL ADEQUACY

 

The Corporation and C&N Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Details concerning capital ratios at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented below. Management believes, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, that the Corporation and C&N Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject.

 

										Minimum To Be Well
(Dollars in Thousands)						Minimum				Capitalized Under
						Capital				Prompt Corrective
		Actual				Requirement				Action Provisions
		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio		Amount		Ratio
March 31, 2015:
Total capital to risk-weighted assets:
Consolidated		$177,982		25.19%		$56,533		³8%		$70,667		³10%
C&N Bank		157,426		22.52%		55,917		³8%		$69,896		³10%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets:
Consolidated		169,483		23.98%		28,267		³6%		56,533		³8%
C&N Bank		150,259		21.50%		27,958		³6%		55,917		³8%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets:
Consolidated		169,483		23.98%		28,267		³4.5%		45,933		³6.5%
C&N Bank		150,259		21.50%		27,958		³4.5%		45,432		³6.5%
Tier 1 capital to average assets:
Consolidated		169,483		13.86%		48,918		³4%		61,148		³5%
C&N Bank		150,259		12.40%		48,474		³4%		60,592		³5%
December 31, 2014:
Total capital to risk-weighted assets:
Consolidated		$179,588		27.60%		$52,051		³8%		n/a		n/a
C&N Bank		156,420		24.33%		51,442		³8%		$64,303		³10%
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets:
Consolidated		170,880		26.26%		26,026		³4%		n/a		n/a
C&N Bank		149,055		23.18%		25,721		³4%		38,582		³6%
Tier 1 capital to average assets:
Consolidated		170,880		13.89%		49,224		³4%		n/a		n/a
C&N Bank		149,055		12.22%		48,798		³4%		60,998		³5%

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

Management expects the Corporation and C&N Bank to maintain capital levels that exceed the regulatory standards for well-capitalized institutions for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future. Planned capital expenditures are not expected to have a significantly detrimental effect on capital ratios.

 

Future dividend payments will depend upon maintenance of a strong financial condition, future earnings and capital and regulatory requirements. As described in more detail in the section below titled “New Capital Rule," the Corporation and C&N Bank are subject to restrictions on the amount of dividends that may be paid without approval of banking regulatory authorities.

 

The Corporation’s total stockholders’ equity is affected by fluctuations in the fair values of available-for-sale securities. The difference between amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of deferred income tax, is included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) within stockholders’ equity. The balance in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income related to unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred income tax, amounted to $7,654,000 at March 31, 2015 and $5,281,000 at December 31, 2014. Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income are excluded from earnings and directly increase or decrease stockholders’ equity. If available-for-sale securities are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, unrealized losses are recorded as a charge against earnings, and amortized cost for the affected securities is reduced. Note 6 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements provides additional information concerning management’s evaluation of available-for-sale securities for other-than-temporary impairment at March 31, 2015.

 

Stockholders’ equity is also affected by the underfunded or overfunded status of defined benefit pension and postretirement plans. The balance in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income related to defined benefit plans, net of deferred income tax, was $12,000 at March 31, 2015 and $79,000 at December 31, 2014.

 

NEW CAPITAL RULE

 

In July 2013, the federal regulatory authorities issued a new capital rule based, in part, on revisions developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to the Basel capital framework (Basel III). The Corporation and C&N Bank are subject to the new rule on January 1, 2015. Generally, the new rule implements higher minimum capital requirements, revises the definition of regulatory capital components and related calculations, adds a new common equity tier 1 capital ratio, implements a new capital conservation buffer, increases the risk weighting for past due loans and provides a transition period for several aspects of the new rule.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

A summarized comparison of the prior capital requirements with requirements under the current (new) rule is as follows:

 

