Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accounting and reporting policies of Farmers Capital Bank Corporation and subsidiaries conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and general practices applicable to the banking industry. Significant accounting policies are summarized below.

Principles of Consolidation and Nature of Operations

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmers Capital Bank Corporation (the “Company” or “Parent Company”), a bank holding company, and its bank and nonbank subsidiaries. Bank subsidiaries include Farmers Bank & Capital Trust Company (“Farmers Bank”) in Frankfort, KY, United Bank & Trust Company (“United Bank”) in Versailles, KY, First Citizens Bank (“First Citizens”) in Elizabethtown, KY, and Citizens Bank of Northern Kentucky, Inc. (“Citizens Northern”) in Newport, KY.

Farmers Bank’s significant subsidiaries include EG Properties, Inc., and Farmers Capital Insurance Corporation (“Farmers Insurance”). EG Properties, Inc. is involved in real estate management and liquidation for certain repossessed properties of Farmers Bank. Farmers Insurance is an insurance agency in Frankfort, KY. Leasing One Corporation, a company formed to lease commercial property, was dissolved effective at year-end 2015. United Bank has one wholly-owned subsidiary, EGT Properties, Inc. EGT Properties, Inc. is involved in real estate management and liquidation for certain repossessed properties of United Bank. First Citizens has one wholly-owned subsidiary, HBJ Properties, LLC. HBJ Properties, LLC is involved in real estate management and liquidation for certain repossessed properties of First Citizens. Citizens Northern has one wholly-owned subsidiary, ENKY Properties, Inc. ENKY Properties, Inc. is involved in real estate management and liquidation for certain repossessed properties of Citizens Northern.

The Company has two active nonbank subsidiaries, FCB Services, Inc. (“FCB Services”) and FFKT Insurance Services, Inc. (“FFKT Insurance”). FCB Services is a data processing subsidiary located in Frankfort, KY that provides services to the Company’s banks as well as unaffiliated entities. FFKT Insurance is a captive property and casualty insurance company insuring primarily deductible exposures and uncovered liability related to properties of the Company. EKT Properties, Inc., a company formed to manage and liquidate certain real estate properties repossessed by the Company, was dissolved effective at year-end 2014. The Company has three subsidiaries organized as Delaware statutory trusts that are not consolidated into its financial statements. These trusts were formed for the purpose of issuing trust preferred securities. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. In January 2016, the Company terminated one of the three trusts as a result of the early extinguishment of debt issued to the trust. Refer to Note 24 for additional information.

The Company provides financial services at its 34 locations in 21 communities throughout Central and Northern Kentucky to individual, business, agriculture, government, and educational customers. Its primary deposit products are checking, savings, and term certificate accounts. Its primary lending products are residential mortgage, commercial lending, and consumer installment loans. Substantially all loans and leases are secured by specific items of collateral including business assets, consumer assets, and commercial and residential real estate. Commercial loans and leases are expected to be repaid from cash flow from operations of businesses. Other services include, but are not limited to, cash management services, issuing letters of credit, safe deposit box rental, and providing funds transfer services. Other financial instruments, which potentially represent concentrations of credit risk, include deposit accounts in other financial institutions and federal funds sold.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements are based on various factors including the current interest rate environment and the general strength of the local economy. Changes in the overall interest rate environment can significantly affect the Company’s net interest income and the value of its recorded assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates used in the preparation of the financial statements. The allowance for loan losses, carrying value of other real estate owned, actuarial assumptions used to calculate postretirement benefits, and the fair values of financial instruments are estimates that are particularly subject to change.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements presented for prior years have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation. These reclassifications do not affect net income or total shareholders’ equity as previously reported.

Segment Information

The Company provides a broad range of financial services to individuals, corporations, and others through its 34 banking locations throughout Central and Northern Kentucky. These services primarily include the activities of lending, receiving deposits, providing cash management services, safe deposit box rental, and trust activities. While the chief decision-makers monitor the revenue streams of the various products and services, operations are managed and financial performance is evaluated on a Company-wide basis. Operating segments are aggregated into one as operating results for all segments are similar. Accordingly, all of the financial service operations are considered by management to be aggregated in one reportable segment.

