SLRK-2013.09.30-10Q

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark one)
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

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

Commission File Number 000-53181
 
SOLERA NATIONAL BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
02-0774841
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
319 S. Sheridan Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80226
303-209-8600
(Address and telephone number of principal executive offices and principal place of business)

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 þ  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 þ  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.
 
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  
Yes ¨  No þ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the last practicable date:  As of October 30, 2013, 2,678,390 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, were issued and outstanding.

 





FORM 10-Q
SOLERA NATIONAL BANCORP, INC.
INDEX
 
PAGE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


2



INTRODUCTORY NOTE.  CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND RISK FACTORS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about Solera National Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) and our subsidiary, Solera National Bank (the “Bank,” collectively with the Company, sometimes referred to as “we,” “us” and “our”) that are subject to risks and uncertainties.  Forward-looking statements include information concerning future financial performance, business strategy, projected plans and objectives.  Statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may increase,” “may fluctuate” and similar expressions of future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “should,” “would,” and “could” are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts.  Actual results may differ materially from those projected, implied, anticipated or expected in the forward-looking statements.  Readers of this quarterly report should not rely solely on the forward-looking statements and should consider all uncertainties and risks throughout this report. The statements are representative only as of the date they are made, and the Company. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

These forward-looking statements, implicitly and explicitly, include the assumptions underlying the statements and other information with respect to the Company's beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates, financial condition, results of operations, future performance and business, including management's expectations and estimates with respect to revenues, expenses, return on equity, return on assets, efficiency ratio, asset quality and other financial data and capital and performance ratios.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on various important factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company. The following factors, among others, could cause the Company's results or financial performance to differ materially from its goals, plans, objectives, intentions, expectations and other forward-looking statements:

the Company has a limited operating history upon which to base an estimate of its future financial performance;

we may be unable to limit credit risk associated with our loan portfolio, which would affect the Company's profitability;
 
general economic conditions may be less favorable than expected, causing an adverse impact on our financial performance;
  
we operate in an industry that is subject to extensive regulatory oversight, which could restrain our growth and profitability;
 
our residential mortgage lending division may expose us to increased operating and compliance risks;

interest rate volatility could significantly harm our business;

the Company may not be able to raise additional capital on terms favorable to it; and
 
the effects of competition from a variety of competitors.
 
For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company’s 2012 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K with the SEC, which is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Company’s website at www.solerabank.com.  All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.  New factors emerge from time to time, and we cannot predict which factors, if any, will arise.  In addition, the Company cannot assess the impact of each factor on the Company’s business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.



3



PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Solera National Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
(unaudited)
($ in thousands, except share data)
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,822

 
$
2,738

Interest-bearing deposits with banks
257

 
257

Investment securities, available-for-sale
77,648

 
84,710

Gross loans
72,595

 
59,632

Net deferred expenses/(fees)
47

 
175

Allowance for loan and lease losses
(1,101
)
 
(1,063
)
NET LOANS
71,541

 
58,744

Loans held for sale
9,672

 
180

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) stocks
2,350

 
1,189

Bank-owned life insurance
4,277

 
2,067

Other real estate owned (OREO)
1,776

 
1,776

Premises and equipment, net
937

 
998

Accrued interest receivable
724

 
707

Other assets
1,293

 
531

TOTAL ASSETS
$
172,297

 
$
153,897

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits
 

 
 

Noninterest-bearing demand
$
4,742

 
$
3,387

Interest-bearing demand
9,562

 
8,218

Savings and money market
52,429

 
55,358

Time deposits
60,639

 
57,769

TOTAL DEPOSITS
127,372

 
124,732

Accrued interest payable
78

 
56

Accounts payable and other liabilities
1,143

 
668

FHLB advances
25,447

 
8,500

TOTAL LIABILITIES
$
154,040

 
$
133,956

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (see Notes 12 and 15)


 


Stockholders' equity
 

 
 

Common stock (1)
$
26

 
$
26

Additional paid-in capital
26,493

 
26,206

Accumulated deficit
(7,377
)
 
(7,359
)
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
(885
)
 
1,068

TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
18,257

 
$
19,941

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
172,297

 
$
153,897

 
 
 
 
(1) $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 2,678,390 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013, which includes 85,000 shares of unvested restricted stock; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 2,653,671 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012, which includes 100,000 shares of unvested restricted stock.

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4



Solera National Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
(unaudited)
($ in thousands, except share data)
For the Three Months 
 Ended September 30,
 
For the Nine Months  
 Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
INTEREST INCOME:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
949

 
$
862

 
$
2,607

 
$
2,437

Interest on loans held for sale
112

 

 
327

 

Interest on investment securities
432

 
505

 
1,289

 
1,548

Dividends on FHLB and FRB stocks
17

 
11

 
51

 
29

Other interest income
3

 
3

 
6

 
8

TOTAL INTEREST INCOME
1,513

 
1,381

 
4,280

 
4,022

INTEREST EXPENSE:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits
271

 
285

 
785

 
864

FHLB advances
40

 
34

 
119

 
98

Other

 
1

 

 
4

TOTAL INTEREST EXPENSE
311

 
320

 
904

 
966

NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE PROVISION
1,202

 
1,061

 
3,376

 
3,056

Provision for loan and lease losses

 

 

 

NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION
1,202

 
1,061

 
3,376

 
3,056

NONINTEREST INCOME:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Service charges and fees
31

 
20

 
73

 
54

Other income
39

 
20

 
94

 
49

Gain on loans sold
1,564

 

 
5,576

 
25

Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities, net
49

 
289

 
294

 
569

TOTAL NONINTEREST INCOME
1,683

 
329

 
6,037

 
697

NONINTEREST EXPENSE:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Employee compensation and benefits
2,429

 
635

 
6,509

 
1,789

Occupancy
257

 
120

 
777

 
367

Professional fees
157

 
123

 
394

 
345

Other general and administrative
680

 
438

 
1,751

 
1,084

TOTAL NONINTEREST EXPENSE
3,523

 
1,316

 
9,431

 
3,585

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES
(638
)
 
74

 
(18
)
 
168

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

NET (LOSS) INCOME
$
(638
)
 
$
74

 
$
(18
)
 
$
168

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME, NET OF TAX
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on securities
33

 
533

 
(1,659
)
 
1,292

Less: net gains included in net income
(49
)
 
(289
)
 
(294
)
 
(569
)
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
$
(16
)
 
$
244

 
$
(1,953
)
 
$
723

COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
$
(654
)
 
$
318

 
$
(1,971
)
 
$
891

PER SHARE DATA
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

(Loss) earnings per share - basic
$
(0.25
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.07

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic
2,568,708

 
2,553,671

 
2,566,460

 
2,553,671

(Loss) earnings per share - diluted
$
(0.25
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.07

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted
2,568,708

 
2,565,105

 
2,566,460

 
2,559,020

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5



Solera National Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012
(unaudited)

($ in thousands, except share data)
Shares
Outstanding
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in Capital
 
Accumulated Deficit
 
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2011
2,553,671

 
$
26

 
$
26,146

 
$
(7,640
)
 
$
507

 
$
19,039

Stock-based compensation

 

 
38

 

 

 
38

Net income

 

 

 
168

 

 
168

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 
723

 
723

Balance at September 30, 2012
2,553,671

 
$
26

 
$
26,184

 
$
(7,472
)
 
$
1,230

 
$
19,968

Balance at December 31, 2012
2,653,671

 
$
26

 
$
26,206

 
$
(7,359
)
 
$
1,068

 
$
19,941

Options exercised
14,719

 

 
50

 

 

 
50

Stock compensation awards
10,000

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 
237

 

 

 
237

Net loss

 

 

 
(18
)
 

 
(18
)
Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 
(1,953
)
 
(1,953
)
Balance at September 30, 2013
2,678,390

 
$
26

 
$
26,493

 
$
(7,377
)
 
$
(885
)
 
$
18,257


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6



Solera National Bancorp, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (unaudited)
 
For the Nine Months  
 Ended September 30,
($ in thousands)
2013
 
2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 

Net (loss) income
$
(18
)
 
$
168

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash flows from operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
214

 
88

Net amortization / (accretion) of deferred loan fees/expenses
37

 
(3
)
Net amortization of premiums on investment securities
1,073

 
1,122

Recognition of stock-based compensation on stock options/restricted stock awards
237

 
38

Loans originated for sale
(198,663
)
 

Proceeds from the sale of loans held for sale
194,635

 

Gain on sale of loans held for sale
(5,464
)
 

Gain on sale of available-for-sale securities, net
(294
)
 
(569
)
Gain on sale of SBA loans
(112
)
 
25

Proceeds from the sale of SBA loans
1,531

 

Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividend
(26
)
 
(6
)
Increase in bank-owned life insurance cash surrender value
(210
)
 
(47
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Accrued interest receivable
(17
)
 
(123
)
Other assets
(348
)
 
3

Accrued interest payable
22

 
18

Accounts payable and other liabilities
475

 
(50
)
Deferred loan fees/expenses, net
91

 
(289
)
Net cash (used in) / provided by operating activities
$
(6,837
)
 
$
375

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

Purchases of investment securities, available-for-sale
$
(23,296
)
 
$
(44,095
)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities, available-for-sale
15,173

 
31,828

Proceeds from maturity/call/paydown of investment securities, available-for-sale
12,453

 
10,711

Maturity of interest-bearing deposits with banks, net

 
1,000

Purchases of FHLB / FRB bank stocks, net
(1,135
)
 
(35
)
Purchases of bank-owned life insurance
(2,000
)
 
(2,000
)
Loan (originations)/principal collections, net
(14,344
)
 
(6,078
)
Purchases of premises and equipment
(99
)
 
(21
)
Net cash used in investing activities
$
(13,248
)
 
$
(8,690
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

Net increase in deposits
$
2,640

 
$
6,487

Cash paid for acquisition of core deposits
(468
)
 

Net increase in FHLB advances
16,947

 
2,000

Principal payments on capital lease

 
(28
)
Proceeds from stock options exercised
50

 

Net cash provided by financing activities
$
19,169

 
$
8,459

Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
(916
)
 
$
144

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
 

 
 

Beginning of period
$
2,738

 
$
1,800

End of period
$
1,822

 
$
1,944

(continued)

7



Solera National Bancorp, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (continued)
(unaudited)

 
For the Nine Months  
 Ended September 30,
($ in thousands)
2013
 
2012
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
882

 
$
948

Income taxes paid
$

 
$

Non-cash investing transactions:
 

 
 

Charge-off of uncollectable receivables related to an OREO property
$
(139
)
 

Unrealized (loss)/gain on investment securities, available-for-sale
$
(1,953
)
 
$
723

 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

8



SOLERA NATIONAL BANCORP, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1 — SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATION

Solera National Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company, is a Delaware corporation that formed in 2006 to organize and serve as the holding company for Solera National Bank (the “Bank”). The Bank, which is chartered as a national bank by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, (“OCC”), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Solera National Bancorp, Inc. The Bank is a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado that commenced banking operations in the third quarter of 2007. The Bank provides a variety of financial services to individuals, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations primarily located in the six-county Denver metropolitan area. Its primary lending products are residential mortgage loans, commercial loans and home-equity lines of credit. Its primary deposit products are checking, money market, savings and time deposit accounts. In December 2012, the Company added approximately 60 mortgage professionals in five loan production offices throughout Colorado including Boulder, Colorado Springs (two offices), the Denver Tech Center and Durango.


NOTE 2 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2013, and the results of its operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.  Cash flows are presented for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the consolidated financial statements and related notes of prior periods to conform to the current presentation.  These reclassifications had no impact on stockholders’ equity or net income for the periods.  Additionally, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company believes that the disclosures in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  However, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Critical Accounting Policies

The following is a description of the Company’s significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
Provision and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses:  Implicit in the Company’s lending activities is the fact that loan and lease losses will be experienced and that the risk of loss will vary with the type of loans being made and the creditworthiness of the borrowers over the terms of the loans.  The allowance for loan and lease losses represents the Company’s recognition of the risks of extending credit and its evaluation of the loan portfolio.  The evaluation of the allowance is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.  The allowance for loan and lease losses is maintained at a level considered adequate to provide for probable loan and lease losses based on management’s assessment of various factors affecting the loan portfolio, including a review of problem loans, business conditions, historical loss experience, evaluation of the quality of the underlying collateral, and holding and disposal costs.  In addition, because the Bank has limited history on which to base future loan and lease losses, a comparison of peer group allowance ratios to gross loans is made with the intention of maintaining similar levels until the Bank has sufficient historical data to see trends in our own loss history.  The allowance for loan and lease losses is increased by provisions charged to expense and reduced by loans and leases charged-off, net of recoveries.  Loan and lease losses are charged against the allowance for loan and lease losses when management believes the balance is uncollectible.

The Company has established a formal process for determining an adequate allowance for loan and lease losses.  The allowance for loan and lease losses calculation has two components.  The first component represents the allowance for loan and lease losses for impaired loans; that is, loans where the Company believes collection of the contractual principal and interest payments is not probable.  To determine this component of the calculation, impaired loans and leases are individually evaluated by either discounting the expected future cash flows or determining the fair value of the collateral, if repayment is expected solely from collateral.  The fair value of the collateral is determined using internal analyses as well as third-party information, such as appraisals.  That value, less estimated costs to sell, is compared to the recorded investment in the loan and any shortfall

9



is charged-off.  Unsecured loans and loans that are not collateral-dependent are evaluated by calculating the discounted cash flow of the payments expected over the life of the loan using the loan’s effective interest rate and giving consideration to currently existing factors that would impact the amount or timing of the cash flows.  The shortfall between the recorded investment in the loan and the discounted cash flows, or the fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell, represents the first component of the allowance for loan and lease losses.

The second component of the allowance for loan and lease losses represents contingent losses – the estimated probable losses inherent within the portfolio due to uncertainties.  To determine this component, management calculates a weighted-average loss rate based on actual loss rates over the last two to three years for all banks in Colorado and for similarly-sized commercial banks with two or fewer locations in a metropolitan area.  Management then adjusts the loss rate for environmental factors which include, but are not limited to, 1) historical and current trends in downgraded loans; 2) the level of the allowance in relation to total loans; 3) the levels and trends in non-performing and past due loans; and 4) management’s assessment of economic conditions and certain qualitative factors as defined by bank regulatory guidance, including but not limited to, changes in the size, composition and concentrations of the loan portfolio, changes in the legal and regulatory environment, and changes in lending management.  The qualitative factors also consider the risk elements within each segment of the loan portfolio.  The primary risk comes from the difference between the expected and actual cash flows of the borrower and is influenced by the type of collateral securing the loans.  For real estate secured loans, conditions in the real estate markets as well as the general economy influence real estate values and may impact the Company’s ability to recover its investment due to declines in the fair value of the underlying collateral.  The risks in non-real estate secured loans include general economic conditions as well as interest rate changes.  Classified and criticized loans, which are closely monitored by management, are taken out of their original category for calculating their contingent loss rate and are assigned a loss rate ranging between 2.50% and 15.65% of the loan’s principal balance.  The aggregate of above described segments represents the contingent losses in the loan portfolio.

