SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2014 |
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] | |
Nature of operations and principles of consolidation | Nature of operations and principles of consolidation |
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The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stewardship Financial Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Atlantic Stewardship Bank (“the Bank”), together referred to as “the Corporation”. The Bank includes its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Stewardship Investment Corporation (whose primary business is to own and manage an investment portfolio), Stewardship Realty LLC (whose primary business is to own and manage property at 612 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park, New Jersey), Atlantic Stewardship Insurance Company, LLC (whose primary business is insurance) and several other subsidiaries formed to hold title to properties acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure. The Bank's subsidiaries have an insignificant impact on the daily operations. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. |
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The Corporation provides financial services through the Bank's offices in Bergen, Passaic, and Morris Counties, New Jersey. Its primary deposit products are checking, savings, and term certificate accounts, and its primary lending products are commercial, residential mortgage and installment loans. Substantially all loans are secured by specific items of collateral including business assets, consumer assets, and commercial and residential real estate. Commercial loans are expected to be repaid from cash flow generated from the operations of businesses. There are no significant concentrations of loans to any one industry or customer. The Corporation's lending activities are concentrated in loans secured by real estate located in northern New Jersey and, therefore, collectability of the loan portfolio is susceptible to changes in real estate market conditions in the northern New Jersey market. The Corporation has not made loans to borrowers outside the United States. |
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Basis of consolidated financial statements presentation | Basis of consolidated financial statements presentation |
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The consolidated financial statements of the Corporation have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions, based on available information, that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the disclosures provided. The estimate of the allowance for loan losses, the valuation of deferred tax assets, and fair value and impairment of securities are particularly critical because they involve a higher degree of complexity and subjectivity and require estimates and assumptions about highly uncertain matters. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions. The current economic environment has increased the degree of uncertainty inherent in these material estimates. |
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Cash flows | Cash flows |
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Cash and cash equivalents include cash and deposits with other financial institutions under 90 days and interest-bearing deposits in other banks with original maturities under 90 days. Net cash flows are reported for customer loan and deposit transactions, and short term borrowings and securities sold under agreement to repurchase. |
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Securities available-forsale and held to maturity | Securities available-for-sale and held to maturity |
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The Corporation classifies its securities as held to maturity or available-for-sale. Investments in debt securities that the Corporation has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as securities held to maturity and are carried at amortized cost. All other securities are classified as securities available-for-sale. Securities available-for-sale may be sold prior to maturity in response to changes in interest rates or prepayment risk, for asset/liability management purposes, or other similar factors. These securities are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains or losses reported in a separate component of shareholders' equity, net of the related tax effects. |
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Interest income includes amortization of purchase premium or discount. Premiums and discounts on securities are amortized on the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments except for mortgage-backed securities where prepayments are anticipated. Gains and losses on sales are recorded on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method. |
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Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market conditions warrant such an evaluation. For securities in an unrealized loss position, management considers the extent and duration of the unrealized loss, and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer. Management also assesses whether it intends to sell, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell, a security in an unrealized loss position before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of the criteria regarding intent or requirement to sell is met, the entire difference between amortized cost and fair value is recognized as impairment through earnings. For debt securities that do not meet the aforementioned criteria, the amount of impairment is split into two components as follows: (1) OTTI related to credit loss, which must be recognized in the income statement and (2) OTTI related to other factors, which is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss is defined as the difference between the present value of the cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis. For equity securities, the entire amount of impairment is recognized through earnings. |
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Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") Stock | Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) Stock |
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The Bank is a member of the FHLB system. Members are required to own a certain amount of FHLB stock based on the level of borrowings and other factors. FHLB stock is carried at cost, classified as a restricted security, and periodically evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recovery of par value. Cash dividends are reported as income. |
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Loans held for sale | Loans held for sale |
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Loans held for sale generally represent mortgage loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market, which are carried at the lower of cost or fair value on an aggregate basis. Mortgage loans held for sale are carried net of deferred fees, which are recognized as income at the time the loans are sold to permanent investors. Gains or losses on the sale of mortgage loans held for sale are recognized at the settlement date and are determined by the difference between the net proceeds and the amortized cost. All loans are sold with loan servicing rights released to the buyer. There were no loans held for sale at December 31, 2014. |
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Loans held for sale at December 31, 2013 represent a group of nonperforming loans to a single borrower that were being marketed for sale. The estimated fair value was based on the fair value of the notes. |
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Loans | Loans |
