2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries conform to generally accepted accounting principles and to accepted practice within the banking industry. The following is a summary of the more significant policies:

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Farmers and Merchants Bank, TEB Life Insurance Company, Farmers & Merchants Financial Services, Inc. and VBS Mortgage, LLC, (net of noncontrolling interest). Significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("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. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses, goodwill, other than temporary impairment, the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, pension accounting and the valuation of foreclosed real estate.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, money market funds whose initial maturity is ninety days or less and Federal funds sold.

Securities

Certain debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and recorded at amortized cost. Securities not classified as held to maturity or trading, including equity securities with readily determinable fair values, are classified as “available for sale” and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities. Gains and losses on the sale of securities are recorded on the trade date and are determined using the specific identification method. The Company has no securities classified as trading.

The Company follows the accounting guidance related to recognition and presentation of other-than-temporary impairment. The guidance specifies that if (a) an entity does not have the intent to sell a debt security prior to recovery and (b) it is more likely than not that the entity will not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery, the security would not be considered other-than-temporarily impaired, unless there is a credit loss. When criteria (a) and (b) are met, the entity will recognize the credit component of other-than-temporary impairment of a debt security in earnings and the remaining portion in other comprehensive income.

For held-to-maturity debt securities, the amount of other-than-temporary impairment recorded in other comprehensive income for the noncredit portion of a previous other-than-temporary impairment is amortized prospectively over the remaining life of the security on the basis of the timing of future estimated cash flows of the security.

For equity securities, when the Company has decided to sell an impaired available-for-sale security and the Company does not expect the fair value of the security to fully recover before the expected time of sale, the security is deemed other-than-temporarily impaired in the period in which the decision to sell is made. The Company recognizes an impairment loss when the impairment is deemed other than temporary even if a decision to sell has not been made.

Other Investments

The Company periodically invests in low income housing partnerships whose primary benefit is the distribution of federal income tax credits to partners. The Company recognizes these benefits and the cost of the investments over the life of the partnership (usually 15 years). In addition, state and federal historic rehabilitation credits are generated from some of the partnerships. Amortization of these investments is prorated based on the amount of benefits received in each year to the total estimated benefits over the life of the projects. The effective yield method is used to record the income statement effects of these investments.

Other Investment Securities

Due to the nature and restrictions placed on the Company's investment in common stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta ("FHLB") and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, these securities are considered restricted and carried at cost.

Income Taxes

Income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur.

Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

Loans Held for Investment

The Company, through its banking subsidiary, provides mortgage, commercial, and consumer loans to customers. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is represented by mortgage loans, particularly commercial and residential mortgages. The ability of the Company’s debtors to honor their contracts is largely dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions in the Company’s market area.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off, generally are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balance adjusted for the allowance for loan losses, and any unearned income.  Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance.  The accrual of interest on loans is generally discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the credit is well-secured and in process of collection.  Loans are typically charged off when the loan is 120 days past due, unless secured and in process of collection.  Loans are placed on nonaccrual status or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

The Company’s loans are grouped into eleven segments: construction/land development, farmland, real estate, multi-family, commercial real estate, home equity – closed end, home equity – open end, commercial & industrial – non-real estate, consumer, credit cards and dealer finance. Each segment is subject to certain risks that influence the establishment of pricing, loan structures, approval requirements, reserves, and ongoing credit management. The Company does not segregate the portfolio further.

Construction and land development loans are subject to general risks from changing commercial building and housing market trends and economic conditions that may impact demand for completed properties and the costs of completion. Completed properties that do not sell or become leased within originally expected timeframes may impact the borrower’s ability to service the debt. These risks are measured by market-area unemployment rates, bankruptcy rates, housing and commercial building market trends, and interest rates. Risks specific to the borrower are also evaluated, including previous repayment history, debt service ability, and current and projected loan-to value ratios for the collateral.

Farmland loans are loans secured by agricultural property. These loans are subject to risks associated with the value of the underlying farmland and the cash flows of the borrower’s farming operations.

