United States
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 |
OR
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to |
Commission file number (1-14588)
NORTHEAST BANCORP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Maine |
01-0425066 |
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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500 Canal Street, Lewiston, Maine |
04240 |
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(Address of principal executive offices) |
(Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(207) 786-3245
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class: |
Name of each exchange on which registered: |
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Voting Common Stock, $1.00 par value |
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large Accelerated Filer |
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Accelerated filer |
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Non-accelerated filer |
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Smaller Reporting Company |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates, computed by reference to the last reported sales price of the registrant’s voting common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on December 31, 2015 was approximately $76,592,849.
As of September 2, 2016, the registrant had outstanding 7,487,552 shares of voting common stock, $1.00 par value per share, and 1,343,683 shares of non-voting common stock, $1.00 par value per share.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s proxy statement for the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on November 22, 2016 are incorporated by reference in Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The registrant intends to file such proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission no later than 120 days after the end of its fiscal year ended June 30, 2016.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Company has determined that as of the end of its fiscal year ended June 30, 2016, it is an accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As permitted by Item 10(f) of Regulation S-K, the Company is providing scaled disclosure applicable to smaller reporting companies in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Table of Contents
A Note About Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, such as statements relating to the financial condition, prospective results of operations, future performance or expectations, plans, objectives, prospects, loan loss allowance adequacy, simulation of changes in interest rates, capital spending, finance sources and revenue sources of Northeast Bancorp ("we," "our," "us," "Northeast" or the "Company"). These statements relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical facts. Accordingly, statements that are based on management's projections, estimates, assumptions, and judgments constitute forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements, which are based on various assumptions (some of which are beyond the Company's control), may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believe", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "continue", "plan", "approximately", "intend", "objective", "goal", "project", or other similar terms or variations on those terms, or the future or conditional verbs such as "will", "may", "should", "could", and "would".
Such forward-looking statements reflect our current views and expectations based largely on information currently available to our management, and on our current expectations, assumptions, plans, estimates, judgments, and projections about our business and our industry, and they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable estimates and assumptions, they are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors. Accordingly, the Company cannot give you any assurance that its expectations will in fact occur or that its estimates or assumptions will be correct. The Company cautions you that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements as a result of, among other factors, the factors referenced in this report under Item 1A. "Risk Factors"; changes in interest rates; competitive pressures from other financial institutions; the effects of a deterioration in general economic conditions on a national basis or in the local markets in which the Company operates, including changes which adversely affect borrowers' ability to service and repay our loans; changes in loan defaults and charge-off rates; changes in the value of securities and other assets, adequacy of loan loss reserves, or deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans and investments; changes in government regulation; the risk that we may not be successful in the implementation of our business strategy; the risk that intangibles recorded in the Company's financial statements will become impaired; and changes in assumptions used in making such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this report.
PART I
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Item 1. |
Business |
Overview
Northeast Bancorp, incorporated under Maine law in 1987, is a bank holding company, registered with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve") under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. The Company's primary subsidiary and principal asset is its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, Northeast Bank (the "Bank" or "Northeast Bank"), a Maine state-chartered bank originally organized in 1872.
On December 29, 2010, the merger of the Company and FHB Formation LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("FHB"), was consummated. In connection with the transaction, as part of the regulatory approval process, the Company and the Bank made certain commitments to the Federal Reserve, the most significant of which are (i) to maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 10%, (ii) to maintain a total capital ratio of at least 15%, (iii) to limit purchased loans to 40% of total loans, (iv) to fund 100% of the Company's loans with core deposits (defined as non-maturity deposits and non-brokered insured time deposits), and (v) to hold commercial real estate loans (including owner-occupied commercial real estate) to within 300% of total capital. On June 28, 2013, the Federal Reserve approved the amendment of the commitment to hold commercial real estate loans to within 300% of total capital to exclude owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. All other commitments made to the Federal Reserve in connection with the merger remain unchanged. The Company and the Bank are currently in compliance with all commitments to the Federal Reserve.
As of June 30, 2016, the Company, on a consolidated basis, had total assets of $986.2 million, total deposits of $800.4 million, and shareholders' equity of $116.6 million. We gather retail deposits through the Community Banking Division's ten full-service branches in Maine and through its online deposit program, ableBanking; originate loans through the Community Banking Division; purchase and originate commercial loans on a nationwide basis through the Bank’s Loan Acquisition and Servicing Group ("LASG"); and originate Small Business Administration ("SBA") loans on a nationwide basis through the Bank’s national SBA group ("SBA Division").
Unless the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company include the Company and its subsidiary on a consolidated basis.
Strategy
The Company's goal is to prudently grow its franchise, while maintaining sound operations and risk management, by implementing the following strategies:
Continuing our community banking tradition. With a history that dates to 1872, our Community Banking Division maintains its focus on sales and service, with the goal of attracting and retaining deposits, and serving the lending needs of retail and commercial customers within our core markets.
Growing LASG’s national originated and purchased loan business. We purchase commercial real estate loans nationally, at prices that on average have produced yields significantly higher than those available on our originated loan portfolio. We also originate loans nationally, taking advantage of our core expertise in underwriting and servicing national credits.
Growing our national SBA origination business. We originate loans on a national basis to small businesses, primarily through the SBA 7(a) program, which provides the partial guarantee of the SBA.
Generating deposits to fund our business. We offer a full line of deposit products through our ten-branch network located in the Community Banking Division’s market. ableBanking is a direct savings platform providing an additional channel to raise core deposits to fund our asset strategy.
Market Area and Competition
The Community Banking Division’s market area includes the six New England states, with the majority of its activities centered in the western and central regions of the State of Maine. We encounter significant competition in the Community Banking Division market area in originating loans, attracting deposits, and selling other customer products and services. Our competitors include savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions, mutual funds, insurance companies, brokerage and investment banking companies, finance companies, and other financial intermediaries. Many of our primary competitors there have substantially greater resources, larger established customer bases, higher lending limits, extensive branch networks, numerous ATMs and greater advertising and marketing budgets. They may also offer services that we do not currently provide. ableBanking has nationwide scope in its deposit gathering activities and competes with banks and credit unions, as well as other, larger, online direct banks having a national reach.
The LASG, the SBA Division and ableBanking activities are nationwide. The LASG competes primarily with community banks, regional banks and private equity funds operating nationwide in its bid to acquire commercial loans. We believe that we often have a competitive advantage in bidding against private equity funds on performing loans because those funds generally have higher funding costs and, therefore, higher expectations for return on investment than we do. Furthermore, private equity funds typically do not compete for small balance commercial loans and typically pursue larger, bulk transactions. Due to improving credit quality over the past several years and the continued low interest rate environment, the supply of loans available for purchase has declined, competition has increased, and spreads have tightened. Despite these trends, we believe that the LASG continues to have a competitive advantage in bidding against other banks because we have a specialized group with experience in purchasing commercial real estate loans. Additionally, most banks we compete against are community banks looking to acquire loans in their market; these banks usually have specific criteria for their acquisition activities and do not pursue pools with collateral or geographic diversity.
The SBA Division competes primarily with community banks, regional banks, national/global banks, and non-bank licensed lenders on a nationwide basis. Capitalizing on our LASG origination loan infrastructure, the SBA Division is in a position to review and act quickly on a variety of lending opportunities. Risk management, approvals, underwriting and other due diligence for these loans is similar to that for the LASG loans. We believe that the SBA Division has an advantage in originating commercial loans because of its ability to utilize in-house staff to quickly and accurately screen loan opportunities and accelerate the underwriting process.
Lending Activities
General
We conduct our loan-related activities through three primary channels: the Community Banking Division, the LASG, and the SBA Division. The Community Banking Division originates loans directly to consumers and businesses located in its market area. The LASG purchases primarily performing commercial real estate loans, on a nationwide basis, typically at a discount from their outstanding principal balances, producing yields higher than those normally achieved on the Company's originated loan portfolio. The LASG also originates commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans on a nationwide basis. The SBA Division originates loans to small businesses, primarily through the SBA 7(a) program, which provides the partial guarantee of the SBA. At June 30, 2016, our total loan portfolio (excluding loans held for sale) was $692.4 million, of which $203.4 million, or 29.4%, was originated by the Community Banking Division, $462.6 million, or 66.8%, was purchased or originated by the LASG and $26.4 million, or 3.8%, was originated by the SBA Division.
The following table sets forth certain information concerning our portfolio loan purchases and originations for the periods indicated (including loans held for sale):
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Year Ended June 30, |
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2016 |
2015 |
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(Dollars in thousands) |
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Loans, including loans held for sale, beginning of year |
$ | 621,172 | $ | 528,361 | ||||
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Additions: |
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LASG Purchases and Originations: |
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Originations |
110,578 | 130,502 | ||||||
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Purchases |
99,999 | 82,654 | ||||||
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Subtotal |
210,577 | 213,156 | ||||||
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SBA Division Originations |
54,469 | 34,544 | ||||||
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Community Bank Originations: |
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Residential mortgages held for sale |
90,011 | 97,438 | ||||||
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Residential mortgage held to maturity |
3,828 | 7,857 | ||||||
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Home equity |
765 | 1,024 | ||||||
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Commercial real estate |
15,029 | 13,580 | ||||||
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Commercial and industrial |
6,973 | 6,317 | ||||||
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Consumer |
185 | 211 | ||||||
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Subtotal |
116,791 | 126,427 | ||||||
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Total originations and purchases |
381,837 | 374,127 | ||||||
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Reductions: |
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Sales of residential loans held for sale |
(89,901 | ) | (106,045 | ) | ||||
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Sales of portfolio loans |
(39,081 | ) | (22,351 | ) | ||||
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Charge-offs |
(1,265 | ) | (238 | ) | ||||
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Pay-downs and amortization, net |
(172,807 | ) | (152,682 | ) | ||||
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Total reductions |
(303,054 | ) | (281,316 | ) | ||||
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Loans, including loans held for sale, end of year |
$ | 699,955 | $ | 621,172 | ||||
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Annual percentage increase in loans |
12.68 | % | 17.57 | % | ||||
We individually underwrite all loans that we originate and purchase. Our loan underwriting policies are reviewed and approved annually by our Board of Directors. Each loan, regardless of whether it is originated or purchased, must meet underwriting criteria set forth in our lending policies and the requirements of applicable federal and state regulations. All loans are subject to approval procedures and amount limitations, and the Board approves loan relationships exceeding certain prescribed dollar limits. Our policies are reviewed and approved at least annually by our Board of Directors. We supplement our own supervision of the loan underwriting and approval process with periodic loan audits by internal personnel and outside professionals experienced in loan review. As of June 30, 2016, the Bank’s legal lending limit was $24.0 million.
We typically retain servicing rights for all loans that we originate or purchase, except for residential loans that we originate and sell servicing released in the secondary market.
Community Banking Division Originations
Loan Portfolio. The Community Banking Division’s loan portfolio consists primarily of loans to businesses and consumers in the Community Banking Division's market area.
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Residential Mortgage Loans. We originate residential mortgage loans secured by one- to four-family properties throughout Maine, southern New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Such loans may be originated for sale in the secondary market or to be held on the Bank's balance sheet. We also offer home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, which are secured by first or second mortgages on one- to four-family owner-occupied properties and which are held on our balance sheet. At June 30, 2016, portfolio residential loans totaled $111.3 million, or 16.1% of total loans. Of the residential loans we held for investment at June 30, 2016, approximately 51.6% were adjustable rate. Included in residential loans are home equity lines of credit and other second mortgage loans aggregating approximately $18.0 million. |
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Commercial Real Estate Loans. We originate multi-family and other commercial real estate loans secured by property located primarily in the Community Banking Division's market area. At June 30, 2016, commercial real estate loans outstanding were $70.1 million, or 10.1% of total loans. Although the largest commercial real estate loan originated by the Community Banking Division had a principal balance of $4.1 million at June 30, 2016, the majority of the commercial real estate loans originated by the Community Banking Division had principal balances less than $500 thousand. |
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Commercial and industrial Loans. We originate commercial and industrial loans, including term loans, lines of credit and equipment and receivables financing to businesses located primarily in the Community Banking Division's market area. At June 30, 2016, commercial and industrial loans outstanding were $16.1 million, or 2.3% of total loans. At June 30, 2016, there were 112 commercial and industrial loans outstanding with an average principal balance of $143 thousand. The largest of these commercial and industrial loans had a principal balance of $2.3 million at June 30, 2016. |
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Consumer Loans. We originate, on a direct basis, automobile, boat and recreational vehicle loans. At June 30, 2016, consumer loans outstanding were $6.0 million, or 0.9% of total loans. |
Underwriting of Loans. Most residential loans, including those held for investment, are originated in accordance with the standards of the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal Housing Authority, or other third party correspondent lenders. Our underwriting process for all other loans originated by the Community Banking Division is as follows:
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Most of our Community Bank originated loans are sourced through relationships between loan officers and third party referral sources or current or previous customers. |
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After a loan officer has taken basic information from the borrower, the request is submitted to the Community Banking Division's loan production department. The loan production department obtains comprehensive information from the borrower and third parties, and conducts verification and analysis of the borrower information, which is assembled into a single underwriting package that is submitted for final approval. |
LASG Purchases and Originations
General. Of the loans originated or purchased by the LASG that were outstanding as of June 30, 2016, $336.4 million, or 72.7%, consisted of commercial real estate loans. The following table summarizes the LASG loan portfolio as of June 30, 2016:
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Purchased |
Originated |
Total |
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(Dollars in thousands) |
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Non-owner occupied commercial real estate |
$ | 142,286 | $ | 52,744 | $ | 195,030 | ||||||
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Owner occupied commercial real estate |
94,666 | 46,727 | 141,393 | |||||||||
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Commercial and industrial |
198 | 123,447 | 123,645 | |||||||||
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1-4 family residential |
2,559 | - | 2,559 | |||||||||
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Total |
$ | 239,709 | $ | 222,918 | $ | 462,627 | ||||||
Since the inception of the LASG through June 30, 2016, we have purchased loans for an aggregate investment of $486 million, of which $100.0 million was purchased during fiscal 2016. We have also originated loans totaling $346 million, of which $110.6 million was originated in fiscal 2016. As of June 30, 2016, the unpaid principal balance of loans purchased or originated by the LASG ranged from $1 thousand to $12.0 million and, excluding secured loans to broker-dealers, have an average balance of $756 thousand. Included in the balance are non-real estate secured loans to broker-dealers, which have balances of $12.0 million each. The real estate loans were secured principally by retail, industrial, hospitality, multi-family and office properties in 36 states.
