Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2014 |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
Organization | Organization. Prime Meridian Holding Company (the “Holding Company”) owns 100% of the outstanding common stock of Prime Meridian Bank (the “Bank”) (collectively the “Company”). The Holding Company’s primary activity is the operation of the Bank. The Bank is a state (Florida)-chartered commercial bank. The deposit accounts of the Bank are insured up to the applicable limits by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”). The Bank offers a variety of community banking services to individual and corporate customers through its two banking offices located in Tallahassee, Florida. |
The following is a description of the significant accounting policies and practices followed by the Company, which conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and prevailing practices within the banking industry. |
Impaired Loans | Impaired Loans. Estimates of fair value for impaired loans is based on the estimated value of the underlying collateral which is determined based on a variety of information, including the use of available appraisals, estimates of market value by licensed appraisers or local real estate brokers and the knowledge and experience of the Bank’s management related to values of equipment or properties in the Bank’s market areas. Management takes into consideration the type, location or occupancy of the equipment or property as well as current economic conditions in the area the property is located in assessing estimates of fair value. Accordingly, fair value estimates for impaired loans are classified as Level 3. |
Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates. In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheet and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. A material estimate that is particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relates to the determination of the allowance for loan losses. |
Principles of Consolidation | Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Holding Company and the Bank. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents. For purposes of the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents include cash and balances due from banks, federal funds sold and interest-bearing deposits, all of which have original maturities of less than ninety days. |
At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company was required by law or regulation to maintain cash reserves with the Federal Reserve Bank, in accounts with other banks or in the vault in the amounts of $1,026,000 and $986,000, respectively. |
Securities | Securities. Securities may be classified as either trading, held to maturity or available for sale. Trading securities are held principally for resale and recorded at their fair values. Unrealized gains and losses on trading securities are included immediately in earnings. Held-to-maturity securities are those which the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity and are reported at amortized cost. Available-for-sale securities consist of securities not classified as trading securities or as held-to-maturity securities. Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale securities are excluded from operations and reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses on the sale of available-for-sale securities are recorded on the trade date determined using the specific-identification method. Premiums and discounts on securities available for sale are recognized in interest income using the interest method over the period to maturity. |
Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. Consideration is given to (1) the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, (2) the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and (3) the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. |
Loans Held for Sale | Loans Held for Sale. Loans held for sale include mortgage loans and Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans originated which are intended for sale in the secondary market and are carried at the lower of book value or estimated fair value in the aggregate. Gains on loans held for sale are reported on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings under noninterest income in either gain on sale of SBA loans or mortgage banking revenue. At December 31, 2014 loans held for sale were $1,871,000, compared to $150,000 at December 31, 2013. |
Loans | Loans. Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off are reported at their outstanding principal adjusted for any charge-offs, the allowance for loan losses, and any deferred fees or costs. |
Commitment and loan origination fees are capitalized and certain direct origination costs are deferred. Both are recognized as an adjustment of the yield of the related loan. |
The accrual of interest on all portfolio classes is discontinued at the time the loan is ninety-days delinquent unless the loan is well collateralized and in process of collection. In all cases, loans are placed on nonaccrual 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 nonaccrual or loans that are 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 of the principal and interest amounts contractually due are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured. |
Allowance for Loan Losses | 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 confirms that a loan balance cannot be collected. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. There were no changes in the Company’s accounting policies or methodology during the year ended December 31, 2014. |
The allowance for loan losses is evaluated on a regular basis by management and is based upon management’s periodic review of the collectability of the loans in light of historical experience, 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. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires estimates that are susceptible to significant revision as more information becomes available. |
The allowance consists of specific and general components. The specific component relates to loans that are considered impaired. For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows or collateral value of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan. The general component covers all other loans and is based on the following factors: |
The historical loss component of the allowance is determined by losses recognized by portfolio segment over the preceding thirty-six months. This is supplemented by the risks for each portfolio segment. Risk factors impacting loans in each of the portfolio segments include any deterioration of property values, reduced consumer and business spending as a result of unemployment and reduced credit availability, and a lack of confidence in the economy. The historical experience is adjusted for the following qualitative factors: (a) changes in lending policies and procedures, risk selection and underwriting standards; (b) changes in national, regional and local economic conditions that affect the collectability of the loan portfolio; (c) changes in the experience, ability and depth of lending management and other relevant staff; (d) changes in the volume and severity of past due loans, nonaccrual loans or loans classified special mention, substandard, doubtful or loss; (e) quality of loan review and Board of Directors oversight; (f) changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio and terms of loans; (g) the existence and effect of any concentrations of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations; (h) the effect of other external factors, trends or uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses, such as competition and industry conditions. |
Allowance for Loan Losses, Continued. 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. 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 for all loans by either the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral-dependent. |
Premises and Equipment | Premises and Equipment. Land is stated at cost. Buildings, leasehold improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment, and software are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each type of asset, or the lease term if shorter. |
Other Real Estate Owned | Other Real Estate Owned. Assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis. Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and are carried at the lower of the new cost basis or fair value less cost to sell. Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in other real estate owned expenses. |