Cash Flows

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include the following: cash on hand, deposits from other financial institutions that have an initial maturity of less than 90 days when acquired by the Company, federal funds sold, and securities purchased under agreements to resell, and money market mutual funds. Generally, federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell are purchased and sold for one-day periods. Net cash flows are reported for loan, deposit, and short-term borrowing transactions.

Investment Securities

Investments in debt and equity securities are classified into three categories. Securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity are classified as held to maturity. Securities that are bought and held specifically for the purpose of selling them in the near term are classified as trading securities. The Company had no securities classified as trading during 2015, 2014, or 2013. All other securities are classified as available for sale. Securities are designated as available for sale if they might be sold before maturity. Securities classified as available for sale are carried at estimated fair value. Unrealized holding gains and losses for available for sale securities are reported net of deferred income taxes in other comprehensive income. Investments classified as held to maturity are carried at amortized cost. Amortized cost basis for investment securities includes adjustments made to the cost for previous other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) recognized in earnings, amortization, accretion, and collection of cash.

Interest income includes amortization and accretion of purchase premiums or discounts. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized using the interest method over the expected life of the securities without anticipating prepayments, except for mortgage backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Realized gains and losses on the sales of securities are recorded on the trade date and computed on the basis of specific identification of the adjusted cost of each security and are included in noninterest income.

The Company evaluates investment securities for OTTI at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. A decline in the market value of investment securities below cost that is deemed other-than-temporary results in a charge to earnings and the establishment of a new cost basis for the security. Substantially all of the Company’s investment securities are debt securities. In estimating OTTI for debt securities, management considers each of the following: (1) the length of time and extent to which fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, (3) whether market decline was affected by macroeconomic conditions, and (4) whether the Company has the intent to sell the debt security or more likely than not will be required to sell the debt security before its anticipated recovery in fair value. The assessment of whether an OTTI charge exists involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and is based on the information available to the Company at a point in time. The Company had no OTTI losses during any year in each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015.

Investment securities classified as available for sale or held-to-maturity are generally evaluated for OTTI under Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification^TM (“ASC”) Topic 320, “Investments-Debt and Equity Securities.” In determining OTTI under ASC Topic 320 the Company considers many factors, including those enumerated above. When OTTI occurs, the amount of the OTTI recognized in earnings depends on whether the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If the Company intends to sell or it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, OTTI is recognized in earnings equal to the entire difference between the investment’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. If the Company does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, OTTI is separated into the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other factors. The amount of the total OTTI related to the credit loss is determined based on the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and is recognized in earnings. The amount of the total OTTI related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. The previous amortized cost basis less OTTI recognized in earnings becomes the new amortized cost basis of the investment.

Federal Home Loan Bank and Federal Reserve Bank Stock

Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) and Federal Reserve Bank stock is carried at cost on the consolidated balance sheets under the caption “Other assets.” These stocks are classified as restricted securities and periodically evaluated for impairment based on ultimate recovery of par value. Both cash and stock dividends are reported as income. The amount outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $9.4 million.

Loans and Interest Income

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at their unpaid principal amount outstanding adjusted for any charge-offs and deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income on loans is recognized using the interest method based on loan principal amounts outstanding during the period. Interest income also includes amortization and accretion of any premiums or discounts over the expected life of acquired loans at the time of purchase or business acquisition. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and amortized as yield adjustments over the contractual term of the loans.

The Company disaggregates certain disclosure information related to loans, the related allowance for loan losses, and credit quality measures by either portfolio segment or by loan class. The Company segregates its loan portfolio segments based on similar risk characteristics as follows: real estate loans, commercial loans, and consumer loans. Portfolio segments are further disaggregated into classes for certain required disclosures as follows:

Portfolio Segment	Class
Real estate loans	Real estate mortgage – construction and land development Real estate mortgage – residential Real estate mortgage – farmland and other commercial enterprises
Commercial loans	Commercial and industrial Depository institutions Agriculture production and other loans to farmers States and political subdivisions Leases Other
Consumer loans	Secured Unsecured

Loan disclosures include presenting certain disaggregated information based on recorded investment. The recorded investment in a loan includes its principal amount outstanding adjusted for certain items that include net deferred loan costs or fees, unamortized premiums or discounts, charge offs, and accrued interest. The Company had a total of $285 thousand and $506 thousand of net deferred loan costs at year-end 2015 and 2014, respectively, included in the carrying amount of loans on the balance sheet, which represents .03% and .05% of average loans outstanding for 2015 and 2014, respectively. The amount of net deferred loans costs are not material and are omitted from the computation of the recorded investment included in Note 4 that follows. Similarly, accrued interest receivable on loans was $2.9 million and $3.1 million at year-end 2015 and 2014, respectively, or 0.3% of average loans for both years and has also been omitted from certain information presented in Note 4.

