UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

__________________________________________________  

Commission file number: 0-20293

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  

  

 

1051 East Cary Street, Suite 1200, Richmond, Virginia 23219

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

  

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 20162017 was approximately $1,053,504,694$1,447,596,105 based on the closing share price on that date of $24.71$33.90 per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

UNION BANKSHARES CORPORATION

FORM 10-K

INDEX

 

 

 

PART I

The Company is a financial holding company and a bank holding company organized under Virginia law and registered under the BHCA. The Company, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia is committed to the delivery of financial services through its community bank subsidiary Union Bank & Trust and three non-bank financial services affiliates. As of December 31, 2016,2017, the Company’s bank subsidiary and non-bank financial services affiliates were:

 

 

The Company was formed in connection with the July 1993 merger of Northern Neck Bankshares Corporation and Union Bancorp, Inc. Although the Company was formed in 1993, Union Bank & Trust Company, a predecessor of Union Bank & Trust, was formed in 1902, and certain other of the community banks that were acquired and ultimately merged to form what is now Union Bank & Trust were among the oldest in Virginia at the time they were acquired.

 

The table below indicates the year each community bank was formed, acquired by the Company, and merged into what is now Union Bank & Trust.

 

 

The Company’s headquarters are located in Richmond, Virginia, and its operations center is located in Ruther Glen, Virginia.

Effective January 1, 2016, UISI was dissolved as a separate corporate entity and the securities, brokerage, and investmentfinancial advisory businesses of UISI were integrated into Union Bank & Trust'sthe Bank's Wealth Management division, a division that offers brokerage, asset management, private banking, and trust services to individuals and corporations. Union Investment Services, operating as part of the Wealth Management Division of the Bank, executes securities transactions through Raymond James, Inc., an independent broker dealer.

In June of 2016, the Company opened a loan production office in Charlotte, North Carolina operating as UBTNC Commercial Finance, a division of Union Bank & Trust.

  

As of December 31, 2016,2017, UMG had offices in Virginia (20)(21), Maryland (1), and North Carolina (1). UMG does business in selected states throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, as well as Washington, D.C., providingprovides a variety of mortgage products to customers in those areas.states. The mortgage loans originated by UMG generally are sold in the secondary market through purchase agreements with institutional investors with servicing released. During 2015, the mortgage segment also began originating loans with the intent that the loans be held for investment purposes.

 

UIG, an insurance agency, is owned by the Bank and UMG. This agency operates in an agreement with Bankers Insurance, LLC, a large insurance agency owned by community banks across Virginia and managed by the Virginia Bankers Association. UIG generates revenue through sales of various insurance products through Bankers Insurance LLC, including long-term care insurance and business owner policies. UIG also maintains ownership interests in three title agencies owned by community banks across Virginia and generates revenues through sales of title policies in connection with the Bank’s lending activities.

ODCM is a registered investment advisory firm with offices in Charlottesville and Alexandria, Virginia, offering investment management and financial planning services primarily to families and individuals. Securities are offered through a third party contractual agreement with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., an independent broker dealer.

The Company has two reportable segments: its traditional full servicefull-service community banking business and its mortgage banking business. For more financial data and other information about each of the Company’s operating segments, refer to Item 7. - “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections, “Segment Information – Community Bank Segment” and “Segment Information – Mortgage Segment,” and to Note 17 “Segment Reporting Disclosures” in the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

The Company expands its market area and increases its market share through organic growth (internal growth and de novo expansion) and strategic acquisitions. Strategic acquisitions by the Company to date have included whole bank acquisitions, branch and deposit acquisitions, and purchases of existing branches from other banks.banks, and registered investment advisory firms. The Company generally considers acquisitions of companies in strong growth markets or with unique products or services that will benefit the entire organization. Targeted acquisitions are priced to be economically feasible with expected minimal short-term drag to achieve positive long-term benefits. These acquisitions may be paid for in the form of cash, stock, debt, or a combination thereof. The amount and type of consideration and deal charges paid could have a short-term dilutive effect on the Company’s earnings per share or book value. However, management anticipates that the cost savings and revenue enhancements in such transactions will provide long-term economic benefit to the Company.

On January 1, 2014,2018, the Company acquired StellarOne by merger in an all-stock transaction.Xenith, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement dated May 19, 2017. Pursuant to the StellarOne merger agreement, StellarOne’sMerger Agreement, Xenith's common shareholders received 0.97390.9354 shares of the Company’sCompany's common stock in exchange for each share of StellarOne’sXenith's common stock, resulting in the Company issuing 22,147,874 shares of21,922,077 common stock. The Company operated StellarOne Bank as a separate wholly-owned bank subsidiary until May 2014, at which time StellarOne Bank was merged with and into the Bank. As part of the acquisition plan and cost control efforts, the Company consolidated 13 overlapping bank branches into nearby locations during 2014.

On May 31, 2016, ODCM was acquired by Union Bank & Trust and currently operates as a stand-alone direct subsidiary of Union Bank & Trust from its offices in Charlottesville and Alexandria, Virginia. ODCM is a registered investment advisory firm with over $300.0approximately $336.3 million in assets under management.management at December 31, 2017.

 

As of December 31, 2016,2017, the Bank operated in-store bank branches in 11 MARTIN’S Food Markets, one Fas Mart location and one Walmart location. ThePreviously the Bank operated in-store bank branches in MARTIN's Food Markets, stores were acquired in connection with the Company’s acquisition of FMB in 2010. In 2016, MARTIN's Food Markets2010; however, these branches were either sold 10or relocated to non-store locations in the Richmond area,2016 and as a result, the Company was required to relocate six in-store branches. As of January 31, 2017 there were six MARTIN's Food Markets in-store bank branches remaining in operation. The Company does not have any additional information about the plans that MARTIN's Food Markets has for their remaining locations in the Richmond area, but as of February 24, 2017, the six branches were operating as normal.2017. Additionally, the Company built no new branches during the last five years.

 

As of December 31, 2016,2017, the Company had 1,4161,419 full-time equivalent employees, including executive officers, loan and other banking officers, branch personnel, and operations and other support personnel. Of this total, 105106 were mortgage segment personnel. None of the Company’s employees are represented by a union or covered under a collective bargaining agreement. The Company provides employees with a comprehensive employee benefit program which includes the following: group life, health and dental insurance, paid time off, educational opportunities, a cash incentive plan, a stock purchase plan, stock incentive plans, deferred compensation plans for officers and key employees, an ESOP, and a 401(k) plan with employer match.

The financial services industry remains highly competitive and is constantly evolving. The Company experiences strong competition in all aspects of its business. In its market areas, the Company competes with large national and regional financial institutions, credit unions, other independent community banks, as well as consumer finance companies, mortgage companies, loan production offices, mutual funds, and life insurance companies. Competition for deposits and loans is affected by various factors including interest rates offered, the number and location of branches and types of products offered, and the reputation of the institution. Credit unions increasingly have been allowed to expand their membership definitions, and because they enjoy a favorable tax status, they have been able to offer more attractive loan and deposit pricing. The Company’s non-bank affiliates also operate in highly competitive environments. The Company believes its community bank framework and philosophy provide a competitive advantage, particularly with regard to larger national and regional institutions, allowing the Company to compete effectively. The Company’s community bank segment generally has strong market shares within the markets it serves. The Company’s deposit market share in Virginia was 3.2%3.4% of total bank deposits as of June 30, 2016,2017, making it the largest community bank headquartered in Virginia.Virginia at that time.

The economies in the Company’s market areas are widely diverse and include local and federal government, military, agriculture, and manufacturing. The Company believes Virginia has weathered the recent economic challenges better than most other states over the last several years but is still faced with a protracted low interest rate environment and the burden of regulatory requirements enacted in response to the most recent financial crisis. Virginia’s year-over-year employment growth finished 2016 slightly below the national rate after exceeding the nation for most of 2016. Based on the most recent reported rate from the Virginia Employment Commission data, the state’s unemployment rate is 4.1%3.7% as of December 201631, 2017 compared to 4.2%4.1% at year-end 2015,2016, and continues to be below the national rate of 4.7%4.1% at year-end 2016. Virginia's annualized residential home sales closed in the preceding twelve months rose 6.6% from 2015.2017. The Company’s management continues to consider future economic events and their impact on the Company’s performance while focusing attention on managing nonperforming assets, controlling costs, and working with borrowers to mitigate and protect against risk of loss.

The Company and the Bank are extensively regulated under both federal and state laws. The following description briefly addresses certain historic and current provisions of federal and state laws and certain regulations, proposed regulations, and the potential impacts on the Company and the Bank. To the extent statutory or regulatory provisions or proposals are described in this report, the description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the particular statutory or regulatory provisions or proposals.

 

 

determines by regulation or order to be so closely related to banking or managing or controlling banks as to be a proper incident thereto. In addition, bank holding companies that qualify and elect to be financial holding companies, such as the Company, may engage in any activity, or acquire and retain the shares of a company engaged in any activity, that is either (i) financial in nature or incidental to such financial activity (as determined by the Federal Reserve in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury) or (ii) complementary to a financial activity and does not pose a substantial risk to the safety and soundness of depository institutions or the financial system generally (as solely determined by the Federal Reserve), without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. Activities that are financial in nature include but are not limited to securities underwriting and dealing, insurance underwriting, and making merchant banking investments.

