| SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of presentation and consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, the Bank. The Bank’s financial statements include its wholly-owned subsidiary, Georgetown Securities Corporation, which engages in the buying, selling and holding of securities. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Nature of operations
The Company, through the Bank, provides a variety of financial services to individuals and small businesses in the eastern Massachusetts region and southern New Hampshire. Its primary deposit products are checking, savings and term certificate accounts and its primary lending products are residential and commercial mortgage loans.
Segment reporting
Generally, financial information is required to be reported on the basis that it is used internally for evaluating segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources to segments. Management evaluates the Company’s performance and allocates resources based on a single segment concept. Accordingly, there are no separately identified operating segments for which discrete financial information is available. The Company does not derive revenues from, or have assets located in, foreign countries, nor does it derive revenues from any single customer that represents 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues.
Use of estimates
In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses and the realizability of deferred tax assets.
Fair value hierarchy
The Company groups its assets and liabilities measured at fair value in three levels, based on the markets in which the assets and liabilities are traded and the reliability of the assumptions used to determine fair value, as follows:
Level 1 - Valuation is based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 assets and liabilities generally include debt and equity securities that are traded in an active exchange market.
Level 2 - Valuation is based on observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 - Valuation is based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include financial instruments whose value is determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, as well as instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the 2014 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2015 presentation.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash, amounts due from banks and short-term investments, all of which mature within 90 days, and are carried at cost.
Securities
Debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as “held to maturity” and reflected at amortized cost. Securities classified as “available for sale” are reflected at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in other comprehensive income/loss, net of tax effects.
Purchase premiums and discounts are amortized to earnings by the interest method over the contractual lives of the securities. Gains and losses on sale of securities are recognized on the trade date and determined using the specific identification method.
Each reporting period, the Company evaluates all securities classified as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity with a decline in fair value below the amortized cost of the investment to determine whether or not the impairment is deemed to be other-than-temporary (“OTTI”).
For debt securities, OTTI is required to be recognized (1) if the Company intends to sell the security; (2) if it is “more likely than not” that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) the present value of expected cash flows is not sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis. For all impaired debt securities that the Company intends to sell, or more likely than not will be required to sell, the full amount of the depreciation is recognized as OTTI through earnings. Credit-related OTTI for all other impaired debt securities is recognized through earnings. Non-credit related OTTI for such debt securities is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes.
Federal Home Loan Bank stock
The Company is required to own shares of capital stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (''FHLB'') in order to borrow from the FHLB. The stock is carried at its cost and evaluated for impairment based on the ultimate recoverability of the cost basis of the FHLB stock.
Loans held for sale
Loans originated and intended for sale in the secondary market are carried at the lower of cost or estimated fair value in the aggregate. Net unrealized losses, if any, are recognized through a valuation allowance by charges to income. Fair value is based on committed secondary market prices.
Loans
The loan portfolio consists of mortgage, business and consumer loans to the Bank’s customers, principally in the eastern Massachusetts region and southern New Hampshire. The ability of the Bank’s debtors to honor their contracts is dependent upon the real estate and general economic conditions in this area.
Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are generally reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances adjusted for the allowance for loan losses and any deferred fees or costs on originated loans. Interest income is accrued on the unpaid principal balance. Loan origination costs, net of origination fees, are deferred and recognized as an adjustment of the related loan yield using the interest method.
The accrual of interest on loans, including impaired loans, is generally recognized on a simple interest basis and is generally discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due, unless the credit is both well secured and in the process of collection. Past due status is based on the contractual terms of the loans. Loans are placed on non-accrual or charged-off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.
All interest accrued but not collected for loans that are placed on non-accrual or charged-off is reversed against interest income. The interest on these loans is accounted for on the cash-basis or cost-recovery method, until qualifying for return to accrual. Loans are returned to accrual status when all the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
Allowance for loan losses
The allowance for loan losses is established as losses are estimated to have occurred through a provision for loan losses charged to earnings. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of a loan balance is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a monthly basis by management and is based upon management’s monthly review of the collectability of the loans in light of known and inherent risks in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, adverse situations that may affect the borrower’s ability to repay, estimated value of any underlying collateral and prevailing economic conditions. Additionally, as part of the evaluation of the level of the allowance for loan losses, on a quarterly basis, management analyzes several qualitative loan portfolio risk factors including, but not limited to, charge-off history, changes in management or underwriting policies, current economic conditions, delinquency statistics, geographic and industry concentrations, the adequacy of the underlying collateral, the financial strength of the borrower and results of internal and external loan reviews. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available.
The allowance for loan losses consists of specific, general and unallocated components. The specific component relates to loans that are classified as impaired. For such loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance for loan losses is established when the discounted cash flows or the fair value of the existing collateral (less cost to sell) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers non-impaired loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for qualitative factors. An unallocated component may be maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses.
