10-Q 1 a2019unb10-qx3rdquarter.htm BODY OF FORM 10-Q Document


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

OR

(  ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2019

Commission file number: 001-15985

UNION BANKSHARES, INC.
 
VERMONT
 
03-0283552
 

P.O. BOX 667
20 LOWER MAIN STREET
MORRISVILLE, VT 05661

Registrant’s telephone number:      802-888-6600

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: Not applicable

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Common Stock, $2.00 par value
 
Nasdaq Stock Market
 
 
(Title of class)
 
(Exchanges registered on)
 

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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer [  ]
Accelerated filer [ X ]
Non-accelerated filer [  ]
Smaller reporting company [ X ]
 
Emerging growth company [ ]

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of October 28, 2019.
 
Common Stock, $2 par value
 
4,469,048

shares
 





UNION BANKSHARES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 





PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
 
(Unaudited)
 
Assets
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash and due from banks
$
5,126

$
4,045

Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
24,774

33,244

Cash and cash equivalents
29,900

37,289

Interest bearing deposits in banks
7,062

9,300

Investment securities available-for-sale
85,274

73,405

Other investments
612

556

Total investments
85,886

73,961

Loans held for sale
13,561

2,899

Loans
657,916

642,461

Allowance for loan losses
(5,808
)
(5,739
)
Net deferred loan costs
988

938

Net loans
653,096

637,660

Premises and equipment, net
22,507

16,073

Company-owned life insurance
12,240

9,040

Other assets
20,636

19,115

Total assets
$
844,888

$
805,337

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
Deposits
 
 
Noninterest bearing
$
137,239

$
132,971

Interest bearing
419,646

444,722

Time
159,844

129,077

Total deposits
716,729

706,770

Borrowed funds
47,164

27,821

Accrued interest and other liabilities
10,382

6,255

Total liabilities
774,275

740,846

Commitments and Contingencies


Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
Common stock, $2.00 par value; 7,500,000 shares authorized; 4,945,690 shares
  issued at September 30, 2019 and 4,943,690 shares issued at December 31, 2018
9,892

9,888

Additional paid-in capital
1,099

894

Retained earnings
62,645

58,911

Treasury stock at cost; 476,647 shares at September 30, 2019
  and 477,011 shares at December 31, 2018
(4,186
)
(4,179
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
1,163

(1,023
)
Total stockholders' equity
70,613

64,491

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
844,888

$
805,337


See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 1


UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2019
2018
2019
2018
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Interest and dividend income
 
 
 
 
Interest and fees on loans
$
8,502

$
7,482

$
24,604

$
21,855

Interest on debt securities:
 
 
 
 
Taxable
409

321

1,271

918

Tax exempt
131

145

373

436

Dividends
24

65

177

160

Interest on federal funds sold and overnight deposits
19

26

130

88

Interest on interest bearing deposits in banks
46

56

153

152

Total interest and dividend income
9,131

8,095

26,708

23,609

Interest expense
 
 
 
 
Interest on deposits
1,198

842

3,439

1,949

Interest on borrowed funds
299

244

689

515

Total interest expense
1,497

1,086

4,128

2,464

    Net interest income
7,634

7,009

22,580

21,145

Provision for loan losses
150

150

350

300

    Net interest income after provision for loan losses
7,484

6,859

22,230

20,845

Noninterest income
 
 
 
 
Trust income
168

195

519

579

Service fees
1,617

1,568

4,547

4,538

Net gains on sales of investment securities available-for-sale


8


Net gains on sales of loans held for sale
824

596

1,881

1,322

Other income
123

93

399

636

Total noninterest income
2,732

2,452

7,354

7,075

Noninterest expenses
 
 
 
 
Salaries and wages
3,072

2,745

8,773

8,008

Employee benefits
1,043

1,144

3,097

3,299

Occupancy expense, net
428

338

1,287

1,069

Equipment expense
625

528

1,764

1,574

Other expenses
1,833

1,770

5,400

5,005

Total noninterest expenses
7,001

6,525

20,321

18,955

        Income before provision for income taxes
3,215

2,786

9,263

8,965

Provision for income taxes
477

475

1,374

1,457

        Net income
$
2,738

$
2,311

$
7,889

$
7,508

Earnings per common share
$
0.62

$
0.52

$
1.77

$
1.68

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
4,468,400

4,465,882

4,467,845

4,465,741

Dividends per common share
$
0.31

$
0.30

$
0.93

$
0.90

 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 2


UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)


 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2019
2018
2019
2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
2,738

$
2,311

$
7,889

$
7,508

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period on investment securities available-for-sale
441

(352
)
2,192

(1,516
)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains on sales of investment securities available-for-sale realized in net income


(6
)

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
441

(352
)
2,186

(1,516
)
Total comprehensive income
$
3,179

$
1,959

$
10,075

$
5,992


See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 3


UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited)
 
Three Month Period Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
Shares,
net of
treasury
Amount
Additional
paid-in
capital
Retained
earnings
Treasury
stock
Total
stockholders’
equity
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Balances June 30, 2019
4,467,845

$
9,890

$
1,020

$
61,292

$
(4,188
)
$
722

$
68,736

   Net income



2,738



2,738

   Other comprehensive income





441

441

   Dividend reinvestment plan
198


5


2


7

   Cash dividends declared
       ($0.31 per share)



(1,385
)


(1,385
)
   Stock based compensation expense


54




54

   Exercise of stock options
1,000

2

20




22

Balances, September 30, 2019
4,469,043

$
9,892

$
1,099

$
62,645

$
(4,186
)
$
1,163

$
70,613

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balances June 30, 2018
4,465,803

$
9,882

$
850

$
59,715

$
(4,078
)
$
(6,260
)
$
60,109

   Net income



2,311



2,311

   Other comprehensive loss





(352
)
(352
)
   Dividend reinvestment plan
143


6


2


8

   Cash dividends declared
  ($0.30 per share)



(1,340
)


(1,340
)
   Stock based compensation expense


41




41

Balances, September 30, 2018
4,465,946

$
9,882

$
897

$
60,686

$
(4,076
)
$
(6,612
)
$
60,777

 
Nine Month Period Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018
 
Common Stock
 
 
 
Accumulated
other
comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
Shares,
net of
treasury
Amount
Additional
paid-in
capital
Retained
earnings
Treasury
stock
Total
stockholders’
equity
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Balances, December 31, 2018
4,466,679

$
9,888

$
894

$
58,911

$
(4,179
)
$
(1,023
)
$
64,491

   Net income



7,889



7,889

   Other comprehensive income





2,186

2,186

   Dividend reinvestment plan
664


21


6


27

   Cash dividends declared
       ($0.93 per share)



(4,155
)


(4,155
)
   Stock based compensation expense


144




144

   Exercise of stock options
2,000

4

40




44

   Purchase of treasury stock
(300
)



(13
)

(13
)
Balances, September 30, 2019
4,469,043

$
9,892

$
1,099

$
62,645

$
(4,186
)
$
1,163

$
70,613

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balances, December 31, 2017
4,465,576

$
9,882

$
755

$
57,197

$
(4,077
)
$
(5,096
)
$
58,661

   Net income



7,508



7,508

   Other comprehensive loss





(1,516
)
(1,516
)
   Dividend reinvestment plan
430


19


4


23

   Cash dividends declared
  ($0.90 per share)



(4,019
)


(4,019
)
   Stock based compensation expense


123




123

   Purchase of treasury stock
(60
)



(3
)

(3
)
Balances, September 30, 2018
4,465,946

$
9,882

$
897

$
60,686

$
(4,076
)
$
(6,612
)
$
60,777

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 4



UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2019
2018
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
(Dollars in thousands)
Net income
$
7,889

$
7,508

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
Depreciation
1,122

886

Provision for loan losses
350

300

Deferred income tax credit
(26
)
(57
)
Net amortization of investment securities
305

294

Equity in losses of limited partnerships
534

428

Stock based compensation expense
144

123

Net increase in unamortized loan costs
(50
)
(96
)
Proceeds from sales of loans held for sale
103,207

84,541

Origination of loans held for sale
(111,988
)
(82,729
)
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale
(1,881
)
(1,322
)
Net gain on disposals of premises and equipment

(191
)
Net gain on sales of investment securities available-for-sale
(8
)

Net gain on sales of other real estate owned

(11
)
Decrease (increase) in accrued interest receivable
110

(70
)
Amortization of core deposit intangible
129

129

Increase in other assets
(851
)
(258
)
Contribution to defined benefit pension plan

(850
)
Increase in other liabilities
2,478

1,228

Net cash provided by operating activities
1,464

9,853

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
 
 
Interest bearing deposits in banks
 
 
Proceeds from maturities and redemptions
2,487

1,843

Purchases
(249
)
(2,238
)
Investment securities held-to-maturity
 
 
Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns

1,000

Investment securities available-for-sale
 
 
Proceeds from sales
8,785


Proceeds from maturities, calls and paydowns
6,567

4,222

Purchases
(24,752
)
(13,053
)
Other investments
 
 
Proceeds from sales
47

44

Purchases
(103
)
(120
)
Net increase in nonmarketable stock
(231
)
(468
)
Net increase in loans
(15,746
)
(49,739
)
Recoveries of loans charged off
10

17

Purchases of premises and equipment
(6,070
)
(2,391
)
Purchase of Company-owned life insurance
(3,000
)

Proceeds from Company-owned life insurance death benefit

307

Investments in limited partnerships
(1,803
)
(695
)
Proceeds from sales of premises and equipment

204

Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned

47

Net cash used in investing activities
(34,058
)
(61,020
)
 
 
 

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 5



Cash Flows From Financing Activities
 
 
Advances on long-term borrowings
150,000

164,175

Repayment of long-term debt
(130,287
)
(156,940
)
Net (decrease) increase in short-term borrowings outstanding
(370
)
3,174

Net increase (decrease) in noninterest bearing deposits
4,268

(1,228
)
Net decrease in interest bearing deposits
(25,076
)
(10,656
)
Net increase in time deposits
30,767

32,033

Issuance of common stock
44


Purchase of treasury stock
(13
)
(3
)
Dividends paid
(4,128
)
(3,996
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
25,205

26,559

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(7,389
)
(24,608
)
Cash and cash equivalents
 
 
Beginning of period
37,289

38,508

End of period
$
29,900

$
13,900

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
 
 
Interest paid
$
3,787

$
2,440

Income taxes paid
$
575

$
1,350

 
 
 
Supplemental Schedule of Noncash Investing Activities
 
 
Investment in limited partnerships acquired by capital contributions payable
$
619

$
1,321

Right-of-use operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities
$
516

$

Right-of-use finance lease assets obtained in exchange for finance lease liabilities
$
1,486

$

 
 
 
Dividends paid on Common Stock:
 
 
Dividends declared
$
4,155

$
4,019

Dividends reinvested
(27
)
(23
)
 
$
4,128

$
3,996

 
 
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 6


UNION BANKSHARES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Union Bankshares, Inc. and Subsidiary (together, the Company) as of September 30, 2019, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, have been prepared in conformity with GAAP for interim financial information, general practices within the banking industry, and the accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (2018 Annual Report). The Company's sole subsidiary is Union Bank. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of the information contained herein, have been made. This information should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2018 Annual Report. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, or any future interim period.
Certain amounts in the 2018 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2019 presentation.
In addition to the definitions set forth elsewhere in this report, the acronyms, abbreviations and capitalized terms identified below are used throughout this Form 10-Q, including Part I. "Financial Information" and Part II. "Other Information". The following is provided to aid the reader and provide a reference page when reviewing this Form 10-Q.
AFS:
Available-for-sale
IRS:
Internal Revenue Service
ALCO:
Asset Liability Committee
MBS:
Mortgage-backed security
ALL:
Allowance for loan losses
MSRs:
Mortgage servicing rights
ASC:
Accounting Standards Codification
OAO:
Other assets owned
ASU:
Accounting Standards Update
OCI:
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Board:
Board of Directors
OFAC:
U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control
bp or bps:
Basis point(s)
OREO:
Other real estate owned
Branch Acquisition:
The acquisition of three New Hampshire branches in May 2011
OTTI:
Other-than-temporary impairment
CDARS:
Certificate of Deposit Accounts Registry Service of the Promontory Interfinancial Network
OTT:
Other-than-temporary
Company:
Union Bankshares, Inc. and Subsidiary
Plan:
The Union Bank Pension Plan
DRIP:
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
RD:
USDA Rural Development
FASB:
Financial Accounting Standards Board
RSU:
Restricted Stock Unit
FDIC:
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
SBA:
U.S. Small Business Administration
FHA:
U.S. Federal Housing Administration
SEC:
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
FHLB:
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston
TDR:
Troubled-debt restructuring
FRB:
Federal Reserve Board
Union:
Union Bank, the sole subsidiary of Union Bankshares, Inc
FHLMC/Freddie Mac:
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
USDA:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
GAAP:
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States
VA:
U.S. Veterans Administration
HTM:
Held-to-maturity
2008 ISO Plan:
2008 Incentive Stock Option Plan of the Company
HUD:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
2014 Equity Plan:
2014 Equity Incentive Plan
ICS:
Insured Cash Sweeps of the Promontory Interfinancial Network
2018 Annual Report
Annual Report of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018
 
