UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

[ X ]

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.

or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

         or
[     ]  Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from ___ to ___.

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: 000-17007


REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Pennsylvania

23-2486815

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

50 South 16th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

19102

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)


Registrant's

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 215-735-4422


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading

Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock par value $0.01 per share

The NASDAQ Stock

FRBK

Nasdaq Global Market LLC

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

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. YES  [  ]   NO    [X]

Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. YES [  ]  NO [X]

Yes ☐ No ☒

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  [X]   NO  [  ]

Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months. YES  [X]     NO  [  ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  [X]
Yes ☒ No ☐

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

Large accelerated filer [   ]

Accelerated filer [X]

Non-Accelerated filer [   ] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES  [  ]    NO   [X]

Yes ☐ No ☒

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates was $476,561,351$128,218,333 based on the last sale price on Nasdaq Global Market on June 30, 2017.

2020.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant'sregistrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.


Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

57,017,439

58,867,653

Title of Class

Number of Shares Outstanding as of March 9, 201810, 2021


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant'sregistrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its 20182021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which Definitive Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the registrant'sregistrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2020, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K; provided, however, that the Compensation Committee Report, the Audit Committee Report and any other information in such proxy statement that is not required to be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference or filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



 

REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

PART I:

Item 1.

Business

1

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

12

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

24

28

Item 2.

Properties

24

28

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

25

28

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

25

28

PART II:

Item 5.

Market for Registrant'sRegistrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

25

28

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

26

29

Item 7.

Management's

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

27

30

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

7079

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

7079

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

139148

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

139

148

Item 9B.

Other Information

140

149

PART III:

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

140

149

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

140

149

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

141

149

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Directors Independence

141

150

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

141

150

PART IV:

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

142

151

Signatures146

155

 

ii

 

PART I


Item 1: Business


Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the registrant, Republic First Bancorp, Inc., is referred to as the "Company"“Company” or as "we," "our"“we,” “our” or "us"“us”. The Company'sCompany’s website address is www.myrepublicbank.com. The Company's Annual Reportsinformation on this website is not and should not be considered part of this Form 10-K Quarterly Reports onand is not incorporated by reference in this Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K10-K. This website is, and other documents filed by theis only intended to be, for reference purposes only. The Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") aremakes available free of charge on or through its website its Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Company's website under the Investor Relations menu. Such documents are available on the Company's websiteSecurities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been filedthe Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC.

Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  

Forward Looking Statements

This document contains "forward-looking“forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  TheseForward-looking statements can be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of words such as "would be," "could be," "should be," "probability," "risk," "target," "objective," "may," "will," "estimate," "project," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "plan," "seek," "expect" and“believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “confident,” “may,” “can,” “potential,” “possible,” “proposed,” “target,” “pursue,” “outlook,” “maintain,” or similar expressions, or variations on such expressions.  These forward-looking statements include, among others:  statements ofwhen we discuss our guidance, strategy, goals, intentions and expectations, statements regarding the impact of accounting pronouncements, statements regarding prospects and business strategy, statements regarding allowance for loan losses, asset quality and market risk and estimates of future costs, benefits and results.

vision, mission, opportunities, projections or intentions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  For example, and in addition to the "Risk Factors"“Risk Factors” discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K, risks andor uncertainties can arise with changes in or related to:


·

the negative impacts and disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken to contain its spread on our employees, customers, business operations, credit quality, financial position, liquidity and results of operations;

the length and extent of the economic contraction as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic;

deterioration in general economic conditions,conditions;

changes in interest rates;

changes in customer behavior, including turmoilloan demand;

changes in the financial markets and related efforts of government agencies to stabilize the financial system;


·the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses and our methodology for determining such allowance;


·

adverse changes in our loan portfolio and credit risk-related losses and expenses;


·

changes in concentrations within our loan portfolio, including our exposure to commercial real estate loans, and to our primary service area;


·changes in interest rates;


·

our ability to identify, negotiate, secure and develop new store locations and renew, modify, or terminate leases or dispose of properties for existing store locations effectively;

business conditions in the financial services industry, including competitive pressure among financial services companies, new service and product offerings by competitors, price pressures and similar items;


·

changes in deposit flows;


·flows and loan demand;

1


·

the regulatory environment, including evolving banking industry standards, and changes in legislation or regulation;


·

our securities portfolio and the valuation of our securities;

1


·

changes in accounting principles, policies and guidelines as well as estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of our financial statements;


·

rapidly changing technology;

operational risks including, but not limited to, cybersecurity incidents, fraud, natural disasters and future pandemics;


·

litigation liabilities, including costs, expenses, settlements and judgments; and


·

other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technological factors affecting our operations, pricing, products and services.


Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management'smanagement’s beliefs only as of the date hereof.  Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we do not undertake, and specifically disclaim any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any changed assumptions, any unanticipated events or any changes in the future.  Significant factors which could have an adverse effect on the operations and future prospects of the Company are detailed in the "Risk Factors"“Risk Factors” section included under Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Readers should carefully review the risk factors included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other documents the Company files from time to time with the SEC.


General


Republic First Bancorp, Inc. was organized and incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1987 and is the holding company for Republic First Bank, which does business under the name Republic Bank, and we may refer to as Republic or the Bank throughout this document.  Republic offers a variety of credit and depository banking services. Such services are offered to individuals and businesses primarily in the Greater Philadelphia, and Southern New Jersey, and the New York City area through their offices and branches in Philadelphia, Montgomery,Bucks, Delaware, and DelawareMontgomery Counties in Pennsylvania, andAtlantic, Burlington, Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester Counties in New Jersey.

Jersey, and New York County in New York.

Historically, our primary objective had been to position ourselves as an alternative to the large financial institutions for commercial banking services in the Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey region. However, in 2008, we made an important and strategic shift in our business approach, redirecting our efforts toward the creation of a major retail bank that would meet an important need in our existing marketplace. Focused on delivering high levels of customer service and satisfaction, driving innovation, developing a bold brand and creating shareholder value, Republic Bank sought to offer a banking experience that would turn customers into Fans. As other banks began to turn toward automation for growth, Republic Bank took a different approach and chose not only to embrace advances in technology, but to also define itself by the personal touch.


To achieve such a transformation, we recruited several key banking executives who had previously served in leadership roles at Commerce Bank, upon which this business model draws inspiration. With a strong management team in place, along with adequate capital resources to support this revitalized vision, we began to build a unique brand with the goal of establishing ourselves as a premier financial institution in the Philadelphia metropolitan area.

2


An important part of that strategic shift toward creating a retail and customer focused bank was the decision in 2010 to rebrand our stores from Republic First Bank to Republic Bank, which had been the name under which we had initially incorporated and operated from 1988-1996. In support of that rebrand, we also renovated and remodeled the majority of our existing branches which refer to and operate as stores.  Further, we embraced critical service changes that reframed the Republic Bank brand and experience in the eyes of the consumer to include expanded hours, absolutely free checking, free coin counting, no ATM surcharges, mobile banking and much more.


      On the

From a lending side,perspective, we also shifted away from our historic approach, which was primarily focused on business banking and isolated commercial lending transactions, in particular commercial real estate loans.  While restructuring our loan portfolio and deemphasizing the origination of commercial real estate loans, we also undertook a detailed review of our more significant credit relationships. This review allowed us to reduce exposure, enhance our allowance for loan loss methodology and commit to originate fewer commercial real estate loans in an effort to reduce our credit concentrations in that particular category.


      In December 2011, we completed the sale of several distressed commercial real estate loans and foreclosed properties to a single investor.  This transaction dramatically reduced our non-performing asset balances and significantly improved our credit quality metrics. This loan sale was a cornerstone transaction in the transformation of Republic Bank.

With these significant changes implemented, Republic Bank was then well-positioned to execute an aggressive expansion plan which was given the title, "The Power of Red is Back." To support this growth strategy, we completed the sale of $45 million of common stock through a private placement offering in April 2014 which provided the necessary capital to implementbegin our aggressive expansion plan.


During 2016, we expanded our product offerings through the addition of a residential mortgage lending team. We acquired Oak Mortgage Company in July 2016 which has been fully integrated and Oak Mortgage becamenow a wholly owned subsidiarydivision of the Bank. The acquisition of Oak Mortgage is headquartered in Marlton, NJ and is licensedallows us to do business in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Florida providingprovide our customers with new opportunities in the residential lending market. The Oak Mortgage team ishas been a tremendous fit for Republic'sRepublic’s commitment to extraordinary customer service and has proven to be a perfect complement to the Bank'sBank’s network of store locations.

2


To strengthen our capital position and prepare for the next stage of growth and expansion, we completed a capital raise in the amount of $100 million through a registered direct offering of our common stock in December 2016. At the same time, Vernon W. Hill, II became a member of the Board of Directors and was appointed Chairman of Republic First Bancorp, Inc. He has been a major investor and consultant to Republic since 2008. Mr. Hill is often credited with reinventing the concept of Retail Banking. He was the Founder and Chairman of Commerce Bancorp, a $50 billion Retail Bank headquartered in metro Philadelphia, which grew to 450 locations along the east coast before its sale in 2007. He is also

In February 2021, Mr. Hill was named to the Founderadditional role of Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and Chairmanthe Bank. Since joining Republic in 2008, Mr. Hill has led the growth of Metro Bank (UK), which is the first new Retail high street bank openedCompany from $900 million in Britain since 1840 and in just seven yearsassets to $5.1 billion as of December 31, 2020. The number of stores has grown from eight to thirty-one, with each location making a concentrated effort to become a valued part of the community in which it operates. During this time Republic has also become one of the top small business lenders in its market as proven by its performance during 2020 in the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) authorized by the CARES Act. Republic originated more than $22 billion$680 million in assetsPPP loans to nearly 5,000 local businesses providing critical funding during an unprecedented economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Hill’s unique approach to banking and 55 locations.


Thefocus on customer service culminated in Republic Bank being named “America’s #1 Bank for Service” by Forbes based on a survey conducted during 2020.

In August 2020, we completed a capital raise through an offering of $50 million of convertible preferred stock to strengthen our capital position and continue with our aggressive expansion plan has produced strong resultsgrowth plan. As we expand our footprint we take all steps required to ensure that we do not lose focus on our commitment to extraordinary levels of customer service and continues to build momentum. Over the last four years we have opened twelve newsatisfaction. Our stores using our signature glass building. During 2017,are open seven days a week, 361 days a year, with extended lobby and drive-thru hours providing customers with tremendous convenience and flexibility. In 2020, we expanded our store network in Southern New Jersey by opening threebuilding our signature glass building at new locations in Cherry Hill, Sicklerville,Northfield, NJ and Medford. There are several otherBensalem, PA. It is our goal to deliver best in class service across all delivery channels including not only our physical store locations, but online and mobile options as well. We continue to make investments in various stages of approvaldigital and developmenttechnology tools as we strive to maintain our position as “America’s #1 Bank for future openings.

3

Service”.

As of December 31, 2017,2020, we had total assets of approximately $2.3$5.1 billion, total shareholders'shareholders’ equity of approximately $226.5$308.1 million, total deposits of approximately $2.1$4.0 billion, net loans receivable of approximately $1.2$2.6 billion, and net income of $8.9 million.$5.1 million with net income of $4.1 million available to common shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2020. We have one reportable segment: community banking. The community bank segment primarily encompasses the commercial loan and deposit activities of Republic, as well as residential mortgage and other consumer loan products in the area surrounding its stores. We provide banking services through the Bank, and do not presently engage in any activities other than traditional banking activities.


Republic Bank

Republic First Bank is a commercial bank chartered pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is subject to examination and comprehensive regulation by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Republic First Bank is a subsidiary of Republic First Bancorp, Inc. Republic First Bank does business under the name of Republic Bank. The deposits held by the Bank are insured, up to applicable limits, by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC.

3


Service Area / Market Overview

Our primary service area currently consists of Greater Philadelphia, and Southern New Jersey.Jersey, and New York City. We presently conduct our principal banking activities through twenty-twothirty-one branch locations which are commonly referred to as "stores"“stores” throughout this document to reflect our retail oriented approach to customer service and convenience. ElevenThirteen of these stores are located in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs of Plymouth Meeting, Bala Cynwyd, Wynnewood, Abington, Media, Fairless Hills, Feasterville, and MediaBensalem in Pennsylvania. There are also elevenSixteen stores located in the Southern New Jersey market in Haddonfield, Voorhees, Glassboro, Marlton, Berlin, Washington Township, Moorestown, Sicklerville, Medford, and Cherry Hill, (2).Gloucester Township, Evesboro, Somers Point, Lumberton, and Northfield. There are two stores located in New York City at 14th Street & 5th Avenue and 51st Street & 3rd Avenue. Our commercial lending activities extend beyond our primary service area, to include other counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New Jersey,York as well as parts of Delaware, Maryland, New York and other out-of-market opportunities. Our residential lending activities also extend outside of our primary service area, to include other counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New Jersey, as wellYork, in addition to other states such as Delaware and Florida through our subsidiary Oak Mortgage.


Florida.

Competition


We face substantial competition from other financial institutions in our service area.  Competitors include Wells Fargo, BB&T, Citizens, PNC, Santander, TD Bank, and Bank of America, as well as many regional and local community banks. In addition, we compete directly with savings banks, savings and loan associations, finance companies, credit unions, mortgage brokers, insurance companies, securities brokerage firms, mutual funds, money market funds, private lenders and other institutions for deposits, commercial loans, mortgages and consumer loans, as well as other services.  Competition among financial institutions is based upon a number of factors, including the quality of services rendered, interest rates offered on deposit accounts, interest rates charged on loans and other credit services, service charges, the convenience of banking facilities, locations and hours of operation, the availability of mobile and internet resources and, in the case of loans to larger commercial borrowers, applicable lending limits. Many of the financial institutions with which we compete have greater financial resources than we do and offer a wider range of deposit and lending products.

Our legal lending limit to one borrower was approximately $28.5$45.0 million at December 31, 2017.2020.  Loans above this amount may be made if the excess over the lending limit is participated to other institutions.  We are subject to potential intensified competition from new branches of established banks in the area as well as new banks that could open in our market area.  There are banks and other financial institutions, which serve surrounding areas, and additional out-of-state financial institutions, which currently, or in the future, may compete in our market. We compete to attract deposits and loan applications both from customers of existing institutions and from customers new to our market and we anticipate a continued increase in competition in our service area.

4

We believe that an attractive niche exists serving small to medium sized business customers not adequately served by our larger competitors, and we will seek opportunities to build commercial relationships to complement our retail strategy.  We believe small to medium-sized businesses will continue to respond in a positive manner to the attentive and highly personalized service we provide.


Products and Services

We offer a range of competitively priced banking products and services, including consumer and commercial deposit accounts, checking accounts, interest-bearing demand accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, savings accounts, sweep accounts, lockbox services and individual retirement accounts and other traditional banking services, secured and unsecured commercial loans, real estate loans, construction and land development loans, automobile loans, home improvement loans, mortgages, home equity and overdraft lines of credit, and other products.  We attempt to offer a high level of personalized service to both our retail and commercial customers.

4

We also maintain a Small Business Lending team that specializes in the origination of loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA"(“SBA”) to provide much needed credit to small businesses throughout our service area. This team has developed intoconsistently been one of the top lenders under the SBA program in our region. For the last several years they have been ranked as one of the top SBA lenders in the tri-state market of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware based on the dollar volume of loan originations.


We are currently members of the STAR™ and PLUS™ automated teller (ATM) networks, and Allpoint - America's Largest Surcharge Free ATM Network which enable us to provide our customers with free access to more than 55,000 ATMs worldwide. We currently have twenty-twothirty-one proprietary ATMs located in our store network.


Our lending activities generally are focused on small and medium sized businesses within the communities that we serve. Commercial real estate loans represent the largest category within our loan portfolio, amounting to approximately 37%27% of total loans outstanding at December 31, 2017.2020. Repayment of these loans is, in part, dependent on general economic conditions affecting our customers and various businesses within the community. As a commercial lender, we are subject to credit risk. Economic and financial conditions could have an adverse effect on the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans. To manage the challenges that the economic environment may present we have adopted a conservative loan classification system, continually review and enhance our allowance for loan loss methodology, and perform a comprehensive review of our loan portfolio on a regular basis.  


With

As a result of the addition of Oak Mortgage Company in 2016, we are now able to offer residential mortgage loan products to customers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida.throughout our footprint. Our residential mortgage lending activities also extend to geographies outside of our primary service area. A majority of the residential loans originated are currently sold on the secondary market shortly after closing. Oak Mortgage follows the established underwriting policies and guidelines of third party vendors with whom loans are being sold to maintain compliance, but credit risk still exists in the portfolio. Repayment of residential loans held in the portfolio is, in part, dependent on general economic conditions affecting our customers.  


Although management follows established underwriting policies and closely monitors loans through Republic'sRepublic’s loan review officer, credit risk is still inherent in the portfolio. The majority of Republic'sRepublic’s loan portfolio is collateralized with real estate or other collateral; however, a portion of the commercial portfolio is unsecured, representing loans made to borrowers considered to be of sufficient financial strength to merit unsecured financing.  Republic makes both fixed and variable rate commercial loans with terms typically ranging from one to five years. Variable rate loans are generally tied to the national prime rate of interest.

5


Store Expansion Plans and Growth Strategy

We will carefully evaluate growth opportunities throughout 2018 and beyond.  Renovation and refurbishment of all existing store locations took place during 2009. The Bank also

During 2020, we opened three new stores located in Cherry Hill, Medford,Northfield, New Jersey and Sicklerville NJBensalem, Pennsylvania utilizing our new and distinctive glass prototype building in 2017.building. The Bank anticipates the continuation of its expansion strategy throughin 2021. However, as previously announced, the openingpace of additional new storesstore openings will be slowed as we deal with the challenging nature of the pandemic and the current interest rate environment which has resulted in 2018.compression of the net interest margin. Relocation of other existing store locations may also occur in the future as we continue to enhance our brand and focus on constantly improving the customer experience. The opening andor relocation of these storesany store is subject to regulatory approval.

5


The addition of Oak Mortgage in July 2016 provides us with new growth opportunities in the residential lending market. Oak Mortgage is licensed to do business in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Florida and gives us the ability to serve both new and existing customers throughout our store network.

Securities Portfolio


We maintain an investment securities portfolio.  We purchase investment securities that are in compliance with our investment policies, which are approved annually by our Board of Directors.  The investment policies address such issues as permissible investment categories, credit quality, maturities and concentrations.  At December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, approximately 90%91% and 86%94%, respectively, of the aggregate dollar amount of the investment securities consisted of either U.S. government debt securities or U.S. government agency issued mortgage-backed securities.securities and commercial mortgage obligations. Credit risk associated with these U.S. government debt securities and the U.S. government agency mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage obligations is minimal, with risk-based capital weighting factors of 0% and 20%, respectively. The remainder of the securities portfolio consists of municipal securities, pooled trust preferred securities, corporate bonds, asset-backed securities, and Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) capitalpreferred stock.


Supervision and Regulation

General


Republic, as a Pennsylvania state chartered bank, is not a member of the Federal Reserve System ("(“Federal Reserve"Reserve”) and is subject to supervision and regulation by the FDIC and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. Our bank holding company is subject to supervision and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve under the Federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended ("(“BHC Act"Act”). As a bank holding company, our activities and those of Republic are limited to the business of banking and activities closely related or incidental to banking, and we may not directly or indirectly acquire the ownership or control of more than 5% of any class of voting shares or substantially all of the assets of any company, including a bank, without the prior approval of the Federal Reserve.

We are subject to extensive requirements and restrictions under federal and state law, including requirements to maintain reserves against deposits, restrictions on the types and amounts of loans that may be granted and the interest that may be charged thereon, and limitations on the types of investments that may be made and the types of services that may be offered. Various federal and state consumer laws and regulations also affect the operations of Republic. In addition to the impact of regulation, commercial banks are affected significantly by the actions of the Federal Reserve attempting to control the money supply and credit availability in order to influence market interest rates and the national economy.

6


The following discussion summarizes certain banking laws and regulations that affect us and Republic.


Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010


The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the "Dodd-Frank Act"“Dodd-Frank Act”) has had a broad impact on the financial services industry, including significant regulatory and compliance changes including, among other things, (i) enhanced resolution authority of troubled and failing banks and their holding companies; (ii) increased capital and liquidity requirements; (iii) increased regulatory examination fees; (iv) changes to assessments to be paid to the FDIC for federal deposit insurance; and (v) numerous other provisions designed to improve supervision and oversight of, and strengthening safety and soundness for, the financial services sector. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act established a new framework for systemic risk oversight within the financial system to be distributed among new and existing federal regulatory agencies, including the Financial Stability Oversight Council, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the FDIC. A summary of certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act is set forth below.

6

Increased Capital Standards and Enhanced Supervision. The federal banking agencies established minimum leverage and risk-based capital requirements for banks and bank holding companies. These new standards are summarized under "Capital Adequacy"“Capital Adequacy” below. The Dodd-Frank Act also requires capital requirements to be countercyclical such that the required amount of capital increases in times of economic expansion and decreases in times of economic contraction consistent with safety and soundness.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB"(CFPB). The Dodd-Frank Act created the CFPB within the Federal Reserve. The CFPB is tasked with establishing and implementing rules and regulations under certain federal consumer protection laws with respect to the conduct of providers of certain consumer financial products and services. The CFPB has broad rulemaking, supervisory and enforcement powers for a wide range of consumer protection laws applicable to banks with greater than $10 billion or more in assets. Smaller institutions will be subject to rules promulgated by the CFPB, but will continue to be examined and supervised by federal banking regulators for consumer compliance purposes. In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act permits states to adopt consumer protection laws and regulations that are more stringent than those regulations promulgated by the CFPB and state attorneys general are permitted to enforce consumer protection rules adopted by the CFPB against state-chartered institutions.

Corporate Governance.  The Dodd-Frank Act requires publicly traded companies to provide their shareholders with 1) a non-binding shareholder vote on executive compensation; 2) a non-binding shareholder vote on the frequency of such vote; 3) disclosure of "golden parachute" arrangements in connection with specified change in control transactions; and 4) a non-binding shareholder vote on golden parachute arrangements in connection with these change in control transactions.


Deposit Insurance. The Dodd-Frank Act permanently increased the maximum deposit insurance amount to $250,000 for insured deposits. Amendments to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, which were mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act, have revised the assessment base against which an insured depository institution'sinstitution’s deposit insurance premiums paid to the Deposit Insurance Fund ("DIF"(“DIF”) are calculated. Under the amendments, the assessment base is no longer the institution'sinstitution’s deposit base, but rather its average consolidated total assets less its average tangible equity during the assessment period. Additionally, the Dodd-Frank Act made changes to the minimum designated reserve ratio of the DIF, by increasing the minimum from 1.15 percent to 1.35 percent of the estimated amount of total insured deposits by 2020 and eliminating the requirement that the FDIC pay dividends to depository institutions when the reserve ratio exceeds certain thresholds. The Dodd- Frank Act also provided that, effective July 21, 2011, depository institutions may pay interest on demand deposits. For further discussion of deposit insurance regulatory matters, see "Deposit“Deposit Insurance and Assessments"Assessments” below.
7

Transactions with Affiliates. Under federal law, we are subject to restrictions that limit certain types of transactions between Republic and its non-bank affiliates.  In general, we are subject to quantitative and qualitative limits on extensions of credit, purchases of assets and certain other transactions involving us and our non-bank affiliates.  Transactions between Republic and its non-bank affiliates are required to be on arms length terms. The Dodd-Frank Act enhanced the requirements for certain transactions with affiliates under Section 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, including expanding the definition of "covered transactions"“covered transactions” and "affiliates,"“affiliates,” as well as increasing the amount of time for which collateral requirements regarding covered transactions must be maintained.

Transactions with Insiders. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, insider transaction limitations are expanded through the strengthening of loan restrictions to insiders and the expansion of the types of transactions subject to the various limits, including derivative transactions, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements and securities lending or borrowing transactions. Restrictions have also been placed on certain asset sales to and from an insider to an institution, including requirements that such sales be on market terms and, if representing more than 10% of capital, approved by the institution'sinstitution’s board of directors.

Holding Company Capital Levels. The Dodd-Frank Act requires bank regulators to establish minimum capital levels for holding companies that are at least as stringent as those applicable to depository institutions. All trust preferred securities, or TRUPs, issued prior to May 19, 2010 by bank holding companies with less than $15 billion in assets are permanently grandfathered in Tier 1 capital, subject to a limitation of 25% of Tier 1 capital.

7

Many of the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented over time, and most are subject to implementing regulations that have or will become effective over the course of several years.  Given the complexity associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the various regulatory agencies through regulations, the full extent of the impact such requirements will have on financial institutions' operations is unclear.  The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act may impact the profitability of our business activities, require changes to certain of our business practices, impose upon us more stringent capital, liquidity and leverage ratio requirements or otherwise adversely affect our business. These changes may also require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make necessary changes in order to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements.

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act

The federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (the "GLB Act"“GLB Act”), enacted in 1999, repealed the key provisions of the Glass Steagall Act so as to permit commercial banks to affiliate with investment banks (securities firms). It also amended the BHC Act to permit qualifying bank holding companies to engage in many types of financial activities that were not permitted for banks themselves and permitted subsidiaries of banks to engage in a broad range of financial activities that were not permitted for themselves.

The result was to permit banking companies to offer a wider range of financial products and services to combine with other types of financial companies, such as securities and insurance companies. The impact of the GLB Act has, however, now been substantially limited by the Dodd-Frank Act and regulations issued by the Federal Reserve thereunder, specifically the so-called "Volcker“Volcker Rule," which will limit the ability of certain banks and their affiliates to invest in, or to engage in, non-banking activities for their own account.

8


The GLB Act created a new type of bank holding company called a "financial“financial holding company" ("FHC"company” (“FHC”).  An FHC is authorized to engage in any activity that is "financial“financial in nature or incidental to financial activities"activities” and any activity that the Federal Reserve determines is "complementary“complementary to financial activities"activities” and does not pose undue risks to the financial system.  Among other things, "financial“financial in nature"nature” activities include securities underwriting and dealing, insurance underwriting and sales, and certain merchant banking activities.  A bank holding company qualifies to become an FHC if each of its depository institution subsidiaries is "well“well capitalized," "well” “well managed," and has a rating under the Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA"(“CRA”) of "satisfactory"“satisfactory” or better.  A qualifying bank holding company becomes an FHC by filing with the Federal Reserve an election to become an FHC.  We have not elected to become an FHC.  Bank holding companies that do not qualify or elect to become FHCs will be limited in their activities to those previously permitted by law and regulation.

In addition, the GLB Act provided significant new protections for the privacy of customer information.  These provisions apply to any company the business of which is engaging in activities permitted for an FHC, even if it is not itself an FHC.  The GLB Act subjected a financial institution to four new requirements regarding non-public information about a customer.  The financial institution must: adopt and disclose a privacy policy; give customers the right to "opt out"“opt out” of disclosures to non-affiliated parties; not disclose any information to third party marketers; and follow regulatory standards to protect the security and confidentiality of customer information.


Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 ("Sarbanes-Oxley"(“Sarbanes-Oxley”) comprehensively revised the laws affecting corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive compensation and corporate reporting for entities, such as us, with equity or debt securities registered under the Exchange Act. Among other things, Sarbanes-Oxley and its implementing regulations have established new membership requirements and additional responsibilities for our audit committee, imposed restrictions on the relationship between us and our outside auditors (including restrictions on the types of non-audit services our auditors may provide to us), imposed additional responsibilities for our external financial statements on our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and expanded the disclosure requirements for our corporate insiders. The requirements are intended to allow shareholders to more easily and efficiently monitor the performance of companies and directors.


Regulatory Restrictions on Dividends

Dividend payments by Republic to the holding company are subject to the Pennsylvania Banking Code of 1965 ("(“Banking Code"Code”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act ("FDIA"(“FDIA”). Under the Banking Code, no dividends may be paid except from "accumulated“accumulated net earnings"earnings” (generally, undivided profits). Under the FDIA, an insured bank may pay no dividends if the bank is in arrears in the payment of any insurance assessment due to the FDIC. Under the Banking Code, Republic would be limited to $34.5$55.7 million of dividends payable plus an additional amount equal to its net profit for 2018,2021, up to the date of any such dividend declaration. However, dividends would be further limited in order to maintain capital ratios as discussed in "Capital Adequacy"“Capital Adequacy”.

8

Federal regulatory authorities have adopted standards for the maintenance of adequate levels of regulatory capital by banks. Adherence to such standards further limits the ability of Republic to pay dividends to us.

9


Dividend Policy

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock, and have no plans to pay any cash dividends in 20182020 or in the foreseeable future. We paid $923,000 in preferred stock dividends during the year ended December 31, 2020. See Item 5. Market for Registrant'sRegistrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities of this Form 10-K for more information.


Deposit Insurance and Assessments


The FDIC is an independent federal agency that insures deposits, up to prescribed statutory limits, of federally insured banks and savings institutions and safeguards the safety and soundness of the banking and savings industries. The deposits of Republic are insured up to applicable limits per insured depositor by the FDIC. As noted above, pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, the maximum deposit insurance amount has been permanently increased to $250,000.


As an FDIC-insured bank, Republic is subject to FDIC insurance assessments. The FDIC regulations assess insurance premiums for small insured depository institutions based on a risk-based assessment system. Under this assessment system, the FDIC evaluates the risk of each financial institution based on regulatory capital ratios and other supervisory factors. The rules base assessments on an institution'sinstitution’s average consolidated total assets less its average tangible equity, as opposed to total deposits.


The FDIC has authority to increase insurance assessments. Any future increase in insurance premiums may adversely affect our results of operations.

The Dodd-Frank Act also requires

In addition to paying basic deposit insurance assessments, the FDIC collected Financing Corporation (“FICO”) assessments to take such steps as are necessary to increase the reserve ratio of the DIF from 1.15% to 1.35% of insured deposits by 2020. The FDIC has issued rules regarding the method to be used to achieve a 1.35% reserve ratio by 2020 and offset the effect on institutions with assets less than $10 billion in assets.


All FDIC-insured depository institutions pay an annual assessment to provide funds for the payment of interest on bonds issued by the Financing Corporation, a federal corporation chartered under the authority of the Federal Housing Finance Board.  The bonds, commonly referred to as Financing Corporation ("FICO")FICO bonds.  FICO bonds were issued in the late 1980’s to capitalizerecapitalize the (former) Federal Savings and& Loan Insurance Corporation.  These assessments will continue untilThe last of the remaining FICO bonds maturematured in 2017 throughSeptember 2019.  The last FICO assessment was collected on March 29, 2019.

9


Capital Adequacy


The Federal Reserve has issued risk-based and leverage capital rules applicable to U.S. banking organizations such as the Company and Republic. These guidelines are intended to reflect the relationship between the banking organization'sorganization’s capital and the degree of risk associated with its operations based on transactions recorded on-balance sheet as well as off-balance sheet items. The Federal Reserve may from time to time require that a banking organization maintain capital above the minimum levels discussed below, due to the banking organization'sorganization’s financial condition or actual or anticipated growth.

10

The capital adequacy rules define qualifying capital instruments and specify minimum amounts of capital as a percentage of assets that banking organizations are required to maintain. Common equity Tier 1 capital generally includes common stock and related surplus, retained earnings and, in certain cases and subject to certain limitations, minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries, less goodwill, other non-qualifying intangible assets and certain other deductions. Tier 1 capital for banks and bank holding companies generally consists of the sum of common equity Tier 1 elements, non-cumulative perpetual preferred stock, and related surplus in certain cases and subject to limitations, minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries that do not qualify as common equity Tier 1 capital, less certain deductions. Tier 2 capital generally consists of hybrid capital instruments, perpetual debt and mandatory convertible debt securities, cumulative perpetual preferred stock, term subordinated debt and intermediate-term preferred stock, and, subject to limitations, allowances for loan losses. The sum of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital less certain required deductions represents qualifying total risk-based capital. Prior to the effectiveness of certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, bank holding companies were permitted to include trust preferred securities and cumulative perpetual preferred stock in Tier 1 capital, subject to limitations. However, the Federal Reserve'sReserve’s capital rule applicable to bank holding companies permanently grandfathers non-qualifying capital instruments, including trust preferred securities, issued before May 19, 2010 by depository institution holding companies with less than $15 billion in total assets as of December 31, 2009, subject to a limit of 25% of Tier 1 capital. In addition, under rules that became effective January 1, 2015, accumulated other comprehensive income (positive or negative) must be reflected in Tier 1 capital; however, we were permitted to make a one-time, permanent election to continue to exclude accumulated other comprehensive income from capital. We have made this election.

Under

State and Federal regulatory authorities have adopted standards for the maintenance of adequate levels of capital rules,by Republic. Federal banking agencies impose four minimum capital requirements on the Company’s risk-based capital ratios are calculated by dividing common equitybased on total capital, Tier 1 Tiercapital, CET 1 capital, and totala leverage capital ratio. The risk-based capital respectively, by risk-weighted assets.  Assetsratios measure the adequacy of a bank’s capital against the riskiness of its assets and off-balance sheet credit equivalents are assigned to one of several categories of risk-weights, based primarily on relative risk.  Under the Federal Reserve's rules, Republic is requiredactivities. Failure to maintain adequate capital is a minimum common equity Tier 1basis for “prompt corrective action” or other regulatory enforcement action. In assessing a bank’s capital ratio requirementadequacy, regulators also consider other factors such as interest rate risk exposure; liquidity, funding and market risks; quality and level or earnings; concentrations of 4.5%, a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirementcredit; quality of 6%, a minimum total capital requirementloans and investments; risks of 8%any nontraditional activities; effectiveness of bank policies; and a minimum leverage ratio requirement of 4%.  Under the new rules, in ordermanagement’s overall ability to avoid limitations on capital distributions (including dividend paymentsmonitor and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers), a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital above its minimum risk-based capital requirements in an amount greater than 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets.  The capital conservation buffer, which is composed of common equity Tier 1 capital, began on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and will be phased in over a three year period (increasing by that amount on each January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019).  Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to common equity Tier 1 capital began on January 1, 2015 and will be phased-in over a three-year period (beginning at 40% on January 1, 2015, 60% on January 1, 2016 and an additional 20% per year thereafter).

The following table shows the required capital ratios with the conservation buffer over the phase-in period.

 
Basel III Community Banks
Minimum Capital Ratio Requirements
 2016 2017 2018 2019
        
Common equity Tier 1 capital (CET1)5.125% 5.750% 6.375% 7.000%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)6.625% 7.250% 7.875% 8.500%
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)8.625% 9.250% 9.875% 10.500%

control risks.

Republic is considered "well capitalized"“well capitalized” under the FDIC's prompt corrective action rules and the Company is considered "well capitalized" under the Federal Reserve's rules applicable to bank holding companies.


rules. The risk-based capital standards are required to take adequate account of interest rate risk, concentration of credit risk and the risks of non-traditional activities.

Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act

The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, enacted in May 2018 (the “Regulatory Relief Act”), amended certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, as well as certain other statutes administered by the federal banking agencies. Some of the key provisions of the Regulatory Relief Act as it relates to community banks and bank holding companies include: (i) designating mortgages held in portfolio as “qualified mortgages” for banks with less than $10 billion in assets, subject to certain documentation and product limitations; (ii) exempting banks with less than $10 billion in assets (and total trading assets and trading liabilities of 5% or less of total assets) from Volcker Rule requirements relating to proprietary trading; (iii) simplifying capital calculations for banks with less than $10 billion in assets by requiring federal banking agencies to establish a community bank leverage ratio of tangible equity to average consolidated assets of not less than 8% or more than 10%, and provide that banks that maintain tangible equity in excess of such ratio will be deemed to be in compliance with risk-based capital and leverage requirements; (iv) assisting smaller banks with obtaining stable funding by providing an exception for reciprocal deposits from FDIC restrictions on acceptance of brokered deposits; (v) raising the eligibility for use of short-form Call Reports from $1 billion to $5 billion in assets; (vi) clarifying definitions pertaining to high volatility commercial real estate loans, which require higher capital allocations, so that only loans with increased risk are subject to higher risk weightings; and (vii) changing the eligibility for use of the small bank holding company policy statement from institutions with under $1 billion in assets to institutions with under $3 billion in assets.

10

11


In September 2019, the federal banking agencies approved the final rule to implement the provisions of Section 201 of the Regulatory Relief Act relating to the community bank leverage ratio (“CBLR”). Under the new rule, which became effective January 1, 2020, a qualifying community banking organization is defined as a depository institution or depository institution holding company with less than $10 billion in assets. A qualifying community banking organization has the option to elect the CBLR framework if its CBLR is greater than 9%, it has off-balance sheet exposures of 25% or less of consolidated assets, and trading assets and liabilities of 5% or less of total consolidated assets. The leverage ratio for purposes of the CBLR is calculated as Tier I capital divided by average total assets, consistent with the manner banking organizations calculate the leverage ratio under generally applicable capital rules. Qualifying community banking organizations that exceed the CBLR level established by the agencies, and that elect to be covered by the CBLR framework, will be considered to have met: (i) the generally applicable leverage and risk-based capital requirements under the banking agencies’ capital rules; (ii) the capital ratio requirements necessary to be considered “well capitalized” under the banking agencies’ prompt corrective action framework in the case of insured depository institutions; and (iii) any other applicable capital or leverage requirements. For institutions that fall below the 9% capital requirement but remain above 8%, are allowed a two-quarter grace period to either meet the qualifying criteria again or to comply with the generally applicable capital rules. 

Legislative and Regulatory Changes

We are heavily regulated by regulatory agencies at the federal and state levels. We, like most of our competitors, have faced and expect to continue to face increased regulation and regulatory and political scrutiny, which creates significant uncertainty for us as well as the financial services industry in general.

Future Legislative and Regulatory Developments

It is conceivable that compliance with current or future legislative and regulatory initiatives could require us to change certain business practices, impose significant additional costs on us, limit the products that we offer, result in a significant loss of revenue, limit our ability to pursue business opportunities in an efficient manner, require us to increase our regulatory capital, cause business disruptions, impact the value of assets that we hold or otherwise adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition. The extent of changes imposed by any future regulatory initiatives could make it more difficult for us to comply in a timely manner, which could further limit our operations, increase compliance costs or divert management attention or other resources. The long-term impact of legislative and regulatory initiatives on our business practices and revenues will depend upon the successful implementation of our strategies, consumer behavior, and competitors'competitors’ responses to such initiatives, all of which are difficult to predict.  Additionally, we may pursue, through appropriate avenues, legislative and regulatory advocacy to provide our input on possible legislative and regulatory developments.

11


Profitability, Monetary Policy and Economic Conditions

In addition to being affected by general economic conditions, the earnings and growth of Republic will be affected by the policies of regulatory authorities, including the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, the FDIC, and the Federal Reserve.  An important function of the Federal Reserve is to regulate the supply of money and other credit conditions in order to manage interest rates.  The monetary policies and regulations of the Federal Reserve have had a significant effect on the operating results of commercial banks in the past and are expected to continue to do so in the future.  The effects of such policies upon the future business, earnings and growth of Republic cannot be determined.


Employees


As of December 31, 2017,2020, we had a total of 448499 employees, including 467 full-time equivalent employees.


Item 1A:Risk Factors

In addition to the other information included elsewhere in this report and in "Management's“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition," the following factors could significantly affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or future prospects. Any of the following risks, either alone or taken together, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or future prospects. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may be materially adversely affected. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial which could also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, or future prospects.

12


We are subject to credit risk in connection with our lending activities, and our financial condition and results of operations may be negatively impacted by economic conditions and other factors that adversely affect our borrowers.

Our financial condition and results of operations are affected by the ability of our borrowers to repay their loans, and in a timely manner.  Lending money is a significant part of the banking business.  Borrowers, however, do not always repay their loans.  The risk of non-payment is assessed through our underwriting and loan review procedures based on several factors including credit risks of a particular borrower, changes in economic conditions, the duration of the loan, and in the case of a collateralized loan, uncertainties as to the future value of the collateral and other factors.  Despite our efforts, we do and will experience loan losses, and our financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. Our non-performing assets were approximately $21.8$12.2 million at December 31, 2017.2020. Our allowance for loan losses was approximately $8.6$13.0 million at December 31, 2017.2020. Our loans between thirty and eighty-nine days delinquent totaled $1.1$3.3 million at December 31, 2017.


2020.

Our concentration of commercial real estate loans could result in increased loan losses and costs of compliance.

A substantial portion of our loan portfolio is comprised of commercial real estate loans.  The commercial real estate market is cyclical and poses risks of loss to us because of the concentration of commercial real estate loans in our loan portfolio, and the lack of diversity in risk associated with such a concentration.  Banking regulators have been giving and continue to give commercial real estate lending greater scrutiny, and banks with larger commercial real estate loan portfolios are expected by their regulators to implement improved underwriting, internal controls, risk management policies and portfolio stress-testing practices to manage risks associated with commercial real estate lending.  In addition, commercial real estate lenders are making greater provisions for loan losses and accumulating higher capital levels as a result of commercial real estate lending exposures.  Additional losses or regulatory requirements related to our commercial real estate loan concentration could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

12

Our allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to absorb actual loan losses, and we may be required to make further provisions for loan losses and charge off additional loans in the future, which could materially and adversely affect our business.

We attempt to maintain an allowance for loan losses, established through a provision for loan losses accounted for as an expense, which is adequate to absorb losses inherent in our loan portfolio.  If our allowance for loan losses is inadequate, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

The determination of the allowance for loan losses inherently involves a high degree of subjectivity and judgment and requires us to make significant estimates of current credit risks and future trends, all of which may undergo material changes.  Changes in economic conditions affecting borrowers, new information regarding existing loans, identification of additional problem loans and other factors, both within and outside of our control, may require us to increase our allowance for loan losses. Increases in nonperforming loans have a significant impact on our allowance for loan losses.  Our allowance for loan losses may not be adequate to absorb actual loan losses. If trends in the real estate markets were to deteriorate, we could experience increased delinquencies and credit losses, particularly with respect to real estate construction and land acquisition and development loans and one-to-four family residential mortgage loans. As a result, we may have to make provisions for loan losses and charge off loans in the future, which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. 

13

In addition to our internal processes for determining loss allowances, bank regulatory agencies periodically review our allowance for loan losses and may require us to increase the provision for loan losses or recognize further loan charge-offs, based on judgments that differ from those of our management.  If loan charge-offs in future periods exceed the allowance for loan losses, we will need to increase our allowance for loan losses. Furthermore, growth in our loan portfolio would generally lead to an increase in the provision for loan losses. Any increases in our allowance for loan losses will result in a decrease in net income and capital, and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

We are required to make significant estimates and assumptions in the preparation of our financial statements, including our allowance for loan losses, and our estimates and assumptions may not be accurate.

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, require our management to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting periods.  Critical estimates are made by management in determining, among other things, the allowance for loan losses, carrying values of other real estate owned, assessment of other than temporary impairment ("OTTI"(“OTTI”) of investment securities, fair value of financial instruments, and the realization of deferred income taxes.  If our underlying estimates and assumptions prove to be incorrect, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

13

Our results of operations may be materially and adversely affected by other-than-temporary impairment charges relating to our investment portfolio.

In prior years we recorded other-than-temporary impairment charges for certain bank pooled trust preferred securities, and we may be required to record future impairment charges on our investment securities if they suffer declines in value that we determine are other-than-temporary. Numerous factors, including the lack of liquidity for re-sales of certain investment securities, the absence of reliable pricing information for investment securities, adverse changes in the business climate, adverse regulatory actions or unanticipated changes in the competitive environment, could have a negative effect on our investment portfolio in future periods. If an impairment charge is significant enough, it could affect the Bank'sBank’s ability to pay dividends, which could materially adversely affect us. Significant impairment charges could also negatively impact our regulatory capital ratios and result in us not being classified as "well-capitalized"“well-capitalized” for regulatory purposes.

Our net interest income, net income and results of operations are sensitive to fluctuations in interest rates.

Our net income depends on the net income of Republic, and Republic is dependent primarily upon its net interest income, which is the difference between the interest earned on its interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the interest paid on its interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings.

Our results of operations will be affected by changes in market interest rates and other economic factors beyond our control.  If our interest-earning assets have longer effective maturities than our interest-bearing liabilities, the yield on our interest-earning assets generally will adjust more slowly than the cost of our interest-bearing liabilities, and, as a result, our net interest income generally will be adversely affected by material and prolonged increases in interest rates, and positively affected by comparable declines in interest rates.  Conversely, if liabilities re-price more slowly than assets, net interest income would be adversely affected by declining interest rates, and positively affected by increasing interest rates.  At any time, our assets and liabilities will reflect interest rate risk of some degree.

14

Potential concerns for the longer term economic outlook include the continued flattening of the yield curve or an inverted yield curve (which may or may not signal a future recession), the risk of economic overheating in the near future, and concerns surrounding the long term fiscal position of the United States. In addition to affecting interest income and expense, changes in interest rates also can affect the value of our interest-earning assets, comprising fixed and adjustable-rate instruments, as well as the ability to realize gains from the sale of such assets.  Generally, the value of fixed-rate instruments fluctuates inversely with changes in interest rates, and changes in interest rates may therefore have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

We are a holding company dependent for liquidity on payments from our banking subsidiary, which payments are subject to restrictions.

We are a holding company and depend on dividends, distributions and other payments from Republic to fund dividend payments, if any, and to fund all payments on obligations. Republic and its subsidiaries are subject to laws that restrict dividend payments or authorize regulatory bodies to block or reduce the flow of funds from those subsidiaries to us.  Restrictions or regulatory actions of that kind could impede our access to funds that we may need to make payments on our obligations or dividend payments, if any.  In addition, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary'ssubsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary'ssubsidiary’s creditors.

14

Our business is concentrated in and dependent upon the continued growth and welfare of our primary market area.


Our primary service area consists of Greater Philadelphia, and Southern New Jersey.Jersey, and New York City.  Our success depends upon the business activity, population, income levels, deposits and real estate activity in this area.  Although our customers'customers’ businesses and financial interests may extend well beyond this area, adverse economic conditions that affect our primary service area could reduce our growth rate, affect the ability of our customers to repay their loans to us, and generally adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Because of our geographic concentration, we are less able than other regional or national financial institutions to diversify our credit risks across multiple markets.

Unfavorable economic and financial market conditions may adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.

Economic pressure on consumers and businesses and any resulting lack of confidence in the financial markets may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and stock price. A worsening of current economic conditions would likely exacerbate the adverse effects of market conditions on us and others in the industry. In particular, we may face the following risks in connection with these events:


·

increased regulation of our industry and increased compliance costs;


·

hampering our ability to assess the creditworthiness of customers and to estimate the losses inherent in our credit exposure, as such assessments are made more complex by these difficult market and economic conditions;


·

increasing our credit risk, by increasing the likelihood that our major customers become insolvent and unable to satisfy their obligations to us;

15

·

impairing our ability to originate loans, by making our customers and prospective customers less willing to borrow, and making loans that meet our underwriting criteria difficult to find; and

·

limiting our interest income, by depressing the yields we are able to earn on our investment portfolio.

Our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards to reduce future tax payments may be limited.

As of December 31, 2017,2020, we had approximately $24.4 million ofno U.S. Federal net operating loss carryforwards, referred to as "NOLs,"“NOLs,” available to reduce taxable income in future years.

However, this condition could change in future periods.

Utilization of the NOLs may be subject to a substantial annual limitation due to ownership change limitations that may have occurred or that could occur in the future, as required by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, referred to as the "Code."“Code.” These ownership changes may limit the amount of NOLs that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income and tax, respectively. In general, an ownership change, as defined by Section 382 of the Code results from a transaction or series of transactions over a three-year period resulting in an ownership change of more than 50 percentage points of the outstanding stock of a company by certain stockholders or public groups. In the event of an ownership change, Section 382 imposes an annual limitation on the amount of post-ownership change taxable income a corporation may offset with pre-ownership change NOLs. The limitation imposed by Section 382 for any post-change year would be determined by multiplying the value of our stock immediately before the ownership change (subject to certain adjustments) by the applicable long-term tax-exempt rate. Any unused annual limitation may be carried over to later years, and the limitation may under certain circumstances be increased by built-in gains which may be present with respect to assets held by us at the time of the ownership change that are recognized in the five-year period after the ownership change.

15

In addition, the ability to use NOLs will be dependent on our ability to generate taxable income. The NOLs may expire before we generate sufficient taxable income. There were no NOLs that expired in the fiscal years ended December 31, 20172020 and December 31, 2016.2019. There are no NOLs that could expire if not utilized for the year ending December 31, 2018.

2021.

Our assets as of December 31, 20172020 included a deferred tax asset and we may not be able to realize the full amount of such asset.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. At December 31, 2017,2020, the net deferred tax asset was $12.7$12.0 million, compared to a balance of $9.2$12.6 million at December 31, 2016.

2019.

We regularly review our deferred tax assets for recoverability to determine whether it is more likely than not (i.e. likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized within its life cycle, based on the weight of available evidence. If management makes a determination based on the available evidence that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods, a valuation allowance is calculated and recorded. These determinations are inherently subjective and dependent upon estimates and judgments concerning management'smanagement’s evaluation of both positive and negative evidence.

Based on the analysis of the available positive and negative evidence, we determined that a valuation allowance should not be recorded as of December 31, 2017.2020. We used projections of future taxable income, exclusive of reversing temporary timing differences and carryforwards, as a factor to project recoverability of the deferred tax asset balance. There can be no assurance as to when we will be in a position to fully recapture the benefits of our deferred tax asset. Further discussion on the analysis of our deferred tax asset can be found in the "Provision“Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes"Taxes” section of Item 7. Management'sManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

16

We are required to adopt the FASB's accounting standard which requires measurement of certain financial assets (including loans) using the current expected credit losses (CECL) beginning in calendar year 2020.

2022.

Current GAAP requires an incurred loss methodology for recognizing credit losses that delays recognition until it is probable a loss has been incurred. The FASB's amendment replaces the current incurred loss methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonableness and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. We are in the process ofcurrently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-13, continuing our implementation efforts and reviewing the loss modeling requirements consistent with lifetime expected loss estimates. Calculations of expected losses under the new guidance were run parallel to the calculations under existing guidance to assess and evaluate the potential impact to our financial statements. The new model includes different assumptions used in calculating credit losses, such as estimating losses over the estimated life of a financial asset and considers expected future changes in macroeconomic conditions. The adoption of this ASU may result in an increase or decrease to our allowance for loan losses which will depend upon the nature and characteristics of our loan portfolio at the adoption date, as well as the macroeconomic conditions and forecasts at that date. At the present time, we do not expect a material increase to the allowance for credit losses. When finalized, any adjustment to the allowance for credit losses as a result of the adoption of this guidanceASU 2016-13 will be recorded, net of tax, as an adjustment to retained earnings effective January 1, 2022. This estimate is subject to change based on our financial statements; however, it is anticipated thatcontinuing refinement and validation of the allowancemodel and methodologies. This ASU will increase upon the adoptionbecome effective for us as of CECL and that the increased allowance level will have the effect of decreasing shareholders' equity and the Company's and Republic's regulatory capital ratios.January 1, 2022.

16

Our mortgage lending business may not provide us with significant noninterest income.

In 2017,2020, we originated $378more than $700 million and sold $302 million of residential mortgage loans and sold $480 million of those loans to investors.investors on the secondary market. The residential mortgage business is highly competitive, and highly susceptible to changes in market interest rates, consumer confidence levels, employment statistics, the capacity and willingness of secondary market purchasers to acquire and hold or securitize loans, and other factors beyond our control.

Because we sell a majoritysubstantial number of the mortgage loans we originate, the profitability of our mortgage banking business also depends in large part on our ability to aggregate a high volume of loans and sell them in the secondary market at a gain. In fact, as rates rise, we expect increasing industry-wide competitive pressures related to changing market conditions to reduce our pricing margins and mortgage revenues generally. Thus, in addition to our dependence on the interest rate environment, we are dependent upon (i) the existence of an active secondary market and (ii) our ability to profitably sell loans or securities into that market. If our level of mortgage production declines, the profitability will depend upon our ability to reduce our costs commensurate with the reduction of revenue from our mortgage operations.

Our ability to originate and sell mortgage loans readily is dependent upon the availability of an active secondary market for single-family mortgage loans, which in turn depends in part upon the continuation of programs currently offered by government-sponsored entities ("GSEs"(“GSEs”) and other institutional and non-institutional investors. These entities account for a substantial portion of the secondary market in residential mortgage loans. We are highly dependent on these purchasers continuing their mortgage purchasing programs. Additionally, because the largest participants in the secondary market are Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, GSEs whose activities are governed by federal law, any future changes in laws that significantly affect the activity of these GSEs could, in turn, adversely affect our operations. In September 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed into conservatorship by the U.S. government. The federal government has for many years considered proposals to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but the results of any such reform, and their impact on us, are difficult to predict. To date, no reform proposal has been enacted.

17

We may be required to repurchase mortgage loans or indemnify buyers against losses in some circumstances, which could harm liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.

We sell a majoritylarge portion of the mortgage loans held for sale that we originated.originate. When mortgage loans are sold, whether as whole loans or pursuant to a securitization, we are required to make customary representations and warranties to purchasers, guarantors and insurers, including the GSEs, about the mortgage loans and the manner in which they were originated. Whole loan sale agreements require repurchase or substitute mortgage loans, or indemnify buyers against losses, in the event we breach these representations or warranties. In addition, we may be required to repurchase mortgage loans as a result of early payment default of the borrower on a mortgage loan, resulting in these mortgage loans being placed on our books and subjecting us to the risk of a potential default. If repurchase and indemnity demands increase and such demands are valid claims and are in excess of our provision for potential losses, our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

17


Potential acquisitions may disrupt our business and dilute shareholder value.


We regularly evaluate opportunities to acquire and invest in banks and in other complementary businesses. As a result, we may engage in negotiations or discussions that, if they were to result in a transaction, could have a material effect on our operating results and financial condition, including short and long-term liquidity and capital structure. Our acquisition activities could be material to us. For example, we could issue additional shares of common stock in a purchase transaction, which could dilute current shareholders'shareholders’ ownership interest. These activities could require us to use a substantial amount of cash, other liquid assets, and/or incur debt. In addition, if goodwill recorded in connection with our prior or potential future acquisitions were determined to be impaired, then we would be required to recognize a charge against our earnings, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations during the period in which the impairment was recognized. Any potential charges for impairment related to goodwill would not impact cash flow, tangible capital or liquidity but would decrease shareholders' equity.


Our acquisition activities could involve a number of additional risks, including the risks of:


·

incurring time and expense associated with identifying and evaluating potential acquisitions and negotiating potential transactions;


·

using inaccurate estimates and judgments to evaluate credit, operations, management, and market risks with respect to the target institution or its assets;


·

the time and expense required to integrate the operations and personnel of the combined businesses;


·

creating an adverse short-term effect on our results of operations; and


·

losing key employees and customers as a result of an acquisition that is poorly conceived.


We may not be successful in overcoming these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with potential acquisitions. Our inability to overcome these risks could have an adverse effect on our ability to achieve our business strategy and maintain our market value.


We may not be able to manage our growth, which may adversely impact our financial results.

As part of our retail growth strategy, we may expand into additional communities or attempt to strengthen our position in our current markets by opening new stores and acquiring existing stores of other financial institutions.  To the extent that we undertake additional stores openings and acquisitions, we are likely to experience the effects of higher operating expenses relative to operating income from the new operations, which may have an adverse effect on our levels of reported net income, return on average equity and return on average assets. Other effects of engaging in such growth strategies may include potential diversion of our management'smanagement’s time and attention and general disruption to our business.

18

As part of our retail strategy, we plan to open new stores in our primary service area, including Southern New Jersey, the Greater Philadelphia area, and the Philadelphia Suburbs.New York City. We may not, however, be able to identify attractive locations on terms favorable to us, obtain regulatory approvals, or hire qualified management to operate new stores.  In addition, the organizational and overhead costs may be greater than we anticipate.  New stores may take longer than expected to reach profitability, or may not become profitable.  The additional costs of starting new stores may adversely impact our financial results.

Our ability to manage growth successfully will depend on whether we can continue to fund our growth while maintaining cost controls, as well as on factors beyond our control, such as national and regional economic conditions and interest rate trends.  If we are not able to control costs, such growth could adversely impact our earnings and financial condition.

18

Our retail strategy relies heavily on our management team, and the unexpected loss of key managers may adversely affect our operations.

In recent years, we have been successful in attracting new and talented employees to Republic, to add to our management team.   We believe that our ability to successfully implement our retail strategy will require us to retain and attract additional management experienced in banking and financial services, and familiar with the communities in our market.  Our ability to retain executive officers, the current management team, branch managers and loan officers of Republic will continue to be important to the successful implementation of our strategy.  It is also critical, as we grow, to be able to attract and retain additional members of the management team and qualified loan officers with the appropriate level of experience and knowledge about our market areas to implement the community-based operating strategy. The unexpected loss of services of any key management personnel, or the inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel in the future, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to numerous governmental regulations and to comprehensive examination and supervision by regulators, which could have an adverse impact on our operations and could restrict the scope of our operations.

Both the Company and Republic operate in a highly regulated environment and are subject to supervision and regulation by several governmental regulatory agencies, including the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the FDIC and the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities ("PDB"(“PDB”). We are subject to federal and state regulations governing virtually all aspects of our activities, including lines of business, capital, liquidity, investments, payment of dividends, and others. Regulations that apply to us are generally intended to provide protection for depositors and customers rather than investors.

We are subject to extensive regulation and supervision under federal and state laws and regulations. See Item 1. Business - Supervision and Regulation. The requirements and limitations imposed by such laws and regulations limit the manner in which we conduct our business, undertake new investments and activities and obtain financing.  Financial institution regulation has been the subject of significant legislation in recent years and may be the subject of further significant legislation in the future, none of which is within our control. Compliance with these rules could impose additional costs on banking entities and their holding companies.  Management has reviewed the new standards and will continue to evaluate all options and strategies to ensure ongoing compliance with the new standards, notwithstanding Republic'sRepublic’s current status as well-capitalized.

19

New programs and proposals may subject us and other financial institutions to additional restrictions, oversight and costs that may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations or the price of our common stock. Federal and state regulatory agencies also frequently adopt changes to their regulations or change the manner in which existing regulations are applied or enforced. We cannot predict the substance or impact of future legislation, regulation or the application thereof. Compliance with such current and potential regulation and scrutiny may significantly increase our costs, impede the efficiency of our internal business processes, require us to increase our regulatory capital and limit our ability to pursue business opportunities in an efficient manner.

19

We face significant competition in our market from other banks and financial institutions.

The banking and financial services industry in our market area is highly competitive.  We may not be able to compete effectively in our markets, which could adversely affect our results of operations.  The increasingly competitive environment is a result of changes in regulation, changes in technology and product delivery systems, and consolidation among financial service providers.  Larger institutions have greater access to capital markets, with higher lending limits and a broader array of services.  Competition may require increases in deposit rates and decreases in loan rates, and adversely impact our net interest margin.

We may not have the resources to effectively implement new technologies, which could adversely affect our competitive position and results of operations.

The financial services industry is constantly undergoing technological changes with frequent introductions of new technology-driven products and services.  In addition to better serving customers, the effective use of technology increases efficiency and enables financial institutions to reduce costs.  Our future success will depend in part upon our ability to address the needs of our customers by using technology to provide products and services that will satisfy customer demands for convenience as well as to create additional efficiencies in our operations as we continue to grow and expand in our market. Many of our larger competitors have substantially greater resources to invest in technological improvements. As a result, they may be able to offer additional or superior products to those that we will be able to offer, which would put us at a competitive disadvantage. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively implement new technology-driven products and services or be successful in marketing such products and services to our customers.  If we are unable to do so, our competitive position and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting may not achieve their intended objectives.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that we timely report information as specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We also maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting.  These controls may not achieve their intended objectives.  Control processes that involve human diligence and compliance, such as our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting, are subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures.  Controls can also be circumvented by collusion or improper management override.  Because of such limitations, there are risks that material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected and that information may not be reported on a timely basis.  If our controls are not effective, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and market for our common stock, and could subject us to regulatory scrutiny.

20

We are subject to certain operational risks, including, but not limited to, customer or employee fraud and data processing system failures and errors.

Employee errors and misconduct could subject us to financial losses or regulatory sanctions and seriously harm our reputation. Misconduct by our employees could include hiding unauthorized activities from us, improper or unauthorized activities on behalf of our customers or improper use of confidential information. It is not always possible to prevent employee errors and misconduct, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect this activity may not be effective in all cases. Employee errors could also subject us to financial claims for negligence.

We maintain a system of internal controls and insurance coverage to mitigate operational risks, including data processing system failures and errors, and customer or employee fraud. Should our internal controls fail to prevent or detect an occurrence, or if any resulting loss is not insured or exceeds applicable insurance limits, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

20

System failure or breaches of our network security could subject us to increased operating costs as well as litigation and other liabilities.

The computer systems and network infrastructure we use could be vulnerable to unforeseen problems. Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect our computer equipment against damage from physical theft, fire, power loss, telecommunications failure or a similar catastrophic event, as well as from security breaches, denial of service attacks, viruses, worms and other disruptive problems caused by hackers. Any damage or failure that causes an interruption in our operations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Computer break-ins, phishing and other disruptions could also jeopardize the security of information stored in and transmitted through our computer systems and network infrastructure, which may result in significant liability to us and may cause existing and potential customers to refrain from doing business with us. Although we, with the help of third-party service providers, intend to continue to implement security technology and establish operational procedures to prevent such damage, these security measures may not be successful. In addition, advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in the field of cryptography or other developments could result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms we and our third-party service providers use to encrypt and protect customer transaction data. A failure of such security measures could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

If we want to, or are compelled to, raise additional capital in the future, that capital may not be available to us when it is needed or on terms that are favorable to us or current shareholders.

