Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations/Consolidation

CommunityOne Bancorp, or "COB" or the "Company"(which also refers to us and our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis), is a bank holding company incorporated in 1984 under the laws of the State of North Carolina. Through our ownership of CommunityOne Bank, N.A., or the "Bank," a national banking association headquartered in Asheboro, North Carolina, we offer a complete line of consumer, wealth management, mortgage and business banking services, including loan, deposit, cash management, investment management and trust services, to individual and business customers through operations located throughout central, southern and western North Carolina.

In addition to the Bank, we own FNB United Statutory Trust I, FNB United Statutory Trust II, and Catawba Valley Capital Trust II, which were formed to facilitate the issuance of trust preferred securities. COB also owned Granite Mortgage, Inc., which ceased mortgage operations in 2009 and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 15, 2012.

The Bank holds the stock of First National Investor Services, Inc., which holds deeds of trust for the Bank. The Bank had also owned Dover Mortgage, which had previously engaged in the business of originating, underwriting and closing mortgage loans for sale in the secondary market. Dover ceased operations in the first quarter of 2011 and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on February 15, 2012.

Our shareholders approved an amendment in our articles of incorporation to change our name from FNB United Corp. to CommunityOne Bancorp on June 20, 2013. This change, along with a change in our stock symbol from FNBN to COB, was implemented on July 1, 2013.

Basis of Presentation

The accounting and reporting policies of COB are in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

We have made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period to prepare these consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates subject to change in the near term include, among other items, the allowances for loan losses (“ALL”), the carrying value of other real estate owned (“OREO”), the carrying value of investment securities, the carrying value of purchased impaired loans and the realization of deferred tax assets.

Reclassification

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period consolidated financial statements to place them on a comparable basis with the current period consolidated financial statements. These reclassifications have no effect on net loss or shareholders’ equity as previously reported.

Business Combinations

Business combinations are accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, Business Combinations. Under the acquisition method, the acquiring entity in a business combination recognizes 100% of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, regardless of the percentage owned, at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets and other identifiable intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. To the extent the fair value of net assets acquired, including other identifiable assets, exceed the purchase price, a bargain purchase gain is recognized. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed from contingencies must also be recognized at fair value, if the fair value can be determined during the measurement period. Results of operations of an acquired business are included in the statement of operations from the date of acquisition. Acquisition-related costs, including conversion and restructuring charges, are expensed as incurred.

Business Segments

We report business segments in accordance with accounting guidance. Business segments are components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The guidelines require that a public enterprise report a measure of segment profit or loss, certain specific revenue and expense items, segment assets, information about the way that the business segments were determined and other items. We have only one business segment.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of reporting cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include the balance sheet captions: cash and due from banks, and interest-bearing bank balances.

Investment Securities

Investment securities are categorized and accounted for as follows:


•	Available-for-sale securities - Debt and equity securities not classified as either held-to-maturity securities or trading securities are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of related tax effect, included as an item of accumulated other comprehensive income and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.


•	Held-to-maturity securities - Debt securities that COB has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are reported at amortized cost.

We intend to hold securities classified as available-for-sale securities for an indefinite period of time but may sell them prior to maturity. All other securities, which COB has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, are classified as held-to-maturity securities. At December 31, 2013, we have securities with an amortized cost of $151.8 million in the held-to-maturity portfolio and at December 31, 2012, we had no such securities.

A decline, which is deemed to be other than temporary, in the market value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security to a level below cost results in a reduction in carrying amount to fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established.

Our policy regarding other than temporary impairment (“OTTI”) of investment securities requires continuous monitoring of those securities. The evaluation includes an assessment of both qualitative and quantitative measures to determine whether, in management’s judgment, the investment is likely to recover its original value. If the evaluation concludes that the investment is not likely to recover its original value, the unrealized loss is reported as an OTTI, and the loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

For debt securities, an impairment loss is recognized in earnings only when (1) we intend to sell the debt security; (2) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. In situations where we intend to sell or when it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security, the entire impairment loss must be recognized in earnings. In all other situations, only the portion of the impairment loss representing the credit loss must be recognized in earnings, with the remaining portion being recognized in shareholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive loss, net of deferred taxes.

Interest income on debt securities is adjusted using the level yield method for the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts. The adjusted cost of the specific security is used to compute gains or losses on the disposition of securities on a trade date basis.