 
2017 Tax Act:
Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 7



Note 2. Legal Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the Company is involved in various legal and other proceedings. In the opinion of management, any liability resulting from such proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Note 3. Per Share Information
Earnings per common share are computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and reduced for shares held in treasury. The assumed exercise of outstanding exercisable stock options and vesting of RSUs does not result in material dilution and is not included in the calculation.
Note 4. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The ASU was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and liabilities (including operating leases) on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Previous lease accounting did not require the inclusion of operating leases in the balance sheet. In July 2018, the FASB provided additional guidance on implementation of Topic 842 as well as an additional transition method. The ASU, including the updated guidance, is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2019. The guidance did not significantly change lease accounting requirements applicable to lessors and did not significantly impact the consolidated financial statements in relation to contracts whereby the Company acts as a lessor. Implementation of the guidance resulted in the recording of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet, but did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated statements of income. See Note 9 for additional disclosures relating to the Company's lease assets and liabilities.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. Under the new guidance, which will replace the existing incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses, banks and other lending institutions will be required to recognize the full amount of expected credit losses. The new guidance, which is referred to as the current expected credit loss model ("CECL"), requires that expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date that are accounted for at amortized cost be measured and recognized based on historical experience and current and reasonably supportable forecasted conditions to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. A modified version of these requirements also applies to debt securities classified as AFS. As initially proposed, the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within such years. In October 2019, the FASB approved amendments to delay the effective date of the ASU to fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, for smaller reporting companies, as defined by the SEC, and other non-SEC reporting entities. The final ASU is expected to be issued in November 2019. As the Company is a smaller reporting company, the delay will be applicable to the Company and the Company does not intend to early adopt the ASU at this time. The Company has established a CECL implementation team and developed a transition project plan. The Company has entered into an agreement with a software provider, historical data has been compiled and training on utilizing the software for the existing incurred loss model has been completed. The Company continues the collection of historical data and training is ongoing during 2019 surrounding CECL implementation and methodologies, including the running of parallel calculations throughout the year. This will facilitate the eventual implementation process and management's evaluation of the potential impact of the ASU on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The ASU was issued to reduce the cost and complexity of the goodwill impairment test. To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, step two of the goodwill impairment test was eliminated. Instead, a company will recognize an impairment of goodwill should the carrying value of a reporting unit exceed its fair value (i.e. step one). The ASU will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020 and will be applied prospectively. The Company does not expect the implementation to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The ASU was issued to make certain specific improvements to hedge accounting to better align hedge accounting with risk management activities, eliminate the separate measurement and recording of hedge ineffectiveness, improve presentation and disclosure, and other simplifications. The ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. All transition requirements and elections were applied to existing hedging relationships upon adoption. Adoption of the ASU did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This guidance, which is a part of the FASB’s disclosure framework

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 8



project to improve disclosure effectiveness, eliminates certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements regarding the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, an entity’s policy for the timing of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy and an entity’s valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance also adds new disclosure requirements for public entities regarding changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements of instruments held at the end of the reporting period, and the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop recurring and nonrecurring Level 3 fair value measurements, including how the weighted average is calculated.  In addition, this guidance modifies certain requirements regarding the disclosure of transfers into and out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, purchases and issuances of Level 3 assets and liabilities, and information about the measurement uncertainty of Level 3 fair value measurements as of the reporting date. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company does not expect the adoption of the ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
As a result of the 2011 Branch Acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill amounting to $2.2 million which is included in Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The goodwill is not amortizable. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually, in accordance with current authoritative accounting guidance. Management assesses qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Company, in total, is less than its carrying amount. Management is not aware of any such events or circumstances that would cause it to conclude that the fair value of the Company is less than its carrying amount.
The Company also initially recorded $1.7 million of acquired identifiable intangible assets in connection with the 2011 Branch Acquisition, representing the core deposit intangible which is subject to straight-line amortization over the estimated 10 year average life of the core deposit base, absent any future impairment. The net core deposit intangible balance of $284 thousand and $412 thousand at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, is included in Other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Management will evaluate the core deposit intangible for impairment if conditions warrant.
Amortization expense for the core deposit intangible was $43 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 and $129 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. The amortization expense is included in Other expenses on the consolidated statements of income and is deductible for tax purposes. As of September 30, 2019, the remaining amortization expense related to the core deposit intangible, absent any future impairment, is expected to be as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2019
$
43

2020
171

2021
70

Total
$
284


Note 6. Investment Securities
AFS securities as of the balance sheet dates consisted of the following:
September 30, 2019
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
$
6,610

$
60

$
(58
)
$
6,612

Agency mortgage-backed
46,403

687

(56
)
47,034

State and political subdivisions
22,987

547

(7
)
23,527

Corporate
7,801

383

(83
)
8,101

Total
$
83,801

$
1,677

$
(204
)
$
85,274


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 9



December 31, 2018
Amortized
Cost
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Fair
Value
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Available-for-sale
 
 
 
 
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
$
6,528

$
1

$
(208
)
$
6,321

Agency mortgage-backed
36,851

84

(683
)
36,252

State and political subdivisions
23,527

130

(486
)
23,171

Corporate
7,792

18

(149
)
7,661

Total
$
74,698

$
233

$
(1,526
)
$
73,405


There were no investment securities HTM at September 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018. There were no investment securities pledged as collateral at September 30, 2019. At December 31, 2018, investment securities AFS with a carrying amount of $2.5 million were pledged as collateral for public deposits and for other purposes as required or permitted by law.

The amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities by contractual scheduled maturity as of September 30, 2019 were as follows:
 
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Available-for-sale
(Dollars in thousands)
Due in one year or less
$
90

$
90

Due from one to five years
3,998

4,126

Due from five to ten years
17,193

17,608

Due after ten years
16,117

16,416

 
37,398

38,240

Agency mortgage-backed
46,403

47,034

Total debt securities available-for-sale
$
83,801

$
85,274


Actual maturities may differ for certain debt securities that may be called by the issuer prior to the contractual maturity. Actual maturities usually differ from contractual maturities on agency MBS because the mortgages underlying the securities may be prepaid, usually without any penalties. Therefore, these agency MBS are shown separately and are not included in the contractual maturity categories in the above maturity summary.

Information pertaining to all investment securities with gross unrealized losses as of the balance sheet dates, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position, follows:
September 30, 2019
Less Than 12 Months
12 Months and over
Total
 
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-
  sponsored enterprises
2

$
1,185

$
(4
)
9

$
2,997

$
(54
)
11

$
4,182

$
(58
)
Agency mortgage-backed
7

8,272

(19
)
8

5,165

(37
)
15

13,437

(56
)
State and political
  subdivisions
2

752

(6
)
1

305

(1
)
3

1,057

(7
)
Corporate



3

1,417

(83
)
3

1,417

(83
)
Total
11

$
10,209

$
(29
)
21

$
9,884

$
(175
)
32

$
20,093

$
(204
)

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 10



December 31, 2018
Less Than 12 Months
12 Months and over
Total
 
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Number
of
Securities
Fair
Value
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Debt securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-
  sponsored enterprises
2

$
1,184

$
(11
)
12

$
4,854

$
(197
)
14

$
6,038

$
(208
)
Agency mortgage-backed
5

3,516

(21
)
40

26,198

(662
)
45

29,714

(683
)
State and political
  subdivisions
4

1,301

(16
)
36

15,067

(470
)
40

16,368

(486
)
Corporate
5

2,424

(12
)
5

2,285

(137
)
10

4,709

(149
)
Total
16

$
8,425

$
(60
)
93

$
48,404

$
(1,466
)
109

$
56,829

$
(1,526
)
The Company evaluates all investment securities on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic conditions warrant, to determine if an OTTI exists. A security is considered impaired if the fair value is lower than its amortized cost basis at the report date. If impaired, management then assesses whether the unrealized loss is OTT.

An unrealized loss on a debt security is generally deemed to be OTT and a credit loss is deemed to exist if the present value of the expected future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the debt security. The credit loss component of OTTI write-down is recorded, net of tax effect, through net income as a component of net OTTI losses in the consolidated statements of income, while the remaining portion of the impairment loss is recognized in OCI, provided the Company does not intend to sell the underlying debt security and it is "more likely than not" that the Company will not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery.

Management considers the following factors in determining whether OTTI exists and the period over which the security is expected to recover:
The length of time, and extent to which, the fair value has been less than the amortized cost;
Adverse conditions specifically related to the security, industry, or geographic area;
The historical and implied volatility of the fair value of the security;
The payment structure of the debt security and the likelihood of the issuer being able to make payments that may increase in the future;
Failure of the issuer of the security to make scheduled interest or principal payments;
Any changes to the rating of the security by a rating agency;
Recoveries or additional declines in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date; and
The nature of the issuer, including whether it is a private company, public entity or government-sponsored enterprise, and the existence or likelihood of any government or third party guaranty.

The Company has the ability to hold the investment securities that had unrealized losses at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 for the foreseeable future and no declines were deemed by management to be OTT.

There were no sales of AFS securities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. The following table presents the proceeds, gross realized gains and gross realized losses from the sale of AFS securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019:
 
For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Proceeds
$

$
8,785

 
 
 
Gross gains

45

Gross losses

(37
)
Net gains on sales of investment securities AFS
$

$
8



Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 11



Note 7.  Loans
Loans receivable that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at their unpaid principal balances, adjusted for any charge-offs, the ALL, and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans and unamortized premiums or discounts on purchased loans.
Loan interest income is accrued daily on outstanding balances. The following accounting policies, related to accrual and nonaccrual loans, apply to all portfolio segments and loan classes, which the Company considers to be the same. The accrual of interest is normally discontinued when a loan is specifically determined to be impaired and/or management believes, after considering collection efforts and other factors, that the borrower's financial condition is such that collection of interest is doubtful. Generally, any unpaid interest previously accrued on those loans is reversed against current period interest income. A loan may be restored to accrual status when its financial status has significantly improved and there is no principal or interest past due. A loan may also be restored to accrual status if the borrower makes six consecutive monthly payments or the lump sum equivalent. Income on nonaccrual loans is generally not recognized unless a loan is returned to accrual status or after all principal has been collected. Interest income generally is not recognized on impaired loans unless the likelihood of further loss is remote. Interest payments received on such loans are generally applied as a reduction of the loan principal balance. Delinquency status is determined based on contractual terms for all portfolio segments and loan classes. Loans past due 30 days or more are considered delinquent. Loans are considered in process of foreclosure when a judgment of foreclosure has been issued by the court.
Loan origination fees and direct loan origination costs are deferred and amortized as an adjustment of the related loan's yield using methods that approximate the interest method. The Company generally amortizes these amounts over the estimated average life of the related loans.
The composition of Net loans as of the balance sheet dates were as follows:
 
September 30,
2019
December 31,
2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
192,617

$
187,320

Construction real estate
63,245

55,322

Commercial real estate
284,271

276,500

Commercial
44,536

47,228

Consumer
3,566

3,241

Municipal
69,681

72,850

    Gross loans
657,916

642,461

Allowance for loan losses
(5,808
)
(5,739
)
Net deferred loan costs
988

938

    Net loans
$
653,096

$
637,660

Qualifying residential first mortgage loans and certain commercial real estate loans with a carrying value of $207.8 million and $167.7 million were pledged as collateral for borrowings from the FHLB under a blanket lien at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.
A summary of current, past due and nonaccrual loans as of the balance sheet dates follows:
September 30, 2019
Current
30-59 Days
60-89 Days
90 Days and Over and Accruing
Nonaccrual
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
190,021

$
168

$
1,075

$
955

$
398

$
192,617

Construction real estate
62,764

98

122

228

33

63,245

Commercial real estate
282,238

1,549

192

24

268

284,271

Commercial
44,481


6

25

24

44,536

Consumer
3,545

19

2



3,566

Municipal
69,681





69,681

Total
$
652,730

$
1,834

$
1,397

$
1,232

$
723

$
657,916



Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 12



December 31, 2018
Current
30-59 Days
60-89 Days
90 Days and Over and Accruing
Nonaccrual
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
183,624

$
1,984

$
696

$
422

$
594

$
187,320

Construction real estate
52,807

1,451

1,023


41

55,322

Commercial real estate
273,778

1,703

153

718

148

276,500

Commercial
47,163

24

8


33

47,228

Consumer
3,215

21

5



3,241

Municipal
72,789

61




72,850

Total
$
633,376

$
5,244

$
1,885

$
1,140

$
816

$
642,461

There were three residential real estate loans totaling $207 thousand and three commercial real estate loans totaling $137 thousand in process of foreclosure at September 30, 2019 and three residential real estate loans totaling $255 thousand and one commercial real estate loan totaling $146 thousand in process of foreclosure at December 31, 2018. Aggregate interest on nonaccrual loans not recognized was $1.2 million as of September 30, 2019 and $1.3 million as of December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018.

Note 8.  Allowance for Loan Losses and Credit Quality
The ALL is established for estimated losses in the loan portfolio through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. For all loan classes, loan losses are charged against the ALL when management believes the loan balance is uncollectible or in accordance with federal guidelines. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the ALL.

The ALL is maintained at a level believed by management to be appropriate to absorb probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. The amount of the ALL is based on management's periodic evaluation of the collectability of the loan portfolio, including the nature, volume and risk characteristics of the portfolio, credit concentrations, trends in historical loss experience, estimated value of any underlying collateral, specific impaired loans and economic conditions. There was no change to the methodology used to estimate the ALL during the third quarter of 2019. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the ALL may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions or other relevant factors.

In addition, various regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, regularly review the Company's ALL. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the ALL, with a corresponding charge to earnings, based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management.

The ALL consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to the loans that are classified as impaired. Loans are evaluated for impairment and may be classified as impaired when management believes it is probable that the Company will not collect all the contractual interest and principal payments as scheduled in the loan agreement. Impaired loans may also include troubled loans that are restructured. A TDR occurs when the Company, for economic or legal reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties, grants a concession to the borrower that would otherwise not be granted. A TDR classification may result from the transfer of assets to the Company in partial satisfaction of a troubled loan, a modification of a loan's terms (such as reduction of stated interest rates below market rates, extension of maturity that does not conform to the Company's policies, reduction of the face amount of the loan, reduction of accrued interest, or reduction or deferment of loan payments), or a combination. A specific reserve amount is allocated to the ALL for individual loans that have been classified as impaired based on management's estimate of the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, an observable market price, or the present value of anticipated future cash flows. The Company accounts for the change in present value attributable to the passage of time in the loan loss reserve. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Company does not separately identify individual consumer, real estate or small balance commercial loans for impairment evaluation, unless such loans are subject to a restructuring agreement or have been identified as impaired as part of a larger customer relationship. Based on an evaluation of the Company's historical loss experience on substandard commercial loans, management has established the commercial loan threshold for individual impairment evaluation as commercial loan relationships with aggregate balances greater than $500 thousand.

The general component represents the level of ALL allocable to each loan portfolio segment with similar risk characteristics and is determined based on historical loss experience, adjusted for qualitative factors, for each class of loan. Management deems a five year average to be an appropriate time frame on which to base historical losses for each portfolio segment. Qualitative factors

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 13



considered include underwriting, economic and market conditions, portfolio composition, collateral values, delinquencies, lender experience and legal issues. The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each portfolio segment. Risk characteristics relevant to each portfolio segment are as follows:
Residential real estate - Loans in this segment are collateralized by owner-occupied 1-4 family residential real estate, second and vacation homes, 1-4 family investment properties, home equity and second mortgage loans. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates and housing prices, could have an effect on the credit quality of this segment.

Construction real estate - Loans in this segment include residential and commercial construction properties, commercial real estate development loans (while in the construction phase of the projects), land and land development loans. Repayment is dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower and/or the underlying cash flows generated by the properties being constructed. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment rates, housing prices, vacancy rates and material costs, could have an effect on the credit quality of this segment.

