SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ________ TO ________

 

Commission file number 0-24751

SALISBURY BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Connecticut   06-1514263
(State or other jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
5 Bissell Street, Lakeville, CT   06039
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

(860) 435-9801

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes ☑ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes ☑ No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Large accelerated filer    Accelerated filer   Non-accelerated filer   Smaller reporting company ☑  Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐ No ☑

 

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of August 14, 2017 is 2,785,066.

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

      Page 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION    
Item 1.  Financial Statements (unaudited)    
   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF JUNE 30, 2017 (unaudited) and DECEMBER 31, 2016  3 
   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2016 (unaudited)  4 
   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2016 (unaudited)  5 
   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2016 ( unaudited)  5 
  

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIX MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017 AND 2016 (unaudited)

 6 
   NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  8 
Item 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS  31 
Item 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK  47 
Item 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES  48 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  49 
Item 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS  49 
Item 1A.  RISK FACTORS  49 
Item 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS  49 
Item 3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES  49 
Item 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES  49 
Item 5.  OTHER INFORMATION  49 
Item 6.  EXHIBITS  49 
SIGNATURES  50 

 

2
 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)  June 30, 2017    December 31, 2016  
ASSETS   (unaudited)      
Cash and due from banks  $5,920   $5,434 
Interest bearing demand deposits with other banks   55,472    30,051 
Total cash and cash equivalents   61,392    35,485 
Securities:       
Available-for-sale at fair value   81,016    79,623 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock at cost   3,452    3,211 
Loans held-for-sale   594     
Loans receivable, net (allowance for loan losses: $6,493 and $6,127)   771,850    763,184 
Other real estate owned   3,854    3,773 
Bank premises and equipment, net   16,149    14,398 
Goodwill   13,827    12,552 
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization: $3,764 and $3,511)   2,116    1,737 
Accrued interest receivable   2,303    2,424 
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies   14,211    14,038 
Deferred taxes   1,320    1,367 
Other assets   2,722    3,574 
Total Assets  $974,806   $935,366 
LIABILITIES and SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Deposits:          
Demand (non-interest bearing)  $219,660   $218,420 
Demand (interest bearing)   132,899    127,854 
Money market   194,704    182,476 
Savings and other   145,937    135,435 
Certificates of deposit   118,141    117,585 
Total deposits   811,341    781,770 
Repurchase agreements   2,126    5,535 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances   47,302    37,188 
Subordinated debt   9,799    9,788 
Note payable   327    344 
Capital lease liability   1,987    418 
Accrued interest and other liabilities   5,379    6,316 
Total Liabilities   878,261    841,359 
Shareholders' Equity          
Common stock - $0.10 per share par value          
Authorized: 5,000,000          
Issued: 2,785,066 and 2,758,086   279    276 
Paid-in capital   42,984    42,085 
Retained earnings   53,453    51,521 
Unearned compensation - restricted stock awards   (738)   (352)
Accumulated other comprehensive income   567    477 
Total Shareholders' Equity   96,545    94,007 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity  $974,806   $935,366 

 

3
 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited)

   Three months ended      Six months ended  
Periods ended June 30, (in thousands, except per share amounts)    2017      2016      2017      2016  
Interest and dividend income                    
Interest and fees on loans  $8,235   $7,938   $16,577   $15,869 
Interest on debt securities:                    
Taxable   354    286    672    579 
Tax exempt   113    237    277    523 
Other interest and dividends   94    60    176    134 
Total interest and dividend income   8,796    8,521    17,702    17,105 
Interest expense                    
Deposits   578    529    1,094    1,037 
Repurchase agreements   1    1    1    2 
Capital lease   20    17    37    35 
Note payable   5    6    7    11 
Subordinated debt   156    156    312    312 
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances   266    245    528    476 
Total interest expense   1,026    954    1,979    1,873 
Net interest and dividend income   7,770    7,567    15,723    15,232 
Provision for loan losses   364    525    716    988 
Net interest and dividend income after provision for loan losses   7,406    7,042    15,007    14,244 
Non-interest income                    
Trust and wealth advisory   892    884    1,746    1,668 
Service charges and fees   902    753    1,863    1,455 
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net   30    57    79    96 
Mortgage servicing, net   31    45    76    79 
(Loss) /gains and write-downs on sales and calls of available-for-sale securities, net   (14)   146    (14)   148 
Other   110    115    223    229 
Total non-interest income   1,951    2,000    3,973    3,675 
Non-interest expense                    
Salaries   2,777    2,687    5,667    5,261 
Employee benefits   831    910    1,919    1,998 
Premises and equipment   907    844    1,802    1,739 
Data processing   504    449    977    896 
Professional fees   764    564    1,481    944 
Collections, OREO and loan related   155    125    456    311 
FDIC insurance   98    176    247    310 
Marketing and community support   152    180    403    380 
Amortization of core deposit intangibles   126    152    252    307 
Other   546    551    1,081    1,330 
Total non-interest expense   6,860    6,638    14,285    13,476 
Income before income taxes   2,497    2,404    4,695    4,443 
Income tax provision   615    669    1,208    1,196 
Net income  $1,882   $1,735   $3,487   $3,247 
Net income allocated to common stock  $1,867   $1,721   $3,461   $3,220 
Basic earnings per common share  $0.68   $0.63   $1.26   $1.18 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, to calculate basic earnings per share   2,757    2,734    2,753    2,729 
Diluted earnings per common share  $0.67   $0.63   $1.25   $1.17 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, to calculate diluted earnings per share   2,775    2,749    2,772    2,745 
Common dividends per share  $0.28   $0.28   $0.56   $0.56 

4
 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited)

   Three months ended      Six months ended  
Periods ended June 30, (in thousands)    2017      2016      2017      2016  
Net income  $1,882   $1,735   $3,487   $3,247 
Other comprehensive income (loss)                    
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale   106    190    122    122 
Reclassification of net realized losses (gains) and write-downs in net income (1)   14    (146)   14    (148)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale   120    44    136    (26)
Income tax (expense) benefit   (40)   (15)   (46)   9 
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale, net of tax   80    29    90    (17)
Comprehensive income  $1,962   $1,764   $3,577   $3,230 

 

(1) Reclassification adjustments include realized security gains and losses. The gains and losses have been reclassified out of other comprehensive income (loss) and have affected certain lines in the consolidated statements of income as follows: The pre-tax amount is reflected as gains on sales and calls of available-for-sale securities, net, the tax effect is included in the income tax provision and the after tax amount is included in net income. The net tax effect for the three months ending June 30th 2017 and 2016 are $5 thousand and ($50) thousand respectively. The net tax effect for the six month periods ending June 30th are the same.

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (unaudited) Six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

(dollars in thousands)  Common Stock Paid-in capital  Retained earnings 

Unearned compensation

restricted

stock awards

 

Accumulated other comp-

rehensive income

  Total shareholders' equity
   Shares  Amount               
Balances at December 31, 2015   2,733,576   $273   $41,364   $47,922   $(110)  $1,125   $90,574 
Net income for period               3,247            3,247 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                       (17)   (17)
Common stock dividends declared               (1,542)           (1,542)
Stock options exercised   4,050        87                87 
Issuance of restricted stock awards   15,800    2    464        (466)        
Issuance of common stock for directors   4,760    1    141                142 
Stock based compensation- restricted stock awards                   93        93 
Balances at June 30, 2016   2,758,186   $276   $42,056   $49,627   $(483)  $1,108   $92,584 
Balances at December 31, 2016   2,758,086   $276   $42,085   $51,521   $(352)  $477   $94,007 
Net income for period               3,487            3,487 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax                       90    90 
Common stock dividends declared               (1,555)           (1,555)
Stock options exercised   12,150    1    312                313 
Issuance of restricted stock awards   10,950    2    426        (428)        
Forfeiture of restricted stock awards   (200)       (3)       3         
Issuance of vested common stock for directors   2,056        81                81 
Issuance of director’s restricted stock awards   2,024        83        (83)        
Stock based compensation- restricted stock awards                   122        122 
Balances at June 30, 2017   2,785,066   $279   $42,984   $53,453   $(738)  $567   $96,545 

 

5
 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

Six months ended June 30, (in thousands)    2017      2016  
Operating Activities          
Net income  $3,487   $3,247 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities          
(Accretion), amortization and depreciation          
Securities   77    133 
Bank premises and equipment   648    604 
Core deposit intangible   253    307 
Modification fees on Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances   114    116 
Subordinated debt issuance costs   11    12 
Mortgage servicing rights   136    116 
Fair value adjustment on loans   (744)   (988)
Fair value adjustment on deposits   (47)   (72)
(Gains) and losses, including write-downs          
Loss (gain) and write-downs on sales and calls of securities available-for-sale, net   14    (148)
Gain on sales of loans, excluding capitalized servicing rights   (59)   (96)
Write-downs of other real estate owned   145     
Loss on sale/disposals of premises and equipment   1    13 
Provision for loan losses   716    988 
Proceeds from loans sold   3,463    2,048 
Loans originated for sale   (3,998)   (1,189)
Decrease (increase) in deferred loan origination fees and costs, net   47    (81)
Mortgage servicing rights originated   (38)   (45)
Increase in mortgage servicing rights impairment reserve   1    21 
Decrease in interest receivable   133    90 
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses   (104)   64 
Increase in cash surrender value of life insurance policies   (173)   (177)
Decrease in income tax receivable   76    414 
Decrease in other assets   802    234 
Decrease in accrued expenses   (996)   (32)
Decrease in interest payable   (2)   (32)
Increase in other liabilities   58    890 
Stock based compensation-restricted stock awards   122    93 
Net cash provided by operating activities   4,143    6,530 
Investing Activities          
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock, net of redemptions   (241)   (260)
Purchases of securities available-for-sale   (25,116)   (32,536)
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale       3,800 
Proceeds from calls of securities available-for-sale   9,221    9,661 
Proceeds from maturities of securities available-for-sale   14,547    15,320 
Loan originations and principal collections, net   (2,091)   (50,488)
Recoveries of loans previously charged off   100    64 
Proceeds from sales of other real estate owned   177     
Capital expenditures   (795)   (817)
Cash and cash equivalents acquired from acquisition   22,375     
Net cash provided (utilized) by investing activities   18,177    (55,256)

 

6
 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

Six months ended June 30, (in thousands)    2017      2016  
Financing Activities          
(Decrease) increase in deposit transaction accounts, net   (2,418)   973 
Increase (decrease) in time deposits, net   603    (963)
Decrease in securities sold under agreements to repurchase, net   (3,409)   (559)
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances   10,000    19,994 
Principal payments on Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston advances       (6)
Principal payments on note payable   (17)   (18)
Decrease in capital lease obligation   (11)   (2)
Stock options exercised   313    87 
Issuance of shares for directors’ fees   81    142 
Common stock dividends paid   (1,555)   (1,542)
Net cash provided (utilized) by financing activities   3,587    18,106 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   25,907    (30,620)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   35,485    62,118 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $61,392   $31,498 
Cash paid during period          
Interest  $1,903   $1,977 
Income taxes   1,133    782 
Non-cash transfers          
From loans to other real estate owned   403     
Empire State Bank branch acquisition 2017          
Cash and cash equivalents acquired   22,375      
Net loans acquired   7,097      
Fixed assets acquired (including capital lease)   1,605      
Accrued interest receivable acquired   12      
Other assets acquired   20      
Core deposit intangible   632      
Goodwill   1,275      
Deposits assumed   31,433      
Capital lease assumed   1,580      
Other liabilities assumed   3      

 

7
 

Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The interim (unaudited) consolidated financial statements of Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. ("Salisbury") include those of Salisbury and its wholly owned subsidiary, Salisbury Bank and Trust Company (the "Bank"). In the opinion of management, the interim unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of Salisbury and the consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the interim periods presented.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make extensive use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the balance sheet, and revenues and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ significantly 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, expected cash flows from loans acquired in a business combination, other-than-temporary impairment of securities and impairment of goodwill and intangibles.

Certain financial information, which is normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, but which is not required for interim reporting purposes, has been condensed or omitted. Operating results for the interim period ended June 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2017. The accompanying condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Salisbury's 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The allowance for loan losses is a significant accounting policy and is presented in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in Management’s Discussion and Analysis, which provides information on how significant assets are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Based on the valuation techniques used and the sensitivity of financial statement amounts to the methods, assumptions and estimates underlying those amounts, management has identified the determination of the allowance for loan losses to be the accounting area that requires the most subjective judgments, and as such could be most subject to revision as new information becomes available.

Impact of New Accounting Pronouncements Issued

In May 2014, August 2015, May 2016, and December 2016, respectively, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, 2015-14, 2016-12, and 2016-20, “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. For public entities, the amendments in ASU 2015-14 defer the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, but not before the original effective date (i.e. interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016). The amendments in ASU 2016-12 do not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606, but rather affect only certain narrow aspects aimed to reduce the potential for diversity in practice at initial application and the cost and complexity of applying Topic 606 both at transition and on an ongoing basis. The amendments in ASU 2016-20 include technical corrections and improvements to Topic 606 and other Topics amended by ASU 2014-09 to increase stakeholders’ awareness of the proposals and to expedite improvements to ASU 2014-09. Salisbury is currently reviewing ASU 2014-09, 2015-14, 2016-12, and 2016-20 to determine if they will have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

8
 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments –overall (subtopic 825-10): "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." This ASU addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments by making 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 to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for entities that are not public business entities; (4) 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; (5) require public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; (6) 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; (7) 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; and (8) 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. ASU No. 2016-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption only for provisions (3) and (6) above. Early adoption of the other provisions mentioned above is not permitted. Salisbury does not expect ASU No. 2016-01 to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements; however, the Company will continue to closely monitor developments and additional guidance.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)”. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases): 1) a lease liability, which is the present value of a lessee's obligation to make lease payments, and 2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Lessor accounting under the new guidance remains largely unchanged as it is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases, and operating leases. Leveraged leases have been eliminated, although lessors can continue to account for existing leveraged leases using the current accounting guidance. Other limited changes were made to align lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and the new revenue recognition standard. All entities will classify leases to determine how to recognize lease-related revenue and expense. Quantitative and qualitative disclosures will be required by lessees and lessors to meet the objective of enabling users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The intention is to require enough information to supplement the amounts recorded in the financial statements so that users can understand more about the nature of an entity’s leasing activities. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018; early adoption is permitted. All entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. They have the option to use certain relief; full retrospective application is prohibited. Salisbury is currently evaluating this ASU to determine the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” This ASU includes provisions intended to simplify various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements. Some of the key provisions of this new ASU include: (1) companies will no longer record excess tax benefits and certain tax deficiencies in additional paid-in capital (“APIC”). Instead, they will record all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement, and APIC pools will be eliminated. The guidance also eliminates the requirement that excess tax benefits be realized before companies can recognize them. In addition, the guidance requires companies to present excess tax benefits as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows rather than as a financing activity; (2) increase the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes on awards and still qualify for the exception to liability classification for shares used to satisfy the employer’s statutory income tax withholding obligation. The new guidance will also require an employer to classify the cash paid to a tax authority when shares are withheld to satisfy its statutory income tax withholding obligation as a financing activity on its statement of cash flows (current guidance did not specify how these cash flows should be classified); and (3) permit companies to make an accounting policy election for the impact of forfeitures on the recognition of expense for share-based payment awards. Forfeitures can be estimated, as required today, or recognized when they occur. Salisbury has opted to recognize forfeitures as they occur as the impact is not expected to be material. ASU 2016-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period. Salisbury adopted ASU 2016-09 as of January 1, 2017. Adoption did not have a material effect on the financial results for the first quarter of 2017 and contributed a $105 thousand benefit to the tax provision in the second quarter 2017.