The recorded allowance for loan and lease losses is the aggregate of the impaired loan and lease component and the contingent loss component.  We aggregate our loans into four portfolio segments:  Commercial Real Estate Secured; Residential Real Estate Secured; Commercial and Industrial; and Consumer.  These segments are based upon the loan’s categorization in the Consolidated Report of Condition and Income, as set forth by banking regulators, (the “Call Report”).  Our methodology for estimating the allowance has not changed materially during the current or prior reporting period and is consistent across all portfolio segments and classes of loans. 

At September 30, 2013, the Company had an allowance for loan and lease losses of $1.1 million.  We believe that this is adequate to cover probable losses based on currently available information.  Future additions to the allowance for loan and lease losses may be required based on management’s continuing evaluation of the inherent risks in the portfolio.  Additional provisions for loan and lease losses may be needed if the economy declines, asset quality deteriorates, or the loss experience changes.
 
Loans Receivable:  Loans receivable that the Company has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances net of any deferred fees or costs, and reduced by any charge-offs and the allowance for loan and lease losses.

Credit and loan decisions are made by management and the Board of Directors’ Credit Committee in conformity with established loan policies.  The Company’s practice is to charge-off any loan or portion of a loan when the loan is determined to be uncollectible due to the borrower’s failure to meet repayment terms, the borrower’s deteriorated financial condition, the depreciation of the underlying collateral, the loan’s classification as a loss, or for other reasons.

The Company considers a loan to be impaired when it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due (principal and interest) according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Measurement of impairment is based on the expected future cash flows of an impaired loan, which are to be discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or measured by reference to an observable market value, if one exists, or the fair value of the collateral for a collateral-dependent loan.  The Company selects the measurement method on a loan-by-loan basis except that collateral-dependent loans for which foreclosure is probable are measured at the fair value of the collateral.  The Company recognizes interest income on impaired loans based on its existing methods of recognizing interest income on nonaccrual loans (see Interest and Fees on Loans, below).

Interest and Fees on Loans:  Interest income is recognized daily in accordance with the terms of each note based on the outstanding principal balance.  Loans on which the accrual of interest has been discontinued are designated as nonaccrual loans.  The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when principal or interest is 90 days past due based on contractual terms of the loan or when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to collectability.  When loans are placed on nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period interest income.  Income

10



on nonaccrual loans is subsequently recognized only to the extent that cash is received and the Bank’s recorded investment in the loan (the customer’s balance less any partial charge-offs) is deemed collectible.  Interest accruals are resumed on such loans only when they are brought current and when, in the judgment of management, the loans are estimated to be fully collectible as to all interest and the Bank’s recorded investment.

Generally, for all classes of loans, loans are considered past due when contractual payments are delinquent by 30 days or more.

Loan origination fees and certain direct origination costs are capitalized and recognized as an adjustment of the yield of the related loan using the effective interest method and without anticipating prepayments.

Loans Held for Sale / Gains and Losses on Sales of Mortgage Loans: Residential mortgage loans originated and held for sale are marked to market with gains and losses recognized in noninterest income. The market value is based on committed secondary market prices.

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments: In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into off-balance-sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit, commercial letters of credit, and standby letters of credit as described in Note 12. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they are funded or related fees are incurred or received.

Interest Rate Lock Commitments and Forward Sales Commitments: Interest rate lock commitments are commitments to fund residential mortgage loans at specified interest rates within a specified time, generally up to 60 days from the time of the rate lock. An interest rate lock commitment related to a loan that will be held for sale is a derivative instrument under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP), and is recognized at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets in other assets and other liabilities with changes in its value recorded in gain on loans sold within noninterest income on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. To eliminate the exposure of changes in interest rates impacting the fair value of interest rate lock commitments, the Company utilizes “best efforts” forward loan sale commitments. These contracts are entered into at the same time as the interest rate lock commitments, and lock in the sale and price of the loan with the Company's secondary market investors. Since these are “best efforts” contracts, the Company does not incur a penalty in the event the committed loans are not delivered. These forward loan sales commitments are not considered derivative instruments under U.S. GAAP, but in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company has elected to mark these instruments to market. As such, both the interest rate lock commitments and forward sales commitments are accounted for at fair value. See additional discussion in Note 6, Loans Held for Sale and Interest Rate Lock Commitments.

Share-Based Compensation:  The Company grants stock options as incentive compensation to employees and directors.  The cost of employee/director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments is based on the grant-date fair value of the award, which is determined using a Black-Scholes-Merton model.  This cost, net of estimated forfeitures, is expensed to employee compensation and benefits over the period in which the recipient is required to provide services in exchange for the award, generally the vesting period.

Estimation of Fair Value:  The estimation of fair value is significant to a number of the Company’s assets, including available-for-sale investment securities, interest rate lock commitments and forward sales commitments.  Additionally, U.S. GAAP requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments as a part of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.  Fair values are volatile and may be influenced by a number of factors, including market interest rates, prepayment speeds, discount rates and the shape of the yield curve.  Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.  The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  Current accounting standards describe three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair values:


11



 
Level 1 –
inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
 
 
 
 
Level 2 –
inputs are other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market.
 
 
 
 
Level 3 –
valuation is generated from model-based techniques that use at least one significant assumption not observable in the market.  These unobservable assumptions reflect estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.  Valuation techniques include use of option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques.

Impairment of Investment Securities:  Investment securities are evaluated for impairment on at least a quarterly basis and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation to determine whether a decline in their value below amortized cost is other-than-temporary.  Securities are evaluated for impairment utilizing criteria such as the magnitude and duration of the decline, current market conditions, payment history, the credit worthiness of the obligor, the intent of the Company to retain the security or whether it is more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the value, as well as other qualitative factors.  If a decline in value below amortized cost is determined to be other-than-temporary, which does not necessarily indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not favorable, the security is reviewed in more detail in order to determine the portion of the impairment that relates to credit (resulting in a charge to earnings) versus the portion of the impairment that is noncredit related (resulting in a charge to accumulated other comprehensive income).  If it is more likely than not that sale of the security will be required prior to recovery of its amortized cost, the entire impairment is recognized in earnings equal to the difference between the amortized cost basis and the fair value.  A credit loss is determined by comparing the amortized cost basis to the present value of cash flows expected to be collected, computed using the original yield as the discount rate.

Income (Loss) per Common Share:  Basic earnings (loss) per common share, (EPS), is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings (loss) per share is similar to basic EPS except that the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding is increased by the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive potential common shares had been issued at the beginning of the period.  Given the loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, diluted EPS did not differ from basic EPS as all dilutive-potential shares were anti-dilutive. Diluted EPS did not differ from basic EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, given the small amount of dilutive-potential stock options.  For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, approximately 129,000 and 311,000 anti-dilutive options were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, 70,000 and 253,000 anti-dilutive options were not included in the calculation of diluted EPS. Amounts used in the determination of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, are shown below:

($ in thousands, except share data)
 
For the Three Months 
 Ended September 30,
 
For the Nine Months  
 Ended September 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Basic earnings (loss) per share computation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) earnings to common stockholders
 
$
(638
)
 
$
74

 
$
(18
)
 
$
168

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
 
2,568,708

 
2,553,671

 
2,566,460

 
2,553,671

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic (loss) earnings per share
 
$
(0.25
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.07

Diluted earnings (loss) per share computation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net (loss) earnings to common stockholders
 
$
(638
)
 
$
74

 
$
(18
)
 
$
168

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
 
2,568,708

 
2,553,671

 
2,566,460

 
2,553,671

Shares assumed issued:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options
 

 
11,434

 

 
5,349

Restricted stock
 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
 
2,568,708

 
2,565,105

 
2,566,460

 
2,559,020

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Diluted (loss) earnings per share
 
$
(0.25
)
 
$
0.03

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.07


12





Business Segments: The Company uses the "management approach" for reporting information about segments and has determined that as of September 30, 2013, its business is comprised of two operating segments: community banking and residential mortgage banking.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (FASB), issued an accounting standards update to finalize the reporting for reclassifications of amounts out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). Items reclassified from AOCI to net income, in their entirety, must have the effect of the reclassification disclosed according to the respective statement of operations line item. This information must be provided either on the face of the financial statements by statement of operations line item, or in a footnote. This accounting standards update became effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2012. Currently, the impact of this update on the Company is minimal as the only changes to AOCI are changes in the market values related to available-for-sale securities.

In July 2013, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. This update requires separate presentation of tax benefits related to net operating loss carryforwards and credit carryforwards apart from other deferred tax assets. This accounting standards update will become effective for us in first quarter 2014. Currently, there is no impact on the Company due to this update as our deferred tax assets have a full valuation allowance.

During the first nine months of 2013, the FASB issued other accounting standards updates which may impact banks or other entities but do not, and are not expected to, have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


NOTE 3 — INVESTMENTS

The amortized costs and estimated fair values of investment securities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows:
($ in thousands)
September 30, 2013
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
 Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
 Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Securities available-for-sale:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
$
14,337

 
$
142

 
$
(367
)
 
$
14,112

State and municipal
19,207

 
85

 
(769
)
 
18,523

Residential agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs)
44,989

 
371

 
(347
)
 
45,013

Total securities available-for-sale
$
78,533

 
$
598

 
$
(1,483
)
 
$
77,648

 
($ in thousands)
December 31, 2012
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
 Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
 Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
Securities available-for-sale:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
$
14,148

 
$
457

 
$
(155
)
 
$
14,450

State and municipal
21,752

 
412

 
(47
)
 
22,117

Residential agency MBS/CMOs
47,742

 
570

 
(169
)
 
48,143

Total securities available-for-sale
$
83,642

 
$
1,439

 
$
(371
)
 
$
84,710


The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities by contractual maturity at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are shown below.  The timing of principal payments received differs from the contractual maturity because borrowers may be required to make contractual principal payments and often have the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.  As a result, the timing with which principal payments are received on mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) is not represented in the tables below.  For instance, we received $12.5 million from the maturity /

13



prepayment of securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (see our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ) versus $1.0 million contractually maturing within one year as of December 31, 2012, as set forth in the table below.
 
 ($ in thousands)
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated Fair
Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Estimated Fair
Value
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Due within one year
$

 
$

 
$
1,003

 
$
1,023

Due after one year through five years
7,048

 
7,171

 
6,180

 
6,455

Due after five years through ten years
25,578

 
24,691

 
22,869

 
23,242

Due after ten years
45,907

 
45,786

 
53,590

 
53,990

Total securities available-for-sale
$
78,533

 
$
77,648

 
$
83,642

 
$
84,710


The following tables show the estimated fair value and gross unrealized losses, aggregated by investment category and length of time the individual securities have been in a continuous loss position as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 
September 30, 2013
($ in thousands)
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
Description of securities:
Estimated Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
Corporate
$
6,878

 
$
(334
)
 
13

 
$
2,467

 
$
(33
)
 
4

 
$
9,345

 
$
(367
)
 
17

State and municipal
14,985

 
(733
)
 
32

 
468

 
(36
)
 
1

 
15,453

 
(769
)
 
33

Residential agency MBS/CMOs
16,135

 
(258
)
 
19

 
7,285

 
(89
)
 
10

 
23,420

 
(347
)
 
29

Total temporarily-impaired
$
37,998

 
$
(1,325
)
 
64

 
$
10,220

 
$
(158
)
 
15

 
$
48,218

 
$
(1,483
)
 
79

 
 
December 31, 2012
($ in thousands)
Less than 12 months
 
12 months or more
 
Total
Description of securities:
Estimated Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
# of
Securities
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Unrealized
 Losses
 
# of
Securities
Corporate
$
1,436

 
$
(8
)
 
2

 
$
3,353

 
$
(147
)
 
6

 
$
4,789

 
$
(155
)
 
8

State and municipal
4,512

 
(47
)
 
9

 

 

 

 
4,512

 
(47
)
 
9

Residential agency MBS/CMOs
17,267

 
(164
)
 
16

 
1,134

 
(5
)
 
2

 
18,401

 
(169
)
 
18

Total temporarily-impaired
$
23,215

 
$
(219
)
 
27

 
$
4,487

 
$
(152
)
 
8

 
$
27,702

 
$
(371
)
 
35


Management evaluates investment securities for other-than-temporary impairment taking into consideration the extent and length of time the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition of the issuer, whether the Company has the intent to retain the security and whether it is more-likely-than-not that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of the value, as well as other qualitative factors.  As of September 30, 2013, no declines were deemed to be other than temporary.  The four corporate securities that were in a continuous loss position for 12 months or longer at September 30, 2013 fluctuated in value primarily as a result of changes in market interest rates and the widening of spreads on financial services/banking securities. However, the amount of unrealized loss on these corporate bonds has declined in 2013.

The one municipal bond that was in a continuous loss position for 12 months or longer at September 30, 2013 was due to changes in interest rates, as the bond was purchased when the ten year treasury rate was near its historical low. The bond continues to maintain high credit ratings.


14



Significant prepayment speeds is the primary driver of the loss on the ten mortgage-backed securities in a continuous loss position for 12 months or longer at September 30, 2013.  The Company has determined there is no credit impairment on these bonds since they carry the implicit guarantee of the U.S. government.  

The Company has the intent to hold the securities in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2013 and does not anticipate that these securities will be required to be sold before recovery of value, which may be upon maturity.  Accordingly, the securities detailed in the table above are not other than temporarily impaired.  

Similarly, management’s evaluation of the securities in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2012, determined these securities were not other than temporarily impaired.

The Company recorded a net unrealized loss in the investment portfolio of $885,000 at September 30, 2013, a $2.0 million decrease from the $1.1 million net unrealized gain at December 31, 2012. The decline in the value of the portfolio since year-end was due to the increase in longer-term interest rates in the second quarter of 2013.

Sales of available-for-sale securities were as follows:

($ in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Proceeds
$
2,325

 
$
12,384

 
$
15,173

 
$
31,828

Gross gains
$
49

 
$
300

 
$
301

 
$
580

Gross losses
$

 
$
(11
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
(11
)

Realized gains and losses on sales are computed on a specific identification basis based on amortized cost on the date of sale.