Federal banking regulators require us, and Republic, to maintain capital to support our operations.  Regulatory capital ratios are defined and required ratios are established by laws and regulations promulgated by banking regulatory agencies.  At December 31, 2017,2020, our regulatory capital ratios were above "well capitalized"“well capitalized” levels under current bank regulatory guidelines. To be "well“well capitalized," banking companies generally must maintain a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5%, a Common Equity Tier 1 ratio of at least 6.5%, a Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of at least 8%, and a total risk-based capital ratio of at least 10%. Regulators, however, may require us, or Republic, to maintain higher regulatory capital ratios. 


Our ability to raise additional capital in the future will depend on conditions in the capital markets at that time, which are outside of our control, on our financial performance and on other factors. Accordingly, we may not be able to raise additional capital on terms and time frames acceptable to us, or at all.  If we cannot raise additional capital in sufficient amounts when needed, our ability to comply with regulatory capital requirements could be materially impaired. Additionally, the inability to raise capital in sufficient amounts may adversely affect our operations, financial condition and results of operations.  Our ability to borrow could also be impaired by factors that are nonspecific to us, such as disruption of the financial markets or negative news and expectations about the prospects for the financial services industry.  If we raise capital through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock or other securities, we would likely dilute the ownership interests of investors, and could dilute the per share book value and earnings per share of our common stock.  Furthermore, a capital raise through issuance of additional shares may have an adverse impact on our stock price.

21

We may be exposed to environmental liabilities with respect to real estate that we have or had title to in the past.

A significant portion of our loan portfolio is secured by real property. In the course of our business, we may foreclose, accept deeds in lieu of foreclosure, or otherwise acquire real estate in connection with our lending activities. We also acquire real estate in connection with our store expansion plans and growth strategy. As a result, we could become subject to environmental liabilities with respect to these properties.  We may become responsible to a governmental agency or third parties for property damage, personal injury, investigation and clean-up costs incurred by those parties in connection with environmental contamination, or may be required to investigate or clean-up hazardous or toxic substances, or chemical releases at a property. The costs associated with environmental investigation or remediation activities could be substantial. In addition, as the owner or former owner of a contaminated site, we may be subject to common law claims by third parties based on damages and costs resulting from environmental contamination emanating from the property.  Although we have policies and procedures to perform an environmental review before acquiring title to any real property, these may not be sufficient to detect all potential environmental hazards.  If we were to become subject to significant environmental liabilities, it could materially and adversely affect us.

21

Our common stock is not insured by any governmental entity and, therefore, an investment in our common stock involves risk.


Our common stock is not a deposit account or other obligation of any bank, and is not insured by the FDIC or any other governmental entity, and is subject to investment risk, including possible loss.


There may be future sales of our common stock, which may materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.


We are not restricted from issuing additional shares of our common stock, including securities that are convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of our common stock. Our issuance of shares of common stock in the future will dilute the ownership interests of our existing shareholders.

Additionally, the sale of substantial amounts of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our common stock, whether directly by us or by existing common shareholders in the secondary market, the perception that such sales could occur or the availability for future sale of shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our common stock could, in turn, materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to raise capital through future offerings of equity or equity-related securities. We are party to a registration rights agreement with the holders of the convertible trust preferred securities of Republic First Bancorp Capital Trust IV, which requires us, under certain circumstances, to register up to 1.7 million shares of our common stock into which the trust preferred securities may be converted for resale under the Securities Act of 1933.

22


In addition, our Board of Directors is authorized to designate and issue preferred stock without further shareholder approval, and we may issue other equity securities that are senior to our common stock in the future for a number of reasons, including, without limitation, to support operations and growth, to maintain our capital ratios and to comply with any future changes in regulatory standards.

Our common stock is currently traded on the Nasdaq Global Market. During 2017,2020, the average daily trading volume for our common stock was approximately 180,600224,200 shares.  Sales of our common stock may place significant downward pressure on the market price of our common stock. Furthermore, it may be difficult for holders to resell their shares at prices they find attractive, or at all.


Our common stock is subordinate to our existing and future indebtedness and any preferred stock and effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and preferred equity claims against our subsidiaries.


Shares of our common stock are common equity interests in us and, as such, will rank junior to all of our existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities. Additionally, holders of our common stock may become subject to the prior dividend and liquidation rights of holders of any classes or series of preferred stock that our Board of Directors may designate and issue without any action on the part of the holders of our common stock. Furthermore, our right to participate in a distribution of assets upon any of our subsidiaries'subsidiaries’ liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary'ssubsidiary’s creditors and preferred shareholders. As of December 31, 2017,2020, we had $21.7$11.3 million of outstanding debt.debt related to trust preferred securities and $50.0 million of perpetual non-cumulative preferred stock outstanding.

22


Our ability to pay dividends depends upon the results of operations of our subsidiaries.


We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our common stock.  Our Board of Directors intends to follow a policy of retaining earnings related to common stock for the purpose of increasing our capital for the foreseeable future.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends if, as and when declared from time to time by our Board of Directors in its sole discretion out of funds legally available for that purpose, after debt service payments and payments of dividends required to be paid on our outstanding preferred stock, if any. 

In August 2020, we issued 2.0 million shares of perpetual non-cumulative convertible preferred stock. Each holder is entitled to receive, if declared by the Board of Directors, non-cumulative cash dividends on a quarterly basis at an annual accrual rate of 7.00% of the liquidation preference.

While we, as a bank holding company, are not subject to certain restrictions on dividends applicable to Republic, our ability to pay dividends to the holders of our common stock will depend to a large extent upon the amount of dividends paid by Republic to us.  Regulatory authorities restrict the amount of cash dividends Republic can declare and pay without prior regulatory approval.  Presently, Republic cannot declare or pay dividends in any one-year in excess of retained earnings for that year subject to risk based capital requirements.


If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, current and potential shareholders may lose confidence in our financial reporting and disclosures and could subject us to regulatory scrutiny.


Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, referred to as Section 404, we are required to include in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, our management'smanagement’s report on internal control over financial reporting. While we have reported no material weaknesses in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2020, we cannot guarantee that we will not have any material weaknesses in the future.

23


Compliance with the requirements of Section 404 is expensive and time-consuming. If, in the future, we fail to complete this evaluation in a timely manner we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny and a loss of public confidence in our internal control over financial reporting.  In addition, any failure to maintain an effective system of disclosure controls and procedures could cause our current and potential shareholders and customers to lose confidence in our financial reporting and disclosure required under the Exchange Act, which could adversely affect our business.


Our governing documents, Pennsylvania law, and current policies of our Board of Directors contain provisions, which may reduce the likelihood of a change in control transaction, which may otherwise be available and attractive to shareholders.


Our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain certain anti-takeover provisions that may make it more difficult or expensive or may discourage a tender offer, change in control or takeover attempt that is opposed by our Board of Directors.  In particular, the articles of incorporation and bylaws classify our Board of Directors into three groups, so that shareholders elect only approximately one-third of the Board each year; permit shareholders to remove directors only for cause and only upon the vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting shares; require our shareholders to give us advance notice to nominate candidates for election to the Board of Directors or to make shareholder proposals at a shareholders'shareholders’ meeting; require the vote of the holders of at least 60%75% of our voting shares for shareholder amendments to our bylaws; require the vote of the holders of at least 75% of our voting shares to approve certain business combinations; and restrict the holdings and voting rights of shareholders who would acquire more than 10% of our outstanding common stock without the approval of two-thirds of our Board of Directors.  These provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change in control, even though a majority of our shareholders may consider such proposals desirable.  Such provisions could also make it more difficult for third parties to remove and replace the members of our Board of Directors.  Moreover, these provisions could diminish the opportunities for shareholders to participate in certain tender offers, including tender offers at prices above the then-current market value of our common stock, and may also inhibit increases in the trading price of our common stock that could result from takeover attempts or speculation. 

23


In addition, anti-takeover provisions in Pennsylvania law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us. These provisions could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and could reduce the amount that shareholders might receive if we are sold.  For example, Pennsylvania law may restrict a third party'sparty’s ability to obtain control of us and may prevent shareholders from receiving a premium for their shares of our common stock.  Pennsylvania law also provides that our shareholders are not entitled by statute to propose amendments to our articles of incorporation.

Uncertainty about the future of LIBOR may adversely affect our business.

LIBOR and certain other interest rate “benchmarks” are the subject of recent national, international, and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms may cause such benchmarks to perform differently than in the past or have other consequences which cannot be predicted. On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, publicly announced that it intends to stop persuading or compelling banks to submit information to the administrator of LIBOR after 2021. The announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot be guaranteed after 2021. While there is no consensus on what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, a group of market participants convened by the Federal Reserve, the Alternative Reference Rate Committee, has selected the Secured Overnight Finance Rate (“SOFR”) as its recommended alternative to LIBOR. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York started to publish the SOFR rate in April 2018. SOFR is a broad measure of the cost of overnight borrowings collateralized by Treasury securities that was selected by the Alternative Reference Rate Committee due to the depth and robustness of the U.S. Treasury repurchase market. At this time, it is impossible to predict whether SOFR will become an accepted alternative to LIBOR.

The market transition away from LIBOR to an alternative reference rate, such as SOFR, is complex and could have a range of adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In particular, any such transition could:

adversely affect the interest rates paid or received on, the revenue and expenses associated with or the value of our LIBOR-based assets and liabilities, which include certain variable rate loans and subordinated debt;

adversely affect the interest rates paid or received on, the revenue and expenses associated with or the value of other securities or financial arrangements, given LIBOR’s role in determining market interest rates globally;

prompt inquiries or other actions from regulators in respect of our preparation and readiness for the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate; and

24


result in disputes, litigation or other actions with counterparties regarding the interpretation and enforceability of certain fallback language in LIBOR-based contracts and securities.

The transition away from LIBOR to an alternative reference rate will require the transition to or development of appropriate systems and analytics to effectively transition our risk management and other processes from LIBOR-based products to those based on the applicable alternative reference rate, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate. There can be no guarantee that these efforts will successfully mitigate the operational risks associated with the transition away from LIBOR to an alternative reference rate.

The manner and impact of the transition from LIBOR to an alternative reference rate, as well as the effect of these developments on our funding costs, loan and investment and trading securities portfolios, asset-liability management, and business, is uncertain.

Our financial results may be adversely affected by changes in U.S. and non-U.S. tax and other laws and regulations.

On December 22, 2017, H.R.1, commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, was signed into law. The Tax Act includes many provisions that effected our income tax expenses, including reducing its corporate federal tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. As a result of the rate reduction, we were required to re-measure, through income tax expense in the period of enactment, our deferred tax assets and liabilities using the enacted rate at which we expected them to be recovered or settled. The re-measurement of the net deferred tax asset resulted in additional income tax expense of $7.7 million recorded in fourth quarter 2017.

Also on December 22, 2017, the SEC released SAB 118 to address any uncertainty or diversity of views in practice in accounting for the income tax effects of the Act in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete this accounting in the reporting period that includes the enactment date. SAB 118 allowed for a measurement period not to extend beyond one year from the Act’s enactment date to complete the necessary accounting.

We recorded provisional amounts of deferred income taxes using reasonable estimates in three areas where information necessary to complete the accounting was not available, prepared or analyzed as follows: (i) the deferred tax liability for temporary differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of fixed assets principally due to the accelerated depreciation under the Act which allowed for full expensing of qualified property purchased and placed in service after September 27, 2017; (ii) the deferred tax asset for temporary differences associated with accrued compensation was awaiting final determinations of amounts that were paid and deducted on the 2017 income tax returns and (iii) the deferred tax liability for temporary differences associated with equity investments in partnerships were awaiting receipt of Schedules K-1 from outside preparers, which was necessary to determine the 2017 tax impact from these investments.

In a fourth area, we made no adjustments to deferred tax assets representing future deductions for accrued compensation that were subject to new limitations under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) which, generally, limits the annual deduction for certain compensation paid to certain team members to $1 million. There was uncertainty in applying the newly enacted rules to existing contracts, and we were seeking further clarifications before completing its analysis. We completed the calculations for the provisional items with the completion of the 2017 tax returns and completed the analysis of the Section 162(m) rules after further guidance was issued. The impact of the completed calculations to the re-measurement of the deferred taxes resulted in an immaterial change and the analysis of the 162(m) rules resulted in no adjustment.

25

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the measures taken to control its spread, will continue to adversely impact our employees, customers, business operations and financial results, and the ultimate impact will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted and is likely to continue to impact the national economy and the regional and local markets in which we operate, lower equity market valuations, create significant volatility and disruption in capital and debt markets, and increase unemployment levels. Our business operations may be disrupted if significant portions of our workforce are unable to work effectively, including because of illness, quarantines, government actions, or other restrictions in connection with the pandemic. We are subject to heightened cybersecurity, information security and operational risks as a result of work-from-home arrangements that we have put in place for our employees. Federal Reserve actions to combat the economic contraction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the reduction of the target federal funds rate and quantitative easing programs, could, if prolonged, adversely affect our net interest income and margins, and our profitability. The continued closures of many businesses and the institution of social distancing, shelter in place and stay home orders in the states and communities we serve, have reduced business activity and financial transactions. While certain of these restrictions have been eased and workplaces in the communities we serve are beginning to reopen, the pace of reopening is measured, and these government policies and directives are subject to change as the effects and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to evolve.  It is unclear whether any COVID-19 pandemic-related businesses losses that we or our customers may suffer will be recovered by existing insurance policies. Changes in customer behavior due to worsening business and economic conditions or legislative or regulatory initiatives may impact the demand for our products and services, which could adversely affect our revenue, increase the recognition of credit losses in our loan portfolios and increase our allowance for credit losses. The measures we have taken to aid our customers, including short-term loan payment deferments, may be insufficient to help our customers who have been negatively impacted by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Loans that are currently in deferral status may become nonperforming loans. Because of adverse economic and market conditions affecting issuers, we may be required to recognize impairments on the securities we hold as well as reductions in other comprehensive income. While the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted our results of operations for the first half of 2020, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact our business, results of operations, and financial condition, as well as our regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, including the scope and duration of the pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the pandemic, as well as further actions we may take as may be required by government authorities or that we determine is in the best interests of our employees and customers. There is no certainty that such measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a highly unusual, unprecedented and evolving public health and economic crisis that may have a significant adverse impact on the economy, the banking industry and the Company in future fiscal periods, all subject to a high degree of uncertainty.

The CARES Act. On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other things, the CARES Act provides for the following:

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The CARES Act appropriated $349 billion for “paycheck protection loans” through the PPP. The amount appropriated was subsequently increased to $659 billion. Loans under the PPP that meet U.S. Small Business Administration (“SBA”) requirements may be forgiven in certain circumstances, and are 100% guaranteed by the SBA. In conjunction with the PPP, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) has created a lending facility for qualified financial institutions. The Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) will extend credit to depository institutions with a term equal to the term of the pledged loans at an interest rate of 0.35%. Only loans issued under the PPP can be pledged as collateral to access the facility. The Company participated in both the PPP loan program and the PPPLF in 2020.

Troubled Debt Restructuring Relief. From March 1, 2020 through the earlier of December 31, 2020 or 60 days after the termination date of the national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 concerning the COVID–19 outbreak (the “national emergency”), a financial institution may elect to suspend the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for loan modifications related to the COVID–19 pandemic that would otherwise be categorized as a troubled debt restructured (“TDR”), including impairment accounting. This TDR relief is applicable for the term of the loan modification that occurs during the applicable period for a loan that was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. Financial institutions are required to maintain records of the volume of loans involved in modifications to which TDR relief is applicable. The Company elected to exclude modifications meeting these requirements from TDR classification.

26

CECL Delay. Banks, savings associations, credit unions, bank holding companies and their affiliates are not required to comply with the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update No. 2016–13 (“Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”), including the current expected credit losses methodology for estimating allowances for credit losses (“CECL”), from the date of the law’s enactment until the earlier of the end of the national emergency or December 31, 2020. On March 27, 2020, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency issued an interim final rule that allows banking organizations that are required to adopt CECL this year to mitigate the estimated cumulative regulatory capital effects for up to two years. The relief afforded by the CARES Act and interim final rule is in addition to the three-year transition period already in place. The Company has elected to delay the adoption of CECL.

Forbearance. The CARES Act codified in part guidance from state and federal regulators and government-sponsored enterprises, including the 60-day suspension of foreclosures on federally-backed mortgages and requirements that servicers grant forbearance to borrowers affected by COVID-19.

The Economic Aid Act. 

COVID-19 Response Efforts

Republic is committed to providing the financial resources necessary to support the economic recovery in our market. We took an active role in participating in the first round of the Paycheck Protection Program. We quickly developed a process to accept PPP loan applications not only from our valued small business customers, but from non-customers throughout our community as well. During the first round of the PPP program we processed and obtained SBA approval for nearly 5,000 PPP loan applications resulting in more than $680 million in loans. We are now assisting the recipients of those loans through the application process for forgiveness of the outstanding loan balance with the SBA. In addition, we are processing applications for the second round of the PPP which was authorized by the Economic Aid Act in December 2020.

During 2020, we also took a number of steps to mitigate the potential spread of the coronavirus and to assist our customers, employees and other members of the community during this pandemic crisis. As of December 31, 2020 we have:

Put procedures and supplies in place at all of our store locations such as plastic shields, notices, hand sanitizer, etc., in accordance with CDC guidelines. While temporarily closed for a period of time, all of our store lobbies have been re-opened for all transactions including new account openings.

Encouraged customers to utilize our online, mobile and telephone banking systems. In addition, we continue to offer more than 55,000 surcharge free ATM machines to all of our customers.

Directed our commercial lenders to contact each of their customers to discuss the impact of the current economic conditions on their business and to develop a plan for assistance if required.

Implemented a work from home policy for all employees whose primary responsibilities can be completed in this manner.

Initiated additional preventative measures by providing guidance and proper supplies to all employees to support appropriate hygiene and social distancing.

Our participation in the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) mayexpose us to certain additional risks, including risks relating to alleged noncompliance with PPPrules and regulations, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), enacted on March 27, 2020, included a $349 billion loan program administered through the SBA referred to as the PPP.  Additional funding was provided for the PPP on April 24, 2020.  Under the PPP, small businesses and other entities and individuals were permitted to apply for loans from existing SBA lenders and other approved lenders.  We are a participating lender under the PPP, and, as of December 31, 2020, had processed and received SBA approval for more than 5,000 loan applications resulting in approximately $680 million in loans.  There is some ambiguity in the laws, rules, and guidance regarding the operation of the PPP, which may expose us to compliance risks relating to the PPP.  We may also have credit risk on PPP loans if a determination is later made by the SBA that a deficiency exists in the manner in which a particular loan was originated, funded, or serviced, such as an issue with the eligibility of a borrower to receive a PPP loan. In the event of a loss resulting from a default on a PPP loan and a determination by the SBA that there was a deficiency in the manner in which the PPP loan was originated, funded, or serviced, the SBA may deny its liability under the guaranty relating to the loan, reduce the amount of the guaranty, or, if it has already paid under the guaranty, seek recovery of any loss related to the deficiency.

27

Item 1B:Unresolved Staff Comments

None.


Item 2:Description of Properties


The Company

We currently has twenty-one lease agreementshave thirty-eight locations that expire on various dates in the future.we utilize to conduct business. Seven of the leasedthese locations are utilized as back-office support locations, operations centers,for loan production offices, trainingstorage facilities, operations and the Company'sback office support, and our corporate headquarters. The other fourteen leasedThirty-one properties are for store locations all of whichthat are open and operating today.as of December 31, 2020. We have another five locations under our control for future store locations. Of the forty-three total locations, seventeen are owned by Republic. The remaining twenty-six locations are subject to land and building leases. The spaces covered by these leases range in square footagesize from approximately 8001,700 to 10,590 square feet to 40,000with the exception of our corporate headquarters which consists of approximately 53,000 square feet. Please see Note 11 "Commitments and Contingencies" to25 “Leases” in the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the leases. In addition, the Company owns twelve properties utilized for store locations.  Eight of the stores are open and operating today, two are under construction and two are scheduled to begin construction during 2018.  Management believes these properties and facilities are adequate to meet the Company'sour present and immediately foreseeable needs from a real estate perspective.

24


Item 3:Legal Proceedings

The Company and Republic are from time to time parties (plaintiff or defendant) to lawsuits in the normal course of business. While any litigation involves an element of uncertainty, management is of the opinion that the liability of the Company and Republic, if any, resulting from such actions will not have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and Republic.


Item 4:Mine Safety Disclosures


Not applicable.


PART II


Item 5:Market for Registrant'sRegistrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Market Information

Shares of the Company'sCompany’s class of common stock are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol "FRBK."  The table below sets forth the high and low sales prices reported for the common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market for the periods indicated.“FRBK.” As of March 7, 2018,10, 2021, there were approximately 100 record holders and an additional 3,000 beneficial holdersregistered shareholders of the Company'sRepublic First Bancorp, Inc. common stock. On March 9, 2018,Most shares are held in “nominee” or “street name” and accordingly, the closing pricenumber of a sharebeneficial owners of common stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC was $8.93.


QuarterHighLow
2017:  
4th
$ 9.75$ 8.40
3rd
$ 9.80$ 8.12
2nd
$ 9.90$ 7.90
1st
$ 8.55$ 7.40
   
2016:  
4th
$ 9.15$ 3.70
3rd
$ 4.52$ 4.00
2nd
$ 4.84$ 3.91
1st
$ 4.45$ 3.84

those shares is not known or included in the previous number.

Dividend Policy


The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock and has no plans to pay cash dividends on its common stock during 20182021.The Company'sCompany paid $923,000 in non-cumulative preferred stock dividends during 2020. The Company’s ability to pay dividends depends primarily on receipt of dividends from the Company'sCompany’s subsidiary, Republic. Dividend payments from Republic are subject to legal and regulatory limitations. The ability of Republic to pay dividends is also subject to profitability, financial condition, capital expenditures and other cash flow requirements.

28

25

Item 6:Selected Financial Data

  

As of or for the Years Ended December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

  

2016

 
                     

INCOME STATEMENT DATA

                    

Total interest income

 $114,950  $104,864  $92,074  $70,849  $54,227 

Total interest expense

  23,118   27,057   16,170   8,784   6,863 

Net interest income

  91,832   77,807   75,904   62,065   47,364 

Provision for loan losses

  4,200   1,905   2,300   900   1,557 

Non-interest income

  36,235   23,738   20,322   20,097   15,312 

Non-interest expenses

  117,423   104,490   83,721   75,276   56,293 

Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

  6,444   (4,850)  10,205   5,986   4,826 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

  1,390   (1,350)  1,578   (2,919)  (119)

Net income (loss)

 $5,054  $(3,500) $8,627  $8,905  $4,945 

Preferred stock dividends

  923   -   -   -   - 

Net income available to common stockholders

 $4,131  $(3,500) $8,627  $8,905  $4,945 
                     

PER SHARE DATA

                    

Basic earnings (loss) per share

 $0.07  $(0.06) $0.15  $0.16  $0.13 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 $0.07  $(0.06) $0.15  $0.15  $0.12 

Book value per share

 $4.41  $4.23  $4.17  $3.97  $3.79 

Tangible book value per share (1)

 $4.41  $4.15  $4.09  $3.89  $3.70 
                     

BALANCE SHEET DATA

                    

Total assets

 $5,065,735  $3,341,290  $2,753,297  $2,322,347  $1,923,931 

Total loans, net

  2,632,367   1,738,929   1,427,983   1,153,679   955,817 

Total investment securities

  1,364,160   1,186,630   1,088,331   938,561   803,604 

Total deposits

  4,013,751   2,999,163   2,392,867   2,063,295   1,677,670 

Other borrowings

  633,866   -   -   -   - 

Short-term borrowings

  -   -   91,422   -   - 

Subordinated debt

  11,271   11,265   11,259   21,681   21,881 

Total shareholders’ equity

  308,113   249,168   245,189   226,460   215,053 
                     

PERFORMANCE RATIOS

                    

Return on average assets

  0.13%  (0.12)%  0.34%  0.43%  0.30%

Return on average shareholders’ equity

  1.86%  (1.41)%  3.69%  4.02%  3.97%

Net interest margin

  2.51%  2.85%  3.16%  3.23%  3.14%

Total non-interest expenses as a percentage of average assets

  2.97%  3.51%  3.28%  3.64%  3.45%
                     

ASSET QUALITY RATIOS

                    

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans

  0.49%  0.53%  0.60%  0.74%  0.95%

Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans

  100.91%  74.65%  83.31%  57.93%  48.45%

Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans

  0.49%  0.71%  0.72%  1.28%  1.96%

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets

  0.28%  0.42%  0.60%  0.94%  1.51%

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans, net

  0.02%  0.08%  0.17%  0.13%  0.12%
                     

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RATIOS

                    

Average equity to average assets

  6.86%  8.36%  9.16%  10.72%  7.63%

Leverage ratio

  8.17%  7.83%  9.35%  10.64%  12.74%

CET 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

  10.51%  11.41%  13.90%  14.75%  16.59%

Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets

  12.96%  11.93%  14.53%  16.13%  18.28%

Total capital to risk-weighted assets

  13.50%  12.37%  15.03%  16.70%  18.99%

(1) ANon-GAAP Disclosure

29


  As of or for the Years Ended December 31, 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data) 2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
                
INCOME STATEMENT DATA               
Total interest income $70,849  $54,227  $45,436  $40,473  $37,205 
Total interest expense  8,784   6,863   5,381   4,644   4,590 
Net interest income  62,065   47,364   40,055   35,829   32,615 
Provision for loan losses  900   1,557   500   900   4,935 
Non-interest income  20,097   15,312   9,943   8,017   9,216 
Non-interest expenses  75,276   56,293   47,091   40,550   40,411 
Income (loss) before benefit for income taxes  
5,986
   
4,826
   
2,407
   
2,396
   (3,515)
Benefit for income taxes  (2,919)  (119)  (26)  (46)  (35)
Net income (loss) $8,905  $4,945  $2,433  $2,442  $(3,480)
                     
PER SHARE DATA                    
Basic earnings (loss) per share $0.16  $0.13  $0.06  $0.07  $(0.13)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $0.15  $0.12  $0.06  $0.07  $(0.13)
Book value per share $3.97  $3.79  $3.00  $2.98  $2.42 
Tangible book value per share $3.89  $3.70  $3.00  $2.98  $2.42 
                     
BALANCE SHEET DATA                    
Total assets $2,322,347  $1,923,931  $1,438,824  $1,214,598  $961,665 
Total loans, net  1,153,679   955,817   866,066   770,404   667,048 
Total investment securities  938,561   803,604   460,131   254,402   206,482 
Total deposits  2,063,295   1,677,670   1,249,298   1,072,230   869,534 
Short-term borrowings  -   -   47,000   -   - 
Subordinated debt  21,681   21,881   21,857   22,476   22,476 
Total shareholders' equity  226,460   215,053   113,375   112,811   62,899 
                     
PERFORMANCE RATIOS                    
Return on average assets  0.43%  0.30%  0.19%  0.23%  (0.37)%
Return on average shareholders' equity  4.02%  3.97%  2.14%  2.51%  (5.07)%
Net interest margin  3.23%  3.14%  3.29%  3.56%  3.66%
Total non-interest expenses as a percentage of average assets  3.64%  3.45%  3.59%  3.80%  4.25%
                     
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS                    
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of loans  0.74%  0.95%  0.99%  1.48%  1.81%
Allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans  57.93%  48.45%  68.95%  53.81%  117.69%
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans  1.28%  1.96%  1.44%  2.74%  1.53%
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets  0.94%  1.51%  1.66%  2.07%  1.51%
Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans, net  0.13%  0.12%  0.41%  0.22%  0.35%
                     
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RATIOS                    
Average equity to average assets  10.72%  7.63%  8.67%  9.12%  7.22%
Leverage ratio  10.64%  12.74%  9.65%  11.23%  8.59%
CET 1 capital to risk-weighted assets  14.75%  16.59%  10.42%  -   - 
Tier 1 capital to risk-weighted assets  16.13%  18.28%  12.40%  13.88%  10.28%
Total capital to risk-weighted assets  16.70%  18.99%  13.19%  15.10%  11.53%
26

Item 7:  Management'sManagements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of the results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with Item 6 "Selected“Selected Financial Data"Data” and the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in Item 8 of this report. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to those set forth in Item 1A, entitled, "Risk Factors"“Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.


Executive Summary


2017

2020 was another tremendousa year for "The Powerfilled with unprecedented challenges and economic uncertainty. During this time the Republic Bank Team maintained its commitment to outstanding customer service and satisfaction while driving positive momentum. We are extremely proud of Red is Back" growth campaign. Depositsour participation and loans continued to grow at exceptional rates. Our store network expanded to twenty-two convenient locations and we solidified our position as one of the top residential mortgage lenders in our market through the successful integration of the Oak Mortgage team into the Bank. In addition, the reductionperformance in the corporate tax rate included in Tax Cuts and Jobs ActPPP loan program which provided crucial funding to businesses throughout our footprint during a time of 2017 will result in a significant benefit for us in the years to come. We intend on utilizing the savings generated by this Act to invest in our growth and expansion which will result in the creation of new jobs, improvements in technology and the ability to further contribute to the communities which we serve.


The momentumextreme economic distress. In recognition of our expansion strategy continues to build as we attract new FANS throughout our footprint. Our expansion plans will not only focus on the addition of new Store locations, but also includes a commitment to deliver exceptional service and convenience though all delivery channels, including mobile and on-line banking options. As we watch our competition shutter the doors on their branch network and offer declining levels ofFANatical customer service we see endless opportunitieswere named “Americas #1 Bank for Service” as a result of a survey conducted by Forbes during 2020. As we put an incredibly challenging year behind us, we look forward to successfully executegrowing our rapidly expanding network of FANS in the future.

During 2020 we continued to demonstrate our ability to produce strong organic growth plan.in asset, loan and deposit balances even in an economic environment inhibited by governmental restrictions and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We were also able to drive significant improvement in earnings despite the challenges faced in the current year. Our focus on cost control measures continues to drive positive operating leverage. We have consistently stated that it is our goal to deliver best in class service across all delivery channels; in-store, by phone, online and mobile options....as we strive to create new FANS each and every day. We are focused on meeting that goal in the most efficient manner possible.

Financial Highlights

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2020 was $5.1 million, or $0.07 per share, compared to a net loss of $3.5 million, or $(0.06) per share, for the year ended December 31, 2019 representing improvement of 244% year over year.

Earnings before tax increased by $11.3 million or 233% to $6.4 million at December 31, 2020 compared to a loss before tax of $4.9 million at December 31, 2019. Financial results for the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2020 were impacted by a one-time goodwill impairment charge of $5.0 million. Excluding this charge, earnings before tax were $11.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to a net loss before tax of $4.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2019. This represents an increase of $16.3 million, or 336%, year over year.

The improvement in earnings was driven by the Company’s focus on cost control initiatives while driving revenue growth. During the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2020 total revenue increased 26% and non-interest expense, excluding goodwill impairment, increased by 8% compared to the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2019.

The goodwill impairment charged recorded during 2020 represents a complete write-off of all goodwill on the balance sheet at the present time.

30


Additional highlights

Total assets increased by $1.7 billion, or 52%, to $5.1 billion as of December 31, 2020 compared to $3.3 billion as of December 31, 2019. Excluding the short-term impact of the PPP loan program total assets increased by $1.1 billion, or 33%, year over year.

Total loans grew $897 million, or 51%, to $2.6 billion as of December 31, 2020 compared to $1.7 billion at December 31, 2019. This growth includes more than $600 million in PPP loans. Excluding the impact of the PPP loan program loans grew $273 million, or 16%, year over year.

Total deposits increased by $1.0 billion, or 34%, to $4.0 billion as of December 31, 2020 compared to $3.0 billion as of December 31, 2019.

Asset quality remains strong as the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets declined to 0.28% as of December 31, 2020. Only twenty-one loan customers were deferring loan payments at the end of the year. These deferrals relate to approximately $16 million of outstanding loan balances which is less than 1% of total loans.

PPP Loan Program

The Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) included in the CARES Act authorized financial institutions to make loans to companies that have been impacted by the devastating economic effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We responded by quickly developing a process to accept applications for the year ended December 31, 2017 include the following accomplishments:


program not only from our valued small business customers, but from non-customers throughout our community as well.

·

New stores

During 2020 we originated more than $680 million in the first round of the PPP loan program for nearly 5,000 businesses.

More than 50% of the applications received were openedfrom businesses that were not existing customers of Republic Bank, many of which have switched their primary banking relationship to Republic.

Net origination fees of $19 million were received by Republic which is being recognized as income over the life of the loans. $13 million of net revenue has been deferred and will be recognized as income in Cherry Hill, Sicklerville, and Medfordfuture periods.

As a percentage of existing loan balances as of March 31, 2020, the $680 million in NJ during 2017 bringingPPP loans originated amounted to 36% making Republic one of the total store counttop PPP lenders in the entire country.

We are now assisting all of our PPP loan customers with the application process for forgiveness of the outstanding loan balances through the SBA.

The Economic Aid Act approved by Congress in December 2020 provided for a second round of funding for loans under the PPP program. We are now processing applications for not only our existing business customers in this next round, but again are welcoming non-customers to twenty-two. We ended the year with stores under construction in Gloucester Township and Lumberton in NJ and Fairless Hills, PA which are scheduled to be completed in early 2018. Ground will soon be broken on sites in Somers Point, NJapply through Republic Bank as well as Feasterville, PA.  There are also several additional sites in various stages of approval and development for future store locations.well.

31


Additional Highlights

·

New stores opened since the beginning of the "Power“Power of Red is Back"Back” expansion campaign in 2014 are currently growing deposits at an average rate of $27$38 million per year, while the average deposit growth for all stores over the last twelve months was approximately $20$33 million per store.


·

Net income increased by 80% to $8.9 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $4.9 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. We continue to open new stores and increase net income despite the additional costs associated with the expansion strategy.

·We reversed our deferred tax asset valuation allowance during the fourth quarter of 2017 resulting in an increase in net income of $2.9 million, or $0.05 per share, during the period. This entry takes into account the impact of the new corporate tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law on December 22, 2017.
27


·Total assets increased by $398 million, or 21%, to $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2017 compared to $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2016.

·Total deposits increased by $386 million, or 23%, to $2.1 billion as of December 31, 2017 compared to $1.7 billion as of December 31, 2016.

·The fastest growing segment of our deposit base is non-interest bearing demand deposits. These balances grew by 35% to $439 million during 2017

·Total loans grew $197 million, or 20%, to $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2017 compared to $965 million at December 31, 2016.

·

Our residential mortgage division, Oak Mortgage, is serving the home financing needs of customers throughout itsour footprint. Loan production during 2020 was strong despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oak Mortgage team originated over $378more than $700 million in mortgage loans during 2017.over the last twelve months which was a record high for this division.


·

SBA lending continued to be an important part of our lending strategy. Meeting the needs of small business customers, more than $51

A $50 million in new SBA loans were originatedcapital raise was completed during the year ended December 31, 2017.third quarter of 2020 through a registered direct offering of convertible preferred stock providing the capital resources necessary to continue with our growth and expansion strategy.


·

Asset quality continues to improve. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets declined to 0.94% as of December 31, 2017 compared to 1.51% as of December 31, 2016.

��Our

Total Risk-Based Capital ratio was 16.70%13.50% and Tier I Leverage Ratio was 10.64%8.17% at December 31, 2017.2020.


·

Book value per common share increased to $3.97$4.41 as of December 31, 20172020 compared to $3.79 per share$4.23 as of December 31, 2016.2019.


Non-GAAP Based Financial Measures

Our selected financial data contains a non-GAAP financial measure calculated using non-GAAP amounts. This measure is tangible book value per common share. Tangible book value per share adjusts the numerator by the amount of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (as a reduction of Shareholders'Shareholders’ Equity). Management uses non-GAAP measures to present historical periods comparable to the current period presentation. In addition, management believes the use of non-GAAP measures provides additional clarity when assessing our financial results and use of equity. Disclosures of this type should not be viewed as substitutes for results determined to be in accordance with U.S. GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other entities.


The following table provides a reconciliation of tangible book value per common share as of December 31, 20172020 and December 31, 2016.2019.

(dollars in thousands)

 

December 31, 2020

  

December 31, 2019

 
         

Total shareholders’ equity

 $308,113  $249,168 

Reconciling items:

        

Preferred stock

  (48,325)  - 

Goodwill

  -   (5,011)

Tangible common equity

 $259,788  $244,157 

Common shares outstanding

  58,859,778   58,842,778 

Tangible book value per common share

 $4.41  $4.15 

32


(dollars in thousands)December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016
    
Total shareholders' equity$          226,460 $         215,053
Reconciling items:   
Goodwill and other intangibles(5,011) (5,072)
Tangible common equity$          221,449 $         209,981
Common shares outstanding56,989,764 56,754,867
Tangible book value per common share$                3.89 $               3.70
28

Critical Accounting Policies, Judgments and Estimates

In reviewing and understanding our financial information, you are encouraged to read and understand the significant accounting policies used in preparing the consolidated financial statements. These policies are described in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The accounting and financial reporting policies conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and to general practices within the banking industry. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Management evaluates these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis including those related to the allowance for loan losses, carrying values of other real estate owned, other than temporary impairment of securities, fair value of financial instruments and deferred income taxes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other factors and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. These form the basis for making judgments on the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.


We have identified the policies related to the allowance for loan losses, other-than-temporary impairment of securities, loans receivable, mortgage loans held for sale, interest rate lock commitments, forward loan sale commitments, goodwill, other real estate owned, and deferred income taxes as being critical.


Allowance for Loan Losses - Management's ongoing evaluationThe allowance for credit losses consists of the adequacyallowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments. The allowance for loan losses represents management’s estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date and is recorded as a reduction to loans. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments would represent management’s estimate of losses inherent in its unfunded loan commitments and would be recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet, if necessary. The allowance for credit losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to operations. Loans are charged against the allowance when management believes that the collectability of the loan principal is unlikely. Recoveries on loans previously charged off are credited to the allowance.

The allowance for credit losses is an amount that represents management’s estimate of known and inherent losses related to the loan portfolio and unfunded loan commitments. Because the allowance for credit losses is dependent, to a great extent, on the general economy and other conditions that may be beyond Republic’s control, the estimate of the allowance for credit losses could differ materially in the near term.

The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components.  The specific component relates to loans that are categorized as impaired.  For such loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.  The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for several qualitative factors.  An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management’s estimate of probable losses.  The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio. All identified losses are immediately charged off and therefore no portion of the allowance for loan losses is based on our pastrestricted to any individual loan loss experience,or group of loans, and the volumeentire allowance is available to absorb any and composition of our lending, adverse situations that may affect a borrower's ability to repay,all loan losses.

33

In estimating the estimated value of any underlying collateral,allowance for credit losses, management considers current economic conditions, and other factors affecting the known and inherent risk in the portfolio.  The allowance for loan losses is increased by charges to income through the provision for loan losses and decreased by charge-offs (netpast loss experience, diversification of recoveries). The allowance is maintained at a level that management, based upon its evaluation, considers adequate to absorb losses inherent in the loan portfolio. This evaluation is inherently subjective as it requires material estimates including, among others,portfolio, delinquency statistics, results of internal loan reviews and regulatory examinations, borrowers’ perceived financial and managerial strengths, the amount and timingadequacy of expectedunderlying collateral, if collateral dependent, or present value of future cash flows, and other relevant and qualitative risk factors.  These qualitative risk factors include:

1)

Lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices.

2)

National, regional and local economic and business conditions as well as the condition of various segments.

3)

Nature and volume of the portfolio and terms of loans.

4)

Experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff.

5)

Volume and severity of past due, classified and nonaccrual loans as well as other loan modifications.

6)

Quality of the Company’s loan review system, and the degree of oversight by the Company’s Board of Directors.

7)

Existence and effect of any concentration of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations.

8)

Effect of external factors, such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements.

Each factor is assigned a value to reflect improving, stable or declining conditions based on impacted loans, exposuremanagement’s best judgment using relevant information available at default, value of collateral, and estimated losses on our commercial and residential loan portfolios. All of these estimates may be susceptible to significant change.

The allowance consists of specific allowances for impaired loans, a general allowance on the remaindertime of the portfolio, and an unallocated componentevaluation. Adjustments to account forthe factors are supported through documentation of changes in conditions in a level of imprecision in management's estimation process. Although management determines the amount of each element of the allowance separately,narrative accompanying the allowance for loan losses is available for the entire loan portfolio.
Management establishes an allowance on certain impaired loans for the amount by which the discounted cash flows, observable market price, or fair value of collateral if the loan is collateral dependent, is lower than the carrying value of the loan. loss calculation.

A loan is considered to be impaired when, based uponon current information and events, it is probable that wethe Company will be unable to collect all amountsthe scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan. A delay or shortfallloan agreement.  Factors considered by management in amountdetermining impairment, include payment status and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments doeswhen due.  Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not necessarily result inclassified as impaired.  Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all the circumstances surrounding the loan being identified as impaired.

Management also establishesand the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, and the borrower’s prior payment record.  Impairment is measured on a general allowance on non-impaired loans to recognize the inherent losses associated with lending activities, but which, unlike specific allowances, have not been allocated to particular loans. This general valuation allowance is determined by segregating theloan-by-loan basis for commercial and construction loans by loan category and assigning allowance percentages based on our historical loss experience, delinquency trends, and management's evaluationthe present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, the loan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collectability ofcollateral if the loan portfolio.
29


     Management also evaluates classified loans, which are not impaired. We segregate these loans by category and assign qualitative factors to each loan based on inherent losses associated with each type of lending and consideration that these loans, in the aggregate, represent an above-average credit risk and that more of these loans will prove to be uncollectible compared to loans in the general portfolio.  Classification of a loan within this category is based on identified weaknesses that increase the credit risk of the loan.

The allowance is adjusted for significant factors that, in management's judgment, affect the collectability of the portfolio as of the evaluation date. These significant factors may include changes in lending policies and procedures, changes in existing general economic and business conditions affecting its primary lending areas, credit quality trends, collateral value, loan volumes and concentrations, seasoning of the loan portfolio, loss experience in particular segments of the portfolio, duration of the current business cycle, and bank regulatory examination results. The applied loss factors are re-evaluated each reporting period to ensure their relevance in the current economic environment.

While management uses the best information known to it in order to make loan loss allowance valuations, adjustments to the allowance may be necessary based on changes in economic and other conditions, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, or changes in accounting guidance. In times of economic slowdown, either regional or national, the risk inherent in the loan portfolio could increase resulting in the need for additional provisions to thedependent.

An allowance for loan losses in future periods. An increase couldis established for an impaired loan if its carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. The estimated fair values of substantially all of the Company’s impaired loans are measured based on the estimated fair value of the loan’s collateral.

For commercial, consumer, and residential loans secured by real estate, estimated fair values are determined primarily through third-party appraisals. When a real estate secured loan becomes impaired, a decision is made regarding whether an updated certified appraisal of the real estate is necessary. This decision is based on various considerations, including the age of the most recent appraisal, the loan-to-value ratio based on the original appraisal and the condition of the property. Appraised values are discounted to arrive at the estimated selling price of the collateral, which is considered to be the estimated fair value. The discounts also be necessitatedinclude estimated costs to sell the property.

For commercial and industrial loans secured by an increasenon-real estate collateral, such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, estimated fair values are determined based on the borrower’s financial statements, inventory reports, accounts receivable agings or equipment appraisals or invoices. Indications of value from these sources are generally discounted based on the age of the financial information or the quality of the assets.

34

Pursuant to the CARES Act, loan modifications made from March 1, 2020 through the earlier of December 31, 2020 or 60 days after the termination date of the national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 concerning the COVID–19 outbreak (the “national emergency”), a financial institution may elect to suspend the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the sizeU.S. for loan modifications related to the COVID–19 pandemic that would otherwise be categorized as a troubled debt restructure (“TDR”), including impairment accounting. In December 2020, the Economic Aid Act was signed into law which amended certain sections of the CARES Act. This amendment extended the period to suspend the requirements under TDR accounting guidance to the earlier of i) January 1, 2022 or ii) 60 days after the President declares a termination of the national emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This TDR relief is applicable for the term of the loan portfolio or in anymodification that occurs during the applicable period for a loan that was not more than 30 days past due as of its components even though the credit qualityDecember 31, 2019. Financial institutions are required to maintain records of the overall portfolio may be improving. Historically,volume of loans involved in modifications to which TDR relief is applicable. The Company elected to exclude modifications meeting these requirements from TDR classification.

As a result of the estimatesrecent changes in economic conditions, we have increased the qualitative factors for certain components of the allowance for loan loss calculation. We have also taken into consideration the probable impact that the various stimulus initiatives provided adequate coverage against actualthrough the CARES Act, along with other government programs, may have to assist borrowers during this period of economic stress. We believe the combination of ongoing communication with our customers, loan to values on underlying collateral, loan payment deferrals, increased focus on risk management practices, and access to government programs such as the PPP should help mitigate potential future period losses. We will continue to closely monitor all key economic indicators and our internal asset quality metrics as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic begin to unfold. Based on the incurred loss methodology currently utilized, the provision for loan losses incurred.  and charge-offs may be impacted in future periods, but more time is needed to fully understand the magnitude and length of the economic downturn and the full impact on our loan portfolio.

Loans whose terms are modified are classified as troubled debt restructurings if the Company grants such borrowers concessions and it is deemed that those borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. Concessions granted under a troubled debt restructuring generally involve a temporary reduction in interest rate or an extension of a loan’s stated maturity date. Non-accrual troubled debt restructurings are restored to accrual status if principal and interest payments, under the modified terms, are current for six consecutive months after modification. Loans classified as troubled debt restructurings are designated as impaired.

The allowance calculation methodology includes further segregation of loan classes into risk rating categories. The borrower’s overall financial condition, repayment sources, guarantors and value of collateral, if appropriate, are evaluated annually for commercial loans or when credit deficiencies arise, such as delinquent loan payments, for commercial and consumer loans. Credit quality risk ratings include regulatory classifications of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss. Loans classified special mention have potential weaknesses that deserve management’s close attention. If uncorrected, the potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects. Loans classified substandard have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They include loans that are inadequately protected by the current sound net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified substandard with the added characteristic that collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of current conditions and facts, is highly improbable. Loans classified as a loss are considered uncollectible and are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Loans not classified as special mention, substandard, doubtful, or loss are rated pass.

35

In addition, the Pennsylvania Department of Bankingfederal and Securities and the FDIC,state regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination processes,process, periodically review the allowance for loan losses. The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities or the FDIC may require the recognition of adjustment to theCompany’s allowance for loan losses and may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgment ofjudgments about information available to them at the time of their examinations. Toexamination, which may not be currently available to management. Based on management’s comprehensive analysis of the extent that actual outcomes differ from management's estimates, additional provisions toloan portfolio, management believes the current level of the allowance for loan losses may be required that would adversely impact earnings in future periods.

is adequate.

Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Securities - Securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. To determine whether a loss in value is other-than-temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline and our intent and ability to retain its investment in the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for an anticipated recovery in the fair value. The term "other-than-temporary"“other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the value of the security is reduced and a corresponding charge to earnings is recognized.


Mortgage Banking Activities

Loans Receivable - The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, owner occupied real estate loans, construction and land development loans, consumer and other loans, residential mortgages, and PPP loans. Consumer loans consist of home equity loans and other consumer loans.

Commercial and industrial loans are underwritten after evaluating historical and projected profitability and cash flow to determine the borrower’s ability to repay their obligation as agreed. Commercial and industrial loans are made primarily based on the identified cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral supporting the loan facility. Accordingly, the repayment of a commercial and industrial loan depends primarily on the creditworthiness of the borrower (and any guarantors), while liquidation of collateral is a secondary and often insufficient source of repayment.

Commercial real estate and owner occupied real estate loans are subject to the underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial and industrial loans, in addition to those underwriting standards for real estate loans. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow dependent and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Repayment of these loans is generally dependent upon the successful operation of the property securing the loan or the principal business conducted on the property securing the loan. In addition, the underwriting considers the amount of the principal advanced relative to the property value. Commercial real estate and owner occupied real estate loans may be adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or the economy in general. Management monitors and evaluates commercial real estate and owner occupied real estate loans based on cash flow estimates, collateral and risk-rating criteria. The Company also utilizes third-party experts to provide environmental and market valuations. Substantial effort is required to underwrite, monitor and evaluate commercial real estate and owner occupied real estate loans.

Construction and land development loans are underwritten based upon a financial analysis of the developers and property owners and construction cost estimates, in addition to independent appraisal valuations. These loans will rely on the value associated with the project upon completion. These cost and valuation amounts used are estimates and may be inaccurate. Construction loans generally involve the disbursement of substantial funds over a short period of time with repayment substantially dependent upon the success of the completed project. Sources of repayment of these loans would be permanent financing upon completion or sales of developed property. These loans are closely monitored by onsite inspections and are considered to be of a higher risk than other real estate loans due to their ultimate repayment being sensitive to general economic conditions, availability of long-term financing, interest rate sensitivity, and governmental regulation of real property.

36

Consumer and other loans consist of home equity loans and lines of credit and other loans to individuals originated through the Company’s retail network, which are typically secured by personal property or unsecured. Home equity loans and lines of credit often carry additional risk as a result of typically being in a second position or lower in the event collateral is liquidated. Consumer loans have may also have greater credit risk because of the difference in the underlying collateral, if any. The application of various federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws may limit the amount that can be recovered on such loans.

Residential mortgage loans are secured by one to four family dwelling units. This group consists of first mortgages and are originated primarily at loan to value ratios of 80% or less.

Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans, authorized by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and Treasury Department through a provision in the CARES Act, are SBA-guaranteed loans to small business to pay their employees, rent, mortgage interest, and utilities. PPP loans will be forgiven subject to clients’ providing documentation evidencing their compliant use of funds and otherwise complying with the terms of the program.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by unearned income and an allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is calculated based upon the principal amounts outstanding. The Company defers and amortizes certain origination and commitment fees, and certain direct loan origination costs over the contractual life of the related loan. This results in an adjustment of the related loans yield.

The Company accounts for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts related to loans purchased based upon the effective interest method. If a loan prepays in full before the contractual maturity date, any unamortized premiums, discounts or fees are recognized immediately as an adjustment to interest income.

Loans are generally classified as non-accrual if they are past due as to maturity or payment of principal or interest for a period of more than 90 days, unless such loans are well-secured and in the process of collection. Loans that are on a current payment status or past due less than 90 days may also be classified as non-accrual if repayment in full of principal and/or interest is in doubt. Loans may be returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within an acceptable period of time, and there is a sustained period of repayment performance of interest and principal by the borrower, in accordance with the contractual terms. Generally, in the case of non-accrual loans, cash received is applied to reduce the principal outstanding.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale and Mortgage Banking Activities Mortgage loans held for sale are originated and held until sold to permanent investors. In 2016, managementManagement elected to adopt the fair value option in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"(“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, and record loans held for sale at fair value.

30


Mortgage loans held for sale originated on or subsequent to the election of the fair value option, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The fair value is determined on a recurring basis by utilizing quoted prices from dealers in such securities. Gains and losses on loan salesChanges in fair value are recordedreflected in non-interestmortgage banking income and directin the statements of income. Direct loan origination costs are recognized when incurred and are included in non-interest expense in the statements of income.

37


Interest Rate Lock Commitments - Mortgage loan commitments known as interest rate locks that relate to the origination of a mortgage that will be held for sale upon funding are considered derivative instruments under the derivatives and hedging accounting guidance FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Loan commitments that are classified as derivatives are recognized at fair value on the balance sheet as other assets and as other liabilities with changes in their fair values recorded as mortgage banking income and included in non-interest income in the statements of income. Outstanding IRLCs are subject to interest rate risk and related price risk during the period from the date of issuance through the date of loan funding, cancellation or expiration. Loan commitments generally range between 30 and 90 days; however, the borrower is not obligated to obtain the loan. Republic is subject to fallout risk related to IRLCs, which is realized if approved borrowers choose not to close on the loans within the terms of the IRLCs. Republic uses best efforts commitments to substantially eliminate these risks. The valuation of the IRLCs issued by Republic includes the value of the servicing released premium. Republic sells loans servicing released, and the servicing released premium is included in the market price. See Note 2423 Derivatives and Risk Management Activities for further detail on IRLCs.


Forward Loan Sale Commitments - Forward loan sale commitments are commitments to sell individual mortgage loans at a fixed price to an investor at a future date. Forward loan sale commitments are accounted for as derivatives and carried at fair value, determined as the amount that would be necessary to settle the derivative financial instrument at the balance sheet date. Gross derivative assets and liabilities are recorded as other assets and other liabilities with changes in fair value during the period recorded as mortgage banking income and included in non-interest income in the statements of income.


Goodwill - Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is recognized as an asset and is to be reviewed for impairment annuallyannually. The Company completed an annual impairment test for goodwill as of July 31, 2020 and between annual tests when events and circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Impairment is2019. Goodwill was written off as a condition that exists whenresult of an interim test completed as of September 30, 2020. This was a complete write-off off all goodwill on the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.balance sheet. During 2017, we elected to perform a Step One analysis to review goodwill for impairment. The results of the Step One analysis indicated that the carrying value of the reporting unit did not exceed its fair value and thus a Step Two analysis was not required. There was $5.0 million of goodwill atyear ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.


2019, there was no goodwill impairment recorded.

Other Real Estate Owned - Other real estate owned consists of assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure.  They are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis.  Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less the cost to sell.  Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net expenses from other real estate owned.

Income Taxes - Management makes estimates and judgments to calculate various tax liabilities and determine the recoverability of various deferred tax assets, which arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenues and expenses. Management also estimates a reserve for deferred tax assets if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. These estimates and judgments are inherently subjective. Historically, management'smanagement’s estimates and judgments to calculate the deferred tax accounts have not required significant revision.

31

In evaluating our ability to recover deferred tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including the past operating results and forecasts of future taxable income. In determining future taxable income, management makes assumptions for the amount of taxable income, the reversal of temporary differences and the implementation of feasible and prudent tax planning strategies. These assumptions require management to make judgments about the future taxable income and are consistent with the plans and estimates used to manage the business. Any reduction in estimated future taxable income may require management to record a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets. An increase in the valuation allowance would result in additional income tax expense in the period and could have a significant impact on future earnings.

38


Results of Operations


For the year ended December 31, 20172020 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2016


2019

We reported net income available to common shareholders of $8.9$4.1 million, or $0.15$0.07 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 compared to a net incomeloss of $4.9$3.5 million, or $0.12($0.06) per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. The increase2019. Earnings in net income was primarily driven2020 were positively impacted by growthour participation in interest-earning assets along with a complete year of earnings of the residential mortgage lending team which was acquired duringPPP program and the third quarter of 2016, as well as, the reversal of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

Company’s focus on cost control initiatives while driving revenue growth.

Net interest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 increased $14.7$14.0 million to $62.1$91.8 million as compared to $47.4$77.8 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. Interest2019. Total assets grew by $1.7 billion, or 52%, during 2019 to $5.1 billion. Growth in net interest income increased $16.6of $14.0 million was a result of an increase in interest income of $10.1 million and a reduction in interest expense of $3.9 million. The increase in interest income of $10.1 million, or 30.7%10%, due primarily towas driven by an increase in average interest-earning assets, primarily loans receivable and investment securities balances.receivable. Interest expense increased $1.9decreased $3.9 million, or 28.0%15%, primarily due to an increasea decrease in the rate on average deposit balances.

interest-bearing liabilities. The net interest margin decreased by 34 basis points to 2.51% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to 2.85% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

We recorded a loan loss provision in the amount of $900 thousand$4.2 million, an increase of $2.3 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 compared to a provision of $1.6$1.9 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019. The lower provision recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 is charged to operations in an amount necessary to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level that management believes is adequate to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The increase in the provision year over year was driven byprimarily a decreaseresult of an increase in the allowance required for loans individuallycollectively evaluated for impairment in 2017 as a resultduring 2020. The increase was largely associated with assumptions and estimates related to the uncertainty surrounding the economic environment caused by the impact of improvement in asset quality.

the COVID-19 pandemic.

Non-interest income increased $4.8$12.5 million to $20.1$36.2 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 as compared to $15.3$23.7 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in mortgage banking income, higher loan and servicing fees, an increase in service fees on deposit accounts, partially offset by a reduction inand gains on the sale of SBA loans and losses on the sale of investment securities recorded during the twelve months ended December 31, 2017.

2020.

Non-interest expenses increased $19.0$12.9 million to $75.3$117.4 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 as compared to $56.3$104.5 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019. The increase was primarily driven by a one time charge for goodwill impairment, higher salaries, employee benefits, occupancy, and equipment expenses associated with the addition of new stores related to our expansion strategy which we refer to as "The“The Power of Red is Back"Back”.


Return on average assets and average equity from continuing operations were 0.43%0.13% and 4.02%1.86%, respectively, during the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 compared to 0.30%(0.12%) and 3.97%(3.41%), respectively, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019.

39

32


Average Balances and Net Interest Income

Historically, our earnings have depended primarily upon Republic'sRepublic’s net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on interest-earning assets and interest paid on interest-bearing liabilities. Net interest income is affected by changes in the mix of the volume and rates of interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The following table provides an analysis of net interest income on an annualized basis, setting forth for the periods average assets, liabilities, and shareholders'shareholders’ equity, interest income earned on interest-earning assets and interest expense on interest-bearing liabilities, average yields earned on interest-earning assets and average rates on interest-bearing liabilities, and Republic'sRepublic’s net interest margin (net interest income as a percentage of average total interest-earning assets). Averages are computed based on daily balances. Non-accrual loans are included in average loans receivable. Yields are adjusted for tax equivalency, a non-GAAP measure, using a rate of 35%21% in 2017, 2016,2020, 21% in 2019, and 2015.


21% in 2018.

Average Balances and Net Interest Income

  

For the Year Ended

December 31, 2020

  

For the Year Ended

December 31, 2019

  

For the Year Ended

December 31, 2018

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Average

Balance

  

Interest

Income/

Expense

  

Yield/

Rate(1)

  

Average

Balance

  

Interest

Income/

Expense

  

Yield/

Rate(1)

  

Average

Balance

  

Interest

Income/

Expense

  

Yield/

Rate(1)

 

Interest-earning assets:

                                 

Federal funds sold and other interest earning assets

 $242,132  $514  0.21%  $129,528  $2,571  1.98%  $40,931  $847  2.07% 

Investment securities and restricted stock

  1,086,386   21,166  1.95%   1,074,706   27,886  2.59%   1,037,810   27,316  2.63% 

Loans receivable

  2,359,169   93,854  3.98%   1,544,904   74,946  4.85%   1,340,117   64,455  4.81% 

Total interest-earning assets

  3,687,687   115,534  3.13%   2,749,138   105,403  3.83%   2,418,858   92,618  3.83% 

Other assets

  265,893          229,767          131,369        

Total assets

 $3,953,580         $2,978,905         $2,550,227        
                                  

Interest bearing liabilities:

                                 

Demand – non-interest bearing

 $926,692         $555,385         $488,995        

Demand – interest bearing

  1,509,826   12,645  0.84%   1,184,530   15,621  1.32%   918,508   7,946  0.87% 

Money market & savings

  916,607   6,247  0.68%   705,445   6,796  0.96%   697,135   4,898  0.70% 

Time deposits

  211,636   3,859  1.82%   190,567   3,850  2.02%   128,892   1,588  1.23% 

Total deposits

  3,564,761   22,751  0.64%   2,635,927   26,267  1.00%   2,233,530   14,432  0.65% 

Total interest bearing deposits

  2,638,069   22,751  0.86%   2,080,542   26,267  1.26%   1,744,535   14,432  0.83% 

Other borrowings

  30,413   367  1.21%   22,911   790  3.45%   73,573   1,738  2.36% 

Total interest-bearing liabilities

  2,668,482   23,118  0.87%   2,103,453   27,057  1.29%   1,818,108   16,170  0.89% 

Total deposits and other borrowings

  3,595,174   23,118  0.64%   2,658,838   27,057  1.02%   2,307,103   16,170  0.70% 

Non-interest bearing other liabilities

  87,200          71,131          9,431        

Shareholders’ equity

  271,206          248,936          233,693        

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 $3,953,580         $2,978,905         $2,550,227        
                                  

Net interest income(2)

     $92,416         $78,346         $76,448    

Net interest spread

         2.26%          2.54%          2.94% 

Net interest margin(2)

         2.51%          2.85%          3.16% 

(1) Yields on investments are calculated based on amortized cost.

(2) Net interest income and net interest margin are presented on a tax equivalent basis, a Non-GAAP measure. Net interest income has been increased over the financial statement amount by $585, $539, and $544 in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively, to adjust for tax equivalency. The tax equivalent net interest margin is calculated by dividing tax equivalent net interest income by average total interest earning assets.

