UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-K

 ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

or

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

 For the transition period from to .

Commission File No.: 0-22193

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware                                                                33-0743196

(State of Incorporation)                        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No)

17901 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1200, Irvine, California 92614

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (949) 864-8000

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

Title of class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	NASDAQ Global Select Market

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

None

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

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

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

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

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

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

Large accelerated filer	[   ]		Accelerated filer	[ X ]
Non-accelerated filer	[   ]	(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	[    ]

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

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, i.e., persons other than directors and executive officers of the registrant, was approximately $231,634,823 and was based upon the last sales price as quoted on the NASDAQ Stock Market as of June 30, 2014, the last business day of the most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

As of March 11, 2015, the Registrant had 21,384,597 shares outstanding.

 INDEX

PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

Forward-Looking Statements

All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Pacific Premier” or the “Company” mean Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries, including Pacific Premier Bank, our primary operating subsidiary.  All references to ‘‘Bank’’ refer to Pacific Premier Bank.  All references to the “Corporation” refer to Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  These forward-looking statements represent plans, estimates, objectives, goals, guidelines, expectations, intentions, projections and statements of our beliefs concerning future events, business plans, objectives, expected operating results and the assumptions upon which those statements are based.  Forward-looking statements include without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and are typically identified with words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” or words or phases of similar meaning.  We caution that the forward-looking statements are based largely on our expectations and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are subject to change based on factors which are, in many instances, beyond our control.  Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, or implied by the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause our financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in such forward-looking statements:

·   The strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which we conduct operations;

·   The effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”);

·   Inflation/deflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations;

·   The timely development of competitive new products and services and the acceptance of these products and services by new and existing customers;

·   The impact of changes in financial services policies, laws and regulations, including those concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance, and the application thereof by regulatory bodies;

·   Technological and social media changes;

·   The effect of acquisitions we may make, if any, including, without limitation, the failure to achieve the expected revenue growth and/or expense savings from such acquisitions, and/or the failure to effectively integrate an acquisition target into our operations;

·   Changes in the level of our nonperforming assets and charge-offs;

·   The effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted from time-to-time by bank regulatory agencies, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standards setters;

·   Possible other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) of securities held by us;

·   The impact of current governmental efforts to restructure the U.S. financial regulatory system, including enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”);

·   Changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits;

·   The effects of our lack of a diversified loan portfolio, including the risks of geographic and industry concentrations;

·   Ability to attract deposits and other sources of liquidity;

·   Changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers;

·   Changes in the competitive environment among financial and bank holding companies and other financial service providers;

·   Geopolitical conditions, including acts or threats of terrorism, actions taken by the United States or other governments in response to acts or threats of terrorism and/or military conflicts, which could impact business and economic conditions in the United States and abroad;

·   Unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings; and

·   Our ability to manage the risks involved in the foregoing.

If one or more of the factors affecting our forward-looking information and statements proves incorrect, then our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking information and statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Therefore, we caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking information and statements.  We will not update the forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in the factors affecting the forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a California-based bank holding company incorporated in 1997 in the State of Delaware and a registered banking holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHCA”).  Our wholly owned subsidiary, Pacific Premier Bank, is a California state-chartered commercial bank.  The Bank was founded in 1983 as a state-chartered thrift and subsequently converted to a federally chartered thrift in 1991.  The Bank converted to a California-chartered commercial bank and became a Federal Reserve member in March of 2007.  The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (“FHLB”), which is a member bank of the FHLB System.  The Bank’s deposit accounts are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to the maximum amount currently allowable under federal law.  The Bank is currently subject to examination and regulation by the Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”), the California Department of Business Oversight (“DBO”) and the FDIC.

We are a growth company keenly focused on building shareholder value through consistent earnings and creating franchise value.  Our growth is derived both organically and through acquisitions of financial institutions and lines of business that complement our business banking strategy.  The Bank’s primary target market is small and middle market businesses.

We primarily conduct business throughout California from our 16 full-service depository branches in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.  These depository branches are located in the cities of Corona, Encinitas, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Seal Beach and Tustin, California.  Our corporate headquarters are located in Irvine, California.

We provide banking services within our targeted markets in California to businesses, including the owners and employees of those businesses, professionals, real estate investors and non-profit organizations.  Additionally, we provide certain banking services nationwide.  Through our Home Owners’ Association (“HOA”) Banking unit, we provide customized cash management, electronic banking services and credit facilities to HOAs and HOA management companies nationwide.  Through our U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) Lending unit, we provide entrepreneurs and small business owners access to loans needed for working capital and continued growth.  In addition, we expanded our commercial banking platform as a result of our acquisition of Infinity Franchise Holdings, LLC (“Infinity Holdings”) and its primary operating subsidiary, Infinity Franchise Capital (“IFC” and together with Infinity Holdings, “Infinity”), in January 2014.  Infinity was a specialty, nationwide lender to franchisees in the quick service restaurant (“QSR”) industry.  Following the acquisition of Infinity Holdings, we began offering loans and other services to franchisees in the QSR industry through our Franchise Lending unit.

Through our branches and our Internet website at www.ppbi.com, we offer a broad array of deposit products and services, including checking, money market and savings accounts, cash management services, electronic banking services, and on-line bill payment.  We also offer a wide array of loan products, such as commercial business loans, lines of credit, SBA loans, warehouse credit facilities, commercial real estate loans, residential home loans, construction loans and consumer loans.  At December 31, 2014, we had consolidated total assets of $2.0 billion, net loans of $1.6 billion, total deposits of $1.6 billion, and consolidated total stockholders’ equity of $199.6 million.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank was considered a “well-capitalized” financial institution for regulatory capital purposes.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “PPBI.”  There are 25.0 million authorized shares of the Corporation’s common stock, with 16.9 million shares outstanding as of December 31, 2014, which increased to 21.4 million upon the closing of the acquisition of Independence Bank in January of 2015, which is described below under “Recent Developments.”  The Corporation has an additional 1.0 million authorized shares of preferred stock, none of which have been issued to date.

Our executive offices are located at 17901 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 1200, Irvine, California 92614 and our telephone number is (949) 864-8000.  Our Internet website address is www.ppbi.com.  Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments thereto, from 1998 to present that have been filed with the SEC are available free of charge on our Internet website.  Also on our website are our Code of Ethics, Insider Trading and Beneficial Ownership forms, and Corporate Governance Guidelines.  The information contained in our website or in any websites linked by our website, is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Recent Developments - Acquisition of Independence Bank

On October 22, 2014, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Independence Bank, a Newport Beach, California, based state-chartered bank with six branches located in Orange County and Riverside County.  This transaction will strengthen the Company’s competitive position as one of the premier banks headquartered in Southern California.  The acquisition was completed on January 26, 2015, whereby we acquired $424.0 million in total assets, $334.7 million in loans and $336.1 million in total deposits.  This transaction allowed us to acquire a commercial banking franchise in our backyard.  The Independence Bank branch locations will connect our existing footprint between Orange County and the broader Coachella Valley and represents an important element of our strategic growth plan by providing meaningful operational scale in our core markets.  The acquisition also allows us to deploy a portion of our current capital base into a compelling investment which we anticipate will produce attractive returns for shareholders.  Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of Independence Bank common stock was converted into the right to receive $13.75 per share in cash or 0.9259 shares of Company common stock, or a combination thereof, subject to the overall requirement that approximately 10% of the consideration will be in the form of cash and approximately 90% will be in the form of Company common stock.  The value of the total deal consideration was $78.5 million, which includes $6.1 million of cash consideration for Independence Bank common stockholders, $1.5 million of aggregate cash consideration to the holders of Independence Bank stock options and warrants, and the issuance of 4,480,645 shares of the Corporation’s common stock, which was valued at $70.9 million based on the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 26, 2015 of $15.83 per share.

Our Strategic Plan

 Our strategic plan is focused on generating organic growth through our high performing sales culture.  Additionally, we seek to grow through mergers and acquisitions of California based banks and the acquisition of lines of business that complement our business banking strategy.

 Our two key operating strategies are summarized as follows:

·   Expansion through Organic Growth.  Over the past several years, we have developed a high performing sales culture that places a premium on business bankers that have the ability to consistently generate new business.  Business unit managers that possess in-depth product knowledge and expertise in their respective lines of business systematically manage the business development efforts through the use of sales and relationship management technology tools.

·   Expansion through Acquisitions.  Our acquisition strategy is twofold; first we seek to acquire whole banks within the State of California to expand geographically and/or to consolidate in our existing markets, and second we seek to acquire lines of business that will complement our existing business banking strategy.  We have completed six acquisitions since 2010: Canyon National Bank (“CNB”) (FDIC-assisted, geographic expansion, closed February 2011), Palm Desert National Bank (“PDNB”) (FDIC-assisted, in market consolidation, closed April 2012), First Associations Bank (“FAB”) (open bank, nationwide HOA line of business, closed March 2013), San Diego Trust Bank (“SDTB”) (open bank, geographic expansion, closed June 2013), Infinity (nationwide lender to franchisees in the QSR industry, closed January 2014) and Independence Bank (open bank, geographic expansion, closed January 2015).  We will continue to pursue acquisitions of open banks, FDIC-assisted transactions and other non-depository businesses that meet our criteria, though there can be no assurances that we will identify or consummate any such acquisitions, and if we do, that any or all of those acquisitions will produce the intended results.

Lending Activities

General.  In 2014, we maintained our commitment to a high level of credit quality in our lending activities.  We further diversified our loan portfolio with our acquisition of Infinity and our associated entry into franchise lending nationwide.  Identifying an opportunity in an underserved market, we also selectively extended construction financing for residential family dwellings and commercial retail properties.  Our core lending business continues to focus on meeting the financial needs of local businesses and their owners.  To that end, the Company offers a full complement of flexible and structured loan products tailored to meet the diverse needs of our customers.

During 2014, we made or purchased loans to borrowers secured by real property and business assets located principally in California, our primary market area.  We made select loans, primarily QSR franchise loans, SBA guaranteed loans and loans to HOAs, throughout the United States.  We emphasize relationship lending and focus on generating loans with customers who also maintain full depository relationships with us.  These efforts assist us in establishing and expanding depository relationships consistent with the Company’s strategic direction.  We maintain an internal lending limit below our $65.0 million legal lending limit for secured loans and $39.0 million for unsecured loans as of December 31, 2014.  Historically, we have managed loan concentrations by selling certain loans, primarily commercial non-owner occupied CRE and multi-family residential loan production.  Although in recent periods we have focused on selling the guaranteed portion of SBA loans due to the attractive premiums in the market which gains on sale increase our noninterest income.  Other types of loan sales remain a strategic option for us.

During 2014, we originated $274.4 million of commercial and industrial (“C&I”) loans, $144.9 million of construction loans, $88.7 million of non-owner occupied CRE loans, $69.6 million of SBA loans, $32.6 million of multi-family real estate loans, $26.1 million of owner occupied CRE loans, $7.2 million of warehouse facilities, and $4.7 million of single family real estate loans and other loans; and we purchased $151.9 million of loans including $78.8 million acquired from Infinity.  At December 31, 2014, we had $1.6 billion in total gross loans outstanding.

Commercial and Industrial Lending.  We originate C&I loans secured by business assets including inventory, receivables, machinery and equipment to businesses located in our primary market area and for franchise loans to QSRs nationwide.  Loan types include revolving lines of credit, term loans, seasonal loans and loans secured by liquid collateral such as cash deposits or marketable securities.  We also issue letters of credit on behalf of our customers, backed by loans or deposits with the Company.  At December 31, 2014, C&I loans totaled $428.2 million, constituting 26.3% of our gross loans, and we had commitments to extend additional credit on C&I loans of $140.1 million.

Commercial Owner-Occupied Business Lending.  We originate and purchase loans secured by owner-occupied CRE, such as small office and light industrial buildings, and mixed-use commercial properties located predominantly in California.  We also make loans secured by special purpose properties, such as gas stations and churches.  Pursuant to our underwriting policies, owner-occupied CRE loans may be made in amounts of up to 80% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the collateral property.  Loans are generally made for terms up to 25 years with amortization periods up to 25 years.  At December 31, 2014, we had $211.0 million of owner-occupied CRE secured loans, constituting 13.0% of our gross loans. 

SBA Lending.  We are approved to originate loans under the SBA’s Preferred Lenders Program (“PLP”).  The PLP lending status affords us a higher level of delegated credit autonomy, translating to a significantly shorter turnaround time from application to funding, which is critical to our marketing efforts.  We originate loans nationwide under the SBA’s 7(a), Express, Patriot Express, International Trade and 504 loan programs, in conformity with SBA underwriting and documentation standards.  The guaranteed portion of the 7(a) loans is typically sold on the secondary market.  At December 31, 2014, we had $28.4 million of SBA loans, constituting 1.7% of our gross loans.

Warehouse Repurchase Facilities.  We provide warehouse repurchase facilities for qualified mortgage bankers operating principally in California.  These facilities provide short-term funding for one-to-four family mortgage loans via a mechanism whereby the mortgage banker sells us closed loans on an interim basis, to be repurchased in conjunction with the sale of each loan on the secondary market.  We carefully underwrite and monitor the financial strength and performance of all counterparties to the transactions, including the mortgage bankers, secondary market participants and closing agents.  We generally purchase only conforming/conventional (Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”)) and government guaranteed (Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), Veterans Administration (“VA”) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”)) credits, and only after thorough due diligence including sophisticated fraud checks.  At December 31, 2014, warehouse loans totaled $113.8 million constituting 7.0% of our gross loans, and we had commitments to extend additional warehouse credit of $105.1 million.

Commercial Non-Owner Occupied Real Estate Lending.  We originate and purchase loans that are secured by CRE, such as retail centers, small office and light industrial buildings, and mixed-use commercial properties that are not occupied by the borrower and are located predominantly in California.  We also make loans secured by special purpose properties, such as hotels and self-storage facilities.  Pursuant to our underwriting practices, non-owner CRE loans may be made in amounts up to 75% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the collateral property.  We consider the net operating income of the property and typically require a stabilized debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.20:1, based on the qualifying loan interest rate.  Loans are generally made for terms from 10 years up to 25 years with amortization periods up to 25 years.  At December 31, 2014, we had $359.2 million of non-owner occupied CRE secured loans, constituting 22.1% of our gross loans. 

Multi-family Residential Lending.  We originate and purchase loans secured by multi-family residential properties (five units and greater) located predominantly in California.  Pursuant to our underwriting practices, multi-family residential loans may be made in an amount up to 75% of the lesser of the appraised value or the purchase price of the collateral property.  In addition, we generally require a stabilized minimum debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.15:1, based on the qualifying loan interest rate.  Loans are made for terms of up to 30 years with amortization periods up to 30 years.  At December 31, 2014, we had $263.0 million of multi-family real estate secured loans, constituting 16.1% of our gross loans. 

One-to-Four Family Real Estate Lending.  Although we do not originate first lien single family mortgages, we occasionally purchase such loans to diversify our portfolio.  Our portfolio of one-to-four family loans at December 31, 2014 totaled $122.8 million, constituting 7.5% of our gross loans, of which $113.6 million consists of loans secured by first liens on real estate and $9.2 million, consists of loans secured by second or junior liens on real estate.

Construction Lending.  We originate loans for the construction of 1-4 family and multi-family residences and CRE properties in our market area.  We concentrate our efforts on single homes and very small infill projects in established neighborhoods where there is not abundant land available for development.  Pursuant to our underwriting practices, construction loans may be made in an amount up to the lesser of 80% of the completed value of or 85% of the cost to build the collateral property.  Loans are made solely for the term of construction, generally less than 24 months.  We require that the owner’s equity is injected prior to the funding of the loan.  At December 31, 2014, construction loans totaled $89.7 million constituting 5.5% of our gross loans, and had commitments to extend additional construction credit of $73.0 million.

Land Loans.  We occasionally originate land loans located predominantly in California for the purpose of facilitating the ultimate construction of a home or commercial building.  We do not originate loans to facilitate the holding of land for speculative purposes.  At December 31, 2014, land loans totaled $9.1 million constituting 0.6% of our gross loans.

Other Loans.  We originate a limited number of consumer loans, generally for banking customers only, which consist primarily of home equity lines of credit, savings account loans and auto loans.  Before we make a consumer loan, we assess the applicant’s ability to repay the loan and, if applicable, the value of the collateral securing the loan.  At December 31, 2014, we had $3.3 million in other loans that represented 0.2% of our gross loans. 

Interest Rates on Our Loans.  We employ a risk-based pricing strategy on all loans that we fund.  The interest rates, fees and loan structures of our loans vary based on a number of factors, including the degree of credit risk, size, maturity of the loan, a borrower’s business or property management expertise, and prevailing market rates for similar types of loans, as well as the deposit balances the borrower maintains with us.  Adjustable rate C&I, SBA and construction loans are typically priced based on a margin over the Prime rate, while warehouse repurchase facilities are priced over the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”).  CRE loans are typically 3, 5 or 7 year fixed rate hybrid adjustable-rate loans and are based on one of several interest rate indices.  HOA loans are typically 5, 7, or 10 year fixed rate loans that are fully amortizing.  Many of the C&I loans and substantially all of the non-owner occupied CRE loans originated by the Company in 2014 had minimum interest rates, or floor rates, below which the rate charged may not be reduced regardless of further reductions in the underlying interest rate index.  Substantially all of our non-owner occupied CRE loans also include prepayment penalties.

Lending Risks on Our Loans.  Lending risks vary by the type of loan extended. 

In our C&I and SBA lending activities, collectability of the loans may be adversely affected by risks generally related to small and middle market businesses, such as:

·   Changes or continued weakness in:

·   general or local economic conditions;

·   specific industry segments, including weakness affecting the business’ customer base;

·   Changes in consumer behavior;

·   Changes in a business’ personnel;

·   Increases in supplier costs that cannot be passed along to customers;

·   Increases in operating expenses (including energy costs);

·   Changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies;

·   Increases in interest rates, tax rates; and

·   Other factors beyond the control of the borrower or the lender.

In our warehouse repurchase facilities, performance is generally driven by the routine operation of the secondary market for one-to-four family mortgage loans.  Primary risks include:

·   The financial and operational health of the Government Sponsored Enterprise (“GSE”) agencies (FNMA and FHLMC);

·   The ongoing commitment of U.S. Government agencies (FHA, VA and USDA) to the one-to-four family mortgage market;

·   Major interest rate shocks; and

·   Widespread loan fraud on the part of one of our counterparties.

In our investor real estate loans, payment performance and the liquidation values of collateral properties may be adversely affected by risks generally incidental to interests in real property, such as:

·   Changes or continued weakness in:

·   general or local economic conditions;

·   specific industry segments;

·   Declines in real estate values;

·   Declines in rental rates;

·   Declines in occupancy rates;

·   Increases in other operating expenses (including energy costs);

·   The availability of property financing;

·   Changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including rent control ordinances, environmental legislation and taxation;

·   Increases in interest rates, real estate and personal property tax rates; and

·   Other factors beyond the control of the borrower or the lender.

In our HOA and consumer loans, collectability of the loans may be adversely affected by risks generally related to consumers, such as:

·   Changes or continued weakness in general or local economic conditions, notably employment and wage income;

·   Changes in consumer behavior;

·   Declines in real estate values;

·   Declines in rental rates;

·   Increases in association operating expenses (including energy costs);

·   The availability of property financing;

·   Changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including rent control ordinances, environmental legislation and taxation;

·   Increases in interest rates, real estate and personal property tax rates; and

·   Other factors beyond the control of the borrower or the lender.

In our construction loans, collectability and the liquidation values of collateral properties may be adversely affected by risks generally related to consumers (for SFR construction loans) or incidental to interests in real property (for CRE construction loans), such as:

·   Changes or continued weakness in:

·   general or local economic conditions;

·   specific industry segments;

·   Changes in consumer behavior;

·   Declines in real estate values;

·   Declines in rental rates;

·   Declines in occupancy rates;

·   Increases in other operating expenses (including energy costs);

·   The availability of property financing;

·   Changes in governmental rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including rent control ordinances, environmental legislation and taxation;

·   Increases in interest rates, real estate and personal property tax rates; and

·   Other factors beyond the control of the borrower or the lender.

We attempt to mitigate these risks through sound and prudent underwriting practices, as well as a proactive loan review process and our risk management practices.  See “Underwriting and Approval Authority for Our Loans” immediately below.  We will not extend credit to any one borrower that is in excess of regulatory limits.

Underwriting and Approval Authority for Our Loans.  Our board of directors establishes our lending policies.  Each loan must meet minimum underwriting criteria established in our lending policies and must be consistent with our overall strategies for yield, interest rate risk, and portfolio concentrations.  The underwriting and quality control functions are managed through our corporate office.  Each loan application is evaluated from a number of underwriting perspectives.  Considerations include historic business cash flows, debt service coverage, loan-to-value ratios of underlying collateral, if any, debt to equity ratios, credit history, business experience, history of business, forecasts of operations, economic conditions, business viability, net worth, and liquidity.  Additionally, for loans secured by real estate, underwriting considerations include property appraised value, loan-to-value ratios, level of debt service coverage utilizing both the actual net operating income and forecasted net operating income and use and condition of the property, as well as the borrower’s liquidity, income, credit history, net worth, and operating experience.  We generally do not offer loans on a limited- or no-documentation basis unless fully secured by cash collateral.

Business loans are generally originated as recourse or with full guarantees from key borrowers or borrower principals.  Loans secured by real estate are likewise generally originated on a full recourse basis.  On loans made to entities, such as partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations or trusts, we typically obtain personal guarantees from the appropriate managing members, major stockholders, trustees or other appropriate principals.  In 2014, substantially all of our loans to entities were originated with full recourse and/or personal guarantees from the principals of the borrowers.

Prior to processing and underwriting any loan request, we issue a proposal or letter of interest based on a preliminary analysis by our bankers, which letter details the terms and conditions on which we will consider the loan request.  Upon receipt of the signed letter of interest, a completed loan application and a deposit, a credit report and other required reports are ordered and, if necessary, additional information is requested.  Upon receipt of all requested information, we process and underwrite each loan application and prepare all the loan documentation after the loan has been approved.

Our credit memorandums, which are prepared by our underwriters, include a description of the transaction and prospective borrower and guarantors, the collateral securing the loan, if any, the proposed uses of loan proceeds and source(s) of repayment, as well as an analysis of the borrower’s business and personal financial statements and creditworthiness.  The financial statements and creditworthiness of any guarantors are also analyzed.  For loans secured by real property, the credit memorandum will include an analysis of the property.  Loans for which real estate is the primary collateral require an independent appraisal conducted by a licensed appraiser.  All appraisal reports are ordered and appropriately reviewed by our appraisal department.  Our board of directors reviews and approves annually the independent list of acceptable appraisers.  When appropriate, environmental reports are obtained and reviewed as well.

Following loan approval and prior to funding, our underwriting and processing departments ensure that all loan approval conditions have been satisfied, that loan terms conform with lending policies (or are properly documented as exceptions with required approvals), and that all the required documentation is present and in proper form.

Business loans are subject to our guidelines regarding appropriate covenants and periodic monitoring requirements which may include, but are not limited to:

·   Capital and lease expenditures;

·   Capital levels;

·   Salaries and other withdrawals;

·   Working capital levels;

·   Debt to net worth ratios;

·   Sale of assets;

·   Change of management;

·   Change of ownership;

·   Cash flow requirements;

·   Profitability requirements;

·   Debt service ratio;

·   Collateral coverage ratio; and

·   Current and quick ratios.

Subject to the above standards, our board of directors delegates authority and responsibility to management for loan approvals.  Our Credit Committee includes the Chief Credit Officer, Chief Banking Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President (“SVP”) Senior Credit Manager, SVP Portfolio Management, and each of our Vice President Credit Managers.  Depending upon the nature and size of each loan request, loans require between two and four approval signatures from members of our Credit Committee.

Our Loan Portfolio

Management and Servicing.Portfolio management andloan servicing activities are centralized at our corporate headquarters.  Our loan servicing operations are designed to provide prompt customer service and accurate and timely information for account follow-up, financial reporting and loss mitigation.  Following the funding of an approved loan, the data is entered into our core data processing system, which provides monthly billing statements, tracks payment performance, and effects agreed upon interest rate adjustments.  Loan servicing activities include (i) collecting and remitting loan payments, (ii) accounting for principal and interest and other collections and expenses, and (iii) holding and disbursing escrow or impounding funds for real estate taxes and insurance premiums.

Our portfolio management operations are designed to ensure that management and the board of directors has timely and comprehensive information regarding the performance of our loan portfolio.  This information provides an essential leading indicator of potential performance issues prior to loan payment delinquency.  For substantially all of the Company’s non-homogeneous loan portfolio, our portfolio managers collect financial information from borrowers and guarantors in order to conduct a detailed loan review in accordance with our policies, generally annually or more often as appropriate, but in no case less than biennially.  For larger credits, the portfolio managers or other representatives of the Company also visit properties and businesses on a periodic basis to perform inspections of our collateral and associated revenue-generating activities of borrowers.  In conjunction with the loan review process, all loans in the portfolio are assigned a risk grade that, among other purposes, factors into the Company’s allowance for loan and lease loss calculations.

When payments are not received by their contractual due date, collection efforts are initiated by our loss mitigation personnel.  Accounts past-due by more than 10 days are assigned to our collector for comprehensive payment collection efforts.  Our portfolio managers conduct an evaluation of all loans 90 days or more past due or otherwise identified as impaired by obtaining an estimate of value on the underlying collateral and an analysis of such collateral.  The evaluation may result in our partial or complete charge off of the loan, but collection efforts still continue.  Portfolio managers also conduct discussions with borrowers in order to identify whether alternatives to foreclosure exist.  When foreclosure will maximize the Company’s recovery for a non-performing loan, the portfolio managers will carry out the foreclosure process, including any associated judicial legal actions.

Loan Portfolio Composition.  At December 31, 2014, our net loans receivable held for investment totaled $1.6 billion.

The following table sets forth the composition of our loan portfolio in dollar amounts and as a percentage of the portfolio at the dates indicated:

	At December 31,
	2014									2013									2012
	Amount			% of Total			Weighted Average Interest Rate			Amount			% of Total			Weighted Average Interest Rate			Amount			% of Total			Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(dollars in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	428,207			26.3	%		5.3	%	$	187,035			15.0	%		5.0	%	$	115,354			11.7	%		5.3	%
Commercial owner occupied (1)		210,995			13.0	%		5.1	%		221,089			17.8	%		5.3	%		150,934			15.3	%		6.1	%
SBA		28,404			1.7	%		5.6	%		10,659			0.9	%		5.9	%		6,882			0.7	%		6.0	%
Warehouse facilities		113,798			7.0	%		4.2	%		87,517			7.0	%		4.1	%		195,761			19.9	%		4.8	%
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		359,213			22.1	%		5.0	%		333,544			26.9	%		5.3	%		253,409			25.6	%		5.7	%
Multi-family		262,965			16.1	%		4.6	%		233,689			18.8	%		4.8	%		156,424			15.9	%		5.8	%
One-to-four family (2)		122,795			7.5	%		4.4	%		145,235			11.7	%		4.4	%		97,463			9.9	%		4.7	%
Construction		89,682			5.5	%		5.2	%		13,040			1.0	%		5.2	%		-			0.0	%		0.0	%
Land		9,088			0.6	%		4.8	%		7,605			0.6	%		4.7	%		8,774			0.9	%		4.9	%
Other loans		3,298			0.2	%		6.1	%		3,839			0.3	%		5.8	%		1,193			0.1	%		6.2	%
Total gross loans		1,628,445			100.0	%		4.9	%		1,243,252			100.0	%		5.0	%		986,194			100.0	%		5.4	%
Less loans held for sale		-									3,147									3,681
Total gross loans held for investment		1,628,445									1,240,105									982,513
Plus (less) for:
Deferred loan origination costs (fees) and premiums (discounts), net		177									18									(306	)
Allowance for loan losses		(12,200	)								(8,200	)								(7,994	)
Loans held for investment, net	$	1,616,422								$	1,231,923								$	974,213

	2011									2010
	Amount			% of Total			Weighted Average Interest Rate			Amount			% of Total			Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(dollars in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	86,684			11.7	%		5.8	%	$	42,077			7.5	%		6.3	%
Commercial owner occupied (1)		152,299			20.6	%		6.6	%		113,025			20.0	%		6.6	%
SBA		4,727			0.7	%		6.0	%		4,088			0.7	%		5.9	%
Warehouse facilities		67,518			9.1	%		5.4	%		12,610			2.2	%		6.1	%
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		164,341			22.2	%		6.6	%		130,525			22.9	%		6.7	%
Multi-family		193,830			26.2	%		6.0	%		243,584			42.9	%		6.2	%
One-to-four family (2)		60,027			8.1	%		5.1	%		20,318			3.6	%		5.4	%
Land		6,438			0.9	%		5.8	%		-			0.0	%		0.0	%
Other loans		3,390			0.5	%		7.6	%		1,417			0.2	%		4.5	%
Total gross loans		739,254			100.0	%		6.1	%		567,644			100.0	%		6.4	%
Less loans held for sale		-									-
Total gross loans held for investment		739,254									567,644
Plus (less) for:
Deferred loan origination costs (fees) and premiums (discounts), net		(665	)								(3,227	)
Allowance for loan losses		(8,522	)								(8,879	)
Loans held for investment, net	$	730,067								$	555,538
(1) Secured by real estate.
(2) Includes second trust deeds.

Loan Portfolio Characteristics.  In general, the Company does not require regular updates of collateral valuations for loans that are not classified as potential problem or problem loans.  However, updated valuations are obtained for collateral securing non-homogeneous loans that are identified as problem loans at least every twenty-four months.  Updated collateral valuations may be required more frequently at the discretion of the Company’s management or for loans identified as impaired in accordance with the Company’s allowance for loan loss (“ALLL”) policy.  Market values may be substantiated by obtaining an appraisal or an appropriate evaluation.  At December 31, 2014, 75% of multi-family, 60% of non-owner occupied CRE loans and 35% of owner occupied CRE loans had current updated collateral valuations within the last 24 months.

The following table sets forth by loan category our average loan size, year to maturity, loan-to-value ratio (the proportion of the principal amount of the loan to the most current market value of the collateral property) and debt coverage ratio (the proportion of the property's annual net operating income to its annual debt service, which includes principal and interest payments) at the date indicated.

	At December 31, 2014
	Average
	Loan Size		Maturity (years)		Loan-to- Value Ratio			Debt Coverage Ratio
	(dollars in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	456		7		N/A			N/A
Commercial owner occupied		902		16		62	%		N/A
SBA		276		20		N/A			N/A
Warehouse facilities		6,018		N/A		N/A			N/A
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		1,371		16		70	%		1.72
Multi-family		1,258		25		76	%		1.39
One-to-four family		345		25		59	%		N/A
Construction		1,135		1		N/A			N/A
Land		505		5		69	%		N/A
Other loans		9		18		N/A			N/A

Loan Maturity.  For our CRE and business loans, repayment typically depends on the successful operation of the businesses or the properties securing the loans.  Several months before a loan matures, our portfolio managers contact our borrowers to obtain personal and/or business financial and operations data and property information for review.  When deemed appropriate, business and property visits are made to assess the borrower’s revenue-generating activities and to perform inspections of our collateral.  This information is reviewed and evaluated for indications of potential issues prior to maturity.  If potential issues are discovered, our portfolio managers work on a strategy with the borrower well in advance of the loan maturing in order to maximize the benefit to the Company.  At December 31, 2014, we had $194.3 million, or 11.9% of total gross loans held for investment that were due to mature in one year or less, primarily in our C&I loan category of $96.0 million and Construction category of $64.2 million.

The following table shows the contractual maturity of the Company's loans without consideration to prepayment assumptions at the date indicated:

	At December 31, 2014
	Commercial and  Industrial			Commercial Owner  Occupied			SBA			Warehouse Facilities			Commercial Non-owner  Occupied			Multi- Family			One-to-Four Family			Construction			Land			Other Loans			Total
	(in thousands)
Amounts due
One year or less	$	96,047		$	5,934		$	2,062		$	-		$	19,192		$	2,731		$	868		$	64,180		$	2,850		$	472		$	194,336
More than one year to three years		25,466			16,775			937			-			26,986			3,782			4,415			25,502			2,515			489			106,867
More than three years to five years		56,205			8,691			57			-			6,958			4,831			1,555			-			862			42			79,201
More than five years to 10 years		183,809			51,406			3,290			113,798			104,155			5,566			1,285			-			1,717			251			465,277
More than 10 years to 20 years		45,869			26,082			426			-			28,585			16,777			12,775			-			472			1,076			132,062
More than 20 years		20,811			102,107			21,632			-			173,337			229,278			101,897			-			672			968			650,702
Total gross loans		428,207			210,995			28,404			113,798			359,213			262,965			122,795			89,682			9,088			3,298			1,628,445
Plus (less) for
Deferred loan origination costs		46			23			3			12			39			29			13			10			1			1			177
Allowance for loan losses		(4,200	)		(1,757	)		(568	)		(546	)		(2,007	)		(1,060	)		(842	)		(1,088	)		(108	)		(24	)		(12,200	)
Total loans, net		424,053			209,261			27,839			113,264			357,245			261,934			121,966			88,604			8,981			3,275			1,616,422
Loans held for sale, net		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-
Loans held for investment, net	$	424,053		$	209,261		$	27,839		$	113,264		$	357,245		$	261,934		$	121,966		$	88,604		$	8,981		$	3,275		$	1,616,422

 The following table sets forth at December 31, 2014 the dollar amount of gross loans receivable contractually due after December 31, 2015 and whether such loans have fixed interest rates or adjustable interest rates.

	At December 31, 2014
	Loans Due After December 31, 2015
	Fixed		Adjustable		Total
	(in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	123,723	$	208,437	$	332,160
Commercial owner occupied		47,292		157,769		205,061
SBA		426		25,916		26,342
Warehouse facilities		-		113,798		113,798
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		21,916		318,105		340,021
Multi-family		3,213		257,021		260,234
One-to-four family		73,448		48,479		121,927
Construction		-		25,502		25,502
Land		219		6,019		6,238
Other loans		2,446		380		2,826
Total gross loans	$	272,683	$	1,161,426	$	1,434,109

The following table sets forth the Company’s loan originations, purchases, sales, and principal repayments for the periods indicated:

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance of gross loans	$	1,243,252		$	986,194		$	739,254		$	567,644		$	576,268
Loans originated:
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial		274,446			96,484			42,152			33,209			28,030
Commercial owner occupied (1)		26,065			47,719			27,549			1,838			600
SBA		69,589			21,526			8,639			4,309			2,322
Warehouse facilities		7,150			89,810			193,668			62,750			35,500
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		88,716			135,767			55,347			18,140			-
Multi-family		32,612			71,537			24,822			4,318			-
One-to-four family (2)		4,499			2,825			20,197			6,085			-
Construction		144,925			36,264			-			-			-
Land		-			2,215			-			-			-
Other loans		242			694			1,772			65			5,183
Total loans originated		648,244			504,841			374,146			130,714			71,635
Loans purchased:
Commercial and industrial		69,543			34,950			5,033			28,536			745
Commercial owner occupied		18,651			46,641			11,786			67,359			26,380
Commercial non-owner occupied		20,791			16,763			62,601			39,963			2,579
Multi-family		42,903			43,558			3,690			3,075			-
One-to-four family		-			82,842			38,588			28,987			-
Construction		-			1,399			198			5,592			-
Land		-			2,770			5,395			9,414			-
Other loans		-			718			2,256			21,995			9,884
Total loans purchased		151,888			229,641			129,547			204,921			39,588
Total loan production		800,132			734,482			503,693			335,635			111,223
Total		2,043,384			1,720,676			1,242,947			903,279			687,491
Plus (less) for:
Principal repayments		(259,297	)		(180,864	)		(184,580	)		(100,671	)		(61,983	)
Change in mark-to-market discounts from acquisitions		2,020			3,867			8,513			3,233			-
Change in undisbursed loan funds, net		(64,655	)		(260,683	)		(47,803	)		(15,377	)		(21,984	)
Sales of loans		(91,579	)		(36,717	)		(28,217	)		(42,201	)		(29,977	)
Charge-offs		(783	)		(2,031	)		(1,515	)		(4,014	)		(2,339	)
Transfer to other real estate owned		(645	)		(996	)		(3,151	)		(4,995	)		(3,564	)
Total gross loans		1,628,445			1,243,252			986,194			739,254			567,644
Less ending balance loans held for sale, gross		-			3,147			3,681			-			-
Ending balance loans held for investment, gross	$	1,628,445		$	1,240,105		$	982,513		$	739,254		$	567,644
(1) Gross loans includes loans held for investment and loans held for sale.
(2) Includes second trust deeds.