Securities with carrying values of $29.2 million at September 30, 2013 and $25.5 million at December 31, 2012, were pledged as collateral to secure public deposits, borrowings from the FHLB, repurchase agreements and for other purposes as required or permitted by law.


NOTE 4 — LOANS

The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio, excluding loans held for sale, according to each loan’s purpose, which may differ from the categorization of the loan in subsequent tables which categorize the loan according to its underlying collateral:
 
($ in thousands)
September 30,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
Commercial real estate (“CRE”)
$
45,462

 
$
38,230

Commercial and industrial
9,870

 
9,383

Residential real estate
14,100

 
10,608

Construction and land development
1,012

 
791

Consumer
2,151

 
620

GROSS LOANS
72,595

 
59,632

Net deferred loan expenses / (fees)
47

 
175

Allowance for loan and lease losses
(1,101
)
 
(1,063
)
LOANS, NET
$
71,541

 
$
58,744


During the first nine months of 2013, the Bank purchased four loans with principal balances totaling approximately $413,000.  During the first nine months of 2012, the Bank purchased fourteen loans with principal balances of approximately $4.5 million.  During the first nine months of 2013, the Bank sold the guaranteed portion of three SBA 7(a) notes totaling approximately $1.5 million resulting in gains of $145,000, of which $112,000 was recognized in income immediately with the balance to be recognized as interest income over the remaining life of the loans.  One loan was sold during the first nine months of 2012 resulting in a gain of approximately $25,000.

15




During the third quarter of 2013, the Bank purchased one loan with a principal balance totaling approximately $188,000.  During the third quarter of 2012, the Bank purchased four loans with aggregate principal balances of approximately $2.2 million.  During the third quarter of 2013, the Bank sold the guaranteed portion of one SBA 7(a) note totaling approximately $22,000 resulting in a gain of $1,000 that was recognized in income immediately.  No loans were sold during the third quarter of 2012.

In the ordinary course of business, and only if consistent with permissible exceptions to Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Bank may make loans to directors, executive officers, principal stockholders (holders of more than five percent of the outstanding common shares) and the businesses with which they are associated.  In the Company’s opinion, all loans and loan commitments to such parties are made on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons. There were approximately $147,000 and $163,000 in loans receivable from related parties at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
 
The Company’s loan portfolio generally consists of loans to borrowers within Colorado.  Although the Company seeks to avoid concentrations of loans to a single industry or based upon a single class of collateral, the Company’s loan portfolio consists primarily of loans secured by real estate located in Colorado, making the value of the portfolio more susceptible to declines in real estate values and other changes in economic conditions in Colorado.  No single borrower can be approved for a loan over the Bank’s current legal lending limit of approximately $2.7 million.  This regulatory requirement helps to ensure the Bank’s exposure to one individual customer is limited.


NOTE 5 — ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN AND LEASE LOSSES
 
Activity in the allowance for loan and lease losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 is summarized as follows:
 
($ in thousands)
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Balance, beginning of period
$
1,088

 
$
1,009

 
$
1,063

 
$
1,067

Charge-offs

 

 
(7
)
 
(88
)
Recoveries
13

 
24

 
45

 
54

Provision for loan and lease losses

 

 

 

Balance, end of period
$
1,101

 
$
1,033

 
$
1,101

 
$
1,033


The following allowance for loan and lease loss disclosures are broken out by portfolio segment.  Portfolio segment is defined, under current U.S. GAAP, as the level of aggregation used by the Company to calculate its allowance for loan and lease losses.  Our portfolio segments are based on how loans are categorized on the Call Report, which is primarily based on the collateral securing the loan.  We have four portfolio segments as follows:
 
Commercial Real Estate (CRE) Secured – loans secured by nonfarm, nonresidential properties
Residential Real Estate Secured – loans secured by 1-4 family residential properties or land
Commercial and Industrial – loans to businesses not secured by real estate, and
Consumer – loans to individuals not secured by real estate.
 
The portfolio segment categorization of loans differs from the categorization shown in Note 4 – Loans.  Portfolio segment categorization is based on the Call Report and the loan’s underlying collateral while the loan categorization in Note 4 – Loans is based on the loan’s purpose as determined during the underwriting process.

The tables below provide a rollforward, by portfolio segment, of the allowance for loan and lease losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.


16



Rollforward of Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses by Portfolio Segment
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
($ in thousands)
Commercial Real Estate Secured
 
Residential Real Estate Secured
 
Commercial and Industrial
 
Consumer
 
Total
Balance at June 30, 2013
$
674

 
$
308

 
$
105

 
$
1

 
$
1,088

Charge-offs

 

 

 

 

Recoveries

 
12

 
1

 

 
13

Provision for loan and lease losses
(19
)
 
(18
)
 
38

 
(1
)
 

Balance at September 30, 2013
$
655

 
$
302

 
$
144

 
$

 
$
1,101



Rollforward of Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses by Portfolio Segment
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
($ in thousands)
Commercial Real Estate Secured
 
Residential Real Estate Secured
 
Commercial and Industrial
 
Consumer
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2012
$
784

 
$
222

 
$
57

 
$

 
$
1,063

Charge-offs
(7
)
 

 

 

 
(7
)
Recoveries

 
40

 
5

 

 
45

Provision for loan and lease losses
(122
)
 
40

 
82

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2013
$
655

 
$
302

 
$
144

 
$

 
$
1,101



Rollforward of Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses by Portfolio Segment
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
($ in thousands)
Commercial Real Estate Secured
 
Residential Real Estate Secured
 
Commercial and Industrial
 
Consumer
 
Total
Balance at June 30, 2012
$
665

 
$
247

 
$
96

 
$
1

 
$
1,009

Charge-offs

 

 

 

 

Recoveries

 
14

 
10

 

 
24

Provision for loan and lease losses
32

 
(27
)
 
(5
)
 

 

Balance at September 30, 2012
$
697

 
$
234

 
$
101

 
$
1

 
$
1,033

 

Rollforward of Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses by Portfolio Segment
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
($ in thousands)
Commercial Real Estate Secured
 
Residential Real Estate Secured
 
Commercial and Industrial
 
Consumer
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
726

 
$
244

 
$
97

 
$

 
$
1,067

Charge-offs

 

 
(85
)
 
(3
)
 
(88
)
Recoveries

 
44

 
10

 

 
54

Provision for loan and lease losses
(29
)
 
(54
)
 
79

 
4

 

Balance at September 30, 2012
$
697

 
$
234

 
$
101

 
$
1

 
$
1,033



The following tables present the ending balance in loans and allowance for loan and lease losses, broken down by portfolio segment as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The tables also identify the recorded investment in loans and the related allowance that correspond to individual versus collective impairment evaluation as derived from the Company’s methodology of estimating the allowance for loan and lease losses (see additional discussion about our allowance methodology

17



under Note 2:  Critical Accounting Policies, Provision and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses).

Ending Balances in Loans and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses by Portfolio Segment
September 30, 2013
($ in thousands)
Commercial Real Estate Secured
 
Residential Real Estate Secured
 
Commercial and Industrial
 
Consumer
 
Total
Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Collectively evaluated for impairment
38,708

 
21,642

 
12,190

 
55

 
72,595

Total
$
38,708

 
$
21,642

 
$
12,190

 
$
55

 
$
72,595

Allowance for loan losses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Collectively evaluated for impairment
655

 
302

 
144

 

 
1,101

Total
$
655

 
$
302

 
$
144

 
$

 
$
1,101

 
Ending Balances in Loans and Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses by Portfolio Segment
December 31, 2012
($ in thousands)
Commercial Real Estate Secured
 
Residential Real Estate Secured
 
Commercial and Industrial
 
Consumer
 
Total
Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$
13

 
$

 
$
13

Collectively evaluated for impairment
34,634

 
15,873

 
9,062

 
50

 
59,619

Total
$
34,634

 
$
15,873

 
$
9,075

 
$
50

 
$
59,632

Allowance for loan losses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Individually evaluated for impairment
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Collectively evaluated for impairment
784

 
222

 
57

 

 
1,063

Total
$
784

 
$
222

 
$
57

 
$

 
$
1,063


The remaining tables in the allowance for loan and lease losses footnote provide detail about loans according to their class, rather than their segment, as reflected above.  The class level provides more detail than the portfolio segment level.  The following tables contain reconciliation information between the portfolio segment levels and class levels:

Reconciliation between Portfolio Segment and Class
September 30, 2013 (Principal Balance)
($ in thousands)
Portfolio Segment
Class
Commercial Real Estate Secured
 
Residential Real Estate Secured
 
Commercial and Industrial
 
Consumer
 
Total
CRE – owner occupied
$
21,634

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
21,634

CRE – non-owner occupied
17,074

 

 

 

 
17,074

Commercial and industrial

 

 
9,501

 

 
9,501

Residential real estate

 
20,630

 

 

 
20,630

Construction and land development

 
1,012

 

 

 
1,012

Government guaranteed

 

 
2,689

 

 
2,689

Consumer

 

 

 
55

 
55

Total
$
38,708

 
$
21,642

 
$
12,190

 
$
55

 
$
72,595

 

18



Reconciliation between Portfolio Segment and Class
December 31, 2012 (Principal Balance)
($ in thousands)
Portfolio Segment
Class
Commercial Real Estate Secured
 
Residential Real Estate Secured
 
Commercial and Industrial
 
Consumer
 
Total
CRE – owner occupied
$
13,544

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
13,544

CRE – non-owner occupied
20,462

 

 

 

 
20,462

Commercial and industrial

 

 
6,156

 

 
6,156

Residential real estate

 
15,515

 

 

 
15,515

Construction and land development
628

 
358

 

 

 
986

Government guaranteed

 

 
2,919

 

 
2,919

Consumer

 

 

 
50

 
50

Total
$
34,634

 
$
15,873

 
$
9,075

 
$
50

 
$
59,632


Impaired Loans
 
There were no impaired loans as of September 30, 2013 compared to one impaired loan totaling $13,000 as of December 31, 2012.  The following table provides detail of impaired loans broken out according to class as of December 31, 2012. The recorded investment represents the customer balance less any partial charge-offs and excludes any accrued interest receivable since the majority of the loans are on nonaccrual status and therefore do not have interest accruing.  The unpaid principal balance represents the unpaid principal prior to any partial charge-off.  There were no impaired loans with a related allowance as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

 
Impaired Loans by Class as of December 31, 2012
($ in thousands)
Recorded Investment
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
Related Allowance
 
Average Recorded Investment YTD
 
Interest Income Recognized YTD
Impaired loans with no related allowance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRE – owner occupied
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

CRE – non-owner occupied

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial
13

 
13

 

 
58

 
2

Residential real estate

 

 

 

 

Construction and land development

 

 

 

 

Government guaranteed

 

 

 

 

Consumer

 

 

 

 

Total
$
13

 
$
13

 
$

 
$
58

 
$
2


The impaired commercial and industrial loan did not have a related allowance because the loan is well-secured. Additionally, this loan was fully paid off in August 2013.

Troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) are included in impaired loans above.  No loans were modified as TDRs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012.  Additionally, no loans were restructured as TDRs during the last 12 months.

Age Analysis of Loans
 
The following tables summarize, by class, our past due and nonaccrual loans as of the dates indicated.


19



 
Age Analysis of Loans by Class as of September 30, 2013
($ in thousands)
30-59 Days Past Due
 
60-89 Days Past Due
 
Past Due 90 Days or More and Still Accruing
 
Nonaccrual
 
Total Past Due and Nonaccrual
CRE – owner occupied
$
250

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
250

CRE – non-owner occupied

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

 

 

 

Residential real estate

 
550

 

 

 
550

Construction and land development

 

 

 

 

Government guaranteed

 

 

 

 

Consumer

 

 

 

 

Total
$
250

 
$
550

 
$

 
$

 
$
800

 
As of October 31, 2013, the past due loans listed above have been brought current.
 
Age Analysis of Loans by Class as of December 31, 2012
($ in thousands)
30-59 Days Past Due
 
60-89 Days Past Due
 
Past Due 90 Days or More and Still Accruing
 
Nonaccrual
 
Total Past Due and Nonaccrual
CRE – owner occupied
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

CRE – non-owner occupied

 

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial

 

 

 
13

 
13

Residential real estate
135

 

 

 

 
135

Construction and land development

 

 

 

 

Government guaranteed

 

 

 

 

Consumer

 
12

 

 

 
12

Total
$
135

 
$
12

 
$

 
$
13

 
$
160


Credit Quality Information
 
The Company uses the following definitions for risk ratings, which are consistent with the definitions used in supervisory guidance and are the same for all classes of loans:

Special Mention:
Loans in this category have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment at some future date.
 
 
Substandard:
Loans in this category are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any.  These loans have well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt and have the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.
 
 
Doubtful:
Loans in this category have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified as substandard, above, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make the collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions and values, highly questionable and improbable.
 
 
Loss:
Loans in this category are deemed not collectible and are charged-off.

Loans not meeting any of the definitions above are considered to be pass rated loans.


20



As of September 30, 2013, and based on the most recent analysis performed during the month of September 2013, the recorded investment in each risk category of loans by class of loan is as follows:

($ in thousands)
Credit Quality of Loans by Class as of September 30, 2013
 
Pass
 
Special Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Total
CRE – owner occupied
$
19,182

 
$
182

 
$
2,270

 
$

 
$
21,634

CRE – non-owner occupied
16,233

 
841

 

 

 
17,074

Commercial and industrial
8,981

 
350

 
170

 

 
9,501

Residential real estate
19,832

 

 
798

 

 
20,630

Construction and land development
1,012

 

 

 

 
1,012

Government guaranteed
2,689

 

 

 

 
2,689

Consumer
55

 

 

 

 
55

Total
$
67,984

 
$
1,373

 
$
3,238

 
$

 
$
72,595


As of December 31, 2012, and based on the most recent analysis performed during the month of December 2012, the recorded investment in each risk category of loans by class of loan is as follows:

($ in thousands)
Credit Quality of Loans by Class as of December 31, 2012
 
Pass
 
Special Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Total
CRE – owner occupied
$
10,628

 
$
1,008

 
$
1,908

 
$

 
$
13,544

CRE – non-owner occupied
18,343

 
1,090

 
1,029

 

 
20,462

Commercial and industrial
5,973

 
170

 
13

 

 
6,156

Residential real estate
14,567

 
135

 
813

 

 
15,515

Construction and land development
195

 

 
791

 

 
986

Government guaranteed
2,919

 

 

 

 
2,919

Consumer
38

 
12

 

 

 
50

Total
$
52,663

 
$
2,415

 
$
4,554

 
$

 
$
59,632



NOTE 6 — LOANS HELD FOR SALE AND INTEREST RATE LOCK COMMITMENTS

In December 2012, the Bank began originating traditional residential mortgage loans. These loans are generally conventional, conforming loans for the purchase or refinance of one-to-four family properties. These loans are recorded as loans held for sale on the Company's consolidated balance sheets as they will be sold to purchasers on the secondary market which significantly reduces our credit risk. As of September 30, 2013, the Bank had $9.7 million in loans held for sale compared to $180,000 as of December 31, 2012, the increase due to the mortgage division becoming fully operational during the first quarter of 2013.

