XML 24 R9.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C&F Financial Corporation (the Corporation) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Citizens and Farmers Bank (the Bank or C&F Bank). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In addition, the Corporation owns C&F Financial Statutory Trust I, C&F Financial Statutory Trust II, and Central Virginia Bankshares Statutory Trust I, all of which are unconsolidated subsidiaries. The subordinated debt owed to these trusts is reported as a liability of the Corporation. The accounting and reporting policies of C&F Financial Corporation and Subsidiary conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and to predominant practices within the banking industry.

 

Nature of Operations: The Corporation is a bank holding company incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Corporation owns all of the stock of its subsidiary, C&F Bank, which is an independent commercial bank chartered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. On October 1, 2013, the Corporation acquired Central Virginia Bankshares, Inc. (CVBK) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Central Virginia Bank (CVB), which was an independent commercial bank chartered under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. On March 22, 2014, CVBK was merged with and into the Corporation and CVB was merged with and into C&F Bank.

 

C&F Bank has five wholly-owned subsidiaries: C&F Mortgage Corporation and Subsidiary (C&F Mortgage), C&F Finance Company (C&F Finance), C&F Wealth Management Corporation (C&F Wealth Management), C&F Insurance Services, Inc., and CVB Title Services, Inc. all incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. C&F Mortgage, organized in September 1995, was formed to originate and sell residential mortgages and through its subsidiary, Certified Appraisals LLC, provides ancillary mortgage loan production services for residential appraisals. C&F Finance, acquired on September 1, 2002, is a finance company purchasing automobile loans through indirect lending programs. C&F Wealth Management, organized in April 1995 as C&F Investment Services, Inc. and renamed in May 2015, is a full-service brokerage firm offering a comprehensive range of investment services and insurance products through an alliance with an independent broker/dealer. C&F Insurance Services, Inc., organized in July 1999, owns an equity interest in an insurance agency that sells insurance products to customers of C&F Bank, C&F Mortgage and other financial institutions that have an equity interest in the agency. CVB Title Services, Inc., was organized for the primary purpose of owning membership interests in two insurance-related limited liability companies. Business segment data is presented in Note 18.

 

Basis of Presentation: 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. 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, the allowance for indemnifications, impairment of loans, impairment of securities, the valuation of other real estate owned, the projected benefit obligation under the defined benefit pension plan, the valuation of deferred taxes, fair value measurements and goodwill impairment. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations in these financial statements, have been made. 

 

Reclassification:  Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current year presentation.  None of these reclassifications are considered material.  See Note 2 for additional information about reclassifications related to the adoption of accounting standards.

 

Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk: The Corporation invests in a variety of securities, principally obligations of U.S. government agencies and obligations of states and political subdivisions. At December 31, 2016, securities issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia and its political subdivisions comprised 12.5 percent of its state and political subdivision portfolio and securities issued by the Virginia State Housing Authority comprised 4.4 percent of its state and political subdivision portfolio.  There are no other concentrations in any one state greater than 10.0 percent and no other individual issuers greater than 1.5 percent. The Corporation does not have any other significant securities concentrations in any one industry or geographic region, or to any one issuer. Note 3 discusses the Corporation’s securities portfolio and investment activities.

 

Substantially all of the Corporation’s lending activities are with customers located in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Ohio. At December 31, 2016,  39.1 percent of the Corporation’s loan portfolio consisted of commercial, financial and agricultural loans, which include loans secured by real estate for builder lines, acquisition and development and commercial development, as well as commercial loans secured by personal property. In addition, 30.3 percent of the Corporation’s loan portfolio consisted of non-prime consumer finance loans to individuals, secured by automobiles. The Corporation does not have any significant loan concentrations to any one customer. Note 4 discusses the Corporation’s lending activities.

 

Business Combination: On October 1, 2013, the Corporation acquired CVBK. This acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, meaning the assets and liabilities of CVBK were recorded at their respective fair values as of October 1, 2013. 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents: For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash, balances due from banks, interest-bearing deposits in banks and federal funds sold, all of which mature within 90 days. The Bank is required to maintain average balances on hand or with the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB). At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the minimum requirement was $833,000 and $739,000, respectively. The Corporation is required to maintain collateral against all loss positions in its interest rate swaps which are described in Note 19. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Corporation was required to maintain collateral of $323,000 and $721,000, respectively, in connection with its interest rate swaps.