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In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which adds a new Topic 326 to the Codification and removes the thresholds that companies apply to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost, such as loans, receivables, and held-to-maturity debt securities. Under current U.S. GAAP, companies generally recognize credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred. The revised guidance will remove all recognition thresholds and will require companies to recognize an allowance for credit losses for the difference between the amortized cost basis of a financial instrument and the amount of amortized cost that the company expects to collect over the instrument’s contractual life. ASU 2016-13 also amends the credit loss measurement guidance for available-for-sale debt securities and beneficial interests in securitized financial assets. The guidance in ASU 2016-13 is effective for “public business entities,” as defined, that are SEC filers for fiscal years and for interim periods with those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted as of the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Salisbury is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2016-13 to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on Salisbury’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." This ASU is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how eight particular transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, provided that all of the amendments are adopted in the same period. Entities will be required to apply the guidance retrospectively. If it is impracticable to apply the guidance retrospectively for an issue, the amendments related to that issue would be applied prospectively. As this guidance only affects the classification within the statement of cash flows, ASU 2016-15 is not expected to have a material impact on Salisbury’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business." The amendments in this ASU are intended to add guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments in this ASU provide a screen to determine when a set of inputs, processes, and outputs is not a business and provides a framework to assist entities in evaluating whether both an input and a substantive process are present. ASU 2017-01 is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted for transactions for which the acquisition date occurs before the issuance date or effective date of the amendments, only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance, or for transactions in which a subsidiary is deconsolidated or a group of assets is derecognized that occur before the issuance date or effective date of the amendments, only when the transaction has not been reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. Entities should apply the guidance prospectively on or after the effective date. Salisbury is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2017-01 to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on Salisbury’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” This ASU is intended to allow companies to simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. Under the new guidance, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. ASU 2017-04 is effective for public business entities that are SEC filers for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. Entities should apply the guidance prospectively. Salisbury is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2017-04 to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on Salisbury’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, “Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities.” This ASU will amend the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. The Board is shortening the amortization period for the premium to the earliest call date. Under current generally accepted accounting principles, entities generally amortize the premium as an adjustment of yield over the contractual life of the instrument. ASU 2017-08 is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Entities should apply the guidance on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Salisbury is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2017-08 and does not expect that the adoption of the new standard will have a material impact on Salisbury’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

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In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” This ASU will provide clarity in the accounting guidance regarding a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. ASU 2017-09 is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Entities should apply the guidance prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Salisbury is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU 2017-09 to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on Salisbury’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 2 - SECURITIES

The composition of securities is as follows:

(in thousands)

Amortized

cost basis (1)

 

Gross un-

realized gains

 

Gross un-

realized losses

 Fair Value 
June 30, 2017                    
Available-for-sale                    
Municipal bonds  $6,528   $71   $   $6,599 
Mortgage-backed securities                    
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises   48,866    271    173    48,964 
Collateralized mortgage obligations                    
U.S. Government agencies   8,694    66    1    8,759 
Non-agency   2,733    419    8    3,144 
SBA bonds   10,488    23    3    10,508 
CRA mutual funds   842        11    831 
Corporate bonds   2,000    45        2,045 
Preferred stock   7    159        166 
Total securities available-for-sale  $80,158   $1,054   $196   $81,016 
Non-marketable securities                    
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock  $3,452   $   $   $3,452 

 

(in thousands)

Amortized

cost basis (1)

 

Gross un-

realized gains

 

Gross un-

realized losses

 Fair Value 
December 31, 2016                    
Available-for-sale                    
Municipal bonds  $15,800   $197   $1   $15,996 
Mortgage-backed securities:                    
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government- sponsored enterprises   53,407    229    335    53,301 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                    
U.S. Government agencies   1,470    4        1,474 
Non-agency   3,327    414    6    3,735 
SBA bonds   2,056    9    1    2,064 
CRA mutual funds   834        16    818 
Corporate bonds   2,000    16    3    2,013 
Preferred stock   7    215        222 
Total securities available-for-sale  $78,901   $1,084   $362   $79,623 
Non-marketable securities                    
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston stock  $3,211   $   $   $3,211 

 

(1)Net of other-than-temporary impairment write-downs recognized in earnings.

Salisbury did not sell any available-for-sale securities during the six month period ended June 30, 2017. Salisbury sold $3.6 million of securities available-for-sale during the six month period ended June 30, 2016 realizing a pre-tax gain of $148 thousand and related tax expense of $50 thousand.

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The following table summarizes, for all securities in an unrealized loss position, including debt securities for which a portion of other-than-temporary impairment (OTTI) has been recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), the aggregate fair value and gross unrealized loss of securities that have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of the date presented:

June 30, 2017 (in thousands)  Less than 12 Months  12 Months or Longer  Total
   Fair
value
 

Unrealized

losses

  Fair
value
 

Unrealized

losses

  Fair
value
  Unrealized losses
Available-for-sale                              
Mortgage-backed securities  $15,685   $109   $10,615   $64   $26,300   $173 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                              
Non-agency   2,526    1    286    3    2,812    4 
SBA bonds   2,669    3    44        2,713    3 
CRA funds   831    11            831    11 
Total temporarily impaired securities   21,711    124    10,945    67    32,656    191 
Other-than-temporarily impaired securities                              
Collateralized mortgage obligations                              
Non-agency   120    5            120    5 
Total temporarily impaired and other-than-temporarily impaired securities  $21,831   $129   $10,945   $67   $32,776   $196 
                               
December 31, 2016 (in thousands)  Less than 12 Months  12 Months or Longer  Total
   Fair
value
 

Unrealized

losses

  Fair
value
 

Unrealized

losses

  Fair
value
  Unrealized losses
Available-for-sale                              
Municipal bonds  $517   $1   $   $   $517   $1 
Mortgage-backed securities   34,758    329    249    6    35,007    335 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                              
Non-agency   60        339    5    399    5 
SBA bonds   475    1            475    1 
CRA funds   818    16            818    16 
Corporate bonds   498    3            498    3 
Total temporarily impaired securities   37,126    350    588    11    37,714    361 
Other-than-temporarily impaired securities                              
Collateralized mortgage obligations                              
Non-agency   174    1            174    1 
Total temporarily impaired and other-than-temporarily impaired securities  $37,300   $351   $588   $11   $37,888   $362 

 

The amortized cost, fair value and tax equivalent yield of securities, by maturity, are as follows:

June 30, 2017 (in thousands)  Maturity  Amortized cost  Fair value  Yield(1)
Municipal bonds  Within 1 year  $257   $258    4.55%
   After 1 year but within 5 years   543    547    3.25 
   After 10 years but within 15 years   2,661    2,684    4.48 
   After 15 years   3,067    3,110    4.51 
   Total   6,528    6,599    4.40 
Mortgage-backed securities  U.S. Government agency and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises   48,866    48,964    2.33 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  U.S. Government agency and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises   8,694    8,759    2.64 
   Non-agency   2,733    3,144    3.99 
SBA bonds      10,488    10,508    2.99 
CRA mutual funds      842    831    5.01 
Corporate bonds  After 5 years but within 10 years   2,000    2,045    5.50 
Preferred stock      7    166    5.48 
Securities available-for-sale     $80,158   $81,016    2.78%

(1)       Yield is based on amortized cost.

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Salisbury evaluates securities for OTTI where the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis at the balance sheet date. As part of this process, Salisbury considers whether it has the intent to sell each debt security and whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, Salisbury recognizes an OTTI charge to earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities that meet neither of these conditions, an analysis is performed to determine if any of these securities are at risk for OTTI.

The following summarizes, by security type, the basis for evaluating if the applicable securities were OTTI at June 30, 2017.

U.S. Government agency mortgage-backed securities: The contractual cash flows are guaranteed by U.S. government agencies and U.S. government-sponsored enterprises. Changes in fair values are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest rate movements and not changes in credit quality. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. Furthermore, Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity, and does not intend to sell these securities. Therefore, management does not consider the twenty-four securities with unrealized losses at June 30, 2017 to be OTTI.

SBA bonds: The contractual cash flows are guaranteed by the U.S. government. Changes in fair values are a function of changes in investment spreads and interest rate movements and not changes in credit quality since time of purchase. Management expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of these securities. Furthermore, Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in these securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity, and does not intend to sell these securities. Therefore, management evaluated the impairment status of these debt securities, and concluded that the gross unrealized losses on six positions were temporary in nature and does not consider these investments to be other-than temporarily impaired at June 30, 2017.

Non-agency CMOs: Salisbury performed a detailed cash flow analysis of its non-agency CMOs at June 30, 2017, to assess whether any of the securities were OTTI. Salisbury uses cash flow forecasts for each security based on a variety of market driven assumptions and securitization terms, including prepayment speed, default or delinquency rate, and default severity for losses including interest, legal fees, property repairs, expenses and realtor fees, that, together with the loan amount are subtracted from collateral sales proceeds to determine severity. In 2009, Salisbury determined that five non-agency CMO securities reflected OTTI and recognized losses for deterioration in credit quality of $1,128,000. Salisbury judged the four remaining securities not to have additional OTTI and all other CMO securities not to be OTTI as of June 30, 2017. It is possible that future loss assumptions could change necessitating Salisbury to recognize future OTTI for further deterioration in credit quality. Salisbury evaluates these securities for strategic fit and depending upon such factor could reduce its position in these securities, although it has no present intention to do so, and it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell these securities before recovery of their cost basis.

CRA mutual funds consist of an investment in a fixed income mutual fund ($831 thousand in total fair value and $11 thousand in total unrealized losses as of June 30, 2017). The severity of the impairment (fair value is approximately 1.32% less than cost) and the duration of the impairment correlates with interest rates in 2017. Salisbury evaluated the near-term prospects of this fund in relation to the severity and duration of the impairment.  Based on that evaluation, Salisbury does not consider this investment to be OTTI at June 30, 2017.

The following table presents activity related to credit losses recognized into earnings on the non-agency CMOs held by Salisbury for which a portion of an OTTI charge was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:

  Six months ended June 30 (in thousands)    2017      2016  
Balance, beginning of period  $1,128   $1,128 
Credit component on debt securities in which OTTI was not previously recognized        
Balance, end of period  $1,128   $1,128 

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) is a cooperative that provides services, including funding in the form of advances, to its member banking institutions. As a requirement of membership, the Bank must own a minimum amount of FHLBB stock, calculated periodically based primarily on its level of borrowings from the FHLBB. No market exists for shares of the FHLBB and therefore, they are carried at par value. FHLBB stock may be redeemed at par value five years following termination of FHLBB membership, subject to limitations which may be imposed by the FHLBB or its regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Board, to maintain capital adequacy of the FHLBB. While the Bank currently has no intentions to terminate its FHLBB membership, the ability to redeem its investment in FHLBB stock would be subject to the conditions imposed by the FHLBB. Based on the capital adequacy and the liquidity position of the FHLBB, management believes there is no impairment related to the carrying amount of the Bank’s FHLBB stock as of June 30, 2017. Deterioration of the FHLBB’s capital levels may require the Bank to deem its restricted investment in FHLBB stock to be OTTI. If evidence of impairment exists in the future, the FHLBB stock would reflect fair value using either observable or unobservable inputs. The Bank will continue to monitor its investment in FHLBB stock. 

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NOTE 3 – LOANS

The composition of loans receivable and loans held-for-sale is as follows:

   June 30, 2017  December 31, 2016
  (In thousands)  Business Activities  Loans 

Acquired

Loans

  Total  Business Activities  Loans 

Acquired

Loans

  Total
Residential 1-4 family  $300,750   $5,687   $306,437   $295,030   $6,098   $301,128 
Residential 5+ multifamily   11,472    5,456    16,928    7,976    5,649    13,625 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   10,376        10,376    10,951        10,951 
Home equity lines of credit   35,806        35,806    35,487        35,487 
Residential real estate   358,404    11,143    369,547    349,444    11,747    361,191 
Commercial   175,469    70,146    245,615    155,628    79,854    235,482 
Construction of commercial   5,570    1,724    7,294    3,481    1,917    5,398 
Commercial real estate   181,039    71,870    252,909    159,109    81,771    240,880 
Farm land   4,453        4,453    3,914        3,914 
Vacant land   6,969        6,969    6,600        6,600 
Real estate secured   550,865    83,013    633,878    519,067    93,518    612,585 
Commercial and industrial   110,424    15,222    125,646    121,144    20,329    141,473 
Municipal   12,737        12,737    8,626        8,626 
Consumer   4,826    56    4,882    5,312    68    5,380 
Loans receivable, gross   678,852    98,291    777,143    654,149    113,915    768,064 
Deferred loan origination fees and costs, net   1,200        1,200    1,247        1,247 
Allowance for loan losses   (6,186)   (307)   (6,493)   (5,816)   (311)   (6,127)
Loans receivable, net  $673,866   $97,984   $771,850   $649,580   $113,604   $763,184 
Loans held-for-sale                              
Residential 1-4 family  $594   $   $594   $   $   $ 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Salisbury's loans consist primarily of residential and commercial real estate loans located principally in northwestern Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts towns, which constitute Salisbury's service area. Salisbury offers a broad range of loan and credit facilities to borrowers in its service area, including residential mortgage loans, commercial real estate loans, construction loans, working capital loans, equipment loans, and a variety of consumer loans, including home equity lines of credit, and installment and collateral loans. All residential and commercial mortgage loans are collateralized by first or second mortgages on real estate. The ability of single family residential and consumer borrowers to honor their repayment commitments is generally dependent on the level of overall economic activity within the market area and real estate values. The ability of commercial borrowers to honor their repayment commitments is dependent on the general economy as well as the health of the real estate economic sector in Salisbury’s market area.

Loan Credit Quality

The composition of loans receivable by risk rating grade is as follows:

Business Activities Loans

  (in thousands)  Pass  Special mention  Substandard  Doubtful  Loss  Total
June 30, 2017                              
Residential 1-4 family  $291,306   $6,030   $3,414   $   $   $300,750 
Residential 5+ multifamily   9,473    1,841    158            11,472 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   10,376                    10,376 
Home equity lines of credit   34,709    819    278            35,806 
Residential real estate   345,864    8,690    3,850            358,404 
Commercial   165,520    3,675    6,274            175,469 
Construction of commercial   5,458        112            5,570 
Commercial real estate   170,978    3,675    6,386            181,039 
Farm land   3,467        986            4,453 
Vacant land   6,888    81                6,969 
Real estate secured   527,197    12,446    11,222            550,865 
Commercial and industrial   108,798    1,337    289            110,424 
Municipal   12,737                    12,737 
Consumer   4,809    17                4,826 
Loans receivable, gross  $653,541   $13,800   $11,511   $   $   $678,852 
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Acquired Loans

  (in thousands)  Pass  Special mention  Substandard  Doubtful  Loss  Total
June 30, 2017                              
Residential 1-4 family  $5,534   $105   $48   $   $   $5,687 
Residential 5+ multifamily   5,456                    5,456 
Construction of residential 1-4 family                        
Home equity lines of credit                        
Residential real estate   10,990    105    48            11,143 
Commercial   63,060    2,539    4,547            70,146 
Construction of commercial   1,466        258            1,724 
Commercial real estate   64,526    2,539    4,805            71,870 
Farm land                        
Vacant land                        
Real estate secured   75,516    2,644    4,853            83,013 
Commercial and industrial   14,247    915    58    2        15,222 
Municipal                        
Consumer   54    2                56 
Loans receivable, gross  $89,817   $3,561   $4,911   $2   $   $98,291 

Business Activities Loans

  (in thousands)  Pass  Special mention  Substandard  Doubtful  Loss  Total
December 31, 2016                              
Residential 1-4 family  $285,939   $6,170   $2,832   $89   $   $295,030 
Residential 5+ multifamily   5,907    1,906    163            7,976 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   10,951                    10,951 
Home equity lines credit   34,299    512    676            35,487 
Residential real estate   337,096    8,588    3,671    89        349,444 
Commercial   145,849    3,759    6,020            155,628 
Construction of commercial   3,366        115            3,481 
Commercial real estate   149,215    3,759    6,135            159,109 
Farm land   2,912        1,002            3,914 
Vacant land   6,513    87                6,600 
Real estate secured   495,736    12,434    10,808    89        519,067 
Commercial and industrial   118,804    1,734    606            121,144 
Municipal   8,626                    8,626 
Consumer   5,288    24                5,312 
Loans receivable, gross  $628,454   $14,192   $11,414   $89   $   $654,149 