	Prior General
	Risk-Based	Current
	Capital Rule	(New) Capital Rule
Minimum regulatory capital ratios:
Common equity tier 1 capital/ risk-weighted assets (RWA)	N/A	4.5%
Tier 1 capital / RWA	4%	6%
Total capital / RWA	8%	8%
Tier 1 capital / Average assets (Leverage ratio)	4%	4%
Capital buffers:
Capital conservation buffer	N/A	2.5% of RWA; composed of
		common equity tier 1 capital
Prompt correction action levels -
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio:
Well capitalized	N/A	³6.5%
Adequately capitalized	N/A	³4.5%
Undercapitalized	N/A	<4.5%
Significantly undercapitalized	N/A	<3%
Prompt correction action levels -
Tier 1 capital ratio:
Well capitalized	³6%	³8%
Adequately capitalized	³4%	³6%
Undercapitalized	<4%	<6%
Significantly undercapitalized	<3%	<4%
Prompt correction action levels -
Total capital ratio:
Well capitalized	³10%	³10%
Adequately capitalized	³8%	³8%
Undercapitalized	<8%	<8%
Significantly undercapitalized	<6%	<6%
Prompt correction action levels -
Leverage ratio:
Well capitalized	³5%	³5%
Adequately capitalized	³4%	³4%
Undercapitalized	<4%	<4%
Significantly undercapitalized	<3%	<3%
Prompt correction action levels -
Critically undercapitalized:
Tangible equity to total assets	≤2%	≤2%

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

The current (new) capital rule provides that, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions, including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers, a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer composed of common equity tier 1 capital above its minimum risk-based capital requirements. The buffer is measured relative to risk-weighted assets. Phase-in of the capital conservation buffer requirements will begin January 1, 2016. The transition schedule for new ratios, including the capital conservation buffer, is as follows:

 

	As of January 1:
	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Minimum common equity tier 1 capital ratio	4.5%	4.5%	4.5%	4.5%	4.5%
Common equity tier 1 capital conservation buffer	N/A	0.625%	1.25%	1.875%	2.5%
Minimum common equity tier 1 capital ratio plus capital conservation buffer	4.5%	5.125%	5.75%	6.375%	7.0%
Phase-in of most deductions from common equity tier 1 capital	40%	60%	80%	100%	100%
Minimum tier 1 capital ratio	6.0%	6.0%	6.0%	6.0%	6.0%
Minimum tier 1 capital ratio plus capital conservation buffer	N/A	6.625%	7.25%	7.875%	8.5%
Minimum total capital ratio	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%	8.0%
Minimum total capital ratio plus capital conservation buffer	N/A	8.625%	9.25%	9.875%	10.5%

 

As fully phased in, a banking organization with a buffer greater than 2.5% would not be subject to additional limits on dividend payments or discretionary bonus payments; however, a banking organization with a buffer less than 2.5% would be subject to increasingly stringent limitations as the buffer approaches zero. The new rule also prohibits a banking organization from making dividend payments or discretionary bonus payments if its eligible retained income is negative in that quarter and its capital conservation buffer ratio was less than 2.5% as of the beginning of that quarter. Eligible net income is defined as net income for the four calendar quarters preceding the current calendar quarter, net of any distributions and associated tax effects not already reflected in net income. A summary of payout restrictions based on the capital conservation buffer is as follows: 

Capital Conservation Buffer	Maximum Payout
(as a % of risk-weighted assets)	(as a % of eligible retained income)
Greater than 2.5%	No payout limitation applies
≤2.5% and >1.875%	60%
≤1.875% and >1.25%	40%
≤1.25% and >0.625%	20%
≤0.625%	0%

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

Comprehensive Income is the total of (1) net income, and (2) all other changes in equity from non-stockholder sources, which are referred to as Other Comprehensive Income. Changes in the components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income are included in Other Comprehensive Income, and for the Corporation, consist of changes in unrealized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities and changes in underfunded or overfunded defined benefit plans.