Commercial real estate - Loans in this segment are primarily properties occupied by businesses or income-producing properties. The underlying cash flows generated by the properties may be adversely impacted by a downturn in the economy as evidenced by a general slowdown in business or increased vacancy rates which, in turn, could have an effect on the credit quality of this segment. Management requests business financial statements at least annually and monitors the cash flows of these loans.

Commercial - Loans in this segment are made to businesses and are generally secured by non-real estate assets of the business. Repayment is expected from the cash flows of the business. A weakened economy, and resultant decreased consumer or business spending, could have an effect on the credit quality of this segment.

Consumer - Loans in this segment are made to individuals for personal expenditures, such as an automobile purchase, and include unsecured loans. Repayment is primarily dependent on the credit quality of the individual borrower. The overall health of the economy, including unemployment, could have an effect on the credit quality of this segment.

Municipal - Loans in this segment are made to municipalities located within the Company's service area. Repayment is primarily dependent on taxes or other funds collected by the municipalities. Management considers there to be minimal risk surrounding the credit quality of this segment.
An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management's estimate of probable losses. The unallocated component of the ALL reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio.

All evaluations are inherently subjective as they require estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available or as changes occur in economic conditions or other relevant factors. Despite the allocation shown in the tables below, the ALL is general in nature and is available to absorb losses from any class of loan.

Changes in the ALL, by class of loans, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Unallocated
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, June 30, 2019
$
1,396

$
646

$
3,011

$
313

$
23

$
33

$
254

$
5,676

Provision (credit) for loan losses
31

43

156

13

2

45

(140
)
150

Recoveries of amounts charged off








 
1,427

689

3,167

326

25

78

114

5,826

Amounts charged off
(18
)






(18
)
Balance, September 30, 2019
$
1,409

$
689

$
3,167

$
326

$
25

$
78

$
114

$
5,808


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 14



For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Unallocated
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, June 30, 2018
$
1,375

$
556

$
2,855

$
374

$
26

$
30

$
337

$
5,553

Provision (credit) for loan losses
133

46

21

(10
)
(10
)
51

(81
)
150

Recoveries of amounts charged off




13



13

 
1,508

602

2,876

364

29

81

256

5,716

Amounts charged off
(100
)



(6
)


(106
)
Balance, September 30, 2018
$
1,408

$
602

$
2,876

$
364

$
23

$
81

$
256

$
5,610

For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Unallocated
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2018
$
1,368

$
617

$
2,933

$
354

$
23

$
82

$
362

$
5,739

Provision (credit) for loan
  losses
116

72

234

171

9

(4
)
(248
)
350

Recoveries of amounts
  charged off
5



1

4



10

 
1,489

689

3,167

526

36

78

114

6,099

Amounts charged off
(80
)


(200
)
(11
)


(291
)
Balance, September 30, 2019
$
1,409

$
689

$
3,167

$
326

$
25

$
78

$
114

$
5,808

For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Unallocated
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2017
$
1,361

$
488

$
2,707

$
395

$
30

$
64

$
363

$
5,408

Provision (credit) for loan
  losses
147

114

171

(31
)
(11
)
17

(107
)
300

Recoveries of amounts
  charged off




17



17

 
1,508

602

2,878

364

36

81

256

5,725

Amounts charged off
(100
)

(2
)

(13
)


(115
)
Balance, September 30, 2018
$
1,408

$
602

$
2,876

$
364

$
23

$
81

$
256

$
5,610


The allocation of the ALL, summarized on the basis of the Company's impairment methodology by class of loan, as of the balance sheet dates, was as follows:
September 30, 2019
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Unallocated
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Individually evaluated
   for impairment
$
41

$

$
176

$
8

$

$

$

$
225

Collectively evaluated
   for impairment
1,368

689

2,991

318

25

78

114

5,583

Total allocated
$
1,409

$
689

$
3,167

$
326

$
25

$
78

$
114

$
5,808

December 31, 2018
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Unallocated
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Individually evaluated
   for impairment
$
47

$

$
9

$
10

$

$

$

$
66

Collectively evaluated
   for impairment
1,321

617

2,924

344

23

82

362

5,673

Total allocated
$
1,368

$
617

$
2,933

$
354

$
23

$
82

$
362

$
5,739


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 15




The recorded investment in loans, summarized on the basis of the Company's impairment methodology by class of loan, as of the balance sheet dates, was as follows:
September 30, 2019
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Individually evaluated
   for impairment
$
1,595

$
229

$
3,264

$
297

$

$

$
5,385

Collectively evaluated
   for impairment
191,022

63,016

281,007

44,239

3,566

69,681

652,531

Total
$
192,617

$
63,245

$
284,271

$
44,536

$
3,566

$
69,681

$
657,916

December 31, 2018
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Individually evaluated
   for impairment
$
1,678

$
119

$
2,276

$
352

$

$

$
4,425

Collectively evaluated
   for impairment
185,642

55,203

274,224

46,876

3,241

72,850

638,036

Total
$
187,320

$
55,322

$
276,500

$
47,228

$
3,241

$
72,850

$
642,461


Risk and collateral ratings are assigned to loans and are subject to ongoing monitoring by lending and credit personnel with such ratings updated annually or more frequently if warranted. The following is an overview of the Company's loan rating system:

1-3 Rating - Pass
Risk-rating grades "1" through "3" comprise those loans ranging from those with lower than average credit risk, defined as borrowers with high liquidity, excellent financial condition, strong management, favorable industry trends or loans secured by highly liquid assets, through those with marginal credit risk, defined as borrowers that, while creditworthy, exhibit some characteristics requiring special attention by the account officer.

4/M Rating - Satisfactory/Monitor
Borrowers exhibit potential credit weaknesses or downward trends warranting management's attention. While potentially weak, these borrowers are currently marginally acceptable; no loss of principal or interest is envisioned. When warranted, these credits may be monitored on the watch list.

5-7 Rating - Substandard
Borrowers exhibit well defined weaknesses that jeopardize the orderly liquidation of debt. The loan may be inadequately protected by the net worth and paying capacity of the obligor and/or the underlying collateral is inadequate.

The following tables summarize the loan ratings applied by management to the Company's loans by class as of the balance sheet dates:
September 30, 2019
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Pass
$
172,225

$
43,262

$
174,061

$
31,718

$
3,494

$
69,681

$
494,441

Satisfactory/Monitor
17,177

19,749

105,849

11,695

69


154,539

Substandard
3,215

234

4,361

1,123

3


8,936

Total
$
192,617

$
63,245

$
284,271

$
44,536

$
3,566

$
69,681

$
657,916



Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 16



December 31, 2018
Residential Real Estate
Construction Real Estate
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial
Consumer
Municipal
Total
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Pass
$
170,416

$
41,141

$
174,802

$
34,303

$
3,209

$
72,850

$
496,721

Satisfactory/Monitor
14,008

14,053

98,327

12,150

31


138,569

Substandard
2,896

128

3,371

775

1


7,171

Total
$
187,320

$
55,322

$
276,500

$
47,228

$
3,241

$
72,850

$
642,461


The following tables provide information with respect to impaired loans by class of loan as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018:
 
As of September 30, 2019
For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
Recorded Investment
(1)
Principal Balance
(1)
Related Allowance
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
221

$
231

$
41

 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
1,789

1,789

176

 
 
 
 
Commercial
11

12

8

 
 
 
 
With an allowance recorded
2,021

2,032

225

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
1,374

1,937


 
 
 
 
Construction real estate
229

247


 
 
 
 
Commercial real estate
1,475

1,570


 
 
 
 
Commercial
286

288


 
 
 
 
With no allowance recorded
3,364

4,042


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
1,595

2,168

41

$
1,606

$
17

$
1,653

$
55

Construction real estate
229

247


170

1

143

3

Commercial real estate
3,264

3,359

176

2,380

24

2,176

89

Commercial
297

300

8

309

8

327

19

Total
$
5,385

$
6,074

$
225

$
4,465

$
50

$
4,299

$
166

____________________
(1)
Does not reflect government guaranties on impaired loans as of September 30, 2019 totaling $592 thousand.

 
As of September 30, 2018
For The Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
For The Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Recorded Investment
(1)
Principal Balance
(1)
Related Allowance
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
Average Recorded Investment
Interest Income Recognized
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
1,688

$
2,268

$
49

$
1,743

$
17

$
1,749

$
46

Construction real estate
78

78


79

1

80

3

Commercial real estate
2,318

2,406

9

2,045

21

1,555

52

Commercial
370

370


365

9

371

23

Total
$
4,454

$
5,122

$
58

$
4,232

$
48

$
3,755

$
124

____________________
(1)
Does not reflect government guaranties on impaired loans as of September 30, 2018 totaling $656 thousand.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 17



The following table provides information with respect to impaired loans by class of loan as of December 31, 2018:
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
Recorded Investment
(1)
Principal Balance
(1)
Related Allowance
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
 
Residential real estate
$
228

$
238

$
47

 
 
Commercial real estate
193

193

9

 
 
Commercial
12

13

10

 
 
With an allowance recorded
433

444

66

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
1,450

2,039


 
 
Construction real estate
119

135


 
 
Commercial real estate
2,083

2,174


 
 
Commercial
340

340


 
 
With no allowance recorded
3,992

4,688


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
1,678

2,277

47

 
 
Construction real estate
119

135


 
 
Commercial real estate
2,276

2,367

9

 
 
Commercial
352

353

10

 
 
Total
$
4,425

$
5,132

$
66

 
 
____________________
(1)
Does not reflect government guaranties on impaired loans as of December 31, 2018 totaling $641 thousand.

The following is a summary of TDR loans by class of loan as of the balance sheet dates:
 
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
 
Number of Loans
Principal Balance
Number of Loans
Principal Balance
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
26

$
1,595

27

$
1,678

Construction real estate
2

106

2

119

Commercial real estate
8

992

9

1,172

Commercial
4

288

4

340

Total
40

$
2,981

42

$
3,309

The TDR loans above represent loan modifications in which a concession was provided to the borrower, including due date extensions, maturity date extensions, interest rate reductions or the forgiveness of accrued interest. Troubled loans that are restructured and meet established thresholds are classified as impaired and a specific reserve amount is allocated to the ALL on the basis of the fair value of the collateral for collateral dependent loans, an observable market price, or the present value of anticipated future cash flows.
The following tables provide new TDR activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:
 
New TDRs During the
New TDRs During the
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
Number of Loans
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Number of Loans
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate

$

$

1

$
77

$
79


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 18



 
New TDRs During the
New TDRs During the
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 
Number of Loans
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Number of Loans
Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
1

$
80

$
81

2

$
176

$
179

Commercial real estate



1

204

204

Commercial
1

18

18

2

31

31

There was one residential TDR loan with a recorded investment balance of $78 thousand that had been modified within the previous twelve months that subsequently defaulted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. There were no TDR loans modified within the previous twelve months that subsequently defaulted during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. TDR loans are considered defaulted at 90 days past due.

At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company was not committed to lend any additional funds to borrowers whose loans were nonperforming, impaired or restructured.

Note 9. Leases
Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). As of September 30, 2019, the Company had operating real estate leases for three branch locations, one loan production office and two ATM locations, as well as a finance real estate lease for land upon which a new branch location was constructed. The lease agreements have maturity dates ranging from July 2020 to September 2047. As of September 30, 2019, the weighted average remaining life of the lease term for the operating leases and finance lease was 6.06 years and 28 years, respectively.
The discount rate used in determining the lease liability for each individual lease was the FHLB fixed advance rate as of January 2019 that corresponded to the remaining lease term for each of these leases at adoption of the ASU. As of September 30, 2019, the weighted average discount rate for operating leases and the finance lease was 3.31% and 3.98%, respectively.
The operating lease right-of-use assets, included in Other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, were $436 thousand, and the operating lease liabilities, included in Accrued interest and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet, were $437 thousand as of September 30, 2019. The finance lease right-of-use assets, included in Premises and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheet, were $1.4 million, and the finance lease liabilities, included in Accrued interest and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet, were $1.5 million as of September 30, 2019.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating lease cost
$
31

$
93

 
 
 
Finance lease cost:
 
 
Amortization of right-of-use assets
$
13

$
39

Interest on lease liabilities
14

44

 
$
27

$
83



Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 19



Total estimated rental commitments for operating and finance leases were as follows as of September 30, 2019:
 
Operating Leases
Finance Leases
 
(Dollars in thousands)
2019
$
51

$
18

2020
113

70

2021
99

72

2022
51

73

2023
39

75

Thereafter
154

2,288

Total
$
507

$
2,596

A reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows in the maturity analysis above and the lease liability recognized in the consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2019, is shown below:
 
Operating Leases
Finance Leases
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Undiscounted cash flows
$
507

$
2,596

Discount effect of cash flows
(70
)
(1,110
)
Lease liabilities
$
437

$
1,486


Note 10.  Stock Based Compensation
The Company's current stock based compensation plan is the Union Bankshares, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan. Under the 2014 Equity Plan, 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are available for equity awards of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock and RSUs to eligible officers and (except for awards of incentive stock options) nonemployee directors. Shares available for issuance of awards under the 2014 Equity Plan consist of unissued shares of the Company’s common stock and/or shares held in treasury. As of September 30, 2019, there were outstanding grants of RSUs and incentive stock options under the 2014 Equity Plan.