Multifamily loans are loans secured by multi-unit residential property. These loans are subject to risks associated with the value of the underlying property as well as the successful operation and management of the property.

Real estate loans are for consumer residential real estate where the credit quality is subject to risks associated with the borrower’s repayment ability and collateral value, measured generally by analyzing local unemployment and bankruptcy trends, and local housing market trends and interest rates. Risks specific to a borrower are determined by previous repayment history, loan-to-value ratios, and debt-to-income ratios.

The commercial real estate segment includes loans secured by commercial real estate occupied by the owner/borrower, and commercial real estate leased to non-owners. Loans in the commercial real estate segment are impacted by economic risks from changing commercial real estate markets, rental markets for commercial buildings, business bankruptcy rates, local unemployment rates and interest rate trends that would impact the businesses housed by the commercial real estate.

The Company’s home-equity loan portfolios (closed end and open end) carry risks associated with the creditworthiness of the borrower and changes in loan-to-value ratios. The Company manages these risks through policies and procedures such as limiting loan-to-value at origination, experienced underwriting, and requiring standards for appraisers.

Commercial and industrial non-real estate loans are secured by collateral other than real estate, or are unsecured. Credit risk for commercial non-real estate loans is subject to economic conditions, generally monitored by local business bankruptcy trends, interest rates, and borrower repayment ability and collateral value (if secured).

Consumer non-real estate includes non-dealer financed automobile loans and other consumer loans. Certain consumer loans are unsecured, while collateral is obtained for automobile loans and other consumer loans. Credit risk stems primarily from the borrower’s ability to repay. If the loan is secured, the Company analyzes loan-to-value ratios. All consumer non-real estate loans are analyzed for debt-to-income ratios and previous credit history, as well as for general risks for the portfolio, including local unemployment rates, personal bankruptcy rates and interest rates.

Credit card loan portfolios carry risks associated with the creditworthiness of the borrower and changes in the economic environment. The Company manages these risks through policies and procedures such as experienced underwriting, maximum debt to income ratios, and minimum borrower credit scores.

Dealer finance lending generally carries certain risks associated with the values of the collateral and borrower’s ability to repay the loan. The Company focuses its dealer finance lending on used vehicles where substantial depreciation has already occurred thereby minimizing the risk of significant loss of collateral values in the future.

Interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on nonaccrual status or charged-off is reversed against interest income.  The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash basis or cost recovery method, 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.

A loan is considered past due when a payment of principal or interest or both is due but not paid.  Management closely monitors past due loans in timeframes of 30-59 days, 60-89 days, and 90 or more days past due.

These policies apply to all loan portfolio segments.

A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. 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.  Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial and construction loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the loan's obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Troubled debt restructurings are considered impaired loans.

Loans Held for Sale

These loans consist of fixed rate loans made through the Company’s subsidiary, VBS Mortgage, and loans purchased from Northpointe Bank, Grand Rapids, MI.

VBS Mortgage originates conforming mortgage loans for sale in the secondary market. These loans consist primarily of fixed-rate, single-family residential mortgage loans which meet the underwriting characteristics of the investors. VBS enters into mortgage loan commitments whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (rate lock commitments).

The period of time between issuance of a loan commitment and sale of the loan generally ranges from two to three weeks. VBS protects itself from changes in interest rates through the use of best efforts forward delivery contracts, by committing to sell a loan at the time the borrower commits to an interest rate with the intent that the buyer has assumed the interest rate risk on the loan.  As a result, the Company is not generally exposed to significant losses nor will it realize significant gains related to its rate lock commitments due to changes in interest rates.  The correlation between the rate lock commitments and the best efforts contracts is very high due to their similarity. The market value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts is not readily ascertainable with precision because rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts are not actively traded in stand-alone markets.  VBS determines the fair value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts by measuring the change in the estimated value of the underlying assets while taking into consideration the probability that the loan will be funded. The fair value of rate lock commitments and best efforts contracts was considered immaterial at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The Bank now provides a warehouse line for VBS after closing, until the loan is purchased by the investor. The average time on the line is two or three weeks These loans are pre-sold with servicing released and no interest is retained after the loans are sold. Because of the short holding period, these loans are carried at the lower of cost or market and no market adjustments were necessary in 2016, 2015, or 2014. Gains on sales of loans and commission expense are recognized at the loan closing date and are included in mortgage banking income, net on the Company’s consolidated income statement.