 

To maintain financial holding company status, a financial holding company and all of its depository institution subsidiaries must be “well capitalized” and “well managed.” A depository institution subsidiary is considered to be “well capitalized” if it satisfies the requirements for this status under applicable Federal Reserve capital requirements. A depository institution subsidiary is considered “well managed” if it received a composite rating and management rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination. A financial holding company’s status will also depend upon it maintaining its status as “well capitalized” and “well managed” under applicable Federal Reserve regulations. If a financial holding company ceases to meet these capital and management requirements, the Federal Reserve’s regulations provide that the financial holding company must enter into an agreement with the Federal Reserve to comply with all applicable capital and management requirements. Until the financial holding company returns to compliance, the Federal Reserve may impose limitations or conditions on the conduct of its activities, and the company may not commence any of the broader financial activities permissible for financial holding companies or acquire a company engaged in such financial activities without prior approval of the Federal Reserve. If the company does not return to compliance within 180 days, the Federal Reserve may require the financial holding company to divest its depository institution subsidiaries or to cease engaging in any activity that is financial in nature (or incident to such financial activity) or complementary to a financial activity.

 

In order for a financial holding company to commence any new activity permitted by the BHCA or to acquire a company engaged in any new activity permitted by the BHCA, each insured depository institution subsidiary of the financial holding company must have received a rating of at least “satisfactory” in its most recent examination under the CRA. See below under “The Bank – Community Reinvestment Act.”

 

Despite prior approval, the Federal Reserve may order a bank holding company or its subsidiaries to terminate any activity or to terminate ownership or control of any subsidiary when the Federal Reserve has reasonable cause to believe that a serious risk to the financial safety, soundness, or stability of any bank subsidiary of that bank holding company may result from such an activity.

 

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the BHCA and the Change in Bank Control Act, together with the applicable regulations, require Federal Reserve approval (or, depending on the circumstances, no notice of disapproval) prior to any person or company’s acquiring “control” of a bank or bank holding company. A conclusive presumption of control exists if an individual or company acquires the power, directly or indirectly, to direct the management or policies of an insured depository institution or to vote 25% or more of any class of voting securities of any insured depository institution. A rebuttable presumption of control exists if a person or company acquires 10% or more but less than 25% of any class of voting securities of an insured depository institution and either the institution has registered its securities with the SEC under Section 12 of the Exchange Act or no other person will own a greater percentage of that class of voting securities immediately after the acquisition. The Company’s common stock is registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

In addition, Virginia law requires the prior approval of the SCC for (i) the acquisition by a Virginia bank holding company of more than 5% of the voting shares of a Virginia bank or a Virginia bank holding company, or (ii) the acquisition by any other person of control of a Virginia bank holding company or a Virginia bank.

 

 

 

Under the FDIA, the federal bank regulatory agencies have adopted guidelines prescribing safety and soundness standards. These guidelines establish general standards relating to capital management, internal controls and information systems, internal audit systems, information systems, data security, loan documentation, credit underwriting, interest rate exposure and risk management, vendor management, corporate governance, asset growth and compensation, fees, and benefits. In general, the guidelines require, among other things, appropriate systems and practices to identify and manage the risk and exposures specified in the guidelines.

 

 

 

Under the FDIA, insured depository institutions such as the Bank, are prohibited from making capital distributions, including the payment of dividends, if, after making such distributions, the institution would become “undercapitalized” (as such term is used in the statute). Based on the Bank’s current financial condition, the Company does not expect that this provision will have any impact on its ability to receive dividends from the Bank. The Company’s non-bank subsidiaries pay dividends to the Company periodically, subject to certain statutory restrictions.

 

In addition to dividends it receives from the Bank, the Company receives management fees from its affiliated companies for expenses incurred related to external financial reporting and audit fees, investor relations expenses, Board of Directors fees, and legal fees related to corporate actions. These fees are charged to each subsidiary based upon various specific allocation methods measuring the estimated usage of such services by that subsidiary. The fees are eliminated from the financial statements in the consolidation process. 

The Federal Reserve has adopted final rules regarding capital requirements and calculations of risk-weighted assets to implement the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Under these updated risk-based capital requirements of the Federal Reserve, the Company and the Bank are required to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of total capital (which is defined as core capital and supplementary capital less certain specified deductions from total capital such as reciprocal holdings of depository institution capital instruments and equity investments) to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0% (unchanged from the prior requirement), (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital (which consists principally of common and certain qualifying preferred shareholders’ equity (including grandfathered trust preferred securities) as well as retained earnings, less certain intangibles and other adjustments) to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0% (increased from the prior requirement of 4.0%), and (iii) a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5% (a new requirement). These rules provide that “Tier 2 capital” consists of cumulative preferred stock, long-term perpetual preferred stock, a limited amount of subordinated and other qualifying debt (including certain hybrid capital instruments), and a limited amount of the general loan loss allowance. The Tier 1, common equity Tier 1, and total capital to risk-weighted asset ratios of the Company were 10.97%10.14%, 9.72%9.04% and 13.56%12.43%, respectively, as of December 31, 2016,2017, thus exceeding the minimum requirements for "well capitalized" status. The Tier 1, common equity Tier 1, and total capital to risk-weighted asset ratios of the Bank were 12.58%11.66%, 12.58%11.66% and 13.11%12.14%, respectively, as of December 31, 2016,2017, also exceeding the minimum requirements for "well capitalized" status.

Each of the federal bank regulatory agencies also has established a minimum leverage capital ratio of Tier 1 capital to average adjusted assets (“Tier 1 leverage ratio”). The guidelines require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 3.0% for advanced approach banking organizations; all other banking organizations are required to maintain a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. In addition, for a depository institution to be considered “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for PCA, its Tier 1 leverage ratio must be at least 5.0%. Banking organizations that have experienced internal growth or made acquisitions are expected to maintain strong capital positions substantially above the minimum supervisory levels without significant reliance on intangible assets. The Federal Reserve has not advised the Company or the Bank of any specific minimum leverage ratio applicable to either entity. As of December 31, 2016,2017, the Tier 1 leverage ratios of the Company and the Bank were 9.87%9.42% and 11.31%10.82%, respectively, well above the minimum requirements.

The Federal Reserve's final rules also impose a capital conservation buffer requirement that is being phased in beginning January 1, 2016, at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets, increasing by the same amount each year until fully implemented at 2.5%

on January 1, 2019. The capital conservation buffer is designed to absorb losses during periods of economic stress. Banking institutions with a ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets above the minimum but below the conservation buffer will face constraints on dividends, equity repurchases, and compensation based on the amount of the shortfall.

 

When fully phased in on January 1, 2019, the rules will require the Company and the Bank to maintain (i) a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 4.5%, plus a 2.5% “capital conservation buffer” (which is added to the 4.5% common equity Tier 1 ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum ratio of common equity Tier 1 to risk-weighted assets of at least 7.0% upon full implementation); (ii) a minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 6.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 6.0% Tier 1 capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio of 8.5% upon full implementation); (iii) a minimum ratio of total capital to risk-weighted assets of at least 8.0%, plus the 2.5% capital conservation buffer (which is added to the 8.0% total capital ratio as that buffer is phased in, effectively resulting in a minimum total capital ratio of 10.5% upon full implementation); and (iv) a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%, calculated as the ratio of Tier 1 capital to average assets.

 

With respect to the Bank, the Federal Reserve’s final rules also revised the “prompt corrective action” regulations pursuant to Section 38 of the FDIA by (i) introducing a common equity Tier 1 capital ratio requirement at each level (other than critically undercapitalized), with the required ratio being 6.5% for well-capitalized status; (ii) increasing the minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement for each category, with the minimum ratio for well-capitalized status being 8.0% (as compared to the prior ratio of

 

The Federal Reserve's final rules also include changes in the risk weights of assets to better reflect credit risk and other risk exposures. These include a 150% risk weight (up from 100%) for certain high volatility commercial real estate acquisition, development, and construction loans and nonresidential mortgage loans that are 90 days past due or otherwise on nonaccrual status, a 20% (up from 0%) credit conversion factor for the unused portion of a commitment with an original maturity of one year or less that is not unconditionally cancellable, a 250% risk weight (up from 100%) for mortgage servicing rights and deferred tax assets that are not deducted from capital, and increased risk-weights (from 0% to up to 600%) for equity exposures.

 

As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, the FDIC has adopted a large-bank pricing assessment structure, set a target “designated reserve ratio” of 2 percent for the DIF, and established a lower assessment rate schedule when the reserve ratio reaches 1.15 percent and, in lieu of dividends, provides for a lower assessment rate schedule, when the reserve ratio reaches 2 percent and 2.5 percent. An institution's assessment rate is based on a statistical analysis of financial ratios that estimates the likelihood of failure over a three yearthree-year period, which considers the institution’s weighted average CAMELS component rating, and is subject to further adjustments including related to levels of unsecured debt and brokered deposits (not applicable to banks with less than $10 billion in assets). At December 31, 2016,2017, total base assessment rates for institutions that have been insured for at least five years with assets of $10 billion range from 1.5 to 40 basis points,bps. In addition, institutions with rates of 1.5 to 30 basis points applying to banks with less thanassets over $10 billion in assets.are subject to a surcharge equal to 4.5 bps of assets that exceed $10 billion, and will apply until the reserve ratio reaches 1.35 percent or until December 31, 2018, whichever is later. In 20162017 and 2015,2016, the Company paid $4.4$3.0 million and $4.5$4.4 million, respectively, in deposit insurance assessments.

