SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The accounting and reporting policies of the Company conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and with general practices in the banking industry.

Certain prior period data presented in the financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, balances due from banks, federal funds sold, and interest-bearing demand deposits with original maturities of twelve months or less. Deposits with other banks routinely have balances greater than FDIC insured limits. Management considers the risk of loss to be very low with respect to such deposits.

INVESTMENT SECURITIES

Certain municipal debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held-to-maturity” and recorded at amortized cost. Securities not classified as held-to-maturity are classified as “available-for-sale” and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts are recognized as adjustments to interest income using the level-yield method. Realized gains or losses from the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are computed using the specific identification method.

Declines in the fair value of securities below their cost that are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, and for which the Company does not intend to sell the securities and it is not more likely than not that the securities will be sold before the anticipated recovery of the impairment, are separated into losses related to credit factors and losses related to other factors. The losses related to credit factors are recognized in earnings and losses related to other factors are recognized in other comprehensive income. In estimating other than temporary impairment losses, management considers the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. The Company's consolidated statements of income as of December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, do not reflect any such impairment.

Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") stock is an equity interest in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati. It can be sold only at its par value of $100 per share and only to the FHLB or to another member institution. In addition, the equity ownership rights are more limited than would be the case for a public company because of the oversight role exercised by the Federal Housing Finance Agency in the process of budgeting and approving dividends. Federal Reserve Bank stock is similarly restricted in marketability and value. Both investments are carried at cost, which is their par value.

FHLB and Federal Reserve Bank stock are both subject to minimum ownership requirements by member banks. The required investments in common stock are based on predetermined formulas.

LOANS

The Company’s loan portfolio includes most types of commercial and industrial loans, commercial loans secured by real estate, residential real estate loans, consumer loans, agricultural loans and other types of loans. Most of the properties collateralizing the loan portfolio are located within the Company’s market area.

Loans are stated at the principal amount outstanding, net of unearned income, deferred origination fees and costs, and the allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. The delinquency status of a loan is based on contractual terms and not on how recently payments have been received. Generally, a loan is placed on non-accrual status when it is classified as impaired or there is an indication that the borrower’s cash flow may not be sufficient to make payments as they come due, unless the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Subsequent cash receipts on non-accrual loans are recorded as a reduction of principal and interest income is recorded once principal recovery is reasonably assured. The current year's accrued interest on loans placed on non-accrual status is charged against earnings. Previous years' accrued interest is charged against the allowance for loan losses. Non-accrual loans are returned to accrual status when, in the opinion of management, the financial position of the borrower indicates there is no longer a reasonable doubt as to the timely collection of interest or principal.

Loan origination fees and certain direct loan origination costs are deferred and the net amount amortized as an adjustment of loan yields. These amounts are being amortized over the lives of the related loans.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into off-balance sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded in the financial statements when they are funded. The credit risk associated with these commitments is evaluated in a manner similar to the allowance for loan losses.

ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

The allowance for loan losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to expense. Loans are charged against the allowance for loan losses when management believes that the collectibility of the principal is unlikely. Consumer loans are charged off when they reach 120 days past due. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The provision for loan losses is determined by management based upon its evaluation of the amount needed to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level considered appropriate in relation to the estimated risk of losses inherent in the portfolio. Current methodology used by management to estimate the allowance takes into consideration such factors as changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problem loans, historic categorical trends, current delinquency levels as related to historical levels, portfolio growth rates, changes in composition of the portfolio, the current economic environment, as well as current allowance adequacy in relation to the portfolio. Management is cognizant that reliance on historical information coupled with the cyclical nature of the economy, including credit cycles, affects the allowance. Management considers all of these factors prior to making any adjustments to the allowance due to the subjectivity and imprecision involved in allocation methodology. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are specifically reviewed for impairment. For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers loans not specifically reviewed for impairment and homogeneous loan pools, such as residential real estate and consumer loans. The general component is measured for each loan category separately based on each category’s average of historical loss experience over a trailing sixty month period, adjusted for qualitative factors. Such qualitative factors may include current economic conditions if different from the five-year historical loss period, trends in underperforming loans, trends in volume and terms of loan categories, concentrations of credit, and trends in loan quality.