 Acquired Loans

  (in thousands)  Pass  Special mention  Substandard  Doubtful  Loss  Total
December 31, 2016                              
Residential 1-4 family  $5,989   $109   $   $   $   $6,098 
Residential 5+ multifamily   5,649                    5,649 
Construction of residential 1-4 family                        
Home equity lines of credit                        
Residential real estate   11,638    109                11,747 
Commercial   70,007    4,059    5,788            79,854 
Construction of commercial   1,659        258            1,917 
Commercial real estate   71,666    4,059    6,046            81,771 
Farm land                        
Vacant land                        
Real estate secured   83,304    4,168    6,046            93,518 
Commercial and industrial   19,110    1,160    59            20,329 
Municipal                        
Consumer   65    3                68 
Loans receivable, gross  $102,479   $5,331   $6,105   $   $   $113,915 

15
 

The composition of loans receivable by delinquency status is as follows:

Business Activities Loans

      Past due   
                         
               180  30  Accruing   
(in thousands)  Current  30-59  60-89  90-179  days  days  90 days  Non-
      days  days  days  and  and  and  accrual
               over  over  over   
June 30, 2017                        
Residential 1-4 family  $297,988   $184   $1,073   $160   $1,345   $2,762   $89   $1,934 
Residential 5+ multifamily   11,472                            158 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   10,376                             
Home equity lines of credit   35,562    144    100            244        70 
Residential real estate   355,398    328    1,173    160    1,345    3,006    89    2,162 
Commercial   173,231    165    280        1,793    2,238        1,793 
Construction of commercial   5,570                             
Commercial real estate   178,801    165    280        1,793    2,238        1,793 
Farm land   3,730                723    723        986 
Vacant land   6,969                             
Real estate secured   544,898    493    1,453    160    3,861    5,967    89    4,941 
Commercial and industrial   110,097    190        65    72    327        137 
Municipal   12,737                             
Consumer   4,823    1    2            3         
Loans receivable, gross  $672,555   $684   $1,455   $225   $3,933   $6,297   $89   $5,078 

Acquired Loans

      Past due   
                         
               180  30  Accruing   
(in thousands)  Current  30-59  60-89  90-179  days  days  90 days  Non-
      days  days  days  and  and  and  accrual
               over  over  over   
June 30, 2017                        
Residential 1-4 family  $5,598   $89   $   $   $   $89   $   $ 
Residential 5+ multifamily   5,456                             
Construction of residential 1-4 family                                
Home equity lines of credit                                
Residential real estate   11,054    89                89         
Commercial   67,058        720    1,000    1,368    3,088    1,000    1,368 
Construction of commercial   1,466                258    258        258 
Commercial real estate   68,524        720    1,000    1,626    3,346    1,000    1,626 
Farm land                                
Vacant land                                
Real estate secured   79,578    89    720    1,000    1,626    3,435    1,000    1,626 
Commercial and industrial   15,110    70        41    1    112    42     
Municipal                                
Consumer   56                             
Loans receivable, gross  $94,744   $159   $720   $1,041   $1,627   $3,547   $1,042   $1,626 

16
 

Business Activities Loans

      Past due   
                         
               180  30  Accruing   
(in thousands)  Current  30-59  60-89  90-179  days  days  90 days  Non-
      days  days  days  and  and  and  accrual
               over  over  over   
December 31, 2016                                        
Residential 1-4 family  $291,941   $1,161   $213   $327   $1,388   $3,089   $236   $1,920 
Residential 5+ multifamily   7,976                            163 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   10,951                             
Home equity lines of credit   35,190    155    88        54    297        519 
Residential real estate   346,058    1,316    301    327    1,442    3,386    236    2,602 
Commercial   152,905    451    250    1,793    229    2,723        2,022 
Construction of commercial   3,481                             
Commercial real estate   156,386    451    250    1,793    229    2,723        2,022 
Farm land   2,402    789            723    1,512        1,002 
Vacant land   6,575    25                25         
Real estate secured   511,421    2,581    551    2,120    2,394    7,646    236    5,626 
Commercial and industrial   120,719    140    239    46        425    20    27 
Municipal   8,626                             
Consumer   5,268    26    15    3        44        4 
Loans receivable, gross  $646,034   $2,747   $805   $2,169   $2,394   $8,115   $256   $5,657 

Acquired Loans

      Past due   
                         
               180  30  Accruing   
(in thousands)  Current  30-59  60-89  90-179  days  days  90 days  Non-
      days  days  days  and  and  and  accrual
               over  over  over   
December 31, 2016                                        
Residential 1-4 family  $5,954   $144   $   $   $   $144   $   $ 
Residential 5+ multifamily   5,649                             
Construction of residential 1-4 family                                
Home equity lines of credit                                
Residential real estate   11,603    144                144         
Commercial   76,471    762        346    2,275    3,383        2,621 
Construction of commercial   1,659                258    258        258 
Commercial real estate   78,130    762        346    2,533    3,641        2,879 
Farm land                                
Vacant land                                
Real estate secured   89,733    906        346    2,533    3,785        2,879 
Commercial and industrial   19,904    425                425         
Municipal                                
Consumer   68                             
Loans receivable, gross  $109,705   $1,331   $   $346   $2,533   $4,210   $   $2,879 

Interest on non-accrual loans that would have been recorded as additional interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 had the loans been current in accordance with their original terms totaled $452 thousand and $578 thousand, respectively.

17
 

Troubled Debt Restructurings

Troubled debt restructurings occurring during the periods are as follows:

Business Activities Loans

   Six months ended
   June 30, 2017  June 30, 2016
  (in thousands)  Quantity 

Pre-

modification balance

 

Post-

modification balance

  Quantity 

Pre-

modification balance

 

Post-

modification balance

Residential real estate      $   $    3   $316   $316 
Commercial real estate   1    600    600    1    1,863    1,863 
Troubled debt restructurings   1   $600   $600    4   $2,179   $2,179 
Rate reduction and term extension      $   $    2   $262   $262 
Debt consolidation               1    1,863    1,863 
Term extension   1    600    600    1    54    54 
Troubled debt restructurings   1   $600   $600    4   $2,179   $2,179 

No acquired loans have been modified as a troubled debt restructure during the six months ended June 30, 2017 or June 30, 2016.

18
 

Allowance for Loan Losses

Changes in the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

   Business Activities Loans  Acquired Loans
  (in thousands)  Three months ended June 30, 2017  Three months ended June 30, 2017
   Beginning balance 

Provision

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance  Beginning balance 

Provision

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance
Residential  $2,482   $(94)  $(37)  $2   $2,353   $   $   $   $   $ 
Commercial   1,752    347            2,099    271    13        1    285 
Land   189    (35)           154                     
Real estate   4,423    218    (37)   2    4,606    271    13        1    285 
Commercial and industrial   866    162    (56)   7    979    48    33    (64)   5    22 
Municipal   55    (37)           18                     
Consumer   92    (9)   (15)   1    69                     
Unallocated   530    (16)           514                     
Totals  $5,966   $318   $(108)  $10   $6,186   $319   $46   $(64)  $6   $307 

 

   Business Activities Loans  Acquired Loans
  (in thousands)  Six months ended June 30, 2017  Six months ended June 30, 2017
   Beginning balance 

Provision

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance  Beginning balance 

Provision

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance
Residential  $2,427   $2   $(80)  $4   $2,353   $   $   $   $   $ 
Commercial   1,683    454    (38)       2,099    275    131    (150)   29    285 
Land   198    (29)   (15)       154                     
Real estate   4,308    427    (133)   4    4,606    275    131    (150)   29    285 
Commercial and industrial   1,043    (56)   (57)   49    979    36    41    (64)   9    22 
Municipal   53    (35)           18                     
Consumer   75    31    (46)   9    69                     
Unallocated   337    177            514                     
Totals  $5,816   $544   $(236)  $62   $6,186   $311   $172   $(214)  $38   $307 

 

   Business Activities Loans  Acquired Loans
  (in thousands)  Three months ended June 30, 2016  Three months ended June 30, 2016
   Beginning balance 

Provision

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance  Beginning balance 

Provision

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance
Residential  $2,458   $59   $(287)  $18   $2,248   $69   $   $   $    69 
Commercial   1,585    149            1,734    94    40    (1)   1    134 
Land   164    25    (23)       166                     
Real estate   4,207    233    (310)   18    4,148    163    40    (1)   1    203 
Commercial and industrial   781    60        10    851    141    299    (414)   11    37 
Municipal   59    (3)           56                     
Consumer   114    (26)   (7)   8    89                     
Unallocated   412    (78)           334                     
Totals  $5,573   $186   $(317)  $36   $5,478   $304   $339   $(415)  $12   $240 
       
   Business Activities Loans  Acquired Loans
  (in thousands)  Six months ended June 30, 2016  Six months ended June 30, 2016
   Beginning balance 

Provision

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance  Beginning balance 

Provision

 

Charge-

offs

 

Reco-

veries

  Ending balance
Residential  $2,477   $146   $(394)  $19   $2,248   $79   $(10)  $   $   $69 
Commercial   1,466    302    (35)   1    1,734    132    96    (98)   4    134 
Land   188    24    (46)       166                     
Real estate   4,131    472    (475)   20    4,148    211    86    (98)   4    203 
Commercial and industrial   683    185    (32)   15    851    24    413    (415)   15    37 
Municipal   61    (5)           56                     
Consumer   124    (15)   (30)   10    89                     
Unallocated   482    (148)           334                     
Totals  $5,481   $489   $(537)  $45   $5,478   $235   $499   $(513)  $19   $240 

19
 

The composition of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses is as follows:

Business Activities Loans

  (in thousands)  Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance 
June 30, 2017                              
Residential 1-4 family  $295,656   $1,782   $5,094   $135   $300,750   $1,917 
Residential 5+ multifamily   9,712    114    1,760    2    11,472    116 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   10,376    71            10,376    71 
Home equity lines of credit   35,624    248    182    1    35,806    249 
Residential real estate   351,368    2,215    7,036    138    358,404    2,353 
Commercial   171,448    1,990    4,021    64    175,469    2,054 
Construction of commercial   5,458    44    112        5,570    44 
Commercial real estate   176,906    2,034    4,133    64    181,039    2,098 
Farm land   3,467    23    986        4,453    23 
Vacant land   6,765    128    204    3    6,969    131 
Real estate secured   538,506    4,400    12,359    205    550,865    4,605 
Commercial and industrial   110,234    947    190    32    110,424    979 
Municipal   12,737    18            12,737    18 
Consumer   4,826    69            4,826    69 
Unallocated allowance       514                514 
Totals  $666,303   $5,948   $12,549   $237   $678,852   $6,185 

Acquired Loans

(in thousands)  Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  ASC 310-30 loans   Total portfolio 
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance 
June 30, 2017                                        
Residential 1-4 family  $5,687   $   $   $   $   $   $5,687   $ 
Residential 5+ multifamily   5,456                        5,456     
Construction of residential 1-4 family                                
Home equity lines of credit                                
Residential real estate   11,143                        11,143     
Commercial   64,212    28    2,147    186    3,787    69    70,146    283 
Construction of commercial   1,466    2    258                1,724    2 
Commercial real estate   65,678    30    2,405    186    3,787    69    71,870    285 
Farm land                                
Vacant land                                
Real estate secured   76,821    30    2,405    186    3,787    69    83,013    285 
Commercial and industrial   15,097    11            125    11    15,222    22 
Municipal                                
Consumer   41                15        56     
Unallocated allowance                                
Totals  $91,959   $41   $2,405   $186   $3,927   $80   $98,291   $307 


20
 

Business Activities Loans

  (in thousands)  Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance 
December 31, 2016                              
Residential 1-4 family  $289,900   $1,797   $5,130   $129   $295,030   $1,926 
Residential 5+ multifamily   6,153    56    1,823    6    7,976    62 
Construction of residential 1-4 family   10,951    91            10,951    91 
Home equity lines of credit   34,854    326    633    22    35,487    348 
Residential real estate   341,858    2,270    7,586    157    349,444    2,427 
Commercial   151,940    1,587    3,688    60    155,628    1,647 
Construction of commercial   3,366    36    115        3,481    36 
Commercial real estate   155,306    1,623    3,803    60    159,109    1,683 
Farm land   2,912    28    1,002        3,914    28 
Vacant land   6,390    166    210    4    6,600    170 
Real estate secured   506,466    4,087    12,601    221    519,067    4,308 
Commercial and industrial   121,060    1,043    84        121,144    1,043 
Municipal   8,626    53            8,626    53 
Consumer   5,309    75    3        5,312    75 
Unallocated allowance       337                337 
Totals  $641,461   $5,595   $12,688   $221   $654,149   $5,816 

Acquired Loans

(in thousands)  Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  ASC 310-30 loans   Total portfolio 
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance 
December 31, 2016                                        
Residential 1-4 family  $6,098   $   $   $   $   $   $6,098   $ 
Residential 5+ multifamily   5,649                        5,649     
Construction of residential 1-4 family                                
Home equity lines of credit                                
Residential real estate   11,747                        11,747     
Commercial   72,569    22    3,388    191    3,897    59    79,854    272 
Construction of commercial   1,659    3    258                1,917    3 
Commercial real estate   74,228    25    3,646    191    3,897    59    81,771    275 
Farm land                                
Vacant land                                
Real estate secured   85,975    25    3,646    191    3,897    59    93,518    275 
Commercial and industrial   20,020    16            309    20    20,329    36 
Municipal                                
Consumer   52                16        68     
Unallocated allowance                                
Totals  $106,047   $41   $3,646   $191   $4,222   $79   $113,915   $311 

21
 

The credit quality segments of loans receivable and the allowance for loan losses are as follows:

Business Activities Loans

June 30, 2017 (in thousands) Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans   Allowance 
Performing loans  $661,480   $5,226   $   $   $661,480   $5,226 
Potential problem loans   4,823    208            4,823    208 
Impaired loans           12,549    238    12,549    238 
Unallocated allowance       514                514 
Totals  $666,303   $5,948   $12,549   $238   $678,852   $6,186 

Acquired Loans

June 30, 2017 (in thousands) Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans   Allowance 
Performing loans  $93,380   $55   $   $   $93,380   $55 
Potential problem loans   2,506    66            2,506    66 
Impaired loans           2,405    186    2,405    186 
Unallocated allowance                        
Totals  $95,886   $121   $2,405   $186   $98,291   $307 

Business Activities Loans

December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans   Allowance 
Performing loans  $636,645   $5,062   $   $   $636,645   $5,062 
Potential problem loans   4,816    196            4,816    196 
Impaired loans           12,688    221    12,688    221 
Unallocated allowance       337                337 
Totals  $641,461   $5,595   $12,688   $221   $654,149   $5,816 

Acquired Loans

December 31, 2016 (in thousands) Collectively evaluated  Individually evaluated  Total portfolio
    Loans    Allowance    Loans    Allowance    Loans   Allowance 
Performing loans  $107,810   $55   $   $   $107,810   $55 
Potential problem loans   2,459    65            2,459    65 
Impaired loans           3,646    191    3,646    191 
Unallocated allowance                        
Totals  $110,269   $120   $3,646   $191   $113,915   $311 

A specific valuation allowance is established for the impairment amount of each impaired loan, calculated using the present value of expected cash flows or fair value of collateral, in accordance with the most likely means of recovery. Certain data with respect to loans individually evaluated for impairment is as follows:

Business Activities Loans

   Impaired loans with specific allowance Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands)  Loan balance    Specific    Income   Loan balance    Income 
    Book    Note    Average    allowance    recognized    Book    Note    Average    recognized 
June 30, 2017                                             
Residential  $3,395   $3,501   $3,451   $137   $53   $3,460   $4,198   $3,597   $57 
Home equity lines of credit   47    49    99    1    1    135    186    183    10 
Residential real estate   3,442    3,550    3,550    138    54    3,595    4,384    3,780    67 
Commercial   1,571    1,612    2,108    64    30    2,450    2,959    1,687    22 
Construction of commercial   112    118    16        4            97     
Farm land                       986    1,151    982     
Vacant land   45    45    45    3    1    159    184    162    6 
Real estate secured   5,170    5,325    5,719    205    89    7,190    8,678    6,708    95 
Commercial and industrial   110    110    16    32        79    112    124    4 
Consumer                           7    2     
Totals  $5,280   $5,435   $5,735   $237   $89   $7,269   $8,797   $6,834   $99 