In addition, all FDIC insured institutions are required to pay assessments to the FDIC at an annual rate of approximately one basis point of insured deposits to fund interest payments on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, an agency of the federal government established to recapitalize the predecessor to the Savings Association Insurance Fund. These assessments will continue until the FICO bonds mature, with such maturities beginning in 2017 and continuing through 2019.

at least as favorable to the Bank, as those prevailing for comparable nonaffiliated transactions. In addition, the Bank generally may not purchase securities issued or underwritten by affiliates.

Loans to executive officers, directors, or to any person who directly or indirectly, or acting through or in concert with one or more persons, owns, controls, or has the power to vote more than 10% of any class of voting securities of a bank (“10% Shareholders”), are subject to Sections 22(g) and 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act and their corresponding regulations (Regulation O) and Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act relating to the prohibition on personal loans to executives (which exempts financial institutions in compliance with the insider lending restrictions of Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act). Among other things, these loans must be made on terms substantially the same as those prevailing on transactions made to unaffiliated individuals and certain extensions of credit to those persons must first be approved in advance by a disinterested majority of the entire Board of Directors. Section 22(h) of the Federal Reserve Act prohibits loans to any of those individuals where the aggregate amount exceeds an amount equal to 15% of an institution’s unimpaired capital and surplus plus an additional 10% of unimpaired capital and surplus in the case of loans that are fully secured by readily marketable collateral, or when the aggregate amount on all of the extensions of credit outstanding to all of these persons would exceed the Bank’s unimpaired capital and unimpaired surplus. Section 22(g) of the Federal Reserve Act identifies limited circumstances in which the Bank is permitted to extend credit to executive officers.

As described above in “The Bank – Capital Requirements,” the Federal Reserve's final rules to implement the Basel III regulatory capital reforms incorporate new requirements into the PCA framework.

other things, create a system of controls designed to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism, and imposes recordkeeping and reporting requirements. The USA Patriot Act added additional regulations to facilitate information sharing among governmental entities and financial institutions for the purpose of combating terrorism and money laundering, imposes standards for verifying customer identification at account opening, and requires financial institutions to establish anti-money laundering programs. The OFAC, which is a division of the Treasury, is responsible for helping to ensure that United States entities do not engage in transactions with “enemies” of the United States, as defined by various Executive Orders and Acts of Congress. If the Bank finds a name of an “enemy” of the United States on any transaction, account, or wire transfer that is on an OFAC list, it must freeze such account or place transferred funds into a blocked account, and report it to OFAC.

 

The Dodd-Frank Act centralized responsibility for consumer financial protection by creating a new agency, the CFPB, and giving it responsibility for implementing, examining, and enforcing compliance with federal consumer protection laws. The CFPB focuses on (i) risks to consumers and compliance with the federal consumer financial laws, (ii) the markets in which firms operate and risks to consumers posed by activities in those markets., (iii) depository institutions that offer a wide variety of consumer financial products and services, and (iv) non-depository companies that offer one or more consumer financial products or services. The CFPB is responsible for implementing, examining and enforcing compliance with federal consumer financial laws for institutions with more than $10 billion of assets. Whileassets, including, beginning April 1, 2018, the Company and the Bank. The Company and the Bank like all banks, isare subject to federal consumer protection rules enacted by the CFPB, because the Company and the Bank have total consolidated assets of $10 billion or less, the Federal Reserve oversees the application to the Bank of most consumer protection aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act and other laws and regulations.CFPB.

 

The CFPB has broad rulemaking authority for a wide range of consumer financial laws that apply to all banks, including, among other things, the authority to prohibit “unfair, deceptive, or abusive” acts and practices. Abusive acts or practices are defined as those that materially interfere with a consumer’s ability to understand a term or condition of a consumer financial product or service or take unreasonable advantage of a consumer’s (i) lack of financial savvy, (ii) inability to protect himself in the selection or use of consumer financial products or services, or (iii) reasonable reliance on a covered entity to act in the consumer’s interests. The CFPB can issue cease-and-desist orders against banks and other entities that violate consumer financial laws. The CFPB may also institute a civil action against an entity in violation of federal consumer financial law in order to impose a civil penalty or injunction. Further, regulatory positions taken by the CFPB with respect to financial institutions with more than $10 billion in assets may influence how other regulatory agencies apply the subject consumer financial protection laws and regulations.

 

maintenance and disclosure of information regarding the disposition of mortgage applications based on race, gender, geographical distribution and income level. The Company and the Bank are also subject to rules and regulations that require the collection and reporting of significant amounts of information with respect to mortgage loans and borrowers.

The Company’s and the Bank’s mortgage origination activities are subject to Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act. Certain provisions of Regulation Z require creditors to make a reasonable and good faith determination based on verified and documented information that a consumer applying for a mortgage loan has a reasonable ability to repay the loan according to its terms. Creditors are required to determine consumers’ ability to repay in one of two ways. The first alternative requires the creditor to consider the following eight underwriting factors when making the credit decision: (i) current or reasonably expected income or assets; (ii) current employment status; (iii) the monthly payment on the covered transaction; (iv) the monthly payment on any simultaneous loan; (v) the monthly payment for mortgage-related obligations; (vi) current debt obligations, alimony, and child support; (vii) the monthly debt-to-income ratio or residual income; and (viii) credit history. Alternatively, the creditor can originate “qualified mortgages,” which are entitled to a presumption that the creditor making the loan satisfied the ability-to-repay requirements. In general, a “qualified mortgage” is a mortgage loan without negative amortization, interest-only payments, balloon payments, or terms exceeding 30 years. In addition, to be a qualified mortgage the points and fees paid by a consumer cannot exceed 3% of the total loan amount. Qualified mortgages that are “higher-priced” (e.g. subprime loans) garner a rebuttable presumption of compliance with the ability-to-repay rules, while qualified mortgages that are not “higher-priced” (e.g. prime loans) are given a safe harbor of compliance. To meet the mortgage credit needs of a broader customer base, the Company is predominantly an originator of mortgages that are intended to be in compliance with the ability-to-pay requirements.

 

The Federal Reserve will review, as part of the regular, risk-focused examination process, the incentive compensation arrangements of financial institutions, such as the Company and the Bank, that are not “large, complex banking organizations.” These reviews will be tailored to each financial institution based on the scope and complexity of the institution’s activities and the prevalence of incentive compensation arrangements. The findings of the supervisory initiatives will be included in reports of examination. Deficiencies will be incorporated into the institution’s supervisory ratings, which can affect the institution’s ability to make acquisitions and take other actions. Enforcement actions may be taken against a financial institution if its incentive compensation arrangements, or related risk-management control or governance processes, pose a risk to the institution’s safety and soundness and the financial institution is not taking prompt and effective measures to correct the deficiencies.

In 2016, the SEC and the federal banking agencies proposed rules that prohibit covered financial institutions (including bank holding companies and banks) from establishing or maintaining incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risk taking by providing covered persons (consisting of senior executive officers and significant risk takers, as defined in the rules) with excessive compensation, fees, or benefits that could lead to material financial loss to the financial institution. The proposed rules outline factors to be considered when analyzing whether compensation is excessive and whether an incentive-based compensation arrangement encourages inappropriate risks that could lead to material loss to the covered financial institution, and establishes minimum requirements that incentive-based compensation arrangements must meet to be considered to not encourage inappropriate risks and to appropriately balance risk and reward. The proposed rules also impose additional corporate governance requirements on the boards of directors of covered financial institutions and impose additional record-keeping requirements. The comment period for these proposed rules has closed and a final rule has not yet been published.

Heightened Requirements for Bank Holding Companies with $10 Billion or More in Assets

Various federal banking laws and regulations, including rules adopted by the Federal Reserve pursuant to the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act, impose heightened requirements on certain large banks and bank holding companies. Most of these rules apply primarily to bank holding companies with at least $50 billion in total consolidated assets, but certain rules also apply to banks and bank holding companies with at least $10 billion in total consolidated assets. Following the Company’s acquisition of Xenith that was effective January 1, 2018, the Company and the Bank each have total consolidated assets of more than $10 billion.

IfBecause the Company’s orand the Bank’s total consolidated assets as applicable, equal or exceed $10 billion, the Company orand the Bank, as applicable may,and among other requirements:things: (i) beare required to perform annual stress tests; (ii) beare required to establish a dedicated risk committee of the board of directors responsible for overseeing enterprise-wide risk management policies, which must be commensurate with capital structure, risk profile, complexity, activities, size, and other appropriate risk-related factors, and must include as a member at least one risk management expert; (iii) may be examined for compliance with federal consumer protection laws primarily by the CFPB; (iv) beare subject to increased FDIC deposit insurance assessment requirements; (v) beare subject to a cap on debit card interchange fees; and (vi) may be subject to higher regulatory capital requirements.