RSUs. Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company's common stock upon satisfaction of applicable vesting conditions. The general terms of the awards are described in the Company's 2018 Annual Report. Prior to vesting, the RSUs do not earn dividends or dividend equivalents, nor do they bear any voting rights.
The following table presents a summary of the RSUs awarded to Company executives in accordance with the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Award Plan Summaries, and the number of such RSUs remaining unvested as of September 30, 2019:
 
Number of RSUs Granted
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Number of Unvested RSUs
2016 Award
3,569

$
45.45

478

2017 Award
3,225

52.95

1,831

2018 Award
3,734
$
47.75

3,734

Total
10,528

6,043
Unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested RSUs as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 was $167 thousand and $71 thousand, respectively.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, a total of 6,183 contingent RSUs were provisionally granted to Company executives in accordance with a 2019 Award Plan Summary. The estimated number of contingent RSUs provisionally granted was based on target performance-based payout amounts detailed in the 2019 Award Plan Summary approved by the Board of Directors and on the closing market price of the Company's stock on the February 6, 2019 provisional grant date ($47.60 per share). As with the 2016, 2017, and 2018 grants, one half is in the form of Time-Based RSUs and one-half is in the form of Performance-Based RSUs. The actual number of Time-Based RSUs granted (if any) will be determined as of the earned date of December 31, 2019, based on the closing market price of the Company's stock on that date, while the actual number of Performance-Based RSUs granted (if any) will be determined during the first quarter of 2020, based on actual 2019 performance. The contingent RSUs were granted on substantially the same terms and conditions as the RSUs granted to Company executives under the previous

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 20



annual Award Plan Summaries. As of September 30, 2019, the estimated unrecognized executive compensation expense related to the provisionally granted RSUs, based on the closing market price of the Company's stock on the provisional grant date of February 6, 2019, was $294 thousand.
On May 15, 2019, the Company's board of directors, as a component of total director compensation, granted an aggregate of 1,185 RSUs to the Company's non-employee directors. Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company's common stock upon satisfaction of applicable vesting conditions. The RSUs will vest on May 19, 2020, subject to continued board service through the vesting date, other than in the case of the director's death or disability. Prior to vesting, the RSUs do not earn dividends or dividend equivalents, nor do they bear any voting rights. Unrecognized director compensation expense related to the unvested RSUs as of September 30, 2019 was $29 thousand.
Stock options. As of September 30, 2019, 4,500 incentive stock options granted in December 2014 under the 2014 Equity Plan remained outstanding and exercisable and will expire in December 2021. There was no unrecognized compensation expense related to those options as of September 30, 2019. The estimated intrinsic value of those options was $34 thousand as of September 30, 2019.
As of September 30, 2019, 1,000 incentive stock options granted under the 2008 ISO Plan remained outstanding and exercisable, with the last of such options expiring in December 2020. There was no unrecognized compensation expense related to those options as of September 30, 2019. The estimated intrinsic value of those options was $10 thousand as of September 30, 2019.

Note 11. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accounting principles generally require recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income or loss. Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as the after tax effect of unrealized gains and losses on investment securities AFS that are not OTTI, are not reflected in the consolidated statements of income. The cumulative effect of such items, net of tax effect, is reported as a separate component of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets (Accumulated OCI). OCI, along with net income, comprises the Company's total comprehensive income or loss.
As of the balance sheet dates, the components of Accumulated OCI, net of tax, were:
 
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities available-for-sale
$
1,163

$
(1,023
)
The following tables disclose the tax effects allocated to each component of OCI for the three and nine months ended September 30:
 
Three Months Ended
 
September 30, 2019
September 30, 2018
 
Before-Tax Amount
Tax (Expense) Benefit
Net-of-Tax Amount
Before-Tax Amount
Tax (Expense) Benefit
Net-of-Tax Amount
Investment securities available-for-sale:
(Dollars in thousands)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period on investment securities available-for-sale
$
558

$
(117
)
$
441

$
(446
)
$
94

$
(352
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)
$
558

$
(117
)
$
441

$
(446
)
$
94

$
(352
)

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 21



 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30, 2019
September 30, 2018
 
Before-Tax Amount
Tax (Expense) Benefit
Net-of-Tax Amount
Before-Tax Amount
Tax (Expense) Benefit
Net-of-Tax Amount
Investment securities available-for-sale:
(Dollars in thousands)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period on investment securities available-for-sale
$
2,775

$
(583
)
$
2,192

$
(1,920
)
$
404

$
(1,516
)
Reclassification adjustment for net gains on investment securities available-for-sale realized in net income
(8
)
2

(6
)



Total other comprehensive income (loss)
$
2,767

$
(581
)
$
2,186

$
(1,920
)
$
404

$
(1,516
)

There were no reclassification adjustments for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. The following table discloses information concerning reclassification adjustments from OCI for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Reclassification Adjustment Description
September 30, 2019
September 30, 2018
Affected Line Item in
Consolidated Statement of Income
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Investment securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
Net gains on investment securities available-for-sale
$
(8
)
$

Net gains on sales of investment securities available-for-sale
Tax expense
2


Provision for income taxes
Total reclassifications
$
(6
)
$

Net income

Note 12. Fair Value Measurement
The Company utilizes FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, as guidance for accounting for assets and liabilities carried at fair value. This standard defines fair value as the price that would be received, without adjustment for transaction costs, to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is a market based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The guidance in FASB ASC Topic 820 establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability;
Level 3 - Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported by little or no market activity).

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the Company’s assets that are measured on a recurring basis at estimated fair value:
Investment securities AFS: The Company’s AFS securities have been valued utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these securities, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include market maker bids, quotes and pricing models. Inputs to the pricing models include recent trades, benchmark interest rates, spreads and actual and projected cash flows.
Mutual funds: Mutual funds have been valued using unadjusted quoted prices from active markets and therefore have been classified as Level 1.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 22



Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, segregated by fair value hierarchy level, are summarized below:
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Fair
Value
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
September 30, 2019:
(Dollars in thousands)
Debt securities AFS:
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
$
6,612

$

$
6,612

$

Agency mortgage-backed
47,034


47,034


State and political subdivisions
23,527


23,527


Corporate
8,101


8,101


Total debt securities
$
85,274

$

$
85,274

$

 
 
 
 
 
Other investments:
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
$
612

$
612

$

$

 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018:
 
 
 
 
Debt securities AFS:
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
$
6,321

$

$
6,321

$

Agency mortgage-backed
36,252


36,252


State and political subdivisions
23,171


23,171


Corporate
7,661


7,661


Total debt securities
$
73,405

$

$
73,405

$

 
 
 
 
 
Other investments:
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
$
556

$
556

$

$

There were no transfers in or out of Levels 1 and 2 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, nor were there any Level 3 assets at any time during either period. Certain other assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in periods after initial recognition, such as collateral-dependent impaired loans, MSRs and OREO, were not considered material at September 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018. The Company has not elected to apply the fair value method to any financial assets or liabilities other than those situations where other accounting pronouncements require fair value measurements.

FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments. Fair value is best determined based upon quoted market prices. However, in many instances, there are no quoted market prices for the Company’s various financial instruments. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. Management’s estimates and assumptions are inherently subjective and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment. Changes in assumptions could dramatically affect the estimated fair values.

Accordingly, the fair value estimates may not be realized in an immediate settlement of the instrument. Certain financial instruments and all nonfinancial instruments may be excluded from disclosure requirements. Thus, the aggregate fair value amounts presented may not necessarily represent the actual underlying fair value of such instruments of the Company.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 23



As of the balance sheet dates, the estimated fair values and related carrying amounts of the Company's significant financial instruments were as follows:
 
September 30, 2019
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Carrying
Amount
Estimated Fair
Value
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
29,900

$
29,900

$
29,900

$

$

Interest bearing deposits in banks
7,062

7,150


7,150


Investment securities
85,886

85,886

612

85,274


Loans held for sale
13,561

13,833


13,833


Loans, net
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
191,497

192,027



192,027

Construction real estate
62,651

62,296



62,296

Commercial real estate
281,417

283,431



283,431

Commercial
44,277

42,959



42,959

Consumer
3,546

3,496



3,496

Municipal
69,708

69,682



69,682

Accrued interest receivable
2,702

2,702


446

2,256

Nonmarketable equity securities
2,607

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest bearing
$
137,239

$
137,239

$
137,239

$

$

Interest bearing
419,646

419,646

419,646



Time
159,844

159,709


159,709


Borrowed funds
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term
47,164

46,918


46,918


Accrued interest payable
543

543


543



Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 24



 
December 31, 2018
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Carrying
Amount
Estimated Fair
Value
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Financial assets
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
37,289

$
37,289

$
37,289

$

$

Interest bearing deposits in banks
9,300

9,177


9,177


Investment securities
73,961

73,961

556

73,405


Loans held for sale
2,899

2,954


2,954


Loans, net
 
 
 
 
 
Residential real estate
186,225

183,836



183,836

Construction real estate
54,786

54,694



54,694

Commercial real estate
273,609

272,187



272,187

Commercial
46,943

45,713



45,713

Consumer
3,223

3,193



3,193

Municipal
72,874

72,689



72,689

Accrued interest receivable
2,812

2,812


423

2,389

Nonmarketable equity securities
2,376

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Financial liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest bearing
$
132,971

$
132,971

$
132,971

$

$

Interest bearing
444,722

444,722

444,722



Time
129,077

127,554


127,554


Borrowed funds
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term
370

370

370



Long-term
27,451

27,374


27,374


Accrued interest payable
203

203


203


The carrying amounts in the preceding tables are included in the consolidated balance sheets under the applicable captions.

Note 13. Subsequent Events
Subsequent events represent events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. Financial statements are considered “issued” when they are widely distributed to shareholders and others for general use and reliance in a form and format that complies with GAAP. Events occurring subsequent to September 30, 2019 have been evaluated as to their potential impact to the consolidated financial statements.

On October 16, 2019, the Company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.31 per share, payable November 7, 2019, to stockholders of record on October 28, 2019.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 25



Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
GENERAL
The following discussion and analysis focuses on those factors that, in management's view, had a material effect on the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, and its results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. This discussion is being presented to provide a narrative explanation of the consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes and with other financial data appearing elsewhere in this filing and with the Company's 2018 Annual Report. In the opinion of the Company's management, the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments and disclosures necessary to fairly present the Company's consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. Management is not aware of the occurrence of any events after September 30, 2019 which would materially affect the information presented.
Please refer to Note 1 in the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements at Part I, Item 1 of this Report for definitions of acronyms, abbreviations and capitalized terms used throughout the following discussion and analysis.

CAUTIONARY ADVICE ABOUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Company, "we," "us," "our," may from time to time make written or oral statements that are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may include financial projections, statements of plans and objectives for future operations, estimates of future economic performance or conditions and assumptions relating thereto. The Company may include forward-looking statements in its filings with the SEC, in its reports to stockholders, including this quarterly report, in press releases, other written materials, and in statements made by senior management to analysts, rating agencies, institutional investors, representatives of the media and others.
Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations and are subject to uncertainties, both general and specific, and risk exists that actual results will differ from those predictions, forecasts, projections and other estimates contained in forward-looking statements. These risks cannot be readily quantified. When management uses any of the words “believes,” “expects,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “projects,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “targets,” “goals,” “may,” “might,” “could,” “would,” “should,” or similar expressions, they are making forward-looking statements. Many possible events or factors, including those beyond the control of management, could affect the future financial results and performance of the Company.
Factors that may cause results or performance to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
General economic conditions and financial instability, either nationally, internationally, regionally or locally;
Increased competitive pressures, including those from tax-advantaged credit unions and other financial service providers in our northern Vermont and New Hampshire market area or in the financial services industry generally, from increasing consolidation and integration of financial service providers, and from changes in technology and delivery systems;
Interest rates change in a way that puts pressure on the Company's margins, or that results in lower fee income and lower gain on sale of real estate loans, or that increases our interest costs;
Changes in laws or government rules, or the way in which courts or government agencies interpret or implement those laws or rules, that increase our costs of doing business or otherwise adversely affect our business;
Further changes in federal or state tax policy;
Changes in our level of nonperforming assets and charge-offs;
Changes in depositor behavior resulting in movement of funds out of bank deposits and into the stock market or other higher-yielding investments;
Changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon relevant regulatory and accounting requirements;
Changes in information technology that require increased capital spending or that result in new or increased risks;
Changes in consumer and business spending, borrowing and savings habits;
Changes in accounting principles, including those governing the manner of estimating our credit risk and calculating our loan loss reserve;
Further changes to the regulations governing the calculation of the Company’s regulatory capital ratios;
Increased competitive pressures affecting the ability of the Company to attract, develop and retain employees;
Increased cybersecurity threats; and
The effect of and changes in the United States monetary and fiscal policies, including interest rate policies and regulation of the money supply by the FRB.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 26



When evaluating forward-looking statements to make decisions about the Company and our stock, investors and others are cautioned to consider these and other risks and uncertainties, and are reminded not to place undue reliance on such statements. Investors should not consider the foregoing list of factors to be a complete list of risks or uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update them to reflect new or changed information or events, except as may be required by federal securities laws.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Under SEC Regulation G, public companies making disclosures containing financial measures that are not in accordance with GAAP must also disclose, along with each non-GAAP financial measure, certain additional information, including a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the closest comparable GAAP financial measure, as well as a statement of the company’s reasons for utilizing the non-GAAP financial measure. The SEC has exempted from the definition of non-GAAP financial measures certain commonly used financial measures that are not based on GAAP. However, two non-GAAP financial measures commonly used by financial institutions, namely tax-equivalent net interest income and tax-equivalent net interest margin (as presented in the tables in the section labeled Yields Earned and Rates Paid), have not been specifically exempted by the SEC, and may therefore constitute non-GAAP financial measures under Regulation G. We are unable to state with certainty whether the SEC would regard those measures as subject to Regulation G. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful in evaluating the Company’s financial performance and facilitate comparisons with the performance of other financial institutions. However, that information should be considered supplemental in nature and not as a substitute for related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company has established various accounting policies which govern the application of GAAP in the preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements. Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments and assumptions by management which have a material impact on the reported amount of assets, liabilities, capital, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The SEC has defined a company's critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of the company's financial condition and results of operations, and which require management to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates on matters that are inherently uncertain. Based on this definition, management has identified the accounting policies and judgments most critical to the Company. They include establishing the amount of ALL, evaluating our investment securities for OTTI, and valuing our intangible assets. Prior to termination of our defined benefit pension plan during the fourth quarter of 2018, determining the amount of our defined benefit pension plan obligation and net periodic cost/(benefit) was also a critical accounting policy. The judgments and assumptions used by management are based on historical experience and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Because of the nature of the judgments and assumptions made by management, actual results could differ from estimates and have a material impact on the carrying value of assets, liabilities, or capital, and/or the results of operations of the Company.
Please refer to the Company's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a more in-depth discussion of the Company's critical accounting policies. There have been no changes to the Company's critical accounting policies since the filing of that report.