A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Bank will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. 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.
The Bank periodically may agree to modify the contractual terms of loans. When a loan is modified and a concession is made to a borrower experiencing financial difficulty, the modification is considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”). All TDRs are initially classified as impaired.
Adjustable-rate mortgage loans decrease the risk associated with changes in market interest rates by periodically repricing, but involve other risks because, as interest rates increase, the underlying payments by the borrower increase, thus increasing the potential for default by the borrower. At the same time, the marketability of the underlying collateral may be adversely affected by higher interest rates. Upward adjustment of the contractual interest rate is also limited by the maximum periodic and lifetime interest rate adjustments permitted by our loan documents and, therefore, the effectiveness of adjustable-rate mortgage loans may be limited during periods of rapidly rising interest rates.
Loans secured by commercial real estate, multi-family and one- to four-family investment properties generally involve larger principal amounts and a greater degree of risk than one- to four-family residential mortgage loans. Because payments on loans secured by commercial real estate, including multi-family and one- to four-family investment properties, are often dependent on successful operation or management of the properties, repayment of such loans may be affected by adverse conditions in the real estate market or the economy.
Unlike residential mortgage loans, which generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to make repayment from his or her employment or other income and which are secured by real property whose value tends to be more easily ascertainable, commercial business loans generally are made on the basis of the borrower’s ability to repay the loan from the cash flow of the borrower’s business. As a result, the availability of funds for the repayment of commercial business loans may depend substantially on the success of the business itself. Further, any collateral securing the loans may depreciate over time, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value.
Construction and development financing is generally considered to involve a higher degree of credit risk than long-term financing on improved, owner-occupied real estate. Risk of loss on a construction loan depends largely upon the accuracy of the initial estimate of the value of the property at completion of construction compared to the estimated cost (including interest) of construction and other assumptions. If the estimate of construction cost proves to be inaccurate, we may be required to advance funds beyond the amount originally committed in order to protect the value of the property. Additionally, if the estimate of value proves to be inaccurate, we may be confronted with a project, when completed, having a value that is insufficient to assure full repayment.
Other real estate owned and in-substance foreclosures
Other real estate owned includes properties acquired through foreclosure and properties classified as in-substance foreclosures in accordance with ASC 310-40, “Receivables - Troubled Debt Restructuring by Creditors.” These properties are carried at the estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell. Any writedown from cost to estimated fair value required at the time of foreclosure or classification as in-substance foreclosure is charged to the allowance for loan losses. Expenses incurred in connection with maintaining these assets, subsequent writedowns and gains or losses recognized upon sale are included in other expense.
The Company classifies commercial loans as in-substance repossessed or foreclosed if the Company receives physical possession of the debtor’s assets regardless of whether formal foreclosure proceedings take place. An in-substance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and the Bank is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan upon either: (1) obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure; or (2) the borrower conveying all interest in the residential real estate property to the creditor to satisfy that loan through completion of a deed in lieu of foreclosure or through a similar legal agreement.
Loan Servicing
The Bank services mortgage loans for others. Mortgage servicing assets are recognized at fair value, as separate assets when rights are acquired through purchase or through sale of financial assets. Initial fair value is determined using prices for similar assets with similar characteristics. Capitalized servicing rights are reported in other assets and are amortized into loan servicing fee income in proportion to, and over the period of, the estimated future net servicing income of the underlying financial assets. Servicing assets are evaluated for impairment based upon the fair value of the rights as compared to amortized cost. Impairment is determined by stratifying rights by predominant risk characteristics, such as interest rates and terms. Fair value is based on a quarterly, third-party valuation model that calculates the present value of estimated future net servicing income. Impairment is recognized through a valuation allowance for an individual stratum, to the extent that fair value is less than the capitalized amount for the stratum. Changes in the valuation allowance are reported in loan servicing fee income.
Derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and measured at fair value.
Derivative Loan Commitments
Mortgage loan commitments are referred to as derivative loan commitments if the loan that will result from exercise of the commitment will be held for sale upon funding. Loan commitments that are derivatives are recognized at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets in other assets and other liabilities with changes in their fair values recorded in mortgage banking income. Fair value is determined using secondary market pricing, including expected normal servicing rights. In estimating fair value, the Bank assigns a probability to a loan commitment based on an expectation that it will be exercised and the loan will be funded.
Forward Loan Sale Commitments
To protect against the price risk inherent in derivative loan commitments, the Bank utilizes both “mandatory delivery” and “best efforts” forward loan sale commitments to mitigate the risk of potential decreases in the value of loans that would result from the exercise of the derivative loan commitments. Mandatory delivery contracts are accounted for as derivative instruments. Generally, the Bank’s best efforts contracts meet the definition of derivative instruments when the loans to the underlying borrowers close and are accounted for as derivative instruments at that time. Accordingly, forward loan sale commitments are recognized at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets in other assets and other liabilities with changes in their fair values recorded in mortgage banking income.