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Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are reported at the principal amount outstanding, net of deferred loan fees and costs and an allowance for loan losses. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination fees, net of certain direct origination costs, are deferred and recognized in interest income using the level-yield method without anticipating prepayments. The recorded investment in loans represents the outstanding principal balance after charge-offs and does not include accrued interest receivable as the inclusion is not significant to the reported amounts. |
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Interest income on loans is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days delinquent unless the loan is well secured and in process of collection. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loan. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual or are charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Nonaccrual loans and loans past due 90 days still on accrual include both smaller balance homogeneous loans that are collectively evaluated for impairment and individually classified impaired loans. |
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All interest accrued but not received for loans placed on nonaccrual is reversed against interest income. Interest received on such loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to an accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. |
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Allowance for loan losses | Allowance for loan losses |
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The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable incurred credit losses. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of the full loan balance is in doubt. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. Management estimates the allowance balance required using past loan loss experience, the nature and volume of the portfolio, information about specific borrower situations and estimated collateral values, economic conditions and other factors. Allocations of the allowance may be made for specific loans, but the entire allowance is available for any loan that, in management's judgment, should be charged-off. |
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The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are individually classified as impaired. |
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A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Corporation will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Loans for which the terms have been modified and for which the borrower is experiencing financial difficulties are considered troubled debt restructuring and classified as impaired. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all of the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the borrower's prior payment record, and the amount of the shortfall in relation to the principal and interest owed. Impairment is measured on a loan by loan basis by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan's effective interest rate, the fair value of the note, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent. Large groups of smaller balance homogeneous loans, such as consumer and residential real estate loans are collectively evaluated for impairment and, accordingly, they are not separately identified for impairment disclosures. Troubled debt restructurings are separately identified for impairment disclosures and are measured at the present value of estimated future cash flows using the loan's effective rate at inception. If a troubled debt restructuring is considered to be a collateral dependent loan, the loan is reported, net, at the fair value of the collateral. For troubled debt restructurings that subsequently default, the Corporation determines the amount of reserve in accordance with the accounting policy for the allowance for loan losses. |
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The general component of the allowance is based on historical loss experience, including an appropriate loss emergence period, adjusted for qualitative factors. The historical loss experience is determined for each portfolio segment and class, and is based on the actual loss history experienced by the Corporation over the most recent 5 years. For each portfolio segment the Bank prepares an analysis which examines the historical loss experience as well as the loss emergence period. The analysis is updated quarterly for the purpose of determining the assigned allocation factors which are essential components of the allowance for loan losses calculation. This actual loss experience is supplemented with other qualitative factors based on the risks present for each portfolio segment or class. These qualitative factors include consideration of the following: levels of and trends in charge-offs; levels of and trends in delinquencies and impaired loans; levels and trends in loan size; levels of real estate concentrations; national and local economic trends and conditions; the depth and experience of lending management and staff; and other changes in lending policies, procedures, and practices. |
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For purposes of determining the allowance for loan losses, loans in the portfolio are segregated by type into the following segments: commercial, commercial real estate, construction, residential real estate, consumer and other. The Corporation also sub-divides these segments into classes based on the associated risks within those segments. Commercial loans are divided into the following two classes: secured by real estate and other. Construction loans are divided into the following two classes: commercial and residential. Consumer loans are divided into two classes: secured by real estate and other. The models and assumptions used to determine the allowance require management's judgment. Assumptions, data and computations are appropriately reviewed and properly documented. |
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The risk characteristics of each of the identified portfolio segments are as follows: |
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Commercial – Commercial loans are generally of higher risk and typically are made on the basis of the borrower's ability to make repayment from the cash flow of the borrower's business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial loans may depend substantially on the success of the business itself. Furthermore, any collateral securing such loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value. |
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Commercial Real Estate – Commercial real estate loans are secured by multi-family and nonresidential real estate and generally have larger balances and generally are considered to involve a greater degree of risk than residential real estate loans. Commercial real estate loans depend on the global cash flow analysis of the borrower and the net operating income of the property, the borrower's expertise, credit history and profitability, and the value of the underlying property. Of primary concern in commercial real estate lending is the borrower's creditworthiness and the cash flow from the property. Payments on loans secured by income producing properties often depend on successful operation and management of the properties. As a result, repayment of such loans may be subject, to a greater extent than residential real estate loans, to adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy. Commercial real estate is also subject to adverse market conditions that cause a decrease in market value or lease rates, obsolescence in location or function and market conditions associated with over supply of units in a specific region. |