Future Regulation

From time to time, various legislative and regulatory initiatives are introduced in Congress and state legislatures, as well as by regulatory agencies. Such initiatives may include proposals to expand or contract the powers of bank holding companies and depository institutions or proposals to substantially change the financial institution regulatory system. Such legislation could change banking statutes and the operating environment of the Company and the Bank in substantial and unpredictable ways. If enacted, such legislation could increase or decrease the cost of doing business, limit or expand permissible activities, or affect the competitive balance among banks, savings associations, credit unions, and other financial institutions. The Company

The Company’s operations are affected not only by general economic conditions but also by the policies of various regulatory authorities. In particular, the Federal Reserve uses monetary policy tools to impact money market and credit market conditions and interest rates to influence general economic conditions. These policies have a significant impact on overall growth and distribution of loans, investments, and deposits; they affect market interest rates charged on loans or paid for time and savings deposits. Federal Reserve monetary policies have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks, including the Company, in the past and are expected to do so in the future.

 

 

 

 

An investment in the Company’s securities involves risks. In addition to the other information set forth in this report, including the information addressed under “Forward-Looking Statements,” investors in the Company’s securities should carefully consider the factors discussed below. These factors could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, and capital position and could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from its historical results or the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this report, in which case the trading price of the Company’s securities could decline.

Risks Related to the Company’s Operations

The Company provides full service banking and other financial services to the Northern, Central, Rappahannock, Roanoke Valley, Shenandoah, Tidewaterthroughout Virginia and Northern Neck regionsin portions of Virginia.Maryland and North Carolina. The Company’s loan and deposit activities are directly affected by, and the Company’s financial success depends on, economic conditions within the local markets in which the Company does business, as well as conditions in the industries on which those markets are economically dependent. A deterioration in local economic conditions or in the condition of an industry on which a local market depends could adversely affect such factors as unemployment rates, business formations and expansions, housing demand, apartment vacancy rates and real estate values in the local market, and this could result in, among other things, a decline in loan demand, a reduction in the number of creditworthy borrowers seeking loans, an increase in loan delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures, an increase in classified and nonaccrual loans, a decrease in the value of loan collateral and a decline in the net worth and liquidity of borrowers and guarantors. Any of these factors could hurt the Company’s business in a material way.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company collects and stores sensitive data, including proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of its customers and employees in systems and on networks. The secure processing, maintenance, and use of this information is critical to the Company's operations and business strategy. In addition, the Company relies heavily on communications and information systems to conduct its business. Any failure, interruption, or breach in security or operational integrity of these systems could result in failures or disruptions in the Company's customer relationship management, general ledger, deposit, loan, and other systems. The Company has invested in accepted technologies, and continually reviews processes and practices that are designed to protect its networks, computers, and data from damage or unauthorized access. Despite these security measures, the Company’s computer systems and infrastructure may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers or breached due to employee error, malfeasance, or other disruptions. A breach of any kind could compromise systems and the information stored there could be accessed, damaged, or disclosed. A breach in security or other failure could result in legal claims, regulatory penalties, disruption in operations, increased expenses, loss of customers and business partners, and damage to the Company’s reputation, which could adversely affect its business and financial condition. Furthermore, as cyber threats continue to evolve and increase, the Company may be required to expend significant additional financial and operational resources to modify or enhance its protective measures, or to investigate and remediate any identified information security vulnerabilities.

The Company may not be able to successfully implement its growth strategy if it is unable to identify and compete for attractive markets, locations, or opportunities to expand in the future. In addition, the ability to manage growth successfully depends on whether the Company can maintain adequate capital levels, maintain cost controls, effectively manage asset quality, and successfully integrate any businesses acquired into the organization.

As consolidation within the financial services industry continues, the competition for suitable strategic acquisition candidates may increase. The Company will compete with other financial services companies for acquisition and expansion opportunities, and many of those competitors will have greater financial resources than the Company does and may be able to pay more for an acquisition than the Company is able or willing to pay. The Company cannot assure that it will have opportunities to acquire other financial institutions or acquire or establish any new branches on attractive terms or at all, or that the Company will be able to negotiate, finance, and complete any opportunities available to it.

If the Company is unable to effectively implement its strategies for organic growth and strategic acquisitions, its business, results of operations, and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

The Company may not be able to achieve fully the strategic objectives and operating efficiencies expected in an acquisition. Inherent uncertainties exist in integrating the operations of an acquired entity. In addition, the markets and industries in which the Company and its potential acquisition targets operate are highly competitive. The Company may lose its customers and/or key personnel or those of acquired entities as a result of an acquisition. The Company may also not be able to control the incremental increase in noninterest expense arising from an acquisition in a manner that improves its overall operating efficiencies. These factors could contribute to the Company not achieving the expected benefits from its acquisitions within desired time frames, if at all. Future business acquisitions could be material to the Company and it may issue additional shares

of common stock to pay for those acquisitions, which would dilute current shareholders’ ownership interests. Acquisitions also could require the Company to use substantial cash or other liquid assets or to incur debt; the Company could therefore become more susceptible to economic downturns and competitive pressures. Further, acquisitions typically involve the payment of a premium over book and market values and, therefore, some dilution of the Company’s tangible book value and net income per common share may occur in connection with any future acquisitions.

The Company’s income and cash flows depend to a great extent on the difference between the interest rates earned on interest-earning assets, such as loans and investment securities, and the interest rates paid on interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. These rates are highly sensitive to many factors beyond the Company’s control, including general economic conditions and the policies of the Federal Reserve and other governmental and regulatory agencies. Changes in monetary policy, including changes in interest rates, will influence the origination of loans, the prepayment of loans, the fair value of existing assets and liabilities, the purchase of investments, the retention and generation of deposits, and the rates received on loans and investment securities and paid on deposits or other sources of funding. The impact of these changes may be magnified if the Company does not effectively manage the relative sensitivity of its assets and liabilities to changes in market interest rates. In addition, the Company’s ability to reflect such interest rate changes in pricing its products is influenced by competitive pressures. Fluctuations in these areas may adversely affect the Company and its shareholders.

The Company generally seeks to maintain a neutral position in terms of the volume of assets and liabilities that mature or re-price during any period so that it may reasonably maintain its net interest margin; however, interest rate fluctuations, loan prepayments, loan production, deposit flows, and competitive pressures are constantly changing and influence the ability to maintain a neutral position. Generally, the Company’s earnings will be more sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates depending upon the variance in volume of assets and liabilities that mature and re-price in any period. The extent and duration of the sensitivity will depend on the cumulative variance over time, the velocity and direction of changes in interest rates, shape and slope of the yield curve, and whether the Company is more asset sensitive or liability sensitive. Accordingly, the Company may not be successful in maintaining a neutral position and, as a result, the Company’s net interest margin may be affected.

Like all financial institutions, the Company maintains an allowance for loan losses to provide for loans that its borrowers may not repay in their entirety. The Company believes that it maintains an allowance for loan losses at a level adequate to absorb probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the corresponding balance sheet date and in compliance with applicable accounting and regulatory guidance. However, the allowance for loan losses may not be sufficient to cover actual loan losses and future provisions for loan losses could materially and adversely affect the Company’s operating results. Accounting measurements related to impairment and the loan loss allowance requires significant estimates that are subject to uncertainty and changes relating to new information and changing circumstances. The significant uncertainties surrounding the ability of the Company’s borrowers to execute their business models successfully through changing economic environments, competitive challenges, and other factors complicate the Company’s estimates of the risk of loss and amount of loss on any loan. Because of the degree of uncertainty and susceptibility of these factors to change, the actual losses may vary from current estimates. The Company expects possible fluctuations in the loan loss provisions due to the uncertain economic conditions.

The Company’s banking regulators, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the allowance for loan losses and may require the Company to increase its allowance for loan losses by recognizing additional provisions for loan losses charged to expense, or to decrease the allowance for loan losses by recognizing loan charge-offs, net of recoveries. Any such required additional provisions for loan losses or charge-offs could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Bank offers a variety of secured loans, including commercial lines of credit, commercial term loans, real estate, construction, home equity, consumer, and other loans. Many of the Bank’s loans are secured by real estate (both residential and commercial). A major change in the real estate markets, resulting in deterioration in the value of this collateral, or in the local or national economy, could adversely affect borrowers’ ability to pay these loans, which in turn could negatively affect the Bank. Risks of loan defaults and foreclosures are unavoidable in the banking industry; the Bank tries to limit its exposure to these risks by monitoring extensions of credit carefully. The Bank cannot fully eliminate credit risk; thus, credit losses will occur in the future. Additionally, changes in the real estate market also affect the value of foreclosed assets, and therefore, additional losses may occur when management determines it is appropriate to sell the assets.

The Bank’s commercial real estate portfolio consists primarily of non-owner-operated properties and other commercial properties. These types of loans are generally viewed as having more risk of default than residential real estate loans. They are also typically larger than residential real estate loans and consumer loans and depend on cash flows from the owner’s business or the property to service the debt. Cash flows may be affected significantly by general economic conditions, and a downturn in the local economy or in occupancy rates in the local economy where the property is located could increase the likelihood of default. Because the Bank’s loan portfolio contains a number of commercial real estate loans with relatively large balances, the deterioration of one or a few of these loans could cause a significant increase in the percentage of non-performing loans. An increase in non-performing loans could result in a loss of earnings from these loans, an increase in the provision for loan losses and an increase in charge-offs, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Bank’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Bank’s banking regulators generally give commercial real estate lending greater scrutiny and may require banks with higher levels of commercial real estate loans to implement enhanced risk management practices, including underwriting, internal controls, risk management policies, and portfolio stress testing, as well as possibly higher levels of allowances for

Construction and development loans are generally viewed as having more risk than residential real estate loans because repayment is often dependent on completion of the project and the subsequent financing of the completed project as a commercial real estate or residential real estate loan and, in some instances, on the rent or sale of the underlying project.