The Company has a loan policy in place that is amended and approved from time to time as needed to reflect current economic conditions and product offerings in its markets. The policy establishes written procedures concerning areas such as the lending authorities of loan officers, committee review and approval of certain credit requests, underwriting criteria, policy exceptions, appraisal requirements, and loan review. Credit is extended to borrowers based primarily on their ability to repay as demonstrated by income and cash flow analysis.

Loans secured by real estate make up the largest segment of the Company’s loan portfolio. If a borrower fails to repay a loan secured by real estate, the Company may liquidate the collateral in order to satisfy the amount owed. Determining the value of real estate is a key component to the lending process for real estate backed loans. If the fair value of real estate (less estimated cost to sell) securing a collateral dependent loan declines below the outstanding loan amount, the Company will write down the carrying value of the loan and thereby incur a loss. The Company uses independent third party state certified or licensed appraisers in accordance with its loan policy to mitigate risk when underwriting real estate loans. Cash flow analysis of the borrower, loan to value limits as adopted by loan policy, and other customary underwriting standards are also in place which are designed to maximize credit quality and mitigate risks associated with real estate lending.

Commercial loans are made to businesses and are secured mainly by assets such as inventory, accounts receivable, machinery, fixtures and equipment, or other business assets. Commercial lending involves significant risk, as loan repayments are more dependent on the successful operation or management of the business and its cash flows. Consumer lending includes loans to individuals mainly for personal autos, boats, or a variety of other personal uses and may be secured or unsecured. Loan repayment associated with consumer loans is highly dependent upon the borrower’s continuing financial stability, which is heavily influenced by local unemployment rates. The Company mitigates its risk exposure to each of its loan segments by analyzing the borrower’s repayment capacity, imposing restrictions on the amount it will loan compared to estimated collateral values, limiting the payback periods, and following other customary underwriting practices as adopted in its loan policy.

The accrual of interest on loans is discontinued when it is determined that the collection of interest or principal is doubtful, or when a default of interest or principal has existed for 90 days or more, unless such loan is well secured and in the process of collection. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. Interest accrued but not received for a loan placed on nonaccrual status is reversed against interest income. Cash payments received on nonaccrual loans generally are applied to principal until qualifying for return to accrual status. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. The Company’s policy for placing a loan on nonaccrual status or subsequently returning a loan to accrual status does not differ based on its portfolio class or segment.

Commercial and real estate loans delinquent in excess of 120 days and consumer loans delinquent in excess of 180 days are charged off, unless the collateral securing the debt is of such value that any loss appears to be unlikely. In all cases, loans are charged off at an earlier date if classified as loss under the Company’s loan grading process or as a result of regulatory examination. The Company’s charge-off policy for impaired loans does not differ from the charge-off policy for loans outside the definition of impaired.

Loans Held for Sale

The Company’s operations include a limited amount of mortgage banking. Mortgage banking activities include the origination of fixed-rate residential mortgage loans for sale to various third-party investors. Mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market, principally under programs with the Federal National Mortgage Association, are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value determined in the aggregate and included in net loans on the balance sheet until sold. These loans are sold with the related servicing rights either retained or released by the Company depending on the economic conditions present at the time of origination. Mortgage loans held for sale included in net loans totaled $715 thousand and $380 thousand at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Mortgage banking revenues, including origination fees, servicing fees, net gains on sales of mortgage loans, and other fee income were 1.6%, 1.1%, and 1.6% of the Company’s total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses represents charges or credits made to earnings to maintain an allowance for loan losses at a level considered adequate to provide for probable incurred credit losses at the balance sheet date. The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance increased by the provision for loan losses and decreased by net charge-offs. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectibility of a loan is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

The Company estimates the adequacy of the allowance using a risk-rated methodology which is based on the Company’s past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, the estimated value of any underlying collateral securing loans, composition of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions, and other relevant factors. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates that may be susceptible to change.