40


  
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2017
  
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2016
  
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Average Balance
  
Interest Income/
Expense
  
Yield/
Rate(1)
  
Average Balance
  
Interest Income/
Expense
  
Yield/
Rate(1)
  
Average Balance
  
Interest Income/
Expense
  
Yield/
Rate(1)
 
Interest-earning assets:                           
Federal funds sold and other interest earning assets $48,148  $577   1.20%  $92,452  $473   0.51%  $106,876  $278   0.26% 
Investment securities and restricted stock  811,269   20,466   2.52%   506,545   12,346   2.44%   309,018   7,692   2.49% 
Loans receivable  1,090,851   50,687   4.65%   936,492   42,304   4.52%   820,820   38,072   4.64% 
Total interest-earning assets  1,950,268   71,730   3.68%   1,535,489   55,123   3.59%   1,236,714   46,042   3.72% 
Other assets  115,770           96,902           73,873         
Total assets $2,066,038          $1,632,391          $1,310,587         
                                     
Interest bearing liabilities:                                    
Demand – non-interest bearing $372,171          $284,326          $235,810         
Demand – interest bearing  687,586   3,020   0.44%   510,745   2,088   0.41%   349,055   1,401   0.40% 
Money market & savings  629,464   3,160   0.50%   586,750   2,639   0.45%   508,846   2,170   0.43% 
Time deposits  110,952   1,238   1.12%   89,713   942   1.05%   73,819   695   0.94% 
Total deposits  1,800,173   7,418   0.41%   1,471,534   5,669   0.39%   1,167,530   4,266   0.37% 
Total interest bearing deposits  1,428,002   7,418   0.52%   1,187,208   5,669   0.48%   931,720   4,266   0.46% 
Other borrowings  35,429   1,366   3.86%   27,471   1,194   4.35%   22,008   1,115   5.07% 
Total interest-bearing liabilities  1,463,431   8,784   0.60%   1,214,679   6,863   0.57%   953,728   5,381   0.56% 
Total deposits and other borrowings  1,835,602   8,784   0.48%   1,499,005   6,863   0.46%   1,189,538   5,381   0.45% 
Non-interest bearing other liabilities  8,942           8,867           7,340        
Shareholders' equity  221,494           124,519           113,709        
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $2,066,038          $1,632,391          $1,310,587        
                                    
Net interest income(2)
     $62,946          $48,260          $40,661    
Net interest spread          3.08%           3.02%           3.16% 
Net interest margin(2)
          3.23%           3.14%           3.29% 

(1)Yields on investments are calculated based on amortized cost.
(2)Net interest income and net interest margin are presented on a tax equivalent basis.  Net interest income has been increased over the financial statement amount by $881, $896, and $606 in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively, to adjust for tax equivalency. The tax equivalent net interest margin is calculated by dividing tax equivalent net interest income by average total interest earning assets.
33

Rate/Volume Analysis of Changes in Net Interest Income

Net interest income may also be analyzed by segregating the volume and rate components of interest income and interest expense. The following table sets forth an analysis of volume and rate changes in net interest income for the periods indicated. For purposes of this table, changes in interest income and expense are allocated to volume and rate categories based upon the respective changes in average balances and average rates.


  
Year ended
December 31, 2017 vs. 2016
  
Year ended
December 31, 2016 vs. 2015
 
  Changes due to:     Changes due to:    
(dollars in thousands) 
Average
Volume
  
Average
Rate
  
Total
Change
  Average Volume  
Average
Rate
  
Total
Change
 
Interest earned:                  
Federal funds sold and other
interest-earning assets
 $(531) $635  $104  $(74) $269  $195 
Securities  7,687   433   8,120   4,814   (160)  4,654 
Loans  6,976   1,407   8,383   5,180   (948)  4,232 
Total interest-earning assets  14,132   2,475   16,607   9,920   (839)  9,081 
                         
Interest expense:                        
Deposits                        
Interest-bearing demand deposits $777  $155  $932  $661  $26  $687 
Money market and savings  193   328   521   348   121   469 
Time deposits  237   59   296   167   80   247 
Total deposit interest expense  1,207   542   1,749   1,176   227   1,403 
Other borrowings  37   135   172   33   46   79 
Total interest expense  1,244   677   1,921   1,209   273   1,482 
Net interest income $12,888  $1,798  $14,686  $8,711  $(1,112) $7,599 

Net interest income and net interest margin are presented on a tax equivalent basis, a Non-GAAP measure.

  

Year ended

December 31, 2020 vs. 2019

  

Year ended

December 31, 2019 vs. 2018

 
  

Changes due to:

      

Changes due to:

     

(dollars in thousands)

 

Average

Volume

  

Average

Rate

  

Total

Change

  

Average

Volume

  

Average

Rate

  

Total

Change

 

Interest earned:

                        

Federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets

 $239  $(2,296) $(2,057) $1,759  $(35) $1,724 

Securities

  227   (6,947)  (6,720)  958   (388)  570 

Loans

  32,296   (13,388)  18,908   9,439   1,052   10,491 

Total interest-earning assets

  32,762   (22,631)  10,131   12,156   629   12,785 
                         

Interest expense:

                        

Deposits

                        

Interest-bearing demand deposits

 $2,725  $(5,701) $(2,976) $3,508  $4,167  $7,675 

Money market and savings

  1,462   (2,011)  (549)  46   1,852   1,898 

Time deposits

  384   (375)  9   1,246   1,016   2,262 

Total deposit interest expense

  4,571   (8,087)  (3,516)  4,800   7,035   11,835 

Other borrowings

  27   (450)  (423)  (1,402)  454   (948)

Total interest expense

  4,598   (8,537)  (3,939)  3,398   7,489   10,887 

Net interest income

 $28,164  $(14,094) $14,070  $8,758  $(6,860) $1,898 

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin


Net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, a non-GAAP measure, for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 increased by $14.7$14.1 million, or 30.4%18%, over twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019. Interest income on interest-earning assets totaled $71.7$115.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017;2020, an increase of $16.6$10.1 million, compared to $105.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019. The increase in interest income earned was primarily the result of an increase in average interest-earning balances, primarily loans receivable during 2020. Loan growth was driven by continued success with our expansion strategy driving new customer relationships, in addition to our participation in the averagePPP loan program. PPP loans earn a fixed interest rate of 1.00% and mature in either two years or five years depending upon the date of origination. Origination fees paid by the SBA are also recognized as interest income over the life of the loans. We recognized approximately $6.8 million of origination fees related to PPP loans during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2020. Growth in loan balances ofand corresponding interest income helped offset the decline in interest income driven by a lower rate environment, including interest income associated with the investment securities and loans receivable. portfolio. A decline in mortgage interest rates resulted in a sharp increase in prepayment speeds on mortgage-backed securities held in our portfolio which caused acceleration in the amortization of premiums related to those investments.

41

Total interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 increased $1.92020 decreased $3.9 million, or 28.0%15%, to $8.8$23.1 million from $6.9$27.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. Interest expense on deposits decreased by $3.5 million, or 13%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 due to lower rates offset by increases in average deposit balances. Lower interest rates were caused by actions taken by the Federal Reserve Bank during the first quarter of 2020 in response to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interest expense on other borrowings decreased by $423,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 driven by2019 due primarily to a combination of higher volumes and higher rates. Interest expense on deposits increased by $1.7 million, or 30.9%, fordecrease in the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. Interest expenseaverage rate on other borrowings increased by $172,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016


borrowings.

Changes in net interest income are frequently measured by two statistics: net interest rate spread and net interest margin. Net interest rate spread is the difference between the average rate earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate incurred on interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest rate spread on a fully tax-equivalent basis was 3.08%2.26% during the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 versus 3.02%2.54% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019. Net interest margin represents the difference between interest income, including net loan fees earned, and interest expense, reflected as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. For the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, the fully tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.23%2.51% and 3.14%2.85%, respectively. TheCompression in the net interest margin for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 increasedwas primarily asdriven by a result of an increase70 basis point decrease in  the yieldsyield on interest earning assets resulting from the lower interest rate environment and fixed rate 1.00% loans receivable and investment securities.

34


generated through PPP lending.

Provision for Loan Losses


We recorded a provision for loan losses in the amount of $900,000$4.2 million, an increase of $2.3 million, for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 compared to a $1.6$1.9 million provision for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019. The provision for loan losses is charged to operations in an amount necessary to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level that management believes is adequate to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio.


The provision recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 as2020 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 decreased2019 increased primarily due to an increase required for loans collectively evaluated for impairment. This change was primarily driven by the uncertainty surrounding the economic environment as a result of a decreasethe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative factors in the allowance requiredcalculation of the provision for loan losses were adjusted to account for this uncertainty. While the U.S. government has taken swift action to provide stimulus and implement programs to support the economy, the long-term impact of the effect on the economy remains uncertain.

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets declined to 0.28% as of December 31, 2020 compared to 0.42% as of December 31, 2019. This is the sixth consecutive year that this ratio has declined. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans individually evaluated for impairment driven by a reduction in impaired loans.

also declined during 2020.

Non-Interest Income


Total non-interest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 increased by $4.8$12.5 million, or 31.2%53%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019. Mortgage banking income totaled $11.2 million and $5.1 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 primarily due to gains on the sale of residential mortgage loans originated through Oak Mortgage. Oak Mortgage was acquired by us during the third quarter of 2016. The increase was a result of a complete year of recognized income during 2017. Gains on the sale of SBA loans totaled $3.4$17.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 versus $5.02020, an increase of $7.5 million, compared to $10.1 million for the twelve months ended 2019. An increase in the volume of residential mortgage loans due to a decline in interest rates drove the increase in mortgage banking income. Loan and servicing fees totaled $2.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2020 which represents an increase of $1.4 million compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, service fees on deposit accounts totaled $11.1 million which represents an increase of $3.5 million compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. This increase was driven by growth in customer deposit accounts and transaction volume as we continue with our growth and expansion strategy. We recognized lossesgains of $146,000$2.8 million on the sale of securities during the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020, an increase of $1.7 million, compared to gains of $656,000$1.1 million on the sales of securities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. Service charges, fees, and other operating income2019. Gains on the sale of SBA loans totaled $5.7$1.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 which represents an increase2020, a decrease of $1.1$1.4 million, versus $3.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. Lower origination volumes related to SBA loans was caused by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

42

Non-Interest Expenses

Non-interest expenses increased by $12.9 million, or 12%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. This increase was driven by growth in customer deposit accounts and transaction volume.


Non-Interest Expenses
Non-interest expenses increased by $19.0 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, or 33.7%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019. An explanation of changes of non-interest expenses for certain categories is presented in the following paragraphs.

Salary expenses and employee benefits for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 were $38.0 million, an increase of $9.42020 increased by $2.4 million, or 32.7%4%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019. The increase was primarily driven by annual merit increases along with increased staffing levels related to our aggressive growth strategy of adding and relocating stores, which we refer to as "The“The Power of Red is Back."Back”. There were twenty-twothirty-one stores open as of December 31, 20172020 compared to nineteentwenty-nine stores open at December 31, 2016. In addition, we recorded2019. The increase was also a full yearresult of salary expenses and employee benefits for Oak Mortgagehigher commissions paid to residential mortgage lenders as a result of growth in 2017.


the volume of mortgage loan originations.

Occupancy related expenses increased by $1.0 million, or 17.0%, andexpense, including depreciation and amortization expense, increased by $1.1$4.2 million, or 31.3%23%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016,2019, also as a result of our continuing growth and relocation strategy andexpansion strategy. The full year impact of the addition of Oak Mortgage.

35


two new stores opened in New York City during 2019 was recognized in 2020.

Other real estate owned expenses totaled $4.1 million$459,000 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, an increase2020, a decrease of $1.9$1.7 million, when compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 primarily due2019. This decrease was a result of lower costs to carry foreclosed assets during the writedown of a single OREO property in the amount of $2.7twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

Goodwill impairment totaled $5.0 million during 2017. This writedownthe twelve months ended December 31, 2020. During the third quarter of 2020 a goodwill impairment analysis was driven by our decision to aggressively pursuecompleted which concluded that a resolutionwrite-off was required. All goodwill on the balance sheet was written off as a result of this one-time, non-cash charge for our largest non-performing asset which resulted in the execution of an agreement of sale.


goodwill impairment.

All other non-interest expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020 increased $5.6$3.0 million compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2019. Increases in expenses related to residential mortgage operations, data processing, advertising, transactionsdebit card processing, professional fees, and professional fees resulting fromregulatory assessments and costs were mainly associated with our growth strategy contributed to the growth in these operating expenses.


strategy.

One key measure that management utilizes to monitor progress in controlling overhead expenses is the ratio of annualized net non-interest expenses to average assets, a non-GAAP measure. For purposes of this calculation, net non-interest expenses equal non-interest expenses less non-interest income. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017,2020, the ratio equaled 2.67%was 2.97% compared to 2.51%2.71% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016,2019, respectively. The increase in this ratio was mainly due to our growth strategy of adding and relocating stores and the addition of a residential mortgage lending team.


expansion strategy.

Another productivity measure utilized by management is the operating efficiency ratio, another non-GAAP measure. This ratio expresses the relationship of non-interest expenses to net interest income plus non-interest income. The efficiency ratio was 91.69% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, compared to 102.90% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. The decrease for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 was due to net interest income and non-interest income increasing at a faster rate than non-interest expenses.

43

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

We recorded a provision for income taxes of $1.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to a benefit of $1.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. The effective tax rates for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were 22% and (28%), respectively. The effect of permanent deductions increases the effective tax benefit percentage when in a pre-tax loss position and decreases the effective tax rate when in a pre-tax income position. The impact of these permanent differences on the effective tax rate is proportional to the level of the non taxable income in relation to pre-tax income.

The Company evaluates the carrying amount of our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis or more frequently, if necessary, in accordance with the guidance provided in FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 (ASC 740), in particular, applying the criteria set forth therein to determine whether it is more likely than not (i.e. a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized within its life cycle, based on the weight of available evidence. If management makes a determination based on the available evidence that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods, a valuation allowance is calculated and recorded. These determinations are inherently subjective and dependent upon estimates and judgments concerning management’s evaluation of both positive and negative evidence.

In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company carefully weighed both positive and negative evidence currently available. Judgment is required when considering the relative impact of such evidence. The weight given to the potential effect of positive and negative evidence must be commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified.

The Company is in a three year cumulative profit position factoring in pre-tax GAAP income and permanent book/tax differences. Growth in interest-earning assets is expected to continue and is supported by the capital raise completed during 2020. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets along with other credit quality metrics continue to improve. A number of cost control measures have been implemented to offset the challenges faced in growing revenue as a result of compression in the net interest margin. The Company has added thirteen store locations in the past four years and since the inception of the growth and expansion strategy in 2014, almost every new store location has met or exceeded expectations. The success of the expansion strategy, combined with the stabilization of interest rates and continued loan growth are expected to continue to support improvement in profitability going forward. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has no federal NOLs to carry forward which could expire in the future.

Conversely, the Company’s net interest margin declined during 2020 as a result of the challenging interest rate environment which appears to be consistent across the financial services industry. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the local and global economy may result in a significant increase in future loan loss provisions and charge-offs. Rising interest rates and a downturn in the economy could significantly decrease the volume of mortgage loan originations.

Based on the guidance provided in FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 (ASC 740), the Company believed that the positive evidence considered at December 31, 2020 outweighed the negative evidence and that it was more likely than not that all of the Company’s deferred tax assets would be realized within their life cycle. Therefore, a valuation allowance was not required at December 31, 2020.

44

The net deferred tax asset balance was $12.0 million as of December 31, 2020 and $12.6 million as of December 31, 2019. The deferred tax asset will continue to be analyzed on a quarterly basis for changes affecting realizability.

Preferred Dividends

Preferred dividends of $923,000 were declared and paid on preferred stock during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

Net Income and Net Income per Common Share

The net income available to shareholders for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was $4.1 million, compared to a net loss of $3.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, basic and fully-diluted net income per common share was $0.07, compared to basic and fully-diluted net loss per common share of ($0.06) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

Return on Average Assets and Average Equity

Return on average assets (ROA) measures our net income in relation to our total average assets. The ROA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was 0.13% and (0.12%), respectively. Return on average equity (ROE) indicates how effectively we can generate net income on the capital invested by our stockholders. ROE is calculated by dividing annualized net income by average stockholders' equity. The ROE for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was 1.86%, compared to (1.41%) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

Results of Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018

We reported a net loss of $3.5 million, or ($0.06) per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to net income of $8.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Earnings in 2019 were negatively impacted by compression of the net interest margin caused by a flat and inverted yield curve which drove lower yields on interest earning assets and higher rates on interest bearing liabilities. In the midst of this challenging rate environment we also incurred costs to execute our expansion strategy in New York City. In addition to new hires, training, advertising, and occupancy expenses related to the opening of our first two stores in New York, we also established a management and lending team for this new market.

Net interest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 increased $1.9 million to $77.8 million as compared to $75.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Total assets grew by $588 million, or 21%, during 2019 to $3.3 billion. However, growth in net interest income of $8.8 million driven by the increase in interest earning assets was offset by a decrease of $6.9 million as a result of interest rate changes resulting in a net increase of only $1.9 million in net interest income. For comparison purposes net interest income increased by $13.5 million during 2018 on growth in assets of $431 million. Interest income increased $12.8 million, or 14%, due primarily to an increase in average interest-earning assets, primarily loans receivable. Interest expense increased $10.9 million, or 67%, primarily due to an increase in the rate on average interest-bearing liabilities and average deposit balances. The net interest margin decreased by 31 basis points to 2.85% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to 3.16% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.

45

We recorded a loan loss provision in the amount of $1.9 million, a decrease of $395,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to a provision of $2.3 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The provision recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 is charged to operations in an amount necessary to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level that management believes is adequate to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The decrease in the provision year over year was primarily a result of a decrease in the allowance required for loans individually evaluated for impairment during 2019 and is supported by the steady decline in the ratio of non-performing assets to total assets.

Non-interest income increased $3.4 million to $23.7 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $20.3 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily driven by higher service fees on deposit accounts and gains on sale of investment securities during the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

Non-interest expenses increased $20.8 million to $104.5 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $83.7 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily driven by higher salaries, employee benefits, occupancy, and equipment expenses associated with the addition of new stores related to our expansion strategy which we refer to as “The Power of Red is Back”.

Return on average assets and average equity were (0.12%) and (1.41%), respectively, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to 0.34% and 3.69%, respectively, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

Net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, a non-GAAP measure, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 increased by $1.9 million, or 2%, over twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Interest income on interest-earning assets totaled $105.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $12.8 million, compared to $92.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase in interest income earned was primarily the result of an increase in average interest-earning balances, primarily loans receivable. Total interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 increased $10.9 million, or 67%, to $27.1 million from $16.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Interest expense on deposits increased by $11.8 million, or 82%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 due to higher rates and increases in average deposit balances. Interest expense on other borrowings decreased by $948,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 due primarily to a $48.2 million decrease in average overnight borrowings.

Changes in net interest income are frequently measured by two statistics: net interest rate spread and net interest margin. Net interest rate spread is the difference between the average rate earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate incurred on interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest rate spread on a fully tax-equivalent basis was 2.54% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 versus 2.94% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Net interest margin represents the difference between interest income, including net loan fees earned, and interest expense, reflected as a percentage of average interest-earning assets. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fully tax-equivalent net interest margin was 2.85% and 3.16%, respectively. Compression in the net interest margin was driven by flattening of the yield curve resulting in a more rapid increase in our cost of funds compared to the yield on interest earning assets.

46

Provision for Loan Losses

We recorded a provision for loan losses in the amount of $1.9 million, a decrease of $395,000, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to a $2.3 million provision for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The provision for loan losses is charged to operations in an amount necessary to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level that management believes is adequate to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The provision recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 decreased primarily as a result of a decrease in the allowance required for loans individually evaluated for impairment. Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets declined to 0.42% as of December 31, 2019 compared to 0.60% as of December 31, 2018. This is the fifth consecutive year that this ratio has declined. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans also declined during 2019.

Non-Interest Income

Total non-interest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 increased by $3.4 million, or 17%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Service fees on deposit accounts totaled $7.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 which represents an increase of $2.1 million compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. This increase was driven by growth in customer deposit accounts and transaction volume. We recognized gains of $1.1 million on the sale of securities during the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $1.2 million, compared to losses of $67,000 on the sales of securities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Loan and servicing fees totaled $1.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 which represents an increase of $167,000 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Gains on the sale of SBA loans totaled $3.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $82,000, versus $3.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Mortgage banking income totaled $10.1 million and $10.2 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Non-Interest Expenses

Non-interest expenses increased by $20.8 million, or 25%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. An explanation of changes of non-interest expenses for certain categories is presented in the following paragraphs.

Salary expenses and employee benefits for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 increased by $9.8 million, or 22%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. The increase was primarily driven by annual merit increases along with increased staffing levels related to our growth strategy of adding and relocating stores, which we refer to as “The Power of Red is Back”. There were twenty-nine stores open as of December 31, 2019 compared to twenty-five stores open at December 31, 2018. The strategic decision to expand into New York City was also a significant factor driving the increase in salaries and employee benefits.

Occupancy expense, including depreciation and amortization expense, increased by $4.6 million, or 34%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, also as a result of our continuing growth and expansion strategy.

Other real estate owned expenses totaled $2.1 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $521,000, when compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. This increase was a result of higher costs to carry foreclosed properties on foreclosed assets during the twelve months ended December 31, 2019.

47

All other non-interest expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 increased $5.8 million compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2018. Increases in expenses related to data processing, advertising, automated teller machine expenses, and professional fees were mainly associated with our growth strategy.

One key measure that management utilizes to monitor progress in controlling overhead expenses is the ratio of annualized net non-interest expenses to average assets, a non-GAAP measure. For purposes of this calculation, net non-interest expenses equal non-interest expenses less non-interest income. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, the ratio equaled 2.71% compared to 2.49% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. The increase in this ratio was mainly due to our growth and expansion strategy which drives the addition of new stores, along with additional employees to support the growth strategy.

Another productivity measure utilized by management is the operating efficiency ratio, another non-GAAP measure. This ratio expresses the relationship of non-interest expenses to net interest income plus non-interest income. The efficiency ratio equaled 91.6%102.90% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017,2019, compared to 89.8%87.0% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2018. The increase for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 versus the twelve months ended December 31, 20162018 was due to noninterestnon-interest expenses increasing at a faster rate than both net interest income and noninterestnon-interest income.


Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

We recorded a benefit for income taxes of $2.9$1.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017,2019 compared to a benefitprovision of $119,000$1.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. We reversed our deferred tax asset valuation allowance during the fourth quarter of 2017 resulting in the $2.9 million benefit for income taxes during the period. The benefit for income taxes also takes into consideration the impact of the new corporate tax rate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law on December 22, 2017.


2018. The effective tax rates for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 were 27%(28%) and 25%15%, respectively, excludingrespectively. The effect of permanent deductions increases the adjustment toeffective tax benefit percentage when in a pre-tax loss position and decreases the deferredeffective tax asset valuation allowance and offsets for the impact of the new tax legislation.

rate when in a pre-tax income position.

We evaluate the carrying amount of our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis or more frequently, if necessary, in accordance with the guidance provided in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 (ASC 740), in particular, applying the criteria set forth therein to determine whether it is more likely than not (i.e. a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized within its life cycle, based on the weight of available evidence. If management makes a determination based on the available evidence that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods, a valuation allowance is calculated and recorded. These determinations are inherently subjective and dependent upon estimates and judgments concerning management'smanagement’s evaluation of both positive and negative evidence.

36


In conducting the deferred tax asset analysis, we believe it is important to consider the unique characteristics of an industry or business. In particular, characteristics such as business model, level of capital and reserves held by a financial institution and the ability to absorb potential losses are important distinctions to be considered for bank holding companies like us. In addition, it is also important to consider that net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs"(“NOLs”) calculated for federal income tax purposes can generally be carried back two years and carried forward for a period of twenty years.years, for NOLs created prior to January 1, 2018. Federal NOLs generated after December 31, 2017 can be carried forward indefinitely. In order to realize our deferred tax assets, we must generate sufficient taxable income in such future years.


In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, wethe Company carefully weighed both positive and negative evidence currently available. Judgment is required when considering the relative impact of such evidence. The weight given to the potential effect of positive and negative evidence must be commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified.

48


Positive evidence evaluated when considering

The Company is in a three year cumulative profit position factoring in pre-tax GAAP income and permanent book/tax differences. Strong growth in interest-earning assets is expected to continue and is supported by the need forcapital raise completed at the end of 2016. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets along with other credit quality metrics continue to improve. A number of cost control measures have been implemented to offset the challenges faced in growing revenue as a valuation allowance included:


·the annual improvement in earnings during the three year period ended December 31, 2017;

·strong growth in interest-earning assets is expected to continueresult of compression in the net interest margin. The Company has added eleven store locations in the past three years and is supported by the capital raise completed during the fourth quarter of 2016;

·deposit growth in each of the stores opened since the inception of the "Power of Red is Back" growth and expansion strategy in 2014 has met or exceeded expectations;

·loan growth during 2017 was greater than 20%;

·the acquisition of a residential mortgage lending team (Oak Mortgage Company) completed in July 2016 continues to supplement earnings growth;

·two of our largest non-performing assets have been resolved in 2017; and

·a cumulative loss has not been recorded in recent years.

Negative evidence evaluated when considering the need for a valuation allowance included:

·profitability metrics including return on average assets and return on average equity remain below industry standards; and

·past earnings have been heavily dependent upon the success of the SBA Lending Team which has recently experienced reduced loan volumes and the recently acquired Mortgage Division which can be significantly impacted by a changing interest rate environment and other various economic factors.

The ongoing success of the our“Power of Red is Back” growth and expansion strategy alongin 2014, almost every new store location has met or exceeded expectations. The success of the expansion into New York, combined with the successful integrationstabilization of interest rates and continued loan growth are expected to improve profitability going forward.

Conversely, the Company generated a loss in the current year when factoring in pre-tax GAAP income and permanent book/tax differences. The Bank’s net interest margin declined during 2019 as a result of the challenging interest rate environment which appears to be consistent across the financial services industry. Non-accrual loans increased by 20% during 2019. Rising interest rates and a downturn in the economy could significantly decrease the volume of mortgage companyloan originations.

The Company has experienced a growing balance sheet driven by the growth and expansion strategy over the limited exposure remaining with current assetlast several years. Loans and deposits have consistently grown at rates far above industry standards generating a higher level of interest earning assets. Assets quality issuesmetrics have improved to levels not seen in more than 20 years. From 2014 to 2018, the Company demonstrated consistent and steady improvement in earnings despite the investments required to initiate the expansion plan which put usit in a position to comfortably rely on projections of future taxable income when evaluating the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

In 2019, the Company began opening branches in New York City. Management was aware of the initial costs and investments required to expand into this new market. As a result of the flat and inverted yield curve experienced in 2019, the net interest margin compressed and revenue did not grow at the rate necessary to support the increased expense levels which caused a decline in earnings. Management and the Board of Directors have engaged in detailed discussions on how to improve profitability going forward. During the preparation of the 2020 budget, several cost reduction and control initiatives were identified and incorporated into the projections. These initiatives include, but are not limited to, a reduction of store hours and slowing of the number of locations to be opened in the coming years. Efforts to reduce high cost deposits and increase loan production to improve the net interest margin have also been initiated. The Company’s multi-year budget plan projects future taxable income will be more than sufficient to support the realization of the deferred tax assets.

Based on the guidance provided in ASCFASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 we(ASC 740), the Company believed that the positive evidence considered at December 31, 20172019 outweighed the negative evidence and that it was more likely than not that all of ourthe Company’s deferred tax assets would be realized within their life cycle. Therefore, a valuation allowance was not required at December 31, 2017 and a $10.6 million benefit for income taxes was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017 to reflect the reversal of the valuation allowance.

37


Our2019.

The net deferred tax asset before the consideration of a valuation allowance decreased to $12.7 million at December 31, 2017 compared to $21.4 million at December 31, 2016. This decreasebalance was primarily driven by the impact of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It included a reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. Our deferred tax asset balances have historically been calculated using a federal tax rate of 35%. As a result of the change in the tax rate, the value of our existing deferred tax assets permanently decreased by $7.7 million at December 31, 2017. Therefore, a charge was recorded to income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2017 to reflect the reduction in value.


The $10.6 million tax benefit recognized when reversing the deferred tax asset valuation allowance offset the $7.7 million charge related to the change the change in the corporate tax rate resulting in a net tax benefit and increase in net income of $2.9 million during 2017.

The $12.7 million net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2017 is comprised of $5.4 million currently recognizable through net operating loss carryforwards and $7.3 million attributable to several items associated with temporary timing differences which will reverse at some point in the future to provide a net reduction in tax liabilities. Our largest future reversal relates to its unrealized losses on securities available for sale, which totaled $2.6$12.6 million as of December 31, 2017.

2019 and $12.3 million as of December 31, 2018. The deferred tax asset will continue to be analyzed on a quarterly basis for changes affecting realizability.

Net Income and Net Income per Common Share


       Net income

The net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 was $8.9 million, an increase of $4.0$3.5 million, compared to $4.9net income of $8.6 million for the twelve month periodmonths ended December 31, 2016.2018. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017,2019, basic and fully-diluted net incomeloss per common share were $0.16 and $0.15, respectively,was ($0.06), compared to basic and fully-diluted net income per common share of $0.13 and $0.12,$0.15, respectively for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.2018.

49


Return on Average Assets and Average Equity

Return on average assets (ROA) measures our net income in relation to our total average assets. The ROA for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 and 20162018 was 0.43%(0.12%) and 0.30%0.34%, respectively. Return on average equity (ROE) indicates how effectively we can generate net income on the capital invested by our stockholders. ROE is calculated by dividing annualized net income by average stockholders' equity. The ROE for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172019 was 4.02%(1.41%), compared to 3.97%3.69% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.


Results of Operations

For the year ended 2018.

Financial Condition

December 31, 2016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015


We reported net income of $4.9 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared to net income of $2.4 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The increase in net income was primarily driven by growth in interest-earning assets along with earnings of the residential mortgage lending team which was acquired during the third quarter of 2016.
Net interest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 increased $7.3 million to $47.4 million as compared to $40.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Interest income increased $8.8 million, or 19.3%, due primarily to an increase in average loans receivable and investment securities balances. Interest expense increased $1.5 million, or 27.5%, primarily due to an increase in average deposit balances.
38

We recorded a loan loss provision in the amount of $1.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared to a provision of $500,000 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The higher provision recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was driven by an increase in the allowance required for loans individually evaluated for impairment in 2016.
Non-interest income increased $5.4 million to $15.3 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $9.9 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 primarily driven by gains on the sale of residential mortgage loans and SBA loans, partially offset by legal settlements recorded during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.
Non-interest expenses increased $9.2 million to $56.3 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to $47.1 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.  The increase was primarily driven by higher salaries, employee benefits, occupancy and equipment expenses associated with the addition of new stores related to our expansion strategy which we refer to as "The Power of Red is Back", as well as, the addition of Oak Mortgage in 2016.

Return on average assets and average equity from continuing operations were 0.30% and 3.97%, respectively, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared to 0.19% and 2.14%, respectively, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.

Net Interest Income and Net Interest Margin

      Net interest income, on a fully tax-equivalent basis, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 increased by $7.6 million, or 18.7%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Interest income on interest-earning assets totaled $55.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, an increase of $9.1 million, versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The increase in interest income earned was the result of an increase in the average balance of loans receivable and investment securities that helped to offset a 12 bp decrease in the yield on loans receivable. Total interest expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 increased $1.5 million, or 27.5%, to $6.9 million from $5.4 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Interest expense on deposits increased by $1.4 million, or 32.9%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Interest expense on other borrowings increased by $79,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.

       Changes in net interest income are frequently measured by two statistics: net interest rate spread and net interest margin. Net interest rate spread is the difference between the average rate earned on interest-earning assets and the average rate incurred on interest-bearing liabilities. Our net interest rate spread on a fully tax-equivalent basis was 3.02% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 versus 3.16% during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Net interest margin represents the difference between interest income, including net loan fees earned, and interest expense, reflected as a percentage of average interest-earning assets.  For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the fully tax-equivalent net interest margin was 3.14% and 3.29%, respectively.  The net interest margin for twelve months ended December 31, 2016 decreased primarily as a result of a decrease in the yield on loans receivable.


39



Provision for Loan Losses

We recorded a provision for loan losses in the amount of $1.6 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared to a $500,000 provision for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The provision for loan losses is charged to operations in an amount necessary to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level that management believes is adequate to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio.

The provision recorded for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 increased primarily as a result of a single loan relationship that moved to non-accrual status during 2016. This resulted in an increase in the allowance for loan losses individually evaluated for impairment.
Non-Interest Income 

       Total non-interest income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 increased by $5.4 million, or 54.0%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Mortgage banking income totaled $5.1 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 primarily due to gains on the sale of residential mortgage loans of $4.7 million originated through Oak Mortgage which was acquired by us in 2016.  Gains on the sale of SBA loans totaled $5.0 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared to $3.1 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. We recognized gains of $656,000 on the sale of securities during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 versus gains of $108,000 on sales of securities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. Service charges, fees, and other operating income totaled $4.8 million for twelve months ended December 31, 2016 which represents an increase of $602,000 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. This increase was driven by growth in customer deposit accounts and transaction volume. In 2015, we recorded a $2.6 million insurance settlement which was related to a claim against a corporate insurance policy originally submitted in 2010.

Non-Interest Expenses
Non-interest expenses increased by $9.2 million, or 19.5%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. An explanation of changes in noninterest expenses for certain categories is presented in the following paragraphs.

       Salary expenses and employee benefits during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 were $28.6 million, an increase of $6.1 million, or 27.2%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 primarily driven by annual merit increases along with increased staffing levels related to our aggressive growth strategy of adding and relocating stores, which we refer to as "The Power of Red is Back." There were nineteen stores open as of December 31, 2016 compared to seventeen stores open at December 31, 2015.  The addition of Oak Mortgage in July 2016 also contributed to the increase in salary and employee benefits.

       Occupancy related expenses increased by $1.2 million, or 23.9%, and depreciation and amortization expense increased by $438,000, or 14.2%, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, also as a result of our growth and relocation strategy.

       Other real estate owned expenses totaled $2.2 million during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, a decrease of $2.1 million, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 primarily due to a reduction in writedowns on foreclosed assets held in other real estate owned.
40


       All other noninterest expenses for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 increased $3.5 million versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. This increase was mainly attributable to the addition of expenses related to the residential mortgage loan operations of Oak Mortgage.  Increases in data processing expenses, fraud losses associated with debit cards, charitable contributions, professional fees, transaction fees, insurance, regulatory assessment and advertising expense resulting from our growth strategy also contributed to the growth in other operating expenses.

       One key measure that management utilizes to monitor progress in controlling overhead expenses is the ratio of annualized net noninterest expenses to average assets, a non-GAAP measure. For purposes of this calculation, net noninterest expenses equal noninterest expenses less noninterest income. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, the ratio equaled 2.51% compared to 2.83% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015, respectively.  The decline in this ratio was mainly due to higher average assets related to our growth strategy of adding and relocating stores.

       Another productivity measure utilized by management is the operating efficiency ratio, a non-GAAP measure. This ratio expresses the relationship of noninterest expenses to net interest income plus noninterest income. The efficiency ratio equaled 89.8% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, compared to 94.2% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. The decrease for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 versus the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 was due to both net interest income and noninterest income increasing at a faster rate than noninterest expenses.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes
We recorded a benefit for income taxes of $119,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016, compared to a $26,000 benefit for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.  The $119,000 benefit recorded during the twelve months of 2016 was the net result of an estimated tax provision in the amount of $1.2 million calculated on the net profit generated during the period using our normal estimated tax rate, offset by an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the amount of $1.3 million.  The effective tax rates for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were 25% and 38%, respectively, excluding an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance.

       We evaluate the carrying amount of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis or more frequently, if necessary, in accordance with the guidance provided in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 (ASC 740), in particular, applying the criteria set forth therein to determine whether it is more likely than not (i.e. a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized within its life cycle, based on the weight of available evidence.  If management makes a determination based on the available evidence that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods, a valuation allowance is calculated and recorded.  These determinations are inherently subjective and dependent upon estimates and judgments concerning management's evaluation of both positive and negative evidence.

       In conducting the deferred tax asset analysis, we believe it is important to consider the unique characteristics of an industry or business.  In particular, characteristics such as business model, level of capital and reserves held by financial institutions and their ability to absorb potential losses are important distinctions to be considered for bank holding companies like us. In addition, it is also important to consider that net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs") for federal income tax purposes can generally be carried back two years and carried forward for a period of twenty years. In order to realize our deferred tax assets, we must generate sufficient taxable income in such future years.
41


       In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we carefully weighed both positive and negative evidence currently available.  Judgment is required when considering the relative impact of such evidence. The weight given to the potential effect of positive and negative evidence must be commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified.  Based on the analysis of available positive and negative evidence, we determined that a valuation allowance should be recorded as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

       We did assess tax planning strategies as defined under ASC 740 to determine the amount of a valuation allowance. Strategies reviewed included the sale of investment securities and loans with fair values greater than book values, redeployment of cash and cash equivalents into higher yielding investment options, a switch from tax-exempt to taxable investments and loans, and the election of a decelerated depreciation method for tax purposes on future fixed asset purchases. We believe that these tax planning strategies are (a) prudent and feasible, (b) steps that we would not ordinarily take, but would take to prevent an operating loss or tax credit carryforward from expiring unused, and (c) would result in the realization of existing deferred tax assets. These tax planning strategies, if implemented, would result in taxable income in the first full reporting period after deployment and accelerate the recovery of deferred tax asset balances if faced with the inability to recover those assets or the risk of potential expiration. We believe that these are viable tax planning strategies and appropriately considered in the analysis at this time, but may not align with the strategic direction of the organization today and therefore, have no present intention to implement such strategies.

       The net deferred tax asset balance before consideration of a valuation allowance was $21.4 million as of December 31, 2016 and $20.2 million as of December 31, 2015.  After assessment of all available tax planning strategies, we determined that a partial valuation allowance in the amount of $12.2 million as of December 31, 2016 and $13.7 million as of December 31, 2015 should be recorded.

       The deferred tax asset will continue to be analyzed on a quarterly basis for changes affecting realizability.  When the determination is made that a valuation allowance is no longer required, it will be reduced accordingly resulting in a corresponding increase in net income.

       Net Income and Net Income per Common Share

       Net income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was $4.9 million, an increase of $2.5 million compared to $2.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. For the twelve months  ended December 31, 2016, basic and fully-diluted net income per common share were $0.13 and $0.12, respectively, compared to basic and fully-diluted net income per common share of $0.06 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.

Return on Average Assets and Average Equity
       Return on average assets (ROA) measures our net income in relation to our total average assets. The ROA for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was 0.30% and 0.19%, respectively. Return on average equity (ROE) indicates how effectively we can generate net income on the capital invested by our stockholders. ROE is calculated by dividing annualized net income by average stockholders' equity. The ROE for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 was 3.97%, compared to 2.14% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015.


42

Financial Condition

December 31, 20172020 compared to December 31, 2016

2019

Total assets increased by $398.4 million$1.7 billion, or 52%, to $2.3$5.1 billion at December 31, 2017,2020, compared to $1.9$3.3 billion at December 31, 2016.


2019. In addition to our ongoing success with our expansion strategy, the growth in assets was also driven by our participation in the PPP loan program during 2020 which resulted in a significant increase in new business relationships and account openings. A more detailed discussion of changes in the balance sheet accounts can be found in the following paragraphs.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and due from banks and interest bearing deposits comprise this category, which consists of our most liquid assets. The aggregate amount in these three categories increased by $27.4$607.0 million to $61.9$775.3 million at December 31, 2017,2020, from $34.6$168.3 million at December 31, 2016.


2019. The increase as of December 31, 2020 was caused by borrowings in the amount of $633.8 million related to the PPP loan program which were repaid shortly after the year end.

Loans Held for Sale


Loans held for sale are comprised of loans guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA"(“SBA”) which we usually originate with the intention of selling in the future and residential mortgage loans, which we also intend to sell in the future. Total SBA loans held for sale were $2.3$3.0 million at both December 31, 2017 compared to $4.2 million at2020 and December 31, 2016.2019. Residential mortgage loans held for sale totaled $43.4$50.4 million at December 31, 20172020, an increase of $40.1 million, versus $23.9$10.3 million at December 31, 2016.2019. An increase in the volume of residential mortgage loans during 2020, particularly in the fourth quarter, drove the increase in residential mortgage loans held for sale as of December 31, 2020. Loans held for sale, as a percentage of our total assets, were less than 2.0%2% at December 31, 2017.


2020.

Loans Receivable


The loan portfolio represents our largest asset category and is our most significant source of interest income. Our lending strategy is focused on small and medium sized businesses and professionals that seek highly personalized banking services. The loan portfolio consists of secured and unsecured commercial loans including commercial real estate, construction loans, residential mortgages, home improvement loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, overdraft lines of credit, and others. Commercial loans typically range between $250,000 and $5,000,000 but customers may borrow significantly larger amounts up to our legal lending limit to a customer, which was approximately $28.5$45.0 million at December 31, 2017.2020. Loans made to one individual customer, even if secured by different collateral, are aggregated for purposes of the lending limit. There were no loans in excess of the legal lending limit at December 31, 2017.2020. A $19.0$30 million threshold, which amounts to approximately 10% of total regulatory capital, reflects an additional internal monitoring guideline. SuchWe had no loan relationships in excess of $19.0$30 million onat December 31, 20172020. The internal monitoring guideline in place as of December 31, 2019 was $25 million. We had one loan relationship in excess of that guideline at December 31, 2019 that amounted to $72.9$28.0 million.

50


Loans increased $197.0$893 million, or 20%51%, to $1.2$2.6 billion at December 31, 2017,2020, versus $965.0 million$1.7 billion at December 31, 2016.2019. This growth was primarily the result our of an increase in loan demandparticipation in the residential mortgage, commercial real estate, constructionPPP loan program during 2020. As of December 31, 2020, we held approximately $637 million in PPP loans which are expected to be forgiven by the SBA and land development, owner occupied real estate, and consumer categories driven byrepaid during the early part of 2021. We also grew loans during 2020 as a result of our successful execution of our relationship banking strategy which focuses on customer service.


During an incredibly challenging year that consisted of governmental restrictions and other obstacles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we grew loan balances outside of PPP by $273 million, or 16%, during 2020. We also expect many of the new business relationships that grew from our success with PPP to provide significant opportunities for commercial loan growth in future periods.

Investment Securities

Investment securities considered available-for-saleavailable for sale are investments that may be sold in response to changing market and interest rate conditions, and for liquidity and other purposes. Our investmentdebt securities classified as available-for-sale consist primarily of U.S. Government agency Small Business Administration (“SBA”) bonds, U.S. Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO)(“CMO”), agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS)(“MBS”), municipal securities, and corporate bonds, asset-backedbonds. Investment securities (ABS), and pooled trust preferred securities (CDO).  Available-for-sale securitiesavailable for sale totaled $464.4$528.5 million at December 31, 20172020 as compared to $369.7$539.0 million at December 31, 2016.2019. The increase$10.5 million decrease was primarily due to sales, paydowns, maturities, and calls of securities totaling $296.1 million offset by the purchase of available-for-sale securities totaling $165.1$284.1 million partially offset by sales and pay downs of securities totaling $79.7 million during 2017.2020. At December 31, 2017,2020, the portfolio had a net unrealized lossgain of $11.2$1.3 million compared to a net unrealized loss of $10.7$1.7 million at December 31, 2016.2019. The change$3.0 million increase in valuethe unrealized gain/(loss) of the investment portfolio was driven by an increasea decrease in market interest rates which drove a decreasean increase in value of the securities held in our portfolio during 2017.

43


2020.

Investment securities held-to-maturity are investments for which there is the intent and ability to hold the investment to maturity. These investments are carried at amortized cost. The held-to-maturity portfolio consists primarily of U.S. Government agency Small Business Investment Company bonds (SBIC) and Small Business Administration (SBA) bonds, CMO'sCMO’s and MBS's. TheMBS’s. The fair value of securities held-to-maturity totaled $463.8$837.0 million and $425.2$653.1 million at December 31, 20172020 and December 31, 2016,2019, respectively. The $170.3 million increase was primarily due to the purchase of securities held to maturity totaling $89.4$402.6 million partially offset by pay downspaydowns, maturities, and calls of securities held in the portfolio totaling $37.3$232.2 million by during the year ended December 31, 2017.2020.

ASC 320 “Investments – Debt Securities” requires an entity to determine how to classify a security at the time of acquisition. The appropriateness of the original classification should be reassessed at each reporting period. The transfer of investment securities from available-for-sale to held-to maturity category during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 was completed after an extensive analysis of the characteristics of all securities held in the portfolio, in addition to a review of our liquidity position under multiple scenarios including varying interest rate environments. Twenty-three of the twenty-five securities transferred from available-to-sale to held-to-maturity were collateralized mortgage obligations. Thirteen securities transferred were GNMA collateralized mortgage obligations which are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The remaining ten collateralized mortgage obligations were issued by FNMA or FHLMC. Bonds issued by GNMA receive favorable risk rating when calculating regulatory risk-based capital ratios. In addition, GNMA, FNMA, and FHLMC securities are often pledged as collateral as required to hold certain government deposits and are accepted as collateral as a result of the high quality and low-risk nature of these bonds. The other two securities transferred from available-for sale to held-to-maturity were FNMA agency mortgage-backed securities.

51


After completion of these analyses and consideration of the factors mentioned above, management determined that it had the intent and ability to hold specific securities until maturity and it was appropriate to transfer them to the held-to-maturity category during the fourth quarter of 2018.

The fair value of the securities transferred to the held-to-maturity category was $230.1 million. The book value of the securities on the date of transfer was $239.5 million. The unrealized holding gain or loss on each individual security calculated at the time of transfer was reported as a component of shareholders’ equity in the accumulated other comprehensive income account and will be amortized as an adjustment to yield over the remaining life of each security.

Equity securities consist of investments in the preferred stock of domestic banks. Equity securities are held at fair value. The fair value of equity securities purchased during 2020 totaled $9.0 million at December 31, 2020. We did not have any equity securities at December 31, 2019.

Restricted Stock


Restricted stock, which represents a required investment in the capital stock of correspondent banks related to available credit facilities, is carried at cost as of December 31, 20172020 and December 31, 2016.2019. As of those dates, restricted stock consisted of investments in the capital stock of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh ("FHLB"(“FHLB”) and Atlantic Community Bankers Bank ("ACBB"(“ACBB”).


At December 31, 20172020 and December 31, 2016,2019, the investment in FHLB stock totaled $1.8$2.9 million and $1.2$2.6 million, respectively. The $293,000 increase was due to a higher required investment in FHLB stock during 2017. 2020. At both December 31, 20172020 and December 31, 2016,2019, ACBB stock totaled $143,000.


Premises and Equipment

The balance of premises and equipment increased to $123.2 million at December 31, 2020 from $117.0 million at December 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to premises and equipment expenditures of $14.4 million reduced by depreciation and amortization expense of $6.2 million during 2020. The expenditures made during 2020 primarily relate to the construction of new store locations in addition to normal investments in hardware, software and other operating equipment. New stores were opened in Northfield, NJ in January 2020 and Bensalem, PA in September 2020 bringing the total store count to thirty-one at December 31, 2020. There are also additional sites in various stages of development for future store locations.

Other Real Estate Owned

The balance of other real estate owned decreased to $7.0$1.2 million at December 31, 20172020 from $10.2$1.7 million at December 31, 2016,2019. The decrease was primarily duethe result of dispositions totaling $744 thousand partially offset by additions of $233,000 during 2020.

Operating Leases Right of Use Asset

Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, also known as ASC 842 and ASU 2016-02, is the new lease accounting standard published by the FASB. ASC 842 represents a significant modification to the write-down of a single asset heldaccounting treatment for leases, with the most significant change being that most leases, including operating leases, will now be capitalized on the balance sheet. Under the previous guidance (ASC 840), FASB permitted operating leases to be reported only in the OREO portfoliofootnotes of corporate financial statements. Under ASC 842, the only leases that are exempt from the capitalization requirement are short-term leases less than or equal to twelve months in length.

52

The right-of-use asset is valued as the initial amount of $2.7 million.


Goodwill

Goodwill amounted to $5.0 million at boththe lease liability obligation adjusted for any initial direct costs, prepaid or accrued rent, and any lease incentives. At December 31, 20172020 and December 31, 2016.  All2019, the balance of the operating lease right-of-use asset was $72.9 million and $64.8 million, respectively.

Goodwill

The Company completed an annual impairment test for goodwill was allocated to Oak Mortgage ("the Reporting Unit") as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.


Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually as of July 31, 2020 and between annual tests when events and circumstances indicate that2019. Goodwill was written off as a result of an interim test completed as of September 30, 2020. This was a complete write-off off all goodwill on the balance sheet. During the year ended December 31, 2019, there was no goodwill impairment may have occurred. recorded.

Impairment is a condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. AsBased on the interim impairment test completed as of July 31, 2017,September 30, 2020, management determined that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeded its implied fair value and that the balance should be written off as of the Reporting Unit exceeded its carrying value by 11%.that date. The determination of the fair value of the Reporting Unit incorporates assumptions that marketplace participants would use in their estimates of fair value of the Reporting Unit in a change of control transaction, as prescribed by ASC Topic 820.


To arrive at a conclusion of fair value, we utilize both the Income and Market Approach and then apply weighting factors to each result. Weighting factors represent our best business judgment of the weightings a market participant would utilize in arriving at a fair value for the reporting unit. In performing our analyses, we also made numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, business, economic and market conditions and various other matters, many of which cannot be predicted and are beyond our control. With respect to financial projections, projections reflect the best currently available estimates and judgments as to the expected future financial performance of the Reporting Unit.

44


Premises and Equipment

The balance of premises and equipment increased to $74.9 million at December 31, 2017 from $57.0 million at December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to premises and equipment expenditures of $22.5 million less depreciation and amortization expenses of $4.6 million. New stores were opened in Cherry Hill, Sicklerville, and Medford in NJ during 2017 bringing the total store count to twenty-two. We ended the year with stores under construction in Gloucester Township and Lumberton in NJ and Fairless Hills, PA which are scheduled to be completed in early 2018.

Deposits

Deposits, which include non-interest and interest-bearing demand deposits, money market, savings and time deposits, are Republic'sRepublic’s major source of funding. Deposits are generally solicited from our market area through the offering of a variety of products to attract and retain customers, with a primary focus on multi-product relationships.


Total deposits increased by $385.6 million$1.0 billion to $2.1$4.0 billion at December 31, 2017,2020, from $1.7$3.0 billion at December 31, 2016. The increase was the result of growth across all deposit categories, led by a significant rise in demand deposit balances.2019. We constantly focus our efforts on the growth of deposit balances through the successful execution of our relationship banking model which is based upon a high level of customer service and satisfaction. We are also in the midst of an aggressive expansion and relocation plan which we refer to as "The Power of Red is Back".  Over the last three years, we have opened twelve new store locations and have several more in various stages of construction and development. This strategy has also allowed us to build a stable core-deposit base and nearly eliminate our dependence upon the more volatile sources of funding found in brokered and public fundinternet certificates of deposit. We continued to have success with this strategy during 2020 which lead to the growth in deposit balances despite a year filled with challenges, governmental restrictions and business closings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our participation in the PPP loan program also resulted in significant growth in new deposit relationships throughout the year. Approximately half of the applications that we accepted for the PPP program were from businesses that were not Republic Bank customers at the time. Many of those applicants were so pleased with their experience during the PPP process that they chose to move their primary banking relationship to Republic.

53


Shareholders' Equity

Other Borrowings

At December 31, 2020, we borrowed $633.9 million through the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility (“PPPLF”) provided by the Federal Reserve Bank at a rate of 35 basis points. This borrowing was repaid in full during the first week of January 2021.As of December 31, 2019, we had no PPPLF borrowings.

Operating Lease Liability Obligation

Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, also known as ASC 842 and ASU 2016-02, is the new lease accounting standard published by the FASB. ASC 842 represents a significant modification to the accounting treatment for leases, with the most significant change being that most leases, including operating leases, will now be capitalized on the balance sheet. Under the previous guidance (ASC 840), FASB permitted operating leases to be reported only in the footnotes of corporate financial statements. Under ASC 842, the only leases that are exempt from the capitalization requirement are short-term leases less than or equal to twelve months in length.

The operating lease liability obligation is calculated as the present value of the lease payments, using the discount rate specified in the lease, or if that is not available, our incremental borrowing rate. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the balance of the operating lease liability obligation was $77.6 million and $68.9 million, respectively.

Shareholders Equity

Total shareholders'shareholders’ equity increased $11.4$58.9 million to $226.5$308.1 million at December 31, 20172020 compared to $215.1$249.2 million at December 31, 2016.2019. The increase was primarily due to the net proceeds of a preferred stock offering of $48.3 million completed during 2020. The balance was also affected by a $4.5 million decrease in accumulated other comprehensive losses associated with an increase in the market value of the investment securities portfolio, and an increase driven by net income available to common shareholders of $8.9$4.1 million, recognized duringand entries related to stock based compensation of $1.9 million. The shift in market value of the year end December 31, 2017.


securities portfolio was primarily driven by a decrease in market interest rates which drove an increase in the market value of the securities held in our portfolio.

Investment Securities Portfolio

Republic's

Republic’s investment securities portfolio is intended to provide liquidity and contribute to earnings while diversifying credit risk. We attempt to maximize earnings while minimizing our exposure to interest rate risk. TheInvestment securities in the portfolio consistsconsist primarily of U.S. Government agency collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO), agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), corporate bonds, municipal securities, asset-backed securities (ABS), pooled trust preferred securities (CDO), and U.S. Government agency Small Business Investment Company bonds (SBIC), and Small Business Administration (SBA) bonds. Equity securities in the portfolio consist of non-cumulative preferred stock. Our ALCO committee monitors and reviews all security purchases.

54

45



A summary of investment securities available-for-sale andavailable for sale at fair value, investment securities held-to-maturity, and equity securities at December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 20152018 is as follows:


  At December 31, 
(dollars in thousands) 2017  2016  2015 
Available for sale         
Collateralized mortgage obligations $327,972  $230,252  $180,795 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  55,664   37,973   10,073 
Municipal securities  15,142   26,825   22,814 
Corporate bonds  62,670   66,718   54,294 
Asset-backed securities  13,414   15,565   17,631 
Trust preferred securities  725   3,063   3,070 
Other securities  -   -   115 
Total amortized cost of securities $475,587  $380,396  $288,792 
             
Total fair value of investment securities $464,430  $369,739  $284,795 
             
Held to maturity            
U.S. Government agencies $112,605  $98,538  $17,067 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  215,567   202,990   146,458 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  143,041   129,951   7,732 
Other securities  1,000   1,020   1,020 
Total amortized cost of securities $472,213  $432,499  $172,277 
             
Total fair value of investment securities $463,799  $425,183  $171,845 

The strong growth in deposit balances during 2017, 2016, and 2015 has resulted in a corresponding increase in interest earning assets.  A capital raise in the amount of $100 million completed in December 2016 also contributed to the growth of interest earning assets in 2016 and 2017.

  

At December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Investment securities available for sale

            

U.S. Government agencies

 $32,312  $38,743  $- 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  218,232   329,492   197,812 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  149,325   98,953   39,105 

Municipal securities

  8,201   4,064   20,807 

Corporate bonds

  119,118   69,499   62,583 

Asset-backed securities

  -   -   6,433 

Amortized cost of investment securities available for sale

 $527,188  $540,751  $326,740 
             

Fair value of investment securities available for sale

 $528,508  $539,042  $321,014 
             

Investment securities held to maturity

            

U.S. Government agencies

 $82,093  $94,913  $107,390 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  363,363   416,177   500,690 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  369,480   133,752   153,483 

Amortized cost of investment securities held to maturity

 $814,936  $644,842  $761,563 
             

Fair value of investment securities held to maturity

 $836,972  $653,109  $747,323 
             
             

Equity Securities

 $9,039  $-  $- 

The total amortized cost of the investment securities portfolio has grown to $947.8 million$1.3 billion at December 31, 20172020 compared to $812.9 million$1.2 billion at December 31, 20162019, and $461.1 million$1.1 billion at December 31, 2015.2018. Investment securities represented 40%27% of total assets at December 31, 20172020 and 42%35% of total assets at December 31, 2016.2019. We evaluate our investment securities portfolio on a continual basis in light of the interest rate environment and changing market conditions and when appropriate, take necessary actions to improve and enhance our overall positioning. We consider the portfolio to be well structured and of high quality. At December 31, 2017, 90%2020, 91% of the portfolio consisted of U.S. government debt securities or U.S. government agency issued mortgage-backed securities which were rated Aaa /AA+ by the major credit rating agencies.


The investment securities portfolio includes investment securities classified as both available for sale and held to maturity.maturity and equity securities at fair value. During 20172020 and 2016,2019, we designated a portion of our securities portfolio as held to maturity based our intent and ability to hold those securities until they mature.


The fair value of investment securities is impacted by interest rates, credit spreads, market volatility and liquidity conditions. The fair value of investment securities generally decreases when interest rates rise and increases when interest rates fall. In addition, the fair value generally decreases when credit spreads widen and increases when credit spreads tighten. Net unrealized lossesgains in the total investment securities portfolio increased to $19.6were $23.4 million at December 31, 20172020 compared to net unrealized lossesgains of $18.0$6.6 million at December 31, 2016 as2019. The increase was a result of a risedecrease in market interest rates in 2017.2020. The comparable amounts for the securities classified as available for sale were unrealized lossesgains of $11.2$1.3 million at December 31, 20172020 and unrealized gainslosses of $10.7$1.7 million at December 31, 2016.

46


2019.

No single issuer of securities (excluding government agencies) in the portfolio exceeded more than 10% of shareholders'shareholders’ equity at December 31, 20172020 and December 31, 2016.2019. We held four U.S. Government agency securities, fifteen collateralized mortgage obligations and six agency mortgage-backed securities that were in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2020. Principal and interest payments of the underlying collateral for each of these securities carry minimal credit risk. Management found no evidence of OTTI on any of these securities and believes the unrealized losses are due to fluctuations in fair values resulting from changes in market interest rates and are considered temporary as of December 31, 2020.

55


At December 31, 2017,2020, the investment portfolio included twenty-threeeleven municipal securities with a total market value of $15.1$8.2 million. These securities are reviewed quarterly for impairment. Each bond carries an investment grade rating by either Moody'sMoody’s or Standard & Poor's.Poor’s. In addition, we periodically conduct our own independent review on each issuer to ensure the financial stability of the municipal entity. The largest geographic concentration was in Pennsylvania and New Jersey where twenty-onenine municipal securities had a market value of $14.3$7.4 million. As of December 31, 2017,2020, management found no evidence of other than temporary impairment ("OTTI"(“OTTI”) on any of the municipal securities held in the investment securities portfolio.


At December 31, 2017,2020, the investment portfolio included two asset-backed securities with a total market value of $13.5 million. Neither security wasnine corporate bonds that were in an unrealized loss position. The asset-backedManagement believes the unrealized losses on these securities consist solelywere also driven by changes in market interest rates and not a result of Sallie Maecredit deterioration. Eight of the nine corporate bonds collateralized by student loans which are guaranteed bywith five of the largest U.S. Department of Education.


At December 31, 2017, the portfolio also included one pooled trust preferred security (CDO)financial institutions. Each financial institution is well capitalized.

Proceeds associated with a market value of $489,000. The unrealized loss for the CDO was due to the secondary market for such securities becoming inactive and is considered temporary.


During 2017, we sold two CDO securities. Proceeds from the sale of the CDO securities totaled $1.5available for sale in 2020 were $125.2 million. Gross gains of $3.0 million and gross losses of $798,000$230,000 were realized on these sales. The tax provision applicable to the net gains of $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to $700,000.

Proceeds associated with the sale of securities available for sale in 2019 were $54.7 million. Gross gains of $1.2 million and gross losses of $67,000 were realized on these sales. The tax provision applicable to the net gains of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $280,000.

Proceeds associated with the sale of securities available for sale in 2018 were $6.4 million. Gross losses of $67,000 were realized on these sales. The tax benefit applicable to the net losses for the year ended December 31, 2018 amounted to $18,000. Included in the 2018 sales activity was the sale of one CDO security. Proceeds from the sale of the CDO security totaled $660,000. A gross loss of $66,000 was realized on this sale. The tax benefit applicable to the net loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172018 amounted to $287,000.$17,000. Management had previously stated that it did not intend to sell the CDO securitiessecurity prior to theirits maturity or the recovery of theirits cost bases,basis, nor would it be forced to sell these securitiesthis security prior to maturity or recovery of the cost bases.basis. This statement was made over a period of several years where there was limited trading activity in the pooled trust preferred CDO market resulting in fair market value estimates well below the book values. During 2017,2018, management received several inquiries regarding the availability of the remaining CDO securitiessecurity and noted an increased level of trading in this type of security. As a result of the increased activity and the level of bids received, management elected to sell the two CDOs during 2017. The Bank continues to demonstrate the ability and intent to hold the remaining CDO until maturity or recoverysecurity resulting in a net loss of the cost basis, but will evaluate future opportunities to sell the remaining CDO if they arise. During 2016, we sold no CDO securities.$66,000 during 2018.

56


During 2017, we sold thirty-three municipal bonds, two CMOs, two corporate bonds, and one agency MBS. Proceeds of sales totaled $29.7 million. Gross gains of $652,000 were realized on these sales. The tax provision applicable to the gross gains amounted to $235,000. During 2016, we sold eight CMOs, two agency mortgage-backed securities, and one corporate bond. Proceeds of sales totaled $78.6 million. Gross gains of $680,000 and gross losses of $24,000 were realized on these sales. The tax provision applicable to the gross gains amounted to $244,000.
47



The following table presents the maturity distribution and weighted average yield by holding type and year of maturity of our investment securities portfolio at December 31, 2017.2020. Collateralized mortgage obligations and agency mortgage-backed securities have expected maturities that differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay and, therefore, these securities are classified separately with no specific maturity date.