The Bank has entered into interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale that are considered derivative instruments. The Bank enters into an interest rate lock commitment with the customer and simultaneously enters into a forward sales commitment with the secondary market investor which locks the pricing on the subsequent sale of the loan thereby mitigating the Bank's exposure to interest rate risk.

The fair value of these commitments is recorded on the consolidated balance sheets with the changes in fair value recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of gain on loans sold. These derivative contracts are designated as free standing derivative contracts and are not designated against specific assets and liabilities on the balance sheet or forecasted transactions and therefore do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment.


21



The table below identifies the balance sheet category and fair values of the Bank's derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments at September 30, 2013. Management has concluded that no material derivative instruments existed as of December 31, 2012.
($ in thousands)
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Category
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate lock commitments (mortgage)
 
$
16,420

 
$
136

 
Other assets

NOTE 7 — BANK-OWNED LIFE INSURANCE

Bank-owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value.  Increases in the cash surrender value are recognized as other noninterest income. The Company initially invested $2.0 million during the first quarter of 2012 for policies covering the lives of certain key employees. During 2013, the Company invested an additional $2.0 million, the majority of which was for policies on certain key employees of our new residential mortgage division.


NOTE 8 — DEPOSITS

Deposits are summarized as follows:

($ in thousands)
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Amount
 
% of Total
 
Amount
 
% of Total
Noninterest-bearing demand
$
4,742

 
4
%
 
$
3,387

 
3
%
Interest-bearing demand
9,562

 
7
%
 
8,218

 
7
%
Money market accounts
14,856

 
12
%
 
10,511

 
8
%
Savings accounts
37,573

 
29
%
 
44,847

 
36
%
Time deposits, less than $100,000
4,501

 
4
%
 
4,559

 
3
%
Time deposits, $100,000 or more
56,138

 
44
%
 
53,210

 
43
%
Total deposits
$
127,372

 
100
%
 
$
124,732

 
100
%

In the ordinary course of business, certain officers, directors, stockholders, and employees of the Bank have deposits with the Bank.  In the Bank’s opinion, all deposit relationships with such parties are made on substantially the same terms including interest rates and maturities, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with other persons.  The balances of related party deposits were approximately $3.1 million at both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

On June 7, 2013, the Bank completed its acquisition of customer deposits, excluding certificates of deposit, and a nominal amount of overdraft lines of credit balances, totaling approximately $6.0 million, associated with deposit accounts from the Lakewood branch of Liberty Savings Bank, FSB. The Bank paid a deposit premium of 5.85% based upon the average daily total deposits during the 30 calendar days immediately preceding the closing of the transaction. The deposit premium, as well as other transaction costs incurred, were capitalized as a core deposit intangible and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of seven years. The $445,000 core deposit intangible is included in Other Assets on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.

NOTE 9 — FHLB ADVANCES

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka (FHLB) and, as a regular part of its business, obtains advances from this FHLB. Overnight advances bear interest at a variable rate while all other advances bear interest at a fixed rate. All advances are collateralized by certain securities pledged by the Bank and some of the Bank's qualifying loans. The Bank's authorized borrowing line with the FHLB is capped at 40% of total assets, subject to the availability of sufficient collateral to pledge against such borrowings. As of September 30, 2013, the Bank had $7.5 million in fixed-rate borrowings from the FHLB with varying maturity dates between April 2014 and November 2017 and a weighted-average effective interest rate of 1.72%. As of December 31, 2012, the Bank had $8.5 million in fixed-rate borrowings from the FHLB with varying maturity dates between April 2013 and November 2017 and a weighted-average effective interest rate of 1.57%. Additionally, the Bank had $17.9 million in variable-rate, overnight borrowings at 0.18% as of September 30, 2013. The Bank is primarily

22



using overnight borrowings at the FHLB to fund residential mortgage loans which are held for sale. The Bank had no overnight borrowings from the FHLB as of December 31, 2012.


NOTE 10 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On September 20, 2012, the Board of Directors adopted the Company’s 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan, (the “2012 Plan”).   Under the terms of the 2012 Plan, the Company may grant incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock awards, and/or stock appreciation rights to eligible persons, including officers and directors of the Company.  The 2012 Plan does not terminate or amend the Company’s 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”). The 2012 Plan reserves 250,000 shares of common stock of the Company for issuance. At September 30, 2013, approximately 69,000 shares were available for future grants.  The 2012 Plan provides for accelerated vesting if there is a change of control, as defined in the 2012 Plan.  

Under the terms of the Company’s 2007 Plan, employees may be granted both nonqualified and incentive stock options and directors and other consultants, who are not also officers or employees, may only be granted nonqualified stock options.  The Board reserved 510,734 shares of common stock for issuance under the 2007 Plan.  At September 30, 2013, approximately 22,000 shares were available for future grants.  The 2007 Plan provides for options to purchase shares of common stock at a price not less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.  Stock options expire no later than ten years from the date of the grant and generally vest over four years.  The 2007 Plan provides for accelerated vesting if there is a change of control, as defined in the 2007 Plan.  

The Company recognized stock-based compensation costs of approximately $38,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013, which represents approximately 17,700 of stock options earned. The Company recognized stock-based compensation costs of approximately $19,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2012, which represented approximately 13,000 stock options earned. The Company recognized stock-based compensation costs of approximately $77,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $38,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. No tax benefit related to stock-based compensation will be recognized until the Company demonstrates an ability to maintain profitability.

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model.  As of September 30, 2013, there was approximately $228,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the outstanding stock options that will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.3 years.

The following is a summary of the Company’s outstanding stock options and related activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

 
Options
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2012
523,500

 
$
1.65

 
$
6.72

Granted
164,750

 
1.42

 
5.84

Exercised
(14,719
)
 
0.67

 
3.45

Forfeited
(30,854
)
 
1.02

 
4.64

Expired
(11,979
)
 
2.25

 
8.50

Outstanding at September 30, 2013
630,698

 
$
1.64

 
$
6.63



23



The following is a summary of the Company’s outstanding stock options and related activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:
 
Options
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2011
400,312

 
$
1.93

 
$
7.61

Granted
93,250

 
0.63

 
3.38

Exercised

 

 

Forfeited
(4,948
)
 
0.60

 
3.15

Expired
(7,344
)
 
1.79

 
7.95

Outstanding at September 30, 2012
481,270

 
$
1.69

 
$
6.84


Restricted Stock

During 2012, the Company granted 50,000 shares of restricted stock as inducement awards to officers of the Company's residential mortgage division. The awards originally cliff-vested on November 30, 2014 conditioned upon the officers' continued employment with the Bank. In August 2013, the Company accelerated the vesting of 25,000 shares making them fully vested as of August 30, 2013. The remaining shares cliff-vest on November 30, 2014 conditioned upon the officers continued employment with the Bank. The shares have a grant-date fair value of $4.80 per share. An additional 50,000 performance-based restricted shares were issued to these officers on November 30, 2012, however, they were not deemed granted as the conditions for the vesting have not yet been established. The number of performance-based restricted shares that will vest will be calculated in accordance with the performance goals annually set by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and will be a maximum of 10,000 shares for each of the years ending December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The fair value of the performance-based restricted shares will be determined annually on the date the performance goals are established.

In September 2013, the Company granted 10,000 shares of restricted stock as incentive compensation to the Company's new President and Chief Executive Officer. The shares have a grant-date fair value of $7.15 per share. Of this amount, 2,000 shares vest on September 30, 2014, and the remaining shares vest ratably over 48 months beginning October 31, 2014, conditioned upon the officer's continued employment with the Bank.

The Company recognized $100,000 and $160,000 of stock-based compensation expense associated with the stock awards for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $70,000 higher due to the accelerated vesting of restricted stock discussed above. As of September 30, 2013, compensation cost of $142,000 related to unearned awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years. The entire 110,000 restricted stock awards are considered issued and outstanding as they have voting and dividend rights; however, only the vested awards are included in the computation of earnings per share.



24



NOTE 11 — NONINTEREST EXPENSE

The following table details the items comprising other general and administrative expenses:

($ in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Other general and administrative expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Data processing
$
148

 
$
83

 
$
452

 
$
242

Other loan expenses
82

 
11

 
244

 
63

Marketing and promotions
54

 
46

 
154

 
94

Regulatory and reporting fees
32

 
30

 
101

 
103

FDIC assessment
24

 
33

 
89

 
129

Directors’ fees
35

 
27

 
84

 
69

Telephone/communication
29

 
12

 
81

 
36

Travel and entertainment
23

 
12

 
77

 
35

Printing, stationery and supplies
17

 
8

 
62

 
21

Training, education and conferences
9

 
2

 
47

 
7

OREO expense
20

 
11

 
44

 
44

Insurance
14

 
12

 
40

 
36

Dues and memberships
13

 
10

 
36

 
25

Postage and shipping
9

 
3

 
25

 
10

Core deposit intangible amortization
17

 

 
22

 

ATM and debit card fees
8

 
4

 
17

 
12

Franchise taxes
4

 
3

 
8

 
8

Operating losses / legal settlements
139

 
127

 
159

 
137

Miscellaneous other
3

 
4

 
9

 
13

Total
$
680

 
$
438

 
$
1,751

 
$
1,084



NOTE 12 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
The Company is a party to credit related financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments consist of commitments to extend credit.  Such commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.  The Company’s exposure to credit loss is represented by the contractual amount of these commitments.  The Company follows the same credit policies in making commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $40.2 million and $28.5 million, respectively, in unfunded commitments were outstanding whose contract amounts represent credit risk. Of the $40.2 million in total commitments outstanding at September 30, 2013, $7.3 million were at variable rates and $19.6 million were at fixed rates and $13.3 million have terms that are still being negotiated. Of the $28.5 million in total commitments outstanding at December 31, 2012, $7.7 million were at variable rates and $20.8 million were at fixed rates. Additionally, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately $9.6 million and $180,000, respectively, in commitments to sell residential mortgage loans to third-party investors.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Since some of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  The Company evaluates each customer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis.  The amount of collateral obtained is based on management’s credit evaluation.  Collateral held varies, but may include accounts receivable, inventory, property, plant and equipment and income producing commercial properties.


25



The Bank enters into commitments to sell residential mortgage loans to reduce interest rate risk on certain residential mortgage loans held for sale and loan commitments which were recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at their fair values. The Bank does not anticipate any material loss as a result of the commitments and contingent liabilities. Residential mortgage loans sold to others are predominantly conventional residential first lien mortgages originated under the Bank's usual underwriting procedures, and are most often sold on a nonrecourse basis. The Bank's agreements to sell residential mortgage loans in the normal course of business usually require certain representations and warranties on the underlying loans sold, related to credit information, loan documentation, collateral, first payment default and insurability, which if subsequently are untrue or breached, could require the Bank to repurchase certain loans affected. There have been no instances of repurchase under representations and warranties.

On August 20, 2013, the Bank entered into an office building lease for approximately 12,500 square feet of space at 101 University Boulevard, in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver. From this location, the Bank will operate a full-service branch, conduct commercial and residential mortgage lending activities, as well as house Bank operations and corporate functions. The lease is for a ten-year term with four five-year optional renewal periods. Lease payments will begin three months after the lease commencement date, which is the earlier of the date of occupancy or January 17, 2014. The space is expected to be ready for occupancy in the first quarter of 2014 at which time the Bank will vacate its corporate offices which are currently being leased on a month-to-month basis.


NOTE 13 FAIR VALUE

The Company carries its available-for-sale securities, loans held for sale, and interest rate lock commitments at fair value measured on a recurring basis.  Fair value measurements are determined based on the assumptions the market participants would use in pricing the asset. See additional discussion regarding fair value measurement in Note 2 under the discussion of our critical accounting policies.

For available-for-sale securities, fair value measurement is obtained from independent pricing services which utilize observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bonds’ terms and conditions, among other things.  As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, all of the Company’s available-for-sale securities were valued using Level 2 inputs.

For loans held for sale and interest rate lock commitments, fair value measurement is obtained using observable inputs, Level 2 on the fair value hierarchy, including what secondary markets are currently offering for loans with similar characteristics.

Impaired loans are evaluated and valued at the time the loan is identified as impaired, at the lower of cost or fair value.  Fair value is measured based on the value of the collateral securing these loans or the present value of expected cash flows and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.  Collateral may be real estate and/or business assets including equipment, inventory and/or accounts receivable and is determined based on appraisals performed by qualified licensed appraisers hired by the Company.  Appraised and reported values may be adjusted based on management's historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management's expertise and knowledge of the client and client's business.  Such discounts are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.  Impaired loans are reviewed and evaluated on at least a quarterly basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly.

Other real estate owned is valued at the time the loan is foreclosed upon and the asset is transferred to other real estate owned.  The value is based primarily on third party appraisals, less costs to sell.  The appraisals may be adjusted based on management's historical knowledge, changes in market conditions from the time of valuation, and/or management's expertise and knowledge of the client and client's business.  Such discounts are typically significant and result in a Level 3 classification of the inputs for determining fair value.  Other real estate owned is reviewed and evaluated on at least an annual basis for additional impairment and adjusted accordingly.


26



Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis
 
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:

($ in thousands)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Assets at September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities, available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate
$

 
$
14,112

 
$

 
$
14,112

State and municipal

 
18,523

 

 
18,523

Residential agency MBS/CMOs

 
45,013

 

 
45,013

Loans held for sale

 
9,672

 

 
9,672

Interest rate lock commitments

 
136

 

 
136

Total
$

 
$
87,456

 
$

 
$
87,456

Assets at December 31, 2012
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Investment securities, available-for-sale:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate
$

 
$
14,450

 
$

 
$
14,450

State and municipal

 
22,117

 

 
22,117

Residential agency MBS/CMOs

 
48,143

 

 
48,143

Loans held for sale

 
180

 

 
180

Total
$

 
$
84,890

 
$

 
$
84,890


There were no transfers in or out of the levels during the periods presented.