Loans Held for Sale

In the second quarter of 2012, we re-entered the business of originating residential mortgage loans, through our branch mortgage channel under various loan programs, which were sold in the secondary market. At December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, loans held for sale consist of such residential mortgage loans which have not yet been sold. The loans held for sale are carried at the aggregate lower of cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell.

Loans are generally sold without recourse. Gains or losses on loan sales are recognized at the time of sale, are determined by the difference between net sales proceeds and the carrying value of the loan sold, and are included in mortgage loan income.

Loans Held for Investment

Loans held for investment are stated at the principal amounts outstanding adjusted for purchase premiums/discounts, deferred net loan fees and costs, and unearned income. COB reports its loan portfolio by segment and classes, which are disaggregations of portfolio segments. COB's portfolio segments are: Commercial and agricultural, Real estate, and Consumer loans. The Commercial and agricultural loan and Consumer loan portfolios are not further segregated into classes. The classes within the Real estate portfolio segment include Real estate - construction and Real estate mortgage, broken into 1-4 family residential mortgage and Commercial real estate mortgage loans.

Loan fees and the incremental direct costs associated with making loans are deferred and subsequently recognized over the life of the loan as an adjustment of interest income. The premium or discount on purchased loans is amortized over the expected life of the loans and is included in interest and fees on loans.

All loan classes are considered past due when the contractual amounts due with respect to principal and interest are not received within 30 days of the contractual due date. When we cannot reasonably expect full and timely repayment of its loan, the loan is placed on nonaccrual.

All loan classes on which principal or interest is in default for 90 days or more are put on nonaccrual status, unless there is sufficient documentation to conclude that the loan is well secured and in the process of collection. A debt is "well-secured" if collateralized by liens on or pledges of real or personal property, including securities, that have a realizable value sufficient to discharge the debt in full; or by the guarantee of a financially responsible party. A debt is "in process of collection" if collection is proceeding in due course either through legal action, including judgment enforcement procedures, or, in appropriate circumstances, through collection efforts not involving legal action that are reasonably expected to result in repayment of the debt or its restoration to a current status.

Loans that are less than 90 days delinquent may also be placed on nonaccrual, if approved, due to deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition that could result in less than full repayment.

For all loan classes, a nonaccrual loan may be returned to accrual status when we can reasonably expect continued timely payments until payment in full. All prior arrearage does not have to be eliminated, nor do all previously charged off amounts need to have been recovered, but the loan can still be returned to accrual status if the following conditions are met: (1) all principal and interest amounts contractually due (including arrearage) are reasonably assured of repayment within a reasonable period; and (2) there is a sustained period of repayment performance (generally a minimum of six months) by the borrower, in accordance with the contractual terms involving payments of cash or cash equivalents.

At the time a loan is placed on nonaccrual, all accrued, unpaid interest is charged off, unless it is documented that repayment of all principal and presently accrued but unpaid interest is probable. Charge-offs of accrued and unpaid interest are taken against the current year's interest income. They are not charged to the current ALL.

For all classes within all loan portfolios, cash receipts received on nonaccrual loans are applied entirely against principal until the loan has been collected in full, after which time any additional cash receipts are recognized as interest income.

Charge-off of Uncollectible Loans - For all loan classes, as soon as any loan becomes uncollectible, the loan will be charged down or charged off as follows:


•	If unsecured, the loan must be charged off in full.


•	If secured, the outstanding principal balance of the loan should be charged down to the net liquidation value of the collateral.

Loans should be considered uncollectible when:


•	No regularly scheduled payment has been made within four months, or


•	The loan is unsecured, the borrower files for bankruptcy protection and there is no other (guarantor, etc.) support from an entity outside of the bankruptcy proceedings.

Based on a variety of credit, collateral and documentation issues, loans with lesser degrees of delinquency or obvious loss may also be deemed uncollectible.

Impaired Loans - An impaired loan is one for which COB will not be repaid all principal and interest due per the terms of the original contract or within reasonably modified contracted terms. If the loan has been modified to provide relief to the borrower, the loan is deemed to be impaired if all principal and interest will not be repaid according to the original contract. All loans meeting the definition of Doubtful are considered impaired.