 Delinquent Loans.  When a borrower fails to make required payments on a loan and does not cure the delinquency within 30 days, we normally initiate formal collection activities including, for loans secured by real estate, recording a notice of default and, after providing the required notices to the borrower, commencing foreclosure proceedings.  If the loan is not reinstated within the time permitted by law, we may sell the property at a foreclosure sale.  At these foreclosure sales, we generally acquire title to the property.  At December 31, 2014, loans delinquent 60 or more days as a percentage of total gross loans was less than one basis point, down from 0.09% at year-end 2013.

 The following table sets forth delinquencies in the Company's loan portfolio at the dates indicated:

	30 - 59 Days					60 - 89 Days					90 Days or More (1)					Total
	# of Loans		Principal Balance of Loans			# of Loans		Principal Balance of Loans			# of Loans		Principal Balance of Loans			# of Loans		Principal Balance of Loans
	(dollars in thousands)
At December 31, 2014
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial		-	$	-			1	$	24			-	$	-			1		24
Real estate loans:
One-to-four family		1		19			-		-			3		54			4		73
Other loans		1		1			-		-			-		-			1		1
Total		2	$	20			1	$	24			3	$	54			6	$	98
Delinquent loans to total gross loans				0.00	%				0.00	%				0.00	%				0.01	%
At December 31, 2013
Business loans:
Commercial owner occupied		2	$	768			-	$	-			1	$	446			3		1,214
SBA		-		-			-		-			1		14			1		14
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		-		-			-		-			2		560			2		560
One-to-four family		3		71			-		-			4		123			7		194
Other loans		3		130			-		-			-		-			3		130
Total		8	$	969			-	$	-			8	$	1,143			16	$	2,112
Delinquent loans to total gross loans				0.08	%				0.00	%				0.09	%				0.17	%
At December 31, 2012
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial		-	$	-			1	$	58			1	$	218			2		276
Commercial owner occupied		-		-			1		245			-		-			1		245
SBA		-		-			-		-			4		185			4		185
Real estate loans:
One-to-four family		2		101			-		-			2		79			4		180
Other loans		1		5			-		-			-		-			1		5
Total		3	$	106			2	$	303			7	$	482			12	$	891
Delinquent loans to total gross loans				0.01	%				0.03	%				0.05	%				0.09	%
At December 31, 2011
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial		1	$	12			-	$	-			4	$	1,057			5		1,069
Commercial owner occupied		-		-			-		-			3		919			3		919
SBA		1		49			1		113			8		665			10		827
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		1		434			-		-			3		1,244			4		1,678
One-to-four family		4		201			-		-			2		323			6		524
Land		-		-			1		617			1		52			2		669
Other loans		2		3			1		1			-		-			3		4
Total		9	$	699			3	$	731			21	$	4,260			33	$	5,690
Delinquent loans to total gross loans				0.09	%				0.10	%				0.58	%				0.77	%
At December 31, 2010
Business loans:
Commercial owner occupied		1	$	184			-	$	-			3	$	2,225			4	$	2,409
SBA		-		-			-		-			7		846			7		846
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		2		617			-		-			-		-			2		617
One-to-four family		3		402			1		17			1		20			5		439
Total		6	$	1,203			1	$	17			11	$	3,091			18	$	4,311
Delinquent loans to total gross loans				0.21	%				0.00	%				0.54	%				0.76	%
(1) All 90 day or greater delinquencies are on nonaccrual status and are reported as part of nonperforming loans.

 Allowance for Loan Losses.  We maintain an ALLL to absorb losses inherent in the loans held for investment portfolio at the consolidated statements of financial condition date.  Management evaluates the adequacy of the allowance quarterly to maintain the allowance at levels sufficient to provide for these inherent losses.  The ALLL is reported as a reduction of loans held for investment.  The allowance is increased by a provision for loan losses which is charged to expense and reduced by charge-offs, net of recoveries.  Loans held for sale are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.  Net unrealized losses, if any, are recorded in current earnings.

The federal banking agencies adopted an interagency policy statement on the ALLL.  The policy statement provides guidance for financial institutions on both the responsibilities of management for the assessment and establishment of adequate allowances and guidance for banking agency examiners to use in determining the adequacy of general valuation allowances.  Generally, the policy statement recommends that institutions establish and maintain effective systems and controls to identify, monitor and address asset quality problems; that management analyzes all significant factors that affect the collectability of the portfolio in a reasonable manner; and that management establishes acceptable allowance evaluation processes that meet the objectives set forth in the policy statement.  Federal regulations require that the Bank utilize an internal asset classification system to identify and report problem and potential problem assets.  The Bank’s Chief Credit Officer has responsibility for identifying and reporting problem assets to the Bank’s Credit and Portfolio Review Committee (“CPRC”), which operates pursuant to the board-approved CPRC policy.  The policy incorporates the regulatory requirements of monitoring and classifying all of our assets.

We separate our assets, largely loans, by type, and we use various asset classifications to segregate the assets into various risk categories.  We use the various asset classifications as a means of measuring risk for determining the valuation allowance for groups and individual assets at a point in time.  Currently, we designate our assets into a category of “Pass,” “Special Mention,” “Substandard,” “Doubtful” or “Loss.”  A brief description of these classifications follows:

·   Pass classifications represent assets with a level of credit quality which contain no well-defined deficiency or weakness.

·   Special Mention assets do not currently expose the Bank to a sufficient risk to warrant classification in one of the adverse categories, but possess correctable deficiency or potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention.

·   Substandard assets are inadequately protected by the current net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  These assets are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Other real estate owned (“OREO”) acquired from foreclosure is also classified as substandard.

·   Doubtful credits have all the weaknesses inherent in substandard credits, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

·   Loss assets are those that are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets is not warranted.  Amounts classified as loss are promptly charged off.

Our determination as to the classification of assets and the amount of valuation allowances necessary are subject to review by bank regulatory agencies, which can order a change in a classification or an increase to the allowance.  While we believe that an adequate allowance for estimated loan losses has been established, there can be no assurance that our regulators, in reviewing assets including the loan portfolio, will not request us to materially increase our allowance for estimated loan losses, thereby negatively affecting our financial condition and earnings at that time.  In addition, actual losses are dependent upon future events and, as such, further increases to the level of allowances for estimated loan losses may become necessary.

The Company’s CPRC reviews the Portfolio Management Department’s recommendations for classifying our assets monthly and reports the results of our review to the board of directors.  At December 31, 2014, we had $16.6 million of assets classified as substandard, compared to $21.2 million at December 31, 2013.  The decrease of $4.6 million was essentially all related to loans.  There were no loans at either date classified as Doubtful.

 The following tables set forth information concerning substandard assets at the dates indicated:

	At December 31, 2014
	Loans				OREO				Total Substandard Assets
	Gross Balance		# of Loans		Balance		# of Properties			Balance		# of Assets
	(dollars in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	1,828		9	$	-		-		$	1,828		9
Commercial owner occupied		8,605		19		-		-			8,605		19
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		3,939		6		-		-			3,939		6
Multi-family		508		1		-		-			508		1
One-to-four family		649		11		285		3			934		14
Land		-		-		752		1			752		1
Total substandard assets	$	15,529		46	$	1,037		4		$	16,566		50
	At December 31, 2013
	Loans				OREO				Total Substandard Assets
	Gross Balance		# of Loans		Balance		# of Properties			Balance		# of Assets
	(dollars in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	2,776		11	$	-		-		$	2,776		11
Commercial owner occupied		12,000		21		245		1			12,245		22
SBA		-		1		-		-			-		1
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		3,654		6		-		-			3,654		6
Multi-family		517		1		-		-			517		1
One-to-four family		1,083		13		-		-			1,083		13
Land		-		-		941		2			941		2
Other loans		5		1		-		-			5		1
Total substandard assets	$	20,035		54	$	1,186		3		$	21,221		57

 In determining the ALLL, we evaluate loan credit losses on an individual basis in accordance with FASB ASC 310, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, and on a collective basis based on FASB ASC 450, Accounting for Contingencies.  For loans evaluated on an individual basis, we analyze the borrower’s creditworthiness, cash flows and financial status, and the condition and estimated value of the collateral.  Loans evaluated individually that are deemed to be impaired are separated from our collective credit loss analysis.

Unless an individual borrower relationship warrants a separate analysis, the majority of our loans are evaluated for credit losses on a collective basis through a quantitative analysis to arrive at base loss factors that are adjusted through a qualitative analysis for internal and external identified risks.  The adjusted factor is applied against the loan risk category to determine the appropriate allowance.  Our base loss factors are calculated using actual trailing twelve-month and annualized actual trailing six-month, twenty-four month, thirty-six month and eighty-four month charge-off data for all loan types except (1) Zero Factor loans, which includes loans fully secured by cash deposits, the guaranteed portion of SBA loans and FHA/VA guaranteed 1st TD loans, and (2) Overdraft Deposit Accounts, to which a base factor of 5% is applied.  Then adjustments for the following internal and external risk factors are added to the base factors:

Internal Factors

·   Changes in lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-offs, and recovery practices;

·   Changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio and the terms of loans, as well as new types of lending;

·   Changes in the experience, ability, and depth of lending management and other relevant staff that may have an impact on our loan portfolio;

·   Changes in the volume and severity of past due and classified loans, and in the volume of non-accruals, troubled debt restructurings, and other  loan modifications;

·   Changes in the quality of our loan review system and the degree of oversight by our board of directors; and

·   The existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations.

External Factors

·   Changes in national, state and local economic and business conditions and developments that affect the collectability of the portfolio, including the condition of various market segments (includes trends in real estate values and the interest rate environment);

·   Changes in the value of the underlying collateral for collateral-dependent loans; and

·   The effect of external factors, such as competition, legal developments and regulatory requirements on the level of estimated credit losses in our current loan portfolio.

The factor adjustments for each of the nine above-described risk factors are determined by the Chief Credit Officer and approved by the CPRC on a quarterly basis.

The ALLL factors are reviewed for reasonableness against the 10-year average, 15-year average, and trailing twelve month total charge-off data for all FDIC insured commercial banks and savings institutions based in California.  Given the above evaluations, the amount of the ALLL is based upon the total loans evaluated individually and collectively.

As of December 31, 2014, the ALLL totaled $12.2 million, up $4.0 million from December 31, 2013 and $4.2 million from December 31, 2012.  At December 31, 2014, the ALLL as a percent of nonperforming loans was 844.9%, compared with 364.3% at December 31, 2013 and 362.4% at December 31, 2012.  At December 31, 2014, the ALLL as a percent of gross loans was 0.75%, up from 0.66% at December 31, 2013, but down from 0.81% at December 31, 2012.  The increase in the 2014 ratio was primarily related to growth in our loan portfolio and our intent to increase the allowance for loan losses over time to better align it with our peers.  The ALLL is additionally supported by fair market value credit discounts associated with our acquisitions of CNB in February of 2011 and PDNB in April 2012 from the FDIC, as receiver, and with our acquisitions of SDTB in June 2013 and IFH in January 2014.  At December 31, 2014, management deems the ALLL to be sufficient to provide for inherent losses within the loan portfolio.

 The following table sets forth the activity in the Company’s ALLL for the periods indicated:

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
	(dollars in thousands)
Allowance for Loan Losses
Balance at beginning of period	$	8,200		$	7,994		$	8,522		$	8,879		$	8,905
Provision for loan losses		4,684			1,860			751			3,255			2,092
Charge-offs:
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial		223			509			512			1,285			708
Commercial owner occupied		-			232			265			307			264
SBA		-			143			132			90			398
Real estate:
Commercial non-owner occupied		365			756			88			43			512
Multi-family		-			101			-			489			334
One-to-four family		195			272			371			1,408			123
Land		-			-			145			164			-
Other loans		-			18			2			228			-
Total charge-offs		783			2,031			1,515			4,014			2,339
Recoveries:
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial		42			138			2			9			13
SBA		4			50			163			211			154
Real estate:
Commercial non-owner occupied		-			-			21			-			-
One-to-four family		34			47			8			142			40
Land		-			-			-			23			-
Other loans		19			142			42			17			14
Total recoveries		99			377			236			402			221
Net loan charge-offs		684			1,654			1,279			3,612			2,118
Balance at end of period	$	12,200		$	8,200		$	7,994		$	8,522		$	8,879
Ratios
Net charge-offs to average net loans		0.05	%		0.16	%		0.16	%		0.53	%		0.39	%
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans at end of period		0.75	%		0.66	%		0.81	%		1.15	%		1.56	%

The following table sets forth the Company’s ALLL and the percent of gross loans to total gross loans in each of the categories listed and the allowance as a percentage of the loan category balance at the dates indicated:

	At December 31,
	2014								2013								2012
Balance at End of Period Applicable to	Amount		% of Loans in Category to Total Loans			Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance			Amount		% of Loans in Category to Total Loans			Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance			Amount		% of Loans in Category to Total Loans			Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance
	(dollars in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	4,200		26.3	%		0.98	%	$	1,968		15.0	%		1.05	%	$	1,310		11.7	%		1.14	%
Commercial owner occupied		1,757		13.0	%		0.83	%		1,818		17.8	%		0.82	%		1,512		15.3	%		1.00	%
SBA		568		1.7	%		2.00	%		151		0.9	%		1.42	%		79		0.7	%		1.15	%
Warehouse facilities		546		7.0	%		0.48	%		392		7.0	%		0.45	%		1,544		19.9	%		0.79	%
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		2,007		22.1	%		0.56	%		1,658		26.9	%		0.50	%		1,459		25.6	%		0.58	%
Multi-family		1,060		16.1	%		0.40	%		817		18.8	%		0.35	%		1,145		15.9	%		0.73	%
One-to-four family		842		7.5	%		0.69	%		1,099		11.7	%		0.76	%		862		9.9	%		0.88	%
Construction		1,088		5.5	%		1.21	%		136		1.0	%		1.04	%		-		0.0	%		0.00	%
Land		108		0.6	%		1.19	%		127		0.6	%		1.67	%		31		0.9	%		0.35	%
Other loans		24		0.2	%		0.73	%		34		0.3	%		0.89	%		52		0.1	%		4.36	%
Total	$	12,200		100.0	%		0.75	%	$	8,200		100.0	%		0.66	%	$	7,994		100.0	%		0.81	%

	2011								2010
Balance at End of Period Applicable to	Amount		% of Loans in Category to Total Loans			Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance			Amount		% of Loans in Category to Total Loans			Allowance as a % of Loan Category Balance
	(dollars in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	1,361		11.7	%		1.57	%	$	2,018		7.5	%		4.80	%
Commercial owner occupied		1,119		20.6	%		0.73	%		1,687		20.0	%		1.49	%
SBA		80		0.7	%		1.69	%		145		0.7	%		3.55	%
Warehouse facilities		1,347		9.1	%		2.00	%		338		2.2	%		2.68	%
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		1,287		22.2	%		0.78	%		1,580		22.9	%		1.21	%
Multi-family		2,281		26.2	%		1.18	%		2,729		42.9	%		1.12	%
One-to-four family		931		8.1	%		1.55	%		332		3.6	%		1.63	%
Land		39		0.9	%		0.61	%		-		0.0	%		0.00	%
Other loans		77		0.5	%		2.27	%		50		0.2	%		3.53	%
Total	$	8,522		100.0	%		1.15	%	$	8,879		100.0	%		1.56	%

The following table sets forth the ALLL amounts calculated by the categories listed at the dates indicated:

	At December 31,
	2014					2013					2012					2011					2010
			% of					% of					% of					% of					% of
Balance at End of			Allowance					Allowance					Allowance					Allowance					Allowance
Period Applicable to	Amount		to Total			Amount		to Total			Amount		to Total			Amount		to Total			Amount		to Total
	(dollars in thousands)
Allocated allowance	$	12,200		100.0	%	$	8,095		98.7	%	$	7,994		100.0	%	$	8,522		100.0	%	$	8,832		99.5	%
Specific allowance		-		0.0	%		105		1.3	%		-		0.0	%		-		0.0	%		47		0.5	%
Total	$	12,200		100.0	%	$	8,200		100.0	%	$	7,994		100.0	%	$	8,522		100.0	%	$	8,879		100.0	%

Investment Activities

Our investment policy, as established by our board of directors, attempts to provide and maintain liquidity, generate a favorable return on investments without incurring undue interest rate and credit risk and complement our lending activities.  Specifically, our investment policy limits our investments to U.S. government securities, federal agency-backed securities, non-government guaranteed mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), municipal bonds, and corporate bonds.

Our investment securities portfolio amounted to $218.7 million at December 31, 2014, as compared to $271.5 million at December 31, 2013, representing a 19.5% decrease.  The decrease in securities since year-end 2013 was primarily due to sales of $164.8 million and principal pay downs of $28.7 million, partially offset by purchases of $135.6 million.  In general, the purchase of investment securities primarily related to investing excess liquidity from our banking operations, while the sales were made to help fund loan production, which improved our interest-earning asset mix by deploying investment securities dollars into loans and to prepare for the Independence Bank acquisition.  As of December 31, 2014, the investment securities portfolio consisted of $112.0 million in GSE MBS, $89.7 million in municipal bonds, $8.0 million of FHLB stock, and $9.0 million of stock from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (the “Federal Reserve Bank”), The Independent BankersBank (“TIB”) Stock, and an investment in a fund that provides Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) credit to the Bank.  At December 31, 2014, we had an estimated par value of $33.5 million of the GSE securities that were pledged as collateral for the Company’s $28.5 million of inverse putable reverse repurchase agreements (“Repurchase Agreements”).

All of our municipal bond securities in our portfolio have an underlying rating of investment grade with the majority insured by the largest bond insurance companies to bring each of these securities to a Moody’s A+ rating or better.  The Company has only purchased general obligation bonds that are risk-weighted at 20% for regulatory capital purposes.  The Company reduces its exposure to any single adverse event by holding securities from geographically diversified municipalities.  We are continually monitoring the quality of our municipal bond portfolio in accordance with current financial conditions.  To our knowledge, none of the municipalities in which we hold bonds are exhibiting financial problems that would require us to record an OTTI charge.

Below is a table of our securities by security type further separated by rating agency grade at the date indicated:

		At December 31, 2014
Security Type	Ratings	Number		Face Value		Amortized Cost		Unrealized Gain/(Loss)			Fair Value
		(dollars in thousands)
Municipal bonds	AAA - A+		180	$	82,360	$	88,599	$	1,062		$	89,661
Government Sponsored Enterprise	AAA		38		108,127		112,159		(182	)		111,977
Total investment securities available for sale			218	$	190,487	$	200,758	$	880		$	201,638

The following table sets forth the amortized costs and fair values of the Company's investment securities available for sale and stock at the dates indicated:

	At December 31,
	2014						2013						2012
	Amortized			Fair			Amortized			Fair			Amortized			Fair
	Cost			Value			Cost			Value			Cost			Value
	(in thousands)
Investment securities available for sale
U.S. Treasury	$	-		$	-		$	73		$	81		$	147		$	159
Municipal bonds		88,599			89,661			95,388			94,127			25,401			26,586
Mortgage-backed securities (1)		112,159			111,977			165,857			161,881			56,641			57,321
Total investment securities available for sale		200,758			201,638			261,318			256,089			82,189			84,066
Stock
FHLB		8,019			8,019			7,483			7,483			9,228			9,228
Other (2)		9,048			9,048			7,967			7,967			2,019			2,019
Total stock		17,067			17,067			15,450			15,450			11,247			11,247
Total securities	$	217,825		$	218,705		$	276,768		$	271,539		$	93,436		$	95,313
Mortgage-backed securities to total investment securities available for sale		55.9	%		55.5	%		63.5	%		63.2	%		68.9	%		68.2	%
(1) GSE securities % of total investments for sale
(2) Includes Federal Reserve Bank, TIB, and CRA stock.

The following table sets forth the fair values and weighted average yields on our investment securities available for sale portfolio and stock by contractual maturity at the date indicated:

	At December 31, 2014
	One Year					More than One Year					More than Five Years					More than
	or Less					to Five Years					to Ten Years					Ten Years					Total
			Weighted					Weighted					Weighted					Weighted
	Fair		Average			Fair		Average			Fair		Average			Fair		Average			Fair
	Value		Yield			Value		Yield			Value		Yield			Value		Yield			Value
	(dollars in thousands)
Investment securities available for sale
Municipal bonds	$	-		0.00	%	$	12,889		1.24	%	$	39,391		1.85	%	$	37,381		2.35	%	$	89,661
Mortgage-backed securities		-		0.00	%		-		0.00	%		23,120		1.65	%		88,857		1.87	%		111,977
Total investment securities available for sale		-		0.00	%		12,889		1.24	%		62,511		1.78	%		126,238		2.01	%	$	201,638
Stock
FHLB		8,019		0.00	%		-		0.00	%		-		0.00	%		-		0.00	%		8,019
Other (1)		9,048		5.23	%		-		0.00	%		-		0.00	%		-		0.00	%		9,048
Total stock		17,067		2.77	%		-		0.00	%		-		0.00	%		-		0.00	%	$	17,067
Total securities	$	17,067		2.77	%	$	12,889		1.24	%	$	62,511		1.78	%	$	126,238		2.01	%	$	218,705
(1) Includes Federal Reserve Bank, TIB, and CRA stock.

Nonperforming Assets

Nonperforming assets consist of loans on which we have ceased accruing interest (nonaccrual loans), loans restructured at an interest rate below market and OREO.  Nonaccrual loans consisted of all loans 90 days or more past due and on loans where, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to the collection of principal and interest.  A “restructured loan” is one where the terms of the loan were renegotiated to provide a reduction or deferral of interest or principal because of deterioration in the financial position of the borrower.  We did not include in interest income any interest on restructured loans during the periods presented.  At December 31, 2014, we had $2.5 million of nonperforming assets, which consisted of $1.5 million of net nonperforming loans and $1.0 million of OREO.  At December 31, 2013, we had $3.4 million of nonperforming assets, which consisted of $2.2 million of nonperforming loans and $1.2 million of OREO.

At December 31, 2014, OREO consisted of one land property and three single family home properties, compared to four land properties and one CRE property at December 31, 2013.  Properties acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure are recorded at fair value less cost to sell.  The Company generally obtains an appraisal and/or a market evaluation on all OREO prior to obtaining possession.  After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management as needed due to changing market conditions or factors specifically attributable to the property’s condition.  If the carrying value of the property exceeds its fair value less estimated cost to sell, the asset is written down and a charge to operations is recorded.

We recognized loan interest income on nonperforming loans of $192,000 in 2014, $225,000 in 2013 and $259,000 in 2012.  If these loans had paid in accordance with their original loan terms, we would have recorded additional loan interest income of $151,000 in 2014, $311,000 in 2013 and $405,000 in 2012.

The following table sets forth composition of nonperforming assets at the date indicated:

	At December 31,
	2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
	(dollars in thousands)
Nonperforming assets
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	-		$	-		$	347		$	1,177		$	54
Commercial owner occupied		514			747			14			2,053			2,225
SBA		-			14			260			700			971
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		848			983			670			1,495			-
Multi-family		-			-			266			293			-
One-to-four family		82			507			522			323			27
Land		-			-			127			52			-
Total nonperforming loans, net		1,444			2,251			2,206			6,093			3,277
Other real estate owned		1,037			1,186			2,258			1,231			34
Total nonperforming assets, net	$	2,481		$	3,437		$	4,464		$	7,324		$	3,311
Allowance for loan losses	$	12,200		$	8,200		$	7,994		$	8,522		$	8,879
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of total nonperforming loans, gross		844.88	%		364.28	%		362.38	%		139.87	%		270.95	%
Nonperforming loans, net of specific allowances, as a percent of gross loans receivable (1)		0.09	%		0.18	%		0.22	%		0.82	%		0.58	%
Nonperforming assets, net of specific allowances, as a percent of total assets		0.12	%		0.20	%		0.38	%		0.76	%		0.40	%
(1)  Gross loans include loans receivable held for investment and held for sale.

It is our policy to take appropriate, timely and aggressive action when necessary to resolve nonperforming assets.  When resolving problem loans, it is our policy to determine collectability under various circumstances which are intended to result in our maximum financial benefit.  We accomplish this by working with the borrower to bring the loan current, selling the loan to a third party or by foreclosing and selling the asset.

Sources of Funds

General.  Deposits, loan repayments and prepayments, and cash flows generated from operations and borrowings are the primary sources of the Company’s funds for use in lending, investing and other general purposes.

Deposits.  Deposits represent our primary source of funds for our lending and investing activities.  The Company offers a variety of deposit accounts with a range of interest rates and terms.  The deposit accounts are offered through our 16 branch network in California and nationwide through our HOA Banking unit.  The Company’s deposits consist of checking accounts, money market accounts, passbook savings, and certificates of deposit.  Total deposits at December 31, 2014 were $1.6 billion, compared to $1.3 billion at December 31, 2013.  At December 31, 2014, certificates of deposit constituted 27.1% of total deposits, compared to 24.1% at the year-end 2013.  The terms of the fixed-rate certificates of deposit offered by the Company vary from three months to five years.  Specific terms of an individual account vary according to the type of account, the minimum balance required, the time period funds must remain on deposit and the interest rate, among other factors.  The flow of deposits is influenced significantly by general economic conditions, changes in money market rates, prevailing interest rates and competition.  At December 31, 2014, we had $285.9 million of certificate of deposit accounts maturing in one year or less.

We primarily rely on customer service, sales and marketing efforts, business development, cross-selling of deposit products to loan customers, and long-standing relationships with customers to attract and retain local deposits.  However, market interest rates and rates offered by competing financial institutions significantly affect the Company’s ability to attract and retain deposits.  Additionally, from time to time, we will utilize both wholesale and brokered deposits to supplement our generation of deposits from businesses and consumers.  At December 31, 2014, we had $72.4 million in brokered deposits that were raised to help lengthen the overall maturity of our liabilities and support our interest rate risk management strategies.  The brokered deposits had a weighted average maturity of 18 months and an all in cost of 66 basis points.

The following table presents the deposit activity for the periods indicated:

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Net deposits	$	319,544	$	397,552	$	70,111
Interest credited on deposit accounts		4,996		3,966		5,780
Total increase in deposit accounts	$	324,540	$	401,518	$	75,891

The following table sets forth the distribution of the Company’s deposit accounts at the dates indicated and the weighted average interest rates on each category of deposits presented:

	At December 31,
	2014								2013								2012
	Balance		% of Total Deposits			Weighted Average Rate			Balance		% of Total Deposits			Weighted Average Rate			Balance		% of Total Deposits			Weighted Average Rate
	(dollars in thousands)
Transaction accounts:
Non-interest bearing checking	$	456,754		28.0	%		0.00	%	$	366,755		28.1	%		0.00	%	$	213,636		23.6	%		0.00	%
Interest bearing checking		131,635		8.1	%		0.11	%		120,886		9.3	%		0.11	%		14,299		1.6	%		0.10	%
Money market		526,256		32.3	%		0.32	%		427,577		32.7	%		0.29	%		236,206		26.1	%		0.32	%
Regular passbook		74,508		4.5	%		0.14	%		76,412		5.8	%		0.14	%		79,420		8.8	%		0.22	%
Total transaction accounts		1,189,153		72.9	%		0.16	%		991,630		75.9	%		0.15	%		543,561		60.1	%		0.19	%
Certificates of deposit accounts:
Less than 1.00%		232,043		14.2	%		0.62	%		120,583		9.2	%		0.39	%		147,813		16.4	%		0.58	%
1.00 - 1.99		197,410		12.1	%		1.08	%		181,046		13.9	%		1.06	%		197,554		21.9	%		1.16	%
2.00 - 2.99		10,771		0.7	%		2.86	%		11,503		0.8	%		2.83	%		13,439		1.4	%		2.78	%
3.00 - 3.99		714		0.0	%		3.20	%		795		0.1	%		3.28	%		1,130		0.1	%		3.44	%
4.00 - 4.99		2		0.0	%		4.93	%		2		0.0	%		4.93	%		395		0.0	%		4.29	%
5.00 - 5.99		733		0.1	%		5.24	%		727		0.1	%		5.25	%		876		0.1	%		5.27	%
Total certificates of deposit accounts		441,673		27.1	%		0.89	%		314,656		24.1	%		0.88	%		361,207		39.9	%		1.00	%
Total deposits	$	1,630,826		100.0	%		0.36	%	$	1,306,286		100.0	%		0.33	%	$	904,768		100.0	%		0.51	%

The following table presents, by various rate categories, the amount of certificates of deposit accounts outstanding and the periods to maturity of the certificate of deposit accounts outstanding at the period indicated:

	At December 31, 2014
																		Weighted
	Less than 1.00 %			1.00% - 1.99%		2.00 - 2.99%		3.00 - 3.99%		4.00 - 4.99%		5.00 and greater	Total		% of Total			Weighted Average Rate
	(dollars in thousands)
Certificates of deposit accounts
Within 3 months	$	31,413	$	47,407	$	4,313	$	104	$	-	$	31	$	83,268		18.9	%		0.95	%
4 to 6 months		30,345		30,540		4,542		579		-		17		66,023		15.0	%		1.02	%
7 to 12 months		87,185		47,654		1,668		10		-		99		136,616		30.9	%		0.77	%
13 to 24 months		74,610		67,420		109		-		-		257		142,396		32.2	%		0.89	%
25 to 36 months		7,371		2,802		32		-		-		195		10,400		2.4	%		1.06	%
37 to 60 months		686		1,567		6		10		2		134		2,405		0.5	%		1.43	%
Over 60 months		433		20		101		11		-		-		565		0.1	%		1.01	%
Total	$	232,043	$	197,410	$	10,771	$	714	$	2	$	733	$	441,673		100.0	%		0.89	%

With the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act deposit insurance coverage was made unlimited for non-interest bearing transaction accounts until December 31, 2012, and thereafter the maximum insurance coverage reverted to $250,000 consistent with all other deposit accounts.  At December 31, 2014, we had $317.8 million in certificate accounts in amounts of greater than $100,000, and of that amount $154.0 million in certificate accounts in amounts of greater than $250,000 maturing as follows:

	At December 31, 2014
	$100,000 to $250,000								Greater than $250,000								Total Greater than $100,000
Maturity Period	Amount		Weighted Average Rate			% of Total Deposits			Amount		Weighted Average Rate			% of Total Deposits				Amount		Weighted Average Rate			% of Total Deposits
	(dollars in thousands)
Three months or less	$	38,496		0.99	%		2.36	%	$	18,388		0.94	%		1.13	%		$	56,884		0.97	%		3.49	%
Over three months through 6 months		31,395		1.04	%		1.93	%		9,129		1.06	%		0.56	%			40,524		1.05	%		2.48	%
Over 6 months through 12 months		42,209		0.95	%		2.59	%		57,867		0.64	%		3.55	%			100,076		0.77	%		6.14	%
Over 12 months		51,719		1.02	%		3.17	%		68,608		0.78	%		4.21	%			120,327		0.88	%		7.38	%
Total	$	163,819		1.00	%		10.05	%	$	153,992		0.76	%		9.44	%		$	317,811		0.88	%		19.49	%

 Borrowings.  Borrowings represent a secondary source of funds for our lending and investing activities.  The Company has a variety of borrowing relationships that it can draw upon to fund its activities.

FHLB Advances.  The FHLB system functions as a source of credit to financial institutions that are members.  Advances are secured by certain real estate loans, investment securities, and the capital stock of the FHLB owned by the Company.  Subject to the FHLB’s advance policies and requirements, these advances can be requested for any business purpose in which the Company is authorized to engage.  In granting advances, the FHLB considers a member’s creditworthiness and other relevant factors.  The Company has a line of credit with the FHLB which provides for advances totaling up to 45% of its assets, equating to a credit line of $913.3 million as of December 31, 2014.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had $50.0 million in term FHLB advances and $20.0 million in overnight FHLB advances, compared to $156.0 million in overnight FHLB advances at December 31, 2013.  The FHLB advances at December 31, 2014 were collateralized by real estate loans and securities with an aggregate balance of $618.6 million and FHLB stock of $8.0 million.  With this pledged collateral, the Company has additional available advances of $457.4 million as of December 31, 2014.

Other Borrowings.The Company maintains lines of credit to purchase federal funds and a reverse repurchase facility together totaling $132.0 million with seven correspondent banks and has access through the Federal Reserve Bank discount window to borrow $3.3 million to be utilized as business needs dictate.  At December 31, 2014, the Company drew down $1.5 million at a 1.00% rate on one of the lines of credit, primarily for transaction testing purposes.  Federal funds purchased and reverse repurchase facilities are short-term in nature and utilized to meet short-term funding needs.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company has three Repurchase Agreements totaling $28.5 million with a weighted average interest rate of 3.26% as of December 31, 2014 secured by GSE MBS totaling an estimated par value of $33.5 million.  The Repurchase Agreements were entered into in 2008 at a term of 10 years each with the buyers of the Repurchase Agreements having the option to terminate the Repurchase Agreements after the fixed interest rate period has expired.  The interest rates reset quarterly with the maximum reset rate being 2.89% on one $10.0 million Repurchase Agreement, 3.47% on the other $10.0 million Repurchase Agreement, and 3.45% on the $8.5 million Repurchase Agreement.

The Company sells certain securities under agreements to repurchase.  The agreements are treated as overnight borrowings with the obligations to repurchase securities sold reflected as a liability.  The dollar amount of investment securities underlying the agreements remain in the asset accounts.  The Company enters into these debt agreements as a service to certain HOA depositors to add protection for deposit amounts above FDIC insurance levels.  At December 31, 2014, the Company sold securities under agreement to repurchase of $16.6 million with weighted average rate of 0.02% and collateralized by investment securities with fair value of approximately $28.9 million.

Debentures.  On March 25, 2004, the Corporation issued $10,310,000 of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the “Debt Securities”) to PPBI Trust I, a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware.  The Debt Securities are subordinated to effectively all borrowings of the Corporation and are due and payable on April 7, 2034.  Interest is payable quarterly on the Debt Securities at three-month LIBOR plus 2.75% for an effective rate of 2.98% as of December 31, 2014.

In the third quarter of 2014, the Company completed a private placement of $60 million in aggregate principal amount of subordinated notes to certain accredited investors.  The subordinated notes bear a fixed interest rate of 5.75% per annum, payable semi-annually, and mature on September 3, 2024.  The net proceeds from the sale of the notes were $59 million, and the notes qualify as Tier 2 capital for regulatory purposes.  The net proceeds from this offering are intended for general corporate purposes, including but not limited to, contribution of capital to the Bank to support both organic growth as well as opportunistic acquisitions.  As of December 31, 2014, the Bank received $40.0 million of contributed capital.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company's borrowed funds at or for the years ended on the dates indicated:

	At or For Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(dollars in thousands)
FHLB advances
Balance outstanding at end of year	$	70,000		$	156,000		$	87,000
Weighted average interest rate at end of year		0.59	%		0.06	%		0.28	%
Average balance outstanding	$	70,296		$	26,137		$	9,154
Weighted average interest rate during the year		0.26	%		0.15	%		0.28	%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year	$	210,000		$	156,000		$	87,000
Other borrowings
Balance outstanding at end of year	$	46,643		$	48,091		$	28,500
Weighted average interest rate at end of year		2.03	%		1.98	%		3.26	%
Average balance outstanding	$	47,398		$	45,310		$	28,500
Weighted average interest rate during the year		2.00	%		2.09	%		3.31	%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year	$	49,712		$	52,077		$	28,500
Debentures
Balance outstanding at end of year	$	70,310		$	10,310		$	10,310
Weighted average interest rate at end of year		5.34	%		2.99	%		3.09	%
Average balance outstanding	$	30,858		$	10,310		$	10,310
Weighted average interest rate during the year		5.00	%		2.98	%		3.16	%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year	$	70,310		$	10,310		$	10,310
Total borrowings
Balance outstanding at end of year	$	186,953		$	214,401		$	125,810
Weighted average interest rate at end of year		2.74	%		0.63	%		1.19	%
Average balance outstanding	$	148,552		$	81,757		$	47,964
Weighted average interest rate during the year		1.80	%		1.58	%		2.70	%
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year	$	255,297		$	218,387		$	125,810

 Subsidiaries

At December 31, 2014, we had two operating subsidiaries, the Bank, a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary with no subsidiaries of its own, and PPBI Trust I, which is a wholly-owned special purpose entity accounted for using the equity method under which the subsidiaries’ net earnings are recognized in our operations and the investment in the Trust is included in other assets on our consolidated statements of financial condition.

 Personnel

As of December 31, 2014, we had 282 full-time employees and three part-time employees.  The employees are not represented by a collective bargaining unit and we consider our relationship with our employees to be satisfactory.

 Competition

We consider our Bank to be a community bank focused on the commercial banking business, with our primary market encompassing California.  To a lesser extent, we also compete in several broader regional and national markets through our HOA Banking, SBA, Warehouse Lending, Franchise Lending and Income Property business units.