The following table shows the LASG loan portfolio stratified by book value as of June 30, 2016, excluding deferred fees and costs:
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Range |
Amount |
Percent of Total |
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$0 - $500 |
$ | 58,644 | 12.69 | % | ||||
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$500 - $1,000 |
74,481 | 16.12 | % | |||||
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$1,000 - $2,000 |
105,202 | 22.77 | % | |||||
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$2,000 - $3,000 |
54,915 | 11.89 | % | |||||
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$3,000 - $4,000 |
37,313 | 8.08 | % | |||||
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Greater than $4,000 |
131,487 | 28.45 | % | |||||
| $ | 462,042 | 100.00 | % | |||||
The following tables show the LASG loan portfolio by location and type of collateral as of June 30, 2016, excluding deferred fees and costs:
| Collateral Type | Amount | Percent of Total | State | Amount | Percent of Total | ||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||
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Multifamily |
$ | 42,881 | 9.28 | % |
CA |
$ | 65,591 | 14.20 | % | ||||||||||
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Office |
37,809 | 8.18 | % |
NY |
69,300 | 15.00 | % | ||||||||||||
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Hospitality |
67,450 | 14.60 | % |
NJ |
32,586 | 7.05 | % | ||||||||||||
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Retail |
70,266 | 15.21 | % |
FL |
14,958 | 3.24 | % | ||||||||||||
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Industrial |
67,970 | 14.71 | % |
AZ |
17,858 | 3.86 | % | ||||||||||||
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Securities |
54,346 | 11.76 | % |
IL |
14,461 | 3.13 | % | ||||||||||||
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Other real estate |
37,084 | 8.03 | % |
TX |
19,349 | 4.19 | % | ||||||||||||
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All other |
84,236 | 18.23 | % |
Non-real estate |
74,164 | 16.05 | % | ||||||||||||
| $ | 462,042 | 100.00 | % |
All other |
153,775 | 33.28 | % | ||||||||||||
| $ | 462,042 | 100.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Loan Purchase Strategies. The LASG's loan purchasing strategy involves the acquisition of commercial loans, typically secured by real estate or other business assets located throughout the United States.
We acquire commercial loans typically at a discount to their unpaid principal balances. While we acquire loans on a nationwide basis, we seek to avoid significant concentration in any geographic region or in any one collateral type. We do not seek acquisition opportunities for which the primary collateral is land, construction, or one- to four-family residential property, although in a very limited number of cases, loans secured by such collateral may be included in a pool of otherwise desirable loans. Purchased loans are sourced on a nationwide basis from banks, insurance companies, investment funds and government agencies, either directly or indirectly through advisors.
We focus on servicing released, whole loan or lead participation transactions so that we can control the management of the portfolio through our experienced asset management professionals. Purchased loans can be acquired as a single relationship or combined with other borrowers in a larger pool. Loans are bid to a minimal acceptable yield to maturity based on the overall risk of the loan, including expected repayment terms and the underlying collateral value. Updated loan-to-value ratios and loan terms both influence the amount of discount the Bank requires in determining whether a loan meets the Bank's guidelines. We often achieve actual results in excess of our minimal acceptable yield to maturity when a loan is prepaid.
At June 30, 2016, purchased loans had an unpaid principal balance of $271.3 million and a book value of $239.7 million, representing discount across the portfolio of 11.6%.
The following table shows the purchased loan portfolio as of June 30, 2016 by original purchase price percentage:
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Initial Investment as a % of |
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Unpaid Principal Balance |
Amount |
Percent of Total |
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0% - 60% |
$ | 4,355 | 1.82 | % | ||||
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60% - 70% |
4,065 | 1.70 | % | |||||
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70% - 80% |
21,412 | 8.93 | % | |||||
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80% - 90% |
62,959 | 26.26 | % | |||||
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>90% |
146,918 | 61.29 | % | |||||
| $ | 239,709 | 100.00 | % | |||||
Secondary Market for Commercial Loans. Commercial whole loans are typically sold either directly by sellers or through loan sale advisors. Because a central database for commercial whole loan transactions does not exist, we attempt to compile our own statistics by both polling major loan sale advisors to obtain their aggregate trading volume and tracking the deal flow that we see directly via a proprietary database. This data reflects only a portion of the total market, as commercial whole loans that are sold in private direct sales or through other loan sale advisors are not included in our surveys. In recent years, the ratio of performing loans to total loans in the market has increased, in part, because sellers have worked through their most troubled, non-performing loans or are looking to minimize the discount they would receive in a secondary market transaction. While the 2008-2010 economic crisis led to a high level of trading volume, we also expect the market to remain active in times of economic prosperity, as sellers tend to have additional reserve capacity to sell their unwanted assets. Furthermore, we believe that the continued consolidation of the banking industry will create secondary market activity as acquirers often sell non-strategic borrowing relationships or assets that create excess loan concentrations.
Underwriting of Purchased Loans. We review many loan purchase opportunities and commence underwriting on a relatively small percentage of them. During fiscal 2016, we reviewed approximately 105 transactions representing loans with $799.8 million in unpaid principal balance. Of those transactions that we reviewed, we placed bids in 61 transactions representing loans with $255.7 million in unpaid principal balance. Ultimately, we closed 35 transactions in which we acquired $108.7 million in unpaid principal balance for an aggregate purchase price of $100.0 million, or 92.0% of the unpaid principal balance.
Purchased loans are underwritten by a team of in-house, seasoned analysts before being considered for approval. Prior to commencing underwriting, loans are analyzed for performance characteristics, loan terms, collateral quality, and price expectations. We also consider whether the loans would make our total purchased loan portfolio more or less diverse with respect to geography, loan type and collateral type. The opportunity is underwritten once it has been identified as fitting our investment parameters. While the extent of underwriting may vary based on investment size, procedures generally include the following:
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A loan analyst reviews and analyzes the seller credit file and our own internal and third party research in order to assess credit risk. |
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With the assistance of local counsel, where appropriate, an in-house attorney makes a determination regarding the quality of loan documentation and enforceability of loan terms. |
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An in-house real estate specialist performs real estate collateral evaluations, which includes conducting original market research for trends and sale and lease comparables, and develops a valuation based on current data reflecting what we believe are recent trends. |
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An environmental assessment is performed on real estate collateral where appropriate. |
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A property inspection is generally performed on all real estate collateral securing a loan, focusing on several characteristics, including, among other things, the physical quality of the property, current occupancy, general quality and occupancy within the neighborhood, market position and nearby property listings. |
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An underwriting package containing the analysis and results is reviewed and submitted for approval by the LASG Credit Committee. |
Collateral Valuation. The estimated value of the real property collateralizing the loan is determined by the LASG's in-house real estate group, which considers, among other factors, the type of property, its condition, location and its highest and best use in its marketplace. An inspection is conducted for the real property securing all loans bid upon. For loans that exceed a certain dollar threshold as prescribed in our credit policy, members of the LASG typically conduct an in-person site inspection.
We generally view cash flow from operations as the primary source of repayment on purchased loans. The LASG analyzes the current and likely future cash flows generated by the collateral to repay the loan. Also considered are minimum debt service coverage ratios, consisting of the ratio of net operating income to total principal and interest payments. Consideration of the debt service coverage ratio is critical to the pricing and rating of purchased and originated loans, and is analyzed carefully. For purchased loans, care is taken to ensure that, unless significantly offset by other factors in the credit, the purchase price results in an adjusted debt service coverage ratio that is within the Bank’s lending limits. Moreover, if the debt service coverage ratio based on the contractual payments, regardless of the Bank’s exposure, is significantly below 1.0x, then steps are taken to document alternative sources of repayment or develop a realistic plan to ensure continued performance of the loan.
Loan Pricing. In determining the amount that we are willing to bid to acquire individual loans or loan pools, the LASG considers the following:
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Collateral securing the loan; |
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Geographic location; |
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Financial resources of the borrower or guarantors, if any; |
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Recourse nature of the loan; |
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Age and performance of the loan; |
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Length of time during which the loan has performed in accordance with its repayment term; |
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Yield expected to be earned; and |
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Servicing restrictions, if any. |
In addition to the factors listed above and despite the fact that purchased loans are typically performing loans, the LASG also estimates the amount that we may realize through collection efforts or foreclosure and sale of the collateral, net of expenses, and the length of time and costs required to complete the collection or foreclosure process in the event a loan becomes non-performing or is non-performing at the time of purchase.
Loan Originations. In addition to purchasing loans, the LASG also originates commercial loans on a nationwide basis. Capitalizing on our purchased loan infrastructure, the LASG is in a position to review and act quickly on a variety of lending opportunities. Risk management, approvals, underwriting and other due diligence for these loans is similar to that for purchased loans, other than the appraisal and documentation process, which mirrors the Community Banking Division’s practice of employing local attorneys and real estate appraisers to assist in the process. We believe that the LASG has an advantage in originating commercial loans because of its ability to utilize in-house staff to quickly and accurately screen loan opportunities and accelerate the underwriting process.
Loan Servicing. We conduct all loan servicing for purchased and originated loans with an in-house team of experienced asset managers who actively manage the loan portfolio. Asset managers initiate and maintain regular borrower contact, and ensure that the loan credit analysis is accurate. Collateral valuations, property inspections, and other collateral characteristics are updated periodically as a result of our ongoing in-house real estate analysis. All asset management activity and analysis is contained within a central database.
SBA Division
General. The SBA Division, launched in November 2014, originates loans to small businesses nationwide, most often through the SBA's 7(a) program, which provides a partial government guarantee. Our loans are typically secured by liens on business assets and mortgages on commercial properties, and also benefit from SBA guarantees. We seek to build a loan portfolio that is diverse with respect to geography, loan type and collateral type.
The following table summarizes the SBA Division loan portfolio as of June 30, 2016:
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SBA Division |
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(Dollars in thousands) |
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Non-owner occupied commercial real estate |
$ | 5,639 | ||
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Owner occupied commercial real estate |
14,414 | |||
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Commercial and industrial |
6,242 | |||
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1-4 family residential |
133 | |||
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Total |
$ | 26,428 | ||
The Company's SBA loan portfolio includes owner and non-owner occupied loans as defined under regulatory call report instructions. The regulatory call report instructions primarily consider the primary source of repayment on the loan for this determination. However, these loans meet the SBA requirements to be considered owner occupied as the owner or controlling entity are actively involved in the daily operations of the underlying core business.
In addition to the loans held in the SBA Division loan portfolio, as of June 30, 2016, $1.1 million in the loans held for sale portfolio were attributable to the SBA Division, consisting of the guaranteed portion of the SBA Division loans that we expect to sell in the secondary market.
Secondary Market for SBA Guarantees. We typically sell the SBA-guaranteed portion of our variable-rate originations (generally 75% of the principal balance) at a premium in the secondary market. We generally retain a 25% unguaranteed interest and the accompanying servicing rights to the entire loan. We hold most fixed-rate SBA loan originations in portfolio.
Underwriting of SBA Division Loans. Our loan policies and procedures establish guidelines governing our SBA lending program. Generally, these guidelines address the types of loans that we seek, target markets, underwriting and collateral requirements, terms, interest rate and yield considerations and compliance with laws and regulations. All loans or credit lines are subject to approval procedures and amount limitations. Our policies are reviewed and approved at least annually by our Board of Directors to ensure that we are following SBA underwriting guidelines.