The Bank participates in a Mortgage Purchase Program with Northpointe Bank (Northpointe), a Michigan banking corporation. Pursuant to the terms of a participation agreement, the Bank purchases participation interests in loans made by Northpointe related to fully underwritten and pre-sold mortgage loans originated by various prescreened mortgage loan originators located throughout the United States. A takeout commitment is in place at the time the loans are purchased. The Bank has participated in similar arrangements since 2003 as a higher yielding alternative to federal funds sold or investment securities. These loans are short-term, residential real estate loans that have an average life in our portfolio of approximately two weeks. The Bank holds these loans during the period of time between loan closing and when the loan is paid off by the ultimate secondary market purchaser. As of December 31, 2016, and 2015, there were $62.6 million and $54.1 million of these loans included in loans held for sale on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Troubled Debt Restructuring

In situations where, for economic or legal reasons related to a borrower's financial condition, management may grant a concession to the borrower that it would not otherwise consider, the related loan is classified as a troubled debt restructuring ("TDR").  Management strives to identify borrowers in financial difficulty early and work with them to modify their loan to more affordable terms before their loan reaches nonaccrual status.  These modified terms may include rate reductions, principal forgiveness, payment forbearance and other actions intended to minimize the economic loss and to avoid foreclosure or repossession of the collateral.  In cases where borrowers are granted new terms that provide for a reduction of either interest or principal, management measures any impairment on the restructuring as noted above for impaired loans.  The Company has $9.8 million in loans classified as TDRs that are current and performing as of December 31, 2016, and $11.7 million as of December 31, 2015.

Allowance for Loan and Losses

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of probable losses inherent in the Company’s loan portfolio. A provision for estimated losses is charged to earnings to establish and maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level reflective of the estimated credit risk. When management determines that a loan balance or portion of a loan balance is not collectible, the loss is charged against the allowance. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

Management’s determination of the adequacy of the allowance is based on an evaluation of the composition of the loan portfolio, the value and adequacy of collateral, current economic conditions, historical loan loss experience, and other risk factors. Management evaluates the allowance each quarter through a methodology that estimates losses on individual impaired loans and evaluates the effect of numerous factors on the credit risk of each segment of loans.

The Company’s allowance for loan losses has two basic components: the general allowance and the specific allowance. Each of these components is determined based upon estimates and judgments. The general allowance uses historical loss experience as an indicator of future losses, along with various qualitative factors, including levels and trends in delinquencies, nonaccrual loans, charge-offs and recoveries, trends in volume and terms of loans, effects of changes in underwriting standards, experience of lending staff, economic conditions, and portfolio concentrations.

Except for credit card and dealer finance loans, all loans are assigned an internal risk rating based on certain credit quality indicators. Credit card, consumer and dealer finance loans are monitored based on payment activity. Loss rates are amplified for loans with adverse risk ratings that are not considered impaired. In the general allowance, the historical loss rate is combined with the qualitative factors, resulting in an adjusted loss factor for each segment of loans.  The period-end balances for each loan segment are multiplied by the adjusted loss factor. Historical loss rates are combined with qualitative factors resulting in an adjusted loss factor for each segment. Specific allowances are established for individually-evaluated impaired loans based on the excess of the loan balance relative to the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is deemed collateral dependent.

Management believes that the allowance for loan losses is adequate. While management uses available information to recognize losses on loans, future additions to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic conditions, particularly those affecting real estate values. In addition, regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company’s allowance for loan losses. Such agencies may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination.