Although the Bank’s construction and development loans are primarily secured by real estate, the Bank believes that, in the case of the majority of these loans, the real estate collateral by itself may not be a sufficient source for repayment of the loan if real estate values decline. If the Bank is required to liquidate the collateral securing a construction and development loan to satisfy the debt, its earnings and capital may be adversely affected. A period of reduced real estate values may continue for some time, resulting in potential adverse effects on the Bank’s earnings and capital.

A significant portion of the Bank’s loan portfolio consists of loans secured by real estate. The Bank relies upon independent appraisers to estimate the value of such real estate. Appraisals are only estimates of value and the independent appraisers may make mistakes of fact or judgment that adversely affect the reliability of their appraisals. In addition, events occurring after the initial appraisal may cause the value of the real estate to increase or decrease. As a result of any of these factors, the real estate securing some of the Bank’s loans may be more or less valuable than anticipated at the time the loans were made. If a default occurs on a loan secured by real estate that is less valuable than originally estimated, the Bank may not be able to recover the outstanding balance of the loan.  

The Company assumes credit risk by virtue of making loans and extending loan commitments and letters of credit. The Company manages credit risk through a program of underwriting standards, the heightened review of certain credit decisions, and a continuous quality assessment process of credit already extended. The Company’s exposure to credit risk is managed through the use of consistent underwriting standards that emphasize local lending while avoiding highly leveraged transactions as well as excessive industry and other concentrations. The Company’s credit administration function employs risk management techniques to help ensure that problem loans are promptly identified. While these procedures are designed to provide the Company with the information needed to implement policy adjustments where necessary and to take appropriate corrective actions, there can be no assurance that such measures will be effective in avoiding undue credit risk.

Most of the Company’s commercial business and commercial real estate loans are made to small business or middle market customers. These businesses generally have fewer financial resources in terms of capital or borrowing capacity than larger entities and have a heightened vulnerability to economic conditions. If general economic conditions in the market areas in which the Company operates negatively impact this important customer sector, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected. Moreover, a portion of these loans have been made by the Company in recent years and the borrowers may not have experienced a complete business or economic cycle. Any deterioration of the borrowers’ businesses may hinder their ability to repay their loans with the Company, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company’s nonperforming assets adversely affect its net income in various ways. The Company does not record interest income on nonaccrual loans, which adversely affects its income and increases loan administration costs. When the Company receives collateral through foreclosures and similar proceedings, it is required to mark the related loan to the then fair market value of the collateral less estimated selling costs, which may result in a loss. An increase in the level of nonperforming assets also increases the Company’s risk profile and may affect the minimum capital levels regulators believe are appropriate for the Company in light of such risks. The Company utilizes various techniques such as workouts, restructurings, and loan sales to manage problem assets. Increases in or negative adjustments in the value of these problem assets, the underlying collateral, or in the borrowers’ performance or financial condition, could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition. In addition, the resolution of nonperforming assets requires significant commitments of time from

The Company operates in a competitive market for financial services and faces intense competition from other financial institutions both in making loans and attracting deposits which can greatly affect pricing for its products and services. The Company’s primary competitors include community, regional, and national banks as well as credit unions and mortgage companies. Many of these financial institutions are significantly larger and have established customer bases, have greater financial resources, and higher lending limits. In addition, credit unions are exempt from corporate income taxes, providing a significant competitive pricing advantage compared to banks. Accordingly, some of the Company’s competitors in its market have the ability to offer products and services that it is unable to offer or to offer such products and services at more competitive rates.

Technology and other changes are allowing parties to complete financial transactions through alternative methods that historically have involved banks. For example, consumers can now maintain funds that would have historically been held as bank deposits in brokerage accounts, mutual funds, or general-purpose reloadable prepaid cards. Consumers can also complete transactions such as paying bills and/or transferring funds directly without the assistance of banks. The process of eliminating banks as intermediaries, known as “disintermediation,” could result in the loss of fee income, as well as the loss of customer deposits and the related income generated from those deposits. The loss of these revenue streams and the lower cost of deposits as a source of funds could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The President of the U.S. and the majority political party in the U.S. Congress have announced plans to lower the federal corporate income tax rate from its current level of 35% and to eliminate the corporate alternative minimum tax.  If these plans ultimately result in the enactment of new laws lowering the corporate income tax rate by a material amount and/or eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax, certainsuccess of the Company’s deferred tax assetsmortgage business is dependent upon its ability to originate loans and sell them to investors, in each case at or near current volumes. Loan production levels are sensitive to changes in the level of interest rates and changes in economic conditions. Loan production levels may suffer if the Company experiences a slowdown in the local housing market or tightening credit conditions. Any sustained period of decreased activity caused by fewer refinancing transactions, higher interest rates, housing price pressure, or loan underwriting restrictions would needadversely affect the Company’s mortgage originations and, consequently, could significantly reduce its income from mortgage activities. As a result, these conditions would also adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.

Deteriorating economic conditions may also cause home buyers to default on their mortgages. In certain cases where the Company has originated loans and sold them to investors, the Company may be re-measuredrequired to evaluate the impactrepurchase loans or provide a financial settlement to investors if it is proven that the lower tax rate and/borrower failed to provide full and accurate information on, or related to, their loan application, if appraisals for such properties have not been acceptable or if the eliminationloan was not underwritten in accordance with the loan program specified by the loan investor. In the ordinary course of business, the corporate alternative minimum tax will haveCompany records an indemnification reserve relating to mortgage loans previously sold based on historical statistics and loss rates. If such reserves were insufficient to cover claims from investors, such repurchases or settlements would adversely affect the currently expected full utilizationCompany's results of the deferred tax assets.  If the lower tax rate and/or the elimination of the corporate alternative minimum tax makes it more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance will need to be recognized and this would result in a corresponding charge against the Company’s earnings.operations.

When the Company completes an acquisition, often times goodwill and other intangible assets are recorded on the date of acquisition as an asset. Current accounting guidance requires goodwill to be tested for impairment, and the Company performs such impairment analysis at least annually. A significant adverse change in expected future cash flows or sustained adverse change in the Company’s common stock could require the asset to become impaired. If impaired, the Company would incur a charge to earnings that would have a significant impact on the results of operations. The Company’s carrying value of goodwill was approximately $298.2$298.5 million at December 31, 2016, which included goodwill recorded with the Company’s acquisition of StellarOne.2017.

The Company maintains an enterprise risk management program that is designed to identify, assess, mitigate, monitor, and report the risks that it faces.faces, and that includes stress testing as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. These risks include: interest-rate, credit, liquidity, operational, reputation, compliance, and legal. While the Company assesses and improves this program on an ongoing basis, there can be no assurance that its approach and framework for risk management and related controls will effectively mitigate all risk and limit losses in its business. If conditions or circumstances arise that expose flaws or gaps in the Company’s risk-management program, or if the Company's controls break down, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

Similar to other financial institutions, the Company is exposed to many types of operational and technological risk, including reputation, legal, and compliance risk. The Company’s ability to grow and compete is dependent on its ability to build or acquire the necessary operational and technological infrastructure and to manage the cost of that infrastructure while it expands and integrates acquired businesses. Operational risk can manifest itself in many ways, such as errors related to failed or inadequate processes, faulty or disabled computer systems, fraud by employees or persons outside of the Company, and exposure to external events. The Company is dependent on its operational infrastructure to help manage these risks. From time to time, it may need to change or upgrade its technology infrastructure. The Company may experience disruption, and it may face additional exposure to these risks during the course of making such changes. As the Company acquires other financial institutions, it faces additional challenges when integrating different operational platforms. Such integration efforts may be more disruptive to the Company's business and/or more costly or time-intensive than anticipated.

The financial services industry is continually undergoing technological change with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services. The effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to better serve customers and to reduce costs. The Company continues to invest in technology and connectivity to automate functions previously performed manually, to facilitate the ability of customers to engage in financial transactions, and otherwise to enhance the customer experience with respect to its products and services. The Company’s continued success depends, in part, upon its ability to address the needs of its customers by using technology to provide products and services that satisfy customer demands and create efficiencies in its operations. A failure to maintain or enhance a competitive position with respect to technology, whether because of a failure to anticipate customer expectations, substantially fewer resources to invest in

technological improvements than larger competitors, or because the Company’s technological developments fail to perform as desired or are not rolled out in a timely manner, may cause the Company to lose market share or incur additional expense.