 

Securities: Investments in debt and equity securities with readily determinable fair values are classified as either held to maturity, available for sale, or trading, based on management’s intent. Currently all of the Corporation’s investment securities are classified as available for sale. Available for sale securities are carried at estimated fair value with the corresponding unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income. Gains or losses are recognized in earnings on the trade date using the amortized cost of the specific security sold. Purchase premiums and discounts are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the terms of the securities.

 

Impairment of securities occurs when the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost. For debt securities, impairment is considered other-than-temporary and recognized in its entirety in net income if either (i) we intend to sell the security or (ii) it is more-likely-than-not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If, however, the Corporation does not intend to sell the security and it is not more-likely-than-not that the Corporation will be required to sell the security before recovery, the Corporation must determine what portion of the impairment is attributable to a credit loss, which occurs when the amortized cost basis of the security exceeds the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected from the security. If there is no credit loss, there is no other-than-temporary impairment. If there is a credit loss, other-than-temporary impairment exists, and the credit loss must be recognized in net income and the remaining portion of impairment must be recognized in other comprehensive income. For equity securities, impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary based on the Corporation’s ability and intent to hold the investment until a recovery of fair value. Other-than-temporary impairment of an equity security results in a write-down that must be included in net income. The Corporation regularly reviews each investment security for other-than-temporary impairment based on criteria that include the extent to which cost exceeds market price, the duration of that market decline, the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer, the Corporation’s best estimate of the present value of cash flows expected to be collected from debt securities, the Corporation’s intention with regard to holding the security to maturity and the likelihood that the Corporation would be required to sell the security before recovery.

 

Loans Held for Sale: The Corporation uses fair value accounting for its entire portfolio of loans held for sale (LHFS) in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurement. Fair value of the Corporation’s LHFS is based on observable market prices for similar instruments traded in the secondary mortgage loan markets in which the Corporation conducts business. Substantially all loans originated by C&F Mortgage are held for sale to outside investors.

 

Loans Acquired in a Business Combination: Loans acquired in a business combination, such as the Corporation’s acquisition of CVB, are recorded at estimated fair value on the date of acquisition without the carryover of the related allowance for loan losses. Purchased credit-impaired (PCI) loans are those for which there is evidence of credit deterioration since origination and for which it is probable at the date of acquisition that the Corporation will not collect all contractually required principal and interest payments. When determining fair value, PCI loans were aggregated into pools of loans based on common risk characteristics as of the date of acquisition such as loan type, date of origination, and evidence of credit quality deterioration such as internal risk grades and past due and nonaccrual status. The difference between contractually required payments at acquisition and the cash flows expected to be collected at acquisition is referred to as the “nonaccretable difference,” and is not recorded and is available to absorb future credit losses on those loans. Any excess of cash flows expected at acquisition over the estimated fair value is referred to as the accretable yield and is recognized as interest income over the remaining life of the loan when there is a reasonable expectation about the amount and timing of such cash flows. Subsequent to acquisition, the Corporation evaluates on a quarterly basis its estimate of cash flows expected to be collected.  Estimates of cash flows for PCI loans require significant judgment. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows will generally result in a provision for loan losses, while subsequent increases in cash flows may result in a reversal of post-acquisition provision for loan losses, or a transfer from nonaccretable difference to accretable yield that increases interest income over the remaining life of the loan or pool(s) of loans.  Disposals of loans, which may include sale of loans to third parties, receipt of payments in full or part from the borrower or foreclosure of the collateral, result in removal of the loan from the PCI loan portfolio at its carrying amount.

 

The Corporation’s PCI loans currently consist of loans acquired in connection with the acquisition of CVB.  PCI loans that were classified as nonperforming by CVB are no longer classified as nonperforming so long as, at quarterly re-estimation periods, we believe we will fully collect the new carrying value of the pools of loans.

 

Loans not designated PCI loans as of the acquisition date are designated purchased performing loans. The Corporation accounts for purchased performing loans using the contractual cash flows method of recognizing discount accretion based on the acquired loans’ contractual cash flows. Purchased performing loans are recorded at fair value, including a credit discount. The fair value discount is accreted as an adjustment to yield over the estimated lives of the loans. There is no allowance for loan losses established at the acquisition date for purchased performing loans. A provision for loan losses may be required in future periods for any deterioration in these loans subsequent to the acquisition.