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis
 
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below:

($ in thousands)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Assets at September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired loans (Financial)
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Other real estate owned (Non-financial)
$

 
$

 
$
2,300

 
$
2,300

Assets at December 31, 2012
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Impaired loans (Financial)
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Other real estate owned (Non-financial)
$

 
$

 
$
1,989

 
$
1,989


There were no impaired loans as of September 30, 2013. All impaired loans as of December 31, 2012 were carried at cost, as the fair value of the expected cash flows exceeded the book value; as such, they are not presented in the table above.

Other real estate owned (OREO) is real property taken by the Company either through foreclosure or through deed in lieu of foreclosure.  The fair value of OREO is based on property appraisals adjusted at management’s discretion to reflect further decline in fair value since the time the appraisal analysis was completed, if warranted.  Therefore, the inputs used to determine the fair value of OREO fall within Level 3.  OREO had a carrying amount of $1.8 million at both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, based on the appraisals less reasonable estimated costs to sell and less partial charge-offs recorded in 2011. The change in fair value of OREO properties from December 31, 2012 to September 30, 2013 relates to updated appraisals.


27



The following table provides information describing the valuation process used to determine recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:

Asset Type
 
Valuation Method
 
Unobservable Inputs
 
Range
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Impaired Loans
 
Property appraisals
 
Management discount for property type and/or recent market volatility
 
0% - 20% discount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discounted cash flow
 
Estimated loss probability based on management’s knowledge of client or client’s business
 
0% - 50% discount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OREO
 
Property appraisals
 
Management discount for property type, recent market volatility, and/or management’s knowledge of the property
 
0% - 20% discount

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Disclosure of fair value information about financial instruments, whether or not recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, for which it is practicable to estimate such value is required by U.S. GAAP.  Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market information and information about the financial instrument.  Because no market value exists for a significant portion of the financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding future expected loss experience, current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors.  These estimates are subjective in nature, involve uncertainties and matters of judgment, and therefore cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

Fair value information is not required to be disclosed for certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments.   Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the financial instruments held by the Company.  Fair value estimates are based on financial instruments both on and off the balance sheet without attempting to estimate the value of anticipated future business and the value of assets and liabilities that are not considered financial instruments.  Additionally, tax consequences related to the realization of the unrealized gains and losses can have a potential effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in many of the estimates.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of significant financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents:  The carrying amounts of cash, due from banks and federal funds sold approximate their fair values.

Interest-bearing deposits with banks:  The carrying amount of interest-bearing deposits with banks is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Investment securities:  Fair value measurement is obtained from independent pricing services which utilize observable data that may include dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bonds’ terms and conditions, among other things.

Loans, net:  The fair value of fixed rate loans is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality.  For variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are estimated to be equivalent to carrying values.  Variable rate loans that are currently priced at their contractual floor or ceiling, and thus similar to fixed rate loans, are reviewed to determine the interest rate that would be currently offered on similar credits.  If the current floor/ceiling rate is equivalent to current market rates, fair value is estimated to be equivalent to carrying value.  If the current market rates differ from the loan’s current rate, the contractual cash flows are discounted using the current market rate to derive the loan’s estimated fair value.  Both the estimated fair value and the carrying value have been reduced by specific and general reserves for loan losses.

Loans held for sale: Loans originated and held for sale are carried at fair value which is estimated using secondary market pricing currently being offered on loans with similar characteristics.

Investment in FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stocks:  It is not practical to determine the fair value of bank stocks due to the restrictions placed on the transferability of FHLB stock and Federal Reserve Bank stock.

28




Bank-owned life insurance:  The carrying amount of bank-owned life insurance is based on the cash surrender value of the policies which is a reasonable estimate of fair value.

Accrued interest receivable:  The carrying value of interest receivable approximates fair value due to the short period of time between accrual and receipt of payment.

Interest rate lock commitments: The fair value of interest rate lock commitments to originate residential mortgage loans held for sale is primarily based on quoted prices for similar assets in active markets that the Bank has the ability to access.

Deposits:  The fair value of noninterest-bearing demand deposits, interest-bearing demand deposits and savings and money market accounts is determined to be the amount payable on demand at the reporting date.  The fair value of fixed rate time deposits is estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.  Carrying value is assumed to approximate fair value for all variable rate time deposits.

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase:  The carrying amount of securities sold under agreements to repurchase approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these agreements, which generally mature within one to four days from the transaction date.
 
Federal Home Loan Bank advances:  Fair value of the Federal Home Loan Bank advances is estimated using a discounted cash flow model based on current market rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements including similar remaining maturities.

Accrued interest payable:  The carrying value of interest payable approximates fair value due to the short period of time between accrual and payment.
 
Loan commitments and letters of credit: The fair values of commitments are estimated using the fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the present creditworthiness of the counterparties. The difference between the carrying value of commitments to fund loans or standby letters of credit and their fair values are not significant and, therefore, are not included in the following table.


29



The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial instruments are summarized as follows:
 
($ in thousands)
Carrying
 
Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2013
Financial Assets:
Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,822

 
$
1,822

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,822

Interest-bearing deposits with banks
257

 

 
271

 

 
271

Investment securities
77,648

 

 
77,648

 

 
77,648

Loans, net
71,541

 

 

 
73,147

 
73,147

Loans held for sale
9,672

 

 
9,672

 

 
9,672

FHLB and FRB stocks
2,350

 

 

 
NA

 
NA

Bank-owned life insurance
4,277

 

 

 
4,277

 
4,277

Accrued interest receivable
679

 

 
475

 
204

 
679

Interest rate lock commitments
136

 

 
136

 

 
136

Financial Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits, demand, savings and money market
$
66,733

 
$

 
$
66,733

 
$

 
$
66,733

Time deposits
60,639

 

 
61,273

 

 
61,273

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
54

 

 
54

 

 
54

FHLB advances
25,447

 

 
25,598

 

 
25,598

Accrued interest payable
78

 

 
78

 

 
78


($ in thousands)
Carrying
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2012
Financial Assets:
Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2,738

 
$
2,738

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,738

Interest-bearing deposits with banks
257

 

 
273

 

 
273

Investment securities
84,710

 

 
84,710

 

 
84,710

Loans, net
58,744

 

 

 
58,785

 
58,785

Loans held for sale
180

 

 
180

 

 
180

FHLB and FRB stocks
1,189

 

 

 
NA

 
NA

Bank-owned life insurance
2,067

 

 

 
2,067

 
2,067

Accrued interest receivable
707

 

 
537

 
170

 
707

Financial Liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deposits, demand, savings and money market
$
66,963

 
$

 
$
66,963

 
$

 
$
66,963

Time deposits
57,769

 

 
58,671

 

 
58,671

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase
54

 

 
54

 

 
54

FHLB advances
8,500

 

 
8,722

 

 
8,722

Accrued interest payable
56

 

 
56

 

 
56

 

NOTE 14 SEGMENT REPORTING

Reportable segments include community banking and residential mortgage banking services. These segments were determined based on the products and services provided and are consistent with the information that is used by the Bank's key decision makers to make operating decisions and to assess the Company's performance. Community banking involves making loans to and generating deposits primarily from individuals and businesses in the Bank's primary market - the six-county Denver metropolitan area. Residential mortgage banking involves the origination of residential loans and subsequent sale of those loans to investors. The residential mortgage banking segment is a strategic business unit that offers different products and services. It is managed separately because the segment appeals to different markets and, accordingly, requires different technology and marketing strategies. The residential mortgage division has five loan production offices in Colorado including Boulder, two locations in Colorado Springs, the Denver Tech Center and Durango. This segment's most significant revenue item is noninterest income and its most significant expense item is noninterest expense. The Bank does not have other

30



reportable operating segments. The accounting policies of the mortgage banking division are the same as those described in the summary of critical accounting policies.

The following table presents the financial information from the Bank's two operating segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

There were no results presented for the period ended December 31, 2012, as the residential mortgage division was established late in the fourth quarter of 2012 and results of operations for the division were not deemed to be material for that period.

($ in thousands)
 
Community Banking
 
Residential Mortgage Banking
 
Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
 
$
1,134

 
$
68

 
$
1,202

Provision for loan and lease losses
 

 

 

Total noninterest income
 
120

 
1,563

 
1,683

Total noninterest expense
 
1,700

 
1,823

 
3,523

(Loss) before income taxes
 
$
(446
)
 
$
(192
)
 
$
(638
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
 
$
3,227

 
$
149

 
$
3,376

Provision for loan and lease losses
 

 

 

Total noninterest income
 
573

 
5,464

 
6,037

Total noninterest expense
 
4,149

 
5,282

 
9,431

(Loss) / income before income taxes
 
$
(349
)
 
$
331

 
$
(18
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
$
156,233

 
$
16,064

 
$
172,297

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
QTD
 
$
66,725

 
$
13,445

 
$
80,170

YTD
 
$
65,141

 
$
13,306

 
$
78,447


The third quarter 2013 loss for the residential mortgage division was largely driven by the increase in long-term interest rates experienced in the second quarter 2013, which significantly reduced refinancing activity in the third quarter. Refinancing of residential mortgage loans fell from $31.2 million during the second quarter of 2013 to $11.7 million during the third quarter of 2013. Residential mortgage loans funded for the purchase of new homes remained relatively stable at $53.2 million during the second quarter of 2013 and $50.6 million during the third quarter of 2013. We expect refinance activity to remain at low levels over the near-term.

The increased loss experienced during the third quarter of 2013 in the community banking division largely related to the approximately $400,000 of nonrecurring expenses incurred during the quarter in connection with the retirement of our former President and CEO as well as the charge-off of uncollectable receivables associated with one of our two OREO properties.

NOTE 15 — LEGAL CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary course of our business, we may be party to various legal actions, which we believe are incidental to the operation of our business. In the opinion of management, based upon information currently available to us, any resulting liability from legal actions is not likely to have a materially adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


31



NOTE 16 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On October 30, 2013, the Company announced that it has been approved by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to expand its franchise and open a full-service branch in the Cherry Creek neighborhood at 101 University Boulevard in Denver, Colorado. The Bank is targeting to open the new branch during the first quarter of 2014.


32



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

The following discussion and analysis presents the Company’s consolidated financial condition as of September 30, 2013 and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.  The discussion should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes related thereto which appear elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


Executive Overview

We are a Delaware corporation that was incorporated to organize and serve as the holding company for Solera National Bank, which opened for business in 2007.  Solera National Bank is a full-service commercial bank headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado primarily serving the Colorado Front Range.  Our main banking office is located at 319 S. Sheridan Blvd., Lakewood, Colorado 80226.  Our telephone number is (303) 209-8600.

Earnings are derived primarily from noninterest income earned from gains on the sale of residential mortgage loans and net interest income, which is interest income less interest expense, offset by noninterest expense and provision for loan and lease losses. As the majority of assets are interest-earning and liabilities are interest-bearing, changes in interest rates impact net interest margin.  Margin refers to net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets, and is influenced by the level and relative mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  We manage interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities to reduce the impact of interest rate changes on operating results.
 
We offer a broad range of commercial and consumer banking services to small and medium-sized businesses, licensed professionals and individuals who are particularly responsive to the personalized service that Solera National Bank provides to its customers.  We believe that local ownership and control allows the Bank to serve customers efficiently and effectively.  Solera National Bank competes on the basis of providing a unique and personalized banking experience combined with a broad range of services, customized and tailored to fit the individual needs of its clients.  While the Bank seeks to serve the entire market, it focuses on serving the local Hispanic and other minority populations which it believes are currently underserved.  Since opening the bank in September of 2007, management has successfully executed its strategy of delivering prudent and controlled growth to efficiently leverage the Company’s capital and expense base with the goal of achieving sustained profitability. 

In December 2012, the Company launched a residential mortgage division with five loan production offices in Colorado including Boulder, two locations in Colorado Springs, the Denver Tech Center and Durango. With the addition of approximately 60 mortgage professionals, the Bank now offers residential mortgage loans, the vast majority of which are sold on the secondary market. In the aftermath of the recent economic recession and the changing regulatory environment, we concluded that a combination of disruption in the residential mortgage lending market, the stringent underwriting standards which followed, and the historically low interest rate environment, presented a significant opportunity to expand our residential mortgage lending capabilities.  As of December 31, 2012, the Bank had 63 full-time equivalent employees. That number reached 90 employees during the third quarter 2013.

Since we operate in Colorado, our operating results are significantly influenced by economic conditions in Colorado, particularly the health of the real estate market.  Additionally, we are subject to competition from other financial institutions and are impacted by fiscal and regulatory policies of the federal government as well as regulatory oversight by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, (the “OCC”).


Comparative Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

The following discussion focuses on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012.

Net loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 was $638,000, or $(0.25) per share, compared to net income of $74,000, or $0.03 per share, for the third quarter of 2012.  The $712,000 decrease was primarily the result of a $2.2 million increase in noninterest expense partially offset by a $1.4 million increase in noninterest income. The third quarter 2013 was impacted by approximately $400,000 of nonrecurring expenses in connection with the retirement of our former President and CEO as well as the charge-off of uncollectable receivables associated with one of our two OREO properties. There was a $141,000 improvement in net interest income after the provision for loan and lease losses, primarily due to increased interest income on loans due to a

33



growing portfolio and an increase in loans held for sale generated from the mortgage division, in conjunction with reduced cost of funds.   These and other changes are described in more detail in the ensuing discussion.

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, average assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity, as well as the components of net interest income and the resultant annualized yields / costs expressed in percentages.