 

22
 

Acquired Loans

   Impaired loans with specific allowance Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands)  Loan balance    Specific    Income   Loan balance    Income 
    Book    Note    Average    allowance    recognized    Book    Note    Average    recognized 
June 30, 2017                                             
Residential  $   $   $   $   $   $   $   $   $ 
Home equity lines of credit                                    
Residential real estate                                    
Commercial   833    1,186    1,104    186    7    1,314    1,896    1,564    43 
Construction of commercial                       258    272    258     
Farm land                                    
Vacant land                                    
Real estate secured   833    1,186    1,104    186    7    1,572    2,168    1,822    43 
Commercial and industrial                                    
Consumer                                    
Totals  $833   $1,186   $1,104   $186   $7   $1,572   $2,168   $1,822   $43 

Business Activities Loans

   Impaired loans with specific allowance Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands)  Loan balance    Specific    Income   Loan balance    Income 
    Book    Note    Average    allowance    recognized    Book    Note    Average    recognized 
December 31, 2016                                             
Residential  $3,516   $3,684   $5,907   $135   $88   $3,437   $4,031   $2,822   $94 
Home equity lines of credit   406    435    462    22    2    227    277    331    3 
Residential real estate   3,922    4,119    6,369    157    90    3,664    4,308    3,153    97 
Commercial   3,021    3,304    3,347    60    34    667    897    934    42 
Construction of commercial           56            115    121    63    8 
Farm land           394            1,002    1,140    622     
Vacant land   46    46    1,786    4    3    164    189    195    12 
Real estate secured   6,989    7,469    11,952    221    127    5,612    6,655    4,967    159 
Commercial and industrial           31            84    130    201    3 
Consumer                       3    16    7     
Totals  $6,989   $7,469   $11,983   $221   $127   $5,699   $6,801   $5,175   $162 

 

Acquired Loans

   Impaired loans with specific allowance Impaired loans with no specific allowance
(in thousands)  Loan balance    Specific    Income   Loan balance    Income 
    Book    Note    Average    allowance    recognized    Book    Note    Average    recognized 
December 31, 2016                                             
Residential  $   $   $504   $   $   $   $   $238   $ 
Home equity lines of credit                                    
Residential real estate           504                    238     
Commercial   1,254    1,628    725    191    14    2,134    2,621    2,112    38 
Construction of commercial                       258    272    258     
Farm land                                    
Vacant land                                    
Real estate secured   1,254    1,628    1,229    191    14    2,392    2,893    2,608    38 
Commercial and industrial           77                    19     
Consumer                                    
Totals  $1,254   $1,628   $1,306   $191   $14   $2,392   $2,893   $2,627   $38 

As of June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 the recorded investment in residential mortgage loans collateralized by real estate that were in the process of foreclosure was $1.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively. At June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the carrying amount of foreclosed residential real estate held as a result of obtaining physical possession amounted to $1.1 million and $3.6 million respectively.

23
 

NOTE 4 - MORTGAGE SERVICING RIGHTS

(in thousands)    June 30, 2017      December 31, 2016  
Residential mortgage loans serviced for others  $122,043   $125,243 
Fair value of mortgage servicing rights   916    902 

Changes in mortgage servicing rights are as follows:

     Three months      Six months  
Periods ended June 30, (in thousands)    2017      2016      2017      2016  
Mortgage Servicing Rights                    
Balance, beginning of period  $296   $456   $339   $487 
Originated   14    24    38    45 
Amortization (1)   (69)   (64)   (136)   (116)
Balance, end of period  $241   $416   $241   $416 
Valuation Allowance                    
Balance, beginning of period  $(25)  $(24)  $(23)  $(4)
Decrease (increase) in impairment reserve (1)   1    (1)   (1)   (21)
Balance, end of period   (24)   (25)   (24)   (25)
Mortgage servicing rights, net  $217   $391   $217   $391 
(1)Amortization expense and changes in the impairment reserve are recorded in mortgage servicing, net.

NOTE 5 - PLEDGED ASSETS

(in thousands)    June 30, 2017      December 31, 2016  
Securities available-for-sale (at fair value)  $70,009   $63,833 
Loans receivable (at book value)   193,833    203,145 
Total pledged assets  $263,842   $266,978 

At June 30, 2017, securities were pledged as follows: $65.0 million to secure public deposits, $4.9 million to secure repurchase agreements and $0.1 million to secure FHLBB advances. In addition to securities, loans receivable were pledged to secure FHLBB advances and credit facilities.

NOTE 6 – EARNINGS PER SHARE

Salisbury defines unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends as participating securities that are included in computing earnings per share (EPS) using the two-class method.

The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each share of common stock and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income allocated to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the entity.

The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share (basic and diluted) for the periods indicated:

     Three months      Six months  
Periods ended June 30, (in thousands, except per share data)    2017      2016      2017      2016  
Net income  $1,882   $1,735   $3,487   $3,247 
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities   (15)   (14)   (26)   (27)
Net income allocated to common stock  $1,867   $1,721   $3,461   $3,220 
Weighted average common shares issued   2,780    2,756    2,773    2,751 
Less: Unvested restricted stock awards   (23)   (22)   (20)   (22)
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to calculate basic earnings per common share   2,757    2,734    2,753    2,729 
Add: Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock awards   18    15    19    16 
Weighted average common shares outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per common share   2,775    2,749    2,772    2,745 
Earnings per common share (basic)  $0.68   $0.63   $1.26   $1.18 
Earnings per common share (diluted)  $0.67   $0.63   $1.25   $1.17 

24
 

NOTE 7 – SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Capital Requirements

Salisbury and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional and discretionary actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on Salisbury’s and the Bank's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Salisbury and the Bank must meet specific guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Salisbury and the Bank's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

In July 2013, the Federal Reserve Bank (FRB) approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries. 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. On April 8, 2014, the FDIC adopted as final its interim final rule, which is identical in substance to the final rules issued by the FRB in July 2013. Under the final rules, minimum requirements increased for both the quantity and quality of capital held by the Bank and Company. The rules include a common equity Tier 1 capital risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.0%, require a minimum ratio of Total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, and require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A capital conservation buffer, comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital, is also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. The initial implementation of the capital conservation buffer began phasing in January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increases each subsequent January 1, by an additional 0.625% until reaching its final level of 2.5% on January 1, 2019. As of June 30, 2017, the Bank exceeded the fully phased in regulatory requirement for the capital conservation buffer. Strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments were also implemented under the final rules.

Actual regulatory capital position and minimum capital requirements as defined "To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions" and "For Capital Adequacy Purposes" for Salisbury and the Bank are as follows:

      To be Well Capitalized
   Actual  For Capital Adequacy Purposes  Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
  (dollars in thousands)  Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio
June 30, 2017                              
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury  $97,802    13.10%  $59,725    8.0%   n/a     
Bank   94,815    12.70    59,724    8.0    74,655    10.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury   81,150    10.87    44,794    6.0    n/a     
Bank   88,163    11.81    44,793    6.0    59,724    8.0 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury   81,150    10.87    33,595    4.5    n/a     
Bank   88,163    11.81    33,595    4.5    48,526    6.5 
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)                              
Salisbury   81,150    8.77    37,013    4.0    n/a     
Bank   88,163    9.53    37,007    4.0    46,259    5.0 
December 31, 2016                              
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury  $96,166    13.26%  $57,997    8.0%   n/a     
Bank   93,690    12.92    57,996    8.0   $72,495    10.0%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury   79,868    11.02    43,498    6.0    n/a     
Bank   87,392    12.05    43,497    6.0    57,996    8.0 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)                              
Salisbury   79,868    11.02    32,623    4.5    n/a     
Bank   87,392    12.05    32,623    4.5    47,122    6.5 
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)                              
Salisbury   79,868    8.69    37,282    4.0    n/a     
Bank   87,392    9.57    36,762    4.0    45,953    5.0 

25
 

DIVIDENDS

Cash Dividends to Common Shareholders

Salisbury's ability to pay cash dividends is substantially dependent on the Bank's ability to pay cash dividends to Salisbury. There are certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends and other payments by the Bank to Salisbury. Under Connecticut law, the Bank cannot declare a cash dividend except from net profits, defined as the remainder of all earnings from current operations. The total of all cash dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year shall not, unless specifically approved by the Banking Commissioner, exceed the total of its net profits of that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years.

FRB Supervisory Letter SR 09-4, February 24, 2009, revised March 30, 2009, notes that, as a general matter, the Board of Directors of a Bank Holding Company (“BHC”) should inform the Federal Reserve and should eliminate, defer, or significantly reduce dividends if (1) net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends; (2) the prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition; or (3) the BHC will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Moreover, a BHC should inform the Federal Reserve reasonably in advance of declaring or paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period (e.g., quarter) for which the dividend is being paid or that could result in a material adverse change to the BHC capital structure.

NOTE 8 – BENEFITS

Salisbury’s 401(k) Plan expense was $187,000 and $173,000, respectively, for the three month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, and $472,000 and $389,000, respectively, for the six month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. Other post-retirement benefit obligation expense for endorsement split-dollar life insurance arrangements was $17,000 and $19,000, respectively, for the three month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, and $36,000 and $37,000, respectively, for the six month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

ESOP

Salisbury offers an ESOP to eligible employees.  Under the Plan, Salisbury may make discretionary contributions to the Plan, which generally vest in full upon six years of qualified service.

Salisbury’s ESOP expense was $15,000 and $45,000, respectively, for the three month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, and $49,000 and $81,000, respectively, for the six month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

Other Retirement Plans

A Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the "NQDC Plan") was adopted effective January 1, 2013. The NQDC Plan was adopted by the Bank for the benefit of certain key employees ("Executive" or "Executives") who have been selected and approved by the Bank to participate in the NQDC Plan and who have evidenced their participation by execution of a Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan Participation Agreement ("Participation Agreement") in a form provided by the Bank. The NQDC Plan is intended to comply with Internal Revenue Code ("Code") Section 409A and any regulatory or other guidance issued under such Section.

In 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Bank awarded nine (9), nine (9), six (6) and seven (7) Executives, respectively, with discretionary contributions to the plan. Expenses related to the NQDC Plan amounted to $21,000 for the second quarter of 2017 and $10,000 for the second quarter of 2016. Additionally, expenses related to the NQDC plan amounted to $41,000 and $20,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The vesting schedule is based on the Executive’s date of retirement and ranges from 7.7% per year to 50% per year with two exceptions which are 10 and 15 year cliff vesting schedules from the date of initial award.

On January 27, 2017, the Compensation Committee granted a total of 56,600 Phantom Stock Appreciation Units pursuant to the 2013 Phantom Stock Appreciation Unit and Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), including 23,100 units to three Named Executive Officers. Mr. Cantele received 11,500 units, Mr. Davies received 6,000 units and Mr. White received 5,600 units. The units will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.

On January 29, 2016, the Compensation Committee granted a total of 47,470 Phantom Stock Appreciation Units pursuant to the 2013 Phantom Stock Appreciation Unit and Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), including 23,012 units to three Named Executive Officers. Mr. Cantele received 11,484 units, Mr. Davies received 5,963 units and Mr. White received 5,565 units. The units will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. On January 2, 2015, the Compensation Committee granted a total of 48,894 Phantom Stock Appreciation Units pursuant to the 2013 Phantom Stock Appreciation Unit and Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), including 23,012 units to three Named Executive Officers. Mr. Cantele received 11,484 units, Mr. Davies received 5,963 units and Mr. White received 5,565 units. The units will vest on the third anniversary of the grant date.

26
 

Grants of Restricted Stock and Options

Restricted Stock

On January 29, 2016, Salisbury granted a total of 15,800 shares of restricted stock pursuant to its 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan (“2011 LTIP”), which was approved by shareholders at the 2011 Annual Meeting, to 42 employees, including 6,000 shares to three Named Executive Officers. Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer received 5,000 and John Davies, President New York Region and Chief Lending Officer and Donald E. White, Chief Financial Officer each received 500 shares. The fair value of the stock as of the grant date was determined to be $466 thousand and the stock will be vested three years from the grant date.

Expense related to such grants in the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 totaled $58 thousand and $46 thousand, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 totaled $122 thousand and $93 thousand, respectively. Unrecognized compensation cost relating to the awards as of June 30, 2017 and 2016 totaled $738 thousand and $483 thousand, respectively. There were no forfeitures in the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Forfeitures in the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 totaled 200 and 0 shares, respectively.

The Board of Directors adopted the 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2017 LTIP”) on February 24, 2017, which was approved by shareholders at the 2017 Annual Meeting on May 17, 2017. Pursuant to the 2017 LTIP as of May 17, 2017, following shareholder approval of the 2017 LTIP, no further awards will be made under the 2011 LTIP, which shall remain in existence solely for purposes of administering outstanding grants. Under the 2017 LTIP, the total number of shares of Common Stock reserved and available for issuance in the next ten years in connection with awards under the 2017 LTIP is 200,000 shares of Common Stock, which represents approximately 7% of Salisbury’s 2,770,036 outstanding shares of Common Stock as of March 20, 2017. Of the maximum shares available under the 2017 LTIP, 200,000 shares may be issued upon the exercise of stock options (all of which may be granted as incentive stock options) and 150,000 shares may be issued as restricted stock or restricted stock units (including deferred stock units), provided that, to the extent that a share is issued as a restricted stock award or a restricted stock unit, the share would no longer be available for award as a stock option, unless the restricted stock award or restricted unit is forfeited or otherwise returned to the 2017 LTIP.

On April 28, 2017, Salisbury granted a total of 10,750 shares of restricted stock pursuant to its 2011 LTIP to 37 employees, including 2,500 shares to two Named Executive Officers. Richard J. Cantele, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer received 2,000 and John Davies, President New York Region and Chief Lending Officer received 500 shares. The fair value of the stock as of the grant date was determined to be $419,250 and the stock will be vested three years from the grant date.

On April 28, 2017, Salisbury granted a total of 2,056 shares of stock pursuant to its 2011 LTIP to directors as a component of their annual compensation. While all directors received partial awards for their 2016 service, Louise Brown received her full award due to her pending retirement from the board. The fair value of the stock as of the grant date was determined to be $80,184.

On May 26, 2017, Salisbury granted a total of 200 shares of restricted stock pursuant to its 2017 LTIP, which was approved by shareholders at the 2017 Annual Meeting, to one employee. The fair value of the stock as of the grant date was determined to be $8,200 and the stock will be vested three years from the grant date.

On May 26, 2017, Salisbury granted a total of 2,024 shares of stock pursuant to the 2017 LTIP to directors as a component of their annual compensation. The fair value of the stock as of the grant date was determined to be $82,984.

Options

On January 9, 2017, 2,700 shares of stock options were exercised at $25.93 per share by one former Riverside Bank executive.

On February 1, 2017, 1,350 shares of stock options were exercised at $25.93 per share by one former Riverside Bank executive.

On February 9, 2017, 1,350 shares of stock options were exercised at $25.93 per share by one former Riverside Bank executive.

On February 14, 2017 and February 20, 2017, 5,400 and 1,350 shares of stock options were exercised, respectively, at $25.93 per share by two former Riverside Bank executives.

The following table presents the pre-tax expense associated with stock options and restricted stock awards as well as the related recognized tax benefits:

     Three months      Six months  
Periods ended June 30, (in thousands)    2017      2016      2017      2016  
Stock Options  $   $   $   $ 
Restricted stock awards   61    53    122    93 
Total stock based compensation expense  $61   $53   $122   $93 
Related tax benefits recognized in earnings  $21   $18   $41   $32 

 

Not included in the above is the excess tax benefit related to the adoption of 2016-09 in the amount of $105 thousand for both the three and six month periods ending June 30,2017 respectively.

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NOTE 9 – FAIR VALUE OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Salisbury uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain assets and liabilities and to determine fair value disclosures. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, other assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, such as loans held for sale, collateral dependent impaired loans, property acquired through foreclosure or repossession and mortgage servicing rights. These nonrecurring fair value adjustments typically involve the application of lower-of-cost-or-market accounting or write-downs of individual assets.

Salisbury adopted ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurement - Overall,” which provides a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles. This guidance permitted Salisbury the irrevocable option to elect fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis. Salisbury did not elect fair value treatment for any financial assets or liabilities upon adoption.