 

Comprehensive Income totaled $6,121,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to $7,823,000 in the first three months of 2014. In the first three months of 2015, Comprehensive Income included: (1) Net Income of $3,815,000, which was $473,000 lower than in the first three months of 2014; (2) Other Comprehensive Income from unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred income tax, of $2,373,000 as compared to Other Comprehensive Income of $3,446,000 in the first three months of 2014; and (3) Other Comprehensive Loss from defined benefit plans, net of deferred income tax, of ($67,000) in the first three months of 2015 as compared to Other Comprehensive Income of $89,000 in the first three months of 2014.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

INCOME TAXES

 

The effective income tax rate was 24.37% in the first quarter 2015, down slightly from 24.99% in the year ended December 31, 2014 and 24.60% in the first quarter 2014. The reduction in the effective tax rate in the first quarter 2015 resulted mainly from the marginal effect of lower pre-tax income. The provision for income tax for interim periods is based on the Corporation’s estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. The Corporation’s effective tax rates differ from the statutory rate of 35% principally because of the effects of tax-exempt interest income.

 

The Corporation recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. At March 31, 2015, the net deferred tax (liability) was $14,000, compared to a deferred tax asset of $1,688,000 at December 31, 2014. At March 31, 2015, the deferred tax liability associated with unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities was $4,122,000 as compared to $2,844,000 at December 31, 2014.

 

The Corporation regularly reviews deferred tax assets for recoverability based on history of earnings, expectations for future earnings and expected timing of reversals of temporary differences. Realization of deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income, including taxable income in prior carryback years, as well as future taxable income.

 

Additional information related to income taxes is presented in Note 11 to the unaudited, consolidated financial statements.

 

INFLATION

 

The Corporation is significantly affected by the Federal Reserve Board’s efforts to control inflation through changes in short-term interest rates. Beginning in September 2007, in response to concerns about weakness in the U.S. economy, the Federal Reserve lowered the fed funds target rate numerous times; in December 2008, it established a target range of 0% to 0.25%, which it has maintained through March 31, 2015. Also, the Federal Reserve has injected massive amounts of liquidity into the nation’s monetary system through a variety of programs. The Federal Reserve has purchased large amounts of securities in an effort to keep interest rates low and stimulate economic growth. Beginning in late 2013, the Federal Reserve began reducing the amount of securities purchased under its asset purchase program and then ended the program in October 2014, though still reinvesting principal payments from its holdings of agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities and continued to roll over maturing Treasury securities at auction. The Federal Reserve is expected to continue its highly accommodative monetary policy in the form of low short-term interest rates for the foreseeable future, though many observers believe the fed funds target rate may be raised above its current level in 2015.

 

Despite the current low short-term rate environment, inflation statistics indicate that the overall rate of inflation is unlikely to significantly affect the Corporation’s operations within the near future. Although management cannot predict future changes in the rates of inflation, management monitors the impact of economic trends, including any indicators of inflationary pressures, in managing interest rate and other financial risks.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

MARKET RISK

 

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices of the Corporation’s financial instruments. In addition to the effects of interest rates, the market prices of the Corporation’s debt securities within the available-for-sale securities portfolio are affected by fluctuations in the risk premiums (amounts of spread over risk-free rates) demanded by investors. Management attempts to limit the risk that economic conditions would force the Corporation to sell securities for realized losses by maintaining a strong capital position (discussed in the “Stockholders’ Equity and Capital Adequacy” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis) and ample sources of liquidity (discussed in the “Liquidity” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis).

 

The Corporation’s two major categories of market risk are interest rate risk and equity securities risk, which are discussed in the following sections.

 

INTEREST RATE RISK

 

Business risk arising from changes in interest rates is an inherent factor in operating a bank. The Corporation’s assets are predominantly long-term, fixed-rate loans and debt securities. Funding for these assets comes principally from shorter-term deposits and borrowed funds. Accordingly, there is an inherent risk of lower future earnings or decline in fair value of the Corporation’s financial instruments when interest rates change.

 

The Corporation uses a simulation model to calculate the potential effects of interest rate fluctuations on net interest income and the market value of portfolio equity. For purposes of these calculations, the market value of portfolio equity includes the fair values of financial instruments, such as securities, loans, deposits and borrowed funds, and the book values of nonfinancial assets and liabilities, such as premises and equipment and accrued expenses. The model measures and projects potential changes in net interest income, and calculates the discounted present value of anticipated cash flows of financial instruments, assuming an immediate increase or decrease in interest rates. Management ordinarily runs a variety of scenarios within a range of plus or minus 100-400 basis points of current rates.