The banking business is highly competitive with respect to virtually all products and services.  The industry continues to consolidate, and unregulated competitors in the banking markets have focused products targeted at highly profitable customer segments.  Many largely unregulated competitors are able to compete across geographic boundaries, and provide customers increasing access to meaningful alternatives to nearly all significant banking services and products.

The banking business is dominated by a relatively small number of major banks with many offices operating over a wide geographical area.  These banks have, among other advantages, the ability to finance wide-ranging and effective advertising campaigns and to allocate their resources to regions of highest yield and demand.  Many of the major banks operating in our primary market area offer certain services that we do not offer directly but may offer indirectly through correspondent institutions.  By virtue of their greater total capitalization, the major banks also have substantially higher lending limits than those we do.

In addition to other local community banks, our competitors include commercial banks, savings banks, credit unions, and numerous non-banking institutions, such as finance companies, leasing companies, insurance companies, brokerage firms and investment banking firms.  Increased competition has also developed from specialized finance and non-finance companies that offer wholesale finance, credit card, and other consumer finance services, including on-line banking services and personal financial software.  Strong competition for deposit and loan products affects the rates of those products, as well as the terms on which they are offered to customers.  Mergers between financial institutions have placed additional pressure on banks within the industry to streamline their operations, reduce expenses, and increase revenues to remain competitive.

Technological innovations have also resulted in increased competition in the financial services market.  Such innovation has, for example, made it possible for non-depository institutions to offer customers automated transfer payment services that previously were considered traditional banking products.  In addition, many customers now expect a choice of delivery systems and channels, including telephone, mobile phones, mail, home computer, ATMs, self-service branches, and/or in-store branches.  The sources of competition in such products include commercial banks, as well as credit unions, brokerage firms, money market and other mutual funds, asset management groups, finance and insurance companies, internet-only financial intermediaries and mortgage banking firms.

We work to anticipate and adapt to competitive conditions whether it is by developing and marketing innovative products and services, adopting or developing new technologies that differentiate our products and services, or providing highly personalized banking services.  We strive to distinguish ourselves from other community banks and financial services providers in our marketplace by providing a high level of service to enhance customer loyalty and to attract and retain business.  However, no assurances can be given that our efforts to compete in our market areas will continue to be successful.

 Supervision and Regulation

General.  Bank holding companies, such as the Corporation, and banks, such as the Bank, are subject to extensive regulation and supervision by federal and state regulators.  Various requirements and restrictions under state and federal law affect our operations, including reserves against deposits, ownership of deposit accounts, loans, investments, mergers and acquisitions, borrowings, dividends, locations of branch offices and capital requirements.  The following is a summary of certain statutes and rules applicable to us.  This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statute and regulatory provision referred to below and is not intended to be an exhaustive description of all applicable statutes and regulations.

As a bank holding company, the Corporation is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve.  We are required to file with the Federal Reserve quarterly and annual reports and such additional information as the Federal Reserve may require pursuant to the BHCA.  The Federal Reserve may conduct examinations of bank holding companies and their subsidiaries.  The Corporation is also a bank holding company within the meaning of the California Financial Code (the “Financial Code”).  As such, the Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to examination by, and may be required to file reports with, the DBO.

Under changes made by the Dodd-Frank Act, a bank holding company must act as a source of financial and managerial strength to each of its subsidiary banks and to commit resources to support each such subsidiary bank.  In order to fulfill its obligations as a source of strength, the Federal Reserve may require a bank holding company to make capital injections into a troubled subsidiary bank.  In addition, the Federal Reserve may charge the bank holding company with engaging in unsafe and unsound practices if the bank holding company fails to commit resources to a subsidiary bank or if it undertakes actions that the Federal Reserve believes might jeopardize the bank holding company’s ability to commit resources to such subsidiary bank.  The Federal Reserve also has the authority to require a bank holding company to terminate any activity or to relinquish control of a nonbank subsidiary (other than a nonbank subsidiary of a bank) upon the Federal Reserve’s determination that such activity or control constitutes a serious risk to the financial soundness and stability of any bank subsidiary of the bank holding company.

As a California state-chartered commercial bank, which is a member of the Federal Reserve, the Bank is subject to supervision, periodic examination and regulation by the DBO and the Federal Reserve.  The Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund (“DIF”).  Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, federal deposit insurance coverage was permanently increased to $250,000 per depositor for all insured depository institutions.  As a result of this deposit insurance function, the FDIC also has certain supervisory authority and powers over the Bank as well as all other FDIC insured institutions.  If, as a result of an examination of the Bank, the regulators should determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity or other aspects of the Bank’s operations are unsatisfactory or that the Bank or our management is violating or has violated any law or regulation, various remedies are available to the regulators.  Such remedies include the power to enjoin unsafe or unsound practices, to require affirmative action to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in capital, to restrict growth, to assess civil monetary penalties, to remove officers and directors and ultimately to request the FDIC to terminate the Bank’s deposit insurance.  As a California-chartered commercial bank, the Bank is also subject to certain provisions of California law.

Legislative and regulatory initiatives have been, and are likely to continue to be, introduced and implemented, which could substantially intensify the regulation of the financial services industry.  We cannot predict whether or when potential legislation or new regulations will be enacted, and if enacted, the effect that new legislation or any implemented regulations and supervisory policies would have on our financial condition and results of operations.  Moreover, bank regulatory agencies can be more aggressive in responding to concerns and trends identified in examinations, which could result in an increased issuance of enforcement actions to financial institutions requiring action to address credit quality, liquidity and risk management and capital adequacy, as well as other safety and soundness concerns.

 Dodd-Frank Act

The Dodd-Frank Act, which was signed into law on July 21, 2010, implements far-reaching changes across the financial regulatory landscape, including provisions that, among other things:

·   Centralizes responsibility for consumer financial protection by creating a new agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, responsible for implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws (“CFPB”).

·   Requires bank holding companies, such as the Corporation, to be well capitalized and well managed as of July 21, 2011.  Bank holding companies and banks must also be both well capitalized and well managed in order to engage in interstate bank acquisitions.

·   Imposes comprehensive regulation of the over-the-counter derivatives market, including certain provisions that would effectively prohibit insured depository institutions from conducting certain derivatives businesses in the institutions themselves.

·   Implements corporate governance revisions, including with regard to executive compensation and proxy access by stockholders.

·   Made permanent the $250,000 limit for federal deposit insurance and increased the cash limit of Securities Investor Protection Corporation protection from $100,000 to $250,000.

·   Repealed the federal prohibitions on the payment of interest on demand deposits, thereby permitting depository institutions to pay interest on business transaction and other accounts.

·   Amended the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to, among other things, give the Federal Reserve the authority to establish rules regarding interchange fees charged for electronic debit transactions by payment card issuers having assets over $10 billion and enforces a new statutory requirement that such fees be reasonable and proportional to the actual cost of a transaction to the issuer.

·   Increased the authority of the Federal Reserve to examine bank holding companies, such as the Corporation, and their non-bank subsidiaries.

Many aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to rulemaking and will take effect over several years, making it difficult to anticipate the overall financial impact on the Company, its customers or the financial industry generally.  Provisions in the legislation that affect deposit insurance assessments, payment of interest on demand deposits and interchange fees could increase the costs associated with deposits as well as place limitations on certain revenues those deposits may generate.

Activities of Bank Holding Companies.  The activities of bank holding companies are generally limited to the business of banking, managing or controlling banks, and other activities that the Federal Reserve has determined to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto.  Bank holding companies that qualify and register as “financial holding companies” are also able to engage in certain additional financial activities, such as merchant banking and securities and insurance underwriting, subject to limitations set forth in federal law.  We are not at this date a “financial holding company.”

The BHCA requires a bank holding company to obtain prior approval of the Federal Reserve before: (i) taking any action that causes a bank to become a controlled subsidiary of the bank holding company; (ii) acquiring direct or indirect ownership or control of voting shares of any bank or bank holding company, if the acquisition results in the acquiring bank holding company having control of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of such bank or bank holding company, unless such bank or bank holding company is majority-owned by the acquiring bank holding company before the acquisition; (iii) acquiring all or substantially all the assets of a bank; or (iv) merging or consolidating with another bank holding company.

Permissible Activities of the Bank.  Because California permits commercial banks chartered by the state to engage in any activity permissible for national banks, the Bank can form subsidiaries to engage in activates “closely related to banking” or “nonbanking” activities and expanded financial activities.  However, to form a financial subsidiary, the Bank must be well capitalized and would be subject to the same capital deduction, risk management and affiliate transaction rules as applicable to national banks.  Generally, a financial subsidiary is permitted to engage in activities that are “financial in nature” or incidental thereto, even though they are not permissible for the national bank to conduct directly within the bank.  The definition of “financial in nature” includes, among other items, underwriting, dealing in or making a market in securities, including, for example, distributing shares of mutual funds.  The subsidiary may not, however, engage as principal in underwriting insurance (other than credit life insurance), issue annuities or engage in real estate development or investment or merchant banking.

Incentive Compensation.Federal banking agencies have issued guidance on incentive compensation policies intended to ensure that the incentive compensation policies of banking organizations do not undermine the safety and soundness of such organizations by encouraging excessive risk-taking.  The guidance, which covers all employees that have the ability to materially affect the risk profile of an organization, is based upon the key principles that a banking organization’s incentive compensation arrangements should (i) provide incentives that do not encourage risk-taking beyond the organization’s ability to effectively identify and manage risks, (ii) be compatible with effective internal controls and risk management, and (iii) be supported by strong corporate governance, including active and effective oversight by the organization’s board of directors.

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

In February 2011, the federal banking agencies approved a joint proposed rulemaking to implement Section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which prohibits incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risk taking by covered financial institutions (generally institutions that have over $1 billion in assets) and are deemed to be excessive, or that may lead to material losses.

The scope and content of the U.S. banking regulators’ policies on executive compensation are continuing to develop and are likely to continue evolving in the near future.  It cannot be determined at this time whether compliance with such policies will adversely affect the Company’s ability to hire, retain and motivate its key employees.

Capital Requirements.  Bank holding companies and banks are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by state and federal agencies.  These agencies may establish higher minimum requirements if, for example, a banking organization previously has received special attention or has a high susceptibility to interest rate risk.  Risk-based capital requirements determine the adequacy of capital based on the risk inherent in various classes of assets and off-balance sheet items.  Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Federal Reserve is required to apply consolidated capital requirements to depository institution holding companies that are no less stringent than those currently applied to depository institutions.  The Dodd-Frank Act additionally requires capital requirements to be countercyclical so that the required amount of capital increases in times of economic expansion and decreases in times of economic contraction, consistent with safety and soundness.

Under federal regulations, bank holding companies and banks must meet the following risk-based capital requirements: a minimum ratio of 8% of total capital to risk-weighted assets, and a minimum ratio of 4% of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets.

The description below relates to the requirements, as they existed through December 31, 2014, subsequent to which the revised capital rules implementing Basel III became applicable to the Bank.  See “Changes in Capital Requirements” below.

To be deemed “well capitalized” under applicable federal regulations, banks must have a minimum ratio of 10% of total capital to risk-weighted assets, and a minimum ratio of 6% of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets.  The regulatory capital requirements, as well as the actual capital ratios for the Corporation and the Bank as of December 31, 2014, are presented in detail in Note 2, Regulatory Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters in Item 8 hereof.  See also “Capital Resources” within Management’s Discussion and Analysis in Item 7 hereof.  As of December 31, 2014, the Corporation had a consolidated ratio of 14.46% of total capital to risk-weighted assets and a consolidated ratio of 10.30% of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets and the Bank had a ratio of 13.45% of total capital to risk-weighted assets and a ratio of 12.72% of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets.

Under federal regulations, “Tier 1 capital” is defined to include: common stockholders’ equity (including retained earnings), qualifying noncumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus, qualifying cumulative perpetual preferred stock and related surplus, minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries (limited to a maximum of 25% of Tier 1 capital), and certain trust preferred securities.  The Dodd-Frank Act excludes trust preferred securities issued after May 19, 2010, from being included in Tier 1 capital, unless the issuing company is a bank holding company with less than $500 million in total assets.  Trust preferred securities issued prior to that date will continue to count as Tier 1 capital for bank holding companies with less than $15 billion in total assets, such as the Corporation.  The trust preferred securities issued by our unconsolidated subsidiary capital trust qualify as Tier 1 capital up to a maximum limit of 25% of total Tier 1 capital.  Any additional portion of our trust preferred securities would qualify as “Tier 2 capital.”  As of December 31, 2014, the subsidiary trust had $10.3 million in trust preferred securities outstanding, of which $10.0 million qualifies as Tier 1 capital and $60 million in subordinated notes that qualifies as Tier 2 capital.  Also, goodwill and most intangible assets are deducted from Tier 1 capital.  For purposes of applicable the total risk-based capital regulatory guidelines, Tier 2 capital (sometimes referred to as “supplementary capital”) is defined to include, subject to limitations: perpetual preferred stock not included in Tier 1 capital, intermediate-term preferred stock and any related surplus, certain hybrid capital instruments, perpetual debt and mandatory convertible debt securities, allowances for loan and lease losses, and intermediate-term subordinated debt instruments.  The maximum amount of qualifying Tier 2 capital is 100% of qualifying Tier 1 capital.  For purposes of determining total capital under federal guidelines, total capital equals Tier 1 capital, plus qualifying Tier 2 capital, minus investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries, reciprocal holdings of bank holding company capital securities, and deferred tax assets and other deductions.

In addition to the risk-based guidelines described above, federal banking regulators require banking organizations to maintain a minimum amount of Tier 1 capital to total assets, referred to as the leverage ratio.  For a banking organization rated in the highest of the five categories used by regulators to rate banking organizations, the minimum leverage ratio of Tier 1 capital to total assets is 3%.  For all banking organizations not rated in the highest category, the minimum leverage ratio must be at least 4%.  To be deemed “well capitalized” under applicable federal regulations, banks must have a minimum leverage ratio of 5%.  As of December 31, 2014, Corporation had a consolidated leverage ratio of 9.18% and the Bank had a leverage ratio of 11.29%.

In addition to these uniform risk-based capital guidelines and leverage ratios that apply across the industry, the regulators have the discretion to set individual minimum capital requirements for specific institutions at rates significantly above the minimum guidelines and ratios.  Future changes in regulations or practices could further reduce the amount of capital recognized for purposes of capital adequacy.  Such a change could affect our ability to grow and could restrict the amount of profits, if any, available for the payment of dividends.

In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act requires the federal banking agencies to adopt capital requirements that address the risks that the activities of an institution poses to the institution and the public and private stakeholders, including risks arising from certain enumerated activities.  The federal banking agencies will likely change existing capital guidelines or adopt new capital guidelines in the future pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act or other regulatory or supervisory changes.  We will be assessing the impact on us of these new regulations, as they are proposed and implemented.

Changes in Capital Requirements.  In December 2010, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision released its final framework for strengthening international capital and liquidity regulation (“Basel III”).  The regulations adopted by the U.S. federal bank regulatory agencies, when fully phased-in, will require bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries to maintain more capital, with a greater emphasis on common equity.

        The Basel III final capital framework, among other things, (i) introduces as a new capital measure “Common Equity Tier 1” (“CET1”), (ii) specifies that Tier 1 capital consists of CET1 and “Additional Tier 1 capital” instruments meeting specified requirements, (iii) defines CET1 narrowly by requiring that most adjustments to regulatory capital measures be made to CET1 and not to the other components of capital and (iv) expands the scope of the adjustments as compared to existing regulations.

When fully phased-in by January 1, 2019, Basel III requires banks to maintain:

·   a minimum ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer”;

·   a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer, or 8.5%;

·   a minimum ratio of Total (Tier 1 plus Tier 2) capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the capital conservation buffer, or 10.5%; and

·   a minimum leverage ratio of 3%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to balance sheet exposures plus certain off-balance sheet exposures.

Basel III also includes the following significant provisions:

·   An additional countercyclical capital buffer to be imposed by applicable national banking regulators periodically at their discretion, with advance notice, that would be a CET1 add-on to the capital conservation buffer in the range of 0% and 2.5% when fully implemented;

·   Restrictions on capital distributions and discretionary bonuses applicable when capital ratios fall within the buffer zone;

·   Deduction from common equity of deferred tax assets that depend on future profitability to be realized;

·   For capital instruments issued on or after January 13, 2013 (other than common equity), a loss-absorbency requirement that the instrument must be written off or converted to common equity if a triggering event occurs, either pursuant to applicable law or at the direction of the banking regulator.  A triggering event is an event that would cause the banking organization to become nonviable without the write off or conversion, or without an injection of capital from the public sector.

Banking institutions with a ratio of CET1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer (or below the combined capital conservation buffer and countercyclical capital buffer, when the latter is applied) may face constraints on its ability to pay dividends, effect equity repurchases and pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers, which constraints vary based on the amount of the shortfall.

The Basel III final framework provides for a number of new deductions from and adjustments to CET1.  These include, for example, the requirement that mortgage servicing rights, deferred tax assets dependent upon future taxable income and significant investments in non-consolidated financial entities be deducted from CET1 to the extent that any one such category exceeds 10% of CET1 or all such categories in the aggregate exceed 15% of CET1.

The federal banking regulators adopted a final rulemaking in July 2013 (the “Basel III Rule”) to implement Basel III under regulations substantially consistent with the above.  The Basel III Rule also includes, as part of the definition of CET1 capital, a requirement that banking institutions include the amount of Additional Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”, which primarily consists of unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, which are not required to be treated as other-than-temporary impairment, net of tax) in calculating regulatory capital, unless the institution makes a one-time opt-out election from this provision in connection with the filing of its first regulatory reports after applicability of the Basel III Rule to that institution. The Basel III Rule also proposes a 4% minimum leverage ratio.

The Basel III Rule also makes changes to the manner of calculating risk weighted assets.  New methodologies for determining risk weighted assets in the general capital rules are included, including revisions to recognition of credit risk mitigation, including a greater recognition of financial collateral and a wider range of eligible guarantors.  They also include risk weighting of equity exposures and past due loans; and higher (greater than 100%) risk weighting for certain commercial real estate exposures that have higher credit risk profiles, including higher loan to value and equity components.  In particular, loans categorized as “high-volatility commercial real estate” loans (“HVCRE loans”) are required to be assigned a 150% risk weighting, and require additional capital support.  HVCRE loans are defined to include any credit facility that finances or has financed the acquisition, development or construction of real property, unless it finances: 1-4 family residential properties; certain community development investments; agricultural land used or usable for, and whose value is based on, agricultural use; or commercial real estate projects in which: (i) the loan to value is less than the applicable maximum supervisory loan to value ratio established by the bank regulatory agencies; (ii) the borrower has contributed cash or unencumbered readily marketable assets, or has paid development expenses out of pocket, equal to at least 15% of the appraised “as completed” value; (iii) the borrower contributes its 15% before the bank advances any funds; and (iv) the capital contributed by the borrower, and any funds internally generated by the project, is contractually required to remain in the project until the facility is converted to permanent financing, sold or paid in full.

As discussed below, the Basel III Rule also integrates the new capital requirements into the prompt corrective action provisions under Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”).

The Basel III Rule became applicable to the Corporation and the Bank on January 1, 2015.  The capital conservation buffer requirement will be phased in beginning January 1, 2016, at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets, increasing each year until fully implemented at 2.5% on January 1, 2019.  We currently expect that the Corporation and the Bank will elect to exclude AOCI in calculating regulatory capital when they file their respective first regulatory reports in 2015, although we reserve the right to elect to include AOCI in the calculation of regulatory capital.  Overall, the Corporation believes that implementation of the Basel III Rule will not have a material adverse affect on the Corporation’s or the Bank’s capital ratios, earnings, shareholder’s equity, or its ability to pay dividends, effect stock repurchases or pay discretionary bonuses to executive officers.

Prompt Corrective Action Regulations.  The federal banking regulators are required to take “prompt corrective action” with respect to capital-deficient institutions.  Federal banking regulations define, for each capital category, the levels at which institutions are “well capitalized,” “adequately capitalized,” “undercapitalized,” “significantly undercapitalized” and “critically undercapitalized.”  Under regulations effective through December 31, 2014, a “well capitalized” institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 10.0% or higher; a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 6.0% or higher; a leverage ratio of 5.0% or higher; and is not subject to any written agreement, order or directive requiring it to maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure.  An “adequately capitalized” institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or higher; a Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 4.0% or higher; a leverage ratio of 4.0% or higher (3.0% or higher if the bank was rated a composite 1 in its most recent examination report and is not experiencing significant growth); and does not meet the criteria for a “well capitalized” bank.  An institution is “undercapitalized” if it fails to meet any one of the ratios required to be adequately capitalized.  An “undercapitalized” institution has a total risk-based capital ratio that is less than 8.0%; a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 4.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 4.0%.  A “significantly undercapitalized” institution has a total risk-based capital ratio of less than 6.0%; a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of less than 3.0% or a leverage ratio of less than 3.0%.  A “critically undercapitalized” institution’s tangible equity is equal to or less than 2.0% of average quarterly tangible assets.  An institution may be downgraded to, or deemed to be in, a capital category that is lower than indicated by its capital ratios if it is determined to be in an unsafe or unsound condition or if it receives an unsatisfactory examination rating with respect to certain matters.  An institution’s capital category is determined solely for the purpose of applying prompt corrective action regulations, and the capital category may not constitute an accurate representation of the institution’s overall financial condition or prospects for other purposes.

In the event an institution becomes “undercapitalized,” it must submit a capital restoration plan.  The capital restoration plan will not be accepted by the regulators unless each company having control of the undercapitalized institution guarantees the subsidiary’s compliance with the capital restoration plan up to a certain specified amount.  Any such guarantee from a depository institution’s holding company is entitled to a priority of payment in bankruptcy.  The aggregate liability of the holding company of an undercapitalized bank is limited to the lesser of 5% of the institution’s assets at the time it became undercapitalized or the amount necessary to cause the institution to be “adequately capitalized.”  The bank regulators have greater power in situations where an institution becomes “significantly” or “critically” undercapitalized or fails to submit a capital restoration plan.  In addition to requiring undercapitalized institutions to submit a capital restoration plan, bank regulations contain broad restrictions on certain activities of undercapitalized institutions including asset growth, acquisitions, branch establishment and expansion into new lines of business.  With certain exceptions, an insured depository institution is prohibited from making capital distributions, including dividends, and is prohibited from paying management fees to control persons if the institution would be undercapitalized after any such distribution or payment.

As an institution’s capital decreases, the regulators’ enforcement powers become more severe.  A significantly undercapitalized institution is subject to mandated capital raising activities, restrictions on interest rates paid and transactions with affiliates, removal of management, and other restrictions.  A regulator has limited discretion in dealing with a critically undercapitalized institution and is virtually required to appoint a receiver or conservator.

Banks with risk-based capital and leverage ratios below the required minimums may also be subject to certain administrative actions, including the termination of deposit insurance upon notice and hearing, or a temporary suspension of insurance without a hearing in the event the institution has no tangible capital.

As of December 31, 2014, the Bank was “well capitalized” according to the guidelines as generally discussed above.

As noted above, the Basel III Rule integrates the new capital requirements into the prompt corrective action category definitions.  As of January 1, 2015, the following capital requirements apply to the Corporation for purposes of Section 38 of the FDIA.

Capital Category	Total Risk-Based Capital Ratio	Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital Ratio	Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) Capital Ratio	Leverage Ratio	Tangible Equity to Assets	Supplemental Leverage Ratio
Well Capitalized	10% or greater	8% or greater	6.5% or greater	5% or greater	n/a	n/a
Adequately Capitalized	8% or greater	6% or greater	4.5% or greater	4% or greater	n/a	3% or greater
Undercapitalized	Less than 8%	Less than 6%	Less than 4.5%	Less than 4%	n/a	Less than 3%
Significantly Undercapitalized	Less than 6%	Less than 4%	Less than 3%	Less than 3%	n/a	n/a
Critically Undercapitalized	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	Less than 2%	n/a

In addition to the federal regulatory capital requirements described above, the DBO has authority to take possession of the business and properties of a bank in the event that the tangible stockholders’ equity of a bank is less than the greater of (i) 4% of the bank’s total assets or (ii) $1.0 million.

Dividends.  It is the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies, such as the Corporation, should generally pay dividends on common stock only out of income available over the past year, and only if prospective earnings retention is consistent with the organization’s expected future needs and financial condition.  It is also the Federal Reserve’s policy that bank holding companies should not maintain dividend levels that undermine their ability to be a source of strength to its banking subsidiaries.  Additionally, in consideration of the current financial and economic environment, the Federal Reserve has indicated that bank holding companies should carefully review their dividend policy and has discouraged payment ratios that are at maximum allowable levels unless both asset quality and capital are very strong.

The Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Corporation is subject to restrictions set forth in the Financial Code.  The Financial Code provides that a bank may not make a cash distribution to its stockholders in excess of the lesser of a bank’s (1) retained earnings; or (2) net income for its last three fiscal years, less the amount of any distributions made by the bank or by any majority-owned subsidiary of the bank to the stockholders of the bank during such period.  However, a bank may, with the approval of the DBO, make a distribution to its stockholders in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (a) its retained earnings; (b) its net income for its last fiscal year; or (c) its net income for its current fiscal year.  In the event that bank regulators determine that the stockholders' equity of a bank is inadequate or that the making of a distribution by the bank would be unsafe or unsound, the regulators may order the bank to refrain from making a proposed distribution.  The payment of dividends could, depending on the financial condition of the Bank, be deemed to constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.  Under these provisions, the amount available for distribution from the Bank to the Corporation was approximately $45.9 million at December 31, 2014.

Approval of the Federal Reserve is required for payment of any dividend by a state chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve, such as the Bank, if the total of all dividends declared by the bank in any calendar year would exceed the total of its retained net income for that year combined with its retained net income for the preceding two years.  In addition, a state member bank may not pay a dividend in an amount greater than its undivided profits without regulatory and stockholder approval.  The Bank is also prohibited under federal law from paying any dividend that would cause it to become undercapitalized.

It is our policy to retain earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.  We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock.

FDIC Insurance of Certain Accounts and Regulation by the FDIC.  The Bank is an FDIC insured financial institution whereby the FDIC provides deposit insurance for a certain maximum dollar amount per customer.  The Bank, as is the case with all FDIC insured banks, is subject to deposit insurance assessments as determined by the FDIC.  The amount of the deposit insurance assessment for institutions with less than $10.0 billion in assets, which includes the Bank, is based on its risk category, with certain adjustments for any unsecured debt or brokered deposits held by the insured bank.  Institutions assigned to higher risk categories (that is, institutions that pose a higher risk of loss to the DIF) pay assessments at higher rates than institutions that pose a lower risk.  An institution’s risk classification is assigned based on a combination of its financial ratios and supervisory ratings, reflecting, among other things, its capital levels and the level of supervisory concern that the institution poses to the regulators.  In addition, the FDIC can impose special assessments in certain instances.  Deposit insurance assessments fund the DIF.

The Dodd-Frank Act changes the way that deposit insurance premiums are calculated.  The assessment base is no longer the institution’s deposit base, but rather its average consolidated total assets less its average tangible equity.  The Dodd-Frank Act also increases the minimum designated reserve ratio of the DIF from 1.15% to 1.35% of the estimated amount of total insured deposits by 2020, eliminates the upper limit for the reserve ratio designated by the FDIC each year, and eliminates the requirement that the FDIC pay dividends to depository institutions when the reserve ratio exceeds certain thresholds.  Continued action by the FDIC to replenish the DIF, as well as the changes contained in the Dodd Frank Act, may result in higher assessment rates, which could reduce our profitability or otherwise negatively impact our operations.  Based on the current FDIC insurance assessment methodology and including our participation in the Transaction Account Guarantee Program, our FDIC insurance premium expense was $1.0 million for 2014, $749,000 for 2013 and $638,000 in 2012.

Transactions with Related Parties.  Depository institutions are subject to the restrictions contained in the Federal Reserve Act (the “FRA”) with respect to loans to directors, executive officers and principal stockholders.  Under the FRA, loans to directors, executive officers and stockholders who own more than 10% of a depository institution and certain affiliated entities of any of the foregoing, may not exceed, together with all other outstanding loans to such person and affiliated entities, the institution’s loans-to-one-borrower limit as discussed in the above section.  Federal regulations also prohibits loans above amounts prescribed by the appropriate federal banking agency to directors, executive officers, and stockholders who own more than 10% of an institution, and their respective affiliates, unless such loans are approved in advance by a majority of the board of directors of the institution.  Any “interested” director may not participate in the voting.  The prescribed loan amount, which includes all other outstanding loans to such person, as to which such prior board of director approval is required, is the greater of $25,000 or 5% of capital and surplus up to $500,000.  The Federal Reserve also requires that loans to directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders be made on terms substantially the same as offered in comparable transactions to non-executive employees of the bank and must not involve more than the normal risk of repayment.  There are additional limits on the amount a bank can loan to an executive officer.

Transactions between a bank and its “affiliates” are quantitatively and qualitatively restricted under Sections 23A and 23B of the FRA.  Section 23A restricts the aggregate amount of covered transactions with any individual affiliate to 10% of the capital and surplus of the financial institution.  The aggregate amount of covered transactions with all affiliates is limited to 20% of the institution’s capital and surplus.  Certain transactions with affiliates are required to be secured by collateral in an amount and of a type described in Section 23A and the purchase of low quality assets from affiliates are generally prohibited.  Section 23B generally provides that certain transactions with affiliates, including loans and asset purchases, must be on terms and under circumstances, including credit standards, that are substantially the same or at least as favorable to the institution as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with non-affiliated companies.  The Federal Reserve has promulgated Regulation W, which codifies prior interpretations under Sections 23A and 23B of the FRA and provides interpretive guidance with respect to affiliate transactions.  Affiliates of a bank include, among other entities, a bank’s holding company and companies that are under common control with the bank.  We are considered to be an affiliate of the Bank.

The Dodd-Frank Act generally enhances the restrictions on transactions with affiliates under Section 23A and 23B of the FRA, including an expansion of the definition of “covered transactions” and an increase in the amount of time for which collateral requirements regarding covered credit transactions must be satisfied.  Insider transaction limitations are expanded through the strengthening of loan restrictions to insiders and the expansion of the types of transactions subject to the various limits, including derivatives transactions, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and securities lending or borrowing transactions.  Restrictions are also placed on certain asset sales to and from an insider to an institution, including requirements that such sales be on market terms and, in certain circumstances, approved by the institution's board of directors.

Safety and Soundness Standards.  The federal banking agencies have adopted guidelines designed to assist the federal banking agencies in identifying and addressing potential safety and soundness concerns before capital becomes impaired.  The guidelines set forth operational and managerial standards relating to (i) internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems; (ii) loan documentation; (iii) credit underwriting; (iv) asset growth; (v) earnings; and (vi) compensation, fees and benefits.

In addition, the federal banking agencies have also adopted safety and soundness guidelines with respect to asset quality and for evaluating and monitoring earnings to ensure that earnings are sufficient for the maintenance of adequate capital and reserves.  These guidelines provide six standards for establishing and maintaining a system to identify problem assets and prevent those assets from deteriorating.  Under these standards, an insured depository institution should (i) conduct periodic asset quality reviews to identify problem assets; (ii) estimate the inherent losses in problem assets and establish reserves that are sufficient to absorb estimated losses; (iii) compare problem asset totals to capital; (iv) take appropriate corrective action to resolve problem assets; (v) consider the size and potential risks of material asset concentrations; and (vi) provide periodic asset quality reports with adequate information for management and the board of directors to assess the level of asset risk.

Loans-to-One Borrower.  Under California law, our ability to make aggregate secured and unsecured loans-to-one-borrower is limited to 25% and 15%, respectively, of unimpaired capital and surplus.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank’s limit on aggregate secured loans-to-one-borrower was $65.0 million and unsecured loans-to-one borrower was $39.0 million.  The Bank has established internal loan limits which are lower than the legal lending limits for a California bank.

Community Reinvestment Act and the Fair Lending Laws.  The Bank is subject to certain fair lending requirements and reporting obligations involving home mortgage lending operations and CRA activities.  The CRA generally requires the federal banking regulators to evaluate the record of a financial institution in meeting the credit needs of their local communities, including low and moderate income neighborhoods.  In addition to substantial penalties and corrective measures that may be required for a violation of certain fair lending laws, the federal banking agencies may take compliance with such laws and CRA into account when regulating and supervising other activities.  A bank’s compliance with its CRA obligations is based on a performance-based evaluation system which bases CRA ratings on an institution’s lending service and investment performance, resulting in a rating by the appropriate bank regulator of “outstanding,” “satisfactory,” “needs to improve” or “substantial noncompliance.”  Based on its last CRA examination, the Bank received a “satisfactory” rating.

Bank Secrecy Act and Money Laundering Control Act.  In 1970, Congress passed the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, otherwise known as the Bank Secrecy Act (the “BSA”), which established requirements for recordkeeping and reporting by banks and other financial institutions.  The BSA was designed to help identify the source, volume and movement of currency and other monetary instruments into and out of the U.S. in order to help detect and prevent money laundering connected with drug trafficking, terrorism and other criminal activities.  The primary tool used to implement BSA requirements is the filing of Suspicious Activity Reports.  Today, the BSA requires that all banking institutions develop and provide for the continued administration of a program reasonably designed to assure and monitor compliance with certain recordkeeping and reporting requirements regarding both domestic and international currency transactions.  These programs must, at a minimum, provide for a system of internal controls to assure ongoing compliance, provide for independent testing of such systems and compliance, designate individuals responsible for such compliance and provide appropriate personnel training.

USA Patriot Act.  Under the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act, commonly referred to as the "USA Patriot Act" or the "Patriot Act," financial institutions are subject to prohibitions against specified financial transactions and account relationships, as well as enhanced due diligence standards intended to detect, and prevent, the use of the United States financial system for money laundering and terrorist financing activities.  The Patriot Act requires financial institutions, including banks, to establish anti-money laundering programs, including employee training and independent audit requirements, meet minimum standards specified by the act, follow minimum standards for customer identification and maintenance of customer identification records, and regularly compare customer lists against lists of suspected terrorists, terrorist organizations and money launderers.  The costs or other effects of the compliance burdens imposed by the Patriot Act or future anti-terrorist, homeland security or anti-money laundering legislation or regulation cannot be predicted with certainty.

Consumer Laws and Regulations.  The Bank is also subject to certain consumer laws and regulations that are designed to protect consumers in transactions with banks.  These laws include, among others, Truth in Lending Act; Truth in Savings Act; Electronic Funds Transfer Act; Expedited Funds Availability Act; Equal Credit Opportunity Act; Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act; Fair Housing Act; Fair Credit Reporting Act; Fair Debt Collection Act; Home Mortgage Disclosure Act; Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act; laws regarding unfair and deceptive acts and practices; and usury laws.  These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must deal with customers when taking deposits or making loans to such customers.  The Bank must comply with the applicable provisions of these consumer protection laws and regulations as part of their ongoing customer relations.  Many states and local jurisdictions have consumer protection laws analogous, and in addition, to those listed above.  Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could give rise to regulatory sanctions, customer rescission rights, action by state and local attorneys general, and civil or criminal liability.

Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB has broad authority to regulate and supervise the retail consumer financial products and services activities of banks and various non-bank providers.  The CFPB has authority to promulgate regulations, issue orders, guidance and policy statements, conduct examinations and bring enforcement actions with regard to consumer financial products and services.  In general, however, banks with assets of $10.0 billion or less, such as the Bank, will continue to be examined for consumer compliance by their primary federal banking regulator.  The creation of the CFPB by the Dodd-Frank Act has lead to, and is likely to continue to lead to, enhanced and strengthened enforcement of consumer financial protection laws.

In addition, federal law currently contains extensive customer privacy protection provisions.  Under these provisions, a financial institution must provide to its customers, at the inception of the customer relationship and annually thereafter, the institution’s policies and procedures regarding the handling of customers’ nonpublic personal financial information.  These provisions also provide that, except for certain limited exceptions, a financial institution may not provide such personal information to unaffiliated third parties unless the institution discloses to the customer that such information may be so provided and the customer is given the opportunity to opt out of such disclosure.

 Federal and State Taxation

The Corporation and the Bank report their income on a consolidated basis using the accrual method of accounting, and are subject to federal income taxation in the same manner as other corporations with some exceptions.  The Company has not been audited by the IRS.  For its 2014, 2013 and 2012 tax years, the Company was subject to a maximum tax rate of 35.00% and state income tax rate of 10.84%. 