In accordance with ASC 820-10, Salisbury groups its financial assets and financial 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.

GAAP specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the types of valuation information (“inputs”) are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect Salisbury’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs have created the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1. Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in active exchange markets, such as the New York Stock Exchange. Level 1 also includes U.S. Treasury, other U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed securities that are traded by dealers or brokers in active markets. Valuations are obtained from readily available pricing sources for market transactions involving identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2. Significant other observable inputs. Valuations for assets and liabilities traded in less active dealer or broker markets. Valuations are obtained from third party pricing services for identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
Level 3. Significant unobservable inputs. Valuations for assets and liabilities that are derived from other methodologies, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques, are not based on market exchange, dealer, or broker traded transactions. Level 3 valuations incorporate certain assumptions and projections in determining the fair value assigned to such assets and liabilities.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Salisbury did not have any significant transfers of assets between levels 1 and 2 of the fair value hierarchy during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

The following is a description of valuation methodologies for assets recorded at fair value, including the general classification of such assets and liabilities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Securities available-for-sale. Securities available-for-sale are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Level 1 securities include exchange-traded equity securities. Level 2 securities include debt securities with quoted prices, which are traded less frequently than exchange-traded instruments, whose value is determined using matrix pricing with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. This category generally includes obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government-sponsored enterprises, mortgage-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations, municipal bonds, SBA bonds, corporate bonds and certain preferred equities. Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, and such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used. Subsequent to inception, management only changes level 3 inputs and assumptions when corroborated by evidence such as transactions in similar instruments, completed or pending third-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable entities, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalization and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows.
Collateral dependent loans that are deemed to be impaired are valued based upon the fair value of the underlying collateral less costs to sell. Such collateral primarily consists of real estate and, to a lesser extent, other business assets. Management may adjust appraised values to reflect estimated market value declines or apply other discounts to appraised values resulting from its knowledge of the property. Internal valuations are utilized to determine the fair value of other business assets. Collateral dependent impaired loans are categorized as Level 3.
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Other real estate owned acquired through foreclosure or repossession is adjusted to fair value less costs to sell upon transfer out of loans. Subsequently, it is carried at the lower of carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is generally based upon independent market prices or appraised values of the collateral. Management adjusts appraised values to reflect estimated market value declines or apply other discounts to appraised values for unobservable factors resulting from its knowledge of the property, and such property is categorized as Level 3.

Assets measured at fair value are as follows:

   Fair Value Measurements Using  Assets at
(in thousands)  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3  fair
            value
June 30, 2017                    
Assets at fair value on a recurring basis                    
Municipal bonds  $   $6,599   $   $6,599 
Mortgage-backed securities:                    
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises       48,964        48,964 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                    
U.S. Government agencies       8,759        8,759 
Non-agency       3,144        3,144 
SBA bonds       10,508        10,508 
CRA mutual funds   831            831 
Corporate bonds       2,045        2,045 
Preferred stock   166            166 
Securities available-for-sale  $997   $80,019   $   $81,016 
Assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis                    
Collateral dependent impaired loans  $   $   $4,720   $4,720 
Other real estate owned  $   $   $3,854   $3,854 
December 31, 2016                    
Assets at fair value on a recurring basis                    
Municipal bonds  $   $15,996   $   $15,996 
Mortgage-backed securities:                    
U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises       53,301        53,301 
Collateralized mortgage obligations:                    
U.S. Government agencies       1,474        1,474 
Non-agency       3,735        3,735 
SBA bonds       2,064        2,064 
CRA mutual funds   818            818 
Corporate bonds       2,013        2,013 
Preferred stock   222            222 
Securities available-for-sale  $1,040   $78,583   $   $79,623 
Assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis                    
Collateral dependent impaired loans  $   $   $5,256   $5,256 
Other real estate owned  $   $   $3,773   $3,773 

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Carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments are as follows:

  (in thousands)  Carrying  Estimated  Fair value measurements using
   value  fair value  Level 1  Level 2  Level 3
June 30, 2017                         
Financial Assets                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $61,392   $61,392   $61,392   $   $ 
Securities available-for-sale   81,016    81,016    997    80,019     
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   3,452    3,452        3,452     
Loans held-for-sale   594    594            594 
Loans receivable, net   771,850    787,484            787,484 
Accrued interest receivable   2,303    2,303            2,303 
Cash surrender value of life insurance   14,211    14,211    14,211         
Financial Liabilities                         
Demand (non-interest bearing)  $219,660   $219,660   $   $   $219,660 
Demand (interest-bearing)   132,899    132,899            132,899 
Money market   194,704    194,704            194,704 
Savings and other   145,937    145,937            145,937 
Certificates of deposit   118,141    119,107            119,107 
Deposits   811,341    812,307            812,307 
Repurchase agreements   2,126    2,126            2,126 
FHLBB advances   47,302    48,286            48,286 
Subordinated debt   9,799    10,433            10,433 
Note payable   327    360            360 
Capital lease liability   1,987    2,285            2,285 
Accrued interest payable   88    88            88 
December 31, 2016                         
Financial Assets                         
Cash and cash equivalents  $35,485   $35,485   $35,485   $   $ 
Securities available-for-sale   79,623    79,623    1,040    78,583     
Federal Home Loan Bank stock   3,211    3,211            3,211 
Loans receivable, net   763,184    774,442            774,442 
Accrued interest receivable   2,424    2,424            2,424 
Cash surrender value of life insurance   14,038    14,038    14,038         
Financial Liabilities                         
Demand (non-interest bearing)  $218,420   $218,420   $   $   $218,420 
Demand (interest-bearing)   127,854    127,854            127,854 
Money market   182,476    182,476            182,476 
Savings and other   135,435    135,435            135,435 
Certificates of deposit   117,585    118,610            118,610 
Deposits   781,770    782,795            782,795 
Repurchase agreements   5,535    5,535            5,535 
FHLBB advances   37,188    38,440            38,440 
Subordinated debt   9,788    10,378            10,378 
Note payable   344    377            377 
Capital lease liability   418    841            841 
Accrued interest payable   89    89            89 

The carrying amounts of financial instruments shown in the above table are included in the consolidated balance sheets under the indicated captions.

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Item 2.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Salisbury and its subsidiary should be read in conjunction with Salisbury's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Readers should also review other disclosures Salisbury files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

BUSINESS

Salisbury, a Connecticut corporation, formed in 1998, is the bank holding company for the Bank, a Connecticut-chartered and FDIC insured commercial bank headquartered in Lakeville, Connecticut. Salisbury's principal business consists of the management and operations of the business of the Bank. The Bank, which formed in 1848, is engaged in customary banking activities, including general deposit taking and lending activities to both retail and commercial markets, and trust and wealth advisory services. The Bank conducts its banking business from fourteen full-service offices in the towns of: Canaan, Lakeville, Salisbury and Sharon, Connecticut; Great Barrington, Sheffield and South Egremont, Massachusetts; and, Dover Plains, Fishkill, Millerton, Newburgh, New Paltz, Poughkeepsie, and Red Oaks Mill, New York. The Bank’s trust and wealth advisory services are based in Lakeville, Connecticut. In June 2017, the Bank acquired a branch office and related deposits from another institution in New Paltz, New York adding to Salisbury’s full service offices and a strong commercial lending focus in the New York market.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements follow GAAP as applied to the banking industry in which it operates. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. These estimates, assumptions and judgments are based on information available as of the date of the financial statements; accordingly, as this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates, assumptions and judgments and as such have a greater possibility of producing results that could be materially different than originally reported. Estimates, assumptions and judgments are necessary when assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value, when a decline in the value of an asset not carried at fair value warrants an impairment write-down or valuation reserve to be established, or when an asset or liability needs to be recorded contingent upon a future event.

Salisbury’s significant accounting policies are presented in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which, along with this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, provide information on how significant assets are valued in the financial statements and how those values are determined. Management believes that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating Salisbury’s reported financial results, and they require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Loans acquired in business combinations are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of cash flows initially expected to be collected and discounting those cash flows at an appropriate market rate of interest. The Bank continues to evaluate reasonableness of the timing and the amount of cash to be collected. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows may result in changes in the amortization or accretion of fair market value adjustments, and in some cases may result in the loan being considered impaired.  For collateral dependent loans with deteriorated credit quality, the Bank estimates the fair value of the underlying collateral of the loans.  These values are discounted using market derived rates of return, with consideration given to the period of time and costs associated with the foreclosure and disposition of the collateral.

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio. Determining the amount of the allowance for loan losses is considered a critical accounting estimate because it requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and timing of expected future cash flows on impaired loans, estimated losses on pools of homogeneous loans based on historical loss experience, and consideration of current economic trends and conditions, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. The loan portfolio also represents the largest asset type on the balance sheet. Note 1 “Basis of Presentation” describes the methodology used to determine the allowance for loan losses. A discussion of the factors driving changes in the amount of the allowance for loan losses is included in the “Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses” section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis.

Management evaluates goodwill and identifiable intangible assets for impairment annually using valuation techniques that involve estimates for discount rates, projected future cash flows and time period calculations, all of which are susceptible to change based on changes in economic conditions and other factors. Future events or changes in the estimates, which are used to determine the carrying value of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets or which otherwise adversely affect their value or estimated lives could have a material adverse impact on the results of operations.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment giving consideration to the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, estimates of future cash flows, delinquencies and default severity, and the intent and ability of Salisbury to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. The consideration of the above factors is subjective and involves estimates and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain. Should actual factors and conditions differ materially from those used by management, the actual realization of gains or losses on investment securities could differ materially from the amounts recorded in the financial statements.

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FINANCIAL CONDITION

Overview

Total assets were $974.8 million at June 30, 2017, up $39.4 million from December 31, 2016. Loans receivable, net, were $771.9 million at June 30, 2017, up $8.7 million from December 31, 2016. Non-performing assets were $11.7 million at June 30, 2017, down $0.9 million from $12.6 million at December 31, 2016. Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, was 0.83%, 0.80% and 0.76%, at June 30, 2017, December 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016, respectively. Deposits increased $29.6 million to $811.3 million at June 30, 2017, up from $781.8 million at December 31, 2016.

At June 30, 2017, book value and tangible book value per common share were $34.66 and $28.94, respectively. Salisbury’s Tier 1 leverage, total risk-based and common equity Tier 1 capital ratios were 8.77%, 13.12%, and 10.88%, respectively.

Securities and Short Term Funds

During the first six months of 2017, securities increased $1.6 million to $84.5 million at June 30, 2017. Cash and cash equivalents (non-time interest-bearing deposits with other banks, money market funds and federal funds sold) increased $25.9 million to $61.4 million at June 30, 2017.

Salisbury evaluates securities for OTTI where the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis at the balance sheet date. As part of this process, Salisbury considers its intent to sell each debt security and whether it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, Salisbury recognizes an OTTI charge to earnings equal to the entire difference between the security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value at the balance sheet date. For securities that meet neither of these conditions, an analysis is performed to determine if any of these securities are at risk for OTTI.

Salisbury evaluates securities for strategic fit and may reduce its position in securities, although it is not more likely than not that Salisbury will be required to sell securities before recovery of their cost basis, which may be maturity. Therefore, management does not consider any of its securities, other than four non-agency CMO securities reflecting OTTI, to be OTTI at June 30, 2017. As of June 30, 2017 one of these positions reflected a loss of $4 thousand while the remaining three positions reflected an unrealized gain of $353 thousand.

Salisbury has, and continues to monitor, CMO securities where historical recognition of losses has occurred as a result of OTTI. Salisbury determined, as of June 30, 2017, that additional recognition of OTTI was not required. It is possible that future loss assumptions could change necessitating Salisbury to recognize future OTTI.

Loans

Net loans receivable increased $8.7 million to $771.9 million at June 30, 2017, compared with $763.2 million at December 31, 2016 and increased $22.4 million from $749.5 million at June 30, 2016.

Loan Credit Quality

During the first six months of 2017, total impaired and potential problem loans decreased to $22.3 million, or 2.9% of gross loans receivable at June 30, 2017, from $23.6 million, or 3.1% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2016, and decreased from $28.8 million at June 30, 2016. The percentage of such loans at June 30, 2017 when compared to June 30, 2016 improved from 3.8% of gross loans.

Changes in impaired and potential problem loans are as follows:

   June 30, 2017   June 30, 2016 
                                         
Three months ended Impaired loans    Potential        Impaired loans    Potential      
(in thousands)  Non-        problem         Non-         problem      
    accrual    Accruing    loans    Total    accrual    Accruing    loans    Total 
Net loans placed on non-accrual status  $687   $   $(111)  $576   $680   $1   $605   $1,286 
Loans restored to accrual status   (528)           (528)   (2,423)   146    2,035    (242)
Loan risk rating downgrades to substandard           768    768            2,303    2,303 
Loan risk rating upgrades from substandard                           (2,900)   (2,900)
Loan repayments   (1,392)   (147)   (558)   (2,097)   (427)   (47)   (8)   (482)
Loan charge-offs (less charge offs for delinquent taxes)   (197)       (45)   (242)   (700)           (700)
Increase (decrease) in troubled debt restructuring       600        600        175        175 
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans   (403)           (403)                
Increase (decrease) in loans  $(1,833)  $453   $54   $(1,326)  $(2,870)  $275   $2,035   $(560)

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During the second quarter of 2017, Salisbury placed $344 thousand of loans on non-accrual status as a result of deteriorated payment and financial performance and charged-off $30 thousand of non-accrual loans primarily as a result of credit or collateral deficiencies.

Salisbury has cooperative relationships with the vast majority of its non-performing loan customers. Substantially all non-performing loans are collateralized with real estate and the repayment of such loans is largely dependent on the return of such loans to performing status or the liquidation of the underlying real estate collateral. Salisbury pursues the resolution of all non-performing loans through collections, restructures, voluntary liquidation of collateral by the borrower and, where necessary, legal action. When attempts to work with a customer to return a loan to performing status, including restructuring the loan, are unsuccessful, Salisbury will initiate appropriate legal action seeking to acquire property by deed in lieu of foreclosure or through foreclosure, or to liquidate business assets.

Credit Quality Segments

Salisbury categorizes loans receivable into the following credit quality segments:

Impaired loans consist of all non-accrual loans and troubled debt restructured loans, and represent loans for which it is probable that Salisbury will not be able to collect all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreements.
Non-accrual loans, a sub-set of impaired loans, are loans for which the accrual of interest has been discontinued because, in the opinion of management, full collection of principal or interest is unlikely.
Non-performing loans consist of non-accrual loans, and accruing loans past due 90 days and over that are well collateralized, in the process of collection and where full collection of principal and interest is reasonably assured. Non-performing assets consist of non-performing loans plus real estate acquired in settlement of loans.
Troubled debt restructured loans are loans for which concessions such as reduction of interest rates, other than normal market rate adjustments, or deferral of principal or interest payments, extension of maturity dates, or reduction of principal balance or accrued interest, have been granted due to a borrower’s financial condition. Loan restructuring is employed when management believes the granting of a concession will increase the probability of the full or partial collection of principal and interest.
Potential problem loans consist of performing loans that have been assigned a substandard credit risk rating and are not classified as impaired.

Credit Risk Ratings

Salisbury assigns credit risk ratings to loans receivable in order to manage credit risk and to determine the allowance for loan losses. Credit risk ratings categorize loans by common financial and structural characteristics that measure the credit strength of a borrower. Salisbury’s rating model has eight risk rating grades, with each grade corresponding to a progressively greater risk of default. Grades 1 through 4 are pass ratings and 5 through 8 are ratings (special mention, substandard, doubtful, and loss) defined by the bank’s regulatory agencies, the FDIC and CTDOB. Risk ratings are assigned to differentiate risk within the portfolio and are reviewed on an ongoing basis and revised, if needed, to reflect changes in the borrowers' current financial position and outlook, risk profiles and the related collateral and structural positions.