Loan Servicing. We conduct all loan servicing for SBA Division loans with an in-house team of experienced asset managers who actively manage the loan portfolio. Asset managers initiate and maintain regular borrower contact, and ensure that the loan credit analysis is accurate. Collateral valuations, property inspections, and other collateral characteristics are updated periodically as a result of our ongoing in-house real estate analysis. All asset management activity and analysis is contained within a central database.
Investment Activities
Our securities portfolio and short-term investments provide and maintain liquidity, assist in managing the interest rate sensitivity of our balance sheet, and serve as collateral for certain of our obligations. Individual investment decisions are made based on the credit quality of the investment, liquidity requirements, potential returns, cash flow targets, and consistency with our asset/liability management objectives.
Sources of Funds
Deposits have traditionally been the primary source of the Bank's funds for lending and other investment purposes. In addition to deposits, the Bank obtains funds from the amortization and prepayment of loans and mortgage-backed securities, the sale, call or maturity of investment securities, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (the "FHLBB"), other term borrowings and cash flows generated by operations.
Deposits
We offer a full line of deposit products to customers in western and south-central Maine through our ten-branch network. Our deposit products consist of demand deposit, NOW, money market, savings and certificate of deposit accounts. Our customers access their funds through ATMs, MasterCard® Debit Cards, Automated Clearing House funds (electronic transfers) and checks. We also offer telephone banking, online banking and bill payment, mobile banking and remote deposit capture services. Interest rates on our deposits are based upon factors that include prevailing loan demand, deposit maturities, alternative costs of funds, interest rates offered by competing financial institutions and other financial service firms, and general economic conditions. At June 30, 2016, we had core deposits of $800.4 million, representing 100% of total deposits. We define core deposits as non-maturity deposits and non-brokered insured time deposits.
Our online deposit program, ableBanking, provides an additional channel through which to obtain core deposits to support our growth. ableBanking, which was launched in late fiscal 2012 as a division of Northeast Bank, had $142.6 million in money market and time deposits as of June 30, 2016. We also use deposit listing services to gather deposits from time to time, in support of our liquidity and asset/liability management objectives. At June 30, 2016, listing service deposits totaled $196.6 million, bearing a weighted average remaining term of 0.81 years.
Borrowings
While we currently consider core deposits (defined as non-maturity deposits and non-brokered insured time deposits) as our primary source of funding to support asset growth, advances from the FHLBB and other sources of wholesale funding remain an important part of our liquidity contingency planning. Northeast Bank may borrow up to 50% of its total assets from the FHLBB, and borrowings are typically collateralized by mortgage loans and securities pledged to the FHLBB. At June 30, 2016, we had $16.8 million of available borrowing capacity based on collateral. Northeast Bank can also borrow from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, with any such borrowing collateralized by consumer loans pledged to the Federal Reserve.
For the foreseeable future, we expect to rely less on borrowings than other banks of similar size, because of our regulatory commitment to fund 100% of our loans with core deposits, although the availability of FHLBB and Federal Reserve Bank of Boston advances and other sources of wholesale funding remain an important part of our liquidity contingency planning.
Employees
As of June 30, 2016, the Company employed 183 full-time and 20 part-time employees. The Company's employees are not represented by any collective bargaining unit. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are good.
Other Subsidiaries
As of June 30, 2016, the Bank had five wholly-owned non-bank subsidiaries:
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• |
Northeast Bank Insurance Group, Inc. ("NBIG"). The insurance agency assets of NBIG were sold on September 1, 2011. The entity currently holds the real estate formerly used in its insurance agency business. |
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• |
200 Elm Realty, LLC, which was established to hold commercial real estate acquired as a result of loan workouts. |
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• |
500 Pine Realty, LLC, which was established to hold residential real estate acquired as a result of loan workouts. |
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• |
17 Dogwood Realty, LLC, which was established to hold commercial real estate acquired as a result of loan workouts. |
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• |
Portland, Inc., which was established to employ a business development officer to solicit SBA loans in New Jersey. |
The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, ASI Data Services, Inc. ("ASI"), is an inactive corporate subsidiary. ASI initially provided data processing services to the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company's Board transferred the assets and operations of ASI to the Bank in 1996.
Supervision and Regulation
General
As a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA"), the Company is subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve. As a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") insured Maine-chartered bank, the Bank is subject to regulation and supervision by the Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions (the "Bureau") and the FDIC. This regulatory framework is intended to protect depositors, the federal deposit insurance fund, consumers and the banking system as a whole, and not necessarily investors in the Company. The following discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the statutes, regulations, policies and guidelines described below.
Bank Holding Company Regulation
Unless a bank holding company becomes a financial holding company under the BHCA, as amended by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act ("GLBA") as discussed below, the BHCA generally prohibits a bank holding company from engaging directly or indirectly in activities other than those of banking, managing or controlling banks or furnishing services to its subsidiary banks or other activities permitted under the BHCA and from acquiring a direct or indirect interest in or control of more than 5% of the voting shares of any company that is not a bank or a bank holding company. However, subject to complying with applicable prior notice or approval requirements under the BHCA, a bank holding company may engage in, and may own shares of companies engaged in certain activities, that the Federal Reserve had determined as of November 11, 1999 to be so closely related to banking or managing and controlling banks so as to be incident thereto. The BHCA requires every bank holding company to obtain the prior approval of the Federal Reserve before it may merge with another bank holding company, acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any bank, or acquire ownership or control of any voting shares of a bank or bank holding company, if, after such acquisition, it would own or control, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of any class of voting securities of such bank or bank holding company.
GLBA amended the BHCA to permit bank holding companies that qualify, and have elected to be treated as financial holding companies, to engage in financial activities and acquire interests in companies engaged in financial activities. “Financial activities” is broadly defined to include not only banking, insurance and securities underwriting activities, but also merchant banking and additional activities that the Federal Reserve, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, determines to be financial in nature, incidental to such financial activities, or complementary activities that do not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act"), however, a bank holding company and its affiliates are prohibited from engaging in proprietary trading and from sponsoring and investing in hedge funds and private equity funds, except as permitted under certain limited circumstances. In order to engage in financial activities under GLBA, a bank holding company must qualify as and make an effective election to be a "financial holding company." To qualify as a financial holding company, a bank holding company and each of its depository institution subsidiaries must be "well capitalized" and "well managed." A financial holding company may not commence any additional financial activity not permissible for all bank holding companies or acquire a company engaged in any financial activity that is not permissible for all bank holding companies if any depository institution subsidiary of the company has received on its most recent examination under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 ("CRA") a rating less than "satisfactory." A bank holding company that elects to be treated as a financial holding company may face significant consequences if it or any of its insured depository institution subsidiaries fail to maintain the required capital and management qualifications, including entering into an agreement with the Federal Reserve which imposes limitations on its operations and may even require divestitures. Although the Company believes that it meets the qualifications to become a financial holding company under GLBA, it has not elected "financial holding company" status, but rather to retain its pre-GLBA bank holding company regulatory status for the present time.
The Company is required by the BHCA to file an annual report and additional reports required with the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve also makes periodic inspections of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Dividend Restrictions
The Company is a legal entity separate and distinct from the Bank. The revenue of the Company (on a parent company only basis) is derived primarily from interest and dividends from the Bank. The right of the Company, and consequently the right of shareholders of the Company, to participate in any distribution of the assets or earnings of the Bank through the payment of such dividends or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of the Bank (including depositors), except to the extent that certain claims of the Company in a creditor capacity may be recognized.
It is the policy of the Federal Reserve that a bank holding company should eliminate, defer or significantly reduce dividends if the organization’s net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends, the prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with the organization’s capital needs, asset quality and overall financial condition, or the bank holding company will not meet or is in danger of not meeting its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios. The Federal Reserve has the authority to prohibit a bank holding company, such as the Company, from paying dividends if it deems such payment to be an unsafe or unsound practice.
The FDIC has the authority to use its enforcement powers to prohibit a bank from paying dividends if, in its opinion, the payment of dividends would constitute an unsafe or unsound practice. Federal law also prohibits the payment of dividends by a bank that will result in the bank failing to meet its applicable capital requirements on a pro forma basis. Maine law requires the approval of the Bureau for any dividend that would reduce a bank's capital below prescribed limits.
Source of Strength
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Company is required to serve as a source of financial strength for the Bank in the event of the financial distress of the Bank. This provision codifies the longstanding policy of the Federal Reserve. In addition, any capital loans by a bank holding company to any of its bank subsidiaries are subordinate to the payment of deposits and to certain other indebtedness. In the event of a bank holding company's bankruptcy, any commitment by the bank holding company to a federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a bank subsidiary will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.
Certain Transactions by Bank Holding Companies with their Affiliates
There are various statutory restrictions on the extent to which bank holding companies and their non-bank subsidiaries may borrow, obtain credit from or otherwise engage in "covered transactions" with their insured depository institution subsidiaries. In general, an “affiliate” of an insured depository institution includes the depository institution’s parent holding company and any subsidiary of the parent holding company. However, an “affiliate” does not generally include an operating subsidiary of an insured depository institution. The Dodd-Frank Act amended the definition of affiliate to include any investment fund for which the depository institution or one of its affiliates is an investment adviser. An insured depository institution (and its subsidiaries) may not lend money to, or engage in other covered transactions with, its non-depository institution affiliates if the aggregate amount of covered transactions outstanding involving the bank, plus the proposed transaction, exceeds the following limits: (a) in the case of any one such affiliate, the aggregate amount of covered transactions of the insured depository institution and its subsidiaries cannot exceed 10% of the capital stock and surplus of the insured depository institution; and (b) in the case of all affiliates, the aggregate amount of covered transactions of the insured depository institution and its subsidiaries cannot exceed 20% of the capital stock and surplus of the insured depository institution. For this purpose, "covered transactions" are defined by statute to include a loan or extension of credit to an affiliate, a purchase of or investment in securities issued by an affiliate, a purchase of assets from an affiliate, the acceptance of securities issued by an affiliate as collateral for a loan or extension of credit to any person or company, the issuance of a guarantee, acceptance or letter of credit on behalf of an affiliate, securities borrowing or lending transactions with an affiliate that creates a credit exposure to such affiliate, or a derivatives transaction with an affiliate that creates a credit exposure to such affiliate. Certain covered transactions are also subject to collateral security requirements. Covered transactions as well as other types of transactions between a bank and a bank holding company must be on market terms, which means that the transaction must be conducted on terms and under circumstances that are substantially the same, or at least as favorable to the bank, as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with or involving nonaffiliates or, in the absence of comparable transactions, that in good faith would be offered to or would apply to nonaffiliates. Moreover, Section 106 of the Bank Holding Company Act Amendments of 1970 provides that, to further competition, a bank holding company and its subsidiaries are prohibited from engaging in certain tying arrangements in connection with any extension of credit, lease or sale of property of any kind, or furnishing of any service.
Regulation of the Bank
As a Maine-chartered bank, the Bank is subject to the supervision of and regulation by the Bureau and the FDIC, as the Bank's insurer of deposits. This supervision and regulation is for the protection of depositors, the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund ("DIF"), and consumers, and is not for the protection of the Company's shareholders. The prior approval of the Bureau and the FDIC is required, among other things, for the Bank to establish or relocate a branch office, assume deposits, or engage in any merger, consolidation, purchase or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of any bank. The Federal Reserve may directly examine the subsidiaries of the Company, including the Bank. However, the BHCA requires that the Federal Reserve provide notice to and consult with the federal bank supervisory agencies and other functional regulatory agencies before commencing an examination of a depository institution or a functionally regulated subsidiary and, to the fullest extent possible, avoid duplication of examination activities, reporting requirements and requests for information.
Capital Adequacy and Safety and Soundness
Regulatory Capital Requirements. The Federal Reserve has issued risk-based and leverage capital rules applicable to bank holding companies such as the Company, and the FDIC has issued similar rules that apply to insured state nonmember banks, such as the Bank. These guidelines are intended to reflect the relationship between the banking organization's capital and the degree of risk associated with its operations based on transactions recorded on-balance sheet as well as off-balance sheet items. The FRB and the FDIC may from time to time require that a banking organization maintain capital above the minimum levels discussed below, due to the banking organization's financial condition or actual or anticipated growth.
The capital adequacy rules define qualifying capital instruments and specify minimum amounts of capital as a percentage of assets that banking organizations are required to maintain. Common equity Tier 1 capital for banks and bank holding companies consists of common shareholders’ equity and related surplus. Tier 1 capital for banks and bank holding companies generally consists of the sum of common shareholders' equity, non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, and related surplus and, in certain cases and subject to limitations, minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill, other non-qualifying intangible assets and certain other deductions. Tier 2 capital generally consists of hybrid capital instruments, perpetual debt and mandatory convertible debt securities, cumulative perpetual preferred stock, term subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred stock, and, subject to limitations, allowances for loan losses. The sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital less certain required deductions represents qualifying total capital.