The allowance for loan losses consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired. The general component covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for current risk factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management’s judgment, should be charged off. Actual loan losses could differ significantly from the amounts estimated by management.

The Company’s risk-rated methodology includes segregating non-impaired watch list and past due loans from the general portfolio and allocating a loss percentage to these loans depending on their status. For example, watch list loans, which may be identified by the internal loan review risk-rating process or by regulatory examiner classification, are assigned a certain loss percentage while loans past due 30 days or more are assigned a separate loss percentage. Each of these loss rates considers past experience as well as current factors. The remainder of the general loan portfolio is segregated into portfolio segments having similar risk characteristics identified as follows: real estate loans, commercial loans, and consumer loans. Each of these portfolio segments is assigned a loss percentage based on their respective sixteen quarter rolling historical loss rates, adjusted for qualitative risk factors.

The qualitative risk factors used in the methodology are consistent with the guidance in the most recent Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan Losses issued. Each factor is supported by a detailed analysis performed at each subsidiary bank and is both measureable and supportable. Some factors include a minimum allocation in some instances where loss levels are extremely low and it is determined to be prudent from a safety and soundness perspective. Qualitative risk factors that are used in the methodology include the following for each loan portfolio segment:

● Delinquency trends

● Trends in net charge-offs

● Trends in loan volume

● Lending philosophy risk

● Management experience risk

● Concentration of credit risk

● Economic conditions risk

A loan is impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans for which the terms have been modified resulting in a concession, and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties, are considered troubled debt restructurings and classified as impaired. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower’s prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed.

The Company accounts for impaired loans in accordance with ASC Topic 310, “Receivables.” ASC Topic 310 requires that impaired loans be measured at the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, at the loan’s observable market price, or at the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Impaired loans may also be classified as nonaccrual. In many circumstances, however, the Company continues to accrue interest on an impaired loan. Cash receipts on accruing impaired loans are applied to the recorded investment in the loan, including any accrued interest receivable. Cash payments received on nonaccrual impaired loans generally are applied to principal until qualifying for return to accrual status. Loans that are part of a large group of smaller-balance homogeneous loans, such as residential mortgage, consumer, and smaller-balance commercial loans, are collectively evaluated for impairment. Troubled debt restructurings are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan’s effective interest rate at inception, or at the fair value of collateral. The Company determines the amount of reserve for troubled debt restructurings that subsequently default in accordance with its accounting policy for the allowance for loan losses.

Mortgage Servicing Rights

Mortgage servicing rights are recognized in other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at their initial fair value on loans sold with servicing retained. Fair value is based on market prices for comparable mortgage servicing contracts when available, or alternatively, is based on a valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. Mortgage servicing rights are subsequently measured using the amortization method in which the mortgage servicing right is expensed in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying loans. Impairment is evaluated based on the fair value of the rights, grouping the underlying loans by interest rates. Impairment of a grouping is reported as a valuation allowance. Capitalized mortgage servicing rights were $691 thousand and $694 thousand at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. No impairment of the asset was determined to exist on either of these dates. Mortgage loans serviced for others totaled $200 million and $206 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Mortgage loans serviced for others are not included in the Company’s balance sheets.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in Note 19. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates.

Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments

Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, which are issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of core deposit and customer relationship intangible assets arising from business acquisitions. Intangible assets are initially measured at fair value and then amortized on an accelerated method over their estimated useful lives, which range between seven and ten years. Such assets are evaluated for impairment whenever changes in circumstances indicate that such an evaluation is necessary. Core deposit intangibles were fully amortized at year-end 2015 and customer relationship intangibles were fully amortized at year-end 2014.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned (“OREO”) and held for sale in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets includes properties acquired by the Company through, or in lieu of, actual loan foreclosures. OREO is initially carried at fair value less estimated costs to sell. Fair value of assets is generally based on third party appraisals of the property that includes comparable sales data. If the carrying amount exceeds fair value less estimated costs to sell, an impairment loss is recorded through expense. These assets are subsequently accounted for at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense is the total of current year income tax due or refundable and the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities, except for the deferred tax assets and liabilities related to business combinations or components of other comprehensive income. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through income tax expense. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded.

The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its subsidiaries. Federal income tax expense or benefit has been allocated to subsidiaries on a separate return basis. The Company’s policy is to record the accrual of interest and/or penalties relative to income tax matters, if any, in income tax expense.