OVERVIEW
During the third quarter of 2019, the Federal Reserve reduced the Federal Funds Target Rate from 2.5% to 2.0%, which also resulted in a decrease in the national prime rate from 5.5% to 5.0%. The Company holds variable rate loans in the portfolio that are indexed to the national prime rate, however, not all of these variable rate loans are set to reprice immediately upon a change to the index, therefore, the Company did not recognize an immediate decline in loan interest income related to this reduction in rates. The decrease in rates on a national level does impact the interest rates offered on new loans and has resulted in rate reduction requests from select customers with existing loans.
The Company opened two full service branch locations in Chittenden County, Vermont in May and August of 2019. The new locations have contributed to increases in customer loan and deposit balances on the balance sheet, but have also contributed to increases in overhead expense, specifically related to salaries and wages, occupancy and equipment expenses.
Net income for the September 30, 2018 three and nine month comparison periods reflected a one-time charge to income of $310 thousand to correct an overstated interest rate assigned to a tax exempt loan. This correction impacts the changes in interest income between periods. In addition, the changes in net income between periods were affected by expenses of $169 thousand and $508 thousand for the September 30, 2018 three and nine month comparison periods, respectively, related to the Company's defined benefit plan, which was terminated and settled during the fourth quarter of 2018. (See Results of Operations.)
The Company's net income increased $427 thousand, or 18.5%, to $2.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, compared to $2.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. These results reflected the combined impact of an increase in the

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 27



Company's net interest income of $625 thousand, or 8.9%, and an increase in noninterest income of $280 thousand, or 11.4%, which were partially offset by an increase in noninterest expenses of $476 thousand, or 7.3%.
Year-to-date earnings for 2019 were $7.9 million, or $1.77 per share, compared to $7.5 million, or $1.68 per share, for the same period in 2018, an increase of $381 thousand, or 5.1%, year over year. Net interest income improved $1.4 million, or 6.8%, noninterest income increased $279 thousand, or 3.9%, and the provision for income taxes decreased $83 thousand, or 5.7%. These positive changes were partially offset by an increase in noninterest expenses of $1.4 million, or 7.2%, and an increase in the provision for loan losses of $50 thousand.
At September 30, 2019, the Company had total consolidated assets of $844.9 million, including gross loans and loans held for sale (total loans) of $671.5 million, deposits of $716.7 million, borrowed funds of $47.2 million, and stockholders' equity of $70.6 million. The Company’s total assets at September 30, 2019 increased $39.6 million, or 4.9%, from $805.3 million at December 31, 2018, and increased $65.2 million, or 8.4%, compared to September 30, 2018. (See Financial Condition on page 35.)
The Company's total capital increased from $64.5 million at December 31, 2018 to $70.6 million at September 30, 2019. This increase primarily reflects net income of $7.9 million for the first nine months of 2019 and an increase of $2.2 million in accumulated other comprehensive income, partially offset by regular cash dividends declared of $4.2 million. (See Capital Resources on page 42.)
The following unaudited per share information and key ratios depict several measurements of performance or financial condition at or for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively:
 
Three Months Ended or At September 30,
Nine Months Ended or At September 30,
 
2019
2018
2019
2018
Return on average assets (1)
1.34
%
1.20
%
1.31
%
1.34
%
Return on average equity (1)
15.79
%
15.30
%
15.64
%
16.86
%
Net interest margin (1)(2)
4.05
%
3.87
%
4.07
%
4.08
%
Efficiency ratio (3)
66.72
%
68.63
%
67.05
%
66.58
%
Net interest spread (4)
3.86
%
3.72
%
3.89
%
3.96
%
Loan to deposit ratio
93.69
%
96.40
%
93.69
%
96.40
%
Net loan charge-offs to average loans not held for sale (1)
0.01
%
0.06
%
0.06
%
0.02
%
Allowance for loan losses to loans not held for sale
0.88
%
0.88
%
0.88
%
0.88
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets (5)
0.23
%
0.18
%
0.23
%
0.18
%
Equity to assets
8.36
%
7.80
%
8.36
%
7.80
%
Total capital to risk weighted assets
12.95
%
13.63
%
12.95
%
13.63
%
Book value per share
$
15.80

$
13.61

$
15.80

$
13.61

Earnings per share
$
0.62

$
0.52

$
1.77

$
1.68

Dividends paid per share
$
0.31

$
0.30

$
0.93

$
0.90

Dividend payout ratio (6)
50.00
%
57.69
%
52.54
%
53.57
%
__________________
(1)
Annualized.
(2)
The ratio of tax equivalent net interest income to average earning assets. See pages 30 and 31 for more information.
(3)
The ratio of noninterest expense to tax equivalent net interest income and noninterest income, excluding securities gains (losses).
(4)
The difference between the average yield on earning assets and the average rate paid on  interest bearing liabilities. See pages 30 and 31 for more information.
(5)
Nonperforming assets are loans or investment securities that are in nonaccrual or 90 or more days past due as well as OREO or OAO.
(6)
Cash dividends declared and paid per share divided by consolidated net income per share.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 28



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Interest Income. The largest component of the Company’s operating income is net interest income, which is the difference between interest and dividend income received from earning assets and interest expense paid on interest bearing liabilities. Net interest income is affected by various factors including, but not limited to changes in interest rates, loan and deposit pricing strategies, the volume and mix of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, and the level of nonperforming assets. Net interest margin is calculated as the net interest income on a fully tax equivalent basis as a percentage of average earning assets.
As previously mentioned, the Federal Reserve decreased short term interest rates by 50 bp during the third quarter of 2019. Despite the decline in interest rates the average yield on average earning assets was 4.82% for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 4.46% for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of 36 bp. The increase in average yield was primarily driven by an increase of 43 bps in loan yield due to an increase in the average volume of loans outstanding of $30.5 million between the comparison periods. The one-time reduction of $310 thousand in interest income for the three months ended September 30, 2018 to correct an overstated interest rate on a tax exempt loan reduced the average yield on earning assets for that period by four bps.
The average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities increased 22 bps, to 0.96% for the third quarter of 2019 compared to 0.74% for the third quarter of 2018. The average rate paid on time deposits increased 54 bp for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, which reflects higher rate CD specials offered to customers in the Company's newest markets, as well as the whole branch network. The utilization of brokered deposits and purchased deposits from CDARS is necessary to bridge short term funding gaps as core deposits are gathered. The reduction in short term interest rates initiated by the Federal Reserve has started to provide some relief in wholesale funding costs, but for the comparison periods, borrowed funds have a higher cost than customer deposits at an average rate paid of 2.22%, compared to 1.73% a year ago. The 49 bps increase in the average rate paid on borrowed funds resulted in a $55 thousand increase in interest expense for borrowed funds during the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018. Although interest rates are decreasing nationally, competition for customer deposits remains strong and will likely continue to put upward pressure on cost of funds in the coming months.
The Company’s tax-equivalent net interest income increased $625 thousand, or 8.9%, to $7.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $7.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018. The net interest spread increased 14 bps to 3.86% for the third quarter of 2019, from 3.72% for the same period last year, reflecting the net effect of the 22 bp increase in the average rate paid on interest bearing liabilities and the 36 bps increase in the average yield earned on interest earning assets between periods. The net interest margin increased 18 bps during the third quarter of 2019 compared to the same period last year as a result of the changes discussed above.
Net interest income was $22.6 million, on a fully tax equivalent basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $21.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $1.4 million, or 6.79%. The average volume of earning assets increased $51.7 million and the average yield on earning assets increased 25 bps to 4.80% compared to 4.55% for the comparison period. Average loans increased $44.4 million, or 7.31%, to $652.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The $2.7 million increase in interest income on loans was due primarily to the increase in average loan volume, with the increase in average yield on loans also contributing, but to a lesser extent.
The average cost of funds, which is tied primarily to customer deposit accounts, increased 32 bps to 0.91% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to 0.59% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Interest expense increased $1.7 million, to $4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to increases in average rates paid and to a lesser extent the increase in average volume of $47.5 million.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 29



The following tables show for the periods indicated the total amount of income recorded from average interest earning assets, the related average tax equivalent yields, the interest expense associated with average interest bearing liabilities, the related average rates paid, and the resulting tax equivalent net interest spread and margin.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2019
2018
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Earned/
Paid
Average
Yield/
Rate
Average
Balance
Interest
Earned/
Paid
Average
Yield/
Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Average Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
$
8,468

$
19

0.89
%
$
11,346

$
26

0.88
%
Interest bearing deposits in banks
7,309

46

2.48
%
9,988

56

2.24
%
Investment securities (1), (2)
83,211

531

2.69
%
72,150

490

2.91
%
Loans, net (1), (3)
660,570

8,502

5.17
%
630,028

7,482

4.74
%
Nonmarketable equity securities
2,739

33

4.75
%
3,423

41

4.71
%
Total interest earning assets (1)
762,297

9,131

4.82
%
726,935

8,095

4.46
%
Cash and due from banks
5,077

 
 
4,682

 
 
Premises and equipment
22,142

 
 
15,402

 
 
Other assets
29,572

 
 
23,279

 
 
Total assets
$
819,088

 
 
$
770,298

 
 
Average Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing checking accounts
$
163,278

136

0.33
%
$
141,819

56

0.15
%
Savings/money market accounts
240,176

398

0.66
%
259,990

426

0.65
%
Time deposits
157,868

664

1.67
%
126,005

360

1.13
%
Borrowed funds and other liabilities
50,011

299

2.22
%
55,335

244

1.73
%
Total interest bearing liabilities
611,333

1,497

0.96
%
583,149

1,086

0.74
%
Noninterest bearing deposits
130,854

 
 
117,774

 
 
Other liabilities
7,522

 
 
8,980

 
 
Total liabilities
749,709

 
 
709,903

 
 
Stockholders' equity
69,379

 
 
60,395

 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
819,088

 
 
$
770,298

 
 
Net interest income
 
$
7,634

 
 
$
7,009

 
Net interest spread (1)
 
 
3.86
%
 
 
3.72
%
Net interest margin (1)
 
 
4.05
%
 
 
3.87
%

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 30



 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2019
2018
 
Average
Balance
Interest
Earned/
Paid
Average
Yield/
Rate
Average
Balance
Interest
Earned/
Paid
Average
Yield/
Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Average Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
$
12,089

$
130

1.42
%
$
12,041

$
88

0.96
%
Interest bearing deposits in banks
8,164

153

2.50
%
9,901

152

2.06
%
Investment securities (1), (2)
80,113

1,716

2.99
%
70,641

1,413

2.86
%
Loans, net (1), (3)
652,019

24,604

5.11
%
607,577

21,855

4.86
%
Nonmarketable equity securities
2,375

105

5.92
%
2,874

101

4.67
%
Total interest earning assets (1)
754,760

26,708

4.80
%
703,034

23,609

4.55
%
Cash and due from banks
4,699

 
 
4,259

 
 
Premises and equipment
19,582

 
 
14,762

 
 
Other assets
26,619

 
 
22,559

 
 
Total assets
$
805,660

 
 
$
744,614

 
 
Average Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing checking accounts
$
157,102

296

0.25
%
$
143,280

148

0.14
%
Savings/money market accounts
264,472

1,478

0.75
%
258,204

1,009

0.52
%
Time deposits
143,439

1,665

1.55
%
112,268

792

0.94
%
Borrowed funds and other liabilities
39,636

689

2.29
%
43,392

515

1.57
%
Total interest bearing liabilities
604,649

4,128

0.91
%
557,144

2,464

0.59
%
Noninterest bearing deposits
127,077

 
 
119,890

 
 
Other liabilities
6,695

 
 
8,199

 
 
Total liabilities
738,421

 
 
685,233

 
 
Stockholders' equity
67,239

 
 
59,381

 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
805,660

 
 
$
744,614

 
 
Net interest income
 
$
22,580

 
 
$
21,145

 
Net interest spread (1)
 
 
3.89
%
 
 
3.96
%
Net interest margin (1)
 
 
4.07
%
 
 
4.08
%
__________________
(1)
Average yields reported on a tax equivalent basis using a marginal federal corporate income tax rate of 21%.
(2)
Average balances of investment securities are calculated on the amortized cost basis and include nonaccrual securities, if applicable.
(3)
Includes loans held for sale as well as nonaccrual loans, unamortized costs and unamortized premiums and is net of the allowance for loan losses.

Tax exempt interest income amounted to $606 thousand and $332 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively and $1.8 million and $1.3 million for the 2019 and 2018 nine month comparison periods, respectively. The following table presents the effect of tax exempt income on the calculation of net interest income, using a marginal federal corporate income tax rate of 21% for the 2019 and 2018 three and nine month comparison periods:
 
For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
For The Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
2019
2018
2019
2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Net interest income, as presented
$
7,634

$
7,009

$
22,580

$
21,145

Effect of tax-exempt interest
 
 
 
 
Investment securities
28

35

79

103

Loans
100

44

301

214

Net interest income, tax equivalent
$
7,762

$
7,088

$
22,960

$
21,462


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 31




Rate/Volume Analysis. The following table describes the extent to which changes in average interest rates (on a fully tax-equivalent basis) and changes in volume of average interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities have affected the Company's interest income and interest expense during the periods indicated. For each category of interest earning assets and interest bearing liabilities, information is provided on changes attributable to:
changes in volume (change in volume multiplied by prior rate);
changes in rate (change in rate multiplied by prior volume); and
total change in rate and volume.
Changes attributable to both rate and volume have been allocated proportionately to the change due to volume and the change due to rate.
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2019
Compared to
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
Increase/(Decrease) Due to Change In
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019
Compared to
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Increase/(Decrease) Due to Change In
 
Volume
Rate
Net
Volume
Rate
Net
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest earning assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal funds sold and overnight deposits
$
(7
)
$

$
(7
)
$

$
42

$
42

Interest bearing deposits in banks
(16
)
6

(10
)
(29
)
30

1

Investment securities
81

(40
)
41

223

80

303

Loans, net
350

670

1,020

1,620

1,129

2,749

Nonmarketable equity securities
(8
)

(8
)
(19
)
23

4

Total interest earning assets
$
400

$
636

$
1,036

$
1,795

$
1,304

$
3,099

Interest bearing liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing checking accounts
$
9

$
71

$
80

$
15

$
133

$
148

Savings/money market accounts
(33
)
5

(28
)
25

444

469

Time deposits
106

198

304

263

610

873

Borrowed funds
(17
)
72

55

(46
)
220

174

Total interest bearing liabilities
$
65

$
346

$
411

$
257

$
1,407

$
1,664

Net change in net interest income
$
335

$
290

$
625

$
1,538

$
(103
)
$
1,435


Provision for Loan Losses. A provision for loan losses of $150 thousand and $350 thousand was recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $150 thousand and $300 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. The provision for loan losses for the first nine months of 2019 was deemed appropriate by management based on the size and mix of the loan portfolio, the level of nonperforming loans, the results of the qualitative factor review and prevailing economic conditions. For further details, see FINANCIAL CONDITION- Allowance for Loan Losses and Asset Quality below.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 32