  December 31, 2017 
  
Within
One Year
  
One to Five
Years
  
Five to Ten
Years
  
Past Ten
Years
  Total 
(dollars in thousands) 
Amount
  
Yield
  
Amount
  
Yield
  
Amount
  
Yield
  
Amount
  
Yield
  Fair value  
Amortized Cost
  
Yield
 
Available for Sale                                 
Collateralized  mortgage obligations $-   
-
  $-   -  $-   
-
  $-   
-
  $320,241  $327,972   2.36%
Agency mortgage-backed securities  
-
   
-
   
-
   -   
-
   -   
-
   -   
54,866
   
55,664
   2.36%
Municipal securities  1,156   3.56%  1,938   2.09%  10,542   2.72%  1,464   2.48%  15,100   15,142   2.68%
Corporate bonds  -   -   4,686   2.80%  52,510   3.86%  3,086   4.21%  60,282   62,670   3.74%
Asset-backed securities  -   -   -   -   13,452   2.64%  -   --   13,452   13,414   2.64%
Trust Preferred securities  -   -   -   -   489   4.14%  -   -   489   725   4.14%
Total AFS securities $1,156   3.56% $6,624   2.59% $76,993   3.49% $4,550   3.65% $464,430  $475,587   2.57%
                                             
Held to Maturity                                            
U.S. Government Agencies $-   
-
  $10,116   2.47% $100,304   2.41% $-   
-
  $110,420  $112,605   2.41%
Collateralized  mortgage obligations  
-
   
-
   
-
   -   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
211,911
   
215,567
   2.50%
Agency mortgage-backed securities  -   -   
-
   -   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   140,468   143,041   2.54%
Other securities  -   -   1,000   2.25%  -   -   -   -   1,000   1,000   2.25%
Total HTM securities $-   -  $11,116   2.45% $100,304   2.41% $-   -  $463,799  $472,213   2.49%

Equity securities are at fair value.

  

December 31, 2020

 
  

Within

One Year

  

One to

Five Years

  

Five to Ten

Years

  

Past Ten

Years

  

No Specific

Maturity

  

Total

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Amount

  

Yield

  

Amount

  

Yield

  

Amount

  

Yield

  

Amount

  

Yield

  

Amount

  

Yield

  

Fair

value

  

Amortized Cost

  

Yield

 

Available for Sale

                                                    

U.S. Government Agencies

 $-   -  $31,886   1.34% $-   -  $-   -  $-   -  $31,886  $32,312   1.34%

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   221,546   1.61%  221,546   218,232   1.61%

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   150,528   1.88%  150,528   149,325   1.88%

Municipal securities

  1,301   3.30%  1,009   2.06%  5,915   3.04%  -   -   -   -   8,225   8,201   2.96%

Corporate bonds

  11,676   3.59%  43,531   2.35%  44,393   1.47%  16,723   1.81%  -   -   116,323   119,118   2.08%

Total AFS securities

 $12,977   3.56% $76,426   1.92% $50,308   1.66% $16,723   1.81% $372,074   1.72% $528,508  $527,188   1.73%
                                                     

Held to Maturity

                                                    

U.S. Government Agencies

 $763   2.36% $77,214   2.45% $8,301   2.62% $-   -  $-   -  $86,278  $82,093   2.47%

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   375,819   1.80%  375,819   363,363   1.80%

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   374,875   1.77%  374,875   369,480   1.77%

Total HTM securities

 $763   2.36% $77,214   2.45% $8,301   2.62% $-   -  $750,694   1.78% $836,972  $814,936   2.41%
                                                     

Equity Securities

 $-   -  $-   -  $-   -  $-   -  $9,039   -  $9,039   -   - 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments


Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of our financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique.  Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts we could have realized in a sale transaction on the dates indicated.  The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates.  As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end.


We follow the guidance issued under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and identifies required disclosures on fair value measurements.

57


ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are as follows:

48


Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.


Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e., supported with little or no market activity).

An asset'sasset’s or liability'sliability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.


The fair value of securities available for sale (carried at fair value) and held to maturity (carried at amortized cost) are determined by obtaining quoted market prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1), or matrix pricing (Level 2), which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debt securities without relying exclusively on quoted market prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities'securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices.  For certain securities, which 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 (Level 3).  In the absence of such evidence, management'smanagement’s best estimate is used.  Management'sManagement’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support on certain Level 3 investments.  Internal cash flow models using a present value formula that includes assumptions market participants would use along with indicative exit pricing obtained from broker/dealers (where available) were used to support fair values of certain Level 3 investments.


The types of instruments valued based on matrix pricing in active markets include all of our U.S. government and agency securities, corporate bonds, asset backed securities, and municipal obligations. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. As required by ASC 820-10, we do not adjust the matrix pricing for such instruments.


Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, and may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with such adjustment generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management'smanagement’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, recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows. TheThere was one Level 3 investment securitiessecurity classified as available for sale are comprised ofavailable-for-sale at December 31, 2020. This security is a single trust preferred security and a single corporate bond.


The trust preferred security is a poolsecurities held during 2018 were pools of similar securities that are grouped into an asset structure commonly referred to as collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs"(“CDOs”) which consist of the debt instruments of various banks, diversified by the number of participants in the security as well as geographically. TheThe secondary market for this security hasthese securities had become inactive, and therefore the security issecurities were classified as a Level 3 security.securities. The fair value analysis doesdid not reflect or represent the actual terms or prices at which any party could purchase the security. There is currently a limited secondary market for thissecurities. The last trust preferred security and there can be no assurance that any secondary market for the security will expand.was sold in 2018.

58

49



The following table presents a reconciliation of the securities available for sale measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the yearyears ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015:


  
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
  
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
  
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
 
Level 3 Investments Only
(dollars in thousands)
 
Trust
Preferred Securities
  
Corporate
Bonds
  
Trust
Preferred Securities
  
Corporate
Bonds
  
Trust
Preferred Securities
  
Corporate
Bonds
 
Balance, January 1, $1,820  $2,971  $1,883  $2,834  $3,193  $3,005 
Unrealized gains (losses)  1,006   115   (56)  137   882   (171)
Paydowns  -   -   -   -   (19)  - 
Proceeds from sales  (1,539)  -   -   -   (1,952)  - 
Realized losses  (798)  -   -   -   (218)  - 
Impairment charges on Level 3  -   -   (7)  -   (3)  - 
Balance, December 31, $489  $3,086  $1,820  $2,971  $1,883  $2,834 
                         

2018:

  

Year Ended

December 31, 2020

  

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

  

Year Ended

December 31, 2018

 

Level 3 Investments Only

(dollars in thousands)

 

Trust

Preferred

Securities

  

Corporate

Bonds

  

Trust

Preferred

Securities

  

Corporate

Bonds

  

Trust

Preferred

Securities

  

Corporate

Bonds

 

Balance, January 1,

 $-  $2,820  $-  $3,069  $489  $3,086 

Security transferred to Level 3 measurement

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Unrealized (losses) gains

  -   (189)  -   (249)  237   (17)

Paydowns

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Proceeds from sales

  -   -   -   -   (660)  - 

Realized losses

  -   -   -   -   (66)  - 

Impairment charges on Level 3

  -   -   -   -   -   - 

Balance, December 31,

 $-  $2,631  $-  $2,820  $-  $3,069 

An independent, third party pricing service iswas used to estimate the current fair market value of the CDO previously held in the investment securities portfolio. The calculations used to determine fair value arewere based on the attributes of the trust preferred security, the financial condition of the issuers of the trust preferred security, and market based assumptions. The INTEX CDO Deal Model Library was utilized to obtain information regarding the attributes of the security and its specific collateral as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.2018. Financial information on the issuers was also obtained from Bloomberg, the FDIC, and SNL Financial.S&P Global Market Intelligence. Both published and unpublished industry sources were utilized in estimating fair value. Such information includes loan prepayment speed assumptions, discount rates, default rates, and loss severity percentages.


The fair market valuation for the CDO was determined based on discounted cash flow analyses. The cash flows arewere primarily dependent on the estimated speeds at which the trust preferred security iswas expected to prepay, the estimated rates at which the trust preferred security arewere expected to defer payments, the estimated rates at which the trust preferred security arewere expected to default, and the severity of the related losses on the security that defaults. 

security. 

Increases (decreases) in actual or expected issuer defaults tendtended to decrease (increase) the fair value of our senior and mezzanine tranches of CDOs. The values of our mezzanine tranches of CDOs arewere also affected by expected future interest rates. However, due to the structure of each security, timing of cash flows, and secondary effects on the financial performance of the underlying issuers, the effects of changes in future interest rates on the fair value of our holdings arewere not quantifiably estimable.


Also included in

The remaining Level 3 investment securitiessecurity classified as available for sale is a corporate bond that is not actively traded. Impairment would depend on the repayment ability of the underlying issuer, which is assessed through a detailed quarterly review of the issuer'sissuer’s financial statements. The issuer is a "well capitalized"“well capitalized” financial institution as defined by federal banking regulations and has demonstrated the ability to raise additional capital, when necessary, through the public capital markets. The fair value of this corporate bond is estimated by obtaining a price of a comparable floating rate debt instrument through Bloomberg.

59


50



Loan Portfolio

Our loan portfolio consists of secured and unsecured commercial loans including commercial real estate loans, construction and land development loans, commercial and industrial loans, owner occupied real estate loans, consumer and other loans, residential mortgages and residential mortgages.PPP loans. Commercial loans are primarily secured term loans made to small to medium-sized businesses and professionals for working capital, asset acquisition and other purposes. Commercial loans are originated as either fixed or variable rate loans with typical terms of 1 to 5 years. Republic'sRepublic’s commercial loans typically range between $250,000 and $5.0 million, but customers may borrow significantly larger amounts up to Republic'sRepublic’s legal lending limit of approximately $28.5$45 million at December 31, 2017.2020. Management has established an internal monitoring guideline for loan relationships in the amount of $19.0$30 million which approximates 10% of capital and reserves. Individual customers may have several loans often secured by different collateral. SuchWe had no loan relationships in excess of $19.0$30 million at December 31, 2017 amounted to $72.92020. The internal monitoring guideline in place as of December 31, 2019 was $25 million. There were no loansWe had one loan relationship in excess of the legal lending limitthat guideline at December 31, 2017.

2019 that amounted to $28.0 million.

The majority of loans outstanding are with borrowers in our marketplace, Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs, including southernSouthern New Jersey.Jersey, and New York City. In addition, we have loans to customers whose assets and businesses are concentrated in real estate. Repayment of our loans is in part dependent upon general economic conditions affecting our market place and specific industries in which our customers operate. We evaluate each customer'scustomer’s credit worthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained is based on management'smanagement’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral varies but primarily includes residential, commercial and income-producing properties.


At December 31, 2017,2020, we had loan concentrations exceeding 10% of total loans for credits extended to lessors of nonresidential real estate in the aggregate amount of $266.8$453.5 million, which represented 23.0% of gross loans receivable, private households in the aggregate amount of $135.3 million which represented 11.6% of gross loans receivable, and lessors of residential real estate in the aggregate amount of $128.7 million, which represented 11.1%17% of gross loans receivable. Loan concentrations are considered to exist when amounts are loaned to multiple numbers of borrowers engaged in similar activities that management believes would cause them to be similarly impacted by economic or other conditions. At December 31, 2017,2020, we had no foreign loans outstanding.


The following table sets forth gross loans by major categories for the periods indicated:


  At December 31, 
(dollars in thousands) 2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
                
Commercial real estate $433,304  $378,519  $349,726  $379,259  $342,794 
Construction and land development  104,617   61,453   46,547   29,861   23,977 
Commercial and industrial  173,343   174,744   181,850   145,113   118,209 
Owner occupied real estate  309,838   276,986   246,398   188,025   160,229 
Consumer and other  76,183   63,660   48,126   39,713   31,981 
Residential mortgage  64,764   9,682   2,380   408   2,359 
Total loans $1,162,049  $965,044  $875,027  $782,379  $679,549 
                     
Deferred loan costs (fees)  229   (72)  (258)  (439)  (238)
Total loans, net of deferred loan fees $1,162,278  $964,972  $874,769  $781,940  $679,311 

  

At December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

  

2016

 
                     

Commercial real estate

 $705,748  $613,631  $515,738  $433,304  $378,519 

Construction and land development

  142,821   121,395   121,042   104,617   61,453 

Commercial and industrial

  200,188   223,906   200,423   173,343   174,744 

Owner occupied real estate

  475,206   424,400   367,895   309,838   276,986 

Consumer and other

  102,368   101,320   91,152   76,183   63,660 

Residential mortgage

  395,174   263,444   140,364   64,764   9,682 

Paycheck protection program

  636,637   -   -   -   - 

Total loans

 $2,658,142  $1,748,096  $1,436,614  $1,162,049  $965,044 
                     

Deferred loan costs (fees)

  (12,800)  99   (16)  229   (72)

Total loans, net of deferred loan fees

 $2,645,342  $1,748,195  $1,436,598  $1,162,278  $964,972 

Total loans, net of deferred loan fees,costs, increased $197.3$897 million, or 20%51%, to $1.2$2.6 billion at December 31, 2017,2020, versus $965.0 million$1.7 billion at December 31, 2016.2019. This growth wasincludes more than $600 million in PPP loans. Excluding the resultimpact of an increase inthe PPP loan demand in the residential mortgage, commercial real estate, construction and development, owner occupied real estate, and consumer categories driven by the successful execution of our relationship banking strategy which focuses on customer service.program loans grew $273 million, or 16%, year over year.

60

51


Loan Maturity and Interest Rate Sensitivity


The amount of loans outstanding by category as of the dates indicated, which are due in: (i) one year or less, (ii) more than one year through five years, and (iii) over five years, is shown in the following table. Loan balances are also categorized according to their sensitivity to changes in interest rates.


(dollars in thousands) 
Commercial
Real Estate
  
Construction
and Land Development
  
Commercial
and
Industrial
  
Owner
Occupied
Real Estate
  
Consumer
and Other
  
Residential Mortgage
  
Total
 
Fixed rate:                     
1 year or less $58,075  $10,587  $11,448  $16,794  $139  $-  $97,043 
1-5 years  248,281   13,242   43,625   117,952   693   -   423,793 
After 5 years  91,061   8,879   56,019   102,498   13,476   62,500   334,433 
Total fixed rate  397,417   32,708   111,092   237,244   14,308   62,500   855,269 
                             
Adjustable rate:                            
1 year or less $15,921  $26,383  $35,565  $4,013  $252  $-  $82,134 
1-5 years  17,500   37,489   18,546   6,276   6,288   -   86,099 
After 5 years  2,466   8,037   8,140   62,305   55,335   2,264   138,547 
Total adjustable rate  35,887   71,909   62,251   72,594   61,875   2,264   306,780 
                             
Total $433,304  $104,617  $173,343  $309,838  $76,183  $64,764  $1,162,049 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Commercial

Real

Estate

  

Construction

and Land Development

  

Commercial

and

Industrial

  

Owner

Occupied

Real Estate

  

Consumer

and

Other

  

Residential Mortgage

  

Paycheck

Protection

Program

  

Total

 

Fixed rate:

                                

1 year or less

 $56,728  $3,123  $6,565  $49,042  $702  $-  $-  $116,160 

1-5 years

  417,914   84,058   96,277   209,732   1,702   -   636,637   1,446,320 

After 5 years

  210,427   11,298   40,141   138,200   12,930   393,076   -   806,072 

Total fixed rate

  685,069   98,479   142,983   396,974   15,334   393,076   636,637   2,368,552 
                                 

Adjustable rate:

                                

1 year or less

 $16,435  $26,772  $46,184  $10,723  $1,057  $-  $-  $101,171 

1-5 years

  3,866   17,516   4,305   5,509   2,767   -   -   33,963 

After 5 years

  378   54   6,716   62,000   83,210   2,098   -   154,456 

Total adjustable rate

  20,679   44,342   57,205   78,232   87,034   2,098   -   289,590 
                                 

Total

 $705,748  $142,821  $200,188  $475,206  $102,368  $395,174  $636,637  $2,658,142 

In the ordinary course of business, loans maturing within one year may be renewed, in whole or in part, as to principal amount, and at interest rates prevailing at the date of renewal. At December 31, 2017, 73.6%2020, 89% of total loans were fixed rate compared to 71.5%82% at December 31, 2016.2019.

Loss Mitigation and Loan Portfolio Analysis

We have taken a proactive approach to analyze and prepare for the potential challenges to be faced as the effects of the

Pursuant to the CARES Act, loan modifications made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of i) December 30, 2020 or ii) 60 days after the President declares a termination of the COVID-19 national emergency are not classified as TDRs if the related loans were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. In December 2020, the Economic Aid Act was signed into law which amended certain sections of the CARES Act. This amendment extended the period to suspend the requirements under TDR accounting guidance to the earlier of i) January 1, 2022 or ii) 60 days after the President declares a termination of the national emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Deferrals reached a peak during the second quarter of 2020, at which time we had granted payment deferrals to 491 customers with outstanding balances of $444 million, or 24% of total loans outstanding. As of December 31, 2020, deferrals declined to 21 customers with outstanding balances of $16 million, or less than 1% of total loans outstanding. At December 31, 2020, approximately $4 million of the deferral requests were for deferment of principal balances only. The remaining deferrals include requests to defer both principal and interest payments. Deferrals as of December 31, 2020 were comprised of the following categories: 90 day deferrals amounted to 8 customers with outstanding balances of $3 million and second deferrals amounted to 13 customers with outstanding balances of $13 million.

61


As a result of the recent changes in economic conditions, we have increased the qualitative factors for certain components of Republic’s allowance for loan loss calculation. We have also taken into consideration the probable impact that the various stimulus initiatives provided through the CARES Act, along with other government programs, may have to assist borrowers during this period of economic stress. We believe the combination of ongoing communication with our customers, loan to values on underlying collateral, loan payment deferrals, increased focus on risk management practices, and access to government programs such as the PPP should help mitigate potential future period losses. We will continue to closely monitor all key economic indicators and our internal asset quality metrics as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic begin to unfold. Based on the incurred loss methodology currently utilized by Republic, the provision for loan losses and charge-offs may be impacted in future periods, but more time is needed to fully understand the magnitude and length of the economic downturn and the full impact on our loan portfolio.

Credit Quality


Republic's

Republic’s written lending policies require specific underwriting, loan documentation and credit analysis standards to be met prior to funding, with independent credit department approval for the majority of new loan balances. A committee consisting of senior management and certain members of the Board of Directors oversees the loan approval process to monitor that proper standards are maintained, while approving the majority of commercial loans.


Loans, including impaired loans, are generally classified as non-accrual if they are past due as to maturity or payment of interest or principal for a period of more than 90 days, unless such loans are well-secured and in the process of collection. Loans that are on a current payment status or past due less than 90 days may also be classified as non-accrual if repayment of principal and/or interest in full is in doubt. Loans may be returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within an acceptable period of time, and there is a sustained period of repayment performance by the borrower, in accordance with the contractual terms.


While a loan is classified as non-accrual, any collections of interest and principal are generally applied as a reduction to principal outstanding. When the future collectability of the recorded loan balance is expected, interest income may be recognized on a cash basis. For non-accrual loans, which have been partially charged off, recognition of interest on a cash basis is limited to that which would have been recognized on the recorded loan balance at the contractual interest rate. Cash interest receipts in excess of that amount are recorded as recoveries to the allowance for loan losses until prior charge-offs have been fully recovered. 

62

52


The following summary shows information concerning loan delinquency and non-performing assets at the dates indicated:


  At December 31,
(dollars in thousands) 2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
Loans accruing, but past due 90 days or more $-  $302  $-  $-  $- 
Non-accrual loans:                    
Commercial real estate  8,963   13,089   5,913   13,979   1,104 
Construction and land development  -   -   117   377   1,618 
Commercial and industrial  2,895   3,151   3,156   4,349   6,837 
Owner occupied real estate  2,136   1,546   2,894   2,306   205 
Consumer and other  851   808   542   429   656 
Residential mortgage  -   -   -   -   - 
Total non-accrual loans  14,845   18,594   12,622   21,440   10,420 
Total non-performing loans(1)
  14,845   18,896   12,622   21,440   10,420 
Other real estate owned  6,966   10,174   11,313   3,715   4,059 
Total non-performing assets(1)
 $21,811  $29,070  $23,935  $25,155  $14,479 
                     
Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans, net of unearned income(1)
  1.28%  1.96%  1.44%  2.74%  1.53%
Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets  0.94%  1.51%  1.66%  2.07%  1.51%
                     
(1) Non-performing loans are comprised of (i) loans that are on non-accrual basis and (ii) accruing loans that are 90 days or more past due. Non-performing assets are composed of non-performing loans and other real estate owned.

  

At December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

  

2016

 

Loans accruing, but past due 90 days or more

 $612  $-  $-  $-  $302 

Non-accrual loans:

                    

Commercial real estate

  4,421   4,159   4,631   8,963   13,089 

Construction and land development

  -   -   -   -   - 

Commercial and industrial

  2,963   3,087   3,661   2,895   3,151 

Owner occupied real estate

  2,859   3,337   1,188   2,136   1,546 

Consumer and other

  1,302   1,062   861   851   808 

Residential mortgage

  701   768   -   -   - 

Paycheck Protection Program

  -   -   -   -   - 

Total non-accrual loans

  12,246   12,413   10,341   14,845   18,594 

Total non-performing loans(1)

  12,858   12,413   10,341   14,845   18,896 

Other real estate owned

  1,188   1,730   6,223   6,966   10,174 

Total non-performing assets(1)

 $14,046  $14,143  $16,564  $21,811  $29,070 
                     

Non-performing loans as a percentage of total loans, net of unearned income(1)

  0.49%  0.71%  0.72%  1.28%  1.96%

Non-performing assets as a percentage of total assets

  0.28%  0.42%  0.60%  0.94%  1.51%

(1) Non-performing loans are comprised of (i) loans that are on non-accrual basis and (ii) accruing loans that are 90 days or more past due. Non-performing assets are composed of non-performing loans and other real estate owned.

Problem loans can consist of loans that are performing, but for which potential credit problems of the borrowers have caused management to have serious doubts as to the ability of such borrowers to continue to comply with present repayment terms. At December 31, 2017,2020, all identified problem loans included in the preceding table are internally classified and have been evaluated for a specific reserve allocation in the allowance for loan losses (see discussion on "Allowance“Allowance for Loan Losses"Losses”).


Non-performing assets decreased by $7.3 million,$97 thousand, or 25%1%, to $21.8$14.0 million at December 31, 2017,2020, compared to $29.1$14.1 million at December 31, 2016. The decrease2019. An increase in non-performing loans was primarily driven by additions to non-performing loans of $3.2 million during 2020, offset by payments of $2.3 million, transfers to other real estate owned of $233,000, charge-offs of $199,000, and a single loan relationship that was restructured and returned to performing status during 2017 after an appropriate periodwrite down of recurring payments.$31,000. The reduction in other real estate owned was mainly the result of the disposition of two OREO properties for a $2.7 million write-downtotal of $744,000 offset by the largest asset held in the OREO portfolio. Management decided to aggressively pursueaddition of one property for a resolutiontotal of this asset which resulted in the execution of an agreement of sale during the fourth quarter 2017. Closing on this sale is expected to occur during the first quarter 2018. The remaining change in non-performing assets was the result of various write-downs, charge-offs, OREO sales, and transfers during the year.


$233,000.

The following summary shows the impact on interest income of non-accrual loans, subsequent to being placed on non-accrual for the periods indicated:

  

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

  

2016

 

Interest income that would have been recorded had the loans been in accordance with their original terms

 $718  $548  $498  $590  $1,024 

Interest income included in net income

 $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 

63


  For the Year Ended December 31, 
(dollars in thousands) 2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
Interest income that would have been recorded had the loans been in accordance with their original terms $590  $1,024  $765  $980  $488 
Interest income included in net income $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 

53


Allowance for Loan Losses


The allowance for loan losses is a valuation allowance for probable losses inherent in the loan portfolio. We evaluate the need to establish an allowance against loan losses on a quarterly basis. When an increase in this allowance is necessary, a provision for loan losses is charged to earnings. The allowance for loan losses consists of three components. The first component is allocated to individually evaluated loans found to be impaired and is calculated in accordance with ASC 310 Receivables. The second component is allocated to all other loans that are not individually identified as impaired pursuant to ASC 310-10 ("(“non-impaired loans"loans”). This component is calculated for all non-impaired loans on a collective basis in accordance with ASC 450 Contingencies. The third component is an unallocated allowance to account for a level of imprecision in management'smanagement’s estimation process.


We evaluate loans for impairment and potential charge-off on a quarterly basis. Management regularly monitors the condition of borrowers and assesses both internal and external factors in determining whether any loan relationships have deteriorated. Any loan rated as substandard or lower will have an individual collateral evaluation analysis prepared to determine if a deficiency exists. We first evaluate the primary repayment source. If the primary repayment source is determined to be insufficient and unlikely to repay the debt, we then look to the secondary repayment sources. Secondary sources are conservatively reviewed for liquidation values. Updated appraisals and financial data are obtained to substantiate current values. If the reviewed sources are deemed to be inadequate to cover the outstanding principal and any costs associated with the resolution of a troubled loan, an estimate of the deficient amount will be calculated and a specific allocation of loan loss reserve is recorded.


Factors considered in the calculation of the allowance for non-impaired loans include several qualitative and quantitative factors such as historical loss experience, trends in delinquency and nonperforming loan balances, changes in risk composition and underwriting standards, experience and ability of management, and general economic conditions along with other external factors. Historical loss experience is analyzed by reviewing charge-offs over a three year period to determine loss rates consistent with the loan categories depicted in the allowance for loan loss table below.


The factors supporting the allowance for loan losses do not diminish the fact that the entire allowance for loan losses is available to absorb losses in the loan portfolio and related commitment portfolio, respectively. Our principal focus, therefore, is on the adequacy of the total allowance for loan losses. The allowance for loan losses is subject to review by banking regulators on a regular basis. Our primary bank regulators regularly conduct examinations of the allowance for loan losses and make assessments regarding the adequacy and the methodology employed in their determination.



54

64


A detailed analysis of our allowance for loan losses for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 20132016 is as follows:

  For the Year Ended December 31, 
(dollars in thousands) 2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
                
Balance at beginning of period $9,155  $8,703  $11,536  $12,263  $9,542 
Charge-offs:                    
Commercial real estate  -   -   2,624   364   1,291 
Construction and land development  -   60   260   303   60 
Commercial and industrial  1,366   143   408   1,185   611 
Owner occupied real estate  157   1,052   133   150   320 
Consumer and other  53   11   -   10   75 
Residential mortgage  -   10   -   -   - 
Total charge-offs  1,576   1,276   3,425   2,012   2,357 
Recoveries:                    
Commercial real estate  54   6   4   5   54 
Construction and land development   -   -   5   214   - 
Commercial and industrial  64   163   49   166   63 
Owner occupied real estate  -   -   -   -   - 
Consumer and other  2   2   34   -   26 
Residential mortgage  -   -   -   -   - 
Total recoveries  120   171   92   385   143 
Net charge-offs  1,456   1,105   3,333   1,627   2,214 
Provision for loan losses  900   1,557   500   900   4,935 
Balance at end of period $8,599  $9,155  $8,703  $11,536  $12,263 
                     
Average loans outstanding(1)
 $1,090,851  $936,492  $820,820  $724,231  $640,233 
As a percent of average loans:(1)
               
Net charge-offs  0.13%  0.12%  0.41%  0.22%  0.35%
Provision for loan losses  0.08%  0.17%  0.06%  0.12%  0.77%
Allowance for loan losses  0.79%  0.98%  1.06%  1.59%  1.92%
                     
Allowance for loan losses to:                    
Total loans, net of unearned income  0.74%  0.95%  0.99%  1.48%  1.81%
Total non-performing loans  57.93%  48.45%  68.95%  53.81%  117.69%
                     
(1) Includes non-accruing loans.                   

  

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

  

2017

  

2016

 
                     

Balance at beginning of period

 $9,266  $8,615  $8,599  $9,155  $8,703 

Charge-offs:

                    

Commercial real estate

  -   -   1,603   -   - 

Construction and land development

  -   -   -   -   60 

Commercial and industrial

  333   1,356   151   1,366   143 

Owner occupied real estate

  48   -   465   157   1,052 

Consumer and other

  107   126   219   53   11 

Residential mortgage

  67   -   -   -   10 

Paycheck Protection Program

  -   -   -   -   - 

Total charge-offs

  555   1,482   2,438   1,576   1,276 

Recoveries:

                    

Commercial real estate

  -   -   50   54   6 

Construction and land development

  3   -   -   -   - 

Commercial and industrial

  48   217   81   64   163 

Owner occupied real estate

  1   2   20   -   - 

Consumer and other

  12   9   3   2   2 

Residential mortgage

  -   -   -   -   - 

Paycheck Protection Program

  -   -   -   -   - 

Total recoveries

  64   228   154   120   171 

Net charge-offs

  491   1,254   2,284   1,456   1,105 

Provision for loan losses

  4,200   1,905   2,300   900   1,557 

Balance at end of period

 $12,975  $9,266  $8,615  $8,599  $9,155 
                     

Average loans outstanding(1)

 $2,359,169  $1,544,904  $1,340,117  $1,090,851  $936,492 
                     

As a percent of average loans:(1)

                    

Net charge-offs

  0.02%  0.08%  0.17%  0.13%  0.12%

Provision for loan losses

  0.18%  0.12%  0.17%  0.08%  0.17%

Allowance for loan losses

  0.55%  0.60%  0.64%  0.79%  0.98%
                     

Allowance for loan losses to:

                    

Total loans, net of unearned income

  0.49%  0.53%  0.60%  0.74%  0.95%

Total non-performing loans

  100.91%  74.65%  83.31%  57.93%  48.45%

(1) Includes non-accruing loans.

The provision for loan losses is charged to operations in an amount necessary to bring the total allowance for loan losses to a level that management believes is adequate to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio. We recorded a loan loss provision in the amount of $900,000$4.2 million in 20172020 compared to a $1.6$1.9 million provision in 2016. Non-performing loans decreased by $4.1 million, or 21%, to $14.8 million at December 31, 2017, compared to $18.9 million at December 31, 2016. Impaired loans also decreased to $24.7 million at December 31, 2017 from $28.2 million at December 31, 2016. A decrease2019. The increase in the allowanceprovision during 2020 was driven by an increase required for loans individuallycollectively evaluated for impairment drivenimpairment. This change was primarily caused by the uncertainty surrounding the economic environment as a reduction in impaired loans was partially offset by an increase driven by growthresult of the COVID-19 pandemic. Qualitative factors in the calculation of the provision for loan portfolio during 2017.losses were adjusted to account for this uncertainty.

65


The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets declined to 0.28% as of December 31, 2020 compared to 0.42% as of December 31, 2019. Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans outstanding declined to 0.02% for the year ended December 31, 2020 from 0.08% for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of non-performing loans (coverage ratio) was 57.9%101% at December 31, 20172020 as compared to 48.4%75% at December 31, 20162019 and 69.0%83% at December 31, 2015.2018. The increase in the coverage ratio during 20172020 was mainly driven by the decreaseincrease in non-performing loansthe allowance for loan losses during 2020 driven by the year.conditions described earlier. All loans individually evaluated for impairment are adequately secured with collateral and/or specific reserves. Coverage is considered adequate by management as of December 31, 2017.


2020.

Management makes at least a quarterly determination as to an appropriate provision from earnings to maintain an allowance for loan losses that it determines is adequate to absorb inherent losses in the loan portfolio. The Board of Directors periodically reviews the status of all non-accrual and impaired loans and loans classified by the management team. The Board of Directors also considers specific loans, pools of similar loans, historical charge-off activity, economic conditions and other relevant factors in reviewing the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses. Any additions deemed necessary to the allowance for loan losses are charged to operating expenses.

55


We evaluate loans for impairment and potential charge-offs on a quarterly basis. Any loan rated as substandard or lower will have a collateral evaluation analysis completed in accordance with the guidance under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) on impaired loans to determine if a deficiency exists. Our credit monitoring process assesses the ultimate collectability of an outstanding loan balance from all potential sources. When a loan is determined to be uncollectible it is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses. Unsecured commercial loans and all consumer loans are charged-off immediately upon reaching the 90-day delinquency mark unless they are well secured and in the process of collection. The timing on charge-offs of all other loan types is subjective and will be recognized when management determines that full repayment, either from the cash flow of the borrower, collateral sources, and/or guarantors, will not be sufficient and that repayment is unlikely. A full or partial charge-off is recognized equal to the amount of the estimated deficiency calculation.


Serious delinquency is often the first indicator of a potential charge-off. Reductions in appraised collateral values and deteriorating financial condition of borrowers and guarantors are factors considered when evaluating potential charge-offs. The likelihood of possible recoveries or improvements in a borrower'sborrower’s financial condition is also assessed when considering a charge-off.


Partial charge-offs of non-performing and impaired loans can significantly reduce the coverage ratio and other credit loss statistics due to the fact that the balance of the allowance for loan losses will be reduced while still carrying the remainder of a non-performing loan balance in the impaired loan category. The amount of non-performing loans for which there were partial charge-offs have been recorded during the year amounted to $1.4$1.1 million at December 31, 20172020 compared to $2.4$3.6 million at December 31, 2016.2019. This decrease was primarily driven by a charge-off related to a single loan relationship in 2017. 


full charge-offs during 2019. Our charge-off policy is reviewed on an annual basis and updated as necessary. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017,2020, there have been no changes made to this policy.

We have an existing loan review program, which monitors the loan portfolio on an ongoing basis. A loan review officer who reviews both the loan portfolio and overall adequacy of the allowance for loan losses conducts this loan review on a quarterly basis and reports directly to the Board of Directors.

66


Estimating the appropriate level of the allowance for loan losses at any given date is difficult, particularly in a continually changing economy. In management'smanagement’s opinion, the allowance for loan losses was appropriate at December 31, 2017.2020. However, there can be no assurance that, if asset quality deteriorates in future periods, additions to the allowance for loan losses will not be required.


Management is unable to determine in which loan category future charge-offs and recoveries may occur. The following schedule sets forth the allocation of the allowance for loan losses among various categories. The allocation is based on management'smanagement’s evaluation of historical charge-off experience and adjusted for several qualitative factors. The entire allowance for loan losses is available to absorb loan losses in any loan category.

56


The allocation of the allowance for loan losses for the past five years is as follows:


  At December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amount
  
% of
Loans
  
Amount
  
% of
Loans
  
Amount
  
% of
Loans
  
Amount
  
% of
Loans
  
Amount
  
% of
Loans
 
Commercial real estate $3,774   37.3% $3,254   39.2% $2,393   40.0% $6,828   48.5% $6,454   50.4%
Construction and land development  725   9.0%  557   6.4%  338   5.3%  917   3.8%  1,948   3.5%
Commercial and industrial  1,317   14.9%  2,884   18.1%  2,932   20.8%  1,579   18.5%  2,309   17.4%
Owner occupied real estate  1,737   26.7%  1,382   28.7%  2,030   28.1%  1,638   24.0%  985   23.6%
Consumer and other  573   6.5%  588   6.6%  295   5.5%  234   5.1%  225   4.7%
Residential mortgage  392   5.6%  58   1.0%  14   0.3%  2   0.1%  14   0.4%
Unallocated  81   -   432   -   701   -   338   -   328   - 
Total allowance for loan losses $8,599   100% $9,155   100% $8,703   100% $11,536   100% $12,263   100%

  

At December 31,

 
  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016 
  Amount  

% of

Loans

  Amount  

% of

Loans

  Amount  

% of

Loans

  Amount  

% of

Loans

  Amount  

% of

Loans

 

Commercial real estate

 $4,394   26.6% $3,043   35.1% $2,462   35.9% $3,774   37.3% $3,254   39.2%

Construction and land development

  948   5.4%  688   6.9%  777   8.4%  725   9.0%  557   6.4%

Commercial and industrial

  1,367   7.5%  931   12.8%  1,754   14.0%  1,317   14.9%  2,884   18.1%

Owner occupied real estate

  2,374   17.9%  2,292   24.3%  2,033   25.6%  1,737   26.7%  1,382   28.7%

Consumer and other

  723   3.9%  590   5.8%  577   6.3%  573   6.5%  588   6.6%

Residential mortgage

  3,025   14.9%  1,705   15.1%  894   9.8%  392   5.6%  58   1.0%

Paycheck Protection Program

  -   24.0%  -   0%  -   0%  -   0%  -   0%

Unallocated

  144   -   17   -   118   -   81   -   432   - 

Total allowance for loan losses

 $12,975   100% $9,266   100% $8,615   100% $8,599   100% $9,155   100%

The allowance for loan losses is an amount that represents management'smanagement’s estimate of known and inherent losses related to the loan portfolio and unfunded loan commitments. Because the allowance for loan losses is dependent, to a great extent, on the general economy and other conditions that may be beyond our control, the estimate of the allowance for loan losses could differ materially in the near term.


The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components.  The specific component relates to impaired loans.  For such loans, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows, collateral value, or observable market price of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.  The general component covers the remainder of the portfolio and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for several qualitative factors.  An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management'smanagement’s estimate of probable losses.  The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio. All identified losses are immediately charged off and therefore no portion of the allowance for loan losses is restricted to any individual loan or group of loans, and the entire allowance is available to absorb any and all loan losses.


In estimating the allowance for loan losses, management considers current economic conditions, past loss experience, diversification of the loan portfolio, delinquency statistics, results of internal loan reviews and regulatory examinations, borrowers'borrowers’ perceived financial and managerial strengths, the adequacy of underlying collateral, if collateral dependent, or present value of future cash flows, and other relevant and qualitative risk factors. These qualitative risk factors include:

1.    Lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and

         recovery practices.

2.    National, regional and local economic and business conditions as well as the condition of various

segments.

67


1.Lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices.
2.National, regional and local economic and business conditions as well as the condition of various segments.
3.Nature and volume of the portfolio and terms of loans.
4.Experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff.
5.Volume and severity of past due, classified and nonaccrual loans as well as other loan modifications.
6.Quality of our loan review system, and the degree of oversight by our Board of Directors.
7.Existence and effect of any concentration of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations.
8.Effect of external factors, such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements.
57


3.    Nature and volume of the portfolio and terms of loans.

4.    Experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff.

5.    Volume and severity of past due, classified and nonaccrual loans as well as other loan

modifications.

6.    Quality of our loan review system, and the degree of oversight by our

Board of Directors.

7.    Existence and effect of any concentration of credit and changes in the level of such

concentrations.

8.    Effect of external factors, such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements.

Each factor is assigned a value to reflect improving, stable or declining conditions based on management'smanagement’s best judgment using relevant information available at the time of the evaluation. Adjustments to the factors are supported through documentation of changes in conditions in a narrative accompanying the allowance for loan loss calculation.


We also provide specific reserves for impaired loans to the extent the estimated realizable value of the underlying collateral is less than the loan balance, when the collateral is the only source of repayment. Also, we estimate and recognize reserve allocations on loans identified as "internally“internally classified accruing loans"loans” based upon any factor that might impact loss estimates. Those factors include but are not limited to the impact of economic conditions on the borrower and management'smanagement’s potential alternative strategies for loan or collateral disposition.  An unallocated allowance is established for losses that have not been identified through the formulaic and other specific components of the allowance as described above. Management has identified several factors that impact credit losses that are not considered in either the formula or the specific allowance segments. These factors consist of macro and micro economic conditions, industry and geographic loan concentrations, changes in the composition of the loan portfolio, changes in underwriting processes and trends in problem loan and loss recovery rates. The impact of the above is considered in light of management'smanagement’s conclusions as to the overall adequacy of underlying collateral and other factors.


The majority of our loan portfolio represents loans made for commercial purposes, while significant amounts of residential property may serve as collateral for such loans. We attempt to evaluate larger loans individually, on the basis of our loan review process, which scrutinizes loans on a selective basis and other available information. Even if all commercial purpose loans could be reviewed, information on potential problems might not be available. Our portfolio of loans made for purposes of financing residential mortgages and consumer loans are evaluated in groups.


PPP loans include an embedded credit enhancement guarantee from the SBA, which guarantees 100% of the principal and interest owed by the borrower.

A loan is considered impaired, in accordance with ASC 310, when based on current information and events, it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due from the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan.  Impaired loans include nonperforming commercial loans, but also include internally classified accruing loans.  As of December 31, 2017,2020, management identified a total of fiveone troubled debt restructuringsrestructuring in the loan portfolio in the amount of $8.2$4.5 million. ThreeOne troubled debt restructuringsrestructuring in the amount of $6.2 million werewas identified as of December 31, 2016.2019.

68


The following table presents our impaired loans at December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015:


     December 31,    
(dollars in thousands) 2017  2016  2015 
Impaired loans without a valuation allowance $15,270  $15,740  $15,497 
Impaired loans with a valuation allowance  9,446   12,430   6,632 
Total impaired loans $24,716  $28,170  $22,129 
             
Valuation allowance related to impaired loans $2,790  $3,468  $2,238 
Total nonaccrual loans  14,845   18,594   12,622 
Total loans past-due ninety days or more and            
   still accruing  -   302   - 

58


2018:

(dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Impaired loans without a valuation allowance

 $12,842  $12,862  $10,602 

Impaired loans with a valuation allowance

  5,127   6,020   7,428 

Total impaired loans

 $17,969  $18,882  $18,030 
             

Valuation allowance related to impaired loans

 $591  $556  $1,473 

Total nonaccrual loans

  12,246   12,413   10,341 

Total loans past-due ninety days or more and still accruing

  612   -   - 

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, the average recorded investment in impaired loans was approximately $25.4$19.6 million, $25.7$18.1 million, and $29.5$22.8 million, respectively.  Republic earned $607,000, $502,000,$478,000, $386,000, and $516,000$451,000 of interest income on impaired loans (internally classified accruing loans) in 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, respectively.  There were no commitments to extend credit to any borrowers with impaired loans as of the end of the periods presented herein.


Total impaired loans decreased by $3.5 million,$913,000, or 12%5%, during the year ended December 31, 2017.2020. This decrease was primarily driven bydemonstrates the payoffCompany’s continued focus on maintaining its high standard of a single loan relationship in the amount of $5.7 million in 2017.asset quality. The valuation allowance related to impaired loans decreasedincreased to $2.8 million$591,000 at December 31, 20172020 compared to $3.5 million$556,000 at December 31, 2016.2019. At December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, internally classified accruing loans totaled approximately $9.9$1.8 million and $9.6$2.3 million, respectively.


The following table presents our 30 to 89 days past due loans at December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015:  


   December 31,
(dollars in thousands)2017  2016  2015 
30 to 59 days past due $1,113   $1,060   $2,878 
60 to 89 days past due  -    31    9,315 
Total loans 30 to 89 days past due $1,113   $1,091   $12,193 

2018:  

(dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

30 to 59 days past due

 $2,321  $112  $1,135 

60 to 89 days past due

  938   1,823   1,574 

Total loans 30 to 89 days past due

 $3,259  $1,935  $2,709 

Management has engaged in active discussions with all delinquent relationships to address delinquencies and is confident that acceptable resolutions will be achieved in the near term.


Deposits


Total deposits at December 31, 20172020 were $2.1$4.0 billion, an increase of $385.6 million$1.0 billion or 23%34% from total deposits of $1.7$3.0 billion at December 31, 2016.2019. Total deposits by account type at December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 20152018 are as follows:


  At December 31, 
(dollars in thousands) 2017  2016  2015 
Demand deposits, non-interest bearing $438,500  $324,912  $243,695 
Demand deposits, interest bearing  807,736   605,950   381,499 
Money market & savings deposits  700,322   635,644   556,526 
Time deposits  116,737   111,164   67,578 
Total deposits $2,063,295  $1,677,670  $1,249,298 

(dollars in thousands)

 

At December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Demand deposits, non-interest bearing

 $1,006,876  $661,431  $519,056 

Demand deposits, interest bearing

  1,776,995   1,352,360   1,042,561 

Money market & savings deposits

  1,043,519   761,793   676,993 

Time deposits

  186,361   223,579   154,257 

Total deposits

 $4,013,751  $2,999,163  $2,392,867 

In general, Republic pays higher interest rates on time deposits compared to other deposit categories. Republic'sRepublic’s various deposit liabilities may fluctuate from period-to-period, reflecting customer behavior and strategies to optimize net interest income. The increase in total deposits of $1.0 billion to $2.1$4.0 billion at December 31, 20172020 from $1.7$3.0 billion at December 31, 20162019 was primarily the result of a $315.4$770.1 million increase in demand deposits and a $64.7 million increase in money market and savings deposits, which reflects the success of our strategy based on a high level of customer service and satisfaction, which in turn drives the gathering of low-cost core deposits. This strategy has also allowed us to eliminate our dependence on the more volatile source of funding in brokered and internet based certificates of deposit.

69

59


We continued to have success with our strategy during 2020 which lead to the growth in deposit balances even in a year filled with challenges, governmental restrictions and business closings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our participation in the PPP loan program also resulted in significant growth in new deposit relationships throughout the year. Approximately half of the applications that we accepted for the PPP program were from businesses that were not Republic Bank customers at the time. Many of those applicants were so pleased with their experience during the PPP process that they chose to move their primary banking relationship to Republic. On a percentage basis the largest increase in deposits was in the non-interest bearing demand deposit category. These deposits grew by 52% during 2020 which demonstrates the success of our strategy outlined above.

The average balances and weighted average rates of Republic'sRepublic’s interest bearing deposits for the last three years are as follows:


  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 Average Balance  
Rate
  Average Balance  
Rate
  Average Balance  
Rate
 
Demand deposits:                  
Non-interest bearing $372,171     $284,326     $235,810    
Interest bearing  687,586   0.44%  510,745   0.41%  349,055   0.40%
Money market & savings deposits  629,464   0.50%  586,750   0.45%  508,846   0.43%
Time deposits  110,952   1.12%  89,713   1.05%  73,819   0.94%
Total deposits $1,800,173   0.41% $1,471,534   0.39% $1,167,530   0.37%

  

For the Years Ended December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Average

Balance

  

Rate

  

Average

Balance

  

Rate

  

Average

Balance

  

Rate

 

Interest bearing demand deposits

 $1,509,826   0.84% $1,184,530   1.32% $918,508   0.87%

Money market & savings deposits

  916,607   0.68%  705,445   0.98%  697,135   0.70%

Time deposits

  211,636   1.82%  190,567   2.02%  128,892   1.23%

Total interest bearing deposits

 $2,638,069   0.86% $2,080,542   1.26% $1,744,535   0.83%

The remaining maturity of certificates of deposit for $100,000 or more as of December 31, 20172020 is as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

    

Maturity:

    

3 months or less

 $31,966 

3 to 6 months

  62,898 

6 to 12 months

  33,031 

Over 12 months

  16,998 

Total

 $144,893 

70


(dollars in thousands)   
Maturity:   
3 months or less $15,985 
3 to 6 months  8,302 
6 to 12 months  7,196 
Over 12 months  53,489 
Total $84,972 

The following is a summary of the remaining maturity of time deposits, which includes certificates of deposits of $100,000 or more, as of December 31, 2017:


(dollars in thousands)   
Maturity:   
2018 $54,454 
2019  37,143 
2020  23,369 
2021  974 
2022  797 
Thereafter  - 
Total $116,737 

2020:

(dollars in thousands)

    

Maturity:

    

2021

 $162,450 

2022

  19,210 

2023

  1,443 

2024

  805 

2025

  2,453 

Thereafter

  - 

Total

 $186,361 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We are a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of our customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the financial statements.

Credit risk is defined as the possibility of sustaining a loss due to the failure of the other parties to a financial instrument to perform in accordance with the terms of the contract. The maximum exposure to credit loss under commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. We use the same underwriting standards and policies in making credit commitments as we do for on-balance-sheet instruments.

60

Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent potential credit risk are commitments to extend credit of approximately $264.3$428.9 million and $215.9$329.9 million and standby letters of credit of approximately $12.6$16.6 million and $5.7$17.2 million at December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively. Commitments often expire without being drawn upon. The $264.3$428.9 million of commitments to extend credit at December 31, 2017,2020, substantially all were variable rate commitments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and many require the payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. We evaluate each customer'scustomer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained upon extension of credit is based on management'smanagement’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include real estate, marketable securities, pledged deposits, equipment and accounts receivable.


Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued that guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk and collateral policy involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan commitments. The amount of collateral obtained is based on management'smanagement’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include real estate, marketable securities, pledged deposits, equipment and accounts receivable.

71


Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

The following table sets forth contractual obligations and other commitments representing required and potential cash outflows as of December 31, 2017:


 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Total
  
Less than
One Year
  
One to
Three
Years
  
Three to
Five Years
  
After Five
Years
 
Minimum annual rentals or non-cancellable operating leases $30,503  $3,735  $7,004  $4,323  $15,441 
Branch construction commitments  8,500   8,500   -   -   - 
Remaining contractual maturities of time deposits  116,964   54,681   60,512   1,771   - 
Subordinated debt  22,507   31   -   -   22,476 
Director and Officer retirement plan obligations  1,178   647   175   99   257 
Loan commitments  264,269   100,761   63,870   22,673   76,965 
Standby letters of credit  12,635   11,608   818   -   209 
Total $456,556  $179,963  $132,379  $28,866  $115,348 

2020:

(dollars in thousands)

 

Total

  

Less than

One Year

  

One to

Three Years

  

Three to

Five Years

  

After Five

Years

 

Minimum annual rentals or non-cancellable operating leases

 $124,093  $8,260  $15,719  $14,938  $85,176 

Other borrowings

  633,866   -   614,601   19,265   - 

Branch construction commitments

  2,509   2,509   -   -   - 

Remaining contractual maturities of time deposits

  186,361   162,450   20,653   3,258   - 

Subordinated debt

  11,341   18   -   -   11,323 

Director and Officer retirement plan obligations

  1,092   686   104   104   198 

Loan commitments

  428,875   174,121   92,981   48,066   113,707 

Standby letters of credit

  16,587   15,809   778   -   - 

Total

 $1,404,724  $363,853  $744,836  $85,631  $210,404 

As of December 31, 2017,2020, we had entered into non-cancelable lease agreements for our main office and operations center, fifteentwenty current and pending retail branch facilities, five loan offices, one storage facility, and one training centerfifteen equipment leases expiring on various dates through MayDecember 31, 2037.2058. The leases are accounted for as operating leases. The minimum rental payments required under these leases are $30.5$99.4 million through the year 2037.

2058.

We have retirement plan agreements with certain directors and officers. At December 31, 2017,2020, the accrued benefits under the plan were approximately $1.2$1.1 million, with a minimum age of 65 established to qualify for the payments. 

61


Interest Rate Risk Management

We attempt to manage our assets and liabilities in a manner that optimizes net interest income in a range of interest rate environments. Management uses an "interest“interest sensitivity gap" ("GAP"gap” (“GAP”) analysis and simulation models to monitor behavior of its interest sensitive assets and liabilities. A GAP analysis is the difference between interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities. Adjustments to the mix of assets and liabilities are made periodically in an effort to provide steady growth in net interest income.

Management presently believes that the effect of any future reduction in interest rates, reflected in lower yielding assets, could be detrimental since we may not have the immediate ability to commensurately decrease rates on interest bearing liabilities, primarily time deposits, other borrowings and certain transaction accounts. An increase in interest rates could have a negative effect due to a possible lag in the re-pricing of core deposits not taken into account in the static GAP analysis. Interest rate risk management involves managing the extent to which interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities are matched. We attempt to optimize net interest income while managing period-to-period fluctuations therein. We typically define interest-sensitive assets and interest-sensitive liabilities as those that re-price within one year or less. Generally, we limit long-term fixed rate assets and liabilities in our efforts to manage interest rate risk.

A positive GAP occurs when interest-sensitive assets exceed interest-sensitive liabilities re-pricing in the same time periods, and a negative GAP occurs when interest-sensitive liabilities exceed interest-sensitive assets re-pricing in the same time periods. A negative GAP ratio suggests that a financial institution may be better positioned to take advantage of declining interest rates rather than increasing interest rates, and a positive GAP ratio suggests the converse. Static GAP analysis describes interest rate sensitivity at a point in time. However, it alone does not accurately measure the magnitude of changes in net interest income as changes in interest rates do not impact all categories of assets and liabilities equally or simultaneously.  Interest rate sensitivity analysis also requires assumptions about re-pricing certain categories of assets and liabilities. For purposes of interest rate sensitivity analysis, assets and liabilities are stated at their contractual maturity, estimated likely call date, or earliest re-pricing opportunity.  Mortgage-backed securities and amortizing loans are scheduled based on their anticipated cash flow, including prepayments based on historical data and current market trends.  Savings, money market and interest-bearing demand accounts do not have a stated maturity or re-pricing term and can be withdrawn or re-priced at any time. Management estimates the re-pricing characteristics of these accounts based upon decay rates and run off projections obtained in a deposit study performed by an independent third party, along with management'smanagement’s estimates of when rates would have to be increased to retain balances in response to competition. Such estimates are necessarily arbitrary and wholly judgmental. As a result of the run off projections, these deposits are not considered to re-price simultaneously and, accordingly, a portion of the deposits are moved into time brackets exceeding one year. However, management may choose not to re-price liabilities proportionally to changes in market interest rates, for competitive or other reasons.

72

Shortcomings, inherent in a simplified and static GAP analysis, may result in an institution with a negative GAP having interest rate behavior associated with an asset-sensitive balance sheet. For example, although certain assets and liabilities may have similar maturities or periods to re-pricing, they may react in different degrees to changes in market interest rates. Furthermore, re-pricing characteristics of certain assets and liabilities may vary substantially within a given time period. In the event of a change in interest rates, prepayments and other cash flows could also deviate significantly from those assumed in calculating GAP in the manner presented in the table on the following page.


62



below.

The following tables present a summary of our GAP analysis at December 31, 2017.2020.  Amounts shown in the table include both estimated maturities and instruments scheduled to re-price, including prime based loans.  For purposes of these tables, we have used assumptions based on industry data and historical experience to calculate the expected maturity of loans because, statistically, certain categories of loans are prepaid before their maturity date, even without regard to interest rate fluctuations. Additionally, certain prepayment assumptions were made with regard to investment securities based upon the expected prepayment of the underlying collateral of the mortgage-backed securities. The interest

Interest Rate Sensitivity Gap

 

As of December 31, 2020

 
                                     

(dollars in thousands)

 

0 90

Days

  

91-180

Days

  

181-365

Days

  

1-2

Years

  

2-3

Years

  

3-5

Years

  

More

than 5

Years

  

Financial

Statement

Total

  

Fair

Value

 
                                     

Interest sensitive assets:

                                    

Investment securities and other interest-bearing balances

 $928,001  $112,052  $149,697  $170,853  $128,089  $214,500  $387,525  $2,090,717  $2,123,112 

Loans receivable

  898,847   86,889   162,289   411,243   263,171   446,377   363,551   2,632,367   2,618,104 

Total

 $1,826,848  $198,941  $311,986  $582,096  $391,260  $660,877  $751,076  $4,723,084  $4,741,216 
                                     

Cumulative totals

 $1,826,848  $2,025,789  $2,337,775  $2,919,871  $3,311,131  $3,972,008  $4,723,084         
                                     

Interest sensitive liabilities:

                                    

Demand interest bearing(1)

 $1,776,995  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-   -  $1,776,995  $1,776,995 

Savings accounts(1)

  327,195   -   -   -   -   -   -   327,195   327,195 

Money market accounts(1)

  716,324   -   -   -   -   -   -   716,324   716,324 

Time deposits

  41,358   72,932   48,160   19,209   1,443   3,259   -   186,361   187,292 

Other borrowings

  -   -   -   614,601   -   19,265   -   633,866   633,866 

Subordinated debt

  11,271   -   -   -   -   -   -   11,271   8,026 

Total

 $2,873,143  $72,932  $48,160  $633,810  $1,443  $22,524   -  $3,652,012  $3,649,698 
                                     

Cumulative totals

 $2,873,143  $2,946,075  $2,994,235  $3,628,045  $3,629,488  $3,652,012   3,652,012         
                                     

Interest rate sensitivity GAP

 $(1,046,295) $126,009  $263,826  $51,714  $389,817  $638,353   751,076         

Cumulative GAP

 $(1,046,295) $(920,286) $(656,460) $(708,174) $(318,357) $319,996   1,071,072         

Interest sensitive assets/Interest sensitive liabilities

  63.58%  68.76%  78.08%  80.48%  91.23%  108.76%  129.33%        

Cumulative GAP/ Total earning assets

  (22.15)%  

(19.48

)%  (13.90)%  (14.99)%  (6.74)%  6.78%  22.68%        

(1) Demand, savings and money market accounts are scheduled to reprice based upon decay rate onand run off percentage estimates obtained through a portiondeposit study performed by an independent third party, along with management’s estimates of the CDO is variablewhen rates would have to be increased to retain balances in response to competition. Such estimates are necessarily arbitrary and adjusts quarterly.wholly judgmental.

73

Interest Rate Sensitivity Gap
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
0 – 90
Days
  
91-180 Days
  
181-365 Days
  
1-2
Years
  
2-3
Years
  
3-4
Years
  
4-5
Years
  
More
than 5 Years
  Financial Statement Total  
Fair
Value
 
Interest sensitive assets:                              
Investment securities and other interest-bearing balances $57,159  $32,756  $70,898  $155,616  $149,566  $107,374  $75,629  $315,432  $964,430  $956,016 
Average interest rate  2.49%  2.47%  2.48%  2.48%  2.48%  2.53%  2.47%  2.84%  2.59%    
Loans receivable  355,151   48,140   106,075   89,041   135,057   136,459   153,777   184,278   1,207,978   1,174,618 
Average interest rate  5.50%  3.62%  3.30%  4.63%  4.38%  4.47%  4.54%  3.78%  4.54%    
Total $412,310  $80,896  $176,973  $244,657  $284,623  $243,833  $229,406  $499,710  $2,172,408  $2,130,634 
                                         
Cumulative totals $412,310  $493,206  $670,179  $914,836  $1,199,459  $1,443,292  $1,672,698  $2,172,408         
                                         
Interest sensitive liabilities:                                        
Demand interest bearing(1)
 $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $-  $807,736  $807,736  $807,736 
Average interest rate  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   0.54%  0.54%    
Savings accounts(1)
  631   631   1,262   2,742   111   1,055   123   199,231   205,786   205,786 
Average interest rate  0.35%  0.35%  0.35%  0.25%  0.47%  0.23%  0.22%  0.45%  0.44%    
Money market accounts(1)
  3,587   3,587   7.173   9,768   7,661   17,807   21,081   423,872   494,536   494,536 
Average interest rate  0.57%  0.57%  0.57%  0.57%  0.57%  0.54%  0.53%  0.52%  0.53%    
Time deposits  25,172   14,092   15,191   37,143   23,369   974   796   -   116,737   115,673 
Average interest rate  0.72%  0.95%  0.68%  1.38%  1.61%  0.99%  0.99%  -   1.13%    
Subordinated debt  11,341   -   -   -   -   -   -   10,340   21,681   18,458 
Average interest rate  3.13%  -   -   -   -   -   -   8.00%  5.53%    
Total $40,731  $18,310  $23,626  $49,653  $31,141  $19,836  $22,000  $1,441,179  $1,646,476  $1,642,189 
                                         
Cumulative totals $40,731  $59,041  $82,667  $132,320  $163,461  $183,297  $205,297  $1,646,476         
                                         
Interest rate sensitivity GAP $371,579  $62,586  $153,347  $195,004  $253,482  $223,997  $207,406  $(941,469)        
Cumulative GAP $371,579  $434,165  $587,512  $782,516  $1,035,998  $1,259,995  $1,467,401  $525,932         
Interest sensitive assets/Interest sensitive liabilities  1012.28%  835.36%  810.70%  691.38%  733.794%  787.41%  814.77%  131.94%        
Cumulative GAP/ Total earning assets  17.10%  19.99%  27.04%  36.02%  47.69%  58.00%  67.55%  24.21%        
                                         

(1)Demand, savings and money market accounts are scheduled to reprice based upon decay rate and run off percentage estimates obtained through a deposit study performed by an independent third party, along with management's estimates of when rates would have to be increased to retain balances in response to competition.  Such estimates are necessarily arbitrary and wholly judgmental.
63


In addition to the GAP analysis, we utilize income simulation modeling in measuring our interest rate risk and managing our interest rate sensitivity. Income simulation considers not only the impact of changing market interest rates on forecasted net interest income, but also other factors such as yield curve relationships, the volume and mix of assets and liabilities and general market conditions.


Net Portfolio Value and Net Interest Income Analysis


The income simulation models management used to measure interest rate risk and manage interest rate sensitivity generates estimates of the change in net portfolio value (NPV) and net interest income (NII) over a range of interest rate scenarios.  NPV is the present value of expected cash flows from assets, liabilities, and off-balance sheet contracts.  The NPV ratio, under any interest rate scenario, is defined as the NPV in that scenario divided by the market value of assets in the same scenario.  The following table sets forth our NPV as of December 31, 20172020 and reflects the changes to NPV as a result of immediate and sustained changes in interest rates as indicated (dollars in thousands):


 Net Portfolio Value  
NPV as a % of Portfolio
Value of Assets
 
Change in
Interest Rates
in Basis Points
(Rate Shock)
 Amount  
$
Change
  
%
Change
  
NPV
Ratio
  
Change
(in Basis Points)
 
                
+400 $307,305  $  6,977    2.32%   15.25%   208 
+300  327,659   27,331    9.10%   15.78%   261 
+200  349,532   49,204   16.38%   16.24%   307 
+100  336,641   36,313   12.09%   15.17%   200 
Static  300,328           -     0.00%   13.17%       - 
-100  215,761   (84,567)   (28.16)%     9.33%   (384) 

Change in

Interest Rates

in Basis Points

(Rate Shock)

  

Net Portfolio Value

  

NPV as a % of Portfolio

Value of Assets

 
  

Amount

  

$

Change

  

%

Change

  

NPV

Ratio

  

Change

(in Basis Points)

 
                      

+400

  $638,123  $134,246   26.64%  14.00%  405 

+300

   646,952   143,075   28.39%  13.79%  384 

+200

   635,426   131,549   26.11%  13.17%  322 

+100

   592,430   88,553   17.57%  11.96%  201 

Static

   503,877   -   0.00%  9.95%  - 
-100   464,134   (169,068)  (33.55)%  6.52%  (343)

In addition to modeling changes in NPV, we also analyze potential changes to NII for a forecasted twelve-month period under rising and falling interest rate scenarios. The following tabletables shows the NII model as of December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):2020 and December 31, 2019:

(dollars in thousands)

  

December 31, 2020

 

Change in Interest Rates

in Basis Points(1)

  

Net Interest

Income

  

$

Change

  

%

Change

 
              

+400

  $131,184   27,010   25.93%

+300

   125,317   21,143   20.30%

+200

   119,142   14,968   14.37%

+100

   112,732   8,558   8.22%

Static

   104,174   -   0.00%
-100   95,041   (9,133)  (8.76)%

(dollars in thousands)

  

December 31, 2019

 

Change in Interest Rates

in Basis Points(1)

  

Net Interest

Income

  

$

Change

  

%

Change

 
              

+400

  $81,477   (2,125)  (2.54)%

+300

   83,011   (591)  (0.71)%

+200

   84,132   530   0.63%

+100

   84,782   1,180   1.41%

Static

   83,602   -   0.00%
-100   80,201   (3,401)  (4.06)%

(1) The net interest income results were calculated assuming a rate ramp, achieving the rate change over a 12-month period, not an immediate and sustained rate shock.