Premises and Equipment

Premises, equipment, and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives generally ranging from two to seven years for furniture and equipment and generally ten to 40 years for buildings and related components. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or terms of the related leases on the straight-line method. Maintenance, repairs, and minor improvements are charged to operating expenses as incurred and major improvements are capitalized. The cost of assets sold or retired and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in noninterest income. Land is carried at cost.

Company-owned Life Insurance

The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain key employees with their knowledge and written consent. Company-owned life insurance is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at its cash surrender value, which is the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date. The related change in cash surrender value and proceeds received under the policies are reported on the consolidated statements of income under the caption “Income from company-owned life insurance.”

Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, the Company offers loan and deposit products to its directors, executive officers, and principal shareholders – including affiliated companies of which they are principal owners (“Related Parties”). These products are offered on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with unrelated parties, and these receivables and deposits are included in loans and deposits in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Additional information related to these transactions can be found in Note 4 and Note 7.

The Company makes payments to Related Parties in the normal course of business for various services, primarily related to legal fees. For example, certain directors of the Parent Company and its subsidiary banks are partners in law firms that act as counsel to the Company. The following table represents the amount and type of payments to Related Parties, other than director fees, for the periods indicated:

(In thousands) Years Ended December 31,	2015		2014		2013
Legal fees	$	221	$	212	$	169
Commissions and fees related to the sale of repossessed commercial real estate and property management		9		10		9
Insurance premiums/commissions		1		8		8
Other		5		9		6
Total	$	236	$	239	$	192

Retirement Plans

The Company maintains a 401(k) salary savings plan and records expense based on the amount of its matching contributions of employee deferrals. The Company also has a nonqualified supplemental retirement plan for certain key employees that it acquired in connection with the Citizens Northern acquisition. Supplemental retirement plan expense allocates the benefits over years of service.

Net Income Per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is determined by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average total number of common shares issued and outstanding. Net income available to common shareholders represents net income adjusted for preferred stock dividends including dividends declared, accretion of discounts on preferred stock issuances, and cumulative dividends related to the current dividend period that have not been declared as of the end of the period.

Diluted net income per common share is determined by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the total weighted average number of common shares issued and outstanding plus amounts representing the dilutive effect of stock options outstanding and outstanding warrants. The effects of stock options and outstanding warrants are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share in periods in which the effect would be antidilutive. Dilutive potential common shares are calculated using the treasury stock method.

Net income per common share computations were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013.

(In thousands, except per share data) Years Ended December 31,	2015		2014		2013
Net income, basic and diluted	$	14,992	$	16,459	$	13,446
Less preferred stock dividends and discount accretion		395		1,927		1,951
Net income available to common shareholders, basic and diluted	$	14,597	$	14,532	$	11,495
Average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted		7,494		7,483		7,474
Net income per common share, basic and diluted	$	1.95	$	1.94	$	1.54

Stock options for 22,049 shares of common stock were not included in the determination of diluted net income per common share for 2013 because they were antidilutive. There were no stock options outstanding at year-end 2015 and 2014.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity (net assets) of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from nonowner sources. For the Company this includes net income, the after tax effect of changes in the net unrealized gains and losses on available for sale investment securities, and the after tax changes to the funded status of postretirement benefit plans.

Dividend Restrictions

Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels which limit the amount of dividends paid to the Company by its bank subsidiaries. Generally, capital distributions are limited to undistributed net income for the current and prior two years.

Restrictions on Cash

The Company is required to maintain funds in cash and/or on deposit with the Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with reserve requirements specified by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. The required reserve was $18.0 million and $20.5 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Equity

Outstanding common shares purchased by the Company are retired. When common shares are purchased, the Company allocates a portion of the purchase price of the common shares that are retired to each of the following balance sheet line items: common stock, capital surplus, and retained earnings. The Company did not purchase any of its outstanding common shares during 2015 or 2014.

Trust Assets

Assets of the Company’s trust departments, other than cash on deposit at subsidiary banks, are not included in the accompanying financial statements because they are not assets of the Company.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Company, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

Long-term Assets

Premises and equipment, core deposit and other intangible assets, and other long-term assets are reviewed for impairment when events indicate their carrying amount may not be recoverable from future undiscounted cash flows. If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation cost for its Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) and for stock options granted based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant. A Black-Scholes model is utilized to estimate the fair value of ESPP and stock option awards. Compensation cost is recognized over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period, on a straight-line basis. There have been no stock options granted by the Company since 2004. All previously outstanding options expired in 2014.