When a loan in any class has been determined to be impaired, the amount of the impairment is measured using the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or, as a practical expedient, the observable market price of the loan, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. When the present value of expected future cash flows is used, the effective interest rate is the original contractual interest rate of the loan adjusted for any premium or discount. When the contractual interest rate is variable, the effective interest rate of the loan changes over time. A specific reserve is established as a component of the ALL when a loan has been determined to be impaired. After three months, specific reserves are considered for charge off. Subsequent to the initial measurement of impairment, if there is a significant change to the impaired loan’s expected future cash flows, or if actual cash flows are significantly different from the cash flows previously estimated, COB recalculates the impairment and appropriately adjusts the specific reserve. Similarly, if COB measures impairment based on the observable market price of an impaired loan or the fair value of the collateral of an impaired collateral-dependent loan, COB will adjust the specific reserve if there is a significant change in either of those bases.

When a loan within any class is impaired and principal and interest is in doubt when contractually due, interest income is not recognized. Cash receipts received on nonaccruing impaired loans within any class are generally applied entirely against principal until the loan has been collected in full, after which time any additional cash receipts are recognized as interest income. Cash receipts received on accruing impaired loans within any class are applied in the same manner as accruing loans that are not considered impaired.

Acquired Loans

In addition to originating loans, we also purchase loans. At acquisition, purchased loans are designated as either purchased contractual loans ("PC loans") or purchased impaired loans ("PI loans"). PC loans are acquired loans where management believes it is probable that it will receive all principal as of the date of acquisition. These loans are accounted for under the contractual cash flow method, under ASC 310-20. Any discount or premium paid on PC loans is recorded in interest income using the effective yield method over the expected life of the loans.

PI loans are acquired loans where management believes, at acquisition date, it is probable that all principal on the acquired loans will not be received. PI loans are placed in homogeneous risk-based pools, based on such factors as purpose and/or type of loan, and are treated in the aggregate where accounting for projected cash flows is performed, as allowed under ASC 310-30. The fair value of the loan pool is the present value of expected future cash flows at the acquisition date. The difference between the expected cash flows and the fair value is known as the accretable yield which is recognized as interest income over the remaining life of each PI loan pool when there is a reasonable expectation about the timing and amount of such cash flows.

Once a PI loan pool is established the individual loans within each pool do not change. As management obtains new information related to changes in expected principal loss and expected cash flows, by pool, we record either an increase in yield when new expected cash flows increase, an allowance for loan losses when new expected cash flows decline, or a decrease in yield when there is only a timing difference in expected cash flows.

PI loans that meet the criteria for nonaccrual of interest at the time of acquisition may be considered performing upon and subsequent to acquisition, regardless of whether the customer is contractually delinquent, if the timing and expected cash flows on such loans can be reasonably estimated and if collection of the new carrying value of such loans is expected.

Loans acquired in the Merger ("Granite Purchased Loans") included PI loans and PC loans. Loans designated as PC loans included performing revolving consumer and performing revolving commercial loans on acquisition date.

At December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 an ALL of $5.6 million and $5.4 million, respectively, was required for the acquired Granite loans. In addition, the acquired Granite loans are recorded on an accruing basis. We recorded $16.0 million, $20.5 million and $4.8 million in accretable yield during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, on the Granite loans.

Allowance for Loan Losses

COB's ALL, which is utilized to absorb actual losses in the loan portfolio, is maintained at a level consistent with management's best estimate of probable loan losses to be incurred as of the balance sheet date. Management assesses COB's ALL quarterly. This assessment includes a methodology that separates the total loan portfolio into homogeneous loan classifications for purposes of evaluating risk. The required allowance is calculated by applying a risk adjusted reserve requirement to the dollar volume of loans within a homogenous group. For purposes of the ALL, we have grouped our loans into pools according to the loan segmentation regime employed on schedule RC-C of the FFIEC's Consolidated Report of Condition and Income. Major loan portfolio subgroups include: risk graded commercial loans, mortgage loans, home equity loans, retail loans and retail credit lines. Management also analyzes the loan portfolio on an ongoing basis to evaluate current risk levels, and risk grades are adjusted accordingly. While management uses the best information available to make evaluations, future adjustments may be necessary if economic or other conditions differ substantially from the assumptions used.