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

Ownership of our common stock involves certain risks.  The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face.  You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as all other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.  If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially, adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our Business

The current economic environment poses significant challenges for the Company and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

From December 2007 through June 2009, the U.S. economy was in recession and economic recovery through 2014 has been slower than expected.  Although economic continue to slowly improve, declines in real estate values and financial stress on borrowers as a result of an uncertain economic environment could have an adverse effect on the Company’s borrowers and their ability to repay their loans to us, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, local governments and many businesses are still experiencing difficulty due to lower consumer spending and decreased liquidity in the credit markets.  A sustained weakness or further weakening of these conditions in the markets in which we operate would likely have an adverse effect on us and others in the financial institutions industry.  For example, further deterioration in economic conditions in our markets could drive losses beyond that which is provided for in our ALLL.  We may also face the following risks in connection with these events:

·   Economic conditions that negatively affect real estate values and the job market may result, in the deterioration of the credit quality of our loan portfolio, and such deterioration in credit quality could have a negative impact on our business.

·   A decrease in the demand for loans and other products and services offered by us.

·   A decrease in deposit balances due to overall reductions in the accounts of customers.

·   A decrease in the value of our loans or other assets secured by commercial or residential real estate.

·   A decrease in net interest income derived from our lending and deposit gathering activities.

·   Sustained weakness or continuing weakness in our markets may affect consumer confidence levels and may cause adverse changes in payment patterns, causing increases in delinquencies and default rates on loans and other credit facilities.

·   The processes we use to estimate ALLL and reserves may no longer be reliable because they rely on complex judgments, including forecasts of economic conditions, which may no longer be capable of accurate estimation.

·   Our ability to assess the creditworthiness of our customers may be impaired if the models and approaches we use to select, manage, and underwrite its customers become less predictive of future charge-offs.

·   We expect to face increased regulation of its industry, and compliance with such regulation may increase our costs, limit our ability to pursue business opportunities and increase compliance challenges.

As these conditions or similar ones exist or worsen, we could experience increased adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business is subject to various lending and other economic risks that could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

There was significant disruption and volatility in the financial and capital markets in 2008 and 2009.  The financial markets and the financial services industry in particular suffered unprecedented disruption, causing a number of institutions to fail or require government intervention to avoid failure.  These conditions were largely the result of the erosion of the U.S. and global credit markets, including a significant and rapid deterioration in the mortgage lending and related real estate markets.  While economic conditions have shown signs of improvement, the sustainability of an economic recovery is uncertain, and there can be no assurance that the economic conditions that adversely affected the financial services industry, and the capital, credit and real estate markets generally, will continue to improve in the near or long term, in which case, we could experience losses and write-downs of assets, and could face capital and liquidity constraints or other business challenges.  If economic conditions were to deteriorate, particularly within our geographic region, it could result in the following additional consequences, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition:

·   Loan delinquencies may increase causing increases in our provision and allowance for loan losses.

·   Our ability to assess the creditworthiness of our customers may be impaired if the models and approaches we use to select, manage, and underwrite our customers become less predictive of future charge-offs.

·   Collateral for loans, especially real estate, may continue to decline in value, in turn reducing a client’s borrowing power, and reducing the value of assets and collateral associated with our loans held for investment.

·   Consumer confidence levels may decline and cause adverse changes in payment patterns, resulting in increased delinquencies and default rates on loans and other credit facilities and decreased demand for our products and services.

·   Performance of the underlying loans in mortgage backed securities may deteriorate to potentially cause OTTI markdowns to our investment portfolio.

We may suffer losses in our loan portfolio in excess of our allowance for loan losses.

Our total nonperforming assets amounted to $2.5 million, or 0.12% of our total assets, at December 31, 2014, down from $3.4 million or 0.20% at December 31, 2013.  We had $684,000 of net loan charge-offs for 2014, down from $1.7 million in 2013.  Our provision for loan losses was $4.7 million in 2014, up from $1.9 million in 2013.  If increases in our nonperforming assets occur in the future, our net loan charge-offs and/or provision for loan losses may also increase which may have an adverse effect upon our future results of operations.

We seek to mitigate the risks inherent in our loan portfolio by adhering to specific underwriting practices.  These practices include analysis of a borrower’s prior credit history, financial statements, tax returns and cash flow projections, valuation of collateral based on reports of independent appraisers and liquid asset verifications.  Although we believe that our underwriting criteria are appropriate for the various kinds of loans we make, we may incur losses on loans that meet our underwriting criteria, and these losses may exceed the amounts set aside as reserves in our ALLL.  We create an allowance for estimated loan losses in our accounting records, based on analysis of the following:

·   Historical experience with our loans;

·   Industry historical losses as reported by the FDIC;

·   Evaluation of economic conditions;

·   Regular reviews of the quality, mix and size of the overall loan portfolio;

·   Regular reviews of delinquencies;

·   The quality of the collateral underlying our loans; and

·   The effect of external factors, such as competition, legal developments and regulatory requirements.

Although we maintain an ALLL at a level that we believe is adequate to absorb losses inherent in our loan portfolio, changes in economic, operating and other conditions, including the sharp decline in real estate values and changes in interest rates, which are beyond our control, may cause our actual loan losses to exceed our current allowance estimates.  If the actual loan losses exceed the amount reserved, it will adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, the Federal Reserve and the DBO, as part of their supervisory function, periodically review our ALLL.  Either agency may require us to increase our provision for loan losses or to recognize further loan losses, based on their judgments, which may be different from those of our management.  Any increase in the allowance required by them could also adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Adverse economic conditions in California may cause us to suffer higher default rates on our loans and reduce the value of the assets we hold as collateral.

Our business activities and credit exposure are concentrated in California.  Difficult economic conditions, including state and local government deficits, in California may cause us to incur losses associated with higher default rates and decreased collateral values in our loan portfolio.  In addition, demand for our products and services may decline.  Declines in the California real estate market could hurt our business, because the vast majority of our loans are secured by real estate located within California.  As of December 31, 2014, approximately 58% of our loans secured by real estate were located in California.  If real estate values were to decline, especially in California, the collateral for our loans provide less security.  As a result, our ability to recover on defaulted loans by selling the underlying real estate would be diminished, and we would be more likely to suffer losses on defaulted loans.

Our level of credit risk could increase due to our focus on commercial lending and the concentration on small and middle market business customers with heightened vulnerability to economic conditions.

As of December 31, 2014, our commercial real estate loans amounted to $622.2 million, or 38.2% of our total loan portfolio, and our commercial business loans amounted to $781.4 million, or 47.8% of our total loan portfolio.  At such date, our largest outstanding commercial business loan was $34.1 million and our largest multiple borrower relationship and largest outstanding commercial real estate loan was also $34.1 million.  Commercial real estate and commercial business loans generally are considered riskier than single-family residential loans because they have larger balances to a single borrower or group of related borrowers.  Commercial real estate and commercial business loans involve risks because the borrowers’ ability to repay the loans typically depends primarily on the successful operation of the businesses or the properties securing the loans.  Most of the Company’s commercial business loans are made to small business or middle market customers who may have a heightened vulnerability to economic conditions.  Moreover, a portion of these loans have been made or acquired by us in recent years and the borrowers may not have experienced a complete business or economic cycle.  Furthermore, the deterioration of our borrowers’ businesses may hinder their ability to repay their loans with us, which could adversely affect our results of operations.

Nonperforming assets take significant time to resolve and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Nonperforming assets adversely affect our net income in various ways.  Until economic and market conditions improve significantly, we can expect to continue to incur losses relating to nonperforming assets and higher loan administration costs.  We generally do not record interest income on nonperforming loans or OREO, which adversely affects our income.  When we take collateral in foreclosures and similar proceedings, we are required to mark the related asset to the then fair market value of the collateral, which may ultimately result in a loss.  An increase in the level of nonperforming assets increases our risk profile and may impact the capital levels our regulators believe are appropriate in light of the ensuing risk profile.  While we reduce problem assets through loan sales, workouts, restructurings and otherwise, decreases in the value of the underlying collateral, or in these borrowers’ performance or financial condition, whether or not due to economic and market conditions beyond our control, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.  In addition, the resolution of nonperforming assets requires significant commitments of time from management and our directors, which can be detrimental to the performance of their other responsibilities.  There can be no assurance that we will not experience future increases in nonperforming assets.

We may be unable to successfully compete in our industry.

We face direct competition from a significant number of financial institutions, many with a state-wide or regional presence, and in some cases, a national presence, in both originating loans and attracting deposits.  Competition in originating loans comes primarily from other banks and mortgage companies that make loans in our primary market areas.  We also face substantial competition in attracting deposits from other banking institutions, money market and mutual funds, credit unions and other investment vehicles.  In addition banks with larger capitalizations and non-bank financial institutions that are not governed by bank regulatory restrictions have larger lending limits and are better able to serve the needs of larger customers.  Many of these financial institutions are also significantly larger and have greater financial resources than we have, and have established customer bases and name recognition.  We compete for loans principally on the basis of interest rates and loan fees, the types of loans we offer and the quality of service that we provide to our borrowers.  Our ability to attract and retain deposits requires that we provide customers with competitive investment opportunities with respect to rate of return, liquidity, risk and other factors.  To effectively compete, we may have to pay higher rates of interest to attract deposits, resulting in reduced profitability.  In addition, we rely upon local promotional activities, personal relationships established by our officers, directors and employees and specialized services tailored to meet the individual needs of our customers in order to compete.  If we are not able to effectively compete in our market area, our profitability may be negatively affected.

Interest rate fluctuations, which are out of our control, could harm profitability.

Our profitability depends to a large extent upon net interest income, which is the difference between interest income and dividends on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.  Any change in general market interest rates, whether as a result of changes in the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve or otherwise, may have a significant effect on net interest income.  The assets and liabilities may react differently to changes in overall interest rates or conditions.  In general, higher interest rates are associated with a lower volume of loan originations while lower interest rates are usually associated with higher loan originations.  Further, if interest rates decline, our loans may be refinanced at lower rates or paid off and our investments may be prepaid earlier than expected.  If that occurs, we may have to redeploy the loan or investment proceeds into lower yielding assets, which might also decrease our income.  Also, as many of our loans currently have interest rate floors, a rise in rates may increase the cost of our deposits while the rates on the loans remain at their floors, which could decrease our net interest margin.  Accordingly, changes in levels of market interest rates could materially and adversely affect our net interest margin, asset quality and loan origination volume.

Adverse outcomes of litigation against us could harm our business and results of operations.

We are currently involved in litigation relating to the origination of certain subprime mortgages that prior management purchased on the secondary market (and later sold), as well as other actions arising in the ordinary course of business.  After a lengthy period of inactivity, we were contacted by plaintiffs’ counsel in the litigation relating to the origination of certain subprime mortgages to schedule depositions and discovery, and prepare the case to go to trial in 2015.  The Board of Directors of the Company determined to establish a $1.7 million reserve related to the lawsuit during the fourth quarter of 2014, which the Board of Directors believes to be a reasonable estimate of the Company’s exposure as of December 31, 2014.  There is no guarantee that this litigation will be resolved, if at all, for the amount of the reserve.  A significant judgment against us in connection with any pending or future litigation could harm our business and results of operations.

Changes in the fair value of our securities may reduce our stockholders’ equity and net income.

At December 31, 2014, $201.6 million of our securities were classified as available-for-sale.  At such date, the aggregate net unrealized gain on our available-for-sale securities was $880,000.  We increase or decrease stockholders’ equity by the amount of change from the unrealized gain or loss (the difference between the estimated fair value and the amortized cost) of our available-for-sale securities portfolio, net of the related tax, under the category of accumulated other comprehensive income/loss.  Therefore, a decline in the estimated fair value of this portfolio will result in a decline in reported stockholders’ equity, as well as book value per common share and tangible book value per common share.  This decrease will occur even though the securities are not sold.  In the case of debt securities, if these securities are never sold and there are no credit impairments, the decrease will be recovered over the life of the securities.  In the case of equity securities which have no stated maturity, the declines in fair value may or may not be recovered over time.

For the year ended December 31, 2014, we reported a non-cash, OTTI recovery of $29,000 on our securities portfolio.  We continue to monitor the fair value of our entire securities portfolio as part of our ongoing OTTI evaluation process.  No assurance can be given that we will not need to recognize OTTI charges related to securities in the future.  At December 31, 2014, we had stock holdings in the FHLB of San Francisco totaling $8.0 million, and other stock holdings of $9.0 million which included stock from FRB, a CRA investment, and TIB.  The stock held by us is carried at cost and is subject to recoverability testing under applicable accounting standards.  For the year ended December 31, 2014, we did not recognize an impairment charge related to our stock holdings.  There can be no assurance that future negative changes to the financial condition of the issuers may require us to recognize an impairment charge with respect to such stock holdings.

Conditions in the financial markets may limit our access to additional funding to meet our liquidity needs.

Liquidity is essential to our business, as we must maintain sufficient funds to respond to the needs of depositors and borrowers.  An inability to raise funds through deposits, repurchase agreements, federal funds purchased, FHLB advances, the sale or pledging as collateral of loans and other assets could have a substantial negative effect on our liquidity.  Our access to funding sources in amounts adequate to finance our activities, or on terms attractive to us, could be impaired by factors that affect us specifically or the financial services industry in general.  Factors that could negatively affect our access to liquidity sources include a reduction in our credit ratings, if any, an increase in costs of capital in financial capital markets, negative operating results, a decrease in the level of our business activity due to a market downturn, a decrease in depositor or investor confidence or adverse regulatory action against us.  Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are not specific to us, such as severe disruption of the financial markets or negative news and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry as a whole.

The soundness of other financial institutions could negatively affect us.

Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty, or other relationships.  We have exposure to many different industries and counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial services industry, including commercial banks, brokers and dealers, investment banks and other institutional clients.  Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of a default by a counterparty or client.  In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be realized upon or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the credit or derivative exposure due to us.  Any such losses could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to extensive regulation which could adversely affect our business.

Our operations are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and local governmental authorities and are subject to various laws and judicial and administrative decisions imposing requirements and restrictions on part or all of our operations.  Given the recent disruptions in the financial markets over the last several years and potential new regulatory initiatives, new regulations and laws that may affect us are increasingly likely.  Because our business is highly regulated, the laws, rules and regulations applicable to us are subject to regular modification and change.  There are currently proposed laws, rules and regulations that, if adopted, would impact our operations.  These proposed laws, rules and regulations, or any other laws, rules or regulations, may be adopted in the future, which could (1) make compliance much more difficult or expensive, (2) restrict our ability to originate, broker or sell loans or accept certain deposits, (3) further limit or restrict the amount of commissions, interest or other charges earned on loans originated or sold by us, or (4) otherwise adversely affect our business or prospects for business.

Moreover, banking regulators have significant discretion and authority to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of laws or regulations by financial institutions and holding companies in the performance of their supervisory and enforcement duties.  The exercise of regulatory authority may have a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Additionally, in order to conduct certain activities, including acquisitions, we are required to obtain regulatory approval.  There can be no assurance that any required approvals can be obtained, or obtained without conditions or on a timeframe acceptable to us.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 continues to materially affect our operations.

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Act, which imposes significant regulatory and compliance changes.  The key provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act that are anticipated to affect our operations include:

·   Changes to regulatory capital requirements and how we plan capital and liquidity levels;

·   Creation of new government regulatory agencies, including the CFPB, which possesses broad rule-making and enforcement authorities;

·   Restrictions that will impact the nature of our incentive compensation programs for executive officers;

·   Changes in insured depository institution regulations and assessments;

·   Mortgage loan origination and risk retention; and

·   Potential new and different litigation and regulatory enforcement risks.

While some provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act became effective immediately upon its enactment and others have come into effect over the last few years, many provisions still require regulations to be promulgated by various federal agencies in order to be implemented.  Some of these regulations have been proposed by the applicable federal agencies but not yet finalized.  Given the uncertainty associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the various regulatory agencies and through regulations, the full extent of the impact such requirements will have on our operations is unclear.  The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act may impact the profitability of our business activities, require changes to certain of our business practices, impose upon us more stringent capital, liquidity and leverage requirements or otherwise adversely affect our business.  These changes may also require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make any changes necessary to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements.  Failure to comply with the new requirements or with any future changes in laws or regulations may negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Changes in laws, government regulation and monetary policy may have a material effect on our results of operations.

Financial institutions have been the subject of substantial legislative and regulatory changes and may be the subject of further legislation or regulation in the future, none of which is within our control.  Significant new laws or regulations or changes in, or repeals of, existing laws or regulations may cause our results of operations to differ materially.  In addition, the cost and burden of compliance with applicable laws and regulations have significantly increased and could adversely affect our ability to operate profitably.  Further, federal monetary policy significantly affects credit conditions for us, as well as for our borrowers, particularly as implemented by the Federal Reserve, primarily through open market operations in U.S. government securities, the discount rate for bank borrowings and reserve requirements.  A material change in any of these conditions could have a material impact on us or our borrowers, and therefore on our results of operations.

We expect to face increased regulation and supervision of our industry as a result of the past financial crisis.  The effects of such recently enacted, and proposed, legislation and regulatory programs on us cannot reliably be determined at this time.

The repeal of federal prohibitions on payment of interest on demand deposits could increase our interest expense.

All federal prohibitions on the ability of financial institutions to pay interest on demand deposit accounts were repealed as part of the Dodd-Frank Act.  As a result, financial institutions can offer interest on demand deposits to compete for clients.  Our interest expense will increase and our net interest margin will decrease if the Bank begins offering interest on demand deposits to attract additional customers or maintain current customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Federal and state banking agencies periodically conduct examinations of our business, including compliance with laws and regulations, and our failure to comply with any supervisory actions to which we are or become subject as a result of such examinations may adversely affect us.

Federal and state banking agencies, including the Federal Reserve, the DBO and the FDIC, periodically conduct examinations of our business, including compliance with laws and regulations.  If, as a result of an examination, a federal banking agency were to determine that the financial condition, capital resources, asset quality, earnings prospects, management, liquidity or other aspects of any of our operations had become unsatisfactory, or that the Company or its management was in violation of any law or regulation, it may take a number of different remedial actions as it deems appropriate.  These actions include the power to enjoin "unsafe or unsound" practices, to require affirmative actions to correct any conditions resulting from any violation or practice, to issue an administrative order that can be judicially enforced, to direct an increase in our capital, to restrict our growth, to assess civil monetary penalties against our officers or directors, to remove officers and directors and, if it is concluded that such conditions cannot be corrected or there is an imminent risk of loss to depositors, to terminate our deposit insurance. If we become subject to such regulatory actions, our business, results of operations and reputation may be negatively impacted.  

We may in the future engage in additional FDIC-assisted transactions, which could present additional risk to our business.

We completed acquisitions of assets and assumption of deposits and liabilities of CNB on February 11, 2011 and of PDNB on April 27, 2012 from the FDIC.  We acquired the assets and assumed the liabilities of CNB and PDNB without entering into a loss sharing agreement with the FDIC.  In the current economic environment, and subject to any requisite regulatory consent, we may potentially be presented with additional opportunities to acquire the assets and liabilities of other failed banks in FDIC-assisted transactions.  The CNB acquisition, the PDNB acquisition and any future acquisitions involve risks similar to acquiring existing banks even though the FDIC might provide assistance to mitigate certain risks such as sharing in exposure to loan losses and providing indemnification against certain liabilities of the failed institution.  However, because FDIC-assisted transactions are structured in a manner that would not allow us the time normally associated with preparing for and evaluating an acquisition, including preparing for integration of an acquired institution, we may face additional risks if we engage in FDIC-assisted transactions.  The risks related to the CNB acquisition, the PDNB acquisition and other future FDIC-assisted transactions include, among other things, the loss of customers, strain on management resources related to collection and management of problem loans and problems related to integration of personnel and operating systems.  We may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with the CNB acquisition, the PDNB acquisition or other future FDIC-assisted transactions.  Our inability to overcome these risks could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business strategy and maintain our market value and profitability.

Moreover, even if we were inclined to participate in additional FDIC-assisted transactions, there are no assurances that the FDIC would allow us to participate or what the terms of such transaction might be or whether we would be successful in acquiring the bank or assets that we are seeking.  We may be required to raise additional capital as a condition to, or as a result of, participation in FDIC-assisted transactions.  Any such transactions and related issuances of stock may have a dilutive effect on earnings per share and share ownership.

Furthermore, to the extent we are allowed to, and choose to, participate in additional FDIC-assisted transactions, we may face competition from other financial institutions with respect to the proposed FDIC-assisted transactions.  To the extent that our competitors are selected to participate in FDIC-assisted transactions, our ability to identify and attract acquisition candidates and/or make acquisitions on favorable terms may be adversely affected.

Our HOA business is substantially dependent upon its relationship with Associa, which is the entity that owns and controls the HOA management companies that manage the HOAs from which we receive a majority of our HOA deposits.

On March 15, 2013, we acquired FAB, which is exclusively focused on providing deposit and other services to HOAs and HOA management companies nationwide.  A majority of our HOA customers are also customers of the HOA management companies controlled by Associations, Inc. (“Associa”).  At December 31, 2014, approximately 72% of the HOA transaction deposits we held were derived from our relationship with Associa.  We will continue to rely on the relationship with Associa to solicit HOA deposits as deemed necessary.  If Associa or its HOA management companies lose some or all of their HOA customers, fall into financial or legal difficulty or elect to reduce the amount of HOA customers that it directs to us, it could have a material and adverse effect upon our business, including the decline or total loss of all of the deposits from the HOA management companies and the HOAs.  We cannot assure you that we would be able to replace the relationship with Associa and its HOA management companies if any of these events occurred, which could have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.  In connection with the closing of the FAB acquisition, we appointed John Carona to the boards of directors of the Company and the Bank.  Mr. Carona is the chief executive officer and sole shareholder of Associa.

Potential acquisitions may disrupt our business and dilute stockholder value.

We evaluate merger and acquisition opportunities and conduct due diligence activities related to possible transactions with other financial institutions on an ongoing basis.  As a result, merger or acquisition discussions and, in some cases, negotiations may take place and future mergers or acquisitions involving cash, debt or equity securities may occur at any time.  Acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values, and, therefore, some dilution of our stock’s tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in connection with any future transaction.  Furthermore, failure to realize the expected revenue increases, cost savings, increases in geographic or product presence, and/or other projected benefits from recent or future acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We may seek merger or acquisition partners that are culturally similar and have experienced management and possess either significant market presence or have potential for improved profitability through financial management, economies of scale or expanded services.  We do not currently have any specific plans, arrangements or understandings regarding such expansion.  We cannot say with any certainty that we will be able to consummate, or if consummated, successfully integrate future acquisitions or that we will not incur disruptions or unexpected expenses in integrating such acquisitions.  In attempting to make such future acquisitions, we anticipate competing with other financial institutions, many of which have greater financial and operational resources.  Acquiring other banks, businesses, or branches involves various risks commonly associated with acquisitions, including, among other things:

·   Potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the target company;

·   Exposure to potential asset quality issues of the target company;

·   Difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the target company;

·   Potential disruption to our business;

·   Potential diversion of management’s time and attention;

·   The possible loss of key employees and customers of the target company;

·   Difficulty in estimating the value of the target company; and

·   Potential changes in banking or tax laws or regulations that may affect the target company.

Our controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented.

Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures.  Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met.  Any failure or circumvention of our controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Environmental liabilities with respect to properties on which we take title may have a material effect on our results of operations.

We could be subject to environmental liabilities on real estate properties we foreclose and take title in the normal course of our business.  In connection with environmental contamination, we may be held liable to governmental entities or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by these parties, or we may be required to investigate or clean-up hazardous or toxic substances at a property.  The investigation or remediation costs associated with such activities could be substantial.  Furthermore, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination even if we were the former owner of a contaminated site.  The incurrence of a significant environmental liability could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Confidential customer information transmitted through the Bank’s online banking service is vulnerable to security breaches and computer viruses, which could expose the Bank to litigation and adversely affect its reputation and ability to generate deposits.

The Bank provides its customers the ability to bank online.  The secure transmission of confidential information over the Internet is a critical element of online banking.  The Bank’s network could be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer viruses, phishing schemes and other security problems.  The Bank may be required to spend significant capital and other resources to protect against the threat of security breaches and computer viruses, or to alleviate problems caused by security breaches or viruses.  To the extent that the Bank’s activities or the activities of its customers involve the storage and transmission of confidential information, security breaches and viruses could expose the Bank to claims, litigation and other possible liabilities.  Any inability to prevent security breaches or computer viruses could also cause existing customers to lose confidence in the Bank’s systems and could adversely affect its reputation and ability to generate deposits.

We are dependent on our key personnel.

Our future operating results depend in large part on the continued services of our key personnel, including Steven R. Gardner, our President and Chief Executive Officer, who developed and implemented our new business strategy.  The loss of Mr. Gardner could have a negative impact on the success of our business strategy.  In addition, we rely upon the services of Eddie Wilcox, our Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer, and our ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel.  We do not maintain key-man life insurance on any employee other than Mr. Gardner.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to attract and retain the qualified personnel necessary for the development of our business.  The unexpected loss of services of our key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business because of their skills, knowledge of our market, years of industry experience and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel.  In addition, recent regulatory proposals and guidance relating to compensation may negatively impact our ability to retain and attract skilled personnel.

A natural disaster or recurring energy shortage, especially in California, could harm our business.

We are based in Irvine, California, and approximately 58% of our loans secured by real estate were located in California at December 31, 2014.  In addition, the computer systems that operate our Internet websites and some of their back-up systems are located in Irvine and San Diego, California.  Historically, California has been vulnerable to natural disasters.  Therefore, we are susceptible to the risks of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, wildfires, floods and mudslides.  Natural disasters could harm our operations directly through interference with communications, including the interruption or loss of our websites, which would prevent us from gathering deposits, originating loans and processing and controlling our flow of business, as well as through the destruction of facilities and our operational, financial and management information systems.  A natural disaster or recurring power outages may also impair the value of our largest class of assets, our loan portfolio, which is comprised substantially of real estate loans.  Uninsured or underinsured disasters may reduce borrowers’ ability to repay mortgage loans.  Disasters may also reduce the value of the real estate securing our loans, impairing our ability to recover on defaulted loans through foreclosure and making it more likely that we would suffer losses on defaulted loans.  California has also experienced energy shortages, which, if they recur, could impair the value of the real estate in those areas affected.  Although we have implemented several back-up systems and protections (and maintain business interruption insurance), these measures may not protect us fully from the effects of a natural disaster.  The occurrence of natural disasters or energy shortages in California could have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly, and this may make it difficult for you to resell your shares of common stock at times or at prices you find attractive.

Stock price volatility may make it difficult for holders of our common stock to resell their common stock when desired and at desirable prices.  Our stock price can fluctuate significantly in response to a variety of factors including, among other things:

·   Actual or anticipated variations in quarterly results of operations;

·   Recommendations by securities analysts;

·   Operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us;

·   News reports relating to trends, concerns and other issues in the financial services industry, including the failures of other financial institutions in the current economic downturn;

·   Perceptions in the marketplace regarding us and/or our competitors;

·   New technology used, or services offered, by competitors;

·   Significant acquisitions or business combinations, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments by or involving us or our competitors;

·   Failure to integrate acquisitions or realize anticipated benefits from acquisitions;

·   Changes in government regulations; and

·   Geopolitical conditions such as acts or threats of terrorism or military conflicts.

General market fluctuations, industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or recessions, interest rate changes or credit loss trends, could also cause our stock price to decrease regardless of operating results as evidenced by the current volatility and disruption of capital and credit markets.

A limited trading market has historically existed for our common stock, which could lead to significant price volatility.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “PPBI,” but there has historically been a relatively low trading volume in our common stock.  Although we recently issued additional shares of our common stock in our acquisition of Independence Bank that closed in January 2015, we may continue to experience a limited trading market for our common stock, which may cause fluctuations in the market value of our common stock to be exaggerated, leading to price volatility in excess of that which would occur in a more active trading market of our common stock.  Future sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of the common stock.  In addition, even if a more active market in our common stock develops, we cannot assure you that such a market will continue.

We have retained earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.

It is our policy to retain earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.  We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock.  In addition, in order to pay cash dividends over time to our stockholders, we would most likely need to obtain funds from the Bank.  The Bank’s ability, in turn, to pay dividends to us is subject to restrictions set forth in the Financial Code.  The Financial Code provides that a bank may not make a cash distribution to its stockholders in excess of the lesser of (1) a bank’s retained earnings; or (2) a bank’s net income for its last three fiscal years, less the amount of any distributions made by the bank or by any majority-owned subsidiary of the bank to the stockholders of the bank during such period.  However, a bank may, with the approval of the DBO, make a distribution to its stockholders in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (a) its retained earnings; (b) its net income for its last fiscal year; or (c) its net income for its current fiscal year.  In the event that banking regulators determine that the stockholders’ equity of a bank is inadequate or that the making of a distribution by the bank would be unsafe or unsound, the regulators may order the bank to refrain from making a proposed distribution.

Approval of the Federal Reserve is required for payment of any dividend by a state chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve Board System, such as the Bank, if the total of all dividends declared by the bank in any calendar year would exceed the total of its retained net income for that year combined with its retained net income for the preceding two years.  In addition, a state member bank may not pay a dividend in an amount greater than its undivided profits without regulatory and stockholder approval.  The Bank is also prohibited under federal law from paying any dividend that would cause it to become undercapitalized.

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

Location			Leased or Owned	Original Year Leased or Acquired	Date of Lease Expiration	Net Book Value of Property or Leasehold Improvements at December 31, 2014
Corporate Headquarters:	17901 Von Karman, Suites 200 & 1200	Irvine, CA 92614	Leased	2012	2020	$	1,274,220	(*)
Branch Office:	19011 Magnolia Street	Huntington Beach, CA  92646	Owned (a) (b)	2005	2023	$	788,900
Branch Office:	4957 Katella Avenue, Suite B	Los Alamitos, CA 90720	Leased	2005	2020	$	36,381
Branch Office:	4667 MacArthur Blvd.	Newport Beach, CA 92660	Leased	2005	2016	$	113,340
Branch Office:	74-150 Country Club Drive	Palm Desert, CA 92260	Owned	2011	N.A.	$	1,479,371
Branch Office:	73-745 El Paseo	Palm Desert, CA 92260	Leased	2012	2017	$	18,514
Branch Office:	1711 East Palm Canyon Drive	Palm Springs, CA 92264	Leased	2011	2016	$	20,548
Branch Office:	901 East Tahquitz Canyon Way	Palm Springs, CA 92262	Leased	2011	2018	$	25,864
Branch Office:	1598 E Highland Avenue	San Bernardino, CA 92404	Leased	1986	2015	$	108,130
Branch Office:	13928 Seal Beach Blvd.	Seal Beach, CA 90740	Leased	1999	2017	$	996
Branch Office:	2550 Fifth St., Ste 1010	San Diego, CA 92103	Leased	2013	2018	$	879,263
Branch Office:	781 Garden View Court St., Ste 100	Encinitas, CA 92024	Leased	2013	2017	$	19,109
Branch Office:	1110 Rosecrans St., Ste 101	Point Loma, CA 92106	Leased	2013	2015	$	11,204
HOA Office:	12001 N. Central Expressway, Ste 1165	Dallas, TX 75243	Leased	2013	2017	$	938
HOA Office:	300 Winding Brook Dr., 2nd Flr.	Glastonbury, CT 06033	Leased	2013	2018	$	16,427
Franchise Office:	123 Tice Blvd., #102	Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675	Leased	2014	2019	$	115,384
(a) The building is owned, but the land is leased on a long-term basis.
(b) During 2014 we leased to one tenant approximately 1,000 square feet of the 9,937 square feet of our Huntington Beach branch for $2,750 per month. Additionally we leased another tenant for approximately 1,724 square feet of the 9,937 square feet of our Huntington Beach branch for $3,448 per month commencing in August 2014.
* Tenant Improvement Allowance is $1.7 million as of 12/31/14.

All of our existing facilities are considered to be adequate for our present and anticipated future use.  In the opinion of management, all properties are adequately covered by insurance.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In February 2004, the Bank was named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit entitled “James Baker v. Century Financial, et al,” which alleged violations of the Missouri Second Mortgage Loan Act (the “MSMLA”) by the Bank’s predecessor, Life Bank.  The lawsuit alleged that Missouri homeowners were charged closing costs and related fees exceeding the amount permitted by the MSMLA.  While Life Bank did not originate these mortgages, it did ultimately own and service them for a period of time, which plaintiffs allege creates potential liability under the MSMLA.  The class action lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri in 2000.  The lawsuit seeks restitution of all improperly-charged closing fees and costs, prejudgment interest on improperly-charged closing fees and costs, restitution of all interest payments made by the homeowners, prejudgment interest on all interest paid by the homeowners, attorney’s fees, and punitive damages.  In March 2005, the Bank’s motion to dismiss based on statute of limitations arguments was denied by the trial court without a written opinion.  In August 2006, the Bank’s “preemption” motion -- claiming that federal law preempted and superseded the MSMLA as to these loans -- was also denied without a written opinion.  The Bank answered plaintiffs’ complaint, and the parties have exchanged and answered discovery requests.

After a lengthy period of inactivity, the Bank was contacted by plaintiffs’ counsel to schedule depositions and discovery, and prepare the case to go to trial in 2015.  The Board of Directors of the Company determined to establish a $1.7 million reserve related to the lawsuit during the fourth quarter of 2014, which the Board of Directors believes to be a reasonable estimate of the Company’s exposure as of December 31, 2014.

The Company is not involved in any other material pending legal proceedings other than legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.  Management believes that none of these legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

PART II

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

Price Range by Quarters

The common stock of the Corporation has been publicly traded since 1997 and is currently traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol PPBI.  However, trading in the common stock has not been extensive and such trades cannot be characterized as constituting an active trading market.

As of March 5, 2014, there were approximately 2,300 holders of record of our common stock.  The following table summarizes the range of the high and low closing sale prices per share of our common stock as quoted by the NASDAQ Global Select Market for the periods indicated.

		Sale Price of Common Stock
		High		Low
2013
First Quarter	…………………………………………………….	$	13.26	$	10.44
Second Quarter	…………………………………………………….	$	13.00	$	11.50
Third Quarter	…………………………………………………….	$	13.82	$	12.10
Fourth Quarter	…………………………………………………….	$	16.18	$	13.10
2014
First Quarter	…………………………………………………….	$	17.36	$	15.41
Second Quarter	…………………………………………………….	$	16.61	$	13.65
Third Quarter	…………………………………………………….	$	15.33	$	13.88
Fourth Quarter	…………………………………………………….	$	17.33	$	14.05

Stock Performance Graph.  The graph below compares the performance of our common stock with that of the NASDAQ Composite Index (U.S. companies) and the NASDAQ Bank Stocks Index from December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2014.  The graph is based on an investment of $100 in our common stock at its closing price on December 31, 2009.  The Corporation has not paid any dividends on its common stock.

Total Return Analysis	12/31/09		12/31/10		12/31/11		12/31/12		12/31/13		12/31/14
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.	$	100.00	$	191.72	$	187.57	$	302.96	$	465.68	$	512.72
NASDAQ Composite Index	$	100.00	$	117.55	$	117.91	$	137.29	$	183.26	$	206.09
NASDAQ Bank Stocks Index	$	100.00	$	111.35	$	83.04	$	111.88	$	152.85	$	170.93

Dividends

It is our policy to retain earnings, if any, to provide funds for use in our business.  We have never declared or paid dividends on our common stock.

Our ability to pay dividends on our common stock is dependent on the Bank’s ability to pay dividends to the Corporation.  Various statutory provisions restrict the amount of dividends that the Bank can pay without regulatory approval.  For information on the statutory and regulatory limitations on the ability of the Corporation to pay dividends to its stockholders and on the Bank to pay dividends to the Corporation, see “Item 1.  Business-Supervision and Regulation—Dividends” and “Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity.”

Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities

On June 25, 2012, the board of directors authorized its second stock repurchase program.  Under the repurchase program, management is authorized to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.  The program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice.