Noninterest Income. The following table sets forth the components of noninterest income and changes between the three and nine month comparison periods of 2019 and 2018:
 
For The Three Months Ended September 30,
For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2019
2018
$ Variance
% Variance
2019
2018
$ Variance
% Variance
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Trust income
$
168

$
195

$
(27
)
(13.8
)
$
519

$
579

$
(60
)
(10.4
)
Service fees
1,617

1,568

49

3.1

4,547

4,538

9

0.2

Net gains on sales of loans held for sale
824

596

228

38.3

1,881

1,322

559

42.3

Income from Company-owned life insurance
89

64

25

39.1

200

432

(232
)
(53.7
)
Other income
34

29

5

17.2

199

204

(5
)
(2.5
)
Net gains on sales of investment securities AFS



100.0

8


8

100.0

Total noninterest income
$
2,732

$
2,452

$
280

11.4

$
7,354

$
7,075

$
279

3.9

The significant changes in noninterest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods of 2018 are described below:
Trust income. The decrease in trust income in both comparison periods is primarily due to the absence of income from the Company's defined benefit pension plan during 2019 as a result of the termination of the plan and settlement of the plan's assets and liabilities in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Service fees. Service fees increased $49 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2019, compared to the same period of 2018 due to increases of $40 thousand in ATM network income, $22 thousand in overdraft fee income, and $21 thousand in loan servicing fees. These increases were partially offset by a reduction of $23 thousand in credit card fee income as the Company sold its corporate credit card portfolio during the fourth quarter of 2018. Service fees decreased $9 thousand for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to a reduction in service charge and overdraft fee income on customer accounts of $45 thousand, partially offset by an increase in ATM network income of $62 thousand.
Net gains on sales of loans held for sale. Continuing the Company's strategy to mitigate long-term interest rate risk, residential loans totaling $44.7 million and $101.3 million were sold during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, versus sales of $33.8 million and $83.2 million during the same periods in 2018, respectively. The increase in net gains on sales of real estate loans is reflective of increases in volumes of loans sold and a declining rate environment during the first nine months of 2019 compared to a rising rate environment during the same period of 2018.
Income from Company-owned life insurance. The Company purchased $3.0 million of company owned life insurance covering select officers of Union during the third quarter of 2019, resulting in increased income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. Although the new policies contributed to noninterest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, proceeds from the death benefit on an insurance policy on the life of a former director resulted in $252 thousand of additional income during the first quarter of 2018 that did not recur in 2019.
Other income. Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 included $131 thousand in prepayment penalties from the early payoff of commercial loans and $50 thousand related to oil and gas income. Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 included a gain on the sale of a bank owned branch building of $191 thousand.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 33



Noninterest Expense. The following table sets forth the components of noninterest expense and changes between the three and nine month comparison periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:
 
For The Three Months Ended September 30,
For The Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2019
2018
$ Variance
% Variance
2019
2018
$ Variance
% Variance
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Salaries and wages
$
3,072

$
2,745

$
327

11.9

$
8,773

$
8,008

$
765

9.6

Employee benefits
1,043

1,144

(101
)
(8.8
)
3,097

3,299

(202
)
(6.1
)
Occupancy expense, net
428

338

90

26.6

1,287

1,069

218

20.4

Equipment expense
625

528

97

18.4

1,764

1,574

190

12.1

Legal and professional fees
206

234

(28
)
(12.0
)
652

609

43

7.1

FDIC insurance assessment
5

86

(81
)
(94.2
)
233

247

(14
)
(5.7
)
ATM network and debit card expense
214

187

27

14.4

612

503

109

21.7

Other expenses
1,408

1,263

145

11.5

3,903

3,646

257

7.0

Total noninterest expense
$
7,001

$
6,525

$
476

7.3

$
20,321

$
18,955

$
1,366

7.2

The significant changes in noninterest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods of 2018 are described below:
Salaries and wages. Salaries and wages increased $327 thousand and $765 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods of 2018 primarily due to increases in commissions earned by mortgage loan originators, annual salary adjustments, and an increase in accrual amounts for annual incentive plan payments. Also, the number of full time equivalent employees has increased from 194 at September 30, 2018 to 205 as of September 30, 2019 due to the addition of new branch locations.
Employee benefits. The decreases in employee benefits for the comparison periods noted above is primarily due to amounts related to the Company's terminated defined benefit pension plan of $169 thousand and $508 thousand recorded for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, that did not recur in 2019. Increases in the Company's medical and dental plan costs of $69 thousand and $214 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, and increases of $15 thousand and $35 thousand in 401k contributions for the same time periods, respectively, partially offset the reduction in expenses from the former defined benefit pension plan.
Occupancy expense, net. Occupancy expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 due to increases in depreciation expense, utilities, and repairs and maintenance. These increases are primarily due to our branch expansion projects with the opening of two full service branches in Vermont and a loan production office in New Hampshire since September 30, 2018.
Equipment expense. Equipment expenses increased during the comparison periods due to increases of $58 thousand and $94 thousand in depreciation expense and $34 thousand and $95 thousand in software license and maintenance costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.
Legal and professional fees. Legal and professional fees decreased $28 thousand and increased $43 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2018. During 2018, consultants were engaged to assist with a compensation and benefit analysis that did not recur in 2019. This reduction in expense during the third quarter was more than offset by consultants engaged to assist with internal audits, employment searches, and other advisory services throughout 2019 resulting in an increase in expenses year over year.
FDIC insurance assessment. The FDIC awarded assessment credits to banks having total consolidated assets of less than $10 billion, for the portion of their assessments that contributed to the growth in the Deposit Insurance Reserve Ratio. Union was awarded a credit in the amount of $179 thousand, of which $110 thousand was utilized in the third quarter of 2019. Application of this credit resulted in a reduction in expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. The benefit of the credit was partially offset by an increase in the amount of the assessments for 2019 due to an increase in the assessment factor as well as an increase in average assets to which the factor is applied.
ATM network and debit card expense. Debit card expenses increased $27 thousand and $109 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2018. Expenses related to the redemption of reward points customers earned on signature based debit card transactions increased $20 thousand and $53 thousand for

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 34



the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. Additionally, changes in services with ATM and debit card service providers during the first quarter of 2019 have resulted in increases in expenses of $6 thousand and $56 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.
Other expenses. Other expenses increased $145 thousand and $257 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2018. Union's Vermont franchise tax, which is assessed based on average customer deposit balances, increased $16 thousand and $42 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2018. As expected, advertising costs and printing costs increased during the comparison periods for expenses related to the new branch locations. These expenses increased $85 thousand and $99 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periods in 2018. The remaining variances between the comparison periods is comprised of smaller dollar changes in various miscellaneous expense categories.

Provision for Income Taxes. The Company has provided for current and deferred federal income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018. The Company's net provision for income taxes was $477 thousand and $1.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to $475 thousand and $1.5 million for the same periods in 2018, respectively. The Company's effective federal corporate income tax rate was 15.2% and 14.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, compared to 17.0% and 16.0% for the same periods in 2018, respectively. The decrease in the effective federal corporate income tax rate during the comparison periods is due to increases in tax exempt income and tax benefits received from limited partnership investments as discussed below.
Amortization expense related to limited partnership investments is included as a component of tax expense and amounted to $211 thousand and $534 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, and $159 thousand and $428 thousand for the same periods in 2018, respectively. These investments provide tax benefits, including tax credits. Low income housing tax credits with respect to limited partnership investments are also included as a component of income tax expense and amounted to $220 thousand and $554 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, and $178 thousand and $475 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

At September 30, 2019, the Company had total consolidated assets of $844.9 million, including gross loans and loans held for sale (total loans) of $671.5 million, deposits of $716.7 million, borrowed funds of $47.2 million and stockholders' equity of $70.6 million. The Company’s total assets at September 30, 2019 increased $39.6 million, or 4.9%, from $805.3 million at December 31, 2018, and increased $65.2 million, or 8.4%, compared to September 30, 2018.

Net loans and loans held for sale increased $26.1 million, or 4.1%, to $666.7 million, or 78.9% of total assets at September 30, 2019, compared to $640.6 million, or 79.5% of total assets at December 31, 2018. (See Loans Held for Sale and Loan Portfolio below.)

Total deposits increased $10.0 million, or 1.4%, to $716.7 million at September 30, 2019, from $706.8 million at December 31, 2018. There were increases in time deposits of $30.8 million, or 23.8%, and noninterest bearing deposits of $4.3 million, or 3.2%, which was partially offset by a decrease in interest bearing deposits of $25.1 million, or 5.6%. (See average balances and rates in the Yields Earned and Rates Paid table on pages 30 and 31.)

Total borrowed funds increased $19.3 million, or 69.5%, from $27.8 million at December 31, 2018 to $47.2 million at September 30, 2019. FHLB advances increased $19.7 million, while customer overnight collateralized repurchase sweeps decreased $370 thousand between December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2019. (See Borrowings on page 40.)

Total stockholders’ equity increased $6.1 million to $70.6 million at September 30, 2019 from $64.5 million at December 31, 2018. (See Capital Resources on page 42.)

Loans Held for Sale and Loan Portfolio. Total loans (including loans held for sale) increased $26.1 million, or 4.0%, to $671.5 million, representing 79.5% of assets at September 30, 2019, from $645.4 million, representing 80.1% of assets at December 31, 2018. The total loan portfolio at September 30, 2019 increased $27.8 million compared to the September 30, 2018 level of $643.7 million, representing 82.6% of assets. The Company’s loans consist primarily of adjustable-rate and fixed-rate mortgage loans secured by one-to-four family, multi-family residential or commercial real estate. Real estate secured loans represented $553.7 million, or 82.5% of total loans at September 30, 2019 and $522.0 million, or 80.9% of total loans at December 31, 2018. Although competition for good loans is strong, especially in the commercial sector, the Company has been able to originate loans to both current and new customers while maintaining credit quality. The composition of the Company’s loan portfolio remained relatively

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 35



unchanged from December 31, 2018. There was no material change in the Company’s lending programs or terms during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

The composition of the Company's loan portfolio as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:
 
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
Loan Class
Amount
Percent
Amount
Percent
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
192,617

28.7
$
187,320

29.0
Construction real estate
63,245

9.4
55,322

8.6
Commercial real estate
284,271

42.4
276,500

42.8
Commercial
44,536

6.6
47,228

7.3
Consumer
3,566

0.5
3,241

0.5
Municipal
69,681

10.4
72,850

11.3
Loans held for sale
13,561

2.0
2,899

0.5
Total loans
671,477

100.0
645,360

100.0
Allowance for loan losses
(5,808
)
 
(5,739
)
 
Unamortized net loan costs
988

 
938

 
Net loans and loans held for sale
$
666,657

 
$
640,559

 
The Company originates and sells qualified residential mortgage loans in various secondary market avenues, with a majority of sales made to the FHLMC/Freddie Mac, generally with servicing rights retained. At September 30, 2019, the Company serviced a $745.9 million residential real estate mortgage portfolio, of which $13.6 million was held for sale and approximately $539.7 million was serviced for unaffiliated third parties.

During the first nine months of 2019, the Company sold $101.3 million of qualified residential real estate loans to the secondary market to mitigate long-term interest rate risk and to generate fee income, compared to sales of $83.2 million during the first nine months of 2018. The Company originates and sells FHA, VA, and RD residential mortgage loans, and also has an Unconditional Direct Endorsement Approval from HUD which allows the Company to approve FHA loans originated in any of its Vermont or New Hampshire locations without needing prior HUD underwriting approval. The Company sells FHA, VA and RD loans as originated with servicing released. Some of the government backed loans qualify for zero down payments without geographic or income restrictions. These loan products increase the Company's ability to serve the borrowing needs of residents in the communities served, including low and moderate income borrowers, while the government guaranty mitigates the Company's exposure to credit risk.

The Company also originates commercial real estate and commercial loans under various SBA, USDA and State sponsored programs that provide a government agency guaranty for a portion of the loan amount. There was $4.6 million guaranteed under these various programs at September 30, 2019 on an aggregate balance of $5.9 million in subject loans. The Company occasionally sells the guaranteed portion of the loan to other financial partners and retains servicing rights, which generates fee income. There were no commercial loans sold in the first nine months of 2019 or 2018. The Company recognizes gains and losses on the sale of the principal portion of these loans as they occur.

The Company serviced $22.8 million of commercial and commercial real estate loans for unaffiliated third parties as of September 30, 2019. This includes $21.1 million of commercial or commercial real estate loans the Company has participated out to other financial institutions, in the ordinary course of business on a nonrecourse basis, for liquidity or credit concentration management purposes.

The Company capitalizes MSRs for all loans sold with servicing retained and recognizes gains and losses on the sale of the principal portion of these loans as they occur. The unamortized balance of MSRs on loans sold with servicing retained was $1.6 million at September 30, 2019, with an estimated market value in excess of the carrying value as of such date. Management periodically evaluates and measures the servicing assets for impairment.

Qualifying residential first mortgage loans and certain commercial real estate loans with a carrying value of $207.8 million were pledged as collateral for borrowings from the FHLB under a blanket lien at September 30, 2019.


Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 36



Asset Quality. The Company, like all financial institutions, is exposed to certain credit risks, including those related to the value of the collateral that secures its loans and the ability of borrowers to repay their loans. Consistent application of the Company’s conservative loan policies has helped to mitigate this risk and has been prudent for both the Company and its customers. Renewed market volatility, high unemployment rates or weakness in the general economic condition of the country or our market area, may have a negative effect on our customers’ ability to make their loan payments on a timely basis and/or on underlying collateral values. Management closely monitors the Company’s loan and investment portfolios, OREO and OAO for potential problems and reports to the Company’s and Union’s Board at regularly scheduled meetings. Board approved policies set forth portfolio diversification levels to mitigate concentration risk and the Company participates large credits out to other financial institutions to further mitigate that risk.
Repossessed assets and loans or investments that are 90 days or more past due are considered to be nonperforming assets. The following table shows the composition of nonperforming assets at the dates indicated and trends in certain ratios monitored by the Company's management in reviewing asset quality:
 
September 30,
2019
December 31,
2018
September 30,
2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans
$
723

$
816

$
1,069

Accruing loans 90+ days delinquent
1,232

1,140

352

Total nonperforming assets (1)
$
1,955

$
1,956

$
1,421

ALL to loans not held for sale
0.88
%
0.89
%
0.88
%
ALL to nonperforming loans
297.08
%
293.40
%
394.79
%
Nonperforming loans to total loans
0.29
%
0.30
%
0.22
%
Nonperforming assets to total assets
0.23
%
0.24
%
0.18
%
Delinquent loans (30 days to nonaccruing) to total loans
0.77
%
1.41
%
0.59
%
Net charge-offs (annualized) to average loans not held for sale
0.06
%
0.02
%
0.02
%
____________________
(1)
The Company had guarantees of U.S. or state government agencies on certain of the above nonperforming loans totaling $286 thousand at September 30, 2019, $114 thousand at December 31, 2018, and $121 thousand at September 30, 2018.