 ($ in thousands)
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2013
 
Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2012
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Yield / Cost
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Yield / Cost
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross loans, net of unearned fees (1) (2)
$
68,850

 
$
949

 
5.47
%
 
$
60,255

 
$
862

 
5.69
%
Loans held for sale
11,320

 
112

 
3.92

 

 

 

Investment securities (3)
79,738

 
432

 
2.15

 
87,012

 
505

 
2.31

FHLB and FRB stocks
2,362

 
17

 
2.94

 
1,170

 
11

 
3.70

Federal funds sold
1,091

 
1

 
0.23

 
565

 
1

 
0.21

Interest-bearing deposits with banks
257

 
2

 
2.94

 
357

 
2

 
2.19

Total interest-earning assets
163,618

 
$
1,513

 
3.67
%
 
149,359

 
$
1,381

 
3.68
%
Noninterest-earning assets
7,042

 
 

 
 

 
6,417

 
 

 
 

Total assets
$
170,660

 
 

 
 

 
$
155,776

 
 

 
 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Money market and savings deposits
$
51,797

 
$
61

 
0.46
%
 
$
56,805

 
$
83

 
0.58
%
Interest-bearing checking accounts
9,985

 
18

 
0.71

 
8,662

 
18

 
0.83

Time deposits
61,015

 
192

 
1.25

 
57,822

 
184

 
1.26

Other borrowings
102

 

 
0.41

 
481

 
1

 
1.27

FHLB advances
23,182

 
40

 
0.69

 
8,561

 
34

 
1.56

Total interest-bearing liabilities
146,081

 
$
311

 
0.84
%
 
132,331

 
$
320

 
0.96
%
Noninterest-bearing checking accounts
5,319

 
 

 
 

 
3,129

 
 

 
 

Noninterest-bearing liabilities
790

 
 

 
 

 
422

 
 

 
 

Stockholders' equity
18,470

 
 

 
 

 
19,894

 
 

 
 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
170,660

 
 

 
 

 
$
155,776

 
 

 
 

Net interest income
 

 
$
1,202

 
 

 
 

 
$
1,061

 
 

Net interest spread
 

 
2.82
%
 
 
 
 

 
2.72
%
 
 
Net interest margin
 

 
2.92
%
 
 
 
 

 
2.83
%
 
 

(1) The loan average balances and rates include nonaccrual loans.
(2) Net loan expenses of $4,000 and $3,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are included in the yield computation.
(3) Yields on investment securities have not been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis since the Company does not own any tax-free securities.


34



The following table presents the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for the major categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  The information details the changes attributable to a change in volume (i.e. change in average balance multiplied by the prior-period average rate) and changes attributable to a change in rate (i.e. change in average rate multiplied by the prior-period average balance).  There is a component that is attributable to both a change in volume and a change in rate.  This component has been allocated proportionately to the rate and volume columns.

($ in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
Net Change
 
Rate
 
Volume
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
Gross loans, net of unearned fees
$
87

 
$
(33
)
 
$
120

Loans held for sale
112

 

 
112

Investment securities
(73
)
 
(33
)
 
(40
)
FHLB and FRB stocks
6

 
(2
)
 
8

Federal funds sold

 

 

Interest-bearing deposits with banks

 

 

Total interest income
$
132

 
$
(68
)
 
$
200

Interest expense:
 

 
 

 
 

Money market and savings deposits
$
(22
)
 
$
(15
)
 
$
(7
)
Interest-bearing checking accounts

 
(3
)
 
3

Time deposits
8

 
(2
)
 
10

Other borrowings
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

FHLB advances
6

 
(111
)
 
117

Total interest expense
$
(9
)
 
$
(132
)
 
$
123

Net interest income
$
141

 
$
64

 
$
77


Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income is the difference between interest income, principally from loan and investment security portfolios, and interest expense, principally on customer deposits and borrowings.  Net interest income is a significant component of earnings.  Changes in net interest income result from changes in volume, spread and margin. Volume refers to the average dollar level of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  Spread refers to the difference between the average yield on interest-earning assets and the average cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Margin refers to net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets, and is influenced by the level and relative mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company’s net interest income increased $141,000, or 13%, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012 and net interest margin increased 9 basis points from 2.83% to 2.92%.  Most notable was the $112,000 increase in interest income from loans held for sale due to the new residential mortgage division and the $87,000 increase in interest income on loans primarily due to the $8.6 million increase in average loan balance during the third quarter 2013 compared to the third quarter 2012. These increases were partially offset by an unfavorable decrease in interest income on investment securities, which decreased $73,000, partially due to a decrease in yield (down 16 basis points) and partially due to a decrease in average balances (down $7.3 million). The average yield on loans decreased 22 basis points from the third quarter a year ago as the Bank continues to be impacted by low interest rates and strong competition for well-qualified borrowers that demand competitive rates.   

Although we have experienced decreases in yields on our interest-earning assets, we have also been able to reduce rates on our interest-bearing liabilities which enabled us to increase our net interest spread 10 basis points from 2.72% to 2.82%. Net interest spread is the yield earned on interest-earning assets less the cost of interest-bearing liabilities. Overall, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 12 basis points from the comparable period in the prior year.  Contributing most significantly to this decline was the $22,000 decrease in interest expense related to money market and savings deposits as a result of lowering deposit rates across all balance tiers.  The volume of FHLB advances increased significantly during the third quarter of 2013 compared to the same quarter in the prior year primarily to support the Company's increase in loans held for sale. The increases in FHLB advances were from borrowings on an overnight basis at interest rates significantly less than the portfolio average. This resulted in an 87 basis point decrease in the overall cost of FHLB advances.

35




Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

We determine a provision for loan and lease losses that we consider sufficient to maintain an allowance to absorb probable losses inherent in our portfolio as of the balance sheet date.  For additional information concerning this determination, see the section of this discussion and analysis captioned Financial Condition, Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.

During the third quarters of 2013 and 2012, we did not recognize any provision for loan and lease losses reflecting improved asset quality.  See additional discussion below under Financial Condition, Loan Portfolio.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 was $1.7 million, an increase of $1.4 million from $329,000 for the third quarter 2012.  The most notable increase in noninterest income for the quarter was due to $1.6 million of gains on residential mortgage loans sold to secondary market investors. The Company sold securities for gains of $49,000 during the third quarter 2013 compared to $289,000 during the third quarter 2012.  

The following table summarizes the Bank's residential mortgage loan activity during the third quarter of 2013. It should be noted the Bank's mortgage division was formed during the fourth quarter of 2012 so no material activity occurred before the first quarter of 2013.

($ in thousands)
For the Quarter Ended
 
September 30, 2013
Gain on Loans Sold
$
1,563

% Gain on Loans Sold
2.24
%
Residential Mortgage Loans Originated
$
62,265

Residential Mortgage Loans Sold
$
69,699

Purpose of Loan: (1)
 
Purchase
81.2
%
Refinance
18.8
%
(1)  indicates the percentage of loans originated during the period

Although we anticipate the slowdown in refinance activity experienced during the third quarter 2013 to continue, due to the rise in longer-term interest rates, the housing market in Colorado is vibrant. As such, purchase volumes are expected to be in-line with previous quarters.

Noninterest Expense

Our total noninterest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 was $3.5 million, which was $2.2 million, or 168%, higher than the $1.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. The reasons for this increase are discussed in more detail below.  

Employee Compensation and Benefits
Employee compensation and benefit expense increased $1.8 million from third quarter 2012 due to an additional 64 employees, (from an average of 26 full-time equivalent employees during the third quarter of 2012 to an average of 90 for the third quarter of 2013). In addition, we incurred approximately $220,000 of nonrecurring expenses associated with the departure of our former Chief Executive Officer including additional costs associated with the accelerated vesting of his stock options. The third quarter 2013 was also impacted by an additional $70,000 of expense associated with the accelerated vesting of restricted stock granted to officers of the Company's residential mortgage division.

Occupancy
Occupancy expense increased $137,000 due to the addition of five locations associated with the residential mortgage division. During the third quarter of 2013, the Bank entered into a new office building lease agreement which is expected to commence during the first quarter of 2014. This space will replace our corporate offices and from this

36



location we will operate a full-service branch, conduct commercial and residential mortgage lending activities, as well as house Bank operations and corporate functions. Occupancy expense is expected to increase in 2014 given the expansion of Bank premises.

Professional Fees
Professional fees increased $34,000, or 28%, primarily due to the timing of outsourced internal audits which occurred primarily during the third quarter 2013 compared to the first quarter of 2012.

Other General and Administrative Expenses:
($ in thousands)
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Increase/
Other general and administrative expenses:
2013
 
2012
 
(Decrease)
Data processing
$
148

 
$
83

 
$
65

Other loan expenses
82

 
11

 
71

Marketing and promotions
54

 
46

 
8

Directors’ fees
35

 
27

 
8

Regulatory and reporting fees
32

 
30

 
2

Telephone/communication
29

 
12

 
17

FDIC assessment
24

 
33

 
(9
)
Travel and entertainment
23

 
12

 
11

OREO expense
20

 
11

 
9

Printing, stationery and supplies
17

 
8

 
9

Core deposit intangible amortization
17

 

 
17

Insurance
14

 
12

 
2

Dues and memberships
13

 
10

 
3

Postage and shipping
9

 
3

 
6

Training, education and conferences
9

 
2

 
7

ATM and debit card fees
8

 
4

 
4

Franchise taxes
4

 
3

 
1

Operating losses / legal settlements
139

 
127

 
12

Miscellaneous other
3

 
4

 
(1
)
Total
$
680

 
$
438

 
$
242


The most significant changes in other general and administrative expenses included increases of:
A)
$71,000 in other loan expense related to costs incurred to underwrite residential mortgage loans;
B)
$65,000 in data processing due primarily to the licensing and operating costs of the software applications used for the residential mortgage division;
C)
$17,000 in telephone and communication expense and $9,000 in printing, stationery and supplies both related to our five new residential mortgage locations;
D)
$17,000 associated with the amortization of our core deposit intangible related to the acquisition of deposit accounts in June 2013;
E)
$11,000 in travel and entertainment correlated to an increase in loan demand for both the community bank division and the residential mortgage division;
F)
$9,000 of OREO expenses which are expected to continue to impact our operating results in the near term as we incur costs such as taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance, among others, on two properties;
G)
$8,000 in marketing and promotion expenses primarily due to advertising costs associated with our residential mortgage division;
H)
$8,000 in directors' fees due to an increase in the number of committee meetings held during the third quarter 2013 primarily in conjunction with the hiring of our new CEO;
I)
$7,000 in training, education and conferences primarily associated with increased costs for personnel training which correlates with our increase in employees.

37




Operating losses and legal settlements in the third quarter of 2013 relates to the charge-off of accounts receivable associated with one of our OREO properties. The $127,000 in the third quarter of 2012 relates to the settlement of a legal action.

These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $9,000 in FDIC fees due to lower assessment rates. All other general and administrative costs remained relatively stable.

Income Taxes

No federal or state tax expense was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, based upon net operating loss carry-forwards that can be used to offset approximately $3.7 million and $3.3 million, respectively, of taxable income for federal tax purposes.  Since it is uncertain when the Company will achieve sustained profitability, the deferred tax benefit accumulated to date has a full valuation allowance so that the net deferred tax benefit at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $0.

Comparative Results of Operations for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

The following discussion focuses on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $18,000, or $(0.01) per share, compared to net income of $168,000, or $0.07 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The $186,000 decrease was primarily the result of a $5.8 million dollar increase in noninterest expenses partially offset by a $5.3 million increase in noninterest income due in part to the approximately $450,000 of nonrecurring expenses incurred during 2013 in connection with the retirement of our former President and CEO, the charge-off of uncollectable receivables associated with one of our two OREO properties and costs incurred to integrate the deposits from our second-quarter deposit acquisition. There was a $320,000 improvement in net interest income after the provision for loan and lease losses, primarily due to increased interest income on loans due to a growing portfolio and an increase in loans held for sale generated from the residential mortgage division, in conjunction with reduced cost of funds.  These and other changes are described in more detail in the ensuing discussion.

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, average assets, liabilities and stockholders’ equity, as well as the components of net interest income and the resultant annualized yields / costs expressed in percentages.


38




 ($ in thousands)
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2013
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2012
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Yield / Cost
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Yield / Cost
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross loans, net of unearned fees (1) (2)
$
66,135

 
$
2,607

 
5.27
%
 
$
57,047

 
$
2,437

 
5.71
%
Loans held for sale
12,312

 
327

 
3.55

 

 

 

Investment securities (3)
78,421

 
1,289

 
2.20

 
85,416

 
1,548

 
2.42

FHLB and FRB stocks
2,000

 
51

 
3.41

 
1,155

 
29

 
3.34

Federal funds sold
530

 
1

 
0.23

 
640

 
2

 
0.22

Interest-bearing deposits with banks
257

 
5

 
2.94

 
375

 
6

 
2.09

Total interest-earning assets
159,655

 
$
4,280

 
3.58
%
 
144,633

 
$
4,022

 
3.71
%
Noninterest-earning assets
8,266

 
 

 
 

 
5,755

 
 

 
 

Total assets
$
167,921

 
 

 
 

 
$
150,388

 
 

 
 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest-bearing liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Money market and savings deposits
$
52,849

 
$
182

 
0.46
%
 
$
57,444

 
$
278

 
0.65
%
Interest-bearing checking accounts
8,811

 
48

 
0.73

 
8,845

 
55

 
0.84

Time deposits
59,265

 
555

 
1.25

 
52,619

 
531

 
1.35

Other borrowings
124

 

 
0.50

 
532

 
4

 
1.13

FHLB advances
21,813

 
119

 
0.73

 
7,865

 
98

 
1.66

Total interest-bearing liabilities
142,862

 
$
904

 
0.85
%
 
127,305

 
$
966

 
1.01
%
Noninterest-bearing checking accounts
4,923

 
 

 
 

 
3,162

 
 

 
 

Noninterest-bearing liabilities
682

 
 

 
 

 
413

 
 

 
 

Stockholders' equity
19,454

 
 

 
 

 
19,508

 
 

 
 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
167,921

 
 

 
 

 
$
150,388

 
 

 
 

Net interest income
 

 
$
3,376

 
 

 
 

 
$
3,056

 
 

Net interest spread
 

 
2.74
%
 
 
 
 

 
2.70
%
 
 
Net interest margin
 

 
2.83
%
 
 
 
 

 
2.82
%
 
 

(1) The loan average balances and rates include nonaccrual loans.
(2) Net loan expenses of $36,000 and net loan fees of $3,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are included in the yield computation.
(3) Yields on investment securities have not been adjusted to a tax-equivalent basis since the Company does not own any tax-free securities.


39



The following table presents the dollar amount of changes in interest income and interest expense for the major categories of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  The information details the changes attributable to a change in volume (i.e. change in average balance multiplied by the prior-period average rate) and changes attributable to a change in rate (i.e. change in average rate multiplied by the prior-period average balance).  There is a component that is attributable to both a change in volume and a change in rate.  This component has been allocated proportionately to the rate and volume columns.