 

Originated Loans: The Corporation makes mortgage, commercial and consumer loans to customers. The Corporation’s recorded investment in loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off generally is reported at the unpaid principal balances adjusted for charges-offs, unearned discounts, any deferred fees or costs on originated loans, and the allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is credited to operations based on the principal amount outstanding. Loan fees and origination costs are deferred and the net amount is amortized as an adjustment of the related loan’s yield using the level-yield method. The Corporation is amortizing these amounts over the contractual life of the related loans.

 

A loan’s past due status is based on the contractual due date of the most delinquent payment due.  Loans are generally placed on nonaccrual status when the collection of principal or interest is 90 days or more past due, or earlier, if collection is uncertain based on an evaluation of the net realizable value of the collateral and the financial strength of the borrower. Loans greater than 90 days past due may remain on accrual status if management determines it has adequate collateral to cover the principal and interest. For those loans that are carried on nonaccrual status, payments are first applied to principal outstanding.  A loan may be returned to accrual status if the borrower has demonstrated a sustained period of repayment performance in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan and there is reasonable assurance the borrower will continue to make payments as agreed.  These policies are applied consistently across our loan portfolio.

 

The Corporation considers a loan impaired when it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all interest and principal payments as scheduled in the loan agreement. A loan is not considered impaired during a period of delay in payment if the ultimate collectibility of all amounts due is expected. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis for commercial, construction and residential loans in excess of $500,000 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. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. Accordingly, the Corporation does not separately identify individual consumer, residential and certain small commercial loans that are less than $500,000 for impairment disclosures, except for troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) as noted below.

 

TDRs occur when the Corporation agrees to significantly modify the original terms of a loan due to the deterioration in the financial condition of the borrower.  TDRs are considered impaired loans. Upon designation as a TDR, the Corporation evaluates the borrower’s payment history, past due status and ability to make payments based on the revised terms of the loan.  If a loan was accruing prior to being modified as a TDR and if the Corporation concludes that the borrower is able to make such payments, and there are no other factors or circumstances that would cause it to conclude otherwise, the loan will remain on an accruing status.  If a loan was on nonaccrual status at the time of the TDR, the loan will remain on nonaccrual status following the modification and may be returned to accrual status based on the policy for returning loans to accrual status as noted above. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Corporation had $5.83 million and $5.34 million, respectively, of loans classified as TDRs.

 

Allowance for Loan Losses: The allowance for loan losses is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for loan losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance for loan losses for the difference between the carrying value of the loan and the estimated net realizable value or fair value of the collateral, if collateral dependent, when:

 

·

Management believes that the collectibility of the principal is unlikely regardless of delinquency status.

·

The loan is a consumer loan and is 120 days past due.

·

The loan is a non-consumer loan and is 180 days past due, unless the loan is well secured and recovery is probable.

·

The borrower is in bankruptcy, unless the debt has been reaffirmed, is well secured and recovery is probable.

 

Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.

 

The allowance represents an amount that, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Management’s judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on evaluations of the collectibility of loans while taking into consideration such factors as trends in delinquencies and charge-offs, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, current economic conditions that may affect a borrower’s ability to repay and the value of collateral, overall portfolio quality and review of specific potential losses. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.  The evaluation also considers the following risk characteristics of each loan portfolio:

 

·

Real estate residential mortgage loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral.

·

Real estate construction loans carry risks that the project will not be finished according to schedule, the project will not be finished according to budget and the value of the collateral may, at any point in time, be less than the principal amount of the loan. Construction loans also bear the risk that the general contractor, who may or may not be a loan customer, may be unable to finish the construction project as planned because of financial pressure unrelated to the project.

·

Commercial, financial and agricultural loans carry risks associated with the successful operation of a business or a real estate project, in addition to other risks associated with the ownership of real estate, because the repayment of these loans may be dependent upon the profitability and cash flows of the business or project. In addition, there is risk associated with the value of collateral other than real estate which may depreciate over time and cannot be appraised with as much precision.

·

Consumer loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and the value of the collateral (e.g., rapidly-depreciating assets such as automobiles), or lack thereof. Consumer loans are more likely than real estate loans to be immediately adversely affected by job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy.

·

Equity lines of credit carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of the borrower and changes in the value of the collateral.