Loans risk rated as "special mention" possess credit deficiencies or potential weaknesses deserving management’s close attention that if left uncorrected may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects for the loans at some future date.
Loans risk rated as "substandard" are loans where the Bank’s position is clearly not protected adequately by borrower current net worth or payment capacity. These loans have well defined weaknesses based on objective evidence and include loans where future losses to the Bank may result if deficiencies are not corrected, and loans where the primary source of repayment such as income is diminished and the Bank must rely on sale of collateral or other secondary sources of collection.
Loans risk rated as "doubtful" have the same weaknesses as substandard loans with the added characteristic that the weakness makes collection or liquidation in full, given current facts, conditions, and values, to be highly improbable. The possibility of loss is high, but due to certain important and reasonably specific pending factors, which may work to strengthen the loan, its reclassification as an estimated loss is deferred until its exact status can be determined.
Loans risk rated as "loss" are considered uncollectible and of such little value that continuance as Bank assets is unwarranted. This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value, but rather, it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this loan even though partial recovery may be made in the future.

Management actively reviews and tests its credit risk ratings against actual experience and engages an independent third-party to annually validate its assignment of credit risk ratings. In addition, the Bank’s loan portfolio and risk ratings are examined annually on a rotating basis by its two primary regulatory agencies, the FDIC and CTDOB.

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Impaired Loans

Loans individually evaluated for impairment (impaired loans) are loans for which Salisbury does not expect to collect all contractual principal and interest in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan. Impaired loans include all modified loans classified as troubled debt restructurings (TDRs) and loans on non-accrual status. The components of impaired loans are as follows:

(in thousands)    June 30, 2017      December 31, 2016  
Troubled debt restructurings, accruing  $8,250   $7,798 
Troubled debt restructurings, non-accrual   2,024    2,262 
All other non-accrual loans   4,680    6,274 
Impaired loans  $14,954   $16,334 

Non-Performing Assets

Non-performing assets decreased $0.9 million to $11.7 million, or 1.2% of assets at June 30, 2017, from $12.6 million, or 1.3% of assets at December 31, 2016, and decreased $2.9 million from $14.6 million, or 1.6% of assets at June 30, 2016.

The 7% decrease in non-performing assets in 2017 resulted primarily from $1.4 million in payoffs and repayments, $0.5 million of loans reinstated to accrual status, and $0.2 million charged off. This decrease was offset in part by $0.7 million placed on non-accrual.

The components of non-performing assets are as follows:

(in thousands)    June 30, 2017      December 31, 2016  
Residential 1-4 family  $1,934   $1,920 
Residential 5+ multifamily   158    163 
Home equity lines of credit   70    519 
Commercial   3,419    4,901 
Farm land   986    1,002 
Vacant land        
Real estate secured   6,567    8,505 
Commercial and industrial   137    27 
Consumer       4 
Non-accrual loans   6,704    8,536 
Accruing loans past due 90 days and over   1,131    256 
Non-performing loans   7,835    8,792 
Real estate acquired in settlement of loans, net   3,854    3,773 
Non-performing assets  $11,689   $12,565 

The past due status of non-performing loans is as follows:

(in thousands)    June 30, 2017      December 31, 2016  
Current  $951   $1,005 
Past due 30-59 days       344 
Past due 60-89 days   58     
Past due 90-179 days   1,266    2,516 
Past due 180 days and over   5,560    4,927 
Total non-performing loans  $7,835   $8,792 

At June 30, 2017, 12.14% of non-performing loans were current with respect to loan payments, compared with 11.43% at December 31, 2016.

Troubled Debt Restructured Loans

Troubled debt restructured loans increased $0.2 million during the six month period ended June 30, 2017 to $10.3 million, or 1.33% of gross loans receivable at June 30, 2017, from $10.1 million, or 1.31% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2016.

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The components of troubled debt restructured loans are as follows:

(in thousands)    June 30, 2017      December 31, 2016  
Residential 1-4 family  $3,160   $4,869 
Residential 5+ multifamily   1,602     
Home equity lines of credit   112    114 
Personal        
Vacant land   204    210 
Commercial   3,119    2,549 
Real estate secured   8,197    7,742 
Commercial and industrial   53    56 
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans   8,250    7,798 
Residential 1-4 family   73    240 
Residential 5+ multifamily   158     
Home equity lines of credit        
Personal        
Vacant land       2,022 
Commercial   1,793     
Real estate secured   2,024    2,262 
Commercial and Industrial        
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans   2,024    2,262 
Troubled debt restructured loans  $10,274   $10,060 

The past due status of troubled debt restructured loans is as follows:

(in thousands)    June 30, 2017      December 31, 2016  
Current  $8,197   $7,683 
Past due 30-59 days   53    115 
Accruing troubled debt restructured loans   8,250    7,798 
Current   231    240 
Past due 90-179 days       1,793 
Past due 180 days and over   1,793    229 
Non-accrual troubled debt restructured loans   2,024    2,262 
Total troubled debt restructured loans  $10,274   $10,060 

At June 30, 2017, 82% of troubled debt restructured loans were current with respect to loan payments, as compared with 79% at December 31, 2016.

Past Due Loans

Loans past due 30 days or more decreased $2.5 million during the six month period ended June 30, 2017 to $9.8 million, or 1.28% of gross loans receivable at June 30, 2017, compared with $12.3 million, or 1.60% of gross loans receivable at December 31, 2016.

The components of loans past due 30 days or greater are as follows:

(in thousands)    June 30, 2017      December 31, 2016  
Past due 30-59 days  $843   $3,733 
Past due 60-89 days   2,117    804 
Past due 90-179 days   1,130    256 
Past due 180 days+   2     
Accruing loans   4,092    4,793 
Past due 30-59 days       344 
Past due 60-89 days   58     
Past due 90-179 days   136    2,260 
Past due 180 days and over   5,558    4,927 
Non-accrual loans   5,752    7,531 
Total loans past due 30 days and over  $9,844   $12,324 

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Potential Problem Loans

Total potential problem loans remained unchanged during the six month period ended June 30, 2017 at $7.3 million, or 0.95% of gross loans receivable at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

The components of potential problem loans are as follows:

(in thousands)    June 30, 2017      December 31, 2016  
Residential 1-4 family  $1,049   $514 
Residential 5+ multifamily        
Construction of residential 1-4 family        
Home equity lines of credit   174    123 
Residential real estate   1,223    637 
Commercial   5,948    6,057 
Construction of commercial        
Commercial real estate   5,948    6,057 
Farm land        
Vacant land        
Real estate secured   7,171    6,694 
Commercial and industrial   158    581 
Consumer        
Other classified loans receivable  $7,329   $7,275 

The past due status of potential problem loans is as follows:

(in thousands)    June 30, 2017      December 31, 2016  
Current  $6,135   $6,383 
Past due 30-59 days   154    826 
Past due 60-89 days   951    66 
Past due 90-179 days   89     
Total potential problem loans  $7,329   $7,275 

At June 30, 2017, 84% of potential problem loans were current with respect to loan payments, as compared with 88% at December 31, 2016.

Management cannot predict the extent to which economic or other factors may impact such borrowers’ future payment capacity, and there can be no assurance that such loans will not be placed on nonaccrual status, restructured, or require increased provisions for loan losses.

Deposits and Borrowings

Deposits increased $29.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 to $811.3 million, from $781.8 million at December 31, 2016, and increased $56.8 million year-over-year from $754.5 million at June 30, 2016. Retail repurchase agreements decreased $3.4 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 to $2.1 million compared with $5.5 million at December 31, 2016, and decreased $1.3 million as compared with balances of $3.4 million at June 30, 2016.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBB) advances increased $10.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 to $47.3 million at June 30, 2017, from $37.2 million at December 31, 2016, and increased $0.2 million year-over-year from $47.1 million at June 30, 2016. The increase in short term advances was primarily due to changes in the mix of balance sheet funding.

Liquidity

Salisbury manages its liquidity position to ensure that there is sufficient funding availability at all times to meet both anticipated and unanticipated deposit withdrawals, loan originations and advances, securities purchases and other operating cash outflows. Salisbury's primary sources of liquidity are principal payments and maturities of securities and loans, short-term borrowings through repurchase agreements and FHLBB advances, net deposit growth and funds provided by operations. Liquidity can also be provided through sales of loans and available-for-sale securities.

Salisbury manages its liquidity in accordance with a liquidity funding policy, and also maintains a contingency funding plan that provides for the prompt and comprehensive response to unexpected demands for liquidity. At June 30, 2017, Salisbury's liquidity ratio, as represented by cash, short term available-for-sale securities and marketable assets to net deposits and short term unsecured liabilities, was 22.63%, up from 21.89% at December 31, 2016. Management believes Salisbury’s funding sources will meet anticipated funding needs.

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Operating activities for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017 provided net cash of $4.1 million. Investing activities provided net cash of $18.2 million principally from cash and cash equivalents related to the New Paltz, New York branch acquisition of $22.4 million and proceeds of $23.8 from calls and maturities of securities available-for-sale, offset by $25.4 million of purchases of securities available-for-sale and FHLBB stock, $2.1 million of net loan originations and principal collections and $0.8 million of capital expenditures. Financing activities provided net cash of $3.6 million, principally due to the $10.0 million increase in FHLBB advances, offset by a decrease of $3.4 million in securities sold under agreements to repurchase and a decrease of $2.4 million in deposit transaction accounts.

At June 30, 2017, Salisbury had outstanding commitments to fund new loan originations of $30.4 million and unused lines of credit of $118.1 million. Salisbury believes that these commitments can be met in the normal course of business and that its liquidity sources will continue to provide funding sufficient to support operating activities, loan originations and commitments, as well as deposit withdrawals.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the three month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

OVERVIEW

Net income allocated to common stock was $1.9 million, or $0.68 per common share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017 (second quarter 2017), compared with $1.7 million, or $0.63 per common share, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016 (second quarter 2016), and $1.6 million, or $0.58 per common share, for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017 (first quarter 2017).

  The previously announced acquisition of the New Paltz, New York branch closed during the second quarter adding $31 million in deposits and $7 million in loans. The New Paltz branch is Salisbury’s 14th full service branch facility and expands Salisbury’s presence in New York State, which is comprised of seven (7) branches in Dutchess, Orange and Ulster Counties in New York.
  Earnings per share increased to $0.68 per share from $0.58 last quarter and $0.63 for the second quarter 2016.

  Non-Performing loans decreased to 1.01% of gross loans receivable from 1.93% at June 30, 2016.

  Wealth assets under administration increased to $585.8 million at June 30, 2017, an increase of $161.1 million, or 37.9%, from second quarter 2016.

  Book value per common share increased to $34.66 at June 30, 2017 from $34.38 at March 31, 2017, and $33.57 at June 30, 2016.

Net Interest Income

Tax equivalent net interest income for second quarter 2017 decreased $212 thousand, or 2.58%, versus first quarter 2017, and increased $129 thousand or 1.64%, versus second quarter 2016. Average earning assets increased $3.1 million versus first quarter 2017, and increased $36.9 million versus second quarter 2016. Average total interest bearing deposits increased $6.9 million versus first quarter 2017 and increased $11.3 million versus second quarter 2016. The net interest margin of 3.63% decreased 11 basis points versus 3.74% for the first quarter 2017 and decreased 8 basis points versus 3.71% for the second quarter 2016.

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The following table sets forth the components of Salisbury's fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) net interest income and yields on average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

Three months ended June 30,  Average Balance  Income / Expense  Average Yield / Rate
(dollars in thousands)    2017      2016      2017      2016      2017      2016  
Loans (a)(d)(f)  $774,028   $743,479   $8,417   $8,121    4.35%   4.35%
Securities (c)(d)   76,493    76,185    517    646    2.70    3.39 
FHLBB stock   3,904    3,392    36    29    3.69    3.42 
Short term funds (b)   29,627    24,123    58    31    0.78    0.51 
Total earning assets   884,052    847,179    9,028    8,827    4.08    4.16 
Other assets   56,109    54,821                     
Total assets  $940,161   $902,000                     
Interest-bearing demand deposits  $131,968   $122,016    81    79    0.25    0.26 
Money market accounts   187,278    194,406    159    139    0.34    0.29 
Savings and other   141,691    124,975    85    56    0.24    0.18 
Certificates of deposit   115,882    124,161    253    255    0.87    0.83 
Total interest-bearing deposits   576,819    565,558    578    529    0.40    0.38 
Repurchase agreements   1,419    2,824    1    1    0.28    0.14 
Capital lease   433    420    20    17    18.48    16.19 
Note payable   330    366    5    6    6.06    6.56 
Subordinated Debt (net of issuance costs)   9,796    9,773    156    156    6.37    6.38 
FHLBB advances   40,269    37,548    266    245    2.64    2.61 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   629,066    616,489    1,026    954    0.65    0.62 
Demand deposits   208,670    183,953                     
Other liabilities   6,359    9,367                     
Shareholders’ equity   96,066    92,191                     
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity  $940,161   $902,000                     
Net interest income (f)            $8,002   $7,873           
Spread on interest-bearing funds                       3.43    3.54 
Net interest margin (e)                       3.63    3.71 

 

 (a)Includes non-accrual loans.
(b)Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold.
 (c)Average balances of securities are based on historical cost.
 (d)Includes tax exempt income benefit of $232,000 and $306,000, respectively, for 2017 and 2016 on tax-exempt securities and loans whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis.
 (e)Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
 (f)Interest income for 2017 and 2016 reflect net accretion related to the fair value adjustments of loans acquired in the Riverside Bank acquisition in the amount of $250,000 and $403,000, respectively.

The following table sets forth the changes in FTE interest due to volume and rate.

Three months ended June 30, (in thousands) 2017 versus 2016
Change in interest due to   Volume    Rate    Net 
Loans  $333   $(37)  $296 
Securities   2    (131)   (129)
FHLBB stock   5    2    7 
Short term funds   9    18    27 
Interest-earning assets   349    (148)   201 
Deposits   11    38    49 
Repurchase agreements   (1)   1     
Capital lease   1    2    3 
Note payable   (1)       (1)
Subordinated Debt            
FHLBB advances   18    3    21 
Interest-bearing liabilities   28    44    72 
Net change in net interest income  $321   $(192)  $129 

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Interest Income

Tax equivalent interest income increased $201 thousand to $9.0 million for second quarter 2017 as compared with second quarter 2016.

Loan income as compared to second quarter 2016 increased $296 thousand, or 3.6%, primarily due to a $30.5 million, or 4.1%, increase in average loans. The second quarter of 2017 reflects the net accretion of $250 thousand related to fair value adjustments of loans related to the Riverside acquisition compared to $403 thousand in second quarter 2016.

Tax equivalent securities income decreased $129 thousand, or 20.0%, for second quarter 2017 as compared with second quarter 2016, primarily due to a 69 basis point decrease in average yield, partially offset by a $308 thousand, or 0.4%, increase in average volume.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $72 thousand, or 7.5%, to $1.0 million for second quarter 2017 as compared with second quarter 2016.

Interest on deposit accounts increased $49 thousand, or 9.3%, as a result of an $11.3 million increase in the average balances and an average increase in deposit rates of 2 basis points as compared with second quarter 2016.

Interest expense on FHLBB borrowings increased $21 thousand as a result of an average balance increase of $2.7 million as compared with second quarter 2016, as well as a higher average borrowings rate which increased 3 basis points. Interest expense on subordinated debt totaled $156 thousand for the second quarter in both 2017 and 2016.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $364 thousand for second quarter 2017, compared with $525 thousand for second quarter 2016. Included in the provision are (recovery) / impairments related to ASC 310-30 purchased loans of $0 thousand and $357 thousand for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net loan charge-offs were $156 thousand and $684 thousand for the respective quarters.

The following table details the principal categories of credit quality ratios:

Three months ended June 30,    2017      2016  
Net charge-offs to average loans receivable, gross   0.02%   0.37%
Non-performing loans to loans receivable, gross   1.01    1.93 
Accruing loans past due 30-89 days to loans receivable, gross   0.38    0.47 
Allowance for loan losses to loans receivable, gross   0.83    0.76 
Allowance for loan losses to non-performing loans   82.87    39.22 
Non-performing assets to total assets   1.20    1.60 

Reserve coverage, as measured by the ratio of the allowance for loan losses to gross loans, increased to 0.83% at June 30, 2017 compared to 0.76% at June 30, 2016.