The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of us or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act) of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Month of Purchase	Total Number of shares purchased/ returned		Average price paid per share		Total number of shares repurchased as part of the publicly announced program		Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the program at end of month
October-2014		175,500	$	15.88		175,500		776,837
November-2014		500		16.15		500		776,337
December-2014		6,627		16.39		6,627		769,710
Total/Average		182,627	$	15.90		182,627		769,710

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth certain of our financial and statistical information at or for each of the years presented.  This data should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014 and related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in “Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
Operating Data	(in thousands)
Interest income	$	80,324		$	63,518		$	52,947		$	50,225		$	41,103
Interest expense		7,704			5,356			7,149			9,596			12,666
Net interest income		72,620			58,162			45,798			40,629			28,437
Provision for loan losses		4,684			1,860			751			3,255			2,092
Net interest income after provision for loans losses		67,936			56,302			45,047			37,374			26,345
Net gains (losses) from loan sales		6,300			3,228			628			(3,605	)		(3,332	)
Other noninterest income		8,092			5,865			11,944			10,118			2,256
Noninterest expense		54,993			50,815			31,854			26,904			18,948
Income before income tax		27,335			14,580			25,765			16,983			6,321
Income tax		10,719			5,587			9,989			6,411			2,083
Net income	$	16,616		$	8,993		$	15,776		$	10,572		$	4,238
	As of and For the Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012			2011			2010
Share Data	(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic	$	0.97		$	0.57		$	1.49		$	1.05		$	0.42
Diluted	$	0.96		$	0.54		$	1.44		$	0.99		$	0.38
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		17,046,660			15,798,885			10,571,073			10,092,181			10,033,836
Diluted		17,343,977			16,609,954			10,984,034			10,630,720			11,057,404
Book value per share (basic)	$	11.81		$	10.52		$	9.85		$	8.39		$	7.83
Book value per share (diluted)	$	11.73		$	10.44		$	9.75		$	8.34		$	7.18
Selected Balance Sheet Data
Total assets	$	2,038,897		$	1,714,187		$	1,173,792		$	961,128		$	826,816
Securities and FHLB stock		218,705			271,539			95,313			128,120			168,428
Loans held for sale, net		-			3,147			3,681			-			-
Loans held for investment, net		1,616,422			1,231,923			974,213			730,067			555,538
Allowance for loan losses		12,200			8,200			7,994			8,522			8,879
Total deposits		1,630,826			1,306,286			904,768			828,877			659,240
Total borrowings		186,953			214,401			125,810			38,810			78,810
Total stockholders' equity		199,592			175,226			134,517			86,777			78,602
Performance Ratios
Return on average assets		0.91	%		0.62	%		1.52	%		1.12	%		0.53	%
Return on average equity		8.76	%		5.61	%		16.34	%		12.91	%		5.57	%
Average equity to average assets		10.38	%		11.13	%		9.32	%		8.69	%		9.55	%
Equity to total assets at end of period		9.79	%		10.22	%		11.46	%		9.03	%		9.51	%
Average interest rate spread		3.97	%		4.00	%		4.41	%		4.49	%		3.67	%
Net interest margin		4.17	%		4.18	%		4.62	%		4.55	%		3.77	%
Efficiency ratio (1)		61.35	%		64.68	%		59.86	%		56.50	%		59.24	%
Average interest-earnings assets to average deposits and borrowings		144.60	%		146.75	%		129.01	%		104.74	%		105.88	%
Pacific Premier Bank Capital Ratios
Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets		11.29	%		10.03	%		12.07	%		9.44	%		10.29	%
Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets		12.72	%		12.34	%		12.99	%		11.68	%		14.12	%
Total capital to total risk-weighted assets		13.45	%		12.97	%		13.79	%		12.81	%		15.38	%
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. Capital Ratios
Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets		9.18	%		10.29	%		12.71	%		9.50	%		10.41	%
Tier 1 capital to total risk-weighted assets		10.30	%		12.54	%		13.61	%		11.69	%		14.16	%
Total capital to total risk-weighted assets		14.46	%		13.17	%		14.43	%		12.80	%		15.42	%
Asset Quality Ratios
Nonperforming loans, net, to gross loans		0.09	%		0.18	%		0.22	%		0.82	%		0.58	%
Nonperforming assets, net as a percent of total assets		0.12	%		0.20	%		0.38	%		0.76	%		0.40	%
Net charge-offs to average total loans, net		0.05	%		0.16	%		0.16	%		0.53	%		0.39	%
Allowance for loan losses to gross loans at period end		0.75	%		0.66	%		0.81	%		1.15	%		1.56	%
Allowance for loan losses as a percent of nonperforming loans, gross at period end		844.88	%		364.28	%		362.38	%		139.87	%		270.95	%
(1) Represents the ratio of noninterest expense less other real estate owned operations, core deposit intangible amortization and non-recurring merger related expense to the sum of net interest income before provision for loan losses and total noninterest income less gains/(loss) on sale of securities, other-than-temporary impairment recovery (loss) on investment securities, and gain on acquisitions.

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

Summary

Our principal business is attracting deposits from small and middle market businesses and consumers and investing those deposits together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, primarily in commercial business loans and various types of commercial real estate loans.  In 2015, the Company expects to fund substantially all of the loans that it originates or purchases through deposits, FHLB advances and other borrowings and internally generated funds.  Deposit flows and cost of funds are influenced by prevailing market rates of interest primarily on competing investments, account maturities and the levels of savings in the Company’s market area.  The Company generates the majority of its revenues from interest income on loans that it originates and purchases, income from investment in securities and service charges on customer accounts.  The Company’s revenues are partially offset by interest expense paid on deposits and borrowings, the provision for loan losses and noninterest expenses, such as operating expenses.  The Company’s operating expenses primarily consist of employee compensation and benefit expenses, premises and occupancy expenses, data processing and communication expenses and other general expenses.The Company's results of operations are also affected by prevailing economic conditions, competition, government policies and other actions of regulatory agencies.

Acquisitions

We have completed six acquisitions since 2010: CNB (FDIC-assisted, geographic expansion, closed February 2011), PDNB (FDIC-assisted, in market consolidation, closed April 2012), FAB (open bank, nationwide HOA line of business, closed March 2013), SDTB (open bank, geographic expansion, closed June 2013), Infinity (nationwide lender to franchisees in the QSR industry, closed January 2014) and Independence Bank (open bank, geographic expansion, closed January 2015, as further described below).  For further information concerning our acquisitions completed in fiscal year 2013, see Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof.  These acquisitions affect the comparability of our reported financial information as the operating results of the acquired entities are included in our operating results only from their respective acquisition dates.

Recent Developments

On October 22, 2014, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Independence Bank, a Newport Beach, California, based state-chartered bank with six branches located in Orange County and Riverside County.  This transaction will strengthen the Company’s competitive position as one of the premier banks headquartered in Southern California.  The acquisition was completed on January 26, 2015, whereby we acquired $424.0 million in total assets, $334.7 million in loans and $336.1 million in total deposits.  This transaction allowed us to acquire a commercial banking franchise in our backyard.  The Independence Bank branch locations will connect our existing footprint between Orange County and the broader Coachella Valley and represents an important element of our strategic growth plan by providing meaningful operational scale in our core markets.  The acquisition also allows us to deploy a portion of our current capital base into a compelling investment which we anticipate will produce attractive returns for shareholders.  Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of Independence Bank common stock was converted into the right to receive $13.75 per share in cash or 0.9259 shares of Company common stock, or a combination thereof, subject to the overall requirement that approximately 10% of the consideration will be in the form of cash and approximately 90% will be in the form of Company common stock.  The value of the total deal consideration was $78.5 million, which includes $6.1 million of cash consideration for Independence Bank common stockholders, $1.5 million of aggregate cash consideration to the holders of Independence Bank stock options and warrants, and the issuance of 4,480,645 shares of the Corporation’s common stock, which was valued at $70.9 million based on the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 26, 2015 of $15.83 per share.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We have established various accounting policies that govern the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements in Item 8 hereof.  The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in the Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.  Certain accounting policies require management to make estimates and assumptions that have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities; management considers these to be critical accounting policies.  The estimates and assumptions management uses are based on historical experience and other factors, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions, which could have a material impact on the carrying value of assets and liabilities at consolidated statements of financial condition dates and the Company’s results of operations for future reporting periods.

We consider the determination of ALLL to be among our critical accounting policies that require judicious estimates and assumptions in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements that is particularly susceptible to significant change.  For further information on the ALLL, see “Business—Allowances for Loan Losses” and Notes 1 and 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 hereof.

Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company maintains an ALLL at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide for known or inherent risks in the portfolio at the consolidated statements of financial condition date.  The Company has implemented and adheres to an internal asset review system and loss allowance methodology designed to provide for the detection of problem assets and an adequate allowance to cover loan losses.  Management’s determination of the adequacy of ALLL is based on an evaluation of the composition of the portfolio, actual loss experience, industry charge-off experience on income property loans, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors in the area in which the Company’s lending and real estate activities are based.  These factors may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay and the value of the underlying collateral.  The allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to loans held for investment according to loan program type and loan classification.  The loss factors are established based primarily upon the Bank’s historical loss experience and the industry charge-off experience and are evaluated on a quarterly basis.  Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s ALLL.  Such agencies may require the Bank to recognize additions to the allowance based on judgments different from those of management.  In the opinion of management, and in accordance with the credit loss allowance methodology, the present allowance is considered adequate to absorb estimable and probable credit losses.  Additions and reductions to the allowance are reflected in current operations.  Charge-offs to the allowance are made when specific assets are considered uncollectible or are transferred to OREO and the fair value of the property is less than the loan’s recorded investment.  Recoveries are credited to the allowance.

Although management uses the best information available to make these estimates, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions that may be beyond the Company’s control.

We account for acquisitions under the purchase accounting method.  All identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value.  We review each loan or loan pool acquired to determine whether there is evidence of deterioration in credit quality since inception and if it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due under the contractual loan agreements.  We consider expected prepayments and estimated cash flows including principal and interest payments at the date of acquisition.  The amount in excess of the estimated future cash flows is not accreted into earnings.  The amount in excess of the estimated future cash flows over the book value of the loan is accreted into interest income over the remaining life of the loan (accretable yield).  The Company records these loans on the acquisition date at their net realizable value.  Thus, an allowance for estimated future losses is not established on the acquisition date.  We refine our estimates of the fair value of loans acquired for up to one year from the date of acquisition.  Subsequent to the date of acquisition, we update the expected future cash flows on loans acquired.  Losses or a reduction in cash flow which arise subsequent to the date of acquisition are reflected as a charge through the provision for loan losses.  An increase in the expected cash flows adjusts the level of the accretable yield recognized on a prospective basis over the remaining life of the loan.

Operating Results

Overview.  For 2014, including non-recurring merger-related expenses of $864,000 associated with the pending acquisition of Independence Bank and $626,000 associated with the acquisition of Infinity, and a non-recurring $1.7 million litigation expense, the Company recorded net income of $16.6 million, or $0.96 per diluted share.  For 2013, including non-recurring merger-related expenses of $5.0 million associated with the acquisition of SDTB, $1.7 million associated with the acquisition of FAB and $203,000 associated with the acquisition of Infinity, the Company recorded net income of $9.0 million or $0.54 per share on a diluted basis.  For 2012, including a one-time bargain purchase gain of $5.3 million and a non-recurring merger-related expenses of $500,000, the Company recorded net income of $15.8 million or $1.44 per diluted share.

Excluding the one-time bargain purchase gain, non-recurring merger-related expenses and litigation expense detailed above, the Company reported adjusted net income for 2014 of $18.5 million or $1.07 per share on a diluted basis, compared with adjusted net income for 2013 of $13.3 million or $0.80 per share on a diluted basis and adjusted net income for 2012 of $12.5 million or $1.14 per share on a diluted basis.

The Company’s pre-tax income totaled $27.3 million in 2014, compared with a pre-tax income of $14.6 million in 2013.  The $12.8 million increase in the Company’s pre-tax income for 2014, compared to 2013 was primarily due to:

·   Higher net interest income of $14.5 million which was primarily related to an increase in interest earning assets from organic growth as well as acquisitive growth;

·   Higher noninterest income primarily from an increase in net gains from the sales of loans of $3.1 million and an increase in loan servicing fees of $1.3 million and settlement proceeds of $1.1 million related to properties received from our FDIC-assisted acquisitions; and

·   Lower non-recurring merger-related expenses of $5.4 million associated with our acquisition activities.

These increases to the Company’s pre-tax income for 2014 were partially offset by higher operating expenses primarily from compensation and benefits of $5.7 million, primarily related to an increase in staff from our acquisition activity and internal growth, an established litigation expense of $1.7 million within our other expense category and higher deposit expenses of $1.1 million related to increase in deposit balances.  In addition, our provision expense increased by $2.8 million, primarily related to our growth in the loan portfolio.

The Company’s pre-tax income totaled $14.6 million in 2013, compared with a pre-tax income of $25.8 million in 2012.  The $11.2 million decrease in the Company’s pre-tax income for 2013, compared to 2012 was primarily due to:

·   Higher compensation and benefits expenses of $6.9 million in 2013, primarily related to an increase in staff from our acquisition activity and internal growth;

·   Higher merger related expenses in 2013 of $6.4 million related to the FAB and SDTB acquisitions;

·   A bargain purchase gain in 2012 of $5.3 million related to the Palm Desert National Acquisition;

·   Increases in premises and occupancy expenses of $1.7 million, deposit expenses of $1.6 million, other expenses of $1.6 million and data processing and communications expense of $1.1 million, all of which are related to acquisition activity and organic growth in 2013; and

·   Higher provision for loan losses of $1.1 million in 2013.

These decreases to the Company’s pre-tax income for 2013 were partially offset by higher net interest income of $11.2 million, which was primarily related to an increase in interest earning assets from our acquisition activity and organic growth, higher net gains from the sales of loans of $2.6 million and lower expense in OREO operations of $1.0 million.

For 2014, our return on average assets was 0.91% and our return on average equity was 8.76%.  These returns were up from our 2013 returns of 0.62% on average assets and 5.61% on average equity, but down from our 2012 returns of 1.52% on average assets and 16.34% on average equity.

Excluding the one-time bargain purchase gain, non-recurring merger-related expenses and litigation expense detailed above, the Company’s 2014 adjusted return on average assets was 1.01% and adjusted return on average equity was 9.77%, compared with an adjusted return on average assets of 0.92% and an adjusted return on average equity of 8.27% for 2013 and an adjusted return on average assets of 1.21% and an adjusted return on average equity of 12.99% for 2012.

Net Interest Income.  Our primary source of revenue is net interest income, which is the difference between the interest and dividends earned on loans, mortgage-backed securities and investment securities (“interest-earning assets”) and the interest paid on deposits and borrowings (“interest-bearing liabilities”).  The difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities (“net interest rate spread”) and the relative dollar amount of these assets and liabilities principally affects our net interest income.

For 2014, net interest income totaled $72.6 million, up $14.5 million or 24.9% over net interest income in 2013.  The increase reflected an increase in interest-earning assets of $349.2 million, partially offset by a decrease in the net interest margin of 1 basis point to 4.17%.  The increase in interest-earning assets was primarily related to our organic loan growth and a full year’s impact from our acquisitions of SDTB and FAB in 2013 and our acquisition of Infinity in early 2014.  The decrease in net interest margin is mainly attributable to an increase in borrowing costs of 22 basis points, which increased interest-bearing liability costs by 8 basis points.  This increase in borrowing costs was partially offset by an increase in yield on average interest-earning assets of 5 basis points, primarily from deploying liquidity received in our acquisitions during 2013 to create a higher mix of loans, partially offset by a lower yield on loans of 32 basis points.  The lower loan yield primarily related to interest rates on loan originations during 2013 and 2014 that produced yields lower than the average yield on our existing loan portfolio.

For 2013, net interest income totaled $58.2 million, up $12.4 million or 27.0% over net interest income in 2012.  The increase reflected an increase in interest-earning assets of $400.0 million, partially offset by a decrease in the net interest margin of 44 basis points to 4.18%.  The increase in interest-earning assets was primarily related to the acquisitions of FAB and SDTB and our organic loan growth.  The decrease in net interest margin is mainly attributable to a decrease in yield on average interest-earning assets of 78 basis points, primarily from a higher mix of lower yielding investment securities and cash, which were acquired in our acquisitions of FAB and SDTB, and a decrease in our loan portfolio yield.  The weighted average loan portfolio rate at the end of 2013 was 4.95%, 49 basis points lower than the weighted average loan portfolio rate at the end of 2012 and primarily reflected lower rates on loan originations during the period.  Partially offsetting the lower yield on average interest-earning assets was a decrease in deposit costs of 34 basis points primarily resulting from an improved mix of lowerdeposits acquired from FAB and SDTB and lower pricing on certificates of deposit.

The following table presents for the periods indicated the average dollar amounts from selected balance sheet categories calculated from daily average balances and the total dollar amount, including adjustments to yields and costs, of:

·   Interest income earned from average interest-earning assets and the resultant yields; and

·   Interest expense incurred from average interest-bearing liabilities and resultant costs, expressed as rates.

The table also sets forth our net interest income, net interest rate spread and net interest rate margin for the periods indicated.  The net interest rate spread represents the difference between the yield on interest-earning assets and the cost of interest-bearing liabilities.  The net interest rate margin reflects the relative level of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities and equals our net interest rate spread divided by average interest-earning assets for the year.

	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2014							2013							2012
	Average				Average			Average				Average			Average				Average
	Balance		Interest		Yield/Cost			Balance		Interest		Yield/Cost			Balance		Interest		Yield/Cost
	(dollars in thousands)
Assets
Interest-earning assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	81,035	$	140		0.17	%	$	93,272	$	184		0.20	%	$	63,485	$	110		0.17	%
Federal funds sold		255		1		0.39	%		26		-		0.00	%		27		-		0.00	%
Investment securities		244,854		5,447		2.22	%		266,854		5,527		2.07	%		142,534		3,178		2.23	%
Loans receivable, net (1)		1,414,973		74,736		5.28	%		1,031,740		57,807		5.60	%		785,880		49,659		6.32	%
Total interest-earning assets		1,741,117		80,324		4.61	%		1,391,892		63,518		4.56	%		991,926		52,947		5.34	%
Noninterest-earning assets		86,818							49,663							44,203
Total assets	$	1,827,935						$	1,441,555						$	1,036,129
Liabilities and Equity
Interest-bearing deposits:
Interest checking	$	134,056	$	161		0.12	%	$	94,718	$	116		0.12	%	$	56,061	$	82		0.15	%
Money market		469,123		1,442		0.31	%		367,769		1,017		0.28	%		166,787		724		0.43	%
Savings		75,068		110		0.15	%		78,815		123		0.16	%		86,619		269		0.31	%
Time		377,333		3,324		0.88	%		325,439		2,809		0.86	%		411,442		4,778		1.16	%
Total interest-bearing deposits		1,055,580		5,037		0.48	%		866,741		4,065		0.47	%		720,909		5,853		0.81	%
FHLB advances and other borrowings		117,694		1,124		0.96	%		71,447		984		1.38	%		37,654		970		2.58	%
Subordinated debentures		30,858		1,543		5.00	%		10,310		307		2.98	%		10,310		326		3.16	%
Total borrowings		148,552		2,667		1.80	%		81,757		1,291		1.58	%		47,964		1,296		2.70	%
Total interest-bearing liabilities		1,204,132		7,704		0.64	%		948,498		5,356		0.56	%		768,873		7,149		0.93	%
Noninterest-bearing		415,983						$	318,985						$	160,851
Other liabilities		18,161							13,681							9,848
Total liabilities		1,638,276							1,281,164							939,572
Stockholders' equity		189,659							160,391							96,557
Total liabilities and equity	$	1,827,935						$	1,441,555						$	1,036,129
Net interest income			$	72,620						$	58,162						$	45,798
Net interest rate spread						3.97	%						4.00	%						4.41	%
Net interest margin						4.17	%						4.18	%						4.62	%
Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities						144.60	%						146.75	%						129.01	%
(1) Average balance includes loans held for sale and nonperforming loans and is net of deferred loan origination fees, unamortized discounts and premiums, and ALLL.

Changes in our net interest income are a function of changes in both volumes and rates of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  The following table presents the impact the volume and rate changes have had on our net interest income for the years indicated.  For each category of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, we have provided information on changes to our net interest income with respect to:

·   Changes in volume (changes in volume multiplied by prior rate);

·   Changes in interest rates (changes in interest rates multiplied by prior volume); and

·   The change or the combined impact of volume and rate changes allocated proportionately to changes in volume and changes in interest rates.

	Year Ended December 31, 2014									Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Compared to									Compared to
	Year Ended December 31, 2013									Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Increase (decrease) due to									Increase (decrease) due to
	Average			Average						Average			Average
	Rate			Volume			Net			Rate			Volume			Net
	(in thousands)
Interest-earning assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	(19	)	$	(25	)	$	(44	)	$	15		$	59		$	74
Federal funds sold		1			-			1			-			-			-
Investment securities		389			(469	)		(80	)		(243	)		2,592			2,349
Loans receivable, net		(3,467	)		20,396			16,929			(6,120	)		14,268			8,148
Total interest-earning assets		(3,096	)		19,902			16,806			(6,348	)		16,919			10,571
Interest-bearing liabilities
Transaction accounts		113			344			457			(476	)		657			181
Retail certificates of deposit		65			450			515			(1,088	)		(881	)		(1,969	)
FHLB advances and other borrowings		(363	)		503			140			(590	)		604			14
Subordinated debentures		314			922			1,236			(19	)		-			(19	)
Total interest-bearing liabilities		129			2,219			2,348			(2,173	)		380			(1,793	)
Changes in net interest income	$	(3,225	)	$	17,683		$	14,458		$	(4,175	)	$	16,539		$	12,364

Provision for Loan Losses.  For 2014, we recorded a $4.7 million provision for loan losses, up from $1.9 million recorded in 2013.  The $2.8 million increase in the provision for loan losses was primarily attributable to the growth in our loan portfolio during the year, and to a lesser extent, the change in our loan composition.  Net loan charge-offs for 2014 amounted to $684,000, down from $1.7 million in 2013.

For 2013, we recorded a $1.9 million provision for loan losses, up from $751,000 recorded in 2012.  The $1.1 million increase in the provision for loan losses was primarily attributable to the growth in our loan portfolio during the period, including the loans acquired from FAB and SDTB.  Net loan charge-offs for 2013 amounted to $1.7 million, up from $1.3 million in 2012.  Charge-offs in 2013 were primarily attributable to loans that we acquired from our FDIC-assisted transactions.

Noninterest Income.  For 2014, noninterest income totaled $14.4 million, up $5.3 million or 58.3% from 2013.  The increase was primarily related to gain on sale of loans of $3.1 million, loan servicing fees of $1.3 million and other income of $957,000.  During 2014, we sold $54.1 million in SBA loans at a 10% overall premium and $37.5 million in commercial real estate and multifamily loans at an overall premium of 3%, compared to 2013 in which we sold $24.6 million in SBA and government guaranteed loans at an overall premium of 12% and $10.8 million in commercial real estate and multifamily loans at an overall premium of 2%.  The increase in loan servicing fees primarily related to increased loans and higher prepayment fees in 2014, compared to those in 2013.  The increase in other income primarily related to a $1.1 million in settlement proceeds recorded in 2014 related to properties received from our FDIC-assisted acquisitions.

For 2013, noninterest income totaled $9.1 million, down from $12.6 million recorded in 2012.  The decrease of $3.5 million or 27.8% was primarily related to the one-time bargain purchase gain of $5.3 million recorded from the acquisition of PDNB in 2012, the net gain of $597,000 from the sale of our corporate offices and associated fixed assets in 2012 and lower net gains from the sale of investment securities of $409,000 in 2013, partially offset by an increase in gain on sale of loans of $2.6 million.

Noninterest Expense.  For 2014, noninterest expense totaled $55.0 million, up $4.2 million or 8.2% from 2013.  The increase was primarily due to the full year’s impact of expenses added as a result of the acquisitions of SDTB and FAB and the acquisition of Infinity in the first quarter of 2014, along with costs associated with organic growth that included the expansion of our lending platform to increase loan production throughout 2013 and 2014.  The increase in noninterest expense in 2014 was primarily comprised of higher compensation and benefits costs of $5.7 million; higher other expense of $2.2 million, which includes a $1.7 million litigation expense; higher deposit expenses of $1.1 million; higher premises and occupancy expense of $811,000; and higher professional expense of $377,000.  Concerning the $1.7 million litigation expense, the Board of Directors of the Company determined to establish a $1.7 million expense related to the lawsuit, which is discussed in more detail in Item 3 above, during the fourth quarter of 2014, which the Board of Directors believes to be a reasonable estimate of the Company’s exposure concerning this lawsuit as of December 31, 2014.  Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in non-recurring merger-related expense of $5.4 million, lower data processing and communications costs of $510,000, primarily associated with lower negotiated core system provider costs, and lower other real estate owned operations of $543,000.

For 2013, noninterest expense totaled $50.8 million, up $19.0 million or 59.5% from 2012.  The increase included non-recurring merger-related expenses of $6.9 million in 2013, compared to $500,000 in 2012.  Excluding OREO operations and legal, audit and professional expense, each of the other categories of noninterest expense increased in 2013 primarily due to costs associated with the acquisitions of FAB and SDTB and costs associated with the expansion of our lending platform to increase loan production.  Other real estate owned operations decreased $1.0 million primarily related to less activity in the category.

Our efficiency ratio was 61.35% for 2014, compared to 64.68% for 2013 and 57.41% for 2012.  The increase in the efficiency ratio in 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily related to the time required to redeploy the liquidity received from the acquisitions we completed in 2013 and the expansion of our lending platform to increase loan production.

Income Taxes.  The Company recorded income taxes of $10.7 million in 2014, compared with $5.6 million in 2013 and $10.0 million in 2012.  Our effective tax rate was 39.2% for 2014, 38.3% for 2013, and 38.8% for 2012.  The effective tax rate in each year is affected by various items, including enterprise zone net interest deductions, interest expense related to payments of prior year taxes, and adjustments to income tax reserves related to management’s favorable assessment of our income tax exposure.  The net impact of these items were expense reductions of $358,000 in 2014, $265,000 in 2013, $755,000 in 2012.  See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for further discussion of income taxes and an explanation of the factors which impact our effective tax rate.

Financial Condition

At December 31, 2014, total assets of the Company were $2.0 billion, up $324.7 million or 18.9% from total assets of $1.7 billion at December 31, 2013The increase in assets since year-end 2013 was primarily related to the increase in loans held for investment of $388.5 million associated with organic loan growth and the acquisition of Infinity, which added assets at the acquisition date of $80.2 million, including $78.8 million in loans.  Partially offsetting these increases in assets was a reduction in investment securities available for sale of $54.5 million and cash and cash equivalents of $15.9 million.

Investment securities available for sale totaled $201.6 million at December 31, 2014, down $54.5 million or 21.3% from December 31, 2013.  The decrease in investment securities since year-end 2013 was primarily due to sales of $164.8 million and principal pay downs of $28.7 million, partially offset by purchases of $135.6 million.  In general, the purchase of investment securities primarily related to investing excess liquidity from our banking operations, while the sales were made to help fund loan production, which improved our interest-earning asset mix, and helped to prepare for the Independence Bank acquisition, which closed in January 2015.  The total end of period weighted average interest rate on investments at December 31, 2014 was 1.95%, compared to 2.21% at December 31, 2013.

Net loans held for investment totaled $1.6 billion at December 31, 2014, an increase of $384.5 million or 31.2% from December 31, 2013.  The increase in loans from December 31, 2013 included $78.8 million of C&I loans from our acquisition of Infinity, as well as organic growth in real estate loans of $110.6 million, C&I loans of $241.2 million, warehouse facilities loans of $26.3 million and SBA loans of $17.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in commercial owner occupied loans of $10.1 million.  The total end of period weighted average interest rate on loans at December 31, 2014 was 4.91%, compared to 4.95% at December 31, 2013.

At December 31, 2014, total deposits were $1.6 billion, up $324.5 million or 24.8% from December 31, 2013.  The increase in deposits since year-end 2013 included increases in money market of $98.7 million, noninterest bearing checking of $90.0 million, brokered certificates of deposit of $72.4 million and retail certificates of deposit of $54.6 million.  The brokered deposits were raised in the third and fourth quarter of 2014 to lengthen the overall maturity of our liabilities and support our interest rate risk management strategies.  These brokered deposits had a weighted average term of 18 months at closing and at an all-in cost of 66 basis points.  These deposit decreased the mix of our transaction accounts to 72.9% of total deposits at December 31, 2014, down from 75.9% at December 31, 2013.  The total end of period weighted average interest rate on deposits at December 31, 2014 was 0.36%, compared to 0.33% at December 31, 2013.

At December 31, 2014, total borrowings amounted to $187.0 million, down $27.4 million or 12.8% from December 31, 2013.  The decrease in borrowings at December 31, 2014 from 2013 was primarily related to a decrease in FHLB overnight advances.  On August 29, 2014, the Company completed the issuance of $60 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% subordinated notes due September 3, 2024 in a private placement transaction.  The net proceeds of the offering were approximately $59 million and are being used for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, contribution of capital to the Bank of $40 million to support both organic growth as well as acquisition activities.  Additionally, toward the end of the third quarter of 2014, we locked in borrowings from the FHLB of $25.0 million at 60 basis points for 18 months and $25.0 million at 84 basis points for 2 years.  These borrowings lengthen the overall maturity of our liabilities and support our interest rate risk management strategies as well as leverage our balance sheet for future growth.  At December 31, 2014, total borrowings represented 9.2% of total assets and had an end of period weighted average cost of 2.74%, compared with 12.5% of total assets at a weighted average cost of 0.63% at December 31, 2013.

At December 31, 2014, our stockholders’ equity amounted to $199.6 million, compared with $175.2 million at December 31, 2013.  The increase of $24.4 million or 13.9% in is primarily due to net income in 2014 of $16.6 million, an increase in additional paid-in capital of $4.2 million, primarily associated with the issuance of common stock in the IFC acquisition which was partially offset by repurchase of common stock during 2014, and improvement in unrealized loss on investment securities net of tax of $3.6 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) category.

Liquidity

Our primary sources of funds are principal and interest payments on loans, deposits, FHLB advances and other borrowings.  While maturities and scheduled amortization of loans are a predictable source of funds, deposit flows and loan prepayments are greatly influenced by general interest rates, economic conditions and competition.  We seek to maintain a level of liquid assets to ensure a safe and sound operation.  Our liquid assets are comprised of cash and unpledged investments.  As part of our daily monitoring, we calculate a liquidity ratio by dividing the sum of cash balances plus unpledged securities by the sum of deposits that mature in one year or less plus transaction accounts and FHLB advances.  At December 31, 2014, our liquidity ratio was 14.93%, compared with 15.90% at December 31, 2013.

We believe our level of liquid assets is sufficient to meet current anticipated funding needs.  At December 31, 2014, liquid assets of the Company represented approximately 11.8% of total assets, compared to 13.0% at December 31, 2013.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had seven unsecured lines of credit with other correspondent banks to purchase federal funds totaling $82.0 million, one reverse repo line with a correspondent bank of $50.0 million and access through the Federal Reserve Bank discount window to borrow $3.3 million, as business needs dictate.  We also have a line of credit with the FHLB allowing us to borrow up to 45% of the Bank’s total assets.  At December 31, 2014, we had a borrowing capacity of $527.4 million, based on collateral pledged at the FHLB, with $70.0 million outstanding in FHLB borrowing.  The FHLB advance line is collateralized by eligible loans and FHLB stock.  At December 31, 2014, we had approximately $618.6 million of collateral pledged to secure FHLB borrowings.

At December 31, 2014, we had outstanding commitments to originate or purchase loans for $355.0 million, compared with $18.0 million at December 31, 2013.

At December 31, 2014, the Company’s loan to deposit and borrowing ratio was 89.6%, compared with 81.8% at December 31, 2013.  The increase in the ratio from year-end 2013 to 2014 was primarily associated with our loans increasing at a faster rate relative to our deposits and borrowings during the period.  Certificates of deposit, which are scheduled to mature in one year or less from December 31, 2014, totaled $285.9 million.  We expect to retain a substantial portion of the maturing certificates of deposit at maturity.

The Company has a policy in place that permits the purchase of brokered funds, in an amount not to exceed 5% of total deposits, as a secondary source for funding.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had $72.4 million in brokered time deposits.  At December 31, 2013, there were no brokered time deposits outstanding.

The Corporation is a corporate entity separate and apart from the Bank that must provide for its own liquidity.  The Corporation’s primary sources of liquidity are dividends from the Bank.  There are statutory and regulatory provisions that limit the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to the Corporation.  Management believes that such restrictions will not have a material impact on the ability of the Corporation to meet its ongoing cash obligations.

The Financial Code provides that a bank may not make a cash distribution to its stockholders in excess of the lesser of a (i) bank’s retained earnings; or (ii) bank’s net income for its last three fiscal years, less the amount of any distributions made by the bank or by any majority-owned subsidiary of the bank to the stockholders of the bank during such period.  However, a bank may, with the approval of the DBO, make a distribution to its stockholders in an amount not exceeding the greatest of (x) its retained earnings; (y) its net income for its last fiscal year; or (z) its net income for its current fiscal year.  In the event that the DBO determines that the stockholders’ equity of a bank is inadequate or that the making of a distribution by the bank would be unsafe or unsound, the DBO may order the bank to refrain from making a proposed distribution.  Under these provisions, the amount available for distribution from the Bank to the Corporation was approximately $45.9 million at December 31, 2014.

Capital Resources

The Corporation and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can trigger certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

At December 31, 2014, the Bank’s leverage capital amounted to $221.5 million and risk-based capital amounted to $234.1 million.  At December 31, 2013, the Bank’s leverage capital was $160.5 million and risk-based capital was $168.7 million.  Pursuant to regulatory guidelines under prompt corrective action rules, a bank must have total risk-based capital of 10.00% or greater, Tier 1 risk-based capital of 6.00% or greater and Tier I capital to adjusted tangible assets of 5.00% or greater to be considered ‘‘well capitalized.’’  At December 31, 2014, the Bank’s total risk-based capital ratio was 13.45%, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 12.72% and Tier I to adjusted tangible assets capital ratio was 11.29%.  See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for a discussion of the Bank’s and Company’s capital ratios.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The Company enters into contractual obligations in the normal course of business as a source of funds for its asset growth and to meet required capital needs.  The following schedule summarizes maturities and payments due on our obligations and commitments, excluding accrued interest, at the date indicated:

	At December 31, 2014
	Less than 1 year		1 - 3 years		3 - 5 years		More than 5 years		Total
	(in thousands)
Contractual Obligations
FHLB advances	$	20,000	$	50,000	$	-	$	-	$	70,000
Other borrowings		18,143		-		28,500		-		46,643
Subordinated debentures		-		-		-		70,310		70,310
Certificates of deposit		285,907		152,796		2,405		565		441,673
Operating leases		3,023		5,089		3,608		736		12,456
Total contractual cash obligations	$	327,073	$	207,885	$	34,513	$	71,611	$	641,082

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The following table summarizes our contractual commitments with off-balance sheet risk by expiration period at the date indicated:

	At December 31, 2014
	Less than 1 year		1 - 3 years		3 - 5 years		More than 5 years		Total
	(in thousands)
Other unused commitments
Commercial and industrial	$	74,083	$	16,448	$	772	$	48,841	$	140,144
Warehouse facilities		-		-		-		105,261		105,261
Commercial non-owner occupied		875		-		-		71		946
Multi-family		44		22		8,000		-		8,066
One-to-four family		296		1,244		50		6,968		8,558
Construction		28,239		44,719		-		9,106		82,064
Other loans		441		-		6		1,548		1,995
Standby letters of credit		488		-		-		7,502		7,990
Total commitments	$	104,466	$	62,433	$	8,828	$	179,297	$	355,024

See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 hereof for narrative disclosure regarding off-balance sheet arrangements.

Impact of Inflation and Changing Prices

Our consolidated financial statements and related data presented in this annual report on Form 10-K have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States which require the measurement of financial position and operating results in terms of historical dollar amounts (except with respect to securities classified as available for sale which are carried at market value) without considering the changes in the relative purchasing power of money over time due to inflation. The impact of inflation is reflected in the increased cost of our operations.  Unlike most industrial companies, substantially all of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature.  As a result, interest rates have a greater impact on our performance than do the effects of general levels of inflation.  Interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or to the same magnitude as the price of goods and services.

Impact of New Accounting Standards

See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 hereof for a listing of recently issued accounting pronouncements and the impact of them on the Company.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Asset/Liability Management and Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss or reduced earnings from adverse changes in market prices and interest rates.  Our market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk in our lending and deposit taking activities.  Interest rate risk primarily occurs to the degree that our interest-bearing liabilities reprice or mature on a different basis and frequency than our interest-earning assets.  Since our earnings depend primarily on our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest and dividends earned on interest-earning assets and the interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities, our principal objectives are to actively monitor and manage the effects of adverse changes in interest rates on net interest income.

In addition to the interest rate risk associated with our lending for investment and deposit-taking activities, we also have market risk associated with loans held for sale.  Changes in interest rates, primarily fixed rate loans, impact the fair value of loans held for sale.  Rising interest rates typically result in a decrease in loan market value while declining interest rates typically result in an increase in loan market value.

Our Asset/Liability Committee is responsible for implementing the Bank’s interest rate risk management policy which sets forth limits established by the board of directors of acceptable changes in net interest income and economic value of equity (“EVE”) from specified changes in interest rates.  Our Asset/Liability Committee reviews, among other items, economic conditions, the interest rate outlook, the demand for loans, the availability of deposits and borrowings, and our current operating results, liquidity, capital and interest rate exposure.  Based on these reviews, our Asset/Liability Committee formulates a strategy that is intended to implement the objectives set forth in our business plan without exceeding the net interest income and EVE limits set forth in our guidelines approved by our board of directors.