Transfer of Financial Assets | Transfer of Financial Assets. Transfers of financial assets or a participating interest in an entire financial asset 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. A participating interest is a portion of an entire financial asset that (1) conveys proportionate ownership rights with equal priority to each participating interest holder (2) involves no recourse (other than standard representations and warranties) to, or subordination by, any participating interest holder, and (3) does not entitle any participating interest holder to receive cash before any other participating interest holder. |
Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments. | Off-Balance-Sheet Financial Instruments. In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into off-balance-sheet financial instruments consisting of commitments to extend credit, construction loans in process, unused lines of credit, standby letters of credit, and guaranteed accounts. Such financial instruments are recorded in the consolidated financial statements when they are funded. |
Income Taxes | Income Taxes. There are two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. |
Deferred tax assets are recognized if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent; the terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management’s judgment. As of December 31, 2014, management is not aware of any uncertain tax positions that would have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. |
The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense. |
The Company files consolidated income tax returns. Income taxes are allocated to the Holding Company and Bank as if separate income tax returns were filed. |
Derivative Financial Instruments | Derivative Financial Instruments. Derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and measured at fair value. The Company enters into commitments to originate loans whereby the interest-rate on the loan is determined prior to funding (rate lock commitments). Rate-lock commitments on mortgage loans that are intended to be sold are considered to be derivatives. Accordingly, such commitments, along with any related fees received from potential borrowers, are recorded at fair value in derivative assets or liabilities, with changes in fair value recorded in the net gain or loss on sale of mortgage loans. Fair value is based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, and for fixed-rate commitments, the difference between current levels of interest rates and the committed rates is also considered. |
Fair Value Measurements | Fair Value Measurements. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. GAAP has established a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The hierarchy describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: |
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active; and model-driven valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. Valuations may be obtained from, or corroborated by, third-party pricing services. |
Level 3: Unobservable inputs to measure fair value of assets and liabilities for which there is little, if any market activity at the measurement date, using reasonable inputs and assumptions based upon the best information at the time, to the extent that inputs are available without undue cost and effort. |
The following describes valuation methodologies used for assets measured at fair value: |
Securities Available for Sale | Securities Available for Sale. Where quoted prices are available in an active market, securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. Level 1 securities include highly liquid government bonds, certain mortgage products and exchange-traded equities. If quoted market prices are not available, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, or discounted cash flows. Examples of such instruments, which would generally be classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy, include U.S. Government agency securities, municipal securities and mortgage-backed securities. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, securities are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Securities classified within Level 3 include certain asset-backed securities. |
Fair Values of Financial Instruments | Fair Values of Financial Instruments. The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating fair values of financial instruments: |
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair value (Level 1). |
Securities. Fair values for securities are based on the framework for measuring fair value (Level 2). |
Loans. For variable-rate loans that reprice frequently and have no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values. Fair values for fixed-rate mortgage (e.g. one-to-four family residential), commercial real estate and commercial loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for loans with similar terms to borrowers of similar credit quality. Fair values for nonperforming loans are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis or underlying collateral values, where applicable (Level 3). |
Federal Home Loan Bank Stock. The fair value of the Company’s investment in Federal Home Loan Bank stock is based on its redemption value (Level 3). |
Accrued Interest Receivable. The carrying amounts of accrued interest approximate their fair values (Level 3). |
Deposits. The fair values disclosed for demand, NOW, money-market and savings deposits are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (that is, their carrying amounts). Fair values for fixed-rate time deposits are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered on time deposits to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities of time deposits (Level 3). |
Other Borrowings. The carrying amounts of other borrowings approximate their fair value (Level 3). |
Off-Balance-Sheet Instruments. Fair values for off-balance-sheet lending commitments are based on fees currently charged to enter into similar agreements, taking into account the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties’ credit standing (Level 3). |
Advertising | Advertising. The Company expenses all media advertising as incurred. |
Share-Based Compensation | Share-Based Compensation. The Company expenses the fair value of any stock options granted. The Company recognizes share-based compensation in the statements of earnings as the options vest. |
Comprehensive Income | Comprehensive Income. GAAP require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in earnings. Although certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the consolidated balance sheets, such items, along with net earnings, are components of comprehensive income. |
Mortgage Banking Revenue | Mortgage Banking Revenue. Mortgage banking revenue includes gains on the sale of mortgage loans originated for sale. The Company recognizes mortgage banking revenue from mortgage loans originated in the consolidated statement of earnings upon sale of the loans. |
Recent Accounting Standards Update | Recent Accounting Standards Update. 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, which is intended to clarify when a creditor should be considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan such that the loan should be derecognized and the real estate recognized. These amendments clarify that an insubstance repossession or foreclosure occurs, and a creditor is considered to have received physical possession of residential real estate property collateralizing a consumer mortgage loan, upon either: (a) the creditor obtaining legal title to the residential real estate property upon completion of a foreclosure; or (b) 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. Additional disclosures are required. The amendments are effective beginning January 1, 2015. Upon adoption, this guidance is not expected to impact the Bank’s financial statements. |
Recent Regulatory Developments | Recent Regulatory Developments |
Basel III Rules. On July 2, 2013, the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”) approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for U.S. banks. Under the final rules, minimum requirements will increase for both the quantity and quality of capital held by the Bank. The rules include a new common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of 4.5% and a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets. The final rules also raise the minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets from 4.0% to 6.0% and require a minimum leverage ratio of 4.0%. The final rules also implement strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments. On July 9, 2013, the FDIC also approved, as an interim final rule, the regulatory capital requirements for U.S. banks, following the actions of the FRB. The FDIC’s rule is identical in substance to the final rules issued by the FRB. |
The phase-in period for the final rules began for the Bank on January 1, 2015, with full compliance with all of the final rule’s requirements phased in over a multi-year schedule. The Bank is currently evaluating the provisions of the final rules and their expected impact on the Bank. |