Table 2
($ in thousands)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
Net Change
 
Rate
 
Volume
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
Gross loans, net of unearned fees
$
170

 
$
(157
)
 
$
327

Loans held for sale
327

 

 
327

Investment securities
(259
)
 
(137
)
 
(122
)
FHLB and FRB stocks
22

 

 
22

Federal funds sold
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Interest-bearing deposits with banks
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

Total interest income
$
258

 
$
(295
)
 
$
553

Interest expense:
 

 
 

 
 

Money market and savings deposits
$
(96
)
 
$
(76
)
 
$
(20
)
Interest-bearing checking accounts
(7
)
 
(7
)
 

Time deposits
24

 
(30
)
 
54

Other borrowings
(4
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
FHLB advances
21

 
(10
)
 
31

Total interest expense
$
(62
)
 
$
(125
)
 
$
63

Net interest income
$
320

 
$
(170
)
 
$
490


Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company’s net interest income increased $320,000, or 10%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012 contributing to a 1 basis point increase in net interest margin which was 2.83% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Most notable was the $327,000 increase in interest income from loans held for sale due to the new residential mortgage division and the $170,000 increase in interest income on loans primarily due to the $9.1 million increase in average loan balance for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in the prior year. These increases were partially offset by an unfavorable decrease in interest income on investment securities, which decreased $259,000, primarily due to a decrease in yield (down 22 basis points) but also partially due to a decrease in average balances (down $7.0 million). The decline in the yield on investment securities from the prior year is primarily attributable to principal payments received on mortgage-backed securities which were reinvested in lower yielding securities. The average yield on loans decreased 44 basis points from a year ago as the Bank continues to be impacted by low interest rates and strong competition for well-qualified borrowers that demand competitive rates.   

Although we experienced decreases in yields on our interest-earning assets, we were also able to reduce rates on our interest-bearing liabilities which enabled us to improve our net interest spread to 2.74% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 from 2.70% for the same period of the prior year. Overall, the cost of interest-bearing liabilities decreased 16 basis points from the prior year.  Contributing most significantly to this decline was the $96,000 decrease in interest expense related to money market and savings deposits as a result of lowering deposit rates across all balance tiers.  The volume of FHLB advances increased significantly during 2013, primarily to support the Company's increase in loans held for sale. The increases in FHLB advances were from borrowings on an overnight basis at interest rates significantly less than the portfolio average. This resulted in a 93 basis point decrease in the overall cost of FHLB advances. Additionally, the Bank had an increase in time deposits, which, on average, increased $6.6 million to further support the increase in loans.


40



Provision for Loan and Lease Losses

We determine a provision for loan and lease losses that we consider sufficient to maintain an allowance to absorb probable losses inherent in our portfolio as of the balance sheet date.  For additional information concerning this determination, see the section of this discussion and analysis captioned Financial Condition, Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses.

During the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, we did not recognize any provision for loan and lease losses reflecting improved asset quality.  See additional discussion below under Financial Condition, Loan Portfolio.

Noninterest Income

Noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $6.0 million, an increase of $5.3 million from $697,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The most notable increase in noninterest income was due to the $5.5 million of gain on residential mortgage loans sold to secondary market investors. Additionally, the Company recognized $112,000 of gains on the sale of the guaranteed portion of SBA 7(a) loans. The Company sold securities for gains of $294,000 during the first nine months of 2013 compared to $569,000 during the first nine months of 2012.  

The following table summarizes the Bank's residential mortgage loan activity during the first nine months of 2013. It should be noted the Bank's mortgage division was formed during the fourth quarter of 2012 so no material activity existed before the first quarter of 2013.

($ in thousands)
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2013
Gain on Loans Sold
$
5,464

% Gain on Loans Sold
2.88
%
Residential Mortgage Loans Originated
$
198,663

Residential Mortgage Loans Sold
$
189,469

Purpose of Loan: (1)
 
Purchase
68.4
%
Refinance
31.6
%
(1)  indicates the percentage of loans originated during the period

Although we anticipate the slowdown in refinance activity experienced during the third quarter 2013 to continue, due to the rise in longer-term interest rates, the housing market in Colorado is vibrant. As such, purchase volumes are expected to be in-line with previous quarters.

Noninterest Expense

Our total noninterest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $9.4 million, which was $5.8 million, or 163%, higher than the $3.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The reasons for this increase are discussed in more detail below.  

Employee Compensation and Benefits
Employee compensation and benefit expense increased $4.7 million due to an additional 61 employees, (from an average of 25 full-time equivalent employees during 2012 to an average of 86 for 2013). Additionally, during the third quarter 2013, we incurred approximately $220,000 of nonrecurring expenses associated with the departure of our former Chief Executive Officer including additional costs associated with the accelerated vesting of his stock options. Additionally, we incurred an additional $70,000 of expense during 2013 associated with the accelerated vesting of restricted stock granted to officers of the Company's residential mortgage division.

Occupancy
Occupancy expense increased $410,000 due to the addition of five locations associated with the residential mortgage division. During the third quarter of 2013, the Bank entered into a new office building lease agreement which is expected to commence during the first quarter of 2014. This space will replace our corporate offices and from this location we will operate a full-service branch, conduct commercial and residential mortgage lending activities, as well

41



as house Bank operations and corporate functions. Occupancy expense is expected to increase in 2014 given the expansion of Bank premises.

Professional Fees
Professional fees increased $49,000, or 14%, due to higher information technology consulting and other consulting expenses, partially offset by lower legal fees.

Other General and Administrative Expenses:
($ in thousands)
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Increase/
Other general and administrative expenses:
2013
 
2012
 
(Decrease)
Data processing
$
452

 
$
242

 
$
210

Other loan expenses
244

 
63

 
181

Marketing and promotions
154

 
94

 
60

Regulatory and reporting fees
101

 
103

 
(2
)
FDIC assessment
89

 
129

 
(40
)
Directors’ fees
84

 
69

 
15

Telephone/communication
81

 
36

 
45

Travel and entertainment
77

 
35

 
42

Printing, stationery and supplies
62

 
21

 
41

Training, education and conferences
47

 
7

 
40

OREO expense
44

 
44

 

Insurance
40

 
36

 
4

Dues and memberships
36

 
25

 
11

Postage and shipping
25

 
10

 
15

Core deposit intangible amortization
22

 

 
22

ATM and debit card fees
17

 
12

 
5

Franchise taxes
8

 
8

 

Operating losses / legal settlements
159

 
137

 
22

Miscellaneous other
9

 
13

 
(4
)
Total
$
1,751

 
$
1,084

 
$
667


The most significant changes in other general and administrative expenses included increases of:
A)
$210,000 in data processing due to the licensing and operating costs of the software applications used for the residential mortgage division as well as a nonrecurring charge of $50,000 incurred to integrate the deposits acquired from a branch of Liberty Savings Bank, FSB during the second quarter of 2013;
B)
$181,000 in other loan expense related to costs incurred to underwrite residential mortgage loans;
C)
$60,000 in marketing and promotion expenses primarily due to advertising costs associated with our residential mortgage division and partially due to increased business development efforts;
D)
$45,000 in telephone and communication expense, $41,000 in printing, stationery and supplies and $15,000 in postage and shipping all related to our five new residential mortgage locations;
E)
$42,000 in travel and entertainment correlated to an increase in loan demand for both the community bank division and the residential mortgage division;
F)
$40,000 in training, education and conferences primarily associated with the increase in number of employees and the integration of the mortgage division employees;
G)
$22,000 associated with the amortization of our core deposit intangible related to the acquisition of deposit accounts in June 2013;

Operating losses and legal settlements in 2013 primarily relate to the charge-off of accounts receivable associated with one of our OREO properties. The $137,000 of losses in 2012 primarily relates to the settlement of a legal action.

42




These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $40,000 in FDIC fees due to lower assessment rates. All other general and administrative costs remained relatively stable.

Income Taxes

No federal or state tax expense was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, based upon net operating loss carry-forwards that can be used to offset approximately $3.7 million and $3.3 million, respectively, of taxable income for federal tax purposes.  Since it is uncertain when the Company will achieve sustained profitability, the deferred tax benefit accumulated to date has a full valuation allowance so that the net deferred tax benefit at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $0.


Financial Condition

At September 30, 2013, the Company had total assets of $172.3 million, a $18.4 million, or 12% increase from $153.9 million in total assets at December 31, 2012 primarily due to: a $13.0 million, or 21.7%, increase in gross loans, a $9.5 million increase in loans held for sale, and a $2.0 million additional investment in bank-owned life insurance, partially offset by an 8.3% decline in investment securities, which were reduced to help fund the growth in loans.  

As of September 30, 2013, stockholders’ equity was $18.3 million, a $1.7 million decrease versus $19.9 million at December 31, 2012.  The decrease was primarily due to the $2.0 million decrease in other comprehensive income related to changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities and the $237,000 of stock-based compensation expense related to the Company’s stock incentive plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Key Ratios
Ratio
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Return on Average Assets
 
 %
 
0.19
%
Return on Average Equity
 
(0.12
)%
 
1.43
%
Average Equity to Average Assets
 
11.59
 %
 
12.95
%

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) and Federal Reserve Bank Stocks

At September 30, 2013, the Bank had a total of $2.4 million invested in FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stocks carried at cost consisting of $501,600 in Federal Reserve Bank stock and $1.8 million in FHLB stock.  These investments allow the Bank to conduct business with these entities.  As of September 30, 2013, the Federal Reserve Bank stock was yielding an average annual rate of 6.0% and the FHLB stock was yielding an average annual rate of 2.4%.

Investment Securities

Our investment portfolio serves as a source of interest income, a source of liquidity and a management tool for managing interest rate sensitivity.  We manage our investment portfolio according to a written investment policy approved by our Board of Directors.

At September 30, 2013, the Bank’s investment portfolio consisted of available-for-sale securities of $77.6 million. See Note 3 - Investments, of the Unaudited Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for information on the composition, maturities and fair value of the portfolio.


43



Loan Portfolio

The following table presents the composition of our loan portfolio (excluding residential mortgage loans held for sale) by category as of the dates indicated:

($ in thousands)
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Amount
 
% of Total
 
Amount
 
% of Total
Commercial real estate
$
45,462

 
63
%
 
$
38,230

 
68
%
Commercial and industrial
9,870

 
14

 
9,383

 
11

Residential real estate
14,100

 
19

 
10,608

 
19

Construction and land development
1,012

 
1

 
791

 
2

Consumer
2,151

 
3

 
620

 

GROSS LOANS
72,595

 
100
%
 
59,632

 
100
%
Deferred loan expenses / (fees)
47

 
 

 
175

 
 

Allowance for loan and lease losses
(1,101
)
 
 

 
(1,063
)
 
 

LOANS, NET
$
71,541

 
 

 
$
58,744

 
 


As of September 30, 2013, gross loans were $72.6 million, an increase of $13.0 million, or 21.7%, from $59.6 million at December 31, 2012. Net loans were 41.5% and 38.2% of total assets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The following table compares the Bank's loan activity during the first nine months of 2013 with the activity from the first nine months of 2012. The strong loan demand during the first nine months of 2013 is indicative of the improving economy and enhanced business development efforts.
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2013
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30, 2012
Beginning Balance - Gross Loans
$
59,632

 
$
55,645

New originations
24,853

 
12,442

Total principal payments
(11,890
)
 
(6,423
)
Ending Balance - Gross Loans
$
72,595

 
$
61,664

 
 
 
 
Principal balance of loans purchased
$
413

 
$
4,500

Principal balance of SBA 7(a) loans sold
$
1,386

 
$
150

Gain on SBA 7(a) loans sold
$
112

 
$
25

 
The Company’s loan portfolio generally consists of loans to borrowers within Colorado that is primarily secured by real estate located in Colorado. This makes the value of the portfolio more susceptible to declines in real estate values and other changes in economic conditions in Colorado. To mitigate this risk, no single borrower can be approved for a loan over the Bank’s current legal lending limit of approximately $2.7 million.
 
Management may renew loans at maturity when requested by a customer whose financial strength appears to support such a renewal or when such a renewal appears to be in the best interest of the Bank. The Bank requires payment of accrued interest in such instances and may adjust the rate of interest, require a principal reduction, or modify other terms of the loan at the time of renewal.
 
The following tables set forth information at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, regarding the dollar amount of loans maturing in the Bank’s portfolio based on the contractual terms to maturity. The tables do not give effect to potential prepayments or contractual principal payments.


44



 ($ in thousands)
September 30, 2013
 
<1 Year
 
1 - 5 Years
 
5 – 15 Years
 
Over 15 Years
 
Total Loans
Commercial real estate
$
6,807

 
$
9,394

 
$
29,113

 
$
148

 
$
45,462

Commercial and industrial
1,771

 
3,594

 
3,770

 
735

 
9,870

Residential real estate
2,144

 
134

 
1,322

 
10,500

 
14,100

Construction and land development
914

 
98

 

 

 
1,012

Consumer
15

 
480

 
12

 
1,644

 
2,151

Gross Loans Receivable
$
11,651

 
$
13,700

 
$
34,217

 
$
13,027

 
$
72,595


 ($ in thousands)
December 31, 2012
 
<1 Year
 
1 - 5 Years
 
5 – 15 Years
 
Over 15 Years
 
Total Loans
Commercial real estate
$
2,383

 
$
8,618

 
$
27,079

 
$
150

 
$
38,230

Commercial and industrial
1,529

 
3,999

 
3,362

 
493

 
9,383

Residential real estate
900

 
470

 
1,173

 
8,065

 
10,608

Construction and land development
628

 
163

 

 

 
791

Consumer
10

 
499

 
3

 
108

 
620

Gross Loans Receivable
$
5,450

 
$
13,749

 
$
31,617

 
$
8,816

 
$
59,632


Nonperforming Loans, Leases and Assets

Nonperforming assets consist of loans and leases on nonaccrual status, loans 90 days or more past due and still accruing interest, loans that have been restructured resulting in a reduction or deferral of interest or principal, other real estate owned (OREO), and other repossessed assets.