Interest Rate Risk Management.  The principal objective of the Company’s interest rate risk management function is to evaluate the interest rate risk included in certain balance sheet accounts, determine the level of appropriate risk and manage the risk consistent with prudent asset and liability concentration guidelines approved by our board of directors.  We monitor asset and liability maturities and repricing characteristics on a regular basis and review various simulations and other analyses to determine the potential impact of various business strategies in controlling the Company’s interest rate risk and the potential impact of those strategies upon future earnings under various interest rate scenarios.  Our primary strategy in managing interest rate risk is to emphasize the origination for investment of adjustable rate loans or loans with relatively short maturities.  Interest rates on adjustable rate loans are primarily tied to 3-month or 6-month LIBOR index, 12-month moving average of yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year ("MTA") index and the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate (“Prime”) index.  Also as part of this strategy, we seek to lengthen our deposit maturities when deposit rates are considered in the lower end of the interest rate cycle and shorten our deposit maturities when deposit rates are considered in the higher end of the interest rate cycle.

Management monitors its interest rate risk as such risk relates to its operational strategies.  The Company’s board of directors reviews on a quarterly basis the Company’s asset/liability position, including simulations of the effect on the Bank’s capital in various interest rate scenarios.  The extent of the movement of interest rates, higher or lower, is an uncertainty that could have a negative impact on the earnings of the Company.  If interest rates rise we may be subject to interest rate spread compression, which would adversely impact our net interest income.  This is primarily due to the lag in repricing of the indices, to which our adjustable rate loans and mortgage-backed securities are tied, as well as the repricing frequencies and interest rate caps and floors on these adjustable rate loans and mortgage-backed securities.  The extent of the interest rate spread compression depends, among other things, upon the frequency and severity of such interest rate fluctuations.

Economic Value of Equity.  The Company’s interest rate sensitivity is monitored by management through the use of a model that estimates the change in the Company’s EVE under alternative interest rate scenarios, primarily non-parallel interest rate shifts over a twelve month period in 100 basis point increments.  The model computes the net present value of capital by discounting all expected cash flows from assets, liabilities under each rate scenario.  First, we estimate our net interest income for the next twelve months and the current EVE assuming no change in interest rates from those at period end.  Once this "base-case" has been estimated, we make calculations for each of the defined changes in interest rates and include any anticipated differences in the prepayment speeds of loans.  We then compare those results against the base case to determine the estimated change to net interest income and EVE due to the changes in interest rates.  An EVE ratio is defined as the EVE divided by the market value of assets within the same scenario.  The sensitivity measure is the largest decline in the EVE ratio, measured in basis points, caused by an increase or decrease in rates, and the higher an institution’s sensitivity measure, the greater exposure it has to interest rate risk.

The following table shows the EVE and projected change in the EVE of the Company at December 31, 2014, assuming non-parallel interest rate shifts over a twelve month period of 100, 200, and 300 basis points ("BP"):

As of December 31, 2014
(dollars in thousands)
												EVE as % of Portfolio
Economic Value of Equity												Value of Assets
Change in Rates	$ Amount		$ Change			% Change			EVE Ratio			% Change (BP)
+300 BP	$	396,950	$	31,890			8.7	%		20.14	%	279 BP
+200 BP		400,681		35,621			9.8	%		19.94	%	259 BP
+100 BP		396,981		31,921			8.7	%		19.38	%	203 BP
Static		365,060		--			--			17.35	%	--
-100 BP		342,855		(22,205	)		(6.1	)%		16.08	%	-127 BP
-200 BP		308,308		(56,752	)		(15.5	)%		14.42	%	-293 BP
-300 BP		279,282		(85,778	)		(23.5	)%		13.04	%	-431 BP

It is important to note that the above table is a summary of several forecasts and actual results may vary.  The forecasts are based on estimates and assumptions of Management that may turn out to be different and may change over time.  Factors affecting these estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to (1) competitor behavior, (2) economic conditions both locally and nationally, (3) actions taken by the Federal Reserve, (4) customer behavior and (5) Management’s responses.  Changes that vary significantly from the assumptions and estimates may have significant effects on the Company’s EVE.  Although the EVE measurement provides an indication of the Company’s interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurement is not intended to provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on the Company’s net interest income and will differ from actual results.

Selected Assets and Liabilities which are Interest Rate Sensitive.The following table provides information regarding the Company’s primary categories of assets and liabilities that are sensitive to changes in interest rates for the year ended December 31, 2014.  The information presented reflects the expected cash flows of the primary categories by year, including the related weighted average interest rate.  The cash flows for loans are based on maturity and re-pricing date.  The loans and MBSs that have adjustable rate features are presented in accordance with their next interest-repricing date.  Cash flow information on interest-bearing liabilities, such as passbooks, NOW accounts and money market accounts is also adjusted for expected decay rates, which are based on historical information.  In addition, for purposes of cash flow presentation, premiums or discounts on purchased assets and mark-to-market adjustments are excluded from the amounts presented.  All certificates of deposit and borrowings are presented by maturity date.  The weighted average interest rates for the various assets and liabilities presented are based on the actual rates that existed at December 31, 2014.  The degree of market risk inherent in loans with prepayment features may not be completely reflected in the disclosures.  Although we have taken into consideration historical prepayment trends adjusted for current market conditions to determine expected maturity categories, changes in prepayment behavior can be triggered by changes in many variables, including market rates of interest.  Unexpected changes in these variables may increase or decrease the rate of prepayments from those anticipated.  As such, the potential loss from such market rate changes may be significantly larger.

	At December 31, 2014
	Maturities and Repricing
	2015			2016			2017			2018			2019						Total			Fair
	Year 1			Year 2			Year 3			Year 4			Year 5			Thereafter			Balance			Value
	(dollars in thousands)
Selected Assets
Investments and federal funds, other than MBS	$	17,342		$	1,297		$	1,998		$	4,942		$	4,652		$	76,772		$	107,003		$	107,003
Weighted average interest rate		2.82	%		0.90	%		1.42	%		1.05	%		1.46	%		2.09	%		2.11	%
Mortgage - backed securities Fixed rate	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	103,051		$	103,051		$	103,051
Weighted average interest rate		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		1.91	%		1.91	%
Mortgage - backed securities Adjustable rate	$	4,615		$	2,210		$	2,101		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	8,926		$	8,926
Weighted average interest rate		0.64	%		0.63	%		1.15	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.76	%
Gross Loans - fixed rate	$	24,573		$	7,947		$	23,676		$	7,384		$	29,162		$	201,108		$	293,850		$	198,513
Weighted average interest rate		6.42	%		6.03	%		6.22	%		4.34	%		5.63	%		5.21	%		5.43	%
Gross Loans - adjustable rate	$	566,368		$	37,240		$	167,384		$	220,411		$	194,293		$	148,899		$	1,334,595		$	1,918,206
Weighted average interest rate		4.97	%		4.45	%		4.54	%		4.68	%		4.85	%		4.65	%		4.80	%
Total interest-sensitive assets	$	612,898		$	48,694		$	195,159		$	232,737		$	228,107		$	529,830		$	1,847,425		$	2,335,699
Weighted average interest rate		4.93	%		4.44	%		4.67	%		4.59	%		4.88	%		3.96	%		4.56	%
Selected Liabilities
Interest-bearing transaction accounts	$	732,399		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	732,399		$	1,216,847
Weighted average interest rate		0.27	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.27	%
Certificates of deposit	$	285,907		$	142,396		$	10,400		$	1,307		$	1,098		$	565		$	441,673		$	519,898
Weighted average interest rate		0.88	%		0.89	%		1.06	%		1.63	%		1.18	%		1.01	%		0.89	%
FHLB advances	$	20,000		$	50,000		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	70,000		$	70,025
Weighted average interest rate		0.27	%		0.72	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.59	%
Other borrowings and subordinated debentures	$	18,143		$	-		$	-		$	28,500		$	-		$	70,310		$	116,953		$	81,768
Weighted average interest rate		0.10	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		3.26	%		0.00	%		5.34	%		4.02	%
Total interest-sensitive liabilities	$	1,056,449		$	192,396		$	10,400		$	29,807		$	1,098		$	70,875		$	1,361,025		$	1,888,538
Weighted average interest rate		0.43	%		0.85	%		1.06	%		3.19	%		1.18	%		5.31	%		0.81	%

The Company does not have any direct market risk from foreign exchange or commodity exposures.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Irvine, California

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2014.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations, changes in its stockholders' equity, and its cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 16, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion.

/s/ Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP

Rancho Cucamonga, California

March 16, 2015

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Pacific Premier Bancorp and Subsidiaries

Irvine, California

We have audited Pacific Premier Bancorp and Subsidiaries (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

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

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Because management's assessment and our audit were conducted to also meet the reporting requirement of Section 112 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act (FDICIA), management's assessment and our audit of the company's internal control over financial reporting included controls over the preparation of financial statements in accordance with instructions to the Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income (Form FFIEC 041).  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;  (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and the receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the consolidated statements of financial condition of the Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2014, and our report dated March 16, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP

Rancho Cucamonga, California

March 16, 2015

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(dollars in thousands, except share data)
	At December 31,
ASSETS	2014			2013
Cash and due from banks	$	110,650		$	126,787
Federal funds sold		275			26
Cash and cash equivalents		110,925			126,813
Investment securities available for sale		201,638			256,089
FHLB stock/Federal Reserve Bank stock, at cost		17,067			15,450
Loans held for sale, net		-			3,147
Loans held for investment		1,628,622			1,240,123
Allowance for loan losses		(12,200	)		(8,200	)
Loans held for investment, net		1,616,422			1,231,923
Accrued interest receivable		7,131			6,254
Other real estate owned		1,037			1,186
Premises and equipment		9,165			9,864
Deferred income taxes		9,383			8,477
Bank owned life insurance		26,822			24,051
Intangible assets		5,614			6,628
Goodwill		22,950			17,428
Other assets		10,743			6,877
TOTAL ASSETS	$	2,038,897		$	1,714,187
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
LIABILITIES:
Noninterest bearing checking	$	456,754		$	366,755
Interest-bearing checking		131,635			120,886
Money Market/Savings		600,764			503,989
Retail Certificates of Deposit		365,168			300,730
Wholesale Certificates of Deposit		76,505			13,926
Total deposits		1,630,826			1,306,286
FHLB advances and other borrowings		116,643			204,091
Subordinated debentures		70,310			10,310
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		21,526			18,274
Total liabilities		1,839,305			1,538,961
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 12)		-			-
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding		-			-
Common stock, $.01 par value; 25,000,000 shares authorized;16,903,884 shares at December 31, 2014,  and 16,656,279 shares at December 31, 2013 issued and outstanding		169			166
Additional paid-in capital		147,474			143,322
Retained earnings		51,431			34,815
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (benefit) of $362 at December 31, 2014 and ($2,152) at December 31, 2013		518			(3,077	)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY		199,592			175,226
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$	2,038,897		$	1,714,187
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
	For the Years ended December 31,
	2014		2013			2012
INTEREST INCOME
Loans	$	74,736	$	57,807		$	49,659
Other interest-earning assets		5,588		5,711			3,288
Total interest income		80,324		63,518			52,947
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		5,037		4,065			5,853
FHLB advances and other borrowings		1,124		984			970
Subordinated debentures		1,543		307			326
Total interest expense		7,704		5,356			7,149
NET INTEREST INCOME BEFORE PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		72,620		58,162			45,798
PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		4,684		1,860			751
NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES		67,936		56,302			45,047
NONINTEREST INCOME
Loan servicing fee income		2,490		1,192			941
Bank and other fee income		1,809		1,873			1,940
Net gain from loan sales		6,300		3,228			628
Net gain from investment securities		1,547		1,544			1,953
Other-than-temporary-impairment recovery (loss) on investment securities		29		(4	)		(159	)
Gain on FDIC transactions		-		-			5,340
Other income		2,217		1,260			1,929
Total noninterest income		14,392		9,093			12,572
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Compensation and benefits		28,705		23,018			16,281
Premises and occupancy		6,608		5,797			4,070
Data processing		2,570		3,080			2,366
OREO operations, net		75		618			1,653
FDIC insurance premiums		1,021		749			638
Legal and audit		2,240		1,863			2,134
Marketing expense		1,208		1,088			858
Office and postage expense		1,576		1,313			830
Loan related expense		848		1,009			912
Deposit related expense		2,964		1,818			188
Merger related expense		1,490		6,926			-
Other expense		5,688		3,536			1,924
Total noninterest expense		54,993		50,815			31,854
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX		27,335		14,580			25,765
INCOME TAX		10,719		5,587			9,989
NET INCOME	$	16,616	$	8,993		$	15,776
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic	$	0.97	$	0.57		$	1.49
Diluted	$	0.96	$	0.54		$	1.44
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic		17,046,660		15,798,885			10,571,073
Diluted		17,343,977		16,609,954			10,984,034
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars in thousands)
	For the Years ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Net Income	$	16,616		$	8,993		$	15,776
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period, net of income taxes (benefits) of 3.2 million for 2014, ($2.3) million for 2013, and $1.4 million for 2012		4,506			(3,273	)		1,939
Reclassification adjustment for net gain on sale of securities included in net income, net of income taxes of 636,000 for 2014, $635,000 for 2013, and $801,000 for 2012		(911	)		(909	)		(1,152	)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on securities, net of income taxes (benefits) of 2.5 million for 2014, ($2.9) million for 2013, and $551,000 for 2012		3,595			(4,182	)		787
Comprehensive Income	$	20,211		$	4,811		$	16,563
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(dollars in thousands)
	Common  Stock Shares			Common Stock			Additional  Paid-in Capital			Accumulated Retained Earnings (Deficit)		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Total Stockholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2011		10,337,626		$	103		$	76,310		$	10,046	$	318		$	86,777
Net Income											15,776					15,776
Other comprehensive income													787			787
Share-based compensation expense								177								177
Issuance of common stock		3,300,000			33			30,925								30,958
Repurchase of common stock		(36,640	)		-			(195	)							(195	)
Exercise of stock options		60,662			1			236								237
Balance at December 31, 2012		13,661,648		$	137		$	107,453		$	25,822	$	1,105		$	134,517
Net Income											8,993					8,993
Other comprehensive loss													(4,182	)		(4,182	)
Share-based compensation expense								943								943
Issuance of common stock		2,972,472			29			34,895								34,924
Repurchase of common stock		(35,005	)		-			(59	)							(59	)
Exercise of stock options		57,164			-			90								90
Balance at December 31, 2013		16,656,279		$	166		$	143,322		$	34,815	$	(3,077	)	$	175,226
Net Income											16,616					16,616
Other comprehensive income													3,595			3,595
Share-based compensation expense								514								514
Issuance of common stock		562,469			6			9,006								9,012
Repurchase of common stock		(447,450	)		(4	)		(5,634	)							(5,638	)
Exercise of stock options		132,586			1			266								267
Balance at December 31, 2014		16,903,884		$	169		$	147,474		$	51,431	$	518		$	199,592
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
	For the Years ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	16,616		$	8,993		$	15,776
Adjustments to net income:
Depreciation and amortization expense		2,198			1,948			1,358
Provision for loan losses		4,684			1,860			751
Share-based compensation expense		514			943			177
Loss on sale of other real estate owned		17			226			783
Write down of other real estate owned		-			354			556
Loss (gain) on sale and disposal of premises and equipment		23			13			(597	)
Amortization of premium/(discounts) on securities held for sale, net		2,641			3,052			787
Amortization of loan mark-to-market discount		(2,020	)		(3,231	)		(1,794	)
Gain on sale of investment securities available for sale		(1,547	)		(1,544	)		(1,953	)
Other-than-temporary impairment loss (recovery) on investment securities, net		(29	)		4			159
Recoveries on loans		99			377			236
Proceeds from the sales of and principal payments from loans held for sale		31			534			8,582
Gain (loss) on sale of loans held for sale		180			-			(164	)
Purchase and origination of loans held for sale		-			-			(12,099	)
Gain on sale of loans held for investment		(6,300	)		(3,228	)		(464	)
Gain on FDIC transaction		-			-			(5,340	)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)		(2,375	)		(3,750	)		1,560
Change in accrued expenses and other liabilities, net		2,764			9,683			2,033
Income from bank owned life insurance, net		(771	)		(659	)		(508	)
Change in accrued interest receivable and other assets, net		(3,438	)		(71	)		2,330
Net cash provided by operating activities		13,287			15,504			12,169
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale and principal payments on loans held for investment		357,145			220,275			204,843
Net change in undisbursed loan funds		64,655			260,683			47,805
Purchase and origination of loans held for investment		(721,299	)		(665,339	)		(427,823	)
Proceeds from sale of other real estate owned		777			1,488			12,318
Principal payments on securities available for sale		26,815			33,688			16,039
Purchase of securities available for sale		(133,689	)		(101,268	)		(96,438	)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of securities available for sale		166,341			234,067			114,376
Investment in bank owned life insurance		(2,000	)		-			-
Purchases of premises and equipment		(1,448	)		(3,581	)		(4,525	)
Purchase of Federal Reserve Bank stock		(536	)		(5,948	)		-
Redemption (purchase) of Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco stock		(1,081	)		2,398			2,553
Cash acquired (disbursed) in acquisitions		(7,793	)		138,424			39,491
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		(252,113	)		114,887			(91,361	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net (decrease) increase in deposit accounts		324,540			(139,207	)		(39,691	)
Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debt		58,834			-			-
Repayment of FHLB advances and other borrowings		(155,065	)		-			-
Proceeds from FHLB advances and other borrowings		-			71,686			87,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance cost		-			4,560			30,958
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		267			90			237
Repurchase of common stock		(5,638	)		(59	)		(195	)
Net cash provided (used in) financing activities		222,938			(62,930	)		78,309
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(15,888	)		67,461			(883	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		126,813			59,352			60,235
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	110,925		$	126,813		$	59,352
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
Interest paid		6,500		$	5,352		$	7,162
Income taxes paid		14,700			9,425			8,975
Assets acquired (liabilities assumed) in acquisitions (See Note 20):
Investment securities		-			347,196			101
FRB / FHLB / TIB Stock		-			1,765			1,390
FDIC receivable		-			-			167
Loans		78,833			68,815			63,773
Core deposit intangible		-			4,766			840
Other real estate owned		-			752			11,533
Goodwill		5,522			17,428			-
Fixed assets		74			1,446			-
Other assets		702			12,468			3,656
Deposits		-			(540,725	)		(115,582	)
Other borrowings		(67,617	)		(16,905	)		-
Other liabilities		(709	)		(7,199	)		(29	)
Additional paid-in capital		(9,012	)		(29,364	)		-
NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES DURING THE PERIOD
Transfers from loans to other real estate owned	$	645		$	996		$	3,151
Investment securities available for sale purchased and not settled	$	-		$	-		$	-
Loans held for sale transfer to loans held for investment	$	2,936		$	-		$	-
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC., AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (the ‘‘Corporation’’) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Pacific Premier Bank (the ‘‘Bank’’) (collectively, the ‘‘Company’’).  The Company accounts for its investments in its wholly-owned special purpose entity, PPBI Statutory Trust I ( the “Trust”), using the equity method under which the subsidiary’s net earnings are recognized in the Company’s Statement of Income and the investment in the Trust is included in Other Assets on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Description of Business—The Corporation, a Delaware corporation organized in 1997, is a California-based bank holding company that owns 100% of the capital stock of the Bank, the Corporation’s principal operating subsidiary.  The Bank was incorporated and commenced operations in 1983.

The principal business of the Company is attracting deposits from the general public and investing those deposits, together with funds generated from operations and borrowings, primarily in business loans and real estate property loans.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had 13 depository branches located in the cities of Encinitas, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Los Alamitos, Newport Beach, Palm Desert (2), Palm Springs (2), San Bernardino, San Diego (2), and Seal Beach.  The Company is subject to competition from other financial institutions.  The Company is subject to the regulations of certain governmental agencies and undergoes periodic examinations by those regulatory authorities.

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with account principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).  In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the dates of the consolidated statements of financial condition and the results of operations for the reporting periods.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.  Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses (“ALLL”).

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, due from banks and fed funds sold.  At December 31, 2014, $47.3 million was allocated to cash reserves required by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) for depository institutions based on the amount of deposits held.  The Company maintains amounts due from banks that exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Securities—The Company has established written guidelines and objectives for its investing activities.  At the time of purchase, management designates the security as either held to maturity, available for sale or held for trading based on the Company’s investment objectives, operational needs and intent.  The investments are monitored to ensure that those activities are consistent with the established guidelines and objectives.

Securities Held to Maturity—Investments in debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at cost and adjusted for unamortized premiums and unearned discounts that are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the period to maturity.  If the cost basis of these securities is determined to be other than temporarily impaired, the amount of the impairment is charged to operations.  The Company had no investment securities classified as held to maturity at December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Securities Available for Sale—Investments in debt securities that management has no immediate plan to sell, but which may be sold in the future, are valued at fair value.  Premiums and discounts are amortized using the interest method over the remaining period to the call date for premiums or contractual maturity for discounts and, in the case of mortgage-backed securities, adjusted for anticipated prepayments.  Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of tax, are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income.  If the cost basis of the security is deemed other than temporarily impaired the amount of the impairment is charged to operations.  Realized gains and losses on the sales of securities are determined on the specific identification method, recorded on a trade date basis based on the amortized cost basis of the specific security and are included in noninterest income as net gain (loss) on investment securities.

Securities Held for Trading—Securities held for trading are carried at fair value.  Realized and unrealized gains and losses are reflected in earnings.  The Company had no investment securities classified as held for trading at December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Impairment of Investments—Declines in the fair value of individual held to maturity and available for sale securities below their cost that are OTTI result in write-downs of the individual securities to their fair value.  The related write-downs are included in operations as realized losses in the category of other-than-temporary impairment loss on investment securities, net.  In estimating OTTI losses, management considers: (i) the length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost; (ii) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; (iii) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in a security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value; and (iv) general market conditions which reflect prospects for the economy as a whole, including interest rates and sector credit spreads.

Loans Held for Sale—The Company identifies at origination those loans which foreseeably may be sold prior to maturity as loans held for sale and records them at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.  Premiums paid and discounts obtained on such loans are deferred as an adjustment to the carrying value of the loans until the loans are sold.  Interest is recognized as revenue when earned according to the terms of the loans and when, in the opinion of management, it is collectible.  Loans are evaluated for collectability, and if appropriate, previously accrued interest is reversed.  The Company may sell loans which had been held for investment.  In such occurrences, the loans are transferred to the held for sale portfolio at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.  If any part of a decline in value of the loans transferred is due to credit deterioration, that decline is recorded as a charge-off to the ALLL at the time of transfer.  Gains or losses on sales of loans are recognized at the time of sale and are determined by the difference between the net sales proceeds and the basis of the loans sold.

Loans Held for Investment—Loans held for investment are carried at amortized cost, net of discounts and premiums, deferred loan origination fees and costs and ALLL.  Net deferred loan origination fees and costs on loans are amortized or accreted using the interest method over the expected life of the loans.  Amortization of deferred loan fees and costs are discontinued for loans placed on nonaccrual.  Any remaining deferred fees or costs and prepayment fees associated with loans that payoff prior to contractual maturity are included in loan interest income in the period of payoff.  Loan commitment fees received to originate or purchase a loan are deferred and, if the commitment is exercised, recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment of yield or, if the commitment expires unexercised, recognized as income upon expiration of the commitment.  Loans held for investment are not adjusted to the lower of cost or estimated market value because it is management's intention, and the Company has the ability, to hold these loans to maturity.

Interest on loans is credited to income as earned.  Interest receivable is accrued only if deemed collectible.  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 past due 90 days based on contractual terms of the loan or when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to collection of interest.  When loans are placed on nonaccrual status, all interest previously accrued but not collected is reversed against current period interest income.  Interest income generally is not recognized on impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is remote.  Interest payments received on such loans are applied as a reduction to the loan principal balance.  Interest accruals are resumed on such loans only when they are brought current with respect to interest and principal and when, in the judgment of management, the loans are estimated to be fully collectible as to all principal and interest.

A loan is considered 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 loan’s expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, measured by reference to an observable market value, if one exists, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is deemed collateral dependent.  The Company selects the measurement method on a loan-by-loan basis except those loans deemed collateral dependent.  All loans are generally charged-off at such time the loan is classified as a loss.

Allowance for Loan Losses—The Company maintains an ALLL at a level deemed appropriate by management to provide for known or inherent risks in the portfolio at the consolidated statements of financial condition date.  The Company has implemented and adheres to an internal asset review system and loss allowance methodology designed to provide for the detection of problem assets and an adequate allowance to cover loan losses.  Management’s determination of the adequacy of the loan loss allowance is based on an evaluation of the composition of the portfolio, actual loss experience, industry charge-off experience on income property loans, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors in the area in which the Company’s lending and real estate activities are based.  These factors may affect the borrowers’ ability to pay and the value of the underlying collateral.  The allowance is calculated by applying loss factors to loans held for investment according to loan program type and loan classification.  The loss factors are established based primarily upon the Bank’s historical loss experience and the industry charge-off experience and are evaluated on a quarterly basis.  Various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s ALLL.  Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on judgments different from those of management.  In the opinion of management, and in accordance with the credit loss allowance methodology, the present allowance is considered adequate to absorb estimable and probable credit losses.  Additions and reductions to the allowance are reflected in current operations.  Charge-offs to the allowance are made when specific assets are considered uncollectible or are transferred to other real estate owned and the fair value of the property is less than the loan’s recorded investment.  Recoveries are credited to the allowance.

Although management uses the best information available to make these estimates, future adjustments to the allowance may be necessary due to economic, operating, regulatory and other conditions that may be beyond the Company’s control.

Other Real Estate Owned—The Company obtains an appraisal and/or market valuation on all other real estate owned at the time of possession.  Real estate properties acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are recorded at fair value less cost to sell with any excess loan balance charged against the allowance for estimated loan losses.  After foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management.  Any subsequent fair value losses are recorded to other real estate owned operations with a corresponding write-down to the asset.  All legal fees and direct costs, including foreclosure and other related costs are expensed as incurred.  Revenue and expenses from continued operations are included in other real estate owned operations in the consolidated statement of income.

Premises and Equipment—Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from forty years for buildings, seven years for furniture, fixtures and equipment, and three years for computer and telecommunication equipment.  The cost of leasehold improvements is amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the related leases.

The Company periodically evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets, such as premises and equipment, to ensure the carrying value has not been impaired.  Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Securities Sold Under Agreements to Repurchase—The Company enters into sales of securities under agreement to repurchase.  These agreements are treated as financing arrangements and, accordingly, the obligations to repurchase the securities sold are reflected as liabilities in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  The securities collateralizing these agreements are delivered to several major national brokerage firms who arranged the transactions.  The securities are reflected as assets in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  The brokerage firms may loan such securities to other parties in the normal course of their operations and agree to return the identical security to the Company at the maturity of the agreements.

Subordinated Debentures—Long-term borrowings are carried at cost, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts which are recognized in interest expense using the interest method.  Debt issuance costs are recognized in interest expense using the interest method over the life of the instrument.

Income Taxes—Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns using the asset liability method.  In estimating future tax consequences, all expected future events other than enactments of changes in the tax law or rates are considered.  The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  Deferred tax assets are to be recognized for temporary differences that will result in deductible amounts in future years and for tax carryforwards if, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized.  At December 31, 2014, there was no valuation allowance deemed necessary against the Company’s deferred tax asset.

Bank Owned Life Insurance—Bank owned life insurance is accounted for using the cash surrender value method and is recorded at its realizable value.  The change in the net asset value is included in other assets and other noninterest income.

Comprehensive Income—Comprehensive income is reported in addition to net income for all periods presented.  Comprehensive income is a more inclusive financial reporting methodology that includes disclosure of other comprehensive income (loss) that historically has not been recognized in the calculation of net income.  Unrealized gains and losses on the Company's available-for-sale investment securities are required to be included in other comprehensive income or loss.  Total comprehensive income (loss) and the components of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss are presented in the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income.

Share-Based Compensation—The Company recognizes in the income statement the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based forms of compensation issued to employees over the employees’ requisite service period (generally the vesting period).

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

There has been no new accounting guidance that has been adopted by the Company since December 31, 2013.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Effective

In January 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2014-01, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): "Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects."  This Update permits reporting entities to make an accounting policy election to account for their investments in qualified affordable housing projects using the proportional amortization method if certain conditions are met.  Under the proportional amortization method, an entity amortizes the initial cost of the investment in proportion to the tax credits and other tax benefits received and recognizes the net investment performance in the income statement as a component of income tax expense.  This new guidance also requires new disclosures for all investors in these projects.  ASU No. 2014-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014 for public business entities and after December 15, 2015 for non public business entities.  Upon adoption, the guidance must be applied retrospectively to all periods presented.  However, entities that used the effective yield method to account for investments in these projects before adoption may continue to do so for these pre-existing investments.  The adoption of this Update is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-02, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): "Accounting for Goodwill”.  This Update allows an accounting alternative for the subsequent measurement of goodwill for entities that are not considered public business entities.  An entity that elects the accounting alternative in this Update would amortize goodwill on a straight-line basis over 10 years, or less than 10 years if the entity demonstrates that another useful life is more appropriate.  An entity that elects the accounting alternative is further required to make an accounting policy election to test goodwill for impairment at either the entity level or the reporting unit level.  Goodwill would be tested for impairment when a triggering event occurs that indicates that the fair value of an entity (or a reporting unit) may be below its carrying amount.  The accounting alternative, if elected, would be applied prospectively to goodwill existing as of the beginning of the period of adoption and new goodwill recognized in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015.  Early application is permitted, including application to any period for which the entity’s annual or interim financial statements have not yet been made available for issuance.  The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this Update, but does not expect a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860):"Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures."  This Update aligns the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and repurchase agreements executed as repurchase financings with the accounting for other typical repurchase agreements.  Going forward, these transactions would all be accounted for as secured borrowings.  The guidance eliminates sale accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions and supersedes the guidance under which a transfer of a financial asset and a contemporaneous repurchase financing could be accounted for on a combined basis as a forward agreement, which has resulted in outcomes referred to as off-balance-sheet accounting.  The Update requires a new disclosure for transactions economically similar to repurchase agreements in which the transferor retains substantially all of the exposure to the economic return on the transferred financial assets throughout the term of the transaction.  The Update also requires expanded disclosures about the nature of collateral pledged in repurchase agreements and similar transactions accounted for as secured borrowings.  The Update is effective for interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014.  All of the Company's repurchase agreements are typical in nature (i.e., not repurchase-to-maturity transactions or repurchase agreements executed as a repurchase financing) and are accounted for as secured borrowings.  As such, the adoption of ASU No. 2014-11 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-14 Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40), Classification of Certain Government-Guaranteed Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure.  This Update addresses classification of government-guaranteed mortgage loans, including those where guarantees are offered by the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”).  Although current accounting guidance stipulates proper measurement and classification in situations where a creditor obtains from a debtor, assets in satisfaction of a receivable (such as through foreclosure), current guidance does not specify how to measure and classify foreclosed mortgage loans that are government-guaranteed.  Under the provisions of this Update, a creditor would derecognize a mortgage loan that has been foreclosed upon, and recognize a separate receivable if the following conditions are met: (1) the loan has a government guarantee that is not separable from the loan before foreclosure, (2) At the time of foreclosure, the creditor has the intent to convey the real estate property to the guarantor and make a claim on the guarantee, and the creditor has the ability to recover under that claim, (3) At the time of foreclosure, any amount of the claim that is determined on the basis of the fair value of the real estate is fixed.  This Update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014 for public business entities and after December 15, 2015 for non public business entities.  The Company does not believe the adoption of this Update will have a material impact of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance within ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40):Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.  This Update provides guidance about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern.  The amendments require management to assess an entity's ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards.  This Update is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2016.  The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications –Certain amounts reflected in the 2013 and 2012 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified where practicable, to conform to the presentation for 2014.  These classifications are of a normal recurring nature.

2. Regulatory Capital Requirements and Other Regulatory Matters

The Company and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by federal banking agencies.  Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory, and possibly additional discretionary, actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s and the Bank’s financial statements.  Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and the Bank must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of the Company’s and the Bank’s assets, liabilities and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.  The Company’s and the Bank’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

Quantitative measures established by regulation to ensure capital adequacy require the Bank to maintain capital in order to meet certain capital ratios to be considered adequately capitalized or well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  As of the most recent formal notification from the Federal Reserve, the Bank was categorized as “well capitalized.”  There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s categorization.  As defined in applicable regulations and set forth in the table below, at December 31, 2014, the Bank continues to exceed the “well capitalized” standards for Tier 1 capital to adjusted tangible assets of 5.00%, Tier 1 risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.00% and total capital to risk-weighted assets of 10.00%.

The Company’s and Bank’s actual capital amounts and ratios for the periods presented are set forth in the table below:

	Actual					Minimum Required for Capital Adequacy Purposes					Required to be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Regulations
	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
	(dollars in thousands)
At December 31, 2014
Tier 1 Capital (to adjusted tangible assets)
Bank	$	221,523		11.29	%	$	78,466		4.00	%	$	98,083		5.00	%
Consolidated		179,881		9.18	%		78,401		4.00	%		N/A		N/A
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Bank		221,523		12.72	%		69,650		4.00	%		104,475		6.00	%
Consolidated		179,881		10.30	%		69,855		4.00	%		N/A		N/A
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Bank		234,120		13.45	%		139,300		8.00	%		174,126		10.00	%
Consolidated		252,477		14.46	%		139,709		8.00	%		N/A		N/A
At December 31, 2013
Tier 1 Capital (to adjusted tangible assets)
Bank	$	160,473		10.03	%	$	64,025		4.00	%	$	80,031		5.00	%
Consolidated		163,105		10.29	%		63,431		4.00	%		N/A		N/A
Tier 1 Risk-Based Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Bank		160,473		12.34	%		52,021		4.00	%		78,031		6.00	%
Consolidated		163,105		12.54	%		52,046		4.00	%		N/A		N/A
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)
Bank		168,673		12.97	%		104,042		8.00	%		130,052		10.00	%
Consolidated		171,305		13.17	%		104,092		8.00	%		N/A		N/A

3. Investment Securities

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of securities were as follows:

	December 31, 2014
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
	Cost		Gain		Loss			Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Investment securities available for sale:
Municipal bonds	$	88,599	$	1,235	$	(173	)	$	89,661
Mortgage-backed securities		112,159		432		(614	)		111,977
Total securities available for sale		200,758		1,667		(787	)		201,638
FHLB stock		8,019		-		-			8,019
Federal Reserve Bank stock/TIB		9,048		-		-			9,048
Total equities held at cost		17,067		-		-			17,067
Total securities	$	217,825	$	1,667	$	(787	)	$	218,705
	December 31, 2013
	Amortized		Unrealized		Unrealized			Estimated
	Cost		Gain		Loss			Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Investment securities available for sale:
U.S. Treasury	$	73	$	8	$	-		$	81
Municipal bonds		95,388		589		(1,850	)		94,127
Mortgage-backed securities		165,857		12		(3,988	)		161,881
Total securities available for sale		261,318		609		(5,838	)		256,089
FHLB stock		7,483		-		-			7,483
Federal Reserve Bank stock		7,967		-		-			7,967
Total equities held at cost		15,450		-		-			15,450
Total securities	$	276,768	$	609	$	(5,838	)	$	271,539

At December 31, 2014, the Company had an $8.0 million investment in FHLB stock carried at cost.  During the year ended December 31, 2014, the FHLB has repurchased $3.4 million of the Company’s excess FHLB stock through their stock repurchase program.  During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the FHLB had repurchased $4.3 million of the Company’s excess FHLB stock through their stock repurchase program.

At December 31, 2014, mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) with an estimated par value of $33.5 million and a fair value of $35.0 million were pledged as collateral for the Bank’s three inverse putable reverse repurchases totaling $28.5 million.

The Company reviewed individual securities classified as available-for-sale to determine whether a decline in fair value below the amortized cost basis is other-than-temporary.  If it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to contractual terms of the debt security not impaired at acquisition, an OTTI shall be considered to have occurred.  If an OTTI occurs, the cost basis of the security will be written down to its fair value as the new cost basis and the write down accounted for as a realized loss.  There were no securities with OTTI at December 31, 2014.  The Company realized OTTI recoveries of $29,000 in 2014 and OTTI losses of $4,000 in 2013 and $159,000 in 2012.

The table below shows the number, fair value and gross unrealized holding losses of the Company’s investment securities by investment category and length of time that the securities have been in a continuous loss position.