The level of nonaccrual loans decreased $93 thousand, or 11.4%, since December 31, 2018, and accruing loans delinquent 90 days or more increased $92 thousand, or 8.1%, during the same time period. There were three residential real estate loans totaling $207 thousand and three commercial real estate loans totaling $137 thousand in process of foreclosure at September 30, 2019. The aggregate interest income not recognized on nonaccrual loans approximated $1.2 million as of September 30, 2019 and $1.3 million as of December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018.
At September 30, 2019, the Company had loans rated substandard that were on performing status totaling $1.8 million, compared to $2.0 million at December 31, 2018. In management's view, substandard loans represent a higher degree of risk of becoming nonperforming loans in the future. The Company’s management is focused on the impact that the economy may have on its borrowers and closely monitors industry and geographic concentrations for evidence of financial problems. The region's tourist industry has seen successful results for all tourist seasons throughout the year for over two years. Improvement in local economic indicators have also been identified during this time period. The unemployment rate has stabilized in Vermont and was 2.2% for September 2019 compared to 2.9% for September 2018. The New Hampshire unemployment rate was 2.5% for September 2019 compared to 2.7% for September 2018. These rates compare favorably with the nationwide unemployment rate of 3.5% and 3.7%, respectively, for the comparable periods. Management will continue to monitor the national, regional and local economic environment and its impact on unemployment, business outlook and real estate values in the Company’s market area.
On occasion, the Company acquires residential or commercial real estate properties through or in lieu of loan foreclosure. These properties are held for sale and are initially recorded as OREO at fair value less estimated selling costs at the date of the Company’s acquisition of the property, with fair value based on an appraisal for more significant properties and on a broker’s price opinion for less significant properties. Holding costs and declines in the fair value of properties acquired are expensed as incurred. Declines in the fair value after acquisition of the property result in charges against income before tax. The Company evaluates each OREO property at least quarterly for changes in the fair value. The Company had no properties classified as OREO at September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 or December 31, 2018.
Allowance for Loan Losses. Some of the Company’s loan customers ultimately do not make all of their contractually scheduled payments, requiring the Company to charge off a portion or all of the remaining principal balance due. The Company maintains an ALL to absorb such losses. The ALL is maintained at a level believed by management to be appropriate to absorb probable

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 37



credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the evaluation date; however, actual loan losses may vary from current estimates. The Company's policy and methodologies for establishing the ALL, described in the Company's 2018 Annual Report did not change during the first nine months of 2019.
Impaired loans, including $3.0 million of TDR loans, were $5.4 million at September 30, 2019, with government guaranties of $592 thousand and a specific reserve amount allocated of $225 thousand. Impaired loans, including $3.3 million of TDR loans, were $4.4 million at December 31, 2018, with government guaranties of $641 thousand and a specific reserve amount allocated of $66 thousand. Based on management's evaluation of the Company's historical loss experience on substandard commercial loans, commercial loan relationships with aggregate balances greater than $500 thousand are evaluated individually for impairment, with a specific reserve allocated when warranted. Commercial loans with balances under this threshold are collectively evaluated for impairment as a homogeneous pool of loans, unless such loans are subject to a restructuring agreement or have been identified as impaired as part of a larger customer relationship. The specific reserve amount allocated to individually identified impaired loans increased $159 thousand as a result of the September 30, 2019 impairment evaluation primarily due to the addition of a commercial loan relationship during the third quarter.
The following table reflects activity in the ALL for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:
 
For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
For The Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
2019
2018
2019
2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period
$
5,676

$
5,553

$
5,739

$
5,408

Charge-offs
(18
)
(106
)
(291
)
(115
)
Recoveries

13

10

17

Net charge-offs
(18
)
(93
)
(281
)
(98
)
Provision for loan losses
150

150

350

300

Balance at end of period
$
5,808

$
5,610

$
5,808

$
5,610

The following table (net of loans held for sale) shows the internal breakdown by risk component of the Company's ALL and the percentage of loans in each category to total loans in the respective portfolios at the dates indicated:
 
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
 
Amount
Percent
Amount
Percent
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Residential real estate
$
1,409

29.3
$
1,368

29.2
Construction real estate
689

9.6
617

8.6
Commercial real estate
3,167

43.2
2,933

43.0
Commercial
326

6.8
354

7.4
Consumer
25

0.5
23

0.5
Municipal
78

10.6
82

11.3
Unallocated
114

362

Total
$
5,808

100.0
$
5,739

100.0

Notwithstanding the categories shown in the table above or any specific allocation under the Company's ALL methodology, all funds in the ALL are available to absorb loan losses in the portfolio, regardless of loan category or specific allocation.
There were no changes to the reserve factors assigned to any of the loan portfolios based on the qualitative factor reviews performed during the first nine months of 2019. Management believes, in its best estimate, that the ALL at September 30, 2019 is appropriate to cover probable credit losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio as of such date. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will not sustain losses in future periods which could be greater than the size of the ALL at September 30, 2019. In addition, our banking regulators, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review our ALL. Such agencies may require us to recognize adjustments to the ALL based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination. A large adjustment to the ALL for losses in future periods could require increased provisions to replenish the ALL, which could negatively affect earnings. Management continues to be cautiously optimistic about the collectability of the Company's loan portfolio.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 38



Investment Activities. During the first nine months of 2019, investment securities classified as AFS increased $11.9 million to $85.3 million, comprising 10.1% of total assets, compared to $73.4 million, or 9.1% of total assets at December 31, 2018. Net unrealized gains for the Company’s AFS investment securities portfolio were $1.5 million as of September 30, 2019, compared to net unrealized losses of $1.3 million as of December 31, 2018. The Company’s accumulated OCI component of stockholders’ equity at September 30, 2019 reflected cumulative net unrealized gains on investment securities of $1.2 million. There were no securities classified as HTM at September 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018. No declines in value were deemed by management to be OTT at September 30, 2019. Deterioration in credit quality and/or imbalances in liquidity that may exist in the financial marketplace might adversely affect the fair values of the Company’s investment portfolio and the amount of gains or losses ultimately realized on the sale of such securities, and may also increase the potential that certain resulting unrealized losses will be designated as OTT in future periods, resulting in write-downs and charges to earnings. There were no investment securities pledged as of September 30, 2019, compared to $2.5 million pledged at December 31, 2018. In prior periods, the Company secured various public deposits or customer repurchase agreements by pledging portions of the Company's investment portfolio. Union's management has implemented other acceptable methods of collateralization of the uninsured balances such as reciprocal deposits through the Promonotory network and municipal letters of credit offered by the FHLBB.
Deposits. The following table shows information concerning the Company's average deposits by account type and weighted average nominal rates at which interest was paid on such deposits for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2019
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
Average
Amount
Percent
of Total
Deposits
Average
Rate
Average
Amount
Percent
of Total
Deposits
Average
Rate
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Nontime deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noninterest bearing deposits
$
127,077

18.4

$
119,890

18.9

Interest bearing checking accounts
157,102

22.7
0.25
%
143,280

22.6
0.14
%
Money market accounts
159,386

23.0
1.14
%
153,921

24.3
0.77
%
Savings accounts
105,086

15.2
0.15
%
104,283

16.5
0.15
%
Total nontime deposits
548,651

79.3
0.43
%
521,374

82.3
0.30
%
Time deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less than $100,000
74,726

10.8
1.32
%
63,249

10.0
0.82
%
$100,000 and over
68,713

9.9
1.81
%
49,019

7.7
1.10
%
Total time deposits
143,439

20.7
1.55
%
112,268

17.7
0.94
%
Total deposits
$
692,090

100.0
0.66
%
$
633,642

100.0
0.41
%
During the first nine months of 2019, average total deposits grew $58.4 million, or 9.2%, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018, with growth in all categories.
The Company participates in CDARS, which permits the Company to offer full deposit insurance coverage to its customers by exchanging deposit balances with other CDARS participants. CDARS also provides the Company with an additional source of funding and liquidity through the purchase of deposits. At September 30, 2019, $13.6 million of the Company's CDARS deposits represented purchased deposits which are considered "brokered" deposits. At December 31, 2018, $15.0 million of the Company's CDARS deposits represented purchased deposits. These deposits are included in time deposits on the consolidated balance sheets. There were $11.9 million of time deposits of $250,000 or less on the balance sheet at September 30, 2019 and $11.3 million at December 31, 2018, which were exchanged with other CDARS participants.
The Company also participates in the ICS program, a service through which it can offer its customers demand or savings products with access to unlimited FDIC insurance, while receiving reciprocal deposits from other FDIC-insured banks. Like the exchange of certificate of deposit accounts through CDARS, exchange of demand or savings deposits through ICS provides a depositor with full deposit insurance coverage of excess balances, thereby helping the Company retain the full amount of the deposit on its balance sheet. As with the CDARS program, in addition to reciprocal deposits, participating banks may also purchase one-way ICS deposits. There were $70.5 million and $102.9 million in exchanged ICS demand and money market deposits on the balance sheet at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. There were no purchased ICS deposits at September 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018.
The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 allows the Company to hold reciprocal deposits up to 20 percent of total liabilities without those deposits being treated as brokered for regulatory purposes.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 39



At September 30, 2019, there were $12.0 million in retail brokered deposits issued under a master certificate of deposit program with a deposit broker for the purpose of providing a supplemental source of funding and liquidity. These deposits will mature in February 2020. There were $1.0 million of retail brokered deposits at December 31, 2018.
The following table provides a maturity distribution of the Company’s time deposits in amounts of $100,000 and over at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018:
 
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Within 3 months
$
22,208

$
24,518

3 to 6 months
27,292

9,125

6 to 12 months
17,220

12,820

Over 12 months
16,735

18,011

 
$
83,455

$
64,474

The Company's time deposits in amounts of $100 thousand and over increased $19.0 million, or 29.4%, between December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2019, resulting primarily from customers taking advantage of time deposit promotions that were offered during the first nine months of 2019, including special promotions in connection with the opening of branch locations in new market areas. In addition, there was a decrease of $1.4 million in purchased CDARS deposits outstanding at September 30, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 which will mature within three months.
A provision of the Dodd-Frank Act permanently raised FDIC deposit insurance coverage to $250 thousand per depositor per insured depository institution for each account ownership category. At September 30, 2019, the Company had deposit accounts with less than the maximum FDIC insured deposit amount of $250 thousand totaling $558.7 million, or 78.0% of its deposits. An additional $20.8 million of municipal deposits were over the FDIC insurance coverage limit at September 30, 2019 and were collateralized under applicable state regulations by letters of credit issued by the FHLB.
Borrowings. Total borrowed funds at September 30, 2019 were $47.2 million compared to $27.8 million at December 31, 2018, a net increase of $19.3 million, or 69.5%. The FHLB option advance borrowings were $47.2 million at September 30, 2019, at a weighted average rate of 2.46%, and $27.5 million at December 31, 2018, at a weighted average rate of 1.84%. The increase in option advance borrowings reflect new advances of $40 million at rates ranging from 2.18% to 2.37% taken during the third quarter of 2019. These advances were partially offset by the maturity of $20.0 million in bullet advances during the first nine months of 2019. The increase in borrowed funds was utilized to fund loan demand as loan growth outpaced deposit growth throughout the first nine months of 2019. In addition, there were no overnight secured customer repurchase agreement sweeps at September 30, 2019 due to the customer converting its account to another deposit product during 2019. At December 31, 2018, secured customer repurchase agreement sweeps were $370 thousand, at a weighted average rate of 0.20%.
The Company has the authority, up to its available borrowing capacity with the FHLB, to collateralize public unit deposits with letters of credit issued by the FHLB. FHLB letters of credit in the amount of $24.8 million and $17.3 million were utilized as collateral for these deposits at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Total fees paid by the Company in connection with the issuance of these letters of credit were $7 thousand and $21 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, and $9 thousand and $24 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

Commitments, Contingent Liabilities, and Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements. 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, to reduce its own exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and to implement its strategic objectives. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit, interest rate caps and floors written on adjustable-rate loans, commitments to participate in or sell loans, commitments to buy or sell securities, certificates of deposit or other investment instruments and risk-sharing commitments or guarantees on certain sold loans. Such instruments involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized on the balance sheet. The contractual or notional amounts of these instruments reflect the extent of involvement the Company has in a particular class of financial instruments.
The Company's maximum exposure to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the other party to the financial instrument for commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual or notional amount of those instruments. The Company uses the same credit policies in making commitments and conditional obligations as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments. For interest rate caps and floors written on adjustable-rate loans, the contractual or notional amounts do not represent the Company’s exposure to credit loss. The Company controls the risk of interest rate cap agreements through credit approvals, limits, and monitoring procedures. The Company generally requires collateral or other security to support financial instruments with credit risk.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 40



The following table details the contractual or notional amount of financial instruments that represented credit risk at the balance sheet dates:
 
September 30, 2019
December 31, 2018
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Commitments to originate loans
$
21,841

$
22,673

Unused lines of credit
109,560

109,457

Standby and commercial letters of credit
2,308

2,308

Credit card arrangements
303

259

FHLB Mortgage Partnership Finance credit enhancement obligation, net
687

684

Total
$
134,699

$
135,381

Commitments to originate loans are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have a fixed expiration date or other termination clause and may require payment of a fee. Since many of the loan commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon and not all credit lines will be utilized, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. Lines of credit incur seasonal volume fluctuations due to the nature of some customers' businesses, such as tourism and maple syrup products production.
The Company did not hold any derivative or hedging instruments at September 30, 2019 or December 31, 2018.
The Company’s subsidiary bank is required (as are all banks) to maintain vault cash or a noninterest bearing reserve balance as established by FRB regulations. The Bank’s average total required reserve for the 14 day maintenance period including September 30, 2019 was $1.2 million and for December 31, 2018 was $1.0 million, both of which were satisfied by vault cash.