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Construction – Construction financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of risk of loss than long-term financing on improved, occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan depends largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the property's value at completion of construction and the estimated cost of construction. During the construction phase, a number of factors could result in delays and cost overruns. If the estimate of construction costs proves to be inaccurate, additional funds may be required to be advanced in excess of the amount originally committed to permit completion of the building. If the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, the value of the building may be insufficient to assure full repayment if liquidation is required. If foreclosure is required on a building before or at completion due to a default, there can be no assurance that all of the unpaid balance of, and accrued interest on, the loan as well as related foreclosure and holding costs will be recovered. |
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Residential Real Estate – Residential real estate loans are generally made on the basis of the borrower's ability to make repayment from his or her employment income or other income, and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable. Repayment of residential real estate loans is subject to adverse employment conditions in the local economy leading to increased default rate and decreased market values from oversupply in a geographic area. In general, residential real estate loans depend on the borrower's continuing financial stability and, therefore, are likely to be adversely affected by various factors, including job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount that can be recovered on such loans. |
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Consumer loans – Consumer loans secured by real estate may entail greater risk than residential mortgage loans due to a lower lien position. In addition, other consumer loans, particularly loans secured by assets that depreciate rapidly, such as motor vehicles, are subject to greater risk. In all cases, collateral for a defaulted consumer loan may not provide an adequate source of repayment for the outstanding loan and a small remaining deficiency often does not warrant further substantial collection efforts against the borrower. Consumer loan collections depend on the borrower's continuing financial stability and, therefore, are likely to be adversely affected by various factors, including job loss, divorce, illness or personal bankruptcy. Furthermore, the application of various federal and state laws, including federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws, may limit the amount that can be recovered on such loans. |
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Generally, when it is probable that some portion or all of a loan balance will not be collected, regardless of portfolio segment, that amount is charged-off as a loss against the allowance for loan losses. On loans secured by real estate, the charge-offs reflect partial writedowns due to the initial valuation of market values of the underlying real estate collateral in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 310-40. Consumer loans are generally charged-off in full when they reach 90 – 120 days past due. |
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Transfers of Financial Assets | Transfers of Financial Assets |
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Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales, when control over the assets has been relinquished. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when the assets have been isolated from the Corporation, the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and the Corporation does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity. |
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Premises and Equipment | Premises and equipment |
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Land is stated at cost. Buildings and improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation computed on the straight-line method over the estimated lives of each type of asset. Estimated useful lives are three to forty years for buildings and improvements and three to twenty-five years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated amortization computed on the straight-line method over the shorter of the term of the lease or useful life. |
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Long-Term Assets | Long-Term Assets |
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Premises and equipment and other long-term assets are reviewed for impairment when events indicate their carrying amount may not be recovered from future undiscounted cash flows. If impaired, the assets are recorded at fair value. |
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Other Real Estate Owned | Other Real Estate Owned |
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Other real estate owned (OREO) consists of property acquired through foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure and property that is in-substance foreclosed. OREO is initially recorded at fair value less estimated selling costs. When a property is acquired, the excess of the carrying amount over fair value, if any, is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Subsequent adjustments to the carrying value are recorded in an allowance for OREO and charged to OREO expense. |
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Bank owned life insurance | Bank owned life insurance |
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The Corporation has purchased life insurance policies on certain key officers. Bank owned life insurance is recorded at the amount that can be realized under the insurance contract at the balance sheet date, which is the cash surrender value adjusted for other charges or other amounts due that are probable at settlement. |
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Dividend Reinvestment Plan | Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
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The Corporation offers shareholders the opportunity to participate in a dividend reinvestment plan. Plan participants may reinvest cash dividends to purchase new shares of stock at 95% of the market value, based on the most recent trades. Cash dividends due to the plan participants are utilized to acquire shares from either, or a combination of, the issuance of authorized shares or purchases of shares in the open market through an approved broker. The Corporation reimburses the broker for the 5% discount when the purchase of the Corporation's stock is completed. The plan is considered to be non-compensatory. |
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Stock-based compensation | Stock-based compensation |
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Stock-based compensation cost is based on the fair value of the awards at the date of grant. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based upon the average of the high and low sale price reported for the Corporation's common stock on the date of grant. Compensation cost is recognized for restricted stock over the required service period, generally defined as the vesting period. |
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Income taxes | Income taxes |
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The Corporation records income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, as amended, using the asset and liability method. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities: (i) are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns; (ii) are attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases; and (iii) are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years when those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Where applicable, deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance for any portions determined not likely to be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expense in the period of enactment. The valuation allowance is adjusted, by a charge or credit to income tax expense, as changes in facts and circumstances warrant. |
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A tax position is recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax examination, with a tax examination being presumed to occur. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. The Corporation recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. |