Non-performing loans (non-accrual loans plus accruing loans past-due 90 days or more) amounted to $7.8 million, or 1.01% of gross loans receivable at June 30, 2017 as compared to $14.6 million, or 1.93%, at June 30, 2016. Accruing loans past due 30-89 days decreased $0.6 million to $3.0 million, or 0.38% of gross loans receivable from $3.6 million, or 0.47% of gross loans receivable, at June 30, 2016. See “Financial Condition – Loan Credit Quality” above for further discussion and analysis.

The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of the probable credit losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the reporting date. The allowance is increased by provisions charged to earnings and by recoveries of amounts previously charged off, and is reduced by loan charge-offs. Loan charge-offs are recognized when management determines a loan, or portion of a loan, to be uncollectible. The allowance for loan losses is computed by segregating the portfolio into three components: (1) loans collectively evaluated for impairment: general loss allocation factors for non-impaired loans are segmented into pools of loans based on similar risk characteristics such as loan product, collateral type and loan-to-value, loan risk rating, historical loss experience, delinquency factors and other similar economic indicators, (2) loans individually evaluated for impairment: individual loss allocations for loans deemed to be impaired based on discounted cash flows or collateral value, and (3) unallocated: general loss allocations for other environmental factors.

Impaired loans and certain potential problem loans, when warranted, are individually evaluated for impairment. Impairment is measured for each individual loan, or for a borrower’s aggregate loan exposure, using either the fair value of the collateral, less estimated costs to sell if the loan is collateral dependent, or the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate. A specific allowance is generally established when the collateral value or discounted cash flows of the loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.

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The component of the allowance for loan losses for loans collectively evaluated for impairment is estimated by stratifying loans into segments and credit risk ratings and then applying management’s general loss allocation factors. The general loss allocation factors are based on expected loss experience adjusted for historical loss experience and other qualitative factors, including levels or trends in delinquencies; trends in volume and terms of loans; effects of changes in risk selection and underwriting standards and other changes in lending policies, procedures and practices; experience/ability/depth of lending management and staff; and national and local economic trends and conditions. The qualitative factors are determined based on the various risk characteristics of each loan segment. There were no significant changes in Salisbury’s policies or methodology pertaining to the general component of the allowance for loan losses during the first six months of 2017.

The unallocated component of the allowance is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses. It reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating allocated and general reserves in the portfolio. Additionally reserves are established for off balance sheet exposures.

Determining the adequacy of the allowance and reserves at any given period is difficult, particularly during deteriorating or uncertain economic periods, and management must make estimates using assumptions and information that are often subjective and changing rapidly. The review of credit exposure related to loans is a continuing event in light of a changing economy and the dynamics of the banking and regulatory environment. Should the economic climate deteriorate, borrowers could experience difficulty and the level of non-performing loans, charge-offs and delinquencies could rise, requiring increased provisions and reserves. In management's judgment, Salisbury remains adequately reserved both against total loans and non-performing loans at June 30, 2017.

Management’s loan risk rating assignments, loss percentages and specific reserves are subjected annually to an independent credit review by an external firm. In addition, the Bank is examined annually on a rotational basis by one of its two primary regulatory agencies, the FDIC and CTDOB. As an integral part of their examination process, the FDIC and CTDOB review the adequacy and methodology of the Bank's credit risk ratings and allowance for loan losses.

Non-Interest Income

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest income.

Three months ended June 30, (dollars in thousands) 2017      2016      2017 vs. 2016  
Trust and wealth advisory  $892   $884   $8    0.9%
Service charges and fees   902    753    149    19.8 
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net   30    57    (27)   (47.4)
Mortgage servicing, net   31    45    (14)   (31.1)
(Loss) gains on sales, calls and write-downs of available-for-sale securities, net   (14)   146    (160)   (109.6)
Other   110    115    (5)   (4.3)
Total non-interest income  $1,951   $2,000   $(49)   (2.5)%

Non-interest income for second quarter 2017 decreased $49 thousand versus second quarter 2016. Trust and Wealth Advisory increased $8 thousand versus second quarter 2016. Revenue for Trust and Wealth Advisory Services came in higher year over year representing a net growth in asset based fees. Service charges and fees increased $149 thousand versus second quarter 2016. Income from sales and servicing of mortgage loans decreased $41 thousand versus second quarter 2016. The decrease from the second quarter 2016 is mainly attributable to lower gains on sale during the second quarter 2017 as well as lower income from servicing of loans for others. Second quarter 2017 mortgage loans sales totaled $1.6 million versus $2.5 million for second quarter 2016. Second quarter 2017 and second quarter 2016 included mortgage servicing amortization and periodic impairment charges (net) of $68 thousand and $65 thousand, respectively. (Losses)/Gains on sales of securities during the second quarter 2017 was ($14) thousand while second quarter 2016 totaled $146 thousand. Other income includes bank owned life insurance income and rental income.

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Non-Interest Expense

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest expense.

Three months ended June 30, (dollars in thousands) 2017      2016      2017 vs. 2016  
Salaries  $2,777   $2,687   $90    3.35%
Employee benefits   831    910    (79)   (8.68)
Premises and equipment   907    844    63    7.46 
Data processing   504    449    55    12.25 
Professional fees   764    564    200    35.46 
Collections, OREO and loan related   155    125    30    24.00 
FDIC insurance   98    176    (78)   (44.32)
Marketing and community support   152    180    (28)   (15.56)
Amortization of core deposit intangibles   126    152    (26)   (17.11)
Other   546    551    (5)   (0.91)
Non-interest expense  $6,860   $6,638   $222    3.34%

Non-interest expense for second quarter 2017 increased $222 thousand versus second quarter 2016. Total salary expense increased $90 thousand in the current year’s quarter as compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase is mainly attributable to the mix and levels of staff as well as lower deferred expense in the current quarter related to loan origination. Premises and equipment expense increased $63 thousand versus second quarter 2016. The year-over-year increase was substantially attributable to lease expense. Data processing expense increased $55 thousand versus second quarter 2016. The year over year increase includes a timing difference of $16 thousand as well as increased core data processing expense in the current quarter. Professional fees increased $200 thousand versus second quarter 2016. Increases over the second quarter 2016 were primarily attributable to consulting and audit related fees. Collections, OREO and loan related expenses increased $30 thousand versus second quarter 2016. The year over year increase is substantially attributable to increased OREO carrying costs. The decline in FDIC related expense is attributable to adjustments related to lower assessment rates.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rates for second quarter 2017 and second quarter 2016 were 24.63% and 27.83%, respectively. Generally, fluctuations in the effective tax rate result from changes in the mix of taxable and tax exempt income. The current quarter’s tax rate was favorably impacted by a tax benefit related to stock based compensation as detailed in note 8. Salisbury’s effective tax rate is generally less than the 34% federal statutory rate due to holdings of tax-exempt municipal bonds and loans as well as bank owned life insurance.

Salisbury did not incur Connecticut income tax in 2017 (to date) or 2016, other than minimum state income tax, as a result of a Connecticut law that permits banks to shelter certain mortgage income from the Connecticut corporation business tax through the use of a special purpose entity called a Passive Investment Company or PIC. In 2004, Salisbury availed itself of this benefit by forming a PIC, SBT Mortgage Service Corporation. Salisbury's income tax provision reflects the full impact of the Connecticut legislation. Salisbury does not expect to pay other than minimum state income tax in the foreseeable future unless there is a change in Connecticut tax law.

For the six month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

Overview

Net income allocated to common stock was $3.5 million, or $1.26 per common share, for the six month period ended June 30, 2017 (six month period 2017), compared with $3.2 million, or $1.18 per common share, for the six month period ended June 30, 2016 (six month period 2016).

  Earnings per share increased to $1.26 per share for the six month period 2017 from $1.18 per share for the six month period 2016.

  Non-Performing loans decreased to 1.01% of gross loans receivable from 1.93% at June 30, 2016.

  Wealth assets under administration increased to $585.8 million at June 30, 2017, an increase of $161.1 million, or 37.9%, from second quarter 2016.

  Book value per common share increased to $34.66 at June 30, 2017 from $34.38 at March 31, 2017, and $33.57 at June 30, 2016.

 

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Net Interest Income

Tax equivalent net interest income for the six months of 2017 increased $333 thousand, or 2.10%, versus the six months of 2016. Average earning assets increased $39.08 million versus the six months of 2016. Average total interest bearing deposits increased $9.92 million versus the six months of 2016. The net interest margin of 3.68% decreased 9 basis points versus 3.77% for the six months of 2016.

The following table sets forth the components of Salisbury's fully tax-equivalent (“FTE”) net interest and dividend income and yields on average interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.

Six months ended June 30,  Average Balance  Income / Expense  Average Yield / Rate
(dollars in thousands)    2017      2016      2017      2016      2017      2016  
Loans (a)(d)(f)  $771,620   $732,548   $16,940   $16,220    4.39%   4.41%
Securities (c)(d)   76,199    74,575    1,079    1,402    2.83    3.76 
FHLBB stock   3,728    3,274    66    56    3.54    3.43 
Short term funds (b)   30,803    32,871    111    78    0.72    0.48 
Total earning assets   882,350    843,268    18,196    17,756    4.12    4.20 
Other assets   55,513    56,950                     
Total assets  $937,863   $900,218                     
Interest-bearing demand deposits  $130,773   $123,874    143    156    0.22    0.25 
Money market accounts   185,878    191,787    301    273    0.32    0.29 
Savings and other   140,802    124,137    146    109    0.21    0.18 
Certificates of deposit   115,948    123,684    504    499    0.87    0.81 
Total interest-bearing deposits   573,401    563,482    1,094    1,037    0.38    0.37 
Repurchase agreements   1,672    2,953    1    2    0.12    0.15 
Capital lease   425    420    37    35    17.41    16.67 
Note payable   334    370    7    11    4.19    5.95 
Subordinated Debt (net of issuance costs)   9,793    9,770    312    312    6.37    6.38 
FHLBB advances   41,589    32,275    528    476    2.54    2.95 
Total interest-bearing liabilities   627,214    609,270    1,979    1,873    0.63    0.62 
Demand deposits   208,865    190,082                     
Other liabilities   6,148    9,148                     
Shareholders’ equity   95,636    91,718                     
Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity  $937,863   $900,218                     
Net interest income (f)            $16,217   $15,883           
Spread on interest-bearing funds                       3.49    3.58 
Net interest margin (e)                       3.68    3.77 
   
 (a)Includes non-accrual loans.
(b)Includes interest-bearing deposits in other banks and federal funds sold.
 (c)Average balances of securities are based on historical cost.
 (d)Includes tax exempt income benefit of $494,000 and $665,000, respectively for 2017 and 2016 on tax-exempt securities and loans whose income and yields are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis.
 (e)Net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
 (f)Interest income for 2017 and 2016 reflect net accretion related to the fair value adjustments of loans acquired in the Riverside Bank acquisition in the amount of $744,000 and $988,000, respectively.

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The following table sets forth the changes in FTE interest due to volume and rate.

Six months ended June 30, (in thousands) 2017 versus 2016
Change in interest due to   Volume    Rate    Net 
Loans  $861   $(141)  $720 
Securities   27    (350)   (323)
FHLBB stock   8    2    10 
Short term funds   (6)   39    33 
Interest-earning assets   890    (450)   440 
Deposits   18    39    57 
Repurchase agreements   (1)       (1)
Capital lease       2    2 
Note payable   (1)   (3)   (4)
Subordinated Debt   1    (1)    
FHLBB advances   128    (76)   52 
Interest-bearing liabilities   145    (39)   106 
Net change in net interest income  $745   $(411)  $334 

Interest Income

Tax equivalent interest income increased $333 thousand to $16.2 million for the six month period 2017 as compared with the six month period 2016.

Loan income, as compared to the six months of 2016, increased $720 thousand or 4.4% primarily due to a $39.1 million, or 5.3%, increase in average loans. The increase was partially offset by a 4 basis point decrease in the average loan yield. The six month period 2017 reflects the net accretion of $744 thousand related to fair value adjustments of loans related to the Riverside acquisition compared to net accretion of $989 thousand in the six month period 2016.

Tax equivalent securities income decreased $323 thousand, or 23.0%, for the six period 2017 as compared with the six month period 2016, primarily due to a 93 basis point decrease in average yield, partially offset by a $1.6 million, or 2.2%, increase in average volume.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased $106 thousand, or 5.7%, to $2.0 million for the six month period 2017 as compared with the six month period 2016.

Interest on deposit accounts increased $57 thousand, or 5.5%, as a result of a $9.9 million increase in the average balances. Average deposit rates increased 1 basis point as compared with the six month period 2016.

Interest expense on FHLBB borrowings increased $52 thousand as a result of an average balance increase of $9.3 million as compared with the six month period 2016, partially offset by a lower average borrowings rate which decreased 41 basis points. Interest expense on subordinated debt totaled $312 thousand for the six month periods 2017 and 2016.

Provision and Allowance for Loan Losses

The provision for loan losses was $716 thousand for the six month period ended June 30, 2017 as compared to $988 thousand for the six month period ended June 30, 2016. Included in the provision are impairments related to ASC 310-30 purchased loans of $0  and $500,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Net loan charge-offs were $350 thousand and $986 thousand for the respective periods.

Reserve coverage at June 30, 2017, as measured by the ratio of allowance for loan losses to gross loans, at 0.83%, compares with 0.76% a year ago at June 30, 2016. During the first six months of 2017, non-performing loans (non-accrual loans and accruing loans past-due 90 days or more) decreased $1 million to $7.8 million. Non-performing loans represent 1.01% of gross loans receivable, a decrease from 1.16% at December 31, 2016. At June 30, 2017, accruing loans past due 30-89 days decreased $1.5 million to $3.0 million or 0.38% of gross loans receivable from 0.60% at December 31, 2016. See “Financial Condition – Loan Credit Quality” for further discussion and analysis.

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Non-interest income

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest income.

Six months ended June 30, (dollars in thousands) 2017      2016      2017 vs. 2016  
Trust and wealth advisory fees  $1,746   $1,668   $78    4.7%
Service charges and fees   1,863    1,455    408    28.0 
Gains on sales of mortgage loans, net   79    96    (17)   (17.7)
Mortgage servicing, net   76    79    (3)   (3.8)
(Loss) gains on sales, calls and write-downs of available-for-sale securities, net   (14)   148    (162)   (109.5)
Other   223    229    (6)   (2.6)
Total non-interest income  $3,973   $3,675   $298    8.1%

Non-interest income for the six month period ended June 30, 2017 increased $298 thousand versus the same period in 2016. Trust and wealth advisory revenues increased $78 thousand mainly due to growth in asset based fees. Service charges and fees increased $408 thousand with significant contributions coming from ATM and overdraft related fees. Income from sales and servicing of mortgage loans decreased $20 thousand substantially due to lower gains on sales of fixed rate residential mortgage loans. Mortgage loans sales totaled $3.5 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2017 and $2.0 million for the six month period ended June 30, 2016. The six month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 included mortgage servicing amortization of $136 thousand and $116 thousand, respectively. Other income includes bank owned life insurance income and rental income.

Non-interest expense

The following table details the principal categories of non-interest expense.

Six months ended June 30, (dollars in thousands) 2017      2016      2017 vs. 2016  
Salaries  $5,667   $5,261   $406    7.7%
Employee benefits   1,919    1,998    (79)   (4.0)
Premises and equipment   1,802    1,739    63    3.6 
Data processing   977    896    81    9.0 
Professional fees   1,481    944    537    56.9 
Collections, OREO and loan related   456    311    145    46.6 
FDIC insurance   247    310    (63)   (20.3)
Marketing and community support   403    380    23    6.1 
Amortization of core deposit intangible assets   252    307    (55)   (17.9)
Other   1,081    1,330    (249)   (18.7)
Non-interest expense  $14,285   $13,476   $809    6.0%

Non-interest expense for the six month period ended June 30, 2017 increased $809 thousand versus the same period in 2016. Salaries and benefits increased $327 thousand primarily due to increased staffing levels, market and merit adjustments as well as lower deferred expense related to the origination of loans. Premises and equipment increased $63 thousand mainly due to higher lease related expense. Data processing increased $81 thousand mainly due to expenses related to core processing, data communications as well as ATM and debit card processing related expenses. The professional fees increase of $537 thousand versus the six month period 2016 fees is substantially attributable to consulting, audit related and legal fees. Collections, OREO and loan related expense increased $145 thousand due primarily to higher levels of OREO year over year. Salisbury had five foreclosed properties at June 30, 2017 and none at June 30, 2016. FDIC insurance decreased $63 thousand due to a refund of a 2016 overpayment and lower assessment rates. Marketing and community support increased $23 thousand due primarily to an increase in general marketing campaigns. Amortization of core deposit intangible assets decreased $55 thousand due to the aging off of expenses related to previous acquisitions. Other expenses decreased $249 thousand mainly due to the reduction of expenses related to loans serviced for others which were incurred in the 2016 period.