·

Consumer finance loans carry risks associated with the continued credit-worthiness of borrowers who may be unable to meet the credit standards imposed by most traditional automobile financing sources and the value of rapidly-depreciating collateral.

 

The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired, and is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.  For collateral dependent loans, an updated appraisal will be ordered if a current one is not on file.  Appraisals are performed by independent third-party appraisers with relevant industry experience.  Adjustments to the appraised value may be made based on recent sales of similar properties or general market conditions when appropriate. The general component covers non-classified loans and those loans classified as substandard or special mention that are not impaired.  The general component is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors, such as current economic conditions, including current home sales and foreclosures, unemployment rates and retail sales. Relative to non-classified loans, non-impaired classified loans are assigned a higher allowance factor which increases with the severity of classification.  The characteristics of the loan ratings are as follows:

 

·

Pass rated loans are to persons or business entities with an acceptable financial condition, appropriate collateral margins, appropriate cash flow to service the existing loan, and an appropriate leverage ratio. The borrower has paid all obligations as agreed and it is expected that this type of payment history will continue. When necessary, acceptable personal guarantors support the loan.

·

Special mention loans have a specifically identified weakness in the borrower’s operations and in the borrower’s ability to generate positive cash flow on a sustained basis. The borrower’s recent payment history may be characterized by late payments. The Corporation’s risk exposure is mitigated by collateral supporting the loan. The collateral is considered to be well-margined, well maintained, accessible and readily marketable.

·

Substandard loans are considered to have specific and well-defined weaknesses that jeopardize the viability of the Corporation’s credit extension. The payment history for the loan has been inconsistent and the expected or projected primary repayment source may be inadequate to service the loan. The estimated net liquidation value of the collateral pledged and/or ability of the personal guarantor(s) to pay the loan may not adequately protect the Corporation. There is a distinct possibility that the Corporation will sustain some loss if the deficiencies associated with the loan are not corrected in the near term. A substandard loan would not automatically meet the Corporation’s definition of impaired unless the loan is significantly past due and the borrower’s performance and financial condition provide evidence that it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect all amounts due.

·

Substandard nonaccrual loans have the same characteristics as substandard loans; however, they have a non-accrual classification because it is probable that the Corporation will not be able to collect all amounts due.

·

Doubtful rated loans have all the weaknesses inherent in a loan that is classified substandard but with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. The possibility of loss is extremely high.

·

Loss rated loans are not considered collectible under normal circumstances and there is no realistic expectation for any future payment on the loan. Loss rated loans are fully charged off.

 

On a quarterly basis the Corporation evaluates its estimate of cash flows to be collected on PCI loans. These evaluations require the continued assessment of key assumptions and estimates similar to the initial estimate of fair value as of the acquisition date, such as the effect of collateral value changes, changing loss severities, estimated and experienced prepayment speeds and other relevant factors. Subsequent decreases to the expected cash flows to be collected on a PCI loan will generally result in a provision for loan losses.

 

The consumer finance loans are segregated between performing and nonperforming loans.  Performing loans are those that have made timely payments in accordance with the terms of the loan agreement and are not past due 90 days or more.  Nonperforming loans are those that do not accrue interest and are greater than 90 days past due.

 

Allowance for Indemnifications: The allowance for indemnifications is established through charges to earnings in the form of a provision for indemnifications, which is included in other noninterest expenses. A loss is charged against the allowance for indemnifications when a purchaser of a loan (investor) sold by C&F Mortgage incurs a validated indemnified loss due to borrower misrepresentation, fraud, early payment default or underwriting error.

 

The allowance represents an amount that, in management’s judgment, will be adequate to absorb any losses arising from valid indemnification requests. Management’s judgment in determining the level of the allowance is based on the volume of loans sold, current economic conditions and information provided by investors. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.

 

Restricted Stocks: Restricted stocks include Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) stock and Community Bankers Bank (CBB) stock owned by C&F Bank at December 31, 2016 and 2015.  FHLB stock and CBB stock are carried at cost. No ready market exists for this stock and it has no quoted market value. For presentation purposes, such stock is assumed to have a market value that is equal to cost. Management reviews FHLB stock and CBB stock for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the cost basis.