	December 31, 2014
	Less than 12 months							12 months or Longer							Total
					Gross							Gross							Gross
					Unrealized							Unrealized							Unrealized
			Fair		Holding					Fair		Holding					Fair		Holding
	Number		Value		Losses			Number		Value		Losses			Number		Value		Losses
	(dollars in thousands)
Municipal bonds		35	$	18,129	$	(117	)		16	$	6,510	$	(56	)		51	$	24,639	$	(173	)
Mortgage-backed securities		7		24,353		(105	)		4		18,842		(509	)		11		43,195		(614	)
Total		42	$	42,482	$	(222	)		20	$	25,352	$	(565	)		62	$	67,834	$	(787	)
	December 31, 2013
	Less than 12 months							12 months or Longer							Total
					Gross							Gross							Gross
					Unrealized							Unrealized							Unrealized
			Fair		Holding					Fair		Holding					Fair		Holding
	Number		Value		Losses			Number		Value		Losses			Number		Value		Losses
	(dollars in thousands)
Municipal bonds		133	$	61,524	$	(1,850	)		-	$	-	$	-			133	$	61,524	$	(1,850	)
Mortgage-backed securities		45		140,704		(3,075	)		1		12,607		(913	)		46		153,311		(3,988	)
Total		178	$	202,228	$	(4,925	)		1	$	12,607	$	(913	)		179	$	214,835	$	(5,838	)

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of investment securities available for sale at December 31, 2014, by contractual maturity are shown in the table below.

	One Year				More than One				More than Five Years				More than
	or Less				Year to Five Years				to Ten Years				Ten Years				Total
	Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair
	Cost		Value		Cost		Value		Cost		Value		Cost		Value		Cost		Value
	(dollars in thousands)
Investment securities available for sale:
Municipal bonds	$	-	$	-	$	12,876	$	12,889	$	38,935	$	39,391	$	36,788	$	37,381	$	88,599	$	89,661
Mortgage-backed securities		-		-		-		-		23,113		23,120		89,046		88,857		112,159		111,977
Total investment securities available for sale		-		-		12,876		12,889		62,048		62,511		125,834		126,238		200,758		201,638
Stock:
FHLB		8,019		8,019		-		-		-		-		-		-		8,019		8,019
Federal Reserve Bank/TIB		9,048		9,048		-		-		-		-		-		-		9,048		9,048
Total stock		17,067		17,067		-		-		-		-		-		-		17,067		17,067
Total securities	$	17,067	$	17,067	$	12,876	$	12,889	$	62,048	$	62,511	$	125,834	$	126,238	$	217,825	$	218,705

The temporary impairment in both years is a result of the change in market interest rates and not the underlying issuers’ ability to repay.  The Company has the intent and ability to hold these securities until the temporary impairment is eliminated.  Accordingly, the Company has not recognized the temporary impairment in earnings of either year.

Unrealized gains and losses on investment securities available for sale are recognized in stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  At December 31, 2014, the Company had accumulated other comprehensive income of $880,000, or $518,000 net of tax, compared to accumulated other comprehensive loss of $5.2 million or $3.1 million net of tax, at December 31, 2013.

4. Loans Held for Investment

Loans held for investment consisted of the following at December 31:

	2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	428,207		$	187,035
Commercial owner occupied		210,995			221,089
SBA		28,404			10,659
Warehouse facilities		113,798			87,517
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		359,213			333,544
Multi-family		262,965			233,689
One-to-four family		122,795			145,235
Construction		89,682			13,040
Land		9,088			7,605
Other loans		3,298			3,839
Total gross loans		1,628,445			1,243,252
Plus (less):
Loans held for sale		-			(3,147	)
Deferred loan origination fees-net		177			18
Allowance for estimated loan losses		(12,200	)		(8,200	)
Loans held for investment, net	$	1,616,422		$	1,231,923

From time to time, the Company may purchase or sell loans in order to manage concentrations, maximize interest income, change risk profiles, improve returns and generate liquidity.

The Company grants residential and commercial loans held for investment to customers located primarily in California.  Consequently, the underlying collateral for the Company’s loans and a borrower’s ability to repay may be impacted unfavorably by adverse changes in the economy and real estate market in the region.

Under applicable laws and regulations, the Bank may not make secured loans to one borrower in excess of 25% of unimpaired capital plus surplus and likewise in excess of 15% for unsecured loans.  These loans-to-one-borrower limitations result in a dollar limitation of $65.0 million for secured loans and $29.0 million for unsecured loans at December 31, 2014.  At December 31, 2014, the Bank’s largest aggregate outstanding balance of loans-to-one borrower was $34.1 million of secured credit.

Loans serviced for others are not included in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.  The unpaid principal balance of loans and participations serviced for others were $95.2 million at December 31, 2014 and $43.8 million at December 31, 2013.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company’s loan portfolio was collateralized by various forms of real estate and business assets located principally in California.  The Company’s loan portfolio contains concentrations of credit in commercial non-owner occupied real estate, multi-family real estate and commercial owner occupied business loans.  The Company maintains policies approved by the Board of Directors that address these concentrations and continues to diversify its loan portfolio through loan originations and purchases and sales of loans to meet approved concentration levels.  While management believes that the collateral presently securing these loans is adequate, there can be no assurances that further significant deterioration in the California real estate market and economy would not expose the Company to significantly greater credit risk.

Purchased Credit Impaired Loans

The Company acquired purchased loans as part of its acquisitions of Canyon National Bank in 2011 and Palm Desert National Bank in 2012 from the FDIC for which there was, at acquisition, evidence of deterioration of credit quality since origination and it was probable, at the time of acquisition, that all contractually required payments would not be collected.  The carrying amount of those loans at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	94	$	80	$	308
Commercial owner occupied		546		870		1,221
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		956		1,009		2,447
One-to-four family		5		18		30
Land		-		-		2,313
Total purchase credit impaired	$	1,601	$	1,977	$	6,319

The following table summarizes the accretable yield on the purchased credit impaired for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(in thousands)
Balance at the beginning of period	$	1,676		$	2,276		$	3,248
Accretable yield at acquisition		-			-			3,908
Accretion		(255	)		(557	)		(4,846	)
Disposals and other		(18	)		(648	)		(66	)
Change in accretable yield		-			605			32
Balance at the end of period	$	1,403		$	1,676		$	2,276

Impaired Loans

The following tables provide a summary of the Company’s investment in impaired loans as of and for the periods indicated:

					Impaired Loans
	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		With Specific Allowance		Without Specific Allowance		Specific Allowance for Impaired Loans		Average Recorded Investment		Interest Income Recognized
	(in thousands)
December 31, 2014
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	11	$	-
Commercial owner occupied		388		440		-		388		-		514		46
SBA		-		-		-		-		-		5		-
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		848		1,217		-		848		-		908		85
One-to-four family		236		256		-		236		-		440		17
Totals	$	1,472	$	1,913	$	-	$	1,472	$	-	$	1,878	$	148
December 31, 2013
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	255	$	17
Commercial owner occupied		747		872		-		747		-		177		66
SBA		14		246		-		14		-		70		28
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		983		1,202		28		955		1		984		68
Multi-family		-		-		-		-		-		108		2
One-to-four family		683		746		278		405		104		743		44
Totals	$	2,427	$	3,066	$	306	$	2,121	$	105	$	2,337	$	225
December 31, 2012
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	593	$	707	$	287	$	306	$	270	$	203	$	29
Commercial owner occupied		-		-		-		-		-		444		-
SBA		259		810		-		259		-		468		21
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		670		746		-		670		-		1,031		59
Multi-family		266		315		-		266		-		1,123		22
One-to-four family		948		960		541		407		395		720		59
Totals	$	2,736	$	3,538	$	828	$	1,908	$	665	$	3,989	$	190

The Company considers a loan to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement or it is determined that the likelihood of the Company receiving all scheduled payments, including interest, when due is remote.  The Company has no commitments to lend additional funds to debtors whose loans have been impaired.

The Company reviews loans for impairment when the loan is classified as substandard or worse, delinquent 90 days, determined by management to be collateral dependent, or when the borrower files bankruptcy or is granted a troubled debt restructure.  Measurement of impairment is based on the loan’s expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, measured by reference to an observable market value, if one exists, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is deemed collateral dependent.  All loans are generally charged-off at the time that the loan is classified as a loss.  Valuation allowances are determined on a loan-by-loan basis or by aggregating loans with similar risk characteristics.

When loans are placed on nonaccrual status all accrued interest is reversed from earnings.  Payments received on nonaccrual loans are generally applied as a reduction to the loan principal balance.  If the likelihood of further loss is remote, the Company will recognize interest on a cash basis only.  Loans may be returned to accruing status if the Company believes that all remaining principal and interest is fully collectible and there has been at least six months of sustained repayment performance since the loan was placed on nonaccrual.

The Company does not accrue interest on loans 90 days or more past due or when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to the collection of interest.  The Company had loans on nonaccrual status of $1.4 million, $2.3 million and $2.2 million at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  If such loans had been performing in accordance with their original terms, the Company would have recorded additional loan interest income of $151,000 in 2014, $154,000 in 2013, and $405,000 in 2012.  The Company did not record income from the receipt of cash payments related to nonaccruing loans during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.  The Company had no loans 90 day or more past due and still accruing at December 31, 2014 or 2013.  The Company has less than $10,000 in troubled debt restructures at December 31, 2014.

Credit Quality and Credit Risk

The Company’s credit quality is maintained and credit risk managed in two distinct areas.  The first is the loan origination process, wherein the Bank underwrites credit quality and chooses which risks it is willing to accept.  The second is in the ongoing oversight of the loan portfolio, where existing credit risk is measured and monitored, and where performance issues are dealt with in a timely and comprehensive fashion.

The Company maintains a comprehensive credit policy which sets forth minimum and maximum tolerances for key elements of loan risk.  The policy identifies and sets forth specific guidelines for analyzing each of the loan products the Company offers from both an individual and portfolio wide basis.  The credit policy is reviewed no less than annually by the Board of Directors.  Seasoned underwriters ensure all key risk factors are analyzed with most loan underwriting including a comprehensive global cash flow analysis.  The credit approval process mandates multiple-signature approval by either the management or Board credit committee for every loan which requires any subjective credit analysis.

Credit risk is managed within the loan portfolio by the Company’s Portfolio Management department based on a comprehensive credit and investment review policy.  This policy requires a program of financial data collection and analysis, comprehensive loan reviews, property and/or business inspections and monitoring of portfolio concentrations and trends.  The Portfolio Management department also monitors asset-based lines of credit, loan covenants and other conditions associated with the Company’s business loans to help ensure that the protections built into the loan approvals serve as the early warning and risk mitigation mechanisms.  Individual loans, excluding the homogeneous loan portfolio, are reviewed at least biennially, or more frequently, if deemed necessary, and includes the assignment of a risk grade. 

Risk grades are based on a six-grade Pass scale, along with Special Mention, Substandard, Doubtful and Loss classifications as such classifications are defined by the federal banking regulatory agencies.  The assignment of risk grades allows the Company to, among other things, identify the risk associated with each credit in the portfolio, and to provide a basis for estimating credit losses inherent in the portfolio.  Risk grades are reviewed regularly by the Company’s Credit and Investment Review committee, and are scrutinized by annual independent loan reviews performed by a third-party, as well as by regulatory agencies during scheduled examinations.

The following provides brief definitions for risk grades assigned to loans in the portfolio:

·   Pass – Pass credits are well protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Such credits exhibit few weaknesses, if any, but may include credits with exposure to certain factors that may adversely impact the credit if they materialize.  The Company has established six subcategories within the pass grade to stratify risk associated with pass loans.  The Company maintains a subset of pass credits designated as “watch” loans which, for any of a variety of reasons, require the Company’s closer attention.  Watch credits are more heavily scrutinized than other pass credits so that any potential weaknesses that may develop in such credits are more quickly identified, thereby serving to mitigate potential losses.

·   Special Mention – Loans graded special mention exhibit potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention.  If left uncorrected, these potential weaknesses may, at some future date, result in the deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loan or the institution’s credit position.  Special mention credits are not considered as part of the classified extensions of credit category and do not expose the Company to sufficient risk to warrant classification.

·   Substandard – Substandard credits are inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Extensions of credit so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt.  (The term “liquidation” as used here refers to the orderly repayment of the debt and not to a forced sale of the loan or its underlying collateral.)  They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the bank will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Loss potential, while existing in the aggregate amount of substandard credits, does not have to exist in individual extensions of credit classified substandard.

·   Doubtful – Doubtful credits have all the weaknesses inherent in substandard credits, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.  The possibility of loss is extremely high, but because of certain important and reasonably specific pending factors that may work to the advantage of and strengthen the credit, its classification as an estimated loss is deferred until its more exact status may be determined.

·   Loss - Loss assets are those that are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as assets is not warranted.  Amounts classified as loss are promptly charged off.

The Portfolio Management department also manages loan performance risks, handling collections, workouts, bankruptcies and foreclosures.  These risks are controlled by moving quickly and assertively when problems are identified.  Collection efforts are immediate upon non-payment, and the portfolio managers seek to determine right away the appropriate steps to minimize the Company’s risk of loss.  When foreclosure will maximize the Company’s recovery for a non-performing loan, the portfolio managers will prosecute the foreclosure process, including any associated judicial legal actions.  When appropriate, the Company’s in-house counsel or outside legal advisors are consulted to ensure that legal risks are appropriately addressed in handling loan performance issues.

When a loan is graded as watch or worse, the Company obtains an updated valuation of the underlying collateral.  If the credit in question is also identified as impaired, a valuation allowance, if necessary, is established against such loan or a loss is recognized by a charge to the ALLL if management believes that the full amount of the Company’s recorded investment in the loan is no longer collectable.  The Company typically continues to obtain updated valuations of underlying collateral for watch, special mention and classified loans on an annual or biennial basis in order to have the most current indication of fair value.  Once a loan is identified as impaired, an analysis of the underlying collateral is performed at least quarterly, and corresponding changes in any related valuation allowance are made or balances deemed to be fully uncollectable are charged-off.

The following tables stratify the loan portfolio by the Company’s internal risk grading system as well as certain other information concerning the credit quality of the loan portfolio as of the periods indicated:

	Credit Risk Grades
			Special				Total Gross
	Pass		Mention		Substandard		Loans
December 31, 2014	(in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	426,379	$	-	$	1,828	$	428,207
Commercial owner occupied		202,390		-		8,605		210,995
SBA		28,132		272		-		28,404
Warehouse facilities		113,798		-		-		113,798
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		355,274		-		3,939		359,213
Multi-family		261,956		501		508		262,965
One-to-four family		122,146		-		649		122,795
Construction		89,682		-		-		89,682
Land		9,088		-		-		9,088
Other loans		3,298		-		-		3,298
Totals	$	1,612,143	$	773	$	15,529	$	1,628,445
	Credit Risk Grades
			Special				Total Gross
	Pass		Mention		Substandard		Loans
December 31, 2013	(in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	184,247	$	12	$	2,776	$	187,035
Commercial owner occupied		207,872		1,217		12,000		221,089
SBA		10,659		-		-		10,659
Warehouse facilities		87,517		-		-		87,517
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		329,538		352		3,654		333,544
Multi-family		232,661		511		517		233,689
One-to-four family		144,152		-		1,083		145,235
Construction		13,040		-		-		13,040
Land		7,605		-		-		7,605
Other loans		3,834		-		5		3,839
Totals	$	1,221,125	$	2,092	$	20,035	$	1,243,252

			Days Past Due
	Current			30-59		60-89		90+	Total Gross Loans		Non-accruing
December 31, 2014	(in thousands)
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	428,183	$	-	$	24	$	-	$	428,207	$	-
Commercial owner occupied		210,995		-		-		-		210,995		514
SBA		28,404		-		-		-		28,404		-
Warehouse facilities		113,798		-		-		-		113,798		-
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		359,213		-		-		-		359,213		848
Multi-family		262,965		-		-		-		262,965		-
One-to-four family		122,722		19		-		54		122,795		82
Construction		89,682		-		-		-		89,682		-
Land		9,088		-		-		-		9,088		-
Other loans		3,297		1		-		-		3,298		-
Totals	$	1,628,347	$	20	$	24	$	54	$	1,628,445	$	1,444
			Days Past Due
	Current			30-59		60-89		90+	Total Gross Loans		Non-accruing
December 31, 2013
Business loans:
Commercial and industrial	$	187,035	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	187,035	$	-
Commercial owner occupied		219,875		768		-		446		221,089		747
SBA		10,645		-		-		14		10,659		14
Warehouse facilities		87,517		-		-		-		87,517		-
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		332,984		-		-		560		333,544		983
Multi-family		233,689		-		-		-		233,689		-
One-to-four family		145,041		71		-		123		145,235		507
Construction		13,040		-		-		-		13,040		-
Land		7,605		-		-		-		7,605		-
Other loans		3,709		130		-		-		3,839		-
Totals	$	1,241,140	$	969	$	-	$	1,143	$	1,243,252	$	2,251

5.  Allowance for Loan Losses

The Company’s ALLL covers estimated credit losses on individually evaluated loans that are determined to be impaired as well as estimated credit losses inherent in the remainder of the loan portfolio.  The ALLL is prepared using the information provided by the Company’s credit and investment review process along with data from peer institutions and economic information gathered from published sources.

The loan portfolio is segmented into groups of loans with similar risk characteristics.  Each segment possesses varying degrees of risk based on, among other things, the type of loan, the type of collateral, and the sensitivity of the borrower or industry to changes in external factors such as economic conditions.  An estimated loss rate calculated using the Company’s actual historical loss rates adjusted for current portfolio trends, economic conditions, and other relevant internal and external factors, is applied to each group’s aggregate loan balances.

The following provides a summary of the ALLL calculation for the major segments within the Company’s loan portfolio.

Commercial Business Loans, Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate Loans, and SBA Loans

The Company's base ALLL factor for commercial business loans, owner-occupied commercial real estate loans and SBA loans is determined by management using the Bank's actual trailing eighty-four month, trailing thirty-six month, trailing twenty-four month, trailing twelve month and annualized trailing six month charge-off data.  Adjustments to those base factors are made for relevant internal and external factors.  For owner occupied commercial real estate loans, commercial business loans and SBA loans, those factors include:

·   Changes in national, regional and local economic conditions, including trends in real estate values and the interest rate environment,

·   Changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, including new types of lending,

·   Changes in volume and severity of past due loans, the volume of nonaccrual loans, and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded loans, and

·   The existence and effect of concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations.

The resulting total ALLL factor is compared for reasonableness against the 10-year average, 15-year average, and trailing twelve month total charge-off data for all FDIC insured commercial banks and savings institutions based in California.  This factor is applied to balances graded pass-1 through pass-5.  For loans risk graded as watch or worse, progressively higher potential loss factors are applied based on management’s judgment, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of the Bank’s portfolio and analysis of results from a select group of the Company’s peers.

Non-Owner Occupied Commercial Real Estate, Multi-Family, Land and Construction Loans

The Company's base ALLL factor for multi-family and non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans is determined by management using the Bank's actual trailing eighty-four month, trailing thirty-six month, trailing twenty-four month, trailing twelve month and annualized trailing six month charge-off data.  Adjustments to those base factors are made for relevant internal and external factors.  For multi-family and non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans, those factors include:

·   Changes in national, regional and local economic conditions, including trends in real estate values and the interest rate environment,

·   Changes in volume and severity of past due loans, the volume of nonaccrual loans, and the volume and severity of adversely classified or graded loans, and

·   The existence and effect of concentrations of credit, and changes in the level of such concentrations.

The resulting total ALLL factor is compared for reasonableness against the 10-year average, 15-year average, and trailing twelve month total charge-off data for all FDIC insured commercial banks and savings institutions based in California.  This factor is applied to balances graded pass-1 through pass-5.  For loans risk graded as watch or worse, progressively higher potential loss factors are applied based on management’s judgment, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of the Bank’s portfolio and analysis of results from a select group of the Company’s peers.

Single Family and Consumer Loans and Warehouse Repurchase Facilities

The Company's base ALLL factor for single family and consumer loans and warehouse repurchase facilities is determined by management using the Bank's actual trailing eighty-four month, trailing thirty-six month, trailing twenty-four month, trailing twelve month and annualized trailing six month charge-off data.  Adjustments to those base factors are made for relevant internal and external factors.  For single family and consumer loans and warehouse repurchase facilities, those factors include:

·   Changes in national, regional and local economic conditions, including trends in real estate values and the interest rate environment.

The resulting total ALLL factor is compared for reasonableness against the 10-year average, 15-year average, and trailing twelve month total charge-off data for all FDIC insured commercial banks and savings institutions based in California.  This factor is applied to balances graded pass-1 through pass-5.  For loans risk graded as watch or worse, progressively higher potential loss factors are applied based on management’s judgment, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of the Bank’s portfolio and analysis of results from a select group of the Company’s peers.

The following tables summarize the allocation of the allowance as well as the activity in the allowance attributed to various segments in the loan portfolio as of and for the periods indicated:

	Commercial  and industrial			Commercial  owner occupied			SBA			Warehouse Facilities			Commercial  non-owner occupied			Multi-family			One-to-four family			Construction			Land			Other loans			Total
	(dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2013	$	1,968		$	1,818		$	151		$	392		$	1,658		$	817		$	1,099		$	136		$	127		$	34		$	8,200
Charge-offs		(223	)		-			-			-			(365	)		-			(195	)		-			-			-			(783	)
Recoveries		42			-			4			-			-			-			34			-			-			19			99
Provisions for (reduction in) loan losses		2,413			(61	)		413			154			714			243			(96	)		952			(19	)		(29	)		4,684
Balance, December 31, 2014	$	4,200		$	1,757		$	568		$	546		$	2,007		$	1,060		$	842		$	1,088		$	108		$	24		$	12,200
Amount of allowance attributed to:
Specifically evaluated impaired loans	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-
General portfolio allocation		4,200			1,757			568			546			2,007			1,060			842			1,088			108			24			12,200
Loans individually evaluated for impairment		-			388			-			-			848			-			236			-			-			-			1,472
Specific reserves to total loans individually evaluated for impairment		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	$	428,207		$	210,607		$	28,404		$	113,798		$	358,365		$	262,965		$	122,559		$	89,682		$	9,088		$	3,298		$	1,626,973
General reserves to total loans collectively evaluated for impairment		0.98	%		0.83	%		2.00	%		0.48	%		0.56	%		0.40	%		0.69	%		1.21	%		1.19	%		0.73	%		0.75	%
Total gross loans	$	428,207		$	210,995		$	28,404		$	113,798		$	359,213		$	262,965		$	122,795		$	89,682		$	9,088		$	3,298		$	1,628,445
Total allowance to gross loans		0.98	%		0.83	%		2.00	%		0.48	%		0.56	%		0.40	%		0.69	%		1.21	%		1.19	%		0.73	%		0.75	%
	Commercial and industrial			Commercial owner occupied			SBA			Warehouse Facilities			Commercial non-owner occupied			Multi-family			One-to-four family			Construction			Land			Other loans			Total
	(dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	1,310		$	1,512		$	79		$	1,544		$	1,459		$	1,145		$	862		$	-		$	31		$	52		$	7,994
Charge-offs		(509	)		(232	)		(143	)		-			(756	)		(101	)		(272	)		-			-			(18	)		(2,031	)
Recoveries		138			-			50			-			-			-			47			-			-			142			377
Provisions for (reduction in) loan losses		1,029			538			165			(1,152	)		955			(227	)		462			136			96			(142	)		1,860
Balance, December 31, 2013	$	1,968		$	1,818		$	151		$	392		$	1,658		$	817		$	1,099		$	136		$	127		$	34		$	8,200
Amount of allowance attributed to:
Specifically evaluated impaired loans	$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	1		$	-		$	104		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	105
General portfolio allocation	$	1,968		$	1,818		$	151		$	392		$	1,657		$	817		$	995		$	136		$	127		$	34		$	8,095
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	-		$	747		$	14		$	-		$	983		$	-		$	683		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	2,427
Specific reserves to total loans individually evaluated for impairment		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.10	%		0.00	%		15.23	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		0.00	%		4.33	%
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	$	187,035		$	220,342		$	10,645		$	87,517		$	332,561		$	233,689		$	144,552		$	13,040		$	7,605		$	3,839		$	1,240,825
General reserves to total loans collectively evaluated for impairment		1.05	%		0.83	%		1.42	%		0.45	%		0.50	%		0.35	%		0.69	%		1.04	%		1.67	%		0.89	%		0.65	%
Total gross loans	$	187,035		$	221,089		$	10,659		$	87,517		$	333,544		$	233,689		$	145,235		$	13,040		$	7,605		$	3,839		$	1,243,252
Total allowance to gross loans		1.05	%		0.82	%		1.42	%		0.45	%		0.50	%		0.35	%		0.76	%		1.04	%		1.67	%		0.89	%		0.66	%

6. Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned was $1.0 million at December 31, 2014 and $1.2 million at December 31, 2013.  The following summarizes the activity in the other real estate owned for the years ended December 31:

	2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	1,186		$	2,258
Additions / foreclosures		645			996
Sales		(794	)		(1,488	)
Loss on sale		-			(226	)
Write downs		-			(354	)
Balance, end of year	$	1,037		$	1,186

7. Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment consisted of the following at December 31:

	2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Land	$	200	$	200
Premises		3,340		3,350
Leasehold improvements		5,491		5,231
Furniture, fixtures and equipment		9,372		8,137
Automobiles		188		187
Subtotal		18,591		17,105
Less: accumulated depreciation		9,426		7,241
Total		9,165		9,864

Depreciation expense for premises and equipment was $2.2 million for 2014, $1.9 million for 2013 and $1.4 million for 2012.

8. Deposit Accounts

Deposit accounts and weighted average interest rates consisted of the following at December 31:

	2014		Weighted Average Interest Rate			2013		Weighted Average Interest Rate
						(dollars in thousands)
Transaction accounts
Noninterest-bearing checking	$	456,754		0.00	%	$	366,755		0.00	%
Interest-bearing checking		131,635		0.11	%		120,886		0.11	%
Money market		526,256		0.32	%		427,577		0.29	%
Regular passbook		74,508		0.14	%		76,412		0.14	%
Total transaction accounts		1,189,153		0.16	%		991,630		0.15	%
Certificates of deposit accounts
Up to $100,000		123,862		0.91	%		125,313		0.80	%
Over $100,000 to $250,000		163,819		1.00	%		130,711		0.93	%
Over $250,000		153,992		0.76	%		58,632		0.95	%
Total certificates of deposit accounts		441,673		0.89	%		314,656		0.88	%
Total deposits	$	1,630,826		0.36	%	$	1,306,286		0.33	%

The aggregate annual maturities of certificates of deposit accounts at December 31, 2014 are as follows:

	2014
	Balance		Weighted Average Interest Rate
	(dollars in thousands)
Within 3 months	$	83,268		0.95	%
4 to 6 months		66,023		1.02	%
7 to 12 months		136,616		0.77	%
13 to 24 months		142,396		0.89	%
25 to 36 months		10,400		1.06	%
37 to 60 months		2,405		1.43	%
Over 60 months		565		1.01	%
Total	$	441,673		0.89	%

The average cost of deposits was 0.34% for 2014 and 2013.

Interest expense on deposit accounts for the years ended December 31 is summarized as follows:

	2014		2013		2012
	(in thousands)
Checking accounts	$	161	$	110	$	82
Passbook accounts		110		103		266
Money market accounts		1,443		1,043		727
Certificates of deposit accounts		3,323		2,809		4,778
Total	$	5,037	$	4,065	$	5,853

Accrued interest on deposits, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities, was $136,000 at December 31, 2014 and $94,000 at December 31, 2013.

9. Federal Home Loan Bank Advances and Other Borrowings

The Company has a line of credit with the FHLB that provides for advances totaling up to 45% of the Company’s assets, equating to a credit line of $913.3 million as of December 31, 2014.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had $20.0 million in overnight FHLB advances and $50.0 million in term advances, compared to $156.0 million in overnight FHLB advances at December 31, 2013.  The FHLB advances at December 31, 2014 were collateralized by real estate loans and securities with an aggregate balance of $618.6 million and FHLB stock of $8.0 million.  With this pledged collateral, the Company has additional available advances of $457.4 million as of December 31, 2014.

The following table summarizes activities in advances from the FHLB for the periods indicated:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
	(dollars in thousands)
Average balance outstanding	$	70,296		$	26,137
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year		210,000			156,000
Balance outstanding at end of year		70,000			156,000
Weighted average interest rate during the year		0.26	%		0.15	%

Credit facilities have been established with Citigroup, Barclays Bank and Union Bank.  The outstanding credit facilities are secured by pledged investment securities.  At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had borrowings of $18.5 million with Citigroup that mature in September of 2018, $10.0 million with Barclays Bank that mature in February of 2018 and an unused reverse repurchase facility with Union Bank of $50 million.  The outstanding borrowings are secured by MBS with an estimated fair value of $35.0 million.

The Company sells certain securities under agreements to repurchase.  The agreements are treated as overnight borrowings with the obligations to repurchase securities sold reflected as a liability.  The dollar amount of investment securities underlying the agreements remain in the asset accounts.  The Company enters into these debt agreements as a service to certain HOA depositors to add protection for deposit amounts above FDIC insurance levels.  At December 31, 2014, the Company sold securities under agreement to repurchase of $16.6 million with weighted average rate of 0.02% and collateralized by investment securities with fair value of approximately $28.9 million.

At December 31, 2014, the Bank had unsecured lines of credit with seven correspondent banks for a total amount of $82.0 million and access through the Federal Reserve discount window to borrow $3.3 million.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had $1.5 million in outstanding balances against these lines compared to $1.0 million in outstanding balance at December 31, 2013.  The following summarizes activities in other borrowings:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
	(dollars in thousands)
Average balance outstanding	$	47,398		$	45,310
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year		49,712			52,077
Balance outstanding at end of year		46,643			48,091
Weighted average interest rate during the year		2.00	%		2.09	%

10. Subordinated Debentures

On March 25, 2004 the Corporation issued $10,310,000 of Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures (the “Debt Securities”) to PPBI Trust I, a statutory trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware.  The Debt Securities are subordinated to effectively all borrowings of the Corporation and are due and payable on April 7, 2034.  Interest is payable quarterly on the Debt Securities at three-month LIBOR plus 2.75% for a rate of 2.98% at December 31, 2014 and 2.99% at December 31 2013.  The Debt Securities may be redeemed, in part or whole, on or after April 7, 2009 at the option of the Corporation, at par.  The Debt Securities can also be redeemed at par if certain events occur that impact the tax treatment or the capital treatment of the issuance.  The Corporation also purchased a 3% minority interest totaling $310,000 in PPBI Trust I.  The balance of the equity of PPBI Trust I is comprised of mandatorily redeemable preferred securities (“Trust Preferred Securities”) and is included in other assets.  PPBI Trust I sold $10,000,000 of Trust Preferred Securities to investors in a private offering.

In August 2014, the Corporation issued $60 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% Subordinated Notes Due 2024 (the “Notes”) in a private placement transaction to institutional accredited investors (the “Private Placement”).  The Corporation contributed $40 million of net proceeds from the Private Placement to the Bank to support general corporate purposes.  The Notes will bear interest at an annual fixed rate of 5.75%, with the first interest payment on the Notes occurring on March 3, 2015, and interest will be paid semiannually each March 3 and September 3 until September 3, 2024.

In connection with the Private Placement, the Corporation obtained ratings from Kroll Bond Rating Agency

(“KBRA”).  KBRA assigned investment grade ratings of BBB+ and BBB for the Corporation's senior secured debt and subordinated debt, respectively, and a senior deposit rating of A- for the Bank.

The Corporation is not allowed to consolidate PPBI Trust I into the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  The resulting effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is to report only the Subordinated Debentures as a component of the Company’s liabilities.

The following table summarizes activities for our subordinated debentures for the periods indicated:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
	(dollars in thousands)
Average balance outstanding	$	30,858		$	10,310
Maximum amount outstanding at any month-end during the year		70,310			10,310
Balance outstanding at end of year		70,310			10,310
Weighted average interest rate during the year		5.00	%		2.98	%

11. Income Taxes

Income taxes for the years ended December 31 consisted of the following:

	2014			2013			2012
	(in thousands)
Current income tax provision:
Federal	$	9,628		$	7,008		$	6,403
State		3,466			2,329			2,026
Total current income tax provision		13,094			9,337			8,429
Deferred income tax provision (benefit):
Federal		(1,789	)		(3,129	)		1,262
State		(586	)		(621	)		298
Total deferred income tax provision (benefit)		(2,375	)		(3,750	)		1,560
Total income tax provision	$	10,719		$	5,587		$	9,989

A reconciliation from statutory federal income taxes to the Company's effective income taxes for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

	2014			2013			2012
	(in thousands)
Statutory federal income tax provision	$	9,459		$	5,103		$	8,760
California franchise tax, net of federal income tax effect		1,926			1,027			1,842
Other, including tax exempt income		(666	)		(543	)		(613	)
Total income tax provision	$	10,719		$	5,587		$	9,989

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) were comprised of the following temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets at December 31:

	2014			2013			2012
	(in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses	$	1,616		$	891		$	442
Net operating loss		2,703			3,353			3,673
Allowance for loan losses, net of bad debt charge-offs		5,158			3,336			3,390
Directors deferred compensation		1,750			1,896			-
Unrealized loss on available for sale securities		(362	)		2,160			-
State taxes		1,238			858			765
Other-than-temporary impairment		-			684			2,180
Stock based compensation		313			273			6
Total deferred tax assets		12,416			13,451			10,884
Deferred tax liabilities:
Federal Home Loan Bank stock dividends		(169	)		(306	)		(560	)
Deferred FDIC gain		(1,731	)		(1,944	)		(2,367	)
Core deposit intangibles		(1,518	)		(1,813	)		-
Depreciation		321			(216	)		(111	)
Other		(991	)		(695	)		(187	)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(4,088	)		(4,974	)		(3,997	)
Net deferred tax asset	$	8,328		$	8,477		$	6,887

At December 31, 2014, there was no valuation allowance against the Company’s deferred tax asset.  The Company has a net operating loss carry forward of approximately $7.7 million for federal income tax purposes which expires in 2023.  In addition, the Company has a net operating loss carry forward of approximately $162,000 for California franchise tax purposes.  However, the state of California has suspended the net operating loss deduction utilization for the tax years 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013.  The net operating loss deduction for the state is now scheduled to expire in 2033.  With the completion of the secondary offering in October 2003, the Company had an “ownership change” as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 382.  Under Section 382, which has also been adopted under California law, if during any three-year period there is more than a 50 percentage point change in the ownership of the Company, then the future use of any pre-change net operating losses or built-in losses of the Company are subject to an annual percentage limitation based on the value of the company at the ownership change date.  The ownership change reduced the net operating loss carry forward for federal and state tax purposes.  The annual usable net operating loss carry forward going forward is approximately $932,000 per year.

As of December 31, 2014, tax years for 2011 through 2013 remain open to audit by the Internal Revenue Service and 2010 through 2013 by various state taxing agencies.

12. Commitments, Contingencies and Concentrations of Risk

Legal Proceedings – In February 2004, the Bank was named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit entitled “James Baker v. Century Financial, et al,” which alleged violations of the Missouri Second Mortgage Loan Act (the “MSMLA”) by the Bank’s predecessor, Life Bank.  The lawsuit alleged that Missouri homeowners were charged closing costs and related fees exceeding the amount permitted by the MSMLA.  While Life Bank did not originate these mortgages, it did ultimately own and service them for a period of time, which plaintiffs allege creates potential liability under the MSMLA.  The class action lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Clay County, Missouri in 2000.  The lawsuit seeks restitution of all improperly-charged closing fees and costs, prejudgment interest on improperly-charged closing fees and costs, restitution of all interest payments made by the homeowners, prejudgment interest on all interest paid by the homeowners, attorney’s fees, and punitive damages.  In March 2005, the Bank’s motion to dismiss based on statute of limitations arguments was denied by the trial court without a written opinion.  In August 2006, the Bank’s “preemption” motion -- claiming that federal law preempted and superseded the MSMLA as to these loans -- was also denied without a written opinion.  The Bank answered plaintiffs’ complaint, and the parties have exchanged and answered discovery requests.

After a lengthy period of inactivity, the Bank was contacted by plaintiffs’ counsel to schedule depositions and discovery, and prepare the case to go to trial in 2015.  The Board of Directors of the Company determined to establish a $1.7 million reserve related to the lawsuit during the fourth quarter of 2014, which the Board of Directors believes to be a reasonable estimate of the Company’s exposure as of December 31, 2014.