Income taxes

The effective income tax rates for the six month periods ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016 were 25.73% and 26.92%, respectively. Fluctuations in the effective tax rate result from changes in the mix of taxable and tax exempt income as well as the impact of stock based compensation related adjustments. Salisbury’s effective tax rate is generally less than the 34% federal statutory rate due to holdings of tax-exempt municipal bonds, tax-exempt loans and bank owned life insurance and other tax advantaged assets.

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CAPITAL RESOURCES

Shareholders’ equity was $96.5 million at June 30, 2017, up $2.5 million from December 31, 2016. Book value and tangible book value per common share were $34.66 and $28.94, respectively, compared with $34.07 and $28.90, respectively, at December 31, 2016. Contributing to the increase in shareholders’ equity for year-to-date 2017 was net income of $3.5 million and issued stock of $0.1 million, partially offset by other common stock dividends of $1.6 million. Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of unrealized gains on securities available-for-sale, net of tax, of $0.6 million as of June 30, 2017.

Capital Requirements

Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional and discretionary actions by the regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on Salisbury’s and the Bank's financial statements. Under capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, Salisbury and the Bank must meet specific guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices. Salisbury and the Bank's capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings, and other factors.

Salisbury and the Bank are subject to various regulatory capital requirements administered by the federal banking agencies. Salisbury and the Bank must meet specific guidelines that involve quantitative measures of their assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under regulatory accounting practices.

Under current regulatory definitions, Salisbury and the Bank meet all capital adequacy requirements to which they are subject and the Bank is considered to be well-capitalized. As a result, the Bank pays lower federal deposit insurance premiums than those banks that are not “well- capitalized.”

A well-capitalized institution, which is the highest capital category for an institution as defined by the Prompt Corrective Action regulations issued by the FDIC and the FRB, is one which maintains a Total Risk-Based ratio of 10% or above, a Tier 1 Risk-Based ratio of 8% or above, a Common Equity to Tier 1 ratio of 6.5% or above, and a Leverage ratio of 5% or above, and is not subject to any written order, written agreement, capital directive, or prompt corrective action directive to meet and maintain a specific capital level. Maintaining strong capital is essential to Salisbury and the Bank’s safety and soundness. However, the effective management of capital resources requires generating attractive returns on equity to build value for shareholders while maintaining appropriate levels of capital to fund growth, meet regulatory requirements and be consistent with prudent industry practices.

The FRB and FDIC approved the final rules implementing the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision’s capital guidelines for bank holding companies and their bank subsidiaries. Under the final rules, minimum requirements increased for both the quantity and quality of capital held by the Bank and Company. The rules include a common equity Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets minimum ratio of 4.5%, minimum ratio of Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets of 6.0%, require a minimum ratio of Total capital to risk-weighted assets of 8.0%, and require a minimum Tier 1 leverage ratio of 4.0%. A capital conservation buffer, comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital, is also established above the regulatory minimum capital requirements. This capital conservation buffer was initially phased in beginning January 1, 2016 at 0.625% of risk-weighted assets and increases each subsequent year by an additional 0.625% until reaching its final level of 2.50% on January 1, 2019. Strict eligibility criteria for regulatory capital instruments were also implemented under the final rules.

As of June 30, 2017, the Company and the Bank met each of their capital requirements and the most recent notification from the FDIC categorized the Bank as “well-capitalized.” There are no conditions or events since that notification that management believes have changed the Bank’s category. Requirements for classification as a well-capitalized institution and for minimum capital adequacy along with Salisbury’s and the Bank's regulatory capital ratios are as follows:

    June 30, 2017  December 31, 2016
     Salisbury   Bank   Salisbury   Bank
Total Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   13.10%   12.70%   13.26%   12.92%
Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   10.87    11.81    11.02    12.05 
Common Equity Tier 1 Capital (to risk-weighted assets)   10.87    11.81    11.02    12.05 
Tier 1 Capital (to average assets)   8.77    9.53    8.69    9.51 

Dividends

During the six month period ended June 30, 2017, Salisbury paid $1.555 million in common stock dividends.

On July 28, 2017, the Board of Directors of Salisbury declared a common stock dividend of $0.28 per common share payable on August 25, 2017 to shareholders of record on August 11, 2017. Common stock dividends, when declared, will generally be paid the last Friday of February, May, August and November, although Salisbury is not obligated to pay dividends on those dates or at any other time.

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Salisbury's ability to pay cash dividends is dependent on the Bank's ability to pay cash dividends to Salisbury. There are certain restrictions on the payment of cash dividends and other payments by the Bank to Salisbury. Under Connecticut law, the Bank cannot declare a cash dividend except from net profits, defined as the remainder of all earnings from current operations. The total of all cash dividends declared by the Bank in any calendar year shall not, unless specifically approved by the Banking Commissioner, exceed the total of its net profits of that year combined with its retained net profits of the preceding two years.

FRB Supervisory Letter SR 09-4, February 24, 2009, revised December 31, 2015, states that, as a general matter, the Board of Directors of a Bank Holding Company (“BHC”) should inform the Federal Reserve and should eliminate, defer, or significantly reduce dividends if (1) net income available to shareholders for the past four quarters, net of dividends previously paid during that period, is not sufficient to fully fund the dividends; (2) the prospective rate of earnings retention is not consistent with capital needs and overall current and prospective financial condition; or (3) the BHC will not meet, or is in danger of not meeting, its minimum regulatory capital adequacy ratios. Moreover, a BHC should inform the Federal Reserve reasonably in advance of declaring or paying a dividend that exceeds earnings for the period (e.g., quarter) for which the dividend is being paid or that could result in a material adverse change to the BHC capital position.

Salisbury believes that the payment of common stock cash dividends is appropriate, provided that such payment considers Salisbury's capital needs, asset quality, and overall financial condition and does not adversely affect the financial stability of Salisbury or the Bank. The continued payment of common stock cash dividends by Salisbury will be dependent on Salisbury's future core earnings, financial condition and capital needs, regulatory restrictions, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors of Salisbury.

IMPACT OF INFLATION AND CHANGING PRICES

Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto presented elsewhere in this Form 10-Q are prepared in conformity with GAAP, which require the measurement of financial condition and operating results in terms of historical dollars without considering changes in the relative purchasing power of money, over time, due to inflation. Unlike some other types of companies, the financial nature of Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements is more clearly affected by changes in interest rates than by inflation. Interest rates do not necessarily fluctuate in the same direction or in the same magnitude as the prices of goods and services. However, inflation does affect Salisbury to some extent because, as prices increase, the money supply grows and interest rates are affected by inflationary expectations. There is no precise method, however, to measure the effects of inflation on Salisbury’s consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, any examination or analysis of the financial statements should take into consideration the possible effects of inflation. Although not a material factor in recent years, inflation could impact earnings in future periods.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Form 10-Q and future filings made by Salisbury with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other filings, reports and press releases made or issued by Salisbury and the Bank, and oral statements made by executive officers of Salisbury and the Bank, may include forward-looking statements relating to such matters as:

(a)assumptions concerning future economic and business conditions and their effect on the economy in general and on the markets in which Salisbury and the Bank do business; and
(b)expectations for revenues and earnings for Salisbury and the Bank.

Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions rather than historical or current facts and, therefore, are inherently uncertain and subject to risk. For those statements, Salisbury claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Salisbury notes that a variety of factors could cause the actual results or experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations described or implied by such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operation, performance, development and results of Salisbury’s and the Bank’s business include the following:

(a)the risk of adverse changes in business conditions in the banking industry generally and in the specific markets in which the Bank operates;
(b)changes in the legislative and regulatory environment that negatively impacts Salisbury and the Bank through increased operating expenses;
(c)increased competition from other financial and non-financial institutions;
(d)the impact of technological advances and cybersecurity matters;
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(e)interest rate fluctuations; and
(f)other risks detailed from time to time in Salisbury’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Such developments could have an adverse impact on Salisbury’s and the Bank’s financial position and results of operations.

Item 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Salisbury manages its exposure to interest rate risk through its Asset/Liability Management Committee (“ALCO”) using risk limits and policy guidelines to manage assets and funding liabilities to produce financial results that are consistent with Salisbury’s liquidity, capital adequacy, growth, risk and profitability targets. Interest rate risk is the risk of a negative impact to future earnings due to changes in interest rates.

The ALCO manages interest rate risk using income simulation to measure interest rate risk inherent in Salisbury’s financial instruments at a given point in time by showing the effect of interest rate shifts on net interest income over a 24-month horizon. In management’s June 30, 2017 analysis, three of the simulations incorporate static growth assumptions over the simulation horizons, with allowances made for loan, deposit and security product mix shifts in selected interest rate scenarios, such as movements between lower rate savings and money market deposit accounts and higher rate time deposits, and changes in the reinvestment of loan and securities cash flows. The fourth simulation incorporates management’s balance sheet growth assumptions. Additionally, the simulations take into account the specific re-pricing, maturity and prepayment characteristics of differing financial instruments that may vary under different interest rate scenarios.

The ALCO reviews the simulation results to determine whether Salisbury’s exposure to change in net interest income remains within established tolerance levels over the simulation horizons and to develop appropriate strategies to manage this exposure. Salisbury’s tolerance levels for changes in net interest income in its income simulations vary depending on the magnitude of interest rate changes and level of risk-based capital. All changes are measured in comparison to the projected net interest income that would result from an “unchanged” rate scenario where interest rates remain stable over the forecast horizon. The ALCO also evaluates the directional trends of net interest income, net interest margin and other financial measures over the forecast horizon for consistency with its liquidity, capital adequacy, growth, risk and profitability targets.

ALCO uses four interest rate scenarios to evaluate interest risk exposure and may vary these interest rate scenarios to show the effect of steepening or flattening changes in yield curves as well as parallel changes in interest rates. At June 30, 2017, ALCO used the following interest rate scenarios: (1) unchanged interest rates; (2) immediately rising interest rates – immediate parallel upward shift in market interest rates ranging from 300 basis points for the 2-year Treasury rates to 300 basis points for the 10-year Treasury; (3) immediately falling interest rates – immediate downward shift in market interest rates ranging from 100 basis points for the 2-year Treasury rates to 100 basis points for the 10-year Treasury; and (4) immediately rising interest rates – immediate parallel upward shift in market interest rates ranging from 200 basis points for the 2-year Treasury rates to 200 basis points for the 10-year Treasury. Deposit rates are assumed to shift by lesser amounts due to their relative historical insensitivity to market interest rate movements. Further, deposits are assumed to have certain minimum rate levels below which they will not fall. Income simulations do not reflect adjustments in strategy that the ALCO could implement in response to rates. As of June 30, 2017, net interest income simulations indicated that the Bank’s exposure to changing interest rates over the simulation horizons remained within its tolerance levels.

The following table sets forth the estimated change in net interest income from an unchanged interest rate scenario over the periods indicated for changes in market interest rates using the Bank’s financial instruments as of June 30, 2017:

As of June 30, 2017  Months 1-12    Months 13-24  
Immediately rising interest rates (static growth assumptions)   (5.82%)   2.05%
Immediately falling interest rates (static growth assumptions)   (2.75)   (5.88)
Immediately rising interest rates (static growth with assumption sensitivity stress testing)   (2.91)   3.36 

The negative exposure of net interest income to immediately and gradually rising rates as compared to the unchanged rate scenario results from a faster projected rise in the cost of funds versus income from earning assets, as relatively rate-sensitive money market and time deposits re-price faster than longer duration earning assets. The negative exposure of net interest income to immediately falling rates as compared to an unchanged rate scenario results from a greater decline in earning asset yields compared to rates paid on funding liabilities, as a result of faster prepayments on existing assets and lower reinvestment rates on future loans originated and securities purchased.

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While the ALCO reviews simulation assumptions and back-tests simulation results to ensure that they are reasonable and current, income simulation may not always prove to be an accurate indicator of interest rate risk or future net interest margin. Over time, the re-pricing, maturity and prepayment characteristics of financial instruments and the composition of Salisbury’s balance sheet may change to a different degree than estimated. Simulation modeling assumes Salisbury’s expectation for future balance sheet growth, which is a function of the business environment and customer behavior. Another significant simulation assumption is the sensitivity of core savings deposits to fluctuations in interest rates. Income simulation results assume that changes in both core savings deposit rates and balances are related to changes in short-term interest rates. The assumed relationship between short-term interest rate changes and core deposit rate and balance changes used in income simulation may differ from the ALCO’s estimates. Lastly, mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans involve a level of risk that unforeseen changes in prepayment speeds may cause related cash flows to vary significantly in differing rate environments. Such changes could affect the level of reinvestment risk associated with cash flow from these instruments, as well as their market value. Changes in prepayment speeds could also increase or decrease the amortization of premium or accretion of discounts related to such instruments, thereby affecting interest income.

Salisbury also monitors the potential change in market value of its available-for-sale debt securities in changing interest rate environments. The purpose is to determine market value exposure that may not be captured by income simulation, but which might result in changes to Salisbury’s capital and liquidity position. Results are calculated using industry-standard analytical techniques and securities data. Available-for-sale equity securities are excluded from this analysis because the market value of such securities cannot be directly correlated with changes in interest rates.

The following table summarizes the potential change in market value of available-for-sale debt securities resulting from immediate parallel rate shifts:

As of June 30, 2017 (in thousands)    Rates up 100bp      Rates up 200bp  
U.S. Treasury notes  $   $ 
U.S. Government agency notes        
Municipal bonds   (43)   (103)
Mortgage backed securities   (877)   (2,189)
Collateralized mortgage obligations   (362)   (802)
SBA pools   (481)   (892)
Other   (103)   (195)
Total available-for-sale debt securities  $(1,866)  $(4,181)

 

Item 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Salisbury’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Salisbury’s disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2017. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of June 30, 2017.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

Changes in Internal Controls

In addition, based on an evaluation of its internal controls over financial reporting, no change in Salisbury’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Salisbury’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Bank is involved in various claims and legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, which management currently believes are not material, individually or in the aggregate, to the business, financial condition or operating results of Salisbury or any of its subsidiaries. There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the registrant’s business, to which Salisbury is a party or of which any of its property is subject.

 

Item 1A.RISK FACTORS

Not applicable

 

Item 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None

 

Item 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

 

Item 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not Applicable

 

Item 5.OTHER INFORMATION

None

 

Item 6.EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No. Description 
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Salisbury Bancorp, Inc., Salisbury Bank and Trust Company and Riverside Bank dated March 18, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2014).
3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s 1998 Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed April 23, 1998, File No.: 33-50857).
3.1.1 Amendment to Article Third of Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 11, 2009).
3.1.2 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed March 19, 2009).
3.1.3 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation for the Series B Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on August 25, 2011).
3.1.4 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed October 30, 2014).
3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K filed November 25, 2014).
4.1 Form of Subordinated Note, dated as of December 10, 2015, issued by Salisbury Bancorp, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1of Registrant’s Form 8-K filed December 10, 2015).
10.1

2017 Long Term Incentive Plan adopted by the Board on February 24, 2017 and approved by shareholders at Salisbury’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement filed April 10, 2017).

10.2 Amendment Number Three to 2011 Long Term Incentive Plan dated as of April 28, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2017).
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
23.1 Consent of Baker Newman & Noyes, LLC.
31.1 Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 17 CF 240.13a-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    SALISBURY BANCORP, INC.
     
August 14, 2017 By:   /s/ Richard J. Cantele, Jr.  
    Richard J. Cantele, Jr.,
    President and Chief Executive Officer
     
August 14, 2017 By:   /s/ Donald E. White  
    Donald E. White,
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

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