Historical Loss Rates: Historical loss rates are calculated by associating losses to the risk-graded pool to which they relate for each of the previous eight quarters. Then, using a look back period consisting of the twenty most recent quarters, loss factors are calculated for each risk-graded pool using a simple average. This represents a change in methodology which began in the third quarter of 2013. Previously, we used a look back period beginning in the third quarter of 2006 and a weighted average of losses. The impact of this change was immaterial to the financial statements of the Company.

Q&E Loss Factors: In addition to our ability to use our own historical loss data and migration between risk grades, we have a rigorous process for computing the qualitative factors that impact the ALL. The methodology incorporates various internal and external qualitative and environmental factors as described in the Interagency Policy Statement on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses dated December 2006. Some factors are quantifiable, such as concentration, growth, delinquency, and nonaccrual risk by loan type, while other factors are qualitative in nature, such as staff competency, competition within our markets and economic and regulatory changes impacting the loans held for investment, and are determined on the basis of management observation, judgment, and experience. A committee, independent of the historical loss migration team, reviews risk factors that may impact the ALL. The factors utilized by COB for all loan classes are as follows:


a)	Standard – Accounts for inherent uncertainty in using the past as a predictor of the future. Particularly, this factor will be used to make adjustments when historical loss data over the look back period is above or below the loss experienced over more recent periods, causing the model to over or under predict the potential losses currently in the portfolio. Uniform across all segments.


b)	Volume – Accounts for historical growth characteristics of the portfolio over the loss recognition period.


c)	Terms – Measures risk derived from granting terms outside of policy and underwriting guidelines.


d)	Staff – Reflects staff competence in various types of lending.


e)	Delinquency – Reflects increased risk deriving from higher delinquency rates.


f)	Nonaccrual – Reflects increased risk of loans with characteristics that merit nonaccrual status.


g)	Migration – Accounts for the changing level of risk inherent in loans as they migrate into, or away from, more adverse risk grades.


h)	Concentration – Measures increased risk derived from concentration of credit exposure in particular industry segments within the portfolio.


i)	Production – Measures impact of efforts towards expanding credit exposure and potential risk derived from new loan production.


j)	Process – Measures increased risk derived from more demanding processing requirements directed towards risk mitigation.


k)	Economic – Impact of general and local economic factors and effect is felt uniformly across pools.


l)	Competition – Measures risk associated with Bank's response to competitors’ relaxed credit requirements.


m)	Regulatory and Legal – Measures risk from exposure to regulations, legislation, and legal code that result in increased risk of loss.

Each pool is assigned an adjustment to the potential loss percentage by assessing its characteristics against each of the factors listed above.

Calculation and Summary: A general reserve amount for each loan pool is calculated by adding the historical loss rate to the total Q&E factors, and applying the combined percentage to the pool loan balances.

Reserves are generally divided into three allocation segments:

Individual Reserves. These are calculated against loans evaluated individually and deemed most likely to be impaired. Management determines which loans will be considered for potential impairment review. This does not mean that an individual reserve will necessarily be calculated for each loan considered for impairment, only for those noted during this process as likely to have a loss. Loans to be considered will generally include:


•	All commercial loans classified substandard or worse


•	Any other loan in a nonaccrual status


•	Any loan, consumer or commercial, that has already been modified such that it meets the definition of Troubled Debt Restructurings (“TDR”)


•	Any loan for which the customer has filed Bankruptcy when the customer does not reaffirm the debt.

The individual reserve must be verified at least quarterly, and recalculated whenever additional relevant information becomes available. All information related to the calculation of the individual reserve, including internal or external collateral valuations, assumptions, calculations, etc. must be documented.

Individual reserve amounts are not carried indefinitely.


•	When the amount of the actual loss becomes reasonably quantifiable the amount of the loss should be charged off against the ALL, whether or not all liquidation and recovery efforts have been completed.

•

If the total amount of the individual reserve that will eventually be charged off cannot yet be determined, but some portion of the individual reserve can be viewed as an imminent loss, that smaller portion can be charged off against the ALL and the individual reserve reduced by a corresponding amount. It is acceptable to retain an estimate of remaining loss as a “special reserve” only when the estimate is not reasonably quantifiable.


•	Impaired loans with a de minimis balance are not individually evaluated for individual reserve but they are included in the formula reserve calculation.