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Comprehensive income (loss) | Comprehensive income (loss) |
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Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on securities available-for-sale, accretion of losses related to securities transferred from available-for-sale to held to maturity, and unrealized gains or losses on cash flow hedges, net of tax, which are also recognized as separate components of equity. |
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Earnings per common share | Earnings per common share |
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Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Common stock equivalents are not included in the calculation. |
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Diluted earnings per share is computed similar to that of the basic earnings per share except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all potential dilutive common shares were issued. |
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Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments | Loan Commitments and Related Financial Instruments |
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Financial instruments include off-balance sheet credit instruments, such as commitments to make loans and commercial letters of credit, issued to meet customer financing needs. The face amount for these items represents the exposure to loss, before considering customer collateral or ability to repay. Such financial instruments are recorded when they are funded. |
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Loss Contingencies | Loss contingencies |
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Loss contingencies, including claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business, are recorded as liabilities when the likelihood of loss is probable and an amount or range of loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe there are such matters that will have a material effect on the financial statements. |
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Dividend restriction | Dividend restriction |
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Banking regulations require maintaining certain capital levels and may limit the dividends paid by the Bank to the Corporation or by the Corporation to its shareholders. The Corporation's ability to pay cash dividends is based, among other things, on its ability to receive cash from the Bank. Banking regulations limit the amount of dividends that may be paid without prior approval of regulatory agencies. Under these regulations, the amount of dividends that may be paid in any calendar year is limited to the current year's profits, combined with the retained net profits of the preceding two years. At December 31, 2014 the Bank could have paid dividends totaling approximately $3.94 million. At December 31, 2014, this restriction did not result in any effective limitation in the manner in which the Corporation is currently operating. See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements with respect to restrictions on the Corporation's ability to declare and pay dividends resulting from the terms of the Corporation's Series B Preferred Shares. |
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Derivatives | Derivatives |
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Derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities at fair value. The Corporation's only free standing derivative consists of an interest rate swap agreement, which is used as part of its asset liability management strategy to help manage interest rate risk related to its subordinated debentures. The Corporation does not use derivatives for trading purposes. |
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The Corporation designated the interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge, which is a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability. For a cash flow hedge, the change in the fair value on the derivative is reported in other comprehensive income (loss) and is reclassified into earnings in the same periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Net cash settlements on this interest rate swap that qualify for hedge accounting are recorded in interest expense. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not highly effective in hedging the changes in fair value or expected cash flows of the hedged item are recognized immediately in current earnings. |
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The Corporation formally documented the risk-management objective and the strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction at the inception of the hedging relationship. This documentation includes linking the fair value of the cash flow hedge to the subordinated debt on the balance sheet. The Corporation formally assessed, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative instrument used is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the subordinated debt. |
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When a cash flow hedge is discontinued but the hedged cash flows or forecasted transactions are still expected to occur, gains or losses that would be accumulated in other comprehensive income are amortized into earnings over the same periods which the hedged transactions will affect earnings. |
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Fair Values of Financial Instruments | Fair value of financial instruments |
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Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using relevant market information and other assumptions, as more fully disclosed in a separate note. Fair value estimates involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment regarding interest rates, credit risk, prepayments, and other factors, especially in the absence of broad markets for particular items. Changes in assumptions or in market conditions could significantly affect the estimates. |
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Adoption of New Accounting Standards | Adoption of New Accounting Standards |
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In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, "Income Taxes, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists". This ASU requires that an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, should be presented in the consolidated financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. This ASU applies to all entities that have unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. The standard is effective for reporting periods, including interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on the Corporation's consolidated financial statements. |
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In January 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-04, “Receivables – Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors (Subtopic 310-40) Reclassification of Residential Real Estate Collateralized Consumer Mortgage Loans upon Foreclosure,” This ASU applies to all creditors who obtain physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan in satisfaction of a receivable. The amendments in this ASU clarify when an in substance repossession or foreclosure occurs and requires disclosure of both (1) the amount of foreclosed residential real estate property held by a creditor and (2) the recorded investment in consumer mortgage loans collateralized by residential real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure according to local requirements of the applicable jurisdiction. The amendments in ASU 2014-04 are effective for fiscal years, including interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2014. The adoption of the amendments in this ASU are not expected to have a material impact on the Corporation's consolidated financial statements. |
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