 

Other Real Estate Owned (OREO): Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less costs to sell at the date of foreclosure. Physical possession of residential real estate securing consumer mortgage loans 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 similar legal agreement.  Subsequent to foreclosure, management periodically performs valuations of the foreclosed assets based on updated appraisals, general market conditions, recent sales of similar properties, length of time the properties have been held, and our ability and intention with regard to continued ownership of the properties. The Corporation may incur additional write-downs of foreclosed assets to fair value less costs to sell if valuations indicate a further deterioration in market conditions. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the property valuations are included in net OREO expenses and improvements are capitalized.

 

Corporate Premises and Equipment: Land is carried at cost. Buildings and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation computed using a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives range from ten to forty years for buildings and from three to ten years for equipment, furniture and fixtures. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred and major improvements are capitalized. Upon sale or retirement of depreciable properties, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are netted against proceeds and any resulting gain or loss is included in income. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2016,  2015 and 2014 was $2.57 million, $2.51 million and $2.74 million, respectively.

 

Goodwill: The Corporation’s goodwill was recognized in connection with its acquisition of CVBK in October 2013 and its acquisition of C&F Finance in September 2002. In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, the Corporation reviews the carrying value of indefinite lived intangible assets at least annually or more frequently if certain impairment indicators exist. The Corporation performed its annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2016 and determined that there was no impairment to its goodwill or intangible assets.

 

Other Intangibles:  During the fourth quarter of 2016, C&F Wealth Management acquired the assets of a registered investment advisor with approximately $91.4 million in assets under management at the time of the acquisition.  In connection with the transaction, the Corporation recorded $1.4 million of amortizable assets, which primarily relate to the value of the customer relationships. The Corporation is amortizing these intangible assets over the period of expected benefit, which ranges from 5 to 9 years using a straight-line method.  The Corporation also recognized $685,000 of contingent consideration, which is reported as a component of “Other Liabilities” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and is contingent of achieving certain performance and service metrics.

 

 

Core Deposit Intangible: The Corporation’s core deposit intangible (CDI) was recognized in connection with the Corporation’s acquisition of CVB in October 2013, and represents the value of long-term deposit relationships acquired in this transaction. The Corporation is amortizing the CDI over an estimated weighted average life of six years using the sum-of-the-years digits method.

 

Transfer of Financial Assets: Transfers of loans are accounted for as sales when control over the loans has been surrendered. Control over transferred loans is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the loans have been isolated from the Corporation, (2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred loans and (3) the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred loans through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.

 

Income Taxes: The Corporation determines deferred income tax assets and liabilities using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined annually for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Income tax expense is the tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that some positions taken will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that will be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheet along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. The Corporation did not have any liabilities resulting from unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits, which the Corporation did not have, would be classified as additional income taxes in the statements of income.

 

Retirement Plan: The Corporation recognizes the overfunded or underfunded status of its defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in the balance sheet and recognizes a change in the plan’s funded status in the year in which the change occurs through other comprehensive income. The funded status of a benefit plan is measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation. For the Corporation’s pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation as of December 31. In addition, enhanced disclosures about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and transition asset or obligation are presented in the notes to financial statements. Valuations at December 31, 2016 and 2015 determined that the Corporation’s pension plan was overfunded. As a result, the Corporation recognized a pension asset of  $332,000 and $179,000 at December 31, 2016 and 2015 and recognized a net loss of $123,000, $513,000 and $1.4 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014 as components of other comprehensive income (loss). The Corporation’s pension plan is described more fully in Note 12.

 

Share-Based Compensation: Share-based compensation expense for grants of restricted shares is accounted for using the fair value of the Corporation’s common stock on the date the restricted shares are awarded. Compensation expense for restricted shares is charged to income ratably over the vesting period. Compensation expense for restricted shares for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $1.22 million ($755,000 after tax), $1.06 million ($658,000 after tax) and $967,000  ($600,000 after tax), respectively. As of December 31, 2016, there was $2.94 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock that will be recognized over the remaining vesting periods. Forfeitures reduce compensation expense for the periods in which forfeitures actually occur. The Corporation’s share-based compensation plans are described more fully in Note 14.

 

Earnings Per Common Share: The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance requires that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends participate in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. This conclusion affects entities that accrue cash dividends on share-based payment awards during the awards’ service period when the dividends do not need to be returned if the employees forfeit the awards. Because the awards are considered participating securities, the issuing entity is required to apply the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS). The Corporation has applied the two-class method of computing basic and diluted EPS for each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 because the Corporation’s unvested restricted shares outstanding contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends. Accordingly, the weighted average number of common shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS includes both vested and unvested common shares outstanding. EPS calculations are presented in Note 10.