2.	Formula Reserves. Formula reserves are held against loans evaluated collectively. Loans are grouped by type or by risk grade, or some combination of the two. Loss estimates are based on historical loss rates for each respective loan group.

Formula reserves represent COB’s best estimate of losses that may be inherent, or embedded, within the group of loans, even if it is not apparent at this time which loans within any group or pool represent those embedded losses.

Unallocated Reserves. If individual reserves represent estimated losses tied to any specific loan, and formula reserves represent estimated losses tied to a pool of loans but not yet to any specific loan, then unallocated reserves represent an estimate of losses that are expected, but are not yet tied to any loan or group of loans. Unallocated reserves are generally the smallest of the three overall reserve segments and are set based on qualitative factors.

All information related to the calculation of the three segments including data analysis, assumptions, calculations, etc. are documented. Assigning specific individual reserve amounts, formula reserve factors, or unallocated amounts based on unsupported assumptions or conclusions is not permitted.

COB lends primarily in North Carolina. As of December 31, 2013, a substantial majority of the principal amount of the loans held for investment in its portfolio was to businesses and individuals in North Carolina. This geographic concentration subjects the loan portfolio to the general economic conditions within this area. The risks created by this concentration have been considered by management in the determination of the adequacy of the ALL. Management believes the ALL is adequate to cover estimated losses on loans at each balance sheet date.

In addition, as an integral part of the examination process, the OCC periodically reviews the Bank's ALL. The OCC may require the Bank to recognize adjustments to the allowance based on its judgment about information available to it at the time of its examination.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned, or OREO, represents properties acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu thereof. The property is classified as held for sale. The property is initially carried at fair value based on recent appraisals, less estimated costs to sell. Declines in the fair value of properties included in OREO below carrying value are recognized by a charge to income.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: buildings and improvements, 10 to 50 years, and furniture and equipment, 3 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated life of the improvement or the term of the lease.

Intangible Assets

Goodwill arises from business combinations and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets and other identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill and other intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives generated from purchase business combinations are not subject to amortization and are instead assessed for impairment no less than annually. Impairment exists when the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Impairment charges are included in noninterest expense in the statements of operations.

Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over such useful lives to their estimated residual values. Core deposit intangible assets, which we refer to as CDI, is recognized apart from goodwill at the time of acquisition based on market valuations prepared by independent third parties. In preparing such valuations, the third parties consider variables such as deposit servicing costs, attrition rates, and market discount rates. CDI assets are amortized to expense over their useful lives, which we have estimated to range from 8 to 10 years. CDI is reviewed for impairment quarterly or earlier if events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. If the recoverable amount of CDI is determined to be less than its carrying value, we would then measure the amount of impairment based on an estimate of the intangible asset's fair value at that time. If the fair value is below the carrying value, the intangible asset is reduced to such fair value and the impairment is recognized as noninterest expense in the statements of operations.

Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSRs”)

The rights to service mortgage loans for others are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. MSRs are recorded at fair value on an ongoing basis, with changes in fair value recorded in the results of operations. A fair value analysis of MSRs is performed on a quarterly basis. The Bank resumed the sale of mortgage loans to Fannie Mae beginning in the second quarter of 2012, following Fannie Mae's approval of the Bank as a Seller Servicer.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense includes both a current provision based on the amounts computed for income tax return purposes and a deferred provision that results from application of the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of COB's assets and liabilities at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when such amounts are realized or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Management’s determination of the realization of deferred tax assets is based upon its judgment of various future events and uncertainties, including the timing and amount of future income earned by certain subsidiaries and the implementation of various tax plans to maximize realization of the deferred tax assets. In evaluating the positive and negative evidence to support the realization of the asset under current guidance, given our current financial results and current economic conditions, there is insufficient positive evidence to support a conclusion that it is more likely than not this asset will be realized in the foreseeable future. Examinations of the income tax returns or changes in tax law may impact COB’s tax liabilities and resulting provisions for income taxes.