74


Change in Interest Rates in
Basis Points(1)
 
Net Interest
Income
  
$
Change
  
%
Change
 
          
+400 $82,095   7,154   9.55% 
+300  80,374   5,433   7.25% 
+200  78,617   3,676   4.91% 
+100  76,781   1,840   2.46% 
Static  74,941   -   0.00% 
-100  73,273   (1,668)   (2.23)% 
             
(1) The net interest income results were calculated assuming a rate ramp, achieving the rate change over a 12-month period, not an immediate and sustained rate shock.

As is the case with the GAP table, certain shortcomings are inherent in the methodology used in the above interest rate risk measurements.  Modeling changes in NPV and NII require the making of certain assumptions, which may or may not reflect the manner in which actual yields and costs respond to changes in market interest rates.  In this regard, the models presented assume that the composition of our interest sensitive assets and liabilities existing at the beginning of a period remains constant over the period being measured and also assumes that a particular change in interest rates is reflected uniformly across the yield curve regardless of the duration to maturity or re-pricing of specific assets and liabilities.  Accordingly, although the NPV measurements and net interest income models provide an indication of interest rate risk exposure at a particular point in time, such measurements are not intended to and do not provide a precise forecast of the effect of changes in market interest rates on net interest income and will differ from actual results.

64


Management believes that the assumptions utilized in evaluating our estimated net interest income are reasonable. However, the interest rate sensitivity of our assets, liabilities and off-balance sheet financial instruments as well as the estimated effect of changes in interest rates on estimated net interest income could vary substantially if different assumptions are used or actual experience differs from the experience on which the assumptions were based. Periodically, we may and do make significant changes to underlying assumptions, which are wholly judgmental.  Prepayments on residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities have increased over historical levels in recent years due to the lower interest rate environment, and may result in reductions in margins.


Capital Resources

We have sponsored threetwo outstanding issues of corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities of a subsidiary trust holding solely junior subordinated debentures of the Corporation more commonly known as trust preferred securities. The subsidiary trusts are not consolidated for financial reporting purposes.  The purpose of the issuances of these securities was to increase capital. The trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes in amounts up to 25% of total Tier 1 capital.


On

In December 27, 2006, Republic Capital Trust II (Trust II)(“Trust II”) issued $6.0 million of trust preferred securities to investors and $0.2 million of common securities to us.the Company.  Trust II purchased $6.2 million of our floating rate junior subordinated debentures of the Company due 2037, and wethe Company used the proceeds to call the securities of Republic Capital Trust I (Trust I)(“Trust I”).  The debentures purchased bysupporting Trust II have a variable interest rate, adjustable quarterly, at 1.73% over the 3-month LIBOR.  WeLibor.  The Company may redeemcall the debenturessecurities on any interest payment date after five years without a prepayment penalty.

On June 28, 2007, the Company caused Republic Capital Trust III (Trust III)(“Trust III”), issuedthrough a pooled offering, to issue $5.0 million of trust preferred securities to one investorinvestors and $0.2 million common securities to us.the Company. Trust III purchased $5.2 million of our floating rate junior subordinated debentures of the Company due 2037, which have a variable interest rate, adjustable quarterly, at 1.55% over the 3 month LIBOR.  We haveLibor.  The Company has the ability to redeemcall the debenturessecurities on any interest payment date without a prepayment penalty.


On June 10, 2008, the Company caused Republic First Bancorp Capital Trust IV (Trust IV) issued(“Trust IV”) to issue $10.8 million of convertible trust preferred securities as part of ourthe Company’s strategic capital plan.  The securities were purchased by various investors, including Vernon W. Hill, II, founder and chairman (retired) of Commerce Bancorp and, as ofsince December 5, 2016, our chairman.  Thechairman of the Company. This investor group also included a family trust of Harry D. Madonna, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Republic Bank,First Bancorp, Inc, and Theodore J. Flocco, Jr., who, since the investment, has been elected byto the shareholders to ourCompany’s Board of Directors and serves as the Chairman of ourthe Audit Committee. Trust IV also issued $0.3 million of common securities to us.the Company. Trust IV purchased $11.1 million of our fixed rate junior subordinated convertible debentures due 2038, which paypaid interest at an annual rate of 8.0% and are redeemable on any interest payment date (a) at any time on orwere callable after June 13, 2013 if the closing price of our common stock for 20 trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the trading day prior to the mailing of the notice of redemption exceeds 120% of the then-applicable conversion price, or (b) on or after June 30, 2018, without a prepayment penalty.fifth year under certain terms and conditions. The trust preferred securities of Trust IV are currentlywere convertible into approximately 1.7 million shares of our common stock which is subject to customary adjustments.of the Company, based on a conversion price of $6.50 per share of Company common stock. One independent director converted $240,000 of trust preferred securities into 37,000 shares of common stock in 2017.

65


Deferred issuance costs included in subordinated debt were $555,000 and $595,000 at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Amortization of deferred issuance costs were $29,000, $24,000, and $24,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

On January 31, 2018, wethe Company notified the existing holders of ourTrust IV of its intent to fully redeem these securities in accordance with the Optional Redemption terms included in the Indenture Agreement. The securities will bewere redeemed on March 31, 2018 at a price equal to the outstanding principal amount, plus accrued interest.amount. The holders havehad the option to convert these securities into shares of ourthe Company’s common stock at any time until the end of the last business day preceding the redemption date.

On April 22, 2014, we issued 11,842,106 During the first quarter of 2018, $10.1 million of trust preferred securities were converted into 1.6 million shares of ourcommon stock. After redemption of the remaining securities on March 31 2018, Trust IV was dissolved.

75

Deferred issuance costs included in subordinated debt were $70,000 and $76,000 at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Amortization of deferred issuance costs were $6,000, $6,000, and $6,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. Deferred issuance costs in the amount of $467,000 were recorded against additional paid in capital during the first quarter of 2018 as a result of the conversion of trust preferred securities into common stock in a private placement offering for gross proceeds of $45.0 million. On December 5, 2016, we issued 18,691,589 shares of common stock in a registered direct offering for gross proceeds of $100.0 million.


Shareholders'accordance with ASC 470-20.

Shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 20172020 totaled approximately $226.5$308.1 million compared to approximately $215.1$249.2 million as of December 31, 2016.2019. The book value per share of our common stock increased to $3.97$4.41 as of December 31, 2017,2020, based upon 56,989,76458,859,778 shares outstanding, from $3.79$4.23 as of December 31, 2016,2019, based upon 56,754,86758,842,778 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016.2019. Outstanding shares are adjusted for treasury stock and deferred compensation plan shares.


Regulatory Capital Requirements

We are required to comply with certain "risk-based"“risk-based” capital adequacy guidelines issued by the FRBFederal Reserve and the FDIC. The risk-based capital guidelines assign varying risk weights to the individual assets held by a bank. The guidelines also assign weights to the "credit-equivalent"“credit-equivalent” amounts of certain off-balance sheet items, such as letters of credit and interest rate and currency swap contracts.


In July 2013, the federal bank regulatory agencies adopted revisions to the agencies' capital adequacy guidelines and prompt corrective action rules, which were designed to enhance such requirements and implement the revised standards of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, commonly referred to as Basel III. The final rules generally implemented higher minimum capital requirements, added a new common equity Tier 1 capital requirement, and established criteria that instruments must meet to be considered common equity Tier 1 capital, additional Tier 1 capital or Tier 2 capital. 

Under the capital rules, risk-based capital ratios are calculated by dividing common equity Tier 1, Tier 1, and total risk-based capital, respectively, by risk-weighted assets. Assets and off-balance sheet credit equivalents are assigned to one of several categories of risk-weights, based primarily on relative risk. Under the Federal Reserve'sapplicable capital rules, Republic is required to maintain a minimum common equity Tier 1 capital ratio requirement of 4.5%, a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement of 6%, a minimum total capital requirement of 8% and a minimum leverage ratio requirement of 4%. Under the new rules, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions (including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers), a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital above its minimum risk-based capital requirements in an amount greater than 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets.  The capital conservation buffer, which is composed of common equity Tier 1 capital, began on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and will be phased in over a three year period (increasing by that amount on each January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019).  Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to common equity Tier 1 capital began on January 1, 2015 and will be phased-in over a three-year period (beginning at 40% on January 1, 2015 and an additional 20% per year thereafter).

66

The following table shows the required capital ratios with the conservation buffer over the phase-in period.

  
Basel III Community Banks
Minimum Capital Ratio Requirements
 
  2016  2017  2018  2019 
             
Common equity Tier 1 capital (CET1)  5.125%  5.750%  6.375%  7.000%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)  6.625%  7.250%  7.875%  8.500%
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)  8.625%  9.250%  9.875%  10.500%

The risk-based capital ratios measure the adequacy of a bank'sbank’s capital against the riskiness of its assets and off-balance sheet activities. Failure to maintain adequate capital is a basis for "prompt“prompt corrective action"action” or other regulatory enforcement action. In assessing a bank'sbank’s capital adequacy, regulators also consider other factors such as interest rate risk exposure; liquidity, funding and market risks; quality and level or earnings; concentrations of credit, quality of loans and investments; risks of any nontraditional activities; effectiveness of bank policies; and management'smanagement’s overall ability to monitor and control risks.

76

Management believes that the Company and Republic met, as of December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, all capital adequacy requirements under the Basel III Capital Rules on a fully phased-in basis as if all such requirements were currently in effect. basis. In the current year, the FDIC categorized Republic as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. There are no calculations or events since that notification which management believes would have changed Republic'sRepublic’s category.


The Company and Republic'sRepublic’s ability to maintain the required levels of capital is substantially dependent upon the success of their capital and business plans, the impact of future economic events on Republic'sRepublic’s loan customers and Republic'sRepublic’s ability to manage its interest rate risk, growth and other operating expenses.

67



The following table presents the Company'sCompany’s and Republic'sRepublic’s capital regulatory ratios calculated based on Basel III guidelines at December 31, 20172020 and 2016:


(dollars in thousands) 
Actual
 
Minimum Capital
Adequacy
  
Minimum Capital
Adequacy with
Capital Buffer
  
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
 
  Amount  Ratio Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio 
At December 31, 2017:                    
                     
Total risk based capital                    
Republic $187,732   12.57%  $119,446   8.00%  $138,109   9.25%  $149,307   10.00% 
Company  249,510   16.70%   119,521   8.00%   138,197   9.25%   -          -% 
Tier one risk based capital                          
Republic  179,133   12.00%   89,584   6.00%   108,248   7.25%   119,446   8.00% 
Company  240,911   16.13%   89,641   6.00%   108,316   7.25%   -         -% 
    CET 1 risk based capital                         
Republic  179,133   12.00%   67,188   4.50%   85,852   5.75%   97,050   6.50% 
Company  220,433   14.75%   67,231   4.50%   85,906   5.75%   -          -% 
Tier one leveraged capital                          
Republic  179,133     7.91%   90,531   4.00%   90,531   4.00%   113,164   5.00% 
Company  240,911   10.64%   90,586   4.00%   90,586   4.00%   -          -% 
                          
At December 31, 2016:                         
                           
Total risk based capital                    
Republic $179,057   13.93%  $102,811   8.00%  $110,843   8.625%  $128,514   10.00% 
Company  245,043   18.99%   103,226   8.00%   111,290   8.625%   -          -% 
Tier one risk based capital                        
Republic  169,902   13.22%   77,108   6.00%   85,140   6.625%   102,811   8.00% 
Company  235,888   18.28%   77,419   6.00%   85,484   6.625%   -         -% 
CET 1 risk based capital                         
Republic  169,902   13.22%   57,831   4.50%   65,863   5.125%   83,534   6.50% 
Company  214,088   16.59%   58,064   4.50%   66,129   5.125%   -         -% 
Tier one leveraged capital                         
Republic  169,902     9.20%   73,843   4.00%   73,843   4.00%   92,304   5.00% 
Company  235,888   12.74%   74,073   4.00%   74,073   4.00%   -         -% 

2019:

(dollars in thousands)

 

Actual

  

Minimum Capital

Adequacy

  

Minimum Capital

Adequacy with

Capital Buffer

  

To Be Well

Capitalized Under

Prompt Corrective

Action Provisions

 
  

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

 

At December 31, 2020:

                                
                                 

Total risk based capital

                                

Republic

 $298,291   12.36

%

 $193,062   8.00

%

 $253,394   10.50

%

 $241,327   10.00

%

Company

  326,554   13.50

%

  193,498   8.00

%

  253,967   10.50

%

  -   -

%

Tier one risk based capital

                                

Republic

  285,316   11.82

%

  144,796   6.00

%

  205,128   8.50

%

  193,062   8.00

%

Company

  313,579   12.96

%

  145,124   6.00

%

  205,592   8.50

%

  -   -

%

CET 1 risk based capital

                                

Republic

  285,316   11.82

%

  108,597   4.50

%

  168,929   7.00

%

  156,863   6.50

%

Company

  254,254   10.51

%

  108,843   4.50

%

  169,311   7.00

%

  -   -

%

Tier one leveraged capital

                                

Republic

  287,114   7.44

%

  153,414   4.00

%

  153,414   4.00

%

  191,767   5.00

%

Company

  308,113   8.17

%

  153,621   4.00

%

  153,621   4.00

%

  -   -

%

                                 

At December 31, 2019:

                                
                                 

Total risk based capital

                                

Republic

 $252,307   11.94

%

 $169,016   8.00

%

 $221,833   10.50

%

 $211,270   10.00

%

Company

  261,759   12.37

%

  169,251   8.00

%

  222,141   10.50

%

  -   -

%

Tier one risk based capital

                                

Republic

  243,041   11.50

%

  126,762   6.00

%

  179,579   8.50

%

  169,016   8.00

%

Company

  252,493   11.93

%

  126,938   6.00

%

  179,829   8.50

%

  -   -

%

CET 1 risk based capital

                                

Republic

  243,041   11.50

%

  95,071   4.50

%

  147,889   7.00

%

  137,325   6.50

%

Company

  241,493   11.41

%

  95,203   4.50

%

  148,094   7.00

%

  -   -

%

Tier one leveraged capital

                                

Republic

  245,158   7.54

%

  128,935   4.00

%

  128,935   4.00

%

  161,169   5.00

%

Company

  249,168   7.83

%

  129,058   4.00

%

  129,058   4.00

%

  -   -

%

Liquidity

A financial institution must maintain and manage liquidity to ensure it has the ability to meet its financial obligations. These obligations include the payment of deposits on demand or at their contractual maturity; the repayment of borrowings as they mature; the payment of lease obligations as they become due; the ability to fund new and existing loans and other funding commitments; and the ability to take advantage of new business opportunities. Liquidity needs can be met by either reducing assets or increasing liabilities. Our most liquid assets consist of cash, amounts due from banks and federal funds sold.

77


Regulatory authorities require us to maintain certain liquidity ratios in order for funds to be available to satisfy commitments to borrowers and the demands of depositors. In response to these requirements, we have formed an asset/liability committee (ALCO), comprised of certain members of Republic'sRepublic’s Board of Directors and senior management to monitor such ratios. The ALCO committee is responsible for managing the liquidity position and interest sensitivity. That committee'scommittee’s primary objective is to maximize net interest income while configuring Republic'sRepublic’s interest-sensitive assets and liabilities to manage interest rate risk and provide adequate liquidity for projected needs. The ALCO committee meets on a quarterly basis or more frequently if deemed necessary.

68

Our target and actual liquidity levels are determined by comparisons of the estimated repayment and marketability of interest-earning assets with projected future outflows of deposits and other liabilities. Our most liquid assets, comprised of cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet, totaled $61.9$775.3 million at December 31, 2017,2020, compared to $34.6$168.3 million at December 31, 2016.2019. Loan maturities and repayments are another source of asset liquidity. At December 31, 2017,2020, Republic estimated that more than $60.0$85 million of loans would mature or repay in the six-month period ending June 30, 2018.2021. Additionally, a significant portion of our investment securities are available to satisfy liquidity requirements through sales on the open market or by pledging as collateral to access credit facilities. At December 31, 2017,2020, we had outstanding commitments (including unused lines of credit and letters of credit) of $276.9$445.5 million. Certificates of deposit scheduled to mature in one year totaled $54.5$162.5 million at December 31, 2017.2020. We anticipate that we will have sufficient funds available to meet all current commitments.

Daily funding requirements have historically been satisfied by generating core deposits and certificates of deposit with competitive rates, buying federal funds or utilizing the credit facilities of the FHLB. We have established a line of credit with the FHLB of Pittsburgh. Our maximum borrowing capacity with the FHLB was $576.5$1.1 billion at December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, we had no outstanding overnight borrowings. At December 31, 2020, FHLB had issued a letter on Republic’s behalf, totaling $150.0 million against our available credit. Our maximum borrowing capacity with the FHLB was $860.5 million at December 31, 2017.2019. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016,2019, we had no outstanding borrowings with the FHLB. As ofovernight borrowings. At December 31, 2017,2019, FHLB had issued letters of credit,a letter on Republic'sRepublic’s behalf, totaling $75.0$150.0 million against our available credit line.credit. We also established a contingency line of credit of $10.0 million with Atlantic Community BankersACBB and a Fed Funds line of credit with Zions Bank ("ACBB")in the amount of $15.0 million to assist in managing our liquidity position. We had no amounts outstanding against the ACBB line of credit or the Zions Fed Funds line at both December 31, 20172020 and 2016.


December 31, 2019. As part of the CARES Act, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia offered secured discounted borrowing capacity to banks that originated PPP loans through the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility or PPPLF program. At December 31, 2020, the Company pledged $633.9 million of PPP loans to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia to borrow $633.9 million of funds at a rate of 0.35%.

Variable Interest Entities


We follow the guidance under ASC 810, Consolidation, with regard to variable interest entities. ASC 810 clarifies the application of consolidation principles for certain legal entities in which voting rights are not effective in identifying the investor with the controlling financial interest. An entity is subject to consolidation under ASC 810 if the investors do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, are unable to direct the entity'sentity’s activities, or are not exposed to the entity'sentity’s losses or entitled to its residual returns ("(“variable interest entities"entities”). Variable interest entities within the scope of ASC 810 will be required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is determined to be the party that absorbs a majority of the entity'sentity’s expected losses, receives a majority of its expected returns, or both.

78


We do not consolidate our subsidiary trusts.  ASC 810 precludes consideration of the call option embedded in the preferred securities when determining if we have the right to a majority of the trusts'trusts’ expected residual returns. The non-consolidation results in the investment in the common securities of the trusts to be included in other assets with a corresponding increase in outstanding debt of $676,000.$341,000. In addition, the income received on our investment in the common securities of the trusts is included in other income.


Effects of Inflation

The majority of assets and liabilities of a financial institution are monetary in nature. Therefore, a financial institution differs greatly from most commercial and industrial companies that have significant investments in fixed assets or inventories. Management believes that the most significant impact of inflation on financial results is our need and ability to react to changes in interest rates. As discussed previously, management attempts to maintain an essentially balanced position between rate sensitive assets and liabilities over a one-year time horizon in order to protect net interest income from being affected by wide interest rate fluctuations.

69

Item 7A:Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk


See "Management“Management Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition – Interest Rate Risk Management"Management”.

Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data


The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company begin on page 73.




















82.

70

79

Tel:215-564-1900
Fax:215-564-3940
www.bdo.com
Ten Penn Center
1801 Market Street, Suite 1700
Philadelphia, PA 19103



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


Shareholders and Board of Directors

Republic First Bancorp, Inc.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"“Company”) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, the related consolidated statements of income,operations, comprehensive income, (loss), changes in shareholders'shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "consolidated“consolidated financial statements"statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company and subsidiaries at December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 20172020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"(“PCAOB”), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"(“COSO”) and our report dated March 13, 201811, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company'sCompany’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

71

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

80



Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. 

Allowance forCredit Losses

As described in Notes 2 and 5 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the Company has a gross loan portfolio of $2.7 billion and related allowance for credit losses of $13.0 million as of December 31, 2020. The allowance for credit losses includes a reserve for loans collectively evaluated for impairment of $12.4 million and loans individually evaluated for impairment of $0.6 million. In calculating the reserve for loans collectively evaluated for impairment, factors considered include quantitative loss factors and qualitative risk factors to estimate inherent losses. Significant judgment is used by management to determine the qualitative factors’ effect on the estimation of inherent losses within the collectively evaluated loan portfolio. 

We identified the assumptions used by management to estimate the qualitative factors used in the collectively evaluated component of the allowance for credit losses as a critical audit matter. The Company assigns qualitative risk factors reflecting current conditions, including the impact of COVID-19, that are expected to impact the collectability of the loan portfolio. Auditing these complex judgments and assumptions involved especially challenging and subjective auditor judgment due to the nature and extent of audit evidence and effort required to address these matters.  

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included: 

●    Assessing the design and operating effectiveness of controls relating to management’s review of assumptions used in qualitative risk factors, and the resulting reserve for loans collectively evaluated for impairment. 

●    Assessing the appropriateness of assumptions and factors that the Company used in forming the qualitative risk factors reflecting current conditions including the impact COVID-19, for collectively evaluated loans and assessing whether such factors were relevant, reliable, and reasonable for the purpose used.

●    Evaluating data used in developing the qualitative factors by comparing it to internally developed and other third-party data available in the Company’s geography, and evaluating any contradictory evidence identified. 

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2013.


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 13, 2018











11, 2021

72

81




Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets

December 31, 20172020 and 2016

2019

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

  

December 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 

ASSETS

        

Cash and due from banks

 $29,746  $41,928 

Interest bearing deposits with banks

  745,554   126,391 

Cash and cash equivalents

  775,300   168,319 

Investment securities available for sale, at fair value

  528,508   539,042 

Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $836,972 and $653,109, respectively)

  814,936   644,842 

Equity securities

  9,039   0 

Restricted stock, at cost

  3,039   2,746 

Mortgage loans held for sale, at fair value

  50,387   10,345 

Other loans held for sale

  2,983   3,004 

Loans receivable (net of allowance for credit losses of $12,975 and $9,266, respectively)

  2,632,367   1,738,929 

Premises and equipment, net

  123,170   116,956 

Other real estate owned, net

  1,188   1,730 

Accrued interest receivable

  16,120   9,934 

Operating lease right-of-use asset

  72,946   64,805 

Goodwill

  0   5,011 

Other assets

  35,752   35,627 

Total Assets

 $5,065,735  $3,341,290 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

        

Liabilities

        

Deposits

        

Demand – non-interest bearing

 $1,006,876  $661,431 

Demand – interest bearing

  1,776,995   1,352,360 

Money market and savings

  1,043,519   761,793 

Time deposits

  186,361   223,579 

Total Deposits

  4,013,751   2,999,163 

Other borrowings

  633,866   0 

Accrued interest payable

  926   1,630 

Other liabilities

  20,232   11,208 

Operating lease liability

  77,576   68,856 

Subordinated debt

  11,271   11,265 

Total Liabilities

  4,757,622   3,092,122 

Commitments and contingencies (see note 12)

  -   - 

Shareholders Equity

        

Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; liquidation preference $25.00 per share; 10,000,000 shares authorized; share issued 2,000,000 as of December 31, 2020 and no shares as of December 31,2019; shares outstanding 2,000,000 as of December 31, 2020 and no shares as of December 31, 2019

  20   0 

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 100,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued 59,388,623 as of December 31, 2020 and 59,371,623 as of December 31, 2019; shares outstanding 58,859,778 as of December 31, 2020 and 58,842,778 as of December 31, 2019

  594   594 

Additional paid in capital

  322,321   272,039 

Accumulated deficit

  (8,085)  (12,216)

Treasury stock at cost (503,408 shares as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019)

  (3,725)  (3,725)

Stock held by deferred compensation plan (25,437 shares as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019)

  (183)  (183)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (2,829)  (7,341)

Total Shareholders’ Equity

  308,113   249,168 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 $5,065,735  $3,341,290 
  
December 31,
2017 
  
December 31,
2016 
 
ASSETS      
Cash and due from banks $36,073  $19,830 
Interest bearing deposits with banks  25,869   14,724 
    Cash and cash equivalents  61,942   34,554 
         
Investment securities available for sale, at fair value  464,430   369,739 
Investment securities held to maturity, at amortized cost (fair value of $463,799 and $425,183, respectively)  472,213   432,499 
Restricted stock, at cost  1,918   1,366 
Loans held for sale (includes $43,375 and $23,911 at fair value respectively)  45,700   28,065 
Loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses of $8,599 and $9,155, respectively)  1,153,679   955,817 
Premises and equipment, net  74,947   57,040 
Other real estate owned, net  6,966   10,174 
Accrued interest receivable  7,009   5,497 
Goodwill  5,011   5,011 
Intangible asset  -   61 
Other assets  28,532   24,108 
    Total Assets $2,322,347  $1,923,931 
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Liabilities        
Deposits        
   Demand – non-interest bearing $438,500  $324,912 
   Demand – interest bearing  807,736   605,950 
   Money market and savings  700,322   635,644 
   Time deposits  116,737   111,164 
       Total Deposits  2,063,295   1,677,670 
         
Accrued interest payable  293   444 
Other liabilities  10,618   8,883 
Subordinated debt  21,681   21,881 
    Total Liabilities  2,095,887   1,708,878 
         
Shareholders' Equity        
Preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share: 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding  -   - 
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 100,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued
    57,518,609 as of December 31, 2017 and 57,283,712 as of December 31, 2016; shares
    outstanding 56,989,764 as of December 31, 2017 and 56,754,867 as of December 31,
    2016
  575   573 
Additional paid in capital  256,285   253,570 
Accumulated deficit  (18,983)  (27,888)
Treasury stock at cost (503,408 shares as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016)  (3,725)  (3,725)
Stock held by deferred compensation plan (25,437 shares as of December 31, 2017 and
    December 31, 2016)
  (183)  (183)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (7,509)  (7,294)
    Total Shareholders' Equity  226,460   215,053 
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $2,322,347  $1,923,931 

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

82


 
73


Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

Operations

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015

2018

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

  

Years Ended December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Interest income

            

Interest and fees on taxable loans

 $91,177  $72,808  $62,502 

Interest and fees on tax-exempt loans

  2,115   1,689   1,543 

Interest and dividends on taxable investment securities

  21,059   27,459   26,677 

Interest and dividends on tax-exempt investment securities

  85   337   505 

Interest on federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets

  514   2,571   847 

Total interest income

  114,950   104,864   92,074 

Interest expense

            

Demand- interest bearing

  12,645   15,621   7,946 

Money market and savings

  6,247   6,796   4,898 

Time deposits

  3,859   3,850   1,588 

Other borrowings

  367   790   1,738 

Total interest expense

  23,118   27,057   16,170 

Net interest income

  91,832   77,807   75,904 

Provision for loan losses

  4,200   1,905   2,300 

Net interest income after provision for loan losses

  87,632   75,902   73,604 

Non-interest income

            

Loan and servicing fees

  2,920   1,568   1,401 

Mortgage banking income

  17,588   10,125   10,233 

Gain on sales of SBA loans

  1,741   3,187   3,105 

Service fees on deposit accounts

  11,058   7,541   5,476 

Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities

  2,760   1,103   (67)

Other non-interest income

  168   214   174 

Total non-interest income

  36,235   23,738   20,322 

Non-interest expenses

            

Salaries and employee benefits

  56,277   53,888   44,082 

Occupancy

  14,033   11,565   8,046 

Depreciation and amortization

  8,177   6,482   5,447 

Legal

  1,164   1,335   985 

Other real estate owned

  459   2,109   1,588 

Appraisal and other loan expenses

  2,368   1,829   1,840 

Advertising

  1,240   1,930   1,211 

Data processing

  6,471   5,220   3,855 

Insurance

  1,172   1,070   996 

Professional fees

  3,058   2,589   2,048 

Debit card processing

  3,587   2,467   1,868 

Regulatory assessments and costs

  2,549   1,228   1,675 

Taxes, other

  916   837   796 

Goodwill impairment

  5,011   0   0 

Other operating expenses

  10,941   11,941   9,284 

Total non-interest expense

  117,423   104,490   83,721 

Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes

  6,444   (4,850)  10,205 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

  1,390   (1,350)  1,578 

Net income (loss)

 $5,054  $(3,500) $8,627 

Preferred stock dividends

  923   0   0 

Net income (loss) available to common stockholders

 $4,131  $(3,500) $8,627 

Net income (loss) per share

            

Basic earnings per common share

 $0.07  $(0.06) $0.15 

Diluted earnings per common share

 $0.07  $(0.06) $0.15 
  Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
Interest income         
Interest and fees on taxable loans $48,993  $40,827  $37,241 
Interest and fees on tax-exempt loans  1,101   960   540 
Interest and dividends on taxable investment securities  19,643   11,264   6,792 
Interest and dividends on tax-exempt investment securities  535   703   585 
Interest on federal funds sold and other interest-earning assets  577   473   278 
Total interest income  70,849   54,227   45,436 
Interest expense            
   Demand- interest bearing  3,020   2,088   1,401 
   Money market and savings  3,160   2,639   2,170 
   Time deposits  1,238   942   695 
   Other borrowings  1,366   1,194   1,115 
Total interest expense  8,784   6,863   5,381 
Net interest income  62,065   47,364   40,055 
Provision for loan losses  900   1,557   500 
Net interest income after provision for loan losses  61,165   45,807   39,555 
Non-interest income            
Loan and servicing fees  1,614   1,627   2,226 
Mortgage banking income  11,170   5,062   - 
Gain on sales of SBA loans  3,378   4,981   3,139 
Service fees on deposit accounts  3,904   2,658   1,720 
Legal settlements  -   -   2,550 
Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities  (146)  656   108 
Net securities impairment losses recognized in earnings  -   (7)  (3)
Other non-interest income  177   335   203 
Total non-interest income  20,097   15,312   9,943 
Non-interest expenses            
 Salaries and employee benefits  37,959   28,602   22,488 
 Occupancy  7,156   6,109   4,929 
 Depreciation and amortization  4,618   3,518   3,080 
 Legal  984   459   915 
 Other real estate owned  4,092   2,182   4,239 
 Appraisal and other loan expenses  1,878   866   280 
 Advertising  1,279   811   627 
 Data processing  3,134   2,408   1,593 
 Insurance  982   962   720 
 Professional fees  1,893   1,580   1,268 
 Regulatory assessments and costs  1,367   1,413   1,248 
 Taxes, other  817   366   689 
 Other operating expenses  9,117   7,017   5,015 
Total non-interest expense  75,276   56,293   47,091 
Income before benefit for income taxes  5,986   4,826   2,407 
Benefit for income taxes  (2,919)  (119)  (26)
Net income $8,905  $4,945  $2,433 
Net income per share            
Basic $0.16  $0.13  $0.06 
Diluted $0.15  $0.12  $0.06 


(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

83


74



Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015

2018

(Dollars in thousands)

  

Years Ended December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 
             

Net income (loss)

 $5,054  $(3,500) $8,627 
             

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

            

Unrealized gain on securities (pre-tax $5,789, $5,120, and $5,364, respectively)

  4,320   4,284   3,927 

Reclassification adjustment for securities losses (gains) (pre-tax $(2,760), $(1,103) and $67, respectively)

  (2,060)  (823)  49 

Net unrealized gains on securities

  2,260   3,461   3,976 

Net unrealized holding losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity (pre-tax $-, $-, $(9,362), respectively)

  -   -   (6,855)

Amortization of net unrealized holding losses during the period (pre-tax $3,018, $1,658, and $137, respectively)

  2,252   1,125   101 
             

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

  4,512   4,586   (2,778)
             

Total comprehensive income

 $9,566  $1,086  $5,849 

  
Years Ended December 31,
 
  2017  2016  2015 
          
Net income $8,905  $4,945  $2,433 
             
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax            
Unrealized loss on securities (pre-tax $(646), $(6,011), and $(4,021), respectively)  (413)  (3,853)  (2,577)
Reclassification adjustment for securities losses (gains) (pre-tax $146, $(656) and $(108), respectively)  94   (420)  (69)
Reclassification adjustment for impairment charge (pre-tax $-, $7 and $3, respectively)  -   4   2 
Net unrealized losses on securities  (319)  (4,269)  (2,644)
Amortization of net unrealized holding
losses during the period (pre-tax $163, $219 and $173, respectively)
  104   140   111 
             
Total other comprehensive loss  (215)  (4,129)  (2,533)
             
Total comprehensive income (loss) $8,690  $816  $(100)
             

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

84

 

 
75

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015

2018

(Dollars in thousands)

  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Cash flows from operating activities

            

Net income (loss)

 $5,054  $(3,500) $8,627 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:

            

Goodwill impairment

  5,011   0   0 

Provision for loan losses

  4,200   1,905   2,300 

Write down of other real estate owned

  31   286   563 

Depreciation and amortization

  8,177   6,482   5,447 

Deferred income taxes

  910   1,744   1,527 

Stock based compensation

  1,918   2,632   2,116 

Loss (gain) on sale of investment securities

  (2,760)  (1,103)  67 

Amortization of premiums on investment securities

  7,480   3,730   2,878 

Accretion of discounts on retained SBA loans

  (880)  (1,411)  (1,332)

Fair value adjustments on SBA servicing assets

  358   1,364   1,458 

Proceeds from sales of SBA loans originated for sale

  25,470   46,951   42,726 

SBA loans originated for sale

  (23,708)  (41,364)  (42,700)

Gains on sales of SBA loans originated for sale

  (1,741)  (3,187)  (3,105)

Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans originated for sale

  479,324   335,991   322,264 

Mortgage loans originated for sale

  (504,488)  (317,881)  (291,870)

Fair value adjustment for mortgage loans originated for sale

  (1,915)  454   513 

Gains on mortgage loans originated for sale

  (12,981)  (8,117)  (8,378)

Amortization of debt issuance costs

  6   6   6 

Non-cash expense related to leases

  532   1,128   0 

Increase in accrued interest receivable and other assets

  (7,845)  (8,464)  (5,047)

Net increase in accrued interest payable and other liabilities

  7,118   1,687   1,570 

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

  (10,729)  19,333   39,630 

Cash flows from investing activities

            

Purchase of investment securities available for sale

  (284,015)  (338,500)  (149,209)

Purchase of equity securities

  (9,039)  0   0 

Purchase of investment securities held to maturity

  (402,554)  0   (123,265)

Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale

  125,222   54,742   6,439 

Proceeds from the paydown, maturity, or call of securities available for sale

  170,874   69,012   48,796 

Proceeds from the paydown, maturity, or call of securities held to maturity

  232,238   116,486   63,565 

Net (purchase) redemption of restricted stock

  (293)  3,008   (3,836)

Net increase in loans

  (896,991)  (312,665)  (275,587)

Net proceeds from sale of other real estate owned

  744   5,072   495 

Premises and equipment expenditures

  (14,391)  (35,777)  (18,161)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (1,078,205)  (438,622)  (450,763)

Cash flows from financing activities

            

Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock

  48,325   0   0 

Net proceeds from exercise of stock options

  41   261   670 

Net increase in demand, money market and savings deposits

  1,051,806   536,974   292,053 

Net (decrease) increase in time deposits

  (37,218)  69,322   37,519 

Increase (repayment) in short-term borrowings

  0   (91,422)  91,422 

Increase (repayment) in other borrowings

  633,866   0   0 

Preferred stock dividends paid

  (923)  0   0 

Return of short swing profit

  18   0   0 

Net cash provided by financing activities

  1,695,915   515,135   421,664 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

  606,981   95,846   10,531 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

  168,319   72,473   61,942 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

 $775,300  $168,319  $72,473 

Supplemental disclosures

            

Interest paid

 $23,822  $25,985  $15,905 

Non-cash transfers from loans to other real estate owned

 $233  $1,225  $315 

Conversion of subordinated debt to common stock

 $0  $0  $10,094 

Transfer of available-for-sale securities to held-to-maturity securities

 $0  $0  $230,094 
  2017  2016  2015 
Cash flows from operating activities         
Net income $8,905  $4,945  $2,433 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:            
Provision for loan losses  900   1,557   500 
Write down of other real estate owned  3,000   355   3,069 
Depreciation and amortization  4,618   3,518   3,080 
Deferred income taxes  (5,056)  (380)  (84)
Stock based compensation  1,842   759   600 
Loss (gain) on sale of investment securities  146   (656)  (108)
Impairment charges on investment securities  -   7   3 
Amortization of premiums on investment securities  2,469   1,980   840 
Accretion of discounts on retained SBA loans  (1,088)  (1,364)  (1,005)
Fair value adjustments on SBA servicing assets  1,187   1,075   14 
Proceeds from sales of SBA loans originated for sale  42,269   58,107   32,922 
SBA loans originated for sale  (37,062)  (53,627)  (31,760)
Gains on sales of SBA loans originated for sale  (3,378)  (4,981)  (3,139)
Proceeds from sales of mortgage loans originated for sale  311,187   163,414   - 
Mortgage loans originated for sale  (321,222)  (161,717)  - 
Fair value adjustment for mortgage loans originated for sale  (846)  (483)  - 
Gains on mortgage loans originated for sale  (8,128)  (3,712)  - 
Amortization of intangible assets  61   43   - 
Amortization of debt issuance costs  29   24   24 
Increase in accrued interest receivable and other assets  (2,330)  (2,729)  (2,966)
Net increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable and other liabilities  1,513   (846)  213 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities  (984)  5,289   4,636 
             
Cash flows from investing activities            
Purchase of investment securities available for sale  (165,065)  (207,482)  (146,668)
Purchase of investment securities held to maturity  (89,350)  (294,187)  (121,402)
Proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale  31,197   78,585   11,707 
Proceeds from the paydowns, maturity or call of securities available for sale  48,547   36,982   31,159 
Proceeds from the paydowns, maturity or call of securities held to maturity  37,315   33,160   16,689 
Net (purchase) redemption of restricted stock  (552)  1,693   (1,902)
Net increase in loans  (197,965)  (89,428)  (106,616)
Net proceeds from sale of other real estate owned  499   1,400   792 
Net cash paid in acquisition  -   (5,913)  - 
Premises and equipment expenditures  (22,525)  (14,291)  (14,214)
Net cash used in investing activities  (357,899)  (459,481)  (330,455)
             
Cash flows from financing activities            
Net proceeds from stock offering  -   99,175   - 
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options  646   726   64 
Net increase in demand, money market and savings deposits  380,052   384,786   184,859 
Net increase (decrease) in time deposits  5,573   43,586   (7,791)
(Repayment) increase in short-term borrowings  -   (66,666)  47,000 
Net cash provided by financing activities  386,271   461,607   224,132 
             
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  27,388   7,415   (101,687)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  34,554   27,139   128,826 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $61,942  $34,554  $27,139 
             
Supplemental disclosures            
Interest paid $8,935  $6,664  $5,401 
Income taxes paid $75  $190  $- 
Non-cash transfers from loans to other real estate owned $291  $616  $11,459 
Conversion of subordinated debt to common stock $229  $-  $- 

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

85

 
76

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders'Shareholders Equity

For the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015

2018

(Dollars in thousands)

  

Preferred

Stock

  

Common

Stock

  

Additional

Paid in

Capital

  

Accumulated

Deficit

  

Treasury

Stock

  

Stock Held by Deferred Compensation

Plan

  

Accumulated

Other Comprehensive

Loss

  

Total

Shareholders Equity

 
                                 

Balance January 1, 2018

 $-  $575  $256,285  $(18,983) $(3,725) $(183) $(7,509) $226,460 
                                 

Reclassification due to the adoption of ASU 2018-02

              1,640           (1,640)  - 

Net income

              8,627               8,627 

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

                          (2,778)  (2,778)

Stock based compensation

          2,116                   2,116 

Conversion of subordinated debt to common stock (1,624,614 shares)

      16   10,078                   10,094 

Options exercised (174,850 shares)

      2   668                   670 
                                 

Balance December 31, 2018

  0   593   269,147   (8,716)  (3,725)  (183)  (11,927)  245,189 
                                 

Net loss

              (3,500)              (3,500)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                          4,586   4,586 

Stock based compensation

          2,632                   2,632 

Options exercised (53,550 shares)

      1   260                   261 
                                 

Balance December 31, 2019

  -   594   272,039   (12,216)  (3,725)  (183)  (7,341)  249,168 
                                 

Net income

              5,054               5,054 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                          4,512   4,512 

Preferred stock dividends (1)

              (923)              (923)

Proceeds from shares issued under preferred stock offering (2,000,000 shares) net of offering costs of $1,675

  20       48,305                   48,325 

Stock based compensation

          1,918                   1,918 

Return of short swing profit

          18                   18 

Options exercised (17,000 shares)

          41                   41 
                                 

Balance December 31, 2020

 $20  $594  $322,321  $(8,085) $(3,725) $(183) $(2,829) $308,113 
  
Common
Stock
  
Additional
Paid in
Capital
  
Accumulated Deficit
  
Treasury
Stock
  
Stock Held by Deferred Compensation
Plan
  
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive Loss
  
Total
Shareholders' Equity
 
                      
Balance January 1, 2015 $383   152,234   (35,266)  (3,725)  (183)  (632)  112,811 
                             
Net income          2,433               2,433 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                      (2,533)  (2,533)
Stock based compensation      600                   600 
Options exercised (21,500 shares)  1   63                   64 
                             
Balance December 31,  2015  384   152,897   (32,833)  (3,725)  (183)  (3,165)  113,375 
                             
Net income          4,945               4,945 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                      (4,129)  (4,129)
Proceeds from shares issued under common stock offering (18,691,589 shares) net of offering costs of $825  187   98,988                   99,175 
Stock based compensation      759                   759 
Stock options issued in acquisition      202                   202 
Options exercised (226,275 shares)  2   724                   726 
                             
Balance December 31, 2016  573   253,570   (27,888)  (3,725)  (183)  (7,294)  215,053 
                             
Net income          8,905               8,905 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax                      (215)  (215)
Stock based compensation      1,842                   1,842 
Conversion of subordinated debt to common stock (36,922 shares)      229                   229 
Options exercised (197,975 shares)  2   644                   646 
                             
Balance December 31, 2017 $575  $256,285  $(18,983) $(3,725) $(183) $(7,509) $226,460 


(1)

Dividends per share of $0.46 were declared on preferred stock for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020

(See notes to consolidated financial statements)

86

77

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


1.

Nature of Operations


Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"“Company”) is a one-bankone-bank holding company organized and incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is comprised of one wholly-owned subsidiary, Republic First Bank, which does business under the name of Republic Bank ("Republic"(“Republic”). Republic is a Pennsylvania state chartered bank that offers a variety of banking services to individuals and businesses throughout the Greater Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey, and South Jersey areaNew York City markets through its offices and store locations in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, Camden, Burlington, Atlantic, Gloucester, and GloucesterNew York Counties. On July 28, In 2016, Republic acquired all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Oak Mortgage Company, LLC ("(“Oak Mortgage"Mortgage”) and, as a result, Oak Mortgage became a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic on that date. Oak Mortgage is headquartered in Marlton, NJ and is licensed to do business in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Florida. In 2018, Oak Mortgage was merged into Republic and restructured as a division of Republic. The Oak Mortgage name is still utilized for marketing and branding purposes. The Company also has threetwo unconsolidated subsidiaries, which are statutory trusts established by the Company in connection with its sponsorship of threetwo separate issuances of trust preferred securities.


The Company and Republic encounter vigorous competition for market share in the geographic areas they serve from bank holding companies, national, regional and other community banks, thrift institutions, credit unions and other non-bank financial organizations, such as mutual fund companies, insurance companies and brokerage companies.


The Company and Republic are subject to federal and state regulations governing virtually all aspects of their activities, including but not limited to, lines of business, liquidity, investments, the payment of dividends and others. Such regulations and the cost of adherence to such regulations can have a significant impact on earnings and financial condition.


2.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies


Basis of Presentation


The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Republic. The Company follows accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"(“FASB”).  The FASB sets accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("(“US GAAP"GAAP”) that are followed to ensure consistent reporting of financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. All material inter-company transactions have been eliminated. Events occurring subsequent to the date of the balance sheet have been evaluated for potential recognition or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.  

Risks and Uncertainties and Certain Significant Estimates

The earnings of the Company depend primarily on the earnings of Republic. The earnings of Republic are heavily dependent upon the level of net interest income, which is the difference between interest earned on its interest-earning assets, such as loans and investments, and the interest paid on its interest-bearing liabilities, such as deposits and borrowings. Accordingly, the Company'sCompany’s results of operations are subject to risks and uncertainties surrounding Republic'sRepublic’s exposure to changes in the interest rate environment. Prepayments on residential real estate mortgage and other fixed rate loans and mortgage-backed securities vary significantly and may cause significant fluctuations in interest margins.

87


78


The coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak and the public health response to contain it have resulted in unprecedented economic and financial market conditions during the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 that did not exist at December 31, 2019. In response to these evolving conditions, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“Federal Reserve”) reduced the federal funds target range by 150 basis points to 0.00% to 0.25% in March 2020. The Federal Reserve has taken additional steps to bolster the economy by promoting liquidity in certain securities markets and providing funding sources for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as, state and local governments as they work through the cash flow stresses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The economic downturn that began in the U.S. as a result of the government-mandated business closures and stay-at-home orders is significantly impacting the labor market, consumer spending, business investment and profitability. As a result, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), which is the largest economic stimulus package in the nation’s history in an effort to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on consumers and businesses. Among other measures, the CARES Act authorized funding for the Small Business Administration’s (“SBA”) Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) to provide loans to small businesses to keep employees on their payroll and to make other eligible payments to sustain their operation in the near term. In December 2020, the Economic Aid Act was signed into law, which extended certain provisions of the CARES Act and provides additional support and financial assistance for small businesses, non-profit organizations and other entities.

In a period of economic contraction, elevated levels of loan losses and lost interest income may occur. The Company continues to accrue interest on loans modified in accordance with the CARES Act. To the extent those borrowers are unable to resume normal contractual payments, the Company could experience additional losses of principal and interest. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic has a further impact the Company's business, results of operations, and financial condition, as well as the Company's regulatory capital and liquidity ratios, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the scope and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken by governmental authorities and other third parties in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.


Significant estimates are made by management in determining the allowance for loancredit losses, carrying values of other real estate owned, assessment of other than temporary impairment ("OTTI"(“OTTI”) of investment securities, fair value of financial instruments, and the realization of deferred income tax assets. Consideration is given to a variety of factors in establishing these estimates.


Significant Group Concentrations of Credit Risk

Most of the Company'sCompany’s activities are with customers located within the Greater Philadelphia region.  Note 3 – Investment Securities discusses the types of investment securities that the Company invests in.  Note 4 – Loans Receivable discusses the types of lending that the Company engages in, as well as loan concentrations.  The Company does not have a significant concentration of credit risk with any one customer.

88


Cash and Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all cash and due from banks, interest-bearing deposits with an original maturity of ninety days or less and federal funds sold, maturing in ninety days or less, to be cash and cash equivalents.


Restrictions on Cash and Due from Banks

Republic is required to maintain certain average reserve balances as established by the Federal Reserve Board. Effective March 26, 2020, the Federal Reserve announced they were reducing the reserve requirement ratio to zero percent across all deposit tiers. This comes as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact much of the way financial institutions both operate and serve their customers. As a result of this rule, there were 0 reserve balance requirements as of December 31, 2020. The amountsamount of those balancesthe balance for the reserve computation periods that include period December 31, 2017 and 2016 were2019 was approximately $31.2 million and $23.3 million, respectively.$57.2 million. These requirements were satisfied through the restriction of vault cash and a balance held by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.


Investment Securities

Held to Maturity – Certain debt securities that management has the positive intent and ability to hold until maturity are classified as held to maturity and are carried at their remaining unpaid principal balances, net of unamortized premiums or unaccreted discounts.  Premiums are amortized and discounts are accreted using the interest method over the estimated remaining term of the underlying security.

Available for Sale Debt and equity securities that will be held for indefinite periods of time, including securities that may be sold in response to changes in market interest or prepayment rates, needs for liquidity, and changes in the availability of and in the yield of alternative investments, are classified as available for sale.  These assets are carried at fair value.  Unrealized gains and losses are excluded from operations and are reported net of tax as a separate component of other comprehensive income until realized. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are reported in the consolidated statements of income and determined using the adjusted cost of the specific security sold on the trade date.

79


Equity Securities – Equity securities are carried at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of equity securities are reported in other non-interest income.

Investment securities are evaluated on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently when market conditions warrant such an evaluation, to determine whether a decline in their value is other-than-temporary. To determine whether a loss in value is other-than-temporary, management utilizes criteria such as the reasons underlying the decline, the magnitude and duration of the decline, the intent to hold the security and the likelihood of the Company not being required to sell the security prior to an anticipated recovery in the fair value. The term "other-than-temporary"“other-than-temporary” is not intended to indicate that the decline is permanent, but indicates that the prospects for a near-term recovery of value is not necessarily favorable, or that there is a lack of evidence to support a realizable value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the investment. Once a decline in value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the portion of the decline related to credit impairment is charged to earnings. Impairment charges on bank pooled trust preferred securities of $0, $7,000, and $3,000 were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively, as a result of estimated other-than-temporary impairment.


Restricted Stock

Restricted stock, which represents a required investment in the capital stock of correspondent banks related to available credit facilities, was carried at cost as of December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016.2019. As of those dates, restricted stock consisted of investments in the capital stock of the FHLB of Pittsburgh and Atlantic Community Bankers Bank ("ACBB"(“ACBB”).  The required investment in the capital stock of the FHLB is calculated based on outstanding loan balances and open credit facilities with the FHLB. Excess investments are returned to Republic on a quarterly basis.

89


At December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016, 2019, the investment in FHLB stock totaled $1.8$2.9 million and $1.2$2.6 million, respectively. The increase was due primarily to a higher membership stock requirement by FHLB at December 31, 2017 2020 which resulted in a higher required investment as of that date. At both December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016, 2019, ACBB stock totaled $143,000.


$143,000.

Mortgage Banking Activities and Mortgage Loans Held for Sale


Mortgage loans held for sale are originated and held until sold to permanent investors. On July 28, 2016, managementManagement elected to adopt the fair value option in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"(“ASC”) 820,Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, and record loans held for sale at fair value.


Mortgage loans held for sale originated on or subsequent to the election of the fair value option, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The fair value is determined on a recurring basis by utilizing quoted prices from dealers in such securities. Changes in fair value are reflected in mortgage banking income in the statements of income.operations. Direct loan origination costs are recognized when incurred and are included in non-interest expense in the statements of income.


Interest Rate Lock Commitments


Mortgage loan commitments known as interest rate locks that relate to the origination of a mortgage that will be held for sale upon funding are considered derivative instruments under the derivatives and hedging accounting guidance FASB ASC 815,Derivatives and Hedging. Loan commitments that are classified as derivatives are recognized at fair value on the balance sheet as other assets and other liabilities with changes in their fair values recorded as mortgage banking income and included in non-interest income in the statements of income. Outstanding IRLCsinterest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) are subject to interest rate risk and related price risk during the period from the date of issuance through the date of loan funding, cancellation or expiration. Loan commitments generally range between 30 and 90 days; however, the borrower is not obligated to obtain the loan. Republic is subject to fallout risk related to IRLCs, which is realized if approved borrowers choose not to close on the loans within the terms of the IRLCs. Republic uses best efforts commitments to substantially eliminate these risks. The valuation of the IRLCs issued by Republic includes the value of the servicing released premium. Republic sells loans where the servicing is released, and the servicing released premium is included in the market price.price. See Note 2423 Derivatives and Risk Management Activities for further detail of IRLCs.

80


Best Efforts Forward Loan Sale Commitments


Best efforts forward loan sale commitments are commitments to sell individual mortgage loans at a fixed price to an investor at a future date. Best efforts forward loan sale commitments are accounted for as derivatives and carried at fair value, determined as the amount that would be necessary to settle the derivative financial instrument at the balance sheet date. Gross derivative assets and liabilities are recorded as other assets and other liabilities with changes in fair value during the period recorded as mortgage banking income and included in non-interest income in the statements of income.


Mandatory Forward Loan Sales Commitments


Mandatory forward loan sales commitments are based on fair values of the underlying mortgage loans and the probability of such commitments being exercised. Mandatory forwardforward loan sale commitments are accounted for as derivatives and carried at fair value, determined as the amount that would be necessary to settle the derivative financial instrument at the balance sheet date. Gross derivative assets and liabilities are recorded as other assets and other liabilities with changes in fair value during the period recorded as mortgage banking income and included in non-interest income in the statements of income.

90


Goodwill


Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the identifiable net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is recognized as an asset and is to be reviewed for impairment annually as of July 31 and between annual tests when events and circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Impairment is a condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. During

The Company has one reportable segment: Community Banking. The community banking segment primarily encompasses the commercial loan and deposit activities of the Bank, as well as, residential mortgage and consumer loan products in the area surrounding its stores. Oak Mortgage was acquired by the Bank in 2016 and organized as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Bank. Oak Mortgage was maintained as a separate legal entity through December 31, 2017 in order to preserve certain secondary market contracts and regulatory licensing requirements.

On January 1, 2018, Oak Mortgage operations were restructured as a division of Republic and all assets, liabilities, contracts, employees and activity were merged into the Republic. As a result of this restructuring, the Company re-evaluated its reporting unit structure and determined that as of July 31, 2018 there were no longer two reporting units but rather a sole reporting unit in Republic Bank. As of July 31, 2019, the Company elected to perform a Step One analysis to reviewTest for goodwill for impairment. The results of the Step One analysis indicated that the carryingfair value of the reporting unit did not exceed its fairwas higher than the book value and, thus atherefore, no Step Two analysis was not required. There wasGoodwill totaled $5.0 million as of goodwill at December 31, 2017 2019.

At March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020, and 2016.


September 30, 2020, the Company performed a quantitative analysis to determine if goodwill had been impaired due to impact of COVID-19 on the economy and the sustained decline in the Company’s stock price. At both March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, the quantitative analysis determined goodwill was not impaired. At September 30, 2020, the quantitative analysis determined goodwill was impaired. The Company concluded that all of its goodwill was impaired and recorded a non-cash charge for the amount of the impairment against earnings based on the quantitative analysis. The charge had no impact on tangible capital and a minimal impact on regulatory capital.

Loans Receivable


The loans receivable portfolio is segmented into commercial and industrial loans, commercial real estate loans, owner occupied real estate loans, construction and land development loans, consumer and other loans, residential mortgages, and residential mortgages.PPP loans. Consumer loans consist of home equity loans and other consumer loans.


Commercial and industrial loans are underwritten after evaluating historical and projected profitability and cash flow to determine the borrower'sborrower’s ability to repay their obligation as agreed. Commercial and industrial loans are made primarily based on the identified cash flow of the borrower and secondarily on the underlying collateral supporting the loan facility. Accordingly, the repayment of a commercial and industrial loan depends primarily on the creditworthiness of the borrower (and any guarantors), while liquidation of collateral is a secondary and often insufficient source of repayment.


Commercial real estate and owner occupied real estate loans are subject to the underwriting standards and processes similar to commercial and industrial loans, in addition to those underwriting standards for real estate loans. These loans are viewed primarily as cash flow dependent and secondarily as loans secured by real estate. Repayment of these loans is generally dependent upon the successful operation of the property securing the loan or the principal business conducted on the property securing the loan. In addition, the underwriting considers the amount of the principal advanced relative to the property value. Commercial real estate and owner occupied real estate loans may be adversely affected by conditions in the real estate markets or the economy in general. Management monitors and evaluates commercial real estate and owner occupied real estate loans based on cash flow estimates, collateral and risk-rating criteria. The Company also utilizes third-partythird-party experts to provide environmental and market valuations. Substantial effort is required to underwrite, monitor and evaluate commercial real estate and owner occupied real estate loans.

91

81


Construction and land development loans are underwritten based upon a financial analysis of the developers and property owners and construction cost estimates, in addition to independent appraisal valuations. These loans will rely on the value associated with the project upon completion. These cost and valuation amounts used are estimates and may be inaccurate. Construction loans generally involve the disbursement of substantial funds over a short period of time with repayment substantially dependent upon the success of the completed project. Sources of repayment of these loans would be permanent financing upon completion or sales of developed property. These loans are closely monitored by onsite inspections and are considered to be of a higher risk than other real estate loans due to their ultimate repayment being sensitive to general economic conditions, availability of long-term financing, interest rate sensitivity, and governmental regulation of real property.


Consumer and other loans consist of home equity loans and lines of credit and other loans to individuals originated through the Company'sCompany’s retail network, which are typically secured by personal property or unsecured. Home equity loans and lines of credit often carry additional risk as a result of typically being in a second position or lower in the event collateral is liquidated. Consumer loans have may also have greater credit risk because of the difference in the underlying collateral, if any. The application of various federal and state bankruptcy and insolvency laws may limit the amount that can be recovered on such loans.


Residential mortgage loans are secured by one to four family dwelling units. This group consists of first mortgages and are originated primarily at loan to value ratios of 80% or less.


Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loans, created through the Small Business Administration (“SBA”) and Treasury Department from a provision in the CARES Act, are SBA-guaranteed loans to small business to pay their employees, rent, mortgage interest, and utilities. PPP loans will be forgiven subject to clients’ providing documentation evidencing their compliant use of funds and otherwise complying with the terms of the program.

Loans that management has the intent and ability to hold for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff are stated at the amount of unpaid principal, reduced by unearned income and an allowance for loan losses. Interest on loans is calculated based upon the principal amounts outstanding. The Company defers and amortizes certain origination and commitment fees, and certain direct loan origination costs over the contractual life of the related loan. This results in an adjustment of the related loans yield.

The Company accounts for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts related to loans purchased based upon the effective interest method. If a loan prepays in full before the contractual maturity date, any unamortized premiums, discounts or fees are recognized immediately as an adjustment to interest income.


Loans are generally classified as non-accrual if they are past due as to maturity or payment of principal or interest for a period of more than 90 days, unless such loans are well-secured and in the process of collection. Loans that are on a current payment status or past due less than 90 days may also be classified as non-accrual if repayment in full of principal and/or interest is in doubt. Loans may be returned to accrual status when all principal and interest amounts contractually due are reasonably assured of repayment within an acceptable period of time, and there is a sustained period of repayment performance of interest and principal by the borrower, in accordance with the contractual terms. Generally, in the case of non-accrual loans, cash received is applied to reduce the principal outstanding.

92

82

Allowance for Credit Losses


The allowance for credit losses consists of the allowance for loan losses and the reserve for unfunded lending commitments. The allowance for loan losses represents management'smanagement’s estimate of losses inherent in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date and is recorded as a reduction to loans. The reserve for unfunded lending commitments would represent management'smanagement’s estimate of losses inherent in its unfunded loan commitments and would be recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet, if necessary. The allowance for credit losses is established through a provision for loan losses charged to operations. Loans are charged against the allowance when management believes that the collectability of the loan principal is unlikely. Recoveries on loans previously charged off are credited to the allowance.


The allowance for credit losses is an amount that represents management'smanagement’s estimate of known and inherent losses related to the loan portfolio and unfunded loan commitments. Because the allowance for credit losses is dependent, to a great extent, on the general economy and other conditions that may be beyond Republic'sRepublic’s control, the estimate of the allowance for credit losses could differ materially in the near term.


The allowance consists of specific, general and unallocated components.  The specific component relates to loans that are categorized as impaired.  For such loans that are classified as impaired, an allowance is established when the discounted cash flows (or collateral value or observable market price) of the impaired loan is lower than the carrying value of that loan.  The general component covers non-classified loans and is based on historical loss experience adjusted for several qualitative factors.  An unallocated component is maintained to cover uncertainties that could affect management'smanagement’s estimate of probable losses.  The unallocated component of the allowance reflects the margin of imprecision inherent in the underlying assumptions used in the methodologies for estimating specific and general losses in the portfolio. All identified losses are immediately charged off and therefore no portion of the allowance for loan losses is restricted to any individual loan or group of loans, and the entire allowance is available to absorb any and all loan losses.


In estimating the allowance for credit losses, management considers current economic conditions, past loss experience, diversification of the loan portfolio, delinquency statistics, results of internal loan reviews and regulatory examinations, borrowers'borrowers’ perceived financial and managerial strengths, the adequacy of underlying collateral, if collateral dependent, or present value of future cash flows, and other relevant and qualitative risk factors.  These qualitative risk factors include:


1)

1)

Lending policies and procedures, including underwriting standards and collection, charge-off and recovery practices.

2)

2)

National, regional and local economic and business conditions as well as the condition of various segments.

3)

3)

Nature and volume of the portfolio and terms of loans.

4)

4)

Experience, ability and depth of lending management and staff.

5)

5)

Volume and severity of past due, classified and nonaccrual loans as well as other loan modifications.

6)

6)

Quality of the Company'sCompany’s loan review system, and the degree of oversight by the Company'sCompany’s Board of Directors.

93

7)

7)

Existence and effect of any concentration of credit and changes in the level of such concentrations.