 

The model makes estimates, at each level of interest rate change, regarding cash flows from principal repayments on loans and mortgage-backed securities and call activity on other investment securities. Actual results could vary significantly from these estimates, which could result in significant differences in the calculations of projected changes in net interest income and market value of portfolio equity. Also, the model does not make estimates related to changes in the composition of the deposit portfolio that could occur due to rate competition, and the table does not necessarily reflect changes that management would make to realign the portfolio as a result of changes in interest rates.

 

The Corporation’s Board of Directors has established policy guidelines for acceptable levels of interest rate risk, based on an immediate increase or decrease in interest rates. The policy limits acceptable fluctuations in net interest income from the baseline (flat rates) one-year scenario and variances in the market value of portfolio equity from the baseline values based on current rates.

 

Table XIII, which follows this discussion, is based on the results of calculations performed using the simulation model as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014. The table shows that as of the respective dates, the changes in net interest income and changes in market value were within the policy limits in all scenarios.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

TABLE XI - THE EFFECT OF HYPOTHETICAL CHANGES IN INTEREST RATES

 

January 31, 2015 Data
(In Thousands)	Period Ending January 31, 2016
Basis Point	Interest	Interest	Net Interest	NII	NII
Change in Rates	Income	Expense	Income (NII)	% Change	Risk Limit
+400	$51,000	$22,065	$28,935	-21.2%	25.0%
+300	48,754	17,334	31,420	-14.4%	20.0%
+200	46,448	13,054	33,394	-9.0%	15.0%
+100	44,024	8,938	35,086	-4.4%	10.0%
0	41,525	4,828	36,697	0.0%	0.0%
-100	38,701	4,646	34,055	-7.2%	10.0%
-200	37,190	4,645	32,545	-11.3%	15.0%
-300	36,317	4,645	31,672	-13.7%	20.0%
-400	36,207	4,545	31,662	-13.7%	25.0%

 

	Market Value of Portfolio Equity at January 31, 2015
	Present	Present	Present
Basis Point	Value	Value	Value
Change in Rates	Equity	% Change	Risk Limit
+400	$177,092	-23.3%	50.0%
+300	189,865	-17.8%	45.0%
+200	203,871	-11.7%	35.0%
+100	217,412	-5.9%	25.0%
0	230,974	0.0%	0.0%
-100	225,559	-2.3%	25.0%
-200	230,535	-0.2%	35.0%
-300	260,073	12.6%	45.0%
-400	293,822	27.2%	50.0%

 

October 31, 2014 Data
(In Thousands)		Period Ending October 31, 2015
Basis Point	Interest	Interest	Net Interest	NII	NII
Change in Rates	Income	Expense	Income (NII)	% Change	Risk Limit
+400	$55,351	$23,123	$32,228	-20.3%	25.0%
+300	52,975	18,223	34,752	-14.1%	20.0%
+200	50,546	13,618	36,928	-8.7%	15.0%
+100	47,977	9,330	38,647	-4.4%	10.0%
0	45,478	5,043	40,435	0.0%	0.0%
-100	42,869	4,794	38,075	-5.8%	10.0%
-200	41,095	4,729	36,366	-10.1%	15.0%
-300	40,123	4,707	35,416	-12.4%	20.0%
-400	39,998	4,707	35,291	-12.7%	25.0%

 

	Market Value of Portfolio Equity at October 31, 2014
	Present	Present	Present
Basis Point	Value	Value	Value
Change in Rates	Equity	% Change	Risk Limit
+400	$176,447	-24.4%	50.0%
+300	189,184	-18.9%	45.0%
+200	203,838	-12.6%	35.0%
+100	218,314	-6.4%	25.0%
0	233,255	0.0%	0.0%
-100	232,818	-0.2%	25.0%
-200	232,294	-0.4%	35.0%
-300	251,791	7.9%	45.0%
-400	288,059	23.5%	50.0%

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

EQUITY SECURITIES RISK

 

The Corporation’s equity securities portfolio consists of investments in stocks of banks and bank holding companies. Investments in bank stocks are subject to risk factors that affect the banking industry in general, including credit risk, competition from non-bank entities, interest rate risk and other factors, which could result in a decline in market prices. Also, losses could occur in individual stocks held by the Corporation because of specific circumstances related to each bank.