From time to time, the Company may implement new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. There are substantial risks and uncertainties associated with these efforts, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. In developing and marketing new lines of business and/or new products and services, the Company may invest significant time and resources. Initial timetables for the introduction and development of new lines of business and/or new products or services may not be achieved and price and profitability targets may not prove feasible. External factors, such as competitive alternatives and shifting market preferences, may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business and/or a new product or service. Furthermore, strategic planning remains important as the Company adopts innovative products, services, and processes in response to the evolving demands for financial services and the entrance of new competitors, such as out-of-market banks and financial technology firms. Any new line of business and/or new product or service could have a significant impact on the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal controls, so the Company must responsibly innovate in a manner that is consistent with sound risk management and is aligned with the Bank’s overall business strategies. Failure to successfully manage these risks in the development and implementation of new lines of business and/or new products or services could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Multiple major U.S. retailers and a major consumer credit reporting agency have experienced data systems incursions in recent years reportedly resulting in the thefts of credit and debit card information, online account information, and other personal and financial data of tenshundreds of millions of the retailers’ customers.individuals. Retailer incursions affect cards issued and deposit accounts maintained by many banks, including the Bank. Although neither the Company’s nor the Bank’s systems are breached in retailer incursions, such incursions can still cause customers to be dissatisfied with the Bank and otherwise adversely affect the Company's and the Bank's reputation. These events can also cause the Bank to reissue a significant number of cards and take other costly steps to avoid significant theft loss to the Bank and its customers. In some cases, the Bank may be required to reimburse customers for the losses they incur. Credit reporting agency intrusions affect the Bank’s customers and can require these customers and the Bank to increase account monitoring and take remedial action to prevent unauthorized account activity or access. Other possible points of intrusion or disruption not within the Company’s nor the Bank’s control include internet service providers, electronic mail portal providers, social media portals, distant-server (“cloud”) service providers, electronic data security providers, telecommunications companies, and smart phone manufacturers.

Third parties provide key components of the Company’s (and the Bank’s) business operations such as data processing, recording and monitoring transactions, online banking interfaces and services, internet connections, and network access. While the Company has selected these third partythird-party vendors carefully, it does not control their actions. Any problem caused by these third parties, such as poor performance of services, failure to provide services, disruptions in communication services provided

In deciding whether to extend credit or to enter into other transactions with clients and counterparties, the Company may rely on information furnished to it by or on behalf of clients and counterparties, including financial statements and other financial information, which the Company does not independently verify. The Company also may rely on representations of clients and counterparties as to the accuracy and completeness of that information and, with respect to financial statements, on reports of independent auditors. For example, in deciding whether to extend credit to clients, the Company may assume that a customer’s audited financial statements conform to GAAP and present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the customer. The Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted to the extent it relies on financial statements that do not comply with GAAP or are materially misleading.

The Company’s reputation is critical to the success of its business. The Company believes that its brand image has been well received by customers, reflecting the fact that the brand image, like the Company’s business, is based in part on trust and

confidence. The Company’s reputation and brand image could be negatively affected by rapid and widespread distribution of publicity through social media channels. The Company’s reputation could also be affected by the Company’s association with clients affected negatively through social media distribution, or other third parties, or by circumstances outside of the Company’s control. Negative publicity, whether true or untrue, could affect the Company’s ability to attract or retain customers, or cause the Company to incur additional liabilities or costs, or result in additional regulatory scrutiny.

The Company’s dependency on its management team and the unexpected loss of any of those personnel could adversely affect operations. 

The Company is a customer-focused and relationship-driven organization. Future growth is expected to be driven in large part by the relationships maintained with customers. While the Company has assembled an experienced management team, is building the depth of that team, and has management development plans in place, the unexpected loss of key employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and may result in lower revenues or greater expenses.

Effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures are necessary for the Company to provide reliable financial reports, to effectively prevent fraud, and to operate successfully as a public company. If the Company cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, its reputation and operating results would be harmed. As part of the Company’s ongoing monitoring of internal control, it may discover material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in its internal control that require remediation. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

The Company has in the past discovered, and may in the future discover, specific areas of its internal controls that need improvement. In addition, the Company continually works to improve the overall operation of its internal controls. The Company cannot, however, be certain that these measures will ensure that it implements and maintains adequate controls over its financial processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain effective controls or to timely implement any necessary improvement of the Company’s internal and disclosure controls could, among other things, result in losses from fraud or error, harm the Company’s reputation, or cause investors to lose confidence in the Company’s reported financial information, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operation and financial condition and the trading price of the Company's securities.

The amount, type, source, and cost of the Company’s funding directly impacts the ability to grow assets. In addition, the Company could need to raise additional capital in the future to provide it with sufficient capital resources and liquidity to meet its commitments and business needs, particularly if the Company’s asset quality or earnings were to deteriorate significantly.significantly, or if the Company develops an asset concentration that requires the support of additional capital. The ability to raise funds through deposits, borrowings, and other sources could become more difficult, more expensive, or altogether unavailable. A number of factors, many of which are outside the Company's control, could make such financing more difficult, more expensive or unavailable including: the financial condition of the Company at any given time; rate

The Company may be involved from time to time in a variety of litigation arising out of its business. The Company’s insurance may not cover all claims that may be asserted against it, and any claims asserted against it, regardless of merit or eventual outcome, may harm the Company’s reputation. Should the ultimate judgments or settlements in any litigation exceed the Company’s insurance coverage, they could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operation for any period. In addition, the Company may not be able to obtain appropriate types or levels of insurance in the future, nor may the Company be able to obtain adequate replacement policies with acceptable terms, if at all.

Risks Related to the Company’s Regulatory Environment

TheDue to the Company’s increased asset size, the Company will becomeis subject to additional regulatory requirements ifregulation, increased supervision and whenincreased costs following its total assets exceed $10 billion, which could have an adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.merger with Xenith.

The imposition of these regulatory requirements and increased supervision may require commitment of additional financial resources to prepareregulatory compliance, may increase the Company’s cost of operations, and may otherwise have a significant

impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Further, the results of the stress testing process may lead the Company to comply withretain additional capital or alter the rules when and if they become applicable. It is reasonablemix of its capital components as compared to assume that the Company’s total assets will exceed $10 billion in the future, based on the Company’s historic organic growth rates and its potential to grow through acquisitions.current capital management strategy.

Current and proposed regulation addressing consumer privacy and data use and security could increase the Company’s costs and impact its reputation.

The Company is subject to a number of laws concerning consumer privacy and data use and security, including information safeguard rules under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. These rules require that financial institutions develop, implement, and maintain a written, comprehensive information security program containing safeguards that are appropriate to the financial institution’s size and complexity, the nature and scope of the financial institution’s activities, and the sensitivity of any customer information at issue. The United States has experienced a heightened legislative and regulatory focus on privacy and data security, including requiring consumer notification in the event of a data breach. In addition, most states have enacted security breach legislation requiring varying levels of consumer notification in the event of certain types of security breaches. New regulations in these areas may increase compliance costs, which could negatively impact earnings. In addition, failure to comply with the privacy and data use and security laws and regulations to which the Company is subject, including by reason of inadvertent disclosure of confidential information, could result in fines, sanctions, penalties, or other adverse consequences

The Company is subject to extensive state and federal regulation, supervision, and legislation that govern almost all aspects of its operations. These regulations affect the Company's lending practices, capital structure, investment practices, dividend policy, and growth, among other things. Laws and regulations change from time to time and are primarily intended for the protection of consumers, depositors, the FDIC’s DIF, and the banking system of the whole, rather than shareholders. The impact of any changes to laws and regulations or other actions by regulatory agencies are unpredictable, but may negatively affect the Company or its ability to increase the value of its business. Such changes could include higher capital requirements, increased insurance premiums, increased compliance costs, reductions of noninterest income, limitations on services and products that can be provided, or the increased ability of nonbanks to offer competing financial services and products, among other things. Failure to comply with laws, regulations, and policies could result in actions by regulatory agencies or significant litigation against the Company, which could cause the Company to devote significant time and resources to defend itself and may lead to liability, penalties, reputational damage, or regulatory restrictions that materially adversely affect the Company and its shareholders. Future changes in the laws or regulations or their interpretations or enforcement could be materially adverse to the Company and its shareholders.

The Company is subject to more stringent capital and liquidity requirements as a result of the Basel III regulatory capital reforms and the Dodd-Frank Act, which could adversely affect its return on equity and otherwise affect its business. 

The Company and the Bank are each subject to capital adequacy guidelines and other regulatory requirements specifying minimum amounts and types of capital which each must maintain. From time to time, regulators implement changes to these regulatory capital adequacy guidelines. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the federal banking agencies have established stricter capital requirements and leverage limits for banks and bank holding companies that are based on the Basel III regulatory capital reforms. These stricter capital requirements will be phased-in over a four-year period, which began on January 1, 2015, until they are fully-implemented on January 1, 2019. See “Business −– Supervision and Regulation – The Bank - Capital Requirements” for further information about the requirements.

The application of more stringent capital requirements could, among other things, result in lower returns on equity, require the raising of additional capital, and result in regulatory actions if the Company were to be unable to comply with such requirements. Furthermore, the imposition of liquidity requirements in connection with the implementation of Basel III could result in the Company having to lengthen the term of its funding, restructure its business models, and/or increase its holdings of liquid assets. Implementation of changes to asset risk weightings for risk-based capital calculations, items included or deducted in calculating regulatory capital and/or additional capital conservation buffers could result in management modifying its business strategy, and could limit the Company’s ability to make distributions, including paying out dividends or buying back shares. If the Company and the Bank fail to meet these minimum capital guidelines and/or other regulatory requirements, the Company’s financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.