A loan is considered impaired when management believes, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect all amounts due, including principal and interest, according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. An impaired loan is measured by the present value of expected future cash flows using the loan's effective interest rate. An impaired collateral-dependent loan may be measured based on collateral value. Smaller-balance homogeneous loans, including residential mortgage and consumer installment loans, that are not evaluated individually are collectively evaluated for impairment.

PREMISES AND EQUIPMENT

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on both the straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 15 to 40 years for premises and 3 to 10 years for equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the terms of the respective leases or the estimated useful lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Costs incurred for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Premises and equipment are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a particular asset may not be recoverable.

OTHER REAL ESTATE OWNED

Other real estate owned includes properties acquired through foreclosure. Such property is held for sale and is initially recorded at fair value, less costs to sell, establishing a new cost basis. Fair value is primarily based on a property appraisal obtained at the time of transfer and any periodic updates that may be obtained thereafter. The allowance for loan losses is charged for any write down of the loan’s carrying value to fair value at the date of transfer. Any subsequent reductions in fair value and expenses incurred from holding other real estate owned are charged to other non-interest expense. Costs, excluding interest, relating to the improvement of other real estate owned are capitalized. Gains and losses from the sale of other real estate owned are included in other non-interest expense.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but is instead subject to an annual review for impairment.

Mortgage servicing rights on originated mortgage loans that have been sold are initially recorded at their estimated fair values. Mortgage servicing rights are amortized to loan servicing income in proportion to and over the period of estimated servicing income. Such assets are periodically evaluated as to the recoverability of their carrying value.

The Company’s other intangible assets relate to core deposits acquired from business combinations. These intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Management evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining useful life or carrying value of the amortizing intangible should be revised.

BANK OWNED LIFE INSURANCE

The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain officers of the Company. The Company is the beneficiary of these policies and has recorded the estimated cash surrender value in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Income on the policies, based on the increase in cash surrender value and any incremental death benefits, is included in other non-interest income in the consolidated statements of income.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING TAX CREDIT LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

LCNB has elected to account for its investment in an affordable housing tax credit limited partnership using the proportional amortization method described in FASB ASU 2014-01, "Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Accounting for Investments in Qualified Affordable Housing Projects (A Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)." Under the proportional amortization method, an investor amortizes the initial cost of the investment to income tax expense 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. The investment in the limited partnership is included in other assets and the unfunded amount is included in accrued interest and other liabilities in LCNB's consolidated balance sheets.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. A financial instrument’s level within the hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three broad input levels are:


•	Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the reporting date;


•	Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and


•	Level 3 - inputs that are unobservable for the asset or liability.

Accounting guidance permits, but does not require, companies to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The decision to elect the fair value option is made individually for each instrument and is irrevocable once made. Changes in fair value for the selected instruments are recorded in earnings. The Company did not select any financial instruments for the fair value election in 2017 or 2016.

ADVERTISING EXPENSE

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are recorded as a marketing expense, a component of non-interest expense.

PENSION PLANS

Eligible employees of the Company hired before 2009 participate in a multiple-employer qualified noncontributory defined benefit retirement plan. This plan is accounted for as a multi-employer plan because assets contributed by an employer are not segregated in a separate account or restricted to provide benefits only to employees of that employer.

Citizens National had a qualified noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan, which has been assumed by the Company, that covers eligible employees hired before May 1, 2005. This is a single employer plan.

TREASURY STOCK

Common shares repurchased are recorded at cost. Cost of shares retired or reissued is determined using the weighted average method.

STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD PLANS

The cost of employee services received in exchange for stock option grants is the grant-date fair value of the award estimated using an option-pricing model. The compensation cost for restricted stock awards is based on the market price of the Company's common stock at the date of grant multiplied by the number of shares granted that are expected to vest. The estimated cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period the employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award, usually the vesting period. The Company uses a Black-Scholes pricing model and related assumptions for estimating the fair value of stock option grants and a five-year vesting period for stock options and restricted stock.

INCOME TAXES

Deferred income taxes are determined using the asset and liability method of accounting. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws.

Management analyzes material tax positions taken in any income tax return for any tax jurisdiction and determines the likelihood of the positions being sustained in a tax examination. A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share allocated to common shareholders is calculated using the two-class method and is computed by dividing net income allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is adjusted for the dilutive effects of stock based compensation and warrants and is calculated using the two-class method or the treasury stock method. The diluted average number of common shares outstanding has been increased for the assumed exercise of stock based compensation and warrants with the proceeds used to purchase treasury shares at the average market price for the period.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

From time to time the FASB issues an Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") to communicate changes to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). The following information provides brief summaries of newly issued but not yet effective ASUs that could have an effect on LCNB’s financial position or results of operations:

ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)"

ASU No. 2014-09 was issued in May 2014 and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance for contracts to transfer goods or services or other nonfinancial assets. Lease contracts, insurance contracts, and most financial instruments are not included in the scope of this update. ASU No. 2014-09 provides that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance enumerates five steps that entities should follow in achieving this core principle. Additional disclosures providing information about contracts with customers are required.

Guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 has been clarified by the following ASUs:


•	ASU No. 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)"


•	ASU No. 2016-10, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing"


•	ASU No. 2016-12, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients"


•	ASU No. 2016-20, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Technical Corrections and Improvements"

As extended by ASU No. 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date," ASU No. 2014-09 and the clarifying ASUs are effective for public companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Transitional guidance is included in the updates. Earlier adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. LCNB's revenue is comprised of net interest income, which is explicitly excluded from the scope of ASU No. 2014-09, and non-interest income. LCNB management has finalized its assessment of the update's affect on non-interest income and has determined that the amendments in ASU No. 2014-09 will not result in a material change from current accounting. Changes to related disclosures are still being analyzed.

ASU No. 2016-01, "Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities"

ASU No. 2016-01 was issued in January 2016 and applies to all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities. It makes targeted changes to generally accepted accounting principles for public companies as follows:


1.	Requires most equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income.


2.	Simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value.


3.	Eliminates the requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet.


4.	Requires use of the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes.


5.	Requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments.


6.	Requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements.


7.	Clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets.

For public business entities, the new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim reporting periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Adoption of ASU No. 2016-01 did not have a material impact on LCNB's results of operations or financial position.

ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)"

ASU No. 2016-02 was issued in February 2016 and requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments ("the lease liability") and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. When measuring assets and liabilities arising from a lease, the lessee should include payments to be made in optional periods only if the lessee is reasonably certain, as defined, to exercise an option to the lease or not to exercise an option to terminate the lease. Optional payments to purchase the underlying asset should be included if the lessee is reasonably certain it will exercise the purchase option. Most variable lease payments should be excluded except for those that depend on an index or a rate or are in substance fixed payments.

A lessee shall classify a lease as a finance lease if it meets any of five listed criteria:


1.	The lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term.


2.	The lease grants the lessee an option to purchase the underlying asset that the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise.


3.	The lease term is for the major part of the remaining economic life of the underlying asset.


4.	The present value of the sum of the lease payments and any residual value guaranteed by the lessee equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the underlying asset.


5.	The underlying asset is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term.

For finance leases, a lessee shall recognize in the statement of income interest on the lease liability separately from amortization of the right-of-use asset. Amortization of the right-of-use asset shall be on a straight-line basis, unless another basis is more representative of the pattern in which the lessee expects to consume the right-of-use asset’s future economic benefits. If the lease does not meet any of the five criteria, the lessee shall classify it as an operating lease and shall recognize a single lease cost on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The amendments in this update are to be applied using a modified retrospective approach, as defined, and are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early application is permitted. LCNB estimates that it will recognize discounted right of use assets and lease liabilities totaling approximately $5 million for the leases disclosed in Note 8 - Leases. This projection is based on various assumptions, including the level of interest rates and no significant increases in leasing activity, that may change between now and the effective date.

ASU No. 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments"

ASU No. 2016-13 was issued in June 2016 and, once effective, will significantly change current guidance for recognizing impairment of financial instruments. Current guidance requires an "incurred loss" methodology for recognizing credit losses that delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. ASU No. 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology with a new methodology that reflects expected credit losses over the lives of the loans and requires consideration of a broader range of information to inform credit loss estimates. The ASU requires an organization to estimate all expected credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost, including loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Additional disclosures are required.

ASU No. 2016-13 also amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. Under the new guidance, entities will determine whether all or a portion of the unrealized loss on an available-for-sale debt security is a credit loss. Any credit loss will be recognized as an allowance for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities rather than as a direct reduction of the amortized cost basis of the investment, as is currently required. As a result, entities will recognize improvements to estimated credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities immediately in earnings rather than as interest income over time, as currently required.

ASU No. 2016-13 eliminates the current accounting model for purchased credit impaired loans and debt securities. Instead, purchased financial assets with credit deterioration will be recorded gross of estimated credit losses as of the date of acquisition and the estimated credit losses amounts will be added to the allowance for credit losses. Thereafter, entities will account for additional impairment of such purchased assets using the models listed above.

ASU No. 2016-13 will take effect for U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filers for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. While LCNB's Loan Committee expects that the implementation of ASU No. 2016-13 will increase the balance of the allowance for loan losses, it is continuing to evaluate the potential impact on LCNB's results of operations and financial position. The Loan Committee is currently analyzing its data collection efforts, pool segmentation, and reporting mechanisms to prepare for adoption of this ASU. The financial statement impact of this new standard cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment"

ASU No. 2017-04 was issued in January 2017 and applies to public and other entities that have goodwill reported in their financial statements. To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, this ASU eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In computing the implied fair value of goodwill under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities, including unrecognized assets and liabilities, following the procedure that would be required in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Instead, under the amendments in this update, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. A public business entity that is an SEC filer should adopt the amendments in this update on a prospective basis for its annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Adoption of ASU No. 2017-04 is not expected to have a material impact on LCNB's results of operations or financial position.

ASU No. 2017-07, "Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost

and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost"

ASU No. 2017-07 was issued in March 2017 and applies to all employers that offer to their employees defined benefit pension plans, other postretirement benefit plans, or other types of benefits accounted for under Topic 715. The amendments in this update require that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost, as defined, are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. If a separate line item or items are not used, the line item or items used in the income statement to present the other components of net benefit cost must be disclosed. The amendments in ASU No. 2017-07 are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The amendments in this update are to be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement. Adoption of ASU No. 2017-07 did not have a material impact on LCNB's results of operations or financial position.

ASU No. 2017-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting"

ASU No. 2017-09 was issued in May 2017 and applies to any entity that changes the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The amendments in this update provide that an entity would not apply modification accounting under the guidance in Topic 718 if the fair value, vesting conditions, and classification of the awards are the same immediately before and after the modification. The amendments are to be applied prospectively and are effective for all entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Adoption of ASU No. 2017-09 did not have a material impact on LCNB's results of operations or financial position.

ASU No. 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities"

ASU No. 2017-12 was issued in August 2017 and applies to any entity that elects to apply hedge accounting in accordance with current generally accepted accounting principles. The amendments in this update better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. To meet that objective, the amendments expand and refine hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted. LCNB does not currently own any instruments within the scope of ASU No. 2017-12 and its adoption is not expected to have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.

ASU No. 2018-02, "Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income"

ASU No. 2018-02 was issued in February 2018 and addresses a narrow-scope financial reporting issue that arose as a consequence of the passage of H.R. 1, originally known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.” GAAP requires adjustment of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the effect of a change in tax laws or rates with the effect to be included in income from continuing operations in the reporting period that includes the enactment date. This guidance is applicable even in situations in which the related income tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income were originally recognized in other comprehensive income rather than in income from continuing operations. As a consequence, the tax effects of items within accumulated other comprehensive income, referred to as stranded tax effects in the update, do not reflect the appropriate tax rate. The amendments in ASU No. 2018-02 allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Because the amendments only relate to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. ASU No. 2018-02 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period. LCNB intends to early adopt ASU No. 2018-02 as of January 1, 2018 and reclassify its stranded tax effects totaling $486,000 (credit) into retained earnings.