8)

8)

Effect of external factors, such as competition and legal and regulatory requirements.


Each factor is assigned a value to reflect improving, stable or declining conditions based on management'smanagement’s best judgment using relevant information available at the time of the evaluation. Adjustments to the factors are supported through documentation of changes in conditions in a narrative accompanying the allowance for loan loss calculation.

83


A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Factors considered by management in determining impairment, include payment status and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due.  Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired.  Management determines the significance of payment delays and payment shortfalls on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration all the circumstances surrounding the loan and the borrower, including the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, and the borrower'sborrower’s prior payment record.  Impairment is measured on a loan-by-loan basis for commercial and construction loans by the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan'sloan’s effective interest rate, the loan'sloan’s obtainable market price, or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent.


An allowance for loan losses is established for an impaired loan if its carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. The estimated fair values of substantially all of the Company'sCompany’s impaired loans are measured based on the estimated fair value of the loan'sloan’s collateral.


For commercial, consumer, and residential loans secured by real estate, estimated fair values are determined primarily through third-partythird-party appraisals. When a real estate secured loan becomes impaired, a decision is made regarding whether an updated certified appraisal of the real estate is necessary. This decision is based on various considerations, including the age of the most recent appraisal, the loan-to-value ratio based on the original appraisal and the condition of the property. Appraised values are discounted to arrive at the estimated selling price of the collateral, which is considered to be the estimated fair value. The discounts also include estimated costs to sell the property.


For commercial and industrial loans secured by non-real estate collateral, such as accounts receivable, inventory and equipment, estimated fair values are determined based on the borrower'sborrower’s financial statements, inventory reports, accounts receivable agings or equipment appraisals or invoices. Indications of value from these sources are generally discounted based on the age of the financial information or the quality of the assets.

Large groups

Pursuant to the CARES Act, loan modifications made from March 1, 2020 through the earlier of smaller balance homogeneous loans are collectively evaluatedDecember 31, 2020 or 60 days after the termination date of the national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 concerning the COVID–19 outbreak (the “national emergency”), a financial institution may elect to suspend the requirements under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. for impairment.  Accordingly,loan modifications related to the Company does not separately identify individual residential mortgage loans, home equity loans and other consumer loans for impairment disclosures, unless such loans are the subject ofCOVID–19 pandemic that would otherwise be categorized as a troubled debt restructuring agreement.restructured (“TDR”), including impairment accounting. This TDR relief is applicable for the term of the loan modification that occurs during the applicable period for a loan that was not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. In December 2020, the Economic Aid Act was signed into law which amended certain sections of the CARES Act. This amendment extended the period to suspend the requirements under TDR accounting guidance to the earlier of i) January 1, 2022 or ii) 60 days after the President declares a termination of the national emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The option to defer principal payments only or both principal and interest payments was offered to loan customers that expressed a need to defer loan payments as a result of the financial impact of the COVID pandemic on their business. The ability to defer loan payments was initially limited to 90 days. An extension for an additional 90 days was granted if conditions warranted such an extension based on an evaluation performed by management. Financial institutions are required to maintain records of the volume of loans involved in modifications to which TDR relief is applicable. The Company elected to exclude modifications meeting these requirements from TDR classification.

94


Loans whose terms are modified are classified as troubled debt restructurings if the Company grants such borrowers concessions and it is deemed that those borrowers are experiencing financial difficulty. Concessions granted under a troubled debt restructuring generally involve a temporary reduction in interest rate or an extension of a loan'sloan’s stated maturity date. Non-accrual troubled debt restructurings are restored to accrual status if principal and interest payments, under the modified terms, are current for six consecutive months after modification. Loans classified as troubled debt restructurings are designated as impaired.


The allowance calculation methodology includes further segregation of loan classes into risk rating categories. The borrower'sborrower’s overall financial condition, repayment sources, guarantors and value of collateral, if appropriate, are evaluated annually for commercial loans or when credit deficiencies arise, such as delinquent loan payments, for commercial and consumer loans. Credit quality risk ratings include regulatory classifications of special mention, substandard, doubtful and loss. Loans classified special mention have potential weaknesses that deserve management'smanagement’s close attention. If uncorrected, the potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the repayment prospects. Loans classified substandard have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They include loans that are inadequately protected by the current sound net worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any. Loans classified doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in loans classified substandard with the added characteristic that collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of current conditions and facts, is highly improbable. Loans classified as a loss are considered uncollectible and are charged to the allowance for loan losses. Loans not classified as special mention, substandard, doubtful, or loss are rated pass.

84


In addition, federal and state regulatory agencies, as an integral part of their examination process, periodically review the Company'sCompany’s allowance for loan losses and may require the Company to recognize additions to the allowance based on their judgments about information available to them at the time of their examination, which may not be currently available to management. Based on management'smanagement’s comprehensive analysis of the loan portfolio, management believes the current level of the allowance for loan losses is adequate.


Transfers of Financial Assets

The Company accounts for the transfers and servicing financial assets in accordance with ASC 860, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities. ASC 860, revises the standards for accounting for the securitizations and other transfers of financial assets and collateral.

Transfers of financial assets are accounted for as sales when control over the assets has been surrendered.  Control over transferred assets is deemed to be surrendered when (1)(1) the assets have been isolated from the Company, (2)(2) the transferee obtains the right (free of conditions that constrain it from taking advantage of that right) to pledge or exchange the transferred assets, and (3)(3) the Company does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through an agreement to repurchase them before their maturity.


A servicing asset related to SBA loans is initially recorded when these loans are sold and the servicing rights are retained. The servicing asset is recorded on the balance sheet and included in other assets. An updated fair value of the servicing asset is obtained from an independent third party on a quarterly basis and any necessary adjustments are included in loan and servicing fees on the statement of income. The valuation begins with the projection of future cash flows for each asset based on their unique characteristics, our market-based assumptions for prepayment speeds and estimated losses and recoveries. The present value of the future cash flows are then calculated utilizing our market-based discount ratio assumptions. In all cases, the Company models expected payments for every loan for each quarterly period in order to create the most detailed cash flow stream possible.

95


The Company uses various assumptions and estimates in determining the impairment of the SBA servicing asset. These assumptions include prepayment speeds and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved and comparable to assumptions used by participants to value and bid serving rights available for sale in the market.


For more information on the SBA servicing asset including the sensitivity of the current fair value of the SBA loan servicing rights to adverse changes in key assumptions, see Note 15 – Fair Value Measurements and Fair Values of Financial Instruments.

85


SBA

Other Loans Held for Sale


Loans

Other loans held for sale consist of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans that the Company intends to sell after origination and are reflected at the lower of aggregate cost or fair value. When the sale of the loan occurs, the premium received is combined with the estimated present value of future cash flows on the related servicing asset and recorded as a Gain on the Sale of SBA loans which is categorized as non-interest income. Subsequent fees collected for servicing of the sold portion of a loan are combined with fair value adjustments to the SBA servicing asset and recorded as a net amount in Loan and Servicing Fees, which is also categorized as non-interest income.


Guarantees

The Company accounts for guarantees in accordance with ASC 815 Guarantor's Guarantors Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others.  ASC 815 requires a guarantor entity, at the inception of a guarantee covered by the measurement provisions of the interpretation, to record a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee.  The Company has financial and performance letters of credit.  Financial letters of credit require the Company to make payment if the customer'scustomer’s financial condition deteriorates, as defined in the agreements.   Performance letters of credit require the Company to make payments if the customer fails to perform certain non-financial contractual obligations.  The maximum potential undiscounted amount of future payments of these letters of credit as of December 31, 2017 2020 is $12.6$16.6 million and they expire as follows: $11.6$15.8 million in 2018, $773,0002021 and $778,000 in 2019, $45,000 in 2020 and $209,000 in 2024.2022.  Amounts due under these letters of credit would be reduced by any proceeds that the Company would be able to obtain in liquidating the collateral for the loans, which varies depending on the customer. There was no liability for guarantees under standby letters of credit as of December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016.


2019.

Premises and Equipment

Premises and equipment (including land) are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation of furniture and equipment is calculated over the estimated useful life of the asset using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes, and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. The estimated useful lives are 40 years for buildings and 3 to 13 years for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or terms of their respective leases, which range from 1 to 30 years. Repairs and maintenance are charged to current operations as incurred, and renewals and major improvements are capitalized.

96


Operating Leases

The Company enters into lease agreements to obtain the right to use assets (“ROU”) for its business operations, substantially all of which are real estate. Lease liabilities and ROU assets are recognized when the Company enters into operating leases and represent its obligations and rights to use these assets over the period of the leases and may be re-measured for certain modifications, resolution of certain contingencies involving variable consideration, or its exercise of options (renewal, extension, or termination) under the lease.

Operating lease liabilities include fixed and in-substance fixed payments for the contractual duration of the lease, adjusted for renewals or terminations which were considered probable of exercise when measured. During 2020,one lease term for real property was extended, for which the extension was considered probable at the time of measurement. The lease payments are discounted using a rate determined when the lease is recognized. As the Company typically does not know the discount rate implicit in the lease, the Company estimates a discount rate that it believes approximates a collateralized borrowing rate for the estimated duration of the lease. The discount rate is updated when re-measurement events occur. The related operating lease ROU assets may differ from operating lease liabilities due to initial direct costs, deferred or prepaid lease payments and lease incentives.

The amortization of operating lease ROU assets and the accretion of operating lease liabilities are reported together as fixed lease expense and are included in net occupancy expense within noninterest expense. The fixed lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.

The Company has elected to exclude leases with original terms of less than one year from the operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities. The Company has no agreements that qualified as a short-term lease. The related short-term lease expense would be included in net occupancy expense.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned consists of assets acquired through, or in lieu of, loan foreclosure.  They are held for sale and are initially recorded at fair value less cost to sell at the date of foreclosure, establishing a new cost basis.  Subsequent to foreclosure, valuations are periodically performed by management and the assets are carried at the lower of carrying amount or fair value, less the cost to sell.  Revenue and expenses from operations and changes in the valuation allowance are included in net expenses from other real estate owned.


Advertising Costs

It is the Company'sCompany’s policy to expense advertising costs in the period in which they are incurred.


86



Income Taxes

Income tax accounting guidance results in two components of income tax expense: current and deferred. Current income tax expense reflects taxes to be paid or refunded for the current period by applying the provisions of the enacted tax law to the taxable income or excess of deductions over revenues. The Company determines deferred income taxes using the liability (or balance sheet) method. Under this method, the net deferred tax asset or liability is based on the tax effects of the differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities and enacted changes in tax rates and laws are recognized in the period in which they occur.

97


Deferred income tax expense results from changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities between periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of the evidence available, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.


The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The term more likely than not means a likelihood of more than 50 percent. The terms examined and upon examination also include resolution of the related appeals or litigation processes, if any. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-notmore-likely-than-not recognition threshold is initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The determination of whether or not a tax position has met the more-likely-than-notmore-likely-than-not recognition threshold considers the facts, circumstances, and information available at the reporting date and is subject to management'smanagement’s judgment.


The Company recognizes interest and penalties on income taxes, if any, as a component of the provision for income taxes.


Stock Based Compensation

The Company has a Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan ("(“the 2005 Plan" Plan”), under which the Company granted options, restricted stock or stock appreciation rights to the Company'sCompany’s employees, directors, and certain consultants. The 2005 Plan became effective on November 14, 1995, and was amended and approved at the Company's Company’s 2005 annual meeting of shareholders. Under the terms of the 2005 Plan, 1.5 million shares of common stock, plus an annual increase equal to the number of shares needed to restore the maximum number of shares that could be available for grant under the 2005 Plan to 1.5 million shares, were available for such grants. As of December 31, 2017, 2020, the only grants under the 2005 Plan were option grants. The 2005 Plan provided that the exercise price of each option granted equaled the market price of the Company'sCompany’s stock on the date of the grant. Options granted pursuant to the 2005 Plan vest within one to four years and have a maximum term of 10 years. The 2005 Plan terminated on November 14, 2015 in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the Plan agreement.


On April 29, 2014 the Company'sCompany’s shareholders approved the 2014 Republic First Bancorp, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan"“2014 Plan”), under which the Company may grant options, restricted stock, stock units, or stock appreciation rights to the Company'sCompany’s employees, directors, independent contractors, and consultants. Under the terms of the 2014 Plan, 2.6 million shares of common stock, plus an annual adjustment to be no less than 10% of the outstanding shares or such lower number as the Board of Directors may determine, are available for such grants. Compensation cost for all option awards is calculated and recognized over the vesting period of the option awards. If the service conditions are not met, the Company reverses previously recorded compensation expense upon forfeiture. The Company’s accounting policy election is to recognize forfeitures as they occur. At December 31, 2017, 2020, the maximum number of common shares issuable under the 2014 Plan was 6.06.5 million shares.



87


During the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, 1.3 million options were granted under the 2014 Plan with a fair value of $1.1 million.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share ("EPS"(“EPS”) consists of two separate components,components: basic EPS and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for each period presented. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive common stock equivalents ("CSE"(“CSEs”). CSEs consist of dilutive stock options granted through the Company'sCompany’s stock option plans and convertible securities related to trust preferred securities issued in 2008.  Instock for the diluted EPS computation,twelve months ended December 31, 2020. CSEs consist of dilutive stock options granted through the after tax interest expenseCompany’s stock options for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The effects of stock options or payment of dividends on the trust preferred securities issuance is added back toCompany’s Preferred Stock are excluded from the net income.  In 2017, 2016, and 2015,computation of diluted earnings per share in periods in which the effect of CSEs (convertible securities related to the trust preferred securities only) and the related add back of after tax interest expense was considered anti-dilutive and therefore was not included in the EPS calculations.would be anti-dilutive.

98


The calculation of EPS for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 20152018 is as follows:

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) 2017  2016  2015 
          
Net income - basic and diluted $8,905  $4,945  $2,433 
             
Weighted average shares outstanding  56,933   39,281   37,818 
             
Net income per share – basic $0.16  $0.13  $0.06 
             
Weighted average shares outstanding (including dilutive CSEs)  58,250   39,865   38,094 
             
Net income per share – diluted $0.15  $0.12  $0.06 

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 
             

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

 $4,131  $(3,500) $8,627 
             

Weighted average shares outstanding

  58,853   58,833   58,358 
             

Net income (loss) per share – basic

 $0.07  $(0.06) $0.15 
             

Weighted average shares outstanding (including dilutive CSEs)

  58,904   58,833   59,407 
             

Net income (loss) per share – diluted

 $0.07  $(0.06) $0.15 

The following is a summary of securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per common share in future periods that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented.


(in thousands) 2017   2016  2015 
           
Anti-dilutive securities          
           
   Share based compensation awards  1,689    1,747   1,671 
              
   Convertible securities  1,625    1,662   1,662 
              
      Total anti-dilutive securities  3,314    3,409   3,333 

(in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 
             

Anti-dilutive securities

            
             

Share based compensation awards

  5,848   4,979   2,813 
             

Convertible preferred stock

  5,556   0   0 
             

Total anti-dilutive securities

  11,404   4,979   2,813 

Comprehensive Income / (Loss)


The Company presents as a component of comprehensive income (loss) the amounts from transactions and other events, which currently are excluded from the consolidated statements of income and are recorded directly to shareholders'shareholders’ equity. These amounts consist of unrealized holding gains (losses) on available for sale securities and amortization of unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities transferred to held-to-maturity.

88


Trust Preferred Securities


The Company has sponsored threetwo outstanding issues of corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities of a subsidiary trust holding solely junior subordinated debentures of the corporation, more commonly known as trust preferred securities. The subsidiary trusts are not consolidated with the Company for financial reporting purposes.  The purpose of the issuances of these securities was to increase capital.  The trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes in amounts up to 25% of total Tier 1 capital. See Note 7 "Borrowings"8 “Borrowings” for further information regarding the issuances.

99

Variable Interest Entities

The Company follows the guidance under ASC 810,Consolidation, with regard to variable interest entities. ASC 810 clarifies the application of consolidation principles for certain legal entities in which voting rights are not effective in identifying the investor with the controlling financial interest. An entity is subject to consolidation under ASC 810 if the investors do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, are unable to direct the entity'sentity’s activities, or are not exposed to the entity'sentity’s losses or entitled to its residual returns ("variable interest entities"). Variable interest entities within the scope of ASC 810 will be required to be consolidated by their primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is determined to be the party that absorbs a majority of the entity's expected losses, receives a majority of its expected returns, or both.


The Company does not consolidate its subsidiary trusts.  ASC 810 precludes consideration of the call option embedded in the preferred securities when determining if the Company has the right to a majority of the trusts'trusts’ expected residual returns. The non-consolidation results in the investment in the common securities of the trusts to be included in other assets with a corresponding increase in outstanding debt of $676,000.$341,000. In addition, the income received on the Company'sCompany’s investment in the common securities of the trusts is included in other income.


Treasury Stock

Common stock purchased for treasury is recorded at cost.


Recent Accounting Pronouncements


ASU 2014-09

2016-13

In May 2014, June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 660): Summary and Amendments that Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs – Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40)."  ASU 2014-09 implements a common revenue standard that clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue.  The guidance in this update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the industry topics of the codification.  In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue fromContracts with The Company (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date. The guidance in this ASU is now effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.  The core principle of ASU 2014-09 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. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The Company's revenue is comprised of net interest income and noninterest income. The scope of the guidance explicitly excludes interest income as well as many other revenues for financial assets and liabilities including revenue derived from loans, investment securities, and derivatives. Accordingly, the majority of our revenues will not be affected. This ASU was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company completed its identification of all revenue streams included in its financial statements and has identified its deposit related fees and service charges to be within the scope of the standard. The Company completed its review of the related contracts and the Company's overall assessment indicates that adoption of this ASU will not materially change its current method and timing of recognizing revenue for the identified revenue streams. The Company, however, is still in the process of developing additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures that are required upon the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018 on a modified retrospective approach. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact to its financial condition, results of operations, and consolidated financial statements.

89

ASU 2016-01

In January 2016 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall. The guidance in this ASU among other things, (1) requires equity investments with certain exceptions, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, (2) simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment, (3) eliminates the requirement for public businesses entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet, (4) requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, (5) requires an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the change in fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments, (6) requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements and (7) clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities. The guidance in this ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 and was adopted using a modified retrospective approach. The adoption did not have a material impact on its financial condition or results of operations.

ASU 2016-02

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, Leases. From the Company's perspective, the new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement for lessees. From the landlord perspective, the new standard requires a lessor to classify leases as either sales-type, finance or operating. A lease will be treated as a sale if it transfers all of the risks and rewards, as well as control of the underlying asset, to the lessee. If risks and rewards are conveyed without the transfer of control, the lease is treated as a financing. If the lessor doesn't convey risks and rewards or control, an operating lease results. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessors for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the ASU on its financial condition and results of operations and expects to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for substantially all of its operating lease commitments based on the present value of unpaid lease payments as of the date of adoption. The Company does not intend to early adopt this ASU.
90


ASU 2016-09

In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2016-09 will amend current guidance such that all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based payment awards will be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement during the period in which they occur. Additionally, excess tax benefits will be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity rather than a financing activity. ASU 2016-09 also provides that any entity can make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest, which is the current requirement, or account for forfeitures when they occur. ASU 2016-09 was effective January 1, 2017. There was no material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

ASU 2016-13

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, 13,Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326)326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU requires an organization to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Financial institutions and other organizations will now use forward-looking information to better inform their credit loss estimates. Many of the loss estimation techniques applied today will still be permitted, although the inputs to those techniques will change to reflect the full amount of expected credit losses. Additionally, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The Company has evaluated the impact of this ASU, continuing its implementation efforts and reviewing the loss modeling requirements consistent with lifetime expected loss estimates. Calculations of expected losses under the new guidance have been gatheringrun parallel to the data necessarycalculations under existing guidance to measure expectedassess and evaluate the potential impact to the Company’s financial statements. The new model includes different assumptions used to calculate credit losses, such as estimating losses over the estimated life of a financial asset and considers expected future changes in accordance withmacroeconomic conditions. The Company was initially required to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2020. The Company elected to defer the guidance providedadoption of this ASU as permitted by Section 4014 of the CARES Act, which allowed financial institutions to postpone adoption until the earlier of (i) the date on which the national emergency concerning the COVID-19 outbreak declared under the National Emergencies Relief Act terminates or (ii) December 31, 2020. The Economic Aid Act approved in December 2020 extended the ASU. For the Company,option to defer this update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. ASU until January 1, 2021 or January 1, 2022. The Company has chosen to defer adoption until January 1, 2022. While based on the parallel calculations run to date, the Company does not yet determined anticipate a material increase to the allowance for credit losses at the present time , the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on the consolidated financial statements.date of adoption is unknown.

100


ASU 2016-15


2020-04

In August 2016, March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement2020-04,Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of Cash Flows (Topic 230). the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The ASU addresses classificationprovides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or derecognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. Specifically, the amendments provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain cash receiptscriteria are met. These relate only to those contracts, hedging relationships, and cash payments inother transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The ASU became effective March 12, 2020 and can be adopted anytime during the statementperiod of cash flows. The new guidance is effective on January 1, 2018, on2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance. There is only one relationship that has LIBOR pricing with a retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted. This new accounting guidance will result in some changes in classification inmaturity date beyond December 31, 2022. The loan documentation for the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, which the Company does not expect will be significant, and will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. Due to the current nature of the Company's operations and financial assets and liabilities in relation to the cash flow classifications impacted by the relationship contains language for an alternative pricing index when LIBOR is no longer available.

ASU the Company has determined that the adoption of ASU 2016-15 will not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

91


ASU-2017-01

2021-01

In January 2017, 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations2021-01,Reference Rate Reform (Topic 805). 848): Scope. The ASU clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the definitiondiscounting transition, including derivative instruments that use an interest rate for margining, discounting, or contract price alignment that is modified as a result of a business in ASC 805. The FASB issued the ASU in response to stakeholder feedback that the definition of a business in ASC 805 is being applied too broadly. In addition, stakeholders said that analyzing transactions under the current definition is difficult and costly. Concerns about the definition of a business were among the primary issues raised in connection with the Financial Accounting Foundation's post-implementation review report on FASB Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations (codified in ASC 805). The amendments in the ASU are intended to make application of the guidance more consistent and cost-efficient.reference rate reform. The ASU became effective as of March 12, 2020 and can be adopted anytime during the period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is effective for public business entities in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. For all other entities, the ASU is effective in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The ASU must be applied prospectively on or after the effective date, and no disclosures for a change in accounting principle are required at transition. Early adoption is permitted for transactions (i.e., acquisitions or dispositions) that occurred before the issuance date or effective date of the standard if the transactions were not reported in financial statements that have been issued or made available for issuance. Unless the Company enters into a business combination,currently evaluating the impact of the ASU will not havethis guidance. There is only one relationship that has LIBOR pricing with a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.


ASU 2017-04

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test For Goodwill Impairment. The ASU simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, if "the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit." For public business entities that are SEC filers, the ASU is effective for annual and any interim impairment tests for periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company has not yet determined the impact the adoption of ASU 2017-04 will have on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2017-08

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities, which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. The ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. For all other entities, the ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. Earlier application is permitted for all entities, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period, any adjustments must be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. The Company has not yet determined the impact the adoption of ASU 2017-08 will have on the consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2018-02

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows for reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act described in the "Income Taxes" section above. The amount of the reclassification should include the effect of the change in the federal corporate income tax rate related to items remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The ASU would require an entity to disclose whether it elects to reclassify stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to retained earnings in the period of adoption and, more generally, a description of the accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption of the amendments in this update is permitted for periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued or made available for issuance, including in the period the Act was enacted. As of maturity date beyond December 31, 2017, 2022. The Company has $1.6 million in stranded tax effects in its accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from the enactment of the Act related to net unrealized losses on its available-for-sale securities and cash flow hedges. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018, by recording the reclassification adjustment to its beginning retained earnings. The adoption of this ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and consolidated financial statements.
92


ASU 2018-03

In February of 2018, the FASB Issued ASU 2018-03, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments—Overall (Subtopic 825-10). The ASU was issued to clarify certain aspects of ASU 2016-01 such as treatment for discontinuations and adjustments for equity securities without a readily determinable market value, forward contracts and purchased options, presentation requirements for certain fair value option liabilities, fair value option liabilities denominated in a foreign currency, and transition guidance for equity securities without a readily determinable fair value. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company's financial condition, results of operations and consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to 2016 and 2015 information to conform to the 2017 presentation.  The reclassifications had no effect on financial condition or shareholders' equity.  Included in the reclassifications are $866,000 and $280,000 of appraisal and other loan expenses from "Other operating expenses"documentation for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.






relationship contains language for an alternative pricing index when LIBOR is no longer available.

93

101


3.

Investment Securities


A summary of the amortized cost and market value of securities available for sale, and securities held to maturity, and equity securities at December 31, 2017 2020 and 20162019 is as follows:


  At December 31, 2017 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
  
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair
Value
 
             
Collateralized mortgage obligations $327,972  $-  $(7,731) $320,241 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  55,664   2   (800)  54,866 
Municipal securities  15,142   20   (62)  15,100 
Corporate bonds  62,670   103   (2,491)  60,282 
Asset-backed securities  13,414   38   -   13,452 
Trust preferred securities  725   -   (236)  489 
Total securities available for sale $475,587  $163  $(11,320) $464,430 
                 
U.S. Government agencies $112,605  $50  $(2,235) $110,420 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  215,567   314   (3,970)  211,911 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  143,041   47   (2,620)  140,468 
Other securities  1,000   -   -   1,000 
Total securities held to maturity $472,213  $411  $(8,825) $463,799 

  At December 31, 2016 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
  
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
  
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair
Value
 
             
Collateralized mortgage obligations $230,252  $145  $(5,632) $224,765 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  37,973   32   (1,295)  36,710 
Municipal securities  26,825   151   (429)  26,547 
Corporate bonds  66,718   8   (1,978)  64,748 
Asset-backed securities  15,565   -   (416)  15,149 
Trust preferred securities  3,063   -   (1,243)  1,820 
Total securities available for sale $380,396  $336  $(10,993) $369,739 
                 
U.S. Government agencies $98,538  $8  $(2,238) $96,308 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  202,990   793   (2,553)  201,230 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  129,951   1   (3,327)  126,625 
Other securities  1,020   -   -   1,020 
Total securities held to maturity $432,499  $802  $(8,118) $425,183 



  

At December 31, 2020

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Amortized

Cost

  

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

  

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair

Value

 

Available for sale

                

U.S. Government agencies

 $32,312  $0  $(426) $31,886 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  218,232   3,584   (270)  221,546 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  149,325   1,204   (1)  150,528 

Municipal securities

  8,201   24   0   8,225 

Corporate bonds

  119,118   595   (3,390)  116,323 

Investment securities available for sale

 $527,188  $5,407  $(4,087) $528,508 
                 

Held to maturity

                

U.S. Government agencies

 $82,093  $4,185  $0  $86,278 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  363,363   12,687   (231)  375,819 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  369,480   5,640   (245)  374,875 

Investment securities held to maturity

 $814,936  $22,512  $(476) $836,972 
                 

Equity securities (1)

             $9,039 

(1)

Equity securities consist of investments in non-cumulative preferred stock

  

At December 31, 2019

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Amortized

Cost

  

Gross

Unrealized

Gains

  

Gross

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair

Value

 

Available for sale

                

U.S. Government agencies

 $38,743  $1  $(439) $38,305 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  329,492   2,368   (422)  331,438 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  98,953   82   (98)  98,937 

Municipal securities

  4,064   18   0   4,082 

Corporate bonds

  69,499   79   (3,298)  66,280 

Investment securities available for sale

 $540,751  $2,548  $(4,257) $539,042 
                 

Held to maturity

                

U.S. Government agencies

 $94,913  $482  $(294) $95,101 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  416,177   7,603   (793)  422,987 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  133,752   1,782   (513)  135,021 

Investment securities held to maturity

 $644,842  $9,867  $(1,600) $653,109 
                 

Equity securities

             $- 

94

102

The following table presents investment securities by stated maturity at December 31, 2017. 2020. Collateralized mortgage obligations and agency mortgage-backed securities have expected maturities that differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay and, therefore, these securities are classified separately with no specific maturity date.

  Available for Sale  Held to Maturity 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Amortized
Cost
  
Fair
Value
  
Amortized
Cost
  
Fair
Value
 
Due in 1 year or less $1,153  $1,156  $-  $- 
After 1 year to 5 years  6,613   6,624   11,149   11,116 
After 5 years to 10 years  79,701   76,993   102,456   100,304 
After 10 years  4,484   4,550   -   - 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  327,972   320,241   215,567   211,911 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  55,664   54,866   143,041   140,468 
Total $475,587  $464,430  $472,213  $463,799 

  

Available for Sale

  

Held to Maturity

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Amortized

Cost

  

Fair

Value

  

Amortized

Cost

  

Fair

Value

 

Due in 1 year or less

 $12,989  $12,977  $757  $763 

After 1 year to 5 years

  77,313   76,426   73,504   77,214 

After 5 years to 10 years

  52,410   50,308   7,832   8,301 

After 10 years

  16,919   16,723   0   0 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  218,232   221,546   363,363   375,819 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  149,325   150,528   369,480   374,875 

Total investment securities

 $527,188  $528,508  $814,936  $836,972 

Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties.

The Company'sCompany’s investment securities portfolio consists primarily of debt securities issued by U.S. government agencies, U.S. government-sponsored agencies, state governments, local municipalities, and certain corporate entities. Equity securities consist of investments in non-cumulative preferred stock. At December 31, 2020, fair value gains on the equity securities were immaterial. There were no private label mortgage-backed securities ("MBS"(“MBS”) or collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMO"(“CMO”) held in the investment securities portfolio as of December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016.  2019. There were also no MBS or CMO securities that were rated "Alt-A"“Alt-A” or "sub-prime"“sub-prime” as of those dates.


The fair value of investment securities is impacted by interest rates, credit spreads, market volatility and liquidity conditions. Net unrealized gains and losses in the available for sale portfolio are included in shareholders'shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, net of tax. Securities classified as held to maturity are carried at amortized cost. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than the amortized cost basis.


The Company regularly evaluates investment securities that are in an unrealized loss position in order to determine if the decline in fair value is other than temporary. Factors considered in the evaluation include the current economic climate, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been below cost, the current interest rate environment and the rating of each security. An other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI")OTTI loss must be recognized for a debt security in an unrealized loss position if the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security prior to recovery of the amortized cost basis. The amount of OTTI loss recognized is equal to the difference between the fair value and the amortized cost basis of the security that is attributed to credit deterioration. Accounting standards require the evaluation of the expected cash flows to be received to determine if a credit loss has occurred. In the event of a credit loss, that amount must be recognized against income in the current period. The portion of the unrealized loss related to other factors, such as liquidity conditions in the market or the current interest rate environment, is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for investment securities classified available for sale.


Impairment There were 0 impairment charges (credit losses) on trust preferred securities forrecorded during the years ended December 31, 20162020, 2019, and 2015 amounted to $7,000 and $3,000, respectively. There were no impairment charges recorded during the year ended 2018.

At December 31, 2017.


At December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016,2019, investment securities in the amount of approximately $555.2 million$1.2 billion and $380.1$847.1 million, respectively, were pledged as collateral for public deposits and certain other deposits as required by law.

103

95

The following table presents a roll-forward of the balance of credit-related impairment losses on securities held at December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 20152018 for which a portion of OTTI was recognized in other comprehensive income:

(dollars in thousands) 2017  2016  2015 
          
Beginning Balance, January 1st
 $937  $930  $3,966 
Additional credit-related impairment loss on securities for which an            
other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized  -   7   3 
Reductions for securities sold during the period  (663)  -   (3,039)
Ending Balance, December 31st
 $274  $937  $930 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 
             

Beginning Balance, January 1st

 $0  $0  $274 

Reductions for securities sold during the period

  0   0   (274)

Ending Balance, December 31st

 $0  $0  $0 

The following tables show the fair value and gross unrealized losses associated with the investment portfolio, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016:


 At December 31, 2017 
 Less than 12 months  12 months or more  Total 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
 
                   
Collateralized mortgage obligations $150,075  $1,565  $170,166  $6,166  $320,241  $7,731 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  29,967   226   21,045   574   51,012   800 
Municipal securities  5,742   27   2,656   35   8,398   62 
Corporate bonds  -   -   52,509   2,491   52,509   2,491 
Asset backed securities  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Trust preferred securities  -   -   489   236   489   236 
Total Available for Sale $185,784  $1,818  $246,865  $9,502  $432,649  $11,320 
 
 
At December 31, 2017
 
 Less than 12 months  12 months or more  Total 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
 
                         
U.S. Government agencies $42,045  $213  $59,594  $2,022  $101,639  $2,235 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  56,955   767   107,986   3,203   164,941   3,970 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  55,170   221   82,479   2,399   137,649   2,620 
Total Held to Maturity $154,170  $1,201  $250,059  $7,624  $404,229  $8,825 

 At December 31, 2016 
 Less than 12 months  12 months or more  Total 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
 
                   
Collateralized mortgage obligations $192,308  $5,380  $7,579  $252  $199,887  $5,632 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  29,916   1,260   3,199   35   33,115   1,295 
Municipal securities  15,414   429   -   -   15,414   429 
Corporate bonds  32,257   1,708   10,726   270   42,983   1,978 
Asset backed securities  -   -   15,149   416   15,149   416 
Trust preferred securities  -   -   1,820   1,243   1,820   1,243 
Total Available for Sale $269,895  $8,777  $38,473  $2,216  $308,368  $10,993 
 
 
At December 31, 2016
 
 Less than 12 months  12 months or more  Total 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
  
Fair
Value
  
Unrealized
Losses
 
                         
U.S. Government agencies $67,725  $2,198  $3,586  $40  $71,311  $2,238 
Collateralized mortgage obligations  108,974   2,469   8,572   84   117,546   2,553 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  97,725   3,327   -   -   97,725   3,327 
Total Held to Maturity $274,424  $7,994  $12,158  $124  $286,582  $8,118 
96


2019:

  

At December 31, 2020

 
  

Less than 12 months

  

12 months or more

  

Total

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

 
                         

U.S. Government agencies

 $0  $0  $31,886  $426  $31,886  $426 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  99,497   270   0   0   99,497   270 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  20,934   1   0   0   20,934   1 

Municipal securities

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Corporate bonds

  4,559   39   54,649   3,351   59,208   3,390 

Investment Securities Available for Sale

 $124,990  $310  $86,535  $3,777  $211,525  $4,087 

  

At December 31, 2020

 
  

Less than 12 months

  

12 months or more

  

Total

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

 
                         

U.S. Government agencies

 $0  $0  $0  $0  $0  $0 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  62,603   231   0   0   62,603   231 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  54,537   245   0   0   54,537   245 

Investment Securities Held to Maturity

 $117,140  $476  $0  $0  $117,140  $476 

  

At December 31, 2019

 
  

Less than 12 months

  

12 months or more

  

Total

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

 
                         

U.S. Government agencies

 $28,136  $439  $0  $0  $28,136  $439 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  63,384   328   6,164   94   69,548   422 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  2,924   13   6,411   85   9,335   98 

Municipal securities

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Corporate bonds

  2,820   180   51,882   3,118   54,702   3,298 

Investment Securities Available for Sale

 $97,264  $960  $64,457  $3,297  $161,721  $4,257 

  

At December 31, 2019

 
  

Less than 12 months

  

12 months or more

  

Total

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair

Value

  

Unrealized

Losses

 
                         

U.S. Government agencies

 $33,092  $220  $3,703  $74  $36,795  $294 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  24,211   18   64,324   775   88,535   793 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  14,044   33   52,132   480   66,176   513 

Investment Securities Held to Maturity

 $71,347  $271  $120,159  $1,329  $191,506  $1,600 

Unrealized losses on securities in the investment portfolio amounted to $20.1$4.6 million with a total fair value of $836.9$328.7 million as of December 31, 2017 2020 compared to unrealized losses of $19.1$5.9 million with a total fair value of $595.0$353.2 million as of December 31, 2016.  2019. The Company believes the unrealized losses presented in the tables above are temporary in nature and primarily related to market interest rates or limited trading activity in particular type of security rather than the underlying credit quality of the issuers. The Company does not believe that these losses are other than temporary and does not currently intend to sell or believe it will be required to sell securities in an unrealized loss position prior to maturity or recovery of the amortized cost bases.

104


The Company held elevenfour U.S. Government agency securities, seventy-fourfifteen collateralized mortgage obligations and twenty-sixsix agency mortgage-backed securities that were in an unrealized loss position at December 31, 2017. 2020. Principal and interest payments of the underlying collateral for each of these securities are backed by U.S. Government sponsored agencies and carry minimal credit risk. Management found no evidence of OTTI on any of these securities and believes the unrealized losses are due to fluctuations in fair values resulting from changes in market interest rates and are considered temporary as of December 31, 2017.


2020.

All municipal securities held in the investment portfolio are reviewed on least a quarterly basis for impairment. Each bond carries an investment grade rating by either Moody'sMoody’s or Standard & Poor's.Poor’s. In addition, the Company periodically conducts its own independent review on each issuer to ensure the financial stability of the municipal entity. The largest geographic concentration was in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and consisted of either general obligation or revenue bonds backed by the taxing power of the issuing municipality. At December 31, 2017, 2020, the investment portfolio included twelvehad no municipal securities that were in an unrealized loss position. Management believes the unrealized losses were the result of movements in long-term interest rates and are not reflective of any credit deterioration.


At December 31, 2017, no asset-backed securities were in an unrealized loss position. The asset-backed securities held in the investment securities portfolio consist solely of Sallie Mae bonds, collateralized by student loans which are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Education. At December 31, 2017, 2020, the investment portfolio included sixnine corporate bonds that were in an unrealized loss position. Management believes the unrealized losses on these securities were also driven by changes in market interest rates and not a result of any credit deterioration.


       The unrealized loss on the trust preferred security is primarily the result Eight of the secondary market for such a security becoming inactive andnine corporate bonds are issued by five of the largest U.S. financial institutions. Each financial institution is also considered temporary at this time. The following table provides additional detail onwell capitalized.

Proceeds associated with the trust preferred security held in the portfolio as of December 31, 2017.


(dollars in thousands)
Class /
Tranche
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Losses
Lowest
Credit
Rating
Assigned
Number of
Banks
Currently Performing
Deferrals / Defaults
as % of
Current
Balance
Conditional
Default
Rates for
2018 and
beyond
Cumulative
OTTI Life
to Date
TPREF Funding IIClass B Notes$725$489$(236)C18    29%    0.42%$274

Proceeds of salessale of securities available for sale in 20172020 were $31.2$125.2 million. Gross gains of $652,000$3.0 million and gross losses of $798,000$230,000 were realized on these sales. The tax provision applicable to the net gains of $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 amounted to $700,000. Proceeds associated with the sale of securities available for sale in 2019 were $54.7 million. Gross gains of $1.2 million and gross losses of $67,000 were realized on these sales. The tax provision applicable to the net gains of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $280,000.

Proceeds associated with the sale of securities available for sale in 2018 were $6.4 million. Gross losses of $67,000 were realized on these sales. The tax benefit applicable to the net losses for the year ended December 31, 2017 2018 amounted to $52,000.$18,000. Included in the 20172018 sales activity werewas the salessale of twoone CDO securities.security. Proceeds from the sale of the CDO securitiessecurity totaled $1.5 million. Gross losses$660,000. A gross loss of $798,000 were$66,000 was realized on these sales.this sale. The tax benefit applicable to the net lossesloss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 2018 amounted to $287,000.$17,000. Management had previously stated that it did not intend to sell the CDO securitiessecurity prior to theirits maturity or the recovery of theirits cost bases,basis, nor would it be forced to sell these securitiesthis security prior to maturity or recovery of the cost bases.basis. This statement was made over a period of several years where there was limited trading activity in the pooled trust preferred CDO market resulting in fair market value estimates well below the book values. During 2017,2018, management received several inquiries regarding the availability of the remaining CDO securitiessecurity and noted an increased level of trading in this type of security. As a result of the increased activity and the level of bids received, management elected to sell two CDOsthe remaining CDO security resulting in a net loss of $798,000$66,000 during 2017 which was offset by gains on sales2018.

In December 2018, twenty-three CMOs and two MBSs with a fair value of agency mortgage-backed$230.1 million that were previously classified as available-for-sale were transferred to the held-to-maturity category. The securities collateralized mortgage obligationswere transferred at fair value. Unrealized losses of $9.4 million associated with the transferred securities will remain in other comprehensive income and corporate bonds. The Bank continuesbe amortized as an adjustment to demonstrate the ability and intent to holdyield over the remaining CDO until maturity or recoverylife of the cost basis, but will evaluate future opportunities to sell the remaining CDO if they arise.

97


The Company had proceeds from the sale of securities available for sale in 2016 of $78.6 million. Gross gains of $680,000 and gross losses of $24,000 were realized on these sales. The tax provision applicable to these gross gains in 2016 amounted to approximately $236,000.

Proceeds of sales of securities available for sale in 2015 were $11.7 million. Gross gains of $396,000 and gross losses of $288,000 were realized on these sales.  The tax provision applicable to the net gains for the year ended securities. At December 31, 2015 amounted2020, the total approximated unrealized loss of $5.1 million remaining to $39,000.be amortized includes ten securities previously transferred in July 2014.

105


4.

Loans Receivable


The following table sets forth the Company'sCompany’s gross loans by major categories as of December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016:


(dollars in thousands) 
December 31,
2017
  
December 31,
2016
 
       
Commercial real estate $433,304  $378,519 
Construction and land development  104,617   61,453 
Commercial and industrial  173,343   174,744 
Owner occupied real estate  309,838   276,986 
Consumer and other  76,183   63,660 
Residential mortgage  64,764   9,682 
Total loans receivable  1,162,049   965,044 
Deferred costs (fees)  229   (72)
Allowance for loan losses  (8,599)  (9,155)
Net loans receivable $1,153,679  $955,817 

2019:

(dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 
         

Commercial real estate

 $705,748  $613,631 

Construction and land development

  142,821   121,395 

Commercial and industrial

  200,188   223,906 

Owner occupied real estate

  475,206   424,400 

Consumer and other

  102,368   101,320 

Residential mortgage

  395,174   263,444 

Paycheck protection program

  636,637   0 

Total loans receivable

  2,658,142   1,748,096 

Deferred costs (fees)

  (12,800)  99 

Allowance for loan losses

  (12,975)  (9,266)

Net loans receivable

 $2,632,367  $1,738,929 

The Company disaggregates its loan portfolio into groups of loans with similar risk characteristics for purposes of estimating the allowance for loan losses.


The Company'sCompany’s loan groups include commercial real estate, construction and land development, commercial and industrial, owner occupied real estate, consumer, residential mortgages, and residential mortgages.loans issued under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). PPP loans are fully guaranteed by the U.S. Government and as such have no allowance associated with them. The remaining loan groups are also considered classes for purposes of monitoring and assessing credit quality based on certain risk characteristics.

98


Included in loans are loans due from directors and other related parties of $8.9$14.9 million at December 31, 2017, $7.92020, $13.6 million at December 31, 2016, 2019, and $8.5$13.0 million at December 31, 2015.  2018.  The Board of Directors approves loans to individual directors to confirm that collateral requirements, terms and rates are comparableconform to other borrowers and are in compliance withour underwriting policies. The following presents the activity in amount due from directors and other related parties for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015.2018.

(dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

  

December 31,

2018

 

Balance at beginning of year

 $13,593  $13,029  $8,920 

Additions

  2,838   2,064   4,812 

Repayments

  (1,491)  (1,500)  (703)

Balance at end of year

 $14,940  $13,593  $13,029 

106


 
(dollars in thousands)
 
December 31,
2017
  
December 31,
2016
  
December 31,
2015
 
Balance at beginning of year $7,862  $8,521  $8,753 
Additions  1,896   -   295 
Repayments  (838)  (659)  (527)
Balance at end of year $8,920  $7,862  $8,521 

5.    Allowances for Loan Losses

5.

Allowances for Loan Losses

The following tables provide the activity in and ending balances of the allowance for loan losses by loan portfolio class at and for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015:2018:

(dollars in thousands)

 

Commercial

Real Estate

  

Construction

and Land Development

  

Commercial

and

Industrial

  

Owner

Occupied

Real Estate

  

Consumer

and Other

  

Residential Mortgage

  

Paycheck

Protection

Program

  

Unallocated

  

Total

 
                                     

Year ended December, 2020

                                 

Allowance for loan losses:

                                 
                                     

Beginning balance:

 $3,043  $688  $931  $2,292  $590  $1,705  $0  $17  $9,266 

Charge-offs

  0   0   (333)  (48)  (107)  (67)  0   0   (555)

Recoveries

  0   3   48   1   12   0   0   0   64 

Provisions

  1,351   257   721   129   228   1,387   0   127   4,200 

Ending balance

 $4,394  $948  $1,367  $2,374  $723  $3,025  $0  $144  $12,975 
                                     

Year ended December, 2019

                                 

Allowance for loan losses:

                                 
                                     

Beginning Balance:

 $2,462  $777  $1,754  $2,033  $577  $894  $0  $118  $8,615 

Charge-offs

  0   0   (1,356)  0   (126)  0   0   0   (1,482)

Recoveries

  0   0   217   2   9   0   0   0   228 

Provisions (credits)

  581   (89)  316   257   130   811   0   (101)  1,905 

Ending balance

 $3,043  $688  $931  $2,292  $590  $1,705  $0  $17  $9,266 
                                     

Year ended December, 2018

                                    

Allowance for loan losses:

                                    
                                     

Beginning Balance:

 $3,774  $725  $1,317  $1,737  $573  $392  $0  $81  $8,599 

Charge-offs

  (1,603)  0   (151)  (465)  (219)  0   0   0   (2,438)

Recoveries

  50   0   81   20   3   0   0   0   154 

Provisions (credits)

  241   52   507   741   220   502   0   37   2,300 

Ending balance

 $2,462  $777  $1,754  $2,033  $577  $894  $0  $118  $8,615 

107


 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Commercial Real Estate
  Construction and Land Development  
Commercial and
Industrial
  
Owner Occupied
Real Estate
  
Consumer
and Other
  
Residential Mortgage
  
Unallocated
  
Total
 
                       
Year ended December, 2017                      
Allowance for loan losses:                      
                         
Beginning balance: $3,254  $557  $2,884  $1,382  $588  $58  $432  $9,155 
Charge-offs  -   -   (1,366)  (157)  (53)  -   -   (1,576)
Recoveries  54   -   64   -   2   -   -   120 
Provisions (credits)  466   168   (265)  512   36   334   (351)  900 
Ending balance $3,774  $725  $1,317  $1,737  $573  $392  $81  $8,599 
                                 
Year ended December, 2016                             
Allowance for loan losses:                             
                                 
Beginning Balance: $2,393  $338  $2,932  $2,030  $295  $14  $701  $8,703 
Charge-offs  -   (60)  (143)  (1,052)  (11)  (10)  -   (1,276)
Recoveries  6   -   163   -   2   -   -   171 
Provisions (credits)  855   279   (68)  404   302   54   (269)  1,557 
Ending balance $3,254  $557  $2,884  $1,382  $588  $58  $432  $9,155 
                                 
Year ended December, 2015                                
Allowance for loan losses:                                
                                 
Beginning Balance: $6,828  $917  $1,579  $1,638  $234  $2  $338  $11,536 
Charge-offs  (2,624)  (260)  (408)  (133)  -   -   -   (3,425)
Recoveries  4   5   49   -   34   -   -   92 
Provisions (credits)  (1,815)  (324)  1,712   525   27   12   363   500 
Ending balance $2,393  $338  $2,932  $2,030  $295  $14  $701  $8,703 


99



The following tables provide a summary of the allowance for loan losses and balance of loans receivable by loan class and by impairment method as of December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016:


 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial
Real Estate
  Construction and Land Development  Commercial and Industrial  
Owner Occupied
Real Estate
  
Consumer
and Other
  
Residential Mortgage
  
Unallocated
 
Total
 
                       
December 31, 2017                      
                       
Allowance for loan losses:                      
Individually evaluated for impairment $1,964  $-  $374  $235  $217  $-  $-  $2,790 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  1,810   725   943   1,502   356   392   81   5,809 
Total allowance for loan losses $3,774  $725  $1,317  $1,737  $573  $392  $81  $8,599 
                                 
Loans receivable:                                
Loans evaluated individually $15,415  $-  $4,501  $3,798  $1,002  $-  $-  $24,716 
Loans evaluated collectively  417,889   104,617   168,842   306,040   75,181   64,764   -   1,137,333 
Total loans receivable $433,304  $104,617  $173,343  $309,838  $76,183  $64,764  $-  $1,162,049 

 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Commercial
Real Estate
 
Construction
and Land Development
 
Commercial
and Industrial
 
Owner
Occupied
Real Estate
 
Consumer
and Other
 
Residential Mortgage
 
Unallocated
 
Total
 
                 
December 31, 2016                
                 
Allowance for loan losses:                
Individually evaluated for impairment $1,277  $-  $1,624  $274  $293  $-  $-  $3,468 
Collectively evaluated for impairment  1,977   557   1,260   1,108   295   58   432   5,687 
Total allowance for loan losses $3,254  $557  $2,884  $1,382  $588  $58  $432  $9,155 
                                 
Loans receivable:                                
Loans evaluated individually $19,245  $-  $5,180  $2,325  $1,290  $130  $-  $28,170 
Loans evaluated collectively  359,274   61,453   169,564   274,661   62,370   9,552   -   936,874 
Total loans receivable $378,519  $61,453  $174,744  $276,986  $63,660  $9,682  $-  $965,044 



2019:

(dollars in thousands)

 

Commercial

Real Estate

  

Construction

and Land Development

  

Commercial

and Industrial

  

Owner

Occupied

Real Estate

  

Consumer

and Other

  

Residential Mortgage

  

Paycheck

Protection

Program

  

Unallocated

  

Total

 
                                     

December 31, 2020

                                    
                                     

Allowance for loan losses:

                                    

Individually evaluated for impairment

 $418  $0  $51  $122  $0  $0  $0  $0  $591 

Collectively evaluated for impairment

  3,976   948   1,316   2,252   723   3,025   0   144   12,384 

Total allowance for loan losses

 $4,394  $948  $1,367  $2,374  $723  $3,025  $0  $144  $12,975 
                                     

Loans receivable:

                                    

Loans evaluated individually

 $9,048   0  $2,963  $3,955  $1,302  $701  $0  $0  $17,969 

Loans evaluated collectively

  696,700   142,821   197,225   471,251   101,066   394,473   636,637   0   2,640,173 

Total loans receivable

 $705,748  $142,821  $200,188  $475,206  $102,368  $395,174  $636,637  $0  $2,658,142 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Commercial

Real Estate

  

Construction

and Land Development

  

Commercial

and Industrial

  

Owner

Occupied

Real Estate

  

Consumer

and Other

  

Residential Mortgage

  

Paycheck

Protection

Program

  

Unallocated

  

Total

 
                                     

December 31, 2019

                                    
                                     

Allowance for loan losses:

                                    

Individually evaluated for impairment

 $265  $0  $23  $268  $0  $0  $0  $0  $556 

Collectively evaluated for impairment

  2,778   688   908   2,024   590   1,705   0   17   8,710 

Total allowance for loan losses

 $3,043  $688  $931  $2,292  $590  $1,705  $0  $17  $9,266 
                                     

Loans receivable:

                                    

Loans evaluated individually

 $10,331  $0  $3,087  $3,634  $1,062  $768  $0  $0  $18,882 

Loans evaluated collectively

  603,300   121,395   220,819   420,766   100,258   262,676   0   0   1,729,214 

Total loans receivable

 $613,631  $121,395  $223,906  $424,400  $101,320  $263,444  $0  $0  $1,748,096 

100

108


A loan is considered impaired, when based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due from the borrower in accordance with the contractual terms of the loan.  Impaired loans include nonperforming loans, but also include internally classified accruing loans. The following table summarizes information with regard to impaired loans by loan portfolio class as of December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016:


  December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 Recorded Investment  
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
  
Related
Allowance
  Recorded Investment  
Unpaid
Principal
Balance
  
Related
Allowance
 
With no related allowance recorded:                  
Commercial real estate $9,264  $9,268  $-  $12,347  $12,348  $- 
Construction and land development  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial and industrial  2,756   6,674   -   1,955   3,111   - 
Owner occupied real estate  2,595   2,743   -   621   733   - 
Consumer and other  655   981   -   687   976   - 
Residential mortgage  -   -   -   130   130   - 
Total $15,270  $19,666  $-  $15,740  $17,298  $- 

With an allowance recorded:                  
Commercial real estate $6,151  $6,165  $1,964  $6,898  $6,912  $1,277 
Construction and land development  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial and industrial  1,745   1,752   374   3,225   5,892   1,624 
Owner occupied real estate  1,203   1,206   235   1,704   1,704   274 
Consumer and other  347   379   217   603   627   293 
Residential mortgage  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $9,446  $9,502  $2,790  $12,430  $15,135  $3,468 

Total:                  
Commercial real estate $15,415  $15,433  $1,964  $19,245  $19,260  $1,277 
Construction and land development  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Commercial and industrial  4,501   8,426   374   5,180   9,003   1,624 
Owner occupied real estate  3,798   3,949   235   2,325   2,437   274 
Consumer and other  1,002   1,360   217   1,290   1,603   293 
Residential mortgage  -   -   -   130   130   - 
Total $24,716  $29,168  $2,790  $28,170  $32,433  $3,468 



2019:

  

December 31, 2020

  

December 31, 2019

 
(dollars in thousands) 

Recorded

Investment

  

Unpaid

Principal

Balance

  

Related

Allowance

  

Recorded

Investment

  

Unpaid

Principal

Balance

  

Related

Allowance

 

With no related allowance recorded:

                        

Commercial real estate

 $5,033  $5,040  $-  $6,186  $6,192  $- 

Construction and land development

  0   0   -   0   0   - 

Commercial and industrial

  2,608   2,794   -   2,719   2,989   - 

Owner occupied real estate

  3,198   3,407   -   2,127   2,275   - 

Consumer and other

  1,302   1,556   -   1,062   1,375   - 

Residential mortgage

  701   768   -   768   768   - 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0   -   0   0   - 

Total

 $12,842  $13,565  $-  $12,862  $13,599  $- 

With an allowance recorded:

                        

Commercial real estate

 $4,015  $4,536  $418  $4,145  $4,667  $265 

Construction and land development

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Commercial and industrial

  355   371   51   368   383   23 

Owner occupied real estate

  757   775   122   1,507   1,521   268 

Consumer and other

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Residential mortgage

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Total

 $5,127  $5,682  $591  $6,020  $6,571  $556 

Total:

                        

Commercial real estate

 $9,048  $9,576  $418  $10,331  $10,859  $265 

Construction and land development

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Commercial and industrial

  2,963   3,165   51   3,087   3,372   23 

Owner occupied real estate

  3,955   4,182   122   3,634   3,796   268 

Consumer and other

  1,302   1,556   0   1,062   1,375   0 

Residential mortgage

  701   768   0   768   768   0 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Total

 $17,969  $19,247  $591  $18,882  $20,170  $556 

101

109


The following table presents additional information regarding the Company'sCompany’s impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015:


 Years Ended December 31, 
 2017  2016  2015 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
  
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
  
Average
Recorded
Investment
 
Interest
Income
Recognized
 
With no related allowance recorded:              
Commercial real estate $9,579  $366   $12,033  $264   $12,796  $282 
Construction and land development  -   -    58   -    206   2 
Commercial and industrial  2,270   37    1,828   42    3,225   78 
Owner occupied real estate  1,894   58    642   10    700   6 
Consumer and other  801   21    858   16    685   13 
Residential mortgage  26   1    26   1    -   - 
Total $14,570  $483   $15,445  $333   $17,612  $381 

With an allowance recorded:                  
Commercial real estate $6,490  $14  $4,455  $52  $5,544  $13 
Construction and land development  -   -   12   -   90   - 
Commercial and industrial  2,517   68   3,357   74   2,587   28 
Owner occupied real estate  1,390   32   2,104   31   3,643   92 
Consumer and other  420   10   322   12   59   2 
Residential mortgage  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $10,817  $124  $10,250  $169  $11,923  $135 

Total:                  
Commercial real estate $16,069  $380  $16,488  $316  $18,340  $295 
Construction and land development  -   -   70   -   296   2 
Commercial and industrial  4,787   105   5,185   116   5,812   106 
Owner occupied real estate  3,284   90   2,746   41   4,343   98 
Consumer and other  1,221   31   1,180   28   744   15 
Residential mortgage  26   1   26   1   -   - 
Total $25,387  $607  $25,695  $502  $29,535  $516 

2018:

  

Years Ended December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Average

Recorded

Investment

  

Interest

Income

Recognized

  

Average

Recorded

Investment

  

Interest

Income

Recognized

  

Average

Recorded

Investment

  

Interest

Income

Recognized

 

With no related allowance recorded:

                        

Commercial real estate

 $6,279  $288  $6,463  $289  $10,429  $288 

Construction and land development

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Commercial and industrial

  2,645   3   2,144   5   3,341   52 

Owner occupied real estate

  2,964   93   1,908   38   2,275   58 

Consumer and other

  1,224   47   909   20   658   21 

Residential mortgage

  755   4   461   2   0   0 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Total

 $13,867  $435  $11,885  $354  $16,703  $419 

With an allowance recorded:

                        

Commercial real estate

 $4,015  $0  $4,281  $1  $3,076  $0 

Construction and land development

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Commercial and industrial

  454   0   838   0   1,862   6 

Owner occupied real estate

  1,287   39   1,071   31   969   25 

Consumer and other

  0   0   30   0   191   1 

Residential mortgage

  24   4   0   0   0   0 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Total

 $5,780  $43  $6,220  $32  $6,098  $32 

Total:

                        

Commercial real estate

 $10,294  $288  $10,744  $290  $13,505  $288 

Construction and land development

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Commercial and industrial

  3,099   3   2,982   5   5,203   58 

Owner occupied real estate

  4,251   132   2,979   69   3,244   83 

Consumer and other

  1,224   47   939   20   849   22 

Residential mortgage

  779   8   461   2   0   0 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Total

 $19,647  $478  $18,105  $386  $22,801  $451 

The total average recorded investment on the Company'sCompany’s impaired loans for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 20152018 were $25.4$19.6 million, $25.7$18.1 million, and $29.5$22.8 million, respectively, and the related interest income recognized for those dates was $607,000, $502,000,$478,000, $386,000, and $516,000,$451,000, respectively.