Liquidity. Liquidity is a measurement of the Company’s ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to fund deposit withdrawals, repay borrowings, fund investment and lending activities, and for other general business purposes. The primary objective of liquidity management is to maintain a balance between sources and uses of funds to meet our cash flow needs in the most economical and expedient manner. The Company’s principal sources of funds are deposits; whole-sale funding options including purchased deposits, amortization, prepayment and maturity of loans, investment securities, interest bearing deposits and other short-term investments; sales of securities and loans AFS; earnings; and funds provided from operations. Contractual principal repayments on loans are a relatively predictable source of funds; however, deposit flows and loan and investment prepayments are less predictable and can be significantly influenced by market interest rates, economic conditions, and rates offered by our competitors. Managing liquidity risk is essential to maintaining both depositor confidence and earnings stability.
As of September 30, 2019, Union, as a member of FHLB, had access to unused lines of credit up to $51.2 million over and above the $72.9 million in combined outstanding borrowings and other credit subject to collateralization, subject to the purchase of required FHLB Class B common stock and evaluation by the FHLB of the underlying collateral available. This line of credit can be used for either short-term or long-term liquidity or other funding needs.
Union also maintains an IDEAL Way Line of Credit with the FHLB. The total line available was $551 thousand at September 30, 2019. There were no borrowings against this line of credit as of such date. Interest on this line is chargeable at a rate determined by the FHLB and payable monthly. Should Union utilize this line of credit, qualified portions of the loan and investment portfolios would collateralize these borrowings.
In addition to its borrowing arrangements with the FHLB, Union maintains a pre-approved federal funds line of credit totaling $15.0 million with an upstream correspondent bank, a master brokered deposit agreement with a brokerage firm, one-way buy options with CDARS and ICS as well as access to the FRB discount window, which would require pledging of qualified assets. In addition to the funding sources available to Union, the Company established a $5.0 million revolving line of credit with a correspondent bank during the third quarter of 2019. Core deposits are the lowest cost of funds the Company has access to but these deposits may not be sufficient to cover the on balance sheet liquidity needs which makes using these other funding sources necessary. At September 30, 2019, there were no purchased ICS deposits, $13.6 million purchased CDARS deposits, $12.0 million in retail brokered deposits issued under a master certificate of deposit program with a deposit broker, and no outstanding advances on the federal funds line or at the discount window.
Union's investment and residential loan portfolios provide a significant amount of contingent liquidity that could be accessed in a reasonable time period through sales of those portfolios. We also have additional contingent liquidity sources with access to the brokered deposit market and the FRB discount window. These sources are considered as liquidity alternatives in our contingent liquidity plan. Management believes the Company has sufficient liquidity to meet all reasonable borrower, depositor, and creditor needs in the present economic environment. However, any projections of future cash needs and flows are subject to substantial uncertainty, including factors outside the Company's control.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 41




Capital Resources. Capital management is designed to maintain an optimum level of capital in a cost-effective structure that meets target regulatory ratios, supports management’s internal assessment of economic capital, funds the Company’s business strategies and builds long-term stockholder value. Dividends are generally in line with long-term trends in earnings per share and conservative earnings projections, while sufficient profits are retained to support anticipated business growth, fund strategic investments, maintain required regulatory capital levels and provide continued support for deposits. The Company continues to evaluate growth opportunities both through internal growth or potential acquisitions.
Stockholders’ equity increased from $64.5 million at December 31, 2018 to $70.6 million at September 30, 2019, reflecting net income of $7.9 million for the first nine months of 2019, an increase of $2.2 million in accumulated other comprehensive income due to an increase in the fair market value of the Company's AFS securities, an increase of $144 thousand from stock based compensation, a $44 thousand increase due to the issuance of 2,000 shares of common stock from the exercise of incentive stock options and a $27 thousand increase due to the issuance of common stock under the DRIP. These increases were partially offset by cash dividends declared of $4.2 million and stock repurchases of $13 thousand during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The components of the other comprehensive income are illustrated in Note 11 of the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
The Company has 7,500,000 shares of $2.00 par value common stock authorized. As of September 30, 2019, the Company had 4,945,690 shares issued, of which 4,469,043 were outstanding and 476,647 were held in treasury.
In December 2018, the Company's Board reauthorized for 2019 the limited stock repurchase plan that was initially established in May of 2010. The limited stock repurchase plan allows the repurchase of up to a fixed number of shares of the Company's common stock each calendar quarter in open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, as management deems advisable and as market conditions may warrant. The repurchase authorization for a calendar quarter (currently 2,500 shares) expires at the end of that quarter to the extent it has not been exercised, and is not carried forward into future quarters. The quarterly repurchase authorization expires on December 31, 2019, unless reauthorized. The Company repurchased 300 shares during the first nine months of 2019 under this program at a total cost of $13 thousand.
The Company maintains a Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan whereby registered stockholders may elect to reinvest cash dividends and optional cash contributions to purchase additional shares of the Company's common stock. The Company has reserved 200,000 shares of its common stock for issuance and sale under the DRIP. As of September 30, 2019, 2,124 shares of stock had been issued from treasury stock under the DRIP.
The Company (on a consolidated basis) and Union are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the 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 Union's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, the Company and Union must meet specific capital guidelines that involve quantitative measures of assets, liabilities and certain off-balance-sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. The Company's and Union's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.
Under the current guidelines, banking organizations must have a minimum total risk-based capital ratio of 8.0%, a minimum Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 6.0%, a minimum common equity Tier I risk-based capital ratio of 4.5%, and a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0% in order to be "adequately capitalized." In addition to these requirements, banking organizations must maintain a 2.5% capital conservation buffer consisting of common Tier I equity, increasing the minimum required total risk-based capital, Tier I risk-based and common equity Tier I capital to risk-weighted assets they must maintain to avoid limits on capital distributions and certain bonus payments to executive officers and similar employees.
The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act of 2018 directed the federal banking regulators to adopt rules providing for a simplified regulatory capital framework for qualifying community banking organizations. In September 2019, the banking regulators finalized a rule that introduced the community bank leverage ratio (CBLR) framework as an optional simplified measure of capital adequacy for qualifying institutions. A banking organization with a Tier I leverage ratio greater than 9.0%, less than $10 billion in average consolidated assets, and limited amounts of off-balance sheet exposures and trading assets and liabilities may opt into the CBLR framework and will be deemed "well capitalized" and will not be required to report or calculate risk-based capital. The CBLR framework will be available for use on March 31, 2020. A community banking organization that does not meet the requirements for use of the simplified CBLR framework will continue to calculate its regulatory capital ratios under existing guidelines. As of September 30, 2019, the Tier I leverage ratio was 8.20% and 8.17% for the Company and Union, respectively.
As shown in the table below, as of September 30, 2019, both the Company and Union met all capital adequacy requirements to which they are currently subject and Union exceeded the requirements for a "well capitalized" bank under the FDIC's Prompt Corrective Action framework. There were no conditions or events between September 30, 2019 and the date of this report that management believes have changed either Company’s regulatory capital category.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 42



 
Actual
For Capital Adequacy Purposes
To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
As of September 30, 2019
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
Amount
Ratio
 
(Dollars in thousands)
Company:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk weighted assets
$
72,749

12.95
%
$
44,941

8.00
%
N/A

N/A

Tier I capital to risk weighted assets
66,941

11.92
%
33,695

6.00
%
N/A

N/A

Common Equity Tier 1 to risk weighted assets
66,941

11.92
%
25,271

4.50
%
N/A

N/A

Tier I capital to average assets
66,941

8.20
%
32,654

4.00
%
N/A

N/A

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Union:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total capital to risk weighted assets
$
72,388

12.91
%
$
44,857

8.00
%
$
56,071

10.00
%
Tier I capital to risk weighted assets
66,580

11.87
%
33,655

6.00
%
44,873

8.00
%
Common Equity Tier 1 to risk weighted assets
66,580

11.87
%
25,241

4.50
%
36,459

6.50
%
Tier I capital to average assets
66,580

8.17
%
32,597

4.00
%
40,747

5.00
%
Dividends paid by Union are the primary source of funds available to the Company for payment of dividends to its stockholders. Union is subject to certain requirements imposed by federal banking laws and regulations, which among other things, establish minimum levels of capital and restrict the amount of dividends that may be distributed by Union to the Company.
Cash dividends of $0.31 per share were paid during each of the first three quarters of 2019 and have been declared for the fourth quarter, payable on November 7, 2019 to stockholders of record on October 28, 2019.

OTHER FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Market Risk and Interest Rate Risk. Market risk is the potential of loss in a financial instrument arising from adverse changes in market prices, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, and equity prices. The benchmark London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) rate that is utilized throughout the banking industry to set interest rates in loan documents is being phased out by the end of 2021 by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom. In preparation for this phaseout, an initial review of instruments the Company has tied to this rate is deemed immaterial and we do not anticipate an increased risk of loss arising from this phase out. As of September 30, 2019, the Company did not have any market risk sensitive instruments acquired for trading purposes. The Company’s market risk arises primarily from interest rate risk inherent in its lending, investing, deposit taking and borrowing activities. Management of interest rate risk is an important component of the asset and liability management process, which is governed by established policies that are reviewed and approved annually. The investment policy details the types of securities that may be purchased, and establishes portfolio limits and maturity limits for the various sectors. The investment policy also establishes specific investment quality limits. The ALCO develops guidelines and strategies impacting our asset and liability management-related activities based upon estimated market risk sensitivity, policy limits and overall market interest rate levels and trends. Members of the ALCO also manage the investment portfolio to maximize net interest income while mitigating market and interest rate risk.
Interest rate risk arises naturally from imbalances in repricing, maturity and cash flow characteristics of our assets and liabilities. The ALCO takes into consideration the cash flow and repricing attributes of balance sheet and off-balance sheet items and their relation to possible changes in interest rates. The ALCO manages interest rate exposure primarily by using on-balance sheet strategies, generally accomplished through the management of the duration, rate sensitivity and average lives of our various investments, and by extending or shortening maturities of borrowed funds, as well as carefully managing and monitoring the maturities and pricing of loans and deposits.
An outside consultant is utilized to perform rate shocks to our balance sheet to assess our risk to earnings in different interest rate environments, and to perform a variety of other analyses. The consultant’s most recent completed analysis was as of September 30, 2019. The base simulation assumed no changes in rates, as well as a 100 basis point falling interest rate scenario and 200 and 300 basis point rising interest rate scenarios which all assume a parallel shift of the yield curve over a 24 month period, with no growth assumptions. Management is not aware of any significant changes in the Company's risk profile since the analysis was performed as of September 30, 2019. A summary of the results is as follows:
Current/Flat Rates: If rates remain at current levels net interest income is projected to trend gradually upwards as asset yields are expected to remain fairly stable while funding costs are assumed to replace slightly lower.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 43



Rising Rates: Net interest income is anticipated to trend in line with the Current Rates scenario over the next 24 months as retail and wholesale term funding replacing into the elevated rate environment temporarily match improvements to asset yields. The degree of benefit of rising rates will depend on the pace and extent of market rate increases as well as the terminal slope of the yield curve as rates rise along with deposit pricing strategies..
Falling Rates: Net interest income is projected to trend downward in a falling rate scenario. If rates fall, asset yield compression outpaces funding cost relief as deposit costs reach their floor levels. Additionally, accelerated asset cash flow, driven by faster assumed mortgage related prepayment speeds, continues to adjust into lower rates. Continued utilization of floors on new loan volume will help to mitigate additional downward pressure on yields.
The net interest income simulation as of September 30, 2019 showed that the change in net interest income for the next 24 months from our expected or “most likely” forecast was as follows:
 
Rate Change
Percent Change in Net Interest Income Limit
Percent Change in Net Interest Income
 
 
Up 300 basis points
(15.00
)%
6.8
 %
 
 
 
Up 200 basis points
(15.00
)%
5.0
 %
 
 
 
Down 100 basis points
(15.00
)%
(4.6
)%
 
 
The preceding sensitivity analysis does not represent our forecast and should not be relied upon as being indicative of expected operating results. These estimates are based upon numerous assumptions including, among others, the nature and timing of interest rate levels including yield curve shape, prepayments on loans and securities, deposit run-off rates, pricing decisions on loans and deposits and reinvestment/replacement of asset and liability cash flows. While assumptions are developed based upon current economic and local market conditions, we cannot make any assurances as to the predictive nature of these assumptions including how customer preferences or competitor influences might change.
The model used to perform the base case balance sheet simulation assumes a parallel shift of the yield curve over twelve and 24 months and reprices every interest earning asset and interest bearing liability on our balance sheet, simultaneously. The use of pricing betas help simulate the expected pricing behavior regarding non-maturing deposits, limiting the rate increases that occur when market rates rise. A historic analysis of the bank's prepayment history was performed and the results were used as a basis for future prepayment expectations. Investment securities with call provisions are examined on an individual basis to estimate the likelihood of a call.
As market conditions vary from those assumed in the sensitivity analysis, actual results will likely differ due to: the varying impact of changes in the balances and mix of loans and deposits differing from those assumed, the impact of possible off balance sheet commitments, and other internal/external variables. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis does not reflect all actions that the ALCO might take in responding to or anticipating changes in interest rates.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Information called for by this item is incorporated to Part I, Item 2, reference in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the caption OTHER FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS on page 43 of this report.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the assistance of the Disclosure Control Committee, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2019. Based on this evaluation they concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files with the Commission is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required information.
Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act, during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 44



PART II  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
There are no known pending legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiary is a party, or to which any of their properties is subject, other than ordinary litigation arising in the normal course of business activities. Although the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to such proceedings cannot be determined, in the opinion of management, any such liability is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiary.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes in the risk factors discussed in Part I-Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our 2018 Annual Report since the date of the filing of that report.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2019, the only unregistered issuance of the Company's equity securities was pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options issued under the 2008 ISO Plan, resulting in the issuance of 1,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The shares were issued in reliance upon an exemption in section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 for distributions not involving a public offering.
There was no repurchase of the Company's equity securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2019.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6. Exhibits.
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
101
The following materials from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets, (ii) the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, (iii) the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) related notes.
____________________
*
This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
                    
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
Union Bankshares, Inc.
 
 
 
November 8, 2019
 
/s/ David S. Silverman
 
 
David S. Silverman
 
 
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 8, 2019
 
/s/ Karyn J. Hale
 
 
Karyn J. Hale
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 45




EXHIBIT INDEX
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 
 
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
 
 
101
The following materials from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets, (ii) the unaudited consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, (iii) the unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity, (iv) the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows and (v) related notes.
____________________
*
This exhibit shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Union Bankshares, Inc. Page 46