Prior to the effectiveness of certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, bank holding companies were permitted to include trust preferred securities and cumulative perpetual preferred stock in Tier 1 capital, subject to limitations. However, the FRB's capital rule applicable to bank holding companies permanently grandfathers nonqualifying capital instruments, including trust preferred securities, issued before May 19, 2010 by depository institution holding companies with less than $15 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2009, subject to a limit of 25% of Tier 1 capital. In addition, under rules that became effective January 1, 2016, accumulated other comprehensive income (positive or negative) must be reflected in Tier 1 capital; however, the Company was permitted to make a one-time, permanent election to continue to exclude accumulated other comprehensive income from capital. In March 2016, the Company made a one time, permanent election to continue to exclude accumulated other comprehensive income from capital.
Under the capital rules, risk-based capital ratios are calculated by dividing Tier 1 and total capital, respectively, by risk-weighted assets. Assets and off-balance sheet credit equivalents are assigned to one of several risk-weight categories, based primarily on relative risk. The rules require banks and bank holding companies to maintain a minimum common equity Tier 1 capital ratio of 4.5%, a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 6%, a total capital ratio of 8% and a leverage ratio of 4%. Additionally, subject to a transition schedule, the capital rules require a bank holding company to establish a capital conservation buffer of Tier 1 capital in an amount above the minimum risk-based capital requirements for "adequately capitalized" institutions equal to 2.5% of total risk weighted assets, or face restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, pay discretionary bonuses, and to engage in share repurchases.
Under rules effective January 1, 2015, a bank holding company, such as the Company, is considered "well capitalized" if the bank holding company (i) has a total capital ratio of at least 10%, (ii) has a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 6%, and (iii) is not subject to any written agreement order, capital directive or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure. In addition, the FDIC has amended its prompt corrective action rules to reflect the revisions made by the revised capital rules described above. Under the FDIC's revised rules, which became effective January 1, 2015, an insured state nonmember bank is considered "well capitalized" if it (i) has a total capital ratio of 10.0% or greater; (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.0% or greater; (iii) a common Tier 1 equity ratio of 6.5% or greater, (iv) a leverage capital ratio of 5.0% or greater; and (iv) is not subject to any written agreement, order, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level for any capital measure.
The Company and the Bank are considered "well capitalized" under all regulatory definitions.
Generally, a bank, upon being notified that it is not adequately capitalized (i.e., that it is "undercapitalized"), becomes subject to the prompt corrective action provisions of Section 38 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the “FDIA”) that, for example, (i) restrict payment of capital distributions and management fees, (ii) require that the Federal Reserve monitor the condition of the institution and its efforts to restore its capital, (iii) require submission of a capital restoration plan, (iv) restrict the growth of the institution's assets and (v) require prior regulatory approval of certain expansion proposals. A bank that is required to submit a capital restoration plan must concurrently submit a performance guarantee by each company that controls the bank. A bank that is "critically undercapitalized" (i.e., has a ratio of tangible equity to total assets that is equal to or less than 2.0%) will be subject to further restrictions, and generally will be placed in conservatorship or receivership within 90 days.
Deposit Insurance. Deposits in the Bank are insured by the FDIC to the maximum extent permitted by law. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, FDIC deposit insurance has been permanently increased from $100,000 to $250,000 per depositor for deposits maintained by the depositor in the same right and capacity. The FDIC utilizes a risk-based assessment system that imposes insurance premiums based upon a risk matrix that takes into account a bank's capital level and supervisory rating ("CAMELS rating"). CAMELS ratings reflect the applicable bank regulatory agency to applicable limits by the DIF and are subject to deposit, management, earnings, liquidity and sensitivity to risk. Assessment rates may also vary for certain institutions based on long term debt issuer ratings, secured or brokered deposits. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, deposit premiums are based on assets rather than insurable deposits. To determine its actual insurance premiums, the Bank computes the base amount on its average consolidated assets less its average tangible equity (defined as the amount of Tier 1 capital) and its applicable assessment rate. After adjustments, assessment rates range from 2.5 to 9 basis points on the broader assessment base for banks in the lowest risk category up to 30 to 45 basis points for banks in the highest risk category.
The Dodd-Frank Act required the FDIC to take action to increase the minimum DIF reserve ratio, the ratio of the fund balance to estimated insured deposits, from 1.15% to 1.35% by September 30, 2020. Further, the Dodd-Frank Act required that, in setting assessments, the FDIC offset the effect of the increase in the minimum reserve ratio from 1.15% to 1.35% on banks with less than $10 billion in assets.
To satisfy these requirements, on March 15, 2016, the FDIC’s Board of Directors approved a final rule to increase the DIF’s reserve ratio to the statutorily required minimum ratio of 1.35% of estimated insured deposits. The final rule imposes on large banks a surcharge of 4.5 basis points of their assessment base, after making certain adjustments. Large banks will pay quarterly surcharges in addition to their regular risk-based assessments. Overall regular risk-based assessment rates will decline once the reserve ratio reaches 1.15%.
If the reserve ratio reaches 1.15% before July 1, 2016, surcharges will begin July 1. If the reserve ratio has not reached 1.15% by July 1, 2016, surcharges will begin the first quarter after the reserve ratio reaches 1.15%. The surcharges will continue through the quarter in which the reserve ratio first meets or exceeds 1.35%, but not past the fourth quarter of 2018. If the reserve ratio has not reached 1.35% by the end of 2018, a shortfall assessment will be imposed on large banks to close the gap.
Small banks will receive credits to offset the portion of their assessments that help to raise the reserve ratio from 1.15% to 1.35%. After the reserve ratio reaches 1.38%, the FDIC will automatically apply a small bank’s credits to reduce its regular assessment up to the entire amount of the assessment.
In addition, on April 26, 2016, the FDIC’s Board of Directors adopted a final rule that amends the way insurance assessment rates are calculated for established small banks, generally those banks with less than $10 billion of assets that have been insured for at least five years. The rule updates the data and methodology that the FDIC uses to determine risk-based assessment rates for these institutions with the intent of better reflecting risks and ensuring that banks that take on greater risks pay more for deposit insurance than their less risky counterparts. The rule revises the financial ratios method used to determine assessment rates for these banks so that it is based on a statistical model that estimates the probability of failure over three years. The rule eliminates risk categories for established small banks and uses the financial ratios method for all such banks (subject to minimum or maximum assessment rates based on a bank’s CAMELS composite rating). Under the small bank pricing rule, beginning the first assessment period after June 30, 2016, where the DIF’s reserve ratio has reached 1.15%, assessments for established small banks with a CAMELS rating of 1 or 2 will range from 1.5 to 16 basis points, after adjustments, while assessment rates for established small institutions with a CAMELS composite rating of 4 or 5 may range from 11 to 30 basis points, after adjustments. Under the FDIA, the FDIC may terminate deposit insurance upon a finding that the institution has engaged in unsafe and unsound practices, is in an unsafe or unsound condition to continue operations, or has violated any applicable law, regulation, rule, order or condition imposed by the FDIC.
Safety and Soundness Standard. The FDIA requires the federal bank regulatory agencies to prescribe standards, by regulations or guidelines, relating to internal controls, information systems and internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, asset quality, earnings, stock valuation and compensation, fees and benefits, and such other operational and managerial standards as the agencies deem appropriate. Guidelines adopted by the federal bank regulatory agencies establish general standards relating to internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth and compensation, fees and benefits. In general, these guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risk and exposures specified in the guidelines. The guidelines prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the amounts paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an executive officer, employee, director or principal shareholder. In addition, the federal banking agencies adopted regulations that authorize, but do not require, an agency to order an institution that has been given notice by an agency that it is not satisfying any of such safety and soundness standards to submit a compliance plan. If, after being so notified, an institution fails to submit an acceptable compliance plan or fails in any material respect to implement an acceptable compliance plan, the agency must issue an order directing action to correct the deficiency and may issue an order directing other actions of the types to which an undercapitalized institution is subject under the "prompt corrective action" provisions of FDIA. See "Regulatory Capital Requirements" above. If an institution fails to comply with such an order, the agency may seek to enforce such order in judicial proceedings and to impose civil money penalties.
Depositor Preference. The FDIA provides that, in the event of the "liquidation or other resolution" of an insured depository institution, the claims of depositors of the institution, including the claims of the FDIC as subrogee of insured depositors, and certain claims for administrative expenses of the FDIC as a receiver, will have priority over other general unsecured claims against the institution. If an insured depository institution fails, insured and uninsured depositors, along with the FDIC, will have priority in payment ahead of unsecured, non-deposit creditors, including depositors whose deposits are payable only outside of the United States and the parent bank holding company, with respect to any extensions of credit they have made to such insured depository institution.
Activities and Investments of Insured State Banks
The powers of a Maine-chartered bank, such as the Bank, include provisions designed to provide Maine banks with competitive equity to the powers of national banks. In general, the FDIA prohibits a state insured bank from directly or indirectly engaging as a principal in any activity that is not permissible for a national bank and from making any equity investment of a type that is not permissible for a national bank. However, GLBA amended the FDIA to authorize state banks to establish financial subsidiaries that engage in "activities as principal that would only be permissible" for a national bank to conduct in a financial subsidiary. This provision permits state banks, to the extent permitted under state law, to engage in certain financial activities which are permissible for subsidiaries of a financial holding company. Because Maine law explicitly permits banks chartered by the state to engage in all activities permissible for federally-chartered banks, the Bank is permitted to form subsidiaries to engage in the activities authorized by GLBA for financial subsidiaries of state banks. In order to form a financial subsidiary, a state bank must be well managed, the state bank and all of its insured depository institution affiliates must be well-capitalized, and the state bank must comply with certain capital deduction, risk management and affiliate transaction rules. A state bank may not commence new activities that may only be conducted through a financial subsidiary or directly or indirectly acquire a company engaged in such activities if the bank or any of its affiliates received a CRA rating of less than “satisfactory” in its most recent CRA examination.
Consumer Protection Regulation
The Company and the Bank are subject to a number of federal and state laws designed to protect consumers and prohibit unfair or deceptive business practices. These laws include the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, Home Ownership Protection Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended by the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 ("FACT Act"), GLBA, the Truth in Lending Act, CRA, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, the National Flood Insurance Act, Electronic Funds Transfer Act, Truth in Savings Act, Secure and Fair Enforcement Act, Expedited Funds Availability Act, and various state law counterparts. These laws and regulations mandate certain disclosure requirements and regulate the manner in which financial institutions must interact with customers when taking deposits, making loans, collecting loans and providing other services. Further, the Dodd-Frank Act established the CFPB, which has the responsibility for making rules and regulations under the federal consumer protection laws relating to financial products and services. The CFPB also has a broad mandate to prohibit unfair or deceptive acts and practices and is specifically empowered to require certain disclosures to consumers and draft model disclosure forms. Failure to comply with consumer protection laws and regulations can subject financial institutions to enforcement actions, fines and other penalties. The FDIC examines the Bank for compliance with CFPB rules and enforces CFPB rules with respect to the Bank.
Mortgage Reform
The Dodd-Frank Act prescribes certain standards that mortgage lenders must consider before making a residential mortgage loan, including verifying a borrower's ability to repay such mortgage loan. The Dodd-Frank Act also allows borrowers to assert violations of certain provisions of the Truth-in-Lending Act as a defense to foreclosure proceedings. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, prepayment penalties are prohibited for certain mortgage transactions and creditors are prohibited from financing insurance policies in connection with a residential mortgage loan or home equity line of credit. The Dodd-Frank Act requires mortgage lenders to make additional disclosures prior to the extension of credit, in each billing statement and for negative amortization loans and hybrid adjustable rate mortgages. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act prohibits mortgage originators from receiving compensation based on the terms of residential mortgage loans and generally limits the ability of a mortgage originator to be compensated by others if compensation is received from a consumer.
Privacy and Customer Information Security
GLBA requires financial institutions to implement policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of nonpublic personal information about consumers to nonaffiliated third parties. In general, the Bank must provide its customers with an annual disclosure that explains its policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of such nonpublic personal information and, except as otherwise required or permitted by law, the Bank is prohibited from disclosing such information except as provided in such policies and procedures. However, as a result of amendments made by the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, a financial institution is not required to send an annual privacy notice if the institution only discloses nonpublic personal information in accordance with certain exceptions from the GLBA that do not require an opt-out to be provided and if the institution has not changed its policies and practices since the most recent privacy disclosure provided to consumers. GLBA also requires that the Bank develop, implement and maintain a comprehensive written information security program designed to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer information (as defined under GLBA), to protect against anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such information; and to protect against unauthorized access to or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to any customer. The Bank is also required to send a notice to customers whose "sensitive information" has been compromised if unauthorized use of this information has occurred or is "reasonably possible." Most states, including Maine, have enacted legislation concerning breaches of data security and the duties of the Bank in response to a data breach. Congress continues to consider federal legislation that would require consumer notice of data security breaches. Pursuant to the FACT Act, the Bank must also develop and implement a written identity theft prevention program to detect, prevent, and mitigate identity theft in connection with the opening of certain accounts or certain existing accounts. Additionally, the FACT Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to generally prohibit a person from using information received from an affiliate to make a solicitation for marketing purposes to a consumer, unless the consumer is given notice and a reasonable opportunity and a reasonable and simple method to opt out of the making of such solicitations.