The ESPP was approved by the Company’s shareholders in 2004. The purpose of the ESPP is to provide a means by which eligible employees may purchase, at a discount, shares of the Company’s common stock through payroll withholding. The purchase price of the shares is equal to 85% of their fair market value on specified dates as defined in the plan. The ESPP was effective beginning July 1, 2004. There were 6,329, 6,894, and 8,893 shares issued under the plan during 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Compensation expense related to the ESPP included in the accompanying statements of income was $31 thousand, $32 thousand, and $36 thousand in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Following are the weighted average assumptions used and estimated fair market value for the ESPP, which is considered a compensatory plan under ASC Topic 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.”

	ESPP
	2015			2014			2013
Expected volatility		32.6	%		37.4	%		45.7	%
Dividend yield		-			-			-
Risk-free interest rate		.02			.04			.06
Expected life (in years)		.25			.25			.25
Fair value	$	5.08		$	4.69		$	4.01

Recently Issued But Not Yet Effective Accounting Standards

In January 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-01, “Income Statement—Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items.” This ASU amends U.S. GAAP by removing the concept of extraordinary items, including deleting the definition of “extraordinary items” from the FASB Master Glossary. The revised guidance provides that the nature and financial effects of each event or transaction that is unusual in nature or occurs infrequently or both shall be presented as a separate component of income from continuing operations or, alternatively, disclosed in notes to the financial statements.

The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. A reporting entity may apply the amendments prospectively or retrospectively. The Company does not expect there to be a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows upon adoption.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” This ASU addresses balance sheet presentation requirements for debt issuance costs and debt discounts and premiums. ASU No. 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect there to be a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows upon adoption.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent).” This ASU applies to entities that elect to measure the fair value of an investment using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient. The amendments in this ASU remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The amendments also clarify that certain disclosure requirements are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using the practical expedient, and not all investments eligible to be measured at fair value using the practical expedient. The amendments in ASU 2015-07 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early application permitted. Entities are required to apply the amendments retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company does not expect there to be a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows upon adoption.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date.” This ASU defers the effective date of the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” ASU No. 2015-14 permits public business entities to apply the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those reporting periods. Earlier application is permitted, but only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within those reporting periods. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows, although it currently does not expect there to be a material impact upon adoption.

In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15, “Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements—Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting.” This ASU amends FASB ASC Subtopic 835-30 by adding paragraphs which concern line-of-credit arrangements. According to the FASB, ASU No. 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires entities to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. ASU 2015-15 states that the SEC staff would not object to the deferral and presentation of debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequent amortization of the deferred costs over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The Company does not expect there to be a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows upon adoption.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments,” to amend the guidance for amounts that are adjusted in a merger or acquisition. The amendments in this ASU require that a company that makes an acquisition recognize adjustments to provisional amounts identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which it determines the adjustment amounts. The amendments require that the buyer record, in the same period's financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other effects on earnings as a result of the change to the provisional amounts and calculate them as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. For public companies this ASU is effective for fiscal years that start after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This ASU should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of this ASU. Early application is permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Company does not expect there to be a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows upon adoption.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” to address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The amendments include, but are not limited to:

● Requiring most equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income;

● Simplified impairment testing for equity investments without readily determinable fair value;

● Eliminating disclosure of the method(s) and significant assumptions used in fair value estimates for financial instruments measured at amortized cost for public business entities;

● Eliminating entry price use for certain fair value disclosures by public business entities – looking forward, exit price will now be required; and

● Requiring separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or in financial statement notes.

This standard will be effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods for calendar year-end companies. The Company does not expect there to be a material impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows upon adoption.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. This ASU will require organizations that lease assets (“lessees”) to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset on its balance sheet for all leases with terms of more than twelve months. A lease liability is a lessee’s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis and a right-of-use asset represents the lessee’s right to use, or control use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The amendments in this ASU simplify the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. This ASU leaves the accounting for the organizations that own the assets leased to the lessee (“lessor”) largely unchanged except for targeted improvements to align it with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

For public companies, the amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standards-setting bodies are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.