 

Comprehensive Income: Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities, changes in defined benefit plan assets and liabilities, and unrealized gains and losses on cash flow hedging instruments are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income. These components are presented in the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and are presented in Note 10.

 

Off-Balance-Sheet Credit Related Financial Instruments: In the ordinary course of business, the Corporation has entered into commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded.

 

Rate Lock Commitments: C&F Mortgage enters into interest rate lock commitments (IRLCs) to originate residential mortgage loans for sale in the secondary market whereby the interest rate on the loan is determined prior to funding. The period of time between issuance of a rate lock commitment and closing and sale of the loan generally ranges from 15 to 75 days. C&F Mortgage protects itself from changes in interest rates by (a) entering into forward loan sales contracts with investors for loans to be delivered on a best efforts basis or (b) entering into forward sales contracts of mortgage-backed to-be-announced securities (TBAs) for loans to be delivered on a mandatory basis. Both the IRLCs with customers and the forward sales contracts are considered derivative financial instruments, which are discussed below.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments: The Corporation recognizes derivative financial instruments at fair value as either an other asset or other liability in the consolidated balance sheet. The Corporation’s derivative financial instruments may include (1) IRLCs on mortgage loans that will be sold in the secondary market on a best efforts basis and the related forward commitments to sell mortgage loans, (2) interest rate swaps with certain qualifying commercial loan customers and dealer counterparties and (3) interest rate swaps that qualify as cash flow hedges on the Corporation’s trust preferred capital notes. Because the IRLCs, forward sales commitments and interest rate swaps with loan customers and dealer counterparties are not designated as hedging instruments, adjustments to reflect unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value of these instruments are reported as noninterest income or noninterest expense, as applicable. The Corporation’s IRLCs, forward loan sales commitments and interest rate swaps with loan customers and dealer counterparties are described more fully in Note 16 and Note 17. The effective portion of the gain or loss on the Corporation’s cash flow hedges is reported as a component of other comprehensive income, net of deferred income taxes, and reclassified into earnings in the same period(s) during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. The cash flow hedges are described more fully in Note 19.

 

Recent Significant Accounting Pronouncements:

 

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 require, among other things, 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; public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; and separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (i.e., securities or loans and receivables). It also 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 Corporation is currently assessing the effect that ASU 2016-01 will have on its financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 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 Corporation is currently assessing the effect that ASU 2016-02 will have on its financial statements.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 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 dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria remain intact. The amendments are effective for public business entities 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 Corporation does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-05 will have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”, in an effort to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments.  ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, such as accounting for income taxes, classification of excess tax benefits on the Statement of Cash Flows, accounting for forfeitures, minimum statutory tax withholding requirements and classification of employee taxes paid on the Statement of Cash Flows.  For public business entities, the amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any organization in any interim or annual period. The Corporation’s adoption of this ASU during the fourth quarter of 2016 is described in Note 2: Adoption of New Accounting Standards.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”, as part of its project on financial instruments. ASU 2016-13 introduces an approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination.  For public business entities that are SEC filers, the new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019.  Early adoption will be permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018.  The Corporation is currently assessing the effect that ASU 2016-13 may have on its financial statements.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 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 Corporation is currently assessing the effect that ASU 2016-15 may have on its financial statements.

 

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory”, to eliminate the recognition exception for intra-entity asset transfers other than inventory so that an entity’s consolidated financial statements reflect the current and deferred tax consequences of those intra-entity transfers when they occur.  ASU 2016-16 is effective for public business entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim reporting periods within those fiscal years. An entity may elect early adoption, but it must do so for the first interim period of an annual period if it issues interim financial statements. The amendments must be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment, including the effect of any resultant valuation allowance, to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Corporation is currently assessing the effect that ASU 2016-16 may have on its financial statements.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which removes the requirement to compare the implied fair value of goodwill with its carrying amount as part of step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. As a result, under ASU 2017-04, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.  ASU 2017-04 is effective for public business entities that are SEC filers for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  Early adoption is permitted. The Corporation is currently assessing the effect that ASU 2017-04 may have on its financial statements.

 

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