Regulatory Enforcement Authority
The enforcement powers available to the federal banking agencies include, among other things, the ability to assess civil money penalties, to issue cease and desist or removal orders and to initiate injunctive actions against banking organizations and institution-affiliated parties, as defined. In general, these enforcement actions may be initiated for violations of law and regulations and unsafe or unsound practices. Other actions or inactions may provide the basis for enforcement action, including misleading or untimely reports filed with regulatory authorities. Under certain circumstances, federal and state law requires public disclosure and reports of certain criminal offenses and also final enforcement actions by the federal banking agencies.
Community Reinvestment Act
Pursuant to the CRA, regulatory authorities review the performance of the Bank in meeting the credit needs of the communities it serves. The applicable regulatory authorities consider compliance with this law in connection with the applications for, among other things, approval for de novo branches, branch relocations and acquisitions of banks and bank holding companies. The Bank received a "satisfactory" rating at its CRA examination dated September 1, 2016, its most recent exam.
Failure of an institution to receive at least a "satisfactory" rating could inhibit such institution or its holding company from undertaking certain activities, including engaging in activities permitted for a financial holding company under GLBA, and acquisitions of other financial institutions. The FDIC must take into account the record of performance of banks in meeting the credit needs of the entire community served, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Current CRA regulations for large banks primarily rely on objective criteria of the performance of institutions under three key assessment tests: a lending test, a service test and an investment test. For smaller banks, current CRA regulations primarily evaluate the performance of institutions under two key assessment tests: a lending test and, in addition, for intermediate small banks, a community development test. The Company is committed to meeting the existing or anticipated credit needs of its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound banking operations.
Branching and Acquisitions
The Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, as amended ("Riegle-Neal") and the Dodd-Frank Act permit well capitalized and well managed bank holding companies, as determined by the Federal Reserve, to acquire banks in any state subject to certain concentration limits and other conditions. Riegle-Neal also generally authorizes the interstate merger of banks. In addition, among other things, Riegle-Neal and the Dodd-Frank Act permit banks to establish new branches on an interstate basis to the same extent a bank chartered by the host state may establish branches. Bank holding companies are required to obtain prior Federal Reserve approval to directly or indirectly acquire more than 5% of a class of voting securities, or substantially all of the assets, of a bank holding company, bank or savings association.
Anti-Money Laundering and the Bank Secrecy Act
Under the Bank Secrecy Act ("BSA"), a financial institution is required to have systems in place to detect certain transactions, based on the size and nature of the transaction. Financial institutions are generally required to report to the United States Treasury any cash transactions involving more than $10,000. In addition, financial institutions are required to file suspicious activity reports for transactions that involve more than $5,000 and which the financial institution knows, suspects or has reason to suspect involves illegal funds, is designed to evade the requirements of the BSA or has no lawful purpose. The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (the "USA PATRIOT Act"), which amended the BSA, is designed to deny terrorists and others the ability to obtain anonymous access to the U.S. financial system. The USA PATRIOT Act has significant implications for financial institutions and businesses of other types involved in the transfer of money. The USA PATRIOT Act, together with the implementing regulations of various federal regulatory agencies, has caused financial institutions, such as the Bank, to adopt and implement additional policies or amend existing policies and procedures with respect to, among other things, anti-money laundering compliance, suspicious activity, currency transaction reporting, customer identity verification and customer risk analysis. In evaluating an application under Section 3 of the BHCA to acquire a bank or an application under the Bank Merger Act to merge banks or affect a purchase of assets and assumption of deposits and other liabilities, the applicable federal banking regulator must consider the anti-money laundering compliance record of both the applicant and the target.
The United States has imposed economic sanctions that affect transactions with designated foreign countries, nationals and others. These sanctions, which are administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC"), take many different forms. Generally, however, they contain one or more of the following elements: (i) restrictions on trade with or investment in a sanctioned country, including prohibitions against direct or indirect imports from and exports to a sanctioned country and prohibitions on "U.S. persons" engaging in financial transactions relating to making investments in, or providing investment-related advice or assistance to, a sanctioned country; (ii) a blocking of assets in which the government or specially designated nationals of the sanctioned country have an interest, by prohibiting transfers of property subject to U.S. jurisdiction (including property in the possession or control of U.S. persons); and (iii) restrictions on transactions with or involving certain persons or entities. Blocked assets (for example, property and bank deposits) cannot be paid out, withdrawn, set off or transferred in any manner without a license from OFAC.
Federal Home Loan Bank System
The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (the "FHLBB"), which is one of the regional Federal Home Loan Banks comprising the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Each Federal Home Loan Bank provides a central credit facility primarily for member institutions. Member institutions are required to acquire and hold shares of capital stock in the FHLBB in an amount at least equal to the sum of 0.35% of the aggregate principal amount of its unpaid residential mortgage loans and similar obligations based on year-end call report data and up to 4.5% of its advances (borrowings) from the FHLBB. The Bank was in compliance with this requirement with an investment in FHLBB stock as of June 30, 2016 of $2.4 million. The Bank receives dividends on its FHLBB stock. The FHLBB has recently declared dividends equal to an annual yield of approximately the daily average three-month LIBOR yield for the quarter for which the dividend has been declared. Dividend income on FHLBB stock of $113 thousand was recorded during the most recent fiscal year.
Any advances from the FHLBB must be secured by specified types of collateral, and long-term advances may be used for the purpose of providing funds for residential housing finance, commercial lending and to purchase investments. Long term advances may also be used to help manage interest rate risk for asset and liability management purposes. As of June 30, 2016, the Bank had $30.1 million in outstanding FHLBB advances.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks and uncertainties, together with all other information in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before investing in our common stock. Any of the risk factors we describe below could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. The trading price of our voting common stock could decline if one or more of these risks or uncertainties actually occur, causing you to lose all or part of your investment. Certain statements below are forward-looking statements. See "A Note About Forward-Looking Statements."
Risks Associated With Our Business
We are subject to regulatory conditions that could constrain our ability to grow our business.
In conjunction with the regulatory approvals received for the merger with FHB Formation LLC, we committed to maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 10%, maintain a total capital ratio of at least 15%, fund 100% of our loans with core deposits, limit purchased loans to 40% of total loans and hold non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans to within 300% of total capital. Core deposits, for purposes of this commitment, are defined as non-brokered non-maturity deposits and non-brokered insured time deposits. At June 30, 2016, the ratio of our purchased loans to total loans was 34.3%. Our continued ability to purchase loans will be dependent on our ability to maintain the growth of our originated loan portfolio. To the extent that our ability to originate loans is constrained by market forces or for any other reason, our ability to execute our loan acquisition strategy would be similarly constrained.
A significant portion of loans held in our loan portfolio were originated by third parties, and such loans may not have been subject to the same level of due diligence that Northeast Bank would have conducted had it originated the loans.
At June 30, 2016, 34.3% of the loans held in our loan portfolio were originated by third parties, and therefore may not have been subject to the same level of due diligence that Northeast Bank would have conducted had it originated the loans. Although the LASG conducts a comprehensive review of all loans that it purchases, loans originated by third parties may lack current financial information and may have incomplete legal documentation and outdated appraisals. As a result, the LASG may not have information with respect to an acquired loan which, if known at the time of acquisition, would have caused it to reduce its bid price or not bid for the loan at all. This may adversely affect our yield on loans or cause us to increase our provision for loan losses.
Our experience with loans held in our loan portfolio that were originated by third parties is limited.
At June 30, 2016, the 34.3% of the loans held in our loan portfolio that were originated by third parties had been held by us for approximately 1.8 years, calculated on a weighted average basis. Consequently, we have had only a relatively short period of time to evaluate the performance of those loans and the price at which we purchased them. Further experience with these loans may provide us with information that could cause us to increase our provision for loan losses.
Our loan portfolio includes commercial real estate and commercial and industrial loans, which are generally riskier than other types of loans.
At June 30, 2016, our commercial real estate mortgage and commercial and industrial loan portfolios comprised 82.7% of total loans. Commercial loans generally carry larger loan balances and involve a higher risk of nonpayment or late payment than residential mortgage loans. These loans, and purchased loans in particular, may lack standardized terms and may include a balloon payment feature. The ability of a borrower to make or refinance a balloon payment may be affected by a number of factors, including the financial condition of the borrower, prevailing economic conditions and prevailing interest rates. Repayment of these loans is generally more dependent on the economy and the successful operation of a business. Because of the risks associated with commercial loans, we may experience higher rates of default than if the portfolio were more heavily weighted toward residential mortgage loans. Higher rates of default could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
If our allowance for loan losses is not sufficient to absorb actual losses or if we are required to increase our allowance, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We are exposed to the risk that our borrowers may default on their obligations. A borrower's default on its obligations under one or more loans of the Bank may result in lost principal and interest income and increased operating expenses as a result of the allocation of management time and resources to the collection and work-out of the loan. In certain situations, where collection efforts are unsuccessful or acceptable work-out arrangements cannot be reached, the Bank may have to write off the loan in whole or in part. In such situations, the Bank may acquire real estate or other assets, if any, that secure the loan through foreclosure or other similar available remedies, and often the amount owed under the defaulted loan exceeds the value of the assets acquired.
We periodically make a determination of an allowance for loan losses based on available information, including, but not limited to, our historical loss experience, the quality of the loan portfolio, certain economic conditions, the value of the underlying collateral, expected cash flows from purchased loans, and the level of non-accruing and criticized loans. We rely on our loan quality reviews, our experience and our evaluation of economic conditions, among other factors, in determining the amount of provision required for the allowance for loan losses. Provisions to this allowance result in an expense for the period. If, as a result of general economic conditions, previously incorrect assumptions, or an increase in defaulted loans, we determine that additional increases in the allowance for loan losses are necessary, we will incur additional expenses.
Determining the allowance for loan losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes. At any time, there are likely to be loans in our portfolio that will result in losses but that have not been identified as nonperforming or potential problem credits. We cannot be sure that we will be able to identify deteriorating credits before they become nonperforming assets or that we will be able to limit losses on those loans that are identified. We have in the past been, and in the future may be, required to increase our allowance for loan losses for any of several reasons. State and federal regulators, in reviewing our loan portfolio as part of a regulatory examination, may request that we increase our allowance for loan losses. Changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require an increase in our allowance for loan losses. In addition, if charge-offs in future periods exceed those estimated in our determination of our allowance for loan losses, we will need additional increases in our allowance for loan losses. Any increases in our allowance for loan losses will result in a decrease in our net income and, possibly, our capital, and could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Environmental liability associated with our lending activities could result in losses.
In the course of business, we may acquire, through foreclosure, properties securing loans we have originated or purchased that are in default. Particularly in commercial real estate lending, there is a risk that hazardous substances could be discovered on these properties. In this event, we might be required to remove these substances from the affected properties at our sole cost and expense or we may be held liable to a government entity or to third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and cleanup costs incurred by these parties in connection with environmental contamination or may be required to investigate or clean up hazardous or toxic substances or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with investigation or remediation activities could substantially exceed the value of affected properties. We may not have adequate remedies against the prior owner or other responsible parties and could find it difficult or impossible to sell the affected properties. If we become subject to significant environmental liabilities, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We may not be able to attract and retain qualified key employees, which could adversely affect our business prospects, including our competitive position and results of operations.
Our success is dependent upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled individuals. There is significant competition for those individuals with the experience and skills required to conduct many of our business activities. We may not be able to hire or retain the key personnel that we depend upon for success. The unexpected loss of services of one or more of these or other key personnel could have a material adverse impact on our business because of their skills, knowledge of the markets in which we operate, years of industry experience and the difficulty of promptly finding qualified replacement personnel.
We are subject to liquidity risk.
Liquidity is the ability to meet cash flow needs on a timely basis by converting assets into cash or cash equivalents and by increasing liabilities at a reasonable cost. Liquidity sources include the amount of unencumbered or “free” investment portfolio securities that the Bank owns, borrowings, cash flow from loan and investment principal payments and pre-payments and residential mortgage loan sales. Our liquidity is used principally to originate or purchase loans, to repay deposit liabilities and other liabilities when they come due, and to fund operating costs. The Company also requires funds for dividends to shareholders, repurchases of shares, and for general corporate purposes. Customer demand for non-maturity deposits can be difficult to predict. Changes in market interest rates, increased competition within our markets, and other factors may make deposit gathering more difficult. Disruptions in the capital markets or interest rate changes may make the terms of wholesale funding sources—which include Federal Home Loan Bank advances, the Federal Reserve's Borrower-in-Custody program, securities sold under repurchase agreements, federal funds purchased and brokered certificates of deposit—less favorable and may make it difficult to sell securities when needed to provide additional liquidity. As a result, there is a risk that the cost of funding will increase or that we will not have sufficient funds to meet our obligations when they come due.