The CFPB has broad rulemaking authority to administer and carry out the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act with respect to financial institutions that offer covered financial products and services to consumers. Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFPB issued a final rule effective January 10, 2014, requiring mortgage lenders to make a reasonable and good faith determination based on verified and documented information that a consumer applying for a mortgage loan has a reasonable

The authorities that promulgate accounting standards, including the FASB, SEC, and other regulatory authorities, periodically change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. These changes are difficult to predict and can materially impact how the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, the Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retroactively, resulting in the restatement of financial statements for prior periods. Such changes could also require the Company to incur additional personnel or technology costs.

Risks Related to the Company’s Securities

The Company is a financial holding company and a bank holding company that conducts substantially all of its operations through the Bank and other subsidiaries. As a result, the Company relies on dividends from its subsidiaries, particularly the Bank, for substantially all of its revenues. There are various regulatory restrictions on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends or make other payments to the Company. Also, the Company’s right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors. In the event the Bank is unable to pay dividends to the Company, the Company may not be able to service debt, pay obligations, or pay a cash dividend to the holders of its common stock and the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations may be materially adversely affected. Further, although the Company has historically paid a cash dividend to the holders of its common stock, holders of the common stock are not entitled to receive dividends, and regulatory or economic factors may cause the Company’s Board of Directors to consider, among other things, the reduction of dividends paid on the Company’s common stock even if the Bank continues to pay dividends to the Company.

The trading volume in the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market has been relatively low when compared with larger companies listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or other stock exchanges. There is no assurance that a more active and liquid trading market for the common stock will exist in the future. Consequently, shareholders may not be able to sell a substantial number of shares for the same price at which shareholders could sell a smaller number of shares. In addition, the Company cannot predict the effect, if any, that future sales of its common stock in the market, or the availability of shares of common stock for sale in the market, will have on the market price of the common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of common stock in the market, or the potential for large amounts of sales in the market, could cause the price of the Company’s common stock to decline, or reduce the Company’s ability to raise capital through future sales of common stock.

The Company is not restricted from issuing additional shares of common stock, including any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, shares of common stock. Issuances of a substantial number of shares of common stock, or the expectation that such issuances might occur, including in connection with acquisitions by the Company, could materially adversely affect the market price of the shares of common stock and could be dilutive to shareholders. Because the Company’s decision to issue common stock in the future will depend on market conditions and other factors, it cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, or nature of possible future issuances of its common stock. Accordingly, the Company’s shareholders bear the risk that future issuances of common stock will reduce the market price of the common stock and dilute their stock holdings in the Company.

Shares of the Company’s common stock are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, shares of the common stock will rank junior to all of the Company’s indebtedness and to other non-equity claims against the Company and its assets available to satisfy claims against it, including in the event of the Company’s liquidation. Additionally, holders of the Company’s common stock are subject to prior dividend and liquidation rights of holders of outstanding preferred stock, if any. The Company’s Board of Directors is authorized to issue classes or series of preferred stock without any action on the part of

The Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and the Virginia Stock Corporation Act contain certain provisions designed to enhance the ability of the Company’s Board of Directors to respond to attempts to acquire control of the Company. These provisions and the ability to set the voting rights, preferences, and other terms of any series of preferred stock that may be issued, may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may discourage takeovers (which certain shareholders may deem to be in their best interest). To the extent that such takeover attempts are discouraged, temporary fluctuations in the market price of the Company’s common stock resulting from actual or rumored takeover attempts may be inhibited. These provisions also could discourage or make more difficult a merger, tender offer, or proxy contest, even though such transactions may be favorable to the interests of shareholders, and could potentially adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock.

In the current economic environment, theThe value of publicly traded stocks in the financial services sector has beencan be volatile, including due to declining or sustained weak economic conditions, which may make it more difficult for a holder to sell the Company's common stock when the holder wants and at prices that are attractive. However, even in a more stable economic environment the value of the Company’s common stock can be affected by a variety of factors such as expected results of operations, actual results of operations, actions taken by shareholders, news or expectations based on the performance of others in the financial services industry, and expected impacts of a changing regulatory environment. These factors not only impact the value of the Company’s common stock but could also affect the liquidity of the stock given the Company’s size, geographical footprint, and industry.

 

 

The Company has no unresolved staff comments to report.

 

The Company, through its subsidiaries, owns or leases buildings that are used in the normal course of business. The Company’sCompany leases its corporate headquarters, which is located in an office building at 1051 East Cary Street, Suite 1200, Richmond, Virginia. The Company’s subsidiaries own or lease various other offices in the counties and cities in which they operate. At December 31, 2016,2017, the Bank operated 114111 branches throughout Virginia. All of the offices of UMG are leased, either from a third party or as a result of being within a Bank branch. Effective January 1, 2016, UISI was dissolved as a separate corporate entity and the securities, brokerage, and investment advisory businesses of UISI were integrated into Union Bank & Trust. The majority of UISI offices were located within Bank branch properties. The Company’sCompany owns its operations center, which is located in Ruther Glen, Virginia. See the Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” and Note 5 “Premises and Equipment” in the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information with respect to the amounts at which the Company’s premises and equipment are carried and commitments under long-term leases.

 

In the ordinary course of its operations, the Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various other legal proceedings. Although the amount of any ultimate liability with respect to such matters cannot be determined, basedBased on the information presently available, and after consultation with legal counsel, management believes that the ultimate outcome ofin such other legal proceedings, including any liability imposed on the Company thereby, in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the business or the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

 

None.

 

PART II

 

 

The following performance graph does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates the performance graph by reference therein.

 

The following chart compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative shareholder return on the Company’s common stock during the five years ended December 31, 2016,2017, with (1) the Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Composite, (2) the Total Return Index for NASDAQ Bank Stocks, and (3)(2) the Total Return Index for SNL U.S. Bank NASDAQ. This comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 20112012 in the Company’s common stock and the comparison groups and assumes the reinvestment of all cash dividends prior to any tax effect and retention of all stock dividends. In prior years, theThe Company haspreviously also used the Total Return Index for NASDAQ Bank Stock, which willis no longer be available from the Company'sCompany’s service provider in future periods. Going forward,provider. Instead, the Company will beis using the SNL U.S. Bank NASDAQ index as a replacement. This indexreplacement, which includes many of the same companies that are in the NASDAQ Bank Stock index and are also a part of the Company'sCompany’s peer group. Both indices are provided for the five years ended December 31, 2016 below.

 

The Company’s common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and is traded under the symbol “UBSH.” There were 43,609,31743,743,318 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding at the close of business on December 30, 2016,29, 2017, which was the last business day of 2016.2017. The shares were held by 4,4694,365 shareholders of record. The closing price of the Company’s common stock on December 30, 2016,29, 2017, which was the last business day of 2016,2017, was $35.74$36.17 per share compared to $25.24$35.74 on December 31, 2015.2016.

 

The following table summarizes the high and low sales prices and dividends declared for quarterly periods during the years ended December 31, 20162017 and 2015.2016.

 

 

Regulatory restrictions on the ability of the Bank to transfer funds to the Company at December 31, 20162017 are set forth in Note 19 “Parent Company Financial Information,” contained in the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. A discussion of certain limitations on the ability of the Bank to pay dividends to the Company and the ability of the Company to pay dividends on its common stock, is set forth in Part I, Item 1 “Business” of this Form 10-K under the headings “Supervision and Regulation – The Company - Limits on Dividends and Other Payments.”

 

It is anticipated that dividends will continue to be paid on a quarterly basis. In making its decision on the payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock, the Board of Directors considers operating results, financial condition, capital adequacy, regulatory requirements, shareholder returns, and other factors.

 

On October 29, 2015,In the first quarter of 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program to purchase up to $25.0 million worth of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The repurchase program expired on December 31, 2016, and completed in February 2016. On February 25, 2016, the Company’sat which time approximately $13.0 million had gone unpurchased. The Company's Board of Directors authorizeddid not authorize a new share repurchase program to purchase up to $25.0 million worth of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The new repurchase program expired on December 31, 2016.2017.

The following table sets forth selected financial data for the Company over each of the past five years ended December 31, (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):

ITEM 7. - MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

The accounting and reporting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries are in accordance with U.S. GAAP and conform to general practices within the banking industry. The Company’s financial position and results of operations are affected by management’s application of accounting policies, including estimates, assumptions, and judgments made to arrive at the carrying value of assets and liabilities and amounts reported for revenues, expenses, and related disclosures. Different assumptions in the application of these policies could result in material changes in the Company’s consolidated financial position and/or results of operations. The Company evaluates its critical accounting estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis and updates them, as needed. Management has discussed the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

The more critical accounting and reporting policies include the Company’s accounting for the ALL, acquired loans, and goodwill and intangible assets. The Company’s accounting policies are fundamental to understanding the Company’s consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations. Accordingly, the Company’s significant accounting policies are discussed in detail in Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

The following is a summary of the Company’s critical accounting policies that are highly dependent on estimates, assumptions, and judgments.

The Company performs regular credit reviews of the loan portfolio to review the credit quality and adherence to its underwriting standards. The credit reviews consist of reviews by itsthe Company's Loan Review Group. Upon origination, each commercial loan is assigned a risk rating ranging from one to nine, with loans closer to one having less risk. This risk rating scale is the Company’s primary credit quality indicator. Consumer loans are generally not risk rated; the primary credit quality indicator for this loan segment is delinquency status. The Company has various committees that review and ensure that the ALL methodology is in accordance with GAAP and loss factors used appropriately reflect the risk characteristics of the loan portfolio.