102

110


The performance and credit quality of the loan portfolio is also monitored by analyzing the age of the loans receivable as determined by the length of time a recorded payment is past due. The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the past due status as of December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016:2019:

(dollars in thousands)

 

30-59

Days Past

Due

  

60-89

Days Past

Due

  

Greater

than 90

Days

  

Total

Past Due

  

Current

  

Total

Loans

Receivable

  

Loans

Receivable

> 90 Days

and

Accruing

 

At December 31, 2020

                            

Commercial real estate

 $0  $97  $4,421  $4,518  $701,230  $705,748  $0 

Construction and land development

  0   0   0   0   142,821   142,821   0 

Commercial and industrial

  1,648   0   2,963   4,611   195,577   200,188   0 

Owner occupied real estate

  581   813   2,859   4,253   470,953   475,206   0 

Consumer and other

  92   28   1,302   1,422   100,946   102,368   0 

Residential mortgage

  0   0   1,313   1,313   393,861   395,174   612 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0   0   0   636,637   636,637   0 

Total

 $2,321  $938  $12,858  $16,117  $2,642,025  $2,658,142  $612 

(dollars in thousands)

 

30-59

Days Past

Due

  

60-89

Days Past

Due

  

Greater

than 90

Days

  

Total

Past Due

  

Current

  

Total

Loans

Receivable

  

Loans

Receivable

> 90 Days

and

Accruing

 

At December 31, 2019

                            

Commercial real estate

 $0  $313  $4,159  $4,472  $609,159  $613,631  $0 

Construction and land development

  0   0   0   0   121,395   121,395   0 

Commercial and industrial

  0   50   3,087   3,137   220,769   223,906   0 

Owner occupied real estate

  0   1,219   3,337   4,556   419,844   424,400   0 

Consumer and other

  112   241   1,062   1,415   99,905   101,320   0 

Residential mortgage

  0   0   768   768   262,676   263,444   0 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0   0   0   0   0   0 

Total

 $112  $1,823  $12,413  $14,348  $1,733,748  $1,748,096  $0 

111
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
30-59
Days Past Due
  
60-89
Days Past Due
  
Greater
than 90
Days
  
Total
Past Due
  
Current
  
Total
Loans Receivable
  
Loans Receivable > 90 Days and Accruing
 
At December 31, 2017                     
Commercial real estate $-  $-  $8,963  $8,963  $424,341  $433,304  $- 
Construction and land
   development
  -   -   -   -   104,617   104,617   - 
Commercial and industrial  969   -   2,895   3,864   169,479   173,343   - 
Owner occupied real estate  -   -   2,136   2,136   307,702   309,838   - 
Consumer and other  144   -   851   995   75,188   76,183   - 
Residential mortgage  -   -   -   -   64,764   64,764   - 
Total $1,113  $-  $14,845  $15,958  $1,146,091  $1,162,049  $- 


 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
30-59
Days Past Due
  
60-89
Days Past Due
  
Greater
than 90
Days
  
Total
Past Due
  
Current
  
Total
Loans Receivable
  
Loans Receivable > 90 Days and Accruing
 
At December 31, 2016                     
Commercial real estate $-  $9  $13,089  $13,098  $365,421  $378,519  $- 
  Construction and land
   development
  -   -   -   -   61,453   61,453   - 
Commercial and industrial  568   -   3,151   3,719   171,025   174,744   - 
Owner occupied real estate  468   -   1,718   2,186   274,800   276,986   172 
Consumer and other  24   22   808   854   62,806   63,660   - 
Residential mortgage  -   -   130   130   9,552   9,682   130 
Total $1,060  $31  $18,896  $19,987  $945,057  $965,044  $302 

The following table presents the classes of the loan portfolio summarized by the aggregate pass rating and the classified ratings of special mention, substandard and doubtful within our internal risk rating system as of December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016:

 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Pass
  
Special
Mention
  
Substandard
  
Doubtful
  
Total
 
At December 31, 2017:               
Commercial real estate $423,382  $959  $8,963  $-  $433,304 
Construction and land
   development
  104,617   -   -   -   104,617 
Commercial and industrial  168,702   140   4,221   280   173,343 
Owner occupied real estate  306,040   -   3,798   -   309,838 
Consumer and other  75,181   -   1,002   -   76,183 
Residential mortgage  64,637   127   -   -   64,764 
Total $1,142,559  $1,226  $17,984  $280  $1,162,049 

 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Pass
  
Special
Mention
  
Substandard
  
Doubtful
  
Total
 
At December 31, 2016:               
Commercial real estate $364,066  $877  $13,576  $-  $378,519 
Construction and land
   development
  61,453   -   -   -   61,453 
Commercial and industrial  168,958   606   3,751   1,429   174,744 
Owner occupied real estate  274,150   511   2,325   -   276,986 
Consumer and other  62,370   -   1,290   -   63,660 
Residential mortgage  9,552   -   130   -   9,682 
Total $940,549  $1,994  $21,072  $1,429  $965,044 
103


2019:

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Pass

  

Special

Mention

  

Substandard

  

Doubtful

  

Total

 

At December 31, 2020:

                    

Commercial real estate

 $701,151  $80  $4,517  $0  $705,748 

Construction and land development

  142,821   0   0   0   142,821 

Commercial and industrial

  197,225   0   2,963   0   200,188 

Owner occupied real estate

  470,732   519   3,955   0   475,206 

Consumer and other

  101,066   0   1,302   0   102,368 

Residential mortgage

  394,473   0   701   0   395,174 

Paycheck protection program

  636,637   0   0   0   636,637 

Total

 $2,644,105  $599  $13,438  $0  $2,658,142 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Pass

  

Special

Mention

  

Substandard

  

Doubtful

  

Total

 

At December 31, 2019:

                    

Commercial real estate

 $609,382  $90  $4,159  $0  $613,631 

Construction and land development

  121,395   0   0   0   121,395 

Commercial and industrial

  220,819   0   3,087   0   223,906 

Owner occupied real estate

  418,997   1,770   3,633   0   424,400 

Consumer and other

  100,258   0   1,062   0   101,320 

Residential mortgage

  262,555   121   768   0   263,444 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0   0   0   0 

Total

 $1,733,406  $1,981  $12,709  $0  $1,748,096 

The following table shows non-accrual loans by class as of December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016:


(dollars in thousands) December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016 
       
Commercial real estate $8,963  $13,089 
Construction and land development  -   - 
Commercial and industrial  2,895   3,151 
Owner occupied real estate  2,136   1,546 
Consumer and other  851   808 
Residential mortgage  -   - 
Total $14,845  $18,594 

2019:

(dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 
         

Commercial real estate

 $4,421  $4,159 

Construction and land development

  0   0 

Commercial and industrial

  2,963   3,087 

Owner occupied real estate

  2,859   3,337 

Consumer and other

  1,302   1,062 

Residential mortgage

  701   768 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0 

Total

 $12,246  $12,413 

If these loans were performing under their original contractual rate, interest income on such loans would have increased approximately $590,000, $1.0 million,$718,000, $548,000, and $765,000,$498,000, for 2017, 2016,2020,2019, and 2015,2018, respectively.  


Troubled Debt Restructurings


A modification to the contractual terms of a loan which results in a concession to a borrower that is experiencing financial difficulty is classified as a troubled debt restructuring ("TDR"(“TDR”). The concessions made in a TDR are those that would not otherwise be considered for a borrower or collateral with similar risk characteristics. A TDR is typically the result of efforts to minimize potential losses that may be incurred during loan workouts, foreclosure, or repossession of collateral at a time when collateral values are declining. Concessions include a reduction in interest rate below current market rates, a material extension of time to the loan term or amortization period, partial forgiveness of the outstanding principal balance, acceptance of interest only payments for a period of time, or a combination of any of these conditions.

112


Pursuant to the CARES Act, loan modifications made between March 1, 2020 and the earlier of i) December 30, 2020 or ii) 60 days after the President declares a termination of the COVID-19 national emergency are not classified as TDRs if the related loans were not more than 30 days past due as of December 31, 2019. In December 2020, the Economic Aid Act was signed into law which amended certain sections of the CARES Act. This amendment extended the period to suspend the requirements under TDR accounting guidance to the earlier of i) January 1, 2022 or ii) 60 days after the President declares a termination of the national emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Deferrals reached a peak during the second quarter of 2020. As of December 31, 2020, deferrals declined to 21 customers with outstanding balances of $16 million, or less than 1% of total loans outstanding. At December 31, 2020, approximately $4 million of the deferral requests were for deferment of principal balances only. The remaining deferrals include requests to defer both principal and interest payments. Deferrals as of December 31, 2020 were comprised of the following categories: 90 day deferrals amounted to 8 customers with outstanding balances of $3 million and second deferrals amounted to 13 customers with outstanding balances of $13 million.

The following table summarizes information with regard to outstanding troubled debt restructurings at December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016:


 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Number
of Loans
  
Accrual
Status
  
Non-
Accrual
Status
  Total TDRs 
December 31, 2017           
Commercial real estate  1  $6,452  $-  $6,452 
  Construction and land development  -   -   -   - 
Commercial and industrial  3   1,175   349   1,524 
Owner occupied real estate  1   242   -   242 
Consumer and other  -   -   -   - 
Residential mortgage  -   -   -   - 
Total  5  $7,869  $349  $8,218 
                 
December 31, 2016                
Commercial real estate  1  $5,669  $-  $5,669 
  Construction and land development  -   -   -   - 
Commercial and industrial  2   228   349   577 
Owner occupied real estate  -   -   -   - 
Consumer and other  -   -   -   - 
Residential mortgage  -   -   -   - 
Total  3  $5,897  $349  $6,246 
104

2019:

  

Number

of Loans

  

Accrual

Status

  

Non-

Accrual

Status

  

Total

TDRs

 

December 31, 2020

                

Commercial real estate

  1  $4,530  $0  $4,530 

Construction and land development

  0   0   0   0 

Commercial and industrial

  0   0   0   0 

Owner occupied real estate

  0   0   0   0 

Consumer and other

  0   0   0   0 

Residential mortgage

  0   0   0   0 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0   0   0 

Total

  1  $4,530  $0  $4,530 
                 

December 31, 2019

                

Commercial real estate

  1  $6,173  $0  $6,173 

Construction and land development

  0   0   0   0 

Commercial and industrial

  0   0   0   0 

Owner occupied real estate

  0   0   0   0 

Consumer and other

  0   0   0   0 

Residential mortgage

  0   0   0   0 

Paycheck protection program

  0   0   0   0 

Total

  1  $6,173  $0  $6,173 

All TDRs are considered impaired and are therefore individually evaluated for impairment in the calculation of the allowance for loan losses. Some TDRs may not ultimately result in the full collection of principal and interest as restructured and could lead to potential incremental losses. These potential incremental losses would be factored into our estimate of the allowance for loan losses. The level of any subsequent defaults will likely be affected by future economic conditions.

The Company modified one commercial and industrial

There were 0 loan modifications made during the twelve month period months ended December 31, 2017. In accordance with the modified terms of the commercial 2020 and industrial loan, the principal balance of $975,000 was converted from a line of credit to a term loan with a five year maturity. This commercial and industrial loan has been and continues to be an accruing loan.

The Company modified one owner occupied real estate loan during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2017. In accordance with the modified terms of the owner occupied loan of $245,000, certain concessions have been granted, including a reduction in the interest rate and an extension of the maturity date of the loan. The owner occupied loan has been and continues to be an accruing loan.
The Company modified one commercial real estate loan in the amount of $6.5 million during the twelve month period ended December 31, 20172019 that met the criteria of a TDR. This loan was transferred to non-accrual status during the second quarter of 2015 as a result of delinquency caused by tenant vacancies. The Company restructured the loan based on new leases obtained by the borrower. In accordance with the modified terms of the loan, certain concessions have been granted, including a reduction in the interest rate. In addition, the principal was increased by $421,000.  As a result of current payments for six consecutive months, the loan was returned to accrual status in the third quarter of 2017.

113


There were no loan modifications made during the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 that met the criteria of a TDR.

After a loan is determined to be a TDR, we continue to track its performance under the most recent restructured terms. There were no TDR0 TDRs that subsequently defaulted during the years ended December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016, respectively.

2019.

There were nowas one residential mortgagesmortgage in the process of foreclosure as of December 31, 2017 and 2020. There was one residential mortgage in the process of foreclosure at December 31, 2016, respectively. Other2019. There was no other real estate owned relating to residential real estate was $42,000 and $126,000 at December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016, respectively.

6. Other Real Estate Owned
2019.

 

6.

Other Real Estate Owned

Other real estate owned consists of properties acquired as a result of foreclosures or deeds in-lieu-of foreclosure. Costs relating to the development or improvement of assets are capitalized, and costs relating to holding the property are charged to expense. As of December 31, 2017 2020 the balance of OREO is comprised of six commercial, construction, and residentialfour properties.


The following table presents a reconciliation of other real estate owned for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015:

(dollars in thousands) 
December 31,
2017
  
December 31,
2016
  
December 31,
2015
 
Beginning Balance, January 1st
 $10,174  $11,313   3,715 
Additions  291   616   11,459 
Valuation adjustments  (3,000)  (355)  (3,069)
Dispositions  (499)  (1,400)  (792)
Ending Balance $6,966  $10,174   11,313 
2018:

(dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

  

December 31,

2018

 

Beginning Balance, January 1st

 $1,730  $6,223  $6,966 

Additions

  233   1,225   315 

Valuation adjustments

  (31)  (646)  (563)

Dispositions

  (744)  (5,072)  (495)

Ending Balance

 $1,188  $1,730  $6,223 

 
105

7.  Premises and Equipment

7.

Premises and Equipment

A summary of premises and equipment is as follows:

 
(dollars in thousands)
 
December 31,
2017
  
December 31,
2016
 
Land $12,711  $10,170 
Buildings  40,519   25,693 
Leasehold improvements  20,477   20,236 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment  18,521   15,006 
Construction in progress  4,961   3,734 
   97,189   74,839 
Less accumulated depreciation  (22,242)  (17,799)
Net premises and equipment $74,947  $57,040 

(dollars in thousands)

 

December 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 

Land

 $21,304  $18,991 

Buildings

  65,936   58,917 

Leasehold improvements

  31,909   29,898 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment

  33,400   29,067 

Construction in progress

  11,842   13,728 
   164,391   150,601 

Less accumulated depreciation

  (41,221)  (33,645)

Net premises and equipment

 $123,170  $116,956 

Depreciation expense on premises and equipment amounted to approximately $4.6$8.2 million, $3.5$6.5 million, and $3.1$5.4 million in 2017, 2016,2020,2019, and 2015,2018, respectively. The construction in progress balance of $5.0$11.8 million mainly represents costs incurred for the selection and development of future store locations. Of this balance, $2.9$8.5 million represents land purchased and land deposits for five9 future store locations. Contractual construtionconstruction commitments related to future store locations were $8.5$2.5 million as of December 31, 2017.2020.

114


8.

Borrowings


Republic has a line of credit with the Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB"(“FHLB”) of Pittsburgh with a maximum borrowing capacity of $576.5 million$1.1 billion as of December 31, 2017. 2020. As of December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016,2019, there were no0 fixed term or overnight advancesborrowings against this line of credit. AsThere were 0 overnight borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2017,2020 and 2019. At both December 31, 2020 and 2019, FHLB had issued a letterletters of credit, on Republic'sRepublic’s behalf, totaling $75.0$150.0 million against its available credit line, primarily to be used as collateral for public deposits.funds deposit balances. There were no0 fixed term advances outstanding at any month-end during 20172020 and 2016.2019.  At December 31, 2017, $814.9 million2020, $1.5 billion of loans collateralized the overnight advance and the letterFHLB line of credit. NaN overnight borrowings were outstanding at any month-end in 2020. The maximum amount of overnight borrowings outstanding at any month-end was $82.9$69.0 million in 2017 and $48.8 million in 2016.

2019.

Republic also has a line of credit in the amount of $10.0 million available for the purchase of federal funds through another correspondent bank.the Atlantic Community Bankers Bank (“ACBB”). At December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016,2019, Republic had no0 amount outstanding against this line.the line at ACBB. There were no0 overnight advances on this line at any month end in 20172020 and 2016.

2019.

Republic also has a line of credit with Zions Bank in the amount of $15.0 million to assist in managing our liquidity position. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, Republic had 0 amount outstanding against the line at Zions Bank. There were 0 overnight balances on this line at any month end in 2020 and 2019.

As part of the CARES Act, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia offered secured discounted borrowing capacity to banks that originated PPP loans through the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility or PPPLF program. At December 31, 2020, the Company pledged $633.9 million of PPP loans to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia to borrow $633.9 million of funds at a rate of 0.35%.

Subordinated debt and corporation-obligated-mandatorily redeemable capital securities of subsidiary trust holding solely junior obligations of the corporation:

The Company has sponsored threetwo outstanding issues of corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities of a subsidiary trust holding solely junior subordinated debentures of the corporation, more commonly known as trust preferred securities. The subsidiary trusts are not consolidated with the Company for financial reporting purposes.  The purpose of the issuances of these securities was to increase capital.  The trust preferred securities qualify as Tier 1 capital for regulatory purposes in an amount up to 25% of total Tier 1 capital.

In December 2006, Republic Capital Trust II ("(“Trust II"II”) issued $6.0 million of trust preferred securities to investors and $0.2 million of common securities to the Company.  Trust II purchased $6.2 million of junior subordinated debentures of the Company due 2037, and the Company used the proceeds to call the securities of Republic Capital Trust I ("(“Trust I"I”).  The debentures supporting Trust II have a variable interest rate, adjustable quarterly, at 1.73% over the 3-month3-month Libor.  The Company may call the securities on any interest payment date after five years without a prepayment penalty.

106

On June 28, 2007, the Company caused Republic Capital Trust III ("(“Trust III"III”), through a pooled offering, to issue $5.0 million of trust preferred securities to investors and $0.2 million common securities to the Company. Trust III purchased $5.2 million of junior subordinated debentures of the Company due 2037, which have a variable interest rate, adjustable quarterly, at 1.55% over the 3 month Libor.  The Company has the ability to call the securities on any interest payment date without a prepayment penalty.

115

On June 10, 2008, the Company caused Republic First Bancorp Capital Trust IV ("(“Trust IV"IV”) to issue $10.8 million of convertible trust preferred securities as part of the Company'sCompany’s strategic capital plan.  The securities were purchased by various investors, including Vernon W. Hill, II, founder and chairman (retired) of Commerce Bancorp and, since December 5, 2016, chairman of the Company. This investor group also included a family trust of Harry D. Madonna, president and chief executive officer of Republic First Bancorp, Inc, and Theodore J. Flocco, Jr., who, since the investment, has been elected to the Company'sCompany’s Board of Directors and serves as the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Trust IV also issued $0.3 million of common securities to the Company. Trust IV purchased $11.1 million of junior subordinated debentures due 2038, which paypaid interest at an annual rate of 8.0% and arewere callable after the fifth year under certain terms and conditions. The trust preferred securities of Trust IV arewere convertible into approximately 1.7 million shares of common stock of the Company, based on a conversion price of $6.50 per share of Company common stock, and at December 31, 2017 were fully convertible.stock. One independent director converted $240,000 of trust preferred securities into 37,000 shares of common stock in 2017.


Deferred issuance costs included in subordinated debt were $555,000 and $595,000 at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Amortization of deferred issuance costs were $29,000, $24,000, and $24,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

On January 31, 2018, the Company notified the existing holders of Trust IV securities of its intent to fully redeem these securities in accordance with the Optional Redemption terms included in the Indenture Agreement. The securities will bewere redeemed on March 31, 2018 at a price equal to the outstanding principal amount, plus accrued interest.amount. The holders havehad the option to convert these securities into shares of the Company'sCompany’s common stock at any time until the end of the last business day preceding the redemption date. During the first quarter of 2018, $10.1 million of trust preferred securities were converted into 1.6 million shares of common stock. After redemption of the remaining securities on March 31 2018, Trust IV was dissolved.

Deferred issuance costs included in subordinated debt were $70,000 and $76,000 at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Amortization of deferred issuance costs was $6,000 in each of the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018. Deferred issuance costs in the amount of $467,000 were recorded against additional paid in capital during the first quarter of 2018 as a result of the conversion of trust preferred securities into common stock in accordance with ASC 470-20.


9.

Deposits


The following is a breakdown, by contractual maturities of the Company'sCompany’s certificates of deposit for the years 20182021 through 2022.


(dollars in thousands) 2018  2019  2020  2021  2022  Thereafter  Total 
                      
Certificates of Deposit $54,454  $37,143  $23,369  $974  $797  $-  $116,737 

2025.

(dollars in thousands)

 

2021

  

2022

  

2023

  

2024

  

2025

  

Thereafter

  

Total

 
                             

Certificates of Deposit

 $162,450  $19,210  $1,443  $805  $2,453  $0  $186,361 

Certificates of deposit of $250,000$250,000 or more totaled $57.5$88.4 million and $42.5$146.8 million at December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively.


Deposits of related parties totaled $107.1$98.0 million and $120.2$103.0 million at December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively. Brokered deposits totaled $1.0 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively. Overdrafts totaled $230,000 and $540,000 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

116

107

 

10.

Income Taxes


The benefitprovision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 20152018 consists of the following:


(dollars in thousands) 2017  2016  2015 
Current         
Federal $2,137  $261  $58 
State  -   -   - 
Deferred  (5,056)  (380)  (84)
Total benefit for income taxes $(2,919) $(119) $(26)

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Current

            

Federal

 $810  $394  $0 

State

  1,490   0   51 

Deferred

            

Federal

  417   (1,524)  2,006 

State

  (1,327)  (220)  (479)

Total provision (benefit) for income taxes

 $1,390  $(1,350) $1,578 

The following table reconciles the difference between the actual tax provision and the amount per the statutory federal income tax rate of 35.0%21.0% for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2017, 2016, 2020, 21.0% for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2015.


(dollars in thousands) 2017  2016  2015 
Tax provision computed at statutory rate $2,095  $1,689  $843 
Tax exempt interest  (573)  (582)  (394)
Effect of change in tax rate  7,661   -   - 
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance adjustment  (12,214)  (1,508)  (937)
Other  112   282   462 
Total benefit for income taxes $(2,919) $(119) $(26)

21.0% for the year ended December 31, 2018.

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Tax provision computed at federal statutory rate

 $1,353  $(1,018) $2,143 

State income tax, net of federal benefit

  360   (260)  (340)

Tax exempt interest

  (461)  (425)  (430)

Deferred tax only items

  0   0   199 

Other

  138   353   6 

Total provision (benefit) for income taxes

 $1,390  $(1,350) $1,578 

Reclassifications

A reclassification has been made to 2019 information to conform to the 2020 presentation in the table below. The reclassification had no effect on the results of operations or shareholders’ equity. In 2019, deferred tax assets pertaining to stock option expense of $1.4 million were reclassed from other deferred tax assets.

The significant components of the Company'sCompany’s net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2017 2020 and 20162019 are as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

 

Deferred tax assets

        

Allowance for loan losses

 $3,291  $2,351 

Deferred compensation

  641   620 

Unrealized losses on securities available for sale

  960   2,495 

Deferred fees on PPP loans

  3,737   0 

Foreclosed real estate write-downs

  985   996 

Interest income on non-accrual loans

  706   541 

Stock option expense

  1,780   1,413 

Goodwill

  890   0 

Net operating loss carryforward

  0   5,123 

Other

  1,033   850 

Total deferred tax assets

  14,023   14,389 

Deferred tax liabilities

        

Deferred loan costs

  1,818  ��1,138 

Premises and equipment

  191   612 

Total deferred tax liabilities

  2,009   1,750 

Net deferred tax asset

 $12,014  $12,639 

117


(dollars in thousands) 2017  2016 
Deferred tax assets      
Allowance for loan losses $2,047  $3,288 
Deferred compensation  557   824 
Unrealized losses on securities available for sale  2,789   4,087 
Realized losses in other than temporary impairment charge  65   336 
Foreclosed real estate write-downs  1,468   2,377 
Interest income on non-accrual loans  525   1,425 
Net operating loss carryforward  5,549   8,896 
Other  1,266   2,001 
Total deferred tax assets  14,266   23,234 
Deferred tax liabilities        
Deferred loan costs  998   1,313 
Other  553   528 
Total deferred tax liabilities  1,551   1,841 
   Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance  12,715   21,393 
        Less:  valuation allowance  -   (12,214)
        Net deferred tax asset $12,715  $9,179 

The Company'sCompany’s net deferred tax asset before the consideration of a valuation allowance decreased to $12.7$12.0 million at December 31, 2017 2020 compared to $21.4$12.6 million at December 31, 2016. This decrease was primarily driven by2019. The effective tax rates for the impact of the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" which was signed into law in December 2017. It included a reduction in the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The Company's deferred tax asset balances have historically been calculated using a federal tax rate of 35%. As a result of the change in the tax rate, the value of the Company's existing deferred tax assets permanently decreased by $7.7 million to $12.7 million at years ended December 31, 2017. Therefore, a charge of $7.7 million was recorded to income tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2017 to reflect the reduction in value.

108


2020 and 2019 were 22% and (28%), respectively.

The $12.7$12.0 million net deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2017 2020 is comprised of $5.5$3.7 million currently recognizable through net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs")attributable to deferred fees on PPP Loans which are expected to reverse in the coming year and $7.2$8.3 million attributable to several items associated with temporary timing differences which will reverse at some point in the future to provide a net reduction in tax liabilities. The Company'snext largest future reversal relates to its unrealized losses on securities available for sale,the loan portfolio, which totaled $2.8$3.3 million as of December 31, 2017.


2020.

The Company evaluates the carrying amount of itsour deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis or more frequently, if necessary, in accordance with the guidance provided in ASC FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 (ASC 740), in particular, applying the criteria set forth therein to determine whether it is more likely than not (i.e. a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized within its life cycle, based on the weight of available evidence. If management makes a determination based on the available evidence that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods, a valuation allowance is calculated and recorded. These determinations are inherently subjective and dependent upon estimates and judgments concerning management'smanagement’s evaluation of both positive and negative evidence.


In conducting the deferred tax asset analysis, the Company believes it is important to consider the unique characteristics of an industry or business.  In particular, characteristics such as business model, level of capital and reserves held by financial institutions and their ability to absorb potential losses are important distinctions to be considered for bank holding companies like the Company. In addition, it is also important to consider that NOLs for federal income tax purposes can generally be carried back two years and carried forward for a period of twenty years, for NOLs created prior to January 1, 2018.  The Company has a federal NOL in the amount of $24.4 million which will begin to expire after December 31, 2030 through December 31, 2031 if not utilized prior to that date. In order to realize our deferred tax assets, we must generate sufficient taxable income in such future years.

In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, wethe Company carefully weighed both positive and negative evidence currently available. Judgment is required when considering the relative impact of such evidence. The weight given to the potential effect of positive and negative evidence must be commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified.


 Positive evidence evaluated when considering

The Company is in a three year cumulative profit position factoring in pre-tax GAAP income and permanent book/tax differences. Growth in interest-earning assets is expected to continue and is supported by the need forcapital raise completed during 2020. The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets along with other credit quality metrics continue to improve. A number of cost control measures have been implemented to offset the challenges faced in growing revenue as a valuation allowance included:


·the annual improvement in earnings during the three year period ended December 31, 2017

·continued growth in interest-earning assets is expectedresult of compression in the net interest margin. The Company has added thirteen store locations in the past four years and supported by the capital raise completed during the fourth quarter of 2016;

·deposit growth in each of the stores opened since the inception of the growth and expansion strategy in 2014 has met or exceeded expectations;

·loan growth during 2017 was greater than 20%;

·the acquisition of a residential mortgage lending team (Oak Mortgage Company) completed in July 2016 continues to supplement earnings growth;
109


·two of the Company's largest non-performing assets have been resolved in 2017; and

·a cumulative loss has not been recorded in recent years.

Negative evidence evaluated when considering the need for a valuation allowance included:

·profitability metrics for return on assets and return on equity remain below industry standards; and

·past earnings have been heavily dependent upon the success of the SBA Lending Team which has recently experienced reduced loan volumes and the recently acquired Mortgage Division which can be significantly impacted by a changing interest rate environment and other various economic factors.

The ongoing success of the Company's growth and expansion strategy alongin 2014, almost every new store location has met or exceeded expectations. The success of the expansion strategy, combined with the successful integrationstabilization of interest rates and continued loan growth are expected to continue to support improvement in profitability going forward. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has no federal NOLs to carry forward which could expire in the future.

Conversely, the Company’s net interest margin declined during 2020 as a result of the mortgage companychallenging interest rate environment which appears to be consistent across the financial services industry. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the local and the limited exposure remaining with current asset quality issues put the Companyglobal economy may result in a position to rely on projectionssignificant increase in future loan loss provisions and charge-offs. Rising interest rates and a downturn in the economy could significantly decrease the volume of future taxable income when evaluating the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. mortgage loan originations.

Based on the guidance provided in FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740 (ASC 740)740), the Company believed that the positive evidence considered at December 31, 2017 2020 outweighed the negative evidence and that it was more likely than not that all of the Company'sCompany’s deferred tax assets would be realized within their life cycle. Therefore, a valuation allowance was not required at December 31, 2017 and a $10.6 million benefit for income taxes was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017 to reflect the reversal of the valuation allowance.


2020.

The net deferred tax asset balance before consideration of a valuation allowance was $12.7$12.0 million as of December 31, 2017 2020 and $21.4$12.6 million as of December 31, 2016.  The Company recorded a partial valuation allowance related to the deferred tax asset balance in the amount of $12.2 million as of December 31, 2016.


2019. The deferred tax asset will continue to be analyzed on a quarterly basis for changes affecting realizability.

118


The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions if it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the tax position will be realized or sustained upon examination. The Company has not identified any uncertain tax position as of December 31, 2017. No2020. NaN interest or penalties have been recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015.2018. The Internal Revenue Service has completed its audits of the Company'sCompany’s federal tax returns for all tax years through December 31, 2013. 2016. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is not currently conducting any income tax audits. The Company'sCompany’s federal income tax returns filed subsequent to 20142017 remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.


11.

Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk


The Company is a party to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financing needs of its customers. These financial instruments include commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit. These instruments involve to varying degrees, elements of credit and interest rate risk in excess of the amount recognized in the financial statements.

110

Credit risk is defined as the possibility of sustaining a loss due to the failure of the other parties to a financial instrument to perform in accordance with the terms of the contract. The maximum exposure to credit loss under commitments to extend credit and standby letters of credit is represented by the contractual amount of these instruments. The Company uses the same underwriting standards and policies in making credit commitments as it does for on-balance-sheet instruments.


Financial instruments whose contract amounts represent potential credit risk are commitments to extend credit of approximately $264.3$428.9 million and $215.9$329.9 million and standby letters of credit of approximately $12.6$16.6 million and $5.7$17.2 million at December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively. Commitments often expire without being drawn upon. Of the $264.3$428.9 million of commitments to extend credit at December 31, 2017,2020, substantially all were variable rate commitments.

Commitments to extend credit are agreements to lend to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. Commitments generally have fixed expiration dates or other termination clauses and many require the payment of a fee. Since many of the commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amounts do not necessarily represent future cash requirements. The Company evaluates each customer'scustomer’s creditworthiness on a case-by-case basis. The amount of collateral obtained upon extension of credit is based on management'smanagement’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include real estate, marketable securities, pledged deposits, equipment and accounts receivable.


Standby letters of credit are conditional commitments issued that guarantee the performance of a customer to a third party. The credit risk and collateral policy involved in issuing letters of credit is essentially the same as that involved in extending loan commitments. The amount of collateral obtained is based on management'smanagement’s credit evaluation of the customer. Collateral held varies but may include real estate, marketable securities, pledged deposits, equipment and accounts receivable.  Management believes that the proceeds obtained through a liquidation of such collateral would be sufficient to cover the maximum potential amount of future payments required under the corresponding guarantees. The current amount of liability as of December 31, 2017 2020 and 20162019 for guarantees under standby letters of credit issued is not material.

 

12.

Commitments and Contingencies


       Lease Arrangements

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had entered into non-cancelable leases expiring on various dates through May 31, 2037.  Certain leases include escalation clauses that will require increasing cash payments over the term of the lease.  The leases are accounted for as operating leases.  The minimum annual rental payments required under these leases are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 Year Ended Amount  
      
 2018 $3,735  
 2019  3,540  
 2020  3,464  
 2021  2,219  
 2022  2,104  
 Thereafter  15,441  
 Total $30,503  

The Company incurred rent expense of $4.0 million, $3.4 million, and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.
111

Other

The Company and Republic are from time to time a party (plaintiff or defendant) to lawsuits that are in the normal course of business. While any litigation involves an element of uncertainty, management is of the opinion that the liability of the Company and Republic, if any, resulting from such actions will not have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company and Republic.

119


13.

Regulatory Capital


Dividend payments by Republic to the Company are subject to the Pennsylvania Banking Code of 1965 (the "Banking Code"“Banking Code”) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the "FDIA"“FDIA”). Under the Banking Code, no dividends may be paid except from "accumulated“accumulated net earnings"earnings” (generally, undivided profits). Under the FDIA, an insured bank may pay no dividends if the bank is in arrears in the payment of any insurance assessment due to the FDIC. Under current banking laws, Republic would be limited to $34.5$55.7 million of dividends plus an additional amount equal to its net profit for 2018,2021, up to the date of any such dividend declaration. However, dividends would be further limited in order to maintain capital ratios.

State and Federal regulatory authorities have adopted standards for the maintenance of adequate levels of capital by Republic. Federal banking agencies impose four minimum capital requirements on the Company'sCompany’s risk-based capital ratios based on total capital, Tier 1 capital, CET 1 capital, and a leverage capital ratio. The risk-based capital ratios measure the adequacy of a bank'sbank’s capital against the riskiness of its assets and off-balance sheet activities. Failure to maintain adequate capital is a basis for "prompt“prompt corrective action"action” or other regulatory enforcement action. In assessing a bank'sbank’s capital adequacy, regulators also consider other factors such as interest rate risk exposure; liquidity, funding and market risks; quality and level or earnings; concentrations of credit; quality of loans and investments; risks of any nontraditional activities; effectiveness of bank policies; and management'smanagement’s overall ability to monitor and control risks.

120

112


The following table presents the Company'sCompany’s and Republic'sRepublic’s capital regulatory ratios calculated based on Basel III guidelines at December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016:


(dollars in thousands) 
Actual
 
Minimum Capital
Adequacy 
 
Minimum Capital
Adequacy with
Capital Buffer
 
To Be Well
Capitalized Under
Prompt Corrective
Action Provisions
  Amount  Ratio Amount  Ratio  Amount  Ratio Amount  Ratio
At December 31, 2017:                     
                      
Total risk based capital                     
Republic $187,732   12.57%  $119,446   8.00% $138,109   9.25% $149,307   10.00%
Company  249,510   16.70%   119,521   8.00%  138,197   9.25%  -   -%
Tier one risk based capital                           
Republic  179,133   12.00%   89,584   6.00%  108,248   7.25%  119,446   8.00%
Company  240,911   16.13%   89,641   6.00%  108,316   7.25%  -   -%
    CET 1 risk based capital             ��             
Republic  179,133   12.00%   67,188   4.50%  85,852   5.75%  97,050   6.50%
Company  220,433   14.75%   67,231   4.50%  85,906   5.75%  -   -%
Tier one leveraged capital                           
Republic  179,133   7.91%   90,531   4.00%  90,531   4.00%  113,164   5.00%
Company  240,911   10.64%   90,586   4.00%  90,586   4.00%  -   -%
                            
At December 31, 2016:                           
                            
Total risk based capital                     
Republic $179,057   13.93%  $102,811   8.00% $110,843   8.625% $128,514   10.00%
Company  245,043   18.99%   103,226   8.00%  111,290   8.625%  -   -%
Tier one risk based capital                           
Republic  169,902   13.22%   77,108   6.00%  85,140   6.625%  102,811   8.00%
Company  235,888   18.28%   77,419   6.00%  85,484   6.625%  -   -%
CET 1 risk based capital                           
Republic  169,902   13.22%   57,831   4.50%  65,863   5.125%  83,534   6.50%
Company  214,088   16.59%   58,064   4.50%  66,129   5.125%  -   -%
Tier one leveraged capital                           
Republic  169,902   9.20%   73,843   4.00%  73,843   4.00%  92,304   5.00%
Company  235,888   12.74%   74,073   4.00%  74,073   4.00%  -   -%

2019:

(dollars in thousands)

 

Actual

  

Minimum Capital

Adequacy

  

Minimum Capital

Adequacy with

Capital Buffer

  

To Be Well

Capitalized Under

Prompt Corrective

Action Provisions

 
  

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

  

Amount

  

Ratio

 

At December 31, 2020:

                                
                                 

Total risk based capital

                                

Republic

 $298,291   12.36

%

 $193,062   8.00

%

 $253,394   10.50

%

 $241,327   10.00

%

Company

  326,554   13.50

%

  193,498   8.00

%

  253,967   10.50

%

  -   -

%

Tier one risk based capital

                                

Republic

  285,316   11.82

%

  144,796   6.00

%

  205,128   8.50

%

  193,062   8.00

%

Company

  313,579   12.96

%

  145,124   6.00

%

  205,592   8.50

%

  -   -

%

CET 1 risk based capital

                                

Republic

  285,316   11.82

%

  108,597   4.50

%

  168,929   7.00

%

  156,863   6.50

%

Company

  254,254   10.51

%

  108,843   4.50

%

  169,311   7.00

%

  -   -

%

Tier one leveraged capital

                                

Republic

  287,114   7.44

%

  153,414   4.00

%

  153,414   4.00

%

  191,767   5.00

%

Company

  308,113   8.17

%

  153,621   4.00

%

  153,621   4.00

%

  -   -

%

                                 

At December 31, 2019:

                                
                                 

Total risk based capital

                                

Republic

 $252,307   11.94

%

 $169,016   8.00

%

 $221,833   10.50

%

 $211,270   10.00

%

Company

  261,759   12.37

%

  169,251   8.00

%

  222,141   10.50

%

  -   -

%

Tier one risk based capital

                                

Republic

  243,041   11.50

%

  126,762   6.00

%

  179,579   8.50

%

  169,016   8.00

%

Company

  252,493   11.93

%

  126,938   6.00

%

  179,829   8.50

%

  -   -

%

CET 1 risk based capital

                                

Republic

  243,041   11.50

%

  95,071   4.50

%

  147,889   7.00

%

  137,325   6.50

%

Company

  241,493   11.41

%

  95,203   4.50

%

  148,094   7.00

%

  -   -

%

Tier one leveraged capital

                                

Republic

  245,158   7.54

%

  128,935   4.00

%

  128,935   4.00

%

  161,169   5.00

%

Company

  249,168   7.83

%

  129,058   4.00

%

  129,058   4.00

%

  -   -

%

Management believes that Republic met, as of December 31, 2017, 2020, all capital adequacy requirements to which it is subject. As of December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016,2019, the FDIC categorized Republic as well capitalized under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.  There are no calculations or events since that notification that management believes have changed Republic'sRepublic’s category.

Under the capital rules, risk-based capital ratios are calculated by dividing common equity Tier 1, Tier 1, and total risk-based capital, respectively, by risk-weighted assets. Assets and off-balance sheet credit equivalents are assigned to one of several categories of risk-weights, based primarily on relative risk. Under the Federal Reserve'sapplicable capital rules, Republic is required to maintain a minimum common equity Tier 1 capital ratio requirement of 4.5%, a minimum Tier 1 capital ratio requirement of 6%, a minimum total capital requirement of 8% and a minimum leverage ratio requirement of 4%. Under the new rules, in order to avoid limitations on capital distributions (including dividend payments and certain discretionary bonus payments to executive officers), a banking organization must hold a capital conservation buffer comprised of common equity Tier 1 capital above its minimum risk-based capital requirements in an amount greater than 2.5% of total risk-weighted assets.  The capital conservation buffer, which is composed of common equity Tier 1 capital, began on January 1, 2016 at the 0.625% level and will be phased in over a three year period (increasing by that amount on each January 1, until it reaches 2.5% on January 1, 2019).  Implementation of the deductions and other adjustments to common equity Tier 1 capital began on January 1, 2015 and will be phased-in over a three-year period (beginning at 40% on January 1, 2015 and an additional 20% per year thereafter).

121

113

 
The following table shows the required capital ratios with the conversation buffer over the phase-in period.

  
Basel III Community Banks
Minimum Capital Ratio Requirements
 
  2016  2017  2018  2019 
             
Common equity Tier 1 capital (CET1)  5.125%  5.750%  6.375%  7.000%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)  6.625%  7.250%  7.875%  8.500%
Total capital (to risk-weighted assets)  8.625%  9.250%  9.875%  10.500%

The Company believes that, as of December 31, 2017, all capital adequacy requirements are met under the Basel III Capital Rules on a fully phased-in basis as if all such requirements were currently in effect.

14.

Benefit Plans

Defined Contribution Plan

The Company has a defined contribution plan pursuant to the provision of 401(k)401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan covers all full-time employees who meet age and service requirements. The plan provides for elective employee contributions with a matching contribution from the Company limited to 4% of total salary. The total expense charged to Republic, andwhich is included in salaries and employee benefits relating to the plan, was $927,000$1.5 million in 2017, $627,0002020, $1.2 million in 2016,2019, and $546,000$1.1 million in 2015.


Directors'2018.

Directors and Officers'Officers Plans

The Company has agreements that provide for an annuity payment upon the retirement or death of certain directors and officers, ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 per year for ten years. The agreements were modified for most participants in 2001, to establish a minimum age of 65 to qualify for the payments. All participants are fully vested. The accrued benefits under the plan amounted to $1.2$1.1 million at both December 31, 2017 2020 and $1.3 million 2016, December 31, 2019, which is included in other liabilities. The expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, totaled $24,000, $31,000,$6,000, $16,000, and $34,000,$18,000, respectively, which is included in salaries and employee benefits. The Company funded the plan through the purchase of certain life insurance contracts. The aggregate cash surrender value of these contracts (owned by the Company) was $2.4$2.6 million at December 31,2020 and December 31, 2017 and 2016 2019 and is included in other assets.


The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan for the benefit of certain officers and directors. The plan permitspermitted certain participants to make elective contributions to their accounts, subject to applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.  In addition, the Company may makemade discretionary contributions to participant accounts. Company contributions arewere subject to vesting, and generally vest vested three years after the end of the plan year to which the contribution applies,applied, subject to acceleration of vesting upon certain changes in control (as defined in the plan) and to forfeiture upon termination for cause (as defined in the plan). NaN future contributions are permitted. Participant accounts are adjusted to reflect contributions and distributions, and income, gains, losses, and expenses as if the accounts had been invested in permitted investments selected by the participants, including Company common stock.  The plan provides for distributions upon retirement and, subject to applicable limitations under the Internal Revenue Code, limited hardship withdrawals.  As of December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016, $1.22019, $1.4 million and $974,000, respectively,$1.3 million in benefits, respectively, had vested and the accrued benefits are included in other liabilities.

114


A reduction in expense of $10,000 and $15,000 was recognized for the deferred compensation plan during 2020 and 2018.Expense recognized for the deferred compensation plan for 2017, 2016, and 20152019 was $28,000, $88,000 and $15,000, respectively,$2,000 and is included in salaries and employee benefits.  Although the plan is an unfunded plan, and does not require the Company to segregate any assets, the Company has purchased shares of Company common stock in anticipation of its obligation to pay benefits under the plan.  Such shares are classified in the financial statements as stock held by deferred compensation plan. No purchases were made in 2017, 2016,2020,2019, and 2015.2018. As of December 31, 2017, 2020, approximately 25,437 shares of Company common stock were classified as stock held by deferred compensation plan.

15.  Fair Value Measurements and Fair Values of Financial Instruments

 

15.

Fair Value Measurements and Fair Values of Financial Instruments

Management uses its best judgment in estimating the fair value of the Company'sCompany’s financial instruments; however, there are inherent weaknesses in any estimation technique.  Therefore, for substantially all financial instruments, the fair value estimates herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could have realized in a sales transaction on the dates indicated.  The estimated fair value amounts have been measured as of their respective year-ends and have not been re-evaluated or updated for purposes of these financial statements subsequent to those respective dates.  As such, the estimated fair values of these financial instruments subsequent to the respective reporting dates may be different than the amounts reported at each year-end.

122

The Company follows the guidance issued under ASC 820,Fair Value Measurement, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and identifies required disclosures on fair value measurements.

ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are as follows:


Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3: Prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (i.e. supported with little or no market activity).

An asset or liability'sliability’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.



115

123


For financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016 2019 were as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

 

Total

  

(Level 1)

Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical Assets

  

(Level 2)

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

  

(Level 3)

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

 
                 

December 31, 2020

                

Assets:

                
                 

U.S. Government agencies

 $31,886  $0  $31,886  $0 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  221,546   0   221,546   0 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  150,528   0   150,528   0 

Municipal securities

  8,225   0   8,225   0 

Corporate bonds

  116,323   0   113,692   2,631 

Investment securities available for sale

 $528,508   0  $525,877  $2,631 

Equity securities

  9,039   9,039   0   0 
                 

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

 $50,387  $0  $50,387  $0 

SBA Servicing Assets

  4,626   0   0   4,626 

Interest Rate Lock Commitments

  1,580   0   1,580   0 

Best Efforts Forward Loan Sales Commitments

  2   0   2   0 

Mandatory Forward Loan Sales Commitments

  0   0   0   0 
                 

Liabilities:

                
                 

Interest Rate Lock Commitments

  0   0   0   0 

Best Efforts Forward Loan Sales Commitments

  612   0   612   0 

Mandatory Forward Loan Sales Commitments

  800   0   800   0 
                 

December 31, 2019

                

Assets:

                
                 

U.S. Government agencies

 $38,305  $0  $38,305  $0 

Collateralized mortgage obligations

  331,438   0   331,438   0 

Agency mortgage-backed securities

  98,937   0   98,937   0 

Municipal securities

  4,082   0   4,082   0 

Corporate bonds

  66,280   0   63,460   2,820 

Investment securities available for sale

 $539,042  $0  $536,222  $2,820 
                 

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale

 $10,345  $0  $10,345  $0 

SBA Servicing Assets

  4,447   0   0   4,447 

Interest Rate Lock Commitments

  362   0   362   0 

Best Efforts Forward Loan Sales Commitments

  4   0   4   0 

Mandatory Forward Loan Sales Commitments

  2   0   2   0 
                 

Liabilities:

                
                 

Interest Rate Lock Commitments

  0   0   0   0 

Best Efforts Forward Loan Sales Commitments

  133   0   133   0 

Mandatory Forward Loan Sales Commitments

  83   0   83   0 

124


 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Total
  
(Level 1)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
  
(Level 2)
Significant Other Observable Inputs
  
(Level 3)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
             
December 31, 2017            
Assets:            
             
Collateralized mortgage obligations $320,241  $-  $320,241  $- 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  54,866   -   54,866   - 
Municipal securities  15,100   -   15,100   - 
Corporate bonds  60,282   -   57,196   3,086 
Asset-backed securities  13,452   -   13,452   - 
Trust Preferred Securities  489   -   -   489 
Securities Available for Sale $464,430  $-  $460,855  $
3,575
 
                 
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale $43,375  $-  $43,375  $- 
SBA Servicing Assets  5,243   -   -   5,243 
Interest Rate Lock Commitments  363   -   363   - 
Best Efforts Forward Loan Sales Commitments  5   -   5   - 
Mandatory Forward Loan Sales Commitments  19   -   19   - 
                 
Liabilities:                
                 
Interest Rate Lock Commitments  1   -   1   - 
Best Efforts Forward Loan Sales Commitments  93   -   93   - 
Mandatory Forward Loan Sales Commitments  195   -   195   - 
                 
December 31, 2016                
Assets:                
                 
Collateralized mortgage obligations $224,765  $-  $224,765  $- 
Agency mortgage-backed securities  36,710   -   36,710   - 
Municipal securities  26,547   -   26,547   - 
Corporate bonds  64,748   -   61,777   2,971 
Asset-backed securities  15,149   -   15,149   - 
Trust Preferred Securities  1,820   -   -   1,820 
Securities Available for Sale $369,739  $-  $364,948  $4,791 
                 
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale $23,911  $-  $23,911  $- 
SBA Servicing Assets  5,352   -   -   5,352 
Interest Rate Lock Commitments  439   -   439   - 
Best Efforts Forward Loan Sales Commitments  103   -   103   - 
Mandatory Forward Loan Sales Commitments  229   -   229   - 
                 
Liabilities:                
                 
Interest Rate Lock Commitments  55   -   55   - 
Best Efforts Forward Loan Sales Commitments  125   -   125   - 
Mandatory Forward Loan Sales Commitments  38   -   38   - 


116



The following table presents an analysis of the activity in the SBA servicing assets for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015:


 
(dollars in thousands)
 2017  2016  2015 
Beginning balance, January 1st
 $5,352  $4,886   4,099 
Additions  1,078   1,541   801 
Fair value adjustments  (1,187)  (1,075)  (14)
Ending balance, December 31st
 $5,243  $5,352   4,886 

2018:

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Beginning balance, January 1st

 $4,447  $4,785  $5,243 

Additions

  537   1,026   1,000 

Fair value adjustments

  (358)  (1,364)  (1,458)

Ending balance, December 31st

 $4,626  $4,447  $4,785 

Fair value adjustments are recorded as loan and servicing fees on the statement of income.operations. Servicing fee income, not including fair value adjustments, totaled $1.8 million, $1.8$1.9 million, and $1.7$2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, respectively. Total loans in the amount of $204.9$208.7 million at December 31, 2017 2020 and $191.0$201.7 million at December 31, 2016 2019 were serviced for others.


The following table presents a reconciliation of the securities available for sale measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)3) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015:


  
Year Ended
December 31, 2017
  
Year Ended
December 31, 2016
  
Year Ended
December 31, 2015
 
Level 3 Investments Only
(dollars in thousands)
 
Trust
Preferred Securities
  
Corporate
Bonds
  
Trust
Preferred Securities
  
Corporate
Bonds
  
Trust
Preferred Securities
  
Corporate
Bonds
 
Balance, January 1, $1,820  $2,971  $1,883  $2,834  $3,193  $3,005 
Security transferred to Level 3 measurement  -   -   -   -   -   - 
Unrealized (losses) gains  1,006   115   (56)  137   882   (171)
Paydowns  -   -   -   -   (19)  - 
Proceeds from sales  (1,539)  -   -   -   (1,952)  - 
Realized losses  (798)  -   -   -   (218)  - 
Impairment charges on Level 3  -   -   (7)  -   (3)  - 
Balance, December 31, $489  $3,086  $1,820  $2,971  $1,883  $2,834 
                         

2018:

  

Year Ended

December 31, 2020

  

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

  

Year Ended

December 31, 2018

 

Level 3 Investments Only

(dollars in thousands)

 

Trust

Preferred

Securities

  

Corporate

Bonds

  

Trust

Preferred

Securities

  

Corporate

Bonds

  

Trust

Preferred

Securities

  

Corporate

Bonds

 

Balance, January 1,

 $0  $2,820  $0  $3,069  $489  $3,086 

Security transferred to Level 3 measurement

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Unrealized (losses) gains

  0   (189)  0   (249)  237   (17)

Paydowns

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Proceeds from sales

  0   0   0   0   (660)  0 

Realized losses

  0   0   0   0   (66)  0 

Impairment charges on Level 3

  0   0   0   0   0   0 

Balance, December 31,

 $0  $2,631  $0  $2,820  $0  $3,069 

For assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis, the fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy used at December 31, 2017 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively, were as follows:

(dollars in thousands)

 

Total

  

(Level 1)

Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical Assets

  

(Level 2)

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

  

(Level 3)

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

 

December 31, 2020:

                

Impaired loans

 $5,678  $0  $0  $5,678 

Other real estate owned

  364   0   0   364 
                 

December 31, 2019:

                

Impaired loans

 $5,730  $0  $0  $5,730 

Other real estate owned

  899   0   0   899 

125


 
 
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Total
  
(Level 1)
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for Identical Assets
  
(Level 2)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
  
(Level 3)
Significant Unobservable
Inputs
 
December 31, 2017:            
Impaired loans $7,322  $-  $-  $7,322 
Other real estate owned  5,727   -   -   5,727 
                 
December 31, 2016:                
Impaired loans $9,110  $-  $-  $9,110 
Other real estate owned  8,563   -   -   8,563 
117


The table below presents additional quantitative information about Level 3 assets measured at fair value (dollars in thousands):


  Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
Asset Description Fair Value 
Valuation
Technique
 Unobservable Input Range (WeightedAverage)
December 31, 2017         
Corporate bonds $3,086 
Discounted
Cash Flows
 Discount Rate (5.99%)
          
Trust preferred security $   489 
Discounted
Cash Flows
 Discount Rate (8.33%)
          
SBA servicing assets $5,243 
Discounted
Cash Flows
 
Conditional
Prepayment Rate
 
Discount Rate
 
(7.85%)
 
(10.50%)
          
Impaired loans $7,322 Appraised Value of Collateral (1) Liquidation expenses (2) 10% - 21% (14%) (3)
          
 
Other real estate owned
 
 
$
 
5,727
 
Appraised Value of Collateral (1)
 
Sales Price
 
 
Liquidation expenses (2)
 
Liquidation expenses (2)
 
 
(22%) (3)
 
 4% - 7% (7%) (3)
          
December 31, 2016         
Corporate bonds $2,971 
Discounted
Cash Flows
 Discount Rate (4.68%)
          
Trust preferred securities $1,820 
Discounted
Cash Flows
 Discount Rate 8.85% - 9.35% (9.08%)
          
SBA servicing assets $5,352 
Discounted
Cash Flows
 
Conditional
Prepayment Rate
 
Discount Rate
 
(6.12%)
 
(10.00%)
          
Impaired loans $9,110 
Appraised Value of Collateral (1)
 
Sales Price
 
 
Liquidation expenses (2)
 
Liquidation expenses (2)
 
 
7% - 20% (11%) (3)
 
    (7%) (3)
          
 
Other real estate owned
 
 
$
 
8,563
 
Appraised Value of Collateral (1)
 
Sales Price
 
 
Liquidation expenses (2)
 
Liquidation expenses (2)
 
 
5% - 76% (17%) (3)
 
    7% - 8% (7%) (3)

  

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

 

Asset Description

 

Fair Value

 

Valuation Technique

 

Unobservable Input

 

Range (Weighted

Average)

 

December 31, 2020

              

Corporate bonds

 $2,631 

Discounted

Cash Flows

 

Discount Rate

   (3.48%)   
               

SBA servicing assets

 $4,626 

Discounted

Cash Flows

 

Conditional

Prepayment Rate

   (13.22%)   
               
       Discount Rate   (10.00%)   
               

Impaired loans

 $5,678 

Appraised Value of

Collateral (1)

 

Liquidation expenses (2)

  0%-23%(12%)(3)
               

Other real estate owned

 $364 

Appraised Value of

Collateral (1)

 

 

Liquidation expenses (2)

  7%-16%(13%)(3)
               

December 31, 2019

              

Corporate bonds

 $2,820 

Discounted

Cash Flows

 

Discount Rate

   (6.66%)   
               

SBA servicing assets

 $4,447 

Discounted

Cash Flows

 

Conditional

Prepayment Rate

   (13.53%)   
               
       Discount Rate   (10.75%)   
               

Impaired loans

 $5,730 

Appraised Value of

Collateral (1)

 

Liquidation expenses (2)

  9%-20%(12%)(3)
               

Other real estate owned

 $899 

Appraised Value of

Collateral (1)

 

 

Liquidation expenses (2)

  6%-16%(8%)(3)

(1)

(1)

Fair value is generally determined through independent appraisals of the underlying collateral, which include Level 3 inputs that are not identifiable.

(2)

(2)

Appraisals may be adjusted by management for qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses.

(3)

(3)

The range and weighted average of qualitative factors such as economic conditions and estimated liquidation expenses are presented as a percent of the appraised value.

The significant unobservable inputs for impaired loans and other real estate owned are the appraised value or an agreed upon sales price. These values are adjusted for estimated costs to sell which are incremental direct costs to transact a sale such as broker commissions, legal fees, closing costs and title transfer fees. The costs must be considered essential to the sale and would not have been incurred if the decision to sell had not been made. The costs to sell are based on costs associated with the Company'sCompany’s actual sales of other real estate owned which are assessed annually.


Fair Value Assumptions


The following information should not be interpreted as an estimate of the fair value of the entire Company since a fair value calculation is only provided for a limited portion of the Company'sCompany’s assets and liabilities. Due to a wide range of valuation techniques and the degree of subjectivity used in making the estimates, comparisons between the Company'sCompany’s disclosures and those of other companies may not be meaningful. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the Company'sCompany’s financial instruments at December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016:2019:

126

118


Cash and Cash Equivalents (Carried at Cost)

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximate those assets' fair values.

Investment Securities


The fair value of investment securities available for sale (carried at fair value) and held to maturity (carried at amortized cost) are determined by obtaining quoted market prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1)1), or matrix pricing (Level 2)2), which is a mathematical technique used widely in the industry to value debtinvestment securities without relying exclusively on quoted market prices for the specific securities but rather by relying on the securities'securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices.  For certain securities, which 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 (Level 3)3).  In the absence of such evidence, management'smanagement’s best estimate is used.  Management'sManagement’s best estimate consists of both internal and external support on certain Level 3 investments.  Internal cash flow models using a present value formula that includes assumptions market participants would use along with indicative exit pricing obtained from broker/dealers (where available) were used to support fair values of certain Level 3 investments.


The fair value of equity securities (carried at fair value) is determined by obtaining quoted market prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges (Level 1).

The types of instruments valued based on matrix pricing in active markets include all of the Company'sCompany’s U.S. government and agency securities, corporate bonds, asset backed securities, and municipal obligations.obligations held in the investment securities portfolio. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. As required by ASC 820-10,820-10, the Company does not adjust the matrix pricing for such instruments.


Level 3 is for positions that are not traded in active markets or are subject to transfer restrictions, and may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with such adjustment generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management'smanagement’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-partythird-party transactions in the underlying investment or comparable entities, subsequent rounds of financing, recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure, offerings in the equity or debt markets, and changes in financial ratios or cash flows. TheRepublic has one Level 3 investment securities classified as available for sale are comprised of a single trust preferred security andwhich is a single corporate bond.


The trust preferred security is a pool of similar securities that are grouped into an asset structure commonly referred to as collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs") which consist of the debt instruments of various banks, diversified by the number of participants in the security as well as geographically. The secondary market for this security has become inactive, and therefore this security is classified as a Level 3 security. The fair value analysis does not reflect or represent the actual terms or prices at which any party could purchase the security. There is currently a limited secondary market for the security and there can be no assurance that any secondary market for the security will expand.


An independent, third party pricing service is used to estimate the current fair market value of the CDO held in the investment securities portfolio. The calculations used to determine fair value are based on the attributes of the trust preferred security, the financial condition of the issuers of the trust preferred security, and market based assumptions. The INTEX CDO Deal Model Library was utilized to obtain information regarding the attributes of the security and its specific collateral as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Financial information on the issuers was also obtained from Bloomberg, the FDIC, and SNL Financial. Both published and unpublished industry sources were utilized in estimating fair value. Such information includes loan prepayment speed assumptions, discount rates, default rates, and loss severity percentages.
119


The fair market valuation for the CDO was determined based on discounted cash flow analyses. The cash flows are primarily dependent on the estimated speeds at which the trust preferred security is expected to prepay, the estimated rates at which the trust preferred security is expected to defer payments, the estimated rates at which the trust preferred security is expected to default, and the severity of the losses on the security that does default. 
Increases (decreases) in actual or expected issuer defaults tend to decrease (increase) the fair value of senior and mezzanine tranches of CDOs.  The value of the Company's mezzanine tranches of the CDO is also affected by expected future interest rates.  However, due to the structure of the security, timing of cash flows, and secondary effects on the financial performance of the underlying issuers, the effects of changes in future interest rates on the fair value of the Company's holdings are not quantifiably estimable.

Alsocorporate bond included in Level 3 investment securities classified as available for sale is a corporate bond was transferred from Level 2 in 2010 that and is not actively traded. Impairment would depend on the repayment ability of the underlying issuer, which is assessed through a detailed quarterly review of the issuer'sissuer’s financial statements. The issuer is a "well capitalized"“well capitalized” financial institution as defined by federal banking regulations and has demonstrated the ability to raise additional capital, when necessary, through the public capital markets. The fair value of this corporate bond is estimated by obtaining a price of a comparable floating rate debt instrument through Bloomberg.

SBA Loans Held For Sale (Carried at Lower of Cost or Fair Value)

The fair values of SBA loans held for sale is determined, when possible, using quoted secondary-market prices and are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.  If no such quoted prices exist, the fair value of a loan is determined using quoted prices for a similar loan or loans, adjusted for the specific attributes of that loan.  The Company did not write down any loans held for sale at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016.

Mortgage Loans Held for Sale (Carried at Fair Value)


The fair value of mortgage loans held for sale is determined by obtaining prices at which they could be sold in the principal market at the measurement date and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. In 2016, Republic elected to adopt the fair value option for its mortgage loans held for sale portfolio in order to more accurately reflect their economic value. All mortgage loans held for sale originated subsequent to the election date are carried at fair value. All loans held for sale originated prior to the election date were sold prior to December 31, 2016. Interest income on loans held for sale, totaled $976,000$846,000 and $283,000$500,000 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016, 2019, respectively, are included in interest and fees in the statements of income.



operations.

120

127


The following table reflects the difference between the carrying amount of mortgage loans held for sale, measured at fair value and the aggregate unpaid principal amount that Republic is contractually entitled to receive at maturity as of December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016 (dollars2019 (dollars in thousands):


  
Carrying
Amount
  Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance  Excess Carrying Amount Over Aggregate Unpaid Principal Balance 
Mortgage loans held for sale         
          
December 31, 2017 $43,375  $42,046  $1,329 
             
December 31, 2016 $23,911  $23,428  $483 

  

Carrying

Amount

  

Aggregate Unpaid

Principal Balance

  

Excess Carrying

Amount Over

Aggregate Unpaid

Principal Balance

 

December 31, 2020

 $50,387  $48,109  $2,278 
             

December 31, 2019

 $10,345  $9,983  $362 

Changes in the excess carrying amount over aggregate unpaid principal balance are recorded in the statement of incomeoperations in mortgage banking income. Republic did not have any mortgage loans held for sale recorded at fair value that were 90 or more days past due and on non-accrual at December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016.


2019.

Interest Rate Lock Commitments ("IRLC"(IRLC)


The Company determines the value of IRLCs by comparing the market price to the price locked in with the customer, adding fees or points to be collected at closing, subtracting commissions to be paid at closing, and subtracting estimated remaining loan origination costs to the bank based on the processing status of the loan. The Company also considers pull-through as it determines the fair value of Republic'sIRLCs. Factors that affect pull-through rates include the origination channel, current mortgage interest rates in the market versus the interest rate incorporated in the IRLC, instruments are based uponthe purpose of the mortgage (purchase versus financing), the stage of completion of the underlying loans measured at fair value on a recurring basisapplication and underwriting process, and the probability of such commitments being exercised. Due to observable market data inputs used by Republic,time remaining until the IRLC expires. IRLCs are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.


Best Efforts Forward Loan Sales Commitments


Best efforts forward loan sales commitments are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy. Best efforts forward loan sales commitments fix the forward sales price that will be realized upon the sale of mortgage loans into the secondary market. Best efforts forward loan sales commitments are entered into for loans at the time the borrower commitment is made. These best efforts forward loan sales commitments are valued using the committed price to the counterparty against the current market price of the interest rate lock commitment or mortgage loan held for sale.


Mandatory Forward Loan Sales Commitments


Fair values for mandatory forward loan sales commitments are based on fair values of the underlying mortgage loans and the probability of such commitments being exercised. Due to the observable inputs used by Republic, best efforts mandatory loan sales commitments are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.


Loans Receivable (Carried at Cost)

The fair values of loans receivable, excluding all nonaccrual loans and accruing loans deemed impaired with specific loan allowances, are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, using market rates at the balance sheet date that reflect the credit and interest rate-risk inherent in the loans.  Projected future cash flows are calculated based upon contractual maturity or call dates, projected repayments and prepayments of principal.  Generally, for variable rate loans that reprice frequently and with no significant change in credit risk, fair values are based on carrying values.  Due to the significant judgment involved in evaluating credit quality, loans are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

121


Impaired Loans (Carried at Lower of Cost or Fair Value)

Impaired loans are those that the Company has measured impairment based on the fair value of the loan'sloan’s collateral. Fair value is generally determined based upon independent third party appraisals of the properties, or discounted cash flows based upon the expected proceeds. These assets are included as Level 3 fair values, based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The fair value consists of the loan balances less any valuation allowance. The valuation allowance amount is calculated as the difference between the recorded investment in a loan and the present value of expected future cash flows or it is calculated based on discounted collateral values if the loans are collateral dependent.

128


Other Real Estate Owned (Carried at Lower of Cost or Fair Value)

These assets are carried at the lower of cost or fair value. Fair value is determined through valuations periodically performed by third-party appraisers, and the real estate is carried at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs to sell. Any declines in the fair value of the real estate properties below the initial cost basis are recorded through a valuation expense. At December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016, 2019, these assets are carried at current fair value and classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.


SBA Servicing Asset (Carried at Fair Value)


The SBA servicing asset is initially recorded when loans are sold and the servicing rights are retained and recorded on the balance sheet. An updated fair value is obtained from an independent third party on a quarterly basis and adjustments are presented as loan and servicing fees on the statement of income. The valuation begins with the projection of future cash flows for each asset based on their unique characteristics, the Company'sCompany’s market-based assumptions for prepayment speeds and estimated losses and recoveries. The present value of the future cash flows are then calculated utilizing the Company'sCompany’s market-based discount ratio assumptions. In all cases, the Company'sCompany models expected payments for every loan for each quarterly period in order to create the most detailed cash flow stream possible.




122


The Company uses assumptions and estimates in determining the impairment of the SBA servicing asset. These assumptions include prepayment speeds and discount rates commensurate with the risks involved and comparable to assumptions used by participants to value and bid serving rights available for sale in the market. At December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016, 2019, the sensitivity of the current fair value of the SBA loan servicing rights to immediate 10% and 20% adverse changes in key assumptions are included in the accompanying table.


(dollars in thousands) December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016 
       
SBA Servicing Asset      
       
Fair Value of SBA Servicing Asset $5,243  $5,352 
         
Composition of SBA Loans Serviced for Others        
      Fixed-rate SBA loans  2%  0%
      Adjustable-rate SBA loans  98%  100%
                  Total  100%  100%
         
Weighted Average Remaining Term 20.5 years 21.1 years
         
Prepayment Speed  7.85%  6.12%
      Effect on fair value of a 10% increase $(171) $(161)
      Effect on fair value of a 20% increase  (333)  (316)
         
Weighted Average Discount Rate  10.50%  10.00%
      Effect on fair value of a 10% increase $(211) $(226)
      Effect on fair value of a 20% increase  (407)  (435)

(dollars in thousands)

 

December 31, 2020

  

December 31, 2019

 
         

SBA Servicing Asset

        
         

Fair Value of SBA Servicing Asset

 $4,626  $4,447 
         

Composition of SBA Loans Serviced for Others

        

Fixed-rate SBA loans

  2%  2%

Adjustable-rate SBA loans

  98%  98%

Total

  100%  100%
         

Weighted Average Remaining Term (in years)

 

 

20.0  

 

20.7 
         

Prepayment Speed

  13.22%  13.53%

Effect on fair value of a 10% increase

 $(170) $(175)

Effect on fair value of a 20% increase

  (329)  (338)
         

Weighted Average Discount Rate

  10.00%  10.75%

Effect on fair value of a 10% increase

 $(152) $(154)

Effect on fair value of a 20% increase

  (295)  (298)

The sensitivity calculations above are hypothetical and should not be considered to be predictive of future performance. As indicated, changes in value based on adverse changes in assumptions generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in value may not be linear. Also in this table, the effect of an adverse variation in a particular assumption on the value of the SBA servicing rights is calculated without changing any other assumption. While in reality, changes in one factor may magnify or counteract the effect of the change.

129


Restricted Stock (Carried at Cost)

The carrying amount of restricted stock approximates fair value, and considers the limited marketability of such securities. Restricted stock is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable (Carried at Cost)

The carrying amounts of accrued interest receivable and accrued interest payable approximates fair value and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Deposit Liabilities (Carried at Cost)

The fair values disclosed for demand deposits (e.g., interest and non-interest checking, passbook savings and money market accounts) are, by definition, equal to the amount payable on demand at the reporting date (i.e., their carrying amounts).  Fair values for fixed-rate certificates of deposit are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered in the market on certificates to a schedule of aggregated expected monthly maturities on time deposits. Deposit liabilities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
123


Subordinated Debt (Carried at Cost)

Fair values of subordinated debt are estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on market rates currently offered on such debt with similar credit risk characteristics, terms and remaining maturity.  Due to the significant judgment involved in developing the spreads used to value the subordinated debt, it is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

Off-Balance Sheet Financial Instruments (Disclosed at notional amounts)


Fair values for the Company'sCompany’s off-balance sheet financial instruments (lending commitments and letters of credit) are based on fees currently charged in the market to enter into similar agreements, taking into account, the remaining terms of the agreements and the counterparties'counterparties’ credit standing.


The estimated fair values of the Company'sCompany’s financial instruments at December 31, 2017 2020 were as follows:

  

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2020

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Carrying Amount

  

Fair

Value

  

Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical

Assets

(Level 1)

  

 

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

  

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

Balance Sheet Data

                    

Financial assets:

                    

Cash and cash equivalents

 $775,300  $775,300  $775,300  $0  $0 

Investment securities available for sale

  528,508   528,508   0   525,877   2,631 

Investment securities held to maturity

  814,936   836,972   0   836,972   0 

Equity securities

  9,039   9,039   9,039   0   0 

Restricted stock

  3,039   3,039   0   3,039   0 

Loans held for sale

  53,370   53,370   0   50,387   2,983 

Loans receivable, net

  2,632,367   2,618,104   0   0   2,618,104 

SBA servicing assets

  4,626   4,626   0   0   4,626 

Accrued interest receivable

  16,120   16,120   0   16,120   0 

Interest rate lock commitments

  1,580   1,580   0   1,580   0 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

  2   2   0   2   0 

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

  0   0   0   0   0 
                     

Financial liabilities:

                    

Deposits

                    

Demand, savings and money market

 $3,827,390  $3,827,390  $0  $3,827,390  $0 

Time

  186,361   187,292   0   187,292   0 

Subordinated debt

  11,271   8,026   0   0   8,026 

Accrued interest payable

  926   926   0   926   0 

Interest rate lock commitments

  0   0   0   0   0 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

  612   612   0   612   0 

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

  800   800   0   800   0 
                     

Off-Balance Sheet Data

                    

Commitments to extend credit

  0   0   0   0   0 

Standby letters-of-credit

  0   0   0   0   0 

130

  Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying
Amount
  
Fair
Value
  
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance Sheet Data               
Financial assets:               
Cash and cash equivalents $61,942  $61,942  $61,942  $-  $- 
Investment securities available for sale  464,430   464,430   -   460,855   3,575 
Investment securities held to maturity  472,213   463,799   -   463,799   - 
Restricted stock  1,918   1,918   -   1,918   - 
Loans held for sale  45,700   45,714   -   43,375   2,339 
Loans receivable, net  1,153,679   1,120,305   -   -   1,120,305 
SBA servicing assets  5,243   5,243   -   -   5,243 
Accrued interest receivable  7,009   7,009   -   7,009   - 
Interest rate lock commitments  363   363   -   363   - 
Best efforts forward loan sales
commitments
  5   5   -   5   - 
Mandatory forward loan sales
commitments
  19   19   -   19   - 
                     
Financial liabilities:                    
Deposits                    
Demand, savings and money market $1,946,558  $1,946,558  $-  $1,946,558  $- 
Time  116,737   115,673   -   115,673   - 
Subordinated debt  21,681   18,458   -   -   18,458 
Accrued interest payable  293   293   -   293   - 
Interest rate lock commitments  1   1   -   1   - 
Best efforts forward loan sales
commitments
  93   93   -   93   - 
Mandatory forward loan sales
commitments
  195   195   -   195   - 
                     
Off-Balance Sheet Data                    
Commitments to extend credit  -   -   -   -   - 
Standby letters-of-credit  -   -   -   -   - 

124


The estimated fair values of the Company'sCompany’s financial instruments at December 31, 2016 2019 were as follows:

  

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2019

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Carrying Amount

  

Fair

Value

  

Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical

Assets

(Level 1)

  

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

  

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

Balance Sheet Data

                    

Financial assets:

                    

Cash and cash equivalents

 $168,319  $168,319  $168,319  $0  $0 

Investment securities available for sale

  539,042   539,042   0   536,222   2,820 

Investment securities held to maturity

  644,842   653,109   0   653,109   0 

Restricted stock

  2,746   2,746   0   2,746   0 

Loans held for sale

  13,349   13,349   0   10,345   3,004 

Loans receivable, net

  1,738,929   1,731,876   0   0   1,731,876 

SBA servicing assets

  4,447   4,447   0   0   4,447 

Accrued interest receivable

  9,934   9,934   0   9,934   0 

Interest rate lock commitments

  362   362   0   362   0 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

  4   4   0   4   0 

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

  2   2   0   2   0 
                     

Financial liabilities:

                    

Deposits

                    

Demand, savings and money market

 $2,775,584  $2,775,584  $0  $2,775,584  $0 

Time

  223,579   224,095   0   224,095   0 

Subordinated debt

  11,265   8,540   0   0   8,540 

Accrued interest payable

  1,630   1,630   0   1,630   0 

Interest rate lock commitments

  0   0   0   0   0 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

  133   133   0   133   0 

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

  83   83   0   83   0 
                     

Off-Balance Sheet Data

                    

Commitments to extend credit

  0   0   0   0   0 

Standby letters-of-credit

  0   0   0   0   0 


  Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Carrying
Amount
  
Fair
Value
  
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance Sheet Data               
Financial assets:               
Cash and cash equivalents $34,554  $34,554  $34,554  $-  $- 
Investment securities available for sale  369,739   369,739   -   364,948   4,791 
Investment securities held to maturity  432,499   425,183   -   425,183   - 
Restricted stock  1,366   1,366   -   1,366   - 
Loans held for sale  28,065   28,267   -   23,911   4,356 
Loans receivable, net  955,817   937,944   -   -   937,944 
SBA servicing assets  5,352   5,352   -   -   5,352 
Accrued interest receivable  5,497   5,497   -   5,497   - 
Interest rate lock commitments  439   439   -   439   - 
Best efforts forward loan sales
commitments
  103   103   -   103   - 
Mandatory forward loan sales
commitments
  229   229   -   229   - 
                     
Financial liabilities:                    
Deposits                    
Demand, savings and money market $1,566,506  $1,566,506  $-  $1,566,506  $- 
Time  111,164   110,988   -   110,988   - 
Subordinated debt  21,881   16,286   -   -   16,286 
Accrued interest payable  444   444   -   444   - 
Interest rate lock commitments  55   55   -   55   - 
Best efforts forward loan sales
commitments
  125   125   -   125   - 
Mandatory forward loan sales
commitments
  38   38   -   38   - 
                     
Off-Balance Sheet Data                    
Commitments to extend credit  -   -   -   -   - 
Standby letters-of-credit  -   -   -   -   - 

16. Stock Based Compensation


The Company has a Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan ("(“the 2005 Plan" Plan”), under which the Company granted options, restricted stock or stock appreciation rights to the Company'sCompany’s employees, directors, and certain consultants. The 2005 Plan became effective on November 14, 1995, and was amended and approved at the Company's Company’s 2005 annual meeting of shareholders. Under the terms of the 2005 Plan, 1.5 million shares of common stock, plus an annual increase equal to the number of shares needed to restore the maximum number of shares that could be available for grant under the 2005 Plan to 1.5 million shares, were available for such grants. As of December 31, 2017, 2020, the only grants under the 2005 Plan were option grants. The 2005 Plan provided that the exercise price of each option granted equaled the market price of the Company'sCompany’s stock on the date of the grant. Options granted pursuant to the 2005 Plan vest within one to four years and have a maximum term of 10 years. The 2005 Plan terminated on November 14, 2015 in accordance with the terms and conditions specified in the Plan agreement.

131

125


On April 29, 2014, the Company'sCompany’s shareholders approved the 2014 Republic First Bancorp, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the "2014 Plan"“2014 Plan”), under which the Company may grant options, restricted stock, stock units, or stock appreciation rights to the Company'sCompany’s employees, directors, independent contractors, and consultants. Under the terms of the 2014 Plan, 2.6 million shares of common stock, plus an annual adjustment to be no less than 10% of the outstanding shares or such lower number as the Board of Directors may determine, are available for such grants. At December 31, 2017, 2020, the maximum number of common shares issuable under the 2014 Plan was 6.06.5 million shares. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, 916,0002020, 1.3 million options were granted under the 2014 Plan with a fair value of $3,228,972.


$1.1 million. During 2020, options to purchase the Company’s common stock were granted to certain employees and directors. The exercise price for the options granted was equal to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The options issued are subject to a one to four year vesting period and expire after ten years.

The Company utilized the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the estimated fair value of each stock option granted on the date of the grant. A summary of the assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for 2017, 2016,2020,2019, and 20152018 is as follows:


  2017 2016 2015
Dividend yield(1)
 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
Expected volatility(2)
 44.00% to 50.09% 46.38% to 52.54% 53.78% to 56.00%
Risk-free interest rate(3)
 1.89% to 2.30% 1.23% to 1.82% 1.49% to 2.00%
Expected life(4)
 5.5 to 7.0 years 5.5 to 7.0 years 5.5 to 7.0 years
Assumed forfeiture rate(5)
 6.0% 10.0% 19.0%

(1)A dividend yield of 0.0% is utilized because cash dividends have never been paid.
(2)Expected volatility is based on Bloomberg's five and one-half to seven year volatility calculation for "FRBK" stock.
(3)The risk-free interest rate is based on the five to seven year Treasury bond.
(4)
The expected life reflects a 1 to 4 year vesting period, the maximum ten year term and review of historical behavior.
(5)Forfeiture rate is determined through forfeited and expired options as a percentage of options granted over the current three year period.

  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Dividend yield(1)

    0.0%    0.0%    0.0%

Expected volatility(2)

    28.61%    28.81%    28.22%

Risk-free interest rate(3)

  0.36%to1.22%  1.42%to2.78%  2.35%to2.96%

Expected life(4) (in years)

    6.25     6.25     6.25 

Assumed forfeiture rate(5)

    5.0%    4.0%    4.0%

(1) A dividend yield of 0.0% is utilized because cash dividends have never been paid.

(2) The expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock price as adjusted for certain historical periods of extraordinary volatility in order to estimate expected volatility.

(3) The risk-free interest rate is based on the five to seven year Treasury bond.

(4) The expected life reflects an 8 month to 4 year vesting period, the maximum ten year term and review of historical behavior.

(5) Forfeiture rate is determined through forfeited and expired options as a percentage of options granted over the current three year period.

During 2017, 529,6242020, 918,790 options vested as compared to 519,050842,898 options in 20162019 and 349,062753,864 options in 2015.2018. Expense is recognized ratably over the period required to vest. At December 31, 2017, 2020, the intrinsic value of the 3,005,8255.9 million options outstanding was $10.4 million,$229,000, while the intrinsic value of the 1,346,7233.4 million exercisable (vested) options was $6.6 million.$206,000. During 2017, 45,1002020, 333,500 options were forfeited with a weighted average grant date fair value of $159,000.


$643,000.

Information regarding stock based compensation for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 20152018 is set forth below:


  2017  2016  2015 
Stock based compensation expense recognized $1,842,000  $759,000  $600,000 
Number of unvested stock options  1,659,102   1,283,226   1,173,276 
Fair value of unvested stock options $4,587,565  $2,184,773  $1,906,691 
Amount remaining to be recognized as expense $2,508,314  $1,104,424  $873,714 

  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Stock based compensation expense recognized

 $1,918,000  $2,632,000  $2,116,000 

Number of unvested stock options

  2,514,800   2,367,515   1,962,163 

Fair value of unvested stock options

 $4,702,676  $6,108,271  $5,550,820 

Amount remaining to be recognized as expense

 $2,788,559  $3,574,740  $3,406,394 

The remaining amount of $2.5$2.8 million will be recognized ratably as expense through November 2021.




December 2024.

126

132


A summary of stock option activity under the Planplans as of December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 20152018 is as follows:


  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
  
Shares
  
Weighted Average Exercise
Price
  
Shares
  
Weighted Average Exercise
Price
  
Shares
  
Weighted Average Exercise
Price
 
                   
Outstanding, beginning of year  2,332,900  $3.70   1,947,725  $3.56   1,495,899  $3.59 
Granted  916,000   8.03   661,750   4.06   505,200   3.55 
Exercised  (197,975)  3.26   (226,275)  3.21   (21,500)  3.01 
Forfeited  (45,100)  7.95   (50,300)  5.21   (31,874)  5.13 
Outstanding, end of year  3,005,825  $4.98   2,332,900  $3.70   1,947,725  $3.56 
                         
Options exercisable at year-end  1,346,723  $3.55   1,049,674  $3.70   772,949  $4.18 
                         
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year     $3.75      $1.80      $1.89 

  

For the Years Ended December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 
  

Shares

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Shares

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Shares

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 
                         

Outstanding, beginning of year

  4,979,475  $6.05   3,861,650  $5.96   3,005,825  $4.98 

Granted

  1,270,450   2.98   1,356,500   6.35   1,106,800   8.34 

Exercised

  (17,000)  2.43   (53,550)  4.88   (174,850)  3.83 

Forfeited

  (333,500)  5.34   (185,125)  6.76   (76,125)  6.80 

Outstanding, end of year

  5,899,425  $5.44   4,979,475  $6.05   3,861,650  $5.96 
                         

Options exercisable at year-end

  3,384,625  $5.67   2,611,960  $5.28   1,899,487  $4.53 
                         

Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year

     $0.91      $2.15      $2.85 

A summary of stock option exercises and related proceeds during the years end December 31, 2017, 2016,

2020,2019, and 20152018 is as follows:


  For the Years Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016  2015 
          
Number of options exercised  197,975   226,275   21,500 
Cash received $646,263  $726,157  $64,624 
Intrinsic value $991,957  $739,699  $26,532 
Tax benefit $81,589  $-  $- 

  

For the Years Ended December 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 
             

Number of options exercised

  17,000   53,550   174,850 

Cash received

 $41,305  $261,143  $670,413 

Intrinsic value

 $10,410  $72,187  $814,855 

Tax benefit

 $355  $5,159  $12,288 

The following table summarizes information about options outstanding at December 31, 2017:


Options Outstanding  Options Exercisable 
Range of
Exercise Prices
 
Number
Outstanding
  
Weighted-
Average
Remaining Contractual Life
  
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
  Shares  
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
 
                
$1.55 to $3.53  559,075   4.5  $2.53   546,075  $2.50 
$3.55 to $3.95  757,150   6.5   3.62   404,112   3.64 
$3.99 to $7.85  761,600   6.9   4.43   376,536   4.73 
$8.00 to $9.50  928,000   9.0   8.03   20,000   8.00 
   3,005,825      $4.98   1,346,723  $3.55 

2020:

  Options Outstanding  Options Exercisable 

Range of

Exercise Prices

 

Number

Outstanding

  

Weighted-

Average

Remaining

Contractual Life

  

Weighted-

Average

Exercise Price

  

Shares

  

Weighted-

Average

Exercise Price

 
                       

$1.55

to$3.53  1,721,150   6.9  $2.85   507,200  $2.53 

$3.55

to$3.95  595,725   3.8   3.60   593,725   3.60 

$3.99

to$7.85  1,756,875   7.2   5.71   1,025,875   5.31 

$8.00

to$9.45  1,825,675   6.7   8.22   1,257,825   8.20 
     5,899,425      $5.44   3,384,625  $5.67 

A roll-forward of non-vested options during the year ended December 31, 2017 2020 is as follows:

  

Number of

Shares

  

Weighted-

Average Grant

Date Fair Value

 

Nonvested, beginning of year

  2,367,515  $2.58 

Granted

  1,270,450   0.91 

Vested

  (918,790)  2.46 

Forfeited

  (204,375)  2.03 

Nonvested, end of year

  2,514,800  $1.87 

133


  
Number of
Shares
  
Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
  
Nonvested, beginning of year  1,283,226  $1.70  
Granted  916,000   3.75  
Vested  (529,624)  1.76  
Forfeited  (10,500)  2.51  
Nonvested, end of year  1,659,102  $2.77  
 
127

17. Segment Reporting


The Company has one reportable segment: community banking. The community banking segment primarily encompasses the commercial loan and deposit activities of Republic, as well as, residential mortgage and consumer loan products in the area surrounding its stores. Mortgage loans in Delaware and Florida are primarily made to local customers that have second homes (vacation) in Delaware and Florida. We do not have loan production offices in those states.


18. Transactions with Affiliates and Related Parties


The Company made payments to related parties in the amount of $653,000$690,000, $1.4 million, and $685,000 during 2017,2020,2019, and $1.0 million during 2016 and 2015.2018, respectively. The disbursements made during 2017, 2016,2020,2019, and 20152018 include $361,000, $450,000,$390,000, $1.1 million, and $415,000,$400,000, respectively, in fees for marketing, graphic design, architectural and project management services paid to InterArch, a company owned by the spouse of Vernon W. Hill, II. Mr. Hill is the Chairman of the Company, and beneficially owns 8.1%9.9% of the common shares currently outstanding. In February 2021, he was named to the additional role of Chief Executive Officer of both the Company and the Bank. The Company paid $172,000, $194,000$177,000, $158,000 and $144,000$165,000 during 2017, 2016,2020,2019, and 20152018 to Glassboro Properties, LLC related to a land lease agreement for its Glassboro store. Mr. Hill has an ownership interest in Glassboro Properties LLC, a commercial real estate firm. The Company paid $7,000 during 2015 to SDI Commercial Real Estate LLC for reimbursement of costs related to site development as part of the Company's growth and expansion strategy. Mr. Hill has an ownership interest in SDI Commercial Real Estate LLC, a commercial real estate firm. Prior to his appointment as Chairman in December 2016, Mr. Hill acted as a consultant for the Company and was paid $250,000 annually for his services.


The Company paid $120,000 during 2017, 20162020,2019 and 20152018 to Brian Communications for public relations services in addition to reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses and other reimbursable costs. Brian Tierney, a member of the Board of Directors, is the CEO of Brian Communications, a strategic communications agency.





128

134


19. Parent Company Financial Information


The following financial statements for Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (Parent Company) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the other notes related to the consolidated financial statements.

Balance Sheet

December 31, 2020 and 2019

(Dollars in thousands)

  

December 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 

ASSETS

        

Cash

 $22,872  $6,327 

Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities of subsidiary trust holding junior obligations of the corporation

  341   341 

Investment in subsidiaries

  287,114   245,158 

Other assets

  9,347   8,640 

Total Assets

 $319,674  $260,466 
         

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

        

Liabilities

        

Accrued expenses

 $290  $33 

Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable securities of subsidiary trust holding solely junior subordinated debentures of the corporation

  11,271   11,265 

Total Liabilities

  11,561   11,298 
         

Shareholders’ Equity

        

Total Shareholders’ Equity

  308,113   249,168 
         

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 $319,674  $260,466 

135


Balance Sheet 
December 31, 2017 and 2016 
(Dollars in thousands) 
       
  
December 31,
2017
  
December 31,
2016
 
ASSETS       
Cash $60,309  $61,011 
Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable capital securities of subsidiary trust holding junior obligations of the corporation  676   676 
Investment in subsidiaries  181,256   170,868 
Other assets  5,931   4,589 
Total Assets $248,172  $237,144 
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY        
Liabilities        
   Accrued expenses $31  $210 
    Corporation-obligated mandatorily redeemable
        securities of subsidiary trust holding solely junior
        subordinated debentures of the corporation
  21,681   21,881 
Total Liabilities  21,712   22,091 
         
Shareholders' Equity        
Total Shareholders' Equity  226,460   215,053 
         
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $248,172  $237,144 

Statements of Operations, Comprehensive Income, and Changes in Shareholders Equity

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

(Dollars in thousands)

  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 
             

Interest income

 $9  $14  $13 

Total income

  9   14   13 
             

Trust preferred interest expense

  297   476   441 

Other expenses

  2,805   3,662   4,972 

Total expenses

  3,102   4,138   5,413 

Net loss before taxes

  (3,093)  (4,124)  (5,400)
             

Benefit for income taxes

  (703)  (917)  (1,640)

Loss before undistributed income of subsidiaries

  (2,390)  (3,207)  (3,760)

Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries

  7,444   (293)  12,387 

Net income (loss)

 $5,054  $(3,500) $8,627 
             

Net income (loss)

 $5,054  $(3,500) $8,627 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

  4,512   4,586   (2,778)

Total comprehensive income

 $9,566  $1,086  $5,849 
             

Shareholders equity, beginning of year

 $249,168  $245,189  $226,460 

Stock based compensation

  1,918   2,632   2,116 

Exercise of stock options

  41   261   670 

Conversion of subordinated debt to common shares

  0   0   10,094 

Proceeds from shares issued under preferred stock offering (2,000,000 shares) net of offering costs of $1,675

  48,325   0   0 

Preferred stock dividends

  (923)  0   0 

Return of short swing profit

  18   0   0 

Net income (loss)

  5,054   (3,500)  8,627 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

  4,512   4,586   (2,778)

Shareholders equity, end of year

 $308,113  $249,168  $245,189 

136

Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018

(Dollars in thousands)

  

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

            

Net income (loss)

 $5,054  $(3,500) $8,627 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:

            

Share based compensation

  1,918   2,632   2,116 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

  6   6   6 

Increase in other assets

  (707)  (1,069)  (1,639)

Net increase (decrease) in other liabilities

  257   (18)  20 

Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries

  (7,444)  293   (12,387)

Net cash used in operating activities

  (916)  (1,656)  (3,257)
             

Cash flows from investing activities:

            

Investment in subsidiary

  (30,000)  (20,000)  (30,000)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (30,000)  (20,000)  (30,000)
             

Cash flows from financing activities:

            

Proceeds from shares issued under preferred stock offering (2,000,000 shares) net of offering costs of $1,675

  48,325         

Preferred share dividends

  (923)        

Return of short swing profit

  18         

Exercise of stock options

  41   261   670 

Net cash provided by financing activities

  47,461   261   670 
             

Increase (decrease) in cash

  16,545   (21,395)  (32,587)

Cash, beginning of period

  6,327   27,722   60,309 

Cash, end of period

 $22,872  $6,327  $27,722 

129

137

Statements of Income, Comprehensive Income (Loss), and Changes in Shareholders' Equity 
For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 
(Dollars in thousands) 
  
  2017  2016  2015 
          
Interest income $37  $35  $34 
Total income  37   35   34 
             
Trust preferred interest expense  1,225   1,160   1,114 
Other expenses  1,424   717   572 
Total expenses  2,649   1,877   1,686 
Net loss before taxes  (2,612)  (1,842)  (1,652)
             
Benefit for income taxes  (914)  (645)  (578)
Loss before undistributed income of subsidiaries  (1,698)  (1,197)  (1,074)
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries  10,603   6,142   3,507 
Net income $8,905  $4,945  $2,433 
             
Net income $8,905  $4,945  $2,433 
Total other comprehensive loss  (215)  (4,129)  (2,533)
Total comprehensive income (loss) $8,690  $816  $(100)
             
Shareholders' equity, beginning of year $215,053  $113,375  $112,811 
Shares issued under common stock offering  -   99,175   - 
Stock based compensation  1,842   759   600 
Stock options issued in acquisition  -   202   - 
Exercise of stock options  646   726   64 
Conversion of subordinated debt to common shares  229   -   - 
Net income  8,905   4,945   2,433 
Total other comprehensive loss  (215)  (4,129)  (2,533)
Shareholders' equity, end of year $226,460  $215,053  $113,375 







130


  Statements of Cash Flows
  For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2016
(Dollars in thousands) 
    
  2017  2016  2015 
Cash flows from operating activities:         
Net income $8,905  $4,945  $2,433 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:            
Share based compensation  1,842   961   600 
Amortization of debt issuance costs  29   24   24 
Increase in other assets  (1,342)  (716)  (636)
Net (decrease) increase in other liabilities  (179)  190   2 
Equity in undistributed income of subsidiaries  (10,603)  (6,142)  (3,507)
Net cash used in operating activities  (1,348)  (738)  (1,084)
             
Cash flows from investing activities:            
Investment in subsidiary  -   (40,203)  (6,400)
Net cash used in investing activities  -   (40,203)  (6,400)
             
Cash flows from financing activities:            
Net proceeds from stock offering  -   99,175   - 
Exercise of stock options  646   726   64 
Net cash provided by financing activities  646   99,901   64 
             
Increase (decrease) in cash  (702)  58,960   (7,420)
Cash, beginning of period  61,011   2,051   9,471 
Cash, end of period $60,309  $61,011  $2,051 






131

 

20. Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)


The following represents summarized unaudited quarterly financial data of the Company for each of the quarters ended during 20172020 and 2016.

Summary of Selected Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data) 
             
  For the Quarter Ended 
  
December 31st
  
September 30th
  
June 30th
  
March 31st
 
2017            
             
Interest income $19,409  $17,922  $17,331  $16,187 
Interest expense  2,542   2,210   2,064   1,968 
Net interest income  16,867   15,712   15,267   14,219 
Provision for loan losses  400   -   500   - 
Non-interest income  5,012   5,778   4,969   4,338 
Non-interest expense  21,622   19,165   17,685   16,804 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes  (2,881)  4   (8)  (34)
Net income $2,738  $2,321  $2,059  $1,787 
                 
Net income per share (1):
                
Basic $0.05  $0.04  $0.04  $0.03 
Diluted $0.05  $0.04  $0.04  $0.03 
                 
2016                
                 
Interest income $14,636  $13,620  $13,209  $12,762 
Interest expense  1,946   1,834   1,612   1,471 
Net interest income  12,690   11,786   11,597   11,291 
Provision for loan losses  -   607   650   300 
Non-interest income  4,727   5,142   3,031   2,412 
Non-interest expense  15,970   15,013   12,967   12,343 
Benefit for income taxes  (50)  (32)  (12)  (25)
Net income $1,497  $1,340  $1,023  $1,085 
                 
Net income per share (1):
                
Basic $0.03  $0.04  $0.03  $0.03 
Diluted $0.03  $0.03  $0.03  $0.03 

2019.

(1)

Summary of Selected Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

  

For the Quarter Ended

 
  

December 31st

  

September 30th

  

June 30th

  

March 31st

 

2020

                
                 

Interest income

 $31,248  $28,560  $27,859  $27,283 

Interest expense

  5,527   5,630   5,432   6,529 

Net interest income

  25,721   22,930   22,427   20,754 

Provision for loan losses

  1,400   850   1,000   950 

Non-interest income

  11,235   10,031   8,424   6,545 

Non-interest expense

  29,907   33,580   26,664   27,272 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

  1,548   (503)  675   (330)

Net income (loss)

 $4,101  $(967) $2,512  $(593)

Preferred stock dividends

  923   0   0   0 

Net income available to common shareholders

 $3,178  $(967) $2,512  $(593)
                 

Net income (loss) per share(1):

                

Basic

 $0.05  $(0.02) $0.04  $(0.01)

Diluted

 $0.05  $(0.02) $0.04  $(0.01)
                 

2019

                
                 

Interest income

 $26,892  $26,208  $26,245  $25,519 

Interest expense

  6,978   6,826   6,874   6,379 

Net interest income

  19,914   19,382   19,371   19,140 

Provision for loan losses

  1,155   450   0   300 

Non-interest income

  5,213   6,554   7,026   4,945 

Non-interest expense

  27,488   27,824   25,911   23,267 

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

  (1,031)  (516)  105   92 

Net income (loss)

 $(2,485) $(1,822) $381  $426 

Preferred stock dividends

  0   0   0   0 

Net income available to common shareholders

 $(2,485) $(1,822) $381  $426 
                 

Net income (loss) per share(1):

                

Basic

 $(0.04) $(0.03) $0.01  $0.01 

Diluted

 $(0.04) $(0.03) $0.01  $0.01 

(1)

Quarterly net income per share does not add to full year net income per share due to rounding.





132

138


21. Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) By Component (1)


(1)

The following table presents the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015.


  
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-For-Sale Securities
  
Unrealized Holding Losses on Securities Transferred From Available-For-Sale
To Held-To-Maturity
  
Total
 
(dollars in thousands)         
Balance January 1, 2017 $(6,831) $(463) $(7,294)
Unrealized loss on securities  (413)  -   (413)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income (2)  94   104   198 
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)  (319)  104   (215)
Balance December 31, 2017 $(7,150) $(359) $(7,509)
             
Balance January 1, 2016 $(2,562) $(603) $(3,165)
Unrealized loss on securities  (3,853)  -   (3,853)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income (2)  (416)  140   (276)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)  (4,269)  140   (4,129)
Balance December 31, 2016 $(6,831) $(463) $(7,294)
             
Balance January 1, 2015 $82  $(714) $(632)
Unrealized loss on securities  (2,577)  -   (2,577)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income (2)  (67)  111   44 
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)  (2,644)  111   (2,533)
Balance December 31, 2015 $(2,562) $(603) $(3,165)

2018.

  

Unrealized Gains

(Losses) on Available-

For-Sale Securities

  

Unrealized Holding

Losses on Securities

Transferred From

Available-For-Sale

To Held-To-Maturity

  

Total

 

(dollars in thousands)

            

Balance January 1, 2020

 $(1,275) $(6,066) $(7,341)

Unrealized gain on securities

  4,320   0   4,320 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income (2)

  (2,060)  2,252   192 

Net current-period other comprehensive income

  2,260   2,252   4,512 

Total change in accumulated other comprehensive income

  2,260   2,252   4,512 

Balance December 31, 2020

 $985  $(3,814) $(2,829)
             

Balance January 1, 2019

 $(4,736) $(7,191) $(11,927)

Unrealized gain on securities

  4,284   0   4,284 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income (2)

  (823)  1,125   302 

Net current-period other comprehensive income

  3,461   1,125   4,586 

Total change in accumulated other comprehensive income

  3,461   1,125   4,586 

Balance December 31, 2019

 $(1,275) $(6,066) $(7,341)
             

Balance January 1, 2018

 $(7,150) $(359) $(7,509)

Reclassification due to the adoption of ASU 2018-02

  (1,562)  (78)  (1,640)

Unrealized gain on securities

  3,927   0   3,927 

Net unrealized holding losses on securities transferred from available-for-sale to held-to-maturity

  0   (6,855)  (6,855)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income (2)

  49   101   150 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

  3,976   (6,754)  (2,778)

Total change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

  2,414   (6,832)  (4,418)

Balance December 31, 2018

 $(4,736) $(7,191) $(11,927)

(1)

(1)

All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate reductions to other comprehensive income.

(2)

(2)

Reclassification amounts are reported as gains/losses on sales of investment securities, impairment losses, and amortization of net unrealized losses on the Consolidated Statement of Income.


22. Business Combination


Oak Mortgage Goodwill

The Company LLC


On completed an annual impairment test for goodwill as of July 28, 31, 2020 and 2019. Goodwill was written off as a result of an interim test completed as of September 30, 2020. This was a complete write-off off all goodwill on the balance sheet. During the year ended December 31, 2019, there was no goodwill impairment recorded.

139

In 2016, Republic acquired all of the issued and outstanding limited liability company interests of Oak Mortgage Company, LLC ("(“Oak Mortgage"Mortgage”) and, as a result, Oak Mortgage became a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic on that date. The aggregate cash purchase price paid to the Sellers for their limited liability company interests at closing was $7.1 million, $1.0 million of which was deposited in an escrow account to be disbursed one year from closing subject to adjustment for any covered indemnity claims under the Purchase Agreement. Escrow funds were disbursed in the third quarter of 2017. The purchase price was considered final as of December 31, 2017.



133



In connection with the Oak Mortgage acquisition, the following table details the consideration paid, the initial estimated fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the acquisition, the subsequent adjustments to estimates, the final valuation of the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of the acquisition, and the resultingCompany’s goodwill recorded (in thousands):

Consideration paid: 
Original
Estimates
  Adjustments to Estimates  
Final
Valuation
 
Cash $7,136  $-  $7,136 
Equity instruments  202   -   202 
Deferred additional purchase price  500   -   500 
             
Value of consideration $7,838  $-  $7,838 
             
Assets acquired:            
             
Cash and cash equivalents $1,223  $-  $1,223 
Loans held for sale  20,871   -   20,871 
Loans receivable  1,132   -   1,132 
Premises and equipment  103   -   103 
Derivative assets  1,508   -   1,508 
Intangible assets – non compete agreements  104   -   104 
Other assets  125   -   125 
Total assets  25,066   -   25,066 
             
Liabilities assumed:            
             
Warehouse lines of credit  19,666   -   19,666 
Derivative liabilities  412   -   412 
Other liabilities  2,042   119   2,161 
Total liabilities  22,120   119   22,239 
             
Net assets acquired  2,946   (119)  2,827 
             
Goodwill resulting from acquisition of Oak Mortgage $4,892  $119  $5,011 

As of December 31, 2016, the estimates of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the acquisition of Oak Mortgage were finalized.

On an unaudited pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company would have reported total revenues of $69.4 million and net income of $6.1 million. The pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the results of operations that would have occurred had Oak Mortgage been acquired by the Company at the beginning of 2016. The pro forma financial information does not include the impact of possible business model changes, nor does it consider any potential impacts of current market conditions or revenues, expense efficiencies or other factors.

23: Goodwill and Other Intangibles

The Company completed an annual impairment test for goodwill as of July 31, 2017.  Future impairment testing will be conducted each July 31, unless a triggering event occurs in the interim that would suggest impairment, in which case it would be tested as of the date of the triggering event.  There was no goodwill impairment recorded during 2017.  There can be no assurance that future impairment assessments or tests will not result in a charge to earnings.
134


The Company's goodwill and intangible assets related to the acquisition of Oak Mortgage in July 2016 is detailed below:

(dollars in thousands)

 

Balance

December 31,

2019

  

Additions/

Adjustments

  

Write-offs

  

Amortization

  

Balance

December 31,

2020

 

Amortization

Period (in

years)

                      

Goodwill

 $5,011  $0  $(5,011) $-  $0 

None

(dollars in thousands)

 

Balance

December 31,

2018

  

Additions/

Adjustments

  

Write-offs

  

Amortization

  

Balance

December 31,

2019

 

Amortization

Period (in

years)

                      

Goodwill

 $5,011  $0  $-  $-  $5,011 

Indefinite


 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
December 31,
2016
  
Additions/
Adjustments
  Amortization  
Balance
December 31,
2017
  
Amortization
Period (in years)
 
                
Goodwill $5,011  $-  $-  $5,011  Indefinite 
Non-compete agreements  61   -   (61)  -   1 
Total $5,072  $-  $(61) $5,011     

 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Balance
December 31,
2015
  
Additions/
Adjustments
  Amortization  
Balance
December 31,
2016
  
Amortization
Period (in years)
 
                
Goodwill $-  $5,011  $-  $5,011  Indefinite 
Non-compete agreements  -   104   (43)  61   1 
Total $-  $5,115  $(43) $5,072     

24:

23. Derivatives and Risk Management Activities


Republic did not have any derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments, or subject to master netting and collateral agreements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017.2020 and 2019. The following table summarizes the amounts recorded in Republic'sRepublic’s statement of financial condition for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments as of December 31, 2017 2020 and December 31, 2016 (in2019 (in thousands):

December 31, 2020

Balance Sheet

Presentation

 

Fair

Value

  

Notional

Amount

 
          

Asset derivatives:

         
          

IRLC’s

Other Assets

 $1,580  $48,223 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

Other Assets

  2   2,069 

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

Other Assets

  0   0 
          

Liability derivatives:

         
          

IRLC’s

Other Liabilities

 $0  $0 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

Other Liabilities

  612   46,154 

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

Other Liabilities

  800   48,373 

December 31, 2019

Balance Sheet

Presentation

 

Fair

Value

  

Notional

Amount

 
          

Asset derivatives:

         
          

IRLC’s

Other Assets

 $362  $14,586 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

Other Assets

  4   875 

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

Other Assets

  2   288 
          

Liability derivatives:

         
          

IRLC’s

Other Liabilities

 $0  $0 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

Other Liabilities

  133   13,711 

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

Other Liabilities

  83   9,614 

140


 
December 31, 2017
Balance Sheet
Presentation
 
Fair
Value
  
Notional
Amount
 
        
  Asset derivatives:       
        
IRLC'sOther Assets $363  $16,366 
Best efforts forward loan sales commitmentsOther Assets  5   1,807 
  Mandatory forward loan sales commitmentsOther Assets  19   4,566 
          
  Liability derivatives:         
          
IRLC'sOther Liabilities $1  $424 
Best efforts forward loan sales commitmentsOther Liabilities  93   14,983 
  Mandatory forward loan sales commitmentsOther Liabilities  195   36,223 

 
December 31, 2016
Balance Sheet
Presentation
 
Fair
Value
  
Notional
Amount
 
        
  Asset derivatives:       
        
IRLC'sOther Assets $439  $20,792 
Best efforts forward loan sales commitmentsOther Assets  103   8,586 
  Mandatory forward loan sales commitmentsOther Assets  229   18,373 
          
  Liability derivatives:         
          
IRLC'sOther Liabilities $55  $6,757 
Best efforts forward loan sales commitmentsOther Liabilities  125   18,963 
  Mandatory forward loan sales commitmentsOther Liabilities  38   5,024 
135

The following table summarizes the amounts recorded in Republic'sRepublic’s statement of income for derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments for the twelve months ended December 31, 20172020, 2019, and December 31, 20162018 (in thousands):


 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2017
Income Statement
Presentation
 Gain/(Loss) 
     
  Asset derivatives:    
     
IRLC'sMortgage banking income $(76)
Best efforts forward loan sales commitmentsMortgage banking income  (98)
  Mandatory forward loan sales commitmentsMortgage banking income  (210)
      
  Liability derivatives:     
      
IRLC'sMortgage banking income $54 
Best efforts forward loan sales commitmentsMortgage banking income  32 
  Mandatory forward loan sales commitmentsMortgage banking income  (157)

 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2016
Income Statement
Presentation
 Gain/(Loss) 
     
  Asset derivatives:    
     
IRLC'sMortgage banking income $(1,042)
Best efforts forward loan sales commitmentsMortgage banking income  77 
  Mandatory forward loan sales commitmentsMortgage banking income  229 
      
  Liability derivatives:     
      
IRLC'sMortgage banking income $(32)
Best efforts forward loan sales commitmentsMortgage banking income  264 
  Mandatory forward loan sales commitmentsMortgage banking income  (38)

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2020

Income Statement

Presentation

 

Gain/(Loss)

 
      

Asset derivatives:

     
      

IRLC’s

Mortgage banking income

 $1,218 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  (2)

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  (2)
      

Liability derivatives:

     
      

IRLC’s

Mortgage banking income

 $0 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  (479)

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  (717)

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2019

Income Statement

Presentation

 

Gain/(Loss)

 
      

Asset derivatives:

     
      

IRLC’s

Mortgage banking income

 $(48)

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  (1)

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  (8)
      

Liability derivatives:

     
      

IRLC’s

Mortgage banking income

 $0 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  5 

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  147 

Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018

Income Statement

Presentation

 

Gain/(Loss)

 
      

Asset derivatives:

     
      

IRLC’s

Mortgage banking income

 $47 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  0 

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  (9)
      

Liability derivatives:

     
      

IRLC’s

Mortgage banking income

 $1 

Best efforts forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  (45)

Mandatory forward loan sales commitments

Mortgage banking income

  (35)

The fair value of Republic'sRepublic’s IRLCs, best efforts forward loan sales commitments, and mandatory forward loan sales commitments are based upon the estimated value of the underlying mortgage loan (determined consistent with "Loans“Loans Held for Sale"Sale”), adjusted for (1)(1) estimated costs to complete and originate the loan, and (2)(2) the estimated percentage of IRLCs that will result in a closed mortgage loan. The valuation of the IRLCs issued by Republic includes the value of the servicing released premium. Republic sells loans servicing released, and the servicing released premium is included in the market price.

141

 

24. Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09Revenue from Contracts with Customers(Topic 606) and all subsequent ASUs that modified Topic 606. Topic 606 does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including revenue from loans and investments. In addition, certain non-interest income streams such as gains on sales of residential mortgage and SBA loans, income associated with servicing assets, and loan fees, including residential mortgage originations to be sold and prepayment and late fees charged across all loan categories are also not in scope of the new guidance. Topic 606 is applicable to non-interest revenue streams such as service charges on deposit accounts. However, the recognition of these revenue streams did not change significantly upon adoption of Topic 606. Non-interest revenue streams in-scope of Topic 606 are discussed below.

Service Charges on Deposit Accounts

Service charges on deposit accounts consist of account analysis fees (i.e., net fees earned on analyzed business and public checking accounts), ATM fees, NSF fees, interchange fees, and other deposit related fees.

The Company’s performance obligation for account analysis fees and monthly services fees is generally satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, over the period in which the service is provided, which is typically one month. Revenue is recognized at month end after the completion of the service period and payment for these service charges on deposit accounts is primarily received through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.

ATM fees, NSF fees, interchange fees, and other deposit related fees are largely transactional based, and therefore, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied, and the related revenue recognized, at a point in time. Payment for these service charges are received immediately through a direct charge to customers’ accounts.

For the Company, there are no other material revenue streams within the scope of Topic 606.

The following tables present non-interest income, segregated by revenue streams in-scope and out-of-scope of Topic 606, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018.

  

Twelve Months Ended

December 31,

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2020

  

2019

  

2018

 

Non-interest income

            

In-scope of Topic 606

            

Service charges on deposit accounts

 $11,058  $7,541  $5,476 

Other non-interest income

  168   214   174 

Non-interest income (in-scope of Topic 606)

  11,226   7,755   5,650 

Non-interest income (out-of-scope of Topic 606)

  25,009   15,983   14,672 

Total non-interest income

 $36,235  $23,738  $20,322 

Contract Balances

A contract asset balance occurs when an entity performs a service for a customer before the customer pays consideration (resulting in a contract receivable) or before payment is due (resulting in a contract asset). A contract liability balance is an entity’s obligation to transfer a service to a customer for which the entity has already received payment (or payment is due) from the customer. The Company’s non-interest revenue streams are largely based on transaction activity, or standard month-end revenue accruals. Consideration is often received immediately or shortly after the Company satisfies its performance obligation and revenue is recognized. The Company does not typically enter into long-term contracts with customers, and therefore, does not experience significant contract balances. As of December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, the Company did not have any significant contract balances.

136

142


Contract Acquisition Costs

In connection with the adoption of Topic 606, an entity is required to capitalize, and subsequently amortize as an expense, certain incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if these costs are expected to be recovered. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those costs that an entity incurs to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained (for example, sales commission). The company utilizes the practical expedient which allows entities to immediately expense contract acquisition costs when the assets that would have resulted from capitalizing these costs would have been amortized in one year or less. Upon adoption of Topic 606, the Company did not capitalize any contract acquisition cost.


25. Leases

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). The FASB issued this ASU to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under current U.S. GAAP and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The new standard was adopted by the Company on January 1, 2019. ASU 2016-02 provides for a modified retrospective transition approach requiring lessees to recognize and measure leases on the balance sheet at the beginning of either the earliest period presented or as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company elected to apply ASU 2016-02 as of the beginning of the period of adoption ( January 1, 2019) and will not restate comparative periods. Adoption of ASU 2016-02 resulted in the recognition of total operating lease liability obligations totaling $35.1 million and the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets totaling $34.2 million at the date of adoption. The initial balance sheet gross up upon adoption was related to operating leases on land and buildings for twenty-three lease agreements. The Company has no finance leases or material subleases for which it is the lessor of property. The Company has elected to apply the package of practical expedients allowed by the new standard under which the Company need not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are leases or contain leases, the Company need not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing lease, and the Company need not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases.

At December 31, 2020, the Company had NaN operating lease agreements, which include operating leases for 20 branch locations, seven offices that are used for general office space, and fifteen operating leases for equipment. Two of the real property operating leases did not include one or more options to extend the lease term. Eight of the operating leases for branch locations are land leases where the Company is responsible for the construction of the building on the property. The forty-two operating leases have maturity dates ranging from August 2021 to August 2059 most of which include options for multiple five and ten year extensions which the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. No operating leases include variable lease payments that are based on an index or rate, such as the CPI. The weighted average remaining operating lease term for these leases is 21.04 years as of December 31, 2020.

At December 31, 2019, the Company had thirty-seven operating lease agreements, which include operating leases for seventeen branch locations, 7 offices that are used for general office space, and 13 operating leases for equipment. Two of the real property operating leases did not include one or more options to extend the lease term. Five of the operating leases for branch locations are land leases where the Company is responsible for the construction of the building on the property. The thirty-seven operating leases have maturity dates ranging from January 2020 to December 2058 most of which include options for multiple five and ten year extensions which the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. No operating leases include variable lease payments that are based on an index or rate, such as the CPI. The weighted average remaining operating lease term for these leases is 19.75 years as of December 31, 2019.


143

 
Tel:215-564-1900
Fax:215-564-3940
www.bdo.com
Ten Penn Center
1801 Market Street, Suite 1700
Philadelphia, PA 19103

The discount rate used in determining the operating lease liability obligation for each individual lease was the assumed incremental borrowing rate for the Company that corresponded with the remaining lease term as of January 1, 2019 for leases that existed at adoption and as of the lease commencement date for leases subsequently entered in to. The weighted average operating lease discount rate was 3.33% and 3.58% as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The following table presents operating lease costs net of sublease income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

  

Twelve Months

Ended

December 31, 2020

  

Twelve Months

Ended

December 31, 2019

 

(dollars in thousands)

        

Operating lease cost

 $7,915  $6,817 

Sublease income

  0   (302)

Total lease cost

 $7,915  $6,515 

Rent expense was approximately $4.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.

The following table presents a maturity analysis of total operating lease liability obligations and reconciliation of the undiscounted cash flows to total operating lease liability obligations at December 31, 2020 and 2019.

  

December 31, 2020

  

December 31, 2019

 

(dollars in thousands)

        

Operating lease payments due:

        

Within one year

 $8,260  $7,221 

One to three years

  15,719   11,385 

Three to five years

  14,938   10,028 

More than five years

  85,176   70,721 

Total undiscounted cash flows

  124,093   99,355 

Discount on cash flows

  (46,517)  (30,499)

Total operating lease liability obligations

 $77,576  $68,856 



144

The following table presents cash and non-cash activities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

  

Twelve Months

Ended

December 31, 2020

  

Twelve Months

Ended

December 31, 2019

 

(dollars in thousands)

        

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

        

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 $7,383  $5,387 
         

Non-cash investing and financing activities

        

Additions to Operating leases – right of use asset

        

New operating lease liability obligation

 $10,973  $72,648 

Note 26 Preferred Stock

On August 26, 2020, the Company completed an offering of an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of 7.00% Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), at a price of $25.00 per share. The Company will pay dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock when and if declared by its board of directors or an authorized committee thereof. If declared, dividends will be due and payable at a rate of 7.00% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 of each year, beginning with the first dividend payment on December 1, 2020. The Company received net proceeds of $48.3 million from the offering, after deducting offering costs. Preferred stock dividends of $923,000 were paid for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock may convert such shares at any time and from time to time into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $3.00 per share of our common stock, subject to adjustment upon certain events. At any time after August 26, 2025, the Company may cause the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock to convert into shares of common stock if the price of the common stock exceeds 125% of the Conversion Price then applicable to the Series A Preferred Stock for at least 20 trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days.

145

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Shareholders and Board of Directors

Republic First Bancorp, Inc.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Republic First Bancorp, Inc.'s’s (the "Company's"“Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the "COSO criteria"“COSO criteria”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2020, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"(“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, the related consolidated statements of income,operations, comprehensive income, (loss), changes in shareholders'shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017,2020, and the related notes and our report dated March 13, 201811, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company'sCompany’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, Controls and Procedures.Management’s Report on Internal Controls. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

146

137

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company'scompany’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company'scompany’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

March 13, 201811, 2021

147






138


Item 9:Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A:Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures


The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission'sCommission’s rules and forms and accumulated and communicated to the Company'sCompany’s management, including the Company'sCompany’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


The Company'sCompany’s management, with the participation of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer, conducted an evaluation, as of the end of the period covered by this report, of the effectiveness of the Company'sCompany’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company'sCompany’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e), were effective at the reasonable assurance level.


Changes in Internal Controls


The principal executive officer and principal financial officer also conducted an evaluation of the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting ("(“Internal Control"Control”) to determine whether any changes in Internal Control occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 20172020 that have materially affected or which are reasonably likely to materially affect Internal Control. Based on that evaluation, there has been no such change during the quarter ended December 31, 2017.


Management's2020.

Managements Report on Internal Controls


Management of Republic First Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company"“Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.

The Company'sCompany’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as of December 31, 2017,2020, based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation under the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework 2013, management of the Company has concluded the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(f), as of December 31, 2017.

2020.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls


Control systems, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not an absolute, level of assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of controls to future periods are subject to risks. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

148

139


BDO, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Company'sCompany’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 20172020 and 2016,2019, and the effectiveness of the Company'sCompany’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017,2020, as stated in their reports, which are included herein.


Item 9B: Other Information


None


PART III


Item 10:Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

Except as set forth below, the information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy materials of the Company to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Company's 2018Company’s 2021 annual meeting of shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, the sections entitled "Board“Board of Directors and Committees"Committees” and "Executive“Executive Officers and Compensation."


The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Company'sCompany’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. The text of the Company'sCompany’s code of ethics is available on the Company'sCompany’s website at www.myrepublicbank.com.www.myrepublicbank.com. We intend to disclose any changes in or revision to our code of ethics on our website, if applicable.


Item 11:Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy materials of the Company to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Company's 2018Company’s 2021 annual meeting of shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, the section entitled "Executive“Executive Officers and Compensation."





140

Item 12:Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Except as set forth below, the information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy materials of the Company to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Company's 2018Company’s 2020 annual meeting of shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, the section entitled "Security“Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management."

149


The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2017,2020, with respect to the shares of common stock that may be issued under the Company'sCompany’s existing equity compensation plans.

 
 
 
 
Plan Category
Number of Shares to
be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
Number of Shares Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in First Column)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders3,005,825$4.98
3,972,859 (1) (2)
    
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders---
    
Total3,005,825$4.98
3,972,859 (1) (2)

(1)Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, as amended and restated in 2005, no additional equity awards were issuable after November 14, 2015.

(2)The 2014 Republic First Bancorp, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan provides for 2,600,000 shares of common stock plus an annual adjustment to be no less than 10% of the outstanding shares or such lower number as the Board of Directors may determine, to be available for such grants.

Plan Category

 

Number of Shares to

be Issued Upon

Exercise of

Outstanding Options,

Warrants and Rights

  

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price of

Outstanding

Options, Warrants

and Rights

  

Number of Shares

Remaining Available for

Future Issuance Under

Equity Compensation

Plans (Excluding

Securities Reflected in

First Column)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

  5,899,426  $5.44   1,043,275(1) (2)
             

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

  -   -   - 
             

Total

  5,899,426  $5.44   1,043,275(1) (2)

(1)Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan, as amended and restated in 2005, no additional equity awards were issuable after November 14, 2015.

(2)The 2014 Republic First Bancorp, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan provides for 2,600,000 shares of common stock plus an annual adjustment to be no less than 10% of the outstanding shares or such lower number as the Board of Directors may determine, to be available for such grants.

Item 13:Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy materials of the Company to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Company's 2018Company’s 2021 annual meeting of shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, the sections entitled "Certain“Certain Relationships and Related Transactions"Transactions” and "Board“Board of Directors and Committees."

Item 14:Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the definitive proxy materials of the Company to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the Company's 2018Company’s 2021 annual meeting of shareholders, including, but not necessarily limited to, the section entitled "Information“Information Regarding Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm"Firm”.





141

150

PART IV


Item 15: Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules


(a)

(1) The following financial statements and related documents of Republic First Bancorp, Inc. are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K in Part II – Item 8 "Financial“Financial Statements and Supplementary Data"Data”:

a.

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20172020 and 2016;2019;

b.

Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015;2018;

c.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015;2018;

d.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015;2018;

e.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders'Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015;2018; and

f.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


(a)

(2) None


(a)

(3) The exhibits filed or furnished, as applicable, as part of this report are listed under Exhibits at subsection (b) of this Item 15.


(b)

Exhibits


The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report.


Exhibit

Number

Description

Location

3.1

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Republic First Bancorp, Inc.

Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed March 10, 2017

3.2

Statement with Respect to Shares regarding 7.0% Perpetual Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A of Republic First Bancorp, Inc.

Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed August 21, 2020

   
3.23.3Amended and Restated By-Laws of Republic First Bancorp, Inc.Incorported by reference to Form S-110-Q filed April 23, 2010  (333-166286)May 11, 2020
4.1

4.1

The Company will furnish to the SEC upon request copies of the following documents relating to the Company'sCompany’s Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debt Securities due 2037: (i) Indenture dated as of December 27, 2006, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee; (ii) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Republic Capital Trust II, dated as of December 27, 2006; and (iii) Guarantee Agreement dated as of December 27, 2006, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the capital securities of Republic Capital Trust II

 

151

142


Exhibit

Number

Description

Location

4.2

The Company will furnish to the SEC upon request copies of the following documents relating to the Company'sCompany’s Floating Rate Junior Subordinated Debt Securities due 2037: (i) Indenture dated as of June 28, 2007, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee; (ii) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Republic Capital Trust III, dated as of June 28, 2007; and (iii) Guarantee Agreement dated as of June 28, 2007, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the capital securities of Republic Capital Trust III

 

4.3

The Company will furnish to the SEC upon request copies of the following documents relating to the Company's Fixed Rate Junior Subordinated Convertible Debt Securities due 2038: (i) Indenture dated as of June 10, 2008, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee; (ii) Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of Republic First Bancorp Capital Trust IV, dated as of June 10, 2008; and (iii) Guarantee Agreement dated as of June 10, 2008, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the capital securities of Republic First Bancorp Capital Trust IV

 

10.1

4.3

Description of Capital Securities

Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed March 16, 2020

10.1

Form of Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 2015, by and among, certain named Executive Officers, Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Republic First Bank*

Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed July 14, 2015

 

10.2

Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan and Restricted Stock Plan*

Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed March 10, 2008

 

10.3

Deferred Compensation Plan*

Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed March 16, 2010

 

10.4

Amended and Restated Supplemental Retirement Plan Agreements between Republic First Bank and Certain Directors*

Incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed November 7, 2008

152

Exhibit

Number

Description

 

Location

10.5

143


Exhibit Number
Description
Location
10.5Purchase Agreement among Republic First Bancorp, Inc., Republic First Bancorp Capital Trust IV, and Purchasers of the Trust IV Capital  Securities
10.6Registration Rights Agreement among Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and the Holders of the Trust IV Capital Securities
10.7Agreement, dated March 9, 2017, between Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Vernon W. Hill II

Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed March 10, 2017

 

10.8

10.6

Employment Agreement, dated May 10, 2013, by and among Harry D. Madonna, Republic First Bancorp, Inc., and Republic First Bank*

Incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q filed May 10, 2013

 

10.9

10.7

First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated March 18, 2015, by and among Harry D. Madonna, Republic First Bancorp, Inc. and Republic First Bank*

Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed March 20, 2015

 

10.10

10.8

Form of Option Award*

Incorporated by reference to Form S-1 filed April 23, 2010 (333-166286)

 

10.11

10.9

Republic First Bancorp, Inc. 2014 Equity Incentive Plan*

Incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed March 26, 2014

 

10.12

10.10

Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed March 13, 2015

 

10.13

10.11

Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award – 2014 Equity Incentive Plan*

Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K filed March 13, 2015

 

10.14

10.12

Form of Investment Agreement

Incorporated by reference to Form 8-K filed April 22, 2014

 

10.15

21.1

Limited Liability Company Purchase Agreement dated July 26, 2016 by and among, Republic First Bank d/b/a Republic Bank and Owners of Oak Mortgage Company, LLC
21.1Subsidiaries of the Company

 

Filed Herewith

23.1

23.1

Consent of BDO USA, LLP

 
144


Exhibit Number
Description
Location

Filed Herewith

31.1

31.1

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Republic First Bancorp, Inc.

 

Filed Herewith

153

Exhibit

Number

Description

Location

31.2

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Republic First Bancorp, Inc.

 

Filed Herewith

32.1

32.1

Section 1350 Certification of Harry D. Madonna

 

Furnished Herewith

32.2

32.2

Section 1350 Certification of Frank A. Cavallaro

 

Furnished Herewith

101

101

The following materials from the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017,2020, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language);Inline XBRL; (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 20172020 and December 31, 2016,2019, (ii) Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, (v) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders'Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016,2020, 2019, and 2015,2018, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) 
   

* Constitutes a management compensation agreement or arrangement.

(c)


(c)

All financial statement schedules are omitted because the required information is not present or not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule or because the information required is included in the respective financial statements or notes thereto contained herein.

154

 
145


SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.


REPUBLIC FIRST BANCORP, INC.

Date: March 13, 201811, 2021

By:

/s/ Harry D. MadonnaVernon W. Hill, II

Harry D. Madonna

Vernon W. Hill, II

President and

Chief Executive Officer

(principal executive officer)

Date: March 13, 201811, 2021

By:

/s/ Frank A. Cavallaro

Frank A. Cavallaro

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(principal financial and accounting officer)


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Date: March 13, 201811, 2021

By:

/s/ Vernon W. Hill, II

Vernon W. Hill, II, Chairman of the Board

Date: March 13, 201811, 2021

By:

/s/ Andrew B. Cohen

Andrew B. Cohen, Director

Date: March 13, 201811, 2021

By:

/s/ Theodore J. Flocco, Jr.

Theodore J. Flocco, Jr., Director

Date: March 13, 201811, 2021

By:

/s/ Lisa R. Jacobs

Lisa R. Jacobs, Director

Date: March 13, 201811, 2021

By:

/s/ Harry D. Madonna

Harry D. Madonna, Director

Date: March 13, 201811, 2021

By:

/s/ Barry L. Spevak

Barry L. Spevak, Director

Date: March 13, 201811, 2021

By:

/s/ Brian P. Tierney

Brian P. Tierney, Director

Date: March 13, 201811, 2021

By:

/s/ Harris Wildstein, Esq.

Harris Wildstein, Esq., Director





155
146