Other Real Estate Owned (OREO)

OREO is held for sale and represents real estate acquired through or in lieu of foreclosure. OREO is initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell when acquired, establishing a new cost basis. Physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan occurs when legal title is obtained upon completion of foreclosure or when the borrower conveys all interest in the property to satisfy the loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement. The Company’s policy is to carry OREO on its balance sheet at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell. If fair value declines subsequent to foreclosure, a valuation allowance is recorded through expense. Operating costs after acquisition are expensed.

Bank Premises and Equipment

Land is carried at cost and bank premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged to income over the estimated useful lives of the assets on a combination of the straight-line and accelerated methods. The ranges of the useful lives of the premises and equipment are as follows:

Premises and Improvements	10 - 40 years
Furniture and Equipment	5 - 20 years

Maintenance, repairs, and minor improvements are charged to operations as incurred. Gains and losses on dispositions are reflected in other income or expense.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company accounts for goodwill and intangible assets under ASC 805, “Business Combinations” and ASC 350, “Intangibles”, respectively. Goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair value based test.  Additionally, acquired intangible assets are separately recognized if the benefit of the assets can be sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, and amortized over their useful lives.  Intangible assets related to branch transactions were fully amortized in 2011. The Company records as goodwill the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Impairment testing is performed annually, as well as when an event triggering impairment may have occurred. The Company performs its annual analysis as of December 31 each fiscal year. Accounting guidance permits preliminary assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether more substantial impairment testing is required. The Company chose to bypass the preliminary assessment and utilized a two-step process for impairment testing of goodwill. The first step tests for impairment, while the second step, if necessary, measures the impairment.  No indicators of impairment were identified during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

Pension Plans

The Bank has a qualified noncontributory defined benefit pension plan which covers all full-time employees hired prior to April 1, 2012. The benefits are primarily based on years of service and earnings. The Company complies with ASC 325-960 “Defined Benefit Pension Plans” which requires recognition of the over-funded or under-funded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans on the balance sheet. Under ASC 325-960, gains and losses, prior service costs and credits, and any remaining transition amounts that have not yet been recognized through net periodic benefit cost will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax effects, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic cost.

Advertising Costs

The Company follows the policy of charging the cost of advertising to expense as incurred. Total advertising costs included in other operating expenses for 2016, 2015, and 2014 were $443,479, $401,138, and $317,780, respectively.

Bank Owned Life Insurance

The Company has purchased life insurance policies on certain employees. Bank owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement.

Transfers of Financial Assets

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been surrendered.  Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company – put presumptively beyond reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, (2) 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 (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity or the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is shown in a two-statement approach, the first statement presents total net income and its components followed by a second statement that presents all the components of other comprehensive income such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities and changes in the funded status of a defined benefit pension plan.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Under ASC 815, the gain or loss on a derivative designated and qualifying as a fair value hedging instrument, as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedging item attributable to the risk being hedged, is recognized currently in earnings in the same accounting period. The effective portion of the gain or loss on a derivative designated and qualifying as a cash flow hedging instrument is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized currently in earnings.

Interest rate derivative financial instruments receive hedge accounting treatment only if they are designated as a hedge and are expected to be, and are, effective in substantially reducing interest rate risk arising from the assets and liabilities identified as exposing the Company to risk. Those derivative financial instruments that do not meet the hedging criteria discussed below would be classified as trading activities and would be recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in income. Derivative hedge contracts must meet specific effectiveness tests (i.e., over time the change in their fair values due to the designated hedge risk must be within 80 to 125 percent of the opposite change in the fair value of the hedged assets or liabilities). Changes in fair value of the derivative financial instruments must be effective at offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedging items due to the designated hedge risk during the term of the hedge. Further, if the underlying financial instrument differs from the hedged asset or liability, there must be a clear economic relationship between the prices of the two financial instruments. If periodic assessment indicates derivatives no longer provide an effective hedge, the derivatives contracts would be closed out and settled or classified as a trading activity.

Loss Contingencies

Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there now are such matters that will have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company follows the provisions of ASC Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” for financial assets and financial liabilities. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made in prior years’ financial statements to conform to classifications used in the current year. There were no material reclassifications.