The Bank estimates the fair value of its forward loan sales commitments using a methodology similar to that used for derivative loan commitments.
Premises and equipment
Land is carried at cost. Buildings, leasehold improvements and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the expected terms of the leases, if shorter. Useful lives are dependent upon the nature and condition of the asset and range from 3 to 40 years. Expected terms include lease option periods to the extent that the exercise of such options is reasonably assured.
Bank-owned life insurance
Bank-owned life insurance policies are reflected on the consolidated balance sheets at cash surrender value. Changes in cash surrender value are reflected in non-interest income on the consolidated statements of income.
Transfers of financial assets
Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered. Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2) 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 (3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.
Income taxes
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the tax effects of the temporary differences between the book and tax bases of the various balance sheet assets and liabilities and gives current recognition to changes in tax rates and laws. A valuation allowance is established against deferred tax assets when, based upon the available evidence including historical and projected taxable income, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Interest and penalties, if any, are recorded in income tax expense.
Income tax benefits related to stock compensation in excess of grant date fair value less any proceeds on exercise are recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital upon vesting or exercising and delivery of the stock. Any income tax effects related to stock compensation that are less than grant date fair value less any proceeds on exercise would be recognized as a reduction of additional paid in capital to the extent of previously recognized income tax benefits and then through income tax expense for the remaining amount.
Advertising costs
Advertising costs are expensed when incurred.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Compensation expense for the ESOP is recorded at an amount equal to the shares committed to be allocated by the ESOP multiplied by the average fair market value of the shares during the period. The Bank recognizes compensation expense ratably over the year based upon the Bank’s estimate of the number of shares expected to be allocated by the ESOP. Unearned compensation applicable to the ESOP is reflected as a reduction of stockholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets. The difference between the average fair market value and the cost of the shares allocated by the ESOP is recorded as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital.
Share-based Compensation Plan
The Company measures and recognizes compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued. Share-based compensation is recognized over the period the employee is required to provide services for the award. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted.
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share represents net income available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. If rights to dividends on unvested options/awards are non-forfeitable, these unvested awards/options are considered outstanding in the computation of basic earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share reflects additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued, as well as any adjustment to income that would result from the assumed issuance. Potential common shares that may be issued by the Company relate to outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards and are determined using the treasury stock method.
Unallocated ESOP shares are not deemed outstanding for earnings per share calculations.
Earnings per common share have been computed based on the following:
Years Ended December 31,
2015
2014
Net income available to common stockholders
$
$
Basic common shares:
Weighted average shares outstanding
Less: Weighted average unallocated ESOP shares
Add: Weighted average unvested restricted stock shares with non-forfeitable dividend rights
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
Dilutive potential common shares
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic earnings per share
$
$
Diluted earnings per share
$
$
Options to purchase 89,275 shares, representing all outstanding options, were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2015. Options to purchase 61,681 shares, representing all outstanding options, were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Comprehensive income
Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in operating results. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, are reported as a separate component of the stockholders’ equity section of the consolidated balance sheets, such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In May 2014 and August 2015, respectively, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 and 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to clarify principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The guidance in ASU 2014-09 affects any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards. The core principal of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The amendments in ASU 2015-14 defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within that period. Earlier application is permitted only as of an annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently reviewing ASUs 2014-09 and 2015-14 to determine if they will have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” The amendments in this ASU require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. The standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The guidance should be applied on a retrospective basis. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-05, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.” This ASU provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The new guidance does not change the accounting for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. ASU 2015-05 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent).” The objective of this update is to address the diversity in practice related to how certain investments measured at net asset value with redemption dates in the future are categorized within the fair value hierarchy. The amendments in this update remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The amendments also remove the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In June 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements.” The guidance in ASU 2015-03 did not address presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. This ASU amends SEC paragraphs in the codification pursuant to the Staff Announcement at the June 18, 2015 Emerging Issue Task Force (“EITF”) meeting, to clarify that the staff “would not object” to an entity deferring and presenting these debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing these costs ratably over the term of the line- of- credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are outstanding borrowings on the line. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” The amendments in this ASU address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments and makes targeted improvements to GAAP as follows:
1.
Require equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer.
2.
Simplify the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. When a qualitative assessment indicates that impairment exists, an entity is required to measure the investment at fair value.
3.
Eliminate the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet.
4.
Require public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes.
5.
Require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments.
6.
Require separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset (that is, securities or loans and receivables) on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7.
Clarify that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets.
The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of item 5 above is permitted as of the fiscal years or interim periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. Early adoption of all other amendments in this ASU is not permitted. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This ASU was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring reporting entities to recognize all leases, including operating, as lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. |