A valuation allowance is recognized for a deferred tax asset if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. As a result of significant credit losses, COB continues to be in a three-year cumulative pre-tax loss position as of December 31, 2013. A cumulative loss position is considered significant negative evidence in assessing the realizability of a deferred tax asset, which is difficult to overcome. COB’s estimate of the realization of its deferred tax assets was based on the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and taxable income available in prior carry back years and estimated unrealized losses in the available-for-sale investment portfolio. COB did not consider future taxable income in determining the realizability of its deferred tax assets. COB expects its income tax expense (benefit) will be negligible for the next several quarters until profitability has been restored for a reasonable time and such profitability is considered sustainable. At that time, the valuation allowance would be reversed. Reversal of the valuation allowance requires a great deal of judgment and will be based on the circumstances that exist as of that future date. If future events differ significantly from COB’s current forecasts, COB may need to increase this valuation allowance, which could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations and financial condition. See also Note 11 for discussion of the impact on deferred taxes associated with the Merger.

Earnings per Share (“EPS”)

As required for entities with complex capital structures, a dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS is included on the face of the statements of operations, and a reconciliation is provided in a footnote of the numerator and denominator of the basic EPS computation to the numerator and denominator of the diluted EPS computation. See also Note 17 for discussion of the one-for-one hundred reverse stock split and its impact on share and per share amounts.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity of an enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources and, accordingly, includes both net income and amounts referred to as other comprehensive income. The items of other comprehensive income are included in the consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. The accumulated balance of other comprehensive loss is included in the shareholders’ equity section of the consolidated balance sheet. COB’s components of accumulated other comprehensive loss for each period presented include unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities classified as available-for-sale, and the effect of the defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans for employees.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, total other comprehensive loss was $(18.8) million, $(36.4) million and $(137.6) million, respectively. The deferred income tax benefit/(liability) related to the components of other comprehensive loss amounted to $11.0 million, $0.2 million and $2.6 million respectively, for the same periods as previously mentioned.

The accumulated balances related to each component of other comprehensive loss are as follows:



(dollars in thousands)	December 31, 2013						December 31, 2012						December 31, 2011
	Pretax			After-tax			Pretax			After-tax			Pretax			After-tax
Net unrealized securities gains (losses)	$	(23,443	)	$	(14,476	)	$	6,032		$	3,650		$	470		$	284
Pension, other postretirement and postemployment benefit plan adjustments	(5,200		)	(3,129		)	(6,566		)	(3,973		)	(7,027		)	(4,253		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(28,643	)	$	(17,605	)	$	(534	)	$	(323	)	$	(6,557	)	$	(3,969	)

Employee Benefit Plans

COB has a matching retirement/savings plan, a postretirement benefit plan, a defined benefit pension plan, and noncontributory, nonqualified supplemental executive retirement plans (“SERPs”) covering certain employees.

COB’s matching defined contribution retirement/savings plan permits eligible employees to make contributions to the plan up to a specified percentage of compensation as defined by the plan. A portion of the employee contributions are matched by COB based on the plan formula, which is $.50 for each dollar on the first 6% of eligible pay deferred by the employee under the plan. Additionally, commencing in 2007, COB on a discretionary basis may make an annual contribution up to a specified percentage of compensation as defined by the plan to the account of each eligible employee. COB did not make a discretionary contribution in 2013, 2012 or 2011. The matching and discretionary contributions amounted to $0.5 million in 2013, $0.6 million in 2012, and $0.4 million in 2011.

The postretirement benefit plan, provides medical and life insurance benefits to retirees who obtained certain age and service requirements. Postretirement benefit costs, which are actuarially determined using the attribution method and recorded on an unfunded basis, are charged to current operations and credited to a liability account on the consolidated balance sheet. Effective December 31, 2006, no new employees are eligible to enter the postretirement medical and life insurance plan. Employees who had obtained certain age and service qualifications continued to accrue benefits through December 31, 2010. Benefits are based on the employee's years of service at retirement. Only employees who qualified for continued benefit accrual are eligible for benefits under this plan.

The defined benefit pension plan was frozen in 2006 and no additional employees are eligible to enter the plan. Employees who had obtained certain age and service qualifications continued to accrue benefits through December 31, 2010. Benefits are based on the employee’s compensation, years of service and age at retirement. Defined benefit pension costs, which are actuarially determined using the projected unit credit method, are charged to current operations. Pension costs of $0.3 million, $0.4 million and $0.4 million were recognized during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Annual funding contributions are made up to the maximum amounts allowable for Federal income tax purposes.