We are subject to security and operational risks relating to our use of technology.
Communication and information systems are critical to the conduct of our business because we use these systems to manage our customer relationships and process accounting and financial reporting information. Although we have established policies and procedures to prevent or limit the impact of system failures, interruptions and security breaches of these systems, including cyber security breaches, there can be no assurance that such events will not occur or that they will be adequately addressed if they do. In addition, any compromise of our security systems could prevent customers from using our website and our online banking services, both of which involve the transmission of confidential information. Although we rely on security and processing systems to provide the security and authentication necessary to securely transmit data, these precautions may not protect our systems from compromises or breaches of security. Information security risks have increased significantly due to the use of online, telephone and mobile banking channels by clients and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties. The occurrence of any failures, interruptions or security breaches of our information systems could damage our reputation, result in the loss of business, subject us to increased regulatory scrutiny or expose us to civil litigation and possible financial liability, including the costs of customer notification and remediation efforts. Any of these occurrences could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We rely on other companies to provide key components of our business infrastructure.
Third party vendors provide key components of our business infrastructure such as internet connections, network access and core application processing. While we have selected these third party vendors carefully, we do not control their actions. Any problems caused by these third parties, including as a result of their not providing us their services for any reason or their performing their services poorly, could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to our customers or otherwise conduct our business efficiently and effectively. Replacing these third party vendors could also entail significant delay and expense.
Damage to our reputation could significantly harm our business, including our competitive position and business prospects.
We are dependent on our reputation within our market area, as a trusted and responsible financial company, for all aspects of our relationships with customers, employees, vendors, third-party service providers, and others, with whom we conduct business or potential future business. Our ability to attract and retain customers and employees could be adversely affected if our reputation is damaged. Our actual or perceived failure to address various issues, including our ability to (a) identify and address potential conflicts of interest, ethical issues, money-laundering, or privacy issues; (b) meet legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the Bank and to the Company; (c) maintain the privacy of customer and accompanying personal information; (d) maintain adequate record keeping; (e) engage in proper sales and trading practices; and (f) identify the legal, reputational, credit, liquidity and market risks inherent in our products, could give rise to reputational risk that could cause harm to us and our business prospects. These issues also include, but are not limited to, legal and regulatory requirements; properly maintaining customer and employee personal information; record keeping; money-laundering; sales and trading practices; ethical issues; appropriately addressing potential conflicts of interest; and the proper identification of the legal, reputational, credit, liquidity and market risks inherent in our products. Failure to appropriately address any of these issues could also give rise to additional regulatory restrictions and legal risks, which could, among other consequences, increase the size and number of litigation claims and damages asserted or subject us to enforcement actions, fines and penalties and cause us to incur related costs and expenses.
Internal controls may fail or be circumvented.
Effective controls over financial reporting are necessary to help ensure reliable financial reporting and prevent fraud. Management is responsible for maintaining an effective system of internal control and assessing system effectiveness Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of the system of internal control could have an adverse effect on our business, profitability, and financial condition, and could further result in regulatory actions and loss of investor confidence.
Difficult economic conditions, both in the Community Banking Division's market area and more generally, could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our financial performance generally, and in particular the ability of borrowers to pay interest on and repay principal of outstanding loans and the value of collateral securing those loans, is highly dependent upon the business environment in the markets where we operate and in the United States as a whole. Our Community Banking Division primarily serves individuals and businesses located in western and south-central Maine. As a result, a significant portion of our earnings are closely tied to the economy of Maine. In addition, our loan portfolio includes commercial loans acquired or originated by the LASG and the SBA Division that are secured by assets located nationwide. Deterioration in the economic conditions of the Community Banking Division's market area in Maine, and deterioration of the economy nationally could result in the following consequences:
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Loan delinquencies may increase; |
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Problem assets and foreclosures may increase; |
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Demand for our products and services may decline; |
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Collateral for our loans may decline in value, in turn reducing a customer's borrowing power and reducing the value of collateral securing a loan; and |
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The net worth and liquidity of loan guarantors may decline, impairing their ability to honor commitments to us. |
Our future growth, if any, may require us to raise additional capital, but that capital may not be available when we need it.
As a bank, we are required by regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. In addition, in conjunction with the regulatory approvals received for the merger with FHB Formation LLC, we committed to maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 10% and a total capital ratio of at least 15%. We may need to raise additional capital to support our operations or our growth, if any. Our ability to raise additional capital will depend, in part, on conditions in the capital markets and our financial performance at that time. Accordingly, we may be unable to raise additional capital, if and when needed, on acceptable terms, or at all. If we cannot raise additional capital when needed, our ability to further expand our operations through internal growth and acquisitions could be materially impaired. In addition, if we decide to raise additional equity capital, investors' interests could be diluted. Our failure to meet any applicable regulatory guideline related to our lending activities or any capital requirement otherwise imposed upon us or to satisfy any other regulatory requirement could subject us to certain activity restrictions or to a variety of enforcement remedies available to the regulatory authorities, including limitations on our ability to pay dividends or pursue acquisitions, the issuance by regulatory authorities of a capital directive to increase capital and the termination of deposit insurance by the FDIC.
The soundness of other financial institutions could adversely affect us.
Our ability to engage in routine funding transactions could be adversely affected by the actions and commercial soundness of other financial institutions. Financial services institutions are interrelated as a result of trading, clearing, counterparty and other relationships. We have exposure to many different counterparties, and we routinely execute transactions with counterparties in the financial industry, including brokers and dealers, other commercial banks, investment banks, mutual and hedge funds, and other financial institutions. As a result, defaults by, or even rumors or questions about, one or more financial services institutions, or the financial services industry generally, could lead to market-wide liquidity problems and losses or defaults by us or by other institutions and organizations. Many of these transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparty or client. In addition, our credit risk may be exacerbated when the collateral held by us cannot be liquidated or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount of the financial instrument exposure due to us. There is no assurance that any such losses would not materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Risks Associated With the Industry
Competition in the financial services industry is intense and could result in us losing business or experiencing reduced margins.
Our future growth and success will depend on our ability to continue to compete effectively in the Community Banking Division's market area, and in the markets in which the LASG, the SBA Division, and ableBanking operate. We face aggressive competition from other domestic and foreign lending institutions and from numerous other providers of financial services. The ability of non-banking financial institutions to provide services previously limited to commercial banks has intensified competition. Because non-banking financial institutions are not subject to the same regulatory restrictions as banks and bank holding companies, they can often operate with greater flexibility and lower cost structures. Securities firms and insurance companies that elect to become financial holding companies may acquire banks and other financial institutions. This may significantly change the competitive environment in which we conduct our business. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial resources, lending limits, and/or face fewer regulatory constraints and offer certain services that we do not or cannot provide. As a result of these various sources of competition, we could lose business to competitors or could be forced to price products and services on less advantageous terms to retain or attract clients, either of which would adversely affect its profitability.
Changes in interest rates could adversely affect our net interest income and profitability.
The majority of our assets and liabilities are monetary in nature. As a result, our earnings and growth are significantly affected by interest rates, which are subject to the influence of economic conditions generally, both domestic and foreign, to events in the capital markets and also to the monetary and fiscal policies of the United States and its agencies, particularly the Federal Reserve. The nature and timing of any changes in such policies or general economic conditions and their effect on us cannot be controlled and are extremely difficult to predict. Changes in interest rates can affect our net interest income as well as the value of our assets and liabilities. Net interest income is the difference between (i) interest income on interest-earning assets, such as loans and securities, and (ii) interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Changes in market interest rates, changes in the relationships between short-term and long-term market interest rates, or the yield curve, or changes in the relationships between different interest rate indices can affect the interest rates charged on interest-earning assets differently than the interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities. This difference could result in an increase in interest expense relative to interest income, and therefore reduce our net interest income. Further, declines in market interest rates may trigger loan prepayments, which in many cases are within our customers' discretion, and which in turn may serve to reduce our net interest income if we are unable to lend those funds to other borrowers or invest the funds at the same or higher interest rates.
We operate in a highly regulated industry, and laws and regulations, or changes in them, could limit or restrict our activities and could have an adverse impact in our operations.
We are subject to regulation and supervision by the Federal Reserve, and our banking subsidiary, Northeast Bank, is subject to regulation and supervision by the FDIC and the Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions. Federal and state laws and regulations govern numerous matters, including changes in the ownership or control of banks and bank holding companies, maintenance of adequate capital and the financial condition of a financial institution, permissible types, amounts and terms of extensions of credit and investments, permissible non-banking activities, the level of reserves against deposits and restrictions on dividend payments. The Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions have the power to issue cease and desist orders to prevent or remedy unsafe or unsound practices or violations of law by banks subject to their regulation, and the Federal Reserve possesses similar powers with respect to bank holding companies. These and other restrictions limit the manner in which we and Northeast Bank may conduct business and obtain financing.
Because our business is highly regulated, the laws, rules, regulations, and supervisory guidance and policies applicable to us are subject to regular modification and change. Such changes may, among other things, increase the cost of doing business, limit permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance between banks and other financial institutions. The Dodd-Frank Act instituted major changes to the banking and financial institutions regulatory regimes in light of government intervention in the financial services sector following the 2008 financial crisis. Other changes to statutes, regulations, or regulatory policies, including changes in interpretation or implementation of statutes, regulations, or policies, could affect us in substantial and unpredictable ways. Such changes could subject us to additional costs, limit the types of financial services and products we may offer, and/or increase the ability of non-banks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations, or policies could result in sanctions by regulatory agencies, civil money penalties, and/or reputation damage, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. See "Supervision and Regulation" in Item 1, "Business."
The FDIC's assessment rates could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The FDIC insures deposits at FDIC-insured depository institutions, such as Northeast Bank, up to applicable limits. As a result of recent economic conditions and the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has increased deposit insurance assessment rates. If these increases are insufficient for the deposit insurance fund of the FDIC to meet its funding requirements, there may need to be further special assessments or increases in deposit insurance premiums. We are generally unable to control the amount of premiums that we are required to pay for FDIC insurance. If there is additional bank or financial institution failures, we may be required to pay even higher FDIC premiums than the recently increased levels. Any future additional assessments, increases or required prepayments in FDIC insurance premiums may materially adversely affect results of operations, including by reducing our profitability or limiting our ability to pursue certain business opportunities.
Changes in accounting standards can materially impact our financial statements.
Our accounting policies and methods are fundamental to how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. From time to time, the Financial Accounting Standards Board or regulatory authorities change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our financial statements. These changes can be hard to predict and can materially impact how we record and report our financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, we could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in our restating prior period financial statements.
We may incur fines, penalties and other negative consequences from regulatory violations, possibly even inadvertent or unintentional violations.
We maintain systems and procedures designed to ensure that we comply with applicable laws and regulations. However, some legal/regulatory frameworks provide for the imposition of fines or penalties for noncompliance even though the noncompliance was inadvertent or unintentional and even though there was in place at the time systems and procedures designed to ensure compliance. For example, we are subject to regulations issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, or "OFAC," that prohibit financial institutions from participating in the transfer of property belonging to the governments of certain foreign countries and designated nationals of those countries and certain other persons or entities whose interest in property is blocked by OFAC-administered sanctions. OFAC may impose penalties for inadvertent or unintentional violations even if reasonable processes are in place to prevent the violations. There may be other negative consequences resulting from a finding of noncompliance, including restrictions on certain activities. Such a finding may also damage our reputation as described below and could restrict the ability of institutional investment managers to invest in our securities.
Risks Associated With Our Common Stock
Market volatility has affected and may continue to affect the value of our common stock.
The performance of our common stock has been and may continue to be affected by many factors, including volatility in the credit, mortgage and housing markets, and the markets with respect to financial institutions generally. Government action and changes in government regulations may affect the value of our common stock. More general market fluctuations, industry factors and general economic and political conditions and events, such as economic slowdowns or interest rate changes could also cause the value of our common stock to decrease regardless of our operating results.
Our common stock trading volume may not provide adequate liquidity for investors.
Our voting common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market. The average daily trading volume for Northeast voting common stock is less than the corresponding trading volume for larger financial institutions. Due to this relatively low trading volume, significant sales of Northeast voting common stock, or the expectation of these sales, may place significant downward pressure on the market price of Northeast voting common stock. No assurance can be given that a more active trading market in our common stock will develop in the foreseeable future or can be maintained. There can also be no assurance that the offering will result in a material increase in the "float" for our common stock, which we define as the aggregate market value of our voting common stock held by shareholders who are not affiliates of Northeast, because our affiliates may purchase shares of voting common stock in the offering.
There is a limited market for and restrictions on the transferability of our non-voting common stock.