The Company is not involved in any other material pending legal proceedings other than legal proceedings occurring in the ordinary course of business.  Management believes that none of these legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

Lease Commitments – The Company leases a portion of its facilities from non-affiliates under operating leases expiring at various dates through 2023.  The following schedule shows the minimum annual lease payments, excluding any renewals and extensions, property taxes, and other operating expenses, due under these agreements:

	Year ending December 31,
	(in thousands)
2015	$	3,023
2016		2,694
2017		2,395
2018		1,873
2019		1,735
Thereafter		736
Total	$	12,456

Rental expense under all operating leases totaled $2.8 million for 2014, $2.4 million for 2013, and $1.2 million for 2012.

Share-Based Compensation – The following table provides a summary of the expenses the Company has recognized related to share-based compensation awards.  The table below also shows the impact those expenses have had on diluted earnings per share and the remaining expense associated with those awards for the years ended December 31:

	2014		2013		2012
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Share-based compensation expense:
Stock option expense	$	514	$	943	$	177
Total share-based compensation expense		514		943		177
Total share-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	312	$	582	$	108
Diluted shares outstanding		17,343,977		16,609,954		10,984,034
Impact on diluted earnings per share	$	0.018	$	0.035	$	0.010

Employment Agreements—The Company has entered into a three-year employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).  This agreement provides for the payment of a base salary and a bonus based upon the CEO’s individual performance and the Company’s overall performance, provides a vehicle for the CEO’s use, and provides for the payment of severance benefits upon termination under specified circumstances.  Additionally, the Bank has entered into three-year employment agreements with the following executive officers: Chief Banking Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Credit Officer.  The agreements provide for the payment of a base salary, a bonus based upon the individual’s performance and the overall performance of the Bank and the payment of severance benefits upon termination under specified circumstances.

Availability of Funding Sources—The Company funds substantially all of the loans, which it originates or purchases, through deposits, internally generated funds, and/or borrowings.  The Company competes for deposits primarily on the basis of rates, and, as a consequence, the Company could experience difficulties in attracting deposits to fund its operations if the Company does not continue to offer deposit rates at levels that are competitive with other financial institutions.  To the extent that the Company is not able to maintain its currently available funding sources or to access new funding sources, it would have to curtail its loan production activities or sell loans and investment securities earlier than is optimal.  Any such event could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

13. Benefit Plans

401(k) Plan—The Bank maintains an Employee Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) which qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code.  Under the 401(k) Plan, employees may contribute between 1% to 50% of their compensation.  In 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Bank matched 100% of contributions for the first three percent contributed and 50% on the next two percent contributed.  Contributions made to the 401(k) Plan by the Bank amounted to $540,000 for 2014, $401,000 for 2013 and $260,000 for 2012.

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”)—The 2004 Plan was approved by the Corporation’s stockholders in May 2004.  The 2004 Plan authorizes the granting of options equal to 525,500 shares of the common stock of the Corporation for issuances to executives, key employees, officers, and directors.  The 2004 Plan will be in effect for a period of ten years from February 25, 2004, the date the 2004 Plan was adopted.  Options granted under the 2004 Plan will be made at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.  Awards granted to officers and employees may include incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options and limited rights, which are exercisable only upon a change in control of the Corporation.  The options granted pursuant to the 2004 Plan vest at a rate of 33.3% per year.  As of December 31, 2014, there are 325,355 options outstanding on the 2004 Plan with zero available for grant.  The 2004 Plan terminated in February 2014.

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”)—The 2012 Plan was approved by the Corporation’s stockholders in May 2012.  The 2012 Plan authorizes the granting of options equal to 620,000 shares of the common stock of the Corporation for issuances to executives, key employees, officers, and directors.  The 2012 Plan will be in effect for a period of ten years from May 30, 2012, the date the 2012 Plan was adopted.  Options granted under the 2012 Plan will be made at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant.  Awards granted to officers and employees may include incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options and limited rights, which are exercisable only upon a change in control of the Corporation.  The options granted pursuant to the 2012 Plan vest at a rate of 33.3% per year.  In May 2014, the Corporation’s stockholders approved an amendment to the 2012 Plan to increase the shares available under the plan by 800,000 shares to total 1,420,000 shares.  As of December 31, 2014, there are 599,729 options outstanding on the 2004 Plan with 816,105 available for grant.

The Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan, and the Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan are collectively the “Option Plans.”

Below is a summary of the activity in the Option Plans for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:

	2014					2013
	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Options outstanding at the beginning of the year		813,670		$	8.86		672,334		$	8.34
Granted		244,000			15.69		202,000			10.64
Exercised		(132,586	)		10.65		(57,164	)		9.16
Forfeited and expired		-			-		(3,500	)		5.91
Options outstanding at the end of the year		925,084		$	10.41		813,670		$	8.86
Options exercisable at the end of the year		483,110					470,687
Weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at end of year	6.7 Years					6.0 Years

   The aggregate intrinsic value (the amount by which a call option is in the money, calculated by taking the difference between the strike price and the market price of the underlying securities) of options outstanding was $9.6 million at December 31, 2014, $5.6 million at December 31, 2013, and $1.5 million at December 31, 2012.

The aggregate intrinsic value of vested options outstanding was $5.8 million at December 31, 2014, $3.4 million at December 31, 2013, and $695,000 at December 31, 2012.

The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during 2014 was $536,000.  The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during 2013 was $277,000 and the aggregate intrinsic value of options forfeited and expired during 2013 was $24,000.

The amount charged against compensation expense in relation to the stock options was $514,000 for 2014 and $943,000 for 2013.  At December 31, 2014, unrecognized compensation expense related to the options is approximately $515,000 for 2015 and $292,000 for 2016.

Options granted under the Option Plans during 2014, 2013 and 2012 were valued using the Black-Scholes model with the following average assumptions:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2013	2012
Expected volatility	16.2% - 18.5%	22.2% - 25.82%	23.14%
Expected term	6.0 Years	10.0 Years	10.0 Years
Expected dividends	None	None	None
Risk free rate	1.81% - 2.10%	1.78% - 2.67%	1.57%
Weighted-average grant date fair value	$3.28 - $3.67	$3.93 - $5.87	$7.87

Salary Continuation Plan—The Bank implemented a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan in 2006 (the “Salary Continuation Plan”) for certain executive officers of the Bank.  The Salary Continuation Plan is unfunded.  The amounts expensed in 2014 and 2013 under the Salary Continuation Plan amounted to $200,000 and $122,000, respectively.  As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, $3.3 million and $1.0 million, respectively, were recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of condition for the Salary Continuation Plan.

Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan—The Bank created a Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan in September 2006 which allows directors to defer board of directors’ fees.  The deferred compensation is credited with interest by the Bank at prime plus one percent and the accrued liability is payable upon retirement or resignation.  The Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan is unfunded.  The Company is under no obligation to make matching contributions to the plan.  At December 31, 2014 the liability for the plan was $1.2 million compared to $1.1 million at December 31, 2013.  The expense for 2014 was $96,000 compared to $823,000 for 2013.

Long-Term Care Insurance Plan—The Bank implemented a Long-Term Care Insurance Plan in September 2006 for the executive officers and directors of the Bank.  The non-employee directors may elect not to participate in the insurance plan.  For those who opt out, the amount of the insurance premium, up to $4,000 annually, will be recorded each month to their deferred compensation account with interest.  The expense for 2014 and 2013 was $22,000 and $19,000, respectively, for this plan.  As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, $115,000 and $92,000, respectively, was recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of condition for the insurance plan.

14. Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk

The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers.  These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit in the form of originating loans or providing funds under existing lines or letters of credit.  These commitments 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 and may require payment of a fee.  Since many commitments are expected to expire, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements.  Commitments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.

The Company's exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit is represented by the contractual or notional amount of those instruments.  The Company controls credit risk of its commitments to fund loans through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures.  The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance sheet instruments.  The Company evaluates each customer for creditworthiness.

The Company receives collateral to support commitments when deemed necessary.  The most significant categories of collateral include real estate properties underlying mortgage loans, liens on personal property and cash on deposit with the Bank.

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses to provide for commitments related to loans associated with undisbursed loan funds and unused lines of credit.  The allowance for these commitments was $397,000 at December 31, 2014 and $341,000 at December 31, 2013.

The Company’s commitments to extend credit at December 31, 2014 were $355.0 million and $337.2 million at December 31, 2013.  The 2014 balance is primarily composed of $140.1 million of undisbursed C&I loans and $105.3 million of undisbursed warehouse loans.

15. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.  The fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used in fair value calculations.  The three levels of inputs are defined as follows:

Level 1 – unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets accessible by the Company

Level 2 – inputs that are observable in the marketplace other than those inputs classified as Level 1

Level 3 – inputs that are unobservable in the marketplace and significant to the valuation

Because no market exists for a significant portion of the Company’s financial instruments, fair value estimates are based on judgments regarding current economic conditions, risk characteristics of various financial instruments, and other factors.  These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision.  Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the fair values presented.  The followingmethods and assumptions were used by the Company to estimate the fair value of its financial instruments at December 31, 2014 and 2013:

Cash and due from banks – The carrying amounts of cash and short-term instruments approximate fair values and are classified as Level 1.

Securities Available for Sale – Where possible, the Company utilizes quoted market prices to measure debt and equity securities; such items are classified as Level 1 in the hierarchy and include equity securities, US government bonds and securities issued by federally sponsored agencies.  When quoted market prices for identical assets are unavailable or the market for the asset is not sufficiently active, varying valuation techniques are used.  Common inputs in valuing these assets include, among others, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, forward mortgage-backed securities trade prices and recently reported trades.  Such assets are classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy and typically include private label mortgage-backed securities and corporate bonds.  Pricing on these securities are provided to the Company by a pricing service vendor.  In the Level 3 category, the Company is classifying all the securities that the Company pricing service vendor cannot price due to lack of trade activity in these securities.

FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank Stock – The carrying value approximates the fair value based upon the redemption provisions of the stock and are classified as Level 1.

Loans Held for Sale - The fair value of loans held for sale is determined, when possible, using quoted secondary-market prices.  If no such quoted price exists, the fair value of a loan is determined using quoted prices for a similar asset or assets, adjusted for the specific attributes of that loan.  Loans held for sale are classified as Level 2.

Loans Held for Investment— For variable-rate loans that re-price frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values resulting in a Level 3 classification.  The carrying amount of accrued interest receivable approximates its fair value as a Level 1 classification.

Other real estate owned – Other real estate owned represents real estate that the Company has taken control of in partial or full satisfaction of loans.  At the time of foreclosure, other real estate owned is recorded at the fair value of the real estate, less costs to sell, which becomes the property’s new basis.  Fair values are generally based on third party appraisals of the property less any estimated selling costs and are classified as Level 2.

Accrued Interest Receivable/Payable – The carrying amount approximates fair value and are classified as Level 1.

Deposit Accounts— The fair values estimated for demand deposits (interest and noninterest checking, passbook savings, and certain types of money market accounts) are equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts) resulting in a Level 1 classification.  Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on certificates to a schedule of the aggregate expected monthly maturities on time deposits in a Level 2 classification.  The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value as a Level 1 classification.

FHLB Advances and Other Borrowings— For these instruments, the fair value of short term borrowings is estimated to be the carrying amount and is classified as Level 1.  The fair value of long term borrowings and debentures is determined using rates currently available for similar borrowings or debentures with similar credit risk and for the remaining maturities and are classified as Level 2.  The carrying amount of accrued interest payable approximates its fair value as a Level 2 classification.

Subordinated Debentures – The fair value of subordinated debentures is estimated by discounting the balance by the current three-month LIBOR rate plus the current market spread.  The fair value is determined based on the maturity date as the Company does not currently have intentions to call the debenture and are classified as Level 2.

Off-balance sheet commitments and standby letters of credit – The majority of the Bank’s commitments to extend credit carry current market interest rates if converted to loans.  Because these commitments are generally unassignable by either the Bank or the borrower, they only have value to the Bank and the borrower.  The notional amount disclosed for off-balance sheet commitments and standby letters of credit is the amount available to be drawn down on all lines and letters of credit.  The cost to assume is calculated at 10% of the notional amount and is classified as Level 2.

Estimated fair values are disclosed for financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.  These estimates are made at a specific point in time based on relevant market data and information about the financial instruments.  These estimates do not reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering the Company’s entire holdings of a particular financial instrument for sale at one time, nor do they attempt to estimate the value of anticipated future business related to the instruments.  In addition, the tax ramifications related to the realization of unrealized gains and losses can have a significant effect on fair value estimates and have not been considered in any of these estimates.

The fair value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

	At December 31, 2014
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	110,925	$	110,925	$	-	$	-	$	110,925
Securities available for sale		201,638		-		201,638		-		201,638
Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock, at cost		17,067		17,067		-		-		17,067
Loans held for investment, net		1,616,422		-		-		2,116,719		2,116,719
Accrued interest receivable		7,131		7,131		-		-		7,131
Other real estate owned		1,037		-		1,037		-		1,037
Liabilities:
Deposit accounts		1,630,826		1,216,847		519,898		-		1,736,745
FHLB advances		70,000		70,025		-		-		70,025
Other borrowings		46,643		-		48,312		-		48,312
Subordinated debentures		70,310		-		33,456		-		33,456
Accrued interest payable		209		209		-		-		209
	Notional Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Cost to Cede or Assume
Off-balance sheet commitments and standby letters of credit	$	355,024	$	-	$	35,502	$	-	$	35,502
	At December 31, 2013
	Carrying Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	126,813	$	126,813	$	-	$	-	$	126,813
Securities available for sale		256,089		-		256,089		-		256,089
Federal Reserve Bank and FHLB stock, at cost		15,450		15,450		-		-		15,450
Loans held for sale, net		3,147		-		3,147		-		3,147
Loans held for investment, net		1,231,923		-		-		1,230,316		1,230,316
Accrued interest receivable		6,254		6,254		-		-		6,254
Other real estate owned		1,186		-		1,186		-		1,186
Liabilities:
Deposit accounts		1,306,286		991,630		301,007		-		1,292,637
FHLB advances		156,000		156,000		-		-		156,000
Other borrowings		48,091		-		49,058		-		49,058
Subordinated debentures		10,310		-		4,696		-		4,696
Accrued interest payable		166		166		-		-		166
	Notional Amount		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Cost to Cede or Assume
Off-balance sheet commitments and standby letters of credit	$	337,181	$	-	$	33,718	$	-	$	33,718

A loan is considered impaired when it is probable that payment of interest and principal will not be made in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Impairment is measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral or the discounted expected future cash flows.  The Company measures impairment on all non-accrual loans for which it has reduced the principal balance to the value of the underlying collateral less the anticipated selling cost.  As such, the Company records impaired loans as non-recurring Level 3 when the fair value of the underlying collateral is based on an observable market price or current appraised value.  When current market prices are not available or the Company determines that the fair value of the underlying collateral is further impaired below appraised values, the Company records impaired loans as Level 3.  At December 31, 2014, substantially all the Company’s impaired loans were evaluated based on the fair value of their underlying collateral based upon the most recent appraisal available to management.

The Company’s valuation methodologies may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  While management believes the Company’s valuation methodologies are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

The following fair value hierarchy tables present information about the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at the dates indicated:

	At December 31, 2014
	Fair Value Measurement Using
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Assets at Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Assets
Marketable securities	$	-	$	201,638	$	-	$	201,638
Total assets	$	-	$	201,638	$	-	$	201,638
	At December 31, 2013
	Fair Value Measurement Using
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Assets at Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Assets
Marketable securities	$	-	$	256,089	$	-	$	256,089
Total assets	$	-	$	256,089	$	-	$	256,089

The following table provides a summary of the financial instruments the Company measures at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2014:

	Fair Value Measurement Using
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Assets at Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Assets
Collateral dependent impaired loans	$	-	$	-	$	921	$	921
Other real estate owned		-		1,037		-		1,037
Total assets	$	-	$	1,037	$	921	$	1,958

The following table presents quantitative information about level 3 of fair value measurements for financial instruments measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis for the periods indicated:

	December 31, 2014
					Range
	Fair Value		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Rate			Maturity (years)		Unobservable Inputs
Collateral dependent impaired loans:
Business loans:
Commercial owner occupied	$	388	Collateral valuation	Management adjustment to reflect current conditions and selling costs		6.75	%		7		0-10	%
Real estate loans:
Commercial non-owner occupied		479	Collateral valuation	Management adjustment to reflect current conditions and selling costs		7.00% - 7.50	%		2 - 12		0-15	%
One-to-four family		54	Collateral valuation	Management adjustment to reflect current conditions and selling costs		8.00% - 15.00	%		5 - 16		0-10	%
Total collateral dependent impaired loans	$	921
Other real estate owned
One-to-four family	$	285	Collateral valuation	Management adjustment to reflect current conditions and selling costs		--			--		0-10	%
Land		752	Collateral valuation	Management adjustment to reflect current conditions and selling costs		--			--		0-10	%
Total other real estate owned	$	1,037

16. Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share of common stock is calculated on both a basic and diluted basis based on the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding, excluding common shares in treasury.  Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted from the issuance of common stock that then would share in earnings.

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in basic and diluted earnings per share computations is presented in the table below.

	Income/(Loss)		Shares		Per Share
	(numerator)		(denominator)		Amount
	(dollars in thousands, except share data)
For the year ended December 31, 2014:
Net income applicable to earnings per share	$	16,616
Basic earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders		16,616		17,046,660	$	0.97
Effect of dilutive securities: Warrants and stock option plans		-		297,317
Diluted earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders	$	16,616		17,343,977	$	0.96
For the year ended December 31, 2013:
Net income applicable to earnings per share	$	8,993
Basic earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders		8,993		15,798,885	$	0.57
Effect of dilutive securities: Warrants and stock option plans		-		811,069
Diluted earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders	$	8,993		16,609,954	$	0.54
For the year ended December 31, 2012:
Net income applicable to earnings per share	$	15,776
Basic earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders		15,776		10,571,073	$	1.49
Effect of dilutive securities: Warrants and stock option plans		-		412,961
Diluted earnings per share: Income available to common stockholders	$	15,776		10,984,034	$	1.44

17. Related Parties

Loans to the Company’s executive officers and directors are made in the ordinary course of business and are made on substantially the same terms as comparable transactions.  There were no new loans made or outstanding to any officers or directors of the Company in 2014 or 2013.

At the end of 2014 the Company had related party deposits of $2.4 million compared to $819,000 at the end of 2013.

18. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following is a summary of selected financial data presented below by quarter for the periods indicated:

	First		Second			Third		Fourth
	Quarter		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter
	(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
For the year ended December 31, 2014
Interest income	$	18,022	$	19,231		$	21,034	$	22,037
Interest expense		1,387		1,533			2,014		2,770
Provision for estimated loan losses		949		1,030			1,284		1,421
Noninterest income		2,052		2,471			4,467		5,402
Noninterest expense		13,541		11,641			13,343		16,468
Income tax provision		1,565		2,855			3,410		2,889
Net income	$	2,632	$	4,643		$	5,450	$	3,891
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.15	$	0.28		$	0.32	$	0.23
Diluted	$	0.15	$	0.27		$	0.31	$	0.23
For the year ended December 31, 2013
Interest income	$	14,235	$	14,936		$	16,374	$	17,973
Interest expense		1,336		1,347			1,366		1,307
Provision for estimated loan losses		296		322			646		596
Noninterest income		1,724		2,431			2,321		2,617
Noninterest expense		11,179		15,856			11,771		12,009
Income tax provision		1,176		91			1,846		2,474
Net income (loss)	$	1,972	$	(249	)	$	3,066	$	4,204
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.14	$	(0.02	)	$	0.19	$	0.26
Diluted	$	0.13	$	(0.02	)	$	0.18	$	0.25

19. Parent Company Financial Information

The Corporation is a California-based bank holding company organized in 1997 as a Delaware corporation and owns 100% of the capital stock of the Bank, its principal operating subsidiary.  The Bank was incorporated and commenced operations in 1983.  Condensed financial statements of the Corporation are as follows:

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC.
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(Parent company only)
	At December 31,
	2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	18,724	$	2,873
Deferred income taxes		3,566		3,280
Investment in subsidiaries		247,669		179,034
Other assets		1,544		611
Total Assets	$	271,503	$	185,798
Liabilities:
Subordinated debentures	$	70,310	$	10,310
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		1,601		262
Total Liabilities		71,911		10,572
Total Stockholders’ Equity		199,592		175,226
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	271,503	$	185,798

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Parent company only)
	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
	(in thousands)
Income:
Interest income	$	36		$	20		$	4
Noninterest income		2			3			24
Total income		38			23			28
Expense:
Interest expense		1,543			307			326
Noninterest expense		1,874			2,141			1,138
Total expense		3,417			2,448			1,464
Loss before income tax provision		(3,379	)		(2,425	)		(1,436	)
Income tax benefit		(1,275	)		(827	)		(591	)
Net loss  (parent only)		(2,104	)		(1,598	)		(845	)
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		18,720			10,591			16,621
Net income	$	16,616		$	8,993		$	15,776

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC.
SUMMARY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Parent company only)
	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(in thousands)
Net income	$	16,616		$	8,993		$	15,776
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used in operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense		514			943			177
Equity in net earnings of subsidiaries		(18,720	)		(10,591	)		(16,621	)
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities		1,560			(39	)		154
Increase (decrease) in current and deferred taxes		(286	)		1,153			93
Decrease (increase) in other assets		232			(504	)		44
Net cash used in operating activities		(84	)		(45	)		(377	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Dividend from Bank		2,472			-			800
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance cost		-			4,560			30,958
Repurchase of common stock		(5,638	)		(59	)		(195	)
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants		267			90			237
Capital contribution to Bank		(40,000	)		(8,700	)		(25,000	)
Proceeds from issuance of subordinated debentures		58,834			-			-
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		15,935			(4,109	)		6,800
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		15,851			(4,154	)		6,423
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year		2,873			7,027			604
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	18,724		$	2,873		$	7,027

20. Acquisitions

Infinity Franchise Holdings Acquisition

On November 18, 2013, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Infinity Franchise Holdings, LLC (“Infinity Holdings”) and its wholly owned operating subsidiary Infinity Franchise Capital, LLC (“IFC” and together with Infinity Holdings, “Infinity”), a national lender to franchisees in the quick service restaurant (“QSR”) industry, and other direct and indirect subsidiaries utilized in its business.  The acquisition was completed on January 30, 2014, whereby we acquired $80.8 million in assets, $709,000 in liabilities and paid off their credit facility of $67.6 million.  Infinity had no delinquent loans or adversely classified assets as of the acquisition date.  The acquisition of Infinity is expected to further diversify our loan portfolio with commercial and industrial and owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, to deploy excess liquidity into higher yielding assets, to positively impact our net interest margin and to further leverage our strong capital base.  The QSR franchisee lending business is a niche market that provides attractive growth opportunities for the Company in the future.  The value of the total consideration paid for the Infinity acquisition was $16.9 million, which consisted of $9.0 million paid in cash and the issuance of 562,469 shares of the Corporation’s stock, which was valued at $16.02 per share as measured by the 10-day average closing price immediately prior to closing of the transaction.

The following table represents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of IFC as of January 30, 2014 and the provisional fair value adjustments and amounts recorded by the Company in 2014 under the acquisition method of accounting:

	IFC Book Value			Fair Value Adjustments			Fair Value
	(dollars in thousands)
ASSETS ACQUIRED
Cash and cash equivalents	$	555		$	-		$	555
Loans		78,833			-			78,833
Deferred loan costs		1,082			(1,082	)		-
Allowance for loan losses		(268	)		268			-
Other assets		776			-			776
Total assets acquired	$	80,978		$	(814	)	$	80,164
LIABILITIES ASSUMED
Bank loan	$	67,617		$	-		$	67,617
Accrued compensation		495			-			495
Other liabilities		214			-			214
Total liabilities assumed		68,326			-			68,326
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed	$	12,652		$	(814	)		11,838
Consideration paid								17,360
Goodwill recognized							$	5,522

San Diego Trust Bank Acquisition

On June 25, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of San Diego Trust Bank (“SDTB”) in exchange for consideration valued at $30.6 million which consisted of $16.2 million of cash and 1,198,255 shares of the Corporation’s common stock.

SDTB was a San Diego, California based state-chartered bank.  The acquisition was an opportunity for the Company to acquire a banking network that complemented our existing banking franchise and expanded into a new market area.  Additionally, the SDTB acquisition improved the Company’s deposit base by lowering our cost of deposits and providing an opportunity to accelerate future core deposit growth in the San Diego, California, market area.

Goodwill in the amount of $5.6 million was recognized in this acquisition.  Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from net assets acquired that are not individually identified and separately recognized and is attributable to synergies expected to be derived from the combination of the two entities.  Goodwill recognized in this transaction is not deductible for income tax purposes.

 The following table represents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of SDTB as of June 25, 2013 and the provisional fair value adjustments and amounts recorded by the Company in 2013 under the acquisition method of accounting:

	SDTB Book Value			Fair Value Adjustments			Fair Value
	(dollars in thousands)
ASSETS ACQUIRED
Cash and cash equivalents	$	30,252		$	-		$	30,252
Investment securities		124,960			(155	)		124,805
Loans, gross		42,945			(223	)		42,722
Allowance for loan losses		(1,013	)		1,013			-
Other real estate owned		752			-			752
Core deposit intangible		-			2,836			2,836
Other assets		9,856			-			9,856
Total assets acquired	$	207,752		$	3,471		$	211,223
LIABILITIES ASSUMED
Deposits	$	183,901		$	6		$	183,907
Deferred tax liability (asset)		(333	)		1,507			1,174
Other liabilities		1,823			(729	)		1,094
Total liabilities assumed		185,391			784			186,175
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed	$	22,361		$	2,687			25,048
Consideration paid								30,622
Goodwill recognized							$	5,574

The Company accounted for these transactions under the acquisition method of accounting which requires purchased assets and liabilities assumed to be recorded at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition.  The Company determined the fair value of the core deposit intangible, securities and deposits with the assistance of third-party valuations.  The fair value of other real estate owned (“OREO”) was based on recent appraisals of the properties.

The estimated fair values are subject to refinement as additional information relative to the closing date fair values become available through the measurement period, which can extend for up to one year after the closing date of the transaction.  While additional significant changes to the closing date fair values are not expected, any information relative to the changes in these fair values will be evaluated to determine if such changes are due to events and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date.  During the measurement period, any such changes will be recorded as part of the closing date fair value.

First Association Bank Acquisition

On March 15, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of First Association Bank (“FAB”) in exchange for consideration valued as of the closing at $57.9 million which consisted of $43.0 million of cash and 1,279,217 shares of the Corporation’s common stock.

FAB was a Dallas, Texas, based bank which specialized in providing commercial banking services to home owner association (“HOA”) management companies throughout the United States.  The FAB acquisition was an opportunity for the Company to acquire a highly efficient, consistently profitable and niche-focused business that complimented our banking franchise.  Additionally, this acquisition improved the Company’s deposit base by lowering our cost of deposits and providing a platform to accelerate future core deposit growth from HOAs.

Goodwill in the amount of $11.9 million was recognized in this acquisition.  Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from net assets acquired that are not individually identified and separately recognized and is attributable to synergies expected to be derived from the combination of the two entities.  Goodwill recognized in this transaction is not deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table represents the assets acquired and liabilities assumed of FAB as of March 15, 2013, the provisional fair value adjustments and amounts recorded by the Company in 2013 under the acquisition method of accounting:

	FAB Book Value			Fair Value Adjustments		Fair Value
ASSETS ACQUIRED	(dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	167,663		$	-	$	167,663
Investment securities		219,913			2,478		222,391
Loans, gross		26,264			158		26,422
Allowance for loan losses		(224	)		224		-
Core deposit intangible		-			1,930		1,930
Other assets		5,823			-		5,823
Total assets acquired	$	419,439		$	4,790	$	424,229
LIABILITIES ASSUMED
Deposits	$	356,737		$	81	$	356,818
Borrowings		16,905			-		16,905
Deferred tax liability		-			3,918		3,918
Other Liabilities		536			-		536
Total liabilities assumed		374,178			3,999		378,177
Excess of assets acquired over liabilities assumed	$	45,261		$	791		46,052
Consideration paid							57,906
Goodwill recognized						$	11,854

There were no purchased credit impaired loans acquired from FAB, SDTB or IFC.  For loans acquired from FAB, SDTB and IFC, the contractual amounts due, expected cash flows to be collected, interest component and fair value as of the respective acquisition dates were as follows:

	Acquired Loans
	(dollars in thousands)
Contractual amounts due	$	177,678
Cash flows not expected to be collected		-
Expected cash flows		177,678
Interest component of expected cash flows		29,701
Fair value of acquired loans	$	147,977

In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles there was no carryover of the allowance for loan losses that had been previously recorded by FAB, SDTB, or IFC.

The operating results of the Company for the twelve months ending December 31, 2014 include the operating results of FAB, SDTB and IFC since their respective acquisition dates.  The following table presents the net interest and other income, net income and earnings per share as if the merger with FAB, SDTB and IFC were effective as of January 1, 2014, 2013 and 2012.  There were no material, nonrecurring adjustments to the pro forma net interest and other income, net income and earnings per share presented below:

	Twelve months Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Net interest and other income	$	87,047	$	72,515	$	72,613
Net income		16,235		9,231		15,484
Basic earnings per share	$	0.95	$	0.51	$	1.19
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.94	$	0.48	$	1.15

21. Subsequent Events

Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Independence Bank

On October 22, 2014, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Independence Bank, a Newport Beach, California, based state-chartered bank with six branches located in Orange County and Riverside County.  This transaction will strengthen the Company’s competitive position as one of the premier banks headquartered in Southern California.  The acquisition was completed on January 26, 2015, whereby we acquired $424.0 million in total assets, $334.7 million in loans and $336.1 million in total deposits.  This transaction allowed us to acquire a commercial banking franchise in our backyard.  The Independence Bank branch locations will connect our existing footprint between Orange County and the broader Coachella Valley and represents an important element of our strategic growth plan by providing meaningful operational scale in our core markets.  The acquisition also allows us to deploy a portion of our current capital base into a compelling investment which we anticipate will produce attractive returns for shareholders.  Under the terms of the merger agreement, each share of Independence Bank common stock was converted into the right to receive $13.75 per share in cash or 0.9259 shares of Company common stock, or a combination thereof, subject to the overall requirement that approximately 10% of the consideration will be in the form of cash and approximately 90% will be in the form of Company common stock.  The value of the total deal consideration was $78.5 million, which includes $6.1 million of cash consideration for Independence Bank common stockholders, $1.5 million of aggregate cash consideration to the holders of Independence Bank stock options and warrants, and the issuance of 4,480,645 shares of the Corporation’s common stock, which was valued at $70.9 million based on the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on January 26, 2015 of $15.83 per share.

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

None.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(c) and 15d-15(c)) under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives.  In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

Based on our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K in providing reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in periodic reports that we file or submit to the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.  Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.  Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

·   pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

·   provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with the authorization of its management and directors; and

·   provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Our management assessed the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014.  In making this assessment, management used the framework set forth in the report entitled “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, or COSO.  The COSO framework summarizes each of the components of a company’s internal control system, including (i) the control environment, (ii) risk assessment, (iii) control activities, (iv) information and communication, and (v) monitoring.  Based on this assessment, our management believes that, as of December 31, 2014, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the Company’s financial statements included in the Annual Report, issued an audit report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of, and for the year ended December 31, 2014.  Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP’s audit report appears in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We regularly review our system of internal control over financial reporting and make changes to our processes and systems to improve controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that we maintain an effective internal control environment.  Changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems, consolidating activities, and migrating processes.

As of the end of the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2014, there were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

None

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item with respect to our directors and certain corporate governance practices is contained in our Proxy Statement for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”), expected to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, under the headings “Corporate Governance;” “Item 1—Election of Directors;” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” which information is incorporated herein by reference. The information required by this item with respect to our executive officers is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

We maintain a code of ethics applicable to our Board of Directors, principal executive officer, and principal financial officer, as well as all of our other employees.  Our code of ethics can be found on our internet website located at www.ppbi.com.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Executive Compensation;” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation;” and “Compensation Committee Report,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

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

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of December 31, 2014, with respect to options outstanding and available under the Company’s active stock incentive plans.

Plan Category	Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options/Warrants		Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options/Warrants		Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
	(a)		(b)		(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
2004 Stock Incentive Plan		325,355	$	8.29		-
2012 Stock Incentive Plan		599,729	$	11.56		816,105
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders		-		-		-
Total Equity Compensation plans		925,084	$	10.41		816,105

Additional information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Principal Holders of Common Stock” and “Security Ownership of Directors and Executives Officers,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the headings “Transactions with Certain Related Persons” and “Item 1—Election of Directors,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item is contained in the Proxy Statement under the heading “Item 11.  Ratification of the Appointment of Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP as the Company’s Independent Auditor for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2014,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

    (a)           Documents filed as part of this report.

(1) The following financial statements are incorporated by reference from Item 8 hereof:

Independent Auditors’ Report.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Other Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2) All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the SEC are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or related notes thereto.

(3) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-K, and this list includes the Exhibit Index.

Exhibit No.	Description
2.1	Purchase and Assumption Agreement-Whole Bank All Deposits, Among Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Receiver of Palm Desert National Bank, Palm Desert, California, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Pacific Premier Bank, Costa Mesa, California dated as of April 27, 2012.  (1)
2.2	Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of October 15, 2012, among Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc., Pacific Premier Bank and First Associations Bank.  (2)
2.3	Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of March 5, 2013, among Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc., Pacific Premier Bank and San Diego Trust Bank.  (3)
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (4)
3.2	Amended and Restated Bylaws of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (4)
4.1	Specimen Stock Certificate of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (5)
4.2	Indenture from PPBI Trust I. (8)
10.1	2000 Stock Incentive Plan.  (7)*
10.2	Employment Agreement between Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Pacific Premier Bank and Steven Gardner dated January 1, 2011.  (11)*
10.3	Employment Agreement between Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Pacific Premier Bank and Kent Smith dated January 1, 2011.  (11)*
10.4	Employment Agreement between Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Pacific Premier Bank and Eddie Wilcox dated January 1, 2011.  (11)*
10.5	Employment Agreement between Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. and Pacific Premier Bank and Mike Karr dated January 1, 2011.  (11)*
10.6	Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust from PPBI Trust I. (8)
10.7	Guarantee Agreement from PPBI Trust I. (8)
10.8	Salary Continuation Agreements between Pacific Premier Bank and Steven R. Gardner.  (9)*
10.9	2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (10)*
10.10	Form of 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan Incentive Stock Option Agreement (12)
10.11	Form of 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (12)
10.12	Form of 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Agreement (12)
10.13	Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (4)*
10.14	Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Agreement (4)
10.15	Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement (4)
10.16	Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (4)
10.17 10.18	Form of Shareholder Agreement among Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc., First Association Bank and certain shareholders of First Associations Bank (2) Form of Shareholder Agreement among Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc., San Diego Trust Bank, and certain shareholders of San Diego Trust Bank(3)
21	Subsidiaries of Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc. (Reference is made to “Item 1.  Business” for the required information.)
23	Consent of Vavrinek, Trine, Day and Co., LLP.
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
32	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
101.INS**	XBRL Instance Document #
101.SCH**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document #
101.CAL**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document #
101.LAB**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document #
101.PRE**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document #
101.DEF**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document #

________________

(1) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on May 3, 2012.

(2) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 15, 2012.

(3) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2013.

(4) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 4, 2012.

(5) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-20497) filed with the SEC on January 27, 1997.

(6) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on December 14, 2001.

(7) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on May 1, 2000.

(8) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 3, 2004.

(9) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 19, 2006.

(10) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on April 23, 2004.

(11) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 6, 2011.

(12) Incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-117857) filed with the SEC on September 3, 2004.

* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

** Submitted electronically herewith.  Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 401 of Regulations S-T promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission that the financial information contained in the XBRL-Related Documents is unaudited.  Furthermore, users of this data are advised in accordance with Rule 406T of Regulations S-T promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission that this Interactive Data File is deemed not filed or 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these Sections.

# Attached as Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014 of Pacific Premier Bancorp., Inc. are the following documents in XBRL (eXtensive Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2014 and 2011; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012; (iii) Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity and Other Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

SIGNATURES

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

PACIFIC PREMIER BANCORP, INC.

By:          /s/ Steve Gardner

Steve Gardner

President and Chief Executive Officer

DATED: March 16, 2015

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

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Steven R. Gardner	President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)	March 16, 2015
Steven R. Gardner
/s/ Kent J. Smith	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer)	March 16, 2015
Kent J. Smith
/s/ Jeff C. Jones	Chairman of the Board of Directors	March 16, 2015
Jeff C. Jones
/s/ John D. Goddard	Director	March 16, 2015
John D. Goddard
/s/ Michael L. McKennon	Director	March 16, 2015
Michael L. McKennon
/s/ Kenneth Boudreau	Director	March 16, 2015
Kenneth Boudreau
/s/ Joe Garrett	Director	March 16, 2015
Joe Garrett
/s/ John Carona	Director	March 16, 2015
John Carona