The noncontributory, nonqualified supplemental executive retirement plans (“SERPs”), cover certain executives and pay benefits based on factors similar to those for the defined benefit pension plan, with offsets related to amounts payable under the pension plan and social security benefits. SERP costs, which are actuarially determined using the projected unit credit method and recorded on an unfunded basis, are charged to current operations and credited to a liability account on the consolidated balance sheet.

In 2010, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to one of the plans which stopped additional benefit accrual under the Plan after December 31, 2010. This action did not impact a participant's vested or accrued benefit in the plan. In September 2012, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to terminate this Plan. The amendment provides for lump sum cash distributions of participant benefits in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Based on the decision to terminate the SERP by providing a lump sum settlement, a deferred gain of $0.4 million was recorded in other comprehensive income in 2012, and was recognized into earnings when payments were made in 2013.

See Note 14 “Employee Benefit Plans” for additional information on all benefit plans described below.

COB also offers medical, dental, life, long term disability, and vision care to its employees and shares in the costs of these programs.

Derivatives and Financial Instruments

A derivative is a financial instrument that derives its cash flows, and therefore its value, by reference to an underlying instrument, index or referenced interest rate. COB uses derivatives primarily to manage interest rate risk related to mortgage servicing rights, and long-term debt. The fair value of derivatives in a gain or loss position is included in other assets or liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

COB classifies its derivative financial instruments as either a hedge of an exposure to changes in the fair value of a recorded asset or liability, or a fair value hedge, or a hedge of an exposure to changes in the cash flows of a recognized asset, liability or forecasted transaction, or a cash flow hedge. COB has master netting agreements with the derivatives dealers with which it does business, but reflects gross gains and losses on the Consolidated Income Statements and Balance Sheets.

COB uses the long-haul method to assess hedge effectiveness. COB documents, both at inception and over the life of the hedge, at least quarterly, its analysis of actual and expected hedge effectiveness. This analysis includes techniques such as regression analysis and hypothetical derivatives to demonstrate that the hedge has been, and is expected to be, highly effective in off-setting corresponding changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. For a qualifying fair value hedge, changes in the value of the derivatives that have been highly effective as hedges are recognized in current period earnings along with the corresponding changes in the fair value of the designated hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged. For a qualifying cash flow hedge, the portion of changes in the fair value of the derivatives that have been highly effective are recognized in other comprehensive income until the related cash flows from the hedged item are recognized in earnings.

For either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges, ineffectiveness may be recognized in noninterest income to the extent that changes in the value of the derivative instruments do not perfectly offset changes in the value of the hedged items attributable to the risk being hedged. If the hedge ceases to be highly effective, COB discontinues hedge accounting and recognizes the changes in fair value in current period earnings. If a derivative that qualifies as a fair value or cash flow hedge is terminated or the designation removed, the realized or then unrealized gain or loss is recognized into income over the original hedge period (fair value hedge) or period in which the hedged item affects earnings (cash flow hedge). Immediate recognition in earnings is required upon sale or extinguishment of the hedged item (fair value hedge) or if it is probable that the hedged cash flows will not occur (cash flow hedge).

See Note 19 for additional information related to derivatives and financial instruments.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Troubled Debt Restructurings - In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-04 Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40): "Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure" (“ASU No. 2014-04”). This pronouncement clarifies the criteria for concluding that an in substance repossession or foreclosure has occurred, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan. The amendments also outline interim and annual disclosure requirements. The amendments will be effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014. Companies are allowed to use either a modified retrospective transition method or a prospective transition method when adopting this update. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its financial statements.

Comprehensive Income - In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02 Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income" (“ASU No. 2013-02”). This pronouncement requires an entity to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for each applicable component of net income, as well as a roll forward of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income on a prospective basis. This pronouncement is effective beginning January 1, 2013. The provisions of ASU No. 2013-02 relate only to financial statement presentation of other comprehensive income and, accordingly, its adoption did not have a material effect on COB's financial statements. These new disclosures appear in Note 19.

FASB - From time to time, the Financial Accountings Standards Board (“FASB”) issues exposure drafts for proposed statements of financial accounting standards. Such exposure drafts are subject to comment from the public, to revisions by the FASB and to final issuance by the FASB as statements of financial accounting standards.

Management considers the effect of the proposed statements on the consolidated financial statements of COB and monitors the status of changes to and proposed effective dates of exposure drafts. 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 COB’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.