45



The following table summarizes information regarding nonperforming assets:

 ($ in thousands)
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Nonaccrual loans and leases
$

 
$
13

Other impaired loans

 

Total nonperforming loans

 
13

Other real estate owned
1,776

 
1,776

Substandard assets
1,116

 

Total nonperforming assets
$
2,892

 
$
1,789

Nonperforming loans
$

 
$
13

Allocated allowance for loan and lease losses to nonperforming loans

 

Net investment in nonperforming loans
$

 
$
13

Accruing loans past due 90 days or more
$

 
$

Loans past due 30-89 days
$
800

 
$
147

Loans charged-off, year-to-date
$
7

 
$
88

Recoveries, year-to-date
(45
)
 
(84
)
Net (recoveries) charge-offs, year-to-date
$
(38
)
 
$
4

Allowance for loan and lease losses
$
1,101

 
$
1,063

 
 
 
 
Allowance for loan and lease losses to gross loans
1.52
%
 
1.78
%
Allowance for loan and lease losses to nonaccrual loans
NM(1)

 
NM(1)

Allowance for loan and lease losses to nonperforming loans
NM(1)

 
NM(1)

Nonaccrual loans to loans, net of deferred fees/expenses
%
 
0.02
%
Loans 30-89 days past due to loans, net of deferred fees/expenses
1.10
%
 
0.25
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
1.68
%
 
1.16
%
 
(1) 
Not meaningful due to the insignificant amount of nonperforming loans at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

The Company had substandard assets, not including substandard loans, totaling $1.1 million as of September 30, 2013 representing the amortized cost of two corporate bond positions in Dell, Inc. The corporate credit rating on Dell, Inc. was lowered during the third quarter 2013 by Standards and Poor's rating service to below investment grade due the company's proposed leveraged buy-out which was consummated in the fourth quarter of 2013. Management does not believe these investments are other than temporarily impaired and management intents to hold these investments until recovery of value, which may be until maturity.

Federal regulations require that each insured financial institution classify its assets on a regular basis. In addition, in connection with examinations of insured institutions, regulatory examiners have authority to identify problem assets and, if appropriate, classify them. The Bank has established three classifications for potential problem assets: “substandard,” “doubtful” and “loss.” Loans classified as “substandard” are those loans with well-defined weaknesses, such that future capacity to repay the loan has been negatively impacted. Loans classified as “doubtful” are those loans that have characteristics similar to substandard loans, but the weaknesses have moved to the point where complete collection of the obligation from all sources is unlikely and a portion of the principal may be charged-off. Although loans classified as substandard do not duplicate loans classified as doubtful, both substandard and doubtful loans may include some loans that are past due at least 90 days, are on nonaccrual status or have been restructured. Loans classified as “loss” are those loans that are in the process of being charged-off. At September 30, 2013, the Bank had substandard loans totaling $3.2 million, and no loans classified as doubtful or loss. Of the $3.2 million in substandard loans, none were 30 days or more past due. As of December 31, 2012, the Bank had $4.6 million classified as substandard and no loans classified as doubtful or loss.

Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

Implicit in Solera National Bank’s lending activities is the fact that loan losses will be experienced and that the risk of loss will vary with the type of loan being made and the creditworthiness of the borrower over the term of the loan. To reflect the currently

46



perceived risk of loss associated with the loan portfolio, additions are made to the allowance for loan and lease losses in the form of direct charges against income to ensure that the allowance is available to absorb possible loan losses. The Bank’s allowance for estimated loan and lease losses is based on a number of quantitative and qualitative factors. Factors used to assess the adequacy of the allowance for loan and lease losses are established based upon management’s assessment of the credit risk in the portfolio, historical loan loss, changes in the size, composition and concentrations of the loan portfolio, general economic conditions, and changes in the legal and regulatory environment, among others. In addition, because the Bank has a limited history on which to base future loan losses, a comparison of peer group allowance ratios to gross loans is made with the intention of maintaining similar levels of reserves.

Provisions for loan and lease losses may be provided both on a specific and general basis.  Specific and general valuation allowances are increased by provisions charged to expense and decreased by charge-offs of loans, net of recoveries.  Specific allowances are provided for impaired loans for which the expected loss is measurable.  General valuation allowances are provided based on a formula that incorporates the factors discussed above.  The Bank periodically reviews the assumptions and formula by which additions are made to the specific and general valuation allowances for losses in an effort to refine such allowances in light of the current status of the aforementioned factors.

The amount of the allowance equals the cumulative total of the provisions made from time to time, reduced by loan charge-offs and increased by recoveries of loans previously charged-off.  The allowance was $1.1 million, or 1.52% of outstanding principal as of September 30, 2013.  We did not recognize any provision expense during the first nine months of 2013 or 2012, reflecting continually improving asset quality.  

The following table sets forth the allowance for loan and lease losses activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
($ in thousands)
Three Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended 
 September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Balance at beginning of period
$
1,088

 
$
1,009

 
$
1,063

 
$
1,067

Provision charged to expense

 

 

 

Loans charged-off:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial real estate

 

 
(7
)
 

Commercial and industrial

 

 

 
(85
)
Residential real estate

 

 

 

Construction and land development

 

 

 

Consumer

 

 

 
(3
)
Total loans charged-off

 

 
(7
)
 
(88
)
Recoveries on loans previously charged-off:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Commercial real estate

 

 

 

Commercial and industrial
1

 
10

 
5

 
10

Residential real estate
12

 
14

 
40

 
44

Construction and land development

 

 

 

Consumer

 

 

 

Total recoveries
13

 
24

 
45

 
54

Balance at end of period
$
1,101

 
$
1,033

 
$
1,101

 
$
1,033

Annualized net charge-offs (recoveries) to average gross loans
(0.03
)%
 
(0.16
)%
 
(0.08
)%
 
0.08
%

Credit and loan decisions are made by management and the Board of Directors’ Credit Committee in conformity with loan policies established by the Board of Directors.  The Bank’s practice is to charge-off any loan or portion of a loan when the loan is determined by management to be uncollectible due to the borrower’s failure to meet repayment terms, the borrower’s deteriorating or deteriorated financial condition, the depreciation of the underlying collateral, the loan’s classification as a loss, or other reasons.


47



Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into various off-balance-sheet commitments and other arrangements to extend credit that are not reflected in the consolidated balance sheets of the Company.  The business purpose of these off-balance-sheet commitments is the routine extension of credit.  The total amounts of off-balance-sheet financial instruments with credit risk were $40.2 million and $28.5 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, including $16.4 million and $16.7 million, respectively, in interest rate lock commitments for residential mortgage loans that had been committed but not yet funded. At the time the Bank enters into the interest rate lock commitment with the customer, the Bank simultaneously enters into a forward sales commitment with the secondary market investor locking the price on the subsequent sale of the loan thereby mitigating the Bank's exposure to interest rate risk. These interest rate lock commitments, when closed and funded, become loans held for sale on the Bank's balance sheet. These loans are held on the Bank's balance sheet for generally less than 30 days until sold to the investor at the previously-agreed price.

The remaining commitment balances represent commitments to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the commitment contract.  Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and may require payment of a fee.  Commitments also include revolving lines of credit arrangements and unused commitments for commercial and real estate secured loans.  Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the commitments do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.

The Company faces the risk of deteriorating credit quality of borrowers to whom a commitment to extend credit has been made; however, no significant credit losses are expected from these commitments and arrangements.

Borrowings

The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka (FHLB) and, as a regular part of its business, obtains advances from this FHLB. Overnight advances bear interest at a variable rate while all other advances bear interest at a fixed rate. All advances are collateralized by certain securities pledged by the Bank and some of the Bank's qualifying loans. The Bank's authorized borrowing line with the FHLB is capped at 40% of total assets, subject to the availability of sufficient collateral to pledge against such borrowings. As of September 30, 2013, the Bank had $7.5 million in fixed-rate borrowings from the FHLB with varying maturity dates between April 2014 and November 2017 and a weighted-average effective interest rate of 1.72%. As of December 31, 2012, the Bank had $8.5 million in fixed-rate borrowings from the FHLB with varying maturity dates between April 2013 and November 2017 and a weighted-average effective interest rate of 1.57%. Additionally, the Bank had $17.9 million in variable-rate, overnight borrowings at 0.18% as of September 30, 2013. The Bank is using overnight borrowings at FHLB to fund residential mortgage loans which are held for sale. The Bank had no overnight borrowings from the FHLB as of December 31, 2012.

Capital Resources and Capital Adequacy Requirements

The risk-based capital regulations established and administered by the federal banking regulatory agencies are applicable to Solera National Bank.  Risk-based capital guidelines are designed to make regulatory capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profiles among banks, to account for off-balance-sheet exposure, and to minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets.  Under the regulations, assets and off-balance-sheet items are assigned to broad risk categories, each with appropriate weights.  The resulting capital ratios represent capital as a percentage of total risk-weighted assets and off-balance-sheet items.  Under the prompt corrective action regulations, to be adequately capitalized a bank must maintain minimum ratios of total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 4.0%, and Tier 1 capital to total average assets of 4.0%.  Failure to meet these capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on Solera National Bank’s financial statements.

A well-capitalized institution must maintain a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 10.0%, a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, and a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to total average assets of at least 5.0% and must not be subject to any written order, agreement, or directive requiring it to meet or maintain a specific capital level.


48



The following table summarizes the ratios of the Bank and the regulatory minimum capital requirements at September 30, 2013:

($ in thousands)
Risk-based
 
Leverage
 
Tier 1
 
Total capital
 
Tier 1
Actual regulatory capital
$
16,710

 
$
17,811

 
$
16,710

Well-capitalized requirement
6,701

 
11,168

 
8,521

Excess regulatory capital
$
10,009

 
$
6,643

 
$
8,189

Capital ratios
15.0
%
 
16.0
%
 
9.8
%
Minimum capital requirement
4.0
%
 
8.0
%
 
4.0
%
Well-capitalized requirement
6.0
%
 
10.0
%
 
5.0
%

On July 9, 2013, bank regulators approved the final rule to implement the Basel III regulatory capital reforms. The final rule becomes effective for the Bank beginning on January 1, 2015, as we are considered a non-advanced approaches bank. The final rule minimizes the impact on smaller, less complex financial institutions, although it does increase both the quantity and quality of capital required to be held in order to meet the minimum capital requirements. Based on management's initial review, we expect to exceed all capital requirements under the new rule. Some key highlights of the final rule as they pertain to the Bank include:
A one-time irrevocable option to permanently exclude accumulated other comprehensive income from inclusion in regulatory capital.
The residential mortgage risk-weighting approach in the notice of proposed rulemaking was removed in the final rule. Institutions will continue to use the existing risk-weighting approach.



Liquidity

The Board of Directors intends to retain earnings to promote growth, build capital and recover any losses incurred in prior periods.  Accordingly, we do not expect to receive dividends from the Bank, or to pay dividends to our stockholders, in the foreseeable future.  In addition, banks and bank holding companies are subject to certain regulatory restrictions on the payment of cash dividends.

The Bank’s liquidity is monitored by its staff, the Asset Liability Committee and the Board of Directors, who review historical funding requirements, the current liquidity position, sources and stability of funding, marketability of assets, options for attracting additional funds, and anticipated future funding needs, including the level of unfunded commitments.

The Bank’s primary sources of funds are retail and commercial deposits, loan and securities repayments, other short-term borrowings, and other funds provided by operations.  While scheduled loan repayments and maturing investments are relatively predictable, deposit flows and early loan prepayments are more influenced by interest rates, general economic conditions, and competition.  The Bank will maintain investments in liquid assets based upon management’s assessment of (1) the need for funds, (2) expected deposit flows, (3) yields available on short-term liquid assets, and (4) objectives of the asset/liability management program.

During the second quarter 2013, the Bank assumed approximately $6 million of customer deposits, excluding certificates of deposit, from another bank's nearby branch. This increase in deposits enhanced the Bank's liquidity.

Additionally, the Bank is a member of the Certificate of Deposit Account Registry Service (“CDARS®”) program.  Through CDARS®, the Bank’s customers can increase their FDIC insurance by up to $50 million through reciprocal deposit accounts.  This is accomplished by the Bank entering into reciprocal depository relationships with other member banks.  The individual customer’s large deposit is broken into amounts below the $250,000 FDIC-insured amount and placed with other banks that are members of the network.  The reciprocal member bank issues deposits in amounts that ensure the entire deposit is eligible for FDIC insurance.  These sources provide secondary liquidity to the Bank to service its depositors’ needs.  As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Bank had $7.6 million and $6.2 million, respectively, in CDARS® deposits.

As loan demand increases, greater pressure will be exerted on the Bank’s liquidity.  The Bank does not intend to aggressively pursue lending opportunities if sufficient funding sources (e.g., deposits, Federal Funds, etc.) are not available.  Additionally, management does not anticipate the need to access capital markets to obtain additional liquidity in the near term, nor will the

49



Bank seek to attract volatile, non-local deposits with above market interest rates.  As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Bank's loan to deposit ratio was 57% and 48%, respectively.

The Bank is a member of the FHLB of Topeka, which gives the Bank access to a secured line of credit with approximately $68.9 million of available funding as of September 30, 2013, subject to the availability of sufficient collateral to pledge against such borrowings.  Additionally, the Bank has approved, unsecured federal funds purchase lines totaling $9.1 million with three correspondent banks.  These lines either expire during 2013, or can be terminated at any time; however, it is not anticipated that these lines will be terminated and the Bank expects to be approved for new lines once the existing lines expire.  The Bank also has the ability to borrow at the Federal Reserve Discount Window on a secured basis. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had no outstanding borrowings on these lines.

The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.8 million, or 1.1% of total assets, at September 30, 2013.  Additionally, the Company had $77.6 million in available-for-sale investment securities, or 45.1% of total assets, at September 30, 2013.   Management believes the Bank will have adequate liquidity to meet anticipated future funding needs.


ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As a smaller reporting company, the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item.


ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management is responsible for maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures.  As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management evaluated the effectiveness and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)).  Based on that evaluation, both the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Accounting and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed, summarized and reported to management within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

50



PART II — OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
Not applicable.
 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

As a smaller reporting company, the Company is not required to provide the information required by this Item.


ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Not applicable.


ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.


ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.


ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Please see the exhibit index following the signature page of this Report.

51



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.
 
 
SOLERA NATIONAL BANCORP, INC.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Dated:
November 8, 2013
/s/ John P. Carmichael
 
 
John P. Carmichael
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dated:
November 8, 2013
/s/ Robert J. Fenton
 
 
Robert J. Fenton
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)

52



EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number
 
Description of Exhibit
 
 
 
3.1
 
Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Solera National Bancorp, Inc. dated June 3, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed on June 6, 2013).
 
 
 
3.2 (ii)
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws dated July 15, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(ii) to the Company's Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2013).
 
 
 
31.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
 
31.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
 
 
 
32.1*
 
Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. §1350.
 
 
 
101.INS**
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
 
 
 
101.LAB**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
 
101.PRE**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
 
 
101.DEF**
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase document
 
 
 
(*)
 
Filed herewith.
 
 
 
(**)
 
Pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations, we are deemed to have complied with the reporting obligation relating to the submission of interactive data files in such exhibits and are not subject to liability under any anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws as long as we have made a good faith attempt to comply with the submission requirements and promptly amend the interactive data files after becoming aware that the interactive data files fail to comply with the submission requirements. In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the information in these exhibits is furnished and deemed not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

53