Our non-voting common stock is not and will not be listed on any exchange. Additionally, the non-voting common stock can only be transferred in certain limited circumstances set forth in our articles of incorporation. Accordingly, holders of our non-voting common stock may be required to bear the economic consequences of holding such non-voting common stock for an indefinite period of time.
If we defer payments of interest on our outstanding junior subordinated debt securities or if certain defaults relating to those debt securities or our outstanding subordinated notes occur, we will be prohibited from declaring or paying dividends or distributions on, and from making liquidation payments with respect to, our common stock.
As of June 30, 2016, we had outstanding $16.5 million in aggregate principal amount of junior subordinated debt securities issued in connection with the sale of trust preferred securities by affiliates of ours that are statutory business trusts. We have also guaranteed those trust preferred securities. The indenture under which the junior subordinated debt securities were issued, together with the guarantee, prohibits us, subject to limited exceptions, from declaring or paying any dividends or distributions on, or redeeming, repurchasing, acquiring or making any liquidation payments with respect to, any of our capital stock at any time when (i) there shall have occurred and be continuing an event of default under the indenture; (ii) we are in default with respect to payment of any obligations under the guarantee; or (iii) we have elected to defer payment of interest on the junior subordinated debt securities. In that regard, we are entitled, at our option but subject to certain conditions, to defer payments of interest on the junior subordinated debt securities from time to time for up to five years.
Events of default under the indenture generally consist of our failure to pay interest on the junior subordinated debt securities under certain circumstances, our failure to pay any principal of or premium on such junior subordinated debt securities when due, our failure to comply with certain covenants under the indenture, and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation relating to us.
As a result of these provisions, if we were to elect to defer payments of interest on the junior subordinated debt securities, or if any of the other events described in clause (i) or (ii) of the first paragraph of this risk factor were to occur, we would be prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends on our capital stock, from redeeming, repurchasing or otherwise acquiring any of our capital stock, and from making any payments to holders of our capital stock in the event of our liquidation, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the market value of our common stock.
As of June 30, 2016, we had outstanding $15.05 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.75% fixed-to-floating subordinated notes due 2026. If we were to be in default with respect to payment of any obligation under the notes, we would be prohibited from declaring or paying any dividends. We would also be prohibited from paying any distributions on, redeeming, purchasing, acquiring, or making a liquidation payment with respect to any of the Company’s capital stock, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the market value of our common stock.
We are dependent upon our subsidiaries for dividends, distributions and other payments.
We are a separate and distinct legal entity from Northeast Bank, and depend on dividends, distributions and other payments from Northeast Bank to fund dividend payments on our common stock and to fund all payments on our other obligations. We and Northeast Bank are subject to laws that authorize regulatory authorities to block or reduce the flow of funds from Northeast Bank to us. Regulatory action of that kind could impede access to the funds that Northeast needs in order to make payments on its obligations or dividend payments. In addition, if Northeast Bank does not maintain sufficient capital levels or its earnings are not sufficient to make dividend payments to us, we may not be able to make dividend payments to our common and preferred shareholders. Further, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary's liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of Northeast Bank's creditors.
We may not be able to pay dividends and, if we pay dividends, we cannot guarantee the amount and frequency of such dividends.
The continued payment of dividends on shares of our common stock will depend upon our debt and equity structure, earnings and financial condition, need for capital in connection with possible future acquisitions, growth and other factors, including economic conditions, regulatory restrictions, and tax considerations. We cannot guarantee that we will pay dividends or, if we pay dividends, the amount and frequency of these dividends.
We may issue additional shares of common or preferred stock in the future, which could dilute a shareholder's ownership of common stock.
Our articles of incorporation authorize our Board of Directors, generally without shareholder approval, to, among other things, issue additional shares of common or preferred stock. The issuance of any additional shares of common or preferred stock could be dilutive to a shareholder's ownership of our common stock. To the extent that we issue options or warrants to purchase common stock in the future and the options or warrants are exercised, our shareholders may experience further dilution. Holders of shares of our common stock have no preemptive rights that entitle holders to purchase their pro rata share of any offering of shares of any class or series and, therefore, shareholders may not be permitted to invest in future issuances of Northeast common or preferred stock. We are required by federal and state regulatory authorities to maintain adequate levels of capital to support our operations. Accordingly, regulatory requirements and/or deterioration in our asset quality may require us to sell common stock to raise capital under circumstances and at prices that result in substantial dilution.
We may issue debt and equity securities that are senior to our common stock as to distributions and in liquidation, which could negatively affect the value of our common stock.
In the future, we may increase our capital resources by entering into debt or debt-like financing or issuing debt or equity securities, which could include issuances of senior notes, subordinated notes, preferred stock or common stock. In the event of our liquidation, our lenders and holders of its debt or preferred securities would receive a distribution of our available assets before distributions to the holders of Northeast common stock. Our decision to incur debt and issue securities in future offerings will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control. We cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings and debt financings. Future offerings could reduce the value of shares of our common stock and dilute a shareholder's interest in Northeast.
Our common stock is not insured by any governmental entity.
Our common stock is not a deposit account or other obligation of any bank and is not insured by the FDIC or any other governmental entity.
Anti-takeover provisions could negatively impact our shareholders.
Federal law imposes restrictions, including regulatory approval requirements, on persons seeking to acquire control over Northeast. Provisions of Maine law and provisions of our articles of incorporation and by-laws could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us or have the effect of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire control of us. We have a classified Board of Directors, meaning that approximately one-third of our directors are elected annually. Additionally, our articles of organization authorize our Board of Directors to issue preferred stock without shareholder approval and such preferred stock could be issued as a defensive measure in response to a takeover proposal. Other provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us even if an acquisition might be in the best interest of our shareholders include supermajority voting requirements to remove a director from office without cause; restrictions on shareholders calling a special meeting; a requirement that only directors may fill a Board vacancy; and provisions regarding the timing and content of shareholder proposals and nominations.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
At June 30, 2016, the Company conducted its business from its headquarters in Lewiston, Maine, an office in Boston, Massachusetts, and an office in Portland, Maine. The Company also conducts business from its ten full-service bank branches and six loan production offices located in western and south-central Maine and southern New Hampshire. The Company believes that all of its facilities are well maintained and suitable for the purpose for which they are used.
In addition to its Lewiston, Maine, Boston, Massachusetts and Portland, Maine offices, the Company leases eleven of its other locations. For information regarding the Company's lease commitments, please refer to "Lease Obligations" under Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to certain legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. Management presently believes that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, will not be material to the Company or its consolidated financial position. The Company establishes reserves for specific legal matters when it determines that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable and the loss is reasonably estimable. Legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable rulings could occur that could cause the Company to establish litigation reserves or could have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, or operating results.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
|
Item 5. |
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
(a) The Company's voting common stock currently trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol "NBN." There is no established public trading market for the Company's non-voting common stock. As of the close of business on September 2, 2016, there were approximately 419 registered shareholders of record.
The following table sets forth the high and low closing sale prices of the Company's voting common stock, as reported on NASDAQ, and quarterly dividends paid on the Company's voting and non-voting common stock during the periods indicated:
|
Fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 |
High |
Low |
Dividend Paid |
|||||||||
|
Jul 1 – Sep 30 |
$ | 11.02 | $ | 9.82 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||
|
Oct 1 – Dec 31 |
11.02 | 9.91 | 0.01 | |||||||||
|
Jan 1 – Mar 31 |
11.00 | 9.56 | 0.01 | |||||||||
|
Apr 1 – Jun 30 |
11.72 | 10.31 | 0.01 | |||||||||
|
Fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 |
High |
Low |
Dividend Paid |
|||||||||
|
Jul 1 – Sep 30 |
$ | 9.60 | $ | 9.19 | $ | 0.01 | ||||||
|
Oct 1 – Dec 31 |
9.68 | 8.79 | 0.01 | |||||||||
|
Jan 1 – Mar 31 |
9.73 | 8.92 | 0.01 | |||||||||
|
Apr 1 – Jun 30 |
10.25 | 9.14 | 0.01 | |||||||||
On September 2, 2016, the last reported sale price of the Company's voting common stock, as reported on NASDAQ was $11.42. Holders of the Company's voting and non-voting common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available. The amount and timing of future dividends payable on the Company's voting and non-voting common stock will depend on, among other things, the financial condition of the Company, regulatory considerations, and other factors. The Company is a legal entity separate from the Bank, but its revenues are derived primarily from the Bank. Accordingly, the ability of the Company to pay cash dividends on its stock in the future generally will be dependent upon the earnings of the Bank and the Bank's ability to pay dividends to the Company. The payment of dividends by the Bank will depend on a number of factors, including capital requirements, regulatory limitations, the Bank's results of operations and financial condition, tax considerations, and general economic conditions. National banking laws regulate and restrict the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to the Company. See "Item 1. Business—Supervision and Regulation."
Information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans will be included in the Proxy Statement relating to our 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) On April 30, 2015, the Board of Directors voted to amend the Company’s existing stock repurchase program to authorize the Company to purchase an additional 500,000 shares of its common stock, representing 5.1% of the Company’s outstanding common shares or approximately $4.7 million based on the Company’s closing stock price on April 29, 2015. The amended stock repurchase program will expire on April 30, 2017.
On February 25, 2016, the Board of Directors voted to further amend the Company’s existing stock repurchase program subject to regulatory approval, which was received on March 2, 2016. The approved amendment, which was effective March 2, 2016, increased the existing stock repurchase program by an additional 600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, representing 6.3% of the Company’s outstanding common shares or approximately $6.3 million based on the Company’s closing stock price on March 2, 2016. The amended stock repurchase program will expire on March 2, 2018.
The following table sets forth information with respect to purchases made by us of our common stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal year ended June 30, 2016:
|
Period |
Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) |
Weighted Average Price Per share |
Total Number of |
Maximum |
||||||||||||
|
Apr. 1 –Apr. 30 |
11,800 | $ | 10.78 | 1,323,162 | 646,838 | |||||||||||
|
May 1 –May 31 |
1,600 | 11.14 | 1,324,762 | 645,238 | ||||||||||||
|
Jun. 1 –Jun. 30 |
- | - | 1,324,762 | 645,238 | (2) | |||||||||||
|
(1) |
Based on trade date, not settlement date |
|
(2) |
On August 22, 2016, the Company purchased 645,238 shares at a price of $10.75 per share. |
|
Item 6. |
Selected Financial Data |
The following table sets forth our selected financial and operating data on a historical basis. The data set forth below does not purport to be complete. It should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by, the more detailed information, including the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes, appearing elsewhere herein.
|
Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2016 |
Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2015 |
Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2014 |
Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2013 |
Twelve Months Ended June 30, 2012 |
||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Selected operations data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Interest and dividend income |
$ | 47,235 | $ | 44,588 | $ | 38,371 | $ | 36,543 | $ | 27,014 | ||||||||||
|
Interest expense |
7,855 | 7,220 | 6,653 | 6,596 | 6,317 | |||||||||||||||
|
Net interest income |
39,380 | 37,368 | 31,718 | 29,947 | 20,697 | |||||||||||||||
|
Provision for loan losses |
1,618 | 717 | 531 | 1,122 | 946 | |||||||||||||||
|
Noninterest income |
7,773 | 7,089 | 4,869 | 8,514 | 5,782 | |||||||||||||||
|
Net securities gains |
- | - | - | 792 | 1,111 | |||||||||||||||
|
Noninterest expense |
33,812 | 32,604 | 31,777 | 31,955 | 25,680 | |||||||||||||||
|
Income before income taxes |
11,723 | 11,136 | 4,279 | 6,176 | 964 | |||||||||||||||
|
Income tax expense |
4,104 | 3,995 | 1,579 | 1,881 | 102 | |||||||||||||||
|
Net income from continuing operations |
7,619 | 7,141 | 2,700 | 4,295 | 862 | |||||||||||||||
|
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations |
- | - | (8 | ) | 125 | 1,301 | ||||||||||||||
|
Net income |
$ | 7,619 | $ | 7,141 | $ | 2,692 | $ | 4,420 | $ | 2,163 | ||||||||||
|
Consolidated per share data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Earnings: |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Basic: |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Continuing operations |
$ | 0.80 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.11 | ||||||||||
|
Discontinued operations |
0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.30 | |||||||||||||||
|
Net income |
$ | 0.80 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.41 | ||||||||||
|
Diluted: |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Continuing operations |
$ | 0.80 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.38 | $ | 0.11 | ||||||||||
|
Discontinued operations |
0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.30 | |||||||||||||||
|
Net income |
$ | 0.80 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.39 | $ | 0.41 | ||||||||||
|
Cash dividends |
$ | 0.04 | $ | 0.04 | $ | 0.28 | $ | 0.36 | $ | 0.36 | ||||||||||
|
Book value |
12.51 | 11.77 | 11.05 | 10.89 | 11.07 | |||||||||||||||
|
Selected balance sheet data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Total assets |
$ | 986,153 | $ | 850,718 | $ | 761,931 | $ | 670,639 | $ | 669,196 | ||||||||||
|
Loans |
692,436 | 612,137 | 516,416 | 435,376 | 356,254 | |||||||||||||||
| Deposits | 800,432 | 674,759 | 574,329 | 484,623 | 422,188 | |||||||||||||||
| Borrowings and capital lease obligations | 54,534 | 52,568 | 66,005 | 64,069 | 120,859 | |||||||||||||||
| Total shareholders’ equity | 116,591 | 112,727 | 112,066 | 113,802 | 119,139 | |||||||||||||||
| Other ratios: | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
Return on average assets |
0.85 | % | 0.89 | % | 0.37 | % | 0.64 | % | 0.36 | % | ||||||||||
|
Return on average equity |
6.66 | % | 6.35 | % | 2.39 | % | 3.79 | % | 3.03 | % | ||||||||||
|
Efficiency ratio |
71.71 | % | 73.34 | % | 86.85 | % | 81.41 | % | 93.08 | % | ||||||||||
|
Average equity to average total assets |
12.71 | % | 14.00 | % | 15.38 | % | 16.93 | % | 11.90 | % | ||||||||||
|
Common dividend payout ratio |
5.00 | % | 5.56 | % | 107.6 | % | 92.25 | % | 71.26 | % | ||||||||||
|
Tier 1 leverage capital ratio |
13.27 | % | 14.49 | % | 15.90 | % | 17.78 | % | 19.91 | % | ||||||||||
|
Total capital ratio |
20.39 | % | 20.14 | % | 23.69 | % | 27.54 | % | 33.34 | % | ||||||||||
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Northeast Bancorp is a Maine corporation and a bank holding company registered with the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. The Company also is a registered Maine financial institution holding company, and is subject to regulation by both the Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions and the Federal Reserve. The Company's principal asset is the capital stock of Northeast Bank, a Maine state-chartered universal bank, which is regulated by the FDIC and the Bureau. The Company's results of operations are primarily dependent on the results of the operations of the Bank.
The Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which follows, presents a review of the consolidated operating results of the Company for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2016 ("fiscal 2016") and the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015 ("fiscal 2015"). This discussion and analysis is intended to assist you in understanding the results of our operations and financial condition. You should read this discussion together with your review of the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes and other statistical information included in this report. Certain amounts in the periods prior to fiscal 2016 have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2016 presentation.
Overview
On December 29, 2010, the merger (the "Merger") of the Company and FHB Formation LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("FHB"), was consummated. In connection with the transaction, as part of the regulatory approval process the Company made certain commitments to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve"), the most significant of which are, (i) maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 10%, (ii) maintain a total capital ratio of at least 15%, (iii) limit purchased loans to 40% of total loans, (iv) fund 100% of the Company's loans with core deposits (defined as non-maturity deposits and non-brokered insured time deposits), and (v) hold commercial real estate loans (including owner-occupied commercial real estate) to within 300% of total capital.
On June 28, 2013, the Federal Reserve approved the amendment of the commitment to hold commercial real estate loans to within 300% of total capital to exclude owner-occupied commercial real estate loans. All other commitments made to the Federal Reserve in connection with the merger remain unchanged. The Company and the Bank are currently in compliance with all commitments to the Federal Reserve.
The Company's compliance ratios at June 30, 2016 are as follows:
|
Condition |
Ratio |
|||
|
(i) Tier 1 leverage ratio |
13.27 | % | ||
|
(ii) Total capital ratio |
20.39 | % | ||
|
(iii) Ratio of purchased loans to total loans |
34.25 | % | ||
|
(iv) Ratio of loans to core deposits (1) |
87.15 | % | ||
|
(v) Ratio of non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans to total capital (2) |
174.12 | % | ||
|
(1) |
Core deposits include all non-maturity deposits and non-brokered insured time deposits |
|
(2) |
For purposes of calculating this ratio, commercial real estate includes all non-owner occupied commercial real estate loans defined as such by regulatory guidance, including all land development and construction loans |
Fiscal 2016 Financial Highlights
The Company's financial and strategic highlights for fiscal 2016 include the following:
|
● |
Earned net income of $7.6 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, as compared to $7.1 million, or $0.72 per diluted share, in fiscal 2015. |
|
● |
Generated loans of $382 million, growing the portfolio on a net basis by $80.3 million or 13.1%. |
|
● |
LASG purchased loans totaling $100.0 million and originated loans totaling $110.6 million, earning average portfolio yields of 11.4% and 6.1%, respectively. The purchased loan yield of 11.4% includes regularly scheduled interest and accretion, and accelerated accretion and fees recognized on loan payoffs. The Company also monitors the "total return" on its purchased loan portfolio, a measure that includes gains on sales of purchased loans, as well as interest, scheduled accretion and accelerated accretion and fees. On this basis, the purchased loan portfolio earned a total return of 11.4% for fiscal 2016. |
An overview of the LASG portfolio follows:
| Year Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2016 | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchased | Originated |
Secured Loans to Broker-Dealers |
Total LASG | Purchased | Originated |
Secured Loans to Broker-Dealers |
Total LASG | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Loans purchased or originated during the period: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Unpaid principal balance |
$ | 108,716 | $ | 110,578 | $ | - | $ | 219,294 | $ | 93,694 | $ | 82,502 | $ | 48,000 | $ | 224,196 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Net investment basis |
99,999 | 110,578 | - | 210,577 | 82,654 | 82,502 | 48,000 | 213,156 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Loan returns during the period: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Yield (1) |
11.37 | % | 6.11 | % | 0.50 | % | 8.03 | % | 13.00 | % | 6.44 | % | 0.47 | % | 9.73 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
Total Return (1) (2) |
11.38 | % | 6.10 | % | 0.50 | % | 8.04 | % | 13.33 | % | 6.75 | % | 0.47 | % | 10.02 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
Total loans as of period end: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Unpaid principal balance |
$ | 271,268 | $ | 174,918 | $ | 48,000 | $ | 494,186 | $ | 239,933 | $ | 118,416 | $ | 60,000 | $ | 418,349 | ||||||||||||||||
|
Net investment basis |
239,709 | 174,918 | 48,000 | 462,627 | 202,592 | 118,416 | 60,000 | 381,008 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) The yield and total return on LASG originated loans includes $385 thousand of fees related to one loan in the quarter ended June 30, 2016.
(2) The total return on purchased loans represents scheduled accretion, accelerated accretion, gains on asset sales, and other noninterest income recorded during the period divided by the average invested balance, on an annualized basis. The total return does not include the effect of purchased loan charge-offs or recoveries in the quarter.
|
● |
Increased the Company's deposit base by $125.7 million, mainly the result of the increase in money market accounts attracted through the Bank's Community Banking division. |
|
● |
Originated $54.5 million in SBA guaranteed loans through June 30, 2016, and sold $39.1 million of loans, for a gain on sale of $4.2 million. |
|
● |
Raised $15.05 million of subordinated notes at a cost of 6.75% which qualify for Tier 2 Capital treatment. |
|
● |
Repurchased 322,900 shares at an average repurchase price of $10.40. |
Results of Operations
General
Net income for the year ended June 30, 2016 was $7.6 million, a $478 thousand increase from $7.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2015.
Items of significance affecting the Company's earnings included:
|
● |
An increase in net interest and dividend income before provision for loan losses, which grew to $39.4 million as compared to $37.4 million for the year ended June 30, 2015, principally due to higher average balances in the total loan portfolio. |
The following table summarizes interest income and related yields recognized on the Company's loans:
|
Interest Income and Yield on Loans |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Year Ended June 30, |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
2016 |
2015 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Average |
Interest |
Average |
Interest |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Balance (1) |
Income (2) |
Yield |
Balance (1) |
Income |
Yield |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
(Dollars in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Community Banking |
$ | 218,649 | $ | 10,483 | 4.79 | % | $ | 233,506 | $ | 11,599 | 4.97 | % | ||||||||||||
|
SBA |
23,786 | 1,448 | 6.09 | % | 2,622 | 148 | 5.64 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
LASG: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Originated |
147,193 | 8,987 | 6.11 | % | 76,448 | 4,924 | 6.44 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
Purchased |
216,763 | 24,638 | 11.37 | % | 203,822 | 26,500 | 13.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
Secured Loans to Broker-Dealers |
58,511 | 293 | 0.50 | % | 44,942 | 212 | 0.47 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
Total LASG |
422,467 | 33,918 | 8.03 | % | 325,212 | 31,636 | 9.73 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
Total |
$ | 664,902 | $ | 45,849 | 6.90 | % | $ | 561,340 | $ | 43,383 | 7.73 | % | ||||||||||||
|
|
(1) |
Includes loans held for sale. |
|
|
(2) |
SBA interest income includes SBA fees of $33 thousand for the year ended June 30, 2016. |
The yield on purchased loans is affected by unscheduled loan payoffs, which resulted in immediate recognition of the prepaid loans’ discount in interest income. The following table details the “total return” on purchased loans, which includes total transactional income of $7.3 million for the year ended June 30, 2016, a decrease of $2.6 million from the year ended June 30, 2015. The following table summarizes the total return recognized on the purchased loan portfolio:
|
Year Ended June 30, |
||||||||||||||||
|
2016 |
2015 |
|||||||||||||||
|
Income |
Return (1) |
Income |
Return (1) |
|||||||||||||
|
(Dollars in thousands) |
||||||||||||||||
|
Regularly scheduled interest and accretion |
$ | 17,382 | 8.02 | % | $ | 17,327 | 8.48 | % | ||||||||
|
Transactional income: |
||||||||||||||||
|
Gain on loan sales |
- | 0.00 | % | 190 | 0.09 | % | ||||||||||
|
Gain on sale of real estate owned |
23 | 0.01 | % | 607 | 0.30 | % | ||||||||||
|
Other noninterest income (loss) |
12 | 0.00 | % | (69 | ) | -0.03 | % | |||||||||
|
Accelerated accretion and loan fees |
7,256 | 3.35 | % | 9,173 | 4.49 | % | ||||||||||
|
Total transactional income |
7,291 | 3.36 | % | 9,901 | 4.85 | % | ||||||||||
|
Total |
$ | 24,673 | 11.38 | % | $ | 27,228 | 13.33 | % | ||||||||
|
(1) |
The total return on purchased loans represents scheduled accretion, accelerated accretion, gains on asset sales, gains on real estate owned and other noninterest income recorded during the period divided by the average invested balance, on an annualized basis. The total return does not include the effect of purchased loan charge-offs or recoveries in the quarter. |
|
● |
An increase of $901 thousand in the provision for loan losses principally due to two loans which were provided for in the second quarter and increased volume of newly originated loans. |
|
● |
An increase of $684 thousand in noninterest income, principally resulting from an increase of $1.4 million in gains realized on sale of portfolio loans. The year ended June 30, 2016 includes gains realized on sale of SBA loans of $4.2 million. The increase is offset by a decrease of $193 thousand in gains realized on sale of residential loans held for sale due to lower volume, as well as a decrease of $683 thousand in gain recognized on real estate owned and other repossessed collateral, net. |
|
● |
An increase of $1.2 million in noninterest expense, principally due to an increase of $731 thousand in salaries and employee benefits from increased employee head count and higher employee benefits costs. Additionally, there was an increase of $428 thousand in other expense, attributable to the valuation of SBA servicing rights. |
Net Interest Income
The following table sets forth average balance sheets, average yields and costs, and certain other information for the periods indicated:
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Year Ended June 30, |
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2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
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Interest |
Average |
Interest |
Average |
Interest |
Average |
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Average |
Income/ |
Yield/ |
Average |
Income/ |
Yield/ |
Average |
Income/ |
Yield/ |
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Balance |
Expense |
Rate |
Balance |
Expense |
Rate |
Balance |
Expense |
Rate |
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(Dollars in thousands) |
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Assets: |
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Interest-earning assets: |
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Investment securities |
$ | 100,503 | $ | 930 | 0.93 | % | $ | 108,204 | $ | 913 | 0.84 | % | $ | 115,849 | $ | 1,048 | 0.90 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
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Loans (1) (2) (3) |
664,902 | 45,921 | 6.91 | % | 561,340 | 43,456 | 7.74 | % | 495,113 | 37,009 | 7.47 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Regulatory stock |
2,960 | 113 | 3.82 | % | 4,102 | 67 | 1.63 | % | 5,620 | 123 | 2.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Short-term investments (4) |
91,563 | 343 | 0.37 | % | 92,354 | 225 | 0.24 | % | 78,838 | 191 | 0.24 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total interest-earning assets |
859,928 | 47,307 | 5.50 | % | 766,000 | 44,661 | 5.83 | % | 695,420 | 38,371 | 5.52 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cash and due from banks |
3,596 | 2,704 | 2,876 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other non-interest earning assets |
35,607 | 33,741 | 33,958 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total assets |
$ | 899,131 | $ | 802,445 | $ | 732,254 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity: |
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Interest-bearing liabilities: |
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NOW accounts |
$ | 68,304 | $ | 182 | 0.27 | % | $ | 63,181 | $ | 162 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||