The Company’s ALL consists of specific, general, and qualitative components.

The specific reserve component relates to impaired loans. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Upon being identified as impaired, for loans not considered to be collateral dependent, an ALL is then established when the discounted cash flows of the impaired loan are lower than the carrying value of that loan. The impairment of collateral dependent loans is measured based on the fair value of the underlying collateral, less selling costs, compared to the carrying value of the loan. If the Company determines that the value of an impaired collateral dependent loan is less than the recorded investment in the loan, it either recognizes an impairment reserve as a specific component to be provided for in the ALL or charges off the deficiency if it is determined that such amount represents a confirmed loss. Typically, a loss is confirmed when the Company is moving towards foreclosure (or final disposition) of the underlying collateral, the collateral deficiency has not improved for two consecutive quarters, or when there is a payment default of 180 days, whichever occurs first.

The Company obtains independent appraisals from a pre-approved list of independent, third party appraisal firmsappraisers located in the market in which the collateral is located. The Company’s approved appraiser list is continuously maintained to ensure the list only includes such appraisers that have the experience, reputation, character, and knowledge of the respective real estate market. At a minimum, it is ascertained that the appraiser is currently licensed in the state in which the property is located, experienced in the appraisal of properties similar to the property being appraised, has knowledge of current real estate market conditions and financing trends, and is reputable. The Company’s internal Real Estate Valuation Group, which reports to the Risk and Compliance Group,REVG performs either a technical or administrative review of all appraisals obtained. A technical review will ensure the overall quality of the appraisal, while an administrative review ensures that all of the required components of an appraisal are present. Generally, independentIndependent appraisals or valuations are updated every 12 to 24 months or as necessary.for all impaired loans. The Company’s impairment analysis documents the date of the appraisal used in the analysis, whether the officer preparing the report deems it current, and, if not, allows for internal valuation adjustments with justification.analysis. Adjustments to appraisals generally include discounts for continued market deterioration subsequentappraised values are only permitted to be made by the appraisal date. Any adjustments from the appraised value to carrying value are documented in theREVG. The impairment analysis which is reviewed and approved by senior credit administrationCredit Administration officers and the Special Assets Loan Committee. External appraisals are the primary source to value collateral dependent loans; however, the Company may also utilize values obtained through other valuation sources. These alternative sources of value are used only if deemed to be more representative of value based on updated information regarding collateral resolution. Impairment analyses are updated, reviewed, and approved on a quarterly basis at or near the end of each reporting period.

The general reserve component covers non-impaired loans and is quantitatively derived from an estimate of credit losses adjusted for various environmentalqualitative factors applicable to both commercial and consumer loan segments. The estimate of credit losses is a function of the net charge-off historical loss experience to the average loan balance of the portfolio averaged during a period that management has determined to be adequately reflective of the losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Effective December 31, 2016, theThe Company has implemented a rolling 20-quarter look back period, which will beis re-evaluated on a periodic basis to ensure the reasonableness of the period being utilized. Previously, the Company had utilized a 12-quarter look back period. The change to the 20-quarter look back period is due to the protracted recovery in the economy and management's conclusion that a 20-quarter period better reflects a full economic cycle. This change did not have a material impact on the Company's ALL.

The following table shows the types of environmentalqualitative factors management considers:

 

 

For the consumer loan segment, large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluated for impairment. This evaluation subjects each of the Company’s homogenous pools to a historical loss factor derived from net charge-offs experienced over the preceding 20 quarters, as previously discussed.quarters. The Company applies payments received on impaired loans to principal and interest based on the contractual terms until they are placed on nonaccrual status. All payments received are then applied to reduce the principal balance and recognition of interest income is terminated, as previously discussed.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - The Company follows ASC 350, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, which prescribes the accounting for goodwill and intangible assets subsequent to initial recognition. Goodwill resulting from business combinations prior to January 1, 2009 represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill resulting from business combinations after January 1, 2009, is generally determined as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree, over the fair value of the net assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events and circumstances exists that indicate that a goodwill impairment test should be performed. The Company has selected April 30th as the date to perform the annual impairment test. Intangible assets with definite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from 4 to 14 years, to their estimated residual values. Goodwill is the only intangible asset with an indefinite life on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Long-lived assets, including purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, such as the core deposit intangible asset, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. Management concluded that no circumstances indicating an impairment of these assets existed as of the balance sheet date.

The Company performed its annual impairment testing as of April 30, 20162017 and determined that there was no impairment to its goodwill or intangible assets. The Company also performed a qualitative analysis to determine if any factors necessitated additional testing and no indicators of impairment were noted as of year-end.

(1) For a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures, including the non-GAAP operating measures that exclude merger-related costs and nonrecurring tax expenses unrelated to the Company’s normal operations, refer to Item 7. - "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section "Non-GAAP Measures" of this Form 10-K. Such costs were not incurred during 2016; thus each of these operating measures is equivalent to the corresponding GAAP financial measure for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 decreased $4.6 million, or 7.0%5.9%, whenfrom $77.5 million to $72.9 million and represented earnings per share of $1.67 compared to $6.0 billion at$1.77 for the year ended December 31, 2015. The Company continued2016. Excluding $4.4 million in after-tax merger-related costs and $6.3 million in nonrecurring tax expenses related to experience a shiftthe Tax Act, net operating earnings (non-GAAP) were $83.6 million and operating earnings per share (non-GAAP) were $1.91 for the year ended December 31, 2017. For reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures, refer to section “Non-GAAP Measures” included within this Item 7.

Net interest income in 2017 increased $15.0 million from time deposits into lower cost transaction accounts, specifically NOW and money market accounts,2016, primarily driven by the Company’s focus on acquiring low cost funding sources and customer preferencehigher average loan balances. The provision for liquiditycredit losses increased $1.7 million from $9.1 million in response2016 to current market conditions.$10.8 million in 2017 mainly due to loan growth.

Total borrowings at December 31,Noninterest income increased $767,000 from $70.9 million in 2016 were $990.1to $71.7 million an increase of $309.9 million, or 45.6%, when compared to $680.2 million at December 31, 2105.in 2017. The increase was primarily driven by increases in short-term FHLB borrowingscustomer-related fee income, fiduciary and asset management fees, and BOLI income, which were partially offset by declines in mortgage banking income and loan-related interest rate swap fees.

Noninterest expense increased $12.1 million, or 5.4%, from $222.7 million in 2016 to $234.8 million in 2017. Excluding $5.4 million in merger-related costs in 2017, operating noninterest expense (non-GAAP) increased $6.7 million, or 3.0%, compared to 2016. This increase is primarily driven by an increase in salaries and benefits costs, OREO and credit-related expenses, and technology and data processing fees, which were partially offset by decreases in amortization of $213.5 million. Additionally, the Company issued $150.0 million of long-term fixed-to-floating rate subordinated notes in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2016 increased $10.4 million, or 15.5%, from $67.1 million to $77.5 million and represented earnings per share of $1.77 compared to $1.49 for the prior year. Return on average tangible common equity (non-GAAP) for the year ended December 31, 20162015. The increase was 11.45% comparedprimarily related to 10.00% for the prior year, while return on average assets was 0.96% compared to 0.90% for the prior year. For reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures, refer to section “Non-GAAP Measures” included within this Item 7.higher net interest income.

Net interest income increased $13.3 million from 2015, primarily driven by an increase in interest and fees on loans due to higher average loan balances, partially offset by higher interest expense on borrowings and the impact of lower accretion of fair value adjustments for deposits. The provision for credit losses decreased $471,000 from $9.6 million in 2015 to $9.1 million in 2016 mainly due to lower charge-off levels and continued improvement in asset quality metrics in 2016.

Noninterest income increased $5.9 million from $65.0 million in 2015 to $70.9 million in 2016. The increase was driven by increases in loan-related interest-rate swap fees, customer-related fee income, mortgage banking income and fiduciary and asset management fees, which were partially offset by declines in other operating income due to nonrecurring income in 2015 related to gains from the dissolution of a limited partnership and the resolution of a problem credit resulting in a note sale.

Noninterest expense increased $5.8 million, or 2.7%, from $216.9 million in 2015 to $222.7 million in 2016. This increase is primarily driven by an increase in salaries and benefits expenses, professional services, and technology expenses, which were partially offset by decreases in OREO and credit-related expenses, and amortization of intangible assets.

 

Net interest income, which represents the principal source of revenue for the Company, is the amount by which interest income exceeds interest expense. The net interest margin is net interest income expressed as a percentage of average earning assets. Changes in the volume and mix of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities, as well as their respective yields and rates, have a significant impact on the level of net interest income, the net interest margin, and net income.

 

Short-term interest rates increased gradually during 2016;2017; however, the broader decline in long-term market interest rates over the last several years continues to place downward pressure on the Company’s earning asset yields and related interest income. The Company's cost of funds increased slightly in 2017 due to the issuance of subordinated debt in the fourth quarter of 2016 and due to the increase in short-term interest rates as FHLB advances were repricedre-priced at higher rates during the year.

 

The following tables show interest income on earning assets and related average yields, as well as interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities and related average rates paid for the periods indicated: