EMPLOYEE BENEFITS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS	13. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Southern National has a 401(k) plan that allows employees to make pre-tax contributions for retirement. The 401(k) plan provides for discretionary matching contributions by Southern National. Expense for 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $704 thousand, $784 thousand and $433 thousand, respectively. A deferred compensation plan that covers two executive officers was established in 2007. Under the plan, the Bank pays each participant, or their beneficiary, the amount of compensation deferred plus accrued interest over 10 years, beginning with the individual’s retirement. A liability is accrued for the obligation under these plans. In connection with our merger with EVBS, Southern National assumed the EVBS Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which had two participants. The normal retirement benefits for both participants became fully vested as a result of the merger. The completion of the merger, however, did not accelerate the time of payment under the EVBS Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. For one participant, benefits are to be paid in equal monthly installments over a 15-year period. There is no pre-retirement benefit, but a beneficiary can be named to receive the remaining payments for the 15-year period after benefits have commenced. For the other participant, benefits are to be paid in equal monthly installments over a 200-month period. There is no pre-retirement benefit, but a beneficiary can be named to receive the remaining payments for the 200-month period after benefits have commenced. The expense incurred for the deferred compensation plans in 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $1.2 million, $1.2 million and $415 thousand, respectively. The deferred compensation plan liability was $7.3 million and $6.1 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

13. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Southern National has a 401(k) plan that allows employees to make pre-tax contributions for retirement. The 401(k) plan provides for discretionary matching contributions by Southern National. Expense for 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $704 thousand, $784 thousand and $433 thousand, respectively.

A deferred compensation plan that covers two executive officers was established in 2007. Under the plan, the Bank pays each participant, or their beneficiary, the amount of compensation deferred plus accrued interest over 10 years, beginning with the individual’s retirement. A liability is accrued for the obligation under these plans.

In connection with our merger with EVBS, Southern National assumed the EVBS Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, which had two participants. The normal retirement benefits for both participants became fully vested as a result of the merger. The completion of the merger, however, did not accelerate the time of payment under the EVBS Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan. For one participant, benefits are to be paid in equal monthly installments over a 15-year period. There is no pre-retirement benefit, but a beneficiary can be named to receive the remaining payments for the 15-year period after benefits have commenced. For the other participant, benefits are to be paid in equal monthly installments over a 200-month period. There is no pre-retirement benefit, but a beneficiary can be named to receive the remaining payments for the 200-month period after benefits have commenced.

The expense incurred for the deferred compensation plans in 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $1.2 million, $1.2 million and $415 thousand, respectively. The deferred compensation plan liability was $7.3 million and $6.1 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.