Earnings per Share

Accounting guidance specifies the computation, presentation and disclosure requirements for earnings per share (“EPS”) for entities with publicly held common stock or potential common stock such as options, warrants, convertible securities or contingent stock agreements if those securities trade in a public market. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted EPS is similar to the computation of basic EPS except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the dilutive common shares had been issued.  The dilutive effect of conversion of preferred stock is reflected in the diluted earnings per common share calculation.

Net income available to common stockholders represents consolidated net income adjusted for preferred dividends declared.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to net income available to common stockholders for the periods presented:

	For the year ended
Dollars in thousands	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Earnings Available to Common Stockholders:
Net Income	$	9,762	$	8,581	$	5,847
Minority interest		194		164		45
Preferred Stock Dividends		487		510		128
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders	$	9,081	$	7,907	$	5,674

The following table shows the effect of dilutive preferred stock conversion on the Company's earnings per share for the periods indicated:

	Year ended
	12/31/2016							12/31/2015							12/31/14
Dollars in thousands, except share data	Net Income Available		Weighted Average Shares		Per Share Amounts			Net Income Available		Weighted Average Shares		Per Share Amounts			Net Income Available		Weighted Average Shares		Per Share Amounts
Basic EPS	$	9,081		3,282,335	$	2.77		$	7,907		3,290,812	$	2.40		$	5,674		3,119,333	$	1.82
Effect of Dilutive Securities:
Convertible Preferred Stock		487		434,256		(0.20	)		510		444,400		(0.15	)		128		110,631		(0.02	)
Diluted EPS	$	9,568		3,716,591	$	2.57		$	8,417		3,735,212	$	2.25		$	5,802		3,229,942	$	1.80

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” This update is intended to provide guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. Management is required under the new guidance to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date the financial statements are issued when preparing financial statements for each interim and annual reporting period. If conditions or events are identified, the ASU specifies the process that must be followed by management and also clarifies the timing and content of going concern footnote disclosures in order to reduce diversity in practice. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-15 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” The amendments in ASU 2016-01, among other things: 1) Requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. 2) Requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes. 3) Requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables). 4) Eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” Among other things, in the amendments in ASU 2016-02, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (1) A lease liability, which is a lessee‘s obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) A right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvements were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted upon issuance. 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 currently assessing the impact that ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

During March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-05, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships.” The amendments in this ASU clarify that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as the hedging instrument does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria remain intact. The amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Bank/Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-05 to have a material impact on its (consolidated) financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, “Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting.” The amendments in this ASU eliminate the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amendments require that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. Therefore, upon qualifying for the equity method of accounting, no retroactive adjustment of the investment is required. In addition, the amendments in this ASU require that an entity that has an available-for-sale equity security that becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting recognize through earnings the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments should be applied prospectively upon their effective date to increases in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence that result in the adoption of the equity method. Early Adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-07 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

During June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The amendments in this ASU, among other things, require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The amendments in this ASU are effective for SEC filers for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. For public companies that are not SEC filers, the amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently assessing the impact that ASU 2016-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

During August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”, to address diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. If retrospective application is impractical for some of the issues addressed by the update, the amendments for those issues would be applied prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-15 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

During January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. The amendments in this ASU clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under the current implementation guidance in Topic 805, there are three elements of a business—inputs, processes, and outputs. While an integrated set of assets and activities (collectively referred to as a “set”) that is a business usually has outputs, outputs are not required to be present. In addition, all the inputs and processes that a seller uses in operating a set are not required if market participants can acquire the set and continue to produce outputs. The amendments in this ASU provide a screen to determine when a set is not a business. If the screen is not met, the amendments (1) require that to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create output and (2) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. The ASU provides a framework to assist entities in evaluating whether both an input and a substantive process are present. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. No disclosures are required at transition. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-01 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

During January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”. The amendments in this ASU simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Instead, under the amendments in this ASU, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. Public business entities that are U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filers should adopt the amendments in this ASU for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Public business entities that are not SEC filers should adopt the amendments in this ASU for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-04 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.