 

Equity securities held as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are presented in Table XII. Table XII presents quantitative data concerning the effects of a decline in fair value of the Corporation’s equity securities of 10% or 20%. The data in Table XII does not reflect the effects of any appreciation in value that may occur, nor does it present the Corporation’s maximum exposure to loss on equity securities, which would be 100% of their fair value as of March 31, 2015.

 

TABLE XII - EQUITY SECURITIES RISK
(In Thousands)
	March 31,		Dec. 31,
	2015		2014
Cost	$5,636		$5,605
Fair Value	8,671		8,654
Hypothetical 10% Decline In Market Value	(867)		(865)
Hypothetical 20% Decline In Market Value	(1,734)		(1,731)

  

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Corporation’s management, under the supervision of and with the participation of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has carried out an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material information required to be disclosed in reports the Corporation files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

There were no significant changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or that are reasonably likely to affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

The Corporation and C&N Bank are involved in various legal proceedings incidental to their business. Management believes the aggregate liability, if any, resulting from such pending and threatened legal proceedings will not have a material, adverse effect on the Corporation’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of the Corporation’s Form 10-K filed February 26, 2015.

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Effective July 17, 2014, the Corporation terminated its existing treasury stock repurchase programs and approved a new treasury stock repurchase program. Under the new program, the Corporation is authorized to repurchase up to 622,500 shares of the Corporation’s common stock, or approximately 5% of the Corporation’s issued and outstanding shares at July 16, 2014. As permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements and subject to market conditions and other factors, purchases under the new program may be made from time to time in the open market at prevailing prices, or through privately negotiated transactions.

 

Consistent with previous programs, the Board of Directors’ July 17, 2014 authorization provides that: (1) the new treasury stock repurchase program shall be effective when publicly announced and shall continue thereafter until suspended or terminated by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion; and (2) all shares of common stock repurchased pursuant to the new program shall be held as treasury shares and be available for use and reissuance for purposes as and when determined by the Board of Directors including, without limitation, pursuant to the Corporation’s Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan and its equity compensation program. Through March 31, 2015, 364,100 shares had been repurchased for a total cost of $7,024,000

 

The following table sets forth a summary of the purchases by the Corporation, on the open market, of its equity securities during the first quarter 2015:

 

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share	Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1 - 31, 2015	0	$0	0	414,200
February 1 - 28, 2015	80,200	$19.43	80,200	334,000
March 1 - 31, 2015	75,600	$19.36	155,800	258,400

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

 

Item 5.

Other Information

None

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

2. Plan of acquisition, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation or succession		Not applicable
3. (i) Articles of Incorporation		Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed September 21, 2009
3. (ii) By-laws		Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Corporation's Form 8-K filed April 19, 2013
4. Instruments defining the rights of Security holders, including Indentures		Not applicable
10. Material contracts:
10.1 Form of Change in Control agreement dated March 17, 2015 between the Corporation and Stan R. Dunsmore		Filed herewith
11. Statement re: computation of per share earnings		Information concerning the computation of earnings per share is provided in Note 2 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements, which is included in Part I, Item 1 of Form 10-Q
15. Letter re: unaudited interim information		Not applicable
18. Letter re: change in accounting principles		Not applicable
19. Report furnished to security holders		Not applicable
22. Published report regarding matters submitted to vote of security holders		Not applicable
23. Consents of experts and counsel		Not applicable
24. Power of attorney		Not applicable
31. Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certifications:
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer		Filed herewith
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer		Filed herewith
32. Section 1350 certifications		Filed herewith
99. Additional exhibits		Not applicable
100. XBRL-related documents		Not applicable
101. Interactive data file		Filed herewith

 

 

CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION – FORM 10-Q

 

Signatures

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

 

		CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION
May 8, 2015		By:/s/ J. Bradley Scovill
Date			President and Chief Executive Officer
May 8, 2015		By: /s/ Mark A. Hughes
Date			Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer